Impact of Quantitative ST-T Analysis in Patients with Suspected Myocardial Infarction Presenting with Right Bundle Branch Block.

BACKGROUND: While left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a well-known risk feature in patients with acute myocardial infarction, and a rapid invasive management is recommended, data supporting this strategy for patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB) is less robust. METHODS: In total, 2139 patients with suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were triaged to acute coronary angiography based on a prehospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Sensitivity and specificity for STEMI-ECG criteria were compared in RBBB and non-BBB patients. Adjusted hazard ratios for 1-year overall mortality were computed. RESULTS: STEMI was adjudicated in 1832/2139 (85.6%) of all patients and in 102/117 (87.2%) of RBBB patients. ST-segment deviation followed typical ST-T patterns in most RBBB patients. Of 17 RBBB patients without significant ST changes, STEMI was adjudicated in 14 (82%). Diagnostic accuracy of STEMI criteria was comparable in RBBB and non-RBBB patients for inferior (sensitivity: 51.1% vs 59.1%, P = .14; specificity: 66.7% vs 52.1%, P = .33) and anterior STEMI (sensitivity: 35.2% vs 36.6%, P = .80; specificity: 58.3% vs 49.5%, P = .55). Diagnostic performance was lower for lateral STEMI in RBBB patients (sensitivity: 14.8% vs 4.4%, P = .001; specificity: 75.0% vs 98.4%, P < .001). Patients with RBBB had higher 1-year mortality compared with non-BBB patients (hazard ratio 2.3%; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-4.21. CONCLUSION: ECG criteria used for detection of STEMI showed comparable diagnostic accuracy in RBBB and non-BBB patients. However, STEMI was frequently present in RBBB patients not fulfilling diagnostic ECG criteria. RBBB patients showed poorer outcome after 1 year. Consequently, the presence of RBBB in suspected STEMI cases signifies a high-risk feature, aligning with established guidelines.

C-reactive protein modifies lipoprotein(a)-related risk for coronary heart disease: the BiomarCaRE project.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent investigations have suggested an interdependence of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]-related risk for cardiovascular disease with background inflammatory burden. The aim the present analysis was to investigate whether high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) modulates the association between Lp(a) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in the general population. METHODS: Data from 71 678 participants from 8 European prospective population-based cohort studies were used (65 661 without/6017 with established CHD at baseline; median follow-up 9.8/13.8 years, respectively). Fine and Gray competing risk-adjusted models were calculated according to accompanying hsCRP concentration (<2 and ≥2 mg/L). RESULTS: Among CHD-free individuals, increased Lp(a) levels were associated with incident CHD irrespective of hsCRP concentration: fully adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratios [sHRs (95% confidence interval)] for the highest vs. lowest fifth of Lp(a) distribution were 1.45 (1.23-1.72) and 1.48 (1.23-1.78) for a hsCRP group of <2 and ≥2 mg/L, respectively, with no interaction found between these two biomarkers on CHD risk (Pinteraction = 0.82). In those with established CHD, similar associations were seen only among individuals with hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L [1.34 (1.03-1.76)], whereas among participants with a hsCRP concentration <2 mg/L, there was no clear association between Lp(a) and future CHD events [1.29 (0.98-1.71)] (highest vs. lowest fifth, fully adjusted models; Pinteraction = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: While among CHD-free individuals Lp(a) was significantly associated with incident CHD regardless of hsCRP, in participants with CHD at baseline, Lp(a) was related to recurrent CHD events only in those with residual inflammatory risk. These findings might guide adequate selection of high-risk patients for forthcoming Lp(a)-targeting compounds.

