Long-term risk factor management and adverse events in patients with early-onset myocardial infarction-a "real-world" study.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines emphasize the importance of preventive efforts after early-onset myocardial infarction (EOMI); however, data on "real-world" long-term risk factor management and adverse event rates in this special patient group is scarce. METHODS: In this German registry study, 301 patients with MI aged ≤ 45 years were investigated. Risk factor control was assessed at the time of index MI and after 1 year. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and its predictors were analyzed during long-term follow-up (median duration 49 months). RESULTS: A majority of patients with EOMI presented with insufficient risk factor control, even during 1-year follow-up. After 1-year 42% of patients were persistent smokers; 74% were physically inactive. The rate of obesity increased significantly from index MI (41%) to 1-year follow-up (46%, p = 0.03) as well as the rate of dysglycemia (index MI: 40%; 1-year follow-up: 51%, p < 0.01) and diabetes mellitus (index MI: 20%; 1-year follow-up: 24%, p < 0.01). 66% of the patients with diabetes mellitus had unsatisfactory HbA1c after 1 year; 69% of the patients did not attain guideline-recommended lipid targets. The rate of MACCE during long-term follow-up was 20% (incidence rate 0.05 per person-year). In a multivariable analysis smoking (HR 2.2, HR 1.3-3.7, p < 0.01) and physical inactivity (HR 2.8, HR 1.2-6.7, p = 0.02) were significant predictors for the occurrence of MACCE. CONCLUSION: Insufficient long-term risk factor control was common in patients with EOMI and was associated with an elevated rate of MACCE. The study reveals that better strategies for prevention in young patients are crucially needed.

Impact of educational attainment on preventive efforts after myocardial infarction: results of the IPP and NET-IPP trials.

AIMS: Educational attainment might impact secondary prevention after myocardial infarction (MI). The purpose of the present study was to compare the rate of risk factors and the efficacy of an intensive prevention program (IPP), performed by prevention assistants and supervised by physicians, in patients with MI and different levels of education. METHODS: In this post hoc analysis of the multicenter IPP and NET-IPP trials, patients with MI were stratified into two groups according to educational attainment: no "Abitur" (no A) vs. "Abitur" or university degree (AUD). The groups were compared at the time of index MI and after 12-month IPP vs. usual care. RESULTS: Out of n = 462 patients with MI, 76.0% had no A and 24.0% had AUD. At the time of index, MI rates of obesity (OR 2.4; 95%CI 1.4-4.0), smoking (OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.4-3.6), and physical inactivity (OR 1.6; 95%CI 1.0-2.5) were significantly elevated in patients with no A. At 12 months after index MI, larger improvements of the risk factors smoking and physical inactivity were observed in patients with IPP and no A than in patients with IPP and AUD or with usual care. LDL cholesterol levels were reduced by IPP compared to usual care, with no difference between no A vs. AUD. A matched-pair analysis revealed that high baseline risk was an important reason for the large risk factor reductions in patients with IPP and no A. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that patients with MI and lower educational level have an increased rate of lifestyle-related risk factors and a 12-month IPP, which is primarily performed by non-physician prevention assistants, is effective to improve prevention in this high-risk cohort.

Right Ventricular Cardiac Power Index Predicts 1 Year Outcome After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge-Repair for Severe Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation.

Tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) emerged as a novel treatment option for patients not amenable to surgery. However, knowledge regarding independent risk factors for a worse prognosis is rarely available. The study sought to investigate the impact of right ventricular cardiac power index (RVCPi) on 1-year outcomes in patients with severe symptomatic TR who underwent T-TEER. Consecutive patients with severe TR who underwent T-TEER from August 2020 to March 2022 were included and followed prospectively. Baseline clinical and invasive hemodynamic variables, changes in echocardiographic parameters and New York Heart Association functional class, and periprocedural and in-hospital major adverse events were assessed. Primary end point was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization at 1 year after T-TEER. A multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for combined primary end point. RVCPi was calculated as: (cardiac index × mean pulmonary pressure) × K (conversion factor 2.22 × 10-3) = W/m². Receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to determine discriminative capacity of RVCPi. The prognostic value of RVCPi threshold was tested using Kaplan-Meier analysis. In total, 102 patients (mean age 81 ± 6 years, 51% women) at high operative risk underwent T-TEER for severe TR. Primary end point occurred in 30 patients (32%). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that RVCPi was associated with an area under the curve of 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.56 to 0.82; p = 0.003). With a RVCPi threshold of 0.17 W/m² (maximally selected rank statistics), the event-free survival was significantly higher in the RVCPi <0.17 W/m² group compared with those with RVCPi ≥0.17 W/m² (71% vs 35%, log-rank p <0.001). In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, RVCPi was an independent predictor for the combined primary end point (hazard ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 5.1, p = 0.003). In conclusion, RVCPi is associated with outcome in patients who underwent T-TEER for severe TR and this hemodynamic predictor is useful in risk stratification of T-TEER candidates.

Lifestyle and metabolic risk factors in patients with early-onset myocardial infarction: a case-control study.

AIMS: Family history is a known risk factor for early-onset myocardial infarction (EOMI). However, the role of modifiable lifestyle and metabolic factors in EOMI risk is unclear and may differ from that of older adults. METHODS: This case-control study included myocardial infarction (MI) patients aged ≤45 years from the Bremen ST-elevation MI Registry and matched controls randomly selected from the general population (German National Cohort) at the same geographical region. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the individual and combined associations of lifestyle and metabolic factors with EOMI risk, overall and according to family history for premature MI. RESULTS: A total of 522 cases and 1191 controls were included. Hypertension, current smoking, elevated waist-to-hip ratio, and diabetes mellitus were strongly associated with the occurrence of EOMI. By contrast, higher frequency of alcohol consumption was associated with decreased EOMI risk. In a combined analysis of the risk factors hypertension, current smoking, body mass index ≥25.0 kg/sqm, and diabetes mellitus, participants having one (OR = 5.4, 95%CI = 2.9-10.1) and two or more risk factors (OR = 42.3, 95%CI = 22.3-80.4) had substantially higher odds of EOMI compared to those with none of these risk factors, regardless of their family history. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a strong association of smoking and metabolic risk factors with the occurrence of EOMI. The data suggest that the risk of EOMI goes beyond family history and underlines the importance of primary prevention efforts to reduce smoking and metabolic syndrome in young persons.

Temporal trends in treatment strategies and clinical outcomes among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and ST-elevation myocardial infarctions: results from the Bremen STEMI registry.

BACKGROUND: Although the detrimental effects of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) on prognosis in coronary artery disease is known, there are few data on the efficacy and safety of modern interventional therapies and medications in patients with advanced CKD, because this special patient cohort is often excluded or underrepresented in randomized trials. METHODS: In the present study all patients admitted with ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) from the region of Bremen/Germany treated between 2006 and 2019 were analyzed. Advanced CKD was defined as glomerular filtration rate < 45 ml/min. RESULTS: Of 9605 STEMI-patients, 1018 (10.6%) had advanced CKD with a serum creatinine of 2.22 ± 4.2 mg/dl at admission and with lower rates of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) (84.1 vs. 94.1%, p < 0.01) and higher all-cause-mortality (44.4 vs. 3.6%, p < 0.01). Over time, advanced CKD-patients were more likely to be treated with pPCI (2015-2019: 90.3% vs. 2006-2010:75.8%, p < 0.01) and with ticagrelor/prasugrel (59.6% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.01) and drug eluting stents (90.7% vs. 1.3%, p < 0.01). During the study period a decline in adverse ischemic events (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7) and an increase in bleedings (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.8) within 1 year after the index event could be observed in patients with advanced CKD while 1-year-mortality (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.7-1.4) and rates of acute kidney injury (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.8-1.7) did not change in a multivariate model. Both, ticagrelor/prasugrel (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.2-0.98) and DES (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.2-0.8) were associated with a decrease in ischemic events at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: During the observed time period STEMI-patients with advanced CKD were more likely to be treated with primary PCI, ticagrelor or prasugrel and DE-stents. These changes probably have contributed to the decline in ischemic events and the increase in bleedings within 1 year after STEMI while overall mortality at 1-year remained unchanged for this high-risk patient group.

