Early healing after treatment of coronary lesions by thin strut everolimus, or thicker strut biolimus eluting bioabsorbable polymer stents: The SORT-OUT VIII OCT study.

AIMS: Early healing after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation may reduce the risk of stent thrombosis. The aim of this study was to compare patterns of early healing after implantation of the thin strut everolimus-eluting Synergy DES (Boston Scientific) or the biolimus-eluting Biomatix Neoflex DES (Biosensors). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 160 patients with the chronic or acute coronary syndrome were randomized 1:1 to Synergy or Biomatrix DES. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed at baseline and at either 1- or 3-month follow-up. The primary endpoint was a coronary stent healing index (CSHI), a weighted index of strut coverage, neointimal hyperplasia, malapposition, and extrastent lumen. A total of 133 cases had OCT follow-up and 119 qualified for matched OCT analysis. The median CSHI score did neither differ significantly between the groups at 1 month: Synergy 8.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.0; 14.0) versus Biomatrix 8.5 (IQR: 4.0; 15.0) (p = 0.47) nor at 3 months: Synergy 6.5 (IQR: 2.0; 13.0) versus Biomatrix 6.0 (IQR: 4.0; 11.0) (p = 0.83). Strut coverage was 84.6% (IQR: 72.0; 97.9) for Synergy versus 77.6% (IQR: 70.1; 90.3) for Biomatrix (p = 0.15) at 1 month and 90.3% (IQR 79.0; 98.8) (Synergy) versus 83.9% (IQR: 77.5; 92.6) (Biomatrix) (p = 0.068) at 3 months. Pooled 1- and 3-month coverage was 88.6% (IQR: 74.4; 98.4) for Synergy compared with 80.7% (IQR: 73.2; 90.8) for Biomatrix (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The early healing response after treatment with the Synergy or Biomatrix DES did not differ significantly as determined by a healing index. The Synergy DES showed overall better early stent strut coverage.

Impact of acute coronary syndrome on clinical outcomes after revascularization with the dual-therapy CD34 antibody-covered sirolimus-eluting Combo stent and the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of the dual-therapy CD34 antibody-covered sirolimus-eluting Combo stent (DTS) and the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (O-SES) in patients with and without acute coronary syndrome (ACS) included in the SORT OUT X study. BACKGROUND: The incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) after treatment with modern drug-eluting stents has been reported to be significantly higher in patients with ACS when compared to patients without ACS. Whether the results from the SORT OUT X study apply to patients with and without ACS remains unknown. METHODS: In total, 3146 patients were randomized to stent implantation with DTS (n = 1578; ACS: n = 856) or O-SES (n = 1568; ACS: n = 854). The primary end point, TLF, was a composite of cardiac death, target-lesion myocardial infarction (MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR) within 1 year. RESULTS: At 1 year, the rate of TLF was higher in the DTS group compared to the O-SES group, both among patients with ACS (6.7% vs. 4.1%; incidence rate ratio: 1.65 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.08-2.52]) and without ACS (6.0% vs. 3.2%; incidence rate ratio: 1.88 [95% CI: 1.13-3.14]). The differences were mainly explained by higher rates of TLR, whereas rates of cardiac death and target lesion MI did not differ significantly between the two stent groups in patients with or without ACS CONCLUSION: Compared to the O-SES, the DTS was associated with a higher risk of TLF at 12 months in patients with and without ACS. The differences were mainly explained by higher rates of TLR.

Randomized Clinical Comparison of the Dual-Therapy CD34 Antibody-Covered Sirolimus-Eluting Combo Stent With the Sirolimus-Eluting Orsiro Stent in Patients Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The SORT OUT X Trial.

