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Background: Previous large multi-centre randomised controlled trials have not provided clear benefit with routine intracoronary thrombus aspiration (TA) as an adjunct to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Aim: To determine whether there is a difference in outcomes with the use of manual TA prior to PCI, compared with PCI alone in a cohort of patients with STEMI. Methods: We analysed data from 6270 consecutive patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI prospectively enrolled in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry between 2007 and 2018. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine predictors of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and long-term mortality. Results: We compared 1621 (26%) patients undergoing primary PCI with TA to 4649 (74%) patients undergoing PCI alone. Male gender (81% vs 78%; P < 0.01), younger age (61 vs 63 years; P = 0.03), GP-IIb/IIIa use (76% vs 58%, P < 0.01), and current smoking (40% vs 36%; P < 0.01) were more common in the TA group. TA was more likely to be used in patients with complex lesions (83% vs 66%; P < 0.01) with TIMI 0 flow (77% vs 56%; P < 0.01). No significant difference in post-procedural TIMI flow, stroke, 30-day mortality, or long-term mortality were identified. Multivariable analysis demonstrated a reduction in 30-day MACCE (hazard ratio (HR) 0.75; confidence interval (CI) 0.63–0.89; P < 0.01) in the TA group, but was not associated with long-term mortality (HR 0.98; CI 0.85–1.1; P = 0.73). Conclusion: The use of TA in patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI was not associated with improved short or long-term mortality when compared with PCI alone.

IntroductionLow health literacy is common in people with cardiovascular disease and may be one factor that affects an individual’s ability to maintain secondary prevention health behaviours following myocardial infarction (MI). However, little is known about the association between health literacy and longer-term health outcomes in people with MI. The ENhancing HEAlth literacy in secondary pRevenTion of cardiac evENts (ENHEARTEN) study aims to examine the relationship between health literacy and a number of health outcomes (including healthcare costs) in a cohort of patients following their first MI. Findings may provide evidence for the significance of health literacy as a predictor of long-term cardiac outcomes.Methods and analysisENHEARTEN is a multicentre, prospective observational study in a convenience sample of adults (aged >18 years) with their first MI. A total of 450 patients will be recruited over 2 years across two metropolitan health services and one rural/regional health service in Victoria, Australia. The primary outcome of this study will be all-cause, unplanned hospital admissions within 6 months of index admission. Secondary outcomes include cardiac-related hospital admissions up to 24 months post-MI, emergency department presentations, health-related quality of life, mortality, cardiac rehabilitation attendance and healthcare costs. Health literacy will be observed as a predictor variable and will be determined using the 12-item version of the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-Q12).Ethics and disseminationEthics approval for this study has been received from the relevant human research ethics committee (HREC) at each of the participating health services (lead site Monash Health HREC; approval number: RES-21-0000-242A) and Services Austra

AIMS: The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARBs) post-myocardial infarction (MI) is supported by evidence based on trials performed in the thrombolysis era. This was prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) being routine practice, and with little direct evidence for the use of these medications in patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) function. This study sought to determine whether there is an association between ACEi/ARB use after PCI for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and long-term all-cause mortality, with a particular focus on patients with preserved LV function. METHODS: This multicentre, observational study evaluated prospectively collected data of 21,388 patients (> 18 years old) that underwent PCI for NSTEMI and STEMI between 2005 and 2018, and were alive at 30 day follow-up. RESULTS: In total, 83.8% of patients were using ACEi/ARBs. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated ACEi/ARB use was associated with a significantly lower mortality in the entire cohort (15.0 vs. 22.7%; p < 0.001) with a mean follow-up of 5.58 years; and independently associated with 24% lower mortality by Cox proportional hazards modelling (HR 0.76, CI 0.67-0.85, p < 0.001). ACEi/ARB therapy was also associated with significantly lower mortality in patients with reduced or preserved LV function, with greater survival benefit with worse LV dysfunction. CONCLUSION: ACEi/ARB therapy post-PCI is associated with significantly lower long-term mortality in patients with reduced and preserved LV function. These findings provide contemporary evidence for using these agents in the current era of routine primary PCI, including those with preserved EF.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if a digital communication app improves care timelines for patients with suspected acute stroke/ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). DESIGN: Real-world feasibility study, quasi-experimental design. SETTING: Prehospital (25 Ambulance Victoria branches) and within-hospital (2 hospitals) in regional Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Paramedics or emergency department (ED) clinicians identified patients with suspected acute stroke (onset <4.5 hours; n=604) or STEMI (n=247). INTERVENTION: The Pulsara communication app provides secure, two-way, real-time communication. Assessment and treatment times were recorded for 12 months (May 2017-April 2018), with timelines compared between 'Pulsara initiated' (Pulsara) and 'not initiated' (no Pulsara). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Door-to-treatment (needle for stroke, balloon for STEMI) Secondary outcome measures: ambulance and hospital processes. RESULTS: Stroke (no Pulsara n=215, Pulsara n=389) and STEMI (no Pulsara n=76, Pulsara n=171) groups were of similar age and sex (stroke: 76 vs 75 years; both groups 50% male; STEMI: 66 vs 63 years; 68% and 72% male). When Pulsara was used, patients were off ambulance stretcher faster for stroke (11(7, 17) vs 19(11, 29); p=0.0001) and STEMI (14(7, 23) vs 19(10, 32); p=0.0014). ED door-to-first medical review was faster (6(2, 14) vs 23(8, 67); p=0.0001) for stroke but only by 1 min for STEMI (3 (0, 7) vs 4 (0, 14); p=0.25). Door-to-CT times were 44 min faster (27(18, 44) vs 71(43, 147); p=0.0001) for stroke, and percutaneous intervention door-to-balloon times improved by 17 min, but non-significant (56 (34, 88) vs 73 (49, 110); p=0.41) for STEMI. There were improvements in the proportions of patients treated within 60 min for stroke (12%-26%, p=0.15) and 90 min for STEMI (50%-78%, p=0.20). CONCLUSIONS: In this Australian-first study, uptake of the digital communication app was strong, patient-centred care timelines improved, although door-to-treatment times rem

