Long-term outcome and prognostic value of angiographic slow/no-reflow phenomenon after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The coronary slow flow/no-reflow phenomenon (CSF/NRP) is a common complication of emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Its long-term prognostic value, however, remains unclear. This study investigated the long-term outcome and prognostic value of CSF/NRP after emergency PCI for STEMI. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter registry-based cohort study was conducted in STEMI patients who underwent emergency PCI between 2015 and 2016. Incidence of in-hospital mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), and all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up were compared between CSF/NRP patients and the normal flow group. Cox proportional-hazards regression model was performed to identify the predictive impact of CSF/NRP in short- and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 649 STEMI patients were included in the study, of whom 193 (29.7%) developed CSF/NRP following emergency PCI. The CSF/NRP group had a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality than the non-CSF/NRP group (8.2 vs. 4.3%, P  = 0.04). All-cause mortality incidence was also higher in the CSF/NRP group during 5-year follow-up (22.2 vs. 16.2%, P  = 0.04). The Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for demographic and clinical variables identified the NRP as an independent predictor of 5-year cardiac mortality [hazard ratio: 1.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-3.31; P  = 0.02]. In a landmark analysis, no difference was seen in overall mortality among the two study groups between 1 month and 5-year follow-up (hazard ratio: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.80-2.21, P -value: 0.23). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed lower 3-year cumulative MACCE-free survival in the CSF/NRP group compared with the normal flow group ( P  = 0.02). CONCLUSION: CSF/NRP in STEMI patients is associated with a worse short- and long-term prognosis. These results, however, are mostly related to the acute phase, and CSF/NRP had limited influence on clinical outcomes in early survivors of STEMI.

The predictive value of the HALP score for no-reflow phenomenon and short-term mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a medical emergency demanding immediate intervention, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is the standard of care for this condition. While PCI has proven highly effective, a subset of patients experience the devastating no-reflow phenomenon, and some face increased short-term mortality. The Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet (HALP) score, a novel biomarker-based tool, has recently surfaced as an innovative predictor of these adverse outcomes. This study aims to investigate the groundbreaking findings that designate a low HALP score as a robust risk factor for no-reflow and short-term mortality in STEMI patients. METHODS: 1817 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent pPCI were included in this retrospective study, and the patients were divided into two groups according to whether no-reflow developed or not, and the HALP scores of the groups were compared. In addition, short-term mortality was compared between the study groups according to their HALP score values. The predictive ability of the HALP score for no-reflow was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: No-reflow developed in 198 (10.1%) of the patients included in the study. HALP score value was found to be significantly lower in the no-reflow group (27 ± 13 vs 47 ± 24, p < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, the HALP score was an independent predictor of no-reflow (OR, 0.923, 95% CI, 0.910-0.935, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the HALP score showed good discrimination for no-reflow (AUC, 0.771, 95% CI, 0.737-0.805, p < 0.001). In addition, HALP score was determined to be an independent predictor for short-term mortality (HR, 0.955, 95% CI, 0.945-0.966, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HALP score can independently predict the development of no-reflow and short-term mortality in STEMI patients undergoing pPCI.

Prevalence, clinical determinants and prognostic implications of coronary procedural complications of percutaneous coronary intervention in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Insights from the contemporary multinational TAO trial.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on procedural complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of acute coronary syndrome in the contemporary era. AIM: We sought to describe the prevalence of procedural complications of PCI in a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS) cohort, and to identify their clinical characteristics and association with clinical outcomes. METHODS: Patients randomized in TAO (Treatment of Acute coronary syndrome with Otamixaban), an international randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01076764) that compared otamixaban with unfractionated heparin plus eptifibatide in patients with NSTE ACS who underwent PCI, were included in the analysis. Procedural complications were collected prospectively, categorized and adjudicated by a blinded Clinical Events Committee, with review of angiograms. A multivariable model was constructed to identify independent clinical characteristics associated with procedural complications. RESULTS: A total of 8656 patients with NSTE ACS who were enrolled in the TAO trial underwent PCI, and 451 (5.2%) experienced at least one complication. The most frequent complications were no/slow reflow (1.5%) and dissection with decreased flow (1.2%). Procedural complications were associated with the 7-day ischaemic outcome of death, myocardial infarction or stroke (24.2% vs. 6.0%, odds ratio 5.01, 95% confidence interval 3.96-6.33; P<0.0001) and with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction major and minor bleeding (6.2% vs. 2.3%, odds ratio 2.79, 95% confidence interval 1.86-4.2; P<0.0001). Except for previous coronary artery bypass grafting, multivariable analysis did not identify preprocedural clinical predictors of complications. CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary NSTE ACS population, procedural complications with PCI remain frequent, are difficult to predict based on clinical characteristics, and are associated with worse ischaemic and haemorrhagic outcomes.