BACKGROUND: Target lesion failure remains an issue with contemporary drug-eluting stents. Thus, the dual-therapy sirolimus-eluting and CD34+ antibody-coated Combo stent (DTS) was designed to further improve early healing. This study aimed to investigate whether the DTS is noninferior to the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (SES) in an all-comers patient population. METHODS: The SORT OUT X (Combo Stent Versus Orsiro Stent) trial, was a large-scale, randomized, multicenter, single-blind, 2-arm, noninferiority trial with registry-based follow-up. The primary end point target lesion failure was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization within 12 months, analyzed using intention-to-treat. The trial was powered for assessing target lesion failure noninferiority of the DTS compared with the SES with a predetermined noninferiority margin of 0.021. RESULTS: A total of 3146 patients were randomized to treatment with the DTS (1578 patients; 2008 lesions) or SES (1568 patients; 1982 lesions). At 12 months, intention-to-treat analysis showed that 100 patients (6.3%) assigned the DTS and 58 patients (3.7%) assigned the SES met the primary end point (absolute risk difference, 2.6% [upper limit of 1-sided 95% CI, 4.1%]; P (noninferiority)=0.76). The SES was superior to the DTS (incidence rate ratios for target lesion failure, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.26-2.41]; P=0.00086). The difference was explained mainly by a higher incidence of target lesion revascularization in the DTS group compared with the SES group (53 [3.4%] vs. 24 [1.5%]; incidence rate ratio, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.37-3.61]; P=0.0012). CONCLUSIONS: The DTS did not confirm noninferiority to the SES for target lesion failure at 12 months in an all-comer population. The SES was superior to the DTS mainly because the DTS was associated with an increased risk of target lesion revascularization. However, rates of death, cardiac death, and myocardial infarction at 12 months did not differ significantly between the 2 stent groups. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03216733.

Impact of diabetes on clinical outcomes after revascularization with the dual therapy CD34 antibody-covered sirolimus-eluting Combo stent and the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of the dual therapy CD34 antibody-covered sirolimus-eluting Combo stent (DTS) and the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (SES) in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) included in the Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials with Clinical Outcome (SORT OUT) X study. BACKGROUND: The incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) after treatment with modern drug-eluting stents has been reported to be significantly higher in patients with DM when compared to patients without DM. Thus, whether the results from the SORT OUT X study apply to patients with and without DM remains unknown. METHODS: In total 3146 patients were randomized to stent implantation with DTS (n = 1578; DM: n = 279) or SES (n = 1568; DM: n = 271). The primary end point, TLF, was a composite of cardiac death, target-lesion myocardial infarction (MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR) within 1 year. RESULTS: At 1 year, the rate of TLF was increased in the DTS group compared to the SES group, both among patients with DM (9.3% vs. 4.8%; risk difference: 4.5%; incidence rate ratio: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-3.90) and without DM (5.7% vs. 3.5%; incidence rate ratio: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.15-2.42). The differences were mainly explained by higher rates of TLR. CONCLUSION: Compared to the SES, the DTS was associated with an increased risk of TLF at 12 months in patients with and without DM. The differences were mainly explained by higher rates of TLR, whereas rates of cardiac death and target lesion MI did not differ significantly between the two stent groups in patients with or without DM.

Comparison of MynxGrip vascular closure device and manual compression for closure after femoral access angiography: a randomized controlled trial: the closure devices used in every day practice study, CLOSE-UP III trial.

BACKGROUND: Complications related to femoral artery access for coronary angiography (CAG) is a safety concern. Vascular closure devices (VCDs) have been developed to reduce the rate of complications after femoral artery access. We compared the safety and efficacy of the MynxGrip VCD versus manual compression (MC) after femoral access CAG in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The study was a randomized, single center, non-blinded, two-arm non-inferiority trial. The study was stopped prematurely because of low inclusion rate. RESULTS: We randomized 869 patients to closure with the MynxGrip VCD or MC and 865 entered analyses. The incidence of the primary endpoint of major adverse vascular events (MAVE) after 30 days was 1.2% in the MynxGrip group and 0% in the MC group (p = 0.06). The median time to hemostasis was 4 [3:5] minutes and 10 [7:11] minutes in the MynxGrip group and MC group, respectively (p < 0.0001). The corresponding median times to mobilization was 73 [65:87] minutes and 76 [70:88] minutes (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MAVE was rare after closure of femoral arterial access by both the MynxGrip VCD and MC. We found a numerical difference in favour of MC but this did not reach statistical significance. Time to hemostasis was shorter in the MynxGrip group when compared to the MC group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the local medical ethics committee and registered at clinicaltrials.org (ClinicalTrials identifier: NCT02237430 11/09/2014).

