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New-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) strongly reduce restenosis and repeat revascu- larization compared with bare-metal stents (BMS) for percutaneous coronary interven- tion. There is residual uncertainty as to whether other prognostically relevant outcomes are affected by DES versus BMS concerning initial presentation (chronic coronary syn- drome [CCS] vs acute coronary syndrome [ACS]). We performed an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing new-generation DES versus BMS (CRD42017060520). The primary outcome was the composite of cardiac death or myocar- dial infarction (MI). Outcomes were examined at maximum follow-up and with a 1-year landmark. Risk estimates are expressed as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence inter- val (CI). A total of 22,319 patients were included across 14 trials; 7,691 patients (34.5%) with CCS and 14,628 patients (65.5%) with ACS. We found evidence that new-generation DES versus BMS consistently reduced the risk of cardiac death or MI in both patients with CCS (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.98, p

Background Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) provides a non-invasive assessment of the coronary artery tree. Computed Tomography - adapted Leaman Score (CT-LeSc) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiac events in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with a score greater than 5 (high). Purpose To investigate the relationship between CT-LeSc and the progression of CAD and to provide vessel- and segment-level CAD qualification and quantification at baseline and 7-year follow-up. Methods Patients with multivessel CAD and CCTA assessments at baseline and follow-up were included. The CT-LeSc analysis was performed in a paired fashion. The patient-level scores and the differences between each phase were assessed by 2 analysts in an independent core laboratory. Results This study analyzed 248 coronary segments from 17 patients with a mean follow-up interval of 7.5 ± 0.6 years. The mean CT-LeSc at baseline and follow-up were 14.6 ± 4.2 and 16.9 ± 1.5, respectively, with an absolute increase of 2.3 ± 1.8. The mean cumulative increase of new lesions was 0.2 ± 0.2 per year. Over time, 14.6% of the non-obstructive lesions became obstructive, and 15.0% of the non-calcified plaques became calcified. There were 29 new lesions found at follow-up, and out of these, 16 were obstructive and 19 were non-calcified. Conclusion In patients at high risk for cardiac events, as determined by CT-LeSc, there was an increase in CT-LeSc, obstructive lesions, and calcified plaques over the 7-year follow-up period. Most of the new lesions were obstructive and non-calcified. This is the first report showing long-term serial imaging CCTA changes in a high-risk population.

The impact of simultaneous adverse climate conditions in the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) was not tested before. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the combination of climate and air pollution features in the number of admissions and mortality due to acute myocardial infarction in 39 municipalities of São Paulo from 2012 to 2015.Data about MI admissions were obtained from the Brazilian public health system (DataSUS). Daily information on weather were accessed from the Meteorological Database for Teaching and Research. Additionally, daily information on air pollution were obtained from the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo. A hierarchical cluster analysis was applied for temperature, rainfall patterns, relative air humidity, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter 2.5 and particulate matter 10. MI admissions and in-hospital mortality were compared among the clusters.Data analysis produced 3 clusters: High temperature variation-Low humidity-high pollution (n=218 days); Intermediate temperature variation/high humidity/intermediate pollution (n=751 days) and low temperature variation/intermediate humidity-low pollution (n=123 days). All environmental variables were significantly different among clusters. The combination of high temperature variation, dry weather and high pollution resulted in a significant 9% increase in hospital admissions for MI [30.5 (IQR 25.0-36.0)]; patients/day; P0.01). The differences in weather and pollution did not have impact on in-hospital mortality (P=0.88).The combination of atmospheric conditions with high temperature variation, lower temperature, dryer weather and increased inhalable particles was associated with a marked increase of hospital admissions due to MI.

Coronary artery fistulas, although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of atypical chest pain, generally unveiled by cardiac catheterization or multidetector computed tomography. Such anatomical findings in conjunction with detectable ischemia and severe symptoms should prompt their closure. Transcatheter closure of fistulas is an attractive alternative to surgery, especially with the novel devices such as the interlock fibered detachable coils, which can be safely and effectively performed in a variety of circumstances, including the coronary arteries with tortuous anatomies. We present a case of atypical chest pain and large burden of ischemia in the stress scintigraphy, due to multiple coronary fistulas to the bronchial arteries successfully occluded with percutaneous interlock coils.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that prasugrel monotherapy following successful everolimus-eluting stent implantation is feasible and safe in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Background Recent studies have suggested that short dual-antiplatelet therapy strategies may provide an adequate balance between ischemic and bleeding risks. However, the complete omission of aspirin immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been tested so far. Methods The study was a multicenter, single-arm, open-label trial with a stopping rule based on the occurrence of definite stent thrombosis (if >3, trial enrollment would be terminated). Patients undergoing successful everolimus-eluting stent implantation for stable CAD with SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) scores Results From February 22, 2018, to May 7, 2019, 201 patients were enrolled. All patients underwent PCI for stable CAD. Overall, 98.5% of patients were adherent to prasugrel at 3-month follow-up. The primary ischemic and bleeding endpoints occurred in 1 patient (0.5%). No stent thrombosis events occurred. Conclusions Aspirin-free prasugrel monotherapy following successful everolimus-eluting stent implantation demonstrated feasibility and safety without any stent thrombosis in selected low-risk patients with stable CAD. These findings may help underpin larger randomized controlled studies to evaluate the aspirin-free strategy compared with traditional dual-antiplatelet therapy following PCI. (Acetyl Salicylic Elimination Trial: The ASET Pilot Study [ASET]; NCT03469856)

