Inter-observer variation of Syntax score among cardiac surgeons, clinical and interventional cardiologists.

BACKGROUND: Despite the complexity of SYNTAX score (SS), guidelines recommend this tool to help choosing between coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with left main of three-vessel coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to compare the inter-observer variation in SS performed by clinical cardiologists (CC), interventional cardiologists (IC), and cardiac surgeons (CS). METHODS: Seven coronary angiographies from patients with left main and/or three-vessel disease chosen by a heart team were analyzed by 10 CC, 10 IC and 10 CS. SS was calculated via SYNTAX website. RESULTS: Kappa concordance was very low between CC and CS (k = 0.176), moderate between CS and IC (k = 0.563), and moderate between CC and IC (0.553). There was a statistically significant difference between CC, who classified more cases as low complexity (70%), and CS, who classified more cases as moderate complexity (80%) (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Concordance between SS analyzed by CC, CS and IC is low. The usefulness of SS in decision-making of revascularization strategy is undeniable and evidence supports its use. However, this study highlights the importance of well-trained professionals on calculating the SS. It could avoid misclassification of borderline cases.

Multiple Culprit Coronary Artery Thrombosis in a Patient with Coronary Ectasia.

We here report a case of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to simultaneous acute coronary artery occlusions of two major coronary arteries in a patient with coronary ectasia. The patient had been previously submitted to percutaneous coronary angioplasty with bare metal stent implantation in both culprit vessels. Very late stent thrombosis could be the cause of the first occlusion, triggering the event in the other vessel. In addition, concomitant embolic sources were not identified. Although routine aspiration thrombectomy in STEMI was not proven to be beneficial in randomized clinical trials, it was of great value in this case. We also discuss the relation between coronary ectasia, chronic inflammatory status, and increased platelet activity which may have caused plaque disruption in another already vulnerable vessel.

Acute Myocardial Infarction Caused by an Anomalous Right Coronary Artery Occlusion Presenting with Precordial ST Elevation.

Acute coronary syndrome with precordial ST segment elevation is usually related to left anterior descending artery occlusion, although isolated right ventricular infarction has been described as a cause of ST elevation in V1-V3 leads. We present a case of a patient with previous inferior wall infarction and new acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to proximal right coronary thrombotic occlusion resulting in right ventricular infarction with precordial ST elevation and sinus node dysfunction. The patient was treated with successful rescue angioplasty achieving resolution of acute symptoms and electrocardiographic abnormalities.

Cateterismo cardíaco direito por acesso venoso antecubital guiado por ultrassonografia / Right heart catheterization through ultrasound-guided antecubital vein approach

Introdução: As complicações no cateterismo cardíaco direito estão quase sempre relacionadas ao local de acesso. As veias do antebraço podem ser um alvo para reduzir tais complicações durante o procedimento. No entanto, dados relativos à ampla aplicação desta técnica são escassos. Métodos: Série de casos que relata nossas primeiras experiências com o cateterismo cardíaco direito por acesso venoso antecubital. Resultados: Tentamos realizar o cateterismo cardíaco direito em 20 pacientes com abordagem antecubital em janeiro de 2016. A abordagem antecubital foi bem-sucedida em 19 casos (95,0%). Todos os acessos venosos foram obtidos guiados por ultrassonografia. Os cateterismos cardíacos direito e esquerdo foram realizados simultaneamente em 12 casos (60,0%). O cateterismo cardíaco esquerdo foi realizado através da artéria radial direita em 11 casos (91,7%), e da artéria braquial direita em 1 caso (8,3%). O acesso antecubital foi obtido pela veia basílica em 18 (94,7%) casos, e pela veia cefálica em 1 (5,3%) caso. Conclusões: O cateterismo cardíaco direito através das veias da prega antecubital parece ser viável e seguro. Outros estudos controlados são necessários para estabelecer o melhor local de acesso para realizar o cateterismo cardíaco direito

