Pranas Šerpytis

PCI Strategies in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock

Background In patients who have acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock, early revascularization of the culprit artery by means of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves outcomes. However, the majority of patients with cardiogenic shock have multivessel disease, and whether PCI should be performed immediately for stenoses in nonculprit arteries is controversial. Methods In this multicenter trial, we randomly assigned 706 patients who had multivessel disease, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiogenic shock to one of two initial revascularization strategies: either PCI of the culprit lesion only, with the option of staged revascularization of nonculprit lesions, or immediate multivessel PCI. The primary end point was a composite of death or severe renal failure leading to renal‐replacement therapy within 30 days after randomization. Safety end points included bleeding and stroke. Results At 30 days, the composite primary end point of death or renal‐replacement therapy had occurred in 158 of the 344 patients (45.9%) in the culprit‐lesion‐only PCI group and in 189 of the 341 patients (55.4%) in the multivessel PCI group (relative risk, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71 to 0.96; P=0.01). The relative risk of death in the culprit‐lesion‐only PCI group as compared with the multivessel PCI group was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.72 to 0.98; P=0.03), and the relative risk of renal‐replacement therapy was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.49 to 1.03; P=0.07). The time to hemodynamic stabilization, the risk of catecholamine therapy and the duration of such therapy, the levels of troponin T and creatine kinase, and the rates of bleeding and stroke did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions Among patients who had multivessel coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock, the 30‐day risk of a composite of death or severe renal failure leading to renal‐replacement therapy was lower among those who initially underwent PCI of the culprit lesion only than among those who underwent immediate multivessel PCI. (Funded by the European Union 7th Framework Program and others; CULPRIT‐SHOCK ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01927549.)

Chronic Oral Study of Myosin Activation to Increase Contractility in Heart Failure (COSMIC-HF): a phase 2, pharmacokinetic, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND Impaired contractility is a feature of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. We assessed the pharmacokinetics and effects on cardiac function and structure of the cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil. METHODS In this randomised, double-blind study, done at 87 sites in 13 countries, we recruited patients with stable, symptomatic chronic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction 40% or lower. Patients were randomly assigned equally, via an interactive web response system, to receive 25 mg oral omecamtiv mecarbil twice daily (fixed-dose group), 25 mg twice daily titrated to 50 mg twice daily guided by pharmacokinetics (pharmacokinetic-titration group), or placebo for 20 weeks. We assessed the maximum concentration of omecamtiv mecarbil in plasma (primary endpoint) and changes in cardiac function and ventricular diameters. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01786512. FINDINGS From March 17, 2014, to March 5, 2015, we enrolled 150 patients in the fixed-dose omecamtiv mecarbil group and 149 in the pharmacokinetic-titration and placebo groups. Mean maximum concentration of omecamtiv mecarbil at 12 weeks was 200 (SD 71) ng/mL in the fixed-dose group and 318 (129) ng/mL in the pharmacokinetic-titration group. For the pharmacokinetic-titration group versus placebo group at 20 weeks, least square mean differences were as follows: systolic ejection time 25 ms (95% CI 18-32, p<0·0001), stroke volume 3·6 mL (0·5-6·7, p=0·0217), left ventricular end-systolic diameter -1·8 mm (-2·9 to -0·6, p=0·0027), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter -1·3 mm, (-2·3 to 0·3, p=0·0128), heart rate -3·0 beats per min (-5·1 to -0·8, p=0·0070), and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide concentration in plasma -970 pg/mL (-1672 to -268, p=0·0069). The frequency of adverse clinical events did not differ between groups. INTERPRETATION Omecamtiv mecarbil dosing guided by pharmacokinetics achieved plasma concentrations associated with improved cardiac function and decreased ventricular diameter. FUNDING Amgen.

