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Background: Cardiotoxicity has become a significant adverse effect of cancer therapy, with Anthracyclines (ANT) in particular. There is a crucial need for new imaging techniques for the early subclinical detection of cardiotoxic effect. We aimed to evaluate left atrial strain (LAS) changes during ANT therapy and to assess the correlation between LAS and the routine echocardiographic diastolic parameters., Methods and Results: Data were prospectively collected as part of the Israel Cardio-Oncology Registry (ICOR). All female patients with breast cancer, planned for ANT therapy were included. All patients underwent serial echocardiography exams including baseline LAS (before chemotherapy, T1) and shortly after the completion of ANT therapy (T3). LAS was assessed in 3 phases: Reservoir (LASr), Conduit (LASc) and Pump (LASp). Significant reduction in LASr was determined by either a relative reduction of >10% or an absolute value of <35%. From September 2016 to June 2019, 40 patients were evaluated with a mean Doxorubicin (type of ANT) dose of 237±13.24mg/m2. At T3, significant reduction in LASr was observed among 50% of the patients with a mean LASr reduction from 40.15 ± 6.83% to 36.04 ± 7.73% (p < 0.001). LASc showed significant reduction as well (p < 0.004) as opposed to LASp (p=0.076). Both LASr and LASc showed significant correlation to the routine diastolic parameters., Conclusions: LASr and LASc reduction are frequent and occur early in the course of ANT therapy, showing significant correlation to the routine echocardiographic diastolic parameters, which may imply a role in the detection of early cardiotoxicity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diastolic dysfunction is a common finding in patients receiving cancer therapy. This study evaluated the correlation of diastolic strain slope (Dss) with routine echocardiography diastolic parameters and its role in early detection of systolic dysfunction and cardiovascular (CV) mortality within this population., Methods: Data were collected from the Israel Cardio-Oncology Registry (ICOR), a prospective registry enrolling adult patient receiving cancer therapy. All patients performed at least three echocardiography exams (T1, T2, T3), including left ventricle Global Longitudinal Strain (LV GLS) and Dss. Systolic dysfunction was determined by either LV GLS relative reduction of ≥ 15% or LV ejection fraction reduction > 10% to < 53%. Dss was assessed as the early lengthening rate, measured by the diastolic slope (delta%/sec)., Results: Among 144 patients, 114 (79.2%) were female with a mean age of 57.31 ± 14.3 years. Dss was significantly correlated with e' average. Mid segment Dss change between T1 and T2 showed significant association to systolic dysfunction development (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.04 [1.01,1.06]. p = 0.036). In multivariate prediction, Dss increase was a significant predictor for the development of systolic dysfunction (OR = 1.06 [1.03,1.1], P < 0.001).An 8% increase in Dss between T1 and T2 was associated with a trend in increased CV mortality (HR = 3.4 [0.77,15.4], p = 0.085)., Conclusions: This study is the first to use the novel measurement of Dss in patients treated with cancer therapies and to show significant correlation between routine diastolic dysfunction parameters and Dss. Changes in the mid segment were found to have significant independent early predictive value for systolic dysfunction development in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Background: Increased survival among active cancer patients exposes a wide range of side effects, including cardiotoxicity, manifested by systolic dysfunction and associated with morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of subclinical function changes and cardiac damage is essential in the management of these patients. Diastolic dysfunction is considered common among cancer patients; however, its effect on systolic dysfunction or mortality is still unknown., Methods: Data were collected as part of the Israel Cardio-Oncology Registry, enrolling and prospectively following all patients evaluated in the cardio-oncology clinic in the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. All patients underwent echocardiographic examinations including evaluation of diastolic parameters and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Systolic dysfunction was defined as either an absolute reduction >10% in left ventricular ejection fraction to a value below 53% or GLS relative reduction >10% between the 1st and 3rd echocardiography examinations., Results: Overall, 190 active cancer patients were included, with a mean age of 58 ± 15 years and a female predominance (78%). During a median follow-up of 243 days (interquartile ranges [IQR]: 164-401 days), 62 (33%) patients developed systolic dysfunction. Over a median follow-up of 789 days (IQR: 521-968 days), 29 (15%) patients died. There were no significant differences in baseline cardiac risk factors between the groups. Using multivariate analysis, E/e' lateral and e' lateral emerged as significantly associated with systolic dysfunction development and all-cause mortality (P = .015)., Conclusion: Among active cancer patients, evaluation of diastolic function may provide an early marker for the development of systolic dysfunction, as well