Stefano Cornara

Complete chest recoil during laypersons' CPR: Is it a matter of weight? ☆

Introduction: Chest compressions depth and complete chest recoil are both important for high‐quality Cardio‐Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). It has been demonstrated that anthropometric variables affect chest compression depth, but there are no data about they could influence chest recoil. The aim of this study was to verify whether physical attributes influences chest recoil in lay rescuers. Methods: We evaluated 1 minute of compression‐only CPR performed by 333 laypersons immediately after a Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation (BLS/AED) course. The primary endpoint was to verify whether anthropometric variables influence the achievement a complete chest recoil. Secondary endpoint was to verify the influence of anthropometric variables on chest compression depth. Results: We found a statistically significant association between weight and percentage of compressions with correct release (p ≤ 0.001) and this association was found also for height, BMI and sex. People who are heavier, who are taller, who have a greater BMI and who are male are less likely to achieve a complete chest recoil. Regarding chest compressions depth, we confirm that the more a person weighs, the more likely the correct depth of chest compressions will be reached. Conclusions: Anthropometric variables affect not only chest compression depth, but also complete chest recoil. CPR instructors should tailor their attention during training on different aspect of chest compression depending on the physical characteristics of the attendee.

High on-treatment platelet reactivity and outcome in elderly with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome - Insight from the GEPRESS study

BACKGROUND Elderly treated with dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a challenging population because of increased risk of both ischemic and bleeding events. We aimed to investigate the association between high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) and long-term outcome in elderly with non-ST-elevated acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) undergoing PCI. METHODS Platelet reactivity was measured by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) assay at three time-points (baseline, discharge, 1 month after PCI) in 1053 NSTE-ACS patients (311 elderly) treated with clopidogrel. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were assessed up to 1 year-follow-up. RESULTS Elderly with HPR at discharge showed a significantly higher incidence of overall MACE (13 vs 4%, p = .006), cardiac death (6 vs 0.7%, p = .020), myocardial infarction (MI, 12 vs 4%, p = .031) and a trend for higher stent-thrombosis (5 vs 0.7%, p = .068). Similarly, elderly with 1-month-HPR showed between 1 month and 1 year significantly higher incidence of MACE (10 vs 4%, p = .012), cardiac death (6 vs 0.7%, p = .019) and composite cardiac death/MI (11 vs 4%, p = .014). Up to 1 year, elderly with HPR showed a 4-fold increased risk of MACE compared to both elderly without HPR (for discharge-HPR: p = .005; for 1-month-HPR: p = .01) and non-elderly with HPR (for discharge-HPR: p < .001; for 1-month-HPR: p < .0001). At multivariable analysis, HPR could independently predict 1-year-MACE in elderly (for discharge-HPR: HR = 3.191, CI: 1.373-7.417, p = .007; for 1-month-HPR: HR = 3.542, CI: 1.373-9.137, p = .009). CONCLUSIONS In elderly with NSTE-ACS undergoing PCI and treated with clopidogrel, HPR was independently associated with an increased risk of MACE up to 1 year.

Prognostic Impact of in-Hospital-Bleeding in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Several studies established a link between bleeding and mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI); however, it is unclear whether bleeding has a direct role in worsening the prognosis or if it is simply a marker of patient frailty. We investigated whether bleeding is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with STEMI treated with pPCI. The relationship between the presence of heart failure on presentation (Killip classification), bleeding occurrence, and outcome was also assessed. Bleeding was defined as the combination of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major and minor bleeding. Short- and long-term mortalities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meyer analysis. Multivariable analysis was performed by the Cox regression model. As an alternative method to address the potential confounding factors, we performed a propensity-matched analysis adjusted for all variables included in the CRUSADE score. In the 1,911 consecutive patients with STEMI considered, bleeding (observed in 11.4% of patients) was an independent predictor of 30-day (hazard ratio 2.61, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 5.25, p = 0.007) and 1-year mortality (hazard ratio 1.98, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 3.47, p = 0.017) but not in a landmark analysis starting from 30 days to 1 year. Bleeding was significantly associated with higher 30-day and 1-year mortality in patients with Killip class ≥II, but not in patients with Killip class I. In conclusion, in-hospital bleeding is independently associated with increased mortality in the early period after STEMI, also after adjusting for variables associated with the risk of bleeding. Bleeding was associated with increased mortality in patients with signs of heart failure at admission, whereas it had no effects in patients with Killip class I.

Acute Kidney Injury Definition and In-Hospital Mortality in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been associated with increased mortality in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction. We compared the mortality predictive accuracy of the 3 AKI definitions used most widely for patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods and Results We included 3771 patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention at 2 Italian hospitals. AKI incidence was evaluated according to creatinine increases of ≥25% (AKI‐25), ≥0.3 mg/dL (AKI‐0.3), and ≥0.5 mg/dL (AKI‐0.5). The primary end point was in‐hospital mortality. Overall, 557 (15%), 522 (14%), and 270 (7%) patients developed AKI‐25, AKI‐0.3, and AKI‐0.5, respectively (P<0.01). All AKI definitions independently predicted in‐hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 4.9 [95% CI 3.1–7.8], 5.4 [95% CI 3.3–8.6], and 8.3 [95% CI 5.1–13.3], respectively; P<0.01 for all). At receiver operating characteristic analysis, the addition of each AKI definition to combined clinical predictors of mortality (age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, admission creatinine, creatine kinase‐MB peak) found at stepwise analysis significantly improved mortality prognostication (area under the curve increased from 0.89 for clinical predictor combination alone to 0.92 for AKI‐25, 0.92 for AKI‐0.3, and 0.93 for AKI‐0.5; P<0.01 for all). At reclassification analysis, AKI‐0.5 added to clinical predictors, provided the highest score in mortality (net reclassification improvement +10% versus AKI‐0.3 [P=0.01] and +8% versus AKI‐25 [P=0.05]). Conclusions Each AKI definition significantly improved the mortality prediction beyond major clinical variables. AKI‐0.5 showed a mortality discrimination advantage, suggesting it should be the preferred definition in studies addressing ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction and focusing on short‐term mortality.