Multivessel versus culprit lesion only percutaneous revascularization plus potential staged revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: Design and rationale of CULPRIT-SHOCK trial

BACKGROUND In acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS), up to 80% of patients present with multivessel coronary artery disease. Currently, the best revascularization strategy is unknown. Therefore, a prospective randomized adequately powered clinical trial is warranted. STUDY DESIGN The CULPRIT-SHOCK study is a 706-patient controlled, international, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial. It is designed to compare culprit lesion only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with possible staged non-culprit lesion revascularization versus immediate multivessel PCI in patients with CS complicating acute myocardial infarction. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to one of the two treatment arms. The primary efficacy endpoint of CULPRIT-SHOCK is 30-day mortality and severe renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy. Secondary outcome measures such as hemodynamic, laboratory, and clinical parameters will serve as surrogate endpoints for prognosis. Furthermore, an intermediate- and long-term follow-up at 6 and 12 months will be performed. Safety endpoints include the assessment of bleeding and stroke. CONCLUSIONS The CULPRIT-SHOCK trial will address the question of optimal revascularization strategy in patients with multivessel disease and acute myocardial infarction complicated by CS.

Editor’s Choice - Acute Cardiovascular Care Association Position Paper on Intensive Cardiovascular Care Units: An update on their definition, structure, organisation and function:

Acute cardiovascular care has progressed considerably since the last position paper was published 10 years ago. It is now a well-defined, complex field with demanding multidisciplinary teamworking. The Acute Cardiovascular Care Association has provided this update of the 2005 position paper on acute cardiovascular care organisation, using a multinational working group. The patient population has changed, and intensive cardiovascular care units now manage a large range of conditions from those simply requiring specialised monitoring, to critical cardiovascular diseases with associated multi-organ failure. To describe better intensive cardiovascular care units case mix, acuity of care has been divided into three levels, and then defining intensive cardiovascular care unit functional organisation. For each level of intensive cardiovascular care unit, this document presents the aims of the units, the recommended management structure, the optimal number of staff, the need for specially trained cardiologists and cardiovascular nurses, the desired equipment and architecture, and the interaction with other departments in the hospital and other intensive cardiovascular care units in the region/area. This update emphasises cardiologist training, referring to the recently updated Acute Cardiovascular Care Association core curriculum on acute cardiovascular care. The training of nurses in acute cardiovascular care is additionally addressed. Intensive cardiovascular care unit expertise is not limited to within the unit’s geographical boundaries, extending to different specialties and subspecialties of cardiology and other specialties in order to optimally manage the wide scope of acute cardiovascular conditions in frequently highly complex patients. This position paper therefore addresses the need for the inclusion of acute cardiac care and intensive cardiovascular care units within a hospital network, linking university medical centres, large community hospitals, and smaller hospitals with more limited capabilities.

Prediction of long-term segmental and global functional recovery of hibernating myocardium after revascularisation based on low dose dobutamine and late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BackgroundThis study sought to evaluate the relation between long-term segmental and global functional outcome after revascularisation in patients with chronic ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and baseline markers of viability: late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) transmurality and contractile reserve (CR).MethodsForty-two patients with chronic ischaemic LVD underwent low-dose dobutamine- (LDD) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) before surgical or percutaneous revascularisation. Regional and global left ventricular (LV) functions and LGE were repeatedly assessed 6 ± 1 and 35 ± 6 months after revascularisation. In total, 319 at baseline dysfunctional and successfully revascularised segments were available for statistical analysis.ResultsThe likelihood of long-term functional improvement was directly related to the presence of CR and inversely related to both the LGE and the degree of contractile dysfunction at baseline. The time course of functional improvement was protracted, with significantly more delay in segments with more extensive LGE (p = 0.005) and more severe contractile dysfunction at baseline (p = 0.002). The presence of CR was the predictor of earlier functional improvement (p < 0.0001). Using a definition of viable segment as a segment without any LGE or with any LGE and producing CR during LDD stimulation, ≥55% of viable segments from all dysfunctional and revascularised segments in a patient was the only independent predictor of significant improvement (≥5%) in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after revascularisation, with a 72% sensitivity and an 80% specificity (AUC 0.76, p = 0.014). Reverse LV remodelling was observed in patients who had a significant amount of viable myocardium successfully revascularised.ConclusionsIn patients with chronic ischaemic LVD, improvement of dysfunctional but viable myocardium can be considerably delayed. Both the likelihood and the time course of functional improvement are related to the LGE, CR and the degree of contractile dysfunction at baseline. At 35 ± 6 months after revascularisation, patients with ≥55% of viable segments from all dysfunctional and revascularised segments significantly improve LVEF and experience reverse LV remodelling. A combination of LDD-CMR and LGE-CMR is a simple and powerful tool for identifying which patients with impaired LV function will benefit from revascularisation.

