Carlos Galvão Braga

Multivessel Versus Culprit-only Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST-segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction: Analysis of an 8-year Registry

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The optimal treatment of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is controversial. The aim of this study was to access the prognostic impact of multivessel PCI vs culprit vessel-only PCI in real-world patients with STEMI and multivessel disease. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of 1499 patients with STEMI diagnosis who underwent primary PCI between January 2008 and December 2015. About 40.8% (n=611) patients had multivessel disease. We performed a propensity score matched analysis to obtain 2 groups of 215 patients paired according to whether or not they had undergone multivessel PCI or culprit vessel-only PCI. RESULTS During follow-up (median, 2.36 years), after propensity score matching, patients who underwent multivessel PCI had lower rates of mortality (5.1% vs 11.6%; Peto-Peto P=.014), unplanned repeat revascularization (7.0% vs 12.6%; Peto-Peto P=.043) and major acute cardiovascular events (22.0% vs 30.8%; Peto-Peto P=.049). These patients also showed a trend to a lower incidence of myocardial infarction (4.2% vs 6.1%; Peto-Peto P=.360). CONCLUSIONS In real-world patients presenting with STEMI and multivessel coronary artery disease, a multivessel PCI strategy was associated with lower rates of mortality, unplanned repeat revascularization, and major acute cardiovascular events.

New-onset atrial fibrillation during acute coronary syndromes: Predictors and prognosis

INTRODUCTION New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently complicates myocardial infarction, with an incidence of 6-21%. OBJECTIVE To assess the predictors and prognosis of new-onset AF during acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS We performed a retrospective observational cohort study including 902 consecutive patients (mean age 64 years, 77.5% male) admitted to a single center over a two-year period, with a six-month follow-up. RESULTS AF rhythm was identified in 13.8% patients, of whom 73.3% presented new-onset AF and 26.8% pre-existing AF. New-onset AF was more frequent in older (p<0.001) and hypertensive patients (p=0.001) and in those with previous valvular heart disease (p<0.001) and coronary artery bypass grafting (p=0.049). During hospitalization, patients with new-onset AF more often had respiratory infection (p=0.002) and heart failure (p<0.001), and higher values of NT-proBNP (p=0.007) and peak creatinine (p=0.001). On echocardiography they had greater left atrial (LA) diameter (p<0.001) and more frequent significant mitral regurgitation (p<0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% (p<0.001) and were less likely to have significant coronary lesions (p=0.009) or to have undergone coronary revascularization (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.06, p=0.021), LVEF ≤40% (OR 4.91, p=0.002) and LA diameter (OR 1.14, p=0.008) remained independent predictors of new-onset AF. Together with age, diabetes and maximum Killip class, this arrhythmia was an independent predictor of overall mortality (OR 3.11, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Age, LVEF ≤40% and LA diameter are independent predictors of new-onset AF during ACS. This arrhythmia is associated with higher overall mortality (in-hospital and in follow-up).

Multimarker approach with cystatin C, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein and red blood cell distribution width in risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes

INTRODUCTION AND AIM Biomarkers have emerged as interesting predictors of risk in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the combined measurement of cystatin C (CysC), C-reactive protein (CRP), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in the risk stratification of patients with ACS. METHODS In this prospective study including 682 patients consecutively admitted to a coronary care unit for ACS, baseline measurements of CysC, CRP, NT-proBNP and RDW were performed. Patients were categorized on the basis of the number of elevated biomarkers at presentation. The primary outcome was 6-month mortality. RESULTS The number of biomarkers elevated on admission (study score) was an independent predictor of 6-month mortality; patients with four biomarkers elevated on admission had a significantly higher risk of 6-month mortality compared with patients with none or one. In addition, in patients with high risk defined by the GRACE score, our multimarker score was able to further categorize their risk of 6-month mortality. CONCLUSIONS A multimarker approach using CysC, NT-proBNP, CRP and RDW was an independent predictor of 6-month mortality and added prognostic information to the GRACE risk score in patients with ACS and high risk defined by GRACE, with increasing mortality in patients with a higher number of elevated biomarkers on admission.

Atrial ectopic activity in cryptogenic ischemic stroke and TIA: a risk factor for recurrence.

