Prasugrel Monotherapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Insights From ASET Pilot Studies.

Background: The ASET (Acetyl-Salicylic Elimination Trial) pilot studies recently investigated P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy without aspirin immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Brazil and Japan. Objectives: This comparative analysis of the 2 ASET pilot studies aimed to summarize clinical outcomes and assess geographic and ethnic differences in baseline demographics and procedures. Methods: Patients undergoing successful platinum-chromium everolimus-eluting stent implantation for chronic coronary syndrome were included. Following the index PCI, patients received prasugrel monotherapy with a maintenance dose of 10 mg/day in Brazil and 3.75 mg/day in Japan. The primary ischemic endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, spontaneous target vessel myocardial infarction, or definite stent thrombosis. The primary bleeding endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium types 3 and 5 bleeding at up to 3 months. Results: Of 409 enrollments, 3-month follow-up was completed in 406 patients. Mean age was 64.3 ± 8.4 years, and 73% were men. Overall, post-TIMI flow grade 3 was achieved in 99.8%. Intravascular imaging for poststent optimization was used in 16.8% and 99.6% of treated lesions in Brazil and Japan, respectively. The primary ischemic and bleeding endpoints occurred in the same patient (0.2%). No stent thrombosis events occurred. Conclusions: Prasugrel monotherapy following PCI was safe and feasible in selected low-risk chronic coronary syndrome patients after optimal platinum-chromium everolimus-eluting stent implantation regardless of the ethnic and geographic differences in baseline demographics, procedures, and prasugrel dosage. Randomized controlled trials will be needed to compare P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy without aspirin with the current standard of care.

Comparison between optical coherence tomography-guided and intravascular ultrasound-guided primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: To examine the clinical outcomes of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We retrospectively investigated 533 consecutive patients who underwent primary PCI for STEMI between June 2016 and December 2020. The primary endpoint was a target lesion failure (TLF; defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization). Propensity score (PS) matching was performed to allow direct comparison of OCT-guided and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. Results: Patients in the OCT group (n=166) were younger than those in the IVUS group (n=367) and had a significantly higher left ventricular ejection fraction and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Killip class IV and left main stem disease were more common in the IVUS group. The median peak creatine kinase level was comparable between the two groups (1953 U/L vs 1603 U/L). A significantly larger amount of contrast was used in the OCT group (200 mL vs 165 mL; p<0.001). The cumulative incidence of TLF during a median follow-up of 2.2 years did not differ significantly between OCT and IVUS groups (9.6% vs 13.6%; p=0.221) but cardiac mortality was significantly higher in the IVUS group (8.7% vs 3.6%; p=0.047). After PS matching (n=161 in each group), there was no significant between-group difference in TLF or any other clinical outcome measures. Conclusions: OCT-guided PCI demonstrated clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI that were comparable to those of IVUS-guided PCI despite considerable differences in background characteristics.

Assessment of the renal angina index in patients hospitalized in a cardiac intensive care unit.

The renal angina index (RAI) is a validated scoring tool for predicting acute kidney injury (AKI). We investigated the efficacy of the RAI in 2436 heterogeneous patients (mean age, 70 years) treated in cardiac intensive care units (CICUs). The RAI was calculated from creatinine and patient condition scores. AKI was diagnosed by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome criteria. The primary and secondary endpoints were the development of severe AKI and all-cause mortality, respectively. Four hundred thirty-three patients developed AKI, 87 of them severe. In multivariate analyses, the RAI was a significant independent predictor of severe AKI. During the 12-month follow-up period, 210 patients suffered all-cause death. Elevated RAI was independently associated with all-cause mortality, as was NT-proBNP (p < 0.001). The RAI is a potent predictor not only of severe AKI but also of adverse outcomes and substantially improved the 12-month risk stratification of patients hospitalized in CICUs.

Geographic disparity of pathophysiological coronary artery disease characteristics: Insights from ASET trials.

