Optical Coherence Tomography to Optimize Results of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome: Results of the Multicenter, Randomized DOCTORS Study (Does Optical Coherence Tomography Optimize Results of Stenting).

BACKGROUND: No randomized study has investigated the value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in optimizing the results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized study involving 240 patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes to compare OCT-guided PCI (use of OCT pre- and post-PCI; OCT-guided group) to fluoroscopy-guided PCI (angiography-guided group). The primary end point was the functional result of PCI assessed by the measure of post PCI fractional flow reserve. Secondary end points included procedural complications and type 4a periprocedural myocardial infarction. Safety was assessed by the rate of acute kidney injury. RESULTS: OCT use led to a change in procedural strategy in 50% of the patients in the OCT-guided group. The primary end point was improved in the OCT-guided group, with a significantly higher fractional flow reserve value (0.94±0.04 versus 0.92±0.05, P=0.005) compared with the angiography-guided group. There was no significant difference in the rate of type 4a myocardial infarction (33% in the OCT-group versus 40% in the angiography-guided group, P=0.28). The rates of procedural complications (5.8%) and acute kidney injury (1.6%) were identical in each group despite longer procedure time and use of more contrast medium in the OCT-guided group. Post-PCI OCT revealed stent underexpansion in 42% of patients, stent malapposition in 32%, incomplete lesion coverage in 20%, and edge dissection in 37.5%. This led to the more frequent use of poststent overdilation in the OCT-guided group versus the angiography-guided group (43% versus 12.5%, P<0.0001) with lower residual stenosis (7.0±4.3% versus 8.7±6.3%, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, OCT-guided PCI is associated with higher postprocedure fractional flow reserve than PCI guided by angiography alone. OCT did not increase periprocedural complications, type 4a myocardial infarction, or acute kidney injury. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01743274.

Value of speckle tracking for the assessment of right ventricular function in patients operated on for tetralogy of fallot. Comparison with magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) function is a major prognostic factor in patients (pts) with operated tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We compared the results of RV speckle tracking (two-dimensional [2D] strain) with those of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in this setting. METHODS: At transthoracic echocardiogram (echo), RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), velocity of S-wave at tricuspid annulus with tissue Doppler, and 2D strain (longitudinal maximal systolic strain) were recorded. Their results were compared to RV indexed end-diastolic volume (EDV), indexed end-systolic volume (ESV), and RV ejection fraction (EF) at MRI. RESULTS: Twenty-two pts (16 M) aged 11-62 years (mean 23.2 ± 10.8) were included. Parameters of RV systolic function were as follows: RVFAC = 40 ± 10%, TAPSE = 18 ± 4 mm, S-wave = 10 ± 0.2 cm/sec, and RV EF at MRI = 43 ± 11%. Global RV systolic strain was -15.5 ± 4.2%, free wall strain was -15.1 ± 6.3%, and septal strain was -15.8 ± 3.8% on average for the whole group. Echo indexed RV end-diastolic area correlated with EDV at MRI (r = 0.73), as well as echo indexed RV end-systolic area and ESV at MRI (r = 0.71). Global RV 2D strain correlated well with RV EF at MRI: r = 0.68; P < 0.05, and with ESV at MRI: r = 0.63. Feasibility, intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of 2D strain were adequate. CONCLUSIONS: Speckle tracking is a promising method to estimate RV systolic function in pts operated on for TOF.

Comparison of right ventricular systolic function in patients with low risk and intermediate-to-high risk pulmonary embolism: a two-dimensional strain imaging study.

