Incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy with volume supplementation--insights from a large cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to determine the effect of combined intravenous and oral volume supplementation on the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 958) receiving iomeprol 350 during PCI were evaluated prospectively for the development of CIN. All patients received protocol-defined intravenous and oral volume supplementation. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of at least 44 micromol/l within 48 h. RESULTS: Of the 958 patients enrolled in the study, 147 (15%) were diabetic and 107 (11%) had stage III renal disease. The average baseline glomerular filtration rate was 88 +/- 25 ml/min/1.73 m(2). During the intervention an average of 238 +/- 86 ml of contrast medium was administered. CIN developed in 13 of 958 (1.4%; 95% confidence interval 0.6-2.1%) patients. The incidence of CIN was low even in predefined risk subgroups (women: 2.4%, diabetics: 2.7%, patients with stage III kidney disease: 6.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CIN is low when preprocedural fluid volume supplementation is used.

New definition of myocardial infarction: impact on long-term mortality.

BACKGROUND: The use of cardiac troponin allows the identification of additional patients developing myocardial necrosis during an acute coronary syndrome. Novel guidelines of European and American cardiac societies recommend labeling these events as myocardial infarction. Our study evaluated the long-term mortality in the group of patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction not meeting the older World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (creatine phosphokinase) but additionally identified by the novel definition of myocardial infarction. METHODS: This cohort study included 1024 consecutive patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome classified into "unstable angina," myocardial infarction according to the WHO definition ("WHO criteria"), and myocardial infarction additionally identified by the novel definition ("additional criteria"). All patients were treated with an early invasive strategy. The primary end point was all-cause mortality during follow-up of up to 36 months. RESULTS: During long-term follow-up (median 16 months, interquartile range 6-29 months), 67 deaths occurred. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed cumulative 3-year mortality rates of 5.6% in patients with "unstable angina," 9.1% in patients identified by "WHO criteria," and 17.5% in patients identified by "additional criteria" (P <.001). Cox regression analysis confirmed the "additional criteria" as a significant predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-5.0; P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: The new definition of myocardial infarction based on cardiac troponin testing identifies a high-risk group of additional patients with acute coronary syndrome that is, therefore, appropriately classified as myocardial infarction. In fact, long-term mortality in "additional criteria" patients is higher than in "WHO criteria" patients.

The impact of obesity on mortality in UA/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Obesity is associated with diabetes mellitus and advanced coronary artery disease (CAD). Once a non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome has occurred, the association between obesity and prognosis is poorly defined. This study was designed to assess the impact of obesity on outcome after unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) treated with early revascularization. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective cohort study in 1676 consecutive patients with UA/NSTEMI we examined the association between presence of obesity and all-cause mortality. All patients underwent coronary angiography and, if appropriate, early catheter-based revascularization. Patients were divided into four groups according to body mass index (BMI): normal, 18.5-24.9 (n = 551); overweight, 25-29.9 (n = 824); obese, 30-34.9 (n = 244); and very obese, above 35 (n = 48). Obese and very obese patients were younger and had a higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, elevated cardiac troponin T, and C-reactive protein levels. The angiographic extent of CAD was similar among the BMI groups. Median follow-up was 17 (interquartile range 6-31) months. Cumulative 3-year mortality rates were 9.9% for normal BMI, 7.7% for overweight, 3.6% for obese, and 0 (no death) for very obese (log-rank P = 0.043). Obese and very obese patients had less than half the long-term mortality when compared with normal BMI patients [hazard ratio (HR) 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.81, P = 0.012]. This result remained significant after adjustment for confounding prognostic factors including coronary status and left ventricular function (adjusted HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08-0.92, P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Obesity is associated with improved outcome after UA/NSTEMI treated with early revascularization.