BACKGROUND: The geographical disparity in the pathophysiological pattern of coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the geographical variance in the pathophysiological characteristics of CAD. METHODS: Physiological indices derived from angiography-based fractional flow reserve pullbacks from patients with chronic coronary syndrome enrolled in the ASET Japan (n = 206) and ASET Brazil (n = 201) studies, which shared the same eligibility criteria, were analysed. The pathophysiological patterns of CAD were characterised using Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (µQFR)-derived indices acquired from pre-PCI angiograms. The diffuseness of CAD was defined by the µQFR pullback pressure gradient index. RESULTS: Significant functional stenoses pre-PCI (µQFR ≤0.80) were more frequent in ASET Japan compared to ASET Brazil (89.9% vs. 67.5%, p < 0.001), as were rates of a post-PCI µQFR <0.91 (22.1% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.013). In the multivariable analysis, pre-procedural µQFR and diffuse disease were independent factors for predicting a post-PCI µQFR <0.91, which contributed to the different rates of post-PCI µQFR ≥0.91 between the studies. Among vessels with a post-PCI µQFR <0.91, a consistent diffuse pattern of CAD pre- and post-PCI occurred in 78.3% and 76.7% of patients in ASET Japan and Brazil, respectively; only 6.3% (Japan) and 10.0% (Brazil) of vessels had a major residual gradient. Independent risk factors for diffuse disease were diabetes mellitus in ASET Japan, and age and male gender in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: There was geographic disparity in pre-procedural angiography-based pathophysiological characteristics. The combined pre-procedural physiological assessment of vessel µQFR and diffuseness of CAD may potentially identify patients who will benefit most from PCI.

Preprocedural physiological assessment of coronary disease patterns to predict haemodynamic outcomes post-PCI.

BACKGROUND: Even with intracoronary imaging-guided stent optimisation, suboptimal haemodynamic outcomes post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be related to residual lesions in non-stented segments. Preprocedural assessment of pathophysiological coronary artery disease (CAD) patterns could help predict the physiological response to PCI. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between preprocedural pathophysiological haemodynamic patterns and intracoronary imaging findings, as well as their association with physiological outcomes immediately post-PCI. METHODS: Data from 206 patients with chronic coronary syndrome enrolled in the ASET-JAPAN study were analysed. Pathophysiological CAD patterns were characterised using Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (µQFR)-derived indices acquired from pre-PCI angiograms. The diffuseness of CAD was defined by the pullback pressure gradient (PPG) index. Intracoronary imaging in stented segments after stent optimisation was also analysed. RESULTS: In the multivariable analysis, diffuse disease - defined by the pre-PCI µQFR-PPG index - was an independent factor for predicting a post-PCI µQFR <0.91 (per 0.1 decrease of PPG index, odds ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-2.34; p=0.022), whereas the stent expansion index (EI) was not associated with a suboptimal post-PCI µQFR. Among vessels with an EI ≥80% and post-PCI µQFR <0.91, 84.0% of those vessels had a diffuse pattern preprocedure. There was no significant difference in EI between vessels with diffuse disease and those with focal disease. The average plaque burden in the stented segment was significantly larger in vessels with a preprocedural diffuse CAD pattern. CONCLUSIONS: A physiological diffuse pattern preprocedure was an independent factor in predicting unfavourable immediate haemodynamic outcomes post-PCI, even after stent optimisation using intracoronary imaging. Preprocedural assessment of CAD patterns could identify patients who are likely to exhibit superior immediate haemodynamic outcomes following PCI.

