Post-PCI Anticoagulation with Unfractionated Heparin in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Insight from the STOPDAPT-3 Trial.

The current guidelines for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have discouraged the use of anticoagulation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without specific indications, although the recommendation was not well supported by evidences. As a post-hoc analysis of the STOPDAPT-3 trial, the 30-day outcomes were compared between the two groups with and without post-PCI heparin administration among ACS patients without the use of mechanical support devices. The co-primary endpoints were the bleeding endpoint defined as the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 or 5 and the cardiovascular endpoint defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or ischemic stroke. Among 4088 ACS patients, 2339 patients (57.2%) received post-PCI heparin. The proportion of patients receiving post-PCI heparin was higher in ST-elevation myocardial infarction than in the others (72.3% and 38.8%, P<0.001), and in patients with intraprocedural adverse angiographic findings than in those without (67.6% and 47.5%, P<0.001). Post-PCI heparin compared to no post-PCI heparin was associated with a significantly increased risk of bleeding endpoint (4.75% and 2.52%; adjusted HR 1.69 [95%CI 1.15-2.46], P=0.007) and a numerically increased risk of cardiovascular endpoint (3.16% and 1.72%; adjusted HR 1.56 [95%CI 0.98-2.46], P=0.06). Higher hourly dose or total doses of heparin were also associated with the higher incidence of both bleeding and cardiovascular events within 30 days. In conclusion, post-PCI anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin was frequently implemented in ACS patients. Post-PCI heparin use was associated with harm in terms of bleeding without a benefit in reducing cardiovascular events.

Clopidogrel vs Aspirin Monotherapy Beyond 1 Year After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether clopidogrel is better suited than aspirin as the long-term antiplatelet monotherapy following dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVES: This study compared clopidogrel monotherapy following 1 month of DAPT (clopidogrel group) with aspirin monotherapy following 12 months of DAPT (aspirin group) after PCI for 5 years. METHODS: STOPDAPT-2 (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy 2) is a multicenter, open-label, adjudicator-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted in Japan. Patients who underwent PCI with cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents were randomized in a 1-to-1 fashion either to clopidogrel or aspirin groups. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular outcomes (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or definite stent thrombosis) or major bleeding (TIMI major or minor bleeding). RESULTS: Among 3,005 study patients (age: 68.6 ± 10.7 years; women: 22.3%; acute coronary syndrome: 38.3%), 2,934 patients (97.6%) completed the 5-year follow-up (adherence to the study drugs at 395 days: 84.7% and 75.9%). The clopidogrel group compared with the aspirin group was noninferior but not superior for the primary endpoint (11.75% and 13.57%, respectively; HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.70-1.05; Pnoninferiority < 0.001; Psuperiority = 0.13), whereas it was superior for the cardiovascular outcomes (8.61% and 11.05%, respectively; HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61-0.97; P = 0.03) and not superior for major bleeding (4.44% and 4.92%, respectively; HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.64-1.25; P = 0.51). By the 1-year landmark analysis, clopidogrel was numerically, but not significantly, superior to aspirin for cardiovascular events (6.79% and 8.68%, respectively; HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.59-1.01; P = 0.06) without difference in major bleeding (3.99% and 3.32%, respectively; HR: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.84-1.81; P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel might be an attractive alternative to aspirin with a borderline ischemic benefit beyond 1 year after PCI.

