Surgical treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection after coronary artery stenting / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To retrospectively analyze the surgical treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection after coronary artery stenting, and to explore the surgical techniques and surgical indications. Methods    Clinical data of 1 246 consecutive patients who underwent operations on Stanford type A aortic dissection from April 2016 to July 2019 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection after coronary artery stenting were enrolled. Results    Finally 19 patients were collected, including 16 males and 3 females with an average age of 54±7 years ranging from 35 to 66 years. There were 11 patients in acute phase, 15 patients with AC (DeBakey Ⅰ) type and 4 patients with AS (DeBakey Ⅱ) type. In AC type, there were 10 patients receiving Sun's surgery and 5 patients partial arch replacement. Meanwhile, coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 7 patients and mitral valve replacement in 1 patient. Stents were removed from the right coronary artery in 4 patients. In this group, 1 patient died of multiple organ failure in hospital after operation combined with malperfusion of viscera. Eighteen patients recovered after treatment and were discharged from hospital. The patients were followed up for 30 (18-56) months. One patient underwent aortic pseudoaneurysm resection, one thoracic endovascular aortic repair, one emergency percutaneous coronary intervention due to left main artery stent occlusion, and one underwent femoral artery bypass due to iliac artery occlusion. Conclusion    Iatrogenic aortic dissection has a high probability of coronary artery bypass grafting at the same time in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection after coronary artery stenting. Complicated type A aortic dissection after percutaneous coronary intervention should be treated with surgery aggressively.

Five-Year Follow-Up After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease: A Single-Center Experience

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is no consensus on the impact of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Therefore, the objective of this study was, in a single-center setting, to evaluate the five-year outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients with or without coronary artery disease. Methods: All transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients between 2009 and 2019 were included and grouped according to the presence or absence of coronary artery disease. The primary endpoint, five-year all-cause mortality, was evaluated using Cox regression adjusted for age, sex, procedure years, and comorbidities. Comorbidities interacting with coronary artery disease were evaluated with interaction tests. In-hospital complications was the secondary endpoint. Results: In total, 176 patients had aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease, while 170 patients had aortic stenosis only. Mean follow-up was 2.2±1.6 years. There was no difference in the adjusted five-year all-cause mortality between transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients with and without coronary artery disease (hazard ratio 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.59-1.70, P=0.99). In coronary artery disease patients, impaired renal function, peripheral arterial disease, or ejection fraction < 50% showed a significant interaction effect with higher five-year all-cause mortality. No significant differences in complications between the groups were found. Conclusion: Five-year mortality did not differ between transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients with or without coronary artery disease. However, in patients with coronary artery disease and impaired renal function, peripheral arterial disease, or ejection fraction < 50%, we found significantly higher five-year all-cause mortality.

Characteristics of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction during the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak

Abstract Background The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has led to radical transformation in social, economic, and healthcare systems. This may lead to profound indirect consequences on clinical presentation and management of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Objectives The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI), in two tertiary reference hospitals during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and compare them with patients admitted in the previous year. Methods We analyzed data from a multicenter STEMI registry from reference centers in the South Region of Brazil from March 2019 to May 2021. The beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak was considered to be March 2020 and compared to the same period in 2019. Only patients with STEMI submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in the analysis. Mortality rates were compared with chi-square test. All hypothesis tests had a two-sided significance level of 5%. Results A total of 1169 patients admitted with STEMI were enrolled in our registry, 635 of whom were admitted during the pandemic period. The mean age of our sample was 61.6 (± 12.4) years, and 66.7% of patients were male. Pain-to-door time and door-to-balloon time were longer during the pandemic period. However, there was no difference in mortality rates or major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE). Conclusions We observed a stable incidence of STEMI cases in our registry during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak with higher pain-to-door time and door-to-balloon time, without any influence on mortality rates however.

Alta temprana en infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST tratado con angioplastia primaria: estudio de intervención no controlado en Argentina / Early Discharge in Acute ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Angioplasty: Uncontrolled Intervention Study in Argentina

