bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P5647Temporal variability of T-wave morphology and risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Rahola J T , Kiviniemi A M , Ukkola O H , Tulppo M P , Junttila M J , Huikuri H V , Kentta T V , Perkiomaki J S
Published: October 2019

Background

The possible relationship between temporal variability of electrocardiographic spatial heterogeneity of repolarisation and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is not completely understood.

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic value of temporal variability of T-wave spatial heterogeneity in SCD in patients with CAD.

Methods

The Innovation to reduce Cardiovascular Complications of Diabetes at the Intersection (ARTEMIS) study population consisted of 1,946 patients with angiographically verified CAD. T-wave morphology dispersion (TMD), which estimates the average angle between all reconstruction vector pairs in T-wave loop based on leads I-II and V2-V6, was analysed on beat-to-beat basis from 10 minutes period of the baseline electrocardiographic recording in 1,678 study subjects. The temporal variability of TMD was evaluated by standard deviation of TMD (TMD-SD).

Results

After on average of 7.4±2.0 years of follow-up, a total of 47 of the 1,678 study subjects (2.8%) had experienced SCD or were resuscitated from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). TMD-SD was significantly higher in patients who had experienced SCD/SCA compared with those who remained alive (3.64±2.57 vs. 2.65±2.54, p<0.01, respectively), but did not differ significantly between the patients who had experienced non-sudden cardiac death (n=40, 2.4%) and those who remained alive (2.98±2.43 vs. 2.67±2.55, p=0.45, respectively) or between the patients who succumbed to non-cardiac death (n=88, 5,2%) and those who stayed alive (2.74±2.44 vs. 2.67±2.55, p=0.81). After adjustments with relevant clinical risk indicators of SCD/SCA, such as left ventricular ejection fraction, diabetes, left bundle branch block and Canadian Cardiac Society class, TMD-SD still predicted SCD/SCA (HR 1.113, 95% CIs 1.028–1.206, p<0.01). The discrimination and reclassification accuracy increased significantly (p=0.02, p=0.033) and the C-index increased from 0.733 to 0.741 when TMD-SD was added to the clinical risk model of SCD/SCA. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves show proportional probabilities of event-free survival for different modes of death for patients classified according to the optimised TMD-SD cut-off point (Figure).

Figure 1

Conclusions

Temporal variability of electrocardiographic spatial heterogeneity of repolarisation represented by TMD-SD independently predicts long-term risk of SCD/SCA in patients with CAD.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Sigrid Juselius Foundation and Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research
P5649Impact of atrial fibrillation detected by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators on future stroke events in patients with heart failure
Authors: Nakano M , Kondo Y , Nakano M , Kajiyama T , Hayashi T , Ito R , Takahira H , Kobayashi Y
Published: October 2019

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. AF-related stroke tends to be more severe, and the mortality rate is higher compared with stroke without AF. The definition of AF in patients with implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) is not clear and the appropriate treatment guideline for patients with AF episode has not established yet. Recent ICDs have led to an improvement in the early detection of AF episodes, especially in patients who are asymptomatic. Previous studies showed that atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) detected by cardiac implantable electronic devices are associated with embolic stroke events. However, little is known about the incidence of AF and stroke events in Japanese heart failure patients with an ICD.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of embolic stroke events in heart failure patients with and without AF events detected by ICDs and examine the risk factors of embolic stroke events.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the database of our hospital. Every 6 months, AF events were checked by ICDs. AF30 was defined as AF episodes lasting for ≥30 seconds detected by ICDs. We examined the characteristics and incidence of embolic stroke events and investigated the relationship between AF30 and the incidence of embolic stroke events.

Results

We enrolled 215 consecutive patients who had no prior AF and took no anticoagulant in this study (follow-up period, 58±35 months; age, 62±15 years; male sex, 75%). The mean CHADS2 score and CHA2DS2-VASc score were 2.4±0.8 points and 3.8±1.2 points, respectively. The mean HAS-BLED score was 2.1±1.0 points. During the follow-up, 14 of 215 patients (6.5%) had embolic stroke events. Nine patients (5.8%/year) and 5 patients (0.65%/year) had embolic stroke events with and without AF30, respectively. The comparison of characteristics among patients with and without embolic stroke events was shown in Table. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors for embolic stroke events were new-onset episode of AF30 (odd ratio [OR] 21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8–120, P<0.0001) and an enlarged left atrium ≥40mm (OR 14, 95% CI 2.2–304, P=0.0029).

Conclusions

Embolic stroke events were common in Japanese heart failure patients with an ICD. AF30 and enlarged left atrium were the risk factors of embolic stroke events in this population. Therefore, when physicians detect new-onset AF in patients with an ICD, they should consider a comprehensive assessment of the risk and benefit of prescribing an anticoagulant.
P5669Clinical management of syncope patients guided by insertable cardiac monitors in Europe
Authors: Moyson W , Verma A , Natale A , Amin A , Beinart S , Kasner S , Diener H.-C , Cerkvenik J , Mittal S
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Current European guidelines recommend the use of insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) in the early phase of evaluation for patients with recurrent, unexplained syncope and a likelihood of recurrence during the device battery life. The ongoing Reveal LINQ Registry collects real-world data on clinical actions guided by the insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) in these patients.

Purpose

To characterize ICM-guided diagnosis and treatment of syncope patients in Europe.

Methods

The Reveal LINQ Registry is a prospective, observational, multi-center study evaluating real-world performance of the ICM. Patients from European centres who had syncope indicated as the reason for ICM implant were included in the analysis. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to determine the percentage of patients receiving treatment.

