bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P6432Predictive value of rest-MCG and stress-MCG in patients with angina pectoris
Authors: Brala D , Morita S , Landmesser U , Park J.-W
Published: October 2019

Background

Thousands of patients present themselves annually to the emergency department or private clinic with chest pain. Categorizing different types of angina is clinically important and is one of the cornerstones for pre-test-probability.

In patients with angina pectoris, symptoms mostly occurred during physical exertion and usually lasted a short time. This paper examines Magnetocardiography (MCG) in patients with angina pectoris. Cardiac electromagnetic activity is recorded by MCG which is a non-invasive, non-contact, and radiation-free multichannel mapping technique. We present results focusing on resting- and stress-MCG in order to detect true coronary artery disease.

Method

We examined 131 patients (66±12 yrs., 94 male) with angina pectoris who were asymptomatic during the time in the emergency department. Troponin and ECG were in normal range. These patients had complex cardiovascular risk factors – arterial hypertension in 87%, hyperliproteinemia in 63%, nicotine consumption in 23%, diabetes mellitus in 14%.

The cardiac magnetic field was registered over the anterior chest wall with a 64-channel gradiometer system in a magnetically shielded room (CS-MAG III, BMP GmbH). Rest- and Stress-MCG measurement were performed before patients received an invasive ischemia investigation. We calculated in total 9 MCG parameters that could serve as indicators in the diagnosis of ischemia and coronary artery disease (CAD): T-wave dispersion, T-wave vectors MCG (VMCG), T-Scores, ST-Fluc-Score and PLP-Score.

Results

All of the 131 patients received an invasive diagnostic. 43 patients exhibited a CAD. Resting MCG could identify 28/43 patients correctly (SENS of 65%, NPV of 66%). Stress-MCG was able to identify 42/43 correctly (SENS 98%, NPV 88%).

Conclusions

Stress-MCG seems to be a highly sensitive method in detecting CAD in patients with stable angina. In diagnostics, it should be complemented by other indicators such as troponin to improve its specificity.
P6464Acute pulmonary embolism in Argentina. CONAREC XX registry
Authors: Cigalini I M , Scatularo C E , Jauregui J C C , Ortego J I , Cornejo D , Bernal M I , Aboy J M , Burgos L M , Dominguez J M , Visconti M , Garcia Zamora S , Igolnikof D B , Bonorino J M , Zaidel E J , Thierer J
Published: October 2019

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) represents the third cause of cardiovascular death and one of the leading causes of preventable in-hospital mortality. However, there is lack of information about this entity in our country.

Purpose

To describe baseline characteristics, in-hospital evolution and treatments among patients (P) admitted for acute PE in Argentina.

Methods

A prospective multicentric registry of P with acute PE was conducted in 75 academic centers between October 2016 and November 2017. Conventional analysis was used for descriptive and comparative statistics, with a p value <0.05 considered as significant. Cross audit was performed at 20% of participating centers.

Results

We included 684 consecutive P with an average age of 63,8 years (SD 16,8), with slight majority of female sex (57%). PE was the reason for admission in 484 (71%) of the cases; 68% of those others who developed PE as a complication during hospital stay were under adequate venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The most frequent predisposing factors were obesity (34%), recent hospitalization (34%), transient rest (30%) and active cancer (22%). Multislice computed tomography was the diagnostic method of choice (81%). An echocardiogram was performed in 625 P (91%), showing right ventricular dilatation or dysfunction in 41% and 35% of the cases, respectively. After initial diagnosis, P were stratified as low risk (24%), intermediate-low risk (34%), intermediate-high risk (27%) and high risk (15%).

Anticoagulation was indicated in 661 (97%), mainly with low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) (59%) as initial strategy. Reperfusion with either thrombolytics or mechanical therapies was performed in 91 (13%) cases. However, only 50 of the 102 P who presented with hemodynamic instability received any reperfusion therapy (49%). Overall in-hospital mortality was 12%, mainly related to PE (51%), with significant differences according to risk stratification (p<0,01) (Figure 1).

579 out of 601 survivors received anticoagulants at discharge: 60% vitamin K antagonists, 21% LMWH and 19% direct oral anticoagulants (49% Rivaroxaban, 34% Apixaban and 17% Dabigatran).

Mortality according risk stratification

Conclusions

PE presents with high in-hospital mortality in our setting mainly due to the embolic event. This finding could be related to a low use of reperfusion therapies in P with hemodynamic instability, reflecting low adherence to guideline recommendations even in academic centers. This issue should be taken into consideration to improve PE prognosis in Argentina.
P6471Pronostic impact of significant valvular disease in long-term survivors of out-of-hospital-cardiac arrest
Authors: Rodriguez L , Caro-Codon J , Rey-Blas J R , Rosillo S O , Gonzalez O , Martinez L A , Garcia De Veas J M , Casas B , Iniesta A M , Ruiz J , Rial V , Merino C , Armada E , Lopez-Sendon J L , Lopez-De-Sa E
Published: October 2019

Background

There is scarce evidence about the prevalence and clinical relevance of moderate to severe valvular heart disease (VHD) in survivors of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Purpose

To determine whether VHD influence prognosis of OHCA survivors.

Methods

All consecutive patients admitted to the Acute Cardiac Care Unit after OHCA and surviving until hospital discharge were included. All patients received targeted-temperature management according to our local protocol. Univariate and multivariate Cox-proportional hazard models were employed.