Background: Complications in right heart catheterization are almost all access-site related. Forearm veins may be a target to reduce access-site complications during the procedure. However, data regarding wide application of this technique is scarce. Methods: This is a case-series that reports our first experiences in right heart catheterization through the antecubital approach. Results: We attempted to perform right heart catheterization in 20 patients using antecubital approach on January 2016. The antecubital approach was successful in 19 (95.0%) cases. All venous access were obtained with ultrasound guidance. Simultaneous right and left heart catheterization was performed in 12 cases (60.0%). Left heart catheterization was performed through right radial artery in 11 cases (91.7%) and through the right brachial artery in 1 case (8.3%). Antecubital access was obtained through the basilic vein in 18 (94.7%) cases and through the cephalic vein in 1 (5.3%) case. Conclusions: Right heart catheterization through the antecubital fossa veins appears to be feasible and safe. Further controlled studies are required to establish the best access site to perform right heart catheterization

Perfil da intervenção coronária percutânea no infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST no Brasil de 2006 a 2010: Registro CENIC / National profile of percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction in Brazil from 2006 to 2010: the CENIC Registry

Introdução: O infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) persiste comoimportante causa de morbidade e mortalidade. Este estudo visa a delinear o panorama nacional da intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) no cenário do IAM, analisando diferentes períodos e regiões do Brasil, com enfoque na ICP primária e nos tratamentos adjuntos farmacológicos e mecânicos.Métodos: Foram analisados dados de 20.004 pacientes com diagnóstico de IAM com supradesnivelamento dosegmento ST (IAMCSST) e submetidos a ICP, provenientes do Registro CENIC (Central Nacional de Intervenções Cardiovasculares), de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2010. Esses dados são oriundos de 252 centros localizados em22 Estados das cinco regiões do País. Resultados: A ICP primária correspondeu a 57,8% das ICPs realizadas no contexto do IAM, seguida de ICP eletiva pós-IAMCSST (35,7%), ICP de resgate (6,1%) e ICP facilitada (0,4%). A evolução ao longo dos anos evidencia aumento progressivo do número de ICPs primárias no Brasil, partindo de 56,7% do total em 2006 para 71,6% em 2010. O tempo médio porta-balão da ICP primária no Brasil nesse período foi de 2 horas. A aspiração de trombos aumentou de 0,4%em 2006 para 8,2% dos casos em 2010. A taxa média de sucesso do procedimento foi de 93,8%, enquanto a de óbito hospitalar foi de apenas 2,8%. Conclusões: A ICP no cenário do IAMCSST vem apresentando avanços de 2006 a 2010, embora de maneira heterogênea nas diferentes regiões doBrasil, mediante aumento das taxas de ICP primária e maior utilização de dispositivos de aspiração de trombo, osquais ainda não foram incorporados na rotina. Investimentos em recursos humanos e implementação de protocolos de atendimento constituem elementos essenciais para a otimização do tempo porta-balão e para a melhora dos resultados clínicos.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to outline the national profile of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) in the setting of AMI, analyzing different time periods and geographic regions, with focus on primary PCI and adjunctive pharmacological and mechanical treatments. Methods: Data from 20,004 patients with ST elevationmyocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing PCI and included in the CENIC Registry (National Center of Cardiovascular Interventions) from January 2006 to December 2010 wereincluded in this study. Data were obtained from 252 centers located in 22 states from five different geographic regions in the country. Results: Primary PCI accounted for 57.8% of PCI performed in the setting of AMI, followed by elective PCI after STEMI (35.7%), rescue PCI (6.1%) and facilitated PCI (0.4%). The evolution over time showed a progressiveincrease in the number of primary PCIs in Brazil, from 56.7% in 2006 to 71.6% in 2010. The mean door-to-balloon timeof primary PCI in Brazil during this period was 2 hours. Thrombus aspiration increased from 0.4% in 2006 to 8.2%of cases in 2010. Procedural success rate was 93.8%, while in-hospital mortality was only 2.8%. Conclusions: PCI in the setting of STEMI has improved from 2006 to 2010, althoughheterogeneously in the different regions of Brazil, due to increased primary PCI rates and higher use of thrombusaspiration devices, which have not been incorporated in the routine practice. Investments in staff training and implementation of clinical protocols are essential to optimize the door-to-balloon time and improve clinical outcomes.