Marco Miglionico

Percutaneous coronary intervention utilizing a new endothelial progenitor cells antibody-coated stent: a prospective single-center registry in high-risk patients.

To prospectively evaluate the outcome with circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) capture stent implantation in a cohort of consecutive patients with high‐risk angiographic and/or clinical features.

Short-term atorvastatin preload reduces levels of adhesion molecules in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Results from the ARMYDA-ACS CAMs (Atorvastatin for Reduction of MYocardial Damage during Angioplasty-Cell Adhesion Molecules) substudy.

Objectives In patients with stable angina receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) prevention of periprocedural myocardial infarction by atorvastatin pretreatment was associated with reduction of endothelial activation. This mechanism was not evaluated in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim was to investigate effects of atorvastatin load on adhesion molecules in ACS patients undergoing PCI. Methods In a planned subanalysis of the ARMYDA-ACS trial, a subgroup of 44 patients were blind-tested for measurement of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin plasma levels; 21 patients belonged to the atorvastatin (80 mg 12 h before PCI, with a further 40 mg preprocedure dose) and 23 to the placebo arm. Adhesion molecules were evaluated at randomization (12 h before intervention), immediately before PCI and after 8 and 24 h. Results Reduction of procedural myocardial injury after statin pretreatment was confirmed in this subgroup. ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin levels were similar at randomization and before intervention in both arms. At 8 h, ICAM-1 increase was similar in the two arms, whereas 24-h levels were lower in the atorvastatin vs. placebo group (241 ± 25 vs. 261 ± 30 ng/ml; P = 0.019). Significant attenuation of VCAM-1 elevation occurred both at 8 and 24 h in the atorvastatin group (509 ± 56 vs. 545 ± 59 ng/ml; P = 0.044 and 561 ± 58 vs. 600 ± 53 ng/ml; P = 0.025). E-selectin levels were not different at any time-point in the two arms. Conclusion In ACS patients undergoing PCI, reduction of procedural myocardial injury after atorvastatin load is associated with attenuation of endothelial inflammatory response. This may contribute to mechanisms of statin cardioprotection in this setting.

Efficacy and Safety of Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon for the Treatment of In-Stent Restenosis in High-Risk Patients.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a major cause of failure of percutaneous coronary intervention. The efficacy and safety of drug-coated balloon (DCB) in patients with high-risk clinical features are largely unknown. We enrolled 82 consecutive patients at high risk of bleeding with angiographically significant (diameter stenosis ≥ 50%) ISR of bare metal stent (BMS) or drug-eluting stent (DES), treated with paclitaxel-coated balloon. All patients presented at least one of the following criteria: high bleeding risk, neoplasm, chronic inflammatory disease, and need for noncardiac surgery. Dual antiplatelet therapy was indicated for 4 weeks after the procedure. At angiographic follow-up, overall late lumen loss was 0.24 ± 0.32 mm, with no significant difference between BMS-ISR and DES-ISR (0.25 ± 0.35 vs 0.22 ± 0.30 mm, p = 0.714). The Kaplan-Meier estimate for major adverse clinical events-free survival at 3 years was 81.4% (82.3% in BMS-ISR vs 79.4% in DES-ISR, log-rank p = 0.866). No stent thrombosis has been recorded. In conclusion, the use of paclitaxel-coated balloon seems to be associated with favorable outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention for BMS-ISR or DES-ISR in patients with high-risk clinical features and could be considered as a reasonable option in the presence of systemic co-morbidities and contraindications to long-term dual antiplatelet therapy.

Early prediction of contrast-induced acute kidney injury by a "bedside" assessment of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin during elective percutaneous coronary interventions

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a serious complication during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Currently, the diagnosis of CI-AKI relies on serum creatinine (SCr) that is however affected by several limitations potentially leading to delayed or missed diagnoses. In this study we examined the diagnostic accuracy of a “bedside” measurement of plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in the early detection of CI-AKI in 97 patients undergoing elective PCI. The overall incidence of CI-AKI was 3%. A significant positive correlation was observed between 6-hours NGAL and post-PCI SCr (r = 0.339, p = 0.004) and a significant negative correlation between 6-hours NGAL and post-PCI CrCl (r = -0.303, p = 0.010). In patients with post-PCI SCr increase > 0.24 mg/dl (median SCr absolute increase), delta NGAL 0–6 hours and 6-hours NGAL values were higher compared with patients with SCr elevation below the defined threshold (p = 0.049 and p = 0.056). The ROC analysis showed that a 6 hours NGAL value > 96 ng/ml significantly predicted an absolute SCr increase > 0.24 mg/dl after contrast exposure with sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 74% (AUC 0.819, 95% CI: 0.656 to 0.983, p = 0.005). The use of bedside NGAL assessment may significantly hasten diagnosis and treatment of CI-AKI, with remarkable clinical prognostic consequences.