An Aspirin-Free Versus Dual Antiplatelet Strategy for Coronary Stenting: STOPDAPT-3 Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding rates on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) within 1 month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain high in clinical practice, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndrome or high bleeding risk. Aspirin-free strategy might result in lower bleeding early after PCI without increasing cardiovascular events, but its efficacy and safety have not yet been proven in randomized trials. METHODS: We randomly assigned 6002 patients with acute coronary syndrome or high bleeding risk just before PCI either to prasugrel (3.75 mg/day) monotherapy or to DAPT with aspirin (81-100 mg/day) and prasugrel (3.75 mg/day) after loading of 20 mg of prasugrel in both groups. The coprimary end points were major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3 or 5) for superiority and cardiovascular events (a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or ischemic stroke) for noninferiority with a relative 50% margin. RESULTS: The full analysis set population consisted of 5966 patients (no-aspirin group, 2984 patients; DAPT group, 2982 patients; age, 71.6±11.7 years; men, 76.6%; acute coronary syndrome, 75.0%). Within 7 days before randomization, aspirin alone, aspirin with P2Y12 inhibitor, oral anticoagulants, and intravenous heparin infusion were given in 21.3%, 6.4%, 8.9%, and 24.5%, respectively. Adherence to the protocol-specified antiplatelet therapy was 88% in both groups at 1 month. At 1 month, the no-aspirin group was not superior to the DAPT group for the coprimary bleeding end point (4.47% and 4.71%; hazard ratio, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.75-1.20]; Psuperiority=0.66). The no-aspirin group was noninferior to the DAPT group for the coprimary cardiovascular end point (4.12% and 3.69%; hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.87-1.45]; Pnoninferiority=0.01). There was no difference in net adverse clinical outcomes and each component of coprimary cardiovascular end point. There was an excess of any unplanned coronary revascularization (1.05% and 0.57%; hazard ratio, 1.83 [95%CI, 1.01-3.30]) and subacute definite or probable stent thrombosis (0.58% and 0.17%; hazard ratio, 3.40 [95% CI, 1.26-9.23]) in the no-aspirin group compared with the DAPT group. CONCLUSIONS: The aspirin-free strategy using low-dose prasugrel compared with the DAPT strategy failed to attest superiority for major bleeding within 1 month after PCI but was noninferior for cardiovascular events within 1 month after PCI. However, the aspirin-free strategy was associated with a signal suggesting an excess of coronary events. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04609111.

Long-term observation of estimated fluid volume reduction after the initiation of ipragliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a sub-analysis from a randomized controlled trial (PROTECT).

BACKGROUNDS/AIM: Recent studies have shown that the addition of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors gradually reduces the estimated fluid volume parameters in a broad range of patient populations, suggesting that this mediates the clinical benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in preventing heart failure. Here, we sought to examine the long-term (24 months) effect of the SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin on the estimated fluid volume parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: In this prespecified sub-analysis of the PROTECT (Prevention of Atherosclerosis by SGLT2 Inhibitor: Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Study) trial, which was an investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, clinical trial primarily designed to evaluate the effect of ipragliflozin treatment administered for 24 months on carotid atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM, we evaluated serial changes in estimated plasma volume (ePV, %) calculated using the Straus formula and estimated extracellular volume (eEV, mL) calculated by the body surface area by 24 months following the initiation of 50-mg ipragliflozin once daily and compared them with those following standard care for T2DM (non-SGLT2 inhibitor use). RESULTS: This sub-analysis included 464 patients (ipragliflozin, n = 232; control, n = 232), a full analysis set of the PROTECT trial. In an analysis using mixed-effects models for repeated measures, relative to the control group, ipragliflozin significantly reduced ePV by - 10.29% (95% confidence interval [CI] - 12.47% to - 8.11%; P < 0.001) at 12 months and - 10.76% (95% CI - 12.86% to - 8.67%; P < 0.001) at 24 months. Additionally, ipragliflozin significantly reduced eEV by - 190.44 mL (95% CI - 249.09 to - 131.79 mL; P < 0.001) at 12 months and - 176.90 mL (95% CI - 233.36 to - 120.44 mL; P < 0.001) at 24 months. The effects of ipragliflozin on these parameters over 24 months were mostly consistent across various patient clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: This prespecified sub-analysis from the PROTECT trial demonstrated that ipragliflozin treatment, compared with the standard care for T2DM, reduced two types of estimated fluid volume parameters in patients with T2DM, and the effect was maintained for 24 months. Our findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitor treatment regulates clinical parameters incorporated into the calculating formulas analyzed and consequently fluid volume status for the long-term, and this may be at least partly associated with clinical benefits from chronic use of SGLT2 inhibitors. Trial registration Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, ID jRCT1071220089.