Procedural and one-year outcomes of robotic-assisted versus manual percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (rPCI) has proven to be feasible and safe. Comparative analyses of rPCI versus manual PCI (mPCI) are scarce. AIMS: We aimed to investigate procedural aspects and outcomes of rPCI using the second-generation CorPath GRX Vascular Robotic System compared with mPCI in patients with chronic coronary syndrome and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: From January to April 2021, 70 patients underwent rPCI at the University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and were recruited into the INTERCATH study. By propensity score matching, a control cohort of 210 patients who underwent mPCI from 2015-2021 was identified. Co-primary endpoints were one-year all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) as a composite of cardiovascular death, unplanned target lesion revascularisation, myocardial infarction, and stroke. RESULTS: The median age of the patients (n=280) was 70.7 (25th percentile-75th percentile: 62.0-78.0) years, and 24.6% were female. The Gensini score (28.5 [16.2-48.1] vs 28.0 [15.5-47.0]; p=0.78) was comparable between rPCI versus mPCI. During the PCI procedure, total contrast fluid volume did not differ, whilst longer fluoroscopy times (20.4 min [13.8-27.2] vs 14.4 min [10.4-24.3]; p=0.001) were documented in the rPCI versus mPCI cohort. After 12 months of follow-up, neither all-cause mortality (p=0.22) nor MACE (p=0.25) differed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: rPCI was associated with longer fluoroscopy times compared with mPCI, though without increased use of contrast medium. One-year follow-up revealed no differences in all-cause mortality or MACE, supporting the safety of a robotic-assisted approach.

GRACE scores or high-sensitivity troponin for timing of coronary angiography in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The GRACE risk score is generically recommended by guidelines for timing of invasive coronary angiography without stating which score should be used. The aim was to determine the diagnostic performance of different GRACE risk scores in comparison to the ESC 0/1 h-algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn). METHODS: Prospectively enrolled patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of myocardial infarction (MI) in two large studies testing biomarker diagnostic strategies were included. Five GRACE risk scores were calculated. The amount of risk reclassification and the theoretical impact on guideline-recommended timing of invasive coronary angiography was studied. RESULTS: Overall, 8,618 patients were eligible for analyses. Comparing different GRACE risk scores, up to 63.8% of participants were reclassified into a different risk category. The proportion of MIs identified (i.e., sensitivity) dramatically differed between GRACE risk scores (range 23.8-66.5%) and was lower for any score than for the ESC 0/1 h-algorithm (78.1%). Supplementing the ESC 0/1 h-algorithm with a GRACE risk score slightly increased sensitivity (P < 0.001 for all scores). However, this increased the number of false positive results. CONCLUSION: The substantial amount of risk reclassification causes clinically meaningful differences in the proportion of patients meeting the recommended threshold for pursuing early invasive strategy according to the different GRACE scores. The single best test to detect MIs is the ESC 0/1 h-algorithm. Combining GRACE risk scoring with hs-cTn testing slightly increases the detection of MIs but also increases the number of patients with false positive results who would undergo potential unnecessarily early invasive coronary angiography.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of the sex-specific 99th percentile of four high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays in patients with suspected myocardial infarction.

AIMS: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays are used for detection of myocardial infarction (MI). Ninety-ninth percentiles show wide inter-assay variation. The use of sex-specific cut-offs is recommended as definitory cut-off for MI. We compared diagnostic performance and prognostic value of sex-specific 99th percentiles of four hs-cTn assays in patients with suspected MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Concentrations of four hs-cTn assays were measured at presentation and after 3 h in patients with suspected MI. Final diagnoses were adjudicated according to the 4th Universal Definition of MI. Unisex and sex-specific 99th percentiles were evaluated as diagnostic cut-offs following the ESC 0/3 h algorithm. These cut-offs were used in Cox-regression analyses to investigate the association with a composite endpoint of MI, revascularization, cardiac rehospitalization, and death. Non-ST-elevation MI was diagnosed in 368 of 2718 patients. Applying the unisex 99th percentile, Elecsys hs-cTnT provided highest negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.7 and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 75.9. The analysed hs-cTnI assays showed slightly lower NPVs and comparable PPVs [Architect (NPV 98.0, PPV of 71.4); Atellica (NPV 97.7, PPV of 76.1); Pathfast (NPV 97.7, PPV of 66.6)]. Application of sex-specific 99th percentiles did not significantly affect diagnostic performance. Concentrations above 99th percentile were independent predictors for impaired long-term outcome (hazard ratios 1.2-1.5, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We describe a good diagnostic accuracy of four hs-cTn assays using the assay-specific 99th percentile for detection of MI. Application of sex-specific 99th percentiles did neither affect diagnostic performance nor prognostic value significantly. Finally, values above the 99th percentile were associated with poor long-term outcome.

Complications in patients with cardiogenic shock on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy: distribution and relevance. Results from an international, multicentre cohort study.