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in stable ischaemic heart disease (SIHD) has not been shown to improve prognosis but can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Appropriately selected patients with symptoms refractory to medical therapy therefore stand to benefit, provided safety is proven. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing PCI for SIHD between 2005–2018 in a prospective registry were included. Yearly comparisons evaluated trends, and a sub-analysis was performed comparing proximal left anterior descending artery (prox-LAD) to other-than-proximal LAD (non-pLAD) PCI. Outcomes included peri-procedural characteristics, in-hospital and 30-day event rates including MACE, and 5-year National Death Index (NDI) linked mortality. Results: There were 9,421 procedures included. Over time, patients were increasingly co-morbid and had higher rates of AHA/ACC class B2/C lesions, ostial stenoses, bifurcation lesions, and chronic total occlusions (all p-for-trend ≤0.001). Over 14 years, major bleeding reduced (1.05% in 2005/06 vs 0.29% in 2017/18, p-for-trend <0.001), while other in-hospital and 30-day event rates were stably low. There were only seven (0.07%) in hospital deaths and 5-year mortality was 10.3%. No differences were found in outcomes between patients who underwent prox-LAD compared to non-pLAD PCI. Major independent predictors of NDI linked all-cause mortality included an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 4.06, 95% CI 3.26–5.06), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.89–2.67) and LVEF <30% (HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.57–2.89). Conclusions: Although patient and procedural complexity increased over time, a high degree of procedural success and safety was maintained, including in those undergoing prox-LAD PCI. These real-world data can enhance shared decision making discussions regarding whether PCI should be pursued in patients with symptomatic SIHD refractory to medical therapy.

Objectives: Approximately 5–10% of patients presenting for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have concurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). To what extent AF portends adverse long-term outcomes in these patients remains to be defined. Methods: We analysed data from the multicentre Melbourne Interventional Group Registry from 2014–2018. Patients were identified as being in AF or sinus rhythm (SR) at the commencement of PCI. The primary endpoint was long-term mortality, obtained via linkage with the National Death Index. Results: 13,286 procedures were included, with 800 (6.0%) patients in AF and 12,486 (94.0%) in SR. Compared to SR, patients with AF were older (72.9±10.9 vs 64.1±12.0 p<0.001) and more likely to have comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (31.3% vs 25.0% p<0.001), hypertension (74.4% vs 65.1% p<0.001) and moderate to severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (36.6% vs 19.5% p<0.001). Atrial fibrillation was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (11.0% vs 2.5% p<0.001) and MACE (composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularisation) (11.9% vs 4.2% p<0.001). In-hospital major bleeding was more common in the AF group (3.1% vs 1.0% p<0.001). On Cox proportional hazards modelling, AF was an independent predictor of long-term mortality (adjusted HR 1.38 95% CI 1.11–1.72 p<0.004) at a mean follow-up of 2.3±1.5 years. Conclusions: Preprocedural AF is common among patients presenting for PCI. Preprocedural AF is associated with high-rates of comorbid illnesses and portends higher risk of short- and long-term outcomes including mortality underscoring the need for careful evaluation of its risks prior to PCI.

Aims: The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARBs) post-myocardial infarction (MI) is supported by evidence based on trials performed in the thrombolysis era. This was prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) being routine practice, and with little direct evidence for the use of these medications in patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) function. This study sought to determine whether there is an association between ACEi/ARB use after PCI for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and long-term all-cause mortality, with a particular focus on patients with preserved LV function. Methods: This multicentre, observational study evaluated prospectively collected data of 21,388 patients (> 18 years old) that underwent PCI for NSTEMI and STEMI between 2005 and 2018, and were alive at 30 day follow-up. Results: In total, 83.8% of patients were using ACEi/ARBs. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated ACEi/ARB use was associated with a significantly lower mortality in the entire cohort (15.0 vs. 22.7%; p < 0.001) with a mean follow-up of 5.58 years; and independently associated with 24% lower mortality by Cox proportional hazards modelling (HR 0.76, CI 0.67–0.85, p < 0.001). ACEi/ARB therapy was also associated with significantly lower mortality in patients with reduced or preserved LV function, with greater survival benefit with worse LV dysfunction. Conclusion: ACEi/ARB therapy post-PCI is associated with significantly lower long-term mortality in patients with reduced and preserved LV function. These findings provide contemporary evidence for using these agents in the current era of routine primary PCI, including those with preserved EF. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread public health measures were implemented to control community transmission. The association between these measures and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients following percutaneous coronary intervention has not been studied. Methods: We included consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the state-wide Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry between 1/3/2020 and 30/9/2020 (COVID-19 period; n = 5024), with a historical control group from the identical period one year prior (control period; n = 5041). HRQOL assessment was performed via telephone follow-up 30 days following PCI using the 3-level EQ-5D questionnaire and Australian-specific index values. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, but during the COVID-19 period indication for PCI was more common for acute coronary syndromes. No patients undergoing PCI were infected with COVID-19 at the time of their procedure. EQ-5D visual analogue score (VAS), index score, and individual components were higher at 30 days following PCI during the COVID-19 period (all P < 0.01). In multivariable analysis, the COVID-19 period was independently associated with higher VAS and index scores. No differences were observed between regions or stage of restrictions in categorical analysis. Similarly, in subgroup analysis, no significant interactions were observed. Conclusion: Measures of HRQOL following PCI were higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous year. These data suggest that challenging community circumstances may not always be associated with poor patient quality of life.

