Resistant hypertension: Renal denervation or pharmacovigilance? Insights from a renal denervation screening program.

BACKGROUND: With emerging new therapeutic concepts including renal denervation (RDN), there is a renewed interest in resistant hypertension (ResH). Among patients suspected of having ResH, a definitive diagnosis needs to be established. OBJECTIVES: This study presents observations from a standardized single-center screening program for RDN candidates, including medical therapy modification and reassessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients referred to our center for RDN underwent a standardized screening protocol. Candidates were recruited from among patients receiving no less than 3 antihypertensive drugs, including diuretics with office blood pressure (BP) >140/90 mm Hg. The assessment included 2 measurements of BP and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). If needed, pharmacotherapy was intensified and the diagnosis of ResH was reconfirmed after 6 weeks. If ResH was persistent, patients were hospitalized with repeated ABPM on day 4. Further, renal CT-angio was performed and a multidisciplinary team discussed the patients' suitability for RDN. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients with a ResH diagnosis were referred for RDN. Mean office BP was 159/92 (±7.0/6.5) mm Hg and mean ABPM was 154/90 (±9.0/4.8) mm Hg. The initial medication included angiotensin convertase inhibitors (ACE-I, 78%), angiotensin receptor blockers (12%), ß-blockers (85%), calcium channel blockers (36%), and diuretics (93%). During the 18 months of the RDN program, 5 patients underwent RDN and 2 further had ineligible renal anatomy. A new diagnosis of secondary hypertension was made in 21 patients. However, in 59 patients, BP control was achieved after optimization of medical therapy, with a mean ABPM of 124/74 mm Hg. The final treatment included ACE-I (100%), ß-blockers (92%), indapamide (94%), amlodipine (72%), and spironolactone (61%). Medication in most of these patients (88%) included single-pill triple combination (52.5%) or double combination (35.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with elevated BP screened for RDN require a rigorous diagnostic workup. Up to 2/3 of patients can be managed with strict pharmacotherapy compliance and pharmaceutical intensification, including single-pill combinations and improved drug compliance. Hasty use of RDN may be a result of poor drug optimization and/or compliance. It does remain a viable treatment option in thoroughly vetted ResH patients.

COOL AMI EU pilot trial: a multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled trial to assess cooling as an adjunctive therapy to percutaneous intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: We aimed to investigate the rapid induction of therapeutic hypothermia using the ZOLL Proteus Intravascular Temperature Management System in patients with anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) without cardiac arrest. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were randomised; 22 patients (88%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 69-97%) in the hypothermia group and 23 patients (92%; 95% CI: 74-99) in the control group completed cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at four to six days and 30-day follow-up. Intravascular temperature at coronary guidewire crossing after 20.5 minutes of endovascular cooling decreased to 33.6°C (range 31.9-35.5°C). There was a 17-minute (95% CI: 4.6-29.8 min) cooling-related delay to reperfusion. In "per protocol" analysis, median infarct size/left ventricular mass was 16.7% in the hypothermia group versus 23.8% in the control group (absolute reduction 7.1%, relative reduction 30%; p=0.31) and median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 42% in the hypothermia group and 40% in the control group (absolute reduction 2.4%, relative reduction 6%; p=0.36). Except for self-terminating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (32% versus 8%; p=0.074), there was no excess of adverse events in the hypothermia group. CONCLUSIONS: We rapidly and safely cooled patients with anterior STEMI to 33.6°C at the time of coronary guidewire crossing. This is ≥1.1°C lower than in previous cooling studies. Except for self-terminating atrial fibrillation, there was no excess of adverse events and no clinically important cooling-related delay to reperfusion. A statistically non-significant numerical 7.1% absolute and 30% relative reduction in infarct size warrants a pivotal trial powered for efficacy.

