Antonio H. Frangieh

Meta-Analysis of the Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Treated With Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention, especially in the era of second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES). The work was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015. All randomized controlled trials comparing short (<12xa0months) versus long (≥12xa0months) DAPT in patients treated with second-generation DES were analyzed. Sensitivity analyses were performed for length of DAPT and type of DES. All-cause death was the primary end point, whereas cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis (ST), and major bleeding were secondary end points. Results were pooled and compared with random-effect models and meta-regression analysis. Eight randomized controlled trials with 18,810 randomized patients were included. The studies compared 3 versus 12xa0months of DAPT (2 trials), 6 versus 12xa0months (3 trials), 6 versus 24xa0months (1 trial), 12 versus 24xa0months (1 trial), and 12 versus 30xa0months (1 trial). Comparing short versus long DAPT, there were no significant differences in all-cause death (odds ratio [OR] 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66 to 1.44), cardiovascular death (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.65 to 1.37), and ST (OR 1.20; 95% CI 0.79 to 1.83), and no differences were present when considering everolimus-eluting and fast-release zotarolimus-eluting stents separately. Shorter DAPT was inferior to longer DAPT in preventing MI (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.77). Conversely, major bleeding was reduced by shorter DAPT (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.96). Baseline features did not influence these results in meta-regression analysis. In conclusion, DAPT for ≤6xa0months is reasonable for patients treated with everolimus-eluting and fast-release zotarolimus-eluting stents, with the benefit of less major bleeding at the cost of increased MI, with similar survival and ST rates. An individualized patient approach to DAPT duration should take into account the competing risks of bleeding and ischemic complications after present-generation DES.

ECG Criteria to Differentiate Between Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy and Myocardial Infarction

Background ECG criteria differentiating Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) from mainly anterior myocardial infarction (MI) have been suggested; however, this was in small patient populations. Methods and Results Twelve‐lead admission ECGs of consecutive 200 TTC and 200 MI patients were compared in dichotomized groups based on the presence or absence of ST‐elevation MI (STEMI versus STE‐TTC and non‐ST elevation MI versus non ST‐elevation‐TTC). When comparing STEMI and STE‐TTC, ST‐elevation in –aVR was characteristic of STE‐TTC with a sensitivity/specificity of 43% and 95%, positive predictive value (PPV) 91%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) 62% (P<0.001); when ST‐elevation in –aVR is accompanied by ST‐elevation in inferior leads, sensitivity/specificity were 14% and 98% (PPV was 89% and NPV 52%) (P=0.001), and 12% and 100% when associated with ST‐elevation in anteroseptal leads (PPV 100%, NPV 52%) (P<0.001). On the other hand, STEMI was characterized by ST‐elevation in aVR (sensitivity/specificity of 31% and 95% P<0.001, PPV 85% and NPV 59%) and ST‐depression in V2‐V3‐V4 (sensitivity/specificity of 24% and 100% P<0.001, PPV 100% and NPV 76%). When comparing non‐ST elevation MI and non ST‐elevation‐TTC, T‐inversion in leads I‐aVL‐V5‐V6 had a sensitivity/specificity of 17% and 97% for non ST‐elevation‐TTC (PPV 83% and NPV 55%) (P<0.001), and ST‐elevation in –aVR with T‐inversion in any lead was also specific for non ST‐elevation‐TTC (sensitivity/specificity of 8% and 100%, PPV 100% and NPV 53%) (P=0.006). In non‐ST elevation MI patients, the presence of ST‐depression in V2‐V3 was specific (sensitivity/specificity of 11% and 99%, PPV 91% and NPV 51%) (P=0.01). Conclusions ECG on admission can differentiate between TTC and acute MI, with high specificity and positive predictive value. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT01947621.