Results

In total, 139 patients from 12 centres [Portugal (78); The Netherlands (30); Belgium (12); Italy (10); Germany (5); United Kingdom (4)] received an ICM to monitor for unexplained syncope and had at least one follow-up visit. The mean age was 61.2 and 51.1% were female. During a mean follow-up time of 11.2 months, 31 patients experienced at least one recurrent syncope event classified as: cardiac (9), vasovagal (4), idiopathic (8) and unknown (10). An arrhythmia was diagnosed in 14 (45.2%) patients with a recurrent event and clinical actions were taken in 12 (38.7%) patients (10 IPGs, and 2 AF ablations). Among patients without a recurrence, 25 (23.1%) had an arrhythmia diagnosed and 20 (18.5%) had a clinical action taken (13 therapeutic device implants, 4 ablations, and 3 medication changes). Overall, the rate of clinical actions was 32.6% after 18 months of ICM follow-up in the unexplained syncope population (Figure).

Time to treatment

Conclusion

Clinical actions are taken in approximately one third of unexplained syncope patients monitored with an ICM after 18 months of follow up.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Medtronic
P5677Ictal asystole and bradycardia patients with epilepsy
Authors: Teryan R A , Serdyuk S E , Davtyan K V , Drapkina O M
Published: October 2019

Background

Events of ictal bradycardia or asystole may be of importance in epilepsy patients showing with ictal falls and are a funder to SUDEP. With using implantable loop recorders, we can detect ictal bradycardia or asystole. And implantation of cardiac pacemakers may prevent life-threatening syncope, cardiac arrest, and disturbances.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to look at how many ictal bradycardia or asystole and match with localization, types of seizure and antiepileptic drugs in a patient with hard to treat epilepsy.

Methods

Patients with hard to treat epilepsy were implanted loop recorders. Patients or their relations were activated loop recorder (with a special patient assistant) during or after seizure depending on the type of seizure.

Results

204 patients included in the study. The mean duration of loop recording 24 months. 1168 ECG seizure were reordered of 204 patients, 494 (42%) secondary generalized seizures and 674 (58%) partial seizures. Nine patients (4%) were recorded ictal bradycardia and ictal asystole. Only four patients with ictal asystole and bradycardia take AED (antiepileptic drug) inhibit sodium channels. During seizure were recorded only 14 (1, 1%) seizure with ictal asystole and bradycardia of nine patients, 6 (42%) – with ictal asystole (5 – SA-block, 1 – AV-block), 8 (57%) – ictal bradycardia. Ten (71%) events of 14 was secondary generalized seizures, 4 (28%) - partial seizures. Five ictal asystoles recorded during secondarily generalized seizures, and only 1 partial seizure. Five ictal bradycardias reordered during secondarily generalized seizures, 3 - partial seizure. Frontal-temporal localization only 4 patients, 1 – occipital-frontal, 1 – frontal, 3 – without consistent epilepsy localization. Three patients with bilateral lateralization, 2 – left lateralization, 1 – right lateralization, 3 – without consistent epilepsy lateralization.

Conclusions

Ictal asystole can be problematic to diagnose because of both its under-recognition and its appearance only during seizures. In this study, we showed the most life-threatening events occurred in patients with the secondarily generalized seizures. Bradyarrhythmias can one of possible sudden unexplained death in epilepsy patients (SUDEP). No clear association was seen between ictal bradycardia/asystole and lateralization or localization of seizure onset.
P5684Left ventricular wall thickness measured with computed tomography stratifies the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Galand V , Ghoshhajra B G , Szymonifka J , Das S , Orencole M , Leclercq C , Truong Q A , Singh J P
Published: October 2019

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has provided benefit in selected heart failure (HF) patients. Unfortunately, up to 30% of device recipients do not benefit clinically from CRT. Left ventricular (LV) wall geometry analyzed using computed tomography (CT) has not been evaluated in the response to CRT. The objective of this study was to examine the association of LV wall thickness (WT) and the ability for reverse LV remodeling after CRT in non ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) patients.

Methods

In this prospective study, a total 54 patients (33 NICM) scheduled for CRT, underwent pre procedural CT. Reduced LV WT was defined as WT≤6mm and was quantified as a percentage of total LV area. End points were 6-month clinical and echocardiographic response to CRT (NYHA functional class, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and LV end-systolic volume (LVEDV)) and 2-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Of note, positive reduction was defined as in reduction LVESV and LVEDV by ≥15% and ≥10% respectively and ≥5% absolute increase in LVEF.

Results

The 33 NICM enrolled patients were divided in 3 groups according to the percentage of LV WT<6mm area: ≤20% (low LV WT area); 20–50% (moderate LV WT area) and ≥50% (high LV WT area). At 6 months, 78%, 67% and 25% of the patients experienced NYHA class improvement by ≥1 in the ≤20%, 20–50% and ≥50% group respectively. Furthermore, majority of patients in the ≤20% and 20–50% groups (92% and 75% respectively) had a significant improvement of their global assessment compared to only 38% in the ≥50% group. Additionally, low LV WT area group presented a significant LVEF, LVEDV and LVESV positive response rate (92%, 69% and 85% respectively). Patients included in the moderate and high groups exhibited gradually lower LVEF, LVEDV and LVESV positive response rate (42% and 50%; 67% and 50%; 75% and 50%, respectively). Notably, patients with the least LV WT (i.e ≥50% group) experienced significantly lower 2-years MACE survival free probability than other groups.