16-year follow-up of the Danish Acute Myocardial Infarction 2 (DANAMI-2) trial: primary percutaneous coronary intervention vs. fibrinolysis in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

AIMS: The DANish Acute Myocardial Infarction 2 (DANAMI-2) trial found that interhospital transport to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) was superior to fibrinolysis at the local hospital in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at 30 days. The present study investigates the 16-year cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomized 1572 STEMI patients to pPCI or fibrinolysis at 24 referral hospitals and 5 invasive centres in Denmark. Patients randomized to pPCI at referral hospitals were immediately transported to the nearest invasive centre. The main endpoint of the current study was a composite of death or rehospitalization for myocardial infarction (MI). Outcome information beyond 3 years was obtained through Danish health registries. After 16 years, pPCI-treated patients had a sustained lower rate of composite endpoint compared to patients treated with fibrinolysis in the overall cohort [58.7% vs. 62.3%; hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-0.98], and among patients transported for pPCI (58.7% vs. 64.1%; HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.96). No difference in all-cause mortality was found, but cardiac mortality was reduced by an absolute of 4.4% in favour of pPCI (18.3% vs. 22.7%; HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.98). pPCI postponed a main event with 12.3 months in average compared to fibrinolysis (95% CI 5.0-19.5). CONCLUSION: The benefit of pPCI over fibrinolysis was maintained at 16-year follow-up. pPCI reduced the composite endpoint of death or rehospitalization for MI, reduced cardiac mortality, and delayed average time to a main event by approximately 1 year.

Platelet microRNA expression and association with platelet maturity and function in patients with essential thrombocythemia.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is characterized by persistently elevated platelet counts and an increased risk of thromboembolic events. Dysregulated expression of small noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown in ET and may influence platelet maturity and function in ET patients. In this study, we included 22 ET patients and 19 healthy controls to investigate the expression of 12 platelet miRNAs previously reported to be dysregulated in ET. Further, we investigated the correlation between the expression of selected miRNAs and platelet maturity and platelet function. Total RNA was isolated from platelets, and expression analyses were performed using TaqMan quantitative PCR (qPCR). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and immature platelet count and -fraction (IPC and IPF) were measured using the Sysmex XE-5000 automated haematology system. Platelet function was investigated by multiple electrode aggregometry (agonists: arachidonic acid (AA), thrombin-receptor-activating-peptide (TRAP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)), while platelet activation was determined by multi-colour flow cytometry (antibodies: bound-fibrinogen, CD63 and P-selectin (CD62p), agonists: AA, TRAP and ADP). We showed that miR-9 and miR-490 were significantly upregulated in ET patients compared with healthy controls (p-values < 0.01), while miR-10a, miR-28, miR-126, miR-155, miR-221, miR-222, miR-223 and miR-431 were significantly downregulated in ET patients (all p-values < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between miR-431 and MPV, IPC and IPF (all p-values < 0.05). The expression of miR-126 was negatively correlated with platelet aggregation induced by AA and TRAP (p < 0.05). In addition, we found the expression of miR-9 and miR-490 to be negatively correlated with the percentage of fibrinogen-, CD63- and P-selectin- positive platelets using TRAP as agonist (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our data indicate that platelet microRNAs may play a role in ET and that specific microRNAs are correlated with platelet maturity and platelet function.