The potential of dynamic 99mTc-sestamibi cadmium zinc telluride-single-photon emission computed tomography camera assessing myocardial flow reserve in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aims: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is related to the pathophysiology, mortality, and morbidity of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). A novel single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) camera with cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors allows for the quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) in patients with coronary artery disease. However, the potential of CZT-SPECT assessing for CMD has never been evaluated in patients with HFpEF. Methods and results: The clinical records of 127 consecutive patients who underwent dynamic CZT-SPECT were retrospectively reviewed. Rest and stress scanning were started simultaneously with 3 and 9 MBq/kg of 99mTc-sestamibi administration, respectively. Dynamic CZT-SPECT imaging data were analysed using a net-retention model with commercially available software. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients. The MFR value was significantly lower in the HFpEF group (mean ± SEM = 2.00 ± 0.097) than that in the non-HFpEF group (mean ± SEM = 2.74 ± 0.14, P = 0.0004). A receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that if a cut-off value of 2.525 was applied, MFR could efficiently distinguish HFpEF from non-HFpEF. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction had a consistently low MFR, regardless of the diastolic dysfunction score. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients with MFR values lower than 2.075 had a significantly higher incidence of heart failure exacerbation. Conclusion: Myocardial flow reserve assessed by CZT-SPECT was significantly reduced in patients with HFpEF. A lower MFR was associated with a higher hospitalization rate in these patients. Myocardial flow reserve assessed by CZT-SPECT has the potential to predict future adverse events and stratify the severity of disease in patients with HFpEF.

Impact of right coronary artery dominance on the long-term mortality in the patients with acute total/subtotal occlusion of unprotected left main coronary artery.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a right dominant coronary artery anatomy account for a significant proportion of acute myocardial infarction cases, and this condition is associated with a better prognosis. However, there are limited data on the impact of coronary dominance on patients with acute total/subtotal occlusion of unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA). METHODS: This study aimed to assess the impact of right coronary artery (RCA) dominance on long-term mortality in patients with acute total/subtotal occlusion of the ULMCA. From a multicenter registry, 132 cases of consecutive patients who had undergone emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to acute total/subtotal occlusion of the ULMCA were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients were classified into two groups according to the size of their RCA (dominant RCA group, n = 29; non-dominant RCA group, n = 103). Long-term outcomes were examined according to the presence of dominant RCA. Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) occurred in 52.3 % of patients before revascularization. All-cause death was significantly lower in the dominant RCA group than in the non-dominant RCA group. In the Cox regression model, dominant RCA was an independent predictor of all-cause death, as well as total occlusion of ULMCA, collateral from RCA, chronic kidney disease, and CPA. Patients were further analyzed according to the degree of stenosis of the ULMCA; patients with non-dominant RCA and total occlusive ULMCA had the worst outcome compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: A dominant RCA might improve long-term mortality in patients with acute total/subtotal occlusion of the ULMCA who were treated with PCI.

Clopidogrel Monotherapy After 1-Month DAPT in Patients With High Bleeding Risk or Complex PCI.