The impact of platelet count on mortality in unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Expanding the knowledge of pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis points at a central role of platelets in the development of acute coronary syndromes. Therefore, we sought to determine the impact of platelet count on long-term outcome in unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) receiving contemporary treatment. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 1616 consecutive patients with UA/NSTEMI. All patients underwent coronary angiography and, if appropriate, subsequent catheter-based revascularization within 24 hours of admission. Patients were divided in quintiles according to platelet count. The primary end point was all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up of up to 60 months. RESULTS: During follow-up (median 17 months, interquartile range 6-31 months), 89 deaths and 74 nonfatal myocardial infarctions occurred. Patients with higher platelet counts were younger, more often female, and had lower height and weight as compared with patients with lower platelet counts. Mortality was significantly lower among patients in the second quintile of platelet count (181-210 x 10(9)/L) as compared with the other quintiles (hazard ratio 0.39, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.81, P = .011). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed cumulative 4-year mortality rates of 12.5%, 3.8%, 10.4%, 9.8%, and 11.4% for patients in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth quintiles. This association persisted after multivariate adjustment. No association of platelet count and nonfatal myocardial infarctions was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We found a nonlinear association between platelet count and long-term mortality. The lowest mortality was observed in patients with a platelet count between 181 and 210 x 10(9)/L.

Hypertension is an independent risk factor for contrast nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The administration of radiographic contrast agents is an important cause of acute renal failure. We hypothesised that hypertension is an independent risk factor for the development of contrast nephropathy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: 1383 consecutive patients scheduled for elective or emergency percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly assigned to receive isotonic or half-isotonic hydration. Contrast nephropathy was defined as a rise in serum creatinine of at least 44 micromol/l (0.5 mg/dl) within 48 h of the procedure. Hypertension was defined as self-reported history of treated or untreated diagnosed high blood pressure. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 63%. Patients with hypertension were significantly older, were more often female, smoked less and had a higher incidence of 3-vessel disease than patients without hypertension. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was slightly lower in hypertensive patients. There was no difference in preventive hydration regimen, type and quantity of contrast medium used, or quantity of intravenous fluids given. Contrast nephropathy developed in 17 of 874 hypertensive patients (2%) compared to 2 of 509 patients (0.4%) without hypertension (p = 0.016). When contrast nephropathy was defined as a 25% rise in baseline creatinine, the disease developed in 103 patients (12%) with and 36 patients (7%) without hypertension (p = 0.005). After adjustment for confounders, arterial hypertension remained an independent predictor of contrast nephropathy (odds ratio 4.6, 95% CI 1.0-20.5, p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Hypertension is an independent risk factor for the development of contrast nephropathy. Further preventive strategies to lower the incidence of contrast nephropathy in hypertensive patients are warranted.

Incidence of contrast nephropathy in patients receiving comprehensive intravenous and oral hydration.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains a major complication of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and a common cause of acute renal failure. The most effective preventive strategy is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to estimate the incidence of CIN in patients receiving comprehensive intravenous and oral volume supplementation for PCI during which iopromide (Ultravist 370, Schering, Berlin, Germany) was used. METHODS: We prospectively studied the development of CIN in 425 consecutive patients undergoing PCI, applying comprehensive intravenous and oral hydration in all patients. Baseline renal function was assessed by calculating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with the use of the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of at least 0.5 mg/dl (44 mmol/l) within 48 hours. RESULTS: Mean patients' age (mean +/- SD) was 64 +/- 10 years. A total of 133/425 patients (31%) were 70 years or older, 107 (25%) were women, 70 (16%) were diabetics, 218 (51%) had prior myocardial infarction, and 43 (10%) underwent PCI for an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Mean GFR was 89 ml/min/1.73 m2. Glomerular filtration rate was below 60 ml/min/ 1.73 m2 in 43 patients (10%). During PCI 226 +/- 80 ml of iopromide were used. With the comprehensive hydration strategy used, CIN developed in only 6 of 425 (1.4%; 95% confidence interval 0.5-3.1%) patients. No patient required dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Applying the combination of intravenous and oral volume supplementation results in a very low incidence of CIN following PCI. Hydration remains the cornerstone for the prevention of CIN.

Prognostic value of the admission electrocardiogram in patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with very early revascularization.