as all-cause mortality., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background "Palpitations" are one of the most common complaints prompting medical attention. Textbooks of medicine and cardiology as well as guideline documents and position papers describe palpitations as a common symptom of ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, data to support this description are lacking. The aim of our study was to evaluate the symptomatology of sustained monomorphic VT with emphasis on the prevalence of palpitations. Methods and Results Consecutive patients presenting to our center with a first event of a regular sustained monomorphic VT (n=59) or a regular supraventricular tachycardia (SVT; n=109) between January 2012 and September 2019 were interviewed regarding their symptoms during the arrhythmic event. We included only patients with a first arrhythmic event to avoid the influence of previous medical encounters on our patients' terminology. As expected, patients with VT were older (age 68.8±13.6 versus 52.6±16.8 years; P <0.001), more often of male sex (94.9% versus 37.6%; P <0.001), had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (37±11% versus 59±2%, P <0.001) and more comorbidities (87.6% versus 40.5%; P <0.001) compared with patients with SVT. Importantly, even though the heart rate upon presentation did not differ between the 2 groups (165±26 beats/min during VT versus 171±32 beats/min during SVT; P =0.16), symptomatology differed significantly; specifically, palpitations were reported in only 8.8% of VT patients, compared with 90.7% of SVT patients ( P <0.001). Common symptoms in the VT group included chest pain (64%), dyspnea (21%), and dizziness (26%). Conclusions Despite similar heart rate, patients with VT rarely report having palpitations, whereas patients with SVT do so commonly. This finding may assist with decision making in patients reporting palpitations in whom an ECG tracing is not available.

Background: Although diastolic dysfunction is common among patients treated with cancer therapy, no clear evidence has been shown that it predicts systolic dysfunction. This study evaluated the correlation of diastolic strain time (Dst) with the routine echocardiography diastolic parameters and estimated its role in the early detection of cardiotoxicity among patients with active breast cancer., Methods: Data were collected as part of the Israel Cardio-Oncology Registry (ICOR), a prospective registry enrolling all adult patients referred to the cardio-oncology clinic. All patients with breast cancer, planned for Doxorubicin therapy, were included. Echocardiography, including global longitudinal systolic strain (GLS) and Dst, was assessed at baseline before chemotherapy (T1), during Doxorubicin therapy (T2) and after the completion of Doxorubicin therapy (T3). Cardiotoxicity was determined by GLS relative reduction of ≥15%. Dst was assessed as the time measured (ms) of the myocardium lengthening during diastole., Results: Among 69 patients, 67 (97.1%) were females with a mean age of 52 ± 13 years. Dst was significantly associated with the routine diastolic parameters. Significant GLS reduction was observed in 10 (20%) patients at T3. Both in a univariate and a multivariate analyses, the change in Ds basal time from T1 to T2 emerged to be significantly associated with GLS reduction at T3 (P < .04)., Conclusions: Among breast cancer patients, Dst showed high correlation to the routine diastolic echocardiography parameters. Change in Ds basal time emerged associated with clinically significant systolic dysfunction as measured by GLS reduction., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Progress in the treatment of breast cancer has led to substantial improvement in survival, but at the cost of increased side effects, with cardiotoxicity being the most significant one. The commonly used definition is cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD), defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction reduction of > 10%, to a value below 53%. Recent studies have implied that the incidence of CTRCD among patients with breast cancer is decreasing due to lower doses of anthracyclines and low association to trastuzumab and pertuzumab treatment., Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of CTRCD among patients with active breast cancer and to identify significant associates for its development., Methods: Data were collected as part of the Israel Cardio-Oncology Registry, which enrolls all patients who are evaluated at the cardio-oncology clinic at our institution. Patients were divided to two groups: CTRCD and no-CTRCD., Results: Among 103 consecutive patients, five (5%) developed CTRCD. There were no significant differences in the baseline cardiac risk factors between the groups. Significant correlations of CTRCD included treatment with trastuzumab (P = 0.001) or pertuzumab (P < 0.001), lower baseline global longitudinal strain (GLS) (P = 0.016), increased left ventricular end systolic diameter (P < 0.001), and lower e' septal (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: CTRCD is an important concern among patients with active breast cancer, regardless of baseline risk factors, and is associated with trastuzumab and pertuzumab treatment. Early GLS evaluation may contribute to risk stratification and allow deployment of cardioprotective treatment.

