Emergency percutaneous coronary intervention in unprotected left main coronary arteries. Predictors of mortality and impact of cardiogenic shock.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease may be essential following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, few data are available on the use of emergency PCI in unprotected LMCAs outside of clinical trials. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of in-hospital mortality, its predictors and its association with cardiogenic shock, and long-term outcomes in patients with unprotected LMCA disease who undergo emergency PCI because of AMI. METHODS: The study included 71 consecutive patients who underwent emergency angioplasty of the LMCA and who were followed up clinically. RESULTS: Overall, 42 patients (59%) had ST-elevation AMI and 47 (66%) had cardiogenic shock or developed it during PCI. Eleven patients (16%) died in the catheterization laboratory and 33 (47%) died during hospitalization. Inhospital mortality was similar in those with and without evidence of ST-segment elevation on ECG (48% vs. 45%; P=1). Multivariate analysis showed that the predictors of in-hospital mortality were cardiogenic shock (odds ratio [OR]=4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-18) and incomplete revascularization (OR=5.1; 95% CI, 1.0-26). After discharge, 39 patients were followed up for a median of 32 months. Mortality in the first year was 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency PCI is a viable therapeutic option for AMI due to unprotected LMCA disease. However, in-hospital mortality is high, regardless of ST-segment elevation, particularly if there is cardiogenic shock or complete revascularization has not been achieved.

Intervencionismo percutáneo urgente sobre el tronco coronario izquierdo no protegido. Factores predictores de mortalidad y análisis del shock cardiogénico / Emergency percutaneous coronary intervention in unprotected left main coronary arteries. Predictors of mortality and impact of cardiogenic shock

Introducción y objetivos. El intervencionismo coronario percutáneo (ICP) de la enfermedad de tronco coronario izquierdo (TCI) no protegido puede ser necesaria en el infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM). Sin embargo, la evidencia del ICP urgente en el TCI fuera de ensayos clínicos no es muy amplia. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la mortalidad intrahospitalaria, sus predictores y su asociación con shock, así como eventos a largo plazo en pacientes con enfermedad de TCI tratado con ICP urgente debido a un IAM. Métodos. Se incluyó a 71 pacientes consecutivos en los que se realizó una angioplastia urgente sobre el TCI y seguimiento clínico posterior. Resultados. Presentaron IAM con elevación del ST 42 (59%) y presentaban shock cardiogénico o lo desarrollaron durante el procedimiento 47 (66%). Murieron en la sala de hemodinámica 11 (16%) y 33 (47%) durante la hospitalización. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue independiente de la elevación del ST en el ECG (el 45 frente al 48%; p = 1). Los predictores multivariables de mortalidad intrahospitalaria fueron el shock cardiogénico (4,5; intervalo de confianza [IC], 1,1-18) y la revascularización incompleta (odds ratio [OR] = 5,1; IC, 1-26). Tras el alta hospitalaria se siguió a 39 pacientes durante una mediana de 32 meses. La mortalidad durante el primer año de seguimiento fue del 10%. Conclusiones. El ICP es una opción terapéutica en el seno del IAM debido a enfermedad de TCI. Sin embargo, la mortalidad intrahospitalaria es elevada independientemente de la elevación del ST en el ECG y especialmente cuando se asocia a shock cardiogénico y no se logra una revascularización completa (AU)

Introduction and objectives. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease may be essential following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, few data are available on the use of emergency PCI in unprotected LMCAs outside of clinical trials. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of in-hospital mortality, its predictors and its association with cardiogenic shock, and long-term outcomes in patients with unprotected LMCA disease who undergo emergency PCI because of AMI. Methods. The study included 71 consecutive patients who underwent emergency angioplasty of the LMCA and who were followed up clinically. Results. Overall, 42 patients (59%) had ST-elevation AMI and 47 (66%) had cardiogenic shock or developed it during PCI. Eleven patients (16%) died in the catheterization laboratory and 33 (47%) died during hospitalization. Inhospital mortality was similar in those with and without evidence of ST-segment elevation on ECG (48% vs. 45%; P=1). Multivariate analysis showed that the predictors of in-hospital mortality were cardiogenic shock (odds ratio [OR]=4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-18) and incomplete revascularization (OR=5.1; 95% CI, 1.0-26). After discharge, 39 patients were followed up for a median of 32 months. Mortality in the first year was 10%. Conclusions. Emergency PCI is a viable therapeutic option for AMI due to unprotected LMCA disease. However, in-hospital mortality is high, regardless of ST-segment elevation, particularly if there is cardiogenic shock or complete revascularization has not been achieved (AU)

Prognostic value of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score in a unselected population with chest pain. Construction of a new predictive model.

