bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of left atrial mechanics and p-wave dispersion as markers of left atrial cardiopathy in patients of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS)
Authors: Masood S , Azharuddin M.M , Ashraf S.M.K , Wahab S
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Around 25% of all ischaemic strokes have no known cause despite standard investigations. Most of these cases are suspected to have an embolic source for ischaemia, leading to the moniker of Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS). Recent studies suggest that abnormalities of the left atrium, in the form of atrial cardiopathy, can lead to increased risk of stroke even in the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF), which may be either as precursors to AF or as independent risk factors for the development of left atrial thrombus and subsequent stroke.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to measure LA electromechanical dissociation, LA volumes and P-wave dispersion as markers of atrial cardiopathy in patients with ESUS to determine whether atrial cardiopathy may be in the causal pathway of ESUS.

Methods

28 patients presenting with ischaemic stroke and fulfilling the criteria for ESUS were enrolled into this cross-sectional, observational study. All patients had 24-hour Holter monitoring done to rule out the presence of AF. The control group consisted of 28 age- and gender-matched apparently healthy individuals. On ECG, P-wave Dispersion (PWD) was calculated by subtracting minimum P-wave duration from maximum P-wave duration. On echocardiography, time intervals from the beginning of P-wave to beginning of A' wave from the lateral mitral annulus in tissue doppler imaging was measured as the atrial electromechanical delay. LA volumes were recorded using the Modified Biplane Simpson's method. Statistical analysis was performed using student's t-test, chi-square test, and Pearson's test.

Results

Baseline demographic and laboratory characteristics were similar between the two groups. Increased PWD (34.14±9.89 ms vs. 27.32±8.95 ms; p=0.01), atrial electromechanical delay (73.32±16.31 ms vs. 63.63±13.59 ms; p=0.02) and LA volumes were observed in patients with ESUS as compared to controls. A significant correlation was also found between these parameters (p<0.01).

Discussion

According to the results of our study, PWD, atrial electromechanical delay and LA volumes may be novel predictors for ESUS. Atrial cardiopathy is a unique mechanism of thrombo-embolism in ESUS patients and our data establishes its association with ESUS. Further studies will be needed to shed more light on its role in the causality of stroke in the ESUS population.

Measurement of electromechanical delay

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with stroke
Authors: Trush E , Ivanova S.V , Yushchuk E.N , Savin A.A , Melehina I.V
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) via speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has emerged as a quantitative technique to estimate myocardial function and has been shown to have clinical utility in a variety of settings. The use of this technique in patients with a stroke is limited.

Purpose

Comparative analysis of myocardial deformation indicators in patients with a stroke, depending on the severity and subtype.

Results

230 patients with an acute cerebrovascular accident (132 men and 98 women) were included in our study, with the mean age of 64,9±10,8. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) was diagnosed in 39 (17%), acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in 191 (83%) patients. The type of an ischemic stroke in each patient was classified as one of the following traditional stroke subtypes: large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) was diagnosed in 85 (44,5%), cardioembolic infarcts were diagnosed in 58 (30,4%), lacunar infarcts were diagnosed in 32 (16,8%) and in 16 (8,4%) the stroke was of another determined or undetermined etiology. There was no significant difference in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) between the subgroups of TIA and AIS - 63.0% [60.0; 65.0] and 62.0% [58.0; 65.0], respectively. The LV GLS was within normal limits and amounted to 19.9±2.6 in the TIA group where as in the group of patients with stroke there was a significant (p<0.01) decrease in GLS below standard values - 17.1±3.8. The LV EF showed no significant difference between the groups of stroke subtypes. However, a decrease in GLS was found in the series from cardioembolic infarct > lacunar infarct > LAA - 17.5±3.7 > 16.5±6.5 > 16.2±3.2 (p=0,7). A decrease in GLS was significantly more often observed in male patients.

A decrease in the level of GLS in patients with a stroke is associated with duration of type 2 diabetes, stroke severity by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, ECG voltage criteria for LVH, increase in heart rate, LV mass/BSA, relative wall thickness (RWT) according to echocardiography. Significant differences in GLS from the size of the stroke focus according to CT scanning/ magnetic resonance imaging were not detected.

Conclusion

GLS via STE in patients with a stroke correlates with the severity of a stroke, the severity of LV remodeling, risk factors for cardiovascular events and requires a further study to assess the long-term prognosis

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Optical coherence tomography and coronary angioscopy assessment of healed vulnerable plaque components in patients with coronary artery lesions undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Kimura S , Hara K , Ohmori M , Tateishi R , Kaneda T , Yamakami Y , Shimada H , Manno T , Iishiki A , Shimizu M , Fujii H , Suzuki M , Sasano T
Published: November 2020

Background

Many vulnerable plaques would progress without clinical events and might result in healed plaques (HPs). Histopathological or intracoronary image assessment of HPs has been reported. However, the morphological characteristics of HPs remain unclear yet.

Purpose

We sought to assess the healed vulnerable plaque components in patients with coronary artery lesions using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and coronary angioscopy (CAS).

Methods

We enrolled 47 patients with 50 native coronary artery lesions with angiographical severe stenosis (>90% diameter-stenosis) and without severe calcification (36 lesions with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 14 acute coronary syndrome (ACS)) undergoing pre-intervention OCT and CAS. HPs was defined as layered phenotype on OCT. Lesion morphologies and plaque characteristics in lesions with HPs were assessed using OCT and CAS images.