Objective: Data regarding the significance of elevated troponin in the setting of atrial tachyarrhythmia remain inconclusive. In the present study, we aimed to explore the discriminative ability of troponin for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias., Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias and elevated serum troponin levels, who underwent invasive coronary angiography during the same admission. The prevalence of obstructive CAD among these patients was compared to that of historically matched patients who underwent coronary angiography due to suspected non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and had no arrhythmias., Results: Overall 318 patients with suspected non-ST elevation myocardial infarction were analyzed (n = 159 with atrial tachyarrhythmias and n = 159 without arrhythmias). Obstructive CAD was detected in 39% of patients with an arrhythmia compared to 85.5% in the control group (P < 0.001). A multivariable analysis demonstrated that parameters associated with obstructive CAD among patient with atrial tachyarrhythmias and elevated troponin were diabetes mellitus [odds ratio (OR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-5.91, P = 0.013], prior ischemic heart disease (OR 4.48, 95% CI 1.93-10.4, P < 0.001) and troponin level (OR 3.18 for every 1000 ng/L increment, 95% CI 1.85-5.48, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Elevated troponin is not a reliable indicator for the presence of underlying obstructive CAD among patients who present with atrial tachyarrhythmias. Risk stratification of these patients should rely on the degree of troponin elevation, and the presence of diabetes mellitus and prior ischemic heart disease.

Background: Chemotherapy induced cardio-toxicity has been recognized as a serious side effect since the first introduction to anthracyclines (ANT). Cardio-toxicity among patients with breast cancer is well studied but the impact on patients with sarcoma is limited, even though they are exposed to higher ANT doses. The commonly used term for cardio-toxicity is cancer therapeutics related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD), defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction of > 10%, to a value below 53%. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of CTRCD in patients diagnosed with sarcoma and to describe the baseline risk factors and echocardiography parameters among that population., Methods: Data were collected as part of the Israel Cardio-Oncology Registry (ICOR), enrolling all patients evaluated in the cardio-oncology clinic at our institution. The registry was approved by the local ethics committee and is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02818517). All sarcoma patients were enrolled and divided into two groups - CTRCD group vs. non-CTRCD group., Results: Among 43 consecutive patients, 6 (14%) developed CTRCD. Baseline cardiac risk factors were more frequent among the non-CTRCD group. Elevated left ventricular end systolic diameter and reduced Global Longitudinal Strain were observed among the CTRCD group. During follow-up, 2 (33%) patients died in the CTRCD group vs. 3 (8.1%) patients in the non-CTRCD group., Conclusions: CTRCD is an important concern among patients with sarcoma, regardless of baseline risk factors. Echocardiography parameters may provide an early diagnosis of cardio-toxicity.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic implications of increased right ventricle volume index (RVVI) using cardiac-gated computed tomography angiography (CCTA) data among patients undergoing transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR)., Methods and Results: CCTA of 323 patients who underwent TAVR at Stanford University Medical Center (CA, USA) and Tel Aviv Medical Center (Israel) between 2013 and 2016 was analysed by an automatic four-chamber volumetric software and grouped into quartiles according to RVVI. Higher one-year mortality rates were noted for the upper quartiles - 5%, 4.9%, 8.6%, and 16% (p=0.039), in Q1 <59 ml/m2, Q2 59-69 ml/m2, Q3 69-86 ml/m2, and Q4 >86 ml/m2, respectively. However, the differences were not significant after propensity score adjustments. Sub-analyses of Q1 demonstrated an escalating risk for one-year mortality in concordance to RVVI: HR 2.28, HR 2.76, and HR 4.7, for the upper 25th, 15th, and 5th percentiles, respectively (p<0.05 for all comparisons). After propensity score adjustments for clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, only the upper 5th percentiles (RVVI >120 ml/m2) retained statistical significance (HR 2.82, 95% CI: 1.02-7.78, p=0.045). Notably, 68.7% of patients from this group were considered low-intermediate risk for surgery., Conclusions: Cardiac volumetric data by CCTA performed for procedural planning may help to predict outcome in patients undergoing TAVR.

