bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impaired health status is independently associated with persistently elevated NT-proBNP levels despite medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Chaikijurajai T , Tang W.H.W 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Impaired health status as measured by standardized tools such as Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and six-minute walk test (6MWT) has been shown to predict hospitalization and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. However, prognostic implications of these measurements in response to guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remained to be elucidated.

Purpose
We hypothesized that impaired health status were predictive of persistently elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) after 6 and 12 months of therapeutic optimization in HFrEF.

Methods
Data on the GUIDE-IT trial that included protocolized HFrEF drug titration were analyzed. Patients who did not have NT-proBNP at 12 months were excluded. KCCQ overall and clinical summary scores, and DASI scores at baseline and 6 months were calculated. Six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance at baseline were also available. Response to medical therapy was defined as having NT-proBNP at 12 months of less than 1,000 pg/mL. Median value of each measurement was used as a cutoff. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent associations between different QOL scores and NT-proBNP response after adjustment for age, comorbidities, baseline EF, NYHA functional class, and NT-proBNP.

Results
There were 193 (43%) responders. Compared with those who responded to the medical therapy, non-responders were older, and more likely to have comorbidities including coronary artery disease, stroke, PAD, AF, hypertension, COPD, DM, CKD, and dyslipidemia, as well as lower EF, NHYA functional class and higher baseline NT-proBNP. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, lower KCCQ (either overall or summary) scores at baseline and 6 months, and lower DASI scores at 6 months (but not baseline) were independently associated with lower likelihood of response to GDMT (Table). In contrast, baseline 6MWT distance did not predict non-response to GDMT after adjustments.

Conclusions
Only impaired baseline KCCQ scores were predictive of persistently elevated NT-proBNP, while lower KCCQ and DASI scores at 6 month were predictive of persistently elevated NT-proBNP.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Health Status Score below Median and ORs
Ticagrelor monotherapy versus dual anti-platelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a subgroup analysis of safety in multiple comorbidities
Authors: Patel M M , Zerihun K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The TICO trial evaluated the effectiveness of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3 months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) versus continued DAPT and measured the risk of major bleeding and adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events at 12 months, however there are certain subgroups such as the elderly that have higher bleeding risks than the average population.

Objective
To determine if specific comorbidities or patient demographics increase the risks of major bleeding or major cardiac/cerebrovascular events in patients receiving ticagrelor monotherapy versus aspirin plus ticagrelor in patients post percutaneous coronary intervention with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods
This was a post-hoc subgroup analysis of multiple cohorts (Age, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and obesity) from the TICO (The ticagrelor monotherapy after 3 months in the patients treated with new generation sirolimus stent for acute coronary syndrome) study. The co-primary outcomes that were measured were major bleeding events and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

Results
Compared to DAPT, ticagrelor monotherapy significantly decreases risk of major bleeding events in patients &gt;65 (HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.24–0.95), without diabetes (HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.25–0.94), without CKD (HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.25–0.95), and non-obese (HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25–0.95). Ticagrelor monotherapy also decreases risk of major cardiac and cerebrovascular events in patients &gt;65 (HR 0.52; 95% CI 0.29–0.95) compared to DAPT.

Conclusion
This post-hoc subgroup analysis reveals that, in certain populations, ticagrelor monotherapy after a three month DAPT course significantly decreases risk of major bleeding events and major cardiac and cerebrovascular outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome. This is especially seen in the elderly population where risks of adverse events are higher. Nonetheless, larger studies need to be performed for further analysis.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Comparative efficacy of fibrinolytics and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in preventing coronary no-reflow: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Hofbauer F , Stibleichinger M , Wendt J , Klappacher G 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Coronary no-reflow is a potentially lethal complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The optimal approach to preserve coronary reflow during primary PCI is still controversial.

Purpose
Therefore, we aimed to compare and rank the adjunctive use of fibrinolytic agents and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors by network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Methods
Pairwise and network meta-analysis were performed using the random-effects model within a frequentist framework. The primary outcome was coronary TIMI flow grade immediately following the intervention.

Results
82 studies with a total of 20666 participants were identified, including 7 multi-arm studies. This enabled 94 pairwise comparisons of 35 different adjunctive anticoagulant regimens, all administered in the context of primary PCI. Overall, risk of bias in these studies was rated moderate, and heterogeneity was low with a global I2 value of 20.8%. The figure shows the ranking of the interventions in relation to no adjunctive treatment (NON) and placebo (PLA). In particular, Tirofiban (TIR) alone or in combination with Adenosin (ADE) Nicorandil (NIC) was effective in preventing coronary no-reflow. The route of its administration, intravenous (IV) vs intracoronary (IC), did not matter much. However, its timing as an early IV injection upstream of primary PCI was not beneficial. Eptifibatide (EPT) given as IC bolus followed by continuous IV infusion had an effect comparable to TIR, as well as, among the fibrinolytics, Pamiteplase (PAM) given IV and Urokinase (URO) given IC.