Results

A total of 201 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 57.6±14.2 years and 168 (83.6%) were male. Eighteen patients (9.0%) had moderate or severe VHD during index admission (Table 1). Patients with VHD were less frequently of male sex, [11 (61.1%) vs 157 (85.8%), p=0.014], experienced less acute coronary syndrome-related arrhytmias [2 (11.1%) vs 85 (46.5%), p=0.005], and had a lower pH at hospital admission (6.9±1.6 vs 7.2±0.15, p=0.008). During a median follow-up of 40.3 (18.9–69.1) months, patients with VHD showed higher mortality [7 (38.9%) vs 28 (15.3%), p=0.004] and more heart failure-related admissions [7 (38.9%) vs 15 (8.2%), p<0.001]. Only five patients received surgical or percutaneous treatment for VHD during follow-up, with no deaths in this subgroup. Moderate or severe VHD proved to be an independent predictor of global cardiovascular events and specifically heart failure episodes (Figure 1).

Table1 Variable With valvular disease Without valvular disease p value Age, mean±DS, years 63.5±13.2 57.0±14.1 0.066 Hypertension, n (%) 12 (66.7) 95 (51.9) 0.231 Diabetes, n (%) 5 (27.8) 24 (13.1) 0.149 Dyslipidaemia, n (%) 7 (38.9) 79 (43.2) 0.726 Smokin habit, n (%) 4 (22.2) 90 (49.2) 0.045 Witnessed cardiac arrest, n (%) 18 (100) 175 (95.6) 1.000 Time from CA to ROSC, mean±DS, minute 19.1±7.5 21.2±13.1 0.506 Shockable rhythm, n (%) 13 (72.2) 163 (89.1) 0.055 LVEF at hospital discharge (%) 42.8±12.1 46.9±14.6 0.254

Figure 1

Conclusion

The presence of significant VHD in survivors after OHCA is a predictor of poor outcomes. Specific management of VHD may be specially relevant in this high-risk patients and guideline-oriented therapy, including surgery and percutaneous intervention should be encouraged when indicated.
P6492Quantitative definition of severe functional mitral regurgitation - A matter of intercontinental debate
Authors: Goliasch G , Heitzinger G , Arfsten H , Pavo N , Spinka G , Mascherbauer J , Hengstenberg C , Huelsmann M , Bartko P
Published: October 2019

Background

Recent divergence between AHA/ACC and ESC/EACTS guidelines of the quantitative definition for severe functional mitral regurgitation (sFMR) introduced uncertainty, inconsistency and continuing debate. The relation of each threshold with long-term outcome, in patients under guideline directed therapy (GDT) remains however uncertain.

Methods

We enrolled 269 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and graded sFMR according to both guideline-recommendations [AHA/ACC: effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) ≥40mm2 or regurgitant volume (RegVol) ≥60ml/beat and ESC/EACTS: EROA ≥20mm2 or RegVol ≥30ml/beat]. All-cause mortality was defined as the primary endpoint.

Result

According to AHA/ACC guidelines sFMR occurred in 17% by EROA with a median EROA of 0.5mm2 (IQR 0.4–0.6) and in 13% by RegVol with a median RegVol of 76ml/beat (IQR 69–101). According to ESC/EACTS guidelines sFMR occurred in 53% by EROA with a median EROA of 0.4mm2 (IQR 0.2–0.4)and 40% according to RegVol with a median RegVol of 51ml/beat (IQR 37–69). During 8-years follow-up, 165 patients died. We observed a significant association with outcome for sFMR according to AHA/ACC guidelines quantified by EROA (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.13–2.43, P=0.009; Figure 1A) as well as RegVol (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.34–3.05, P=0.001; Figure 1A). In contrast, the ESC/EACTS definition of sFMR was related with outcome exclusively if quantified by RegVol (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.05–2.05, P=0.026; Figure 1B) but not for EROA (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.91–1.86, P=0.15; Figure 1B).

Figue 1

Conclusion

In this contemporary HFrEF cohort under GDT there is significant association of the ACC/AHA proposed cut-off for severe FMR and long-term mortality. The ESC/EACTS definitions are associated with mortality exclusively for the RegVol. The lack of association between sFMR based on ESC/EACTS EROA cut-offs with mortality potentially results from incorporating patients where the regurgitant burden may still be compensated and has not yet become a driving force of disease progression. Contemporary definition of sFMR entails decision making for surgical/transcatheter repair. Cut-offs need to account for the competing risks of the procedure versus the potential benefit of reducing mortality. Lower thresholds may expose a significant proportion of patients to unnecessary risk of futile procedures and higher thresholds may withhold potentially life-extending therapies. The disagreement between the two guidelines does not only convey a source of uncertainty for treating physicians but also lead to inconsistent treatment allocation thereby hindering comprehensive and comparable research. Future studies need to approximate to the true nature of severe functional mitral valve disease in an attempt to facilitate a unifying definition of sFMR.
P6494Activation of focal adhesion kinase is involved in pathogenesis of aortic dissection in mice
Authors: Majima R , Aoki H , Hashimoto Y , Hayashi M , Ohno-Urabe S , Furusho A , Nishida N , Hirakata S , Fukumoto Y
Published: October 2019

Background

Aortic dissection (AD) is a fatal disease where the media of the aorta suddenly fail. Currently, Molecular pathogenesis of AD is unknown. Recently, we discovered that the activity of MRTF-A, a mechanosensitive transcriptional regulator, promotes AD development. The activity of MRTF-A is regulated by mechanical stress to cells, which is transduced through focal adhesion and actin dynamics. However, it is currently unknown whether the mechanotransduction mechanism is involved in AD pathogenesis.

