Short and medium chain acylcarnitines as markers of outcome in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with acute coronary syndromes

Background

Dietary carnitine that is not absorbed can serve as a precursor for gut microbiota-dependent generation of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a pro-atherogenic and pro-thrombosis promoting metabolite. Gut microbiome-derived metabolites of dietary carnitine, including TMAO and g-butyrobetaine, may accelerate atherosclerosis, increase platelet reactivity and in vivo thrombosis. Carnitine metabolism also produces numerous molecular species of short, medium and long chain acylcarnitines, which play important roles in energy metabolism and intracellular fatty acid transport.

Purpose

We sought to evaluate the differences between diabetics and non-diabetics presenting with ACS with respect to acylcarnitines, and to explore their relationship with incident cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods

Using a large, prospectively recruited cohort of patients presenting to the cardiac cath lab with suspected acute coronary syndromes, we measured levels of plasma acylcarnitines, carnitine and its gut microbial-derived metabolites to assess their relationship with independently adjudicated major adverse cardiac events (MACE = myocardial infarction, stroke or TIA, need for revascularization or all-cause mortality) amongst diabetics and non-diabetics.

Results

We analysed 1683 patients who presented with ACS, were treated according to current guidelines and had undergone acylcarnitine analysis. There were 294 diabetics and 1389 non-diabetics. Diabetics had significantly higher plasma levels of all acyl carnitine metabolites than non-diabetics (P<0.001), but not of carnitine itself. Baseline plasma levels of all gut microbiome derived carnitine metabolites (TMAO, g-butyrobetaine and crotonobetaine) were also significantly higher in those who subsequently experienced a MACE. All carnitine metabolites, apart from octenoylcarnitine, were significantly associated with MACE on univariate analysis, while acetylcarnitine and crotonobetaine were independently associated with MACE after multivariate adjustment.

Conclusion

Serum short- and medium- chain acylcarnitine levels are significantly higher in diabetic patients presenting with ACS and predict MACE. After multivariate adjustment, acetylcarnitine and crotonobetaine remained an independent predictor of MACE.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Zurich Heart House - Foundation for Cardiovascular Research

Prognostic value of intracoronary imaging-derived measures for non-infarct related vessel revascularization throughout 7 years among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background

Underlying plaque characteristics that lead to future revascularization during long-term follow-up remain poorly understood.

Purpose

We aimed to explore intracoronary imaging-derived measures as assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) associated with non-infarct related vessel revascularization (non-TVR) arising from imaged segments during long-term (up to 7 years) follow-up among patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

A total of 94 STEMI patients enrolled into the IBIS-4 (Integrated Biomarker Imaging Study-4) study undergoing serial (baseline and 13 months) IVUS and OCT in 2 non-infarct-related coronary arteries under high-intensity statin therapy were analyzed in the present study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the occurrence of non-TVR within previously imaged vessel segments (non-TVR: n=14, no non-TVR: n=80).

Results

Baseline characteristics including LDL level were comparable between groups. At baseline, lesions with future non-TVR were associated with greater percent atheroma volume by IVUS (55.6±5.4% vs. 49.6±6.1%, P<0.001), minimum lumen area by OCT (3.4±1.7 mm2 vs. 6.0±3.3 mm2, P=0.004), and a higher prevalence of fibroatheroma (60.0% vs. 20.1%, P=0.007) by OCT compared with those without. Among patients with serial imaging, lesions with non-TVR had a trend towards a less reduction of percent atheroma volume (−0.2±3.8% vs. −2.4±4.2%, P=0.083).

Conclusion

Greater plaque burden, smaller lumen area, and higher prevalence of OCT-detected fibroatheroma at baseline were associated with non-infarct related vessel revascularization. Lesions with non-TVR tend to have less-pronounced regression of coronary atheroma despite intensive statin therapy and achieved LDL levels.

Non-TVR 7 years after index PCI

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Swiss National Science Foundation

Uncontrolled hypertension and elevated NT-proBNP predict acute kidney injury and cardiac death in all-comer patients 1 year after acute coronary syndromes

Background

Hypertension is a recognized cardiovascular (CV) risk factor and, although many highly effective antihypertensive drugs have been developed, most patients fail to achieve recommended blood pressure target levels. This may increase major adverse CV events after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) such as acute kidney injury (AKI) and cardiac death (CD).

Purpose

We assessed the prognostic value of uncontrolled hypertension (UH) and elevated NT-proBNP among 2,168 all-comer patients admitted to 4 Swiss University Hospitals for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) enrolled in the prospective multicenter SPUM registry.

Methods

Patients with UH defined as a systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg, and a NT-proBNP>900 ng/l were considered for the analysis. The composite primary endpoint was AKI and CD. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were implemented to determine risk prediction for UH and elevated NT-proBNP levels.

Results

Out of 2,168 ACS patients, 235 patients (10.8%) showed UH and NT-proBNP>900 ng/l (Fig. 1A). Compared to the general ACS population, those with UH and elevated NT-proBNP were more likely to be older (41.7% vs 20.0%, p<0.001), of female sex (36.2% vs 19.7%, p<0.001) and with a more complex history of CV disease, such as hypertension (77.0% vs 56.2%, p<0.001), diabetes (24.7% vs 17.5%, p=0.006), peripheral artery disease (9.4% vs 5.2%, p=0.011), cerebrovascular disease (6.8% vs 3.4%, p=0.013), chronic heart failure (3.4% vs 1.3%, p=0.025), dialysis (2.1% vs 0.3%, p=0.004) as well as prior CABG (9.4% vs 5.2%, p=0.010) and more often admitted as NSTEMIs (59.6% vs 40.9%, p<0.001). Although these patients were on a more aggressive antihypertensive therapy at admission (all p<0.05 for ACEi, ARB, Beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, nitrates and diuretics), there was a higher rate of death (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.07–3.14, p=0.027), CD (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.19–3.81, p=0.009), AKI (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.41–5.67, p=0.002) and composite endpoint AKI+CD (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.56–3.90, p<0.001) at one year. This combined risk persisted after adjustment for baseline differences, with a 71% (Adj. HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.44–1.84, p=0.003) increase for the composite endpoint (Fig. 1B).

Conclusions

Among a real-world cohort of ACS patients, coexistence of UH with elevated levels of NT-proBNP confers increased risk for AKI and CD up to one year after ACS. These observations might help clinicians to identify ACS patients at risk using simple clinical parameters and biomarkers and to target them for more intense preventive therapies.