RESUMEN Introducción y objetivos: El alta hospitalaria temprana (dentro de las primeras 48 horas) en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMCEST) tratados con angioplastia coronaria primaria con stent (ATCp) ha sido adoptada en países desarrollados. Sin embargo, su implementación en Sudamérica ha sido dispar. Material y métodos: Estudio piloto de intervención no controlado, argentino, de pacientes con IAMCEST de bajo riesgo tratados con ATCp, para evaluar tasa de alta temprana y comparar la incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares adversos mayores (MACE) con la que ocurre en pacientes externados en forma no temprana. Resultados: Desde 2013 hasta 2021 se trataron con ATCp 320 pacientes con IAMCEST, de los que 158 fueron de bajo riesgo. Alta temprana en 63,9% (IC 95% 55,9-71,4%). La diabetes (OR 0,31; IC 95% 0,12-0,83) y el IAMCEST anterior (OR 0,34; IC 95% 0,16-0,69) se asociaron en forma independiente con menor probabilidad de alta temprana. Durante una mediana de seguimiento de 27,2 meses, la razón de tasas de incidencia de MACE entre los grupos de alta temprana y no temprana fue de 0,77 (IC 95 % 0,25-2,58; p = 0,61). Las variables asociadas de forma independiente con MACE fueron la revascularización completa (HR 0,18; IC 95% 0,03-0,95) y el tiempo de fluoroscopía (HR 1,02; IC 95% 1,01-1,05). No hubo diferencias significativas en las complicaciones del acceso vascular, las tasas de reingreso a 30 días y sobrevida global entre los grupos. Conclusiones: El alta temprana en pacientes con IAMCEST de bajo riesgo tratados con ATCp puede ser factible incluso en países en desarrollo, sin aumento significativo de la morbimortalidad.

ABSTRACT Background and objectives: Early discharge (within the first 48 hours) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting is a strategy that has been adopted in developed countries. However, its implementation in South America has been uneven. Methods: We conducted an uncontrolled intervention pilot study on low-risk STEMI patients managed with primary PCI to evaluate the early discharge rate and compare the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with those occurring in patients discharged later. Results: Of 320 STEMI patients managed with primary PCI from 2013 to 2021, 158 were low-risk patients and 63.9% (95% CI 55.9-71,4%) of them were discharged early. Diabetes (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.83), and anterior wall STEMI (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.69) were independently associated with lower probability of early discharge. During a median follow-up period of 27.2 months, the incidence rate ratio of MACE between the early discharge and non-early discharge groups was 0.77 (95% CI 0.25-2.58; p = 0.61). The variables independently associated with MACE were complete revascularization (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.03-0.95) and fluoroscopy time (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.05). There were no significant differences in vascular access complications, 30-day readmission rate and overall survival between groups. Conclusions: Early discharge in low-risk STEMI patients managed with primary PCI may be feasible even in developing countries, without significantly increasing morbidity and mortality.

Predictors of Bleeding after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: Acute coronary syndrome patient outcomes have been improved using early invasive techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, location, and severity of bleeding in PCI-treated cases to identify patient risk profiles and increased bleeding occurrences. Methods: This prospective observational study evaluated percutaneous coronary angiography in 80 patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus who planned to undergo primary or elective PCI. The cases were separated into 2 groups; those who reported bleeding (n=11) and those who did not (n=69). All patients underwent physical examination, laboratory evaluation, 12-lead electrocardiography, and PCI. Results: In univariate regression analysis, age (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.009 – 1.192), female gender (OR: 4.32, 95% CI: 1.157 – 16.131), history of peripheral arterial disease (OR: 7.31, 95% CI: 1.585 – 33.742), and femoral site of vascular access (OR: 9.6, 95% CI: 2.263 – 40.721) were independent predictors of major bleeding after PCI. In multivariate regression analysis, age (OR: 1.12, 95% CI:1.014 – 1.269), female gender (OR: 13.75, 95% CI: 1.983 – 161.2), history of peripheral arterial disease (OR: 43.38, 95% CI: 3.754 - 1042) and femoral site of vascular access (OR: 13.29, 95% CI: 2.233 – 128.5) were independent predictors of major bleeding after PCI. Conclusions: Patients who reported bleeding after PCI had a significantly higher age, prevalence of female sex, serum creatinine, and transfemoral intervention before and after intervention compared to patients who did not report bleeding, while haemoglobin and transradial intervention before and after intervention were significantly lower in the bleeding cases than in the non-bleeding cases.

