Age-Related Differences in the Presentation, Management, and Clinical Outcomes of 100,000 Patients With Venous Thromboembolism in the RIETE Registry / Diferencias relacionadas con la edad en la presentación, el tratamiento y los resultados clínicos de 100.000 pacientes con tromboembolismo venoso en el registro RIETE

Introduction: Although older adults represent a significant proportion of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), the data on the impact of age-related differences in the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of VTE are scarce. Methods: We analyzed data from the RIETE registry database, an ongoing global observational registry of patients with objectively confirmed VTE, to compare patient characteristics, clinical presentation, treatments, and outcomes between elderly (≥70 years) vs. non-elderly (<70 years) patients. Results: From January 2001 to March 2021, 100,000 adult patients were enrolled in RIETE. Elderly patients (47.9%) were more frequently women (58.2% vs. 43.5%), more likely had unprovoked VTE (50.5% vs. 45.1%) and most often presented with severe renal failure (10.2% vs. 1.2%) and acute pulmonary embolism (PE) (vs. deep vein thrombosis) (54.3% vs. 44.5%) compared to non-elderly patients (p<0.001 for all comparisons). For the PE subgroup, elderly patients more frequently had non-low risk PE (78.9% vs. 50.7%; p<0.001), respiratory failure (33.9% vs. 21.8%; p<0.001) and myocardial injury (40.0% vs. 26.2%; p<0.001) compared to non-elderly patients. Thrombolysis (0.9% vs. 1.7%; p<0.001) and direct oral anticoagulants (8.8% vs. 11.8%; p<0.001) were less frequently administered to elderly patients. Elderly patients showed a significantly higher 30-day all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95%CI: 1.22–1.52) and major bleeding (OR, 2.08; 95%CI, 1.85–2.33), but a lower risk of 30-day VTE recurrences (OR, 0.62, 95%CI, 0.54–0.71). Conclusions: Compared with non-elderly patients, elderly patients had a different VTE clinical profile. Advanced therapies were less frequently used in older patients. Age was an independent predictor of mortality.(AU)

Statin use and mortality in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Data from the RIETE Registry.

BACKGROUND: The association between statin use and mortality in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has not been rigorously evaluated. METHODS: We used the data in the RIETE registry to examine the association between statin use and mortality at 3 months. We used mixed effects survival models accounting for clinical covariates and clustering of patients in enrolling centers. RESULTS: From January 2009 through April 2022, there were 46,440 patients with isolated DVT in RIETE (in the lower-limbs 42,291, in the upper limbs 4149). Of these, 21 % and 18 %, respectively, were using statins. Statin users were older than non-users (72 ± 12 vs. 62 ± 18 years), and more likely had diabetes, hypertension, prior myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke, or were receiving antiplatelets. The 3-month mortality rates were: 6.0 % vs. 5.8 %, respectively. On multilevel multivariable analysis, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for all-cause death in statin users vs. non-users was 0.77 (95%CI: 0.69-0.86). The 3-month risk of death in statin users was significantly lower than in non-users in patients with upper-limb DVT (aHR: 0.81; 95%CI: 0.72-0.91), distal lower-limb DVT (aHR: 0.48; 95%CI: 0.32-0.72), or proximal lower-limb DVT (aHR: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.50-0.95), and in those receiving simvastatin (aHR: 0.73; 95%CI: 0.60-0.90), atorvastatin (aHR: 0.70; 95%CI: 0.59-0.85), or rosuvastatin (aHR: 0.47; 95%CI: 0.27-0.80). Major bleeding, used as a falsification endpoint, did not show an association with use of statins at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Statin users with isolated DVT were at significantly lower risk for death at 3 months than non-users.