Figure 1. A: GRADE1 = 140–159 mmHg and/or 90–99 mmHg; GRADE2 = 160–179 mmHg and/or 100–109 mmHg; GRADE3 = ≥180 mmHg and/or ≥110 mmHg; ISH (isolate systolic hypertension) = ≥140 mmHg and <90 mmHg; NT-proBNP = N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide. B: UH = uncontrolled hypertension; AKI = acute kidney injury; CD = cardiac death.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Quantitative flow ratio to predict non-target-vessel-related events at 5 years in STEMI patients undergoing angiography-guided revascularization

Background

In patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), angiography-based complete revascularization is associated with superior outcomes compared with culprit-lesion-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) is a novel, non-invasive, vasodilator-free method to assess the hemodynamic significance of coronary stenoses.

Purpose

To investigate the incremental value of QFR over angiography alone in the assessment of non-culprit lesions (NCL) in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

Methods

In the randomized, multicenter COMFORTABLE AMI trial, STEMI patients underwent angiography-guided complete revascularization. QFR was determined in untreated non-target vessels by assessors blinded for clinical outcomes.

Results

Out of 1161 STEMI patients, 946 vessels in 617 patients could be analyzed by QFR. At 5-year follow-up, the rate of the primary endpoint cardiac death, non-target vessel myocardial infarction (non-TV-MI) and clinically indicated, non-target vessel revascularization (non-TVR) was significantly higher in patients with QFR ≤0.80 compared with QFR >0.80 (62.9% vs. 12.7%, HR 7.20, 95% CI 4.46–11.62, p<0.001), driven by higher rates of non-TV-MI (15.4% vs. 3.6%, HR 4.59, 95% CI 1.72–12.23, p=0.002) and non-TVR (58.6% vs. 7.7%, HR 10.99, 95% CI 6.39–18.91, p<0.001). No significant differences for cardiac death were observed. Multivariate analysis identified QFR ≤0.80, MI SYNTAX score and left ventricular function as independent predictors of the primary endpoint. QFR ≤0.80 showed an accuracy of 86.1%, sensitivity of 23.2%, specificity of 97.5%, positive predictive value of 62.9% and negative predictive value of 87.5% for the prediction of the primary endpoint.

Conclusions

Our study results suggest incremental value of QFR over angiography-guided PCI for NCL among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

Kaplan-Meier curves of primary endpoint

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Infective endocarditis after transcatheter or surgical aortic valve implantation: pooled results from three randomized controlled trials

Background

Infective endocarditis is a rare complication of aortic valve replacement with high morbidity and mortality. Data of randomized trials comparing the incidence and outcomes between surgical (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are scarce.

Purpose

To compare the frequency, timing and outcomes of infective endocarditis after TAVR and SAVR from 3 prospective randomized trials and examine the clinical outcomes.

Methods

Clinical data from the CoreValve Pivotal High-Risk, the intermediate-risk SURTAVI and the Evolut Low Risk randomized trials, which compared TAVR with a supra-annular, self-expanding transcatheter valve to SAVR, was pooled. Cases of infective endocarditis were independently adjudicated based on Duke's criteria necessitating 2 major criteria, or 1 major and 3 minor criteria, or 5 minor criteria. Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics for patients with and without endocarditis were obtained. The cumulative incidence of endocarditis through 5 years after TAVR or SAVR was determined using death as a competing risk. Kaplan-Meier estimates of all-cause mortality and the composite of all-cause mortality or stroke through 2 years were calculated for both treatment groups.

Results

Among 2249 TAVR patients, 12 cases of endocarditis (0.5%) were documented and among 1828 SAVR patients, 21 (1.1%) over a mean follow-up time of 2.25±1.58 years. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the TAVR and SAVR patients with endocarditis. The cumulative incidence of endocarditis at 5 years was significantly different between the two groups (figure). The prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in patients with endocarditis than in those without (57.6% vs. 34.2%, p=0.005). In endocarditis patients the rate of all-cause mortality was 39.4% for TAVR patients and 67.8% for SAVR patients at 2 years (log-rank p=0.133). The rates of all-cause mortality or stroke were 55.0% for TAVR and 64.6% for SAVR patients (log-rank p=0.078).

Conclusions

In this pooled analysis of three randomized trials comparing TAVR with a supra-annular, self-expanding bioprosthesis to SAVR, overall rates of endocarditis were low. The cumulative incidence of infective endocarditis at 5 years was lower in the TAVR group. Mortality after endocarditis was high.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Medtronic

Ticagrelor monotherapy beyond 1 month versus standard dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting coronary stenting: a pre-specified per-protocol analysis of the GLOBAL LEADERS trial

Background

In the GLOBAL LEADERS trial, the intention-to-treat (ITT) effect of ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was not superior to that of 12-month DAPT followed by aspirin alone in the prevention of 2-year all-cause mortality or new Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) after coronary stenting. Intention-to-treat analyses can be affected by incomplete protocol adherence. We present a pre-specified per-protocol analysis.

Purpose

To determine whether 1 month of ticagrelor plus aspirin followed by 23 months of ticagrelor monotherapy is superior to 12 months of DAPT followed by aspirin alone in the per-protocol population of the GLOBAL LEADERS (NCT01813435).

Methods

The GLOBAL LEADERS compared two antiplatelet strategies after drug-eluting stenting for stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes. Per-protocol population consisted of randomized patients fulfilling enrollment criteria and receiving protocol-mandated treatment. Adherence to the allocated antiplatelet therapy was evaluated at discharge, 30 days, and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, with non-adherence reasons categorized following a hierarchical approach. A protocol-deviation was defined in the case of high perceived bleeding/thrombotic risk, a medical decision without evident clinical reason, patients unwilling to take study drugs, prescription error, logistical issues, unclear reasons. Baseline characteristics, including (but not limited to) age, sex, diabetes, prior PCI, were used to construct time-varying inverse probabilities for not deviation from the protocol to reconstruct a study population with no protocol-deviations. Protocol deviators were artificially censored at the time at which they deviated. The primary endpoint was the composite of 2-year all-cause mortality or non-fatal new Q-wave MI. We used a weighted pooled logistic regression to estimate the per-protocol rate ratio (RR) of experimental vs. control treatment for the primary endpoint.

Results

Of the 15,968 randomized patients, 805 out of 7,980 (10.1%) in experimental group and 537 out of 7,988 (6.7%) in control group were classified as protocol deviators and artificially censored by month 12, not contributing events in the second year. The events for the adherence-adjusted analysis were 279 in experimental group and 325 in control group (25 and 24 less than in ITT analysis, respectively). The estimated adherence-adjusted RR was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.74–1.02; p=0.09), comparable to the ITT RR (0.87; 95% CI: 0.75–1.01; p=0.07).

