Pier Woudstra

P2Y12 platelet inhibition in clinical practice

Platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation play a pivotal role in atherothrombosis. Intracoronary atherothrombosis is the most common cause of the development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and plays a central role in complications occurring around percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) including recurrent ACS, procedure-related myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis. Inhibition of platelet aggregation by medical treatment impairs formation and progression of thrombotic processes and is therefore of great importance in the prevention of complications after an ACS or around PCI. An essential part in the platelet activation process is the interaction of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) with the platelet P2Y12 receptor. The P2Y12 receptor is the predominant receptor involved in the ADP-stimulated activation of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor. Activation of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor results in enhanced platelet degranulation and thromboxane production, and prolonged platelet aggregation. The objectives of this review are to discuss the pharmacological limitations of the P2Y12 inhibitor clopidogrel, and describe the novel alternative P2Y12 inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor and the clinical implications of the introduction of these new medicines.

Long-term mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients with insulin-treated versus non-insulin-treated diabetes mellitus

AIMS We investigated the impact of preadmission diabetic status on long-term outcome in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), to improve risk stratification. METHODS AND RESULTS Between 1997 and 2007, 4,402 STEMI patients were admitted to our hospital and stratified as having insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) (n=176), non-ITDM (NITDM) (n=354) and non-DM (n=3,872). Five-year mortality was significantly higher in patients with DM compared to non-DM (29% vs. 18%, p<0.01). After stratification for preadmission glucose-lowering therapy, five-year mortality was significantly higher in ITDM patients compared to NITDM (36% vs. 25%, p=0.01) and in NITDM patients compared to non-DM patients (25% vs. 18%, p<0.01). After adjustment for age and gender the mortality risk between patients with NITDM versus non-DM was comparable (HR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.9-1.4, p=0.38), in contrast to patients with ITDM (HR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.5-2.5, p<0.01) and ITDM versus NITDM (HR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4, p<0.01). After adjustment for all baseline characteristics, the results were comparable to the age and gender adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS ITDM was a strong predictor for long-term mortality when compared to non-DM and NITDM. The mortality between patients without DM and NITDM was comparable after adjustment for age and gender.

Clinical outcome after surgical or percutaneous revascularization in coronary bypass graft failure.

Aims To describe long-term outcome following surgical and percutaneous revascularization in graft failure. Methods We analyzed consecutive patients with graft failure after heart-team assignment to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between 2003 and 2008. The primary endpoint was the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI) or target vessel revascularization (TVR). Kaplan–Meier event rate estimates were calculated up to a 5-year follow-up. Independent predictors for outcomes were identified by backward selection in a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. Results We identified 287 patients treated for graft failure: 243 with PCI and 44 with redo CABG. Patients undergoing PCI more frequently presented with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) (P < 0.001), multivessel disease (P < 0.001), vein graft failure (P = 0.04), a history of MI (P < 0.001) and shorter time-to-graft failure (P = 0.001). Bare-metal stents (BMS) were used in 81.3% of the PCI-treated lesions and drug-eluting stents (DES) in 18.7%. The median follow-up was 3.9 years. Five-year rate of composite all-cause death, MI or TVR was 57.6% after PCI and 51% after CABG (P = 0.51). Repeat revascularization [TVR and target lesion revascularization (TLR)] was 30.7 and 21.3% after PCI, and 8.0 and 3.2% following CABG (P = 0.009; P = 0.008). In the PCI group, BMS was associated with higher rates of TVR (35.1 vs. 12.6%; P = 0.04) and TLR (24.8 vs. 7.6%; P = 0.04), but similar rate of death or MI compared with DES. Independent predictors for the primary outcome were creatinine [hazard ratio 1.008 per &mgr;mol/l, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.005–1.011, P < 0.001] and peak creatine kinase MB (hazard ratio 1.001 per U/l, 95% CI 1.000–1.002, P = 0.027). Conclusion Clinical outcomes are similarly poor after heart-team triage for surgical or percutaneous intervention in patients with graft failure. Repeat revascularization occurred more frequent after PCI, particularly following BMS implantation.