Background: High bleeding risk (HBR) and complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are major determinants for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HBR and complex PCI on short vs standard DAPT. Methods: Subgroup analyses were conducted on the basis of Academic Research Consortium-defined HBR and complex PCI in the STOPDAPT-2 (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Verulam's-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2) Total Cohort, which randomly compared clopidogrel monotherapy after 1-month DAPT with 12-month DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel after PCI. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or stroke) or bleeding (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] major or minor) endpoints at 1 year. Results: Regardless of HBR (n = 1,893 [31.6%]) and complex PCI (n = 999 [16.7%]), the risk of 1-month DAPT relative to 12-month DAPT was not significant for the primary endpoint (HBR, 5.01% vs 5.14%; non-HBR, 1.90% vs 2.02%; P interaction = 0.95) (complex PCI, 3.15% vs 4.07%; noncomplex PCI, 2.78% vs 2.82%; P interaction = 0.48) and for the cardiovascular endpoint (HBR, 4.35% vs 3.52%; and non-HBR, 1.56% vs 1.22%; P interaction = 0.90) (complex PCI, 2.53% vs 2.52%; noncomplex PCI, 2.38% vs 1.86%; P interaction = 0.53), while it was lower for the bleeding endpoint (HBR, 0.66% vs 2.27%; non-HBR, 0.43% vs 0.85%; P interaction = 0.36) (complex PCI, 0.63% vs 1.75%; noncomplex PCI, 0.48% vs 1.22%; P interaction = 0.90). The absolute difference in the bleeding between 1- and 12-month DAPT was numerically greater in patients with HBR than in those without HBR (-1.61% vs -0.42%). Conclusions: The effects of 1-month DAPT relative to 12-month DAPT were consistent regardless of HBR and complex PCI. The absolute benefit of 1-month DAPT over 12-month DAPT in reducing major bleeding was numerically greater in patients with HBR than in those without HBR. Complex PCI might not be an appropriate determinant for DAPT durations after PCI. (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Everolimus-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2 [STOPDAPT-2], NCT02619760; Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Everolimus-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2 for the Patients With ACS [STOPDAPT-2 ACS], NCT03462498).

Long-term outcomes of percutaneous revascularization for internal mammary artery-left anterior descending artery bypass failure.

Despite the excellent long-term results of internal mammary artery (IMA)-left anterior descending (LAD) bypass, percutaneous revascularization of IMA is sometimes required for IMA-LAD bypass failure. However, its clinical outcomes have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes, including target lesion revascularization (TLR) following contemporary percutaneous revascularization of failed IMA bypass graft. We examined data of 59 patients who had undergone percutaneous revascularization of IMA due to IMA-LAD bypass failure at nine hospitals. Patients with IMA graft used for Y-composite graft or sequential bypass graft were excluded. The incidence of TLR was primarily examined, whereas other clinical outcomes including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization were also evaluated. Mean age of the enrolled patients was 67.4 ± 11.3 years, and 74.6% were men. Forty patients (67.8%) had anastomotic lesions, and 17 (28.8%) underwent revascularization within three months after bypass surgery. Procedural success was achieved in 55 (93.2%) patients. Stent implantation was performed in 13 patients (22.0%). During a median follow-up of 1401 days (interquartile range, 282-2521 days), TLR was required in six patients (8.5% at 1, 3, and 5 years). Patients who underwent percutaneous revascularization within 3 months after surgery tended to have a higher incidence of TLR. Clinical outcomes of IMA revascularization for IMA-LAD bypass failure were acceptable.

Clopidogrel Monotherapy After 1-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: From the STOPDAPT-2 Total Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of clopidogrel monotherapy after 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) compared with 12-month DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel was demonstrated in the STOPDAPT-2 (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Everolimus-Eluting Cobalt-Chromium Stent-2), but not in the STOPDAPT-2 acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, both trials were underpowered based on the actual event rates. METHODS: We obtained the prespecified pooled population of 5997 patients as the STOPDAPT-2 total cohort (STOPDAPT-2: N=3009/STOPDAPT-2 ACS: N=2988; ACS: N=4136/chronic coronary syndrome [CCS]: N=1861), comprising 2993 patients assigned to 1-month DAPT followed by clopidogrel monotherapy, and 3004 patients assigned to 12-month DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary end point was the composite of cardiovascular (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or any stroke) or bleeding (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major/minor) end points at 1 year. RESULTS: One-month DAPT was noninferior to 12-month DAPT for the primary end point (2.84% versus 3.04%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.70-1.27]; Pnoninferiority=0.001; Psuperiority=0.68). There was no significant risk-difference for the cardiovascular end point between the 1- and 12-month DAPT groups (2.40% versus 1.97%; HR, 1.24 [95% CI, 0.88-1.75]; Pnoninferiority=0.14; Psuperiority=0.23). There was a lower risk of the bleeding end point with 1-month DAPT relative to 12-month DAPT (0.50% versus 1.31%; HR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.21-0.70]; Psuperiority=0.002). One-month DAPT relative to 12-month DAPT was associated with a lower risk for major bleeding regardless of ACS or CCS (ACS: HR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.23-0.94]; P=0.03, and CCS: HR, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.09-0.79]; P=0.02; Pinteraction=0.40), while it was associated with a numerical increase in cardiovascular events in ACS patients, but not in CCS patients, although not statistically significant and without interaction (ACS: HR, 1.50 [95% CI, 0.99-2.27]; P=0.053, and CCS: HR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.38-1.45]; P=0.39; Pinteraction=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel monotherapy after 1-month DAPT compared with 12-month DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel had a benefit in reducing major bleeding events without being associated with increase in cardiovascular events. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifiers: NCT02619760, NCT03462498.