Coronary computed tomography angiographic detection of in-stent restenosis via deep learning reconstruction: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of in-stent restenosis (ISR), especially for small stents, remains challenging during computed tomography (CT) angiography. We used deep learning reconstruction to quantify stent strut thickness and lumen vessel diameter at the stent and compared it with values obtained using conventional reconstruction strategies. METHODS: We examined 166 stents in 85 consecutive patients who underwent CT and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within 3 months of each other from 2019-2021 after percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary stent placement. The presence of ISR was defined as percent diameter stenosis ≥ 50% on ICA. We compared a super-resolution deep learning reconstruction, Precise IQ Engine (PIQE), and a model-based iterative reconstruction, Forward projected model-based Iterative Reconstruction SoluTion (FIRST). All images were reconstructed using PIQE and FIRST and assessed by two blinded cardiovascular radiographers. RESULTS: PIQE had a larger full width at half maximum of the lumen and smaller strut than FIRST. The image quality score in PIQE was higher than that in FIRST (4.2 ± 1.1 versus 2.7 ± 1.2, p < 0.05). In addition, the specificity and accuracy of ISR detection were better in PIQE than in FIRST (p < 0.05 for both), with particularly pronounced differences for stent diameters < 3.0 mm. CONCLUSION: PIQE provides superior image quality and diagnostic accuracy for ISR, even with stents measuring < 3.0 mm in diameter. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: With improvements in the diagnostic accuracy of in-stent stenosis, CT angiography could become a gatekeeper for ICA in post-stenting cases, obviating ICA in many patients after recent stenting with infrequent ISR and allowing non-invasive ISR detection in the late phase. KEY POINTS: • Despite CT technology advancements, evaluating in-stent stenosis severity, especially in small-diameter stents, remains challenging. • Compared with conventional methods, the Precise IQ Engine uses deep learning to improve spatial resolution. • Improved diagnostic accuracy of CT angiography helps avoid invasive coronary angiography after coronary artery stenting.

Clinical Outcomes Based on Coronary Computed Tomography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve and Plaque Characterization.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) followed by computed tomography angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) is now commonly used for the management of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). CTA-verified high-risk plaque (HRP) characteristics have also been reported to be associated with a greater likelihood of adverse cardiac events but have not been used for management decisions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes based on a combination of point-of-care computed tomography angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (POC-FFRCT) and the presence of HRP in CCS patients initially treated medically or with revascularization based on invasive coronary angiography findings. METHODS: CTA was performed as the initial test in 5,483 patients presenting with CCS between September 2015 and December 2020 followed by invasive coronary angiography and revascularization as necessary. POC-FFRCT assessment and HRP characterization were obtained subsequently in 745 consecutive patients. We investigated how HRP and POC-FFRCT, which were not available during the original clinical decision making, correlated with the endpoint defined as a composite of cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, and a need for unplanned revascularization. RESULTS: Cardiac events occurred in 20 patients (2.7%) during a median follow-up of 744 days. The event rate was significantly higher in patients with POC-FFRCT <0.80 compared with POC-FFRCT ≥0.8 (5.4 vs 0.5 per 100 vessel years; log-rank P < 0.0001) and in patients with HRP compared to those without HRP (3.6 vs 0.8 per 100 vessel years; log-rank P = 0.0001). POC-FFRCT <0.80 and the presence of HRP were the independent predictors of cardiac events (HR: 16.67; 95% CI: 2.63-105.39; P = 0.002) compared with POC-FFRCT ≥0.8 and absent HRP. For the vessels with POC-FFRCT <0.80 and HRP, a significantly higher rate of adverse events was observed in patients who did not undergo revascularization compared with those revascularized (16.4 vs 1.4 per 100 vessel years; log-rank P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: POC-FFRCT <0.80 and the presence of HRP were the independent predictors of cardiac events, and revascularization of HRP lesions with abnormal POC-FFRCT was associated with a lower event rate.