Influence of the ratio of mean arterial pressure to right atrial pressure on outcome after successful percutaneous edge-to-edge repair for severe mitral valve regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: It is important to identify further predictors of outcome after successful transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR), as optimal patient selection remains difficult. OBJECTIVE: The study investigates the prognostic benefit of the mean arterial pressure (MAP) to right atrial pressure (RAP) ratio (MAP/RAP ratio) after successful TMVR in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and severe mitral regurgitation (MR). METHOD: Patients with CHF and severe MR were enrolled after successful TMVR (MR ≤ 2+ at discharge). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality or hospitalisation for heart failure. The median follow-up time was 16 ± 9 months. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was applied to assess the discriminatory power of the MAP/RAP ratio. The predictive value of the MAP/RAP ratio threshold was investigated using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate independent risk factors for the combined primary endpoint. RESULTS: 145 patients (median age 76 [69-80 years], 60.3% male) were included. ROC curve analysis showed that MAP/RAP ratio was associated with an area under the curve of 0.62 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-0.71; p = 0.01). A MAP/RAP ratio threshold of 7.13 was associated with 67.4% sensitivity and 57.0% specificity for the combined primary endpoint. Event-free survival was significantly lower in the MAP/RAP ratio < 7.13 group compared to those with MAP/RAP ratio ≥ 7.13 (62.2% versus 39.4%; log-rank p = 0.022). In logistic regression analysis MAP/RAP ratio was an independent predictor for the combined primary endpoint (odds ratio 0.75; 95% CI 0.62-0.90; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The MAP/RAP ratio is associated with an unfavorable outcome in patients undergoing successful TMVR. Therefore, this new index could improve prognostic assessment of TMVR candidates.

Efficacy of Drug-Eluting Stents in Diabetic Patients Admitted with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarctions Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic patients show higher adverse ischemic event rates and mortality when undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarctions. Therefore, diabetic patients might benefit even more from modern-generation drug-eluting stents (DES). The aim of the present study was to compare adverse ischemic events and mortality rates between bare-metal stents (BMS) and DES in diabetic patients admitted with ST-elevation-myocardial infarction (STEMI) with non-diabetic patients as the control group. METHODS: All STEMI patients undergoing emergency PCI and stent implantation documented between 2006 and 2019 in the Bremen STEMI registry entered the analysis. Efficacy was defined as a combination of in-stent thrombosis, myocardial re-infarction or additional target lesion revascularization at one year. RESULTS: Of 8356 patients which entered analysis, 1554 (19%) were diabetics, while 6802 (81%) were not. 879 (57%) of the diabetics received a DES. In a multivariate model, DES implantation in diabetics compared to BMS was associated with lower rates of in-stent thrombosis (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.05-0.6), myocardial re-infarctions (OR 0.35, 95%CI, 0.2-0.7, p < 0.01) and of the combined endpoint at 1 year ((ST + MI + TLR): OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.2-0.6, p < 0.01), with a trend towards lower 5-year mortality (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.3-1.0, p = 0.058). When comparing diabetic to non-diabetic patients, an elevation in event rates for diabetics was only detectable in BMS (OR 1.78, 95% CI 0.5-0.7, p < 0.01); however, this did not persist when treated with a DES (OR 1.03 95% CI 0.7-1.6, p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: In STEMI patients with diabetes, the use of DES significantly reduced ischemic event rates and, unlike with BMS, adverse ischemic event rates became similar to non-diabetic patients.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus in young patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Only few data on the prevalence of DM in young patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) exist. Aim of the present study was to analyse this prevalence, its association to other cardiovascular risk factors and its impact on severity of CAD. In a substudy, consecutive HbA1c measurements in each patient were evaluated. METHODS: All patients ≤ 45 years old, admitted with STEMI to an overregional German Heart Centre and treated with primary coronary intervention between 2006 and 2019, entered analysis. Since 2015 HbA1c measurements were performed to detect unknown dysglycaemia. RESULTS: Out of 776 young patients of the total cohort, 88 patients (11.4%) had a DM, while 688 (88.6%) did not. Diabetics were more likely to be obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, OR 2.4, 95%CI 1.4-4.0, p < 0.01) and very obese (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, OR 5.1, 95%CI 2.1-12.2, p < 0.01). In diabetics, a higher likelihood of subacute STEMI (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5, p < 0.05) and more advanced CAD (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.6, p < 0.05) compared to non-diabetics was observed. 208 patients were included in the substudy with HbA1c measurements. Out of those, 26 patients (12%) had known DM, while 17 patients (8%) had newly diagnosed DM and 49 patients (24%) preDM. The combined prevalence of any type of dysglycaemia was 44%. CONCLUSION: DM in young patients with STEMI was associated with (severe) obesity, a higher likelihood of subacute STEMI and more advanced CAD compared to non-diabetics. Measurement of HbA1c in every consecutive STEMI-patient increased the rate of detected dysglycaemias more than three times higher than in general population.