Fifteen-Year Mortality and Cardiac, Thrombotic, and Bleeding Events in Survivors of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Although short-term mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has improved, data is limited regarding very long-term mortality and concomitant clinical events in STEMI survivors who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI). This study aimed to evaluate these parameters at 15 years and to determine the predictors of 15-year mortality in these patients. METHODS: The study endpoints were all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality at 15 years. Independent predictors of all-cause mortality were also analyzed. Furthermore, each thrombotic and bleeding event was evaluated. RESULTS: Between January 2004 and December 2006, 260 STEMI survivors who underwent p-PCI (median follow-up period: 3970 days) were evaluated from the Ogaki Municipal hospital registry. The rates of all-cause mortality (cardiac mortality) at 5, 10, and 15 years were 12.1% (4.9%), 23.4% (9.5%), and 34.9% (12.4%), respectively. The cumulative incidences of recurrent myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic bleeding, and gastric bleeding at 15 years were 11.3%, 43.6%, 14.3%, 6.9%, and 10.9%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed that age ≥ 75 years [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 7.074, p < 0.001], chronic kidney disease (aHR, 2.320, p = 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction <40% (aHR, 2.930, p = 0.001), Killip class ≥II at admission (aHR, 2.639, p = 0.003), untreated chronic total occlusion (aHR, 2.090, p = 0.042), and final TIMI grade ≤ 2 (aHR, 1.736, p = 0.048) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that all-cause and cardiac mortality at 15 years were 34.9% and 12.4%, respectively, in all-comers STEMI survivors after p-PCI, indicating that STEMI survivors might have a benign prognosis.

Assessment of appropriate body mass index cut-off points for long-term mortality among ST-elevation myocardial infarction survivors in Asian population using machine learning algorithm.

Low body mass index (BMI) is a predictor of adverse events in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Western countries. Because the average BMI of Asians is significantly lower than that of the Western population, the appropriate cut-off BMI value and its role in long-term mortality are unclear in Asian patients. Between January 2006 and December 2017, 1215 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute STEMI and were alive at discharge (mean age, 67.7 years; male, 75.4%) were evaluated. The cut-off BMI value, which could predict all-cause mortality within 10 years, was detected using a survival classification and regression tree (CART) model. The causes of death according to the BMI value were evaluated in each group. Based on the CART model, the patients were divided into three groups (BMI < 18 kg/m2: 54 patients, 18 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ≤ 20 kg/m2: 109 patients, and BMI > 20 kg/m2: 1052 patients). The BMI decreased with age; with an increased BMI, patients with dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking habit increased. During the study period (median, 4.9 years), 194 patients (26.8%) died (cardiac death, 59 patients; non-cardiac death, 135 patients). All-cause mortality was more frequent as the BMI decreased (BMI < 18 kg/m2; 72.8%, 18 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ≤ 20 kg/m2; 40.5%, and BMI > 20 kg/m2; 22.8%; log-rank p < 0.001). Non-cardiac deaths were more frequent than cardiac deaths in all groups, and the dominance of non-cardiac death was highest in the lowest BMI group. Cut-off BMI values of 18 kg/m2 and 20 kg/m2 can predict long-term mortality after PCI in Asian STEMI survivors, whose cut-off value is lower than that in the Western populations. The main causes of death in this cohort differed according to the BMI values.

