Claudio Picariello

Multipoint pacing by a left ventricular quadripolar lead improves the acute hemodynamic response to CRT compared with conventional biventricular pacing at any site

BACKGROUND Response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains challenging. Pacing from multiple sites of the left ventricle (LV) has shown promising results. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to systematically compare the acute hemodynamic effects of multipoint pacing (MPP) by means of a quadripolar lead with conventional biventricular (BiV) pacing. METHODS Twenty-nine patients (23 men; mean age 72 ± 12 years; LV ejection fraction 29% ± 7%; 15 with ischemic cardiomyopathy, 17 with left bundle branch block; mean QRS 183 ± 23 ms) underwent CRT implantation. Per patient, 3.2 ± 1.2 different veins and 6.3 ± 2.4 pacing sites were tested. LV electrical delay (Q-LV) was measured at each location, along with the increase in LV dP/dtmax (maximum rate of rise of LV pressure) obtained by BiV and MPP. The effect of MPP, by means of simultaneous pacing from distal and proximal dipoles, was investigated at all available sites. RESULTS Overall, 3.2 ± 1.2 different MPP measurements were collected per patient. When all sites were considered, LV dP/dtmax increased from 951 ± 193 mm Hg/s at baseline to 1144 ± 255 and 1178 ± 259 mm Hg/s on BiV and MPP, respectively. When the best site was considered, LV dP/dtmax increased from a baseline value of 942 ± 202 mm Hg/s to 1200 ± 267 mm Hg/s (BiV) and 1231 ± 267 mm Hg/s (MPP). The mean QRS duration at any site during MPP and conventional CRT was 171 ± 18 and 175 ± 16 ms (P = .003), respectively. CONCLUSION Compared with BiV pacing at any LV site, MPP yielded a small but consistent increase in hemodynamic response. A correlation between the increase in hemodynamics and Q-LV on MPP was observed for all measurements, including those taken at the best and worst sites. The MPP-induced improvement in contractility was associated with significantly greater narrowing of the QRS complex than conventional BiV pacing.

Optimization of left ventricular pacing site plus multipoint pacing improves remodeling and clinical response to cardiac resynchronization therapy at 1 year

BACKGROUND Approximately one-third of the patients with heart failure (HF) treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) fail to respond. Positioning the left ventricular (LV) pacing lead in the area of the latest electrical delay may improve the response to CRT. Multipoint pacing (MPP) of the LV has been shown to improve the acute hemodynamic response. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients treated with MPP in whom LV pacing location is optimized have better long-term clinical outcomes than do patients treated with conventional CRT. METHODS We evaluated the echocardiographic and clinical response of 110 patients with HF treated for nearly 1 year with either conventional CRT (standard [STD] group, n = 54, 49%), CRT with hemodynamic and electrical optimization of the LV pacing site (optimized [OPT] group, n = 36, 33%), or OPT combined with MPP (OPT + MPP group, n = 20, 18%). Responders were classified in terms of reduction in end-systolic volume index ≥15%, reduction in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥1, and Packer score variation (NYHA response with no HF-related hospitalization events or death). RESULTS In STD, OPT, and OPT + MPP groups, 56%, 72%, and 90% of patients, respectively, were end-systolic volume index responders (P = .004) and 67%, 78%, and 95% were NYHA class responders (P = .012); 59%, 67%, and 90% of patients exhibited a 1-year Packer score of 0 (P = .018). These trends remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors by multivariate logistic analysis. CONCLUSION Combining MPP with optimal positioning of the LV lead on the basis of electrical delay and hemodynamics enhances reverse remodeling and improves clinical outcomes beyond the effect due to conventional CRT.