Systemic inflammatory status is associated with increased platelet reactivity in the early period after acute coronary syndromes

Abstract Systemic inflammation measured by high-sensitivity C reactive protein (CPR) is associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Recent clinical trials targeting CPR showed a reduction in MACE after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Inflammation could be linked to high platelet reactivity (HPR), which is an independent predictor of MACE in patients with ACS. We aimed to evaluate the impact of 1-month C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels on HPR in patients enrolled in the GEPRESS study. We measured CRP and platelet reactivity index (PRI) at 30 days follow-up. PRI was assessed with vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation assay at the same timepoint. HPR was defined as PRI >50%. Of the 1042 patients included in the GEPRESS study, 756 (75%) had both VASP and CRP data at 30 days follow-up. HPR was found in 61 (49.1%) patients with CRP >1 mg/L and 233 (36.4%) patients with CRP ≤1 mg/L, p = 0.012. After adjustment for covariates, we found a direct gradient of effect between CRP and HPR; the inclusion of CRP significantly increased the discrimination of HPR regression model. This is the first study showing that residual HPR is more likely to occur in patients with CRP >1 mg/L at 1 month after non-ST elevation-ACS and this may contribute to the unfavorable outcome observed in such patients.

Dual versus triple therapy in patients on oral anticoagulants and undergoing coronary stent implantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is contrasting evidence regarding the optimal antithrombotic regimen after percutaneous coronary stent implantation in patients on oral anticoagulants. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to explore the comparative efficacy and safety of dual (an antiplatelet plus an oral anticoagulant) versus triple therapy (dual antiplatelet therapy plus an oral anticoagulant). METHODS We searched the literature for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies (OSs) addressing this issue. The efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis. The safety outcomes were major bleeding events and all bleeding events. The analyses were stratified by type of anticoagulant and of antiplatelet used in dual therapy. RESULTS Four RCTs and ten OSs met our inclusion criteria including a total of 10,126 patients. 5671 patients received triple therapy whereas 4455 received dual therapy. Median follow up was 12 months. There was no difference between dual therapy and triple therapy regarding efficacy outcomes. Dual therapy significantly reduced the risk of major bleeding (RR 0.66; CI 95% 0.52-0.83; P = 0.0005) and of all bleeding events (RR 0.67, CI 95% 0.55-0.80; P < 0.0001). The effect was consistent regardless of the type of antiplatelet and anticoagulant used in dual therapy. CONCLUSION Dual antithrombotic therapy after coronary stenting in anticoagulated patients significantly reduces bleeding events compared with triple therapy. Dual therapy might be considered in this setting especially when bleeding risk outweighs ischemic risk, although our study was not sufficiently powered to detect a difference in ischemic endpoints.

Protocol of a multicenter international randomized controlled manikin study on different protocols of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for laypeople (MANI-CPR)

Introduction Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in industrialised countries. Survival depends on prompt identification of cardiac arrest and on the quality and timing of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. For laypeople, there has been a growing interest on hands-only CPR, meaning continuous chest compression without interruption to perform ventilations. It has been demonstrated that intentional interruptions in hands-only CPR can increase its quality. The aim of this randomised trial is to compare three CPR protocols performed with different intentional interruptions with hands-only CPR. Methods and analysis This is a prospective randomised trial performed in eight training centres. Laypeople who passed a basic life support course will be randomised to one of the four CPR protocols in an 8 min simulated cardiac arrest scenario on a manikin: (1) 30 compressions and 2 s pause; (2) 50 compressions and 5 s pause; (3) 100 compressions and 10 s pause; (4) hands-only. The calculated sample size is 552 people. The primary outcome is the percentage of chest compression performed with correct depth evaluated by a computerised feedback system (Laerdal QCPR). Ethics and dissemination . Due to the nature of the study, we obtained a waiver from the Ethics Committee (IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy). All participants will sign an informed consent form before randomisation. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journal. The data collected will also be made available in a public data repository. Trial registration number NCT02632500.

PLATELET TO LYMPHOCYTE RATIO IS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR OF CONTRAST INDUCED NEPHROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION UNDERGOING PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

The development of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), an aspecific inflammatory marker associated in

NEUTROPHIL TO PLATELET RATIO: A NOVEL PROGNOSTIC BIOMARKER IN STEMI PATIENTS UNDERGOING PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Several studies demonstrated the usefulness of inflammatory biomarkers in risk stratification of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). The study assessed the prognostic potential of a new biomarker, neutrophil to platelet ratio (NPR), developed with the purpose of correcting the entity of the

INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON PUMP DOES NOT IMPROVE SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH ST SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION COMPLICATED BY CARDIOGENIC SHOCK: DATA FROM A LARGE SINGLE CENTER REGISTRY

Recent evidence from a randomized clinical trial has re-evaluated the benefit of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock, leading to a downgrading of the recommendation level in the international guidelines. The aim of our study was to evaluate the