Results

HPs were observed in 27 lesions (54.0%) and their prevalence were similar among each clinical status (SAP 52.8%, ACS 57.1%, p=1.00). Lesions with HPs had higher prevalence of OCT-macrophage (88.0% vs. 52.0%, p=0.01), CAS-red thrombus (88.8% vs. 52.2%, p=0.004) and CAS-low grade-yellow plaque (grade 1) (55.6% vs. 21.7%, p=0.02) than those without. SAP lesions with HPs had higher prevalence of CAS-yellow plaque (35.3% vs. 5.9%, p=0.09) and OCT-thin-cap fibroatheroma (42.1% vs. 5.9%, p=0.04) than SAP without HPs. ACS lesions with HPs had less CAS-red thrombus (0.0% vs. 50.0%, p=0.03) and OCT-plaque rupture (12.5% vs. 66.7%, p=0.04) than ACS without HPs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that OCT-macrophages (odds ratio (OR): 6.65, 95%-confidence intervals: 1.07–41.5, p=0.043), CAS-red thrombus (OR 8.77, 95% CI 1.33–57.8, p=0.02), and low grade-yellow plaque (OR 13.05, 95% CI 1.97–86.5, p=0.008) were independently related with the existence of HPs lesions. Combination of these 3 factors showed a high predictive value of OCT-HPs lesions (90.9%).

Conclusions

HPs lesions showed the lower lesion vulnerability than common ACS lesions but had more intraplaque inflammatory condition compared with common SAP lesions. Combined CAS and OCT examination might be useful to clarify the plaque components of HPs lesions in vivo, leading to help us understand the clinical significance of HPs.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Impact of tube angulation on radiation dose using image noise reduction technology
Authors: Haj Abdo M , Langenbrink L , Michaelsen J , Wirtz M , Altiok E , Reimann D , Hoffmann R
Published: November 2020

Objectives

This study sought to evaluate the impact of tube angulation on radiation dose using image noise reduction technology in a clinical setting. Image noise reduction technology has been shown to significantly reduce radiation dose in coronary angiography in particular by reduction of radiation in cine mode.

Methods

In 500 coronary angiograms performed by the same operator the dose-area product (DAP) was determined. The DAP was determined for the cine mode as well as for the fluoroscopy mode. Furthermore, in the cine mode, the DAP on a per image (DAP/frame) basis was determined for the posterior-anterior projection (PA) as well as a left anterior oblique (LAO) cranial (LAO 20°/20°) and caudal (LAO 45°/−20°), right anterior oblique (RAO) cranial (RAO 20°/20°) and caudal (RAO 30°/−20°) angulations. The image intensifier area was kept constant for all angulations.

Results

Mean body mass index was 28.6±5.5 kg/m2. Mean total DAP was 1227±1417 cGy cm2. The mean ratio of DAP in cine mode/DAP in fluoro mode was 0.54±0.32. Mean DAP/frame in PA angulation was 5.5±3.3 (cGy cm2). Considering the cine mode, for the LAO cranial and LAO caudal angulations, the relative DAP/ frame compared to the PA angulation was 2.8±1.8 and 4.2±1.6, respectively. For the RAO cranial and RAO caudal angulations, the relative DAP/frame compared to the PA angulation was 1.7±2.2 and 1.8±1.4.

Conclusions

Using image noise reduction technology, radiation during fluoroscopy mode contributes more to total radiation dose than radiation during cine mode. In cine mode, the PA angulation has least radiation/ frame. The LAO caudal angulation is associated with greatest increase in radiation dose compared to the PA angulation, while LAO cranial angulation and RAO cranial and caudal angulations increase radiation dose to a lesser extent.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Optical coherence tomography findings in healed vulnerable plaques in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Kimura S , Hara K , Ohmori M , Tateishi R , Kaneda T , Yamakami Y , Shimada H , Manno T , Iishiki A , Shimizu M , Fujii H , Suzuki M , Sasano T
Published: November 2020

Background

Histopathological analysis or intracoronary image assessment of healed plaques (HPs) has been reported both in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients. However, background characteristics or lesion morphologies of HPs could not be fully clarified and their differences according to the clinical status remain undetermined.

Purpose

We sought to investigate the clinical and morphological characteristics and compare their differences among ACS and SAP patients in order to clarify the clinical significance in HPs lesions.

Methods

We enrolled consecutive 201 patients with 213 native coronary artery lesions (139 lesions with SAP, 42 ST elevation-ACS (STE-ACS) and 32 non-ST elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) undergoing pre-intervention optical coherence tomography (OCT). HPs was defined as layered phenotype on OCT. Clinical and angiography characteristics and lesion morphologies on OCT were assessed.