Background New‐generation drug‐eluting stents (DES) reduce target‐vessel revascularization compared with bare‐metal stents (BMS), and recent data suggest that DES have the potential to decrease the risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality. We evaluated the treatment effect of DES versus BMS according to the target artery (left anterior descending [LAD] and/or left main [LM] versus other territories [no‐LAD/LM]). Methods and Results The Coronary Stent Trialist (CST) Collaboration gathered individual patient data of randomized trials of DES versus BMS for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiac death or myocardial infarction. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were derived from a 1‐stage individual patient data meta‐analysis. We included 26 024 patients across 19 trials: 13 650 (52.4%) in the LAD/LM and 12 373 (47.6%) in the no‐LAD/LM group. At 6‐year follow‐up, there was strong evidence that the treatment effect of DES versus BMS depended on the target vessel ( P ‐interaction=0.024). Compared with BMS, DES reduced the risk of cardiac death or myocardial infarction to a greater extent in the LAD/LM (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68–0.85) than in the no‐LAD/LM territories (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.83–1.05). This benefit was driven by a lower risk of cardiac death (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70–0.98) and myocardial infarction (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.65–0.85) in patients with LAD/LM disease randomized to DES. An interaction ( P =0.004) was also found for all‐cause mortality with patients with LAD/LM disease deriving benefit from DES (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76–0.97). Conclusions As compared with BMS, new‐generation DES were associated with sustained reduction in the composite of cardiac death or myocardial infarction if used for the treatment of LAD or left main coronary stenoses. Registration URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO ; Unique identifier: CRD42017060520.

Background Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may present high risk features during hospitalization, including cardiovascular manifestations. However, less is known about the factors that may further increase the risk of death in these patients. Methods We included patients with COVID-19 and high risk features according to clinical and/or laboratory criteria at 21 sites in Brazil from June 10th to October 23rd of 2020. All variables were collected until hospital discharge or in-hospital death. Results A total of 2546 participants were included (mean age 65 years; 60.3% male). Overall, 70.8% were admitted to intensive care units and 54.2% had elevated troponin levels. In-hospital mortality was 41.7%. An interaction among sex, age and mortality was found (p = 0.007). Younger women presented higher rates of death than men (30.0% vs 22.9%), while older men presented higher rates of death than women (57.6% vs 49.2%). The strongest factors associated with in-hospital mortality were need for mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR] 8.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.4–12.7), elevated C-reactive protein (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7–2.9), cancer (OR 1.8, 95 %CI 1.2–2.9), and elevated troponin levels (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4–2.3). A risk score was developed for risk assessment of in-hospital mortality. Conclusions This cohort showed that patients with COVID-19 and high risk features have an elevated rate of in-hospital mortality with differences according to age and sex. These results highlight unique aspects of this population and might help identifying patients who may benefit from more careful initial surveillance and potential subsequent interventional therapies.

Patient: Male, 47-year-old Final Diagnosis: Coronary artery anomalies Symptoms: Chest discomfort Medication:— Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Cardiac Surgery • Cardiology Objective: Congenital defects/diseases Background: Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are rare congenital malformations with different clinical presentations and pathophysiological mechanisms. These anomalies are frequently the cause of sudden death in young patients. Most CAAs are incidental findings owing to the lack of symptoms; however, they may be associated with acute coronary syndrome in rare cases. Case Report: We describe the case of a 47-year-old man who presented with a 1-day history of progressive typical chest pain and elevated troponin levels. The patient underwent a coronary angiography, which unveiled the anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery arising from the right coronary artery, with an interarterial course between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary artery, without coronary artery disease. Coronary computed tomography angiography confirmed the CAA and its relationship with the symptoms. An uneventful coronary artery bypass graft was undertaken, and at the 1-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic, with a normal stress test. Conclusions: This case depicts the presentation of atypical acute coronary syndrome in a young patient with a rare CAA. In such patients, coronary angiography and coronary computed tomography angiography are essential tools to confirm the diagnosis and to determine treatment. Although controversial, in young individuals presenting CAA with an interarterial course, such as the left main coronary artery arising from the right coronary artery, coronary artery bypass graft may be an important treatment option to avoid sudden death in the future.

RESUMO Introducao: O acidente vascular cerebral e uma complicacao potencialmente grave, que pode ocorrer apos o cateterismo cardiaco. Entretanto, nao ha dados na literatura contemporânea sobre a prevalencia e nem sobre a evolucao clinica desta complicacao em uma populacao brasileira. O objetivo deste estudo foi aferir a prevalencia e a evolucao clinica dos pacientes com evento cerebrovascular, considerando um desfecho primario composto (obito cardiovascular, reisquemia cerebrovascular e sequela grave) em 30 dias de seguimento. Metodos: Estudo unicentrico, no qual foram [...]