Prognostic significance of the Holter-derived T-wave variability in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias complicating acute coronary syndrome-TWIST study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the association between ventricular repolarization instability and sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) occurring within 48 h (acute-phase VT/VF) after the onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the prognostic role of repolarization instability and heart rate variability (HRV) after discharge from the hospital. METHODS: We studied 572 ACS patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction >35%. The ventricular repolarization instability was assessed by the beat-to-beat T-wave amplitude variability (TAV) using high-resolution 24-h Holter ECGs recorded at a median of 11 days from the date of admission. We calculated the HRV parameters including the deceleration capacity (DC) and non-Gaussian index calculated on a 25 s timescale (λ25s). The DC and λ25s were dichotomized based on previous studies' thresholds. RESULTS: Acute-phase VT/VF developed in 43 (7.5%) patients. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher among VT/VF patients (4.7% vs. 0.9%, p = .03). An adjusted logistic model showed that the maximum TAV (odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.29, p = .04) was associated with acute-phase VT/VF. During a median follow-up period of 2.1 years, 19 (3.3%) patients had cardiac deaths or resuscitated cardiac arrest. Acute-phase VT/VF (p = .12) and TAV (p = .72) were not significant predictors of survival. An age and sex-adjusted Cox model showed that the DC (p < .01), λ25s (p < .01), and emergency coronary intervention (p < .01) were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: T-wave amplitude variability was associated with acute-phase VT/VF, but the TAV was not predictive of survival post-discharge. The DC, λ25s, and emergency coronary intervention were independent predictors of survival.

Plasma ANGPTL8 Levels and Risk for Secondary Cardiovascular Events in Japanese Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease Receiving Statin Therapy.

BACKGROUND: The ability to predict secondary cardiovascular events could improve health of patients undergoing statin treatment. Circulating ANGPTL8 (angiopoietin-like protein 8) levels, which positively correlate with proatherosclerotic lipid profiles, activate the pivotal proatherosclerotic factor ANGPTL3. Here, we assessed potential association between circulating ANGPTL8 levels and risk of secondary cardiovascular events in statin-treated patients. METHODS: We conducted a biomarker study with a case-cohort design, using samples from a 2018 randomized control trial known as randomized evaluation of high-dose (4 mg/day) or low-dose (1 mg/day) lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin in coronary artery disease (REAL-CAD [Randomized Evaluation of Aggressive or Moderate Lipid-Lowering Therapy With Pitavastatin in Coronary Artery Disease])." From that study's full analysis set (n=12 413), we selected 2250 patients with stable coronary artery disease (582 with the primary outcome, 1745 randomly chosen, and 77 overlapping subjects). A composite end point including cardiovascular-related death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, or unstable angina requiring emergent admission was set as a primary end point. Circulating ANGPTL8 levels were measured at baseline and 6 months after randomization. RESULTS: Over a 6-month period, ANGPTL8 level changes significantly decreased in the high-dose pitavastatin group, which showed 19% risk reduction of secondary cardiovascular events compared with the low-dose group in the REAL-CAD [Randomized Evaluation of Aggressive or Moderate Lipid-Lowering Therapy With Pitavastatin in Coronary Artery Disease] study. In the highest quartiles, relative increases in ANGPTL8 levels were significantly associated with increased risk for secondary cardiovascular events, after adjustment for several cardiovascular disease risk factors and pitavastatin treatment (hazard ratio in Q4, 1.67 [95% CI, 1.17-2.39). Subgroup analyses showed relatively strong relationships between relative ANGPTL8 increases and secondary cardiovascular events in the high-dose pitavastatin group (hazard ratio in Q4, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.21-3.55]) and in the low ANGPTL8 group at baseline (166

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy for refractory angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND: Despite the advances in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, effective treatment remains to be established to improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients with chronic coronary syndromes. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy, which we have developed as a novel non-invasive angiogenic therapy through upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled (RCT) pilot trial of the LIPUS therapy for patients with refractory angina pectoris. The patients who received optimal medical therapy without indication of PCI or CABG due to the lack of graftability or complexity of coronary lesions were enrolled. They were randomly divided into the LIPUS treatment group (N = 31) and the placebo group (N = 25) in a 1:1 fashion. The LIPUS therapy was performed in a transthoracic manner for 20 min for 3 sections each (mitral, papillary muscle, and apex levels) under the conditions that we identified; frequency 1.875 MHz, intensity 0.25 MPa, and 32 cycles. The primary endpoint was weekly use of nitroglycerin. Secondary endpoints included stress myocardial perfusion imaging and others. The average weekly nitroglycerin use (times/week) was decreased from 5.50 to 2.44 in the LIPUS group and from 5.94 to 2.83 in the placebo group. The changes in the average weekly nitroglycerin use were comparable; -3.06 (95% CI: -4.481 to -1.648) in the LIPUS group (P<0.01) and -3.10 (95% CI: -4.848 to -1.356) in the placebo group (P<0.01). No adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the LIPUS therapy did not further ameliorate chest pain as compared with optimal medications alone in patients with refractory angina pectoris. The present findings need to be confirmed in another trial with a large number of patients. (Registration ID: UMIN000012369).