AIM: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is key for risk stratification in pulmonary embolism (PE). The goal of this study was to compare RV strain values between low and intermediate-to-high risk PE patients assessed by two-dimensional (2D) strain imaging. METHODS: The inclusion criterion was a diagnosis of PE confirmed by thoracic computed tomography scan with contrast medium, or by scintigraphy perfusion lung scan. Risk stratification of PE was defined as high when there was hemodynamic instability; intermediate when there were signs of RV dysfunction on echocardiography; and/or elevated troponin I and/or brain natriuretic peptide and low when none of these criteria were present. All patients underwent echocardiography at admission. Apical four-chamber images were analyzed off line using both conventional and 2D strain imaging. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (mean age 66 years) were prospectively recruited: 33 with low risk PE, 29 with intermediate-to-high risk PE. Global 2D RV strain differed significantly between groups (-13.1% vs. -18.7%, P < 0.01), as did free wall (-12.7% vs. -20.2%, P < 0.016) and septal wall (-13.5% vs. -17.2%, P < 0.01). When the RV was divided into segments, we observed a similar reduction in absolute strain value in the mid and apical free wall segments and in the apical septal wall (-20.3 ± -7.6 vs. -11.8 ± 8.9%; P < 0.01 and -19.6 ± 6.9 vs. -7.4 ± 9.1%; P < 0.01, and -17.7 ± 7.0 vs. 9.9 ± 8.0; P < 0.01, respectively). 2D strain and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were significantly related (r(2)  = 0.35, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Peak RV longitudinal 2D strain is reduced in patients with intermediate-to-high risk PE, especially in the apical and mid segments of the free wall. Global and regional RV longitudinal 2D strain is altered in patients with intermediate-to-high risk PE as compared with low risk PE.

[Impact of out-of-hospital presentation remote areas of patients with myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation : From the Nord-Alpin Emergency Network [RENAU]]. / Impact de la présentation extrahospitalière en zone reculée des patients ayant un infarctus du myocarde avec sus-décalage du segment ST : du réseau Nord-Alpin des Urgences [RENAU].

BACKGROUND: European guidelines order management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) less than 12 hours. They encourage healthcare networks to rapid coronary reperfusion strategy depending on the distance of the patient from the PCI center. OBJECTIVE: To determine impact of out-of-hospital presentation of patients with STEMI in remote areas within the framework of a care network, and to define the degree of compliance with local recommendations, and its prognostic impact. METHOD: Over three years (2017-2019), from the RESURCOR prospective register, 310 patients with STEMI less than 12 hours were out-of hospital managed and transferred to Metrolpole Savoie Hospital in Chambéry. Depending on the "door in to PCI center" time, patients are divided into 2 groups: "Local area" for a time ≤ 60 min and "Remote area" for a time > 60 min. RESULTS: 51 patients were in the "Local area" group and 259 patients in the "Remote area" group with an average age of 63.36 years, without significant difference between the two groups. We noted more men, smokers and a higher heart rate in the "Local area" group (p = 0.015; p = 0.005 and p = 0.035 respectively). The median "call-EMS care" delay was similar at 24 min in each group. Seventy-five patients (29%) in the "Remote area" group had fibrinolysis versus only one patient in the "Local area" group (p < 0.001). Among them, 42 patients (56%) had rescue PCI, in 40% with 90 min of fibrinolytic administration. The presence of a primary care physicians "PCP" was reported in 39 cases of the "remote area" group. PCP intervention increased the rate of bolus of fibrinolytics within 10 min from STEMI diagnosis (69.2% vs 21.8%, p < 0.001), increased the rate of bolus treatment within 10 min from STEMI diagnosis within 10 min (60% vs 16% p < 0.001) and reduced the rate of rescue PCI (44.4% vs 62.5%, p = 0.035). Total ischemia time was significantly shorter in the "Local area" group (144 min vs 175 min, p = 0.005). No significant difference concerning the in-hospital outcomes was found between 2 groups. Concerning compliance with local recommendations in the "remote area" group, among those eligible for thrombolysis, 135 patients (64,2 %) had an inappropriate primary PCI (error in estimated time from STEMI diagnosis to PCI-mediated reperfusion (< 1 h)), which was associated with a higher rate of serious arrhythmias (11.1% vs 2.7% respectively, p = 0.035). Regardless of the group, if the strategy was primary PCI 22% of patients had angiography within 60 minutes after STEMI diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In this work, the temporal distance from the PCI room does not seem to be responsible for a more pejorative in-hospital outcomes, unlike the proportion of inappropriate primary PCI which increase serious arrhythmias.

