bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Troponin to risk stratify patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome for computed tomography coronary angiography
Authors: Lee K , Bularga A , O'Brien R , Ferry A , Doudesis D , Fujisawa T , Stewart S , Wereski R , Cranley D , Van Beek E , Lowe D , Newby D E , Williams M C , Gray A J , Mills N L 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome in whom myocardial infarction has been ruled-out are at risk of future adverse cardiac events. However, the optimal approach to risk stratify and investigate these patients is uncertain.

Methods
We performed a prospective cohort study of 250 patients presenting to the Emergency Department with suspected acute coronary syndrome and troponin concentrations below the sex-specific 99th centile (16 ng/L for women and 34 ng/L for men). Patients were recruited in a 2:1 fashion stratified by peak high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I concentration above and below the early rule-out threshold of 5 ng/L (167 patients with intermediate troponin concentrations between 5 ng/L and the sex-specific 99th centile threshold and 83 patients with troponin concentrations &lt;5 ng/L). All patients underwent computed tomography coronary angiography after they were discharged from hospital.

Results
Overall, 37.6% (94/250) of patients had normal coronary arteries whilst 36.0% (90/250) and 26.4% (66/250) had non-obstructive and obstructive coronary artery disease, respectively. Patients with intermediate troponin concentrations were more likely to have coronary artery disease than those with troponin concentrations &lt;5 ng/L (71.9% [120/167] versus 43.4% [36/83]; odds ratio 3.33 [95% confidence interval 1.92–5.78]). This association persisted irrespective of whether patients had anginal symptoms. Conversely, there was no difference in the prevalence of coronary artery disease between those with and without anginal symptoms (63.2% [67/106] and versus 61.8% [89/144]; odds ratio 0.92 [0.48–1.76]). The majority of patients found to have coronary artery disease did not have a prior diagnosis and were not on optimal preventative medical therapy prior to undergoing computed tomography coronary angiography (50.8% [61/120] and 61.0% [22/36], versus 61.7% [74/120] and 69.4% [25/36] in patients with intermediate versus low troponin concentrations, respectively).

Conclusions
In patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome who have myocardial infarction ruled out, those with intermediate cardiac troponin concentrations are three-times more likely to have coronary artery disease than those with low troponin concentrations. Conversely anginal symptoms did not discriminate between those with and without coronary artery disease. Further studies are required to determine if targeting computed tomography coronary angiography to those with intermediate cardiac troponin concentrations can improve the use of preventative medical therapies and clinical outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The British Heart Foundation Odds ratio of coronary artery diseaseCumulative proportion with CAD
Association between non-wire based computational angiography fractional flow reserve treatment threshold and major adverse cardiac events in patients with stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Lam L Y , Leung C K L , Li K Y , Wu M Z , Ren Q W , Li H L , Yu S S Y , Tse Y K , Yu A S Y , Wong P F , Tse H F , Feng Y , Huo Y , Yiu K H 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Despite class IA guideline recommendations, the use of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in guiding percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients remains low due to limitations including the need of guidewire placement and hyperaemic stimulus. A novel non-invasive index, computational pressure-flow dynamics derived FFR (caFFR), was developed for measuring functional myocardial ischemia and overcoming the limitations of FFR. However, the clinical relevance of caFFR remains to be investigated. In the present study, we aim at evaluating the prognostic value of caFFR among stable CAD patients.

Methods
We retrospectively included patients with stable CAD who underwent coronary angiography during 2014–2016 at our center. Based on the caFFR value, patients were considered to be ischemic (caFFR ≤0.8) and non-ischemic (caFFR &gt;0.8). Further, we recombined the patients to form the adherence cohort, where patients were defined as adherent-to-caFFR if they were ischemic with PCI or non-ischemic without PCI, and nonadherent-to-caFFR if they were ischemic without PCI or non-ischemic with PCI. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and any revascularization. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to account for treatment selection bias (PCI vs without PCI, or adherent vs non-adherent), and Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the association with MACE.

Results
A total of 1322 patients, 782 patients in the ischemic cohort and 540 patients in the non-ischemic cohort respectively, were included in our analysis. PCI was associated with a lower risk of MACE in the ischemic cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34–0.80; P=0.002), but was not associated with MACE in the non-ischemic cohort. In the adherence cohort, adherent-to-caFFR group (n=803) had a lower risk of MACE compared with nonadherent-to-caFFR group (n=566) (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44–0.85; P=0.003).