AIMS: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy (VA-ECMO) restores circulation and tissue oxygenation in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients, but can also lead to complications. This study aimed to quantify VA-ECMO complications and analyse their association with overall survival as well as favourable neurological outcome (cerebral performance categories 1 + 2). METHODS AND RESULTS: All-comer patients with CS treated with VA-ECMO were retrospectively enrolled from 16 centres in four countries (2005-2019). Neurological, bleeding, and ischaemic adverse events (AEs) were considered. From these, typical VA-ECMO complications were identified and analysed separately as device-related complications. n = 501. Overall, 118 were women (24%), median age was 56.0 years, median lactate was 8.1 mmol/L. Acute myocardial infarction caused CS in 289 patients (58%). Thirty-days mortality was 40% (198/501 patients). At least one device-related complication occurred in 252/486 (52%) patients, neurological AEs in 108/469 (23%), bleeding in 192/480 (40%), ischaemic AEs in 123/478 (26%). The 22% of patients with the most AEs accounted for 50% of all AEs. All types of AEs were associated with a worse prognosis. Aside from neurological ones, all AEs and device-related complications were more likely to occur in women; although prediction of AEs outside of neurological AEs was generally poor. CONCLUSION: Therapy and device-related complications occur in half of all patients treated with VA-ECMO and are associated with a worse prognosis. They accumulate in some patients, especially in women. Aside from neurological events, identification of patients at risk is difficult, highlighting the need to establish additional quantitative markers of complication risk to guide VA-ECMO treatment in CS.

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Enhances Preeclampsia Prediction Beyond Maternal Factors and the sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia shares numerous risk factors with cardiovascular diseases. Here, we aimed to assess the potential utility of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) values during pregnancy in predicting preeclampsia occurrence. METHODS: This study measured hs-cTnI levels in 3721 blood samples of 2245 pregnant women from 4 international, prospective cohorts. Three analytical approaches were used: (1) a cross-sectional analysis of all women using a single blood sample, (2) a longitudinal analysis of hs-cTnI trajectories in women with multiple samples, and (3) analyses of prediction models incorporating hs-cTnI, maternal factors, and the sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1)/PlGF (placental growth factor) ratio. RESULTS: Women with hs-cTnI levels in the upper quarter had higher odds ratios for preeclampsia occurrence compared with women with levels in the lower quarter. Associations were driven by preterm preeclampsia (odds ratio, 5.78 [95% CI, 2.73-12.26]) and remained significant when using hs-cTnI as a continuous variable adjusted for confounders. Between-trimester hs-cTnI trajectories were independent of subsequent preeclampsia occurrence. A prediction model incorporating a practical hs-cTnI level of detection cutoff (≥1.9 pg/mL) alongside maternal factors provided comparable performance with the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. A comprehensive model including sFlt-1/PlGF, maternal factors, and hs-cTnI provided added value (cross-validated area under the receiver operator characteristic, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.73-0.82]) above the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio alone (cross-validated area under the receiver operator characteristic, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.65-0.76]; P=0.027). As assessed by likelihood ratio tests, the addition of hs-cTnI to each prediction model significantly improved the respective prediction model not incorporating hs-cTnI, particularly for preterm preeclampsia. Net reclassification improvement analyses indicated that incorporating hs-cTnI improved risk prediction predominantly by correctly reclassifying women with subsequent preeclampsia occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: These exploratory findings uncover a potential role for hs-cTnI as a complementary biomarker in the prediction of preeclampsia. After validation in prospective studies, hs-cTnI, alongside maternal factors, may either be considered as a substitute for angiogenic biomarkers in health care systems where they are sparce or unavailable, or as an enhancement to established prediction models using angiogenic markers.

Heart Rate Reduction and Outcomes in Heart Failure Outpatients.

