Predicted Value of MicroRNAs, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Intermediate Monocytes in the Left Adverse Ventricular Remodeling in Revascularized ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) improves the survival of patients; nevertheless, some patients develop left ventricular adverse remodeling (LVAR) a few months after the intervention. The main objective of this study was to characterize the role of pro-inflammatory cell populations, related cytokines, and microRNAs (miRNAs) released after PPCI as reliable prognostic biomarkers for LVAR in patients with STEMI. Methods: We evaluated the level of pro-inflammatory subsets, before and after revascularization, 1 and 6 months after PPCI, using flow cytometry. We also performed a miRNA microarray in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and examined the levels of 27 cytokines in patients' serum of patients by multiplex ELISA. Results: We observed that the levels of classical and intermediate monocytes increased 6 h after PPCI in patients who developed LVAR later. Multivariate regression analysis and ROC curves indicated that intermediate monocytes, after PPCI, were the best monocyte subset that correlated with LVAR. Within the 27 evaluated cytokines evaluated, we found that the increase in the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) correlated with LVAR. Furthermore, the microarray analysis of PBMCs determined that up to 1,209 miRNAs were differentially expressed 6 h after PPCI in LVAR patients, compared with those who did not develop LVAR. Using RT-qPCR we confirmed a significant increase in miR-16, miR-21-5p, and miR-29a-3p, suggested to modulate the expression of different cytokines, 6 h post-PPCI in LVAR patients. Interestingly, we determined that the combined analysis of the levels of the intermediate monocyte subpopulation, VEGF, and miRNAs gave a better association with LVAR appearance. Similarly, combined ROC analysis provided high accurate specificity and sensibility to identify STEMI patients who will develop LVAR. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the combined analysis of intermediate monocytes, VEGF, and miRNAs predicts LVAR in STEMI patients.

Prognostic Implication of Non-Obstructive Coronary Lesions: A New Classification in Different Settings.

The clinical significance of non-obstructive coronary artery disease is the subject of debate. Our objective was to evaluate the long-term cardiovascular prognosis associated with non-obstructive coronary artery disease in patients undergoing coronary angiography, and to conduct a stratification by sex, diabetes, and clinical indication. We designed a multi-centre retrospective longitudinal observational study of 3265 patients that were classified into three groups: normal coronary arteries (lesion <20%, 1426 patients), non-obstructive coronary artery disease (20-50%, 643 patients), and obstructive coronary artery disease (>70%, 1196 patients). During a mean follow-up of 43 months, we evaluated a combined cardiovascular event: acute myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, or cardiovascular death. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models showed a worse prognosis in patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, in comparison with patients of normal coronary arteries group, in the total population (hazard ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.23-2.39; p for trend <0.001), in non-diabetics (hazard ratio 2.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.40-3.22), in women (hazard ratio 1.75, 95% confidence interval 1.10-2.77), and after acute coronary syndrome (hazard ratio 2.07, 95% confidence interval 1.25-3.44). In conclusion, non-obstructive coronary artery disease is associated with an impaired long-term cardiovascular prognosis. This association held for non-diabetics, women, and after acute coronary syndrome.

Estimulación ventricular izquierda a través de la guía del implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica / Guidewire-driven left ventricular pacing during transcatheter aortic valve implantation

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Análisis de fase en estudios Gated-SPECT como predictor de mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria y función ventricular izquierda deprimida / Phase analysis in Gated-SPECT studies as a predictor of mortality in patients with coronary diseases and impaired left ventricular function

Resumen Antecedentes: La enfermedad coronaria es una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en los países occidentales. En etapas avanzadas de la enfermedad, los procesos de remodelación miocárdica pueden conducir a insuficiencia cardíaca progresiva y disfunción ventricular izquierda. El análisis de fase de los estudios de perfusión miocárdica Gated-SPECT muestra parámetros que han sido caracterizados como marcadores válidos de asincronía ventricular. Objetivo: Evaluar los parámetros del análisis de fase en Gated-SPECT como predictores independientes de mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria avanzada e insuficiencia ventricular izquierda. Materiales y método: Estudio retrospectivo de cohortes históricas de 185 pacientes consecutivos (140 hombres; edad media=67,6±12,7 años) a los que, entre enero de 2009 y marzo de 2011, se les hizo estudio isotópico de perfusión miocárdica con estimulación farmacológica con resultado positivo para isquemia/necrosis con FEVI ≤ 55%. Adicionalmente, se les realizó seguimiento medio de 32,4±10,5 meses registrándose la aparición de eventos cardíacos mayores (infarto agudo de miocardio no mortal, ingreso hospitalario y revascularización coronaria tardía) y mortalidad total. Resultados: Durante el seguimiento se registraron eventos mayores en 51 pacientes así como 28 fallecimientos, de los cuales, 82,1% mostró valores alterados de los parámetros de fase: media=141,1(±17,6(; desviación estándar=15,8(±10,1(; ancho de banda=59,1(±36( y FEVI=42,4%±10,8%. El análisis de Cox mostró al ancho de banda como un predictor independiente de muerte, disminuyendo significativamente la supervivencia y aumentando el riesgo de muerte (hazard ratio=2,68; p<0,05). Conclusiones: El ancho de banda en el análisis de fase se comporta como un predictor independiente de muerte en pacientes con miocardiopatía conocida y FEVI deprimida.

Abstract Background: Coronary disease is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in western countries. In the advanced stages of the disease the myocardial remodelling processes can lead to progressive heart failure and left ventricular impairment. The phase analysis of Gated-SPECT studies of myocardial perfusion show parameters that have been characterised as valid marker of ventricular asynchrony. Objective: To evaluate the phase analysis parameters in Gated SPECT as independent predictors of mortality in patients with advanced coronary disease and left ventricular failure. Materials and method: A retrospective historic cohort study was conducted on 185 consecutive patients (140 males; mean age = 67.6±12.7 years) on whom, between January 2009 and March 2011, an isotope myocardial perfusion study was carried out with pharmacologic stimulation and with a positive result for ischaemia / necrosis, and with a LVEF ≤ 55%. A mean follow-up of 32.4 ±10.5 months was also performed, recording the appearance of major cardiac events (non-fatal acute myocardial infarctions, hospital admission, delayed coronary revascularisation, and total mortality. Results: Major events were recorded in 51 patients during follow-up. There were also 28 deaths, of which 82.1% showed abnormal values of the phase parameters: media=141.1(±17.6(; standard deviation=15.8(±10.1(; bandwidth=59.1(±36(, and LVEF = 42.4%±10.8%. The Cox analysis showed the bandwidth as an independent predictor of death, significantly reducing the survival and increasing the risk of death (hazard ratio=2.68; P<.05). Conclusions: The bandwidth in the phase analysis behaves as an independent predictive factor in patients with known myocardial disease and an impaired LVEF.

Severe thrombocytopenia induced by iodinated contrast after coronary angiography: The use of gadolinium contrast and intravascular ultrasound as an alternative to guide percutaneous coronary intervention.

Acute contrast-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare event with the use of modern low osmolarity iodinated contrast media. The pathophysiological mechanism that causes platelet counts to drop has not been identified, but an immunological mechanism is suspected due to cytotoxicity after previous exposure to contrast. We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient with acute severe thrombocytopenia due to iodinated contrast media exposure. His platelet count after the procedure with the highest amount of contrast was zero, which is the lowest reported platelet count to date. Percutaneous coronary revascularization under both intravascular ultrasound and gadolinium contrast guidance was performed without complications. The most feared complication after the use of gadolinium is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, especially in patients on hemodialysis.