The Relationship between CHA2DS2-VASc Score and Reperfusion Success in Elective Percutaneous Saphenous Vein Graft Interventions

Abstract Background Patients with degenerated saphenous vein grafts (SVG) have a higher risk of developing no-reflow. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was established as a no-reflow predictor in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Objectives In our study, we aimed to assess the association between CHA2DS2-VASc score and no-reflow after the procedure and short-term mortality in patients with SVG who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods Our retrospective study comprised 118 patients who were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon. The groups were compared on the basis of demographic characteristics, angiographic parameters, CHA2DS2-VASc scores, and outcome. A logistic regression analysis was additionally performed to determine the predictors of no-reflow. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Mean age of the participants was 66.4 ± 9.2 years, and 25.4% of them were female. Apart from the history of diabetes (p = 0.032), demographic data, blood parameters, ejection fraction, total stent length and diameter, medication use, median CHA2DS2-VASc score, and adverse cardiac events did not differ between the groups. In univariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of diabetes and stent length appeared to be associated with no-reflow, but not in multivariate analysis. The median CHA2DS2-VASc score was higher in non-survivors at 1-year follow-up (4.5 versus 3, p = 0.047). Conclusions In our study, we did not observe a significant relationship between no-reflow and CHA2DS2-VASc score. Larger studies are needed to reveal the indicators of improved post-intervention reperfusion in elective SVG PCI.

Management of Bifurcation Culprit Lesion in the Setting of Anterior ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Coronary bifurcation lesions are considered one of the challenging entities in the field of coronary intervention due to the risk of side branch loss and higher risk of stent thrombosis. However, there is limited data about the proper management of such lesions in the setting of myocardial infarction as most bifurcation lesion studies excluded patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to compare in-hospital and mid-term outcomes of single-stent and two-stents strategy in the management of bifurcation culprit lesions in patients presenting with anterior STEMI. Methods: This retrospective multi-center study included all patients presented with anterior STEMI who underwent primary PCI between January 2017 and December 2019, coronary angiography showed true bifurcation lesion with sizable side branch that can be managed by stenting. Patients with left main bifurcation, those indicated for urgent CABG, and patients in cardiogenic shock were excluded. Included patients were divided into two groups according to the stenting strategy either single or two stents. Six months follow up data were collected by telephone calls and by examination of medical records. Results: Out of 1355 anterior STEMI patients presented between January 2017 and December 2019, 158 patients (11.6%) were identified to have bifurcation culprit lesions with a sizable diagonal branch. 93 patients (59%) were treated by single stent while 65 patients (41%) were managed by two-stents strategy. The baseline characteristics and angiographic findings were similar in both groups except for higher side branch involvement in the two stents group (83.31%±11.20 vs 71.88%±15.05, t= -5.39, p <0.001). Mean fluoroscopy time (23.96±8.90 vs 17.81±5.72 mins) and contrast volume (259.23± 59.45 vs 232.58± 96.18 ml) were significantly higher in two stents group than single stent group (p=0.049). However, the angiographic success rates (residual stenosis ?30% and restoration of TIMI flow grade II or III) were comparable (96.8% vs 99%, MCp=0.151). There is no significant difference in the overall incidence rate of MACE in both groups 6 months following the index procedure (13.9 % vs 16.9%, FEp=0.698), with no difference between different bifurcation stenting techniques in patients managed with two stents. Conclusion: Although two stents strategy in the setting of STEMI is much complex with more fluoroscopy time and contrast volume, the procedural success rate and the incidence of MACE were comparable to one stent strategy, on medium-term follow up.

No reflow phenomenon in CAD patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: A prospective hospital based observational study

The present study assessed incidence, risk factors, in-hospital and short-term outcomes associated with no-reflow in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina and stable angina. Out of 449 patients, 42 (9.3%) developed no-reflow. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and smoking were significant risk factors. There was significant association of no-reflow with left main disease, multiple stents, target lesion length_x0001_ 20 mm and higher thrombus grade. Interestingly, 93 patients (23.4%) of normal flow had myocardial perfusion grade (MPG) of 0/1 with mortality in 9 (10%) patients. No-reflow is associated with poor in-hospital and short-term outcomes with higher incidence of death, cardiogenic shock, heart failure and MACE. Knowledge of risk factors of no-reflow portends a more meticulous approach to improve final outcomes. MPG could be better predictor of outcomes in these patients.

Complete revascularization with PCI in STEMI patients with multivessel disease, when is the appropriate time? / Revascularización completa mediante ICP en pacientes con STEMI y enfermedad coronaria multivaso, ¿cuál es el momento adecuado?