PURPOSE: The goals of this study were to determine if very early revascularization might ameliorate the adverse prognosis associated with ST-segment depression in patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 1450 consecutive patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were stratified by the presence of ST-segment depression, T-wave inversion, or no changes on the admission electrocardiogram (ECG). All patients underwent coronary angiography and, if appropriate, revascularization within 24 hours after admission. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During up to 59 months of follow-up, the in-hospital mortality rate was 2.1% (19/895) in patients with no ECG changes, 4% (6/136) in those with ST-segment depression, and 0.2% (1/419) in those with T-wave inversion. The cumulative death rate at 36 months was 8.0% (n = 49) in patients with no ECG changes, 19.9% (n = 18) in patients with ST-segment depression, and 5.1% (n = 13) in patients with T-wave inversion (P = 0.0001 by log-rank). After adjustment for potential cofounders, ST-segment depression (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1 to 4.6) and T-wave inversion (HR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.96) were associated with long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion on the admission ECG were important predictors of outcome in patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing very early revascularization. In contrast to the considerable mortality seen in patients with ST-segment depression, T-wave inversion was associated with a more favorable outcome.

Female sex and risk of contrast nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) seem to have a higher in-hospital mortality than men. The reason for this difference in outcome is unknown. Contrast nephropathy (CN) remains a major complication of PCI and a common cause of acute renal failure. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that women have a higher incidence of CN, which April contribute in part to their increased in-hospital mortality following PCI. METHODS: Sex-based differences in the development of CN were studied in 1383 patients undergoing PCI who were included in a randomized trial of two hydration regimens. Baseline renal function was assessed by calculating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. CN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of at least 44 micromol/L within 48 h. RESULTS: Women and men differed in several baseline characteristics. Women were older and had a higher incidence of arterial hypertension and diabetes. In addition, baseline GFR was significantly lower in women than in men. The incidence of CN was significantly higher in women. CN developed in 10 of 354 (2.8%) women compared with nine of 1029 (0.9%) men (odds ratio 3.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 8.2, P=0.01). After adjusting for confounders including baseline GFR and incidence of arterial hypertension, female sex was no longer a significant independent predictor of CN (odds ratio 2.2, 95% CI 0.8 to 5.6, P=0.12). CONCLUSIONS: The significantly higher incidence of CN after PCI in women seemed largely due to their less favourable baseline characteristics, including lower GFR and higher incidence of arterial hypertension, rather than to female sex itself.

Prognostic value of quantitative troponin T measurements in unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction treated early and predominantly with percutaneous coronary intervention.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of baseline cardiac troponin T measurements on in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who are treated with an early invasive strategy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 1024 consecutive patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Patients were stratified according to quantitative troponin T measurements on admission, and underwent coronary angiography and subsequent coronary stenting of the culprit lesion as the primary revascularization strategy within 24 hours. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The risk of in-hospital and long-term mortality increased with absolute levels of troponin T. In-hospital mortality was 0.7% (3/449) in patients with levels <0.010 microg/L, 2.0% (4/197) in those with levels from 0.010 to 0.035 microg/L, 3.2% (6/186) in those with levels from 0.035 to 0.229 microg/L, and 4.7% (9/192) in patients with levels >0.229 microg/L. Cumulative 2-year mortality rates were 2.8%, 8.0%, 10.5%, and 14.8% from the lowest to highest troponin T groups (P <0.001). In contrast, the risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction assumed an inverted U-shaped curve and was lower in the lowest and highest troponin T groups. CONCLUSION: Troponin T remains a strong predictor of mortality, even at low levels, in patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who are treated with early revascularization. The risk associated with elevated levels is linear for death but not for myocardial infarction.

Previous cytomegalovirus infection and restenosis after aggressive angioplasty with provisional stenting.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of previous with cytomegalovirus (CMV) on restenosis after aggressive angioplasty with provisional stenting. DESIGN: We prospectively studied 78 consecutive patients scheduled for 6-month follow-up coronary angiography as part of the SIPS study. Anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies were measured on admission. RESULTS: Anti-CMV IgG positive and anti-CMV IgG negative patients had similar minimal lumen diameter (MLD) in the target vessel before (0.68 +/- 0.49 mm vs 0.71 +/- 0.52 mm, P = 0.84) and directly after the intervention (2.50 +/- 0.60 mm vs 2.57 +/- 0.52 mm, P = 0.58). After 6 months, however, the MLD was significantly smaller in CMV-positive as compared to CMV-negative patients (1.57 +/- 0.82 mm vs 2.00 +/- 0.83 mm, P < 0.03). Net lumen gain at 6 months was significantly lower in CMV-positive patients (0.89 +/- 0.79 mm vs 1.30 +/- 0.87 mm, P < 0.04) and the rate of clinically relevant restenosis was significantly higher (31% vs 7%, P < 0.02). In a multivariate logistic regression model, CMV seropositivity was an independent predictor of restenosis (odds ratio 5.7 (95% CI 1.2-30.3, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Six months after aggressive coronary angioplasty with provisional stenting, patients with prior CMV infection had a smaller MLD and a higher restenosis rate. CMV seropositivity was a strong independent predictor of restenosis.

