Routine reporting of grey-white matter differentiation in early brain computed tomography in comatose patients after cardiac arrest: A substudy of the COACT trial.

AIM: A multimodal approach is advised for neurological prognostication in comatose patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Grey-white matter differentiation (grey-white ratio, GWR) obtained from a brain CT scan performed < 24 hours after return of circulation can be part of this approach. The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency and method of reporting the GWR in brain CT scan reports and their association with outcome. METHODS: This is a post-hoc descriptive analysis of the COACT trial. The primary endpoint was the reporting of GWR by the radiologist. Secondary endpoints were APACHE IV score, Cerebral Performance Categories at discharge and 90-day follow-up, Glasgow Coma Scale at discharge, GWR-stratified 1-year survival, and RAND-36 stratified by normal versus abnormal GWR. Associations were analysed using multivariable analysis. RESULTS: A total of 427 OHCA patients were included in this study, 234 (55%) of whom underwent a brain CT scan within 24 hours after ROSC. Median time between arrest and initial CT scan was 12 hours. In 195 patients (83%), the GWR was described in the reports, but always expressed qualitatively. The GWR was deemed abnormal in 57 (29%) CT scans. No differences were found in secondary endpoints between the two groups. CONCLUSION: GWR was frequently described in CT scan reports. Early abnormal GWR, as assessed qualitatively by a radiologist within 24 hours after ROSC, was a poor predictor of neurological prognosis.

2020 ESC Guidelines on acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation : Recommendations and critical appraisal from the Dutch ACS and Interventional Cardiology working groups.

Recently, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has updated its guidelines for the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without ST-segment elevation. The current consensus document of the Dutch ACS working group and the Working Group of Interventional Cardiology of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology aims to put the 2020 ESC Guidelines into the Dutch perspective and to provide practical recommendations for Dutch cardiologists, focusing on antiplatelet therapy, risk assessment and criteria for invasive strategy.

Infarct-related chronic total coronary occlusion and the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmic events in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) has been identified as a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias, especially a CTO in an infarct-related artery (IRA). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an IRA-CTO on the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmic events (VTEs) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors without ST-segment elevation. METHODS: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the COACT trial, a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Patients were included when they survived index hospitalisation after cardiac arrest and demonstrated coronary artery disease on coronary angiography. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a VTE, defined as appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy, sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia or sudden cardiac death. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients from ten centres were included. Unrevascularised IRA-CTO in a main vessel was present in 43 patients (26%). Overall, 61% of the study population received an ICD for secondary prevention. During a follow-up of 1 year, 12 patients (7.4%) experienced at least one VTE. The cumulative incidence rate of VTEs was higher in patients with an IRA-CTO compared to patients without an IRA-CTO (17.4% vs 5.6%, log-rank p = 0.03). However, multivariable analysis only identified left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% as an independent factor associated with VTEs (adjusted hazard ratio 8.7, 95% confidence interval 2.2-35.4). A subanalysis focusing on CTO, with or without an infarct in the CTO territory, did not change the results. CONCLUSION: In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors with coronary artery disease without ST-segment elevation, an IRA-CTO was not an independent factor associated with VTEs in the 1st year after the index event.

Evolution of coronary artery calcium and absolute myocardial perfusion after percutaneous revascularization: A 3-year serial hybrid [15O]H2O PET/CT imaging study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The value of serial coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores to predict changes in absolute myocardial perfusion and epicardial vasomotor function is poorly documented. This study explored the association between progression of CAC score and changes in absolute myocardial perfusion. METHODS: Fifty-three patients (26% female) with de novo single-vessel coronary artery disease underwent [15O]H2O positron emission tomography/computed tomography at 1 month (baseline), 1 year, and 3 years after complete revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to assess CAC scores, hyperemic myocardial blood flow (hMBF), coronary flow reserve (CFR) and cold pressor test MBF (CPT-MBF), within the context of the VANISH trial. RESULTS: Baseline CAC score was 0 in 9%, 0.1-99.9 in 40%, 100-399.9 in 36% and ≥400 in 15% of patients, respectively. Mixed model-analysis allowed for averaging perfusion indices over all time points: hMBF (3.74 ± 0.83; 3.33 ± 0.79; 3.08 ± 0.78 and 2.44 ± 0.74 mL min-1·g-1) and CFR (3.82 ± 1.12; 3.17 ± 0.80; 3.19 ± 0.81; 2.63 ± 0.92) were lower among higher baseline CAC groups (p < 0.01; p = 0.03). However, no significant interaction was found between baseline CAC groups and time after PCI for all perfusion indices, denoting that evolution of perfusion indices over time was not significantly different between CAC groups. Furthermore, CAC progression was not correlated with evolution of hMBF (r = 0.08, p = 0.57), CFR (r = 0.09, p = 0.53) or CPT-MBF (r = 0.03, p = 0.82) during 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Higher baseline CAC was associated with lower hMBF and CFR. However, both baseline CAC and its progression were not associated with evolution of absolute hMBF, CFR and CPT-MBF over time, suggesting that CAC score and progression of CAC are poor indicators of change in absolute myocardial perfusion.