Conclusion

At per-protocol analysis, ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of DAPT was not superior to conventional treatment, in line with the previously reported ITT effect. Similar per-protocol and ITT effects can be accounted for similar per-protocol and ITT populations, as a substantial proportion of patients were non-adherent due to clinically grounded reasons (anticipated in the protocol) and, accordingly, not considered as protocol deviators.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): GLOBAL LEADERS was sponsored by the European Clinical Research Institute, which received funding from Biosensors International, AstraZeneca, and the Medicines Company.

Age-related clinical and hemodynamic outcome following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a swiss TAVI registry analysis

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TA) is the preferred treatment modality for patients with severe aortic valve disease at high surgical risk and is expanding into lower risk populations. Therefore age range of treated patients is increasing.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to analyze age-related clinical and hemodynamic outcome of patients following TAVI in a nationwide, prospective, multicentre cohort (Swiss TAVI registry).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from all patients included in the Swiss TAVI registry between February 2011 and December 2018. In an adjusted analysis, in-hospital, 30-days and 1-year outcome between four age groups were compared.

Results

Overall, 7097 patients underwent TAVI (<70 years: n=324, 70–79 years: n=1913, 80–89 years: n=4353, 90–100 years n=507). Median STS risk score for mortality was 5.23±4.13% and differed significantly between age groups (3.46±4.10%, 3.97±3.73%, 5.57±3.97%, 8.22±4.74%; p=0.001). Valve predilatation was more often performed in older patients (54.3% vs. 54.3% vs. 60.7% vs. 69.6%; p≤0.001). Difference in hospital stay was statistically sigificant between age groups, numerically however not relevant (10.01±7.56 days vs. 9.25±6.38 days vs. 9.55±5.70 days vs 10.03±5.77 days; p=0.02). Post-procedural acute kidney injury stage 3 was highest in the youngest age group (3.4% vs. 1.6% vs. 1.1% vs. 1.0%; RR [95% CI] 0.65 (0.48–0.87); p=0,004) and rate of new pacemakers for conduction abnormalities increased significantly with age (10.2% vs. 13.7% vs. 17.1% vs. 18.7%; RR [95% CI] 1.22 (1.12–1.32); p<0.001). There was no significant difference in life threatening/major bleeding (p=0.288/0.197) or major vascular complications (p=0.083).

All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in hospital, at 30 days and at 1 year were highest in nonagenarians and higher in the patients <70 years compared to patients of 70–79 years: in hospital all-cause mortality 2.2% vs. 1.6% vs. 2.9% vs. 5.5% (RR [95% CI] 1.64 (1.28–2.10), p<0.001); 30 day all-cause mortality 3.1% vs. 2.0% vs. 3.7% vs. 6.7%; (HR [95% CI] 1.59 (1.30–1.96); p<0.0001); 1-year all-cause mortality 10.9% vs. 10.4% vs. 12% vs. 19.5% (HR [95% CI] 1.27 (1.14–1.41); p<0.001); in hospital cardiovascular mortality 1.5% vs. 1.5% vs. 2.6% vs. 5.1% (RR [95% CI] 1.70 (1.31–2.20), p<0.001); 30 day cardiovascular mortality 2.2% vs. 1.9% vs. 3.3% vs. 6.3%; (HR [95% CI] 1.68 (1.35–2.09); p<0.001); 1-year cardiovascular mortality 7.2% vs. 6.9% vs. 8.3% vs. 15.3% (HR [95% CI] 1.36 (1.19–1.55); p<0.001). This held true, when hazard ratio was corrected for STS PROM score, femoral access vs other access and year of procedure.

Conclusion

In-hospital, 30-day and 1-year clinical outcome of nonagenarians undergoing TAVI are less favorable compared to lower age groups. Interestingly, clinical outcome of the patients group 70–79 years was the most favorable.

Mortality at 30 according to age

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P3589New generation stents for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: evidence from an individual patient data network meta-analysis of randomized clinical

Background

Drug-eluting stents have shown their superiority in primary percutaneous intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). No specific stent type has fully proven its superiority over others.

Purpose

We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of coronary artery stents in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI through comprehensive network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods

We performed an individual patient data (IPD) NMA of dedicated randomized trials in STEMI patients treated with coronary stents. The primary endpoint of interest was the composite outcome of cardiac death, any myocardial infarction (MI) or target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary outcomes were the individual component of the primary endpoint and definite or probable stent thrombosis. Outcomes were analyzed at the longest available follow-up. The primary analysis was performed using a one-stage random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

IPD from 15 randomized trials in STEMI patients were obtained including a total of 10,979 patients. Six different stent types were studied including bare metal stents (BMS), durable-polymer paclitaxel-eluting stents (DP-PES), durable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (DP-SES), durable-polymer zotarolimus-eluting stents (DP-ZES), durable-polymer everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EES) and biodegradable-polymer biolimus-eluting stent (BP-BES).

Mean patient age was 60.7±11.9 years; 22.7% were female and 16.1% were diabetic. Median symptom onset to balloon time was 210 min.

At a median follow-up of 3 years (interquartile range 2–4.9 years), patients treated with second-generation (DP-EES and BP-BES) or first-generation DES (DP-PES, DP-SES and DP-ZES) had significantly lower risk of the primary endpoint than patients treated with BMS (BMS vs. second-generation DES; HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.57–0.82, BMS vs. first-generation DES; HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.61–0.80). The differences were driven by the significant reduction of TLR associated with first- and second-generation DES compared with BMS. A trend towards lower risk of MI with second-generation DES compared with BMS or first-generation DES was observed (BMS vs. second-generation DES; HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.58–1.06, first- vs. second-generation DES; HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.54–1.03). Second-generation DES was associated with a significantly lower risk of definite or probable stent thrombosis compared with BMS (HR 0.62, 95% 0.40–0.97) and first-generation DES (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.34–0.91). DP-EES and BP-BES had a similar risk of the primary endpoint, individual components of the primary endpoint, and definite or probable stent thrombosis.

Conclusions

In this larger-scale IPD NMA in STEMI patients, second-generation DES were superior to BMS with respect to long-term efficacy and safety outcomes. Second-generation DES were associated with a significant reduction of stent thrombosis compared with BMS and first-generation DES. Similar long-term outcomes were observed between DP-EES and BP-BES.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study was funded by Biosensors International

P1222Intensification of lipid lowering therapy before and after publication of the IMPROVE-IT trial: A temporal analysis from the SPUM-ACS cohort

Background

The gradual implementation of evidence-based treatment strategies has improved outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial (IMPROVE-IT) was published on June 3rd, 2015, but its relevance on real life practice has not been explored.

Methods

We analyzed a prospective Swiss cohort of 6266 patients hospitalized for ACS between 2009 and 2017. The primary endpoints were the ezetimibe use overall or in combination with high-intensity statin at discharge and at one year after ACS. Secondary endpoint was LDL-C target achievement at one year in a subsample of 2984 patients. Relative Ratios (RR) were used to assess changes in primary endpoints before and after the publication of IMPROVE-IT, adjusting for age, sex, pre-existing diabetes, history of myocardial infarction, baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and attendance to cardiac rehabilitation.