Background: New-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have mostly been investigated in head-to-head non-inferiority trials against early-generation DES and have typically shown similar efficacy and superior safety. How the safety profile of new-generation DES compares with that of bare-metal stents (BMS) is less clear. Methods: We did an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials to compare outcomes after implantation of new-generation DES or BMS among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiac death or myocardial infarction. Data were pooled in a one-stage random-effects meta-analysis and examined at maximum follow-up and a 1-year landmark. Risk estimates are reported as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs. This study is registered in PROSPERO, number CRD42017060520. Findings: We obtained individual data for 26 616 patients in 20 randomised trials. Mean follow-up was 3·2 (SD 1·8) years. The risk of the primary outcome was reduced in DES recipients compared with BMS recipients (HR 0·84, 95% CI 0·78–0·90, p

The patient reported angina measurement with the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) has shown to have prognostic implications and became an endpoint in clinical trials. Our objective was to study physician-reported and SAQ severity with the total coronary atherosclerotic burden as assessed by 4 angiographic scores. We prospectively analyzed data of consecutive patients scheduled for coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina categories was used as physician-reported angina. SAQ domains were categorized as severe (0 to 24), moderate 25 to 75 and mild angina (75). All angina assessments were done before coronary angiography. Gensini, Syntax, Friesinger, and Sullivan angiographic scores were used for total atherosclerotic burden quantification: 261 patients were included in the present analysis. The median age was 66.0 (59.0 to 71.8) years, 53.6% were male and 43.7% had diabetes. The median SYNTAX score was 6.0 (0 to 18.0). The worse the symptoms of CCS categories, the more severe was the atherosclerotic burden in all angiographic scores: SYNTAX (p = 0.01); Gensini (p0.01); Friesinger (p = 0.02) and Sullivan (p = 0.03). Conversely, SAQ domains were not able to discriminate the severity of CAD in any of the scores. The only exception was the severe SAQ quality of life that had worse Gensini score than the mild SAQ quality of life (p = 0.04). In conclusion, CCS angina categories are related to the total atherosclerotic burden in coronary angiography, by all angiographic scores. SAQ domains should be used as a measure of patient functionality and quality of life but not as a measure of CAD severity.

Background There has been an increase in the number of cases of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and of scientific publications on the theme over the last years. However, little is known about the status of this disease in Brazilian hospitals. Objective To assess mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and follow-up of TTS patients seen in a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study on 48 patients. Clinical data, signs and symptoms, complementary tests, MACE and all-cause mortality were assessed on admission and during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for analysis of all-cause mortality and risk for MACE at median follow-up. The 95% confidence interval was also calculated for a significance level of 5%. Results Mean age of patients was 71 years (SD±13 years), and most patients were women (n=41; 85.4%). During hospitalization, four patients (8.3%) died and five (10.4%) developed MACE. At median follow-up of 354.5 days (IQR of 81.5-896.5 days), the risk of all-cause mortality and MACE was 11.1% (95% CI= 1.8-20.3%) and 12.7% (95% CI= 3.3-22.3%), respectively. Conclusion TTS was associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in a tertiary hospital in Brazil, which were comparable to those observed in acute coronary syndrome. Therefore, the severity of TTS should not be underestimated, and new therapeutic strategies are required. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

Metabolic syndrome is a primary driver of vascular inflammation, plaque development, and atherosclerotic disease. The Computed Tomography-adapted Leaman Score (CT-LeSc) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiac events in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients but has never been studied for broader applicability. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with similar systemic inflammatory processes as CAD, and its presence as assessed by Computed Tomography Liver and Spleen Attenuation (CT-LSA) may impact on the extension of the CT-LeSc. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the CT-LeSc and NAFLD and to characterize and compare the inflammatory processes of each disease state. This was an exploratory study in which patients with known multivessel CAD who were scheduled to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention were included. CT-LeSc were graded on pre-existing criteria by two independent CoreLab analysts. CT-LSA parameters analyzed included the liver absolute attenuation value, liver and spleen attenuation difference and liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio and were scored by two independent CoreLab analysts as well. Inflammatory mediator analysis included routine laboratory draws for a variety of known signal molecules. The overall liver absolute attenuation value did not correlate significantly with the CT-LeSc, but the subgroup 50 to 65 HU showed moderately negative correlation (R = − 0.629; p = 0.008). The overall liver and spleen attenuation difference did not correlate significantly with the CT-LeSc, but the subgroup 1 to 18 HU showed moderately positive correlation (R = 0.513; p = 0.017). The overall and subgroup liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio did not correlate with the CT-LeSc. The eosinophil and leukocyte ratio showed weakly negative correlation with the overall CT-LeSc (R = − 0.4602; p = 0.008), and VCAM-1 showed moderately negative correlation with CT-LeSc