Long-Term Effects of an Intensive Prevention Program After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Effective long-term prevention after myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial to reduce recurrent events. In this study the effects of a 12-months intensive prevention program (IPP), based on repetitive contacts between non-physician "prevention assistants" and patients, were evaluated. Patients after MI were randomly assigned to the IPP versus usual care (UC). Effects of IPP on risk factor control, clinical events and costs were investigated after 24 months. In a substudy efficacy of short reinterventions after more than 24 months ("Prevention Boosts") was analyzed. IPP was associated with a significantly better risk factor control compared to UC after 24 months and a trend towards less serious clinical events (12.5% vs 20.9%, log-rank p = 0.06). Economic analyses revealed that already after 24 months cost savings due to event reduction outweighted the costs of the prevention program (costs per patient 1,070 € in IPP vs 1,170 € in UC). Short reinterventions ("Prevention Boosts") more than 24 months after MI further improved risk factor control, such as LDL cholesterol and blood pressure lowering. In conclusion, IPP was associated with numerous beneficial effects on risk factor control, clinical events and costs. The study thereby demonstrates the efficacy of preventive long-term concepts after MI, based on repetitive contacts between non-physician coworkers and patients.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Presentation and Outcome of Consecutive Patients Admitted to Hospital Due to ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic-related social restrictions on clinical course of patients treated for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear. In the present study presentation and outcome of patients with STEMI in the year 2020 were compared with the years before in a German registry that includes all patients hospitalized for acute STEMI in a region with approximately 1 million inhabitants. In the year 2020 726 patients with STEMI were registered compared with 10.226 patients in the years 2006 to 2019 (730 ± 57 patients per year). No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding age, gender and medical history of patients. However, in the year 2020 a significantly higher rate of patients admitted with cardiogenic shock (21.9% vs 14.2%, p <0.01) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) (14.3% vs 11.1%, p <0.01) was observed. The rate of patients with subacute myocardial infarction (14.3% vs 11.6%, p <0.05) was elevated in 2020. Hospital mortality increased by 52% from the years 2006 to 2019 (8.4%) to the year 2020 (12.8%, p <0.01). Only 4 patients (0.6%) with STEMI in the year 2020 had SARS-CoV-2 infection, none of those died in-hospital. In conclusion, in the year 2020 a highly significant increase of STEMI-patients admitted to hospital with advanced infarction and poor prognosis was observed. As the structure of the emergency network to treat patients with STEMI was unchanged during the study period, the most obvious reason for these changes was COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown and the fear of many people to contact medical staff during the pandemic.

Impact of Ventricular Stroke Work Indices on Mortality in Heart Failure Patients After Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair.