Age-Related Differences in the Presentation, Management, and Clinical Outcomes of 100,000 Patients With Venous Thromboembolism in the RIETE Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Although older adults represent a significant proportion of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), the data on the impact of age-related differences in the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of VTE are scarce. METHODS: We analyzed data from the RIETE registry database, an ongoing global observational registry of patients with objectively confirmed VTE, to compare patient characteristics, clinical presentation, treatments, and outcomes between elderly (≥70 years) vs. non-elderly (<70 years) patients. RESULTS: From January 2001 to March 2021, 100,000 adult patients were enrolled in RIETE. Elderly patients (47.9%) were more frequently women (58.2% vs. 43.5%), more likely had unprovoked VTE (50.5% vs. 45.1%) and most often presented with severe renal failure (10.2% vs. 1.2%) and acute pulmonary embolism (PE) (vs. deep vein thrombosis) (54.3% vs. 44.5%) compared to non-elderly patients (p<0.001 for all comparisons). For the PE subgroup, elderly patients more frequently had non-low risk PE (78.9% vs. 50.7%; p<0.001), respiratory failure (33.9% vs. 21.8%; p<0.001) and myocardial injury (40.0% vs. 26.2%; p<0.001) compared to non-elderly patients. Thrombolysis (0.9% vs. 1.7%; p<0.001) and direct oral anticoagulants (8.8% vs. 11.8%; p<0.001) were less frequently administered to elderly patients. Elderly patients showed a significantly higher 30-day all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95%CI: 1.22-1.52) and major bleeding (OR, 2.08; 95%CI, 1.85-2.33), but a lower risk of 30-day VTE recurrences (OR, 0.62, 95%CI, 0.54-0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with non-elderly patients, elderly patients had a different VTE clinical profile. Advanced therapies were less frequently used in older patients. Age was an independent predictor of mortality.

Statins Effects on Blood Clotting: A Review.

Statins are powerful lipid-lowering drugs that inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis via downregulation of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase, which are largely used in patients with or at risk of cardiovascular disease. Available data on thromboembolic disease include primary and secondary prevention as well as bleeding and mortality rates in statin users during anticoagulation for VTE. Experimental studies indicate that statins alter blood clotting at various levels. Statins produce anticoagulant effects via downregulation of tissue factor expression and enhanced endothelial thrombomodulin expression resulting in reduced thrombin generation. Statins impair fibrinogen cleavage and reduce thrombin generation. A reduction of factor V and factor XIII activation has been observed in patients treated with statins. It is postulated that the mechanisms involved are downregulation of factor V and activated factor V, modulation of the protein C pathway and alteration of the tissue factor pathway inhibitor. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that statins exert antiplatelet effects through early and delayed inhibition of platelet activation, adhesion and aggregation. It has been postulated that statin-induced anticoagulant effects can explain, at least partially, a reduction in primary and secondary VTE and death. Evidence supporting the use of statins for prevention of arterial thrombosis-related cardiovascular events is robust, but their role in VTE remains to be further elucidated. In this review, we present biological evidence and experimental data supporting the ability of statins to directly interfere with the clotting system.

Cement Embolism following Vertebroplasty: a case report.

Vertebroplasty consists of injection under image guidance of a cement polymer, commonly polymethylmethacrylate, into the vertebral body to improved stability. Vertebroplasty is essentially safety. However whether vertebral compression or (micro)fractures occur during the procedure, the high vascularization and the anatomic network of the paravertebral and extradural venous plexuses, can facilitate migration of cement fragments into the systemic venous circulation. We described the case of cement pulmonary embolism in a 75-year-old-female after vertebloplasty. A chest CT scan showed a multiple and spontaneus hyperdensities suggesting cement pulmonary-emboli. There are different therapeutic approach depending of the clinical severity. For asymptomatic patients clinical surveillance or prophylactic LMWH. Active treatment has been suggested only for symptomatic cases.

Statin use and 30-day mortality in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Statins possess antithrombotic and profibrinolytic properties. The association between statin use and short-term outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains unknown. METHODS: We used the data from the Registro Informatizado de Pacientes con Enfermedad TromboEmbólica registry to compare the 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with acute PE according to the use of statins. Secondary outcome was fatal PE. We used cancer-related mortality as a falsification endpoint. RESULTS: From January 2009 to April 2021, 31 169 patients with PE were recruited. Of these, 5520 (18%) were using statins at baseline: low intensity: 829, moderate: 3636, high intensity: 1055. Statin users were older and had a higher frequency of diabetes, hypertension, or atherosclerotic disease than non-users (P <0.001 for all comparisons). During the first 30 days, 1475 patients died (fatal PE, 255). On multivariable analysis, statin users had a lower risk of all-cause death (odds ratio [OR]: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56-0.76) and fatal PE (OR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.28-0.62) than non-users. The risk for death was lower in patients using either low- (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.34-0.77), moderate- (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.57-0.81), or high-intensity statins (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.51-0.92). Results did not change in mixed effects logistic regression models with hospitals as a random effect. Statins were not associated with a significant chance in cancer mortality (falsification endpoint). CONCLUSIONS: PE patients using statins at baseline had a significantly lower risk of dying within the first 30 days than non-users. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these data.

