Mechanical complications in STEMI: prevalence and mortality trends in the primary PCI era. The Ruti-STEMI registry.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Mechanical complications confer a dreadful prognosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Their prevalence and prognosis are not well-defined in the current era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) reperfusion networks. We aimed to analyze prevalence and mortality trends of post-STEMI mechanical complications over 2 decades, before and after the establishment of pPCI networks. METHODS: Prospective, consecutive registry of STEMI patients within a region of 850 000 inhabitants over 2 decades: a pre-pPCI period (1990-2000) and a pPCI period (2007-2017). We analyzed the prevalence of mechanical complications, including ventricular septal rupture, papillary muscle rupture, and free wall rupture (FWR). Twenty eight-day and 1-year mortality trends were compared between the 2 studied decades. RESULTS: A total of 6033 STEMI patients were included (pre-pPCI period, n=2250; pPCI period, n=3783). Reperfusion was supported by thrombolysis in the pre-pPCI period (99.1%) and by pPCI in in the pPCI period (95.7%). Mechanical complications developed in 135 patients (2.2%): ventricular septal rupture in 38 patients, papillary muscle rupture in 24, and FWR in 73 patients. FWR showed a relative reduction of 60% in the pPCI period (0.8% vs 2.0%, P<.001), without significant interperiod changes in the other mechanical complications. After multivariate adjustment, FWR remained higher in the pre-pPCI period (OR, 1.93; 95%CI, 1.10-3.41; P=.023). At 28 days and 1 year, mortality showed no significant changes in all the mechanical complications studied. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of regional pPCI networks has modified the landscape of mechanical complications in STEMI. FWR is less frequent in the pPCI era, likely due to reduced transmural infarcts.

[Deferred versus immediate stenting in patients with ST - segment elevation myocardial infarction and residual large thrombus burden reclassified in the culprit lesion]. / Stent diferido versus inmediato en pacientes con infarto de miocardio ST elevado y alta carga de trombo residual reclasificado en la lesión culpable.

BACKGROUND: Reclassification of a large thrombus burden is an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events and no-reflow in patients with ST- segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients with a greater residual thrombus burden have worse microvascular dysfunction and greater myocardial damage. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 833 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The final residual thrombus burden was reclassified after the lesion was wired, and a thrombus aspiration or balloon dilatation was performed to restore and stabilise a thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 2-3 flow. Deferred stenting (DEI) was compared with immediate stenting (ISI) group, and the primary outcome was the incidence of no-/slow-reflow (TIMI ≤ 2, or TIMI 3 with myocardial blush grade < 2). RESULTS: Overall, 47 patients (6.8%) had a residual large thrombus burden reclassified. The right coronary artery was the culprit vessel in 34 cases. More patients had coronary ectasia in the DSI group (P=.005). Fewer patients in the DSI had no-/slow-reflow (36% vs. 58%), and the myocardial blush grade 3 was more frequent in the DSI group (P=.005). After repeat coronary angiography in the DSI group, stenting was not performed in 56%, and oral anticoagulation was more frequent in the follow-up (P=.031). Major cardiac adverse events were similar between groups. There was a tendency to better left ventricular function in the DSI group (P=.056). CONCLUSIONS: Deferred stenting may be an efficient option in STEMI patients with a residual large thrombus burden reclassified after achieving a stable TIMI 2-3 flow.

Treatment Strategy for STEMI With Bifurcation Culprit Lesion Undergoing Primary PCI: The COBIS II Registry.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There are limited data on the preferred treatment strategy in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with bifurcation lesions. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between 1-stent and 2-stent strategies in STEMI patients with bifurcation lesions undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: The COronary BIfurcation Stenting II is a retrospective multicenter registry of 2897 consecutive patients with bifurcation lesions undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stents from January 2003 through December 2009. Among the registered population, 367 (12.7%) patients had STEMI; of these, a 1-stent strategy was used in 304 patients and a 2-stent strategy in 63 patients; 77.1% of the patients received primary PCI with a first-generation drug-eluting stent. The inverse-probability-of-treatment-weighting method was used to adjust for confounding factors. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis. RESULTS: The median length of follow-up was 38 months. Postprocedural side branch diameter stenosis differed significantly between the 2 groups (1-stent vs 2-stent, 42.7% vs 9.7%; P < .001). After the performance of inverse-probability-of-treatment-weighting methods, the rate of MACE was significantly higher in the 2-stent group than in the 1-stent group (HR, 1.85; 95%CI, 1.19-2.87; P = .006), mainly driven by target lesion revascularization and stent thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: In STEMI patients with bifurcation culprit lesions undergoing primary PCI, the 2-stent strategy had significantly higher rates of MACE than the 1-stent strategy, despite successful treatment of the side branch. However, this result should be interpreted with caution because this study does not reflect current practice.