Results

The period following the publication of the IMPROVE-IT trial was associated with an overall increase in the use of ezetimibe at discharge (from 1.8% to 3.8%, P<0.001, adjusted RR 2.85, 95% CI 1.90–4.25) and at one year (from 5.0% to 13.8%, P<0.001, adjusted RR 3.00, 95% CI 2.40–3.75). Before IMPROVE-IT trial, ezetimibe use at one year was stable around 5%, then steadily increased after its publication until 20% for patients included in 2017. The combination of high-intensity statin and ezetimibe increased from 0.9% to 2.1% at discharge (P<0.001, adjusted RR 3.35, 95% CI 1.90–5.89) and from 2.1% to 7.8% at one year (P<0.001, adjusted RR 3.98, 95% CI 2.90–5.47). The period following the publication of the IMPROVE-IT trial was associated with an improvement of LDL-C target <1.8 mmol/L (adjusted RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.12–1.68).

Conclusion

After the publication of the IMPROVE-IT trial, the use of ezetimibe was increased by three-fold in a large contemporary cohort of ACS patients, concomitant with an improved LDL-C target achievement.

P6408Potential benefit of ticagrelor monotherapy for patients with hypertension undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Global Leaders trial

Background

Hypertension is one of the most frequent modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease. Due to the increased risk of bleeding associated with it, hypertensive patients might benefit from an antiplatelet monotherapy following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Purpose

We sought to investigate the effect of 1-month DAPT followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy (ticagrelor monotherapy) compared with the reference arm, 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy (standard DAPT), on clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension undergoing PCI.

Methods

This is a post-hoc analysis of the prospective, multi-center, open-label, all-comers, randomized controlled trial Global Leaders, that tested ticagrelor monotherapy versus standard DAPT in patients receiving PCI with biolimus A9-eluting stent. Patients were stratified by the hypertension status. The primary endpoint for the present analysis was the patient oriented composite endpoint (POCE - defined as composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, or all revascularization) and safety endpoint of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding, both at 2 years. Event rates are presented as Kaplan-Meier estimates (%).

Results

In Global Leaders 15,991 patients were randomized, 23 (0.14%) requested complete deletion of their data from the database and 54 (0.34%) had no information on hypertension status. Of the 15,914 (99.52%) included in the analysis 11,715 were hypertensive. In the non-hypertensive patients, comparing ticagrelor monotherapy with standard DAPT, no difference was found regarding POCE (12.17% vs. 12.13%, HR 1.004, 95% CI 0.843 to 1.195, p=0.965) nor bleeding (1.71% vs. 1.72%, HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.628 to 1.592, p=1.0, respectively). In hypertensive patients the experimental treatment of ticagrelor monotherapy resulted in less POCE (13.62% vs. 15.04%, HR 0.898, 95% CI 0.816 to 0.988, p=0.028, p for interaction=0.271) with similar bleeding (2.21% vs. 2.26%, HR 0.976, 95% CI 0.765 to 1.246, p=0.846), compared with the standard DAPT at 2 years.

Conclusion

In this sub-group analysis of Global Leaders, in patients with hypertension undergoing PCI the experimental treatment of 1-month DAPT followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy may offer ischemic protection without increasing bleeding. The results must be interpreted cautiously as there was no interaction between treatment strategy and the status of hypertension. Thus, the present results are hypothesis generating.

Acknowledgement/Funding

ECRI - Astra Zeneca - Biosensors - Medicine Company

P2531Impact of age on clinical outcomes after PCI in patients with ACS and stable CAD treated with 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month DAPT in the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS study

Background

The efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been evaluated.

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after PCI in relation to age and clinical presentation in the GLOBAL LEADERS study cohort.

Methods

This is a subanalysis of the randomized multicentre GLOBAL LEADERS study, comparing the experimental strategy of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of ticagrelor and aspirin with the reference strategy of 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy in 15991 patients undergoing PCI. Patients were categorized into elderly and very elderly according to a pre-specified cut-off of 75 years and a post-hoc defined cut-off of 80 years. Impact of age and clinical presentation (ACS versus stable CAD) on clinical outcome at 2 years was evaluated. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality or nonfatal, centrally adjudicated, new Q-wave myocardial infarction.

Results

In the overall elderly (>75 years) population (n=2565), primary endpoint occurred in 7.2% of patients in the experimental group and in 9.4% of patients in the reference group (p=0.041) at 2 years (p int =0.23). Elderly patients in the experimental group had a lower rate of definite stent thrombosis (ST) (0.2% vs. 0.9%, p=0.043, p int=0.03), definite or probable ST (0.4 vs. 1.3%, p=0.015, p int=0.01) and a numerically higher rates of BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding (5.0% vs. 3.9%, p=0.192, p int=0.06), when compared to the reference arm.

Among elderly patients presenting with ACS both treatment groups did not differ in the rates of primary endpoint (9.1% vs. 10.8%, p=0.367) and BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding (4.7% vs. 5.7%, p=0.458), whereas among elderly patients with stable CAD the experimental strategy was associated with numerically lower rates of the primary endpoint (5.7% vs. 8.4%, p=0.046) (p int =0.42) and a higher rate of BARC 3 or 5 type bleedings (5.3% vs. 2.6%, p=0.012) (p int =0.02) at 2 years.

Exploratory analyses among very elderly (≥80 years) patients (n=1169) indicated no significant differences between treatment groups in the rates of the primary endpoint (10.2% vs. 11.7% p=0.411, p int=0.940) and BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding (6.0% vs. 5.3%, p=0.630, p int=0.514) at 2 years.

Conclusions

The efficacy and safety of the experimental treatment strategy of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy after 1-month DAPT following PCI was not identified as age-dependent. Among elderly patients the anti-ischemic benefit was derived at the expense of increased rate of BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding in stable CAD subgroup, but not in ACS subgroup.

Acknowledgement/Funding

European Clinical Research Institute, which received unrestricted grants from Biosensors International, AstraZeneca, and the Medicines Company.

4181Prognosis of patients with mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction treated with PCI: insight from the global leaders study

Background

Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction between 40 to 49%) was introduced in the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for heart failure. The prognosis of the mid-range of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was less well assessed in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Purpose

We aimed to assess the 2-year outcomes of patients with mid-range ejection fraction (LVEF between 40 to 49%) after PCI compared with reduced LVEF (<40%) and preserved LVEF (≥50) in the GLOBAL LEADERS study.