Predicting stroke in patients without atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Only few studies in selected cohorts have examined whether the CHA2 DS2 -VASc score can predict the risk of atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic events in patients without atrial fibrillation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with coronary angiography performed between 2004 and 2012 were grouped according to CHA2 DS2 -VASc score. We excluded patients with atrial fibrillation, anticoagulant therapy and follow-up <30 days. The endpoints were atrial fibrillation and a composite of ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack and systemic embolism. Event rates per 100 person-years were estimated for each CHA2 DS2 -VASc score (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and >4). Incidence rate ratios were calculated using low-risk patients (CHA2 DS2 -VASc score 0 in males or 1 in females) as reference. RESULTS: In total, 78 233 patients were included with group sizes varying between 8299 (CHA2 DS2 -VASc >4) and 19 882 (CHA2 DS2 -VASc 2). An increasing CHA2 DS2 -VASc score was significantly associated with a future diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (P for trend <0.0001) and an incremental risk of ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack, systemic embolism (P for trend <0.0001) and all-cause death (P for trend <0.0001). Patients with a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of 3 had a rate of ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack/systemic embolism of 1.30 per 100 person-years. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing coronary angiography, the CHA2 DS2 -VASc score predicted a future diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and the composite risk of ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack or systemic embolism in patients without atrial fibrillation. A CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of 3 was associated with a risk that would justify prophylactic oral anticoagulation treatment in a patient with atrial fibrillation.

Randomized clinical comparison of the dual-therapy CD34 antibody-covered sirolimus-eluting Combo stent with the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: Rationale and study design of the Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials with Clinical Outcome (SORT OUT) X trial.

BACKGROUND: The Combo stent (OrbusNeich, Hoevelaken, the Netherlands) combining an abluminal, bioabsorbable polymer eluting sirolimus with a luminal CD34+ antibody to capture endothelial progenitor cells has been developed to further improve safety and efficacy of coronary interventions. We have designed a large-scale registry-based randomized clinical trial to compare the Combo stent to the Orsiro stent (Biotronik, Bülach, Switzerland) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: The SORT OUT X study will randomly assign 3,140 patients to treatment with Combo or Orsiro stents at 3 sites in Western Denmark. Patients are eligible if they are ≥18 years old, have chronic stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes, and have ≥1 coronary lesion with >50% diameter stenosis requiring treatment with a drug-eluting stent. The primary end point target lesion failure is a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (not related to other than index lesion), or target lesion revascularization within 12 months. Clinically driven event detection will be derived from validated Danish registries. An event rate of 4.2% is assumed in each stent group. With a sample size of 1,570 patients in each treatment arm, a 2-group large-sample normal approximation test of proportions with a 1-sided 5% significance level will have 90% power to detect noninferiority of the Combo stent compared with the Orsiro stent with a predetermined noninferiority margin of 2.1%. CONCLUSION: The SORT OUT X trial will determine whether the dual-therapy Combo stent is noninferior to the Orsiro stent with respect to clinically driven events (ClinicalTrials.govNCT03216733).

Flow cytometric analysis of platelet cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 and surface glycoproteins in patients with immune thrombocytopenia and healthy individuals.