Aims: We sought to investigate if sex disparity exists for secondary prevention pharmacotherapy following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and impact on long-term clinical outcomes. Methods and results: We analysed data on medical management 30-day post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ACS in 20 976 patients within the multicentre Melbourne Interventional Group registry (2005-2017). Optimal medical therapy (OMT) was defined as five guideline-recommended medications, near-optimal medical therapy (NMT) as four medications, sub-optimal medical therapy (SMT) as ≤3 medications. Overall, 65% of patients received OMT, 27% NMT and 8% SMT. Mean age was 64 ± 12 years; 24% (4931) were female. Women were older (68 ± 12 vs. 62 ± 12 years) and had more comorbidities. Women were less likely to receive OMT (61% vs. 66%) and more likely to receive SMT (10% vs. 8%) compared to men, P < 0.001. On long-term follow-up (median 5 years, interquartile range 2-8 years), women had higher unadjusted mortality (20% vs. 13%, P < 0.001). However, after adjusting for medical therapy and baseline risk, women had lower long-term mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-0.98; P = 0.02]. NMT (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.31; P = 0.004) and SMT (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.55-2.07; P < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of long-term mortality. Conclusion: Women are less likely to be prescribed optimal secondary prevention medications following PCI for ACS. Lower adjusted long-term mortality amongst women suggests that as well as baseline differences between gender, optimization of secondary prevention medical therapy amongst women can lead to improved outcomes. This highlights the need to focus on minimizing the gap in secondary prevention pharmacotherapy between sexes following ACS.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Despite this, data regarding long-term outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are limited. Method(s): We identified 756 patients with RA from the Melbourne Interventional Group PCI registry (2005-2018) and compared outcomes to the remaining cohort (N=38,579). Cox regression analysis was performed to assess risk of adverse cardiac events including long-term mortality (derived from linkage with the National Death Index [NDI]). Result(s): Patients with RA were older (68.9+/-10.0 vs. 64.6+/-12.0 years) and more often female (40% vs. 23%), with higher rates of hypertension (70% vs 67%), previous stroke (9% vs 6%), peripheral vascular disease (9% vs 6%), obstructive sleep apnoea (10% vs 5%), chronic lung disease (22% vs 12%), prior myocardial infarction (32% vs 27%), and impaired renal function (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2 in 31% vs 24%), while rates of current smoking were lower (20% vs. 25%), all p<0.05. Lesions were more frequently complex (ACC/AHA type B2/C in 61% vs 57%), required longer stents (>20mm in 39% vs 35%), and rates of no reflow were higher (5% vs 3%), all p<0.05. 30-day mortality was higher (4.4% vs. 3.3%, p=0.04) mainly owing to higher non-cardiac mortality (1.6% vs. 0.8%, p=0.01). National Death Index-linked long-term mortality was 28% vs. 19% (p<0.01) with mean follow-up 4.6 vs. 5.4 years. Risk of 30-day and long-term mortality (including by indication subgroup) are presented in the Table. Conclusion(s): Patients with RA undergoing PCI have more comorbidities and longer, more complex coronary lesions. After adjustment, risk of shortterm adverse outcomes are similar, while risk of long-term mortality is higher, particularly among patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Evidence regarding outcomes following PCI is limited. This study aimed to assess differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between patients with and without RA. The Melbourne Interventional Group PCI registry (2005 to 2018) was used to identify 756 patients with RA. Outcomes were compared with the remaining cohort (n = 38,579). Patients with RA were older, more often female, with higher rates of hypertension, previous stroke, peripheral vascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic lung disease, myocardial infarction, and renal impairment, whereas rates of dyslipidemia and current smoking were lower, all p <0.05. Lesions in patients with RA were more frequently complex (ACC/AHA type B2/C), requiring longer stents, with higher rates of no reflow, all p <0.05. Risk of long-term mortality, adjusted for potential confounders, was higher for patients with RA (hazard ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 1.80; median follow-up 5.0 years), whereas 30-day outcomes including mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, bleeding, stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, and target vessel revascularization were similar. In subgroup analysis, patients with RA and lower BMI (Pfor interaction < 0.001) and/or acute coronary syndromes (Pfor interaction = 0.05) had disproportionately higher risk of long-term mortality compared with patients without RA. In conclusion, patients with RA who underwent PCI had more co-morbidities and longer, complex coronary lesions. Risk of short-term adverse outcomes was similar, whereas risk of long-term mortality was higher, especially among patients with acute coronary syndromes and lower body mass index.Copyright © 2020

BACKGROUND: Optimal secondary prevention pharmacotherapy is the cornerstone of post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) management. The prognostic impact of not receiving five guideline-recommended therapies is poorly described. AIM: To ascertain the prognostic significance of suboptimal pharmacotherapy in ACS survivors. METHODS: Consecutive patients with ACS from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry who were alive at 30 days following their index percutaneous coronary intervention were included. Patients were divided into three categories based on the number of secondary prevention medications prescribed. The optimal medical therapy (OMT), near-optimal medical therapy (NMT), suboptimal medical therapy (SMT) groups were prescribed 5, 4 and ≤ 3 medications, respectively. Primary endpoint was long-term mortality. Cox-proportional hazard modelling was undertaken to assess independent predictors of survival. RESULTS: Of the 9375 patients included, 5678 (60.6%) received OMT, 2903 (31.0%) received NMT and 794 (8.5%) received SMT. Patients receiving SMT were older, more likely to be female and had higher burden of comorbidities (renal impairment, congestive heart failure, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease; P < 0.01 for all). SMT was associated with higher long-term mortality at 3.9 ± 2.2 years when compared to NMT and OMT (16.8% vs 10.5% vs 8.2%, P < 0.001). Compared to OMT, SMT was an independent predictor of long-term mortality (hazard ratio, HR 1.62, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.30-2.02, P < 0.01) while NMT was associated with a clinically significant 14% mortality hazard (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.97-1.34, P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: There is a graded long-term hazard associated with not receiving OMT after an ACS. Improvements in secondary prevention pharmacotherapy models of care are warranted to further decrease the long-term mortality.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of age in an all-comers population undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background: Age is an important consideration in determining appropriateness for invasive cardiac assessment and perceived clinical outcomes. Methods: We analysed data from 29,012 consecutive patients undergoing PCI in the Melbourne Interventional Group (MIG) registry between 2005 and 2017. 25,730 patients <80 year old (78% male, mean age 62±10 years; non-elderly cohort) were compared to 3,282 patients ≥80 year old (61% male, mean age 84±3 years; elderly cohort). Results: The elderly cohort had greater prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and previous myocardial infarction (all p<0.001). Elderly patients were more likely to present with acute coronary syndromes, left ventricular ejection fraction <45% and chronic kidney disease (p<0.0001). In-hospital, 30-day and long-term all-cause mortality (over a median of 3.6 and 5.1 years for elderly and non-elderly cohorts, respectively) were higher in the elderly cohort (5.2% vs. 1.9%; 6.4% vs. 2.2%; and 43% vs. 14% respectively, all p<0.0001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 3.8, 95% CI: 3.4–4.3), cardiogenic shock (HR 3.0, 95% CI: 2.6–3.4), ejection fraction <30% (HR 2.5, 95% CI: 2.1–2.9); and age ≥80 years (HR 2.8, 95% CI: 2.6–3.1) were independent predictors of long-term all-cause mortality (all p<0.0001). Conclusion: The elderly cohort is a high-risk group of patients with increasing age being associated with poorer long-term mortality. Age, thus, should be an important consideration when individualising treatment in elderly patients.