Left ventriculat segmentation

Conclusion

LV WT evaluated using CT could help to stratify the response to CRT in NICM patients.
P5686Role of internal stretch fraction parameter in quantification of mechanical dyssynchrony and prediction of cardiac resynchronization therapy outcome
Authors: Riedlbauchova L , Lozek M , Adla T , Suchanek V , Tomis J , Huptych M , Hozman J , Tomek V , Veselka J , Janousek J
Published: October 2019

Background

Dyssynchronous activation of the heart is a prerequisite for cardiac resynchronization (CRT) efficacy. Although the main goal of CRT is to resynchronize ventricular contraction, our abilities to quantify mechanical dyssynchrony are still limited. However, so called “internal stretch fraction” (ISF) might serve as a marker of global discoordination of ventricular contraction.

Methods and aim of the study

Thirty-six CRT candidates and 7 healthy controls underwent MRI scanning. Feature tracking data (in short axis) were analysed using Segment software and cicrumferential strain (S)/ strainrate (SR) was obtained for each of the 16 left-ventricular (LV) segments. ISF was calculated as an extent of stretch (product of number of stretched regions and their mean amount of stretch, integrated over given time period; ie. area under the positive part of the global SR curve) in relation to the extent of shortening (area under the negative part of the global SR curve) in 6 basal LV segments during the ejection time (ET). The onset and end of ejection for ISF calculation were set from the global S curve (obtained by the averaging of S curves in 6 basal LV segments). For flow-derived ISF (FISF) parameter, ET was defined from the MRI-flow through pulmonic and aortic valve (Fig-1). Higher ISF and FISF marks more ineffective ventricular contraction.

Aim of our study was to assess the ability of ISF and FISF to distinguish healthy controls from CRT candidates and to predict CRT responders (↓LVESV>15% after 6 months of CRT).

Results

ISF and FISF were significantly higher in CRT candidates than in healthy controls, greater difference between the two groups exhibited FISF (Fig-2). There were 37% of nonresponders among CRT recipients. Both parameters (ISF and FISF) were higher in future CRT responders. Cut-off value discriminating CRT responders from CRT nonresponders was >0,045 for ISF and >0,174 for FISF, however FISF had higher sensitivity than ISF (Fig-3; sensitivity 71% (ISF) versus 79% (FISF) and specificity 70% for both ISF and FISF).

Conclusion

Internal stretch fraction might be a useful parameter for selection of patients with discoordinated ventricular contraction who might profit from CRT. Higher sensitivity of FISF compared to ISF may be explained by the fact that ET derived from global S curve reflects only part of the ejection phase whereas FISF describes presence of ventricular discoordination in the entire ejection phase.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Supported by Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, grant nr. 15-31398A. All rights reserved.
P5698What predicts the inefficiency of stellate ganglion block in the treatment of electrical storm?
Authors: Spacek R , Jiravsky O , Hudec M , Fismol J , Sknouril L
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Electrical storm (ES) is an emergent condition which requires a sofisticated approach. Massive sympathetic surge almost always connected with ES precipitates recurrent ventricular arrhythmias. Performing stellate ganglion block (SGB) to alleviate the sympathetic activity on myocardium is becoming a standard of care in many centers. However, there is no clear data to predict in which patients the SGB will be ineffective.

Purpose

To identify predictors of SGB failure in patients with ES.

Methods

We analyzed our case series of SGB – the procedure was performed in 31 patients with ES in our center from March 2017 to December 2018.

Results

Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 27% (±9%), 74% of patients had ischaemic cardiomyopathy. The most frequent type of arrhythmia was monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), occurring in 71% of patients, followed by polymorphic VT in 13% of cases. After SGB, the burden of ventricular arrhythmias failed to decrease by at least 50% in 10% of cases - these patients were marked as non-responders. Slow monomorphic VT (under 160/min) was observed in all of these patients. On the other hand, fast monomorphic VT or polymorphic VT seemed to respond very well to SGB. We also observed, that patients with ES after acute coronary syndromes were good responders as well. The effect of SGB was not related to age, gender, EF LK or the etiology of cardiomyopathy.

Conclusions

According to our experience, the failure of SGB in the treatment of ES is not frequent. It typically occurs in patients with slow monomorphic VT. It is probable that such arrhythmias are sustained primarily due to the extensive myocardial substrate, and not because of the sympathetic surge. The situation is quite the opposite in patients with fast VT and acute ischemia.
P5703The anterior interventricular crux: anatomic basis for ablation below the left sinus of valsalva (LSOV) of varied ECG morphology PVCs
Authors: Mehra N , Kapa S , Deshmukh A , Asirvatham S
Published: October 2019

Background

Outflow tract premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) may be ablated at sites where the local electrogram is early. We describe ablation of PVCs of varying morphology at a cruciate structure extending from the inflection of the great cardiac vein to the junction of the distal RVOT and from the left ventricular (LV) inflow myocardium through the aortic mitral continuity (AMC) to the right coronary sinus of Valsalva centered below LSOV, termed the LV crux.

Purpose

Evaluate a novel target for ablation of PVCs with varied QRS morphologies.

Methods

A series of 51 patients undergoing ablation for PVCs between 2013–2018 was identified. In all cases, ICE-guided ablation occurred at the center of the LV crux.

Results

All patients had high PVC burden >20% (28±8%); EF<50% in 40/51 (78%). QRS morphology of PVCs is summarized in Table 1. 50% had prior ablation attempted at early sites. Mapping and ICE-guided ablation at the LV crux (Figure 1 A-B) revealed early activation with near-field ventricular or fascicular signal in 31 (61%), while others had early sites at extensions of the crux. PVCs were eliminated in 50/51 (98%) with continued suppression at 3-months. EF normalized in all 51.