Purpose

We investigated the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a signaling molecule that transduces mechanostress from focal adhesion to actin dynamics, in AD pathogenesis.

Methods

We created a mouse model of AD with a continuous infusion of beta-aminopropionitrile (150 mg/kg/day), a collagen crosslink inhibitor, and angiotensin II (1,000 ng/kg/min) (BAPN + AngII) by an osmotic pump. This model caused about 60% death in all mice due to AD rupture within 2 weeks. In this model, we examined the severity and mortality rate of aortic dissection after 2 weeks in mice administered with PND-1186, an orally available FAK inhibitor, and in those treated with vehicle (n=20 for each group). We performed immunochemical staining, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot for activated (phosphorylated) FAK (pFAK) to evaluate the activation status of FAK in the aortic tissue. We also performed transcriptome analysis of the aortic tissue in with and without PND-1186 with BAPN + AngII stimulation before AD development.

Results

Immunochemical staining revealed that FAK was inactive in normal mouse aorta, but was strongly activated in the aortic walls after AD development. Immunofluorescence staining showed that FAK was activated mainly in smooth muscle cells after AD development. Western blot analysis also revealed that FAK was activated in 3 days after BAPN + AngII infusion before AD development, followed by transient reduction at day 7, and re-activation after AD at day 14. Significantly, administration of PND-1186 resulted in a significant reduction in the severity of AD in the aortic arch (1.96±0.41 mm in vehicle group, 0.66±0.29 mm in PND group, P<0.05). In addition, survival rate improved from 36.4% to 80.0% by administration of PND-1186 (P<0.01). In immunofluorescence staining, the PND-1186 treated group showed weaker staining of pFAK. Transcriptome analysis showed that genes for hematopoiesis and immune system were suppressed in PND-1186 treated group.

Conclusions

These findings proved that FAK plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD probably by transmitting pathological stress to the aortic wall to cause tissue destruction. We propose that FAK is a potential therapeutic target for limiting the fatal destruction of the aortic wall of AD.
P6508Percutaneous versus surgical paravalvular leak: a ten-year tertiary centre experience
Authors: Sa Mendes G , Teles R , Neves J , Trabulo M , Almeida M , Ribeira R , Abecasis J , Nolasco T , Strong C , Mendes M
Published: October 2019

Aims

Paravalvular leak (PVL) presents an incidence ranging from 2–17%. Open heart surgery is considered the standard treatment and there is no consensus regarding the role of percutaneous closure of non-endocarditis PVL.

Methods

Single-centre retrospective study including consecutive patients that had their PVL closed percutaneously or by surgery, after heart team agreement, between 2007 and 2018. The primary goal was to assess mortality and rehospitalizations. The secondary goals were: a) the technical success, defined as reduction in regurgitation [≥1 degree] and b) clinic and laboratorial improvement.

Results

Forty-eight patients were included (mean age of 66±13 years, 56% male), 12 submitted to percutaneous closure and 36 to surgery (74 vs 65 years, p=0,026, respectively), with similar gender distribution. 56% had an aortic PVL, with the remainder having a mitral leak, with no difference between groups. The indications were heart failure in 91% and haemolytic anaemia in 42%. A combination of both indications and NYHA heart failure functional class ≥ III were higher in percutaneous group. The severity of leak was comparable in both groups.

Patients treated percutaneously had a significant higher rate of atrial fibrillation (92% vs 42%), COPD (33% vs 3%), peripheral artery disease (58% vs 22%) and higher EuroScore II (13,1% [7,1 - 19,0 CI 95%] vs 4,1 [2,9 - 6,5 CI 95%], p=0,003).

There was no significant difference between groups with respect to all- cause mortality at 6 months, and to cardiovascular (CV) mortality and CV rehospitalization at 1-year follow-up. The technical success was lower in percutaneous group, but clinic and laboratorial results did not differ (table).

Primary and secondary [(a) tecnical success (b) clinical and laboratorial improvements] endpoints of percutaneous vs surgery paravalvular leak closure Percutaneous PVL closure Surgical PVL Closure p-value Mortality @ 6 M 17% 25% p=1.000 CV Mortality @ 12 M 25% 31% p=1.000 Rehospitalization @ 12 M 18% 21% p=0.694 Technical success (a) 75% 97% p=0.043 NYHA improvement (b) 70% 71% p=0.171 Hb improvement (b) mean Δ: 1.2±1.1 g/dl mean Δ: 1.3±2.5 g/dl p=0.737 LDH reduction (b) mean Δ: −682±828 U/L mean Δ: −473±1215 U/L p=0.577

Conclusions

In this high-risk population, clinical and laboratorial improvement was achieved by both methods. The percutaneous technique seems more appropriate for patients with higher risk, despite a lower technical success in the reduction of the severity of the leak.
P6510Frailty and in-hospital outcomes in percutaneous coronary interventions
Authors: Kwok C S , Achenbach S , Curzen N , Fischman D L , Savage M , Bagur R , Kontopantelis E , Martin G , Steg P G , Mamas M A
Published: October 2019

Background

Frailty may be an important marker for poor outcomes in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and there is limited literature on outcomes based on frailty from national cohorts.

Purpose

This study evaluates the prevalence of frailty, changes in frailty over time and outcomes associated with frailty in a national American cohort of patients who underwent PCI.

Methods

The study included adults who underwent PCI in the National Inpatients Sample between 2004 and 2014. Frailty risk was determined using a validated Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) using the cutoffs <5, 5–15 and >15 corresponding to low, intermediate and high HFRS.