There are conflicting data on whether patients with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) have poorer outcomes compared with non-insulin treated diabetic (non-ITDM) patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We therefore compared clinical outcomes following PCI in ITDM versus non-ITDM patients. We prospectively collected data on 4,579 patients with diabetes underwent PCI between 2005 and 2014 in a large multicenter registry and dichotomized them as having ITDM (n = 1,111) or non-ITDM (n = 3,468). The non-ITDM group was further divided into diet control only (diet-DM; n = 786) and those taking oral hypoglycemic agents (OHG-DM; n = 2,639), and clinical outcomes were compared with ITDM patients. Median follow-up for long-term mortality was 4.2 years (IQR 2.0 to 6.6 years). ITDM patients were more likely to be female, obese, and have severe renal impairment (all p <0.001). Procedural characteristics were similar other than a greater use of drug-eluting stents in ITDM patients. On multivariable analysis, ITDM was an independent predictor of 12-month major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02 to1.55, p = 0.03). Dividing the non-ITDM group further by treatment, a progressively higher rate of 12-month MACCE across the 3 groups was observed (13.5% vs 17.9% vs 21.8%; p <0.001). Long-term mortality was similar in the diet-DM and OHG-DM groups, but significantly higher in the ITDM group on Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank p <0.001). In conclusion, there is a clear gradient of adverse outcomes with escalation of therapy from diet control to OHGs to insulin.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Evidence regarding outcomes following PCI is limited. This study aimed to assess differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between patients with and without RA. The Melbourne Interventional Group PCI registry (2005 to 2018) was used to identify 756 patients with RA. Outcomes were compared with the remaining cohort (n = 38,579). Patients with RA were older, more often female, with higher rates of hypertension, previous stroke, peripheral vascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic lung disease, myocardial infarction, and renal impairment, whereas rates of dyslipidemia and current smoking were lower, all p <0.05. Lesions in patients with RA were more frequently complex (ACC/AHA type B2/C), requiring longer stents, with higher rates of no reflow, all p <0.05. Risk of long-term mortality, adjusted for potential confounders, was higher for patients with RA (hazard ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 1.80; median follow-up 5.0 years), whereas 30-day outcomes including mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, bleeding, stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, and target vessel revascularization were similar. In subgroup analysis, patients with RA and lower BMI (Pfor interaction < 0.001) and/or acute coronary syndromes (Pfor interaction = 0.05) had disproportionately higher risk of long-term mortality compared with patients without RA. In conclusion, patients with RA who underwent PCI had more co-morbidities and longer, complex coronary lesions. Risk of short-term adverse outcomes was similar, whereas risk of long-term mortality was higher, especially among patients with acute coronary syndromes and lower body mass index.

The short- and long-term implications of identifying totally occluded culprit coronary arteries (TOCCA) in patients presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have not been well studied. This study compares clinical characteristics, short- and long-term outcomes of patients with NSTEMI identified with TOCCA to that of patients with non-TOCCA undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We analyzed data from patients with NSTEMI undergoing single-vessel PCI within the Melbourne Interventional Group multi-center registry between 2005 and 2017. Those with TOCCA were compared to those with non-TOCCA. The primary endpoint was 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Secondary endpoints included 12-month MACE and long-term mortality. A total of 6,829 patients with NSTEMI had single-vessel PCI of which 954 (14%) had TOCCA. Most TOCCA were non-left anterior descending (right coronary artery 39% versus circumflex 33% versus left anterior descending 26%; p <0.001). Cardiogenic shock and left ventricular dysfunction were higher in the TOCCA group, but non-TOCCA patients had more baseline comorbidities. Thirty-day MACE was higher in the TOCCA group (6.7% versus 3.8%; p <0.001). Long-term mortality with an average follow-up of 4.9 years was higher in the non-TOCCA group (12% versus 18%, p <0.01). Multivariable Cox-proportional hazards regression identified TOCCA as an independent predictor of 30-day MACE (HR = 1.93; 95%CI: 1.4-2.6), but not long-term mortality, which was predicted by baseline comorbidities. In conclusion, while patients with NSTEMI with TOCCA undergoing PCI represent a more unstable subgroup early on, long-term outcomes appear more dependent on baseline comorbidities.

Background: Fibrinolysis is an important reperfusion strategy in the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when timely access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is unavailable. Rescue PCI is generally thought to have worse outcomes than PPCI in STEMI. We aimed to determine short- and long-term outcomes of patients with rescue PCI versus PPCI for treatment of STEMI. Methods and results: Patients admitted with STEMI (excluding out-of-hospital cardiac arrest) within the Melbourne Interventional Group (MIG) registry between 2005 and 2018 treated with either rescue PCI or PPCI were included in this retrospective cohort analysis. Comparison of 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and long-term mortality between the two groups was performed. There were 558 patients (7.1%) with rescue PCI and 7271 with PPCI. 30-day all-cause mortality (rescue PCI 6% vs. PPCI 5%, p = 0.47) and MACE (rescue PCI 10.3% vs. PPCI 8.9%, p = 0.26) rates were similar between the two groups. Rates of in-hospital major bleeding (rescue PCI 6% vs. PPCI 3.4%, p = 0.002) and 30-day stroke (rescue PCI 2.2% vs. PPCI 0.8%, p < 0.001) were higher following rescue PCI. The odds ratio for haemorrhagic stroke in the rescue PCI group was 10.3. Long-term mortality was not significantly different between the groups (rescue PCI 20% vs. PPCI 19%, p = 0.33). Conclusions: With contemporary interventional techniques and medical therapy, rescue PCI remains a valuable strategy for treating patients with failed fibrinolysis where PPCI is unavailable and it has been suggested in extenuating circumstances where alternative revascularisation strategies are considered.