Aim. Pharmacologic reduction in heart rate with beta-blockers (BB) or ivabradine is associated with improved survival in heart failure (HF) with sinus rhythm. We analyzed the association of different heart rate-reducing drug treatments on outcomes in HF outpatients. Methods. Consecutive patients with HF in sinus rhythm referred to a specialized tertiary service were prospectively enrolled from August 2015 until March 2018. Clinical characteristics were assessed at baseline. We performed Cox regression analyses to examine the effect of the resting heart rate and different heart rate-reducing drug regimens on all-cause mortality and a composite endpoint of "all-cause mortality or heart transplantation" over a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. Results. Of the 278 patients included, 213 (76.6%) were male, the median age was 57.0 years (IQR 49.0-66.1), and 185 (73.7%) had an ejection fraction <40%. Most patients received BB in submaximal [n = 118] or maximum dose [n = 136]. Patients on BB in maximum dose plus ivabradine [n = 24] were younger (53.0 vs. 58.0 years) and had a lower EF (25 vs. 31%). Higher resting heart rate was associated with an increased risk of death or transplantation (HR 1.03 [1.01, 1.06], p = 0.0072), even after adjusting for age and sex. There were no differences between the groups concerning all-cause mortality or the composite endpoint. Conclusion. Our prospective study confirms the association between low heart rate and survival in HF patients receiving various heart rate-reducing medications. We could not identify a specific effect of either regimen.

Rising and Falling High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin in Diagnostic Algorithms for Patients With Suspected Myocardial Infarction.

Background High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn)-based diagnostic algorithms are recommended for the management of patients with suspected myocardial infarction (MI) without ST elevation. Although mirroring different phases of myocardial injury, falling and rising troponin patterns (FPs and RPs, respectively) are equally considered by most algorithms. We aimed to compare the performance of diagnostic protocols for RPs and FPs, separately. Methods and Results We pooled 2 prospective cohorts of patients with suspected MI and stratified patients to stable, FP, and RP during serial sampling separately for hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT and applied the European Society of Cardiology 0/1- and 0/3-hour algorithms comparing the positive predictive values to rule in MI. Overall, 3523 patients were included in the hs-cTnI study population. The positive predictive value for patients with an FP was significantly reduced compared with patients with an RP (0/1-hour: FP, 53.3% [95% CI, 45.0-61.4] versus RP, 76.9 [95% CI, 71.6-81.7]; 0/3-hour: FP, 56.9% [95% CI, 42.2-70.7] versus RP, 78.1% [95% CI, 74.0-81.8]). The proportion of patients in the observe zone was larger in the FP using 0/1-hour (31.3% versus 55.8%) and 0/3-hour (14.6% versus 38.6%) algorithms. Alternative cutoffs did not improve algorithm performances. Compared with stable hs-cTn, the risk for death or MI was highest in those with an FP (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], hs-cTnI 2.3 [95% CI, 1.7-3.2]; RP adjusted HR, hs-cTnI 1.8 [95% CI, 1.4-2.4]). Findings were similar for hs-cTnT tested in 3647 patients overall. Conclusions The positive predictive value to rule in MI by the European Society of Cardiology 0/1- and 0/3-hour algorithms is significantly lower in patients with FP than RP. These are at highest risk for incident death or MI. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifiers: NCT02355457, NCT03227159.

Role of Copeptin and hs-cTnT to Discriminate AHF from Uncomplicated NSTE-ACS with Baseline Elevated hs-cTnT-A Derivation and External Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: In light of overlapping symptoms, discrimination between non-ST-elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute heart failure (HF) is challenging, particularly in patients with equivocal clinical presentation for suspected ACS. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic properties of copeptin in this scenario. METHODS: Data from 1088 patients from a single-center observational registry were used to test the ability of serial high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT)-compared to copeptin, or a combination of copeptin with hs-cTnT-to discriminate acute HF from uncomplicated non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and to evaluate all-cause mortality after 365 days. Patients with STEMI, those with unstable angina and either normal or undetectable hs-cTnT concentrations were excluded. The findings were validated in an independent external NSTE-ACS cohort. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were included in the analysis. The final diagnosis was acute HF in 56 and NSTE-ACS in 163, with NSTEMI in 78 and unstable angina having stable elevation of hs-cTnT >ULN in 85. The rate of all-cause death at 1 year was 9.6% and occurred significantly more often in acute HF than in NSTE-ACS (15 vs. 6%, p < 0.001). In the test cohort, the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) for the discrimination of acute HF vs. NSTE-ACS without HF was 0.725 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.625-0.798) for copeptin and significantly higher than for hs-cTnT at 0 h (AUC = 0.460, 0.370-0.550) or at 3 h (AUC = 0.441, 0.343-0.538). Copeptin and hs-cTnT used either as continuous values or at cutoffs optimized to yield 90% specificity for acute HF were associated with significantly higher age- and sex-adjusted risk for all-cause mortality at 365 days. The findings from the test cohort were consistently replicated in the independent external NSTE-ACS validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: High concentrations of copeptin in patients with suspected NSTE-ACS and equivocal clinical presentation suggest the presence of acute HF compared to uncomplicated NSTE-ACS and are associated with higher rates of all-cause death at 365 days.

