Mistre Alemayehu

Randomized Trial of Compression Duration After Transradial Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention

Background Radial artery occlusion is a known complication following transradial cardiac catheterization. A shorter duration of postprocedural radial clamp time may reduce radial artery occlusion (RAO) but might be associated with incomplete hemostasis. Methods and Results In total, 568 patients undergoing transradial diagnostic cardiac catheterization were randomly assigned to either 20 minutes (ultrashort) or 60 minutes (short) hemostatic compression time using patent hemostasis. Subsequently, clamp pressure was reduced gradually over 20 minutes. Access site hemostasis and RAO were assessed after clamp removal. Repeated assessment of RAO was determined at 1 week in 210 (37%) patients. Mean age was 64±11 years, and 30% were female. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 161 patients. RAO immediately after clamp removal was documented in 14 (4.9%) and 8 (2.8%) patients in the 20‐ and 60‐minute clamp application groups, respectively (P=0.19). The incidence of grade 1 hematoma was higher in the 20‐minute group (6.7% versus 2.5%, P=0.015). RAO at 1 week after the procedure was 2.9% and 0.9% in the 20‐ and 60‐minute groups, respectively (P=0.36). Requirement for clamp retightening (36% versus 16%, P=0.01) was higher among patients who had RAO. Need for clamp retightening was the only independent predictor of RAO (P=0.04). Conclusions Ultrashort radial clamp application of 20 minutes is not preferable to a short duration of 60 minutes. The 60‐minute clamp duration is safe and provides good access site hemostasis with low RAO rates. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02269722.

Diagnostic accuracy of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction by various healthcare providers ☆

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the accuracy of ECG interpretation for diagnosis of STEMI by different groups of healthcare professionals involved in the STEMI program at our institution. METHODS We selected 21 ECGs from patients with typical symptoms of MI that were diagnosed with STEMI, and 10 ECGs of STEMI mimics. STEMI mimic ECGs were repeated in the package with a story of typical and atypical chest pain. ECGs were interpreted to diagnose STEMI and identify need for initiation of the cardiac catheterization lab (CCL). Participants identified confidence in STEMI recognition, and average number of ECGs read per week. RESULTS A total of 64 participants completed the study package. Cardiologists were more likely to provide correct interpretation compared to other groups. False positive diagnoses were more likely made by paramedics when compared to cardiologists (p < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between increased exposure to ECGs and accurate STEMI diagnosis (r = 0.482, p < 0.001). A threshold of ≥ 20 ECGs read per week showed a statistically significant improvement in accuracy (p < 0.001). Self-reported confidence correlated positively with accuracy (r = 0.402, p =< 0.001). Changing the ECG narrative of the STEMI mimic ECGs had a significant effect on interpretation between groups (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that healthcare profession and number of ECGs reviewed per week are predictive of the accuracy of ECG interpretation of STEMI. Cardiologists are the most accurate diagnosticians, and are the least likely to falsely activate the CCL. Weekly exposure of ≥ 20 ECGs may improve diagnostic accuracy regardless of underlying experience.

Long-term outcome following remote ischemic postconditioning during percutaneous coronary interventions-the RIP-PCI trial long-term follow-up: RIP-PCI trial

The clinical value of ischemic conditioning during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and mode of administration is controversial. Our aim was to assess the long‐term effect of remote ischemic postconditioning among patients undergoing PCI. We randomized 360 patients undergoing PCI who presented with a negative troponin T at baseline into 3 groups: 2 groups received remote ischemic postconditioning (with ischemia applied to the arm in 1 group and to the thigh in the other group), and the third group acted as a control group. Remote ischemic postconditioning was applied during PCI immediately following stent deployment, by 3, 5‐minute cycles of blood pressure cuff inflation to >200 mm Hg on the arm or thigh (20 mm Hg to the arm in the control), with 5‐minute breaks between each cycle. There were no differences in baseline characteristics among the 3 groups. Periprocedural myocardial injury occurred in 33% (P = 0.64). After 1 year, there was no difference between groups in death (P = 0.91), myocardial infarction (P = 0.78), or repeat revascularization (P = 0.86). During 3 years of follow‐up, there was no difference in death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization among the groups (P = 0.45). Remote ischemic postconditioning during PCI did not affect long‐term cardiovascular outcome. A similar effect was obtained when remote ischemia was induced to the upper or lower limb.