Conclusion
Our study is the first to demonstrate the prognostic value of caFFR, a non-wire based assessment of myocardial ischemia, in patients with stable CAD undergoing PCI. These findings support the use of caFFR that bears the potential of a wider adoption compared with wire-based FFR through a reduction in procedure time, risk and costs.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Weighted Kaplan-Meier curvesWeighted Cox proportional hazards model
Discordance between plain coronary angiography and quantitative flow ratio in revascularization guidance
Authors: Oikonomou D , Gkini K P , Terentes-Printzios D , Gardikioti V , Dima I , Solomou E , Xydis P , Laina A , Aznaouridis K , Tsioufis K , Vlachopoulos C 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background/Introduction
Functional coronary stenosis severity has been associated with less clinical adverse events compared with plain invasive coronary angiography in guiding revascularization. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) has proven to be a reliable tool of functional assessment of coronary lesions.

Purpose
To investigate the level of agreement between plain coronary angiography and QFR in guiding the decision to treat a coronary lesion.

Methods
We retrospectively performed an offline QFR analysis in consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography in a single center. Patients with referral for coronary artery bypass graft surgery were excluded. We aimed to measure QFR in all vessels of each patient. All vessels with calculated QFR were divided into four groups based on whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed and on the QFR result with a cut-off point &lt;0.8 indicating revascularization: Group A (PCI+, QFR &lt;0.8); group B (PCI−, QFR &gt;0.8); group C (PCI+, QFR &gt;0.8); group D (PCI−, QFR &lt;0.8) (Figure 1).

Results
We identified 785 patients with available coronary angiography satisfying the technical requirements of QFR software. QFR measurement in at least one vessel was feasible in 546 patients (70%). Mean age was 65.6 (±10.9) and 80% of patients were male. Acute coronary syndrome was the indication for coronary angiography in 36% of the cohort. QFR was calculated in 1193 vessels (∼51% of total vessels). In particular, QFR analysis was feasible in 448 (57%) left anterior descending (LAD), 457 (58%) left circumflex (LCX), and 288 (37%) right coronary arteries (RCA) coronary arteries. The most common reason for inability to calculate QFR was the absence of appropriate projections (30% of the missing cases). A mismatch in treatment strategy between coronary angiography and QFR result was detected in 151 (12.7%) vessels. In 78 (6.6%) cases PCI was performed while QFR was measured above 0.8 (group C). In 73 (6.1%) cases PCI was not performed while QFR was measured below 0.8 (Group D) (Figure 1). Among mismatch cases LAD was more likely to fall within group D whereas RCA was more often related with group C.

Conclusion
Discordance between plain coronary angiography and quantitative flow ratio regarding the decision to perform or to defer PCI was found in a relatively high proportion among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Prognostic evidence is warranted to determine the clinical significance of the mismatch between the two methods.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1
Is colchicine safe for cardiovascular indications?
Authors: Imazio M , Andreis A , Piroli F , Casula M , Paneva E , Avondo S , De Ferrari G M 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Colchicine has an emerging role in the cardiovascular field (e.g. acute and chronic coronary syndromes, pericarditis, atrial fibrillation), although, concerns for side effects, especially gastrointestinal, may limit its prescription.

Aims
We aimed at evaluating reported side effects of colchicine for cardiovascular indications.

Methods
We performed a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials on colchicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to assess the risk of adverse events and drug withdrawal. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger test, and meta-regression was performed to assess sources of heterogeneity.

Results
Among 14 188 patients, 7136 patients received colchicine while the other 7052 received placebo. The occurrence of any adverse event with colchicine was reported in 15.3 vs. 13.9% patients [relative risk (RR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–1.64, P=0.09, see figure]. Gastrointestinal events were reported in 16.1 vs. 12.2% (RR 2.16, 95% CI 1.50–3.12, P&lt;0.001), while diarrhoea was reported in 12.5 vs. 8.1% (RR 2.77, 95% CI 1.55–4.94, P&lt;0.001). The risk of gastrointestinal events increased with daily dose and shorter treatment duration. Myalgias were observed in 21 vs. 18% patients (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02–1.32, P=0.03). Other adverse events such as myotoxicity, hepatic adverse events, hematologic adverse events, cutaneous adverse events, infection or death were not increased by colchicine treatment. Colchicine discontinuation was reported in 4.8 vs. 3.4% patients (RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.20–1.99, P&lt;0.001).

Conclusions
Colchicine is associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal events and myalgias, but not of other adverse events. The risk of gastrointestinal events may be avoided with lower dose (0.5 mg/daily) and is inversely related to treatment duration, possibly due to early drug discontinuation or drug tolerance.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Comparison of CABG and PCI in NSTE-ACS patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease
Authors: Li T , Yuan J 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Evidence is lacking on the choice between coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the specific setting of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), especially for complex cases with three-vessel coronary artery disease (TVD).

