Wouter J. Kikkert

Effect of Multivessel Coronary Disease With or Without Concurrent Chronic Total Occlusion on One-Year Mortality in Patients Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Cardiogenic Shock

Despite early revascularization, mortality remains high in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock. It has been shown that the effect of multivessel disease (MVD) on mortality in patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention is mainly caused by the presence of chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a noninfarct-related coronary artery. Whether this association also exists in patients with STEMI with cardiogenic shock is unknown. In our institution, 292 consecutive patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock were admitted from 1997 to 2005 and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were classified as having single vessel disease, MVD without CTO, and CTO. Cox regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis. The 1-year mortality rate of patients with single-vessel disease, MVD, and CTO was 31%, 47%, and 63%, respectively. After adjustment for possible confounders, MVD alone was not an independent predictor of 1-year mortality (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 2.3, p = 0.07). In contrast, CTO in a noninfarct-related artery was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality (hazard ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 3.1, p <0.01). In conclusion, the presence of CTO in a non-infarct-related artery was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality. In contrast, MVD alone lost its predictive significance after multivariate analysis.

The impact of multivessel disease with and without a co-existing chronic total occlusion on short- and long-term mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with and without cardiogenic shock.

To evaluate the impact of multivessel disease (MVD) with and without a chronic total occlusion (CTO) on early and late mortality in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with and without cardiogenic shock (CS).

Prevalence and impact of a chronic total occlusion in a non-infarct-related artery on long-term mortality in diabetic patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background Recently, a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-infarct-related artery (non-IRA) and not multivessel disease (MVD) alone was identified as an independent predictor of mortality after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) constitute a patient group with a high prevalence of MVD and high mortality after STEMI. The prevalence of CTO in a non-IRA was studied and its impact on long-term mortality in STEMI patients with DM was investigated. Methods Between 1997 and 2007 4506 patients with STEMI were admitted and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with DM were identified. The patients were categorised as having single vessel disease (SVD), MVD without CTO and CTO based on the angiogram before PCI. Results A total of 539 patients (12%) had DM. MVD with or without a CTO was present in 33% of non-diabetic patients and in 51% of diabetic patients. The prevalence of a CTO in a non-IRA was 21% in STEMI patients with DM and 12% in STEMI patients without DM (p<0.01). Kaplan–Meier estimates for 5-year mortality in STEMI patients with DM were 25%, 21% and 47% in patients with SVD, MVD without a CTO and MVD with a CTO in a non-IRA, respectively. A CTO in a non-IRA was an independent predictor of 5-year mortality (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.5, p<0.01). Conclusion The prevalence of a CTO in a non-IRA was increased in STEMI patients with DM. The presence of a CTO in a non-IRA was a strong and independent predictor of 5-year mortality. These results suggest that, particularly in the high-risk subgroup of STEMI patients with DM, MVD has prognostic implications only if a concurrent CTO is present.

Right ventricular dysfunction is an independent predictor for mortality in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting with cardiogenic shock on admission

Despite improvement in prognosis for ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, mortality remains high in STEMI patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS). Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is an established independent predictor for adverse prognosis in STEMI patients without CS. The purpose of our study was to determine the prognostic value of RV dysfunction on admission in STEMI patients presenting in CS.

Antiplatelet therapy following transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Objective There is limited evidence to support decision making on antiplatelet therapy following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of aspirin-only (ASA) versus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following TAVI. Methods We performed a systematic review and pooled analysis of individual patient data from 672 participants comparing single versus DAPT following TAVI. Primary endpoint was defined as the composite of net adverse clinical and cerebral events (NACE) at 1 month, including all-cause mortality, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, life-threatening and major bleeding. Results At 30 days a NACE rate of 13% was observed in the ASA-only and in 15% of the DAPT group (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.43, p=0.50). A tendency towards less life-threatening and major bleeding was observed in patients treated with ASA (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.11, p=0.09). Also, ASA was not associated with an increased all-cause mortality (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.36 to 2.27, p=0.83), ACS (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.51, p=0.57) or stroke (OR 1.21; 95% CI 0.36 to 4.03, p=0.75). Conclusions No difference in 30-day NACE rate was observed between ASA-only or DAPT following TAVI. Moreover, a trend towards less life-threatening and major bleeding was observed in favour of ASA. Consequently the additive value of clopidogrel warrants further investigation.

Long-term safety and sustained left ventricular recovery: long-term results of percutaneous left ventricular support with Impella LP2.5 in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

AIMS Mechanical left ventricular (LV) unloading may reduce infarct size when combined with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The Impella LP2.5 is a novel percutaneous left ventricular assist device. Although the short-term safety and feasibility of this device have been demonstrated, the long-term effects are unknown. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the long-term effects of the Impella LP2.5 support on the aortic valve and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS AND RESULTS In 2006, 10 patients with anterior STEMI received 3-day support with the Impella LP2.5 after PCI. The control group consisted of 10 comparable patients, treated according to routine care. For the current study, echocardiography was performed and adverse events were recorded. Mean duration of follow-up was 2.9±0.6 years in the Impella group and 3.0±0.3 years in the control group. No differences in aortic valve abnormalities and LVEF were demonstrated between the groups; nevertheless, LVEF increase from baseline was significantly greater in Impella-treated patients (23.6±8.9% versus 6.7±7.0%, P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS Three-day support with the Impella LP2.5 is not associated with adverse effects on the aortic valve at long-term follow-up. LVEF was similar in both groups; however, recovery was significantly greater in the Impella group.