Results

HPs were observed in 110 lesions (51.6%) and their prevalence were not different according to the clinical status (SAP:55.1%, STE-ACS:38.1%, NSTE-ACS:56.3%, p=0.14). Lesions with HPs had higher frequencies of angiography-eccentric lesions (62.7% vs. 35.9%, p<0.001) and OCT-macrophages (65.5% vs. 43.1%, p<0.001), and greater OCT-lumen area stenosis (%-AS) (77.1±10.2% vs. 73.6±10.6%, p=0.01) than those without HPs. Of lesions with HPs, OCT-thin-cap fibroatheroma (SAP 14.4%, STE-AC43.8%, NSTE-ACS 16.7%, p=0.03), plaque rupture (5.3%; 37.5%; 11.1%, p<0.001) and thrombus (6.6%, 75.0%, 22.2%, p=0.007) were more frequently observed in STE-ACS than in SAP patients, whereas OCT-microvessels were more frequent in SAP than in ACS patients (19.7%, 0.0%, 0.0%, p=0.02). Other OCT findings such as macrophages, cholesterol crystal, multiple layered phenotype, and %-AS were not significantly different according to the clinical status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the angiography-eccentric lesions (odds ratio (OR): 2.97, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.68–5.25, p<0.001) and OCT macrophages (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.36–4.27, p=0.003) as independent related factors for the existence of HPs.

Conclusions

The present study showed that HPs lesions had eccentric and large plaque burden, and persistent plaque inflammations regardless of clinical status, which might lead to future coronary events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Diagnostic feasibility of resting full-cycle ratio between systole and diastole to assess functional lesion severity of intermediate coronary artery stenosis
Authors: Takashima H , Ohashi H , Ando H , Sakurai S , Nakano Y , Suzuki A , Sawada H , Fujimoto M , Waseda K , Amano T
Published: November 2020

Background

Recently, non-hyperemic physiologic indices have become widespread for evaluating physiological lesion assessment. The resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) is a unique non-hyperemic index which is calculated as the point of absolutely lowest distal pressure to aortic pressure during entire cardiac cycle. It is unclear whether RFR may detect functionally significant coronary stenosis that cannot be detected with other resting indices due to differences in the cardiac cycle. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic performance of RFR based on cardiac cycle.

Method

This study was a prospectively enrolled observational study. A total of 156 consecutive patients with 220 intermediate lesions were enrolled in this study. The RFR was measured after adequately waiting for stable condition, while FFR was measured after intravenous administration of ATP (180mcg/kg/min). Lesions with FFR ≤0.80 were considered functionally significant coronary artery stenosis.

Results

In all lesions, reference diameter, diameter stenosis, lesion length, RFR, and FFR were 3.0±0.7mm, 45±13%, 13.0±8.8mm, 0.90±0.09, and 0.82±0.10, respectively. Functional significance was observed in 88 lesions (40%) of all lesions. RFR systole was observed in 24 lesions (10.9%). Regarding to the coronary lesions, RFR systole was more frequent in non-LAD (LAD; 4.2%, left circumflex artery (LCX); 9.8%, and right coronary artery (RCA); 30.4%, respectively, p<0.018). RFR showed a significant correlation with FFR in both systole and diastole (R = 0.918, p<0.001, R = 0.733, p<0.001, respectively). The ROC curve analysis showed similar agreement in both systole and diastole (AUC: 0.881, p<0.001, AUC: 0.864, p<0.001, respectively). RFR provided a good diagnostic accuracy and no difference in both systole and diastole (79.6% and 87.5%, respectively, p=0.58).

Conclusion

RFR is feasible and reliable non-hyperemic index regardless of the difference of cardiac cycle to evaluate physiological lesion severity in daily practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
The impact of hydrostatic pressure on the result of physiological measurements in various coronary segments
Authors: Uveges A , Tar B , Jenei C.S , Agoston A , Czuriga D , Papp Z , Csanadi Z , Koszegi Z.S
Published: November 2020

Background

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on physiological intracoronary measurements is usually ignored in the daily clinical practice.

Purpose

To investigate the effect of resting Pd/Pa (distal/aortic pressure) and FFR (fractional flow reserve) adjustment based on the calculation of hydrostatic pressure gradient between the coronary orifice and the pressure wire sensor.

Methods

41 FFR measurements (between 0.7 and 0.9) were selected. The difference in height of the orifice and the sensor was defined in cm on the basis of 3D coronary reconstruction. The resting Pd/Pa and FFR were adjusted by subtracting the pressure gradient from the distal pressure. Measurements were also performed from 2D lateral projections for each coronary segment visible (n=305).

Results

In case of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), each segment was located higher (proximal: –13.69±5.4; middle: –46.13±6.1; distal: –56.80±7.7 mm), whereas for the circumflex (CX), lower (proximal: 14.98±8.3; distal: 28.04±6.3 mm) compared to the orifice. In case of the right coronary artery (RCA), the distance from the orifice was much less (proximal: –6.39±2.9; middle: –6.86±7.0; distal: 17.95±6.6 mm). The posterolateral (PL) and posterior descending (PD) branches of the distal RCA were located lower than the orifice (PL: 29.65±6.1; PD: 17.53±6.6 mm). The effect of these distances on pressure ratios at 100 Hgmm aortic pressure was between −0.044 and 0.023. After correction, values of 11 and 5 patients (27% and 12%) stepped the 0.92 Pd/Pa and 0.80 FFR cut-off values, respectively. There was a strong correlation between the 3D and 2D methods (r=0.98; p<0.001).

