Sang Rok Lee

Periprocedural Hemoglobin Drop and Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients

Background and Objectives The development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with an increased risk of death and late cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The relationship between CIN and hemoglobin drop has been controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of periprocedural hemoglobin drop as a nontraditional risk factor for CIN. Subjects and Methods Five-hundred thirty-seven patients who underwent PCI were divided into 2 groups: Group I (486 patients: patients who did not develop CIN) and Group II (51 patients: patients who developed CIN). All patients were administered iodixanol as contrast media during coronary angiography. CIN is defined as a rise in serum creatinine of ≥25% or ≥0.5 mg/dL above the baseline value within 48 hours after contrast administration. Results Baseline clinical and cardiovascular risk factors were not significantly different between the two groups, except for low abdominal circumference (Group I : Group II=87.9±9.0 cm : 81.2±15.1 cm, p=0.024), body weight (Group I : Group II=63.5±10.6 kg : 59.7±9.2 kg, p=0.008), body mass index (BMI) (Group I : Group II=24.4±3.4 kg/m2 : 23.4±2.8 kg/m2, p=0.032), pre-PCI hemoglobin (Group I : Group II=13.2±2.0 g/dL : 12.3±2.0 g/dL, p=0.003), and post-PCI hemoglobin (Group I : Group II=12.4±1.9 g/dL : 11.5±1.8 g/dL, p=0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a periprocedural drop in hemoglobin (>1 g/dL) was an independent predictor of CIN, like other known risk factors. Conclusion A periprocedural drop in hemoglobin of more than 1 g/dL is another important independent predictor for CIN, even in patients administered the lowest nephrotoxic contrast agent, iodixanol, during PCI.

Baseline Characteristics of a Retrospective Patient Cohort in the Korean Vascular Intervention Society Endovascular Therapy in Lower Limb Artery Diseases (K-VIS ELLA) Registry

Background and Objectives The Korean Vascular Intervention Society Endovascular Therapy in Lower Limb Artery Diseases (K-VIS ELLA) Registry is a multicenter observational study with retrospective and prospective cohorts of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) undergoing endovascular treatment. In this study, we report the baseline characteristics of this retrospective cohort. Subjects and Methods In the present study we analyzed datasets of 3073 patients with 3972 target limbs from a retrospective cohort treated with endovascular therapy in 31 Korean hospitals. Data regarding patient baseline clinical and lesion characteristics and postintervention medications were collected from electronic medical records. Results The mean patient age was 68.3±9.4 years. The majority were male (82.1%) with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (58.0%), hypertension (73.4%), and coronary artery disease (CAD; 55.3%). Patients more commonly presented with intermittent claudication (66.3%) than with critical limb ischemia (CLI; 33.7%). Femoropopliteal artery (41.2%) was the most common target vessel for endovascular treatment, followed by the aortoiliac (35.6%) and infrapopliteal arteries (23.2%). TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Artery Disease (TASC II) type C/D aortoiliac (48.0%) or femoropopliteal lesions (60.2%) were frequent targets of endovascular treatment. At hospital discharge, only 73.1% of patients received dual antiplatelet therapy and 69.2% received a statin. Conclusion The majority of Korean patients with PAD exhibited conventional risk factors, such as male sex, older age, diabetes, and hypertension with coexisting CAD. Complex lesions were frequently treated with endovascular therapy. However, the rate of adherence to guidelines regarding post-procedural medical treatment requires improvement.

Rosuvastatin Reduces Blood Viscosity in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background and Objectives Wall shear stress contributes to atherosclerosis progression and plaque rupture. There are limited studies for statin as a major contributing factor on whole blood viscosity (WBV) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study investigates the effect of statin on WBV in ACS patients. Subjects and Methods We prospectively enrolled 189 consecutive patients (mean age, 61.3±10.9 years; 132 males; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, n=52; non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, n=84; unstable angina n=53). Patients were divided into two groups (group I: previous use of statins for at least 3 months, n=51; group II: statin-naïve patients, n=138). Blood viscosities at shear rates of 1 s-1 (diastolic blood viscosity; DBV) and 300 s-1 (systolic blood viscosity; SBV) were measured at baseline and one month after statin treatment. Rosuvastatin was administered to patients after enrollment (mean daily dose, 16.2±4.9 mg). Results Baseline WBV was significantly higher in group II ([SBV: group I vs group II, 40.8±5.9 mP vs. 44.2±7.4 mP, p=0.003], [DBV: 262.2±67.8 mP vs. 296.9±76.0 mP, p=0.002]). WBV in group II was significantly lower one month after statin treatment ([SBV: 42.0±4.7 mP, p=0.012, DBV: 281.4±52.6 mP, p=0.044]). However, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was not associated with WBV in both baseline (SBV: R2=0.074, p=0.326; DBV: R2=0.073, p=0.337) and after one month follow up (SBV: R2=0.104, p=0.265; DBV: R2=0.112, p=0.232). Conclusion Previous statin medication is an important determinant in lowering WBV in patients with ACS. However, one month of rosuvastatin decreased WBV in statin-naïve ACS patients.