Abstract Objective: The purpose was to compare the outcomes of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing one-time multivessel revascularization (OTMVR) versus in-hospital staged complete revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational, and cohort study, including data from January 2013 to April 2019. A total of 634 patients were included in the study. Comparisons were made between patients who underwent in-hospital staged complete revascularization versus OTMVR. The primary endpoint was all-cause in-hospital mortality, secondary endpoints included cardiovascular complications, all-cause new hospitalization, and mortality evaluated at 30 days and 1 year. In addition, we constructed a logistic regression model for determining the risk factors that predicted mortality. Results: Of the 634 patients, 328 were treated with staged revascularization and 306 with OTMVR. About 76.7% were men, with a mean age of 63.3 years. Less complex coronary lesions and a higher proportion of the left anterior descending artery as the culprit vessel were found in the OTMVR group. Compared with staged revascularization, the primary and secondary endpoints occurred less frequently with OTMVR strategy. Conclusions: OTMVR did not generate more complications and demonstrate better clinical outcomes than in-hospital staged revascularization.

Resumen Objetivo: El propósito fue comparar resultados de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST y enfermedad coronaria multivaso sometidos a revascularización completa de un solo momento frente a revascularización completa por etapas mediante intervención coronaria percutánea. Métodos: Estudio cohorte observacional, retrospectivo, unicéntrico, con datos de enero de 2013 a abril de 2019, incluyendo 634 pacientes. Se compararon resultados entre pacientes sometidos a revascularización completa por etapas frente a revascularización completa en un solo momento. El objetivo primario fue valorar mortalidad intrahospitalaria por cualquier causa y como objetivos secundarios se evaluaron a 30 días y 1 año las complicaciones cardiovasculares, hospitalizaciones y mortalidad. Se construyó un modelo de regresión logística para determinar los factores de riesgo que predijeron mortalidad. Resultados: De 634 pacientes, 328 fueron tratados con revascularización por etapas y 306 con revascularización en una intervención. El 76.7% fueron hombres, con una media de edad de 63.3 años. En el grupo de revascularización de un solo tiempo se encontraron lesiones coronarias menos complejas y una mayor proporción de la arteria descendente anterior como vaso culpable. Comparado con el grupo de revascularización por etapas, los objetivos primarios y secundarios ocurrieron con menos frecuencia en el grupo de revascularización en un solo tiempo. Conclusiones: Comparada con la revascularización intrahospitalaria por etapas, la revascularización en una intervención lleva a mejores desenlaces clínicos sin generar más complicaciones.

Multi-vessel Disease Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Revascularization of the coronary arteries is associated with better short term and long term prognosis in patients having multivessel coronary artery disease (MV-CAD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, whether revascularization using coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug eluting stents (DES) is better remains unknown. Objectives: To compare the outcomes of revascularization by multi-vessel PCI using DES versus revascularization by CABG in patients with CKD having multivessel CAD, regarding in-hospital and one-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the data of a group of patients having CKD with eGFR less than 60 ml/min with multivessel CAD who underwent revascularization by PCI or revascularization by CABG and were compared as regards in-hospital and one-year MAACE. Results: A total of 565 patients were reviewed in this study, 230 patients had multivessel PCI using DES while 335 patients had CABG. Comparing both revascularization groups regarding in-hospital MACCE, patients who had mutli-vessel PCI had significantly lower in-hospital mortality, cerebrovascular events (stroke/TIA) and lower total MACCE than patients who had CABG (P-value = 0.03 & 0.01 & 0.04 respectively). When comparing both revascularization groups regarding one-year MACCE, patients who had mutli-vessel PCI had significantly lower cerebrovascular events and total MACCE than those patients who had CABG (P-value = 0.02 & 0.03 respectively). Conclusion: This is a retrospective study to determine which strategy is better for revascularization of CKD patients having multivessel CAD; we can conclude that multi-vessel PCI using DES for CKD patients and multivessel CAD had advantages over CABG regarding in-hospital and one-year cerebrovascular accidents (TIA/stroke) and regarding total MACCE. Larger randomized controlled trials are required to confirm our findings.

Selvester score and myocardial performance index in acute anterior myocardial infarction

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The simplified Selvester QRS score is a parameter for estimating myocardial damage in ST-elevation myocardial infarction. ST-elevation myocardial infarction leads to varying degrees of impairment in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Myocardial performance index is a single parameter that can predict combined left ventricular systolic and diastolic performance. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between Selvester score and myocardial performance index in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute anterior myocardial infarction. METHODS: The study included 58 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute anterior myocardial infarction. Selvester score of all patients was also calculated at 72 h. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the Selvester score. Those with a score <6 (low score) were considered group 1 and those with a score ≥6 (high score) were considered group 2. RESULTS: When compared with group 1, patients in group 2 were older (p=0.01) and had lower left ventricular ejection fractions (50.3±4 vs. 35.6±6.9, p=0.001), and conventional myocardial performance index (0.52±0.06 vs. 0.69±0.08, p=0.001), lateral tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index (0.57±0.08 vs. 0.72±0.08, p=0.001), and septal tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index (0.62±0.07 vs. 0.76±0.08, p=0.001) were higher. There was a high correlation between lateral tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index and conventional myocardial performance index and Selvester score (r=0.80, p<0.001; r=0.86, p<0.001, respectively) and a moderate correlation between septal tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index and Selvester score (r=0.67, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The post-procedural Selvester score can predict lateral tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index and conventional myocardial performance index with high sensitivity and acceptable specificity in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute anterior myocardial infarction.

