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Long term survival and its determinants after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) on Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery (ULMCA) remain to be appraised. In 9 European Centers 470 consecutive patients performing PCI on ULMCA between 2002 and 2005 were retrospectively enrolled. Survival from all cause and cardiovascular (CV) death were the primary end points, while their predictors at multivariate analysis the secondary ones. Among the overall cohort 81.5% of patients were male and mean age was 66 ± 12 years. After 15 years (IQR 13 to 16), 223 patients (47%) died, 81 (17.2%) due to CV etiology. At multivariable analysis, older age (HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.11), LVEF < 35% (HR 2.97, 95%CI 1.24 to 7.15) and number of vessels treated during the index PCI (HR 1.75, 95%CI 1.12 to 2.72) were related to all-cause mortality, while only LVEF

Background Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare channelopathy involving cardiac calcium metabolism that often shows up at an early age with misleading clinical symptoms, such as emotion- or exercise-related syncope with a normal resting electrocardiogram. In addition, it might be the underlying cause of sudden cardiac arrest in children or young adults. The particular pathophysiology of CPVT makes it particularly challenging for both resuscitation and the subsequent intensive care management after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Case Report We describe a case of sudden cardiac arrest in an 11-year-old girl affected by CPVT, with a particular focus on the most challenging aspects of resuscitation and intensive care management in light of other experiences found in the literature. A warning about the prodysrythmicity of mild hypothermia induced in the context of post-ROSC targeted temperature management in this particular population of patients and its possible physiopathological basis are discussed. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? CPVT is a rare but potentially lethal cause of stress-related syncope and sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults. The diagnosis of CPVT requires a high level of suspicion and an interdisciplinary approach, including some adjustments during resuscitation and post–cardiac arrest care.

Aims: To investigate in-hospital and long-term prognosis in T2DM patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with SGLT2-I versus other oral anti-diabetic agents (non-SGLT2-I users). Methods: In this multicenter international registry all consecutive diabetic AMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled and, based on the admission anti-diabetic therapy, divided into SGLT-I users versus non-SGLT2-I users. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, recurrent AMI, and hospitalization for HF (MACE). Secondary outcomes included i) in-hospital cardiovascular death, recurrent AMI, occurrence of arrhythmias, and contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI); ii) long-term cardiovascular mortality, recurrent AMI, heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Results: The study population consisted of 646 AMI patients (with or without ST-segment elevation): 111 SGLT2-I users and 535 non-SGLT-I users. The use of SGLT2-I was associated with a significantly lower in-hospital cardiovascular death, arrhythmic burden, and occurrence of CI-AKI (all p < 0.05). During a median follow-up of 24 ± 13 months, the primary composite endpoint, as well as cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization were lower for SGLT2-I users compared to non-SGLT2-I patients (p < 0.04 for all). After adjusting for confounding factors, the use of SGLT2-I was identified as independent predictor of reduced MACE occurrence (HR=0.57; 95%CI:0.33–0.99; p = 0.039) and HF hospitalization (HR=0.46; 95%CI:0.21–0.98; p = 0.041). Conclusions: In T2DM AMI patients, the use of SGLT2-I was associated with a lower risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes during index hospitalization and long-term follow-up. Our findings provide new insights into the cardioprotective effects of SGLT2-I in the setting of AMI. Registration: Data are part of the observational international registry: SGLT2-I AMI PROTECT. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05261867.

Patients with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) present a worse prognosis compared to those without PAD. We sought to describe contemporary trends of in-hospital management and outcome of patients admitted for NSTE-ACS with associated PAD.We analyzed data from 6 Italian nationwide registries, conducted between 2001 and 2014, including consecutive NSTE-ACS patients.Out of 15,867 patients with NSTE-ACS enrolled in the 6 registries, 2226 (14.0%) had a history of PAD. As compared to non-PAD patients, those with PAD had significantly more risk factors and comorbidities (all p 0.0001) that increased over time. Patients with PAD underwent less frequently coronary angiography (72.0% vs 79.2%, p 0.0001) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, 42.9% vs 51.8%, p 0.0001), compared to patients without PAD. Over the years, a progressive and similar increase occurred in the rates of invasive procedures both in patients with and without PAD (both p for trend0.0001). The crude in-hospital mortality rate did not significantly change over time (p for trend = 0.83). However, as compared to 2001, the risk of death was significantly lower in all other studies performed at different times, after adjustment for multiple comorbidities.. At multivariable analysis, PAD on admission was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR): 1.75; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.35-2.27; p 0.0001].Over the 14 years of observation, patients with PAD and NSTE-ACS exhibited worsening baseline characteristics and a progressive increase in invasive procedures. Whereas crude in-hospital mortality did not change over time, we observed a significant reduction in comorbidity-adjusted mortality, as compared to 2001.