Venous Thrombosis within 30 Days after Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in a Multinational Venous Thromboembolism Registry.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE)-including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)-may occur early after vaccination against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We sought to describe the site, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of VTE after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: In a prospective study using the Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) platform, patients with VTE 4-30 days after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 (1 February 2021 through 30 April 2021) were included. VTE patients recruited from the same centers into RIETE in the same months in 2018-2019 were selected as the reference group. All-cause mortality and major bleeding were the main study outcomes. RESULTS: As of 30 April 2020, 102 patients with post-vaccination VTEs had been identified (28 after adenovirus-based vaccination [ChAdOx1 nCov-19; AstraZeneca] and 74 after mRNA-based vaccination [mRNA-1273; Moderna, and BNT162b2; Pfizer]). Compared with 911 historical controls, patients with VTE after adenovirus-based vaccination more frequently had CVST (10.7% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001) or thrombosis at multiple sites (17.9% vs. 1.3%, p < 0.001), more frequently had thrombocytopenia (40.7% vs. 14.7%, p < 0.001), and had higher 14-day mortality (14.3% vs. 0.7%; odds ratio [OR]: 25.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7-94.9) and major bleeding rates (10.3% vs. 1.0%, OR: 12.03, 95% CI: 3.07-47.13). The site of thrombosis, accompanying thrombocytopenia, and 14-day mortality rates were not significantly different for patients with VTE after mRNA-based vaccination, compared with historical controls. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with historical controls, VTE after adenovirus-based vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is accompanied by thrombocytopenia, occurs in unusual sites, and is associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Validation of a Prognostic Score to Identify Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 at Increased Risk for Bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but also for bleeding. We previously derived a prognostic score including four variables (elevated D-dimer, elevated ferritin, critical illness, and therapeutic-dose anticoagulation) that identified those at increased risk for major bleeding. METHODS: We aimed to validate the score in a subsequent cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 receiving standard-, intermediate- or therapeutic doses of VTE prophylaxis. We evaluated its capacity to predict major bleeding, non-major bleeding, and bleeding-related death. RESULTS: The cohort included 972 patients from 29 hospitals, of whom 280 (29%) received standard-; 412 (42%) intermediate-, 157 (16%) therapeutic doses of VTE prophylaxis and 123 (13%) other drugs. Median duration of prophylaxis was 14.7 ± 10.3 days. Major bleeding occurred in 65 patients (6.7%) and non-major bleeding in 67 (6.9%). Thirty patients with major bleeding (46%) died within the first 30 days after bleeding. The prognostic score identified 203 patients (21%) at very low risk, 285 (29%) at low risk, 263 (27%) intermediate-risk and 221 (23%) at high risk for bleeding. Major bleeding occurred in 1.0%, 2.1%, 8.7% and 15.4% of the patients, respectively. Non-major bleeding occurred in 0.5%, 3.5%, 9.5% and 14.2%, respectively. The c-statistics was: 0.74 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.68-0.79) for major bleeding, 0.73 (95% CI: 0.67-0.78) for non-major bleeding and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.76-0.87) for bleeding-related death. CONCLUSIONS: In hospitalized patients with COVID-19, we validated that a prognostic score including 4 easily available items may identify those at increased risk for bleeding.