＜Editors' Choice＞ Prevalence of acute coronary syndrome during the pandemic of COVID-19 in the Tokai Region of Japan.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has had a great impact on medical care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of hospital admissions has been lower and the rate of in-hospital mortality has been higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Western countries. However, in Japan, it is unknown whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the incidence of ACS. In the study, eleven hospitals in the Tokai region participated. Among enrolled hospital, we compared the incidence of ACS during the COVID-19 pandemic (April and May, 2020) with that in equivalent months in the preceding year as the control. During the study period; April and May 2020, 248 patients with ACS were admitted. Compared to April and May 2019, a decline of 8.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.2-12.1; P = 0.33] in admissions for ACS was observed between April and May 2020. There was no significant difference in the strategy for revascularization and in-hospital deaths between 2019 and 2020. In conclusion, the rate of admission for ACS slightly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to the same months in the preceding year. Moreover, degeneration of therapeutic procedures for ACS did not occur.

In-hospital mortality among consecutive patients with ST-Elevation myocardial infarction in modern primary percutaneous intervention era ~ Insights from 15-year data of single-center hospital-based registry ~.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the association of detailed angiographic findings with in-hospital outcome after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Japan. BACKGROUND: Data regarding the association of detailed angiographic findings with in-hospital outcome after STEMI are limited in the p-PCI era. METHODS: Between January-2004 and December-2018, 1735 patients with STEMI (mean age, 68.5 years; female, 24.6%) who presented to the hospital in the 24-hours after symptom onset and underwent p-PCI were evaluated using the disease registries. The registry is an ongoing, retrospective, single-center hospital-based registry. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate and in-hospital mortality rate were 7.7% and 9.2%, respectively. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were ejection fraction (EF) < 40% [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR), 4.446, p < 0.001], culprit lesions in the left coronary artery (LCA) (aOR, 2.940, p < 0.001) compared with those in the right coronary artery, Killip class > II (aOR, 7.438; p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (aOR, 4.056; p < 0.001), final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grades 0/1/2 (aOR, 1.809; p = 0.03), absence of robust collaterals (aOR, 17.309; p = 0.01) and hypertension (aOR, 0.449; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Among the consecutive patients with STEMI, the in-hospital mortality rate after p-PCI significantly improved in the second half. Not only CKD, Killip class > II, and EF < 40%, but also the angiographic findings such as culprit lesions in the LCA, absence of very robust collaterals, and final TIMI grades <3 were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality.

Clinical Outcomes Following Emergent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Total/Subtotal Occlusion of the Left Main Coronary Artery.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the clinical features, outcomes and prognostic factors in patients presenting with acute total/subtotal occlusion of the unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) remain limited.Methods and Results:From a multi-center registry, 134 patients due to acute total/subtotal occlusion of the unprotected LMCA were reviewed. Emergency room (ER) status classification was defined according to the presence of cardiogenic shock and cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) in the ER (class 1=no cardiogenic shock; class 2= cardiogenic shock but not CPA; and class 3=CPA). In-hospital mortality and cerebral performance category (CPC) as the endpoints were evaluated. One-half (67/134) of the enrolled patients presented with total occlusion of the unprotected LMCA. Regarding ER status classification, class 1, 2, and 3 were observed in 30.6%, 45.5%, and 23.9% of the patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality occurred in 73 (54.5%) patients; of the remaining patients, 52 (85.3%) could be discharged with a CPC 1 or 2. ER status classification (odds ratio 4.4 [95% confidence interval: 2.33-10.67]; P<0.001) and total occlusion of the unprotected LMCA (odds ratio 8.29 [95% confidence interval 2.93-23.46]; P<0.001) were strong predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Acute total/subtotal occlusion involving the unprotected LMCA appeared to be associated with high in-hospital mortality. ER status classification and initial flow in the unprotected LMCA were significant predictive factors of in-hospital mortality.