C-reactive protein improves risk prediction in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

AIMS: Elevated C-reactive protein level is a risk marker in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs), but current risk score systems do not consider this factor. We studied the incremental predictive value of adding C-reactive protein to the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score. METHODS AND RESULTS: Characteristics, treatments and 30-day mortality were recorded for 1408/1901 consecutive ACS patients. Changes in global model fit, discrimination, calibration, and reclassification were evaluated upon addition of C-reactive protein to the GRACE risk score. High-C-reactive protein patients (C-reactive protein >22 mg/L, 4th quartile of C-reactive protein) were older, had more comorbidities and worse haemodynamic conditions, received less recommended treatment, and had a four-fold higher 30 day mortality. Multivariable analysis demonstrated high-C-reactive protein as an important and independent predictor of mortality. Addition of high-C-reactive protein in the GRACE model modestly improved global fit, discriminatory capacity (c-statistic from 0.795 to 0.823), and calibration. Patients were divided into four groups according to GRACE risk score prediction: <1, 1 to <5, 5 to <10, and >or=10%. The model with high-C-reactive protein allowed adequate reclassification in 12.2%. CONCLUSION: Elevated C-reactive protein level is a modest but independent predictive factor of 30-day mortality in ACS patients, even after adjustment for co-morbidities, haemodynamic conditions, and treatment. Combined with the GRACE risk score, C-reactive protein information improves risk classification.

Relationship between stent expansion and fractional flow reserve after percutaneous coronary intervention: a post hoc analysis of the DOCTORS trial.

BACKGROUND: The best criteria for adequate stent expansion assessment by intracoronary imaging remain debated and their correlation with post-PCI FFR values is unknown. AIMS: This study aimed to analyse the relationship between stent expansion criteria using optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis and the final PCI functional result. METHODS: This post hoc analysis of the DOCTORS study included non-ST-elevation segment ACS patients undergoing OCT-guided PCI. The procedure functional result was assessed by the measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR). Stent expansion was assessed on OCT runs according to the DOCTORS criteria and ILUMIEN III criteria. RESULTS: The study included N=116 patients (age: 60.8±11.5 years; male gender: 71%). The final expansion was considered optimal in 10%, acceptable in 9% and unacceptable in 81% of the stents according to ILUMIEN III criteria, although being successful in 70% of the patients according to the DOCTORS criteria. Hypertension and larger proximal reference segment dimension were independent predictors of inadequate device ILUMIEN III expansion. FFR values were, respectively, 0.93 (0.91-0.95) versus 0.95 (0.92-0.97) in patients with optimal+acceptable versus unacceptable ILUMIEN III expansion (p=0.22), 0.94 (0.91-0.97) versus 0.95 (0.93-0.97) in patients with optimal versus non-optimal DOCTORS expansion (p=0.23), and 0.95 (0.92-0.97) versus 0.92 (0.90-0.95) in patients with minimal stent area ≥4.5 mm2 versus <4.5 mm2 (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this selected population, no relationship was observed between optimal stent expansion according to ILUMIEN III or DOCTORS OCT criteria and final post-PCI FFR values.

Routine use of fondaparinux in acute coronary syndromes: a 2-year multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND: Fondaparinux has recently been approved in patients with acute coronary syndromes. The primary aim of this study was to describe the changes in use of anticoagulants between January 2006 and December 2007. The secondary aim was to compare 30-day mortality and rate of a combined end point (30-day death or major bleeding) according to the initial and final anticoagulant agent used. METHODS: The rates of use of unfractionated heparin (UFH), enoxaparin, and fondaparinux were compared by periods of 1 month in a multicenter registry. The initial anticoagulant (first used at admission), the final anticoagulant (last used during hospitalization), and switches in anticoagulation were recorded. Temporal trends in monthly use of each anticoagulant were assessed; 30-day mortality rates and the combined end point were compared according to initial and final anticoagulant. RESULTS: Among 2,874 patients included, the first anticoagulant used was UFH in 26%, enoxaparin in 59%, and fondaparinux in 15%. Respective figures for final anticoagulant were 17%, 56%, and 27%. Although 3 centers did not use fondaparinux (community centers with catheterization laboratory), the overall rate of use of fondaparinux, as initial and final anticoagulant, increased at the expense of the use of enoxaparin. We observed a growing proportion of patients with a switch from UFH to either enoxaparin or fondaparinux, ranging from 5% at the beginning to 25% at the end of the study. Patients treated with UFH were older, had more comorbidities, were at higher risk, and received fewer guidelines-recommended treatments. In patients submitted to angioplasty and treated with fondaparinux, a bolus of 60 IU/kg of UFH was added. After adjustment, 30-day mortality and combined end point rates were higher in patients treated with UFH. Irrespective of the type of acute coronary syndromes, patients treated with enoxaparin or fondaparinux had similar outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2006 and 2007, the use of fondaparinux in patients with acute coronary syndromes increased considerably, either because it was used instead of enoxaparin or because of a switch from UFH. Adjusted mortality in patients treated with fondaparinux was lower than with UFH and similar to enoxaparin.

