Grzegorz Honisz

Effect of Anemia in High-Risk Groups of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The significance of anemia in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of anemia on the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with AMI treated with PCI, including high-risk subgroups. The study group consisted of 1,497 consecutive patients with AMI treated in the acute phase with PCI. Anemia was defined using World Health Organization criteria (hemoglobin level <13 g/dl for men and <12 g/dl for women). The study population was divided into 2 major groups (patients with [n = 248, 16.6%] and without [n = 1,249, 83.4%] anemia) and 6 subgroups (diabetes mellitus, impaired renal function, age >70 years, left ventricular dysfunction, incomplete revascularization, and multivessel disease). A comparative analysis was performed between both groups within the whole population and within the particular subgroups. Significantly greater 30-day (13.2% vs 7.3%), 1-year (20.5% vs 11.3%), and total (24.1% vs 12.7%; all p <0.05) mortality rates were observed in the anemic group. Multivariate analysis identified anemia as an independent predictor of any-cause death in the whole population during the observation period (covariate-adjusted hazard ratio 1.46, 95% confidence interval 1.31 to 1.61, p <0.05). Anemia was significantly associated with excessive long-term mortality in the multivessel disease group (adjusted hazard ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.34 to 1.74) and in the incomplete revascularization group (hazard ratio 1.67, both p <0.05). In conclusion, anemia on admission in patients with AMI treated in the acute phase with PCI was independently associated with increasing short- and long-term mortality, especially in the subgroups with incomplete revascularization and multivessel disease.

The Impact of Routine Angiographic Follow-Up in a Population of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Within the Left Main Coronary Artery

Prognostic value of angiographic follow-up in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) still remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to compare clinical characteristics, mortality, and major cardiovascular events in patients with versus without angiographic follow-up after PCI of the LMCA as well as to identify independent risk factors for death after PCI of the LMCA. Study population consisted of 217 patients of 290 consecutive participants who underwent PCI of the LMCA and subsequently were divided into 2 groups: angiographic follow-up group (angio FU group, n = 155) and clinical follow-up group (clinical FU group, n = 62). In angio FU group, significantly lower mortality (19.4% vs 32.3%, P < .05) and higher repeated revascularization rates (PCI: 46.5% vs 8.1%, P < .001 and coronary artery bypass grafting: 12.9% vs 1.6%, P < .05) were observed. Independent risk factors for death were as follows: metal stent implantation (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.753), no angiographic follow-up (HR: 1.959), and an increase in serum creatinine level of 1 μmol/L (HR: 1.006). These preliminary data suggest that the lack of angiographic follow-up after PCI of the LMCA may result in higher long-term mortality.

Impact of CoreValve size selection based on multi-slice computed tomography on paravalvular leak after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND Paravalvular leak (PVL) has significant impact on long-term outcomes in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study sought to determine whether multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT)-guided valve selection reduces PVL after CoreValve implantation. METHODS The analysis encompassed 69 patients implanted with CoreValve and were divided into two groups. In Group I (30 patients), valve selection was based on standard procedures, in Group II (39 patients), on MSCT measurements. Paravalvular leak was assessed with angiography and echocardiography. RESULTS Multi-slice computed tomography results influenced a change of decision as to the size of the implanted valve in 12 (30.9%) patients in Group II and would have caused the decision to change in 9 (37.5%) patients in Group I. The degree of oversizing in Group I and II was 12.8% ± ± 7.6% vs. 18.6% ± 5.1% (p = 0.0006), respectively. The oversizing among the patients with leak degree of 0-1 and ≥ 2 was 18.1% ± 6.0% and 12.8% ± 7.4% (p = 0.0036). Angiographic assessment indicated post-procedural PVL ≥ 2 in 50% of patients in Group I and 20.5% in Group II (p = 0.01), while echocardiographic assessment indicated the same in 73.3% of patients in Group I and 45.6% in Group II (p = 0.0136). The composite endpoint occurred in 26.6% (8/30) patients in Group I vs. 5.1% (2/39) patients in Group II (p = 0.0118). CONCLUSIONS Selecting the CoreValve device based on MSCT resulted in smaller rates of PVL and less frequent composite endpoint. In 1/3 of patients MSCT led to a change of the valve size. The degree of oversizing had a significant impact on PVL.

Evaluation of the usefulness of coronary catheters and 4 Fr insertion sets for transradial access coronarography in comparison with catheters and 5 Fr sets

Introduction Application of transradial arterial access during coronarography, besides pain, means faster patient mobilization and fewer complications. During those procedures, vascular sheaths and 5/6 Fr catheters, and lately 4 Fr catheters, are used. Aim To assess the usefulness of 4 Fr catheters and sheaths in comparison to 5 Fr in diagnostic coronarography. Material and methods In the period from 5.12.2010 to 27.02.2012, a group of patients who had coronarography with a 4 Fr catheter (n = 20) and a 5 Fr catheter (n = 20) were studied. Technical issues and potential problems related to the use of each catheter were analyzed. Morphology, biochemical parameters, and local complications were analyzed. The assessment included pain intensification during catheter removal and insertion in the VAS/numerical (0–10)/verbal scales and the quality of image obtained during the coronarography. Results All the angiograms obtained during all the interventions were of diagnostic value and in invasive cardiologists’ opinions, they did not differ statistically in clarity. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in radiation/fluoroscopy time, amount of contrast medium, or morphological and biochemical parameters. The size of hematomas in the 4 Fr group was 17.55 ±14.6 cm2, and in the 5 Fr group 31.07 ±32.11 cm2, p = 0.12. The average intensity of pain felt during the intervention/at the time of its removal and insertion in the numerical scale was in the 4 Fr group 0.65 ±0.93/0.55 ±0.94 and in the 5 Fr group 1.88 ±1.64/1.42 ±1.61, p < 0.05. Conclusions Application of 4 Fr catheters allows one to perform a diagnostic procedure with a small number of local and hemorrhagic complications comparable with 5 Fr catheters. Due to reduced pain, it is appropriate to continue studies with the use of 4 Fr catheters and sheaths.

Ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery as the result of the previous percutaneous coronary intervention on the left coronary artery

A 76-year-old patient was admitted to hospital due to recurrent chest pain. Angiography revealed multivessel coronary artery disease with significant stenosis in medial and distal parts of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). Two drug-eluting stents (DES) were implanted from the medial part of the LMCA to the proximal part of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. An excellent angiographic result was achieved. After 20 days the patient returned to our clinic because of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Angiography showed 80% stenosis in the ostial LMCA. The lesion was stented with DES, obtaining a good angiographic result.