No-reflow phenomenon and comparison to the normal-flow population postprimary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction: case-control study (NORM PPCI).

INTRODUCTION: No-reflow (NR) phenomenon is characterised by the failure of myocardial reperfusion despite the absence of mechanical coronary obstruction. NR negatively affects patient outcomes, emphasising the importance of prediction and management. The objective was to evaluate the incidence and independent predictors of NR in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: This was a single-centre prospective case-control study. Cases were subjects who suffered NR, and the control comparators were those who did not. Clinical outcomes were documented. Salient variables relating to the patients and their presentation, history and angiographical findings were compared using one-way analysis of variance or χ2 test. Multiple regression determined the independent predictors, and a risk score was established based on the ß coefficient. RESULTS: Of 173 consecutive patients, 24 (13.9%) suffered from NR, with 46% occurring post stent implantation. Patients with NR had increased risk of in-hospital death (OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 36.7, p=0.022). From baseline variables available prior to percutaneous coronary intervention, the independent predictors of NR were increased lesion complexity, admission systolic hypertension, weight of <78 kg and history of hypertension. Continuous data were transformed into best-fit binary variables, and a risk score was defined. Significant difference was demonstrated between the risk score of patients with NR (4.1±1) compared with controls (2.6±1) (p<0.001), and the risk score was considered a good test (area under the curve=0.823). A score of ≥4 had 75% sensitivity and 76.5% specificity. CONCLUSION: Patients with NR have a higher rate of mortality following STEMI. Predictors of NR include lesion complexity, systolic hypertension and low weight. Further validation of this risk model is required.

Management of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Complications: Algorithms From the 2018 and 2019 Seattle Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Complications Conference.

Complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may have significant impact on patient survival and healthcare costs. PCI procedural complexity and patient risk are increasing, and operators must be prepared to recognize and treat complications, such as perforations, dissections, hemodynamic collapse, no-reflow, and entrapped equipment. Unfortunately, few resources exist to train operators in PCI complication management. Uncertainty regarding complication management could contribute to the undertreatment of patients with high-complexity coronary disease. We, therefore, coordinated the Learning From Complications: How to Be a Better Interventionalist courses to disseminate the collective experience of high-volume PCI operators with extensive experience in chronic total occlusion and high-risk PCI. From these conferences in 2018 and 2019, we developed algorithms that emphasize early recognition, effective treatment, and team-based care of PCI complications. We think that an algorithmic approach will result in a logical and systematic response to life-threatening complications. This construct may be useful for operators who plan to perform complex PCI procedures.

Incidence, predictors and outcomes of stress hyperglycemia in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Stress hyperglycemia is a common finding during ST elevation myocardial infarction in diabetic patients and is associated with a worse outcome. However, there are limited data about stress hyperglycemia in non-diabetic patients and its outcome especially in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: The study was conducted on 660 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction who were managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of stress hyperglycemia: group I (patients with stress hyperglycemia) and group II (patients without stress hyperglycemia). Patients were analysed for clinical outcome including mortality and the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS: Incidence of stress hyperglycemia was 16.8%, multivariate regression analysis identified the independent predictors of stress hyperglycemia, that were family history of diabetes mellitus odds ratio 1.697 (95% confidence interval: 1.077-2.674, p = 0.023), body mass index >24 kg/m2 odds ratio 1.906 (95% confidence interval: 1.244-2.922, p = 0.003) and cardiogenic shock on admission odds ratio 2.517 (95% confidence interval: 1.162-5.451, p = 0.019). Mortality, cardiogenic shock, contrast induced nephropathy and no reflow phenomenon were significantly higher in stress hyperglycemia group with p value = 0.027, 0.001, 0.020 and 0.037, respectively. CONCLUSION: Stress hyperglycemia in non-diabetic patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with increased incidence of no reflow phenomenon, contrast induced nephropathy, cardiogenic shock and higher mortality.

Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Saphenous Vein Grafts With and Without Embolic Protection Devices.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the early (inpatient and 30-day) and late (1-year) outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs), with and without the use of embolic protection devices (EPD), in a large, contemporary, unselected national cohort from the database of the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society. BACKGROUND: There are limited, and discrepant, data on the clinical benefits of the adjunctive use of EPDs during PCI to SVGs in the contemporary era. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort of patients (2007 to 2014, n = 20,642) who underwent PCI to SVGs in the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society database was formed. Clinical, demographic, procedural, and outcome data were analyzed by dividing into 2 groups: no EPD (PCI to SVGs without EPDs, n = 17,730) and EPD (PCI to SVGs with EPDs, n = 2,912). RESULTS: Patients in the EPD group were older, had more comorbidities, and had a higher prevalence of moderate to severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Mortality was lower in the EPD group during hospital admission (0.70% vs. 1.29%; p = 0.008) and at 30 days (1.44% vs. 2.01%; p = 0.04) but similar at 1 year (6.22% vs. 6.01%; p = 0.67). Following multivariate analyses, no significant difference in mortality was observed during index admission (odds ratio [OR]: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42 to 1.19; p = 0.19), at 30 days (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.60 to 1.25; p = 0.45), and at 1 year (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.77 to 1.11; p = 0.41), along with similar rates of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.62; p = 0.39) and stroke (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.20 to 2.35; p = 0.54). In propensity score-matched analyses, lower inpatient mortality was observed in the EPD group (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.80; p = 0.002), although the adjusted risk for the periprocedural no-reflow or slow-flow phenomenon was higher in patients in whom EPDs were used (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.71 to 2.73; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this contemporary cohort, EPDs were used more commonly in higher risk patients but were associated with similar clinical outcomes in multivariate analyses. Lower inpatient mortality was observed in the EPD group in univariate and propensity score-matched analyses.

Clinical and procedural predictors and short-term survival of the patients with no reflow phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we analysed the incidence of no-reflow phenomenon, its clinical and procedural predictors, and associated in-hospital outcomes for the patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: No-reflow phenomenon after primary PCI is a procedural complication associated with adverse post-procedure outcomes. METHODS: Data for this study were extracted from global registry, NCDR®, the site of National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Karachi from July 2017 to March 2018. The demographic, clinical, and procedural characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes were analysed for the patients with and without no-reflow after primary PCI. RESULTS: Of total of 3255 patients, no-reflow phenomenon was found in 132 (4.1%) patients and it was associated with significantly higher in-hospitality mortality (6.8% vs. 2.9%; p = 0.01), cerebrovascular accident (1.5% vs. 0%; p < 0.001), post procedure bleeding (2.3% vs. 0.5%; p = 0.009), and cardiogenic shock (3.8% vs. 1.2%; p = 0.011). The multivariate analysis showed advanced age [odds ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.09-2.44, p = 0.018], diabetes [1.66, 1.14-2.42, p = 0.009], prior history of CABG [8.70, 1.45-52.04, p = 0.018], low pre-procedure TIMI flow grade [2.04, 1.3-3.21, p = 0.002], longer length of target lesion [1.51, 1.06-2.16, p = 0.023], and 10 fold raised troponin I [1.55, 1.08-2.23, p = 0.018] were the independent predictors of no-reflow. CONCLUSIONS: In this selected group of patients, the no-reflow phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention is not that uncommon. It is associated with an increased risk of adverse post-procedure hospital course including mortality. Pathophysiology of the no-reflow phenomenon is complex and opaque, however, it can be predicted based on certain clinical and procedural characteristics.

Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management of the No-Reflow Phenomenon.