BACKGROUND To characterize atrial ectopic activity in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and determine its prognostic significance. METHODS Retrospective cohort study, in which 184 patients with CIS or TIA who had performed 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram were included. The median follow-up was 27.5 months. Baseline clinical and imagiologic characteristics, etiologic investigation results, and ischemic stroke and TIA recurrences information were collected. Number of atrial premature complexes (APCs) per hour was categorized as less than 10 APCs/hour, 10-30 APCs/hour, and more than 30 APCs/hour. RESULTS Most of the patients had less than 10 APCs/hour (82.6%), 8.2% had 10-30 APCs/hour, and 9.2% had more than 30 APCs/hour. Patients with more than 30 APCs/hour had a greater median left atrium diameter than patients with 30 APCs/hour or less (42 mm vs. 38 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], .50-7.00; P = .003). Annual recurrence rate of CIS or TIA was 2.9% in patients with less than 10 APCs/hour, 11.0% in 10-30 APCs/hour, and 22.6% in more than 30 APCs/hour (P = .001). More than 30 APCs/hour were independently associated with recurrence risk in multivariate survival analysis (hazard ratio, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.12-10.32; P = .030). CONCLUSIONS In patients with CIS or TIA, frequent atrial ectopic activity (>30 APCs/h) was independently associated with increased risk of stroke or TIA recurrence. Further studies need to validate frequent atrial ectopic activity as a risk factor for recurrence in cryptogenic stroke and confirm its role as a predictor of occult atrial fibrillation.

“Assessment of effectiveness and security in high pressure postdilatation of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds during percutaneous coronary intervention. Study in a contemporary, non-selected cohort of Spanish patients”

OBJECTIVES To determine security and benefits of high pressure postdilatation (HPP) of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of complex lesions whatever its indication is. BACKGROUND Acute scaffold disruption has been proposed as the main limitation of BVS when they are overexpanded. However, clinical implications of this disarray are not yet clear and more evidence is needed. METHODS A total of 25 BVS were deployed during PCI of 14 complex lesions after mandatory predilatation. In all cases HPP was performed with NC balloon in a 1:1 relation to the artery. After that, optical coherence tomography (OCT) analyses were performed. RESULTS Mean and maximal postdilatation pressure were 17±3.80 and 20 atmospheres (atm) respectively. Postdilatation balloon/scaffold diameter ratio was 1.01. A total of 39,590 struts were analyzed. Mean, minimal and maximal scaffold diameter were respectively: 3.09±0.34mm, 2.88±0.31mm and 3.31±0.40mm. Mean eccentricity index was 0.13±0.05. ISA percentage was 1.42% with a total of 564 malapposed struts. 89 struts were identified as disrupted, which represents a percentage of disrupted struts of 0.22%. At 30days, none of our patients died, suffered from stroke, stent thrombosis or needed target lesion revascularization (TLR). CONCLUSIONS NC balloon HPP of BVS at more than 17atm (up to 20atm) is safe during PCI and allows to achieve better angiographic and clinical results.

An unusual trigger causing Takotsubo Syndrome

Article history: Received 18 July 2016 Accepted 7 August 2016 Available online 09 August 2016 subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement in the mid and distal inferolateral segments, as well as an area of low signal intensity suggestive of microvascular obstruction. Data compatible with acute phase of coronary syndrome in obtuse marginal territory and Takotsubo Syndrome (Fig. 1 panels E–I, Video 3). Therewere no in hospital complications. Shewas discharged asymp-

Impact of atrial fibrillation type during acute coronary syndromes: Clinical features and prognosis

INTRODUCTION Atrial fibrillation (AF) is widely recognized as an adverse prognostic factor during acute myocardial infarction, although the impact of AF type - new-onset (nAF) or pre-existing (pAF) - is still controversial. OBJECTIVES To identify the clinical differences and prognosis of nAF and pAF during acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS We performed a retrospective observational cohort study including 1373 consecutive patients (mean age 64 years, 77.3% male) admitted to a single center over a three-year period, with a six-month follow-up. RESULTS AF rhythm was identified in 14.5% patients, of whom 71.4% presented nAF and 28.6% pAF. When AF types were compared, patients with nAF more frequently presented with ST-elevation ACS (p=0.003). Patients with pAF, in turn, were older (p=0.032), had greater left atrial diameter (p=0.001) and were less likely to have significant coronary lesions (p=0.034). Regarding therapeutic strategy, nAF patients were more often treated by rhythm control during hospital stay (p<0.001) and were less often anticoagulated at discharge (p=0.001). Compared with the population without AF, nAF was a predictor of death during hospital stay in univariate (p<0.001) and multivariate analysis (OR 2.67, p=0.047), but pAF was not. During follow-up, pAF was associated with higher mortality (p=0.014), while nAF patients presented only a trend towards worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS AF during the acute phase of ACS appears to have a negative prognostic impact only in patients with nAF and not in those with pAF.