Índices fisiológicos não hiperêmicos ­ base teórica, aplicações clínicas e limitações / Non-hyperemic pressure ratios ­ theoretical basis, clinical applications, and limitations

A fisiologia coronariana tornou-se o padrão de tratamento para avaliar o significado funcional da doença aterosclerótica coronariana. Ela permite identificar isquemia miocárdica em nível de vaso, discriminar os padrões funcionais da doença aterosclerótica e orientar a necessidade de revascularização; complementar o planejamento da intervenção coronária percutânea e confirmar o sucesso funcional dessa última. Em uma edição anterior do Journal of Transcatheter Interventions, apresentamos uma revisão abrangente sobre o fluxo fracionado de reserva do miocárdio. Apesar do robusto corpo de evidências que apoiam seu uso, a aceitação clínica do fluxo fracionado de reserva é variável e excessivamente baixa em muitas áreas do mundo. O aumento percebido no tempo do procedimento, o uso de agentes hiperêmicos com seus correspondentes custos e desconforto do paciente, e a dificuldade de interpretação dos resultados em determinadas situações anatômicas contribuíram para a adoção limitada do método. A introdução do índice de fluxo instantâneo no período livre de ondas superou a maioria dessas limitações. Apoiada por uma validação técnica sólida e dados de desfechos clínicos, o índice de fluxo instantâneo no período livre de ondas recebeu as mesmas indicações clínicas que o fluxo fracionado de reserva nas recomendações mais recentes das diretrizes. Isso foi seguido pela introdução de outros índices pressóricos não hiperêmicos, já comercialmente disponíveis. Neste artigo, revisamos as bases fisiológicas que justificam o uso de índices pressóricos não hiperêmicos, sua validação técnica e clínica e dados de desfechos clínicos, além de discutirmos suas aplicações em situações anatômicas específicas, com exemplos de casos dos autores, sempre que aplicável.

Coronary physiology has become the standard of care to assess the functional significance of coronary atherosclerotic disease. It allows for identification of myocardial ischemia on a vessel level, discrimination of the functional patterns of atherosclerotic disease, guidance for the need of revascularization, complements the planning of percutaneous coronary intervention and verification of the functional success of percutaneous coronary intervention. On a previous issue of the Journal of Transcatheter Interventions, we presented a comprehensive review about fractional flow reserve. Despite the robust body of evidence supporting its use, the clinical use of fractional flow reserve is variable, and unreasonably low in many areas around the globe. The perceived increase in procedure time, the use of hyperemic agents with its related costs and patient discomfort, and difficulty in interpreting results in certain anatomical scenarios have contributed to the limited adoption of fractional flow reserve. The introduction of instantaneous wave-free ratio overcame most of these limitations. Supported by sound technical validation, and clinical outcomes data, instantaneous wave-free ratio received the same clinical indications as fractional flow reserve in the most recent guidelines recommendations. This was followed by the introduction of other non- hyperemic pressure ratios for commercial use. In the current manuscript we review the physiological basis that supports the use of non-hyperemic pressure ratios, their technical and clinical validation, clinical outcomes data, and discuss its applications on specific anatomic scenarios, with examples of cases from the authors, whenever applicable.

De-escalação de inibidores dos receptores P2Y12 após intervenção coronária percutânea / P2Y12 inhibitor de-escalation after percutaneous coronary interventions