Methods

The GLOBAL LEADERS study was a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of two antiplatelet strategies in all-comers patients undergoing PCI with biolimus-A9 eluting stent.

Patients with available information of LVEF were eligible in the present analysis. Patients were classified according to their LVEF into three groups; preserved (LVEF ≥50), mid-range (LVEF 40–49%) and reduced (LVEF <40%) left ventricular ejection fraction. Clinical outcomes at 2 years after PCI were compared among three groups in the multivariable Cox regression analysis.

The primary outcome of present study was all-cause mortality at 2 years after PCI. The secondary outcomes were patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE). Individual components of the composite endpoint, definite or probable stent thrombosis and bleeding academic research consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5 were also reported.

Results

Out of 15968 patients included in the GLOBAL LEADERS study, information of LVEF was available in 15008 patients (93.99%); 12,128 patients (80.81%) were in the group of preserved LVEF, 1,737 patients (11.57%) were in the mid-range LVEF group and 1,143 patients (7.62%) were in the reduced LVEF group.

The risk of all-cause mortality and POCE at 2 years were significantly different among the three groups. In an adjusted model, compared with the group of preserved LVEF, the hazard ratio for the all-cause mortality at 2 years rose from 1.89 (95% CI, 1.46–2.45) to 3.72 (95% CI, 2.95–4.70) in the group of mid-range and reduced LVEF respectively. Similar rises were observed for the POCE at 2 years from 1.27 (95% CI, 1.11–1.44) in the group of mid-range LVEF to 1.63 (95% CI, 1.42–1.87) in the group of reduced LVEF.

The risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and definite or probable stent thrombosis in patients with mid-range LVEF was not different from patients with reduced LVEF (see figure). A similar risk of revascularization was observed among the three groups.

Outcomes among three LVEF categories

Conclusion

Patients with mid-range LVEF undergoing PCI had a different prognosis from patients with reduced LVEF and preserved LVEF in term of survival and composite ischemic endpoints at 2 years.

P869Predictive value of the endothelial shear stress distribution in three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography models in detecting vulnerable plaques

Background

Low Endothelial shear stress (ESS) is a well-known instigator of coronary atherosclerosis. Prospective intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-based imaging studies with computational fluid dynamic analysis revealed its predictive merit in-vivo. However, whether coronary modelling derived from quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is equally effective in detecting high-risk plaques remains to be established.

Purpose

To examine the value of endothelial shear stress (ESS) estimated in three-dimensional (3D) QCA models in detecting plaques that are likely to progress and cause events.

Method

We analysed the baseline intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) and angiographic data from 28 non-culprit lesions with a vulnerable phenotype (i.e., fibroatheroma or thin cap fibroatheroma) that caused major adverse cardiac events or required revascularization (nc-MACE-R) at 5-year follow-up and from a control group of 119 vulnerable plaques that remained quiescent. The segments studied by IVUS-VH at baseline were reconstructed using 3D-QCA software and in the obtained geometries blood flow simulation was performed and we estimated the resting Pd/Pa across the vulnerable plaque and the mean ESS values in 3mm sub-segments. A propensity score was built by the baseline plaque characteristics and the hemodynamic indices and its efficacy in detecting nc-MACE-R lesions was examined.

Results

Nc-MACE-R lesions were longer (32.5mm [18.0, 41.6], vs. 19.6mm [12.7, 31.3], p=0.03), had smaller minimum lumen area (MLA) (3.65mm2 [3.26, 4.36] vs. 5.03mm2 [3.98, 6.66], p<0.01), increased plaque burden (PB) (69.4% [63.5, 72.0] vs. 60.8% [53.7, 66.5], p<0.01), were exposed to higher ESS (9.40Pa [6.3, 12.5] vs. 4.1Pa [3.0, 6.9], p<0.01), and exhibited a lower resting Pd/Pa (0.97 [0.95, 0.98] vs. 0.98 [0.97, 0.99], p<0.01]. In multivariable analysis the only independent predictor of nc-MACE-R was the maximum 3mm ESS value (hazard ratio: 1.08 [1.02, 1.16], P=0.016). Lesions exposed to high ESS (>4.95Pa) with a high-risk anatomy (MLA<4mm2and PB>70%) had a higher nc-MACE-R rate (53.8%) than those with a low-risk anatomy exposed to high ESS (31.6%) or those exposed to low ESS that had high (20.0%) or low-risk anatomy (7.1%, P<0.001).

Conclusion

In the present study, 3D-QCA-derived local hemodynamic variables provided useful prognostic information and in combination with lesion anatomy enabled more accurate identification of nc-MACE-R lesions. Further research in a larger number of patients is need to confirm these findings before the conduction of large scale prospective studies that will combine intravascular imaging and 3D-QCA modelling to more accurately detect vulnerable plaques.

P6138Quality of clinical trial evidence on devices and drugs approved to treat coronary artery disease

Background

Regulatory approval of drugs and devices follow two different pathways. Whether different approval pathways underlie meaningful differences in quality of clinical trial evidence is unknown. We aimed to compare the quality of evidence of clinical trials that served as a basis for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of drugs and devices used for the treatment of coronary artery disease.

Methods

FDA databases were searched for devices (i.e., coronary artery drug-eluting stents) and drugs (i.e., agents targeting atherothrombosis) approved between January 1st, 2001 and December 31st, 2017. FDA medical reviews were screened to identify trials that served for approval purposes. The pre-specified primary outcome was the prevalence of randomized trials used for approval (i.e. number of randomized trials/overall number of trials).

Results

A total of 97 trials were identified, 39 serving for approval of 13 devices and 58 serving for approval of 8 drugs. Devices were evaluated by fewer trials per item as compared with drugs (3.0±1.4 vs. 7.3±5.3, P=0.012) with similar study size (501 [100–1314] vs. 379 [183–904] patients per trial, P=0.55). Trials evaluating devices were less frequently randomized (56.4% vs. 94.8%, P<0.001) and more frequently designed powered for clinical endpoints (53.8% vs. 17.2%, P<0.001) as compared to those evaluating drugs. Use of randomization declined over time among trials supporting FDA approval of devices. In addition, significant differences were present between trials evaluating devices and those evaluating drugs in terms of study design, comparator used, blinding to treatment allocation, primary hypothesis, primary endpoint, and type of patients included.

Use of randomized trials for approval

Conclusions

There are substantial differences in clinical trial evidence serving for FDA approval of devices and drugs used for treatment of coronary artery disease. The lower degree of randomized evidence used for approval of devices as compared to drugs raises some concerns, particularly in view of its decline over time.

P5500Acute coronary syndrome in young patients: frequency, mechanisms and clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention

Introduction

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) mainly affect older patients and little is known on the frequency, the underlying causes and outcomes following ACS in young.