In-hospital peak glycemia and prognosis in STEMI patients without earlier known diabetes

Background Acute myocardial infarction is known as an acute metabolic stress, but clinicians currently have limited guidance regarding the evaluation and management of hyperglycemia after revascularization. Methods and results We assessed the prognostic role of three different ranges of in-hospital peak glycemia ([ 140, 140180, and > 180 mg/dl) in 252 acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients without earlier known diabetes submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention consecutively admitted to our intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU). Patients with highest peak glycemia showed the highest intra-ICCU mortality (7/44, 15.9%), which was significantly higher with respect to the other two subgroups (P = 0.001 and 0.034, respectively). At backward stepwise logistic regression analysis, peak glycemia (odds ratio: 3.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.019.74, P =0.047) was an independent predictor of intra-ICCU mortality. Conclusion In acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients without earlier known diabetes submitted to mechanical revascularization, the poorer in-hospital glucose control was associated with higher mortality; peak glycemia greater than 180 mg/dl was associated with the highest mortality, whereas patients with peak glycemia comprised between 140 and 180 mg/dl exhibited intermediate mortality rates. According to our data during hospitalization intensivists should achieve glucose control values less than 140 mg/dl, as peak glycemia resulted in the independent predictor of intra-ICCU mortality.

Acute glucose dysmetabolism in the early phase of ST-elevation myocardial infarction: the age response

In elderly patients with AMI, hyperglycaemia is associated with increased mortality. Recently it has been observed that insulin resistance, as assessed by the HOMA index, proved an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. The interaction between age and glucose metabolism response in the acute phase of patients with STEMI without previously known diabetes has not yet been explored. We aimed to assess this relationship in 346 consecutive patients with STEMI admitted to our ICCU after primary PCI. When compared with the other age subgroups, the very oldest patients (aged > 79 years) showed the lowest LVEF (p=0.011), the highest incidence of 2- and 3-vessel coronary artery disease (p=0.002), and, finally, the highest mortality (p=0.037). Advancing age was associated with increased values of fibrinogen (p=0.022) and ESR (p=0.001), as well as of NT-pro-BNP (p<0.001). The very oldest patients (aged > 79 years) exhibited the highest values of glycaemia and peak glycaemia, while the incidence of insulin resistance (as inferred by HOMA index) remained unchanged across the age subgroups. This glycaemic pattern was confirmed after exclusion of patients with HbA1c > 6.5%, that is patients with a poor glycaemic control in the previous 2—3 months. In the acute phase of STEMI acute glucose metabolism is affected by age, since older patients showed the highest glucose levels and the poorest glycaemic control during ICCU stay despite the lack of differences in insulin resistance incidence.

Correlates of acute insulin resistance in the early phase of non-diabetic ST-elevation myocardial infarction

The relationship between insulin secretion and acute insulin resistance (as assessed by Homeostatic Model Assessment [HOMA] index) and clinical and biochemical parameters in the early phase of non-diabetic ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is so far unexplored. We aimed at assessing this relation in 286 consecutive STEMI patients without previously known diabetes submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Insulin resistance (as indicated by HOMA) was detectable in 67.1%. Non-parametric correlation showed that HOMA index was significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.242; p < 0.0001) and HbA1c (r = 0.189; p < 0.001). At multivariable backward linear regression analysis, glycaemia was directly related to leukocyte count (p = 0.0003), age (p = 0.0001), creatine kinase isoform MB (CK-MB) (p = 0.00278) and lactate (p < 0.0001). Insulin was directly and significantly related to glycaemia (p = 0.0006), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.00028) and lactate (p = 0.0096) In the early phase of STEMI without previously known diabetes the acute glucose dysmetabolism is quite complex, comprising increased glucose values and the development of acute insulin resistance. While insulin secretion is strictly related to BMI, apart from glucose levels, increased glucose values can be mainly related to the acute inflammatory response (as indicated to leukocyte count and C-RP), to age and to the degree of myocardial damage (as inferred by CK-MB)

The Impact of Hypertension on Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

Arterial chronic hypertension (HTN) is a well-known cardiovascular risk factor for development of atherosclerosis. In order to explain the relation between HTN and acute coronary syndromes the following factors should be considered: (1) risk factors are shared by the diseases, such as genetic risk, insulin resistance, sympathetic hyperactivity, and vasoactive substances (i.e., angiotensin II); (2) hypertension is associated with the development of atherosclerosis (which in turn contributes to progression of myocardial infarction). From all the registries and the data available up to now, hypertensive patients with ACS are more likely to be older, female, of nonwhite ethnicity, and having a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Data on the prognostic role of a preexisting hypertensive state in ACS patients are so far contrasting. The aim of the present paper is to focus on hypertensive patients with ACS, in order to better elucidate whether these patients are at higher risk and deserve a tailored approach for management and followup.