Conclusion

The clinical implementation of hydrostatic pressure calculation should be considered during intracoronary pressure measurements. A correction for this parameter may become crucial in case of borderline significant coronary artery stenosis, especially in distal coronary artery segments.

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on FFR

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): Άron Üveges was supported by the EFOP-3.6.2-16-2017-00006 project. The project is co-financed by the European Union and the European Social Fund.
Coronary flow reserve can explain some of FFR and iFR discrepancies. Results from international, multicenter and prospective trial
Authors: Kovarnik T , Matsuo H , Jerabek S , Kawase Y , Omori H , Tanigaki T , Zemanek D , Kral A , Pudil J , Vodzinska A , Branny M , Kala P , Mendiz O , Mates M , Mrozek J
Published: November 2020

Background

The trial collected prospective data from physiology measurements of borderline lesions in five Czech, one Japan and one Argentinian cathlabs. The main purposes were to analyze diagnostic agreement between FFR (fractional flow reserve) and iFR (instantaneous wave free ratio) examinations and to find possible explanations for discrepant results.

Methods

FFR and iFR examinations were analyzed using Philips-Volcano console and coronary flow reserve (CFR) was analyzed by using Combomap machine Philips-Volcano. Hyperemia for FFR and CFR measurements was induced by intracoronary administration of adenosine. We used CFR as a truth for comparison between FFR and iFR, because CFR has higher impact on patients prognosis than pressures indices.

Results

Data were collected from February 2016 to June 2019 and the database includes 1.789 examinations from 1.492 patients (282 of them, 15.8%, with ACS). CFR were measured in 343 lesions in 293 patients. (ACS 31.2%). Overall correlation between FFR and iFR is high (R=0.86 p<0.0001). The FFR/iFR discrepancy occurred in 84 measurements (24.5%), more frequently it was FFRp (positive) / iFRn (negative) type of discrepancy (65, 18.9%) compare to FFRn/iFRp (19, 5.5%) one. There was no difference in occurrence of FFR/iFR discrepancy in stable patients and ACS ones (25.1%vs. 22.4%, p=0.59). The CFR correlated better with iFR than with FFR (R=0.56, p<0.0001 vs. R= 0.36, p<0.0001) (see table). In lesions with FFRp/iFRn type of discrepancy we found substantially higher CFR value compared to FFR/iFR agreement group (2.4±0.7 vs. 1.5±0.5, p<0.0001). Unlike to FFRn/iFRp discrepancy, where CFR value was similar with agreement group (1.4±0.1 vs. 1.5±0.1, p=0.25)

Conclusion

The FFR/iFR discrepancy occurred in almost one quarter of examinations. Correlation between CFR and iFR is better than between CFR and FFR. High flow is probably one of the main reason for FFRp/iFRn type of discrepancy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Czech Health Research Council
Intersection of the Academic Research Consortium – high bleeding risk criteria in patients undergoing PCI for acute coronary syndromes: insights from a high-volume single centre registry
Authors: Nicolas J , Cao D , Claessen B , Sartori S , Roumeliotis A , Goel R , Chandiramani R , Stefanini G , Turfah A , Chen S , Dangas G , Baber U , Sharma S , Kini A , Mehran R
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Patients presenting for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) often have overlapping bleeding and ischaemic risk factors that offset the long-term success of PCI and limit the post stenting therapeutic options. Aiming at improving outcomes following PCI, the Academic Research Consortium (ARC) recently published a set of major and minor criteria that identify, a priori, patients at high bleeding risk (HBR). Indeed, knowledge of these risk factors will help in optimization of pre-procedural therapy and minimization of post intervention complications. Nonetheless, the actual prevalence of these criteria among patients undergoing PCI for ACS is not well known.

Purpose

To determine the intersection and distribution of ARC-HBR major and minor criteria in a real-world ACS population presenting for PCI.

Methods

In this analysis, we included all patients who presented with ACS to a high-volume PCI centre from 2012 to 2017 and underwent PCI with 2nd generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Patients were then classified as HBR if they met ≥1 major or ≥2 minor criteria according to the ARC-HBR definition. Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics were extracted from each patient electronic health records. The most common exclusive intersections of ARC-HBR major and minor criteria were quantitatively visualized using an Upset Plot.

Results

Only 44.6% (n=2,717) of ACS patients (n=6,097) fulfilled the ARC-HBR definition. There were significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics between HBR and non-HBR groups: age (71.4±11.5 vs. 60.9±10.3 years, p<0.001), females (40.7% vs. 25.5%, p<0.001), cerebrovascular disease (19.5% vs. 3.9%, p<0.001), and diabetes (55.4% vs. 42.1%, p<0.001). The prevalence of active smoking, a major risk factor for bleeding, was higher in the non-HBR group (20.6% vs. 9.9%, p<0.001). The most frequent major and minor criteria were severe anemia (n=1,072) and age ≥75 (n=1,264), respectively. The top five criteria intersections were: severe anemia (n=215), age ≥75 and moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) (n=145); moderate CKD and mild anemia (n=142); age ≥75 and mild anemia (n=140); age ≥75, moderate CKD, and mild anemia (n=130) (Figure 1).

