Validation of DAPT score for prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces the rate of ischemic events but increases bleeding risk. DAPT score helps identify patients who benefit from prolonged DAPT. Nevertheless, its accuracy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to validate the use of DAPT score to predict ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing PCI for AMI and who received prolonged DAPT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included a cohort of patients with AMI who underwent PCI with stent placement and were treated with DAPT for more than 12 months. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty subjects were included in the final analysis (age: 64 ± 12 years, 78% men, median follow-up: 31 months). Ischemic event (reinfarction or revascularization of target vessel or lesion) occurred in 17% and bleeding occurred in 5% of patients. DAPT score demonstrated modest prediction performance for ischemic events (C-statistic: 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.68, p<0.001) and a good prediction performance for bleeding events (C-statistic: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.92, p<0.001). Subjects with a DAPT score ≥2 had a greater risk of ischemic events (hazard risk [HR]: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2-7.8, p = 0.019) and a lower risk of bleeding (HR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.07-0.79, p = 0.019). Kaplan-Meier curves at 4 years showed that patients with a DAPT score ≥2 had lower ischemic-free survival rates (79% ± 4 vs. 90% ± 5, p = 0.0137) and higher bleeding-free survival rates (97% ± 2 vs. 90% ± 4, p = 0.0106). CONCLUSIONS: DAPT score is useful in patients with AMI, and a cut-off value of 2 identifies patients with a higher risk of ischemic events who might benefit from prolonged DAPT.

Adrenocortical carcinoma, an unusual cause of secondary hypertension.

We present the case of a female patient aged 39 years who was admitted to our hospital due to hypertension, severe hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis; physical examination was remarkable for plethoric moon face, centripetal obesity and bilateral lower extremity oedema. She was admitted for intravenous potassium replacement and further assessment of hypertension and associated clinical findings. Laboratory testing showed increased levels of aldosterone, renin, cortisol, testosterone and androstenedione. An abdominal CT revealed a large mass in the right adrenal gland with hepatic involvement. The patient was started on antihypertensive medications and underwent laparoscopic surgery for mass and liver biopsy. The pathological diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma with liver metastasis. Hyperaldosteronism is a cause of secondary hypertension and its diagnosis is usually benign. Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare condition and aldosterone secreting tumours are even rarer; associated hypertension usually improves after tumour resection, but with the presence of metastasis, blood pressure control is difficult.

Cardiac tamponade, an unusual complication of acute pancreatitis.

A 41-year-old Hispanic man was admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis due to hypertriglyceridemia. During his stay, he developed sudden haemodynamic instability and clinical presentation suggestive of cardiac tamponade. A transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis. Echocardiography-guided pericardiocentesis was performed with immediate haemodynamic improvement. The patient's condition underwent favourable evolution. The pancreatitis was resolved and a control transthoracic echocardiography was performed showing no pericardial effusion. The pathophysiology of this rare entity is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Although pericardiocentesis is the treatment of choice, there have been a few reports of medical treatment with encouraging results. Although the association of acute pancreatitis and tamponade are anecdotal in literature, medics should be aware of this association in order to perform prompt diagnosis.