Comparison of the effects of two low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals for secondary prevention after acute myocardial infarction in real-world practice: ≥50% reduction from baseline versus <70 mg/dL

BACKGROUNDnThe present study compared the effects of two low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals for secondary prevention after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in real-world practice.nnnMETHODS AND RESULTSnOf 3091 consecutive patients with AMI who had baseline LDL-C levels ≥ 70 mg/dL and underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention, 1305 eligible patients who received discharge statin prescriptions were analyzed. Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the values of LDL-C at 1 year in two different manners using percent reduction from baseline (≥ 50% reduction, n=428 versus <50% reduction, n=877) and fixed levels (< 70 mg/dL, n=625 versus ≥ 70 mg/dL, n=680). The primary outcome was defined by the composite of 2-year major cardiac events including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass grafting after hospital discharge. At 2 years, major cardiac events occurred in 139 patients (10.7%). Compared with <50% LDL-C reduction from baseline, patients with ≥ 50% LDL-C reduction had a 47% risk reduction in major cardiac events (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.36 to 0.79; P=0.002). But, compared with LDL-C levels ≥ 70 mg/dL at 1 year, patients with LDL-C levels < 70 mg/dL at 1 year had a similar risk of major cardiac events (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.68 to 1.34; P=0.793).nnnCONCLUSIONSnObtaining a ≥ 50% reduction in LDL-C was associated with better clinical outcomes after AMI in real-world practice, whereas achieving a < 70 mg/dL was not.

Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Coronary Stenoses: MINIATURE Investigators (Korea MultIceNter TrIal on Long-Term Clinical Outcome According to the Plaque Burden and Treatment Strategy in Lesions with MinimUm Lumen ARea lEss Than 4 mm2 Using Intravascular Ultrasound)

Background and Objectives We evaluated the two-year clinical outcomes in patients with angiographically intermediate lesions according to the plaque burden and treatment strategy. Subjects and Methods We prospectively enrolled patients with angiographically intermediate lesions (diameter stenosis 30-70%) with an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) minimum lumen area (MLA) <4 mm2 with 50-70% plaque burden of 16 Korean percutaneous coronary intervention centers. Patients were divided into medical therapy group (n=85) and zotarolimus-eluting stent group (ZES; Resolute) group (n=74). We evaluated the incidences of two-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results A two-year clinical follow-up was completed in 143 patients and MACE occurred in 12 patients. There were no significant differences in the incidences of death (1.3% vs. 3.0%, p=0.471), target vessel-related non-fatal myocardial infarction (0.0% vs. 0.0%, p=1.000) and target vessel revascularizations (7.8% vs. 4.5%, p=0.425) between medical and ZES groups. Independent predictors of two-year MACE included acute myocardial infarction {odds ratio (OR)=2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-6.12, p=0.014}, diabetes mellitus (OR=2.46; 95% CI 1.24-5.56, p=0.028) and non-statin therapy (OR=2.32; 95% CI 1.18-5.24, p=0.034). Conclusion Medical therapy shows comparable results with ZES, and myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus and non-statin therapy were associated with the occurrence of two-year MACE in patients with intermediate lesion with IVUS MLA <4 mm2 with 50-70% of plaque burden.

Quantification of coronary artery plaque using 64-slice dual-source CT: comparison of semi-automatic and automatic computer-aided analysis based on intravascular ultrasonography as the gold standard

We evaluated the feasibility of automatic computer-aided analysis (CAA) compared with semi-automatic CAA for differentiating lipid-rich from fibrous plaques based on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) imaging. Seventy-four coronary plaques in 57 patients were evaluated by CCTA using 64-slice dual-source CT. Quantitative analysis of coronary artery plaques was performed by measuring the relative volumes (low, medium, and calcified) of plaque components using automatic CAA and by measuring mean CT density using semi-automatic CAA. We compared the two plaque measurement methods for lipid-rich and fibrous plaques using Pearson’s correlation. Intravascular ultrasonography was used as the goal standard for assessment of plaques. Mean CT density of plaques tended to increase in the order of lipid [36xa0±xa019 Hounsfield unit (HU)], fibrous (106xa0±xa034xa0HU), and then calcified plaques (882xa0±xa0296xa0HU). The mean relative volumes of ‘low’ components measured by automatic CAA were 13.8xa0±xa04.6, 7.9xa0±xa06.7, and 3.5xa0±xa03.0xa0% for lipid, fibrous, and calcified plaques, respectively (rxa0=xa0−0.348, Pxa0=xa00.022). The mean relative volumes of ‘medium’ components on automatic CAA were 12.9xa0±xa04.1, 15.7xa0±xa09.6, and 5.6xa0±xa04.8xa0% for lipid, fibrous, and calcified plaques, respectively (rxa0=xa0−0.385, Pxa0=xa00.011). The mean relative volumes of low and medium components within plaques significantly correlated with the types of plaques. Plaque analysis using automatic CAA has the potential to differentiate lipid from fibrous plaques based on measurement of the relative volume percentages of the low and medium components.