Association Between Preexisting Versus Newly Identified Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) may exist before or occur early in the course of pulmonary embolism (PE). We determined the PE outcomes based on the presence and timing of AF. Methods and Results Using the data from a multicenter PE registry, we identified 3 groups: (1) those with preexisting AF, (2) patients with new AF within 2 days from acute PE (incident AF), and (3) patients without AF. We assessed the 90-day and 1-year risk of mortality and stroke in patients with AF, compared with those without AF (reference group). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 792 had preexisting AF. These patients had increased odds of 90-day all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 2.81; 95% CI, 2.33-3.38) and PE-related mortality (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.37-4.14) and increased 1-year hazard for ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 5.48; 95% CI, 3.10-9.69) compared with those without AF. After multivariable adjustment, preexisting AF was associated with significantly increased odds of all-cause mortality (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.57-2.32) but not PE-related mortality (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.85-2.66). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 445 developed new incident AF within 2 days of acute PE. Incident AF was associated with increased odds of 90-day all-cause (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.75-2.97) and PE-related (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.01-6.59) mortality but not stroke. Findings were similar in multivariable analyses. Conclusions In patients with acute symptomatic PE, both preexisting AF and incident AF predict adverse clinical outcomes. The type of adverse outcomes may differ depending on the timing of AF onset.

Routine Screening with Contrast Echocardiography in Apical Infarctions? A case report.

A a 80-year-old male underwent routine transthoracic echocardiography the day after primary percutaneous revascularization procedure for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. When ultrasound contrast  was injected, regular contrast-enhancement of the left ventricle (LV) excluded the presence of thrombus. A second echocardiogram, performed four months later, showed a hyperechoic image in the LV apex, which was confirmed after contrast injection as a thrombus. Four weeks later, a third follow-up echocardiogram appears apparently normal. However, contrast injection clearly demonstrates a new apex thrombus, in a slightly different location from the one detected previously. Standard echocardiography is often inconclusive or falsely negative regarding the detection of apical thrombus. Maybe the time has come for routine contrast-echo screening in post-myocardial infarction patients with the high likelihood of thrombus, such as in cases of apical infarction, even if the standard echocardiogram appears unremarkable.

Prognostic Significance of Concomitant Superficial Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Lower Limbs.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of concomitant superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) in patients with lower-limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has not been consistently evaluated. METHODS: We used the RIETE (Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) registry to compare the rates of subsequent pulmonary embolism (PE), recurrent DVT, major bleeding or death in patients with lower-limb DVT, according to the presence or absence of concomitant SVT. RESULTS: From March 2015 to May 2020, there were 8,743 patients with lower-limb DVT. Of these, 745 (8.5%) had concomitant SVT. Most patients (97.4% in both subgroups) received anticoagulant therapy (median duration: 138 vs. 147 days). During follow-up (median: 193 vs. 210 days), 156 (1.8%) patients developed subsequent PE, 336 (3.8%) had recurrent DVT, 201 (2.3%) had major bleeding and 844 (9.7%) died. Patients with concomitant SVT had a higher rate of subsequent PE (rate ratio [RR]: 2.11; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.33-3.24) than those with isolated DVT, with no significant differences in the rates of recurrent DVT (RR: 0.80; 95%CI: 0.50-1.21), major bleeding (RR: 0.77; 95%CI: 0.41-1.33) or death (RR: 0.81; 95%CI: 0.61-1.06). On multivariable analysis, patients with DVT and SVT concomitantly were at increased risk of subsequent PE during anticoagulation (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 2.23; 95%CI: 1.22-4.05) and also during the entire follow-up period (adjusted HR: 2.33; 95%CI: 1.49-3.66). CONCLUSION: Patients with lower-limb DVT and SVT concomitantly are at increased risk of developing PE. Further studies are needed to externally validate our findings and to determine if these patients could benefit from a different management strategy.

Presenting Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Outcomes among Patients with Venous Thromboembolism during Hospitalization for COVID-19.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However, limited data exist on patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes. To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and short-term outcomes of patients diagnosed with VTE during hospitalization for COVID-19. This is a prospective multinational study of patients with incident VTE during the course of hospitalization for COVID-19. Data were obtained from the Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) registry. All-cause mortality, VTE recurrences, and major bleeding during the first 10 days were separately investigated for patients in hospital wards versus those in intensive care units (ICUs). As of May 03, 2020, a total number of 455 patients were diagnosed with VTE (83% pulmonary embolism, 17% isolated deep vein thrombosis) during their hospital stay; 71% were male, the median age was 65 (interquartile range, 55-74) years. Most patients (68%) were hospitalized in medical wards, and 145 in ICUs. Three hundred and seventeen (88%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 84-91%) patients were receiving thromboprophylaxis at the time of VTE diagnosis. Most patients (88%) received therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin, and 15 (3.6%) received reperfusion therapies. Among 420 patients with complete 10-day follow-up, 51 (12%; 95% CI: 9.3-15%) died, no patient recurred, and 12 (2.9%; 95% CI: 1.6-4.8%) experienced major bleeding. The 10-day mortality rate was 9.1% (95% CI: 6.1-13%) among patients in hospital wards and 19% (95% CI: 13-26%) among those in ICUs. This study provides characteristics and early outcomes of patients diagnosed with acute VTE during hospitalization for COVID-19. Additional studies are needed to identify the optimal strategies to prevent VTE and to mitigate adverse outcomes associated.