Background: Data on the patient characteristics and health outcomes of Indigenous Australians having revascularisation for treatment of coronary artery disease are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess differences in patient characteristics, presentations, and outcomes among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians having percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in urban and larger regional centres in Victoria, Australia. Methods: In this multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study, data were prospectively collected from six government-funded tertiary hospitals in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Melbourne Interventional Group PCI registry was used to identify patients having PCI at Victorian metropolitan and large regional hospitals between Jan 1, 2005, and Dec 31, 2018. The primary outcome was long-term mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30 day mortality and 30 day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularisation. Regression analyses, adjusted for clinically relevant covariates and geographical and socioeconomic indices, were used to establish the influence of Indigenous status on these study outcomes. Findings: 41 146 patient procedures were entered into the registry, of whom 179 (0·4%) were recorded as identifying as Indigenous Australian, 39 855 (96·9%) were not Indigenous Australian, and 1112 (2·7%) had incomplete data regarding ethnicity and were excluded. Compared with their non-Indigenous counterparts, Indigenous patients were younger, more often women, and more likely to have comorbidities. Indigenous Australians were also more likely to live in a regional community and areas of socioeconomic disadvantage. Procedural success and complication rates were similar for Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients having PCI. At 30 day follow-up, Indigenous Australians were more likely to be taking optimal medical therapy, although overall follow-up rat

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Data regarding long-term percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes are limited. Method(s): The Melbourne Interventional Group PCI registry (2005-2018) was used to identify 756 patients with RA and outcomes were compared to the remaining cohort (N=38,579). Cox regression analysis was performed to assess risk of adverse events. Result(s): Patients with RA were older and more often female, with higher rates of hypertension, previous stroke, peripheral vascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, chronic lung disease, prior myocardial infarction, and poor renal function, while rates of current smoking were lower, all p<0.05. Lesions were more frequently complex (ACC/AHA type B2/C), required longer stents, and rates of no reflow were higher, all p<0.05. Mortality at 30-days was higher (4.4% vs 3.3%, p=0.04) mainly relating to higher non-cardiac mortality (1.6% vs 0.8%, p=0.01). Risk of long-term mortality was higher for RA patients (28% vs 19%, mean follow-up 5.4 years, Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI 1.25-1.67 adjusted for age, sex and comorbidities) and varied by PCI indication subtype (STEMI HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.06-1.81; NSTEACS HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.49-2.34; non-ACS HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.75-1.59). Risk of 30-day mortality, MACE, bleeding, and target lesion revascularisation were similar. Conclusion(s): Patients with RA undergoing PCI have more comorbidities and longer, more complex coronary lesions. Risk of short-term adverse outcomes are similar, while risk of long-term mortality is higher, especially among patients with acute coronary syndromes.Copyright © 2020

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the outcomes of cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute coronary syndromes (ACS). BACKGROUND: CS remains the leading cause of mortality in patients presenting with ACS despite advances in care. METHODS: We studied 13,184 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for all subtypes of ACS enrolled prospectively in a large multicentre Australian registry (Melbourne Interventional Group registry) from 2005 to 2013. All-cause mortality was obtained via linkage to the National Death Index. Patients were divided into those with and those without CS. RESULTS: Compared to the non-CS group (n = 12,548, 95.2%), the CS group (n = 636, 4.8%) had a higher proportion of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) (31.1 vs. 2.2%) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presentation (89 vs. 34%), both p < .01. Patients in the CS group had higher rates of in-hospital (40.4 vs. 1.2%) and 30-day (41 vs. 1.7%) mortality compared to the non-CS group. Long-term mortality over a median follow-up of 4.2 years was higher in the CS group (50.6 vs. 13.8%), p < .001. Trends of in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates of CS complicating ACS were relatively stable from 2005 to 2013. Predictors of long-term NDI-linked mortality within the CS group include severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (HR 3.0), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 (HR 2.56), GFR 30-59 (HR 1.94), OHCA (HR 1.46), diabetes (HR 1.44), and age (HR 1.02), all p < .05. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of CS-related mortality complicating ACS have remained very high and steady over nearly a decade despite progress in STEMI systems of care, PCI techniques, and medical therapy.

BACKGROUND: There is a long-held belief in the association between the full moon and extremes of human behaviour and adverse health consequences. Small-scale studies are conflicting; however, most suggest no clear association between lunar phase and occurrence of acute coronary syndromes. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of the lunar phase, and in particular, the full moon phase, on the incidence and outcomes among ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cases undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We conducted a multi-centre retrospective study from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry, including 7570 STEMI cases from six tertiary centres over a 12-year study period in Victoria, Australia, and performed statistical analysis using Stata software. Primary outcomes studied were the incidence of STEMI, the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and mortality at 1 and 5 years in cases of STEMI undergoing primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention during the full moon between 2005 and 2017 in Victoria, Australia. RESULTS: This study demonstrated neither significant difference in STEMI incidence (P = 0.61) nor of major adverse cardiovascular events across all lunar phases. Subgroup analysis confirmed no difference in outcomes during the full moon compared to a composite of other lunar phases.Kaplan-Meier survival estimates showed similar 30-day outcomes across lunar phases (P = 0.35) and when comparing full moon to a composite of other lunar phases (P = 0.45). Similarly, there was no significant difference in survival at 1 and 5 years between lunar phases (P = 0.68) or compared to the full moon phase (P = 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed no significant difference in the incidence or cardiovascular outcomes and survival in patients with STEMI undergoing primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention during the lunar phases.

