L. Hee

Outcomes of Coronary Revascularization (Percutaneous or Bypass) in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and Multivessel Coronary Disease

Clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel disease (MVD) undergoing coronary revascularization have not been extensively evaluated, we sought to examine outcomes in a diabetic cohort of 195 consecutive patients with MVD characterized by SYNTAX scores (SSs) undergoing nonrandomized revascularization, 102 (52%) by percutaneous intervention (PCI) and 93 (48%) by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at Liverpool Hospital (Sydney, Australia) from June 2006 to March 2010. Clinical outcomes were assessed at a median term of 14 months. The overall median SS was 44, with significantly higher SSs in CABG- than PCI-treated patients (48 vs 39, p <0.0001). There was a similar incidence of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke in PCI- and CABG-treated patients (6.1% vs 8.3%, p = 0.383; 12% vs 4.9%, p = 0.152; 3.1% vs 3.5%, p = 0.680 respectively). However, the rates of target vessel revascularization and major adverse coronary and cerebral event were significantly higher in PCI-treated patients than in those undergoing CABG (20% vs 1.2%, p <0.0001; 29% vs 15%, p = 0.034). Despite a much higher SS, patients who underwent PCI achieved comparable outcomes at 1 year to those with diabetes mellitus and a SS ≥ 33 as reported in the SYNTAX trial. In conclusion, in this single-center nonrandomized observational study, coronary revascularization by PCI is associated with increased major adverse coronary and cerebral events at 1-year follow-up, predominantly driven by a high rate of target vessel revascularization. Thus, CABG should remain the revascularization procedure of choice for diabetic patients with MVD and high SSs.

Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction Detected by Strain Imaging During Breast Irradiation With Persistent Changes 6 Weeks After Treatment

PURPOSE To evaluate 2-dimensional strain imaging (SI) for the detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction during and after radiation therapy (RT). METHODS AND MATERIALS Forty women with left-sided breast cancer, undergoing only adjuvant RT to the left chest, were prospectively recruited. Standard echocardiography and SI were performed at baseline, during RT, and 6 weeks after RT. Strain (S) and strain rate (Sr) parameters were measured in the longitudinal, circumferential, and radial planes. Correlation of change in global longitudinal strain (GLS % and Δ change) and the volume of heart receiving 30 Gy (V30) and mean heart dose (MHD) were examined. RESULTS Left ventricular ejection fraction was unchanged; however, longitudinal systolic S and Sr and radial S were significantly reduced during RT and remained reduced at 6 weeks after treatment [longitudinal S (%) -20.44 ± 2.66 baseline vs -18.60 ± 2.70* during RT vs -18.34 ± 2.86* at 6 weeks after RT; longitudinal Sr (s(-1)) -1.19 ± 0.21 vs -1.06 ± 0.18* vs -1.06 ± 0.16*; radial S (%) 56.66 ± 18.57 vs 46.93 ± 14.56* vs 49.22 ± 15.81*; *P<.05 vs baseline]. Diastolic Sr were only reduced 6 weeks after RT [longitudinal E Sr (s(-1)) 1.47 ± 0.32 vs 1.29 ± 0.27*; longitudinal A Sr (s(-1)) 1.19 ± 0.31 vs 1.03 ± 0.24*; *P<.05 vs baseline], whereas circumferential strain was preserved throughout. A modest correlation between S and Sr and V30 and MHD was observed (GLS Δ change and V30 ρ = 0.314, P=.05; GLS % change and V30 ρ = 0.288, P=.076; GLS Δ change and MHD ρ = 0.348, P=.03; GLS % change and MHD ρ = 0.346, P=.031). CONCLUSIONS Subclinical myocardial dysfunction was detected by 2-dimensional SI during RT, with changes persisting 6 weeks after treatment, though long-term effects remain unknown. Additionally, a modest correlation between strain reduction and radiation dose was observed.