Systematic testing for venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and raised D-dimer levels.

Background: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and raised D-dimer levels have high rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: We used data from hospitalized patients with COVID-19 that were tested for pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) because of raised D-dimer levels. We aimed to identify patients at increased risk for VTE. Results: From March 25 to July 5th, 2020, 1,306 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and raised D-dimer levels underwent testing for VTE in 12 centers. In all, 171 of 714 (24%) had PE, and 161 of 810 (20%) had DVT. The median time elapsed from admission to VTE testing was 12 days, and the median time from D-dimer measurement to testing 2 days. Most patients with VTE were men (62%), mean age was 62 â€‹± â€‹15 years, 45% were in an intensive care unit. Overall, 681 patients (52%) received VTE prophylaxis with standard doses, 241 (18%) with intermediate doses and 100 (7.7%) with therapeutic doses of anticoagulants. On multivariable analysis, patients with D-dimer levels >20 times the upper normal range (19% of the whole cohort) were at increased risk for VTE (odds ratio [OR]: 3.24; 95%CI: 2.18-4.83), as were those with a platelet count <100,000/µL (OR: 4.17; 95%CI: 1.72-10.0). Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and D-dimer levels >20 times the upper normal range were at an increased risk for VTE. This may help to identify what patients could likely benefit from the use of higher than recommended doses of anticoagulants for VTE prophylaxis.

Different Types of Statins and All-Cause Mortality during Anticoagulation for Venous Thromboembolism: Validation Study from RIETE Registry.

Introduction We previously reported that during the course of anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients using statins were at a lower risk to die than nonusers. Methods We used the R egistro I nformatizado E nfermedad T rombo E mbólica (RIETE) registry to validate our previous findings in a subsequent cohort of patients and to compare the risk of death according to the use of different types of statins. Results From January 2018 to December 2019, 19,557 patients with VTE were recruited in RIETE. Of them, 4,065 (21%) were using statins (simvastatin, 1,406; atorvastatin, 1,328; rosuvastatin, 246; and others, 1,085). During anticoagulation (192 vs.182 days, for statin and no statin users respectively), 500 patients developed a VTE recurrence, 519 suffered major bleeding, and 1,632 died (fatal pulmonary embolism [PE], 88 and fatal bleeding, 78). On multivariable analysis, statin users were at a lower risk to die (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-0.79) than nonusers. When separately analyzing the drugs, on multivariable analysis, patients using simvastatin (HR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.52-0.80), atorvastatin (HR 0.72; 95% CI: 0.58-0.89), or other statins (HR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.52-0.87) were at a lower risk to die than nonusers. For those using rosuvastatin, difference was not statistically significant (HR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.50-1.19), maybe due to the sample size. Conclusion Our data validate previous findings and confirm that VTE patients using statins at baseline are at a lower risk to die than nonusers. No statistically differences were found according to type of statins.

Early detection of fibrotic areas in anterior STEMI by echocardiography. A case report.

We describe the case of a patient admitted to our ward for dyspnea and chest pain. Acutely performed electrocardiogram confirms the clinical suspect of myocardial infarction by showing ST-elevation in the anterior leads (STEMI). Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed, with normal final coronary artery flow. At 6-month cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) late Gadolinium enhancement (CMR-LGE) was present in the entire left anterior descending coronary artery territory. We also performed a standard echocardiogram on day 1 after primary angioplasty, as expected showing akinesia in the STEMI territory. Interesting, using a new echocardiographic setting, we have been able to very early detect fibrotic tissue in an easy and cost-effective way.