Background: Several clinical, laboratory and instrumental prognostic indicators for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been found. Combining all the different predictors in a score would make easier and more accurate the risk assessment of COVID-19 patients. To this purpose, we examined a large number of COVID-19 patients. First, we identified the best predictors of in-hospital mortality at admission. Then, we calculated a score system to capture the contribution of the various prognostic indicators. Methods: Prospective multicenter study (ELCOVID) referring to central-northern Italy. This project is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04367129). COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital in the period May-September 2020 were enrolled. Clinical, laboratory and electrocardiographic (ECG) records were collected at admission. Patients were followed-up and in-hospital mortality constituted the primary endpoint. A risk scoring system to predict prognosis was derived by independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Findings: A total of 1014 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Demographic, clinical, laboratories and ECG characteristics were collected. Median age was 74 (IQR 64-82) years, and most patients were male (61%). During a median follow-up of 12 (IQR 7-22) days, 359 (35%) patients died. Age (HR 2.25, 95%CIs 1.72-2.94, p < 0.001), delirium (HR 2.03, 95%CIs 2.14-3.61, p = 0.012), platelets count (HR 0.91, 95%CIs 0.83-0.98, p = 0.018), D-dimer (HR 1.18, 95%CIs 1.01-1.31, p = 0.002), S1Q3T3 pattern and/or RBBB (HR 1.47, 95%CIs 1.02-2.13, p = 0.039) and ECG signs of previous myocardial necrosis (HR 2.28, 95%CIs 1.23-4.21, p = 0.009) were independently associated to in-hospital mortality. The risk scoring system derived had a moderate discriminatory capability and good calibration. A score value ≥4 had a sensitivity of 78,4% and specificity of 65,2% to predict in-hospital mortality. Interpretation: This score system stratifies prognosis and may be important for the management of COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04367129). Funding Statement: None. Declaration of Interests: None declared. Ethics Approval Statement: ELCOVID is a prospective observational study approved by the local Ethics Committee and involves 15 hospitals in the Emilia Romagna and Lazio, two regions in northern and central Italy heavily affected by the pandemic.

To describe the clinical characteristics, contemporary trends of in-hospital management and outcome of patients admitted for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with associated atrial fibrillation (AF).We analyzed data from four Italian nationwide prospective registries, conducted between 2001 and 2014, including consecutive ACS patients.Out of 16,803 ACS patients, 1019 (6.1%) presented with concomitant AF: 668 with non-ST elevation (NSTE)-ACS and 351 with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). As compared to no-AF patients, those with AF were older and had significantly more prior cardiac events and comorbidities (all p0.005). A progressive increase occurred over time in the rates of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention, both in NSTE-ACS (p for trend=0.0002 and 0.0008, respectively) and STEMI patients with AF at admission (both p for trend0.0001), with trends similar to those observed in non-AF patients. Among STEMI patients, in-hospital mortality decreased by 50% in those without AF (7.5% in 2001 to 3.3% in 2014, p0.0001), with a similar decrease in those with AF (20% vs 10.7%, p=0.20), even though not statistically significant. At multivariable analysis, AF on admission was not an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR): 0.82; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.52-1.30; p=0.41 for NSTE-ACS, and OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.73-1.57; p=0.74 for STEMI].Over the last 14years, the in-hospital management of ACS patients with AF has significantly improved as for patients without AF, with comparable effect in terms of outcome.

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease, complete revascularization, as compared with culprit lesion-only, may reduce myocardial infarction (MI) occurrence ([1][1]), supporting the role of nonculprit plaques as drivers of atherothrombotic events ([

Our study was intended to examine time trends of management and mortality of acute coronary syndrome patients with associated diabetes mellitus.We analyzed data from 5 nationwide registries established between 2001 and 2014, including consecutive acute coronary syndrome patients admitted to the Italian Intensive Cardiac Care Units.Of 28,225 participants, 8521 (30.2%) had diabetes: as compared with patients without diabetes, they were older and had significantly higher rates of prior myocardial infarction and comorbidities (all P.0001). Prevalence of diabetes and comorbidities increased over time (P for trend.0001). Cardiogenic shock rates were higher in patients with diabetes, as compared with those without diabetes (7.8% vs 2.8%, P.0001), and decreased significantly over time only in patients without diabetes (P = .007). Revascularization rates increased over time in patients both with and without diabetes (both P for trend.0001), although with persistingly lower rates in patients with diabetes. All-cause in-hospital mortality was higher in patients with diabetes (5.4 vs 2.5%, respectively, P.0001) and decreased more consistently in patients without diabetes (P for trend = .007 and.0001, respectively). At multivariable analysis, diabetes remains an independent predictor of both cardiogenic shock (odds ratio 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.77-2.32; P.0001) and mortality (odds ratio 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.69-2.26; P.0001).Despite significant mortality reductions observed over 15 years in acute coronary syndromes, patients with diabetes continue to show threefold higher rates of cardiogenic shock and lower revascularization rates as compared with patients without diabetes. These findings may explain the persistingly higher mortality of patients with diabetes and acute coronary syndromes.