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), which in turn results in increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Objectives This study sought to evaluate the utility of SYNTAX score (SS) for predicting future cardiovascular events in patients with DM and complex CAD undergoing either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods The FREEDOM (Future REvascularization Evaluation in patients with Diabetes mellitus: Optimal management of Multivessel disease) trial randomized patients with DM and multivessel CAD to undergo either PCI with drug-eluting stents or CABG. The SS was calculated retrospectively by a core laboratory. The endpoint of hard cardiovascular events (HCE) was a composite of death from any cause, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke, while the endpoint of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was a composite of HCE and repeat revascularization. Results A total of 1,900 patients were randomized to PCI (n = 953) or CABG (n = 947). The SS was considered an independent predictor of 5-year MACCE (hazard ratio per unit of SS: 1.02; 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.03; p = 0.014) and HCE (hazard ratio per unit of SS: 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.04; p = 0.002) in the PCI cohort, but not in the CABG group. There was a higher incidence of MACCE in PCI patients with low, intermediate, and high SS compared with those who underwent CABG (36.6% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.02; 43.9% vs. 26.8%, p Conclusions In DM patients with multivessel CAD, the complexity of CAD evaluated by the SS is an independent risk factor for MACCE and HCE only in patients undergoing PCI. The SS should not be utilized to guide the choice of coronary revascularization in patients with DM and multivessel CAD. (Comparison of Two Treatments for Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease in Individuals With Diabetes [FREEDOM]; NCT00086450)

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Background: Thrombotic events are reduced with cangrelor, an intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor. We sought to characterize the timing, number, and type of early events (within 2 hours of randomization) in CHAMPION PHOENIX (A Clinical Trial Comparing Cangrelor to Clopidogrel Standard of Care Therapy in Subjects Who Require Percutaneous Coronary Intervention). Methods: CHAMPION PHOENIX was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that randomized patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention to cangrelor or clopidogrel. For this analysis, we evaluated the efficacy of cangrelor in the first 2 hours postrandomization with regards to the primary end point (death, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, or stent thrombosis). Sensitivity analyses were performed evaluating a secondary, post hoc end point (death, Society of Coronary Angiography and Intervention myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, or Academic Research Consortium definite stent thrombosis). Results: The majority of events (63%) that occurred in the trial occurred within 2 hours of randomization. The most common early event was myocardial infarction; next were stent thrombosis, ischemia driven revascularization, and death. In the first 2 hours after randomization, cangrelor significantly decreased the primary composite end point compared with clopidogrel (4.1% versus 5.4%; hazard ratio, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.64–0.90], P=0.002). Similar findings were seen for the composite end point of death, Society of Coronary Angiography and Intervention myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, or Academic Research Consortium stent thrombosis at 2 hours (0.9% versus 1.6%; hazard ratio, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.40–0.80], P=0.001). Between 2 and 48 hours, there was no difference in the primary composite end point (0.6% versus 0.5%; odds ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.71–1.93]; P=0.53). Early (≤2 hours of randomization) GUSTO (Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries) moderate or severe bleeding events were infrequent, and there was no significant difference with cangrelor compared with clopidogrel (0.2% [n=10] versus 0.1% [n=4]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.41 [95% CI, 0.37–5.40]; P=0.62). Conclusions: The reductions in ischemic events and overall efficacy seen with cangrelor in CHAMPION PHOENIX occurred early and during the period of time in which patients were being actively treated with cangrelor. These findings provide evidence that supports the importance of potent platelet inhibition during percutaneous coronary intervention. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01156571.

Background The extent of coronary disease affects clinical outcomes and may predict the effectiveness of coronary revascularization with either coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score quantifies the extent of coronary disease. Objectives This study sought to determine whether SYNTAX scores predicted outcomes and the effectiveness of coronary revascularization compared with medical therapy in the BARI-2D (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes) trial. Methods Baseline SYNTAX scores were retrospectively calculated for BARI-2D patients without prior revascularization (N = 1,550) by angiographic laboratory investigators masked to patient characteristics and outcomes. The primary outcome was major cardiovascular events (a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) over 5 years. Results A mid/high SYNTAX score (≥23) was associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events (hazard ratio: 1.36, confidence interval: 1.07 to 1.75, p = 0.01). Patients in the CABG stratum had significantly higher SYNTAX scores: 36% had mid/high SYNTAX scores compared with 13% in the PCI stratum (p Conclusions Among patients with diabetes and stable ischemic heart disease, higher SYNTAX scores predict higher rates of major cardiovascular events and were associated with more favorable outcomes of revascularization compared with medical therapy among patients suitable for CABG. (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetes; NCT00006305)