Association Between Administration of Ticagrelor and Microvascular Endothelial Function

Association Between Administration of Ticagrelor and Microvascular Endothelial Function Impaired endothelial function has been associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events,1 while ticagrelor use has been associated with reduced risk.2 Ticagrelors effect may be partially facilitated via adenosinemediated pleiotropic actions. Ticagrelor stimulates rapid release of adenosine triphosphate from red blood cells, inhibits adenosine uptake, and is associated with increased circulating adenosine levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome.3 Ticagrelor administration has been shown to augment adenosine-induced coronary blood flow velocity and is associated with improved vascular reactivity compared with clopidogrel.4 Our study aimed to describe the association between ticagrelor and vascular reactivity in relation to timing of drug administration.

Association of endothelial dysfunction and no-reflow during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Coronary no-reflow during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is a predictor of poorer cardiovascular outcome. Both endothelial dysfunction and no-reflow involves abnormal vascular function and hemostasis. Our aim was to assess the association between endothelial dysfunction and no reflow during primary PCI. METHODS Thirty consecutive patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and normal flow during primary PCI were compared to 19 consecutive patients who had no reflow. All subjects underwent assessment of peripheral endothelial function by reactive hyperemia index (RHI) 48-72h post PCI using the EndoPAT device. RESULTS Age, sex and hypertension were similar in both groups. Smokers were less likely to have no-reflow. Post PPCI there was less ST segment resolution in the no-reflow group (48%±7 vs. 81%±6; p=0.001). Patients who had no reflow had subsequently lower ejection fraction (39%±10 vs. 47%±10; p=0.015). There was no difference in vascular function (RHI), between the no-reflow and normal flow groups (1.91±0.3 vs. 2.09±0.11; p=0.24). CONCLUSIONS Systemic peripheral endothelial function does not differ between STEMI patients with and without no reflow during primary PCI.

Clinical presentation and outcome of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction without culprit angiographic lesions

Patients diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are occasionally found to have no culprit lesion on coronary angiography and are classified as presenting with false-positive STEMI. The clinical presentation and outcomes of these patients need to be further explored. In this case-controlled study, 259 consecutive patients with true code STEMI were compared to 104 consecutive STEMI patients without culprit lesions on emergent coronary angiography. We compared the clinical presentation, electrocardiographic features, etiology, and outcomes of the two groups. STEMI patients without culprit lesions were less likely to have typical chest pain (46% vs. 79%, P < 0.01). The ST-elevation in the group without culprit lesion was more likely to be concave (56% vs. 31%, P < 0.01), with less reciprocal ST-depression (19% vs. 71%, P < 0.01). The group without culprit lesions had a higher rate of ventilator support requirement (12.4% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.02), and higher rate of 30-day mortality (11.0% vs. 5.9%, P = 0.02). However, after excluding the patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from both groups, the difference was no longer significant (P = 0.40 and 0.34 respectively). The relative poor outcomes of patients with false-positive code STEMI reflect the severity of their underlying medical condition. Careful history and review of ECG may help differentiate this group from true STEMI.

PERIPHERAL MUSCLE STIMULATION INCREASES CORONARY BLOOD FLOW

• By improving venous return, gekoTM has the potential to have a therapeutic effect in the management of coronary artery disease by augmenting coronary blood flow Background: Improving myocardial blood supply in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) may improve angina. The gekoTM device is a small transcutaneous nerve stimulator that is applied non-invasively to the skin over the common peroneal nerve and stimulates peripheral blood flow. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the gekoTM device on coronary blood flow.