Implementation of a Regional STEMI Network in North Cairo (Egypt): Impact on The Management and Outcome of STEMI Patients.

Background: Regional ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks facilitate timely performance of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), reduce mortality and improve outcomes. Few data exist on the feasibility and impact of regional STEMI networks in developing countries. Aim of the Work: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and impact of establishing a regional STEMI network on the management and outcomes of STEMI patients in north Cairo. Patients and Methods: A prospective observational study conducted on 352 patients presenting in North Cairo with confirmed diagnosis of STEMI within 48 hours of symptoms. Patients were divided into group I (n = 140) before and group II (n = 212) after establishment of the STEMI network. Both groups were compared as regards patients' demographics, presentation, management and short-term outcomes. The north Cairo regional STEMI network was established among four governmental hospitals and the governmental ambulance was used for interhospital transfer. WhatsApp® was used for trans-network team communication. Results: Mean age of the study population was 55.4 ± 11.02 years and 286 (81.3%) were males. Mean time from chest pain to first medical contact did not change between the two groups (240 minutes; P = 0.36) while door to balloon mean time was reduced (from 54.3 to 44.1 minutes: P = 0.01). Use of thrombolytic therapy declined from 51 (36.4%) to 16 (7.5%) (P < 0.001) while primary PCI increased from 59.8% to 77.1% (p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 51.3 ± 10.7 to 55.4 ± 9.1 (P < 0.001), the mean time of CCU stay was reduced from a mean of 3.0 to 2.0 days (P < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality improved from 6.4% to 2.8% (P = 0.10). Conclusion: The establishment of the STEMI network in north Cairo was feasible and improved patients' outcomes. Use of primary PCI increased and in-hospital mortality improved from after establishment of STEMI network.

Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular functions in patients with proximal right coronary artery chronic total occlusion.

To assess right ventricular functions by echocardiography in patients with proximal right coronary artery (RCA) CTO and correlating it with clinical and angiographic variables. We studied 60 consecutive patients with CTO of the proximal RCA and no other significant lesions in the left coronary system. Echocardiography was performed in order to measure left ventricular (LV) dimensions, LVEF, RV end diastolic area (RVEDA), RV end systolic area (RVESA), RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Doppler myocardial performance index (MPI), trans-tricuspid E and A waves, E/A ratio, S', e' and a'. Grades of coronary collaterals was assessed. Doppler MPI showed negative correlation with TAPSE (r = -0.8997, p < 0.0001) and RVFAC (r = -0.928, p < 0.0001). Positive correlation with trans-tricuspid E/A ratio (r = 0.893, p < 0.0001) and E/e' ratio (r = 0.783, p < 0.0001). Patients with no evidence of MI had more well-developed (grade 3) coronary collaterals (83.8 vs. 17.4 %). Patients with evidence of MI had lower RVFAC 38.13 ± 5.39 versus 45.08 ± 4.99 % (p < 0.0001), lower TAPSE 20.17 ± 3.85 versus 25.35 ± 3.46 mm (p < 0.0001), higher MPI 0.4 ± 0.08 versus 0.31 ± 0.05 (p < 0.0001), higher trans-tricuspid E/A ratio 1.79 ± 0.38 versus 1.13 ± 0.36 (p < 0.0001) and E/e' ratio 5.23 ± 1.02 versus 3.61 ± 0.88 (p < 0.0001). Patients with poorly developed collaterals had lower TAPSE and RVFAC and a higher MPI (p < 0.0001 for each). Patients with proximal RCA CTOs and evidence of inferior wall MI have significant impairment of RV functions in addition to poorly developed coronary collaterals. Those with proximal RCA CTOs and well-developed coronary collaterals have better RV functions.

Predictors of outcome in patients undergoing PCI. Results of the RIVIERA study.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available about clinical outcomes following routine percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the current era. This study aimed to identify predictors of adverse clinical or angiographic complications following PCI in patients from many different countries. METHODS: RIVIERA is a multinational, prospective, observational study in patients undergoing elective or primary PCI. Consecutive patients (n=7962) were enrolled in 144 hospitals from 23 countries in four different continents. Primary outcome was death or myocardial infarction (MI). The mean age of the patients was 59 years and 77% were men; 92% of patients underwent elective and 8% primary PCI. RESULTS: The rate of in-hospital outcomes was low: death 0.3%, MI 1%, any bleeding 3.4%. Angiographic complications occurred in 8.7% of patients, mainly coronary dissection (3.7%) and no reflow (2%). After multivariable analysis, the strongest independent predictors of death or MI were clinical presentation with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and administration of a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Radial access, thienopyridine pretreatment and anticoagulation with enoxaparin were associated with a lower risk of death or MI. Female gender, PCI of coronary artery bypass graft, administration of a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor and combined use of enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin were significantly associated with more bleeding. Radial access was the only variable associated with less bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Routine PCI appears to be a relatively safe revascularization procedure. Many of the variables identified as predictors of adverse cardiac outcomes confirm results obtained in recent randomized PCI trials and are modifiable, suggesting that further improvements can be made.