Successful reperfusion of an infarct-related coronary artery by primary percutaneous intervention or fibrinolysis during acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) does not always restore myocardial tissue perfusion, a phenomenon termed "no-reflow." Herein we discuss the pathophysiology of this highly prevalent phenomenon and highlight the most salient aspects of its clinical diagnosis and management as well as the limitations of presently used methods. There is a great need for understanding the dynamic nature of no-reflow, as its occurrence is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. The no-reflow phenomenon may lend an explanation to the lack of further improvements in in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients despite decreases in door-to-balloon time. Hence, no-reflow potentially presents an important target for investigators interested in improving outcomes in STEMI.

Different inflammatory profile in young and elderly STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI): Its influence on no-reflow and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Coronary no-reflow phenomenon in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with a poor clinical prognosis. Although its pathophysiology is not fully elucidated, a deregulated systemic inflammatory response plays an important role. Specifically, the relationship between age-associated differences in inflammatory markers and either no-reflow or mortality in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has never been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively enrolled 625 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing pPCI for whom a complete laboratory inflammatory pattern was available. Routinely blood measured laboratory parameters were collected at the moment of admission. No reflow was defined as Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow-grade lower than 3. The population was divided into two groups using a cut-off centered at 65 years. Compared to younger patients, elderly patients had higher mean values of fibrinogen, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), leukocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR). Conversely, lymphocyte count and albumin levels were higher in young patients. In elderly patients, the values of NLR, CAR as well as leukocytes, fibrinogen and neutrophils were associated with no-reflow, while in young patients only BNP value was associated. At multivariate Cox regression analysis, only BNP and NLR resulted as independent predictors of all-cause mortality in the whole population and in elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly STEMI patients on admission had a higher acute pro-inflammatory profile than young patients, associated to coronary no-reflow and mortality outcome. These results suggest that a different therapeutic approach between elderly and young STEMI patients should be agreed.

Usefulness of fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio to predict no-reflow and short-term prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

No-reflow is one of the major complications of primary percutaneous coronary artery intervention (pPCI) in the treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) has currently emerged as a novel inflammatory marker to predict inflammation in chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether admission FAR values predicts angiographic no-reflow and short-term prognosis in all STEMI patients. A total of 510 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful pPCI between September 2016 and May 2018 were included in this study. Patients were divided into groups based on thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades after pPCI. No-reflow was defined as a post-PCI TIMI flow grade of 0, 1, or 2. Angiographic success was defined as TIMI flow grade 3. Fibrinogen, hs-CRP, and admission FAR values were significantly higher among patients with no-reflow. On multivariate analysis, admission FAR was an independent predictor of angiographic no-reflow (p < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristics analysis revealed the cut-off value of admission FAR was a predictor of no-reflow with a sensitivity of 79.59% and a specificity of 69.42%. In multivariable Cox regression models adjusted for potential confounders, admission FAR values, and LVEF, hs-CRP was independently and positively associated with the 30-day all-cause mortality. Admission FAR was associated independently and significantly with angiographic no-reflow and short-term mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI.

Predictors and outcomes of no-reflow phenomenon in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIM: The aim of this study is to identify the predictors of angiographic no-reflow development in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention and to investigate the long-term (median follow-up time=59 months) clinical endpoints. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 3205 patients (824 females, mean age: 58.6 years) with acute myocardial infarction (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) admitted within the first 12 h of chest pain and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2006 and January 2010. The patients were divided into angiographic no-reflow [final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)<3 flow] (n=324) and reflow (final TIMI 3) (n=2881) groups. RESULTS: On multivariate logistic regression analysis age [odds ratio (OR)=1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.04, P=0.003], Killip class≥2 (OR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.30-3.04, P=0.002), pain-to-balloon time more than 4 h (OR=3.98, 95% CI: 2.50-6.32, P<0.001), baseline TIMI≤1 flow (OR=2.55, 95% CI: 1.05-6.22, P=0.038), lesion length of at least 15 mm (OR=4.31, 95% CI: 2.89-6.41, P<0.001), reference vessel diameter of at least 3.5 mm (OR=2.83, 95% CI: 1.87-4.27, P<0.001), cutoff occlusion pattern (OR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.03-3.62, P=0.04), and SYNTAX score of at least 19 (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.1.23-3.07, P<0.001)] were found as significant predictors for the development of no-reflow phenomenon. In no-reflow patients, in-hospital mortality (10.8 vs. 2.9%), heart failure (32.1 vs. 8.7%), and severe arrhythmias (23.1 vs. 9.3%) were significantly more common (P<0.001), for all. In the long-term follow-up, death (33.3 vs. 13.4%, P<0.001), advanced heart failure (12.5 vs. 5.4%, P<0.001), and stroke (3.5 vs. 1.7%, P=0.035) rates were significantly higher in the no-reflow group. CONCLUSION: The no-reflow predictors that were identified in this study might be useful in the determination of the patients who could benefit from aggressive pharmaco-invasive therapy. Development of no-reflow is associated with both in-hospital and long-term very high morbidity and mortality rates.