Table 1. ECG charactaeristics ECG characteristics Number of patients (%) Inferior morphology 51/51 (100%) Lead I morphology   Monophasic R 8/51 (16%)   Rs 9/51 (18%)   rS 34/51 (66%) Precordial transition   Positive across precordium 40 (78%)   V2 transition 7 (14%)   V3 transition 4 (8%) Maximum deflection index   <0.55 37 (73%)   >0.55 14 (27%)

Figure 1. Mapping and ablation

Conclusions

A cruciate interventricular multidimensional crux centered below the LSOV is a site for successful ablation of varied PVC morphologies and should be considered for detailed mapping and ablation, particularly when multiple morphologies are present or prior ablation at early sites is unsuccessful. Ventricular myocardial architecture along with conduction system remnants may be the basis for this phenomenon.
P5709External validation of the ACEF II operative risk model in a cardiac surgery population: an interim evaluation
Authors: Georgievska M , Saiti R , Popevski D , Gramosli T , Stoicovski E , Vuckova D , Neziri D , Marinkovic S , Ugurov P , Klincheva M , Idoski E , Hristov N , Milojevik P , Mitrev Z K , Rosalia R A
Published: October 2019

Background

The ACEF II score has been proposed as a parsimonious, alternative, operative mortality risk prediction model for cardiac surgery. External validation is warranted to establish its use.

Aim

The primary goal was to evaluate the ACEF II model performance for cardiac surgery mortality risk stratification. We also tested the discriminatory power to classify patients in need of prolonged postoperative respiratory support and hospitalisation.

Methods

We evaluated 743 Cardiac Surgery patients – median age 65 (range 20–80 years), 27.4% females - operated between November 2017 and October 2018.

Receiver Operating Curves (ROC) were generated based on a dichotomous outcome, “yes/no”, for intrahospital mortality, prolonged mechanical ventilation time (>24 hours), ICU length-of-stay (>48 hours) and postoperative hospitalisation (>7 days).

The ACEF II was compared to the ACEF I and the EuroSCORE II (ESII).

The DeLong method was used to test the statistical significance of the difference between the areas under different dependent ROC curves.

Results

The median ACEF II scores for low risk (= ESII <2%), medium risk (= ESII ≥2–≤5%) and high-risk patients (= ESII >5%) were 1.24 (IQR 1.05–1.505), 1.48 (IQR 1.28–1.928) and 2.240 (IQR 1.560–2.933), respectively.

The observed mortality for low risk, medium risk and high-risk patients were 1.48% (5/337), 3.26% (9/275) and 19.23% (25/130), respectively.

ACEF II outperformed the ACEF I but was similar to the EuroSCORE II in discriminating intrahospital mortality cases and patients in need of prolonged mechanical ventilation (Table 1).

All risk models lacked sufficient power to classify patients requiring prolonged ICU-LOS and postoperative hospitalisation time (AUC <0.7).

Table 1. Pairwise comparison of ROC Risk Score Model AUC + CI95% – Intrahospital Mortality Area difference when compared to ACEF II AUC + CI95% p-value ACEF II 0.766 [0.733 to 0.796] ACEF I 0.645 [0.609 to 0.679] 0.121 [0.0288 to 0.212] 0.0100 EuroSCORE II 0.809 [0.778 to 0.836] 0.0429 [−0.0431 to 0.129] 0.3284 AUC + CI95% – Prolonged MVT Area difference when compared to ACEF II AUC + CI95% p-value ACEF II 0.721 [0.687 to 0.753] ACEF I 0.632 [0.596 to 0.667] 0.0891 [0.0224 to 0.156] 0.0088 EuroSCORE II 0.721 [0.687 to 0.753] 0.000128 [−0.0732 to 0.0735] 0.9973 AUC = Area Under the Curve, DeLong et al., 1988 – Binomial exact CI95% for the AUC, MVT = Mechanical Ventilation time.

Conclusion

The ACEF II risk model has a fair discriminative capacity to classify intrahospital mortality cases and patients who will require prolonged mechanical respiratory support following cardiac surgery.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None
P5729Restricted mean survival time analysis to assess efficacy and safety of intensive vs standard blood pressure treatment goals as a function of age: insights from the SPRINT trial
Authors: Krishnaswami A , Peterson E , Kim D , Rich M
Published: October 2019

Background

Blood pressure (BP) treatment targets in older adults (≥75 years) remain controversial. Restricted mean survival time (RMST) analysis is an alternative to hazard ratios (decreased reliance on proportional hazards assumption) with an intuitive interpretation of a gain or loss in event-free days. This may be valuable when assessing effectiveness and safety of BP treatment as a function of age.

Purpose

Determine differences in event-free time (days) between intensive (≤120 mm Hg) and conservative (≤140 mm Hg) BP treatment stratified by age categories.

Methods

Post hoc analysis to estimate RMST using publicly available SPRINT trial dataset for the primary SPRINT composite cardiovascular outcome and a 6-point secondary safety outcome (hypotension, syncope, bradycardia, electrolyte abnormality, injurious falls, or acute kidney injury) that resulted in emergency department visits or serious adverse events.

Results

In 9,361 participants the average age was 67.9±9.4 years (≤64 years: n=4,216; 65–74 years: n=2794, ≥75 years: n=2351). Over 5 years, participants in the intensive arm had an extra 13.8 cardiovascular event-free days [(3.9 to 23.6), p=0.006]; this increased to 28.6 days [(3.6 to 53.7), p=0.025] in those ≥75 years. For the 6-point composite safety outcome, participants in the intensive arm had on average significantly fewer safety event-free days compared to the control arm [−37.6 days (−54.2 to −21.1)], p<0.0001; this decreased to −8.6 days [(−43.2 to 26.1), p=0.63] in those ≥75 years.