Conclusion

Among patients who have undergone PCI for ACS, a significant proportion of individuals fulfilled the ARC-HBR definition. Severe anemia was the most prevalent major criteria. Different combinations of minor criteria, mainly age ≥75, moderate CKD and mild anemia, represented the most common intersections.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Ten-year all-cause death after percutaneous or surgical revascularization for men and women with multivessel or left main coronary artery disease: insights from the SYNTAX extended survival study
Authors: Hara H , Takahashi K , Klaveren D , Ono M , Kawashima H , Kappetein P , Mohr F , Mack M , Holmes D , Morice M , Davierwala P , Head S , Thuijs D , Onuma Y , Serruys P
Published: November 2020

Background

In patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), women favored coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) compared to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at 5 years in the SYNTAX trial, whereas mortality rates after PCI and CABG were not different in men. On the other hand, poor outcomes of women undergoing PCI were not observed in the PRECOMBAT and BEST trials.

The long-term optimal revascularization strategy according to gender has not been fully evaluated.

Purpose

In the SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study, no significant difference existed in all-cause death between PCI and CABG at 10 years. This study aimed to assess treatment effect of PCI and CABG for 10-year all-cause death according to gender.

Methods

The SYNTAXES study evaluated vital status up to 10 years in 1,800 patients with de novo three-vessel disease (3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) randomized to treatment with CABG or PCI in the SYNTAX trial, and the pre-specified primary endpoint was all-cause death at 10 years. In this prespecified analysis, all-cause death at 10 years according to gender in patients undergoing PCI or CABG was evaluated.

Results

Of 1800 patients, 402 (22.3%) were women and 1398 (77.7%) were men. In women, the rate of mortality was significantly higher in the PCI arm at 5 years than in the CABG arm (19.3% vs. 10.3%; Log-rank p=0.010, Figure A), but the rates of mortality were not different at 10 years between the PCI and CABG arms (33.0% vs. 32.5%; Log-rank p=0.600, Figure A). In men, the mortality rate tended to be higher in the PCI arm at 10 years than in the CABG arm (27.0% vs. 22.5%; Log-rank p=0.082, Figure B), although the mortality rates were not different at 5 years between the PCI and CABG arms (12.4% vs. 12.3%; Log-rank p=0.957, Figure B).

Conclusion

The efficacy of CABG observed at 5 years disappeared at 10 years in women, whereas the efficacy of CABG became apparent after 5 years in men.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands, reference: MEC-2016-716
Comparison of standard versus ultrasound guidance in radial and femoral access: a subanalysis of the randomised SURF trial
Authors: Nguyen P , Makris A , Hennessy A , Jayanti S , Xuan W , Juergens C
Published: November 2020

Background

Ultrasound (US) guidance in facilitating arterial access may reduce vascular complications and possible bleeding. There are still limited trials assessing real-time US guidance for coronary angiography. The SURF (Standard versus ultrasound-guided radial and femoral access in coronary angiography and intervention) trial showed no difference in primary outcome when the combined radial and femoral ultrasound analysis compared with standard (SD) technique, but significantly improved access efficiency and success rate.

Purpose

This subanalysis compared clinical and procedural outcomes of the individual radial and femoral access with US guidance versus standard technique.

Methods

Patients (n=1388) undergoing coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention were randomised (1:1) into radial or femoral access, and (1:1) to SD or US guidance. The primary outcome was a composite of ACUITY (Acute Catheterisation and Urgent Intervention Triage strategY) major bleeding, MACE (death, stroke, myocardial infarction or urgent target lesion revascularisation) and vascular complications at 30 days. Secondary outcomes were access time, number of attempts, venepuncture, difficult accesses and first-pass success.

Results

Compared to standard, US guidance produced no difference in composite endpoint for both radial (1.4% vs 1.2%, p=0.78) and femoral (3.1% vs 3.8%, p=0.65) accesses. ACUITY major bleeding (radial: 0.9% US vs 0.6% SD, p=0.69; femoral: 1.9% US vs 2.3% SD, p=0.69), vascular complications (radial: 0.3% US vs 0.3% SD, p=0.98; femoral: 1.3% US vs 0.9% SD, p=0.63) and MACE (radial: 0.6% US vs 0.3% SD, p=0.59; femoral: 0.9% US vs 1.2% SD, p=0.78) were similar in the US and SD approaches, respectively. However, US guidance resulted in improved procedural outcomes for both accesses. Femoral access derived the most benefit from US, with reduced mean access time (73 sec vs 97 sec, p=0.006), attempts (1.35 vs 1.84, p≤0.0001), difficult accesses (1.8% vs 6.2%, p=0.004), venepuncture (5.8% vs 12.6%, p=0.002) and improved first-pass success (77.2% vs 58.8%, p≤0.0001). For radial, US reduced attempts (1.59 vs 1.97, p=0.0007), difficult accesses (6.9% vs 12.3%, p=0.02), venepuncture (2.5% vs 5.6%, p=0.04) and improved first-pass success (69.2% vs 60.7%, p=0.02). There was no difference in radial mean access time (111 sec vs 126 sec, p=0.18).