Purpose
To compare PCI and CABG in NSTE-ACS patients with TVD; to explore effects of age and sex on outcomes of different revascularisation strategies.

Methods
The present study was a post hoc analysis of data from a single-centre prospective cohort of 8,943 patients with TVD [(angiographically confirmed stenosis of ≥50% in all three main epicardial coronary arteries (left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right coronary arteries), with or without left main lesion]. Patients were consecutively enrolled from April 2004 to February 2011 to evaluate their prognosis after receiving three different treatments. The study contained 2,812 patients (PCI, n=1,559; CABG, n=1,253) after excluding 1,489 with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 3,532 with stable coronary artery disease, and 1,110 receiving conservative treatment.
The patients were divided into three age groups and two sex groups. Subgroup analyses were performed according to presence of diabetes, pre-procedural synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score, and presence of left main lesion. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction and stroke.

Results
During a median follow-up of 6.7 years, the risk of MACCE was significantly lower after CABG than after PCI in all patients (HR=0.6764, 95% CI: 0.5528–0.8277), two younger age groups (&lt;65 years: HR=0.6617, 95% CI: 0.4947–0.8852; 65–74 years: HR=0.6997, 95% CI: 0.5124, 0.9556), and male (HR=0.6682, 95% CI: 0.5263–0.8482) (Figure 1). No significant interaction between age and revascularization strategies was observed, neither was it between sex and revascularization strategies. Notably, compared with PCI, CABG was associated with significantly higher risk of MACCE in women ≥75 years of age (HR=3.2716, 95% CI: 1.4213–7.5308, interaction p with sex=0.0007, interaction p with age=0.0024). Effects of age and sex on outcomes of different revascularisation strategies remained neutral regardless of patients' diabetic status, pre-procedural SYNTAX score, and presence of left main lesion (Figure 2).

Conclusion
CABG is superior to PCI in terms of MACCE regardless of patients in most NSTE-ACS patients with TVD except women ≥75 years of age. However, we found no significant age- or sex-related difference in prognosis of CABG relative to PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Key Research and Development Program of China Figure 1. Cumulative incidence for MACCEFigure 2. HR of CABG relative to PCI
Associations between the PARIS ischaemic and bleeding risk scores and 1-year mortality in an all-comers Australian national PCI cohort
Authors: Chandrasekhar J , Chowdhury E , Eccleston D , Delacroix S , Worthley S 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Prediction scores can complement bedside clinical risk assessment in patients undergoing PCI.

Purpose
We sought to validate the PARIS ischaemic and bleeding risk scores in a national cohort of all-comer PCI patients in Australia, and to examine impact on 1-year mortality.

Methods
We retrospectively analysed the GenesisCare Outcomes multicentre Registry of prospectively collected data in patients undergoing PCI from 2008–2020. The ischaemic and bleeding scores were assessed in separate cohorts. Patients were included if all defining variables were available. The ischaemic integer score included diabetes, acute coronary syndrome, current smoking, GFR &lt;60ml/min, prior PCI or CABG, and patients were grouped according as low (0 to 2), intermediate (3 or 4), and high (≥5) thrombotic risk. The bleeding integer score included age, body mass index, current smoking, GFR &lt;60ml/min, anaemia and discharge on triple therapy after PCI, and patients were grouped as low (0 to 3), intermediate (4 to 7) and high (≥8) bleeding risk. One-year ischaemic and in-hospital bleeding endpoints were examined. Adjusted risk of 1-year mortality was assessed accounting for age, sex, family history, smoking, vascular disease, presentation status, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and dyslipidaemia.

Results
A total of 16,961 patients were included in the ischaemic risk cohort and 6431 patients in the bleeding risk cohort. The patient distributions by risk category for both scores are shown in the figure. Increasing ischaemic risk was associated with greater incidence of in-hospital (0.2% vs. 0.5% vs. 0.5%, p=0.01), and 1-year death (0.7% vs. 2.1% vs. 3.1%). Increasing bleeding risk was associated with greater in-hospital death (0.0% vs. 0.3% vs. 0.9%, p&lt;0.01) and bleeding (0.6% vs. 0.9% vs. 3.2%, p&lt;0.01), and greater 1-year death (0.3% vs. 1.4% vs. 2.8%, p&lt;0.01). At 1-year compared to the low bleeding risk group, high risk patients had lower use of aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors and statins. Similarly, compared to low ischaemic risk group, high-risk patients had lower use of aspirin and statins but higher use of P2Y12 inhibitors. With both risk scores, compared to low-risk patients, high-risk patients had significantly greater adjusted risk of 1-year mortality (See Figure).