Restricted Mean Survival Time Age Category RMST (Intensive) RMST (Control) RMST (Intensive-Control Difference) P-value (Days, 95% CI) (Days, 95% CI) (Days, 95% CI) Primary SPRINT MACE Outcome   All Ages 1441.9 (1435.3 to 1448.5) 1428.1 (1420.9 to 1435.3) 13.8 (3.9 to 23.6) 0.006   <65 years 1411.9 (1404.9 to 1419.0) 1401.8 (1393.4 to 1410.1) 10.2 (−0.7 to 21.1) 0.07   65–74 years 1375.2 (1363.9 to 1386.5) 1369.5 (1358.1 to 1380.9) 5.7 (−10.4 to 21.8) 0.49   ≥75 years 1393.7 (1376.9 to 1410.5) 1365.1 (1346.5 to 1383.7) 28.6 (3.6 to 53.7) 0.025 Primary Composite Safety Outcome   All Ages 1370.9 (1358.7 to 1383.3) 1408.6 (1397.5 to 1419.7) −37.6 (−54.2 to−21.1) <0.0001   <65 years 1396.9 (1380.7 to 1413.1) 1439.2 (1425.6 to 1452.8) −42.2 (−63.4 to −21.1) <0.0001   65–74 years 1299.7 (1279.7 to 1319.7) 1347.5 (1330.5 to 1364.5) −47.8 (−74.0 to −21.5) <0.0001   ≥75 years 1187.6 (1162.8 to 1212.4) 1196.2 (1171.9 to 1220.4) −8.6 (−43.2 to 26.1) 0.63 RMST = restricted mean survival time; MAC = major adverse cardiovascular events.

Conclusions

Compared to controls, intensively treated older adults ≥75 years had larger gains in the primary cardiovascular outcome with similar losses in the composite safety outcome.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None
P5737Use of the IMPELLA mechanical support device in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock - Results of the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial
Authors: Zeymer U , Desch S , Akin I , Ouarrak T , De Waha-Thiele S , Montalescot G , Piek J J , Zahn R , Thiele H
Published: October 2019

Background

Mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) is still high despite the use of early revascularization therapy. While IABP support has been shown not improve outcome more effective mechanical support devices such as the IMPELLA are increasingly used. We sought to study the use of the IMPELLA device in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and CS.

Methods

The CULPRIT-SHOCK shock trial included 686 patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock and multivessel coronary artery disease treated with early PCI. Patients were randomized to immediate multivessel PCI or culprit lesion only PCI. In the current subanalysis, we investigated the patients treated with an IMPELLA support device compared these to patients without IMPELLA.

Results

Of the 686 patients 82 (12%) were treated with an IMPELLA device, 32 (39%) with IMPELLA 2.5 and 50 (61%) with IMPELLA CP. The device has been implanted in 34 patients before and 48 patients after PCI. The table shows the baseline characteristics of the patients with and without IMPELLA. In an unadjusted analysis mortality was higher with IMPELLA (63% versus 45.5%). Patients with IMPELLA CP had somewhat lower mortality than IMPELLA 2.5 (59.2% versus 68.8%), while there was no difference for pre- and post-PCI implantation.

IMPELLA (n=82) No IMPELLA (n=606) p-value Age (years) 70 68 0.17 Women 22.2% 23.3% 0.88 Diabetes 37.7% 31.8% 0.30 Triple vessel disease 66.7% 62.9% 0.13 Left main disease 28.4% 14.1% 0.001 LV-EF 31% 34% 0.18 Lactate on admission 20 mmol/l 8 mmol/l 0.0001 Multivessel PCI 50.6% 51.1% 0.9 Mechanical ventilation 88.9% 80.2% 0.06 SAPS-2 score 65 55 0.0008

Conclusion

Currently the IMPELLA support device is used primarily in patients with higher risk indicated by a higher incidence of left main disease, higher lactate on admission and higher SAPS II scores. This is associated with a higher mortality. Therefore randomized trials are needed to determine the effect of IMPELLA on outcome in patients with cardiogenic shock.
P5740ACE2 activity level is associated with embolic stroke of undetermined source
Authors: Sajeev J , Burrell L M , Dewey H , Kalman J M , Chou B , Frost T , Patel S K , Roberts L , Cooke J C , Gould M , Ngoh J , Koshy A N , Denver R , Teh A W
Published: October 2019

Background

ACE2 activity levels correlate with adverse left atrial remodelling in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Several biochemical and structural markers have been associated with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). The relationship between ACE2 activity and ESUS is unknown.

Purpose

Randomised controlled trials failed to demonstrate a clear benefit of oral anticoagulation in an unselected ESUS population. As selective use of oral anticoagulation guided by biomarker risk-profiling may benefit these patients, we evaluated the association between ACE2 activity and ESUS.

Methods

This prospective case control study compared patients with ESUS against a control group matched for vascular risk factors. ESUS was diagnosed following cerebral vascular imaging and 24 hours of cardiac monitoring to exclude AF. Blood samples were collected for measurement of ACE2 activity, D-Dimer and high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT).