BACKGROUND: There is no universally accepted age cut-off for defining young strokes. AIMS: We aimed to determine, based on the profile of young stroke patients in our regional centre, an appropriate age cut-off for young strokes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all ischaemic stroke patients admitted to our centre from 2015 to 2017. We identified 391 ischaemic stroke patients; 30 patients between the ages of ≤50, 40 between 51-60 inclusive and 321 ≥ 61 years of age. We collected data on demographic profiles, risk factors and stroke classification using the Trial of Org 10 172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria. RESULTS: We found significant differences between the ≤50 and ≥61 age groups for most of the risk factors and similarities between the 51-60 inclusive and ≥ 61 age groups. At least one of the six risk factors assessed in the study was present in 86.7% of the youngest group, 97.5% of the intermediate age group and 97.2% in the oldest group. In terms of the mechanisms of stroke, the youngest and oldest age groups in our study differed in the prevalence of cryptogenic, cardioembolic and other causes of stroke. The middle and older age groups had similar mechanisms of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vascular risk factors and mechanisms of stroke likewise differed significantly across age groups. This study suggests that 50 years is an appropriate age cut-off for defining young strokes and reinforces the importance of primary prevention in all age groups.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical outcomes of patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) secondary to stent thrombosis (ST) compared to those presenting with STEMI secondary to a de novo culprit lesion and treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: ST is an infrequent but serious complication of PCI with substantial associated morbidity and mortality, however with limited data. METHODS: We studied consecutive patients who underwent PCI for STEMI from 2005 to 2013 enrolled prospectively in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Patients were divided into two groups: the ST group comprised patients where the STEMI was due to ST and the de novo group formed the remainder of the STEMI cohort and all patients were treated by PCI. The primary endpoint was 30-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Compared to the de novo group (n = 3,835), the ST group (n = 128; 3.2% of STEMI) had higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia, established cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease, all p < .01. Within the ST group, very-late ST was the most common form of ST, followed by late and early ST (64, 19, and 17%, respectively). There was no significant difference in the primary outcome between the ST group and the de novo group (4.7 vs. 7.1%, p = .29). On multivariate analysis, ST was not an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (odds ratio: 0.62, 95% confidence interval: 0.07-1.09, p = .068). CONCLUSION: The short-term prognosis of patients with STEMI secondary to ST who were treated by PCI was comparable to that of patients with STEMI due to de novo lesions.

Background: Systems of care have been established to ensure patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) get timely access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). In this study, we evaluated whether patients undergoing PPCI both in-hours and out-of-hours experience similar care and clinical outcomes. Methods: Of 9,865 patients who underwent PCI for STEMI from 2005 to 2016 and were enrolled in the multi-centre Melbourne Interventional Group registry, patients who had initially presented to a non-PCI capable hospital, received thrombolysis or presented >12 hours post-symptom onset were excluded. Our final study cohort of 4,590 patients were dichotomised by whether PPCI was performed in-hours or out-of-hours, and compared. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Results: The in-hours group included 1,865 patients (40.6%) while 2,725 patients (59.4%) had out-of-hours PPCI. Patients presenting out-of-hours had longer median door-to-balloon time (DTBT; 83 [IQR 61–109] vs. 60 [IQR 41–88] mins, p < 0.01) and were more likely to receive a drug-eluting stent (p = 0.001). Procedural characteristics were otherwise similar although rates of radial access were low overall (18.4%). No differences in in-hospital, 30-day or 12-month mortality were observed between the groups (p = NS). On Cox proportional hazards modelling, out-of-hours presentation was not an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.71–1.22). A landmark analysis of data from 2012 did not change the primary outcome. Conclusion: Despite a slightly longer DTBT, patients undergoing PPCI out-of-hours experienced similar care and clinical outcomes to the in-hours group. Given the majority of patients with STEMI present out-of-hours, these data have implications for STEMI systems of care.

© 2020 Background: In cardiogenic shock with severe left main coronary artery stenosis (LM), limited information exists on short and longer-term outcomes. We sought to determine the outcomes of unprotected LM PCI in cardiogenic shock. Methods: Excluding patients with previous CABG, consecutive patients undergoing PCI in cardiogenic shock from the Melbourne Intervention Group registry between 2005 and 2013 were analysed. Those post LM PCI were compared to those post non-LM PCI. Patient and procedural data were collected with 30-day and 12-month follow-up. Australian National Death Index linkage was performed for long-term mortality analysis. Results: After excluding previous CABG, 18,069 procedures were performed during 1st January 2005 to 30th November 2013, 601 procedures in the setting of cardiogenic shock. Of these, 45 were performed to an isolated LM and 556 to a non-LM. Those with LM PCI were older and more likely to have a baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <45%. The in-hospital, 30-day, 12-month and long-term mortality to 9 years in cardiogenic shock after LM PCI was 64.4%, 66.7%, 73.3% and 80.0% compared to 36.5%, 36.9%, 40.5% and 46.0%, after non-LM PCI (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, LM PCI was a significant independent predictor of long-term mortality (HR1.59, 95%CI 1.00–2.53, p = 0.048). Landmark analysis of survivors to discharge found the long-term mortality of LM PCI approaches 60% compared to 27% for those with non-LM PCI (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Long-term outcomes after PCI to LM in cardiogenic shock are poor, with much of the excess in mortality occurring early. However, reasonable long-term survival was found beyond the initial high-risk period.

© 2020 Aim: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is frequently associated with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and has a high mortality. We aimed to identify differences in characteristics and very long-term outcomes for STEMI patients with and without OHCA managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: We analysed data from 12,637 PCI patient procedures for STEMI in the multi-centre Melbourne Interventional Group registry between January 2005 and December 2018. Multivariable models examined associations with OHCA presentation and 30-day mortality. Long-term outcomes were assessed through linkage with the Australian National Death Index. Results: Compared with patients without OHCA (N = 11,580), patients with OHCA (N = 1057) were younger, more often male, had less cardiovascular risk factors, and more often presented with cardiogenic shock. OHCA preceded an increasing proportion of STEMI PCI cases from 2005 to 2018 (2.4% vs. 9.2%). Factors independently associated with OHCA presentation were younger age, male gender, prior valve surgery, multi-vessel disease, LAD culprit, small vessel diameter, and renal impairment on presentation. Patients with OHCA had lower procedural success, higher rates of bleeding and stroke, larger infarct size (measured by peak CK), and higher 30-day mortality (37% vs. 5%; all p < 0.05). Cardiogenic shock, renal impairment and lower ejection fraction were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Long-term mortality was 44% vs. 20% (median follow-up 4.6 years), with Cox regression analysis demonstrating no difference in survival if patients survived beyond 30 days (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.95–1.47). Conclusions: OHCA has a high short-term mortality and precedes an increasing proportion of STEMI PCI cases. Thirty-day survivors have an excellent long-term prognosis.