Differential prediction of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-I, but not N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, in different pitavastatin doses on cardiovascular events in stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine whether high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-I (hsTnI) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) could predict future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with high- or low-dose of pitavastatin. METHODS: This was a case-cohort analysis of the REAL-CAD study, a randomized trial of high- or low-dose (4 or 1 mg/day) pitavastatin therapy in patients with stable CAD. We examined the MACE risk according to the quartile of hsTnI and NT-proBNP at baseline. RESULTS: A total of 1336 and 1396 patients including 582 MACE cases were randomly examined into the hsTnI and NT-proBNP cohort, respectively. Both higher levels of hsTnI and NT-proBNP at baseline were significantly associated with increased risk of MACE (p < 0.001, respectively). When separately analyzed in statin dose, the higher marker levels were significantly associated with higher MACE risk in all cohorts (p < 0.001 in all cohorts). After multivariable adjustment, hsTnI levels were significantly associated with MACE risk in low-dose statin group (HR 2.54, p = 0.0001); however, in high-dose pitavastatin therapy, a significant association was diminished in MACE risk among the quartiles of baseline hsTnI levels (p = 0.154). Conversely in the NT-proBNP cohort, the association between NT-proBNP levels and MACE risk was constantly observed regardless of pitavastatin dose even after multivariable adjustment (both p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with high hsTnI levels had high risk of MACE in low-dose statin group, but not in high-dose, suggesting that high-dose statin treatment might decrease MACE risk in stable CAD patients with high hsTnI levels.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with heart failure treated with tolvaptan.

Objectives: We conducted an analysis of first-time tolvaptan users (≥80 years old) to determine the factors associated with the prognosis of elderly patients with heart failure. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 66 consecutive patients with worsening heart failure (aged ≥80 years) who were admitted to Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital from 2011 to 2016 and treated with tolvaptan. Differences between the in-hospital death and survival groups were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed to identify the risk factors for mortality. Results: Sixty-six patients were included, and 26 patients died during the index hospitalization. The patients who died had a significantly higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease; a higher heart rate; higher levels of plasma C-reactive protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine; a lower serum albumin level; and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate than surviving patients. The proportion of patients requiring early initiation of tolvaptan treatment (within 3 days of admission) was significantly higher in surviving patients. On the basis of multivariate logistic regression analysis, although a high heart rate and high BUN levels were independent factors for in-hospital prognosis, they were not significantly associated with the early use of tolvaptan (≤3 days vs. ≥4 days; odds ratio=0.39; 95% confidence interval=0.07-2.21; p=0.29). Conclusions: This study revealed that a higher heart rate and higher BUN levels were independent factors for in-hospital prognosis in elderly patients who received tolvaptan and that early tolvaptan use may not always be effective in elderly patients.