Optimal patient selection for transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) remains challenging. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of left and right ventricular stroke work index (LVSWi, RVSWi) on mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) undergoing TMVR. One hundred-forty patients (median age 74 ± 9.9 years, 67.9% male) with CHF who underwent successful TMVR were included. Primary end point was defined as all-cause mortality after 16 ± 9 months of follow-up. LVSWi was calculated as: Stroke volume index (SVi) * (mean arterial pressure - postcapillary wedge pressure) * 0.0136 = g/m-1/m2. RVSWi was calculated as: SVi * (mean pulmonary artery pressure - right atrial pressure) * 0.0136 = g/m-1/m2. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined an optimal threshold of 24.8 g/m-1/m2 for LVSWi (sensitivity 80.4%, specificity 40.2%, area under the curve (AUC) 0.71 [0.60 to 0.81]; p = 0.001) and 8.3 g/m-1/m2 for RVSWi (sensitivity 67.4%, specificity 57.0%, AUC 0.67 [0.56 to 0.78]; p = 0.006), respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly lower survival in patients with LVSWi ≤24.8 g/m-1/m2 (20.0% vs 39.4%; log-rank p = 0.038) and in patients with RVSWi ≤8.3 g/m-1/m2 (22.1% vs 43.7%; log-rank p = 0.026), respectively. LVSWi of ≤24.8 g/m-1/m2 and RVSWi of ≤8.3 g/m-1/m2 were independent predictors for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 2.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 7.6; p = 0.04; HR 2.52; 95% CI 1.04 to 6.1; p = 0.041). A risk-score incorporating LVSWi and RVSWi cut-off values from ROC analysis powerfully predicts long-term survival after successful TMVR (log-rank p = 0.02). In conclusion, LVSWi and RVSWi independently predict mortality in patients with CHF undergoing TMVR and might be useful in risk stratification of TMVR candidates.

Prognostic Impact of the Pulmonary Artery Pulsatility Index in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Severe Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Repair.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery (PA) pulsatility index (PAPi), calculated as (PA systolic pressure - PA diastolic pressure)/right atrial pressure, emerged as a novel predictor of right ventricular failure in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction, advanced heart failure, and severe pulmonary hypertension. However, the prognostic utility of PAPi in transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) using the MitraClip® system has never been tested. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic impact of PAPi in patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR) and chronic heart failure (CHF) undergoing TMVR. METHODS: Consecutive patients with severe functional MR (grade 3+ or 4+) and CHF who underwent successful TMVR (MR ≤2+ at discharge) were enrolled and divided into 3 groups according to PAPi (A: low PAPi ≤2.2; B: intermediate PAPi 2.21-3.99; C: high PAPi ≥4.0). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and rehospitalization due to CHF during a mean follow-up period of 16 ± 4 months. The impact of PAPi on prognosis was assessed by a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis investigating independent predictors for outcome. RESULTS: 78 patients (A: n = 27, B: n = 28, C: n = 23) at high operative risk (logistic EuroSCORE [European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation] 18.8 vs. 21.5 vs. 20.6%; nonsignificant) were enrolled. Mean PAPi was 1.6 ± 0.41 vs. 2.9 ± 0.53 vs. 6.8 ± 3.5; p < 0.001). Patients with low PAPi showed significantly higher rates of early rehospitalization for heart failure at the 30-day follow-up (14.9 vs. 7.1 vs. 4.3%; p = 0.04). In the long term, a significantly lower event-free survival for the combined primary endpoint was observed in the low PAPi group (44.4 vs. 25.0 vs. 20.3%; log-rank p = 0.016). ROC curve analysis revealed that optimal sensitivity and specificity were achieved using a PAPi cutoff of 2.46 (sensitivity 83%, specificity 78.3%, area under the curve 0.82 [0.64-0.99]; p = 0.01). In Cox regression analysis, PAPi ≤2.46 was an independent predictor for the combined primary endpoint (hazard ratio 2.85; 95% confidence interval 1.15-7.04; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: PAPi is strongly associated with clinical outcome among patients with CHF and functional MR undergoing TMVR. A PAPi value ≤2.46 predicts a worse prognosis independent of other important clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic factors. Therefore, PAPi may serve as a new parameter to improve patient selection for TMVR.

