Roy Beigel

Usefulness of Routine Use of Multidetector Coronary Computed Tomography in the “Fast Track” Evaluation of Patients With Acute Chest Pain

Recently published American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines suggest that multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) may be appropriate for investigating acute chest pain (ACP). Only a few small studies have evaluated the use of MDCT in ACP, where it was not part of routine investigation. We sought to evaluate the routine use of MDCT in a large cohort of patients presenting with ACP in a real-world setting. We studied 785 consecutive patients with ACP who underwent evaluation by MDCT or myocardial perfusion scintigraphy after an observation period of > or = 12 hours. Patients with findings suggestive of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) were referred to coronary angiography. Forty-two patients were hospitalized due to evidence of myocardial ischemia and 44 patients were discharged after the observation period. Of the remaining 699 patients, 340 underwent MDCT and 359 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. In 22 patients (7%) multidetector computed tomogram showed significant CAD and in 32 (9%) patients myocardial perfusion scintigram showed significant ischemia. Significant CAD was confirmed by coronary angiography in 65% and 60%, respectively. Multidetector computed tomogram was nondiagnostic in 31 patients (9%). Extracardiac findings that might be related to ACP and/or necessitated further investigation were demonstrated by multidetector computed tomogram in 71 patients (21%). During 3-month follow-up, 1 patient (0.3%) with negative multidetector computed tomographic and 9 (3%) with negative myocardial perfusion scintigraphic findings developed an acute coronary syndrome or died. Rehospitalization, due to recurrent chest pain, occurred in 9 patients (3.3%) and 21 patients (7.2%), respectively. In conclusion, MDCT could be an appropriate alternative to traditional noninvasive techniques for investigating ACP.

Relation of Aspirin Failure to Clinical Outcome and to Platelet Response to Aspirin in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Aspirin failure, defined as occurrence of an acute coronary syndrome despite aspirin use, has been associated with a higher cardiovascular risk profile and worse prognosis. Whether this phenomenon is a manifestation of patient characteristics or failure of adequate platelet inhibition by aspirin has never been studied. We evaluated 174 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction. Of them, 118 (68%) were aspirin naive and 56 (32%) were regarded as having aspirin failure. Platelet function was analyzed after ≥72 hours of aspirin therapy in all patients. Platelet reactivity was studied by light-transmitted aggregometry and under flow conditions. Six-month incidence of major adverse coronary events (death, recurrent acute coronary syndrome, and/or stroke) was determined. Those with aspirin failure were older (p = 0.002), more hypertensive (p <0.001), more hyperlipidemic (p <0.001), and more likely to have had a previous cardiovascular event and/or procedure (p <0.001). Cumulative 6-month major adverse coronary events were higher in the aspirin-failure group (14.3% vs 2.5% p <0.01). Patients with aspirin failure had lower arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation (32 ± 24 vs 45 ± 30, p = 0.003) after aspirin therapy compared to their aspirin-naive counterparts. However, this was not significant after adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics (p = 0.82). Similarly, there were no significant differences in adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation and platelet deposition under flow conditions. In conclusion, our results suggest that aspirin failure is merely a marker of higher-risk patient profiles and not a manifestation of inadequate platelet response to aspirin therapy.

Antiplatelet Effect of Thienopyridine (Clopidogrel or Prasugrel) Pretreatment in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Intervention for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Although previous retrospective studies have suggested the clinical benefits of clopidogrel pretreatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), the antiplatelet effect of thienopyridines during a narrow door-to-balloon time frame has not been evaluated. Seventy-nine consecutive patients with STEMI were treated with either 600 mg of clopidogrel (n = 49) or 60 mg of prasugrel (n = 30) loading on admission. All patients underwent PPCI with a door-to-balloon time of 48 ± 20 minutes. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation (PA) was determined by light transmission aggregometry before thienopyridine loading, at PPCI, and after 72 hours. Baseline ADP-induced PA was comparable in clopidogrel- and prasugrel-treated patients (79 ± 10% vs 76 ± 9%, p = 0.2). Although ADP-induced PA was reduced significantly in both clopidogrel- and prasugrel-treated patients (p <0.01 for both), it was significantly lesser in prasugrel-treated patients (63 ± 18% vs 74 ± 12%, p = 0.002). Yet, <50% of the prasugrel-treated patients achieved adequate platelet inhibition (ADP-induced PA <70%) at PPCI. Prasugrel-treated patients, compared with clopidogrel-treated patients, were more likely to have Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction myocardial perfusion grade of ≥2 (79% vs 49%, p = 0.01), lower Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction frame count (10.2 ± 5.7 vs 13.6 ± 7.2, p = 0.03), and a numerically greater incidence of early ST-segment resolution >50% (26 of 30 [87%] vs 35 of 49 [71%], p = 0.1), suggesting better myocardial reperfusion. In conclusion, overall, prasugrel compared with clopidogrel pretreatment resulted in greater platelet inhibition at PPCI, but even with prasugrel, only <50% of the patients achieved early adequate platelet response.

Survival after intervention in patients with low gradient severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular function.