Biomarker-based prediction of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: The role of biomarkers in predicting cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk individuals is not well established. We aimed to investigate benefits of adding biomarkers to cardiovascular risk assessment in individuals with and without diabetes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used individual-level data of 95 292 individuals of the European population harmonized in the Biomarker for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment across Europe consortium and investigated the prognostic ability of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Cox-regression models were used to determine adjusted hazard ratios of diabetes and log-transformed biomarkers for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. Models were compared using the likelihood ratio test. Stratification by specific biomarker cut-offs was performed for crude time-to-event analysis using Kaplan-Meier plots. Overall, 6090 (6.4%) individuals had diabetes at baseline, median follow-up was 9.9 years. Adjusting for classical risk factors and biomarkers, diabetes [HR 2.11 (95% CI 1.92, 2.32)], and all biomarkers (HR per interquartile range hs-cTnI 1.08 [95% CI 1.04, 1.12]; NT-proBNP 1.44 [95% CI 1.37, 1.53]; hs-CRP 1.27 [95% CI 1.21, 1.33]) were independently associated with cardiovascular events. Specific cut-offs for each biomarker identified a high-risk group of individuals with diabetes losing a median of 15.5 years of life compared to diabetics without elevated biomarkers. Addition of biomarkers to the Cox-model significantly improved the prediction of outcomes (likelihood ratio test for nested models P < 0.001), accompanied by an increase in the c-index (increase to 0.81). CONCLUSION: Biomarkers improve cardiovascular risk prediction in individuals with and without diabetes and facilitate the identification of individuals with diabetes at highest risk for cardiovascular events.

In this work, the role of cardiac biomarkers measured from blood to predict cardiovascular events and death is tested in individuals of the general population and particularly in those with known diabetes. The work is based on a cooperation of different population studies across Europe and includes more than 90 000 individuals, with more than 6000 having diabetes. We could demonstrate that the determination of three cardiac biomarkers helps to identify individuals at highest risk for cardiovascular events (e.g. myocardial infarction or stroke) and death, despite accounting for known cardiovascular risk factors in these individuals. Therefore, these biomarkers should be considered for routine risk assessment for cardiovascular diseases and could improve the early identification of high-risk individuals, consequently leading to an earlier initiation of preventive therapies.

Diagnostic performance of a device for acoustic heart sound analysis in patients with suspected myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: As only a small proportion of patients with chest pain suffers from myocardial infarction (MI), safe rule-out of MI is of immense importance. Recently an ultrasensitive microphone performing diastolic heart sound analysis (CADScorSystem) for rule-out of coronary artery disease (CAD) has emerged. In this explorational study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the CADScorSystem for diagnosis of MI in the setting of a large emergency department. METHODS: Patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected MI were included. Acoustic heart sound analysis was performed in all patients and automated CAD-score values were calculated via a device-embedded algorithm, which also requires inclusion of three clinical variables: age, sex and presence of hypertension. Patients additionally received serial high-sensitive troponin T measurement measurements to assess the final diagnosis according to third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction applying the European Society of Cardiology 0 hour/3 hours algorithm. Diagnostic parameters for MI, considering different CAD-score cut-offs, were computed. RESULTS: Of 167 patients, CAD-scores were available in 61.1%. A total of eight patients were diagnosed with MI. At a cut-off value of <20, CAD-score had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90.7 (78.4-96.3). The corresponding positive predictive value (PPV) was 6.8 (2.7-16.2). For the adjusted CAD-score (age, sex, hypertension), at a cut-off value of <20, NPV was 90.0 (59.6-99.5) with a PPV of 10.8 (5.3-20.6). CONCLUSION: In this explorative analysis, a transcutaneous ultrasensitive microphone for heart sound analysis resulted in a high NPV analogous to the findings in rule-out of stable CAD in elective patients yet inferior to serial high-sensitivity cardiac troponin measurements and does not seem feasible for application in an emergency setting for rule-out of MI. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02355457.