Purpose

To investigate the frequency, mechanisms and clinical outcomes of young patients suffering from ACS and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Between February 2009 and December 2016, 6720 consecutive patients undergoing PCI for an ACS were prospectively enrolled. We defined young patients as male <45 years or female <50 years. The primary endpoint was the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction or any revascularization at 12 months. The mechanisms of ACS in young patients (atherosclerotic vs. embolic vs. spontaneous coronary artery dissection) were retrospectively assessed by an adjudication committee based on clinical and angiographic criteria.

Results

Among 6720 ACS patients, 378 (5.6%) patients were young (41±5 years, 73% male). Young patients, as compared to old patients, presented more frequently with STEMI (64% vs. 45%; p<0.001) and single vessel disease (85% vs. 74%; p<0.001). Cardiovascular risk factors were more frequent in young patients including BMI>30 kg/m2 (34% vs. 22%; p<0.001), smoking (68% vs. 31%; p<0.001), positive family history of coronary artery disease (35% vs. 23%; p<0.001) and baseline LDL-C levels (3.3±1.1 mmol/l vs. 2.9±1.1 mmol/l; p<0.001). Diabetes mellitus was less frequent in the young patient group (10% vs. 21%; p<0.001). The mechanisms of ACS in young patients were atherosclerotic in 87%, coronary embolism in 9%, and spontaneous coronary artery dissection in 4%. At 12 months, the primary endpoint POCE occurred less frequently in young patients (9.3% vs. 17%; HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37–0.73; p<0.001). The rates of the individual components of the primary endpoint were lower in young patients including all-cause death (3.4% vs. 9.4%; HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.21–0.62; p<0.001), myocardial infarction (1.9% vs. 3.7%; HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.22–1.01; p=0.053) and any revascularization (5.6% vs. 7.7%; HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.44–1.05; p=0.083). Young patients with coronary embolism or spontaneous coronary artery dissection had a higher rate of cardiac death at 12 months as compared to young patients with atherosclerotic disease (embolic vs. atherosclerotic: 9.4% vs. 2.2%; HR 4.3, 95% CI 1.11–16.71; p=0.02; spontaneous coronary artery dissection vs. atherosclerotic: 17.6% vs. 2.2%; HR 8.1, 95% CI 2.1–31.1; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Approximately one out of 20 ACS patients undergoing PCI was young and the main presumed mechanism of ACS was atherosclerosis (87%) followed by coronary embolism (9%) and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (4%). While young ACS patients carry a lower risk for future cardiovascular events as compared with older patients, the high cardiac death rates following embolic disease or spontaneous coronary artery dissections deserves particular attention.

P2817Efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy in patients with complex percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Global Leaders trial

Background/Introduction

Purpose

Methods

The Global Leaders trial recruited 15,991 patients treated by default with a biolimus A9-eluting stent, and randomised in a 1:1 ratio either to the experimental strategy (1-month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT] followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy) or to the reference regimen (12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy). Complex PCI includes at least one of the following characteristics; left main and/or multivessel PCI, long stenting (defined as total stent length≥46mm), and bifurcation treatment with two stents. The present sub-analysis of the trial evaluated at two years the primary endpoint (composite of all-cause death and new Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI] centrally adjudicated with the Minnesota code). In addition, the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) (composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, and any revascularization) and the net adverse clinical events (NACE) (composite of POCE and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] type 3 or 5 bleeding) were also evaluated at two years.

Results

Of 15,450 patients included in the present analysis, 5,188 (26.7%) patients underwent complex PCI. The experimental strategy, when compared with the reference one, had a significantly lower risk of the primary endpoint (3.56% vs. 5.33%, HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.51–0.86; p-value= 0.002; p-value for interaction= 0.019) in patients with complex PCI. Similarly, the experimental treatment was associated with a significantly reduced risk of POCE (14.41% vs. 16.88%, HR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74–0.97; p=0.016, p-value for interaction= 0.099) and NACE (15.77% vs. 18.37%, HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74–0.97; p=0.014; p-value for interaction= 0.096). The reduction in ischemic events was predominantly observed in patients with 2 or more characteristics of complex PCI (Figure). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the risk of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding between the two regimens (2.40% vs. 2.38%, HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.71–1.44; p-value=0.956; p-value for interaction= 0.935).

Central illustration

Conclusion

Together with other well-established clinical risk factors, the extent and complexity of stenting should be taken into account in tailoring antiplatelet regimens for secondary prevention. The 1-month DAPT followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy reduced the ischemic events without increasing the risk of bleeding in patients who underwent complex PCI, when compared with the conventional DAPT.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The Global Leaders trial was supported by the resource from AstraZeneca, Biosensors, and The Medicines Company.

2213Impact of BMI on clinical outcomes in all-comers patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI: insights from the Global Leaders study

Background

It is uncertain if the obesity paradox still exists in contemporary PCI practice.

Purposes

We aimed to assess an association between baseline BMI and clinical outcomes at 2 years after PCI and to determine if the outcomes between two antiplatelet strategies depend on baseline BMI.

Methods

Global Leaders study compared 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy (experimental strategy) with 12-month aspirin monotherapy after 12 months of conventional DAPT (reference strategy) in patients undergoing PCI with biolimus-A9 eluting stent.

Primary outcome of current study was 2-year all-cause mortality after PCI. Secondary outcomes were net adverse clinical event (NACE) and individual components of the composite endpoint.

Association between baseline BMI and outcomes were determined in the Cox model. Non-linearity was assessed using restrict cubic spline function. Patients were categorized according to WHO BMI categories; underweight (BMI <18.5), healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9), pre-obese state (BMI 25–29.9) and obesity (BMI ≥30). Interaction between BMI categories and antiplatelet strategies were assessed.

Results

BMI was available in 15,966 out of 15,968 patients with a median of 27.7 kg/m2 (IQR 25.0–30.7). Baseline BMI had a reverse J-shaped association with 2-year all-cause mortality. 3901 patients (24.4%) were in the group of healthy weight, 79 patients (0.5%) were under-weight, 7220 patients (45.2%) were pre-obese and 4766 patients (29.8%) were obese. Due to small number of underweight patients, outcomes after PCI were compared among three groups; healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.

Pre-obese and obese patients had lower risk of 2-year all-cause mortality than healthy-weight patients (HR pre-obesity vs. healthy-weight 0.71, 95% CI 0.58–0.88, HR obesity vs. healthy-weight 0.69, 95% CI 0.54–0.87). The risk of 2-year NACE was similar among three groups (healthy weight vs. pre-obesity; HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94–1.16, healthy weight vs. obesity; HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.93–1.16). No significant difference in risk of any stroke, any MI, and BARC3 or 5 bleeding was found among three groups. Pre-obese patients had higher risk of revascularization than patients with healthy weight (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04–1.35). The risk of revascularization in obese patients was numerically higher than healthy-weight patients (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.99–1.31).