Infective Endocarditis due to Streptococcus Agalactiae in Young and Immunocompetent Woman: A Case of Structurally Normal Valve Endocarditis Presented with Major Stroke

We describe here a 26-year-old woman who presented confusion and right hemiparesis due to embolic obstruction of left internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery. Transthoracic echocardiography showed structurally normal mitral valve with hypermobile echogenic material suggesting vegetation. The vegetation was disappeared after antimicrobial treatment without surgery.

Clinical Outcomes of Subintimal vs. Intraluminal Revascularization Approaches for Long Femoropopliteal Occlusions in a Korean Multicenter Retrospective Registry Cohort

BACKGROUNDnThere are limited data comparing the outcomes of subintimal vs. intraluminal approach in the treatment of long femoropopliteal artery occlusions. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the subintimal approach for long femoropopliteal artery occlusions.Methodsu2004andu2004Results:From a multicenter retrospective registry cohort, we included a total of 461 patients with 487 femoropopliteal artery occlusions classified as Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC) II C/D for this analysis. We compared the immediate and mid-term outcomes of subintimal vs. intraluminal approaches. There were 228 patients with 243 limbs in the subintimal group, and 233 patients with 244 limbs in the intraluminal group. Baseline clinical and lesion characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups. The technical success rate was significantly higher in the subintimal group than in the intraluminal group (95.1% vs. 89.8%, P=0.041). The clinical primary patency (67.5% vs. 73.4% at 12 months, 54.0% vs. 61.3% at 24 months; P=0.086) and target lesion revascularization (TLR)-free survival (89.5% vs. 86.3% at 12 months, 77.6% vs. 76.0% at 24 months; P=0.710) did not differ significantly between the subintimal and the intraluminal groups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn long femoropopliteal occlusions, the subintimal approach achieved a higher technical success rate and similar mid-term primary patency and TLR-free survival compared with intraluminal approach.

Efficacy and Safety of DP-R202 in Patients with Chronic Artery Occlusive Disease: Multicenter Randomized Double-blind Active-controlled Parallel Group Phase III Clinical Study.

PURPOSEnSarpogrelate hydrochloride, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A antagonist, is a widely used antiplatelet agent for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). DP-R202 is a new sarpogrelate hydrochloride product with an improved dosage regimen compared with the agent in current use. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety profile of DP-R202 and Anplag(⁎) Tab in patients with PAD.nnnMETHODSnThis study was a 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, active-controlled, parallel group comparative Phase III clinical trial. One hundred fifty-one volunteer patients with PAD were randomized to receive DP-R202 300 mg once daily or Anplag Table 100 mg TID for 12 weeks. The primary end point was a change in patient assessment of lower leg pain intensity with the use of a visual analog scale (VAS) after 12 weeks of treatment. Results after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment were compared with baseline and between treatment groups, and all patients were assessed for adverse events (AEs), clinical laboratory data, and vital signs.nnnFINDINGSnTwo hundred thirty-one patients from 25 medical centers were assessed, and 151 were enrolled and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Seventy-five patients received DP-R202 300 mg once daily and 76 patients received Anplag Table 100 mg TID for 12 weeks. Analysis of the change in lower leg pain intensity as determined by VAS score between baseline and week 12 (mean [SD], 20.72 [20.06] mm vs 15.55 [21.44] mm) suggested that DP-R202 was not inferior to Anplag Tab, and no significant differences were found in the secondary end points. No significant between-group differences were observed in the prevalence of drug-related clinical- or laboratory-determined AEs. For tolerability, no specific issue was found during the treatment period.nnnIMPLICATIONnThe results of this study suggest that DP-R202 was not inferior to Anplag Tab for efficacy in patients with PAD and indicated a good safety profile.

Clinical impacts of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein reduction for secondary prevention in Asian patients with one-year survivor after acute myocardial infarction

Clinical impacts of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein reduction for secondary prevention in Asian patients with one-year survivor after acute myocardial infarction☆ Hyun Kuk Kim , Myung Ho Jeong ⁎, HyeongWon Seo , Joon Ho Ahn , Kyung Hoon Cho , Young Joon Hong , Ju Han Kim , Youngkeun Ahn , Jeong Gwan Cho , Jong Chun Park , Kyung Woo Park , Hyo-Soo Kim , Sang Rok Lee , Jei Keon Chae , Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry Investigators