Myocardial Scar by Pulse-Cancellation Echocardiography Is Independently Associated with Appropriate Defibrillator Intervention for Primary Prevention after Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial scar burden impacts prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease who have experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). This has been demonstrated by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance. Clinical experience with echocardiography suggests that the reflected ultrasound signal is enhanced in infarcted myocardial segments. Scar imaging with an ultrasound multipulse scheme (eScar) has been preliminarily validated in prior studies. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether scar burden, as detected by eScar, is associated with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks in post-MI patients. METHODS: We retrospectively selected 50 post-MI patients with an ejection fraction <35% who received an ICD for primary prevention and subsequently had at least one appropriate shock (cases). These were compared with 50 post-MI patients, matched for clinical variables and ejection fraction, who never experienced an appropriate defibrillator shock (controls). Subjects were assessed with the eScar technique at the time of implantation or during follow-up. RESULTS: An eScar was present in ≥1 segment in 40 of 50 (80%) cases vs 26 of 50 (52%) controls and was associated with appropriate ICD shocks (P = .004). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, using a threshold of ≥3 segments by eScar, showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.715. On models including clinical and echocardiographic variables, eScar remained significantly associated with ICD shocks (P = .050 or P = .033 depending on the model). Adding eScar to a multivariate logistic regression model including indexed left ventricular end-systolic volume led to an increase in AUC from 0.734 to 0.782 (P = .049), while substituting indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume for indexed left ventricular end-systolic volume resulted in a nonsignificant increase in AUC from 0.747 to 0.785 (P = .098). CONCLUSIONS: Presence and extent of eScar were independently associated with appropriate ICD shocks in this study of patients with prior MI and reduced ejection fraction. However, the addition of eScar assessment to the clinical multivariable model that included also indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume did not provide significant incremental value.

Visually assessed coronary and cardiac calcium outperforms perfusion data during scintigraphy in the prediction of adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether calcifications of the coronary arteries (coronary artery calcium 0 to 4 score), or extending the assessment also to cardiac valves and thoracic aorta (overall calcium 0 to 8 score), as seen on computed tomography for attenuation correction during stress-scintigraphy (SPECT-CT), are associated with total mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction. We aimed to assess whether these calcifications added to the prognostic value of SPECT imaging. BACKGROUND: The presence/amount of calcium in the coronary arteries, but also in the heart valves and aorta, has been associated with cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause mortality. This information can be obtained during SPECT-CT examinations, where low resolution CT images are co-registered for attenuation correction of myocardial perfusion, but then discarded. METHODS: Clinical data were collected on 353 consecutive patients submitted to stress SPECT-CT between Sept 2010 and Oct 2012, for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Follow-up data on outcomes were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 72 and 58% were male. Mean follow-up was 6.4 years, during which 48 subjects died (15 from CV causes) and 10 had non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI). Reversible perfusion defects were detected in 55 patients (15.6%), 39 of whom (11%) had >mild defects. The presence of a calcium score > 1 in the attenuation correction images was the strongest univariate predictor of all-cause death or MI (hazard ratio 7.21, p < .001). On multivariate analysis, controlling for age, gender and myocardial perfusion defects an overall calcium score > 2 remained a predictor of all-cause death or non-fatal MI (hazard ratio 4.12, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Visual assessment of coronary or overall coronary, cardiac and aortic calcium in the CT images used for attenuation correction during SPECT-CT is feasible and reproducible. It was strongly associated with all-cause death and MI, even after controlling for clinical variables and myocardial perfusion data. This simple visual calcium assessment does not add additional costs or radiation, and may significantly improve risk-assessment of patients with suspected CAD undergoing SPECT-CT. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: Calcium in the coronary arteries, heart valves and aorta has been associated with worse prognosis. We sought to determine whether assessment of such calcifications on computed tomography images (co-registered for myocardial perfusion attenuation correction and then discarded) are independently associated with long-term outcome on top of available data. We enrolled 353 consecutive patients, referred for suspected coronary artery disease. An overall calcium score > 1 in the attenuation correction images was the strongest univariate (hazard ratio 7.21, p < .001) and multivariate predictor of all-cause death or non-fatal MI (hazard ratio 4.12, p < .001), even after controlling for clinical variables and myocardial perfusion data.