Results

There were 7,306,007 PCI admissions in this cohort. A total of 94.58%, 5.39% and 0.03% of admissions were for low HFRS, intermediate HFRS and high HFRS, respectively. The proportion of intermediate or high frailty risk patients increased over time from 1.9% in 2004 to 11.7% in 2014. In-hospital death increased from 1.0% with low HFRS to 13.9% with high HFRS and average length of stay increased from 2.9±3.3 days to 17.1±15.5 days from low to high HFRS. Greater frailty risk was associated with greater average inpatient cost which was $17,743±11,059, $38,824±34,809 and $56,119±49,772 for low, intermediate and high HFRS, respectively. There were increased adverse outcomes with high frailty including greater in-hospital death (OR 9.91 95% CI 7.17–13.71), in-hospital bleeding complications (OR 4.99 95% CI 3.82–6.51), in-hospital vascular complications (OR 3.96 95% CI 3.00–5.23) and in-hospital stroke (OR 10.49 95% CI 8.28–13.29) comparing high to low HFRS.

Conclusions

More than 1 in 20 patients who undergo PCI have intermediate or high risk of frailty which has significantly increased over time. There are poor outcomes and increased inpatient costs associated with greater frailty. Improvements in education of healthcare workers and increased awareness of frailty could facilitate frailty-tailored care to minimise risk of adverse outcomes and its associated costs.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Research and Development Department at the Royal Stoke Hospital, Keele University and Biosensors International
P6514Head to head comparison of a pulsatile versus continuous flow left ventricular assist device in high-risk PCI setting: iVAC2L vs. Impella 2.5
Authors: Samol A , Schmidt S , Zeyse M , Kaese S , Luani B , Wiemer M
Published: October 2019

Background

To compare the hemodynamic and clinical performance between iVAC2L and Impella 2.5 in high-risk PCI.

Patients and methods

In 35 patients [8 female, age 75±8 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 45±12%] high-risk PCI was performed under Impella 2.5 (n=15) or IVAC2L (n=20) use. Aortic pressure and flow was collected before and after device placement and after PCI. Blood parameters of hemolysis were collected before and after PCI.

Results

Correct placement was achieved in 17 iVAC2L-patients and in 14 Impella-patients. PCI success was 97%. Support time was comparable between both groups. No early increase in aortic pressure occurred under full iVAC2L-support, but with prolonged support it increased significantly and kept higher level (Table 1). In contrast, aortic pressure increased significantly immediately under Impella, but the increase was comparable between the devices after PCI. Flow under Impella was significantly higher compared to iVAC2L (2.07±0.09l/min vs. 1.25±0.05l/min, p<0.001). In five patients (iVAC2L n=3) critical events during PCI occurred, but both devices helped to stabilise hemodynamics. After PCI, one severe bleeding in each group and one stroke after iVAC2L occurred. Haptoglobin level after Impella showed signs of hemolysis (Table 1).

Table 1 prePCI (no support) prePCI (full support) postPCI (full support) postPCI (no support) iVAC2L RRsyst Ao (mmHg, mean±SD) 123±29 125±21 142±28*§ 142±31# Impella 2.5 RRsyst Ao (mmHg, mean±SD) 137±23 148±29&% 151±22 153±22% iVAC2L RRdiast Ao (mmHg, mean±SD) 57±16 59±14 68±18* 69±18# Impella 2.5 RRdiast Ao (mmHg, mean±SD) 60±12 76±15&% 84±16* 76±17# iVAC2L RRmean Ao (mmHg, mean±SD) 81±17 83±16 97±21*§% 94±27# Impella 2.5 RRmean Ao (mmHg, mean±SD) 91±15 102±17&% 109±16* 106±17# iVAC2L Haptoglobin (mg/l, mean±SD) 1485±689 1261±648 Impella 2.5 Haptoglobin (mg/l, mean±SD) 1456±570 894±371$ iVAC2L LDH (U/l, mean±SD) 240±90 241±68 Impella 2.5 LDH (U/l, mean±SD) 220±82 252±101 Ao = Aorta. *p<0.05 prePCI (no support) vs. postPCI (full support); #p<0.05 prePCI (no support) vs. postPCI (no support); §p<0.05 prePCI (full support) vs. postPCI (full support); &p<0.05 prePCI (no support) vs. prePCI (full support); %p<0.05 iVAC vs. Impella.

Conclusion

High-risk PCI under support of both devices is feasible and safe. Aortic pressure increases with both devices but earlier under Impella. Differences in outcome and hemodynamics between the 2 devices need to be evaluated in large multi-center studies.
P6523Radial artery occlusion: predictors, methods for reducing the frequency of complications-a single center study
Authors: Ognerubov D , Tereshchenko A , Merkulov E , Provatorov S , Arutyunyan G , Ehrtman V , Silin N , Tripoten' M , Pogorelova O , Balahonova T , Samko A
Published: October 2019

Radial access has great advantages in terms of the frequency of complications, but it has one specific complication - radial artery occlusion (RAO). This complication often does not manifest itself in any way; however, it limits the use of access for the future interventions.

Aim

To compare methods of short and traditional hemostasis and to identify the main predictors of RAO after radial access.

Materials and methods

During the period from 2012 to 2018, 2000 patients were included in the study, which consisted of two parts: prospective - 1000 patients who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stable coronary artery disease, and retrospective part of the study, which included 1000 patients admitted for PCI from other clinics. In a prospective study, patients were divided into two groups: after coronary angiography and PCI, respectively (n=500 in the coronary angiography group and n=500 in the PCI group), and then randomized. Hemostatic bandages in the first group of patients (n=250) were removed after 12–24 hours, in the second group (n=250) - after 4±1 hours. When the occlusion of the radial artery was detected, all patients underwent an hour-long compression of the ipsilateral ulnar artery to recanalize acute RAO.