Conclusions
This comprehensive comparison of fibrinolytics and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors demonstrates that TIR, EPT, PAM, and URO can effectively and equally prevent coronary no-reflow in primary PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Bioabsorbable vascular scaffolds in routine practice: long-term results
Authors: Mori R M , Nunez I N G 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Recent publications suggest that bioabsorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) carry an excess of thrombotic complications. Our goal was to describe the results in real life and in the long term, in a series of patients who received a BVS which is currently off the market.

Methods
Two hundred and thirteen consecutive patients who received at least 1 BVS between May 2012 and December 2016 were analyzed. The primary objective was the incidence of the compound event “target vessel failure” that included infarction or target vessel revascularization and cardiac death.

Results
Seventy-five percent of patients were men with a mean age of 61.4 years. They had a high prevalence of dyslipidemia (62.44%) and smoking (65.26%). The most common cause of admission was myocardial infarction without ST elevation (53.52%). A total of 233 coronary lesions were treated, with an average of 1.3±0.3 lesions per patient. The implant was successful in 99.5% of cases. Predilatation was performed in 89.3% and post dilation in 33.5% of cases. The use of intracoronary imaging (Optical Coherence Tomography OCT and/or Intravascular ultrasonography IVUS) to optimize the BVS implant was performed in 86 patients (40.38%). With a mean follow-up of 42.5 months, the incidence of target vessel failure was 6.57% during the first 24 months and 7.98% at the end of the follow-up. Regarding the device, this included 6 cases (2.81%) of thrombosis (definitive, probable or possible) and 10 cases (4.69%) of restenosis. Patients with a history of diabetes mellitus (HR 1.72 95% CI 1.01–2.95 P=0,05) and/or chronic oral anticoagulation (HR 5.71 95% CI 1.12–28.94 P=0.04) had a higher risk of target vessel failure. The use of intracoronary imaging (OCT and/or IVUS) during the BVS implantation had a considerable trend toward significance as a protective factor (HR 0.32 95% CI 0.11–1.03 P=0.06).

Conclusions
In this series of patients; in real life conditions, the incidence of target vessel failure was comparable to that previously described in randomized clinical trials. The events were more frequent during the first 2 years of follow-up, in the presence of greater cardiovascular comorbidity and in the absence of intracoronary imaging during the implantation.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): European Society of Cardiology KM curve for target vessel failure (TVF)Predictor analysis for TVF
The impact of bifurcation lesion in infarct-related artery of NSTE-ACS patients
Authors: Boukerche F , Zouli L , Laredj N 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Angioplasty of bifurcation lesions remains challenging. In most studies, long-term outcomes were less favourable compared to non-bifurcation lesions. Patients with bifurcation lesions were excluded from most of the randomised studies of AMI.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic impact of bifurcation lesion on three-year outcome in a prospective cohort of NSTE-ACS patients.
Bifurcation lesions (BFLs) remain a challenging lesion subset, often associated with lower success rates than less complex lesions. There are few data regarding the impact of BFLs in the setting of NSTE-ACS.

Methods
Patients admitted for NSTE-ACS and indication for coronary angiography were prospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether infarct-related-artery lesions were vs. were not a bifurcation lesion. Major outcomes were assessed at 3 years.

Results
A total of 296 patients were evaluated: mean age was 62±12 years and 58% were male. The three-year mortality was 12.2% (36 patients) and the three-year MACCE was 26.4% (78 patients). The bifurcation lesion group included 62 patients (20.9%).The three-year mortality and MACCE in the patients of the bifurcation lesion group was significantly higher (19.4% vs. 10.3%; p=0.046) and (45.2% vs. 21.4%; p≤10–3) respectively.

Conclusion
In NSTE-ACS, bifurcation lesions portend worse prognosis. This may guide prognostication and decision making in treatment.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. MACCE occurrence: Bifurcation impact
Radioprotection during interventional cardiology procedures
Authors: Noval-Morillas I , Canadas-Pruano D , Izaga E , Gutierrez-Barrios A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The use of ionizing radiation during cardiac catheterization interventions adversely impacts both the patients and the medical staff. Traditional radiation protection equipment is only partially effective. The Cathpax® radiation protection cabin (RPC) has demonstrated to significantly reduce radiation exposure in electrophysiological and neuroradiology interventions. Our objective was to analyze whether the Cathpax® RPC reduces radiation dose in coronary and cardiac structural interventions in unselected real-world procedures.