Background The long-term effectiveness of drug eluting stents (DESs) in a real-world setting of female patients is currently unclear. Methods and results We analyzed long-term follow-up (up to 3 years) data from all female patients with de novo lesions enrolled in a prospective web-based multicenter registry (REAL Registry; study period, July 2002–June 2006) including all 15 hospitals performing PCI in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Among the 3549 women without ST elevation myocardial infarction, 2434 were treated with BMSs alone and 1115 with DESs alone. At 3 years, use of DESs was associated with a lower propensity score adjusted incidence of MACE [cardiac mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization (TVR); 19.5% vs. 24.4%; HR 0.75, p =0.006)] and TVR (11.6% vs. 15.6%; HR 0.68, p =0.004) compared with BMSs. No difference was apparent in terms of adjusted 3-year cardiac mortality or myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, after the first 6months of follow-up, a non significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis was found in the DES group. Conclusions In this real-world female registry, the use of DESs was associated with a 3-year reduction of TVR and MACE in comparison with the use of BMSs. However, the observed (non-significant) increment of late AMI makes performing larger studies to clarify the long-term safety of DESs mandatory.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate whether results of “off-hours” and “regular-hours” primary angioplasty (primary percutaneous coronary intervention [pPCI]) are comparable in an unselected population of patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction treated within a regional network organization. Background Conflicting results exist on the outcome of off-hours pPCI. Methods We analyzed in-hospital and 1-year cardiac mortality among 3,072 consecutive ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with pPCI between January 1, 2004, and June 30, 2006, during regular-hours (weekdays 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ) and off-hours (weekdays 8:01 pm to 7:59 am , weekends, and holidays) within the STEMI Network of the Italian Region Emilia-Romagna (28 hospitals: 19 spoke and 9 hub interventional centers). Results Fifty-three percent of patients were treated off-hours. Baseline findings were comparable, although regular-hours patients were older and had more incidences of multivessel disease. Median pain-to-balloon (195 min, interquartile range [IQR]: 140 to 285 vs. 186 min, IQR: 130 to 280 min; p = 0.03) and door-to-balloon time (88 min, IQR: 60 to 122 vs. 77 min, IQR: 48 to 116 min; p Conclusions When pPCI is performed within an efficient STEMI network focused on reperfusion, the clinical effectiveness of either off-hours or regular-hours pPCI is comparable.

We evaluated the clinical effect of selective use of sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) in real-world, high-risk patients. A total of 4,237 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (SES, n = 872, bare metal stents [BMSs], n = 3,365) was enrolled in a prospective regional survey. A prespecified high-risk subset of patients was selected on the basis of clinical and angiographic characteristics. A propensity score analysis was performed to compare patients who received SESs with those who received BMSs. Patients in the SES group more often had diabetes and more frequently had previous myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization, type C lesions, and multivessel procedures. Patients who presented with acute myocardial infarction were treated more often with BMSs. At 9 months, the use of SESs was associated with fewer major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization; hazard ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.85) and target lesion revascularizations (hazard ratio 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.91). This decrease was more evident in a prespecified high-risk subgroup of patients (major adverse cardiac events, 8.0% SES vs 15.6% BMS, hazard ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.29 to 0.72). We conclude that selective SES use in real-world patients who have high-risk clinical and angiographic characteristics is associated with significant decreases in major adverse cardiac events and repeat revascularizations compared with BMS use.