Ultrasound evaluation of forearm arteries in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention via radial artery access: results of one-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: A proven advantage of radial over femoral arterial access has led to an increase in the number of interventions performed via radial artery access in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Both assessment of the pulse volume and the Allen's test are subjective and subject to investigator bias. An ultrasound examination of the forearm arteries provides important information about the anatomy of the forearm vessels, and indirectly also about the efficiency of collateral blood supply to the hand. It also enables determination of the relevant vessel diameter before the planned intervention, and may be used to assess local complications. AIM: To assess the morphology of forearm blood vessels and measure the diameter of both radial and ulnar arteries at the cannulation site using ultrasound imaging. We also aimed to identify potential vascular anomalies and local complications associated with radial artery puncture. METHODS: The study included 109 patients with cardiologic indications for coronary angiography or coronary angioplasty. An ultrasound evaluation of forearm arteries was performed prior to the intervention, and the vascular anatomy was later verified by angiography during the procedure. Ultrasound measurements of the vessel diameter were also performed and local complications of the cannulation were assessed. Measurements were performed immediately after the procedure and at 30 days and 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty-nine right and 50 left forearm arteries were evaluated. Women were 29% of the study population. The mean patient age was 59.2 ± 7.9 years. The mean diameter of the right radial artery was 2.17 ± 0.54 mm, and the mean diameter of the left radial artery was 2.25 ± 0.43 mm. The measurements revealed gender-related differences in forearm artery diameter (p = 0.003). Vascular anomalies of the radial artery were identified by ultrasound examination in 10% of subjects. A significant dilatation of the cannulated blood vessel was observed which lasted up to 12 months. An occlusion of the cannulated artery was demonstrated in 6.4% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound imaging is a reliable method to evaluate the diameter of forearm arteries and track their course in patients undergoing invasive cardiovascular procedures via radial artery access. The diameter of the radial artery by ultrasound evaluation is larger compared to that of the ulnar artery. The diameter of forearm arteries in women is smaller compared to men. A dilatation of the radial artery which may last up to 12 months develops following its percutaneous cannulation. Ultrasound imaging allows detection and monitoring of local complications such as radial artery occlusion. An unfavourable ratio of blood vessel diameter to the size of the used introducer sheath is a predictor of radial artery occlusion. Ultrasound imaging enables reliable evaluation of vascular anomalies involving the radial artery, especially within the distal forearm.

Characteristics, management and five-year outcomes of patients with high risk, stable multivessel coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Multivessel coronary artery disease (MCAD) is a common manifestation of advanced coronary atherosclerosis. AIM: To determine the clinical characteristics and long term follow up prognostic factors in patients with high risk, stable MCAD from a single institution. METHODS: We included in the final analysis 270 patients with stable MCAD. Patients were followed for the occurrence of death, stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). We defined a cumulative major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) asa composite of death, stroke, MI and urgent revascularisation. Median follow up was 5 years (4-5.5 years). 176 (65%) patients were treated surgically (coronary artery bypass grafting, CABG), 19 (7%) patients were treated percutaneously, while 75 (28%) patients were treated medically; this meant that 94 (35%) patients were treated non-surgically. RESULTS: Predictors of MACCE in the study group of patients revealed by univariate logistic regression analysis were: diabetes mellitus (p = 0.04), kidney failure (p = 0.05), total cholesterol (p = 0.05), LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.02), chest pain symptoms in CCS III class (p = 0.05), heart rate (p = 0,02), NT-proBNP (p = 0.01), left ventricular diastolic (p = 0.003) and systolic diameter (p = 0.003), left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.001), Gensini score (p = 0.05) and CABG treatment strategy (p = 0.001). In Cox logistic regression analysis, non CABG treatment strategy (b = 0.06), heart rate (b = 0.02), and LDL cholesterol level (b = 0.006) were independent predictors of MACCE (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that patients with advanced MCAD who are qualified for complete surgical revascularisation benefitted more with regard to several primary end points at five-year follow-up than those who were not qualified for surgery and who were treated with medical therapy supplemented in selected cases with incomplete percutaneous revascularisation.