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have increased adverse events post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), somewhat attenuated by use of drug-eluting stents (DES). DES choice is controversial, with studies showing increased late mortality with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) compared to paclitaxel-eluting (PES) or bare-metal stents (BMS) and higher major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) rates with second generation everolimus (EES) vs. PES. Method(s): We enrolled 4,579 diabetic patients undergoing PCI from 2005-2014 in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Characteristics and 12-month outcomes were compared between insulin-treated (ITDM) and non-ITDM patients and by stent type. Result(s): Diabetics receiving DES were more likely to be insulin-requiring (p < 0.05) or undergoing PCI for restenosis (p < 0.001). ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients more often received BMS (p < 0.003 for SES and PES); even after propensity matching in STEMI, a significant hazard for MACCE in ITDM vs. non-ITDM patients (OR 1.48, 1.19-1.84) remained. Stents were longer and vessel size smaller in DES vs. BMS (p < 0.0001). However, 12-month MACCE were higher in BMS vs. SES or PES (p = 0.004 and p = 0.046) and did not differ between DES types. [Figure presented] Conclusion(s): In ITDM, all DES resulted in lower 12 month MACCE than BMS. Overall, outcomes depend more on the presence and intensity of DM treatment than stent type, particularly for EES vs. PES or second-generation vs. first generation DES.Copyright © 2019

Background Previous studies have reported a protective effect of obesity compared with normal body mass index (BMI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unclear whether this effect extends to the extremely obese. In this large multicenter registry-based study, we sought to examine the relationship between BMI and long-term clinical outcomes following PCI, and in particular to evaluate the association between extreme obesity and long-term survival after PCI. Methods and Results This cohort study included 25 413 patients who underwent PCI between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2017, who were prospectively enrolled in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Patients were stratified by World Health Organization-defined BMI categories. The primary end point was National Death Index-linked mortality. The median length of follow-up was 4.4 years (interquartile range 2.0-7.6 years). Of the study cohort, 24.8% had normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), and 3.3% were extremely obese (BMI ≥40 kg/m2). Patients with greater degrees of obesity were younger and included a higher proportion of diabetics (P<0.001). After adjustment for age and comorbidities, a J-shaped association was observed between different BMI categories and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for long-term mortality (normal BMI, HR 1.00 [ref]; overweight, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.93, P<0.001; mild obesity, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.94, P=0.002; moderate obesity, HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.80-1.12, P=0.54; extreme obesity HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07-1.65, P=0.01). Conclusions An obesity paradox is still apparent in contemporary practice, with elevated BMI up to 35 kg/m2 associated with reduced long-term mortality after PCI. However, this protective effect appears not to extend to patients with extreme obesity.

Background: Previous studies have reported a protective effect of obesity compared with normal body mass index (BMI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unclear whether this effect extends to the extremely obese. In this large multicenter registry‐based study, we sought to examine the relationship between BMI and long‐term clinical outcomes following PCI, and in particular to evaluate the association between extreme obesity and long‐term survival after PCI. Methods and Results: This cohort study included 25 413 patients who underwent PCI between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2017, who were prospectively enrolled in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Patients were stratified by World Health Organization–defined BMI categories. The primary end point was National Death Index–linked mortality. The median length of follow‐up was 4.4 years (interquartile range 2.0‐7.6 years). Of the study cohort, 24.8% had normal BMI (18.5‐24.9 kg/m2), and 3.3% were extremely obese (BMI ≥40 kg/m2). Patients with greater degrees of obesity were younger and included a higher proportion of diabetics (P<0.001). After adjustment for age and comorbidities, a J‐shaped association was observed between different BMI categories and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for long‐term mortality (normal BMI, HR 1.00 [ref]; overweight, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78‐0.93, P<0.001; mild obesity, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76‐0.94, P=0.002; moderate obesity, HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.80‐1.12, P=0.54; extreme obesity HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07‐1.65, P=0.01). Conclusions: An obesity paradox is still apparent in contemporary practice, with elevated BMI up to 35 kg/m2 associated with reduced long‐term mortality after PCI. However, this protective effect appears not to extend to patients with extreme obesity.

BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been previously shown to be associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. However, unlike in Australia, many of these studies have been performed in countries without universal healthcare where SES may be expected to have a greater impact on care and outcomes. We sought to determine whether there is an association between SES and baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes and use of secondary prevention therapy in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively collected data on 5665 consecutive ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction PCI patients between 2005 and 2015 from 6 government-funded hospitals participating in a multicenter registry. Patients were categorized into SES quintiles using the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage system, a score allocated to each residential postcode based on factors like income, educational level, and employment status by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. In our study, lower SES patients were more likely to have diabetes mellitus, smoke, and initially present to a non-PCI capable hospital (all P=0.01). Among primary PCI patients, the median time to reperfusion was slightly higher in lower SES groups (211 [144-337] versus 193 [145-285] minutes, P<0.001). Drug-eluting stent use was higher in the higher SES groups ( P<0.001). At 12 months after PCI, lower SES patients had higher rates of ongoing smoking and lower use of guideline-recommended secondary prevention therapy (both P<0.01). Despite these differences, SES group was not found to be an independent predictor of 12-month major adverse cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: Lower SES patients have more comorbidities and experienced slightly longer reperfusion times but otherwise similar care. Despite these baseline differences, clinical outcomes after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction PCI were similar

Background and Aims: Rapid assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients with acute stroke events requires communication between infield paramedics and multiple hospital clinicians (emergency, medical, neurology, radiology). Treatment delays may occur with information repeated between the interdisciplinary team from different organisations/hospital departments. Aim(s): To determine if a smartphone communication app can improve clinical care timelines for patients with suspected acute stroke. Method(s): Using a 12 month pre-post historical-control design, the PulsaraTM Stop Stroke/STEMI smartphone and tablet app (PulsaraTM) was implemented pre- (25 Ambulance Victoria branches) and within-hospital (2 hospitals in regional Victoria, Australia). PulsaraTM provides secure, simultaneous, two-way, real-time communication. Eligible patients had suspected acute stroke events assessed by paramedics or hospital clinicians. Pre-hospital and hospital assessment and treatment times were captured; data collection is ongoing. Preliminary results compare stroke care timelines if PulsaraTM was initiated (PulsaraTM) or not (no PulsaraTM) (hospital 1: 22/08/2016-21/02/2017; hospitals 1 and 2: 29/05/2017-31/ 10/2017). Result(s): There were 262 patients (no PulsaraTM/PulsaraTM: n=81/ n=185, both median 75 years, 52%/48% male) with PulsaraTM initiated by paramedics (n=115) and Emergency Departments (n=70). Faster paramedic hospital-arrival-to-departure by median 10 minutes (no PulsaraTM: 55 minutes [IQR: 43-64]; PulsaraTM 45 minutes [IQR: 35- 55]). Faster emergency department door-to-first medical review time by median 18 minutes (no PulsaraTM: 23 minutes [IQR: 6-65]; PulsaraTM 5 minutes [IQR: 1-11]) and faster door-to-CT completed by median 51 minutes (no PulsaraTM: 81 minutes [IQR: 39-145]; PulsaraTM: 27 minutes [IQR: 17-42]). All thrombolysis cases used PulsaraTM (n=38). Conclusion(s): Preliminary evidence supports improved care timelines. PulsaraTM was successfully implemented for