Predictors of periprocedural complications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions within coronary artery bypass grafts.

BACKGROUND: During the first decade following the coronary bypass grafting, at least ten percent of the patients require percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) due to graft failure. Saphenous vein grafts (SVG) are innately at a higher risk of periprocedural complications. The present study aimed to investigate predictors of periprocedural complications of PCI within coronary artery bypass grafts. METHODS: This study analyzed data gathered in the Polish National Registry (ORPKI) between January 2015 and December 2016. Of the 221,195 patients undergoing PCI, data on 2,616 patients after PCI of SVG and 442 patients after internal mammary artery (IMA) were extracted. The dissimilarities in periprocedural complications between the SVG, IMA and non-IMA/SVG groups and their predictors were investigated. RESULTS: Patients in the SVG group were older (p < 0.001), with a higher burden of concomitant disease and differing clinical presentation. The rate of de-novo lesions was lower, while restenosis was higher at baseline in the SVG (p < 0.001). The rate of no-reflows (p < 0.001), perforations (p = 0.01) and all periprocedural complications (p < 0.01) was higher in the SVG group, while deaths were lower (p < 0.001). Among the predictors of no-reflows, it was found that acute coronary syndromes (ACS), thrombectomy and past cerebral stroke, while the complications included arterial hypertension, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow before PCI and thrombectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous coronary interventions of SVG is associated with increased risk of specific periprocedural complications. The ACS, slower TIMI flow before PCI and thrombectomy significantly increase the periprocedural complication rate in patients undergoing PCI of SVG.

Do We Need Potent Intravenous Antiplatelet Inhibition at the Time of Reperfusion During ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction?

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is still a large source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although early reperfusion therapy has been prioritized in the modern era of percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombolysis, attempts at incremental improvements in clinical outcomes by reducing MI size have not been successful so far. Herein, we review the studies that have evaluated immediate-onset antiplatelet therapy as attempts to improve meaningful clinical outcomes in ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). Unfortunately, many of the adjunctive pharmacotherapies have proven to be disappointing. Recent studies performed in the background of routine oral administration of P2Y12 adenosine receptor inhibitors, which may take several hours to take full effect, and aspirin have largely shown no improvement in outcomes, despite an earlier onset of antiplatelet activity of the investigative agents. Further progress in improving outcomes during STEMI may depend on exploring therapeutics that modulate the pathophysiology of microvascular damage during ischemia-reperfusion injury, a phenomenon whose effects evolve over hours to days. We speculate that the dynamic nature of the no-reflow phenomenon may be an explanation for these disappointing results with the intravenous antiplatelet agents. We hope that appreciation for what has not worked in this domain may direct future research efforts to focus on novel pathways. Myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury are very much still a lingering issue. Despite significant improvements in door-to-balloon times, rates of in-hospital mortality for STEMI remain unchanged. Outcomes following successfully reperfused STEMI are likely determined by the initial size of myocardial necrosis (ie, cardiomyocyte death during the period of ongoing ischemia), patency of the infarct-related epicardial coronary artery, possible reperfusion injury, the microvascular no-reflow phenomenon, and adverse remodeling after infarction.

Which admission electrocardiographic parameter is more powerful predictor of no-reflow in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous intervention?

