Influence of Culprit Lesion Intervention on Outcomes in Infarct-Related Cardiogenic Shock With Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest (CA) is common in patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock (CS). OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to identify the characteristics and outcomes of culprit lesion percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of patients with infarct-related CS stratified according to CA in the CULPRIT-SHOCK (Culprit Lesion Only PCI Versus Multivessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock) randomized trial and registry. METHODS: Patients with CS with and without CA from the CULPRIT-SHOCK study were analyzed. All-cause death or severe renal failure leading to renal replacement therapy within 30 days and 1-year death were assessed. RESULTS: Among 1,015 patients, 550 (54.2%) had CA. Patients with CA were younger, more frequently male, had lower rates of peripheral artery disease, a glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min, and left main disease, and they presented more often with clinical signs of impaired organ perfusion. The composite of all-cause death or severe renal failure within 30 days occurred in 51.2% of patients with CA vs 48.5% in non-CA patients (P = 0.39) and 1-year death in 53.8% vs 50.4% (P = 0.29), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, CA was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality (HR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.01-1.59). In the randomized trial, culprit lesion-only PCI was superior to immediate multivessel PCI in patients both with and without CA (P for interaction = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of patients with infarct-related CS had CA. These patients with CA were younger and had fewer comorbidities, but CA was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality. Culprit lesion-only PCI is the preferred strategy, both in patients with and without CA. (Culprit Lesion Only PCI Versus Multivessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock [CULPRIT-SHOCK]; NCT01927549).

Prognostic Impact of Active Mechanical Circulatory Support in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction, Results from the Culprit-Shock Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the use and prognostic impact of active mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices in a large prospective contemporary cohort of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Although increasingly used in clinical practice, data on the efficacy and safety of active MCS devices in patients with CS complicating AMI are limited. METHODS: This is a predefined subanalysis of the CULPRIT-SHOCK randomized trial and prospective registry. Patients with CS, AMI and multivessel coronary artery disease were categorized in two groups: (1) use of at least one active MCS device vs. (2) no active MCS or use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) only. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death or renal replacement therapy at 30 days. RESULTS: Two hundred of 1055 (19%) patients received at least one active MCS device (n = 112 Impella®; n = 95 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); n = 6 other devices). The primary endpoint occurred significantly more often in patients treated with active MCS devices compared with those without active MCS devices (142 of 197, 72% vs. 374 of 827, 45%; p < 0.001). All-cause mortality and bleeding rates were significantly higher in the active MCS group (all p < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, the use of active MCS was significantly associated with the primary endpoint (odds ratio (OR) 4.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7-5.9; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial, active MCS devices were used in approximately one fifth of patients. Patients treated with active MCS devices showed worse outcome at 30 days and 1 year.

Sex-Specific Management in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock: A Substudy of the CULPRIT-SHOCK Trial.

BACKGROUND: Women are more likely to suffer and die from cardiogenic shock (CS) as the most severe complication of acute myocardial infarction. Data concerning optimal management for women with CS are scarce. Aim of this study was to better define characteristics of women experiencing CS and to the influence of sex on different treatment strategies. METHODS: In the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial (The Culprit Lesion Only PCI Versus Multivessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock), patients with CS complicating acute myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to one of the following revascularization strategies: either percutaneous coronary intervention of the culprit-lesion-only or immediate multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention. Primary end point was composite of death from any cause or severe renal failure leading to renal replacement therapy within 30 days. We investigated sex-specific differences in general and according to the revascularization strategies. RESULTS: Among all 686 randomized patients included in the analysis, 24% were women. Women were older and had more often diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency, whereas they had less often history of previous acute myocardial infarction and smoking. After 30 days, the primary clinical end point was not significantly different between groups (56% women versus 49% men; odds ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 0.91-1.84]; P=0.15). There was no interaction between sex and coronary revascularization strategy regarding mortality and renal failure (Pinteraction=0.11). The primary end point occurred in 56% of women treated by the culprit-lesion-only strategy versus 42% men, whereas 55% of women and 55% of men in the multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Although women presented with a different risk profile, mortality and renal replacement were similar to men. Sex did not influence mortality and renal failure according to the different coronary revascularization strategies. Based on these data, women and men presenting with CS complicating acute myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease should not be treated differently. However, further randomized trials powered to address potential sex-specific differences in CS are still necessary. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01927549.