Methods and results
In this non-randomized all-comers prospective study, 119 consecutive cardiac interventional procedures were alternatively divided into two groups: the RPC group (n=59) and the non-RPC group (n=60). No significant changes in patients and procedures characteristics, average contrast volume, air kerma (AK), dose area-product (PDA) and fluoroscopy time between both groups were apparent. In RPC group, the first operator relative radiation exposure was reduced by 78% at the chest and by 70% at the wrist. This effect was consistent during different types of procedures including complex percutaneous interventions and structural procedures.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrates, for the first time, that the Cathpax® cabin significantly and efficiently reduces relative operator radiation exposure during different types of interventional procedures, confirming its feasibility in a real-world setting.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
A comparison of long-term clinical outcomes between PCI and medical therapy in patients with chronic total occlusion in non-Infarct-related arteries after AMI PCI
Authors: Qin Q , Ma J , Ge J 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-infarct-related artery (IRA) is one of the risk factors for mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, there are limited data comparing the long-term outcomes of patients underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (s-PCI) with patients having medical therapy (MT) in CTO lesion after AMI PCI.

Methods
We retrospectively enrolled 330 patients (n=166 in s-PCI group and n=164 in MT group) with CTO in a non-IRA from a total of 4372 patients who underwent PCI after AMI from July 2011 to July 2019 in our center (Figure 1). Propensity matching (119 matched pairs) was used to adjust for baseline differences. Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) on follow-up were defined as the composite of cardiac death, all cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and any revascularization. Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate the long-term outcomes between s-PCI and MT group.

Results
The patients in MT group were older, more likely to be diagnosed as STEMI, had lower eGFR and higher peak troponin T level during AMI compared with s-PCI group. Furthermore, in MT group, the involvement of LAD as IRA (50.6% vs 38.6%, p=0.028) and LCX as CTO vessel (45.1% vs 27.1%, p=0.001) was more frequent than in s-PCI group, and thus the involvement of LAD as CTO vessel was less frequent (28.9% vs 39.8%, p&lt;0.001). During a median follow-up period of 946 days, patients in s-PCI group had significantly lower incidences of cardiac death (3.0% vs 10.4%, p=0.017) and all cause death (5.4% vs 14.0%, p=0.030) when compared with patients in MT group. Moreover, after PSM, patients in s-PCI group still showed lower incidence of cardiac death (2.5% vs 9.2%, p=0.04). The incidence of MI, stroke, revascularization and MACCE showed no significant difference between the two groups both before and after PSM. In multivariate analysis, age (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.10, p=0.003) and LVEF&lt;50% (HR 4.71, 95% CI 1.72–12.90, p=0.003) showed significant correlation with long term cardiac death, however, successful CTO PCI showed borderline significance (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.15–1.16, p=0.095). In subgroup analysis, Kaplan–Meier curve showed s-PCI group had a lower incidence of cardiac death compared with MT in patients with LVEF&lt;50% both before (p=0.011) and after PSM (p=0.045). However, no difference was observed between two groups in patients with LVEF≥50%.

Conclusions
In our center, s-PCI of CTO in non-IRA after AMI PCI showed better long-term cardiac survival as compared with MT. Moreover, patients with low LVEF may be benefit from CTO PCI in non-IRA.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Flow chart of the studyKaplan-Meier analysis between two groups
The bimodal rise and fall acute coronary syndromes curves paralleling COVID-19 outbreaks
Authors: Trabattoni D , Teruzzi G , Ravagnani P M , Santagostino Baldi G , Montorsi P , Calligaris G , Galli S , Bartorelli A L 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Preliminary reports from the early phase of COVID-19 epidemic in Italy reported a dramatic reduction in hospital admission rates for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) coupled with longer times from symptoms onset to hospital presentation.

Purpose
To assess the impact of COVID-19 on hospital admission rates and ACS patterns, as well as time to presentation and clinical outcomes, following the acute pandemic phase in 2020 compared to previous year.

Methods
We conducted a single institution retrospective analysis conducted in a cardiovascular hub serving a large metropolitan area in Italy. Number and monthly distribution of hospital admissions for ACS from January 1 to December 31, 2020 were compared to the respective figures in 2019. Baseline clinical features, time from symptoms onset to hospital admission and main clinical outcomes were collected.