Prognostic impact of residual SYNTAX score in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease: Analysis of an 8-year all-comers registry

BACKGROUND The residual SYNTAX score (rSS) was designed and validated to quantify the burden of residual coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of rSS in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease undergoing primary-PCI. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 1499 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent primary-PCI between January 2008 and December 2015. After exclusion criteria, the multivessel disease cohort (n=535) was divided into three groups, according to rSS: complete revascularization (rSS=0; n=198), reasonable incomplete revascularization (0<rSS<8; n=238) and incomplete revascularization (rSS≥8; n=99). RESULTS In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in patients with complete and reasonable incomplete revascularization, when compared to those with incomplete revascularization (1.5% vs. 1.7% vs. 9.0%, p<0.001). During follow-up (median 2.4years), rSS was positively correlated with MACE (25.3% for rSS=0 vs. 31.1% for 0<rSS<8 vs. 47.0% for rSS≥8, p=0.001) and all-cause mortality (5.1% vs. 10.5% vs. 19.2%, p=0.001). The rSS was also an independent predictor of MACE (when compared with complete revascularization, odds ratio [OR] was 1.5 for reasonable incomplete and 1.8 for incomplete revascularization) and all-cause mortality during follow-up (OR 2.9 for reasonable incomplete and 3.9 for incomplete revascularization), adding prognostic value over control variables and GRACE. CONCLUSIONS In a real-world cohort of patients with STEMI and multivessel disease who underwent PCI, the rSS added important prognostic information over control variables and GRACE, being an independent predictor of MACE and all-cause mortality during follow-up.

Revascularização multivaso versus revascularização da artéria culprit em pacientes com síndrome coronária aguda sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST e doença coronária multivaso

INTRODUCTION There have been no prospective randomized trials that enable the best strategy and timing to be determined for revascularization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVES To compare short- and long-term adverse events following multivessel vs. culprit-only revascularization in patients with NSTE-ACS and multivessel CAD. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study that included all patients diagnosed with NSTE-ACS and multivessel CAD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between January 2010 and June 2013 (n=232). After exclusion of patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (n=30), a multivessel revascularization strategy was adopted in 35.1% of patients (n=71); in the others (n=131, 64.9%), only the culprit artery was revascularized. After propensity score matching (PSM), two groups of 66 patients were obtained, matched according to revascularization strategy. RESULTS During follow-up (1543±545 days), after PSM, patients undergoing multivessel revascularization had lower rates of reinfarction (4.5% vs. 16.7%; log-rank p=0.018), unplanned revascularization (6.1% vs. 16.7%; log-rank p=0.048), unplanned PCI (3.0% vs. 13.6%; log-rank p=0.023) and the combined endpoint of death, reinfarction and unplanned revascularization (16.7 vs. 31.8%; log-rank p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS In real-world patients presenting with NSTE-ACS and multivessel CAD, a multivessel revascularization strategy was associated with lower rates of reinfarction, unplanned revascularization and unplanned PCI, as well as a reduction in the combined endpoint of death, reinfarction and unplanned revascularization.

Modified shock index: A bedside clinical index for risk assessment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction at presentation

INTRODUCTION Prompt identification of higher-risk patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is crucial to pursue a more aggressive approach. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess whether the modified shock index (MSI), the ratio of heart rate to mean arterial pressure, could predict six-month mortality among patients admitted with STEMI. METHODS A retrospective observational cohort study was performed in a single center including 1158 patients diagnosed with STEMI, without cardiogenic shock on admission, between July 2009 and December 2014. They were divided into two groups: group 1 - patients with MSI<0.93 (72%); group 2 - patients with MSI≥0.93 (28%). The primary endpoint was six-month all-cause mortality. RESULTS MSI≥0.93 identified patients who were more likely to have signs of heart failure (p=0.002), anemia (p<0.001), renal insufficiency (p=0.014) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (p=0.045). They more often required inotropic support (p<0.001), intra-aortic balloon pump (p<0.001) and mechanical ventilation (p<0.001). Regarding in-hospital adverse events, they had a higher prevalence of malignant arrhythmias (p=0.01) and mechanical complications (p=0.027). MSI≥0.93 was an independent predictor of overall six-month mortality (adjusted HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.20-3.34, p=0.008). CONCLUSION MSI was shown to be a valuable bedside tool which can rapidly identify high-risk STEMI patients at presentation.