Results

The frequency of RAO in the retrospective part of the study was 21.8%. The frequency of RAO in the prospective part of the study was 10.2% with a traditional time hemostasis and 1.4% with a short-time compression (P<0.001). Predictors of the RAO are illustrated in table 1. Predictors of bleeding were PCI (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01–0.67, P=0.05) and weight (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.18, P=0.01).

Table 1. Predictors of RAO Variables Odds ratio 95% Confidential interval Significance, P Traditional-time hemostasis 8.78 4.2–21.5 <0.001 Diabetes mellitus+smoking 18.1 12.7–26.7 <0.001 Diabetes mellitus 0.45 0.25–0.83 0.009 Body mass index 0.95 0.91–0.99 0.02 Male 1.75 1.01–3.18 0.05 Protein C 0,86 0,75–0,96 0,01

Conclusion

Careful examination of the patient for detecting RAO before and after interventions is essential. Short hemostasis with compression of the ipsilateral ulnar artery reduce the frequency of RAO. For short-time hemostasis, special attention should be paid to patients after PCI and with low BMI, as far as these factors are associated with a greater risk of bleeding after removal of the compression bandage.
P6536Implementation of a mass atrial fibrillation screening program in Canadian community practice
Authors: Godin R , Nault I , Andrade J
Published: October 2019

Background

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice, and is an important cause of stroke. In up to 10% of patients, stroke is the first clinical manifestation of undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF). Early detection of AF is therefore desirable, as it would provide an opportunity to initiate appropriate stroke prevention with anticoagulation. While European guidelines recommend screening for AF as part of routine care in patients with risk factors, the optimal modality has not yet been determined. Smartphone enabled single lead ECG devices have been shown to be highly accurate and could prove to be an effective point of care tool for uncovering AF in the community and may facilitate implementation of screening recommendations.

Purpose

We sought to describe the integration of a smartphone enabled single lead ECG device into the practice of selected Canadian community-based physicians and its impact on patient care.

Methods

Canadian community-based physicians were provided with a smartphone enabled single lead ECG device for a period of six months. Physicians were instructed to perform a single 30 second ECG recording in patients over the age of 65 who present for a regular follow-up visit. Patients with previous AF diagnosis were excluded. Outcomes related to screening, and stroke prevention-treatment initiation were prospectively ascertained and documented using a patient flow tracker.

Results

Among 612 physicians who were invited to participate in the program, 315 (51%) agreed to track and report the use of the device that was provided to them. During this program, 315 physicians screened a total of 15,538 patients. AF was detected 1103 patients (7.1%). The majority of patients with a positive screen underwent a subsequent 12-lead ECG confirmatory exam (79%). AF could not be confirmed in 277 patients (31.7% of patients undergoing 12-lead ECG). A total of 677 patients were initiated on oral anticoagulation (OAC), with 262 patients (24%) being initiated on OAC prior to ECG confirmation.

Conclusion

Undiagnosed AF is common in patients >65 years of age in community practice. The results of this program indicate that single lead mobile ECG devices can be integrated into routine point of care use for Canadian physicians and, can be a valuable tool to detect previously undiagnosed AF. While this approach identified a large number of undiagnosed AF patients eligible for OAC therapy, undertreatment with OAC remains a concern.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer Alliance
P6538Validity of two weeks daily self pulse-palpation for opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation among patients 65 years and older
Authors: Ghazal F , Al-Khalili F , Rosenqvist M
Published: October 2019

Background

Pulse-palpation is recommended (ESC IA) for single time-point screening for atrial fibrillation (AF). AF may, however, be paroxysmal which can make AF detection difficult to detect on single time-point measurement. Intermittent ECG recording is a sensitive method to detect AF. However, the role of pulse-palpation for AF detection has not been validated against simultaneous ECG recordings.

Purpose

To study the validity of AF detection using self pulse-palpation simultaneously with hand-hold ECG recording 3 times daily for two weeks for AF.

Method

Patients 65 years and older visiting four primary health care centers, four any reason, were invited to AF screening from July 2017 to December 2018. Hand-held intermittent ECG recordings, 30 seconds three times a day, was offered to participants without AF for a period of 2 weeks. Patients were instructed how to take their own pulse, simultaneously with intermittent ECG measurement and in written to note whether it was irregular or not.

Results

A total of 1010 patients (mean age 73 years, 61% women) participated in the study, 27 new cases of AF (mostly paroxysmal) were detected. Totally 53 782 simultaneous ECG-recordings and pulse-measurements were registered. AF was verified in 311 ECG-recordings but the pulse was palpated as irregular only in 77 of these recordings (25% sensitivity per measurement-occasion). Of those 27 detected AF cases, 15 cases felt their pulse as irregular at least at once occasion (56% sensitivity per individuals). 187 individuals without AF felt their pulse as irregular in at least one occasion. The specificity per measurement-occasion and per individuals were 98% and 81% respectively. Diagnostic odds ratio was 5.3.