Three-Year Clinical Follow-Up of an Unselected Patient Population Treated with the Genous Endothelial Progenitor Cell Capturing Stent

BACKGROUND We assessed the 3-year clinical outcome in our single-center cohort of mainly unselected patients treated with the endothelial progenitor cell capturing stent (ECS). The ECS is coated with CD34+ antibodies specifically targeting the circulating endothelial progenitor cells population to accelerate endothelialization that in turn may prevent the occurrence of in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis (ST). METHODS All patients in our study had coronary artery lesions that were treated with an ECS. The majority of patients had complex lesions with an estimated high risk of restenosis. RESULTS A total of 405 patients were enrolled. The primary end-point of target lesion failure (TLF) was defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). At 3 years, TLF was 18.3% and TLR was 14.2%. Early ST occurred in 2 patients. No cases of late and very late definite ST were reported. CONCLUSIONS This single-center study demonstrates the safety at 3 years of the ECS in an unselected patient population, including a fair number of patients with complex lesions, reflecting daily practice. Our data compare well with drug-eluting stent and bare metal stent registries enrolling unselected patient populations. Importantly, in our analysis, no cases of late or very late definite ST were reported.

Clinical outcomes after final kissing balloon inflation compared with no final kissing balloon inflation in bifurcation lesions treated with a dedicated coronary bifurcation stent

Objective We evaluated differences in clinical outcomes between patients who underwent final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI) and patients who did not undergo FKBI in bifurcation treatment using the Tryton Side Branch Stent (Tryton Medical, Durham, North Carolina, USA). Methods Clinical outcomes were defined as target vessel failure (composite of cardiac death, any myocardial infarction and clinically indicated target vessel revascularisation), cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), clinically indicated target vessel revascularisation and stent thrombosis. Cumulative event rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate which factors were potentially associated with FKBI performance. Results Follow-up data was available in 717 (96%) patients with a median follow-up of 190 days. Cardiac death at 1 year occurred more often in the no-FKBI group (1.7% vs 4.6%, respectively, p=0.017), although this difference was no longer observed after excluding patients presenting with ST segment elevation MI (1.6% vs 3.3%, p=0.133). No significant differences were observed concerning the other clinical outcomes. One-year target vessel failure rates were 10.1% in the no-FKBI group and 9.2% in the FKBI group (p=0.257). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified renal dysfunction, ST segment elevation MI as percutaneous coronary intervention indication, narrow (<30°) bifurcation angle and certain stent platforms as being independently associated with unsuccessful FKBI. Conclusions A lower cardiac death rate was observed in patients in whom FKBI was performed compared with a selection of patients in whom FKBI could not be performed, probably explained by an unbalance in the baseline risk profile of the patients. No differences were observed regarding the other clinical outcomes.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome due to graft failure: use of bare-metal and drug-eluting stents and subsequent long-term clinical outcome.

Objectives: To describe clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) due to graft failure. Background: Limited data are available on outcome after PCI for graft failure‐induced ACS in the drug‐eluting stent (DES) era. Methods: Patients were identified who underwent PCI either with DES or BMS for ACS due to graft failure between January 2003 and December 2008. Follow‐up was performed at 1 year and April 2011. The primary endpoint was the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization (TVR). Kaplan–Meier estimates were calculated at 1 and 5‐year follow‐up. Predictors were identified by backward selection in Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 92 patients underwent PCI, of which 77 were treated with bare metal stents (BMS) and 15 with DES. Patient and procedural characteristics were similar in both groups. Mean follow‐up was 3.2 years. Five‐year composite event rate was 65.9% after BMS vs. 43.4% after DES implantation (P = 0.17). Individual endpoints were comparable in both groups. Recurrence of angina, hospitalization, and repeat interventions were similar. After multivariable adjustment, the use of DES was not associated with a significant reduction in the primary endpoint (HR = 0.44, 0.18–1.04, p = 0.06). Conclusion: In patients presenting with ACS due to acute graft failure, long‐term outcomes remain poor. In a nonrandomized comparison with BMS, DES use was not associated with significant improved long‐term clinical outcomes.