Changes in management of elderly patients with myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Despite being at higher risk for mortality, elderly patients (>/=75 years) admitted for acute myocardial infarction (MI) often receive fewer effective therapies, because of contraindications or higher risk of drug-induced adverse events. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the use of effective treatments between 2001 and 2006 in elderly patients, and the relation with 1-month mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective, multicentre registry, considering two periods: 6 months between October 2000 and March 2001 (cohort 1) and 12 months between October 2005 and October 2006 (cohort 2). Demographic and clinical characteristics at admission, in-hospital treatment (reperfusion or early invasive therapy, oral antiplatelets, anticoagulants, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors, beta-blockers, and statins), and 1-month survival were compared between the two cohorts, after adjustment on a propensity score (for being admitted in 2001). Eight hundred and sixty-eight elderly patients were included, 280 in cohort 1 and 588 in cohort 2. When compared with cohort 1, patients from cohort 2 presented with comparable characteristics, except for the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score and we observed a significant increase in the use of aspirin, clopidogrel, reperfusion therapy, ACE-inhibitors, and statins in cohort 2. One-month mortality was significantly lower in cohort 2 (13.6% in cohort 1 vs. 7.1% in cohort 2, P = 0.001), mainly driven by a decrease in the mortality among patients with ST-segment elevation MI (23.3% in cohort 1 vs. 9.2% in cohort 2, P < 0.001). Adjustment on the propensity score did not alter these results. By multivariable analysis, the three-fold higher mortality in patients from cohort 1 was offset when the rate of use of treatments was considered in the model, suggesting that the treatment intensity was related to lower mortality. CONCLUSION: Between 2001 and 2006, a significant increase in the use of guidelines-recommended treatments (GRTs) was observed, associated with lower 30-day mortality, in elderly patients. These data confirm that high-risk patients, such as the elderly, benefit from an increase in the use of GRTs.

Door-in to door-out times in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in emergency departments of non-interventional hospitals: A cohort study.

In France, one in eight patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is admitted direct to an emergency department (ED) in a hospital without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) facilities. Guidelines recommend transfer to a PCI center, with a door-in to door-out (DI-DO) time of ≤30 min. We report DI-DO times and identify the main factors affecting them.RESURCOR is a French Northern Alps registry of patients with STEMI of <12 h duration. We focused on patients admitted direct, without prehospital medical care, to EDs in 19 non-PCI centers from 2012 to 2014. We divided DI-DO time into diagnostic time (ED admission to call for transfer) and logistical time (call for transfer to ED discharge).Among 2007 patients, 240 were admitted direct to EDs in non-PCI centers; 57.9% were treated with primary angioplasty and 32.9% received thrombolysis. Median (interquartile range) DI-DO time was 92.5 (67-143) min, with a diagnostic time of 41 (23-74) min and a logistical time of 47.5 (32-69) min. Five patients (2.1%) had a DI-DO time ≤30 min. Five variables were independently associated with a shorter DI-DO time: local transfer (mobile intensive care unit [MICU] team available at referring ED) (P = .017) or transfer by air ambulance (P = .004); shorter distance from referring ED to PCI center (P < .001); shorter time from symptom onset to ED admission (P = .002); thrombolysis (P = .006); and extended myocardial infarction (P = .007).In view of longer-than-recommended DI-DO times, efforts are required to promote urgent local transfer and use of thrombolysis.

Prognostic value of albuminuria on 1-month mortality in acute myocardial infarction.