AF 27 patients No AF 983 patients Irregular pulse 202 individuals 15 187 Regular pulse 808 individuals 12 796 Sensitivity 56% Specificity 81% Positive Predictive Value 7% Negative Predictive Value 99% AF 311 measurements No AF 53471 measurements Irregular pulse 1046 measurements 77 969 Regular pulse 52,736 measurements 234 52,502 Sensitivity 25% Specificity 98% Positive Predictive Value 7% Negative Predictive Value 99%

Conclusion

AF screening using own pulse-palpation 3 times daily for two weeks is feasible but has a low sensitivity for AF detection.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study was supported by the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, Pfizer, Boehringer-Ingelheim and Bayer
P6562The relationship between serum potassium concentrations and electrocardiographic characteristics in 163,547 individuals from primary care
Authors: Krogager M L , Kragholm K , Skals R K , Mortensen R N , Polcwiartek C , Graff C , Nielsen J B , Kanters J K , Holst A G , Soegaard P , Pietersen A H , Torp-Pedersen C , Hansen S M
Published: October 2019

Aims

Potassium disturbances are common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality, even in patients without prior cardiovascular disease. We examined six electrocardiographic (ECG) measures and their association to serum potassium levels.

Methods and results

From the Copenhagen General Practitioners' Laboratory, we identified 163,547 individuals aged ≥16 years with a first available ECG and a concomitant serum potassium measurement during 2001–2011. Restricted cubic splines curves showed a non-linear relationship between potassium and the Fridericia corrected QT (QTcF) interval, T-wave amplitude, morphology combination score (MCS), PR interval, P-wave amplitude and duration. Therefore, potassium was stratified in two intervals K: 2.0–4.1 mmol/L and 4.2–6.0 mmol/L for further analyses. Within the low potassium range, we observed: QTcF was 12.5 ms longer for each mmol/L decrease in potassium (p<0.0001); T-wave amplitude was 55.1 μV lower for each mmol/L decrease in potassium (p<0.0001); and MCS was 0.09 higher per mmol/L decrease in potassium (p<0.001). Moreover, P-wave duration and PR interval were prolonged by 3.1 and 3.3 ms for each mmol/L decrease in potassium (p<0.0001), respectively. Within the lowest potassium range (2.0–4.1 mmol/L) P-wave amplitude was 10.7 μV higher for each mmol/L decrease in potassium (p<0.0001). Within the high potassium range associations with the above-mentioned ECG parameters were much weaker.

Restricted cubic splines on adjusted lin

Conclusion

The association of potassium with six commonly measured ECG parameters was non-linear. Strong associations between ECG abnormalities and potassium were seen among individuals with lower potassium levels (≤4.1 mmol/L).

Acknowledgement/Funding

None
P6570Performance of the early clinical judgement for the diagnosis of syncope on the emergency department
Authors: Du Fay De Lavallaz J , Badertscher P B , Zimmermann T Z , Nestelberger T N , Walter J W , Strebel I S , Lohrmann J S , Boeddinghaus J B , Miro O M , Than M T , Martin-Sanchez J M S , Cullen L C , Kuehne M K , Reichlin T , Mueller C M
Published: October 2019

Background

Clinical judgement of the emergency department (ED) physician at time of discharge outperforms prognostic risk scores but the early clinical judgment (ECJ) regarding diagnosis has never been assessed.

Methods

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the ED physicians' ECJ 90 minutes after admission of patients >40 years presenting with syncope to the ED in a prospective diagnostic multicenter study. Cardiac syncope, as adjudicated by two physicians based on information available including 1-year follow-up, was the diagnostic endpoint. Death and MACE were the prognostic endpoints. Lasso-regression was used to identify variables contributing most to the ECJ or to the diagnosis of cardiac syncope. Syncope-specific diagnostic and prognostic scores, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were used for comparison.

Results

Cardiac syncope was adjudicated in 252/1494 patients (15.2%). The diagnostic accuracy of the ECJ for cardiac syncope, as quantified by the Area Under the Curve (AUC), was 0.87 (95% CI 0.84–0.89) and was superior to the one of biomarkers and diagnostic score, constant between all centers, but poorly calibrated. 16 variables available very-early on the ED achieved a comparable performance (AUC 0.84 (95% CI 0.82–0.87), p=0.136).

The extrapolated prognostic accuracy of the ECJ was moderate for MACE (AUC 0.73–0.8) but poor for death (0.58–0.63) over two years follow-up.

Figure 1

Conclusion

The ECJ performs well for the diagnosis of cardiac syncope but a similar accuracy can be obtained using structured variables obtained very-early in the diagnostic process.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Swiss National Science Foundation, Swiss Heart Foundation, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Basel (Switzerland), University Basel (Switzerland)
P6601Low miR-19b-1-5p expression in ACS patients is related to aspirin resistance and major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular event (MACCE)
Authors: Singh S , Ronde M W J , Creemers E E , Chan M Y , Hwee T S , Chin C T , Richards A M , Troughton R W , Fong A Y , Yan B P , Pinto S J
Published: October 2019

Aim

Despite aspirin therapy, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients are at risk of developing re-events owing to the aspirin resistance. This study sought to explore the possibility of utilizing miR-19b-1-5p as a suitable biomarker for aspirin resistance and future major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular (MACCE) events in the ACS patients.

Methods

Buffy coat from ACS (n=945) patients was used to measure the miR-19b-1-5p expression by RT-qPCR and Platelets function was determined by Multiplate® aggregometry testing. Furthermore, MACCE was collected over a mean follow-up time of 1.01±0.43 years. Linear regression concerning the relationship between miR-19b-1-5p expression and Multiplate® data and cox regression concerning MACCE were used for the analysis, to be able to adjust for confounding.