Impact of percutaneous mitral valve repair using the MitraClip system on tricuspid regurgitation

AIMSnTricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction have been identified as significant predictors of outcome after mitral valve surgery. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) with the MitraClip system on functional TR severity and RV function.nnnMETHODS AND RESULTSnAmong 119 consecutive patients with severe mitral regurgitation who underwent PMVR, 67 had complete baseline and follow-up transthoracic echocardiography after 3-12 months (6.8±2.9 months). TR severity was graded as mild, moderate, and severe. RV systolic function was assessed by fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Clinical endpoints at follow-up included mortality, reoperation of the mitral valve, hospitalisation for congestive heart failure and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class. After PMVR, a significant decrease in TR severity (by at least one grade) was observed in 22 (33%) patients, while an increase occurred in only seven (10%) patients (p=0.02). Overall, systolic RV function (FAC and TAPSE), RV dimensions, and tricuspid annular diameter did not change significantly. Baseline SPAP was significantly higher (57±15 vs. 43±14 mmHg, p=0.002) and SPAP reduction significantly larger (-14±13 versus 1±15 mmHg, p=0.012) in patients who improved their TR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the change in SPAP as the only significant predictor of changes in TR (odds ratio [OR] [for every change in SPAP by 10 mmHg] 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02±3.54; p=0.044). Patients with mild/moderate TR at follow-up after PMVR had lower event rates compared to those with severe TR (35% vs. 78%, respectively, p=0.025).nnnCONCLUSIONSnPMVR using the MitraClip device improves functional TR severity in approximately one third of patients, particularly in those who experience a significant SPAP reduction after the procedure.

Impact of postdilatation on performance of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in patients with acute coronary syndrome compared with everolimus-eluting stents: A propensity score-matched analysis from a multicenter “real-world” registry

BACKGROUNDnSafety and efficacy of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BRS) and the role of postdilatation on outcome in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients compared with those of everolimus-eluting stents (EES) remain unknown. The aim of the study is to compare the safety and efficacy of BRS with EES in ACS and to investigate the role of BRS postdilatation.nnnMETHODSnConsecutive ACS patients undergoing BRS implantation in 8 centers were com-pared with those with EES before and after propensity score matching. Major adverse cardiac event (MACE), myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were the primary endpoint. Sensitivity analysis was performed according to postdilatation after BRS implantation. We enrolled 303 BRS and 748 EES patients; 215 from each group were com-pared after matching, and 117 (55.2%) BRS patients were treated with postdilatation.nnnRESULTSnAfter a median follow-up of 24.0 months, MACE rates were higher in BRS patients than in EES patients (9.3% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001), mainly driven by TLR (6.1% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). Stent thrombosis increased in the BRS group (2.8% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.01). How-ever, after sensitivity analysis, MACE rates in BRS patients with postdilatation were signifi-cantly lower than in those without, comparable to EES patients (6.0% vs. 12.6% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001). The same trend was observed for TLR (3.4% vs. 8.4% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). Stent thrombosis rates were higher in both the BRS groups than in EES patients (2.6% vs. 3.2% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.045).nnnCONCLUSIONSnPostdilatation appears effective when using BRS in ACS patients. MACE rates are comparable to those of EES, although scaffold thrombosis is not negligible. Randomized prospective studies are required for further investigation.

Intracardiac versus transesophageal echocardiography for left atrial appendage occlusion with watchman.

Background: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is mostly performed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) may be an alternative imaging modality for LAAO that precludes the need for general anesthesia or sedation.

RoTational AThErectomy in acute coronary syndrome: Early and midterm outcomes from a multicentre registry

AIMSnThe safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy (RA) in patients presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTE-ACS) remain to be defined. The aim of our study was to assess the safety and efficacy of RA in NSTE-ACS patients with reference to both short- and long-term follow-up.nnnMETHODS AND RESULTSnThis was an observational retrospective registry which enrolled all consecutive patients undergoing RA, comparing patients with stable angina (SA) and NSTE-ACS. In addition, ACS patients were matched with those not undergoing RA. The primary endpoint was angiographic success. Procedural complications and in-hospital MACE were secondary endpoints along with MACE during follow-up. One thousand three hundred and eight patients were included: 37% (484) with an NSTE-ACS diagnosis and 63% (824) in the SA group. Angiographic success did not differ between the groups (98.8% vs. 99.2%, p=0.57). By univariate analysis procedural complications were more frequent in the NSTE-ACS group (11.3% vs. 8.0%, p=0.04). In-hospital MACE rates were comparable (5.7% vs. 5.8%, p=0.93); by multivariate analysis NSTE-ACS patients showed a non-significant trend towards a higher risk of adverse events (HR 2.39, CI: 0.96-5.96, p=0.061). MACE after a median of 27.9 months was significantly higher in the NSTE-ACS group compared with the SA group (32.4% vs. 24.2%, log-rank p<0.001), results confirmed by multivariate analysis. After propensity score matching, NSTE-ACS patients undergoing RA had similar outcomes to ACS patients who did not undergo RA (16% vs. 13%, log-rank p=0.14).nnnCONCLUSIONSnRotational atherectomy has similar safety and angiographic outcome in patients with NSTE-ACS or SA. The higher rate of adverse cardiac events at follow-up in NSTE-ACS patients undergoing RA is comparable with a matched population of NSTE-ACS patients not undergoing RA.