The role of coronary angiography in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in the absence of ST-segment elevation: A literature review.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of death. Although the aetiology of cardiac arrest can be diverse, the most common cause is ischaemic heart disease. Coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention, if indicated, has been associated with improved long-term survival for patients with initial shockable rhythm. However, in patients without ST-segment elevation on the post-resuscitation electrocardiogram, the optimal timing of performing this invasive procedure is uncertain. One important challenge that clinicians face is to appropriately select patients that will benefit from immediate coronary angiography, yet avoid unnecessary delay of intensive care support and targeted temperature management. Observational studies have reported contradictory results and until recently, randomised trials were lacking. The Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest without ST-segment elevation (COACT) was the first randomised trial that provided comparative information between coronary angiography treatment strategies. This literature review will provide the current knowledge and gaps in the literature regarding optimal care for patients successfully resuscitated from OHCA in the absence of ST-segment elevation and will primarily focus on the role and timing of coronary angiography in this high-risk patient population.

Emergency cardiac surgery after a failed percutaneous coronary intervention in an interventional centre without on-site cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND.: Based on experience from other countries, the Medical Centre Alkmaar was granted permission to start the first Dutch PCI programme without on-site cardiac surgery. The cardiology group of the Medical Centre Alkmaar started an off-site PCI programme in 2002 with only primary PCI in the first year and a full PCI programme from November 2003 onwards. We report the first Dutch experience with acute cardiac surgery following a failed PCI procedure in an off-site clinic. PATIENTS.: From October 2002 until February 2007, 2500 patients were treated by PCI in the Medical Centre Alkmaar. These patients were treated for an acute myocardial infarction (33%), acute coronary syndromes (37%) or progressive angina (30%). In this first series of off-site PCI in the Netherlands, the incidence of emergency cardiac surgery following failed PCI was 0.2% All five patients who needed emergency surgery underwent elective PCI for progressive stable coronary artery disease. No emergency surgery was needed for primary PCIs in patients with an acute myocardial infarction. All patients survived emergency surgery following failed PCI. CONCLUSION.: Adherence to the Dutch guidelines of interventional cardiology with protocols describing a close collaboration with cardiac surgeons and an immediate availability of rapid ground transportation are mandatory when performing off-site PCI. This series extends the current expertise of emergency surgery after failed PCI to off-site clinics. With appropriate settings, off-site PCI may not be associated with an increase in the risk of adverse events. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:173-7.).

Increased brain and atrial natriuretic peptides in patients with chronic right ventricular pressure overload: correlation between plasma neurohormones and right ventricular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of plasma neurohormones in the diagnosis of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic right ventricular dysfunction. SETTING: Tertiary cardiovascular referral centre. METHODS: Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations were measured in 21 asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with chronic right ventricular pressure overload caused by congenital heart disease, and in seven healthy volunteers. Right ventricular ejection fraction was determined using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Right ventricular ejection fraction in the volunteers was higher than in the patients (69.0 (8.2)% v 58.0(12.0)%, respectively; p < 0.006). Left ventricular ejection fraction was 72.3(7.8)% in volunteers and 68.1(11.0)% in patients (NS). There was a significant difference between patients and volunteers in the plasma concentrations of BNP (5.3 (3.5) v 2.3 (1.7) pmol/l, respectively; p < 0.009) and ANP (7.3 (4.5) v 3.6 (1.4) pmol/l; p < 0.05). In both patients and volunteers, mean plasma ANP was higher than mean plasma BNP. Right ventricular ejection fraction was inversely correlated with BNP and ANP (respectively, r = 0.65; p < 0.0002 and r = 0.61; p < 0.002). There was no correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction and BNP (r = 0.2; NS) or ANP (r = 0.52; NS). Similarly, no correlation was shown between the level of right ventricular systolic pressure and either plasma BNP (r = 0.20) or plasma ANP (r = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant inverse correlation between right ventricular ejection fraction and the plasma neurohormones BNP and ANP in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with right ventricular pressure overload and congenital heart disease. Monitoring changes in BNP and ANP may provide quantitative follow up of right ventricular dysfunction in these patients.