Operator experience and long term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of operator experience on long term outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Two hundred and fifty consecutive patients with 334 lesions undergoing elective PCI by three highly experienced (greater than 600 PCI, mean 1100) and three less experienced (fewer than 400 PCI, mean 250) high volume operators at a single tertiary care centre were prospectively studied. Quantitative assessment of the six-month angiography was possible in 273 lesions (82%). Clinical follow-up at 24 months was complete in all patients. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the 159 lesions treated by the highly experienced operators were comparable with the 175 lesions treated by the less experienced operators. Six months following PCI, the minimal lumen diameter at the lesion site was similar for both more experienced and less experienced operators (1.68+/-0.95 mm versus 1.63+/-0.89 mm, P=0.66), as was net lumen gain (0.97+/-1.02 mm versus 0.98+/-0.93 mm, P=0.96) and the rate of restenosis (33% versus 32%, P=0.87). By multivariate analysis, lower operator experience was not a predictor of restenosis (odds ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.25, P=0.81). In addition, 24-month clinical follow-up did not reveal any relevant difference in the combined end point of death, myocardial infarction or clinically driven revascularization between more experienced (29 events in 116 patients) and less experienced operators (35 events in 134 patients; 25% versus 26%, P=0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Less experienced high volume operators seem to achieve similar long term results as more experienced high volume operators.

Insufficient tissue ablation by rotational atherectomy leads to worse long-term results in comparison with balloon angioplasty alone for the treatment of diffuse in-stent restenosis: insights from the intravascular ultrasound substudy of the ARTIST randomized multicenter trial.

The ARTIST trial demonstrated a worse outcome for patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR) treated with rotational atherectomy (RA) and adjunctive balloon angioplasty (PTCA) as compared to PTCA alone. This intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) substudy compares effects of lumen enlargement and examines reasons for failure of RA in this setting. IVUS (n = 56) was performed after each interventional step and at follow-up. Volumetric lumen gain measured 79 +/- 68 mm(3) after PTCA (13 +/- 4 atm) as compared to 44 +/- 26 mm(3) after RA and adjunctive PTCA (7 +/- 3 atm; P < 0.0001). RA itself enlarged lumen by only 19 +/- 17 mm(3) and stent volume was 47% smaller as compared to high-pressure PTCA. Low-pressure strategy after RA did not prevent tissue growth during follow-up (19 +/- 25 vs. 36 +/- 38 mm(3); RA vs. PTCA; P = 0.09). Consequently, net lumen gain after PTCA was 82% higher compared to RA (46 +/- 54 vs. 25 +/- 24 mm(3); P = 0.09). Further stent expansion is the key mechanism to achieve luminal gain by PTCA of ISR. Neointimal ablation by RA has only minor effects. Low-pressure PTCA does not prevent recurrent tissue growth and failed for treatment of ISR due to insufficient stent expansion.

A randomized comparison of clopidogrel and aspirin versus ticlopidine and aspirin after the placement of coronary artery stents.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare clopidogrel and ticlopidine after coronary stenting with regard to cardiovascular death during long-term follow-up. BACKGROUND: Randomized trials comparing clopidogrel and ticlopidine with a restricted use of intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition have reported a trend toward a higher incidence of thrombotic stent occlusion with clopidogrel at 30 days. METHODS: After successful coronary stent implantation, 700 patients with 899 lesions were randomly assigned to receive a four-week course of either 500 mg ticlopidine (n = 345) or 75 mg clopidogrel (n = 355) in addition to 100 mg aspirin. Cardiovascular death was the primary end point and was recorded during a median follow-up period of 28 months. RESULTS: Cardiovascular death occurred in eight patients with ticlopidine versus 26 patients with clopidogrel (hazard ratio with ticlopidine compared with clopidogrel, 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14 to 0.66; p = 0.003). After adjustment for co-variables, ticlopidine reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 63% compared with clopidogrel. The combined end point of cardiovascular death or nonfatal myocardial infarction was present in 19 patients assigned ticlopidine, compared with 40 patients assigned clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 0.45; p = 0.005). The hazard ratio for all-cause mortality with ticlopidine as compared with clopidogrel was 0.30 (95% CI, 0.14 to 0.64; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: After the placement of coronary artery stents in unselected patients, ticlopidine was associated with a significantly lower mortality than clopidogrel. This raises concern about the current practice of substituting clopidogrel for ticlopidine after stenting and highlights the need for further long-term studies.