INTRODUCTION: The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score (TRS) has proven to be a useful and simple tool for risk stratification of patients with chest pain in intermediate- and high-risk populations. There is little information on its applicability in daily clinical routine with unselected populations. AIMS: The aims of the study were to prospectively analyze the predictive value of the TRS in a heterogeneous population admitted for chest pain and to construct where possible a new modified model with a greater prognostic capacity. POPULATION AND METHODS: Seven hundred eleven consecutive patients were admitted over a 1-year period to the cardiology unit for chest pain without ST-segment elevation. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score variables, relevant medical history variables, in-hospital examination results, and therapy information were collected. Cardiac events at 1 and 6 months were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-one (9.8%) patients had a compound event (myocardial infarction/revascularization/cardiac death) at 6 months. On multivariate analysis, the variables associated with cardiac events were left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of <35% (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.9, P = .002), diabetes (HR = 1.8, P = .02), and TRS (HR = 1.3, P = .007). Events at 6 months were 2.3% for a TRS of 0/1, 4.2% for 2, 10.2% for 3, 11.0% for 4, and 18.7% for a score of more than 5. A new modified scale was constructed to include EF and diabetes as independent variables, and this yielded an increase of 44% in the combined event at 6 months per score unit increase (HR = 1.44, P = .001). The modified scale showed a greater predictive capacity than the original model. CONCLUSIONS: The TRS is an important short- and long-term prognostic predictor when applied to an unselected population consulting for chest pain. The inclusion of diabetes and EF as variables in the model increases predictive capacity at no expense to simplicity.

[Use of a coronary risk score (the TIMI Risk Score) in a non-selected patient population assessed for chest pain at an emergency department]. / Aplicación de una puntuación de riesgo coronario (TIMI Risk Score) en una población no seleccionada de pacientes que consultan por dolor torácico en un servicio de urgencias.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Stratification algorithms for acute coronary syndrome enable the identification of high-risk patients who will benefit from more aggressive treatment. The TIMI Risk Score (TRS) has been shown to be useful in intermediate- and high-risk patients. However, little is known about its value in non-selected patients. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of the TRS for risk stratification in a non-selected population with chest pain. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We evaluated 1254 consecutive patients (age, 54 [19] years; 57% male) attending an emergency department for chest pain. Overall, 343 (27%) were admitted and 911 (73%) were discharged. All cardiac events during 6-month follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 911 discharged patients, 45 (5.3%) were admitted during follow-up: 9 (1.1%) underwent revascularization, 5 (0.6%) had a myocardial infarction (MI), and 2 (0.2%) died from cardiovascular disease. Patients with a high TRS had a significantly higher risk of reaching the composite endpoint of death, MI, or revascularization (relative risk per unit of TRS increase, 3.63; 95% CI, 2.20-6.00; P < .001). Of the patients who were initially admitted, 22 (6.4%) underwent revascularization, 4 (1.2%) had an MI, and 14 died (4.1%) from cardiovascular disease during follow-up. The relative risk of the composite endpoint per unit of TRS increase was 1.72 (95% CI, 1.32-2.24; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The TIMI risk score is useful for stratifying cardiovascular event risk in non-selected patients with chest pain. The score can identify high-risk patients who will benefit from hospital admission and early aggressive treatment.

Aplicación de una puntuación de riesgo coronario (TIMI Risk Score) en una población no seleccionada de pacientes que consultan por dolor torácico en un servicio de urgencias / Use of a coronary risk score (the TIMI risk score) in a non-selected patient population assessed for chest pain at an emergency department