Validation of a 0/1 h Algorithm for Rapid Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction Using a High-Sensitivity Troponin I Assay.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend 0/1 h algorithms using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) for fast diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Yet, for some assays, existing data is limited. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and the prognostic value of a rapid 0/1 h algorithm for the Access hs-cTnI assay. METHODS: In consecutive patients presenting with suspected MI, we measured concentrations of Access hs-cTnI at presentation and after 1 hour. Final diagnosis was adjudicated independently by 2 cardiologists. Parameters for diagnostic performance were calculated, applying the recently derived European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1 h algorithm for Access hs-cTnI. Additionally, we assessed the prognostic utility of Access hs-cTnI for the composite end point of all-cause mortality and incident MI at 3 years. RESULTS: In 1879 patients, 257 non-ST-elevation MIs occurred. Application of the 0/1 h algorithm classified 44.5% as rule-out, 20.3% as rule-in, and triaged 35.1% to the observe group. High rule-out safety was confirmed with a sensitivity of 97.7% (95% CI, 95.0%-99.1%) and a negative predictive value of 99.3% (95% CI, 98.4%-99.7%). Rule-in capacity was moderate with a specificity of 88.0% (95% CI, 86.3%-89.6%) and a positive predictive value of 50.8% (95% CI, 45.7%-55.9%). After exclusion of patients with ST-elevation MI the results showed strong prognostic value, even after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities, with adjusted hazard ratios of 2.51 (95% CI, 1.56-4.04) in the observe and 3.55 (95% CI, 2.18-5.79) in the rule-in group for the composite end point of all-cause mortality and incident MI at 3 years, compared to ruled-out patients. CONCLUSION: The ESC 0/1 h algorithm for Access hs-cTnI allows safe and efficient triage of patients with suspected MI and has strong prognostic utility up to 3 years after the initial evaluation.

Prognostic impact and diagnostic value of invasively derived hemodynamic measures in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.

BACKGROUND: Ejection time (ET), acceleration time (AT) and time between left ventricular and aortic systolic pressure peaks (T-LVAo) might be of diagnostic and prognostic use in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). AIM: We aimed to assess the diagnostic value and prognostic impact of invasively measured ET, AT, and T-LVAo in patients undergoing TAVI. METHODS: A total of 1274 patients received invasive measurement of ET, AT and T-LVAo prior to TAVI. Anatomic AS severity was assessed by CT-derived aortic valve calcification density (AVCd). Impact on all-cause mortality was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In multivariable linear regression, T-LVAo showed the strongest correlation with AVCd. No prognostic impact of T-LVAo was found according to uni- and multivariable analyses. In contrast, using an individual C-statistic derived cutoff (CD), patients with ET or AT ≥ CD showed lower mortality rates compared to patients with ET or AT < CD (1-year mortality: ET ≥ vs. < CD: 15.01vs. 33.1%, AT ≥ vs < CD 16.3 vs. 26.5%, p < 0.001). Moreover, multivariable analysis identified ET ≥ CD (HR 0.61 [95% CI 0.43-0.87; p < 0.007]) to be associated with beneficial outcome after TAVI, independent from clinical risk factors and echocardiography-derived parameters. CONCLUSION: Among the studied hemodynamic parameters T-LVAo provides the highest diagnostic value, whereas ET is an outcome predictor beyond clinical risk factors and echocardiographic parameters in AS patients following TAVI. These parameters could be of considerable use in diagnostic evaluation and risk assessment of patients scheduled for TAVI. T-LVAo (yellow): defined as time between left ventricular and aortic systolic pressure peaks. ET (green): Ejection Time defined as time from the start to flow end. AT (orange): Acceleration time defined as time from the start to the peak flow. AOP: aortic pressure, AVC: aortic valve calcification, CI: confidence interval, HGAS: high-gradient aortic stenosis, LGAS: low-gradient aortic stenosis, LVP: left ventricular pressure, SD: standard deviation.