[Critical stenosis left main coronary artery in 39-year-old woman treated with percutaneous angioplasty]. / Krytyczne ostialne zwezenie pnia lewej tetnicy wiencowej u 39-letniej kobiety leczonej przezskórna angioplastyka

Isolated critical stenosis of left main coronary artery (LMCA) due to atherosclerosis is very rare and affects about 0.2% of patients. We present the case of a 39-year-old, non-smoker women with risk factors for diseases of the cardiovascular system in the form of hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension, in addition to positive family history and chronic oral contraception. Sick from occurring since atypical angina masked depressive symptoms, with a critical stenosis of LMCA and little suggestive symptoms of ischaemia because of the existing collateral circulation.

Prognostic value of platelet indices after acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a strong predictor of impaired angiographic reperfusion and 6-month mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). No data is available for other platelet volume indices: platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR). The aim was to assess the impact of 3 platelet volume indices on long-term prognosis in patients treated with primary PCI in acute MI. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 538 patients who underwent primary PCI in acute MI. Admission blood samples were measured for MPV, PDW, and P-LCR. The patients were followed-up a mean period of 26 ± 11 months with regard to cardiac death, non-fatal reinfarction, re-PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significantly higher 26-month mortalityrate in patients with high MPV (≥ 11.7 fL) than in those with low MPV (< 11.7 fL) (14.6% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.0008). Similar findings were related to high P-LCR (≥ 38.1%) vs. low P-LCR (< 38.1%) - mortality 13.8% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.0025. Higher PDW values (≥ 16 fL) correlated with higher mortality rate as compared to PDW < 16 fL (17.4% vs. 6.3%, p = 0.0012). PDW was found to be an independent prognostic factor for cardiac mortality and composite endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: Mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and platelet large cell ratio measured on admission are strong, independent prognostic factors in PCI-treated acute MI.

Optimal treatment of coronary-to-pulmonary artery fistula: surgery, coil or stent graft?

We report a case of a 57-year-old man with typical angina due to a coronary artery-to-pulmonary artery fistula, which was evident on transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography with color Doppler flow mapping. The diagnosis was confirmed by coronary angiography. The patient underwent surgical ligation of the fistula. However, repeated transesophageal echocardiography and coronary angiography revealed persistence of the fistula with significant left-to-right shunt. The orifice of the fistula was then obliterated by stent-graft implantation, which was proven successful by angiography and echocardiography.

[Left atrial appendage elimination using Amplatzer Cardiac Plug in patients with atrial fibrillation - report of two cases]. / Eliminacja uszka lewego przedsionka za pomoca okludera Amplatza u chorych z migotaniem przedsionków - opis 2 przypadków.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage device closure is currently under evaluation as a method for reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindications for long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. We present two cases of successful implantation of new left atrial appendage occluder - Amplatzer Cardiac Plug.

Relationship of serum angiogenin, adiponectin and resistin levels with biochemical risk factors and the angiographic severity of three-vessel coronary disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced coronary artery disease (CAD) have an unfavorable prognosis. Therefore, early identification of this high-risk group is important. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters supported by novel atherogenesis and angiogenesis markers in identifying patients with stable, three-vessel coronary artery disease. METHODS: The study group comprised 107 patients suffering from three-vessel CAD and a control group of 15 patients presenting with typical angina, a positive exercise stress test and abnormal segmental contractility, but no hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis in their angiograms. In each patient, we characterized a biochemistry test panel including novel markers: angiogenin, resistin, adiponectin, IL-8 and a TNF-a. The angiographic severity of CAD was expressed as a Gensini score. RESULTS: There were significant differences between three-vessel CAD patients and control groups with respect to the serum levels of: hsCRP (2.8 vs 1.4 mg/L, p = 0.01), HDL-cholesterol (45 vs 54 mg/dL, p = 0.04), LDL-cholesterol (102 vs 95 mg/dL, p = 0.04), NT-proBNP (392 vs 151 pg/mL, p = 0.008) and a marker of angiogenetic activity, angiogenin (414 vs 275 ng/mL, p = 0.02), However, no significant differences were found between three-vessel CAD and the control group with respect to the serum level of adiponectin (8.08 vs 7.82 µg/mL), resistin (17.5 vs 21 ng/mL), IL-8 (20.7 vs 26.8 pg/mL) and TNF-a (4.1 vs 4.3 pg/mL). Angiogenin tended to be higher in patients with higher Gensini scores (p = 0.06) but no influence of ejection fraction was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Angiogenin is a novel marker of three-vessel coronary disease showing a relationship with the angiographic severity of the disease.