Background: In contrast to surgical aortic valve replacement, left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) had not been clearly associated with mortality following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in the Israeli multicenter TAVR registry for whom preprocedural LV mass index (LVMI) data were available. Patients were divided into categories according to LVMI: normal LVMI and mild, moderate, and severe LVH. Mild LVH was regarded as the reference group. Additionally, LV geometry patterns were examined (concentric and eccentric LVH, and concentric remodeling)., Results: The cohort consisted of 1,559 patients, 46.5% male, with a mean age of 82.2 (±6.8) years and mean LVMI of 121 (±29) g/m 2 . Rates of normal LVMI and mild, moderate, and severe LVH were 31% (n = 485), 21% (n = 322), 18% (n = 279), and 30% (n = 475), respectively. Three-year mortality rates for normal LVMI and mild, moderate, and severe LVH were 19.8%, 18.3%, 23.7%, and 24.4%, respectively. Compared to mild LVH, moderate LVH and severe LVH were independently associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.58, 95% CI 1.15-2.18, P = .005; HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.1-1.95, P = .009; respectively). Concentric LVH was independently associated with a decreased risk for mortality compared to normal LV geometry (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63-0.89, P = .001). Compared to concentric LVH, eccentric LVH was independently associated with a 33% increased risk for mortality (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11-1.60, P = .002)., Conclusions: Mild concentric LVH confers a protective effect among patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR. However, hypertrophy becomes maladaptive, and an increased baseline LVMI, eccentric pattern particularly, may be associated with all-cause mortality in this population., Competing Interests: Disclosures Dr Ariel Finkelstein receives proctor fees from Medtronic and Edwards Lifesciences. None of the other authors have disclosures to declare., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cardiotoxicity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients receiving cancer therapy. The most commonly used definition is cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) defined by a left ventricular ejection fraction reduction. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has been implied to be superior in detecting early subclinical dysfunction., Objectives: Evaluate the prevalence of reduced GLS and whether it is associated with CTRCD development among patients receiving cancer therapy., Methods: Data were collected as part of the Israel Cardio-Oncology Registry (ICOR), a prospective registry enrolling all adult patients receiving different types of cancer therapy, who were referred to the cardio-oncology clinic. Patients were divided into two groups-reduced GLS (> - 17%) vs. preserved GLS (≤ - 17%). Multivariable analyses were adjusted for a propensity score for baseline characteristics., Results: Among 291 consecutive patients, 48 (16%) patients were included in the reduced GLS group. Overall, 11 (5%) patients developed CTRCD at following echocardiogram evaluation. Patients with preserved GLS had a significantly lower risk for CTRCD development [odds ratio (OR) 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03-0.41, p = 0.001], with every 1-unit improvement of GLS the risk of CTRCD decreased by 16% (OR 0.84, 95%CI 0.73-0.95, p = 0.007). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, including cardiovascular risk factors and systolic function, preserved GLS remained significantly associated with a lower risk for CTRCD development (OR 0.11, 95%CI 0.02-0.64, p = 0.014), with every 1-unit improvement lowering the risk by 19% (OR 0.81, 95%CI 0.67-0.98, p = 0.032)., Conclusions: Reduced GLS is common among patients receiving cancer therapy and may identify patients at increased risk for CTRCD development.