Stent diferido versus inmediato en pacientes con infarto de miocardio ST elevado y alta carga de trombo residual reclasificado en la lesión culpable / Deferred versus immediate stenting in patients with ST - segment elevation myocardial infarction and residual large thrombus burden reclassified in the culprit lesion

Resumen Introducción: Un trombo intracorononario largo reclasificado es un predictor independiente de resultados adversos y no reflujo en el infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del ST. Pacientes con mayor carga de trombo residual tienen peor disfunción microvascular y mayor daño miocárdico. Métodos: Evaluamos retrospectivamente a 833 pacientes que fueron a angioplastia primaria entre enero del 2011 y junio del 2016. La carga de trombo residual final fue reclasificada tras realizar el cruce de la guía, predilatación con balón o tromboaspiración, para restaurar y estabilizar un flujo TIMI 2-3. Las estrategias de stent diferido vs. stent inmediato fueron comparadas, siendo el objetivo primario la incidencia de no reflujo (TIMI ≤ 2, o TIMI 3 con TMP < 2). Resultados: Cuarenta y siete pacientes (6.8%) presentaron una alta carga trombo residual reclasificado. La coronaria derecha fue la arteria culpable en 34 casos. Hubo mayor frecuencia de ectasia coronaria en el grupo de stent diferido (p = 0.005). Se encontraron menores tasas de no reflujo en el stent diferido (36% vs. 58%), con una mayor frecuencia de un TMP 3 (p = 0.005). Tras la nueva cateterización un 56% quedó libre de stent en el grupo diferido y la anticoagulación oral les fue más frecuentemente indicada (p = 0.031). La tasa de eventos cardiacos adversos mayores fue similar entre los grupos. Hubo una tendencia a una mejor función ventricular izquierda en el grupo diferido (p = 0.056). Conclusiones: El stent diferido puede ser una alternativa eficiente en pacientes con IAM CEST y alta carga de trombo residual reclasificado, después de conseguir un flujo TIMI 2-3 estable.

Abstract Background: Reclassification of a large thrombus burden is an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events and no-reflow in patients with ST- segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients with a greater residual thrombus burden have worse microvascular dysfunction and greater myocardial damage. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 833 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The final residual thrombus burden was reclassified after the lesion was wired, and a thrombus aspiration or balloon dilatation was performed to restore and stabilise a thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 2-3 flow. Deferred stenting (DEI) was compared with immediate stenting (ISI) group, and the primary outcome was the incidence of no-/slow-reflow (TIMI ≤ 2, or TIMI 3 with myocardial blush grade < 2). Results: Overall, 47 patients (6.8%) had a residual large thrombus burden reclassified. The right coronary artery was the culprit vessel in 34 cases. More patients had coronary ectasia in the DSI group (P=.005). Fewer patients in the DSI had no-/slow-reflow (36% vs. 58%), and the myocardial blush grade 3 was more frequent in the DSI group (P=.005). After repeat coronary angiography in the DSI group, stenting was not performed in 56%, and oral anticoagulation was more frequent in the follow-up (P=.031). Major cardiac adverse events were similar between groups. There was a tendency to better left ventricular function in the DSI group (P=.056). Conclusions: Deferred stenting may be an efficient option in STEMI patients with a residual large thrombus burden reclassified after achieving a stable TIMI 2-3 flow.