Atrial fibrillation in acute heart failure: A position statement from the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association and European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

Atrial fibrillation and acute heart failure frequently co-exist and can exacerbate each other. Their combination leads to increased morbidity and mortality. However, the prevalence and significance, as well as the treatment, of atrial fibrillation in acute heart failure are not well studied. Management of atrial fibrillation in acute heart failure requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Treatment of underlying disease(s), identification and treatment of potentially correctable causes and precipitating factors and anticoagulation are crucial. In this article, current evidence on atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute heart failure is summarised. The recommendations on management of atrial fibrillation in the prehospital stage, the treatment of reversible causes, when and how to use rate or rhythm control, maintenance of sinus rhythm, catheter ablation and pacing, anticoagulation, as well as measures on prevention of atrial fibrillation are provided.

A first in human evaluation of a novel contrast media saving device.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the usability and contrast volume savings of the novel DyeVert™ System. BACKGROUND: During coronary diagnostic and interventional procedures, a substantial portion of injected contrast does not contribute to vessel imaging due to reflux into the ascending aorta. Contrast volume is the primary physician modifiable risk factor for prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury CI-AKI which is a frequent complication in patients undergoing coronary angiographic procedures and is related to increases in morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. METHODS: In this pilot trial, 44 patients undergoing coronary diagnostic and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures were enrolled in two centers. All procedures were conducted using a manual manifold injection setup and the DyeVert System, which facilitates the diversion of excess contrast volume prior to injection into the patient. Direct measurements of both the amount of contrast that was attempted to be injected and the actual volume injected into the patient were taken. RESULTS: The difference between the two amounts indicated the volume saved. Procedure types included 34 diagnostic studies and 10 PCI. The mean percent volume saved by the DyeVert System was 47%, with a corresponding P value of <0.0001 achieving the pre-specified level of greater than 15% of contrast media being saved. Mean volume savings were similar for both diagnostic (47 ± 9%) and PCI (50 ± 9%) procedures. Image quality was good in 43/44 (98%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The DyeVert System substantially decreases contrast delivered to patients during diagnostic or interventional coronary procedures while maintaining adequate image quality. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Drug-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents in acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) receiving drug-eluting stents (DES) compared with bare-metal stents (BMS). Data comparing these two stent technologies in AMI with CS were limited. METHODS: A total of 783 patients with AMI and CS undergoing early revascularisation were included in the randomised Intra-aortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II trial (n=600) and the associated registry (n=183). Patients receiving no stent or both, DES and BMS, were excluded. Primary end point was the composite of 1-year mortality or re-AMI. RESULTS: Of the total cohort, 652 (83%) patients received either solely DES or BMS and were included in the present analysis. Of these, 276 (42%) patients received DES and 376 (58%) received BMS. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, there was no significant difference between DES and BMS regarding the primary end point (HR 0.83 (CI 0.64 to 1.06); p=0.14). There was an independent association of BMS use with older age, atrial fibrillation and coronary single-vessel disease. DES use was associated with prior known dyslipidaemia, baseline haemoglobin level, anterior AMI and treatment at frequently enrolling centres. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the frequent use of DES nowadays, a substantial number of patients were treated by BMS in AMI complicated by CS. After adjustment for risk factors, the 1-year outcome of patients treated by DES compared with BMS was similar. TRIAL REGISTRATIONNUMBER: www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00491036.

Comparison of Characteristics of Patients aged ≤45 Years Versus >45 Years With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (from the AIDA STEMI CMR Substudy).

It is unknown whether the occurrence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at a younger age is associated with differences in myocardial damage compared with older patients. We aimed to compare the infarct characteristics (area at risk [AAR], myocardial salvage index [MSI], infarct size [IS], microvascular obstruction [MVO]) and clinical outcome in patients aged ≤45 years and >45 years. We analyzed 795 patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. All patients completed 12-month follow-up for the assessment of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Left ventricular ejection fraction, AAR, MSI, IS, and MVO were determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Seventy-eight patients (9.8%) were aged 45 years or younger. Young patients were more likely to be male (p = 0.01), to be current smokers (p <0.001), and to have a family history of coronary artery disease (p = 0.05). Contrary, they had significantly lower prevalence of hypertension (p <0.001), diabetes (p <0.01), and 3-vessel disease (p <0.01). There were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.36), AAR (p = 0.30), MSI (p = 0.34), IS (p = 0.29), or MVO (p = 0.58) between both groups. MACE rate was significantly lower in patients aged ≤45 years compared with patients aged >45 years (1.3% vs 7.5%, p = 0.04). After multivariate adjustment for clinical risk factors and cardiac magnetic resonance findings, age remained an independent predictor of MACE (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07, p = 0.03). In conclusion, infarct characteristics are not dependent on age in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI.

