Association between troponin level and medium-term mortality in 20 000 hospital patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac troponin (cTn) concentrations above the manufacturer recommended upper limit of normal (ULN) are frequently seen in hospital patients without a clinical presentation consistent with type 1 myocardial infarction, and the significance of this is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between medium-term mortality and cTn concentration in a large consecutive hospital population, regardless of whether there was a clinical indication for performing the test. METHOD: This prospective observational study included 20 000 consecutive in-hospital and outpatient patients who had a blood test for any reason at a large teaching hospital, and in whom a hs-cTnI assay was measured, regardless of the original clinical indication. Mortality was obtained via NHS Digital. RESULTS: A total of 20 000 patients were included in the analysis and 18 282 of these (91.4%) did not have a clinical indication for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) testing. Overall, 2825 (14.1%) patients died at a median of 809 days. The mortality was significantly higher if the cTnI concentration was above the ULN (45.3% vs 12.3% p<0.001 log rank). Multivariable Cox analysis demonstrated that the log10 cTnI concentration was independently associated with mortality (HR 1.76 (95% CI 1.65 to 1.88)). Landmark analysis, excluding deaths within 30 days, showed the relationship between cTnI concentration and mortality persisted. CONCLUSION: In a large, unselected hospital population, in 91.4% of whom there was no clinical indication for testing, cTnI concentration was independently associated with medium-term cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in the statistical model tested.

Bullying in UK cardiology: a systemic problem requiring systemic solutions.

OBJECTIVES: Bullying of trainee doctors has been shown to be associated with detrimental outcomes for both doctors and patients. However, there is limited evidence regarding the level of bullying of trainees within medical specialties. METHODS: An annual survey of UK cardiology trainees was conducted through the British Junior Cardiologists' Association between 2017 and 2020 and asked questions about experiencing and witnessing bullying, and exposure to inappropriate language/behaviour in cardiology departments. Fisher's exact tests and univariable logistic regression models were used to describe associations between trainee characteristics, and reports of bullying and inappropriate language/behaviour. RESULTS: Of 1358 trainees, bullying was reported by 152 (11%). Women had 55% higher odds of reporting being bullied (OR: 1.55 95% CI (1.08 to 2.21)). Non-UK medical school graduates were substantially more likely to be bullied (European Economic Area (EEA) OR: 2.22 (1.31 to 3.76), non-EEA/UK OR: 3.16 (2.13 to 4.68)) compared with those graduating from UK-based medical schools. Women were more likely than men to report sexist language (14% vs 4%, p<0.001). Non-UK medical school graduates were more likely to experience racist language (UK 1.5%, EEA 6%, other locations 7%, p=0.006). One-third of trainees (33%) reported at least one inappropriate behaviour with 8% reporting being shouted at or targeted with spontaneous anger. Consultants in cardiology (82%) and other specialties (70%) were most commonly implicated by those reporting bullying. DISCUSSION: Bullying and inappropriate language are commonly experienced by cardiology trainees and disproportionately affect women and those who attended non-UK medical schools. Consultants both in cardiology and other specialties are the most commonly reported perpetrators.

Relation of High-Sensitivity Troponin to 1 Year Mortality in 20,000 Consecutive Hospital Patients Undergoing a Blood Test for Any Reason.

This was an observational study of the 1-year outcomes of the 20,000 patients included in the original CHARIOT study. The aim of the study was to assess the association between high sensitivity troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentration and 1 year mortality in this cohort. The original CHARIOT study included a consecutive cohort of in- and out-patients undergoing blood tests for any reason. Hs-cTnI concentrations were measured regardless of whether the clinician requested them. These results were nested and not revealed to the team unless requested for clinical reasons. One year mortality data was obtained from NHS Digital as originally planned. Overall, 1782 (8.9%) patients had died at 1 year. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that a hs-cTnI concentration above the upper limit of normal was independently associated with the hazard of mortality (HR 2.23; 95% confidence intervals 1.97 to 2.52). Furthermore, the log (10) hs-cTnI concentration was independently associated with the hazard of 1 year mortality (HR 1.77; 95% confidence intervals 1.64 to 1.91). In conclusion, in a large, unselected hospital population of both in- and out-patients, in 18,282 (91.4%) of whom there was no clinical indication for testing, hs-cTnI concentration was associated with 1 year mortality.

Frequency and impact of incidental findings on computed tomography during work-up for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: single centre experience and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and impact of incidental findings (IF) on CT during work-up for transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI). METHODS: A consecutive cohort of patients referred for consideration of TAVI who underwent a CT scan between 2009 and 2018 were studied retrospectively. CT reports were reviewed for the presence of IFs and categorised based upon their clinical significance: (a) insignificant-findings that did not require specific treatment or follow-up; (b) intermediate-findings that did not impact on the decision-making process but required follow-up; (c) significant-findings that either required urgent investigation or meant that TAVI was clinically inappropriate. RESULTS: A total of 652 patients were included, whose median age was 82 years. One or more insignificant IF was found in 95.6% of patients. Intermediate IFs were documented in 5.4%. 91 (14%) patients had at least one significant IF. These included possible malignancy in 67 (74%). The ultimate decision to offer aortic valve intervention was only changed by the presence of an IF in 3.5% of cases. CONCLUSION: Clinically significant IFs are detected in more than 1 in 10 of patients undergoing CT as part of a TAVI work-up, although just over half of these patients still receive aortic valve intervention. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study is the largest UK cohort, which, when combined with a review of existing literature, provides a clear picture of the frequency and clinical impact of IFs found at CT for TAVI assessment.