Background: Elderly individuals ( ≥ 75 years) constitute an increasing proportion of patients presenting with myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but only limited data are available regarding the incidence and prognostic implications of acute kidney injury (AKI) in this group of patients., Objective: To evaluate the incidence and prognostic implications of AKI in older adults ( ≥ 75 years) with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary PCI., Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort, observational, single-center study of consecutive 416 older patients with STEMI (≥ 75 years) treated with primary PCI between January 2008 and August 2017 was conducted. AKI was defined as an increase of at least 0.3 mg/dl in serum creatinine within 48 h following admission., Results: A total of 96/416 (23%) patients developed AKI. The occurrence of AKI was associated with adverse in-hospital outcomes, higher 30 days (25 vs. 6%; P < 0.001), and long-term mortality (46 vs. 17%; hazard ratio: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 2.1-4.7; P < 0.001). Among patients with AKI, 46/96 (48%) demonstrated recovery of renal function at hospital discharge. Lack of renal function recovery at discharge (50/96 patients; 52%) was associated with the occurrence of new or progression of baseline chronic kidney disease., Conclusion: Among older patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, AKI is a frequent complication associated with adverse renal short-term and long-term outcomes.

Objective: To compare procedural outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) patients who were implanted with older versus newer generation valves., Background: The current evidence base for improved safety of the newer commercially available TAVI valves is limited., Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Israeli multicenter TAVI registry was performed. Patients were stratified by valve generation of four commercially available devices: Edwards Sapien (ESX) Edwards Sapien S3 (ES3), Medtronic CoreValve (MCV), and Medtronic Evolut R (MER)., Results: The cohort consisted of 737 patients with new generation valves (NGVs; ES3 n = 223; MER n = 514) and 1,869 with old generation valves (OGVs; MCV n = 1,181; ESX n = 688). Device success rates were significantly higher in NGV (97.5 versus 95.4%), with less post-procedural paravalvular leak (3 versus 5.8%), and valve mal-positioning (1.2 versus 3.4%); all P-values<0.05. There were no differences in rates of permanent pacemaker implantation, stroke or acute kidney injury (AKI) of any stage between the groups, although stage ≥2 AKI was more prevalent in NGV. After adjustment to significant differences in baseline patient and procedural characteristics, device success was higher (OR 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-3.18, P = 0.023) and the 1-month safety outcome was significantly lower (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.55-0.96, P = 0.025) for NGV. Device success was driven mainly by improved rates of PVL of ES3, while the safety outcome was mainly driven by improved rates of life-threatening bleeding and valve mal-positioning of MER., Conclusion: As compared to OGV, use of NGV for TAVI was associated with higher rates of device success and lower rates of adverse events., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Aim: To compare procedural outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients treated with new-generation valves., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on an Israeli multicenter registry comprised of four tertiary centers, comparing patient outcomes implanted with the Edwards SAPIEN S3 (ES3) vs. the Medtronic Evolut R (MER) valves., Results: The study population included 735 patients (ES3 n = 223; MER n = 512). The use of MER was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with higher rates of post-dilatation (35% vs. 10%), and the need for a second valve (2.7% vs. 0.5%). Procedural device success was comparable between groups (97% vs. 98%, p = 0.76); however, moderate angiographic paravalvular leak was higher (3.3% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.027) for MER vs. ES3, respectively. As compared to MER, 1 month echocardiography revealed higher peak and mean aortic valve gradients for ES3 (12/6 vs. 17/10 mmHg, p < 0.001, respectively). While the safety outcome at 1 month was lower for MER (8.8% vs. 13.9%, p = 0.035), similar 1-month, 1-year, and 3-year all-cause mortality were observed (1.9% vs. 1.3%; 8% vs. 8.5%, and 9.7 vs. 10.3%, for MER vs. ES3, respectively). In a propensity score matching analysis, there was no difference in major outcomes between the groups, including device success and the 1 month safety outcome., Conclusion: Although favorable efficacy and safety clinical outcomes were observed in this large contemporary registry for both new-generation devices used, some procedural and post-procedural outcomes differ significantly between the two valves.