Conclusions

US guidance in radial and femoral access did not reduce primary outcome compared to standard technique. The use of US significantly improved the efficiency and success rate of arterial cannulation, with femoral access derived the most benefit.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Transradial access by cardiology catheter lab nurses
Authors: Wojcik D , Correia Tinoco R.T , Alves Gaspar D.G , Ahmad M.A , Little C.L , Candilio L.C , Lockie T.L , Rakhit R.R , Coghlan J.C
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Nurse led radial arterial access (RAA) is emerging as an attractive alternative to traditional physician-led access.[1]

Methods

A multidisciplinary program was developed by the nursing and medical teams in a busy tertiary cardiac centre performing over 3000 interventional cardiology procedures of which 90% of cases are done radially.

Phase 1 of the training programme consisted of 50 procedures per nurse performed under direct consultant operator supervision. Phase 2 consisted of routine nurse led radial artery cannulation on unselected patients. In addition 2 sub-studies were performed an audit of patient experience comparing the two nurse practitioners with cardiology trainees. An audit of the time to sheath insertion was carried out.

Results

Technical success was defined as access within two puncture attempts. In phase 1 of the training two nurses were successful in 84% of cases. In this case cohort there were no identified vascular complications. One patient needed an alternate access route.

In Phase 2 311 cases were performed independently on unselected patients.

The technical success rate was 86.5% for both nurses in total in this cohort. This included a mixture of both right radial (249 cases) and left radial (25 cases) access. 8 of these were also PPCI cases. No major vascular complications were identified. In cases where no access after two attempts was secured access was gained by a consultant. In 6 cases ultrasound guidance was used by the consultant.

A patient discomfort score was recorded immediately via a questionnaire post access procedure. Results were compared with cardiology trainees performing RAA in parallel, demonstrating excellent outcomes.

Similarly when comparing difference between patient on table to sheath insertion times between trainees and nurses performing the radial access, nurse radial access had competitive outcomes.

Discussion

Nurse led RAA procedure is an advanced practice skill which can be adopted by appropriately trained and experienced senior members of the nursing team.

The advantages include facilitating flow through the catheter lab, greater advocacy of patients through their clinical pathway and high levels of patient satisfaction.

Median Time

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Comparison of contrast induced nephropathy definitions and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Jelic D , Mehmedbegovic Z , Milasinovic D , Radomirovic M , Pavlovic A , Zobenica V , Zaharijev S , Vratonjic J , Asanin M , Vukcevic V , Stankovic G
Published: November 2020

Background

Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) has been associated with increased mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, different definitions of CIN have so far been used.

Purpose

We aimed to compare predictive accuracy of the 2 contemporary CIN definitions in patients with AMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Method

From a high-volume, single-centre, prospective registry, in a period from 2009–2019, we identified 7987 pts who underwent primary PCI for AMI in whom creatinine measurements were available for analysis. CIN incidence was evaluated according to relative creatinine increases of ≥25% (CIN25) and ≥50% (CIN50) from baseline levels within 72 hours after intervention. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality.

Results

Overall, 1116 (13.9%), and 345 (4.3%) patients developed CIN25, CIN50, respectively. Crude in-hospital mortality rate was 3.9% (312 pts) in the overall population. Both definitions were independently associated with in-hospital mortality (CIN25 adjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.2, 95% CI 2.7–6.6; p<0.001, and CIN 50 adjusted OR 8.2, 95% CI 4.9–13.9; p<0.001). Comparison of ROC curves showed that only the addition of the CIN50 (and not CIN25) definition to the combined model of clinical predictors of in-hospital mortality, which included pre-intervention TIMI flow 0–1, cardiogenic shock on admission, baseline creatinine clearance, prior stroke, chronic occlusion of non-culprit artery, post-intervention TIMI flow 3, left ventricular ejection fraction and procedure time, improved prognostic accuracy of the model (Figure 1).

Conclusion

Only acute kidney injury according to the CIN50 definition, but not the CIN25 definition, offers additional prognostic information above and beyond the combination of baseline predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI undergoing primary PCI.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Treatment of complex coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease: 10-year results comparing outcomes of CABG and PCI in the SYNTAXES trial
Authors: Gao C , Wang R.T , Takahashi K , Kawashima H , Van Geuns R.J , Onuma Y , Morice M.C , Davierwala P , Holmes D , Mack M , Mohr F , Kappetein A , Head S , Thuijs D , Serruys P.W
Published: November 2020

Background

The SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study is an investigator-driven extension of follow-up of the SYNTAX trial, which was a non-inferiority trial that compared percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using first-generation paclitaxel-eluting stents with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with de-novo three-vessel and left main coronary artery disease. The SYNTAXES study is the first randomized trial that reported the complete 10-year data on all-cause death in patients with complex coronary artery disease.

Purpose

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more susceptible to major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. However, to date, the long-term prognosis and which revascularization strategy was associated with better clinical outcomes for patients with complex coronary artery disease and concomitant with DM and CKD have not been documented.

Methods

In this sub-analysis of the SYNTAXES trial, a total of 1,638 patients were classified into four subgroups according to the DM and CKD status: DM−/CKD− (n=999, 60.1%), DM+/CKD− (n=323, 19.7%), DM−/CKD+ (n=231, 14.1%), and DM+/CKD+ (n=85, 5.2%). The treatment effects of PCI and CABG were analyzed in each subgroup. The primary endpoint was all-cause death at 10 years.