Results

A total of 51 patients in the ESUS group were compared with 47 patients in the Control group. ACE2 activity and D-Dimer levels were significantly higher in the ESUS group. There was a significant but weak positive correlation between ACE2 activity and hsTnT (r=0.20, p<0.05). Left atrial volume index (LAVI) on echocardiography was significantly higher in the ESUS group. On regression modelling adjusting for LAVI, only ACE2 activity remained significant for ESUS, with a 20% rise in odds for every 4 unit increase in ACE2 activity (OR 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.36, p=0.04).

Participant characteristics Control (n=47) ESUS (n=51) P value Age (years) 65.65±6.78 67.20±6.89 0.26 Female gender 22 (45.8) 19 (38.0) 0.43 Hypertension 22 (45.8) 24 (48.0) 0.83 Diabetes mellitus 9 (18.8) 12 (24.0) 0.53 CHA2DS2VASc score 2 (1–3) 2 (1–3) 0.50 LA size & Biomarkers   LA volume index (ml/m2) 36.5 (32.6–42.5) 39.1 (36.2–46.0) 0.04   ACE2 (pmol/ml/min) 7.24 (2.66–14.64) 10.16 (4.54–18.80) 0.04   D-Dimer (mg/L) 0.35 (0.3–0.5) 0.40 (0.30–0.60) 0.02   hsTroponin T (ng/L) 7.0 (5–10) 9.00 (6.0–13.5) 0.05 Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, median (IQR), or n (%).

Median ACE2 activity

Conclusion(s)

ACE2 activity is associated with ESUS independent of left atrial volume and correlate with elevated Troponin. Further studies are warranted to investigate the utility of ACE2 activity in identifying ESUS patients that may benefit from oral anticoagulation.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study received project funding from the Eastern Health Foundation
P5977Predicting significant ventricular arrhythmias in STEMI patients: never-ending challenge, still more place for myocardial deformation imaging?
Authors: Krljanac G , Trifunovic D , Asanin M , Savic Spasic L , Aleksandric S , Dudic J , Cucic L , Sulovic V , Mrdovic I
Published: October 2019

Background

Malignant ventricular arrhythmias in STEMI patients carry ominous prognosis including sudden cardiac death (SCD). According to the current guidelines only EF<35%, 40 days after STEMI, is indication for ICD implantation. Recently, index of myocardial dispersion (IMD) estimated by myocardial deformation imaging (speckle tracking echocardiography) was documented to provide better risk stratification.

Aim

To define whether quantification of myocardial mechanics early after pPCI using modern echocardiography offers information more to predict malignant arrhythmias during the first year after STEMI.

Methods

In the 226 consecutive STEMI patients (pts) 57.8±10.4yr, 71.7% males, in PREDICT-VT study (NCT03263949) treated with pPCI early echo (5±2 days) was done including conventional parameters and comprehensive speckle tracking LV deformation analysis with longitudinal (L), circumferential (C) strain (S;%) and strain rate (SR, 1/sec) and rotational LV mechanics. ROC analysis was performed to identify the best parameters to predict composite end-point defined as secondary VF, sustained/non-sustained VT and SCD, 48h after pPCI and during the first year of follow up.

Results

Twenty two patients (9.7%) reached the end-point. Classical parameters of LV systolic function, including LVEF, wall motion score index; global, systolic LS, CS and parameters of diastolic dysfunction were not significant predictors of the malignant arrhythmias. Early L SR, systolic C SR, IMD of global rotation and late rotation rate predicted the primary end-point (table).

Parameter ROC area 95% CI p Cutt-off Sens Spec Longirudinal mechanics   SR E (1/sec) 0.687 0.577–0.796 0.019 0.69 64 65   IMD S (ms) 0.752 0.666–0.838 0.002 66.1 71 72 Circumferencial mechanics   SR S (1/sec) 0.732 0.613–0.852 0.002 −1.22 71 67 Rotational mechanics   Global IMD (ms) 0.329 0.177–0.481 0.036 82.9 63 62   Late rotation rate IMD (ms) 0.318 0.196–0.442 0.026 41.1 65 64

Conclusion

Myocardial deformation imaging offers deeper insight into complex mechanical abnormalities during LV contraction and relaxation in longitudinal, circumferential and rotational directions (impaired and asynchronous deformations) in STEMI patients and predicts serious arrhythmic events.
P5995A novel biased S1P1 agonist improves renal and cardiac functions in ZSF1 rats, a model of metabolic syndrome-associated Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Evaristi M F , Poirier B , Gillot F , Beeske S , Pruniaux M P , Janiak P , Parkar A
Published: October 2019

Background/Introduction

Heart Failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major cause of death worldwide with currently no approved treatment. Diastolic dysfunction, dyspnea, intolerance to effort, high cardiac filling pressure, and lung congestion coexist with normal ejection fraction in this clinical syndrome. Ageing, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and renal dysfunction are the main comorbidities found in this heterogeneous group of patients. Microvascular endothelial dysfunction, driven by these risk factors, may be a common link with other aspects of the HFpEF pathogenesis that include oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiomyocyte stiffness/hypertrophy, and myofibroblast accumulation. Sphingosine-1-phosphate type-1 receptor (S1P1), a G protein–coupled receptor highly expressed in endothelial cells, regulates vascular integrity, vascular development and immune cell trafficking. Compound A is a novel G protein-biased S1P1 agonist that lacks functional antagonism and has endothelial-protective properties.

Purpose

S1P1 activation could promote phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, restoration of endothelial structure and function, and thus diminish cardiac and vascular stiffness, hypertrophy and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate if compound A could improve renal and cardiac functions in a rat model of HFpEF with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

65-week-old obese ZSF1 rats were fed a chow diet containing compound A (8 mg/kg/day) or no compound for 4 weeks. Lean ZSF1 and Wistar rats were included in the study as control groups. Urinary protein/creatinine ratio was measured as an index of glomerular injury. Cardiac hypertrophy and function were assessed by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Total cardiac and atrial weights and pulmonary edema were assessed.