Results
A total of 599 ACS cases were recorded in 2020 vs. 386 cases in 2019, with a net 55% increase. ACS presentation rate in 2020 showed a bimodal pattern, paralleling the most contagious outbreak periods (Figure 1). SARS-CoB-2 nasopharyngeal swab or specific antibody tests were positive in 34 (5.7%) patients. Time from symptoms onset to hospital presentation tended to be longer in 2020 than in 2019, being two-fold longer during the peak epidemic phase (February 21-May 3, 2020; median time 2.0 vs. 5.0 hours, p=0.030). The proportion of late-presenting STEMI (&gt;8 hrs from symptoms onset) was higher in 2020 compared to 2019 (30% vs. 18%, p=0.003),as well as higher was in-hospital mortality (15% in 2020 vs 6% in 2019, p=0.001), partly due to a three-fold increase in cardiogenic shock on ACS presentation.

Conclusions
ACS admission rate significantly increased during the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic outbreak for several reasons only partially explained by a SARS-CoV-2 infection trigger effect on ACS. Longer presentation times and higher rates of cardiogenic shock and mortality were observed, urging the need health-care systems to keep a high priority on cardiovascular emergencies response networks.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1
Improved cardiac outcomes by early treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in becker muscular dystrophy
Authors: Motte L , Stalens C , Behin A , Ben Yaou R , Leturcq F , Bassez G , Laforet P , Fontaine B , Ederhy S , Masingue M , Saadi M , Leonard Louis S , Berber N , Duboc D , Wahbi K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
The latest practice guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association recommend the prescription of an ACE-i for patients presenting with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy when left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) falls below 40%.

Objective
To determine if the initiation of treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-i) earlier than recommended by practice guidelines issued by professional societies improves the long-term cardiac outcomes of patients presenting with Becker muscular dystrophy (MD) cardiomyopathy.

Methods
From a multicenter registry of Becker MD, we selected retrospectively patients presenting between January 1990 and April 2019 with a LVEF ≥40 and ≤49%. We used a propensity score analysis to compare the risk of a) hospitalization for management of heart failure (HF), and b) a decrease in LVEF to &lt;35% in patients who received an ACE-i when LVEF fell below 40% (conventional treatment), versus below 50% (early treatment).

Results
From the 183 patients entered in our registry, we identified 85 whose LVEF was between 40 and 49%, 51 of whom received early and 34 received conventional ACE-i treatment. Among patients with early versus conventional treatments, 2 (3.9%) versus 4 (11.8%) were hospitalized for management of HF [hazard ratio (HR) 0.151; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.028 to 0.822; p=0.029], and 9 (17.6%) versus 10 (29.4%) had a decrease in LVEF below 35% (HR 0.290; 95% CI 0.121 to 0.694; p=0.005).

Conclusions
The long-term cardiac outcome of patients presenting with Becker MD was significantly better when treatment with ACE-i was introduced after a decrease in LVEF below 50%, instead of below 40% as recommended in the current practice guidelines issued by professional societies.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Study EndpointsCardiovascular events during follow-up
The coronary arteries in adults after arterial switch: a systematic review
Authors: Engele L J , Mulder B J M , Schoones J W , Kies P , Egorova A D , Vliegen H W , Hazekamp M G , Bouma B J , Jongbloed M R M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Coronary artery status in adults longterm after the arterial switch operation (ASO) is unclear. As a consequence, current follow-up strategies for coronary assessment remain controversial. We conducted a systemic review to provide an overview of coronary complications during adulthood and to evaluate the value of coronary imaging in adults after ASO, in light of current guidelines.

Material and method
Studies describing coronary complications or coronary imaging after ASO in adults were considered eligible for review and analysis. Articles were screened for the inclusion of adult ASO patients and data on coronary complications and findings of coronary imaging were collected. In cohort studies with both adults (≥18 years) and non-adults (&lt;18 years) only outcomes in identifiable adults were analyzed.

Results
A total of 993 adults were followed with a median follow-up of 2.0 years after reaching adulthood. Myocardial ischemia was suspected in 16/192 patients (6.8%). The number of coronary interventions was 4 (0.4%) and coronary death was reported in 4 (0.4%) patients. The following coronary abnormalities were found by routine coronary computer tomography CT (cCT): stenosis (4%), acute angle (40%), kinking (24%) and interaterial course (11%). No coronary events were reported during pregnancy (n=45).

Conclusion
The reported number of coronary interventions (0.4%) and of coronary death (0.4%) during a median follow-up of 2 years in 993 ASO adults is low. Coronary abnormalities including acute angle, kinking and interarterial course were commonly found by cCT. The 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines state that routine screening for coronary pathologies is questionable. However, based on current findings and in line with the 2018 American ACC/AHA guidelines we suggest a baseline assessment of the coronary arteries in all adult ASO patients. Thereafter, an individualized coronary follow-up strategy, based upon coronary findings, is advisable.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Hartstichting Freedom from coronary complications