Temporal trends in incidence, patient characteristics, microbiology and in-hospital mortality in patients with infective endocarditis: a contemporary analysis of 86,469 cases between 2007 and 2019.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, despite recent improvements in diagnostics and treatment. We aimed to investigate incidence, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital mortality in a large-scale nationwide cohort. METHODS: Using data from the German Federal Bureau of Statistics, all IE cases in Germany between 2007 and 2019 were analyzed. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess associations between clinical factors and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In total, 86,469 patients were hospitalized with IE between 2007 and 2019. The mean age was 66.5 ± 14.7 years and 31.8% (n = 27,534/86,469) were female. Cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities were common. The incidence of IE in the German population increased from 6.3/100,000 to 10.2/100,000 between 2007 and 2019. Staphylococcus (n = 17,673/86,469; 20.4%) and streptococcus (n = 17,618/86,469; 20.4%) were the most common IE-causing bacteria. The prevalence of staphylococcus gradually increased over time, whereas blood culture-negative IE (BCNIE) cases decreased. In-hospital mortality in patients with IE was 14.9%. Compared to BCNIE, staphylococcus and Gram-negative pathogens were associated with higher in-hospital mortality. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality were advanced age, female sex, CV comorbidities (e.g., heart failure, COPD, diabetes, stroke), need for dialysis or invasive ventilation, and sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: In this contemporary cohort, incidence of IE increased over time and in-hospital mortality remained high (~ 15%). While staphylococcus and streptococcus were the predominant microorganisms, bacteremia with staphylococcus and Gram-negative pathogens were associated with higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality. Our results highlight the need for new preventive strategies and interventions in patients with IE. Infective endocarditis in Germany. BCNIE blood culture-negative infective endocarditis, IE infective endocarditis.

Association of High-Sensitivity Troponin T and I Blood Concentrations With All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Outcome in Stable Patients-Results From the INTERCATH Cohort.

Background The association between high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) and outcome when adjusted for confounders including the angiographical severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains largely unknown. We therefore aimed to explore whether hsTnT and hsTnI blood levels increase with CAD severity and add independent predictive information for future major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in stable patients. Methods and Results Patients from the INTERCATH cohort with available coronary angiography and hsTnT and hsTnI concentrations were included. Troponin concentrations were quantified via hsTnT (Roche Elecsys) and hsTnI (Abbott ARCHITECT STAT). To investigate the association of hsTnT and hsTnI with outcome, a multivariable analysis adjusting for classical cardiovascular risk factors, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), and Gensini score was carried out. Of 1829 patients, 27.9% were women, and the mean age was 68.6±10.9 years. Troponin blood concentrations were higher in patients with diagnosed CAD compared with those without. Using a linear regression model current smoking, arterial hypertension, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hs-CRP, NT-proBNP, and CAD severity as graded by the Gensini and SYNTAX scores were associated with high-sensitivity troponin levels. Patients were followed for 4.4 years (25th and 75th percentiles: 4.3, 4.4). After multivariable adjustment, all-cause mortality was predicted by hsTnT (hazard ratio [HR], 1.7 [95% CI, 1.5-2.2], P<0.001) as well as hsTnI (HR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.2-1.8], P<0.001). However, only hsTnI (HR, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.0-1.4], P=0.032) remained as an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events after adjusting for most possible confounders, including CAD severity (hsTnT: HR, 1.0 [95% CI, 0.9-1.2], P=0.95). Conclusions After adjusting for classical cardiovascular risk factors, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hs-CRP, NT-proBNP, and CAD severity, hsTnT and hsTnI were independently associated with all-cause mortality, but only hsTnI was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events in stable patients undergoing coronary angiography. Registration URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/; Unique identifier: NCT04936438.

Risk-related short-term clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their impact on early mortality: an analysis of claims-based data from Germany.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to define and assess risk-specific adverse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in an all-comers patient population based on German administrative claims data. METHODS: Administrative claims data of patients undergoing transvascular TAVI between 2017 and 2019 derived from the largest provider of statutory health-care insurance in Germany were used. Patients' risk profile was assessed using the established Hospital Frailty Risk (HFR) score and 30-day adverse events were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to investigate the relation of patients' risk factors to clinical outcomes and, subsequently, of clinical outcomes to mortality. RESULTS: A total of 21,430 patients were included in the analysis. Of those, 51% were categorized as low-, 37% as intermediate-, and 12% as high-risk TAVI patients according to HFR score. Whereas low-risk TAVI patients showed low rates of periprocedural adverse events, TAVI patients at intermediate or high risk suffered from worse outcomes. An increase in HFR score was associated with an increased risk for all adverse outcome measures. The strongest association of patients' risk profile and outcome was present for cerebrovascular events and acute renal failure after TAVI. Independent of patients' risk, the latter showed the strongest relation with early mortality after TAVI. CONCLUSIONS: Differentiated outcomes after TAVI can be assessed using claims-based data and are highly dependent on patients' risk profile. The present study might be of use to define risk-adjusted outcome margins for TAVI patients in Germany on the basis of health-insurance data.