Results

Compared with the DM−/CKD− patients, patients with DM+/CKD+ were older, more often had a history of stroke, hypertension, heart failure, and were more frequently presented with total occlusion, bifurcation lesion and three-vessel disease. At 10 years, patients with DM+/CKD+ had a 3.94-fold higher incidence of all-cause mortality compared with DM−/CKD− individuals (54.1% versus 18.9%, 95% CI [2.85–5.44]). Patients with DM−/CKD+ (38.1%, HR 2.36; 95% CI [1.83–5.44]) or DM+/CKD− (28.2%, HR 1.61; 95% CI [1.26–2.07]) had intermediate risk profile. For DM+/CKD+ patients, compared with PCI, those who underwent CABG were associated with lower incidence of all-cause mortality (64.3% versus 44.2%, adjusted HR 0.52; 95% CI [0.27–0.99], p=0.047, pinteraction=0.443). The number of needed-to-treat to reduce mortality for CABG was 12.

Conclusion

In the SYNTAX population, patients with DM and CKD are at markedly increased risk of long-term mortality rate compared with patients one or neither of these risk factors. For patients with both comorbidities, CABG was associated with better clinical outcome compared with PCI. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating.

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier curves showing the clinical events according to treatment and DM/CKD status.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Boston Scientific Corporation
Prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing primary PCI with versus without left ventricular function impairment
Authors: Pavlovic A , Milasinovic D.G , Mehmedbegovic Z , Jelic D , Zaharijev S , Zobenica V , Radomirovic M , Dudic J , Asanin M , Vukcevic V , Stankovic G
Published: November 2020

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and impaired left ventricular (LV) function have both been separately associated with increased risk of mortality following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Purpose

Our aim was to comparatively evaluate the impact of LV dysfunction and AF on the risk of mortality in primary PCI-treated patients.

Methods

This analysis included 8561 patients admitted for primary PCI during 2009–2019, from a prospectively kept, electronic registry of a high-volume tertiary center, from whom echocardiographic parameters were available. LV dysfunction was defined as EF<40%. Adjusted Cox regression models were used to assess 30-day and 1-year mortality hazard.

Results

AF was present in 3.2% (n=273), whereas 37% had LV dysfunction (n=3189). Crude mortality rates were increased in the presence of either AF or LV dysfunction, and were the highest in the group of patients having both AF and impaired LV function, at 30 days (1.8% in no AF and no LV dysfunction vs. 5.4% if AF only vs. 7.0% if EF<40% only vs. 14.9% if AF and LV dysfunction concurrently present, p<0.001) and at 3 years (10.5% if no AF and no LV dysfunction vs. 35.8% if AF only vs. 28.5% if EF<40% only vs. 60.3% if AF and LV dysfunction both present, p<0.001). After multivariable adjustment for other significant mortality predictors, including age, previous stroke, MI, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, anemia and Killip≥2, LV dysfunction alone and in combination with AF was an independent predictor of mortality at both 30 days (HR=2.2 and HR=2.5, respectively, p<0.001 for both) and at 3 years (HR=1.9 and HR=2.9, respectively, p<0.001 for both). However, presence of AF alone, in the absence of an impaired LV function, was not independently associated with mortality at 30 days (HR 1.34, CI 95% 0.58–3.1, p=0.48), but rather at 3 years (HR 1.74, CI 95% 1.91–2.54, p=0.004).

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation is associated with long-term mortality in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, irrespective of the LV function. Conversely, short-term prognostic relevance of atrial fibrillation in STEMI is dependent on the presence of LV dysfunction.

Kaplan Meier curve_AF_LV dysfunction

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Impact of early (<24h) versus delayed (>24h) intervention in patients with non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (an observational study of 20882 patients)
Authors: Panoulas V , Rathod K , Kain A , Firoozi S , Nevett J , Kalra S , Malik I , Mathur A , Redwood S , MacCarthy P.A , Wragg A , Jones D , Dalby M.C
Published: November 2020

Background

In patients presenting with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) an invasive approach has been shown to be superior to conservative management.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the optimal timing of invasive coronary angiography and subsequent intervention.

Methods

We examined the impact ofearly (≤24h) versus delayed (>24h) intervention in a large observational cohort of 20882 consecutive patients with acute NSTE myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) treated with PCI between 2005 and 2015 at 9 tertiary cardiac centers in London (UK) using Cox-regression analysis and propensity matching.

Results

Mean age was 64.5±12.7 years and 26.1% were females. A quarter (27.6%), were treated within 24h.Patients treated within 24h were slightly younger (62.8±12.8 vs. 65.2±12.6, p<0.001), most commonly male (76% vs. 72.9%, p<0.001) and were more frequently ventilated (2.3% vs. 1.4%, p<0.001) and in cardiogenic shock (3.6% vs. 1.4%, p<0.001) with dynamic changes on their ECG (84.5% vs. 76.1% p<0.001). At a median follow up of 4.2 years (interquartile range 1.8 to 7) 17.7% of patients had died. Estimated 5-year survival in patients treated within 24h was 84.6% vs. 81% for those treated >24h following their presentation (p<0.001). This survival benefit remained following adjustment for confounders; HR (delayed vs. early management)1.11 (95% CI 1.003 to 1.23, p=0.046). In the propensity matched cohort of 4356 patients in each group, there remained a trend for higher survival in the early intervention group (p=0.061).