Cost-effectiveness of intracoronary ultrasound for percutaneous coronary interventions.

The Strategy for Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) guided PTCA and Stenting trial included a prospectively designed economic analysis to investigate whether routine IVUS guidance intervention is cost-effective. Consecutive patients (n = 269) with 356 lesions were randomly assigned to receive provisional stenting with angiographic guidance only (ANGIO) or with IVUS guidance. The 2-year major adverse cardiac event-free survival (effectiveness) was significantly higher in the IVUS-guided group (80% vs 69%, p <0.04). In-hospital costs for procedural personnel, capital equipment, and disposable equipment were higher in the IVUS group. This was offset by lower costs for inpatient care and urgent target vessel revascularization in the IVUS group. Therefore, the total in-hospital cost was only slightly higher with IVUS (5,245 +/- $2,256 [IVUS] vs 4,776 +/- $2,961 [ANGIO], $/patient, p = 0.15). During a 2-year follow-up, costs for cardiac hospitalizations were slightly lower in the IVUS group, whereas costs for medication and indirect costs were similar. This resulted in identical total costs over the 2-year period (15,947 +/- $8,545 [IVUS] vs 16,103 +/- $9,954 [ANGIO], $/patient, p = 0.89). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for IVUS guidance calculated to -$1,417/major adverse cardiac event-free survival gained. In 55.3% of bootstrapping replications, IVUS was less expensive and more effective. In conclusion, when used in a provisional stenting strategy, routine IVUS imaging is cost-saving half the time.

Impact of intracoronary ultrasound guidance on long-term outcome of percutaneous coronary interventions in diabetics--insights from the randomized SIPS trial.

BACKGROUND: The Strategy for Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guided PTCA and Stenting (SIPS) trial included a prospectively designed subgroup analysis to investigate whether routine IVUS-guidance during percutaneous intervention improves long-term outcome in diabetics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive diabetic patients (n = 43) with 57 lesions were randomly assigned to receive provisional stenting with angiographic guidance only (ANGIO) or with IVUS guidance provided by a combined IVUS/variable diameter balloon catheter (IVUS). The combined primary endpoint included death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularisation (TVR) and was recorded for 28 months. The re-stenosis rate at 6-month follow-up angiography was defined as a secondary endpoint. A primary endpoint occurred in 6 diabetic patients (31.6%) in the IVUS-group and 11 diabetic patients (45.8%) in the ANGIO-group (relative risk for IVUS, 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.28-2.35, p = 0.83). Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that IVUS did slightly attenuate the negative effect of diabetes on long-term event-free survival. The quantitative assessment of follow-up angiography revealed that the incidence of re-stenosis was high in both groups (IVUS: 53% versus ANGIO: 52%, p = 0.94). There was no difference in the mean duration of hospitalisation (11.8 days with IVUS versus 11.2 days with ANGIO, p = 0.83) or total cost (US dollars 16,725 with IVUS versus US dollars 16,230 with ANGIO, p = 0.83) during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Routine IVUS-guidance during provisional stenting seems to slightly attenuate the negative effect of diabetes on long-term outcome. However, the re-stenosis rate remains very high.