BACKGROUND: Acute transmural ischemia due to left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion changes precordial R and Q wave durations owing to depressed intramyocardial activation. We investigated the prognostic value of sum of precordial Q wave duration/sum of precordial R wave duration ratio (Q/R) in patients with first acute anterior myocardial infarction (AAMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). METHODS: In this prospective analysis, we evaluated the no-reflow predictive value of Q/R on 403 patients with first AAMI. Patients were divided into two as no-reflow group (n=32) and control (n=371) group according to post-PPCI flow status. RESULTS: The patients in the no-reflow group had significantly higher Q/R on admission electrocardiography (ECG) compared to patients in the control group (p<0.001). When admission ECG parameters were compared according to no-reflow prediction, Q/R was stronger than other well-accepted parameters. The best cut-off value of the Q/R to predict no-reflow was 1.08 with 76% sensitivity and 73% specificity (AUC: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.72-0.83; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with first AAMI treated with PPCI, Q/R in admission ECG may have a role as an independent predictive marker of no-reflow.

Temporal Trends, Complications, and Predictors of Outcomes Among Nonagenarians Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking Program.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine temporal trends, in-laboratory complications, mortality, and predictors of mortality among nonagenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Nonagenarians (patients 90 years of age or older) undergoing PCI are often underrepresented in clinical trials, and their management remains challenging and controversial. METHODS: All veterans undergoing PCI with data recorded in the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking program from 2005 to 2014 were evaluated. Temporal trends in the use of PCI, occurrence of in-laboratory complications, and 30-day and 1-year mortality were assessed. Using a frailty model, predictors of 30-day and 1-year mortality in nonagenarians were evaluated. RESULTS: Among all veterans undergoing PCI (n = 67,148) between 2005 and 2014, 274 (0.4%) were nonagenarians. The proportion of nonagenarians increased from 0.25% in 2008 to 0.58% in 2014. Compared with younger patients, nonagenarians had a greater risk for acute cardiogenic shock post-procedure (0.73% vs. 0.12%; p = 0.04) and no reflow (2.9% vs. 1.0%; p = 0.02). Unadjusted (10.6% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.0001) and adjusted 30-day mortality (odds ratio: 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42 to 3.22) and unadjusted (16.3% vs. 4.2%; p < 0.0001) and adjusted 1-year mortality (odds ratio: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.62) were higher among PCI patients who were nonagenarians. The National Cardiovascular Data Registry risk score was highly predictive of both 30-day (hazard ratio: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.82) and 1-year (hazard ratio: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.90) mortality among nonagenarians. CONCLUSIONS: Nonagenarians were a small but growing population with worse 30-day and 1-year mortality. The National Cardiovascular Data Registry risk score was a strong predictor of mortality in these patients.

Usefulness of Mean Platelet Volume-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for Predicting Angiographic No-Reflow and Short-Term Prognosis After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is associated with improved prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, no-reflow phenomenon limits the benefit of revascularization and predicts adverse outcomes. The specific mechanism for its occurrence is still not entirely clear, and it is believed at present that platelet activation and inflammation play a pivotal role in developing no-reflow. Both increased mean platelet volume (MPV), which is a platelet activation marker, and lymphopenia, which is an inflammation marker, have been linked to adverse events and poor prognosis after STEMI. Recently, MPV-to-lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) has emerged as a novel marker of poor short- and long-term prognosis in diabetic patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether MPVLR predicts angiographic no-reflow and in-hospital mortality in all STEMI patients. From January 2014 to January 2017, a total of 1,206 patients who underwent pPCI, admitted within 12 hours from symptom onset, were enrolled and divided into 2 groups based on the final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grading. No-reflow was defined as post-pPCI TIMI grade 0, 1, and 2 flows and normal-reflow was defined as TIMI 3 flow. The incidence of no-reflow was 16.1% (n = 198). The MPVLR values were higher in no-reflow group than in normal-reflow group (p <0.001). In multivariate analysis, MPVLR was an independent predictor of angiographic no-reflow. Furthermore, in multivariable Cox regression models adjusted for potential confounders, MPVLR was independently and positively associated with the hazard of 30-day all-cause mortality. In conclusion, the MPVLR was a strong independent predictor for angiographic no-reflow and short-term mortality in patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI.