RATIONALE: An increase in albuminuria occurs in the early days after acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between albuminuria and 30-day mortality, as well as its incremental predictive value, on top of established prognostic parameters. METHODS AND RESULTS: Demographic, clinical, and biological characteristics at admission, as well as in-hospital treatments and 1-month survival, were recorded in 1,211 consecutive patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction. Albuminuria was assessed from an 8-hour overnight urine collection within the first 2 days using immunonephelemetry. The population was categorized into 3 groups according to albuminuria levels (<20, 20-200, and >200 microg/min). Among survivors on day 2, 52% (625/1,211) of patients had an albuminuria level <20 microg/min, 39% (477) between 20 and 200 microg/min, and 9% (109) >200 microg/min. High levels of albuminuria were associated with older age, peripheral vessel disease, systolic blood pressure, glucose, creatinine, troponin, B-type natriuretic peptide, and high-sensitivity C reactive protein levels, as well as use of angiography, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and beta blockers. At 1 month, there was a significantly higher mortality rate in groups with higher albuminuria. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, patients with albuminuria level of >20 microg/min had a 2.7-fold higher 30-day mortality, and those with >200 microg/min had an almost 4-fold higher 30-day mortality compared to those with albuminuria level of <20 microg/min. The addition of albuminuria information improved the discrimination capacity of the model and the global risk prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Albuminuria level, taken as a quantitative or categorical variable, is an independent and powerful predictor of mortality after acute myocardial infarction.

Early changes in local hemostasis activation following percutaneous coronary intervention in stable angina patients: a comparison between drug-eluting and bare metal stents.

BACKGROUND: Early change in local intracoronary hemostasis following drug-eluting (DES) and bare metal stent (BMS) implantation has never been assessed in stable angina patients. METHODS: Markers of local platelet activation (soluble glycoprotein V [sGPV] and P-Selectin [CD62P]), coagulation activation (tissue factor [TF], prothrombin fragments 1 + 2 [F1 + 2] and activated factor VII [FVIIa]) and fibrinolysis markers (D-dimers [DD], fibrinogen [FIB], tissue plasminogen activator [t-PA], and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 complexes [PAI-1]) were determined in 20 patients with stable angina who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). All patients were pretreated with clopidogrel, aspirin, and enoxaparin. Systematic balloon predilation was performed before DES (9 patients) and BMS (11 patients) implantation. All blood samples were drawn 10-20 mm distal to the lesion site. RESULTS: No significant changes in levels of platelet activation markers occurred during PCI. There was a transient significant increase in TF (14%; P = 0.004), in F1 + 2 (40%; P = 0.001), and FVIIa (31%; P = 0.007) following angioplasty. Similarly, a significant 43% increase was observed in DD levels following balloon predilation, associated with an increase of 46%, 60%, and 70% in FIB, t-PA and PAI-1 levels, respectively (all P < 0.0001). All these markers returned to baseline values after stent implantation. No difference was observed between DES and BMS. CONCLUSIONS: Early changes in local hemostasis activation following PCI, were related to balloon predilation. Neither DES nor BMS increased markers of platelet activation, coagulation, or fibrinolysis, under dual antiplatelet and anticoagulant pretreatment.

Safety and efficacy of fondaparinux as an adjunctive treatment to thrombolysis in patients with high and intermediate risk pulmonary embolism.

No data are available on the efficacy and safety of a combination of fondaparinux and thrombolysis in the setting of high to intermediate risk pulmonary embolism (PE). Patients submitted to thrombolysis and fondaparinux, presenting with > or =1 of the following criteria were included: (1) cardiogenic shock, (2) syncope, (3) > or =1 proximal thrombo-embolus at CT scan, (4) positive troponin test, (5) echocardiographic findings indicating right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. In-hospital results included death, recurrent PE, persistent RV dysfunction at 48 h echocardiography, bleeding complications. Twenty seven patients were included; 22 received a 2 h infusion of rt-PA and 5 received a 2 h infusion of streptokinase. Ten patients presented with cardiogenic shock (37%), 8 with syncope (30%), all had RV dysfunction. 82% of patients had an uneventful in-hospital course. One patient died during hospital stay from refractory shock. Thrombolysis failed in 2 patients (7%), requiring successful rescue surgical embolectomy. Bleeding events occurred in 2 patients (7%), of whom 1 required blood transfusion. Despite the small sample size, our data suggest that fondaparinux procures adequate tolerability compared to standard current therapy in combination with thrombolysis in high to intermediate risk PE.