Em pacientes que apresentam síndromes coronárias agudas e são tratados com intervenção coronária percutânea, a prescrição do esquema antiplaquetário duplo, composto de ácido acetilsalicílico e um inibidor dos receptores P2Y12, é mandatória, contribuindo para a redução de eventos cardíacos maiores. No entanto, ao mesmo tempo em que previne eventos isquêmicos, essa associação pode precipitar complicações hemorrágicas maiores, o que é mais comumente observado quando são prescritos os medicamentos mais potentes, como o prasugrel ou o ticagrelor. Essas constatações levaram à procura de alternativas terapêuticas capazes de manter a proteção contra eventos isquêmicos e, ao mesmo tempo, prevenir a ocorrência de hemorragias. Uma das estratégias que está em estudo é a de-escalação dos inibidores P2Y12, que consiste no uso dos medicamentos mais potentes numa fase precoce após o procedimento, com substituição deles pelo clopidogrel, após um período de, em geral, 30 dias de evolução; outra possibilidade seria a simples redução da dose do fármaco de maior potência, algo que, até o momento, só pode ser cogitado com o prasugrel. A de-escalação pode ser feita de forma guiada, utilizando testes de mensuração objetiva da agregação plaquetária ou exames para avaliar o perfil genético dos pacientes, ou não guiada, na qual o cardiologista simplesmente faz a substituição ou redução da dose ao fim do período estipulado, sem o auxílio de exames complementares. A literatura contempla ensaios clínicos com essas duas opções de estratégia, os quais são discutidos nesta revisão. Até o momento, nenhuma diretriz médica recomenda de forma explícita o uso regular dessa alternativa terapêutica.

In patients who have acute coronary syndromes and are treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, the prescription of a dual antiplatelet regimen, consisting of acetylsalicylic acid and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, is mandatory, contributing to the reduction of major cardiac events. However, while preventing ischemic events, this association may precipitate major bleeding complications, which is more commonly seen when more potent drugs, such as prasugrel or ticagrelor, are prescribed. These findings led to the search for therapeutic alternatives that could maintain the protection against ischemic events and, at the same time, prevent the occurrence of hemorrhages. One of the strategies being studied is de-escalation of P2Y12 inhibitors, which consists of the use of more potent drugs in an early phase after the procedure, replacing them with clopidogrel, after a period of, in general, 30 days of clinical course. Another possibility would be to simply reduce the dose of the most potent drug, which so far can only be considered with prasugrel. De-escalation can be done in a guided way, using objective measuring tests of platelet aggregation or exams to assess the genetic profile of patients, or unguided, in which the cardiologist simply replaces or reduces the dose at the end of the stipulated period, with no ancillary tests. The literature includes clinical trials with these two strategy options, which are discussed in this review. So far, no medical guideline explicitly recommends the regular use of this therapeutic alternative.

Ácido acetilsalicílico versus inibidores dos receptores P2Y12 para prevenção secundária em pacientes tratados por meio de intervenção coronária percutânea / Aspirin versus P2Y12 inhibitors for secondary prevention after percutaneous coronary intervention

Na atualidade, as intervenções coronárias percutâneas com implante de um stent farmacológico constituem o principal método de revascularização miocárdica em centros hospitalares terciários, independentemente da forma clínica de apresentação da doença arterial coronária. É de conhecimento geral que, para sua efetivação, há necessidade do uso de um esquema antiplaquetário duplo, constituído pela associação do ácido acetilsalicílico e um inibidor dos receptores plaquetários P2Y12, que é o cerne da prevenção das tromboses após implantes das endopróteses, sendo também indicado para prevenir a ocorrência de eventos aterotrombóticos na evolução clínica tardia, qualquer que seja o modelo de stent utilizado. Após período variável de tempo, independentemente de fatores como forma clínica de apresentação da coronariopatia e do tipo de stent implantado, esse esquema é interrompido, e, na atualidade, as principais diretrizes preconizam a suspensão do inibidor dos receptores P2Y12 e a manutenção do ácido acetilsalicílico em longo prazo como uma das principais medidas farmacológicas de prevenção secundária da aterosclerose. No entanto, recentemente, em razão de sua maior potência antiplaquetária e provável menor potencial de causar hemorragias significantes, em especial no tubo digestivo, os inibidores P2Y12 têm sido considerados alternativa válida e atraente como antiplaquetário de utilização em longo prazo, alternativa ainda não referendada pelas diretrizes. Esta revisão discute os pormenores relacionados a essa importante decisão que deve ser tomada pelo cardiologista no momento da interrupção dos diferentes esquemas antitrombóticos inicialmente utilizados após uma intervenção coronária percutânea. Em princípio, a escassez de estudos clínicos conclusivos e normativos, em especial na população tratada por meio de uma intervenção percutânea, faz com que o ácido acetilsalicílico ainda se mantenha como o único antiagregante plaquetário com indicação classe I com a finalidade de prevenção secundária da aterosclerose.