Women do have an improved long-term outcome after non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes treated very early and predominantly with percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective study in 1,450 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess gender-based differences in long-term outcome after very early aggressive revascularization for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS). BACKGROUND: The Fragmin and fast Revascularization during InStability in Coronary artery disease (FRISC) II study suggested that women have less to gain from an early invasive strategy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 1,450 consecutive patients with NSTACS undergoing coronary angiography and subsequent coronary stenting of the culprit lesion as the primary revascularization strategy within 24 h of admission. The combined primary end point was defined as death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) and recorded for a mean of 20 months. RESULTS: Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in more than 50% of patients in women and men and accompanied with stenting in 80%. The percutaneous coronary intervention:coronary artery bypass grafting ratio was 4:1 in men and 5:1 in women. The primary end point occurred in 29 (7.0%) women as compared with 108 (10.5%) men (hazard ratio for women, 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42 to 0.99; p = 0.045). Backward-stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis identified female gender as an independent predictor of death or MI (hazard ratio for female gender, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.92; p = 0.024). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that women had consistently lower event rates during the entire follow-up period (p = 0.037 by log-rank for death or MI). CONCLUSIONS: Women treated with very early aggressive revascularization with coronary stenting of the culprit lesion as the primary revascularization strategy have a better long-term outcome as compared with men.

Inflammation and long-term mortality after non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome treated with a very early invasive strategy in 1042 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to evaluate the predictive value of C-reactive protein (CRP) on long-term mortality in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS) that were treated with a very early aggressive revascularization strategy. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 1042 consecutive patients with NSTACS who were undergoing coronary angiography and subsequent coronary stenting of the culprit lesion as the primary revascularization strategy within 24 hours. Levels of CRP were determined on admission. The patients were followed for a mean of 20 months. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with a CRP>10 mg/L (3.7% versus 1.2% with CRP<3 mg/L and versus 0.8% with CRP of 3 to 10 mg/L; relative risk for CRP>10 mg/L compared with CRP< or =10 mg/L was 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] was 1.6 to 11.0; P=0.004). The increase in mortality in patients with CRP>10 mg/L persisted during follow-up. Long-term mortality was 3.4% with CRP<3 mg/L, 4.4% with CRP between 3 and 10 mg/L, and 12.7% with CRP>10 mg/L (relative risk for CRP>10 mg/L compared with CRP< or =10 mg/L, 0.8; 95% CI, 2.3 to 6.2; P<0.001). In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a significantly reduced survival at 4 years in patients with a CRP>10 mg/L (78% versus 88% for a CRP of 3 to 10 mg/L and versus 92% for CRP<3 mg/L; P<0.001 by log-rank). In a multivariate analysis, CRP was an independent predictor of long-term mortality. Patients with a CRP>10 mg/L had >4 times the risk of death (odds ratio, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.3 to 7.2). CONCLUSION: CRP is a strong independent predictor of short and long-term mortality after NSTACS that are treated with very early revascularization.

Prevention of contrast media-associated nephropathy: randomized comparison of 2 hydration regimens in 1620 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: The administration of radiographic contrast agents remains an important cause of acute renal failure. The optimal infusion for hydration has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of contrast media-associated nephrotoxicity with isotonic or half-isotonic hydration. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label study. METHODS: Patients scheduled for elective or emergency coronary angioplasty were randomly assigned to receive isotonic (0.9% saline) or half-isotonic (0.45% sodium chloride plus 5% glucose) hydration beginning the morning of the procedure for elective interventions and immediately before emergency interventions. An increase in serum creatinine of at least 0.5 mg/dL (44 micromol/L) within 48 hours was defined as contrast media-associated nephrotoxicity. Secondary end points were cardiac and peripheral vascular complications. RESULTS: A total of 1620 patients were assigned to receive isotonic (n = 809) or half-isotonic (n = 811) hydration. Primary end point analysis was possible in 1383 patients. Baseline characteristics were well matched. Contrast media-associated nephropathy was significantly reduced with isotonic (0.7%, 95% confidence interval, 0.1%-1.4%) vs half-isotonic (2.0%, 95% confidence interval, 1.0%-3.1%) hydration (P =.04). Three predefined subgroups benefited in particular from isotonic hydration: women, persons with diabetes, and patients receiving 250 mL or more of contrast. The incidence of cardiac (isotonic, 5.3% vs half-isotonic, 6.4%; P =.59) and peripheral vascular (isotonic, 1.6% vs half-isotonic, 1.5%, P =.93) complications was similar between the 2 hydration groups. CONCLUSION: Isotonic hydration is superior to half-isotonic hydration in the prevention of contrast media-associated nephropathy.