© The Author 2017. Aims The prognosis of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for different subtypes of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains unclear. We compared short- and long-term mortality in patients undergoing PCI for unstable angina (UA), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods and results This was a retrospective cohort study of 13 184 patients (5966 STEMI, 5307 NSTEMI, and 1911 UA) undergoing PCI between 1 January 2005 and 30 November 2013 in a multi-centre registry. Clinical and procedural characteristics, as well as outcomes, were compared by ACS subtype. Long-term all-cause mortality data were obtained via linkage to the National Death Index (NDI). Patients with STEMI compared with NSTEMI and UA were younger (62.9 ± 12.8 vs. 64.7 ± 12.5 vs. 65.5 ± 11.8 years; P < 0.01), had fewer comorbidities including diabetes, heart failure, and previous myocardial infarction (all P < 0.01). Procedural success was similar across all groups (P = 0.54). In-hospital, 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality increased significantly from UA to NSTEMI to STEMI patients (1-year mortality 2.5% vs. 4.5% vs. 8.7%; P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates showed increased early mortality in the STEMI group (log-rank P < 0.01). However, after approximately 8.2 years, survival was similar across all groups. In a proportional-odds model using flexible parametric survival modelling, ACS subtype was not an independent predictor of NDI-linked mortality [UA: odds ratio (OR) 0.85, 95% CI 0.71-1.02; STEMI: OR 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-1.16; NSTEMI as reference category]. Conclusion Despite disparate baseline characteristics and differences in short-term mortality, long-term mortality was similar across the spectrum of ACS treated by PCI and contemporary medical therapy.

Objective We aim to ascertain the prognostic significance of persistent smoking and smoking cessation after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the era of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and optimal secondary prevention pharmacotherapy. Methods Consecutive patients from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry (2005-2013) who were alive at 30 days post-ACS presentation were included in our observational cohort study. Patients were divided into four categories based on their smoking status: non-smoker; ex-smoker (quit >1 month before ACS); recent quitter (smoker at presentation but quit by 30 days) and persistent smoker (smoker at presentation and at 30 days). The primary endpoint was survival ascertained through the Australian National Death Index linkage. A Cox-proportional hazards model was used to estimate the adjusted HR and 95% CI for survival. Results Of the 9375 patients included, 2728 (29.1%) never smoked, 3712 (39.6%) were ex-smokers, 1612 (17.2%) were recent quitters and 1323 (14.1%) were persistent smokers. Cox-proportional hazard modelling revealed, compared with those who had never smoked, that persistent smoking (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.32, p<0.001) was an independent predictor of increased hazard (mean follow-up 3.9±2.2 years) while being a recent quitter (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.68, p=0.10) or an ex-smoker (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.22, p=0.72) were not. Conclusions In a contemporary cohort of patients with ACS, those who continued to smoke had an 80% risk of lower survival while those who quit had comparable survival to lifelong non-smokers. This underscores the importance of smoking cessation in secondary prevention despite the improvement in management of ACS with PCI and pharmacotherapy.

Over the last decade, systems of care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have evolved to try to improve outcomes and timely access to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There have also been advances in PCI techniques and adjunctive pharmacotherapies. In this study, we sought to determine temporal changes in practices and clinical outcomes of PCI in patients with STEMI. We prospectively collected data on 8,412 consecutive patients undergoing PCI for STEMI between 2005 and 2016 in the multicenter Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Data were divided by procedure year for trends analysis. The primary end point was 30-day mortality. Patient demographics and comorbidities including smoking and diabetes have remained stable. The volume of primary PCI performed within 12 hours of symptom onset has significantly risen (65.7% to 80.1%, p < 0.01). The proportion of patients achieving the recommended door-to-balloon time =90 minutes has also risen (37.6% to 59.0%, p < 0.01). Patient complexity has also increased with more patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with STEMI now being treated with PCI (2.6% to 9.1%, p < 0.01). A shift from mainly femoral to radial access and from bare-metal to drug-eluting stent use was seen. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are being used less frequently with increasing use of newer antiplatelet agents. Thirty-day mortality has remained low throughout the study period at 6.5% overall. In conclusion, although timely access to primary PCI has improved, mortality rates have remained unchanged, but remain low and compare favorably with international data. Australian PCI practice has overall evolved in response to evidence and emergence of new adjunctive device and pharmacotherapies.

Objective We aim to ascertain the prognostic significance of persistent smoking and smoking cessation after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the era of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and optimal secondary prevention pharmacotherapy. Methods Consecutive patients from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry (2005-2013) who were alive at 30 days post-ACS presentation were included in our observational cohort study. Patients were divided into four categories based on their smoking status: non-smoker; ex-smoker (quit > 1 month before ACS); recent quitter (smoker at presentation but quit by 30 days) and persistent smoker (smoker at presentation and at 30 days). The primary endpoint was survival ascertained through the Australian National Death Index linkage. A Cox-proportional hazards model was used to estimate the adjusted HR and 95% CI for survival. Results Of the 9375 patients included, 2728 (29.1%) never smoked, 3712 (39.6%) were ex-smokers, 1612 (17.2%) were recent quitters and 1323 (14.1%) were persistent smokers. Cox-proportional hazard modelling revealed, compared with those who had never smoked, that persistent smoking (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.32, p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of increased hazard (mean follow-up 3.9±2.2 years) while being a recent quitter (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.68, p=0.10) or an ex-smoker (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.22, p=0.72) were not. Conclusions In a contemporary cohort of patients with ACS, those who continued to smoke had an 80% risk of lower survival while those who quit had comparable survival to lifelong non-smokers. This underscores the importance of smoking cessation in secondary prevention despite the improvement in management of ACS with PCI and pharmacotherapy.