Immature platelets may contain more platelet enzymes such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 than mature platelets. Patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have a higher fraction of immature platelets and can therefore be utilized as a biological model for investigating COX-1 and COX-2 platelet expression. The aims were to develop flow cytometric assays for platelet COX-1 and COX-2 and to investigate the COX-1 and COX-2 platelet expression, platelet turnover, and platelet glycoproteins in ITP patients (n = 10) compared with healthy individuals (n = 30). Platelet count and platelet turnover parameters (mean platelet volume (MPV), immature platelet fraction (IPF), and immature platelet count (IPC)) were measured by flow cytometry (Sysmex XE-5000). Platelet COX-1, COX-2, and the glycoproteins (GP)IIb, IX, Ib, Ia, and IIIa were all analyzed by flow cytometry (Navios) and expressed as median fluorescence intensity. COX analyses were performed in both whole blood and platelet rich plasma (PRP), whereas platelet glycoproteins were analyzed in whole blood only. ITP patients had significantly lower platelet count (55 × 109/L) than healthy individuals (240 × 109/L, p < 0.01), but a higher MPV (p = 0.03) and IPF (p < 0.01). IPC was similar for the two groups (p = 0.74). PRP had significantly lower MPV (p < 0.01) and significantly higher platelet count and IPC (both p-values <0.03) when compared with whole blood. IPF was similar for PRP and whole blood (p = 0.18). COX-1 expression was 10 times higher and COX-2 expression was 50% higher in PRP than in whole blood (pCOX-1 < 0.01, pCOX-2 < 0.01). Platelet COX-1 expression was higher in ITP patients than healthy individuals using whole blood (pCOX-1 < 0.01) and PRP, though this was nonsignificant in PRP (pCOX-1 = 0.17). In ITP patients, positive correlations were found between platelet turnover and COX-1 expression (all p-values <0.01, rho = 0.80-0.94), whereas healthy individuals showed significant though weaker correlations between platelet turnover and COX-1 and COX-2 expressions (all p-values <0.03, rho = 0.44-0.71). GPIIb, IX, and Ib expression was increased in ITP patients compared with healthy individuals (all p-values < 0.03). GPIIb, IX, Ib, and IIIa showed positive correlations with platelet turnover in ITP patients (all p-values <0.02, rho = 0.71-0.94), but weak and nonsignificant correlations in healthy individuals (all p-values >0.14, rho = 0.11-0.28). In conclusion, ITP patients expressed higher COX-1 and platelet glycoprotein levels than healthy individuals. COX-1 and platelet glycoproteins demonstrated positive correlations with platelet turnover in ITP patients. In healthy individuals, COX-1 and COX-2 expression correlated positively with platelet turnover. PRP was more sensitive compared with whole blood as regards determination of COX. Therefore, PRP is the recommended matrix for investigating COX-1 and COX-2 in platelets.

Investigation of platelet function and platelet disorders using flow cytometry.

Patients with thrombocytopenia or platelet disorders are at risk of severe bleeding. We report the development and validation of flow cytometry assays to diagnose platelet disorders and to assess platelet function independently of platelet count. The assays were developed to measure glycoprotein levels (panel 1) and platelet function (panel 2) in sodium citrated blood. Twenty healthy volunteers and five patients diagnosed with different platelet disorders were included. Glycoprotein expression levels of the receptors Ia, Ib, IIb, IIIa and IX were measured and normalised with forward scatter (FS) as a measurement of platelet size. Platelet function was assessed by CD63, P-selectin and bound fibrinogen in response to arachidonic acid, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen-related peptide, ristocetin and thrombin receptor-activation peptide-6. All patients except one with suspected δ-granule defect showed aberrant levels of glycoproteins in panel 1. Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and genetically verified Bernard-Soulier syndrome could be diagnosed using panel 1. All patients showed reduced platelet function according to at least one agonist. Using panel 2 it was possible to diagnose Bernard-Soulier syndrome, δ-granule defect and GPVI disorder. By combining the two assays, we were able to diagnose different platelet disorders and investigate platelet function independent of platelet count.