Results

Low miR-19b-1-5p expression was found to be related to aspirin resistance as could be observed from sustained platelet aggregation in the presence of aspirin (-Log-miR-19b-1-5p, (B (95% CI); 41.51 (5.09–77.93); p<0.05), even after adjusting for several confounders. The Cox regression analysis, showed that with lower miR-19b-1-5p expression, was independently associated to a higher risk of MACCE (-Log-miR-19b-1-5p, (HR (95% CI); 2.41 (1.51–3.84); p<0.05). Furthermore, both a sustained platelet aggregation on aspirin and lower miR-19b-1-5p expression, were related to an increased leukocyte count (B (95% CI); 3.85 (0.95–6.75) for platelet aggregation and 1.44 (0.41–2.46), for -Log-miR-19b-1-5p; p<0.05).

Conclusions

Lower miR-19b-1-5p expression was found to be associated with sustained platelet aggregation on aspirin, an increased leucocyte count and the risk of MACCE in ACS patients. Therefore, miR-19b-1-5p could be a suitable marker for aspirin resistance and might predict future MACCE in ACS patients.
86Coronary CT angiography as the first-line diagnostic strategy in patients with non-ST-segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome - The VERDICT trial
Authors: Kofoed K F , Kelbaek H , Sigvardsen P , Torp-Pedersen C , Riis-Hansen P , Holmvang L , Elming H , Hofsten D , Engstroem T , Gislason G , Kober L , Linde J
Published: October 2019

Background

In patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) coronary pathology may range from structurally normal vessels to severe coronary artery disease. Current guidelines recommend early invasive coronary angiography (ICA) to guide management strategy.

Purpose

We tested the hypothesis that a strategy of first-line coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) may be used to differentiate between significant and nonsignificant coronary artery stenosis in patients with NSTE-ACS.

Methods

We included patients with NSTE-ACS confirmed by ischaemic ECG changes and/or elevated biomarkers of myocardial ischaemia, in whom ICA was feasible within 12 hours. Patients were randomised 1:1 to ICA within 12 hours (Very Early) or 48–72 hours (Standard) and CCTA was conducted prior to ICA. The primary endpoint was the ability of CCTA to rule out significant coronary artery stenosis (≥50% stenosis) expressed as the negative predictive value (NPV) using ICA as the reference standard. The VERDICT trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02061891.

Results

CCTA was conducted in 1023 patients – Very Early, 2.5 (IQR 1.8, 4.2) hours, N=583 and Standard, 59.9 (IQR 38.9, 86.7) hours, N=440 after establishment of the diagnosis. Significant coronary stenosis was found by ICA in 67.4% of the patients. NPV of CCTA (95% CI) was 90.9% (86.8%-94.1%) and the positive predictive value, sensitivity and specificity were 87.9% (85.3–90.1%), 96.5 (94.9–97.8%) and 72.4 (67.2–77.1%), respectively. False negative patients (24/1023, 2.3%) mostly had lesions in coronary segments with a luminal diameter ≤2.5 mm. NPV was not influenced by patient characteristics or clinical risk profile, including abnormal cardiac troponin, ischaemic ECG changes, or a GRACE risk score>140. CCTA accuracy parameters were similar in Very Early and the Standard strategy group.

Conclusions

First-line CCTA may be used to rule out clinically significant coronary artery disease in patients with NSTE-ACS and thus potentially guide patient management.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study was funded by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology, and Innovation and the Danish Council for Strategic Research (grant no. 09–066994)
87Effects of the chymase inhibitor fulacimstat on adverse cardiac remodelling after acute myocardial infarction - Results of the CHIARA MIA 2 trial
Authors: Duengen H D , Kim R J , Zahger D , Orvin K , Admon D , Kettner J , Shimony A , Otto C , Becka M , Kanefendt F , Iniguez Romo A , Hasin T , Ostadal P , Calvo Rojas G , Senni M
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Adverse cardiac remodelling represents the most important risk factor for the development of heart failure (HF) after myocardial infarction (MI). Chymase is a protease that generates locally pro-fibrotic factors such as angiotensin II, TGFβ, and matrixmetallproteases that contribute to tissue remodelling.

Purpose

This phase IIa study examined the effects of the chymase inhibitor fulacimstat on functional parameters of adverse cardiac remodelling after acute MI.

Methods

A double-blind, multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed in patients after first STEMI who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention within 24h of symptom onset. To enrich for patients at risk of adverse remodelling, main inclusion criteria were a left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≤45% and an infarct size>10% on day 5 to 9 post MI as measured by cardiac MRI. On day 6 to 12 post MI, patients were randomized to treatment with either 25 mg fulacimstat (n=54) or placebo (n=53) twice daily on top of standard of care. The changes in LVEF, LVEDVI, and LVESVI from baseline to 6 months of treatment were analyzed by a central blinded cardiac MRI core laboratory.

Results

Fulacimstat was safe and well tolerated, 64.8% of patients treated with fulacimstat and 75.5% of patients treated with placebo reported treatment emergent adverse events. Fulacimstat achieved exposures that were approximately 10-fold higher than those predicted to be required for minimal therapeutic activity. After six months of treatment, there were no effects of fulacimstat compared to placebo on the changes in LVEF, LVEDVI, and LVESVI (see Table).

