Bernhard Witzenbichler

Predictors and Implications of Coronary Infarct Artery Patency at Initial Angiography in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction (from the CADILLAC and HORIZONS-AMI Trials)

Pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow has been identified as a predictor of final TIMI grade 3 flow and better survival. Yet pharmacologic strategies increasing the rates of pre-PCI TIMI grade 3 flow resulted in more bleeding, without a benefit in survival. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors and implications of spontaneous reperfusion before primary PCI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications (CADILLAC) and Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trials were combined, and the predictors of core laboratory-determined baseline TIMI grade 3 flow and 1-year outcomes were analyzed according to baseline TIMI flow. Baseline TIMI grade 3 flow was present in 932 of 5,332 patients (17.5%). The independent predictors of baseline TIMI grade 3 flow were diabetes, longer delay to PCI, smoking, and more extensive coronary disease. Patients with compared to those without baseline TIMI grade 3 flow had significantly higher rates of post-PCI TIMI grade 3 flow (99.1% vs 91.4%, p <0.0001) and lower 1-year all-cause mortality (2.7% vs 4.3%, p = 0.02). By multivariate analysis, baseline TIMI grade 3 flow (hazard ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 2.71, p = 0.046) and final TIMI grade 3 flow (hazard ratio 3.67, 95% confidence interval 2.45 to 5.48, p <0.001) were significant independent predictors of 1-year survival. In conclusion, TIMI grade 3 flow is present in about 1 in every 6 patients before PCI and paradoxically is more common in patients with higher risk characteristics. TIMI grade 3 flow before as well as after PCI is an independent predictor of greater 1-year survival. These data should inform future trials of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with respect to improvement in outcomes.

Impact of bivalirudin therapy in high-risk patients with acute myocardial infarction: 1-year results from the HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with RevasculariZatiON and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial.

OBJECTIVESnThis study sought to assess the relationship between 1-year mortality and baseline patient risk in the HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with RevasculariZatiON and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial.nnnBACKGROUNDnThe HORIZONS-AMI trial showed that bivalirudin compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) decreased major bleeding and 30-day and 1-year mortality in patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention for acute myocardial infarction.nnnMETHODSnPatients in the HORIZONS-AMI trial were classified as low, intermediate, and high risk according to the CADILLAC (Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications) risk score based on 7 clinical variables.nnnRESULTSnAmong 2,530 CADILLAC-score evaluable HORIZONS-AMI trial patients, 1,522 (60%) were classified as low risk, 531 (21%) as intermediate risk, and 477 (19%) as high risk. The mortality rates in the bivalirudin and UFH plus GPI arms, respectively, were 0.4% and 1.2% (p = 0.09) in the low-risk group, 4.2% and 4.1% (p = 0.99) in the intermediate-risk group, and 8.4% and 15.9% (p = 0.01) in the high-risk group. Among high-risk patients, there was also a decreased rate of recurrent myocardial infarction in patients randomized to bivalirudin as compared to UFH plus GPI (3.6% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.04).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn high-risk patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction, bivalirudin compared with UFH plus GPI reduces 1-year mortality and recurrent myocardial infarction. (HORIZONS-AMI trial; NCT00433966).