Currently, percutaneous coronary intervention with a drug-eluting stent implantation is the main method of myocardial revascularization in tertiary care hospitals, regardless of the clinical presentation of coronary artery disease. It is well known that to be effective, it requires the use of a dual antiplatelet therapy, which is a combination of acetylsalicylic acid and a P2Y12 platelet receptor inhibitor, which plays a key role in preventing thromboses after endoprosthesis implantation and is also indicated to prevent atherothrombotic events in the late clinical course, regardless of the stent model used. After a variable period of time, depending on some factors, such as the clinical presentation of coronary artery disease and the type of stent implanted, this therapy is discontinued, and the main current guidelines recommend interrupting the P2Y12 receptor inhibitor and maintaining acetylsalicylic acid in the long term, as one of the main pharmacological measures for secondary prevention of atherosclerosis. However, recently, due to their greater antiplatelet potency and probable lower potential for significant bleeding, especially in the digestive tract, P2Y12 inhibitors have been considered a valid and attractive option as an antiplatelet agent for long-term use; but this alternative has not been endorsed by guidelines yet. This review discusses the details related to this important decision that must be made by cardiologists when discontinuing the different antithrombotic therapies initially used after percutaneous coronary intervention. In principle, the scarcity of conclusive and normative clinical studies, especially in the population treated by percutaneous intervention, means that acetylsalicylic acid is the only antiplatelet agent with class I indication for secondary prevention of atherosclerosis.

Effect of Yiqi Liangxue Shengji Formula （益气凉血生肌方） on Recurrence of Angina Pectoris and Quality of Life after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Coronary Heart Disease Patients with Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome and Binding of Stasis and Heat Syndrome： A Randomized， Triple-blind， Placebo-controlled Parallel Trial / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of Yiqi Liangxue Shengji Formula （益气凉血生肌方， YLSF） on recurrence of angina pectoris and quality of life at eight weeks after perecutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. MethodsEighty-two coronary artery disease （CAD） patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis and binding of stasis and heat syndrome who had underwent PCI were randomly divided into two groups with 41 patients each in the treatment group and the control group. Based on conventional western medicine after PCI， patients in the treatment group orally took YLSF granules while those in the control group were administered with placebo， one dose daily for 8 weeks. The recurrence rate of angina pectoris and readmission rate within eight weeks after PCI were recorded. Before and after treatment， total traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， Seattle Angina Questionnaire （SAQ） scores （physical limitation， angina stability， angina frequency， treatment satisfaction and disease perception）， and the SF-36 scores for quality of life （physical and mental health） were evaluated. The adverse reactions during medication in both groups were recorded. ResultsWithin eight weeks after PCI， the recurrence rate of angina pectoris in the treatment group （4/41， 9.76%） was significantly lower than that in the control group （11/41， 26.83%， P＜0.05）. The readmission rate in the treatment group was 2.44% （1/41）， while that in the control group was 12.20% （5/41）， with no significantly statistical difference （P＞0.05）. After treatment， total TCM syndrome score significantly decreased in both groups， while in terms of quality of life， the SAQ scores on domains of angina stability， angina frequency and disease perception as well as SF-36 total scores， physical health and mental health scores significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared between the two groups， total TCM syndrome score was significantly lower in the treatment group than the control group （P＜0.01）， while no significant differences were found in SAQ scores and SF-36 total， physical and mental health scores （P＞0.05）. No adverse reactions occurred in both groups during the treatment period. ConclusionYLSF can reduce the recurrence rate of angina pectoris within eight weeks after PCI for coronary artery disease， and can improve the TCM syndrome score， and have sound safety， with comparable effect to that of placebo in improving postoperative short-term quality of life.