Pulmonary Hypertension: A Fatal Complication of Neurofibromatosis Type 1

We report a very rare case of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1, and discuss the pathology, pathogenesis, current pulmonary hypertension classification system, and outcomes of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Successful treatment of a young woman with acute complicated myocardial infarction

Therapeutic hypothermia is method used to improve the neurological status of patients who are at risk of ischaemia after myocardial infarction. We report a case of a 28-year-old woman who suffered acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular fibrillation. The patient was successfully resuscitated. Invasive and non-invasive medical treatment was applied including therapeutic hypothermia. Success was achieved due to adequate public reaction, fast transportation, blood vessel revascularization and application of therapeutic hypothermia. The patient was successfully discharged after one week of treatment, and just minor changes in heart function were present.

Successful Treatment of Right Heart Thrombi and Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism by Repeated Thrombolysis

We present the case of a 19 year old female who underwent a massive pulmonary embolism with thrombus in right ventricle (RV) and acute RV failure. Thrombolytic treatment had failed and repeated thrombolysis was given after 24 hours. Treatment was successful and on the eleventh day of hospitalization the patient was discharged. The current guidelines do not give clear directions for the management of patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism who do not respond to fibrinolytic therapy. A repeated thrombolysis could be an alternative treatment over surgical embolectomy for these patients.

Cardiac specific titin N2B exon is a novel sensitive serological marker for cardiac injury.

a Department of Integrative Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany b Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases, M. K. Ciurlionio g. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania c Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, M. K. Ciurlionio g. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania d Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, M. K. Ciurlionio g. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania e UCSD School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, CA 92093-0613C, La Jolla, USA

Predictors of ischaemic mitral regurgitation recurrence in patients undergoing combined surgery: additional value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging†

OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate (i) the effectiveness of combined surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting with restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty) and (ii) the late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance-based predictors of ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) recurrence. METHODS The prospective analysis included 40 patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, IMR >II° and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction undergoing combined surgery. The degree of IMR and LV parameters were assessed preoperatively by transthoracic echocardiography, 3D transoesophageal echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance and postoperatively by transthoracic echocardiography. The effective mitral valve repair group (n = 30) was defined as having recurrent ischaemic mitral regurgitation (RIMR) ≤II° at the end of follow-up (25 ± 11 months). RESULTS The surgery was effective: freedom from RIMR >II° at 1 and 2 years after surgery was 80% and 75%, respectively. Using multivariable logistic regression, 2 independent predictors of RIMR >II° were identified: ≥3 non-viable LV segments (odds ratio 22, P = 0.027) and ≥1 non-viable segment in the LV posterior wall (odds ratio 11, P = 0.026). Using classification trees, the best combinations of cardiovascular magnetic resonance-based and 3D transoesophageal echocardiography-based predictors for RIMR >II° were (i) posterior mitral valve leaflet angle >40° and LV end-systolic volume index >45 ml/m2 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 89%) and (ii) scar transmurality >68% in the inferior LV wall and EuroSCORE II >8 (sensitivity 83%, specificity 78%). CONCLUSIONS There is a clear relationship between the amount of non-viable LV segments, especially in the LV posterior and inferior walls, and the recurrence of IMR after the combined surgery.