For BARC 3 or 5 bleeding at 2 years, ticagrelor monotherapy was more favorable in obese patients (HR reference/experimental 1.63, 95% CI 1.06–2.52) while conventional DAPT strategy was more favorable in pre-obese patients (HR experimental/reference 0.76, 95% CI 0.55–1.05) (P interaction 0.02). No interaction between treatment strategy, BMI, and other outcomes was seen.

BMI and all-cause mortality and NACE

Conclusions

An obesity paradox, an association between elevated BMI and lower mortality, is still evident in this large PCI population. Effect of two antiplatelet strategies on bleeding may depend on baseline BMI.

P6411Dyspnea in ticagrelor treated patients in the all-comer randomized GLOBAL LEADERS study and its association with clinical outcomes

Background

Dyspnea represents a drug adverse effect reported with a higher frequency for ticagrelor, as compared with other P2Y12 antagonists. The impact of dyspnea on clinical outcomes has not been yet evaluated in the context of aspirin-free therapies after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Purpose

The study aimed to evaluate the incidence of dyspnea and its associations with demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PCI treated with ticagrelor either as monotherapy or as a part of a dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in the GLOBAL LEADERS cohort.

Methods

This is a sub-analysis of the randomized all-comer GLOBAL LEADERS study (n=15991), comparing the experimental strategy of ticagrelor monotherapy following one-month DAPT after PCI with the reference strategy of 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy. The incidence of dyspnea reported as adverse event (AE) and its relation to demographic characteristics and 2-year clinical outcomes was evaluated (intention-to-treat analysis). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were performed, including randomized treatment and incidence of first dyspnea event as a time-dependent covariate. The primary endpoint was a composite of 2-year all-cause mortality or centrally adjudicated, new Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI). Patient-oriented clinical endpoints (POCE) comprised all-cause death, any stroke, MI or revascularization, whereas net adverse clinical events (NACE) included POCE and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC)-defined bleeding type 3 or 5.

Results

Overall, dyspnea was reported as an AE in 2101 patients (13.2%) up to two years of follow-up, with a higher frequency in the experimental arm (16.4%) as compared with the reference group (11.1%) (hazard ratio [HR]1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56–1.86, p=0.001).

Predictors of dyspnea AE up to 2 years by multivariate analyses were: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR1.71, 95% CI 1.56–1.87, p=0.001), female gender (HR1.31, 95% CI 1.18–1.44, p=0.001), hypertension (HR1.31, 95% CI 1.19–1.44, p=0.001, prior coronary artery bypass grafting (HR1.30, 95% CI 1.10–1.54, p=0.003), left ventricle ejection fraction below 40% (HR1.22, 95% CI 1.04–1.42, p=0.012), presentation with acute coronary syndrome (HR1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.29, p=0.001) and body mass index (≥27kg/m2) (HR1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.28, p=0.001).

In patients who reported dyspnea AE, the two-year rates of the efficacy and safety endpoints in the experimental and reference arm were: for the primary endpoint 3.4% vs. 4.3% (p adjusted=0.807), for POCE 15.8% vs. 17.6% (p adjusted=0.218), for NACE 17.2% vs. 19.6% (p adjusted=0.082), for BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding 17.2% vs. 19.6% (p adjusted=0.082), respectively.

Conclusions

The occurrence of dyspnea AE up to two years after PCI appeared not to affect the safety of the experimental treatment strategy of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following one-month DAPT after PCI.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Study founded by European Cardiovascular Research Institute, which received unrestricted grants from Biosensors Int., AstraZeneca, Medicines Company.

98Mitral annular calcification, mitral valve diseases and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis

Background

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) and mitral valve diseases (MVD) have been identified as strong predictors of mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, the association between MAC and MVD, and the prognostic implications in these patients remain unclear.

Purpose

This study sought to investigate the association between severity of MAC and the prevalence of MVD as well as to assess the prognostic impact of MAC depending on the presence or absence of MVD in patients undergoing TAVR.

Methods

We identified 967 patients who have comprehensive echocardiographic and computed tomographic assessment of MVD and MAC from our institutional registry that is a part of the Swiss TAVI registry (NCT01368250) between August 2007 and June 2017.

Results

Among these patients, mild or moderate MAC was present in 45.2% and severe MAC was present in 17.8%. The prevalence of MVD was significantly higher in severe MAC patients, while the prevalence in patients with mild and moderate MAC was similar to patients without MAC. Compared to patients without severe MAC and MVD, an increased risk of all-cause death at 1 year was observed in patients with severe MAC and MVD (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–4.59, p<0.001) as well as in patients with non-severe MAC and MVD (HR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.87–4.20, p<0.001) but not in patients with severe MAC and non-MVD (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.27–1.70, p=0.409). In a multivariable analysis, severe MAC concomitant with MVD was found to be an independent predictor of new permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVR (Odds ratio: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.27–3.41, p=0.004).

Conclusions

Severe MAC was associated with higher prevalence of MVD. Severe MAC concomitant with MVD was associated with increased risks of mortality at 1 year and conduction abnormalities after TAVR, whereas severe MAC without MVD was not.

P1968Five-year outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus treated with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents versus durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents

Background

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remain at higher risk for adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with non-diabetic individuals. Among available drug-eluting stents (DES), thin-strut durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EES) were shown to provide the best safety and efficacy profile in diabetics. Whether biodegradable polymer DES provide additional long-term clinical benefit compared with DP-EES among diabetic patients remains uncertain.

Purpose

To compare the long-term performance of ultrathin-strut biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (BP-SES) versus DP-EES for PCI in patients with insulin-requiring and non-insulin-requiring DM.

Methods

We performed a prespecified subgroup analysis of the randomized, multicenter, non-inferiority BIOSCIENCE trial (NCT01443104). Patients with stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned to treatment with ultrathin-strut BP-SES or thin-strut DP-EES. Patients were further divided according to diabetic status. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction (MI) and clinically-indicated target lesion revascularization (TLR), within 12 months.