Left Atrial Volume and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Unselected Patients with and without CKD

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Patients with CKD have increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the prognostic value of common clinical echocardiographic parameters. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS There were 289 unselected consecutive patients who had a transthoracic echocardiogram between January and June 2003. Patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD (n=49) were compared with those with eGFR≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), n=240). Left ventricular volume, ejection fraction and mass, left atrial volume, and function parameters were measured. The primary endpoint, determined a priori, was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and congestive cardiac failure. RESULTS Patients were followed for a median 5.6 years. The incidence of the primary endpoint was higher in patients with CKD (29% versus 12%, P=0.001), who were older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Indexed left ventricular mass (LVMI) and left atrial volume (LAVI) were higher in patients with CKD. Furthermore, patients with LAVI>32 ml/m(2) had significantly lower event-free survival than patients with normal (<28 ml/m(2)) or mildly dilated LAVI (28-32 ml/m(2)) (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.08 to 1.31; P=0.001) and LVMI (OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 2.47 to 5.41; P<0.001) were independently associated with LAVI>32 ml/m(2). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that CKD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.26; P=0.04), hypertension (HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.05 to 4.54; P=0.04), and a larger LAVI (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.77; P=0.04) were independent predictors of the primary endpoint. CONCLUSIONS Patients with CKD were at higher risk for cardiovascular events. LAVI was significantly larger in the CKD group and was a predictor of adverse cardiac events.

Chronic kidney disease is independently associated with alterations in left atrial function.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; hence detection of early cardiovascular involvement in CKD is important to prevent future adverse cardiovascular events. Left atrial (LA) enlargement and dysfunction has been reported in end stage renal disease. However, there is a paucity of published data regarding the evaluation of LA function in CKD using noninvasive imaging parameters. In this study, we evaluated biplane LA volume as well as LA function (LA global systolic strain (GS) and strain rate [SR]) in stage 3 CKD patients (eGFR 30–59 mL/min per 1.73 m2) to determine if LA function parameters are more significantly altered by the presence of CKD in addition to changes due to hypertension alone.

The contribution of cardiovascular mortality to long term outcomes in a relatively young demographic following acute pulmonary embolism: A validation study

BACKGROUND Long-term studies following acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remain limited in the current era. A recent study from our collaborative group, in a contemporary adult population, showed substantially increased cardiovascular mortality following PE. We sought to evaluate the contribution of cardiovascular mortality to long-term outcomes in a different demographic that comprised of a significantly younger PE cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS Demographic and clinical characteristics were retrospectively collected for this cohort, and similar methods and outcome measures were applied as detailed in the original study. We compared a population from a different metropolitan area (LH: Liverpool Hospital) to that from the original study (CRGH: Concord Hospital) over a similar time period. A total of 815 patients comprised this cohort with mean 5.3±3.8year follow-up. There were similar demographics between the two cohorts, though the mean age was significantly younger in LH group (60 vs 68years, p<0.001). Prior history of cardiovascular disease in the LH group was half of that present in the CRGH cohort. The overall mortality was 7.4% per patient-year. Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease when presenting with an acute PE had a 2.3-fold increased risk of death during follow-up compared to those without. Multivariate analysis showed that older age, male gender, malignancy, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic pulmonary disease were independent predictors of post-discharge mortality. CONCLUSIONS Despite our cohort being significantly younger with a lower incidence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease was still a significant contributor to long-term outcomes and an important predictor of mortality following acute PE.

Influence of Age and Gender on Clinical Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Coronary Syndromes

BACKGROUND Gender and age are non-modifiable factors influencing clinical outcomes in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). There is evidence that coronary artery disease pathophysiology varies in women. We therefore evaluated the effect of age and gender on clinical outcomes in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). METHODS Among 3178 (25% female) consecutive ACS patients who underwent PCI at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney from 2003 to 2010, using femoral access in 98% of cases, we determined late events including mortality, myocardial infarction and bleeding according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria. RESULTS Females compared with males were older (median 68 vs. 60 years; p<0.001), and were more likely to have diabetes (30% vs. 22% p<0.001), hypertension (62% vs. 49%, p<0.001), anaemia (26% vs. 15%, p<0.001), and renal impairment (43% vs. 20%, p<0.001); they were more likely to be non-smokers (19% vs. 30%, p<0.001). Females had less class B2/C lesions (64% vs.68%, p=0.048), but had more calcified lesions (20% vs. 11%, p<0.001), and smaller stent diameters (2.75[2.5-3.0] vs. 3.0[2.75-3.5] mm, p<0.001). Females had higher three-year mortality rates (11% vs. 7.0%, p=0.001), and more type 2-5 BARC bleeding post-PCI (22% vs. 16%, p=0.003). Among patients under 55 years (n=988), mortality and bleeding were higher in females (6.0% vs. 3.0%, p=0.028) and (26% vs. 14%, p=0.001) respectively. There was no effect of gender on mortality or bleeding in patients 55 years and over. However, on multivariable stepwise regression analysis, female gender was not an independent predictor of mortality, but was a significant predictor of bleeding (OR=1.84 [95% CI:1.38-2.45], p<0.001). CONCLUSION Bleeding and mortality were higher in younger females with ACS who underwent PCI. While females had more post-PCI bleeding events, which were associated with late mortality, gender per se was not an independent predictor for mortality.