OBJECTIVE The outcome of aortic valve replacement for patients with low gradient severe aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction has been debated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of aortic valve intervention on survival in that group. METHODS A cohort of 416 consecutive patients with low gradient severe aortic stenosis (aortic valve area, ≤ 1 cm(2); mean pressure gradient, <40 mm Hg) and preserved ejection fraction (≥ 50%) were identified from the Sheba Medical Center echocardiography database. Clinical data, aortic valve intervention, and death were recorded. RESULTS During an average follow-up of 28 months, of 416 study patients (mean age, 76 ± 14 years, 42% men), 97 (23%) underwent aortic valve intervention and 140 (32%) died. Mantel-Byar analysis showed that the cumulative probability of survival was significantly greater after aortic valve intervention. Multivariate analysis revealed a 49% reduction in the risk of death after surgery (P < .05). The survival benefit of aortic valve intervention was comparable with adjustment to older age, aortic valve area ≤ 0.8 cm(2), and a low (≤ 35 cm(2)/m(2)) or normal (>35 cm(2)/m(2)) stroke volume index. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that aortic valve intervention is associated with improved survival among patients with low gradient severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular function. The presence of either a low or normal stroke volume index did not affect the mortality benefit.

Non-obstructive coronary artery disease upon multi-detector computed tomography in patients presenting with acute chest pain-Results of an intermediate term follow-up

AIMS Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has emerged as an efficient tool for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and assessment of patients with acute chest pain. MDCT may detect premature, non-obstructive atherosclerotic lesions which otherwise would have not been detected upon functional cardiac imaging tests. Currently, there is scarce data regarding the clinical significance of these lesions. The purpose of this study was to prospectively analyse the intermediate term outcome of patients admitted to chest pain unit (CPU) with findings of non-obstructive CAD upon MDCT. Method and results The study comprised 444 patients admitted to the CPU at Sheba Medical Center and underwent evaluation by MDCT for complaints of acute chest pain. Studies were classified as: normal; non-obstructive CAD (defined as any narrowing <50% diameter stenosis); obstructive CAD (narrowing of ≥ 50% diameter stenosis); or non-diagnostic. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year and outcomes were compared between the non-obstructive (n = 115) and the normal (n = 266) MDCT groups in regard to MACE [coronary revascularization, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and death]. Comparing the groups, those with non-obstructive CAD were older, more likely to be males, and dyslipidaemic. During an intermediate term follow-up (2.5 ± 0.4 years) MACE was equally low between the two groups (1% for both groups; P = 0.9). CONCLUSION Among patients evaluated by MDCT for acute chest pain, during an intermediate term follow-up, those with non-obstructive CAD had a benign clinical outcome compared with those with normal coronary arteries.

Clinical Outcomes and Cost Effectiveness of Accelerated Diagnostic Protocol in a Chest Pain Center Compared with Routine Care of Patients with Chest Pain

Aims The aim of this study was to compare in patients presenting with acute chest pain the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of an accelerated diagnostic protocol utilizing contemporary technology in a chest pain unit versus routine care in an internal medicine department. Methods and Results Hospital and 90-day course were prospectively studied in 585 consecutive low-moderate risk acute chest pain patients, of whom 304 were investigated in a designated chest pain center using a pre-specified accelerated diagnostic protocol, while 281 underwent routine care in an internal medicine ward. Hospitalization was longer in the routine care compared with the accelerated diagnostic protocol group (p<0.001). During hospitalization, 298 accelerated diagnostic protocol patients (98%) vs. 57 (20%) routine care patients underwent non-invasive testing, (p<0.001). Throughout the 90-day follow-up, diagnostic imaging testing was performed in 125 (44%) and 26 (9%) patients in the routine care and accelerated diagnostic protocol patients, respectively (p<0.001). Ultimately, most patients in both groups had non-invasive imaging testing. Accelerated diagnostic protocol patients compared with those receiving routine care was associated with a lower incidence of readmissions for chest pain [8 (3%) vs. 24 (9%), p<0.01], and acute coronary syndromes [1 (0.3%) vs. 9 (3.2%), p<0.01], during the follow-up period. The accelerated diagnostic protocol remained a predictor of lower acute coronary syndromes and readmissions after propensity score analysis [OR = 0.28 (CI 95% 0.14–0.59)]. Cost per patient was similar in both groups [(

Predictors of High-Risk Angiographic Findings in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

2510 vs.

Acute Kidney Injury, Hepatitis, and CPK Elevation Associated With Nitrofurantoin Therapy

2703 for the accelerated diagnostic protocol and routine care group, respectively, (p = 0.9)]. Conclusion An accelerated diagnostic protocol is clinically superior and as cost effective as routine in acute chest pain patients, and may save time and resources.

Temporal trends and outcomes associated with atrial fibrillation observed during acute coronary syndrome: Real-world data from the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS), 2000-2013: Trends in atrial fibrillation complicating ACS

Current risk assessment of patients with non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS) may fail to identify some patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to identify predictors of the angiographic extent and severity of CAD in patients with NSTE‐ACS undergoing early angiography and to evaluate its impact on prognosis.

Acute myocardial infarction occurring while on chronic clopidogrel therapy (‘clopidogrel failure’) is associated with high incidence of clopidogrel poor responsiveness and stent thrombosis

Nitrofurantoin is a commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infections. We present a case in which nitrofurantoin was suspected to be the cause of acute interstitial nephritis combined with elevated liver enzymes and CPK.