Changes in unstable coronary atherosclerotic plaque composition after balloon angioplasty as determined by analysis of intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency.

The effects of balloon angioplasty (BA) on plaque distribution remain incompletely documented. In 20 patients with unstable angina pectoris, intravascular ultrasound gray scale and radiofrequency analyses were performed before and after BA. Composition of the plaque was 61% fibrotic tissue, 15% fibrofatty tissue, 15% necrotic tissue, and 7% dense calcium tissue. After BA, 35% of lumen enlargement was due to an increase in total vessel area and 65% to a significant decrease in plaque area. This resulted from a longitudinal redistribution of the tissue toward the reference segments. Radiofrequency analysis showed that the fibrous and fibrofatty tissues were able to redistribute longitudinally, whereas calcium remained at the same level. A third of necrotic tissue was lost after BA. In conclusion, in unstable plaques, BA resulted in a longitudinal redistribution of fibrotic and fibrofatty tissues and disappearance of 1/3 of necrotic tissue.

Effect of macroscopic-positive thrombus retrieval during primary percutaneous coronary intervention with thrombus aspiration on myocardial infarct size and microvascular obstruction.

Adjunctive thrombus aspiration (TA) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention improves myocardial perfusion and survival; however, the effect of effective thrombus retrieval remains unclear. We evaluated whether macroscopic-positive TA in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction would reduce the infarct size (IS) and microvascular obstruction (MVO), as assessed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 88 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were prospectively recruited and assigned to the TA-positive group (n = 38) or TA-negative group (n = 50) according to whether macroscopic aspirate thrombus was visible to the naked eye. The primary end points were the extent of early and late MVO as assessed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging performed during in-hospital stay and IS evaluated in the acute phase and at 6 months of follow-up. The incidence of early and late MVO and IS in the acute phase was lower in the TA-positive group than in the TA-negative group (early MVO 3.8 ± 1.1% vs 7.6 ± 2.1%, respectively, p = 0.003; late MVO 2.1 ± 0.9% vs 5.4 ± 2.9%, p = 0.006; and IS 14.9 ± 8.7% vs 28.2 ± 15.8%, p = 0.004). At the 6-month contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging study, the final IS was significantly lower in the TA-positive group (12.0 ± 8.3% vs 22.3 ± 14.3%, respectively) than in the TA-negative group (p = 0.002). After multivariate adjustment, macroscopic-positive TA represented an independent predictor of final IS (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.71, p = 0.01). In conclusion, effective macroscopic thrombus retrieval before stenting during percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is associated with an improvement in myocardial reperfusion, as documented by a clear reduction in the MVO extent and IS.

Propensity score-matched analysis of effects of clinical characteristics and treatment on gender difference in outcomes after acute myocardial infarction.

The greater mortality observed in women compared to men after acute myocardial infarction remains unexplained. Using an analysis of pairs, matched on a conditional probability of being male (propensity score), we assessed the effect of the baseline characteristics and management on 30-day mortality. Consecutive patients were included from January 2006 to December 2007. Two propensity scores (for being male) were calculated, 1 from the baseline characteristics and 1 from both the baseline characteristics and treatment. Two matched cohorts were composed using 1:1 matching and computed using the best 8 digits of the propensity score. Paired analyses were performed using conditional regression analysis. During the study period, 3,510 patients were included in the registry; 1,119 (32%) were women. Compared to the men, the women were 10 years older, had more co-morbidities, less often underwent angiography and reperfusion, and received less medical treatment. The 30-day mortality rate was 12.3% (130 of 1,060) for the women and 7.2% (167 of 2,324) for the men (p <0.001). The 2 matched populations represented 1,298 and 1,168 patients. After matching using the baseline characteristics, the only difference in treatment was a lower rate of angiography and reperfusion, with a trend toward greater 30-day mortality in women. After matching using both baseline characteristics and treatment, the 30-day mortality was similar for the men and women, suggesting that the increased use of invasive procedures in women could potentially be beneficial. In conclusion, compared to men, the 30-day mortality is greater in women and explained primarily by differences in baseline characteristics and to a lesser degree by differences in management. The difference in the use of invasive procedures persisted after matching by characteristics. In contrast, after matching using the baseline characteristics and treatment, the 30-day mortality was comparable across the genders.