Referral of low surgical risk (LSR) patients for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) becomes common in multiple tertiary centers, and clinical trial data for this population are not available to date. We performed a retrospective analysis on an Israeli multicenter registry. LSR and intermediate-high surgical risk (I-HSR) were defined by a Society of Thoracic Surgery score of <4% and ≥4%, respectively. The cohort included 2336 patients (LSR n = 1198, I-HLR n = 1138). As compared with LSR, patients with I-HSR were older and had significantly higher rates of baseline comorbidities. Although devices success rates (94% vs 96%), paravalvular leak (3.5% vs 5.2%), and permanent pacemaker implantation (17.2 vs 18%) were comparable (p >0.05 for all comparisons), the safety outcome at 1 month (12.7% vs 9.8%), procedural mortality (1.9% vs 0.6%), and mortality at 3 years (30.1% vs 16.1%) were higher in patients with I-HSR (p <0.05 for all comparisons). In a subanalysis of patients with very LSR, comparable rates of device success and safety outcomes were observed, whereas mortality at 1 to 3 years was lower. In conclusion, although procedural outcomes were comparable between LSR and I-HSR TAVI patients, the rates of short- and long-term mortality, as well as the safety outcome, were lower in LSR patients., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Studies performed in controlled laboratory conditions have shown that environmental thermal application may induce various circulatory changes. We aimed to demonstrate the effect of local climate on hemodynamics according to echocardiography. Echocardiographic studies conducted in ambulatory patients, 18 yr of age or older, between January 2012 and July 2016, at our medical center, for whom climate data on the day of the echocardiogram study were available, were retrospectively included in case climate data. Discomfort index, apparent temperature, temperature-humidity index, and thermal index were computed. Echocardiograms conducted in hotter months (June-November) were compared with those done in colder months (December-May). The cohort consisted of 11,348 individuals, 46.2% women, and mean age of 57.9 ± 18.1 yr. Climate indexes correlated directly with stroke volume ( r = 0.039) and e' (lateral r = 0.047; septal r = 0.038), and inversely with systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP; r = -0.038) (all P values < 0.05). After adjustment for age and sex, echocardiograms conducted during June-November had a lower chance to show e' septal < 7 cm/s (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.78-0.98, P = 0.017) and SPAP > 40 mmHg (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.67-0.99, P = 0.04) compared with those conducted in other months. The authors concluded that climate may affect hemodynamics, according to echocardiographic assessment in ambulatory patients. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In the present study, we examined 11,348 individuals who underwent ambulatory echocardiography. Analyses of the echocardiographic studies demonstrated that environmental thermal stress, i.e., climate, may affect hemodynamics. Most notably were the effects on diastolic function. Higher values of mitral e', stroke volume, as well as ejection fraction, and lower values of systolic pulmonary artery pressure and tricuspid regurgitation were demonstrated on hotter days and seasons.

Background: There are limited data regarding the effect of long-standing hyperglycemia on the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: We retrospectively studied 723 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Patients were stratified into two groups according to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels as a marker of prolonged hyperglycemia: those with HbA1c < 7% and those with HbA1c ≥7%. Medical records were reviewed for the occurrence of AKI., Results: HbA1c levels ≥7% were found in 225/723 (31%) of patients. The occurrence of AKI was significantly higher among patients with HbA1c levels ≥7% (32/225, 14%) compared to patients with HbA1c levels < 7% (32/498, 6%; p = 0.001). Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and HbA1c ≥7% had an eight-fold increase in the incidence of AKI compared to patients with HbA1c < 7% and no CKD (32 vs. 4%). In a multivariable regression model, HbA1c ≥7% was independently associated with AKI (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.09-3.36, p = 0.02)., Conclusion: HbA1c ≥7% was associated with a higher likelihood of AKI in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)