Risk prediction in patients with low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis and reduced ejection fraction undergoing TAVI.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG AS) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are known to suffer from poor prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study aimed to develop a simple score system for risk prediction in this vulnerable subset of patients. METHODS: All patients with LFLG AS with reduced EF and sufficient CT data for aortic valve calcification (AVC) quantification, who underwent TAVI at five German centres, were retrospectively included. The Risk prEdiction in patients with Low Ejection Fraction low gradient aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI (RELiEF TAVI) score was developed based on multivariable Cox regression for all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Among all included patients (n=718), RELiEF TAVI score variables were defined as independent predictors of mortality: male sex (HR 1.34 (1.06, 1.68), p=0.013), underweight (HR 3.10 (1.50, 6.40), p=0.0022), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 1.55 (1.21, 1.99), p=0.001), pulmonary hypertension (HR 1.51 (1.17, 1.94), p=0.0015), atrial fibrillation (HR 1.28 (1.03, 1.60), p=0.028), stroke volume index (HR 0.96 (0.95, 0.98), p<0.001), non-transfemoral access (HR 1.36 (1.05, 1.76), p=0.021) and low AVC density (HR 1.44 (1.15, 1.79), p=0.0012). A score system was developed ranging from 0 to 12 points (risk of 1-year mortality: 13%-99%). Kaplan-Meier analysis for low (0-1 points), moderate (2-4 points) and high RELiEF TAVI score (>4 points) demonstrated rates of 18.0%, 29.0% and 46.1% (p<0.001) for all-cause mortality and 23.8%, 35.9% and 53.4% (p<0.001) for the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality or heart failure rehospitalisation after 1 year, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The RELiEF TAVI score is based on simple clinical, echocardiographic and CT parameters and might serve as a helpful tool for risk prediction in patients with LFLG AS and reduced LVEF scheduled for TAVI.

Multi-organ assessment in mainly non-hospitalized individuals after SARS-CoV-2 infection: The Hamburg City Health Study COVID programme.

AIMS: Long-term sequelae may occur after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We comprehensively assessed organ-specific functions in individuals after mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with controls from the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-three mainly non-hospitalized individuals were examined in median 9.6 months after the first positive SARS-CoV-2 test and matched for age, sex, and education with 1328 controls from a population-based German cohort. We assessed pulmonary, cardiac, vascular, renal, and neurological status, as well as patient-related outcomes. Bodyplethysmography documented mildly lower total lung volume (regression coefficient -3.24, adjusted P = 0.014) and higher specific airway resistance (regression coefficient 8.11, adjusted P = 0.001) after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cardiac assessment revealed slightly lower measures of left (regression coefficient for left ventricular ejection fraction on transthoracic echocardiography -0.93, adjusted P = 0.015) and right ventricular function and higher concentrations of cardiac biomarkers (factor 1.14 for high-sensitivity troponin, 1.41 for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, adjusted P ≤ 0.01) in post-SARS-CoV-2 patients compared with matched controls, but no significant differences in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings. Sonographically non-compressible femoral veins, suggesting deep vein thrombosis, were substantially more frequent after SARS-CoV-2 infection (odds ratio 2.68, adjusted P < 0.001). Glomerular filtration rate (regression coefficient -2.35, adjusted P = 0.019) was lower in post-SARS-CoV-2 cases. Relative brain volume, prevalence of cerebral microbleeds, and infarct residuals were similar, while the mean cortical thickness was higher in post-SARS-CoV-2 cases. Cognitive function was not impaired. Similarly, patient-related outcomes did not differ. CONCLUSION: Subjects who apparently recovered from mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection show signs of subclinical multi-organ affection related to pulmonary, cardiac, thrombotic, and renal function without signs of structural brain damage, neurocognitive, or quality-of-life impairment. Respective screening may guide further patient management.