Outcome of Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis and Normal Coronary Arteries Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Coronary artery disease and severe aortic stenosis (AS) often coexist. This study sought to investigate the impact of normal coronary arteries as negative risk marker in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Consecutive patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI were dichotomized according to the presence or absence of normal coronary arteries, defined as absence of coronary lesions with diameter stenosis ≥30% in vessels ≥1.5 mm in diameter on coronary angiogram in patients without prior coronary revascularization. The primary end point was 1-year mortality. Out of 987 patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI, 258 (26%) patients had normal coronary arteries. These patients were younger, more likely women, and had lower EuroSCORE II and STS risk scores. Although mortality at 30 days was similar in the normal coronary artery and the coronary atherosclerosis groups (3.1% vs 5.6%, p = 0.11), it was lower in those with normal coronary arteries at 1 year (8.9% vs 17%, p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, the presence of normal coronary arteries on coronary angiogram independently predicted 1-year mortality (adjusted HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.90, p = 0.02). In conclusion, this study defined normal coronary arteries as negative risk marker in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI.

Impella versus IABP in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Objective: We investigated the benefit of Impella, a modern percutaneous mechanical support (pMCS) device, versus former standard intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS). Methods: This single-centre, retrospective study included patients with AMICS receiving pMCS with either Impella or IABP. Disease severity at baseline was assessed with the IABP-SHOCK II score. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30 days. Secondary outcomes were parameters of shock severity at the early postimplantation phase. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models identified independent predictors of the primary outcome. Results: Of 116 included patients, 62 (53%) received Impella and 54 (47%) IABP. Despite similar baseline mortality risk (IABP-SHOCK II high-risk score of 18 % vs 20 %; p = 0.76), Impella significantly reduced the inotropic score (p < 0.001), lactate levels (p < 0.001) and SAPS II (p =0.02) and improved left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.01). All-cause mortality at 30 days was similar with Impella and IABP (52 % and 67 %, respectively; p = 0.13), but bleeding complications were more frequent in the Impella group (3 vs 4 units of transfused erythrocytes concentrates due to bleeding complications, p = 0.03). Previous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HR 3.22, 95% CI 1.76 to 5.89; p < 0.01) and an estimated intermediate (HR 2.77, 95% CI 1.42 to 5.40; p < 0.01) and high (HR 4.32 95% CI 2.03 to 9.24; p = 0.01) IABP-SHOCK II score were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. Conclusions: In patients with AMICS, haemodynamic support with the Impella device had no significant effect on 30-day mortality as compared with IABP. In these patients, large randomised trials are warranted to ascertain the effect of Impella on the outcome.

Effect on Outcomes: Infections Complicating Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Patients ≥80 Years of Age.

Data on the prevalence of infections in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and their impact on outcomes are scarce. In this study, a total of 644 patients ≥80 years of age who underwent PCI were stratified according to the presence/absence of infections requiring antibiotic therapy. The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after discharge, a composite of all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and rehospitalization for heart failure. Median follow-up was 1.2 (interquartile range 0.1 to 3.4) years. Of the 644 patients, 186 (28.9%) had infections during index hospitalization, with 84 (13%) and 59 (9.2%) patients having pneumonia and urinary tract infections, respectively. Patients with infections were older, more often women, and had an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. Infections prolonged hospital stay (10 [7 to 16] vs 5 [3 to 7] days, p <0.001), but were not related to rates of MACE (20% vs 19%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.41, 95% confidence intervals 0.84 to 2.38, p = 0.20). Pneumonia was significantly associated with increased rates of MACE (27% vs 18%, adjusted HR 2.19, 95% confidence intervals 1.23 to 3.91, p = 0.008) and rehospitalization for heart failure (17% vs 10%, adjusted HR 2.66 (1.25 to 5.63, p = 0.01), whereas urinary tract infections were not. In conclusion, concomitant infections are frequent in patients ≥80 years of age who underwent PCI, and associated with an increased risk of adverse events when affecting the respiratory system.

Comparison of Outcomes in Men Versus Women After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion.