Establishment and Validation of Clinical Prediction Model for 1-year MACEs Risk After PCI in CHD Patients with Blood Stasis Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo establish and validate a clinical prediction model for 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events（MACEs）risk after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in coronary heart disease （CHD） patients with blood stasis syndrome. MethodThe consecutive CHD patients diagnosed with blood stasis syndrome in the Department of Integrative Cardiology at China-Japan Friendship Hospital from September 1， 2019 to March 31， 2021 were selected for a retrospective study， and basic clinical features and relevant indicators were collected. Eligible patients were classified into a derivation set and a validation set at a ratio of 7∶3， and each set was further divided into a MACEs group and a non-MACEs group. The factors affecting the outcomes were screened out by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （Lasso） and used to establish a logistic regression model and identify independent prediction variables. The goodness-of-fit of the model was evaluated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test， and the area under curve （AUC） of the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， calibration curve， decision curve analysis （DCA）， and clinical impact curve （CIC） were employed to evaluate the discrimination， calibration， and clinical impact of the model. ResultA total of 731 consecutive patients were assessed and 404 eligible patients were enrolled， including 283 patients in the derivation set and 121 patients in the validation set. Lasso identified ten variables influencing outcomes， which included age， sex， fasting plasma glucose （FPG）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， homocysteine （Hcy）， brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity （baPWV）， flow-mediated dilatation （FMD）， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， and Gensini score. The multivariate Logistic regression preliminarily identified age， FPG， TG， Hcy， LDL-C， LVEF， and Gensini score as the independent variables that influenced the outcomes. Of these variables， male， high FMD and high LVEF were protective factors， and the rest were risk factors. The prediction model for 1-year MACEs risk after PCI in CHD patients with blood stasis syndrome showed χ2=12.371 （P=0.14） in Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the AUC of 0.90. With the threshold probability > 10%， the model showed better prediction performance for 1-year MACEs risk after PCI in CHD patients with blood stasis syndrome than for that in all the patients. With the threshold probability > 60%， the estimated value was much closer to the real number of patients. ConclusionThe established clinical prediction model facilitates the early prediction of 1-year MACEs risk after PCI in CHD patients with blood stasis syndrome， which can provide ideas for the precise treatment of CHD patients after PCI and has guiding significance for improving the prognosis of the patients. Meanwhile， multi-center studies with larger sample sizes are expected to further validate， improve， and update the model.

A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perceived Barriers Among Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

@#Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD), are the third biggest cause of mortality worldwide, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is one of the available treatments. The patient’s self-efficacy in performing self-care decreases as a result of several post-PCI hurdles, which has an effect on their quality of life. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the barriers that patients experience following PCI. Methods: The study design used was descriptive qualitative in 15 patients after PCI. Purposive sampling was used to conduct the participant recruitment process. Between June 2021 and January 2022, data were collected using a semi-structured interviewing method. The data were analysed through the use of thematic content analysis. Results: The thematic content analysis found four themes: 1) Perceived physical barriers; 2) Perceived psychological barriers; 3) Low adherence; 4) The adverse side effects of medications. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the value of empowering patients to take care of themselves at home following PCI and assisting in the creation of holistic and continuity nurse intervention models.

Risk Factors for Major Adverse Cardiac Events Outcomes in Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention during Index Admission

@#Introduction: Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) often undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures during their index hospitalisation. However, some factors may increase the risk of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) outcomes after delaying PCI. We aimed to determine the risk factors for MACE outcomes in acute STEMI patients who had PCI during their index admission. Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, the medical records of STEMI patients who had PCI during their index hospitalisation in our facility were retrieved. At 30 days and six months post-PCI, demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, coronary risk factors, and the rate of MACE outcome were recorded and analysed. Results: This study included 91 STEMI patients. At 30 days and six months post-PCI, the rate of MACE was 10.5% and 8.0% respectively. At 30 days post-PCI, gender (p = 0.025), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.005) and heart rate (p = 0.003) were all associated with MACE outcomes. At six months, systolic blood pressure (p = 0.017), heart rate (p = 0.003), and previous coronary artery disease (CAD) (p = 0.014) were all associated with MACE. Conclusion: In acute STEMI patients, female gender, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and a history of CAD are the risk factors for MACE outcomes after the PCI during the index admission. However, this is only single center study with short follow up period. Therefore, multi centers study and longer follow up period could provide better understanding on the factors associated with delayed PCI.

Optimization of nursing services for percutaneous coronary interventional therapy based on clinical nursing pathway / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To optimize the clinical nursing pathway, service program and evaluation parameters of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI), for references for the cost accounting and compensation mechanism of nursing program in public hospitals.Methods:After literature analysis and group discussion, the initial templates were constructed for the PCI clinical nursing pathway, nursing service projects, and their evaluation parameters. 15 experts were consulted by two rounds of Delphi method to optimize PCI nursing path, nursing service items and their evaluation parameters (basic labor consumption, basic time consumption, technical difficulty and risk degree).Results:Two rounds of Delphi method finally determined the PCI clinical nursing path and 27 nursing service items, and adjusted the evaluation parameters of 10 nursing service items. The new projects for PCI clinical nursing services included adjustment and review of dual antiplatelet therapy plans, postoperative rehabilitation nursing, and key project verification. The three nursing service projects with the highest level of technical difficulty and risk were intravenous blood transfusion, gastric catheterization, and gastrointestinal decompression. The two items with the highest importance assigned were high pump assisted arterial/venous infusion (blood) and invasive continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring.Conclusions:The PCI clinical nursing pathway and nursing service project constructed in this study could closely integrate with clinical practice, highlight the integrated nursing service model, and reflect the labor value of nurses.