Achievement of maximal hyperemia of the coronary microcirculation is a prerequisite for the measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR). Intravenous adenosine is considered the standard method, but its use in the catheterization laboratory is time consuming and expensive compared with intracoronary adenosine. Therefore, this study compared different high, intracoronary doses of adenosine for the potential to achieve a maximal hyperemia equivalent to the standard intravenous route.FFR was assessed in 50 patients with 50 intermediate lesions during cardiac catheterization. FFR was calculated as the ratio of the distal coronary pressure to the aortic pressure at hyperemia. Different incremental doses of intracoronary adenosine (60, 90, 120, and 150 microg as boli) and a standard intravenous infusion of 140 microg/kg/min were administered in a randomized fashion.Different incremental doses of intracoronary adenosine were well tolerated, with fewer systemic adverse effects than intravenous adenosine. At baseline, there were no significant differences for mean aortic and distal coronary pressure or heart rate in the different adenosine doses and routes. FFR decreased with increasing adenosine doses, with the lowest values observed with the 150-microg intracoronary bolus and 140-microg/kg/min dose of intravenous adenosine. All intracoronary doses, except the 150-microg bolus, resulted in mean FFR values that were significantly (P.05) higher than FFR after the administration intravenous adenosine. Furthermore, 5 patients (10%) with a FFR value0.75 and 3 subjects (6%) with a FFR value0.80 who received a 60-microg intracoronary bolus reached a value below the cutoff point of 0.75 with the intravenous administration.This study suggests a dose-response relationship on hyperemia for intracoronary adenosine doses60 microg. The administration of very high intracoronary adenosine boli is safe and associated with fewer systemic adverse effects than standard intravenous adenosine. However, intravenous adenosine administration with 140 microg/kg/min produced a more pronounced hyperemia than intracoronary adenosine in most patients and should be the preferred mode of application for the assessment of FFR.

This study was designed to better understand the functional correlates and the prognostic relevance of exercise-induced painless ischemia relative to painful ischemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease and previous myocardial infarction (MI).The usefulness of exercise testing (ET) for predicting cardiac events, years after MI, although suggested and widely applied, is questionable. In particular, previous studies have reached conflicting conclusions as to whether exercise-induced painless ischemia is related to a less severe myocardial ischemia or to a different prognosis than painful ischemia.Seven hundred sixty-six consecutive stable patients (mean age 57+/-8.6 years, 89% men) with previous MI (mean time from MI 2.8+/-0.75 years) who underwent a Bruce treadmill test and whose data were prospectively entered into our institutional database were enrolled. Patients were followed up for an average of 7+/-0.6 years. End points were (1) cardiac death, (2) cardiac death or nonfatal reinfarction (primary), (3) cardiac death, nonfatal reinfarction, or unstable angina (secondary), and (4) cardiac death, nonfatal reinfarction, unstable angina, or revascularization procedures (secondary, restricted). These patients were retrospectively classified into 4 groups according to exercise test results: (1) painless ischemia, 156 patients; (2) painful ischemia, 75 patients; (3) negative ET, 99 patients; and (4) nondiagnostic ET, the remaining 436 patients. Patients with painless ischemia had less functional impairment and less exercise ischemia than the symptomatic patients (longer exercise duration [P.001], higher double product [P.001], higher ischemic threshold [P.001], and shorter time to ST normalization [P.001]). Patients with painful ischemia had significantly (P.0005) increased 6-year risk rates of secondary and restricted end points (49% and 64%, respectively) versus those with painless ischemia (28% and 35%), no inducible ischemia (25% and 27%), or nondiagnostic ET (32% and 37%). Adverse outcomes were mainly the result of higher incidence of unstable angina or revascularization procedures. At multivariate analysis, neither painless nor painful exercise-induced ischemia were independent predictors of end points.Stable patients with previous MI represent a very low-risk population. In this subset, painless exercise-induced ischemia signifies less severe ischemia than the symptomatic one and has a limited prognostic power. Thus painless exercise-induced ischemia in stable patients with previous MI does not identify patients at increased risk.

Controversy exists about the clinical and prognostic significance of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias late after myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to identify the main clinical and prognostic features of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias in out-patients with healed Q-wave myocardial infarction.The study population was 777 consecutive patients who underwent a symptom-limited (Bruce protocol) treadmill test from May 1988 to January 1991 after myocardial infarction (at least 1 year). Clinical and exercise data were prospectively entered in a computerized database and retrospectively two different groups were selected: (1) 228 patients with exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias; (2) 549 patients without. Incidence and morphology of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias, various exercise parameters and a follow-up were evaluated.Patients with exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias were older (P0.001), had higher blood pressure (P0.03) and peak exercise rate pressure product (P0.00) than the others. No difference was found in the incidence of exercise-ischaemia: either symptomatic or not. When simple (or = 2 Lown) versus complex (or = 3 Lown) exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias were considered, the latter were more frequent in patients with anterior myocardial infarction, shorter exercise duration (P0.001) and lower exercise rate pressure product, lower ejection fraction and lower incidence of exercise-induced ischaemia. In the follow-up (mean 24 +/- 13 month) there were 24 deaths: five (2.2%) in patients with exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and 19 (3.4%) in patients without. Cardiac event rate was similar in both groups.We conclude that in out-patients with healed myocardial infarction exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias are quite frequent, but they are not associated with exercise-induced ischaemia, either symptomatic or not. Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias seem to be related to age or peak workload. Moreover patients with these arrhythmias have no adjunctive negative risk on prognosis.