Background Cangrelor, an intravenous, reversible P2Y12 antagonist, is approved for use in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Objectives This study sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cangrelor compared with clopidogrel in subgroups that did and did not receive glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs). Methods This pooled, patient-level analysis of the 3 CHAMPION (Cangrelor versus Standard Therapy to Achieve Optimal Management of Platelet Inhibition) trials analyzed all randomized patients who underwent PCI and received the study drug (n = 24,902). Only bailout/rescue GPI use was permitted, except in CHAMPION PCI, in which routine or bailout/rescue GPI use was at the site investigator’s discretion. The primary efficacy endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, or stent thrombosis at 48 h after randomization. Results Overall, 3,173 patients (12.7%) received a GPI, most commonly eptifibatide (69.4%). Despite variation in indications for GPIs, baseline characteristics were well balanced between the cangrelor and clopidogrel arms in subsets receiving and not receiving GPIs. Rates of the primary composite endpoint were lower with cangrelor compared with clopidogrel in patients who did (4.9% vs. 6.5%; odds ratio [OR]: 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55 to 1.01) or did not receive a GPI (3.6% vs. 4.4%; OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.94; Pint = 0.55). Cangrelor did not increase the primary safety endpoint, GUSTO-defined severe/life-threatening bleeding, in patients who did (0.4% vs. 0.5%; OR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.99) or did not receive GPIs (0.2% vs. 0.1%; OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 0.80 to 3.04; Pint = 0.21). GPI use was associated with increased risk of bleeding in both treatment arms. Conclusions Cangrelor’s efficacy in reducing ischemic complications in patients undergoing PCI was maintained irrespective of GPI administration. GPI use was associated with substantially higher bleeding rates, regardless of the randomization to cangrelor or clopidogrel. (A Clinical Trial to Demonstrate the Efficacy of Cangrelor [PCI]: NCT00305162 ; Cangrelor Versus Standard Therapy to Achieve Optimal Management of Platelet Inhibition [PLATFORM]: NCT00385138 ; A Clinical Trial Comparing Cangrelor to Clopidogrel Standard Therapy in Subjects Who Require Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI] [CHAMPION PHOENIX] [CHAMPION]: NCT01156571 )

Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) is being progressively used to stratify the cardiovascular risk in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Computed Tomography - adapted Leaman Score (CT-LeSc) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiac events in CAD patients with score >5 (high

In critical patients after cardiac arrest, brain injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion may lead to long-term limitations and disabilities. The purpose was to estimate economic gains provided by HT technology (Arctic Sun®), resulting from reduction of neurological sequelae in critical patients after

The National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR®) Database is commonly used for quality-improvement initiatives in North America, but little is known about the application of this tool in other regions of the world.All consecutive patients admitted due to myocardial infarction (MI) and/or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from January 2012 until December 2015 in a Brazilian private cardiovascular hospital were included respectively in ACTION REGISTRY®-GWTG™ and CathPCI Registry®. Meetings including all hospital staff were performed quarterly to discuss every NCDR® report. Quality improvement initiatives were developed based on the reports which were also used for evaluation of changes after the interventions. The following indicators were considered a priority 1) Door-to-ECG and door-to-balloon (D2B) times; 2) PCI appropriateness; 3) length of stay; 4) delivery of guideline-based medication. Changes in the quality of care with respect to the over time were assessed using linear and logistic regression for continuous and binary outcomes, respectively.A total of 1.382 patients were included in the ACTION REGISTRY®-GWTG™ and 3.179 patients in the CathPCI Registry®. In the ACTION registry, the overall AMI performance composite of quality indicators improved along the 4 years from 95.0% to 99.6% (p for trend0.001). The percentage of appropriate/uncertain PCI in acute and elective scenario increased along the years from 91.1% and 70.9% to 96.6% and 84.7%, respectively (p for trend0.001).The present novel experience using the NCDR® registries as benchmarks to guide quality-improvement programs in an international site was associated with improvement in quality indicators.

Background Chronic total occlusions are still considered one of the most challenging procedures in the field of interventional cardiology and the most feared complication are the perforations. In past studies and series from Asia, Europe and United States the rate of perforations in percutaneous coronary interventions are described as 0.2% whereas this rate increases to 3% when recanalization of a chronic total occlusion is attempted. Purpose Our study sought to identify the frequency, predictors and clinical implications of coronary perforations in chronic total occlusion percutaneous interventions in a contemporary registry with data from Latin America. Methods We reported the data of a prospective multi center Latin American registry from January to December 2018 in 1066 patients who underwent chronic total occlusion percutaneous interventions in 30 centers in the following countries: Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico. Coronary perforation was defined as evidence of extravasation dye or blood from the coronary artery during or following the procedure. A stepwise logistic regression was performed to investigate the independent predictors of coronary perforations. Results The mean age was 64.2±10.7 years, 79.8% were male, 35.3% diabetics and 6.7% had heart failure. The most commonly involved CTO vessel was right coronary artery (41.4%), the mean J-CTO score was 2.0±1.3 and the mean CL score was 2.7±1.6. The overall procedural success rate was 81.9%. Coronary perforation occurred in 3.3% of cases: type 1 in 1.8%, Type 2 in 0.9% and Type 3 in 0.6%. In comparison with patients without coronary perforation was observed, those with such complication required more often blood transfusion (8.6% vs. 0.7%; p470 seconds (OR 6.5; 95% CI 2.4 - 17.3; p Conclusions Coronary perforation during percutaneous interventions in Latin America occurred in 3.3% of patients, being related with adverse events but not in-hospital all-cause mortality. Pharmacological management, high anatomical complexity and heart failure were identified as independent predictors of this still and so feared complication. Acknowledgement/Funding None