New technologies for intensive prevention programs after myocardial infarction: rationale and design of the NET-IPP trial.

INTRODUCTION: Current health care data reveal suboptimal prevention in patients with coronary artery disease and an unmet need to develop effective preventive strategies. The New Technologies for Intensive Prevention Programs (NET-IPP) Trial will investigate if a long-term web-based prevention program after myocardial infarction (MI) will reduce clinical events and risk factors. In a genetic sub study the impact of disclosure of genetic risk using polygenic risk scores (PRS) will be assessed. STUDY DESIGN: Patients hospitalized for MI will be prospectively enrolled and assigned to either a 12-months web-based intensive prevention program or standard care. The web-based program will include telemetric transmission of risk factor data, e-learning and electronic contacts between a prevention assistant and the patients. The combined primary study endpoint will comprise severe adverse cardiovascular events after 2 years. Secondary endpoints will be risk factor control, adherence to medication and quality of life. In a genetic sub study genetic risk will be assessed in all patients of the web-based intensive prevention program group by PRS and patients will be randomly assigned to genetic risk disclosure vs. no disclosure. The study question will be if disclosure of genetic risk has an impact on patient motivation and cardiovascular risk factor control. CONCLUSIONS: The randomized multicenter NET-IPP study will evaluate for the first time the effects of a long-term web-based prevention program after MI on clinical events and risk factor control. In a genetic sub study the impact of disclosure of genetic risk using PRS will be investigated.

Efficacy and Safety of Ticagrelor in Comparison to Clopidogrel in Elderly Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarctions.

Background Current guidelines recommend the new-generation P2Y12-inhibitor ticagrelor for patients with acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs). The aim of the present study was to assess efficacy and safety of ticagrelor for elderly patients with STEMI (≥75 years) in an all-comers STEMI registry. Methods and Results Patients with STEMI, aged ≥75 years, treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and documented in the Bremen STEMI Registry between 2006 and 2017 entered analysis. The primary efficacy outcome, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, was defined as a composite of death, myocardial reinfarction, and stroke. The safety outcome was defined as any significant bleeding event within 1 year. To estimate benefit/risk ratio, net adverse clinical events (major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events+bleedings) were calculated. Outcomes were estimated in propensity score-matched cohorts to adjust for possible confounders. Of a total of 7466 patients with STEMI, 1087, aged ≥75 years, were selected, of which 552 (51%) received clopidogrel and 535 (49%) received ticagrelor, with similar age (80.9±4.6 versus 80.9±4.6 years) and sex (51% versus 50% female) distributions between treatment arms. The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 32.4% of patients treated with clopidogrel versus 25.5% treated with ticagrelor (P=0.015), with the 1-year mortality rate at 26.8% versus 21.1% (P=0.035). Because there was no difference in the safety outcome (clopidogrel versus ticagrelor, 4.9% versus 5.1%; not significant), net adverse clinical events were higher for clopidogrel than for ticagrelor: 37.3% versus 30.6% (P=0.028). In a propensity score-matched model, the advantage for ticagrelor on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events remained significant (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49-0.97; P=0.03), whereas 1-year-mortality (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.67-1.27; P=0.5) and 1-year bleeding events (hazard ratio, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.4-2.3; P=0.8) did not differ. Conclusions These results from propensity score-matched registry data show that for elderly patients with STEMI, ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel was associated with a reduction in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events without a significant increase in bleeding events within 1 year.