Next-generation DES: the COMBO dual therapy stent with Genous endothelial progenitor capturing technology and an abluminal sirolimus matrix

In contrast to the use of cytotoxic or cytostatic drugs, a ‘pro-healing’ approach may have an effect that is beneficial on clinical outcomes. The endothelial progenitor cell capturing stent (ECS) technology accelerates re-endothelialization after implantation in animal models and in the human arteriovenous shunt model. Several clinical studies have shown its safety in non-complex lesions. However, in the prevention of in-stent restenosis in complex lesions, the ECS is less effective compared with drug-eluting stents. The novel COMBO dual therapy stent is the first stent to combine accelerated endothelial coverage and control of neo-intimal proliferation using a pro-healing technology with an abluminal elution of sirolimus. In the randomized REMEDEE trial, the COMBO dual therapy stent showed similar angiographic and clinical outcomes compared to the paclitaxel-eluting stent. The REMEDEE-OCT study showed equal vascular healing as assessed by optical coherence tomography of the COMBO dual therapy stent compared to the Xience-V stent.

Prognostic relevance of PCI-related myocardial infarction

Procedure-related myocardial infarction (pMI) is directly associated with a coronary revascularization procedure, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or CABG surgery. In contrast to spontaneous myocardial infarction (MI), the prognostic relevance of pMI is the subject of ongoing debate. Data from retrospective analyses of large, randomized clinical trials, and large, contemporary cohort studies have several shortcomings that limit their extrapolation to clinical practice. In our opinion, the currently available evidence is insufficient to conclude that pMI during PCI, as currently defined, always has important prognostic implications. Until further evidence is available, we recommend adopting the definition for MI given in the third universal definition of MI, which differentiates between pMI and spontaneous MI. This is important not only for clinical decision-making but also for the interpretation of pMI as a surrogate end point in clinical trials. Further studies are essential to understand the pathophysiology and consequences of pMI.

One year clinical outcomes in patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus and non-insulin-treated diabetes mellitus compared to non-diabetics after deployment of the bio-engineered COMBO stent

BACKGROUND The COMBO stent is a novel sirolimus-eluting stent with a luminal anti-CD34+ antibody layer to promote vessel healing. No data is currently available on clinical outcomes after treatment with this novel bio-engineered device in diabetic patients. We evaluate clinical outcomes at twelve months after COMBO stent placement in patients without diabetes mellitus (non-DM), patients with non-insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (nITDM) and patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM). METHODS This study is a pre-specified subgroup analysis of the 1000 patient all-comers REMEDEE Registry. The primary endpoint is target lesion failure (TLF), which is a combined endpoint consisting of cardiac death, target vessel-myocardial infarction (tv-MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at twelve months follow-up. Kaplan Meier method is used with log rank to compare outcomes between groups. RESULTS This subgroup analysis includes 807 non-DM, 117 nITDM and 67 ITDM. Kaplan-Meier estimates for TLF at twelve months are 4.4% in non-DM, 6.8% in nITDM and 20.3% in ITDM, p<0.001 (non-DM vs nITDM p=0.244, non-DM vs ITDM p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study gives the first insight into the impact of insulin-treated diabetes mellitus on clinical outcome of patients treated with the novel COMBO stent. At one year after COMBO stent placement significantly higher rates of target lesion failure are seen in patients with ITDM compared to patients with nITDM and patients without DM.

Multiple biomarkers at admission are associated with angiographic, electrocardiographic, and imaging cardiovascular mechanistic markers of outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND The multimarker risk score, based on estimated glomerular filtration rate, glucose, and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), has been shown to predict mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). In this study, we investigated the relation between the multimarker risk score and cardiovascular mechanistic markers of outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI. METHODS Complete biomarkers were available in 197 patients with STEMI. Angiographic Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade and myocardial blush grade at the end of the PPCI, electrocardiographic ST-segment resolution (STR) at the time of last contrast injection and 240 minutes after last contrast, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and infarct size at 4 to 6 months after the index event were available. RESULTS In linear regression models, higher multimarker scores were associated with worse angiographic (P < .01 for both outcomes), electrocardiographic (P < .001 for the association with STR at last contrast, and P < .01 for STR at 240 minutes), and CMR outcomes (P < .01 for both). CONCLUSIONS The multimarker risk score is associated with angiographic, electrocardiographic, and CMR mechanistic markers of outcomes. These data support the ability of the multimarker risk score to identify patients at high risk for suboptimal reperfusion and CMR outcomes and may aid in the early triage of patients who stand to benefit most of adjuvant treatments in STEMI.