Introducción y objetivos. Diferentes algoritmos de estratificación del síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) permiten identificar a los individuos con un mayor riesgo que pueden beneficiarse de tratamientos más agresivos. Se ha demostrado que el TIMI Risk Score (TRS) es útil en pacientes con un riesgo intermedio y alto, pero faltan evidencias acerca de su aplicabilidad clínica en pacientes no seleccionados. El objetivo es comprobar la eficacia del TRS en la estratificación del riesgo en una población con dolor torácico no seleccionada. Pacientes y método. Se incluyó a 1.254 pacientes consecutivos que acudieron a urgencias por dolor torácico no traumático sin ascenso del segmento ST (edad 54 ± 19 años, 57% varones). Se ingresó a 343 (27%) y se dio de alta a 911 (73%). Se registró la aparición de eventos cardíacos a los 6 meses. Resultados. En el grupo dado de alta desde urgencias, 45 (5,3%) pacientes fueron ingresados durante el seguimiento, 9 (1,1%) recibieron tratamiento de revascularización, 5 (0,6%) presentaron un infarto agudo miocárdico (IAM) y 2 (0,2%) fallecieron por causa cardiovascular. Los que obtuvieron una mayor puntuación en el TRS presentaron más riesgo de presentar el evento combinado muerte, infarto o revascularización (riesgo relativo por incremento de unidad = 3,63; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 2,20-6,00; p < 0,001). En el grupo de ingresados hubo 22 revascularizaciones (6,4%), 4 IAM (1,2%) y 14 muertes de causa cardiovascular (4,1%) durante el seguimiento. El riesgo relativo de evento combinado por cada incremento del TRS fue 1,72 (IC del 95%, 1,32-2,24; p < 0,001). Conclusiones. El TRS es una herramienta eficaz para la estratificación pronóstica de pacientes no seleccionados que consultan por dolor torácico. Permite identificar a los individuos de alto riesgo que se beneficiarían de ingreso hospitalario y tratamiento agresivo precoz

Introduction and objectives. Stratification algorithms for acute coronary syndrome enable the identification of high-risk patients who will benefit from more aggressive treatment. The TIMI Risk Score (TRS) has been shown to be useful in intermediate- and high-risk patients. However, little is known about its value in non-selected patients. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of the TRS for risk stratification in a non-selected population with chest pain. Patients and method. We evaluated 1254 consecutive patients (age, 54 [19] years; 57% male) attending an emergency department for chest pain. Overall, 343 (27%) were admitted and 911 (73%) were discharged. All cardiac events during 6-month follow-up were recorded. Results. Of the 911 discharged patients, 45 (5.3%) were admitted during follow-up: 9 (1.1%) underwent revascularization, 5 (0.6%) had a myocardial infarction (MI), and 2 (0.2%) died from cardiovascular disease. Patients with a high TRS had a significantly higher risk of reaching the composite endpoint of death, MI, or revascularization (relative risk per unit of TRS increase, 3.63; 95% CI, 2.20-6.00; P<.001). Of the patients who were initially admitted, 22 (6.4%) underwent revascularization, 4 (1.2%) had an MI, and 14 died (4.1%) from cardiovascular disease during follow-up. The relative risk of the composite endpoint per unit of TRS increase was 1.72 (95% CI, 1.32-2.24; P<.001). Conclusions. The TIMI risk score is useful for stratifying cardiovascular event risk in non-selected patients with chest pain. The score can identify high-risk patients who will benefit from hospital admission and early aggressive treatment

[Short- and medium-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery disease in patients who are poor candidates for surgical revascularization]. / Resultados a corto y medio plazo del intervencionismo coronario percutáneo sobre el tronco coronario común izquierdo no protegido en pacientes malos candidatos para revascularización quirúrgica.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical revascularization is the procedure of choice for unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis, but it may be unsuitable in some patients. We report short- and medium-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in a series of patients who were poor candidates for surgery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Descriptive study of a historic cohort of consecutive patients with unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis who were not candidates for surgery, treated with percutaneous coronary intervention at a single center between April 1999 and December 2003. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients (mean age 72 [9] years) were included. Twenty patients (24%) were in shock on presentation. Surgery was considered unsuitable because of unacceptable surgical risk, poor condition of the distal vessels or comorbid conditions in 61 (73.5%) patients, or acute myocardial infarction in 22 (27%). An intraaortic balloon pump was used in 34 (40%); abciximab in 30 (36%) and stenting in 79 (95%) procedures. The intervention was considered successful in 76 patients (92%). Total in-hospital mortality was 28.9% (55% in patients with acute myocardial infarction and 20% in those without acute myocardial infarction). Median follow-up was 17 months. Average survival was 19.7 (2) months. Eighteen (22%) patients were hospitalized again for a new ischemic event, and 14 (17%) underwent revascularization. In 9 cases (10.8%) a new angioplasty was performed, and in 5 (6.0%) surgical revascularization was necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous coronary intervention is an option for revascularization in left main coronary artery stenosis in patients who are poor candidates for surgery, although in-hospital and long-term mortality remain high.