Circulating miR-20b-5p and miR-330-3p are novel biomarkers for progression of atrial fibrillation: Intracardiac/extracardiac plasma sample analysis by small RNA sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs, miR) have been considered as biomarkers reflecting the underlying pathophysiology in atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, miRNA expression in the peripheral blood samples might not reflect a cardiac phenomenon since most miRNAs are expressed in numerous organs. This study aimed to identify the cardiac-specific circulating miRNAs as biomarkers for AF. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from a luminal coronary sinus catheter (CS, cardiac-specific samples) and femoral venous sheath (FV, peripheral samples) in patients with AF and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (control, CTL) undergoing catheter ablation. The circulating miRNA profiles were analyzed by small RNA sequencing. Differently expressed miRNAs between AF and CTL were identified in each sample of the CS and FV; miRNAs exhibiting similar expression patterns in the CS and FV samples were selected as candidates for cardiac-specific biomarkers. The selected miRNAs were related to the outcome of catheter ablation of AF. RESULTS: Small RNA sequencing detected 849 miRNAs. Among the top 30 most differently expressed miRNAs between AF and CTL, circulating hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-330-3p, and hsa-miR-204-5p had a similar pattern in the CS and FV samples. Another set of peripheral blood samples was obtained from AF patients undergoing catheter ablation (n = 141). The expression of the miR-20b-5p and miR-330-3p, but not the miR-204-5p, negatively correlated with the echocardiographic left-atrial dimension and was decreased in patients with AF recurrence as compared to those without AF recurrence during a 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Circulating miR-20b-5p and miR-330-3p can be cardiac-specific biomarkers for atrial remodeling progression and arrhythmia recurrence after catheter ablation in AF patients.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: an unpredictable event.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an under-recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome that predominantly affects women in adulthood and is the leading cause of acute myocardial infarction in pregnancy. The most common clinical presentation is ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-STEMI, followed by cardiogenic shock (∼2%), sudden cardiac death (0.8% in autopsy series), cardiac arrest, ventricular arrhythmias (∼5%), and Takotsubo syndrome. The prevalence of SCAD in the general population is largely uncertain due to underdiagnosis. Oral contraceptives, post-menopausal therapy, and infertility treatments are recognized associated factors. The pathological substrates (fibromuscular dysplasia) and triggers (especially emotional stress) are commonly present in affected women. The few cases with a precise genetic aetiology occur in the context of syndromic and non-syndromic connective tissue diseases. The only true certainty in SCAD is the overwhelming prevalence in women. The first event as well as the recurrence (up to 30%, which varies depending on the definition) is largely unpredictable. The treatment strategy is highly individualized and requires extensive additional study in order to optimize outcomes and prevent major adverse cardiovascular events in affected individuals. We have known about SCAD for nearly a century, but we still do not know how best to prevent, diagnose, and treat it, making SCAD a highly important and unmet clinical need.

Reduced-dose prasugrel monotherapy without aspirin after PCI with the SYNERGY stent in East Asian patients presenting with chronic coronary syndromes or non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes: rationale and design of the ASET Japan pilot study.

The Acetyl Salicylic Elimination Trial (ASET) Japan pilot study is a multicentre, single-arm, open-label, proof-of-concept study with a stopping rule based on the occurrence of definite stent thrombosis. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of low-dose prasugrel monotherapy following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Japanese patients presenting with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) or non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Four hundred patients with a SYNTAX score <23 requiring PCI due to CCS or NSTE-ACS will be screened and considered eligible for the study. The enrolment is planned in two phases: 1) 200 patients presenting with CCS, followed by 2) 200 patients presenting with NSTE-ACS. After optimal PCI with implantation of a SYNERGY (Boston Scientific) stent, patients will be enrolled and loaded with prasugrel 20 mg, followed by a maintenance dose of prasugrel 3.75 mg once daily without aspirin continued for 3 months in Phase 1 (CCS patients), and for 12 months in Phase 2 (NSTE-ACS patients). After these follow-up periods, prasugrel will be replaced by standard antiplatelet therapy according to local practice. The primary endpoint is a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or definite stent thrombosis after the index procedure. The primary bleeding endpoint is any Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 or 5 bleeding occurring within 3 months of the index PCI for CCS patients, or 12 months for NSTE-ACS patients. The ASET Japan study is designed to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of reduced-dose prasugrel monotherapy after PCI in East Asian patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes.

Prasugrel Monotherapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Biodegradable-Polymer Platinum-Chromium Everolimus Eluting Stent for Japanese Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome (ASET-JAPAN).