Anemia for risk assessment of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

In patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes, those with anemia are at higher risk. However, current risk score systems do not take into account the presence of anemia. The impact of anemia on mortality was studied, and its incremental predictive value was evaluated. Demographic, clinical, and biologic characteristics at admission, as well as treatments and mortality, were recorded for 1,410 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndromes. The incremental value of adding anemia information to risk score evaluation was determined using changes in the appropriateness of Cox models when anemia was added. Anemia was detected in 381 patients (27%). They were older, had more co-morbidities, had higher Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk scores, received fewer guideline-recommended treatments, and, as a result, had 4-fold higher mortality. When included in a prediction model based on the GRACE risk score, anemia remained an independent predictor of mortality. The addition of anemia improved both the discriminatory capacity and calibration of the models. According to the GRACE risk score, the population was divided into 4 groups of different risk levels of <1%, 1% to <5%, 5% to <10%, and > or =10%. The addition of anemia to the model made it possible to reclassify 9%, 43%, 47%, and 23% of patients into the different risk categories, respectively. In conclusion, our data confirmed that anemia was an independent predictive factor of mortality and had incremental predictive value to the GRACE score system for early clinical outcomes.

Immediate versus delayed angioplasty in infarct-related arteries with TIMI III flow and ST segment recovery: a matched comparison in acute myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: Early management of patients with patent infarct-related artery (IRA) and optimal ST resolution in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has never been assessed. We compared immediate vs delayed PCI in these patients. METHODS: Matched comparison of immediate vs delayed (24 h) PCI in STEMI patients presenting with patent IRA, thrombus-containing lesion and ST resolution >or=70%. Patients were matched for duration of symptoms, intervention type, angiographic data, diabetes. Patients in immediate PCI group received standard therapy in the cathlab. Patients in delayed PCI group received dual antiplatelet therapy, antithrombins, and GPIIb-IIIa inhibitors until PCI. Primary endpoint was procedural success. Secondary endpoints were enzyme release and in-hospital adverse events. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were included: 39 per group. Average age 62 years, 75% males. There was a significantly higher procedural success rate in the delayed PCI group (95% success, Vs. 77% in the immediate group, P = 0.008). Initial thrombus burden score did not differ between immediate and delayed PCI groups, but improved significantly in the delayed group between baseline angiography and time of PCI (P = 0.039). There was no difference in major adverse events or bleeding complications between groups. Peak CK levels were significantly higher in the immediate versus delayed PCI group (P = 0.02), although there was no difference between groups in peak CK-MB, peak troponin, or peak CK-MB ratio. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that in STEMI patients with patent IRA, optimal ST-segment resolution, and thrombus-containing lesion, deferred PCI when patients are given dual antiplatelet therapy, antithrombin agents, and GPIIb-IIIa inhibitors results in a higher procedural success rate, without an increased risk of MACE.

Impact of renal dysfunction and glucometabolic status on one month mortality after acute myocardial infarction.

Patients with impaired glucometabolic status or renal function have a higher mortality after acute myocardial infarction. It is unclear whether this higher risk is independent or related to the quality of care. In a prospective registry, stress hyperglycaemia (SH) was defined as glucose level>140 mg/dl. Renal function was assessed by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR): normal (>/=60), mild (30-60) and severe dysfunction (<30 ml/min/1.72 m(2)). The level of risk was assessed by the TIMI risk index and the quality of care by the rate of use of five guidelines-recommended treatments. Among the 1388 patients included, 23% had diabetes, 16% had SH, renal function was normal in 55%, mildly impaired in 35% and severely impaired in 9.5%. At one month, the mortality rate was higher in patients with SH (18%) as compared with diabetics (9%) or those with normal glucometabolic status (5%). Similarly, the mortality rate was higher in those with impaired renal function. Multivariable analysis identified SH, GFR group, TIMI risk index, ST segment elevation MI and quality of care as independent predictors of one-month mortality. In patients with acute MI, SH and GFR<30 ml/min/m(2) are independent predictors of mortality after adjustment for the level of risk and acute care.