Identification of High-Risk Patients After ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Comparison Between Angiographic and Magnetic Resonance Parameters.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of angiographic no reflow (NR) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) at cardiac magnetic resonance is significantly different. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of NR and MVO in a cohort of consecutive patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective study, 88 consecutive ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients were enrolled within 12 hours from symptoms onset. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance between 2 and 5 days after primary percutaneous coronary interventions. NR was defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade ≤2 and as myocardial blush grade <2. Presence of early or late MVO was assessed 4 and 10 to 15 minutes after gadolinium injection. Thirty-one patients (36%) had evidence of NR, whereas 58 (67%) had MVO. One NR patient did not have MVO. In contrast, NR was present in 30 of 58 MVO patients. MVO patients had higher troponin T peak (P<0.0001), larger late gadolinium enhancement area (P<0.0001), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (P<0.001) because of an increased end-systolic volume (P=0.015). In contrast, patients with NR had higher troponin T peak (P=0.006) but similar late gadolinium enhancement area (P=0.24) compared with those without NR. Major cardiovascular adverse events-free survival was worse in patients with MVO (P=0.014), although it was similar in patients with and without NR (P=0.33). The independent predictors of major cardiovascular adverse events were MVO (hazard ratio, 3.418; P=0.046) and ischemic time (hazard ratio, 1.016; P<0.001). MVO was a strong predictor of target lesion revascularization occurrence (P=0.017 for log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with coronary angiography performed soon after recanalization of the culprit artery, cardiac magnetic resonance performed during index hospitalization provides better prognostic stratification of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions. Another novel finding of our study is a significantly increased rate of clinically driven target lesion revascularization in the index event culprit vessel in patients with MVO.

Predictive value of admission red cell distribution width-platelet ratio for no-reflow phenomenon in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The red cell distribution width-platelet ratio (RPR), a novel inflammatory marker is currently used to predict inflammation in chronic diseases. It may be associated with adverse outcomes among artery disease but its prognostic value in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been fully investigated. There is no data regarding the association between RPR and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). This study evaluated the relations between pre-procedural RPR and the in-hospital and long-term outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. METHODS: This study included 580 STEMI patients (77% men, mean age: 59 ± 12 years). The patients were divided into two groups according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades after primary PCI. No-reflow was defined as a post-PCI TIMI flow grade of 0, 1 or 2 (group 1). Angiographic success was defined as TIMI flow grade 3 (group 2). RESULTS: Whole blood cell count, neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages, red cell distribution width, platecrit, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and RPR values were higher among patients with no-reflow. On multivariate analysis, pain to balloon time, multivessel disease, TIMI thrombus grade, tirofiban, aspirin, previous coronary artery disease, NLR, platecrit and RPR remained independent predictors of no-reflow after primary PCI. Patients in no-reflow group tended to be higher percent in-hospital MACE, including nonfatal myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality compared to the reflow patients. CONCLUSIONS: Admission NLR, platecrit and RPR are independent correlates of no-reflow and in-hospital MACEs among patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

CHA2DS2-VASc Score is a Predictor of No-Reflow in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Primary Percutaneous Intervention.

Thrombosis and distal embolization play crucial role in the etiology of no-reflow. CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to estimate the risk of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. We tested the hypothesis that CHA2DS2-VASc can predict no-reflow among patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total number of 2375 consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were assessed for the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups as no-reflow (n = 111) and control (n = 1670) groups according to post-PCI no-reflow status. CHA2DS2-VASc scores were calculated for all patients. CHA2DS2-VASc scores were significantly higher in the no-reflow group compared to the control group. After a multivariate regression analysis, CHA2DS2-VASc score remained as an independent predictor (odds ratio: 1.58, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-1,88, P < .001) of no-reflow. Receiver-operating characteristics analysis revealed the cutoff value of CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 as a predictor of no-reflow with a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 59%. Moreover, in-hospital mortality was also associated with significantly higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores. In conclusion, CHA2DS2-VASc score is associated with higher risk of no-reflow and in-hospital mortality rates in patients who underwent primary PCI.