Conclusions
The PARIS ischaemic and bleeding risk scores were associated with greater risk of in-hospital and medium-term adverse outcomes after PCI to 1-year. Prospective use of the scores can assist in guiding adherence to secondary prevention and optimal anti-thrombotic strategies to improve overall outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Platelet reactivity and immature platelets in patients with Covid-19
Authors: Cohen A , Harari E , Cipok M , Bryk G , Karp Lador N , Mann T , Mayo A , Lev E I 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is associated with high incidence of thromboembolic events, both venous and arterial. Currently, there are no clinical or laboratory markers to guide antithrombotic therapy in COVID-19 patients. Immature platelets represent a population of hyper-reactive platelets associated with arterial thrombotic events.

Objectives
To determine indices of immature platelets and platelet reactivity in Covid-19 patients.

Methods
This prospective study compared consecutive COVID-19 patients (n=47, median age = 56 years) to patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n=100, median age = 59 years) and a group of stable patients with cardiovascular risk factors (n=64, median age=68 years). Immature platelet fraction (IPF) and immature platelet count (IPC) were determined by the Sysmex XN-3000 auto-analyzer on admission and at subsequent time-points.

Results
IPF% on admission was higher in the Covid-19 group than the stable group and similar to the AMI group (4.8% [IQR 3.4–6.9], 3.5% [2.7–5.1], 4.55% [3.0–6.75], respectively, p=0.005 for Covid-19 vs. stable). IPC on admission was also higher in the Covid-19 group than the stable group and similar to the AMI group (10.8×109/L [8.3–18.1], 7.35×109/L [5.3–10.5], 10.7×109/L [7.7–16.8], respectively, P&lt;0.0001 for Covid-19 vs. stable). The maximal IPF% among the Covid-19 group was higher than the stable group and similar to the AMI group. The maximal IPC in the Covid-19 group was higher than the maximal IPC in both the stable and AMI groups (Covid-19: 14.4×109/L [9.4–20.9], AMI: 10.9×109/L [7.6–15.2], P=0.0035, Stable: 7.55×109/L [5.55–10.5], P&lt;0.0001).

Conclusions
Patients with Covid-19 have increased immature platelets indices compared to stable patients with cardiovascular risk factors, and as the disease progresses also compared to AMI patients. Enhanced platelet turnover and reactivity may, therefore, have a role in the development of thrombotic events in Covid-19 patients.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. IPF in COVID-19, AMI and stable groups
Association of quality indicators for acute myocardial infarction and mortality: feasibility and validation study using linked nationwide registry data
Authors: Aktaa S , Yadegarfar M E , Wu J , Rashid M , De Belder M , Deanfield J , Schiele F , Minchin M , Mamas M A , Gale C P 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Quality indicators (QIs) have been increasingly used as tools to assess and improve the quality of care for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, it is not known if it is feasible to use the 2020 iteration of international AMI QIs using routinely collected data and, if so, whether higher performance is associated with improved outcomes.

Objective
To investigate if routine data are available to measure care quality against the 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Association for Acute Cardiovascular Care (ACVC) QIs for AMI, investigate whether higher performance is associated with reduced mortality, and to report quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
Cohort study of linked data from the AMI and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registries in England and Wales with outcome data from the Civil Registration of Deaths Register between 2017 and 2020 (representing 236 743 patients from 186 hospitals). Baseline ischaemic risk was estimated using the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score. The likelihood of attainment for each QI based on GRACE risk was quantified using logistic regression and the association with mortality at 30 days, 6 months, 1 year and long-term (maximum 1243 days) was obtained from Cox proportional hazard models.

Results
Of 26 QIs, 17 (65.3%) could be directly measured using nationwide registry data and were each inversely associated with risk-adjusted 1-year and long-term mortality. At 30 days, the measured QIs with exception of early invasive coronary angiography for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, were associated with improved survival, and the QIs that had the greatest magnitude for a reduction in mortality were the prescription of secondary prevention medications at discharge; hazard ratio 0.13 (95% CI 0.12–0.14) for statins, 0.16 (95% CI 0.15–0.18) for adequate P2Y12 inhibition, and 0.18 (95% CI 0.17–0.20) for dual antiplatelet therapy (Figure 1). The magnitude of association between the composite QI (CQI) and survival attenuated over time, with greater long-term survival gains observed for the high GRACE risk compared with low- and intermediate-risk (Figure 2). During the first UK lockdown there was an improvement in the attainment for 62.5% of the measured QIs compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic, with a higher attainment for the CQI (43.8% to 45.2%, odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.10).

Conclusion
Care quality for AMI may be evaluated using routinely collected clinical data from the national registries, whereby higher performance is associated with reduced mortality. Such QIs will have a role in monitoring hospital care as demonstrated for COVID-19.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 2. QI association with long-term mortality