Late clinical outcomes for SeQuent please paclitaxel-coated balloons in PCI of instent restenosis and de novo lesions: A single-center, real world registry.

The aims of this study were to evaluate clinical outcomes following PCI using SeQuent Please paclitaxel‐coated balloons (PCB) of ISR and denovo lesions (DNL), in all‐comer patients at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Electrocardiographic measurement of infarct size compared to cardiac MRI in reperfused first time ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND Myocardial infarct size (IS) following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an important prognostic factor. We assessed the Selvester 32-point QRS score from the 12-lead ECG for measurement of IS in STEMI patients receiving reperfusion therapy compared to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). Furthermore we sought to explore the impact of microvascular obstruction (MVO) on the scoring system, and determine factors contributing to discrepancies between CMRI IS and Selvester score. METHODS We examined 70 patients (55 men, 15 women), mean age 57±10years with a first time STEMI (46 anterior, 24 non-anterior). QRS scores were calculated early and at follow-up (mean 2±1 and 59±14days post-STEMI). Myocardial core scar size (5SD) was measured at 5.3±3.3 and 57.8±13.5days post-infarction by CMRI. MVO was determined on initial MRI. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors contributing to discordant scores, defined as a difference between CMRI and Selvester IS of >6% myocardium. RESULTS QRS scoring of anterior infarcts correlated with CMRI IS both early (r=0.734, p<0.0001) and at follow-up (r=0.716, p<0.0001); however no correlation was seen among non-anterior infarcts. QRS scoring overestimated IS at all time points. There was better agreement between ECG and CMRI measured IS in patients without MVO at both time points. Anterior infarction was inversely predictive of discordant IS estimation acutely, and larger Selvester scores were predictive of inaccurate scoring at both time periods. CONCLUSIONS Selvester QRS score correlates well with CMRI IS for anterior infarcts. MVO did not independently affect the score.

Long-term outcomes in patients with restrictive filling following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

This study evaluated the effect of restrictive filling pattern (RFP) on 5‐year outcomes in patients following ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A hundred STEMI patients treated either by rescue or primary percutaneous coronary intervention with an echocardiogram performed within 6 weeks of STEMI comprised the study group. Creatinine kinase (CK) and left ventricular ejection fraction were independent determinants of RFP, and RFP was an independent predictor of cardiac and all‐cause mortality at median follow up of 5 years.

Risk factor modification in diabetic patients following angiographic identification of multi-vessel disease

There is little information on whether identification of multi-vessel disease (MVD) in patients with diabetic mellitus (DM) affects risk factor management. From 1125 consecutively screened patients between June 2006 and March 2010, we examined 227 diabetic patients with MVD on coronary angiography. Diabetic control and cholesterol levels were assessed by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and total cholesterol (TC) respectively which were evaluated at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Patients were grouped by age into <55(n=33), 55-65(n=75), 66-75(n=75) and >75(n=44). Target levels were defined as HbA1c<7% and TC<4.0 mmol/L. Patients <55 years had the highest HbA1c at 9.1[7.6-11.2]% with the lowest proportion of patients (n=3; 11.1%) within target at baseline, while 66-75 years had the best HbA1c at 7.1[6.4-7.8]% with the highest proportion (n=28, 45.2%) reaching target (p<0.0001). At 1-year, the poorest HbA1c control was again observed in the age <55 with fewer patients achieving target compared to the 66-75 age group (HbA1c: 8.5% vs 6.9%; % of patients at target: 20.7% vs 54.5%; p<0.0001). Furthermore, the group <55 years demonstrated the worst TC control at 1-year with a significant increase compared to the baseline TC (p=0.01). Patients with a lower body mass index (BMI) were likely to have an improvement in HbA1c and reach target (p=0.01). Paradoxically, patients who were current smokers demonstrated a beneficial effect on optimal TC control (29.2% vs 15.4%, p=0.027). In younger diabetic patients, risk factor modification at 1-year was poor despite identification of MVD. Developing an effective education and monitoring programme to improve glycaemic control in this high risk group should be a priority.