Influence of treatment strategy on serum adiponectin, resistin and angiogenin concentrations in patients with stable multivessel coronary artery disease after one-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin and resistin, as well as the novel angiogenetic factor angiogenin, may be associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis. However, the available data are limited regarding adipocytokines and angiogenesis factors long-term serum concentration changes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). AIM: To evaluate the treatment strategy-dependent changes in serum concentrations of adiponectin, resistin and angiogenin in patients with stable multivessel CAD (MCAD) and their association with cardiovascular events. METHODS: The study group comprised 107 MCAD patients (80 males, mean age 63±8 years); 55 (51%) patients were treated surgically (coronary artery bypass grafting-CABG), while the other 52 (49%) were treated medically. Adiponectin, resistin and angiogenin plasma levels were measured on admission and after one-year follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke or hospitalisation for angina or heart failure over the 12 month period. RESULTS: During one-year follow-up, nine (8%) patients died, all from cardiovascular causes, and 34 (32%) patients experienced MACE. The CABG group revealed significant decrease in angiogenin (p<0.0001) and adiponectin (p=0.03) serum levels. In the medically treated group, we noted a significant reduction in the adiponectin serum concentration (p=0.003), with no change in resistin and angiogenin serum levels. CONCLUSIONS: In stable patients with MCAD, the choice of treatment strategy (optimal medical therapy or surgery) influences cytokines profile and modifies serum concentration of angiogenin and adiponectin during 12 months of follow-up. Assessing the dynamic concentration changes of these novel biomarkers may be useful for clinical practice.

Effect of intracoronary injection of mononuclear bone marrow stem cells on left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

To investigate the effect of intracoronary injection of autologous mononuclear bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function using standard echocardiography and 2-dimensional systolic strain. A total of 60 patients with first anterior wall STEMI and LV ejection fraction of <40%, treated with successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly assigned to the treatment group (BMSC group) or the control group in a 2:1 ratio. Transcatheter intracoronary injection of BMSCs into the infarct-related artery was performed 7 days after STEMI. Standard echocardiography and speckle tracking analysis was performed at baseline and 6 months after STEMI. No differences were found in the baseline echocardiographic parameters of LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction--the LV ejection fraction was 35 +/- 6% in the BMSC group, similar to that in the control group (33 +/- 7%, p = 0.42). After 6 months, the absolute change in the LV ejection fraction was significantly greater in the BMSC group than in the control group (10 +/- 9% versus 5 +/- 8%, p = 0.04). Significant improvement was seen in 2-dimensional systolic strain in all segments (12 +/- 4 vs 14 +/- 4; p = 0.0009) and in the infarcted area (5 +/- 2 vs 6 +/- 2; p = 0.0038) only in the BMSC group. Of the diastolic function parameters, we observed improvement in the early filling propagation velocity (30 +/- 8 cm/s vs 37 +/- 13 cm/s; p = 0.0008), early diastolic velocity - E' (4.5 +/- 1.5 vs 5.0 +/- 1.3, p = 0.02), and the E/E' ratio (17 +/- 7 vs 14 +/- 5; p = 0.03) in the BMSC group. In conclusion, intracoronary injection of unselected BMSCs in patients with STEMI improved both LV systolic and diastolic function at 6 months of follow-up.

Implantation of a Occlutech Figulla PFO occluder in a patient with patent foramen ovale and history of embolic stroke.

The most common interventions in structural heart diseases for various age groups are percutaneous occlusions of septal defects. We present the case of a woman with patent foramen ovale (PFO) periodically causing a right-to-left shunt, after an incident of stroke, with migraine attacks, treated by percutaneous closure of PFO with use of a novel occluder device--an Occlutech Figulla. The procedure was performed under X-ray and transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring. The novel Occlutech device described above features easy manipulation, good safety and some constructional innovations that enable the time of antiplatelet prophylaxis to be shortened, thus potentially minimizing procedure related risk.