Conflicting evidence exists on gender differences in outcomes after coronary stenting, and gender-based data in patients with chronic total occlusions (CTO) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are scarce. Consecutive patients who underwent CTO PCI from January 2005 to December 2013 were included in the analysis and stratified according to gender. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality. Median follow-up was 2.6 years (interquartile range 1.1 to 3.1). Of 2002 patients, 332 (17%) were women. Procedural success was achieved in 82% and 83% of women and men (p = 0.31). All-cause mortality was 15% and 11% in women and men (log-rank p = 0.17) with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 1.17, p = 0.31). All-cause mortality was significantly reduced in patients with procedural success, both in women (12% vs 32%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.79, p = 0.006) and men (9% vs 21%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.64, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.88, p = 0.006), with similar mortality benefits associated with successful revascularization in both groups (interaction p = 0.35). In conclusion, recanalization of coronary arterial CTO is equally successful in both women and men.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Previous Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion.

Successful revascularization of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) has been associated with clinical benefit. Data on outcomes in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO, however, are scarce. A total of 2,002 consecutive patients undergoing PCI for CTO from January 2005 to December 2013 were divided into patients with and without previous CABG, and outcomes were retrospectively assessed. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality. Median follow-up was 2.6 years (interquartile range 1.1 to 3.1). A total of 292 patients (15%) had previous CABG; they were older and had a greater prevalence of comorbidities. Procedural success was achieved in 75% and 84% of patients in the previous CABG and the non-CABG groups (p <0.001), respectively. All-cause mortality was 16% and 11% in the previous CABG and the non-CABG groups (p = 0.002), and differences were mitigated after adjustment for baseline characteristics (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86 to 1.74, p = 0.27). All-cause death was significantly reduced in patients with procedural success, both in the previous CABG (11% vs 32%, adjusted HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.77, p = 0.005) and the non-CABG groups (10% vs 20%, adjusted HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.86, p = 0.004), with similar mortality benefits associated with successful revascularization in both groups (interaction p = 0.24). In conclusion, the relative survival benefit of successful recanalization of CTO is independent of previous CABG. However, owing to a greater baseline risk, the absolute survival benefit of successful CTO procedures is more pronounced in patients with previous CABG than in non-CABG patients.

Clinical criteria replenish high-sensitive troponin and inflammatory markers in the stratification of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), rapid triage is essential. The aim of this study was to establish a tool for risk prediction of 30-day cardiac events (CE) on admission. 30-day cardiac events (CE) were defined as early coronary revascularization, subsequent myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death within 30 days. METHODS AND RESULTS: This single-centre, prospective cohort study included 377 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected ACS and for whom troponin T measurements were requested on clinical grounds. Fifteen biomarkers were analyzed in the admission sample, and clinical parameters were assessed by the TIMI risk score for unstable angina/Non-ST myocardial infarction and the GRACE risk score. Sixty-nine (18%) patients presented with and 308 (82%) without ST-elevations, respectively. Coronary angiography was performed in 165 (44%) patients with subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention--accounting for the majority of CE--in 123 (33%) patients, respectively. Eleven out of 15 biomarkers were elevated in patients with CE compared to those without. High-sensitive troponin T (hs-cTnT) was the best univariate biomarker to predict CE in Non-ST-elevation patients (AUC 0.80), but did not yield incremental information above clinical TIMI risk score (AUC 0.80 vs 0.82, p = 0.69). Equivalence testing of AUCs of risk models and non-inferiority testing demonstrated that the clinical TIMI risk score alone was non-inferior to its combination with hs-cTnT in predicting CE. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting without ST-elevations, identification of those prone to CE is best based on clinical assessment based on TIMI risk score criteria and hs-cTnT.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits endothelial tissue factor expression.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a component of honeybee hives with various beneficial properties. Tissue factor (TF), the key trigger of thrombosis, is expressed in human endothelial cells. This study was designed to investigate whether CAPE modulates TF expression in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Western blots and real-time polymerase chain reactions were performed. CAPE (10(-7)-10(-5) M) inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced endothelial TF protein expression by 2.1-fold at 10(-5) M (p<0.0001). Similarly, TF surface activity was reduced (p<0.02). In contrast, TF mRNA expression, TF promoter activity, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation remained unaltered. In conclusion, CAPE inhibits TF protein expression and activity at the posttranscriptional level thereby exhibiting anti-thrombotic potential.