ST-segment depression resolution predicts infarct size and reperfusion injury in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is frequently associated with reciprocal ST-segment depression in contralateral ECG leads. However, the relationship of the resolution of ST-segment depression (STD-R) with myocardial damage is unknown and the potential prognostic value incompletely understood. We sought to evaluate the association between STD-R and markers of myocardial injury as well as to determine the prognostic impact of STD-R in patients with acute reperfused STEMI. METHODS: We enrolled 611 patients with STEMI in this multicentre cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) study. STD-R, defined as either worsened (<0%), incomplete (0-50%) or complete (≥50%), was determined 90 min after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients underwent CMR in median 3 (2-4) days after infarction. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as a composite of death, reinfarction and new congestive heart failure within 12 months after enrollment. RESULTS: Patients with worsened or incomplete STD-R (n=148 (24.2%)) had a significantly larger area at risk (42 (31-50) vs 37 (29-52) vs 34 (24-46) %LV, p=0.001), larger infarct size (20 (13-30) vs 17(10-26) vs 16 (8-24) %LV, p=0.003), larger extent of microvascular obstruction (0.6(0-3.4) vs 0.4 (0-2.4) vs 0.0 (0-1.4) %LV, p=0.003), and a lower LVEF (46 (39-54) vs 48 (40-56) vs 52 (45-58) %, p<0.001). MACE rate (n=37 (6%)) was significantly higher in patients with worsened (n=10 (19%)) or incomplete STD-R (n=7 (7%)) than in patients with complete STD-R (n=20 (4%), p<0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, categorised STD-R emerged as an independent predictor of MACE at 12 months after adjusting for clinical variables (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute STEMI and worsened or incomplete STD-R after PCI show a more pronounced myocardial as well as microvascular damage as detected by CMR with subsequent independent prognostic information on MACE over a 12-month follow-up period.

Gender differences in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction: a substudy of the IABP-SHOCK II-trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with high mortality. Previous studies regarding gender-specific differences in CS are conflicting and there are insufficient data for the presence of gender-associated differences in the contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention era. Aim of this study was therefore to investigate gender-specific differences in a large cohort of AMI patients with CS undergoing contemporary treatment. METHODS: In the randomized Intra-aortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II (IABP-SHOCK II) trial, 600 patients with CS complicating AMI undergoing early revascularization were assigned to therapy with or without intra-aortic balloon pump. We compared sex-specific differences in these patients with regard to baseline and procedural characteristics as well as short- and long-term clinical outcome. RESULTS: Of 600 patients 187 (31%) were female. Women were significantly older than men and had a significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure at presentation (p < 0.05 for all). Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were more frequent in women, whereas smoking was more frequent in men (p < 0.05 for all). Women showed a higher mortality within the first day after randomization (p = 0.004). However, after multivariable adjustment this numerical difference was no longer statistically significant. No gender-related differences in clinical outcome were observed after 1, 6 and 12 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this large-scale multicenter study in patients with CS complicating AMI, women had a worse-risk profile in comparison to men. No significant gender-related differences in treatment as well as short- and long-term outcome were observed.

Insights from a study by the ESC cardiologists of tomorrow nucleus: the junior cardiologists' research reveals that the ESC is well regarded by young cardiologists but there is room for improving its appeal.

AIMS: This research was performed to provide data on the specific needs and expectations of junior cardiologists across Europe from a professional medical organization characterized by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). METHODS: The study was carried out using telephone interviews. The target respondents were based in a wide range of different locations within Europe and were identified by national groups of young cardiologists and trainees. A questionnaire was employed asking about information sources, membership of professional societies and related benefits. RESULTS: A total of 120 interviews were conducted. Websites and journals proved the most popular sources for professional information, consulted by .71 and 68% of respondents, respectively.With regard to the up to date best practice recommendations, guidelines documents were most common, mentioned by 63%. Overall, the ESC resources appeared within highest priority. The two main important tangible benefits expected from membership of professional societies were access to medical information, mostly journals and guidelines, and reduced financial congress requirements. Also, the most significant intangible benefit was networking. CONCLUSIONS: The ESC is widely respected by the junior cardiologists and trainees. Its congresses and guidelines are central to respondents' image of it as a large, well arranged, important, and impressive organization. The ESC is a competently placed institution to further develop its relationship with young cardiologists.