Introduction and Objectives: The Stents Coated With the Biodegradable Polymer on Their Abluminal Faces and Elution of Sirolimus Versus Biolimus Elution for the Treatment of de Novo Coronary Lesions – DESTINY Trial is a non-inferiority randomized study that compared the Inspiron™ sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) with the control Biomatrix™ Flex biolimus-eluting stent (BES). Previous reports in the first year showed similar outcomes for both stents, in clinical, angiographic, optical coherence tomography, and intravascular ultrasound assessments. The present analysis aims to compare the clinical performance of these two biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents five years after the index procedure. Methods: A total of 170 patients (194 lesions) were randomized in a 2:1 ratio for treatment with SES or BES, respectively. The primary endpoint for the present study was the five-year rate of combined major adverse cardiac events, defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization. Results: At five years, the primary endpoint occurred in 12.5% and 17.9% of the SES and BES groups, respectively (p=0.4). There was no definite or probable stent thrombosis among patients treated with the novel SES stent during the five years of follow-up, and no stent thrombosis after the first year in the BES group. Conclusions: The novel Inspiron™ stent had similar good clinical performance in long-term follow-up when compared head-to-head with the control latest-generation Biomatrix™ Flex biolimus-eluting stent. Resumo: Introdução e objetivos: Stents Coated with the Biodegradable Polymer on their Abluminal Faces and Elution of Sirolimus Versus Biolimus Elution for the Treatment of de Novo Coronary Lesions (Destiny Trial) é um estudo randomizado de não inferioridade que comparou o stent farmacológico eluído com Sirolimus Inspiron® (SES) ao controle o stent Biomatrix® Flex eluído com biolimus (BES). Relatórios dentro do primeiro ano mostraram resultados semelhantes para ambos os stents, em seguimento clínico, angiográfico e também em análise de tomografia de coerência ótica e ultrassom intracoronário. A presente análise tem como objetivo comparar o desempenho clínico desses dois stents farmacológicos com polímeros biodegradáveis após cinco anos do procedimento índice. Métodos: Foram randomizados 170 pacientes (194 lesões) em uma proporção de 2:1 para tratamento com SES ou BES, respetivamente. O desfecho primário para o presente estudo foi a taxa em cinco anos de eventos cardíacos adversos maiores combinados, definida como morte cardíaca, infarto do miocárdio ou revascularização da lesão-alvo. Resultados: Em cinco anos, o desfecho primário ocorreu em 12,5% e 17,9% para o grupo SES e BES, respectivamente (p=0,4). Não houve trombose de stent definitiva ou provável entre os pacientes tratados com o novo SES durante os cinco anos de seguimento e ausência de trombose de stent após o primeiro ano no grupo BES. Conclusões: O novo stent Inspiron® apresentou uma boa e semelhante performance clínica no seguimento em longo prazo, quando comparado com o controle o stent de última geração Biomatrix® Flex.

While the atherosclerotic plaque volume can be manually quantified in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) it is impractical for clinical routine use. Several anatomical scores have been developed as surrogates for overall atherosclerotic burden in coronary CTA and even proven to be highly predictive for future adverse events. However, they have not been validated against the gold standard for atherosclerotic burden, intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS). In the present study we have compared several coronary CTA scores with the coronary IVUS.A total of 62 patients with diagnosed coronary disease scheduled for percutaneous intervention were prospectively enrolled. For all patients, coronary CTA and multivessel IVUS were obtained. Calcium score and 6 previously reported scores were calculated from coronary CTA imaging and compared to average IVUS-derived percent atheroma volume (PAV). On average, 3.8 ± 0.7 vessels, comprising 123.8 ± 31.3 mm in length, were imaged with IVUS per patient. All but one previously described scoring systems showed a significant association with IVUS-derived PAV. Among them, the SSS score demonstrated the strongest correlation with IVUS-PAV (r = 0.61, p0.001) and the greatest area under the ROC curve (C-statistic = 0.87), to predict a high PAV.Most frequently used coronary CTA scores have a good correlation with global coronary atherosclerotic burden measured by multivessel IVUS derived atheroma volume. Among them, the SSS score shows the best performance being a good non-invasive alternative to IVUS for global coronary atherosclerotic burden assessment.

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) reduces the damage by ischemia/reperfusion cell syndrome in cardiac arrests; however, the role of cold saline as an adjuvant therapy to endovascular cooling in STEMI remains controversial. The aim was the evaluation of infusion of cold saline versus no cold saline

Computed Tomography - adapted Leaman Score(CT-LeSc) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular(CV) events in coronary artery disease(CAD) patients. However, the association between CT-LeSc CAD progression assessment and inflammatory markers or white blood cells ratios(WBCRs)

Computed tomography (CT) angiography has been progressively used to assess patients’ cardiovascular (CV) risk. CT-adapted Leaman score (CT-LeSc), when >5 (high), is an independent predictive factor for CV events. However, the relationship between CT-LeSc and white blood cells ratios (WBCR) and

Summary Aims To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with a new drug-eluting stent formulation with low doses of sirolimus, built in an ultra-thin-strut platform coated with biodegradable abluminal coating. Methods This study is a randomized trial that tested the main hypothesis that the angiographic late lumen loss of the novel sirolimus-eluting stent is noninferior compared with commercially available biolimus-eluting stent. A final study population comprising 170 patients with one or two de novo lesions was randomized in the ratio 2:1 for sirolimus-eluting stent or biolimus-eluting stent, respectively. The primary endpoint was 9-month angiographic in-stent late lumen loss. Adverse clinical events were prospectively collected for 1 year. Results After 9 months, the novel sirolimus-eluting stent was shown noninferior compared with the biolimus stent for the primary endpoint (angiographic in-stent late lumen loss: 0.20 ± 0.29 mm vs. 0.15 ± 0.20 mm, respectively; P value for noninferiority