BACKGROUND: P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy without aspirin immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been tested in East Asian patients, so in this study we aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of reduced dose (3.75 mg/day) prasugrel monotherapy in Japanese patients presenting with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).Methods and Results: ASET-JAPAN is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm pilot study that completed enrolment of 206 patients from 12 Japanese centers in September 2022. Patients with native de-novo coronary lesions and a SYNTAX score <23 were treated exclusively with biodegradable-polymer platinum-chromium everolimus-eluting stent(s). Patients were loaded with standard dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and following successful PCI and optimal stent deployment, they received low-dose prasugrel (3.75 mg/day) monotherapy for 3 months. The primary ischemic endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, spontaneous target-vessel myocardial infarction, or definite stent thrombosis. The primary bleeding endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5. At 3-month follow-up, there were no primary bleeding or ischemic events, or any stent thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed the safety and feasibility of prasugrel monotherapy in selected low-risk Japanese patients with CCS. This "aspirin-free" strategy may be a safe alternative to traditional DAPT following PCI.

Shorter door-to-balloon time, better long-term clinical outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients: J-MINUET substudy.

BACKGROUND: The impact of shorter door-to-balloon (DTB time on long-term outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: We investigated 3283 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction selected from a prospective, nationwide, multicenter registry (J-MINUET database comprising 28 institutions in Japan between July 2012 and March 2014. Among the study population, we analyzed 1639 STEMI patients who had PPCI within 12 h of onset. Patients were stratified into four groups (DTB time < 45 min, 45-60 min, 61-90 min, >90 min. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, cardiac failure, and urgent revascularization for unstable angina up to 3 years. We performed landmark analysis for incidence of the primary endpoint from 31 days to 3 years among the four groups. RESULTS: The primary endpoint rate from 31 days to 3 years increased significantly and time-dependently with DTB time (10.2 % vs. 15.3 % vs. 16.2 % vs. 19.3 %, respectively; log-rank p = 0.0129. Higher logarithm-transformed DTB time was associated with greater risk of a primary endpoint from 31 days to 3 years, and the increased number of adverse long-term clinical outcomes persisted even after adjusting for other independent variables. CONCLUSION: Shorter DTB time was associated with better long-term clinical outcomes in STEMI patients treated with PPCI in contemporary clinical practice. Further efforts to shorten DTB time are recommended to improve long-term clinical outcomes in STEMI patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Unique trial Number: UMIN000010037.

Optical coherence tomography-derived lipid core burden index and clinical outcomes: results from the CLIMA registry.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the morphological characteristics and prognostic implications of the optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived lipid core burden index (LCBI). METHODS AND RESULTS: OCT-LCBI was assessed in 1003 patients with 1-year follow-up from the CLIMA multicentre registry using a validated software able to automatically obtain a maximum OCT-LCBI in 4 mm (maxOCT-LCBI4mm). Primary composite clinical endpoint included cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization. A secondary analysis using clinical outcomes of CLIMA study was performed. Patients with a maxOCT-LCBI4mm ≥ 400 showed higher prevalence of fibrous cap thickness (FCT) <75 µm [odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.99; P = 0.034], lipid pool arc >180° (OR 3.93, 95%CI 2.97-5.21; P < 0.001), minimum lumen area <3.5 mm2 (OR 1.5, 95%CI 1.16-1.94; P = 0.002), macrophage infiltration (OR 2.38, 95%CI 1.81-3.13; P < 0.001), and intra-plaque intimal vasculature (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.05-1.72; P = 0.021). A maxOCT-LCBI4mm ≥400 predicted the primary endpoint [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.86, 95%CI 1.1-3.2; P = 0.019] as well as the CLIMA endpoint (HR 2.56, 95%CI 1.24-5.29; P = 0.011). Patients with high lipid content and thin FCT < 75 µm were at higher risk for adverse events (HR 4.88, 95%CI 2.44-9.72; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A high maxOCT-LCBI4mm was related to poor outcome and vulnerable plaque features. This study represents a step further in the automated assessment of the coronary plaque risk profile.