True 99th centile of high sensitivity cardiac troponin for hospital patients: prospective, observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution, and specifically the true 99th centile, of high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) for a whole hospital population by applying the hs-cTnI assay currently used routinely at a large teaching hospital. DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom, between 29 June 2017 and 24 August 2017. PARTICIPANTS: 20 000 consecutive inpatients and outpatients undergoing blood tests for any clinical reason. Hs-cTnI concentrations were measured in all study participants and nested for analysis except when the supervising doctor had requested hs-cTnI for clinical reasons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distribution of hs-cTnI concentrations of all study participants and specifically the 99th centile. RESULTS: The 99th centile of hs-cTnI for the whole population was 296 ng/L compared with the manufacturer's quoted level of 40 ng/L (currently used clinically as the upper limit of normal; ULN). Hs-cTnI concentrations were greater than 40 ng/L in one in 20 (5.4%, n=1080) of the total population. After excluding participants diagnosed as having acute myocardial infarction (n=122) and those in whom hs-cTnI was requested for clinical reasons (n=1707), the 99th centile was 189 ng/L for the remainder (n=18 171). The 99th centile was 563 ng/L for inpatients (n=4759) and 65 ng/L for outpatients (n=9280). Patients from the emergency department (n=3706) had a 99th centile of 215 ng/L, with 6.07% (n=225) greater than the recommended ULN. 39.02% (n=48) of all patients from the critical care units (n=123) and 14.16% (n=67) of all medical inpatients had an hs-cTnI concentration greater than the recommended ULN. CONCLUSIONS: Of 20 000 consecutive patients undergoing a blood test for any clinical reason at our hospital, one in 20 had an hs-cTnI greater than the recommended ULN. These data highlight the need for clinical staff to interpret hs-cTnI concentrations carefully, particularly when applying the recommended ULN to diagnose acute myocardial infarction, in order to avoid misdiagnosis in the absence of an appropriate clinical presentation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03047785.

Lesson of the month 1: Beware the atypical presentation: eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting as acute coronary syndrome.

We describe the case of a 45-year-old woman presenting with troponin positive cardiac-sounding chest pain. An initial emergency angiogram demonstrated two vessel coronary disease, including a distal right coronary artery occlusion. No percutaneous coronary intervention was performed and the patient was treated medically. At re-presentation with further pain a few days later, coronary angiography demonstrated no significant coronary lesions. After consideration of other multisystem symptoms and raised eosinophil count, the patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome) presenting with coronary arteritis. This case should remind physicians to be vigilant and to consider non-atherosclerotic causes of acute coronary syndrome presentation, which should not always result in a stent.

Predictors of inhospital mortality following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Insights from a single-centre consecutive case series.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has a poor prognosis despite bystander resuscitation and rapid transfer to hospital. Optimal management of patients after arrival to hospital continues to be contentious, especially the timing of emergency coronary angiography±revascularisation. Robust predictors of inhospital outcome would be of clinical value for initial decision-making. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who presented to a university hospital following OHCA over a 70-month period (2008-2013). Patients were identified from the emergency department electronic patient registration and coding system. For those patients who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention, details were crosschecked with national databases. RESULTS: We identified 350 consecutive patients who were brought to our hospital following OHCA. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) for >20 min was achieved either before arrival or inhospital in 196 individuals. From the 350 subjects, 114 (32.6%) survived to hospital discharge. When sustained ROSC was achieved, either before or inhospital, survival to discharge was 58.2% (114 of 196). Non-shockable rhythm, absence of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 'downtime' >15 min and initial pH ≤7.11 were predictors of inhospital death. 12% patients who underwent angiography in the presence of ST elevation had no acute coronary occlusion. 21% patients with acute coronary occlusion at angiography did not have ST elevation. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of patients with OHCA, those who achieve ROSC had a survival-to-discharge rate of 58.2%. We identified four predictors of inhospital death, which are readily available at the time of patient presentation. Reliance on ST elevation to decide about coronary angiography and revascularisation may be flawed. More data are required.

Does routine pressure wire assessment influence management strategy at coronary angiography for diagnosis of chest pain?: the RIPCORD study.