Background Although same-day discharge (SDD) after elective uncomplicated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) be adopted worldwide, it remains poorly studied in our country. We aim to evaluate our initial experience with SDD after elective PCI, regarding its safety and predictors of success. Methods A hundred and sixty-one single-center consecutive patients, selected in a specialized outpatient clinic, were included for SDD. To identify the factors associated with SDD, single and multiple logistic regression models were adjusted. Results SDD was successfully performed in 114 patients (70.8%) and the remaining 47 patients remained hospitalized (45 with discharge in the following morning and 2 patients after 2 days). No patient with SDD presented major adverse cardiac events or major vascular complications at 30 days or at a median follow-up of 12 months. In the inpatient group, there was only one case of acute myocardial infarction due to a lateral branch occlusion and two patients with > 5 cm hematoma related to the access site. The SDD predictors were radial access route (OR = 5.92; 95%CI 1.73-20.21; p = 0.005), presence of type A/B1 lesions (OR = 14.09; 95%CI 1.70-116.49%; p = 0.01) and contrast volume (OR = 0.76; 95%CI 0.65-0.88; p Conclusions SDD was safe and could be successfully performed in most patients selected for elective PCI, and its predictors were the radial access, less complex coronary lesions and a and lower contrast volume.

ResumoIntroduçãoApesar de a alta hospitalar no mesmo dia (AHMD) após intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) eletiva não complicada ser adotada mundialmente, ela permanece pouco estudada em nosso meio. Objetivamos, assim, avaliar nossa experiência inicial com a AHMD após ICP eletiva, em relação à sua segurança e aos preditores de sucesso.MétodosForam incluídos 161 pacientes consecutivos para AHMD, de único centro, selecionados em ambulatório especializado. Para a identificação dos fatores associados ao sucesso da AHMD, foram ajustados modelos de regressão logística simples e múltipla.ResultadosA AHMD foi realizada com sucesso em 114 pacientes (70,8%), tendo os 47 pacientes restantes permanecido internados (45 com alta na manhã seguinte e 2 pacientes após 2 dias). Nenhum paciente com AHMD apresentou evento cardíaco adverso maior ou complicação vascular importante aos 30 dias e no seguimento mediano de 12 meses. No grupo internação, ocorreu apenas um caso de infarto agudo do miocárdio por oclusão de ramo lateral e dois hematomas > 5cm relacionados ao sítio de punção. Os preditores de sucesso da AHMD foram: via de acesso radial (OR = 5,92; IC95% 1,73‐20,21; p = 0,005), presença de lesões tipo A/B1 (OR = 14,09; IC95% 1,70‐116,49; p = 0,01) e volume de contraste (OR = 0,76; IC95% 0,65‐0,88; p < 0,001).ConclusõesA AHMD foi segura e pôde ser realizada com sucesso na maioria dos pacientes selecionados para ICP eletiva, sendo seus preditores de sucesso o acesso radial, as lesões menos complexas e um volume menor de contraste.AbstractBackgroundAlthough same‐day discharge (SDD) after elective uncomplicated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) be adopted worldwide, it remains poorly studied in our country. We aim to evaluate our initial experience with SDD after elective PCI, regarding its safety and predictors of success.MethodsA hundred and sixty‐one single‐center consecutive patients, selected in a specialized outpatient clinic, were included for SDD. To identify the factors associated with SDD, single and multiple logistic regression models were adjusted.ResultsSDD was successfully performed in 114 patients (70.8%) and the remaining 47 patients remained hospitalized (45 with discharge in the following morning and 2 patients after 2 days). No patient with SDD presented major adverse cardiac events or major vascular complications at 30 days or at a median follow‐up of 12 months. In the inpatient group, there was only one case of acute myocardial infarction due to a lateral branch occlusion and two patients with > 5cm hematoma related to the access site. The SDD predictors were radial access route (OR = 5.92; 95%CI 1.73‐20.21; p = 0.005), presence of type A/B1 lesions (OR = 14.09; 95%CI 1.70‐116.49%; p = 0.01) and contrast volume (OR = 0.76; 95%CI 0.65‐0.88; p < 0.001).ConclusionsSDD was safe and could be successfully performed in most patients selected for elective PCI, and its predictors were the radial access, less complex coronary lesions and a and lower contrast volume.