TAVI in Bicuspid Aortic Valves ‘Made Easy’

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly with an estimated incidence of 0.4–2.25% in the general population, comprising a spectrum of deformed aortic valves presenting on gross examination with two functional cusps forming a valve mechanism with less than three zones of parallel apposition between cusps. The ‘purely’ BAV (Non-Raphe-type or BAV type 0) (Figure 1A) is composed of two cusps, morphologically, and functionally. However, the most frequent form of congenital BAV consists of three cusps with a raphe replacing one, or two, of the commissures (Raphe, or BAV, types I and II—defined by the presence of one or two raphes, respectively). Raphe-type BAV results from coronary cusp fusion (Left-Right) (Figure 1B) or mixed cusp fusion (non-right (Figure 1C), or rarely non-left). Non-raphe type BAV arises from degenerative coronary cusp fusion (antero-posterior) or mixed cusp fusion (lateral). Bicuspid aortic valve has been excluded from the landmark randomized clinical trials involving transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and despite favourable results from registries and observational reports, it continues to be considered a relative contraindication in recent guidelines. However, up to 20% of clinically relevant BAV stenoses occur in octogenarians and furthermore, younger patients with BAV are increasingly referred for consideration of TAVI, in light of recent evidence demonstrating TAVI to be a valid alternative to surgery for intermediate risk patients, and potentially low risk population.

Impact of an optical coherence tomography guided approach in acute coronary syndromes: A propensity matched analysis from the international FORMIDABLE-CARDIOGROUP IV and USZ registry

Aim. To determine the potential clinical impact of OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients presenting with ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome). Methods and Results. FORMIDABLE is a multicentre retrospective registry enrolling all patients presenting with ACS and treated with an OCT‐guided approach, while the USZ registry enrolled patients treated with a standard angiography guided approach. Multivariate adjustment was performed via a propensity score matching. The number stents useds was the primary outcome, while the incidence of MACE (a composite of death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stent thrombosis) was the secondary endpoint. A total of 285 patients OCT‐guided and 1,547 angiography guided patients were enrolled, resulting in 270 for each cohort after propensity score with matching. Two stents were used in 12% versus 34%; 3 stents in 8% versus 38% of the patients (Pu2009<u20090.001). After a follow up of 700 days (450–890), there was no difference in myocardial infarction (6% vs. 6%, Pu2009=u20090.86), while MACE (11% vs. 16%, Pu2009=u20090.06), target vessel revascularization (2% vs. 4%, Pu2009=u20090.15) and stent thrombosis rates (0% vs. 2.7%, Pu2009=u20090.26) were numerically lower for the OCT‐guided cohort but none of these endpoints did reach statistical significance. Conclusions. An OCT‐guided approach reduced the number of stents used, number of patients treated with more than one stent, while there was no statistically significant difference in clinical endpoints while most of them were numerically lower, including stent thrombosis rates.

Interaction of systolic blood pressure and resting heart rate with clinical outcomes in takotsubo syndrome: insights from the International Takotsubo Registry

The present study aimed to determine the prognostic impact of resting heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in takotsubo syndrome (TTS).

Safety and efficacy profile of bioresorbable-polylactide-polymer-biolimus-A9-eluting stents versus durable-polymer-everolimus- and zotarolimus-eluting stents in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Comparative data on long‐term safety and efficacy of bioresorbable‐polymer‐BES versus durable‐polymer‐EES/ZES in ACS setting have hitherto been lacking. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of bioresorbable‐polymer‐biolimus‐A9‐eluting stents (BES) compared with thin‐strut‐durable‐polymer‐everolimus‐ and zotarolimus‐eluting stents (EES/ZES) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing PCI.