Ten-Year Mortality in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Knowledge of the long-term prognosis (>10 years) and mortality predictors of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who have undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) is scarce. Therefore, this study evaluated the long-term prognosis and determined the predictors of long-term outcomes for STEMI patients after p-PCI. Between January, 2006 and December, 2010, we collected data and analyzed 459 consecutive patients with acute STEMI who underwent p-PCI and were discharged from the hospital (mean age, 66.8 years; male, 75.2%; peak creatine phosphokinase level, 2,292.5 IU/L). The primary endpoint was 10-year all-cause mortality. The cumulative 10-year incidence of all-cause death was 23.8%. The Cox multivariate regression analysis identified age ≥ 65 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], p <0.001), body mass index (aHR, 0.93, p = 0.033), presence of atrial fibrillation (aHR, 1.69, p = 0.038), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist use (aHR, 1.95, p = 0.008), ejection fraction <40% (aHR, 2.14, p = 0.005), and albumin <3.5 g/dL (aHR, 2.01, p = 0.005) as independent predictors of all-cause mortality. In conclusion, a post-discharge 10-year survival rate of 76.2% was identified for STEMI patients who underwent p-PCI.

The Mid-term Mortality and Mode of Death in Survivors with ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Objective The popularity of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has increased over the past decades. Despite improvements in in-hospital mortality rates, it is clinically important to investigate the prognoses after discharge. However, data on the mode of death and prognostic factors are limited. We analyzed these factors in a Japanese cohort in the modern p-PCI era. Methods Between January 2004 and December 2017, a total of 1,222 patients who underwent p-PCI within 24 hours from the onset of STEMI and were alive at discharge (mean age, 67.7 years old; men, 75.5%), were evaluated. The two-year mortality was analyzed using a Cox regression model, and the mode of death was evaluated. Results The rate of mortality at 2 years was 5.7%. Non-cardiac death was more frequent than cardiac death (62.6% vs. 37.4%). A Cox multivariate analysis identified the following as independent predictors of the 2-year mortality: hemoglobin (log-transformed) [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 0.048; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.008-0.29; p<0.001], age above 80 years old (adjusted HR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.30-3.91; p=0.004), Killip class ≥II (adjusted HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.17-3.39; p=0.011), brain natriuretic peptide level (log-transformed) (adjusted HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.09-2.01; p=0.013), and body mass index (log-transformed) (adjusted HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.030-0.84; p=0.030). Conclusion This study demonstrated that the 2-year mortality was 5.7% in STEMI survivors after p-PCI. Non-cardiac death was more frequent than cardiac death. Compared to well-known clinical variables, angiographic findings did not have a significant influence on the mid-term mortality.

Myocardial salvage after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction: comparison between prasugrel and clopidogrel in the presence or absence of high-residual platelet reactivity.

BACKGROUND: The effect of prasugrel over clopidogrel on myocardial salvage in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) is not fully elucidated. METHODS: Among 854 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent p-PCI, 446 patients were evaluated by two-phase (7 days and 3 months) single-photo emission computed tomography (SPECT). Patients were divided into two groups based on the loading P2Y12 inhibitor. The clopidogrel group was further divided based on the result of platelet function testing. Thus, the prasugrel group included 227 patients; the clopidogrel without high-residual platelet reactivity (HRPR) group, 109 patients; and the clopidogrel with HRPR group, 107 patients. The primary endpoint was the Myocardial Salvage Index (MSI), determined by SPECT. RESULTS: The incidence of final TIMI 0/1 and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade 0/1 was higher in the clopidogrel with HRPR group (0.9%, 1.8%, and 7.5%, P =  .002; 19.8%, 29.4%, and 41.1%, P = .0002, in the prasugrel, clopidogrel without HRPR, and clopidogrel with HRPR groups, respectively). The MSI was significantly lower in the clopidogrel with HRPR group (48% [27-66], 44% [30-72], and 36% [15-55], P =  .006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Prasugrel in STEMI patients was associated with an increased MSI compared with clopidogrel in the presence of HRPR.