Evaluation of acute ischemia in pre-procedure ECG predicts myocardial salvage after primary PCI in STEMI patients with symptoms >12hours.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is recommended in patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and symptom duration <12hours. However, a considerable amount of myocardium might still be salvaged in STEMI patients with symptom durations >12hours (late-presenters). The Anderson-Wilkin's score (AW-score) estimates the acuteness of myocardial ischemia from the electrocardiogram (ECG) in STEMI patients. We hypothesized that the AW-score is superior to symptom duration in identifying substantial salvage potential in late-presenters. METHODS: The AW-score (range 1-4) was obtained from the pre-pPCI ECG in 55 late-presenters and symptoms 12-72 hours. Myocardial perfusion imaging was performed to assess area at risk before pPCI and after 30days to assess myocardial salvage index (MSI). We correlated both the AW-score and pain-to-balloon with MSI and determined the salvage potential (MSI) according to AW-score ≥3 (acute ischemia) and AW-score <3 (late ischemia). RESULTS: Late-presenters had median MSI 53% (inter quartile range (IQR) 27-89). The AW-score strongly correlated with MSI (ß=0.60, R(2)=0.36, p<0.0001), while pain-to-balloon time did not (ß=-0.21, R(2)=0.04, p=0.14). Patients with AW-score ≥3 (n=16) compared to those with AW-score <3 (n=27) had significant larger MSI (82.7% vs 41.5%, p=0.014). MSI>median was observed in 79% in patients with AW-score ≥3 vs 32% in patients with AW-score <3 (adjusted OR 6.74 [95% CI 1.35-33.69], p=0.02). CONCLUSION: AW-score was strongly associated with myocardial salvage while pain-to-balloon time was not. STEMI patients with symptom duration between 12 -72hours and AW-score ≥3 achieved substantial salvage after pPCI.

Reduced antiplatelet effect of aspirin during 24 hours in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes.

Reduced antiplatelet effect of aspirin has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes, and recent studies suggest that once-daily aspirin provides insufficient platelet inhibition. We investigated if the effect of aspirin declined during the 24-hour dosing interval in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes, and whether this correlated with increased platelet turnover. Furthermore, the intra-individual variation in platelet aggregation was determined during a 28-day period. We included 47 patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes treated with aspirin 75 mg daily. Blood samples were obtained 1 and 24 hours after aspirin intake, and this was repeated three times with a 2-week interval between each visit. Platelet aggregation was evaluated by impedance aggregometry (Multiplate® Analyzer) using arachidonic acid (1.0 mM) and collagen (3.2 µg/ml) as agonists. Markers of platelet turnover were measured by flow cytometry. Compliance was confirmed by serum thromboxane B2. Platelet aggregation levels measured 1 and 24 hours after aspirin intake were compared using the mean of 1- and 24-hour measurements at the three study visits. The difference in platelet aggregation was 70 ± 97 AU × min (p < 0.0001) when using arachidonic acid as agonist and 33 ± 76 AU × min (p = 0.01) when using collagen. Markers of platelet turnover correlated positively, though not significantly, with residual platelet aggregation 24 hours after aspirin intake (p values 0.06 and 0.07). Median intra-individual variation of platelet aggregation was 9-16%. Patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes had increased platelet aggregation at the end of the 24-hour aspirin dosing interval. Platelet turnover did not correlate significantly with residual platelet aggregation, although a trend was observed. The intra-individual variation of platelet aggregation after aspirin intake was low.

Reperfusion therapy for ST elevation acute myocardial infarction 2010/2011: current status in 37 ESC countries.

AIMS: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We conducted this study to evaluate the contemporary status on the use and type of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional descriptive study based on aggregated country-level data on the use of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI during 2010 or 2011. Thirty-seven ESC countries were able to provide data from existing national or regional registries. In countries where no such registries exist, data were based on best expert estimates. Data were collected on the use of STEMI reperfusion treatment and mortality, the numbers of cardiologists, and the availability of PPCI facilities in each country. Our survey provides a brief data summary of the degree of variation in reperfusion therapy across Europe. The number of PPCI procedures varied between countries, ranging from 23 to 884 per million inhabitants. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombolysis were the dominant reperfusion strategy in 33 and 4 countries, respectively. The mean population served by a single PPCI centre with a 24-h service 7 days a week ranged from 31 300 inhabitants per centre to 6 533 000 inhabitants per centre. Twenty-seven of the total 37 countries participated in a former survey from 2007, and major increases in PPCI utilization were observed in 13 of these countries. CONCLUSION: Large variations in reperfusion treatment are still present across Europe. Countries in Eastern and Southern Europe reported that a substantial number of STEMI patients are not receiving any reperfusion therapy. Implementation of the best reperfusion therapy as recommended in the guidelines should be encouraged.