BACKGROUND: The use of coronary angiography (CA) for diagnosis and management of chest pain (CP) has several flaws. The assessment of coronary artery disease using fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a well-validated technique for describing lesion-level ischemia and improves clinical outcome in the context of percutaneous coronary intervention. The impact of routine FFR at the time of diagnostic CA on patient management has not been determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred patients with stable CP underwent CA for clinical indications. The supervising cardiologist (S.C.) made a management plan based on CA (optimal medical therapy alone, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, or more information required) and also recorded which stenoses were significant. An interventional cardiologist then measured FFR in all patent coronary arteries of stentable diameter (≥2.25 mm). S.C. was then asked to make a second management plan when FFR results were disclosed. Overall, after disclosure of FFR data, management plan based on CA alone was changed in 26% of patients, and the number and localization of functional stenoses changed in 32%. Specifically, of 72 cases in which optimal medical therapy was recommended after CA, 9 (13%) were actually referred for revascularization with FFR data. By contrast, of 89 cases in whom management plan was optimal medical therapy based on FFR, revascularization would have been recommended in 25 (28%) based on CA. CONCLUSIONS: Routine measurement of FFR at CA has important influence both on which coronary arteries have significant stenoses and on patient management. These findings could have important implications for clinical practice. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrial.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01070771.

Personalised antiplatelet therapy in stent thrombosis: observations from the Clopidogrel Resistance in Stent Thrombosis (CREST) registry.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated significant heterogeneity in responses to antiplatelet therapy (APT), and high residual platelet reactivity is associated with the risk of ischaemic events, including stent thrombosis (ST). The prevalence of APT hyporesponsiveness in a 'real world' registry of ST patients and the feasibility of personalising APT are reported. PATIENTS AND SETTING: 39 consecutive patients admitted to a single regional cardiothoracic centre with definite ST were prospectively evaluated. INTERVENTIONS: Response to aspirin and clopidogrel was measured following discharge using short thrombelastography (TEG), a rapid, well validated near patient platelet function test. Treatment modification in hyporesponders comprised an increase in aspirin dose and/or changing clopidogrel to prasugrel or ticagrelor. Short TEG was repeated following treatment modification to ensure an adequate response had been achieved. RESULTS: 12 (31%) patients had an adequate response to both aspirin and clopidogrel, 16 (41%) were hyporesponsive to clopidogrel alone, one (3%) was hyporesponsive to aspirin alone and 10 (26%) were hyporesponsive to both aspirin and clopidogrel. Following treatment modification, an adequate response to aspirin and P2Y12 agent was achieved in 10 (91%) and 22 (85%) patients, respectively. None has presented with a further ST episode. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of hyporesponsiveness to APT in patients with ST. Improved APT efficacy can be achieved by tailored therapy. Short TEG is a plausible platelet function test that can be used to deliver point of care personalised APT.

Effect of clopidogrel withdrawal on platelet reactivity and vascular inflammatory biomarkers 1 year after drug-eluting stent implantation: results of the prospective, single-centre CESSATION study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration of clopidogrel treatment, particularly following drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, remains contentious. Previous studies have observed a clustering of adverse events following clopidogrel cessation 1 year after DES, the aetiology of which is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate, in the prospective CESSATION study, the effect of clopidogrel withdrawal at 1 year after DES implantation on (i) arachidonic acid (AA)- and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation, and (ii) biomarkers of vascular inflammation, including soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). METHODS AND RESULTS: The prospective CESSATION study was undertaken in 33 patients receiving aspirin and due to discontinue clopidogrel 1 year after DES. Platetet reactivity was measured using short thromboelastography, and compliance with aspirin determined from serum thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) levels. Venesection was performed at 4 weeks and 24 h before, and at 24 h, 48 h, 1, 2 and 4 weeks after, clopidogrel cessation. Following clopidogrel withdrawal, there was (i) a predictable increase in ADP-induced platelet aggregation (ii) an unexpected significant increase in AA-induced platelet aggregation (iii) a decline in IL-6 and hsCRP at 1 week and 4 weeks respectively; and (iv) a non-significant increase in sCD40L at 4 weeks TXB(2) levels were consistently suppressed, indicating complete inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase-1 by aspirin. CONCLUSION: An aspirin-independent, time-dependent increase in AA-induced platelet activation following clopidogrel withdrawal in patients with a DES has been described. New insights into a potential mechanism for the observed clustering of adverse events that occur early after clopidogrel cessation have been provided. These findings raise the question as to whether AA-induced clotting is an appropriate test of aspirin sensitivity.

Myocardial protection during reoperative cardiac surgery: early experience with a new technique.

We recently introduced a new adjunct to myocardial preservation in patients with a patent left internal mammary artery graft who were undergoing reoperative cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to review our early experience with this technique.The technique consists of preoperative insertion of a suitably sized angioplasty balloon catheter into the proximal part of the graft under fluoroscopic guidance. Intraoperative inflation of the balloon results in occlusion of the graft during aortic cross-clamping. We have used this technique in 9 patients. The case records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. There were 5 men and 4 women with a mean age of 71 +/- 11 years and a mean Euro-SCORE of 10 +/- 3. The median time interval from previous cardiac operation to reoperation was 6 years (interquartile range, 2-11 yr). After the balloon catheter was inserted successfully into the left internal mammary artery graft, the balloon was inflated intraoperatively for successful occlusion of the graft in all patients. There was no in-hospital death, and no significant complications were observed.The early results of this technique seem favorable. A prospective randomized study is needed in order to evaluate the potential advantages of this method over other techniques of myocardial protection during cardiac reoperations.