Conclusions

Notwithstanding the limitations of the retrospective design, this real-world cohort of NSTEMI patients suggests that an early intervention (≤24h) may improve mid term survival.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
A prospective multicentre randomized all-comers trial to assess the safety and effectiveness of the ultra-thin-strut sirolimus-eluting coronary stent Supraflex: 2-year results of the TALENT trial
Authors: Gao C , Kogame N , Smits P , Tonino P , Moreno R , Choudhury A , Hofma S , Petrov I , Cequier A , Colombo A , Onuma Y , Kaul U , Zaman A , De Winter R.J , Serruys P.W
Published: November 2020

Background and purpose

Supraflex is a sirolimus-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymeric coating and 60um ultra-thin struts. In the TALENT study, we found the Supraflex stent was non-inferior to the Xience stent for a device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE, defined as cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, or clinically indicated target lesion revascularisation) at 12 months in an all-comer population. Additionally, per-protocol analysis showed a significantly lower clinically indicated target lesion revascularisation (CI-TLR) in the Supraflex group than in the Xience group. We now present the 2-year follow-up results.

Methods

The TALENT study was a prospective, randomised, single-blind, multicentre study across 23 centres in Europe. Eligible participants underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in an all-comers fashion in vessels of 2.25–4.5 mm. Patients were randomized (1:1) to implantation of either Supraflex or Xience (NCT02870140).

Results

Between October 21, 2016 and July 3, 2017, 720 patients with 1046 lesions were randomly assigned to Supraflex, and 715 patients with 1030 lesions to Xience. At 24 months, DOCE had occurred in 49 patients (6.9%) in the Supraflex group and in 56 patients (7.9%) in the Xience group (absolute difference −1.0% [95% CI: −3.7 to 1.7], Plog-rank=0.491). Per-protocol analysis at 24 months showed CI-TLR occurred in 21 and 30 patients in the Supraflex and Xience, respectively (3.3% versus 4.5%, absolute difference −1.2%, [95% CI: −3.3 to 0.9], Plog-rank=0.267).

Conclusion

In an all-comer population, at 2-year follow-up, the use of Supraflex stent was at least as safe and efficacious as Xience stent. However, the significantly lower rate of CI-TLR shown in patients treated with Supraflex at 1-year was no longer retained in the 2-year results. Whether theoretical advantage of ultra-thin strut drug eluting stents Supraflex can translate into clinical benefit or not will be further elucidated through a total of 3 years of follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): SMT
Biodegradable-polymer versus durable-polymer drug eluting stents for coronary artery disease: systematic review and a meta-analysis
Authors: Toyota T , Morimoto T , Kitai T , Park M , Sasaki Y , Kim K , Ehara N , Kobori A , Kinoshita M , Kaji S , Furukawa Y , Kimura T
Published: November 2020

Background

Biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) has been developed to overcome the potential drawbacks of the first-generation durable polymer drug-eluting stents (DP-DES). However, it is still under debate whether BP-DES is associated with superior efficacy and safety over DP-DES.

Purpose

We sought to compare the effects of BP-DES and DP-DES in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods

We performed systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing BP-DES and DP-DES on clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease using CE-mark approved drug-eluting stents (DES) with at least 1-year follow-up. We included 32 studies involving 39,686 patients (BP-DES: 21,439 patients, and DP-DES: 18,247 patients). Primary outcome measure was target vessel failure (TVF; equivalent to the composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization). We performed subgroup analysis according to the DP-DES generations (newer-generation DP-DES: 15,179patients, and first-generation DP-DES: 3,068 patients), and the effects of newer-generation DP-DES was compared with the BP-DES according to the BP-DES strut thickness (Ultra-thin strut [<80μm]: 7,572 patients, Thin-strut [80–100μm]: 5,465 patients, and Thick-strut [≥80μm]: 5,876 patients).

Results

The odds for TVF was not significantly different between the BP-DES group and the DP-DES group in the entire study population (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.90–1.02], P=0.20). The odds for TVF was significantly low in the BP-DES group relative to the first-generation DP-DES group, however the odds were comparable between the BP-DES group and the newer-generation DP-DES group (BP-DES versus first-generation DP-DES: OR 0.82, 95% CI [0.73–0.92], P<0.001, and BP-DES versus newer-generation DP-DES: OR 1.00, 95% CI [0.93–1.08], P=0.99). We also found no significant differences between the BP-DES and newer-generation DP-DES, in all subgroups stratified by the BP-DES strut thickness (Ultra-thin strut BP-DES versus newer-generation DP-DES: OR 0.88, 95% CI [0.76–1.02], P=0.10, Thin-strut BP-DES versus newer-generation DP-DES: OR 1.01, 95% CI [0.90–1.13], P=0.89, and Thick strut BP-DES versus newer-generation DP-DES: OR 1.11, 95% CI [0.99–1.25], P=0.08).

Conclusions

In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating clinical outcomes, there was no significant differences between BP-DES and DP-DES. We found beneficial effects of BP-DES relative to the first-generation DP-DES, however, there was no statistical differences between BP-DES and newer-generation DP-DES, irrespective of the BP-DES strut thickness.

Pooled odds ratios for clinical outcomes

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None