Impact on Mortality of Different Network Systems in the Treatment of ST-segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction. The Spanish Experience.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association between the development of network systems of care for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the autonomous communities (AC) of Spain and the regional rate of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: From 2003 to 2012, data from the minimum basic data set of the Spanish taxpayer-funded health system were analyzed, including admissions from general hospitals. Diagnoses of STEMI and related procedures were codified by the International Diseases Classification. Discharge episodes (n = 302 471) were distributed in 3 groups: PCI (n = 116 621), thrombolysis (n = 46 720), or no reperfusion (n = 139 130). RESULTS: Crude mortality throughout the evaluation period was higher for the no-PCI or thrombolysis group (17.3%) than for PCI (4.8%) and thrombolysis (8.6%) (P < .001). For the aggregate of all communities, the PCI rate increased (21.6% in 2003 vs 54.5% in 2012; P < .001) with a decrease in risk-standardized mortality rates (10.2% in 2003; 6.8% in 2012; P < .001). Significant differences were observed in the PCI rate across the AC. The development of network systems was associated with a 50% increase in the PCI rate (P < .001) and a 14% decrease in risk-standardized mortality rates (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: From 2003 to 2012, the PCI rate in STEMI substantially increased in Spain. The development of network systems was associated with an increase in the PCI rate and a decrease in in-hospital mortality.

Assessment of Smith Algorithms for the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Presence of Left Bundle Branch Block.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, a new electrocardiography algorithm has shown promising results for the the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in the presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB). We aimed to assess these new electrocardiography rules in a cohort of patients referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study that included all patients with suspected myocardial infarction and LBBB on the presenting electrocardiogram, referred for pPCI to 4 tertiary hospitals in Barcelona, Spain. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients were included. Fifty four (37%) had an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) equivalent. Among patients with STEMI, 25 (46%) presented in Killip class III or IV, and in-hospital mortality was 15%. Smith I and II rules performed better than Sgarbossa algorithms and showed good specificity (90% and 97%, respectively) but their sensitivity was 67% and 54%, respectively. In a strategy guided by Smith I or Smith II rules, 18 (33%) or 25 (46%) patients with STEMI would have not received a pPCI, respectively. Moreover, the severity and prognosis of STEMI patients was similar regardless of the positivity of Smith rules. Cardiac biomarkers were positive in 54% of non-STEMI patients, limiting their usefulness for initial diagnostic screening. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of STEMI in the presence of LBBB remains a challenge. Smith rules can be useful but are limited by suboptimal sensitivity. The search for new electrocardiography algorithms should be encouraged to avoid unnecessary aggressive treatments in the majority of patients, while providing timely reperfusion to a high-risk subgroup of patients.

Endothelial Dysfunction After ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Long-term Outcome: A Study With Reactive Hyperemia Peripheral Artery Tonometry.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Long-term data on the relationship between endothelial dysfunction after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and future adverse clinical events are scarce. The aim of this study was to noninvasively assess whether endothelial dysfunction 4 weeks to 6 weeks after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction predicts future clinical events. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was performed in 70 patients of the RESPONSE randomized trial, who underwent noninvasive assessment of endothelial function 4 weeks to 6 weeks after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Endothelial function was measured by the reactive hyperemia peripheral artery tonometry method; an index<1.67 identified endothelial dysfunction. RESULTS: The reactive hyperemia peripheral artery tonometry index measured on average 1.90±0.58. A total of 35 (50%) patients had endothelial dysfunction and 35 (50%) patients had normal endothelial function. Periprocedural "complications" (eg, cardiogenic shock, total atrioventricular block) were more common in patients with endothelial dysfunction than in those without (25.7% vs 2.9%; P<.01). During 4.0±1.7 years of follow-up, 20 (28.6%) patients had major adverse cardiovascular events: events occurred in 9 (25.7%) patients with endothelial dysfunction and in 11 (31.5%) patients with normal endothelial function (P=.52). There was an association between the prevalence of diabetes mellitus at baseline and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events during follow-up (univariate analysis: hazard ratio=2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-7.8; P<.05), and even in multivariate analyses the risk appeared to be increased, although not significantly (multivariate analysis: hazard ratio=2.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-7.5). CONCLUSIONS: In this series of patients who survived an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, endothelial dysfunction, as assessed by reactive hyperemia peripheral artery tonometry 4 weeks to 6 weeks after myocardial infarction, did not predict future clinical events during a mean follow-up of 4 years.

Weaknesses in regional primary coronary angioplasty programs: is there still a role for a pharmaco-invasive approach?