Long-Term Risk Factor Control After Myocardial Infarction-A Need for Better Prevention Programmes.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term prognosis of myocardial infarction (MI) is still serious, especially in patients with MI and cardiogenic shock. To improve long-term prognosis and prevent recurrent events, sustainable cardiovascular risk factor control (RFC) after MI is crucial. METHODS: The article gives an overview on health care data regarding RFC after MI and presents recent trials on modern preventive strategies that support patients to achieve risk factor targets during long-term course. RESULTS: International registry studies, such as EUROASPIRE, observed alarming deficiencies in RFC after MI. As data of the German Bremen ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)-Registry show, most deficiencies are found in socially disadvantaged city districts and in young patients. Several studies on prevention programmes to improve RFC after MI reported inconsistent data; however, in the recently published IPP trial a 12-months intensive prevention programme that included both repetitive personal contacts with non-physician prevention assistants and telemetric risk factor control, was associated with significant improvements of numerous risk factors (smoking, LDL and total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and physical inactivity). CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong need of action to improve long-term risk RFC after MI, especially in socially disadvantaged patients. Modern prevention programmes, using personal and telemetric contacts, have large potential to support patients in achieving long-term risk factor targets after coronary events.

Effects of an intensive long-term prevention programme after myocardial infarction - a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Long-term risk factor control after myocardial infarction (MI) is currently inadequate and there is an unmet need for effective secondary prevention programmes. DESIGN AND METHODS: It was the aim of the study to compare a 12-month intensive prevention programme (IPP), coordinated by prevention assistants and including education sessions, telephone visits and telemetric risk factor control, with usual care after MI. Three hundred and ten patients were randomized to IPP vs. usual care one month after hospital discharge for MI in two German heart centres. Primary study endpoint was the IPP Prevention Score (0-15 points) quantifying global risk factor control. RESULTS: Global risk factor control was strongly improved directly after MI before the beginning of the randomized study (30% increase IPP Prevention Score). During the 12-month course of the randomized trial the IPP Prevention Score was improved by a further 14.3% in the IPP group ( p < 0.001), while it decreased by 11.8% in the usual care group ( p < 0.001). IPP significantly reduced smoking, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and physical inactivity compared with usual care ( p < 0.05). Step counters with online documentation were used by the majority of patients (80%). Quality of life was significantly improved by IPP ( p < 0.05). The composite endpoint of adverse clinical events was slightly lower in the IPP group during 12 months (13.8% vs. 18.9%, p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: A novel intensive prevention programme after MI, coordinated by prevention assistants and using personal teachings and telemetric strategies for 12 months, was significantly superior to usual care in providing sustainable risk factor control and better quality of life.

Impact of right heart function on outcome in patients with functional mitral regurgitation and chronic heart failure undergoing percutaneous edge-to-edge-repair.

AIMS: To evaluate the impact of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) on outcome after transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients (median age 72.7 ± 10.7 years; 63.8% male) at high operative risk (LogEuroSCORE 23.8 ± 13.9%) with FMR and CHF (left ventricular ejection fraction 32 ± 7%) were enrolled and separated into two groups according to the RVD. RVD was assessed by the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) method (A: TAPSE ≤ 16 mm, n = 58; B: TAPSE > 16 mm, n = 72). The rate of successful reduction of mitral regurgitation (MR ≤2+) by TMVR was similar in both groups (94.6% vs 91.2%; P: n.s.) with low in-hospital major adverse event rates. During a median follow-up period of 10.5 ± 4 months, the Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly higher all-cause mortality in group A (43.1% vs 23.6%; log-rank P = 0.039) and a significantly higher rate of hospital readmission due to congestive heart failure (56.9% vs 26.4%; log-rank P < 0.001). At long-term follow-up, 25% of patients in group A remained in NYHA functional class IV (none in group B). Preexisting RVD as assessed by TAPSE and Doppler tissue imaging (DTI-S') was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality after TMVR (hazard ratio 2.84; 95% confidence interval 1.15-7.65; P = 0.039; hazard ratio 4.70; 95% confidence interval 1.14-20.21; P = 0.044, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CHF and RVD were with regard to functional capacity less often responder and showed an unfavorable long-term outcome. Thus, patients with CHF and RVD seem to benefit less frequently from TMVR.