Would SYNTAX have been a positive trial if XIENCE V had been used instead of TAXUS?: A meta-analysis of a first-generation vs. a second-generation drug-eluting stent system

Treatment options for coronary revascularisation include percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In the ‘synergy between PCI with TAXUS and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX)’ trial, PCI and CABG using state-of-the-art techniques (using paclitaxel-eluting stents and arterial grafts, respectively) were compared in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease. In Syntax, PCI was inferior to CABG at one year, entirely due to an increased repeat intervention rate. We hypothesised that the use of a superior drug-eluting stent system could reduce the need for repeat intervention. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:451-3.)

Prognostic value of access site and nonaccess site bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention: a cohort study in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and comprehensive meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the prognostic value of access site bleeding (ASB) and non-ASB for recurrent ischemic outcomes and mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). BACKGROUND The prognostic value of ASB-related complications after STEMI is subject to debate. METHODS The prognostic value of ASB and non-ASB for 1-year mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, and stroke was investigated in 2,002 STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis of studies investigating the prognostic value of ASB and non-ASB in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. RESULTS Seventy-four patients (3.7%) were treated by radial access. ASB developed in 124 patients (6.3%) and non-ASB developed in 102 (5.2%). By multivariable analysis, ASB was not associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03; p = 0.89), recurrent MI (HR: 1.16; p = 0.64), stent thrombosis (HR: 0.55; p = 0.42), or stroke (HR: 0.47; p = 0.31). Non-ASB was independently associated with 1-year mortality (HR: 2.77; p < 0.001) and stent thrombosis (HR: 3.10; p = 0.021), but not with recurrent MI and stroke. In a meta-analysis including 495,630 patients, non-ASB was associated with a greater adjusted risk of subsequent 1-year mortality than ASB (HR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.56 to 1.76 and HR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.31). CONCLUSIONS In STEMI, ASB was not significantly associated with 1-year clinical outcomes, whereas non-ASB was significantly associated with 1-year mortality and stent thrombosis. These results taken together with those of previous studies indicate a greater risk of subsequent mortality in patients with non-ASB.

Timing of Mortality After Severe Bleeding and Recurrent Myocardial Infarction in Patients With ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background—The prognosis of initial survivors of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is affected by both recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) and severe bleeding. The aim of the current study was to investigate how mortality is affected in time after bleeding and recurrent MI. Methods and Results—From January 1, 2003, to July 31, 2008, a total of 2002 patients were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment–elevation MI and followed up for the occurrence of recurrent MI and Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Arteries (GUSTO) severe bleeding. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 4 years of follow-up. In a time-dependent, covariate-adjusted Cox regression model, both bleeding and recurrent MI were associated with an increase in mortality shortly after the adverse event: hazard ratio, 14.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.69–26.84) for the first day after recurrent MI and 5.42 (95% CI, 2.88–10.22) for the first day after bleeding. Thereafter the risk of subsequent mortality gradually decreased but remained elevated long after a recurrent MI (hazard ratio, 4.95 [95% CI, 3.27–7.48] between 1 day and 1 year after recurrent MI and hazard ratio, 2.56 [95% CI, 1.56–4.21] beyond 1 year after recurrent MI), but decreased to nonsignificant level beyond 1 month after the bleeding (hazard ratio, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.27–1.14]). Conclusions—The occurrence of both recurrent MI and bleeding in the first year after ST-segment–elevation MI is associated with subsequent mortality. The risk implication of recurrent MI, however, was greater and more sustained over time than that of severe bleeding.

Prognostic value of post-procedural aPTT in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary PCI

Unfractionated heparin is the most commonly used anticoagulant in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and its effect can be monitored with activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). However, the optimal aPTT range during heparin therapy after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is yet to be defined. A mean aPTT was calculated of all aPTT measurements in the first 24 hours after pPCI in a total of 1,876 STEMI patients. Mean aPTT measurements were stratified into four categories; < 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), 1.5 - 2.0 times ULN (the therapeutic group), 2.01 - 3.99 times ULN, and ≥ 4 times ULN. Compared to patients with a therapeutic aPTT, patients with aPTTs < 1.5 times ULN had no increase in recurrent ischaemic events and had similar rates of bleeding complications. Patients with a mean aPTT ≥ 4 times ULN had higher rates recurrent ischaemic and haemorrhagic complications. After multivariable analyses, aPTT ratios ≥ 4 times ULN were no longer associated with recurrent ischaemic events, but remained a strong predictor of severe and moderate bleeding (hazard ratio [HR] 4.64, p = 0.016 and HR 2.27, p = 0.052). In conclusion, in 1,876 STEMI patients treated with pPCI, low aPTTs in the first 24 hours after PCI were not associated with an increase in ischaemic events, whereas high aPTT values were associated with more frequent bleeding complications. These results indicate no clear benefit as well as a safety concern with heparin treatment after primary PCI.