Results

The obese ZSF1 rat was confirmed as a relevant model of HFpEF with advanced renal dysfunction. These rats showed severe glomerular filtration impairment, left ventricular and atrial hypertrophy and pulmonary edema. Cardiac systolic function, cardiac output and chamber volumes were preserved, diastolic function was impaired, and left ventricular posterior walls and septal thicknesses were increased compared to control groups. Four weeks of compound A treatment reduced urinary protein/creatinine ratio, blunted cardiac and atrial hypertrophy, and partially restored diastolic function. Circulating lymphocytes were not reduced by compound A, confirming that these pharmacological effects were not associated with S1P1 desensitization.

Conclusion

Compound A, a novel S1P1 agonist with endothelial properties, improves cardiac and renal functions in a rat model of metabolic syndrome-associated HFpEF. Sustained S1P1 activation with compound A may be a promising strategy for HFpEF treatment.
P5996HDAC inhibition improves myofibrillar relaxation and metabolism in a feline model of HFpEF
Authors: Wallner M , Eaton D , Berretta R , Wu J , Jeong M , Zhao H , Rainer P , Blass S , Von Lewinski D , Zuegner E , Zirlik A , Graier W , McKinsey T , Wolfson M , Houser S
Published: October 2019

Background

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for about 50% of all cases of HF and there are currently no effective therapies.

Purpose

To assess the effects of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition on cardiac and mitochondrial function and the plasma metabolome in a large mammalian model of slow-progressive pressure overload with features of HFpEF.

Methods

Male domestic short hair cats (n=26, aged 2mo), underwent either sham (S) procedures (n=5) or aortic constriction with a customized pre-shaped band (n=21), resulting in slow progressive pressure overload during growth. 2 months post-banding, animals were treated daily with either 10mg/kg suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (b+SAHA) (n=8), a pan-HDAC inhibitor, or vehicle (b+veh) (n=8) for 2 months. Serial in-vivo cardiopulmonary phenotyping was performed monthly, and invasive hemodynamic and gas exchange parameters were evaluated 4 months post-banding. Ex-vivo myofibril mechanical studies and blood-based metabolomic profiling were performed. Data is presented as mean±SEM.

Results

Echocardiography at 4-months post-banding revealed that b+SAHA animals had a significant reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and LA size vs. b+veh animals. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) were significantly lower in b+SAHA vs. b+veh. SAHA treatment also improved ex-vivo myofibril relaxation independent of LVH and this effect correlated with in-vivo improvements of LV relaxation. Furthermore, SAHA treatment preserved lung structure, and improved lung compliance and oxygenation, reflected by a decrease in alveolar-capillary wall thickness and intrapulmonary shunt. SAHA treatment also reduced perivascular fluid cuffs around extra-alveolar vessels, suggesting attenuated alveolar-capillary stress failure. Treatment with SAHA caused an increase in both oxygen consumption in-vivo and the percentage of type 1 skeletal muscle fibers (higher oxidative capacity). SAHA also increased mRNA levels of coactivators that regulate mitochondrial function and induced metabolic reprogramming towards mitochondrial oxidation preferentially utilizing fatty acids. SAHA treated HeLa cells showed a significant increase in oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production.

Effects of SAHA

Conclusion

These results show that slow-progressive pressure overload mimics critical features of HFpEF. SAHA can improve cardiac, pulmonary, and metabolic derangements caused by chronic pressure overload. Therefore, HDAC inhibition may be an interesting therapeutic strategy to treat the ever growing HFpEF population.

Acknowledgement/Funding

NIH [HL33921 to S.R.H, HL116848, HL127240 to T.A.M]; AHA [16SFRN31400013 to T.A.M.]; Medical University of Graz [M.W.], Stadt Graz [M.W.]
P6005Incidence and clinical characteristics of coronary artery spasm in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Kawamura G , Okayama H , Kido S , Aono T , Matsuda K , Tanaka Y , Iseki Y , Hosokawa S , Kosaki T , Shigematsu T , Kawada Y , Hiasa G , Yamada T , Kazatani Y
Published: October 2019

Background

Substantial cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to acute coronary syndrome have been recognized thus far, but there have been few reports about the aetiology of patients with OHCA without the organic heart disease. Especially, coronary artery spasm would be one of the causes of OHCA.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate causes of OHCA without the organic heart disease and to investigate the characteristics and angiographic findings of OHCA patients with vasospastic angina (VSA).

Methods

Between January 2010 and April 2018, 920 patients with OHCA caused by probable or definite cardiovascular disease were transferred to our hospital. Return of spontaneous contraction was successfully achieved in 151 patients, among whom diagnosis was made in 130 patients. First, we analysed the causes of OHCA in these patients. Second, we compared clinical and angiographic characteristics between the VSA group with OHCA (OHCA-VSA) and the VSA group without OHCA (stable VSA; n=72) from our database.