Relation of Platelet Indexes to Platelet Reactivity and Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty

No comprehensive data are available on the role of platelet indexes (PI) in the periprocedural risk stratification of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of PI to platelet reactivity (PR) and periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) in patients receiving PCI. A total of 502 PCI patients had preprocedural measurement of PI and PR, the latter assessed by VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. Study end points were incidence of PMI and high platelet reactivity (HPR) according to tertiles of PI and evaluation of PI in HPR patients. Incidence of PMI in the overall population was 6.6%. Rates of PMI were not different in PI tertiles: platelet count (I: 6.0%, II: 7.1%, III: 6.5%; p = 0.74), mean platelet volume (MPV, I: 6.6%, II: 7.3%, III: 5.8%;p = 0.86), platelet distribution width (I: 7.2%, II: 7.2%, III: 5.8%;p = 0.74), and MPV/P ratio (I: 6.6%, II: 6.0%, III: 7.1%; p = 0.91). The occurrence of PMI was significantly different in PR tertiles (I: 3%, II: 5.4%, III: 11.4%; p = 0.006). Platelet count and MPV/P ratio were significantly different in patients with and without HPR (221.8 ± 58.6 × 103/µL vs207 ± 59.4 × 103/µL, p = 0.008; 51.73 ± 15.17 vs 56.7 ± 18.3, p = 0.002).In conclusion, this study showed no relation between PI and PMI in PCI patients but confirms the association of HPR with increased incidence of PMI; thus, PI seem to be not able to identify patients at higher periprocedural risk, but monitoring PR by a bedside assay remains a useful tool for risk stratification.

Should pre-operative left atrial volume receive more consideration in patients with degenerative mitral valve disease undergoing mitral valve surgery?

BACKGROUND Severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR) carries a significant incidence of mortality and morbidity. Though a number of prognostic factors have been identified, the best timing for mitral valve repair is still debated. We assessed the role of Left Atrial Volume Indexed (LAVI) as predictor of adverse events after mitral valve surgery. METHODS 134 patients with severe MR were studied with a follow-up of 42±16months. Endpoints were Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF), atrial and ventricular remodeling (LARR/LVRR) and correlation with outcome. POAF was defined as AF occurring within 2weeks and late AF (LAF) more than 2weeks after surgery. LARR was defined as LAVI reduction ≥15% and LVRR as any reduction of ventricular mass after surgery. RESULTS Forty-one patients experienced POAF, 26 had LAF. Pre-operative LAVI was an independent risk factor for POAF (OR 1.03, CI [1.00-1.06], p=0.01), LAF (OR 1.03, CI [1.00-1.06], p=0.02), LARR and LVRR (OR 1.04, CI [1.01-1.07], p=0.002, respectively). LARR was found in 75 patients, while LVRR in 111. Patients with heart remodeling had less incidence of LAF and cardiac adverse events, better diastolic function and improved their NYHA class after surgery. CONCLUSIONS LAVI should be given more weight into decision making for patients with MR as it predicts POAF and LAF and reverse atrial and ventricular remodeling, both associated to long-term outcome.

Large ostium primum interatrial septum defect in asymptomatic elderly patient

Ostium primum defect is a congenital malformation involving atrial septum contiguous with atrioventricular valve annulus; it is accompanied by abnormalities in the development of the endocardial cushions, often resulting in associated atrioventricular valves malformations. Few cases have been reported in adulthood because these patients frequently come to medical attention at an earlier age when symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, cyanosis, and tendency to underweight occur. Various factors affect the timing of clinical presentation, but the most important is the degree of mitral/tricuspid insufficiency; when valve regurgitation remains moderate, the appearance of symptoms may be delayed for decades. In adult patients, deterioration of clinical status and death are mainly due to the development of arrhythmias or heart block. We present the case of a 67-year-old patient, without previous cardiovascular events, with a new onset of atrial fibrillation, who developed dyspnea and fatigue; echocardiography showed a large interatrial defect localized in the basal portion of the septum, associated with anterior mitral valve cleft and moderate regurgitation. The patient underwent surgical closure of the defect (intraoperatory measures 1,9 × 3 cm) with autologous pericardium patch; a permanent epicardial pacemaker was implanted for the development of complete atrioventricular block in the early postoperative period.