Acute and subacute effects of strenuous exercise on platelet aggregation, coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

INTRODUCTION: Strenuous exercise may occasionally cause coronary thrombosis with myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 164) and healthy individuals (n = 25) performed strenuous exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Blood was drawn at baseline, immediately after exercise and 2 h later. Platelet aggregation was measured with Multiplate® Analyzer. Thrombin generation was determined using a thrombogram and by measuring prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2). A clot lysis assay was used to investigate fibrinolysis. RESULTS: From baseline to immediately after exercise, thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP)-induced platelet aggregation increased in CAD patients (Δ77 AU × min, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 46;107) and in healthy individuals (Δ153 AU × min, 95%CI: 75;232). Endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) was unaffected by exercise, whilst F1 + 2 increased (Δ17%, 95%CI: 11;24) in CAD patients. Fibrin clot lysis time increased by 9 % (95%CI: 1-17) in CAD patients and by 26 % (95%CI: 8;45) in healthy individuals. When comparing baseline to 2 h post-exercise, TRAP-induced platelet aggregation remained slightly elevated in both CAD patients (Δ53 AU × min, 95%CI: 22;84) and healthy individuals (Δ140 AU × min, 95%CI: 62;219). In contrast, ETP and F1 + 2 decreased in CAD patients (Δ-6 %, 95%CI: -10;-1 and Δ-8 %, 95%CI: -14;-2). Moreover, clot lysis time decreased (Δ-19 %, 95%CI: -27;-11) in patients with CAD and returned to baseline in healthy individuals. All p-values were <0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet aggregation and F1 + 2 were substantially elevated immediately after exercise in CAD patients, indicating a pro-thrombotic state. After 2 h of recovery, they exhibited a markedly increase in fibrinolysis. Similar results were observed in healthy individuals.

Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease as Risk Factors for Dementia.

AIM: Diabetes is associated with increased risk of dementia, but it is still debated to which degree this risk depends on the presence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that patients with diabetes and co-existing coronary artery disease (CAD), as a marker of systemic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, have substantially higher risk of developing dementia. METHODS: Patients ≥65 years, who underwent coronary angiography were stratified by diabetes and CAD. Outcomes were all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's dementia, and vascular dementia. We estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) using patients with neither diabetes nor CAD as a reference. RESULTS: A total of 103,859 patients were included. Of these, 23,189 (22%) had neither diabetes nor CAD, 3,876 (4%) had diabetes, 61,020 (59%) had CAD, and 15,774 (15%) had diabetes and CAD. During a median follow-up of 6.3 years, 5,592 (5.5%) patients were diagnosed with all-cause dementia. Patients with diabetes and CAD had the highest hazard rate of all-cause dementia (aHR 1.37, 95% CI 1.24-1.51), including Alzheimer's dementia (aHR 1.41, 95% CI 1.23-1.62) and vascular dementia (aHR 2.03, 95% CI 1.69-2.45). Patients with diabetes alone (aHR 1.14, 95% CI 0.97-1.33) or CAD alone (aHR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20) had a modestly increased rate of all-cause dementia. CONCLUSION: The combination of diabetes and CAD is associated with increased rate of dementia, in particular vascular dementia, suggesting that the diabetes-related risk of dementia is partly mediated through concomitant atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This underscores the importance of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention in diabetes patients to reduce cognitive decline.

We used national Danish healthcare registries to follow 103,859 patients examined by coronary angiography for up to 10 years to estimate the risk of dementia associated with diabetes and/or coronary artery disease. We found that diabetes and coronary artery disease are, separately, only modest risk factors of dementia. However, diabetes and coronary artery disease in combination were associated with highest risk of dementia, in particular vascular dementia. Out results suggests that the risk of dementia associated with diabetes is partly mediated through the presence atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which underscores the importance of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention in diabetes patients to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.