Results

Among the 130 patients, 95 (73%) had the organic heart disease; 72, acute coronary syndrome; 19, myocardial disease; 2, valvular heart disease; and 1, congenital heart disease. There were 35 patients (27%) without the organic heart disease. Nineteen patients had primary (i.e., Brugada syndrome, QT prolongation) or secondary arrhythmia (i.e. drug adverse effect). Electrocardiogram, coronary angiogram, and LV structure and function were normal in 35 patients. However, there were 16 patients (11%) with VSA defined by Japanese guideline. The OHCA-VSA group was significantly younger (50±14) than the stable VSA group (64±11, P=0.003). The incidence of diffuse-type spasm in the OHCA-VSA group (100%) was significantly higher than that in the stable VSA group (100% vs. 69%, P<0.05). In addition, the incidence of triple-vessel coronary spasm in the OHCA-VSA group was significantly higher than that in the stable VSA group (86% vs. 25%, P=0.003).

Conclusion

OHCA patients without the organic heart disease had considerable cases of VSA, in addition to primary or secondary arrhythmia. Furthermore, the severity of spasm in the OHCA-VSA group was more serious and extensive than in comparison with the stable VSA group.
P6017Permanent left bundle branch area pacing for atrioventricular block: feasibility, safety and acute effect
Authors: Li X F , Li H , Fan X H , Ma W T , Ning X H , Liang E P , Pang K J , Yao Y , Hua W , Zhang S
Published: October 2019

Background

Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), lacks adequate evaluation for AVB.

Purpose

We aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and acute clinical outcomes of permanent LBBAP in patients with AVB.

Methods

We retrospectively recruited AVB patients with indication for ventricular pacing who had underwent LBBAP from May to Sep. 2018. ECG characteristics, pacing parameters, echocardiographic parameters and adverse events were evaluated during follow-up. Successful LBBAP was defined as the paced QRS morphology of RBBB pattern and QRSd less than 130ms.

Results

A total of 33 patients were involved in this study (mean age: 55.1±18.5 years; 66.7% male, 48.4% with bundle branch block,BBB). LBBAP was successfully performed in 90.9% (30/33) of all patients. The mean capture threshold of LBBAP was 0.76±0.26 V/0.4 ms during the procedure and 0.64±0.20 V/0.4ms at 3-month follow-up. The paced QRSd was 112.8±10.9 ms during the procedure and 116.8±10.4ms at 3-month follow-up. Baseline left or right BBB was corrected by LBBAP (153.3±27.8 ms vs. 122.2±9.9 ms) with a success rate of 68.7% (11/16). One ventricular septal lead perforation occurred soon after the procedure and LBBAP was successfully repeated by lead revision. Cardiac function and left ventricular synchronization at three-month follow-up presented slightly improvement as compared with baseline.

Table 1. Complications and changes in pacing parameters within 3 months after LBBAP Pacing parameters LBBAP (N=30) During the procedure Before discharge 3-month follow up Sensing amplitude, mV 14.4±5.1 15.8±11.7 14.6±4.6 Pacing threshold@0.4ms, V 0.76±0.26 0.59±0.16 0.64±0.20 Pacing impedance, Ω 691.7±133.8 588.0±79.3 554.7±93.7 Paced QRSd at 3.0V@0.4 ms output, ms 112.8±10.9 114.4±14.2 116.8±10.4 VP, % NA NA 79.4±24.6 Complications, n (%) 1 (3.3) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) Infection, n (%) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) Septal perforation, n (%) 1 (3.3) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) Dislodgement, n (%) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) QRSd, QRS duration; VP, ventricular pacing percentage.

Figure 1. Characteristics of LBBAP

Conclusion

Permanent LBBAP yielded stable threshold, narrow QRSd and preserved left ventricle synchrony with few complications. Our preliminary results indicate that LBBAP holds promise as an attractive physiological pacing strategy for AVB.
P6136Intense daily cigarette smoking accelerates vascular damage of smokers with a moderate cumulative tobacco smoke exposure
Authors: Ioakeimidis N , Vlachopoulos C , Georgakopoulos C , Terentes-Printzios D , Koutagiar I , Dima I , Rokkas K , Skoumas I , Tousoulis D
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Coronary artery disease death has been associated with increased cigarette smoking intensity. Aim of the study is to investigate the impact of cigarette smoking intensity on vascular function and structure changes among male smokers with similar age at starting smoking and moderate cumulative tobacco smoke exposure.

Methods

Indices of vascular function and structure including carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), brachial flow-mediated dilation (bFMD), carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and microvascular damage (penile vasculature) were measured in 118 smokers consuming up to 1 pack (20 cigarettes)/day and 58 patients smoking >1 pack (20 cigarettes)/day. The two groups had a similar mean cigarette smoking exposure (32 pack/years). Microvascular damage was examined by measuring penile peak systolic velocity (PSV) with a dynamic penile color Doppler ultrasonography after intracavernous injection of prostanglandin E1. Lower PSV values indicate severe penile vascular disease.

Results

The individuals smoking more than 1 pack/day were 10 years younger than smokers consuming up to 1 pack/day, however systolic, diastolic blood pressure, body-mass index, fasting blood glucose levels, lipid profile, C-reactive protein and total testosterone concentration were similar between the two groups. Figure shows mean bFMD, penile PSV, PWV and cIMT of the two groups. Interestingly, despite the similar cumulative smoking exposure between the two groups, the younger in age individuals with the intense cigarette smoking history had significantly lower mean bFMD and penile PSV (all P<0.05) and similar PWV and cIMT compared to the mean values of older subjects smoking up to 1 pack/day.

Smoking intensity and vascular changes

Conclusions

Intense daily smoking accelerates damage of large arteries and significantly impairs microvascular and systemic endothelial function. Considering the predictive value of vascular biomarkers, the findings of this study imply the possibility that baseline daily smoking intensity could be a better summary measure of smoking-related cardiovascular risk among young heavy smokers, relative to total pack-years of smoking.