Lactate clearance in cardiogenic shock following ST elevation myocardial infarction: A pilot study

Background: Recent studies documented that serial lactate measurements over time may be clinically more reliable than lactate absolute value for risk stratification. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the role of lactate clearance in predicting early death in cardiogenic shock (CS) following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: 51 consecutive patients with CS following STEMI were prospectively enrolled. Lactate was measured in Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) on admission and on the twelfth hour. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors for in-ICCU mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed in order to identify cut-off for admission lactate and for 12-h lactate clearance in relation to in-ICCU mortality. Follow-up survival rate were investigated by Kaplan–Meier curves. Results: At 12 h from admission, lactate clearance was higher in survivors (P = 0.013). A higher in-ICCU mortality was observed in patients with 12 hours lactate clearance < 10% (P = 0.002). At follow up, patients with 12-h lactate clearance < 10% showed a significantly lower survival rate. Conclusions: In patients with CS following STEMI, 12-h lactate clearance < 10% identifies a subset of patients at higher risk for death at short and long-term.

In-hospital refractory cardiac arrest treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a tertiary single center experience.

Abstract We retrospectively assessed the experience of our tertiary care center on the use of venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in 16 adult patients with refractory cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest was due to acute coronary syndrome in 10 patients (62.5%), Takotsubo Syndrome in 1 patient (6.25%), dilated cardiomyopathy in 4 (25%) patients and massive pulmonary embolism in 1 patient (6.25%). The device was implanted in the catheterization laboratory in 14 patients (87.5%), in the operating room in 1 patient (6.25%) and in the emergency department in 1 patient (6.25%). During support, 7 patients were submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention, while coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 1 patient, and cardiac surgery for repair of left ventricular wall rupture was performed in 1 patient. The device was successfully weaned in 6 patients (37.5%), among whom 2 patients died and 4 patients (25%) were discharged alive. In our institution 2/16 (12.5%) patients treated with VA-ECMO for refractory cardiac arrest survived to hospital discharge neurologically intact, and a good neurological function was observed in 3/16 (18.8%) at six-month follow-up.

Lactate and lactate clearance in acute cardiac care patients

Hyperlactataemia is commonly used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in intensive care settings. Recent studies documented that serial lactate measurements over time (or lactate clearance), may be clinically more reliable than lactate absolute value for risk stratification in different pathological conditions. While the negative prognostic role of hyperlactataemia in several critical ill diseases (such as sepsis and trauma) is well established, data in patients with acute cardiac conditions (i.e. acute coronary syndromes) are scarce and controversial. The present paper provides an overview of the current available evidence on the clinical role of lactic acid levels and lactate clearance in acute cardiac settings (acute coronary syndromes, cardiogenic shock, cardiac surgery), focusing on its prognostic role.

Procalcitonin in acute cardiac patients

Procalcitonin (PCT) levels are below the detection level in healthy subjects, while pre-procalcitonin mRNA is over expressed in human medullar thyroid carcinoma, in small cell lung tumor, and occasionally in other rare neuroendocrine tumors such as phaeochromocytoma. PCT is known as a sensitive and specific biomarker for bacterial sepsis, being produced by extra-thyroidal parenchymal tissues, mainly hepatocytes. The increase in plasma level correlates with the severity of infection and the magnitude and the time course of its increase can be strictly related to the patient’s outcome, and to the bacterial load. So far, data on serum PCT levels in patients with cardiogenic shock and in those with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are scarce and controversial. While some studies report that PCT levels are increased in ACS patients on admission, other investigations document that plasma PCT concentrations are in the normal range. We recently reported that the degree of myocardial ischemia (clinically indicated by the whole spectrum of ACS, from unstable angina to cardiogenic shock following ST-elevation myocardial infarction) and the related inflammatory-induced response are better reflected by C-reactive protein (which was positive in most acute cardiac care patients of all our subgroups) than by PCT, which seems more sensitive to a higher degree of inflammatory activation, being positive only in patients with cardiogenic shock. Few studies investigated the dynamics of PCT in cardiac acute patients, and, despite the paucity of data and differences in patients’ selection criteria, an increase in PCT values seems to be associated with the development of complications. In acute cardiac patients, the clinical values of procalcitonin rely not on its absolute value, but only on its kinetics over time.