Background: Biodegradable polymers were developed to reduce the hypersensitivity reaction associated to durable polymers found with the first generation drug-eluting stents, while maintaining antiproliferative efficacy and increasing safety. This study evaluated the 9-month angiographic follow-up and long-term clinical outcomes of biodegradable polymer-coated drug-eluting stents compared with identical platform metallic stents in patients with high-risk for restenosis. Methods: Patients with a reference diameter ≤ 2.5 mm, lesion length ≥ 15 mm, diabetes, or a combination of these characteristics were selected from the population of the PAINT trial. These patients were previously randomized and allocated for percutaneous coronary intervention with either a sirolimus-eluting biodegradable polymer-coated stent, a paclitaxel-eluting biodegradable polymer-coated stent, or an identical metallic platform stent, at a ratio of 2:2:1. Results: One hundred and seventy-eight patients were treated with biodegradable polymer-coated drug-eluting stents (n = 142) or bare metal stents (n = 36). At the 9-month angiographic follow-up, biodegradable polymercoated drug-eluting stents had lower rates of late loss (0.40 ± 0.42 mm vs. 0.90 ± 0.47 mm; p < 0.01) and binary restenosis (7.4% vs. 25%; p

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) reduces the damage by ischemic / reperfusion syndrome in cases of cardiac arrest, in which its application is already widely established and carried out in centers of excellence. However its use in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is still

Endovascular therapeutic hypothermia (ETH) reduces the damage by ischemia/reperfusion cell syndrome in cardiac arrests; however, the role of cold saline as an adjuvant therapy to endovascular cooling in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarct (STEMI) remains controversial. We aimed to compare the

Background New-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have mostly been investigated in head-to-head non-inferiority trials against early-generation DES and have typically shown similar efficacy and superior safety. How the safety profile of new-generation DES compares with that of bare-metal stents (BMS) is less clear. Methods We did an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials to compare outcomes afterimplantation of new-generation DES or BMS among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiac death or myocardial infarction. Data were pooled in a one-stage random-effects meta-analysis and examined at maximum follow-up and a 1-year landmark. Risk estimates are reported as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs. This study is registered in PROSPERO, number CRD42017060520. Findings We obtained individual data for 26616 patients in 20 randomised trials. Mean follow-up was 3·2 (SD 1·8)years. The risk of the primary outcome was reduced in DES recipients compared with BMS recipients (HR 0·84,95% CI 0·78–0·90, p

Spontaneous coronary dissection is a rare entity and, therefore, its etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment are not yet established. It affects mainly young women without the classic cardiovascular risk factors, commonly during the pregnancy-childbirth cycle. Several factors influence the treatment strategy, such as clinical presentation, hemodynamic status, topography, number of affected arteries, and distal coronary flow. As in the reported case, in stable patients with well-defined dissections and mainly when the coronary flow has been re-established, one can choose a conservative approach, due to the high incidence of spontaneous resolution and low incidence of long-term adverse events.

RESUMO A disseccao coronaria espontânea e uma entidade rara e, por conseguinte, de etiologia, fisiopatologia e tratamento ainda nao estabelecidos. Acomete, em geral, mulheres jovens, sem os classicos fatores de risco cardiovascular, comumente ao longo do ciclo gravidico‐puerperal. Varios fatores influenciam na estrategia de tratamento, como quadro clinico, status hemodinâmico, topografia da disseccao, numero de arterias afetadas e fluxo coronario distal. Como no caso relatado, em pacientes estaveis, com disseccoes bem delimitadas e, sobremodo, quando o fluxo coronario e reestabelecido, pode‐se optar por uma abordagem conservadora, em razao da alta incidencia de resolucao espontânea e da baixa incidencia de eventos adversos a longo prazo.

Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are very rare and mostly located in the right coronary sinus. They might course with dyspnea, fatigue, and acute coronary syndromes. We present herein an extremely rare case report of a 61-year-old woman diagnosed with external left main coronary compression by a giant aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva, which was successfully managed with percutaneous coronary intervention.

We sought to compare, by means of IVUS and OCT imaging, the performance of a novel sirolimus-eluting drug-eluting stent (DES) with biodegradable polymer (Inspiron™) to the Biomatrix™ DES. From the DESTINY trial, a total of 70 randomized patients (2:1) were enrolled in the IVUS substudy (Inspiron™, n = 46; Biomatrix™: n = 20) while 25 patients were evaluated with OCT (Inspiron™, n = 19; Biomatrix™: n = 06) at 9-month follow-up. The main endpoints were % of neointimal tissue obstruction (IVUS) and neointimal stut coverage (OCT) at 9 months. Patients treated with both DES had very little NIH formation at 9 months either by IVUS (% of NIH obstruction of 4.9 ± 4.1 % with Inspiron™ vs. 2.7 ± 2.9 % with Biomatrix™, p = 0.03) or by OCT (neointimal thickness of 144.2 ± 72.5 µm Inspiron™ vs. 115.0 ± 53.9 µm with Biomatrix™, p = 0.45). Regarding OCT strut-level assessment, again both devices showed excellent 9-month performance, with high rates of strut coverage (99.49 ± 1.01 % with Inspiron™ vs. 97.62 ± 2.21 % with Biomatrix™, p

Primary cardiac tumors are rare and approximately half of them are atrial myxomas. They rarely remain asymptomatic, especially if large. The imaging of a myxoma by contrast dye during coronary angiography is an infrequent sign, which clarifies the vascular supply of the tumor. We report herein an interesting and rare case of a left atrial myxoma hypervascularized from the right coronary artery.