All guidelines recommend primary percutaneous coronary intervention as the default strategy for achieving reperfusion in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients. These recommendations are based upon randomized trials which compared primary percutaneous coronary intervention with stand-alone intravenous fibrinolysis. Since the time these trials were performed, however, it has been shown in further trials that use of rescue percutaneous coronary intervention in patients without signs of reperfusion after lysis, and routine coronary angiography within 24 h of the administration of lysis for all other patients, substantially improved the results of intravenous fibrinolytic treatment. This has led to proposing the pharmaco-invasive strategy as an alternative to primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Actually, it is not uncommon that circumstances prevent performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention within the recommended time limits set by the guidelines. In such cases, using a pharmaco-invasive strategy may constitute a valid alternative. Both the STREAM randomized trial and real-world experience, in particular the long-term results from the FAST-MI registry, suggest that the pharmaco-invasive strategy, when used in an appropriate population, compares favorably with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Therefore, implementing a pharmaco-invasive strategy protocol may be an important complement to compensate for potential weaknesses in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction networks.

The TIMI risk score for STEMI predicts in-hospital mortality and adverse events in patients without cardiogenic shock undergoing primary angioplasty / La escala de riesgo TIMI para infarto del miocardio con elevación del segmento ST predice mortalidad y eventos adversos intrahospitalarios en pacientes sin choque cardiogénico sometidos a angioplastía coronaria

Introduction: Patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) comprise a heterogeneous population with respect to the risk for adverse events. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has shown to be better, mainly in high-risk patients. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for STEMI applied to patients undergo primary PCI identifies a group of patients at high risk for adverse events. Methods: We identifed patients with STEMI without cardiogenic shock on admission, who were treated with primary PCI. The TIMI and CADILLAC (Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications) risk scores were calculated to determine their predictive value for in hospital mortality. Patients were divided into two groups according to their TIMI risk score, low risk being 0-4 points and high risk ≥5 points, and the frequency of adverse events was analyzed. Results: We analyzed 572 patients with STEMI. The c-statistics predictive value of the TIMI risk score for mortality was 0.80 (p=0.0001) and the CADILLAC risk score was 0.83, (p=0.0001). Thirty-two percent of patients classifed as high risk (TIMI ≥5) had a higher incidence of adverse events than the low-risk group: mortality 14.8% vs. 2.1%, (p=0.0001); heart failure 15.3% vs. 4.1%, (p=0.0001); development of cardiogenic shock 10.9% vs. 1.5%, (p=0.0001); ventricular arrhythmias 14.8% vs. 5.9%, (p=0.001); and no-refow phenomenon 22.4% vs. 13.6%, (p=0.01). Conclusions: The TIMI risk score for STEMI prior to primary PCI can predict in hospital mortality and identifes a group of high-risk patients who might develop adverse events.

Introducción: Los pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAM CEST), son una población heterogénea por lo que toca al riesgo de eventos adversos. La intervención coronaria percutánea (ICP) primaria mostró ser mejor, principalmente en los pacientes de riesgo alto. Objetivo: La propuesta de este estudio fue determinar si la escala de riesgo de trombólisis en infarto del miocardio (TIMI) para IAM CEST, aplicado a los pacientes sometidos a ICP primaria, identifica a grupos de pacientes de riesgo alto de eventos adversos. Métodos: Se identificaron a pacientes con IAM CEST sin choque cardiogénico al ingreso, quienes fueron tratados con ICP primaria. Se calcularon las escalas de riesgo TIMI y CADILLAC (Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications), para determinar su valor predictivo de mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos de acuerdo a su escala de riesgo TIMI, riesgo bajo con 0-4 puntos y riesgo alto con ≥5 puntos, se analizó la frecuencia de eventos adversos. Resultados: Se analizaron 572 pacientes con IAM CEST. El valor predictivo del estadístico C de la escala de riesgo TIMI para mortalidad fue de 0.80 (p=0.0001), y la escala de riesgo CADILLAC fue de 0.83, (p=0.0001). El 32% de los pacientes clasificados como riesgo alto (TIMI ≥5), tuvo una alta incidencia de eventos adversos comparada con el grupo de riesgo bajo: la mortalidad 14.8% vs. 2.1%, (p=0.0001); falla cardiaca 15.3% vs. 4.1%, (p=0.0001); desarrollo de choque cardiogénico 10.9% vs. 1.5%, (p=0.0001); arritmias ventriculares 14.8% vs. 5.9%, (p=0.001), y fenómeno de no reflujo 22.4% vs. 13.6%, (p=0.01). Conclusiones: La escala de riesgo TIMI para IAM CEST, previo a ICP primaria puede predecir mortalidad intrahospitalaria e identificar a un grupo de pacientes de riesgo alto, los cuales pueden desarrollar eventos adversos.