Analysis of primary efficacy parameters Parameter Placebo Fulacimstat p-value LVEF (%) baseline 37.2±6.1 39.1±5.5 0.15 6 months 41.2±8.4 42.6±8.4 0.45 delta 4.0±5.0 3.5±5.4 0.69 LVEDVI (mL/m2) baseline 80.0±17.1 77.4±18.2 0.51 6 months 85.1±19.1 84.7±23.4 0.94 delta 5.1±18.9 7.3±13.3 0.54 LVESVI (mL/m2) baseline 50.5±13.0 47.3±12.3 0.26 6 months 51.1±16.9 49.6±18.1 0.71 delta 0.6±14.8 2.3±11.2 0.56 Data are given as mean ± standard deviation.

Conclusion

Fulacimstat was safe and well tolerated in patients with left-ventricular dysfunction (LVD) after first STEMI but had no effect on adverse cardiac remodelling in the experimental setting of this study.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The study was funded by its sponsor BAYER AG
107Diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography for the identification of in-stent fibroatheroma following stent implantation: an ex-vivo histological validation study
Authors: Shibutani H , Fujii K , Kawakami R , Imanaka T , Kawai K , Hirota S , Shiojima I
Published: October 2019

Background

Previous histopathological studies have demonstrated that new atherosclerotic formation within the neointima, called neoatherosclerosis, is one of the most important mechanisms leading to both very late in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis after stent implantation. Therefore, to distinguish lipid-containing atherosclerotic neointima from other tissues using intracoronary imaging modalities is clinically important to prevent late stent failures.

Purpose

This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the detection of “in-stent fibroatheroma” following stent implantation by comparing cross-sections of the model with the corresponding histological images.

Methods

Fifty stented coronary arteries from the 31 autopsy hearts were imaged by OCT. Coronary arterial histopathological specimens, all of which included more than 30% of %neointimal hyperplasia, were compared with the corresponding OCT cross-sections. Histological in-stent fibroatheroma was defined as neointima containing large necrotic core and inflammatory cells. OCT-derived in-stent fibroatheroma comprised a low-intensity tissue containing a poorly delineated region with invisible stent strut behind low signal intensity.

Results

A total of 122 OCT cross-sections were compared with histological images. OCT examination revealed that 24 images (20%) contained low-intensity tissue inside the neointima. Of those, 5 images, in which stent strut behind low signal intensity was invisible, were diagnosed as OCT-derived in-stent fibroatheroma (4%) (Figure A). By histological analysis, only 4 images were classified as in-stent fibroatheroma (3%) (Figure B). With histology as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall diagnostic accuracy for OCT-derived in-stent fibroatheroma were 100%, 99%, 80%, 100%, and 99%, respectively. The only histological finding underlying the false-positive-diagnosis of OCT-derived in-stent fibroatheroma was foam cells accumulation without necrotic core on the neointimal surface (Figure C and D). Most tissue that showed low-intensity tissue with visible stent strut by OCT contained proteoglycan matrix and organized thrombus in the absence of an underlying necrotic core.

Coregistration of OCT with histology

Conclusion

This study showed the potential capability of OCT based on the visualization of stent struts behind low-intensity regions for discriminating in-stent fibroatheroma from other neointimal tissues following stent implantation.
192Effect of dapagliflozin on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes according to baseline renal function and albuminuria status: Insights from DECLARE-TIMI 58
Authors: Zelniker T A , Raz I , Mosenzon O , Dwyer J P , Heerspink H J L , Cahn A , Im K , Bhatt D L , Leiter L A , McGuire D K , Wilding J P H , Gause-Nilsson I A M , Langkilde A M , Sabatine M S , Wiviott S D
Published: October 2019

Background

Renal dysfunction including both reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the presence of albuminuria have each been shown to predict cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), which promote glucose excretion in the kidneys, reduce CV events and hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Purpose

To analyze the CV efficacy of dapagliflozin according to baseline renal function and albuminuria status in DECLARE-TIMI 58.

Methods

The DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial compared dapagliflozin vs. placebo in 17,160 patients with T2DM and a creatinine clearance >60 ml/min/1.73m2 at enrollment. The dual primary endpoints were CV death/HHF and MACE (MI, stroke, CV death). We categorized patients according baseline eGFR [<60 vs. ≥60 ml/min/1.73m2 according to the CKD-EPI formula] and urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) [<30 vs. ≥30 mg/g]. Cox regression models with interaction testing were applied. The Gail-Simon test was used to test for interaction of the absolute risk differences.

Results

In total, 5198 (30.3%) patients had albuminuria (UACR 30–300: n=4029; UACR >300: n=1169) and 1265 (7.4%) had an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73m2. Accordingly, 10958 (63.9%) patients had no manifestation of CKD, 5367 (31.3%) had either an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73m2 or albuminuria, and 548 (3.2%) patients had both manifestations. Patients with more abnormal markers had higher event rates for CV death/HHF (KM event rates at 4 years of 3.9%, 8.3%, 17.4%) and MACE (7.5%, 11.7%, and 18.9%) for no, 1, or 2 markers of CKD, respectively. The relative risk reductions for CV death/HHF and MACE were generally consistent across the subgroups (both P-interaction >0.29), though numerically greatest (42%) in patients with reduced eGFR and albuminuria. However, the absolute risk difference increased substantially in patients with greater kidney damage (absolute risk difference of CV death/HHF: −0.5%, −1.0%, and −8.3%, respectively; P-INT for ARD 0.002; Figure). See figure for MACE and component outcomes.

Conclusions

Patients with baseline renal disease had higher rates of adverse CV outcomes. Dapagliflozin reduced events with generally consistent relative risk, but reduced the absolute risk of CVD/HHF by the greatest amount in patients with kidney disease evidenced by both reduced eGFR and albuminuria.

Acknowledgement/Funding

AstraZeneca, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (ZE 1109/1-1)