Results

Among 2'119 patients enrolled between March 2012 and May 2013, 486 (22.9%) presented with DM (insulin-requiring, 33.1%). Compared with non-diabetics, patients with DM were older and had a greater baseline cardiac risk profile, including higher prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, peripheral artery disease, chronic renal failure and prior PCI, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or stroke. At 5 years, TLF occurred similarly in 74 patients (cumulative incidence, 31.0%) treated with BP-SES and 57 patients (25.8%) treated with DP-EES (RR 1.23; 95% CI 0.87–1.73; p=0.24) in diabetics, and in 124 patients (16.8%) treated with BP-SES and 132 patients (16.8%) treated with DP-EES (RR 0.98; 95% CI 0.77–1.26; p=0.90) in non-diabetics (p for interaction=0.31). Cumulative incidences of cardiac death (14.9% vs. 9.5%; p=0.10), target-vessel MI (11.4% vs. 11.0%; p=0.81), clinically-indicated TLR (16.9% vs. 15.8%; p=0.68), and definite thrombosis (3.0% vs. 2.5%; p=0.63) at 5 years were similar among diabetic patients treated with ultrathin-strut BP-SES or thin-strut DP-EES. Overall, there was no interaction between diabetic status and treatment effect of BP-SES versus DP-EES.

Conclusion

In a prespecified subgroup analysis of the BIOSCIENCE trial, we found no difference in clinical outcomes throughout five years between diabetic patients treated with ultrathin-strut BP-SES or thin-strut DP-EES.

Acknowledgement/Funding

BIOSCIENCE was an investigator-initiated trial supported by a dedicated research grant from Biotronik, Bülach, Switzerland

P1952Value of GRACE risk score in risk stratification in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing PCI in the Global Leaders study

Aims

We sought to evaluate the value of GRACE risk score in stratifying acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the Global Leaders study.

Methods

Global Leaders study was a prospective, multi-center, open-label, all-comers, randomized controlled trial comparing ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) as experimental therapy with aspirin monotherapy after 12 months of conventional DAPT (reference therapy) in patients who received PCI with biolimus-A9 eluting stent. We assessed the predictive value of GRACE risk score in ACS patients undergoing PCI in the present analysis. Patients were stratified according to GRACE risk score into low (1–108), moderate (109–140), High (141–372) risk group. Clinical outcomes at 2 years after PCI were assessed and compared among risk groups. Interaction between GRACE risk score and antiplatelet regimen were analyzed by the interaction term in Cox model.

Results

GRACE risk score was calculated from 8 clinical parameters at presentation. Among ACS patients, 1664 patients were categorized in low risk group, 2903 patients were in moderate risk group, and 2028 patients were in high risk group. The rate of all-cause mortality, any stroke, patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) were highest in the high-risk group at 2 years (All-cause mortality; low risk 1.4%, moderate risk 2.5%, high risk 6.1%, log rank test p value <0.0001, any stroke; low risk 0.7%, moderate risk 1.0%, high risk 2.0%, log rank test p value 0.001, POCE; low risk 12.4%, moderate risk 11.9%, high risk 16.61%, log rank test p value <0.0001). The rate of myocardial infarction, all revascularization and definite or probable stent thrombosis were not different among three groups. There was no interaction between GRACE risk score and treatment regimen on clinical outcomes at 2 years.

Conclusion

GRACE risk score is valuable in identifying ACS patients with highest risk of all-cause mortality, any stroke and POCE at 2 years after PCI. In ACS, ticagrelor monotherapy did not improve the outcomes at 2 years in the three strata of the GRACE risk score.

P6440The perils of polyvascular disease with concomitant type 2 diabetes in a real-world cohort of patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background

Despite substantial improvement in type 2 diabetes (DM2) care, the burden of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events remains high. Polyvascular disease (PVD), has recently emerged as a potential marker of heightened residual ischemic risk in DM2 patients, that are likely to derive a greater absolute risk reduction from more intense, individualized therapy.

Purpose

We sought to assess the relationship between DM2, PVD and CV outcomes among 2,168 all-comers patients admitted to four Swiss University Hospital for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and enrolled in the prospective multicenter SPUM registry (NCT 01000701).

Methods

PVD was defined as concomitant peripheral artery disease, stroke or transient ischemic attack, or both. The composite primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: Stroke, myocardial infarction, CV death). Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were implemented to determine the risk associated with PVD disease in DM2 and outcomes, and intention-to-treat analysis was performed.

Results

Out of 2,168 ACS patients, 396 patients (18.3%) had DM2; of these 62 (15%) had PVD. Despite compared with the general ACS population, those with PVD + DM2 were more likely to have a complex history of CV disease, such as previous MI (27.4% vs 14.7%, p=0.021), prior percutaneous (37.1% vs 17%, p<0.001) or surgical (24.2% vs 5.1%, p<0.001) coronary revascularization, one third was not on statin therapy. At 1 year, patients with PVD + DM2 had a higher rate of MACCE compared to those presenting with PVD or DM2 alone. Rates of the single components of the primary endpoint and all-cause of death were all significantly higher in patients with PVD + DM2 vs. PVD or DM2 alone (Fig. 1A, all p<0.001). This enhanced risk persisted after adjustment for significant baseline differences, with a 34% (Adj. HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.15–1.49, p=0.02) increase in MACCE and a 44% increment of all cause of death (Adj. HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.06–1.54, p=0.02, Fig. 1B).

Outcomes by PVD and DM2 status.

Conclusions

Among a real-world cohort of ACS-patients, the coexistence of PVD and DM2 highlights the highest CV risk phenotype, being associated with significant increased rates of MACCE and all-cause of death. These observations might help clinicians to furtherly stratify the very high risk population and to identify patients who may derive the greatest benefit from more intense secondary prevention therapies.

3331Impact of baseline hemoglobin level and white blood cell count in real-world patients undergoing contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the GLOBAL LEADER study

Introduction

The impact of hemoglobin (Hb) level and white blood cell count (WBC) on the outcomes in all-comers PCI patients is unknown.

Purpose

We sought to assess the association between baseline Hb level, WBC count on 2-year outcomes after PCI in all-comers patients in the GLOBAL LEADERS study. We compared the outcomes between anemic and non-anemic patients according to WHO definition.

Methods

GLOBAL LEADERS study assessed the efficacy and safety of two antiplatelet strategies in 15,991 patients undergoing PCI. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality or new Q wave myocardial infarction (MI) at 2 years. Secondary safety endpoint was BARC 3 or 5 bleeding at 2 years.

The association between WBC count, Hb level and outcomes at 2 years were assessed in the multivariable Cox model adjusted for age, diabetes, ejection fraction and renal impairment. For Hb level, patients were categorized according to the WHO definition of anemia (Hb <12 g/dL in women, Hb <13 g/dL in men).

Results

Of 15991 patients randomized in the GLOBAL LEADER study, baseline WBC count and Hb levels were available in 14960 (93.7%) patients and 15215 (95.3%) patients, respectively.

Hb level had an inverse association with adverse events after PCI. In the multivariable Cox model, Hb level was an independent predictor for ischemic and bleeding outcomes at 2 years while the WBC count was not (see table).

Compared with non-anemic patients, anemic patients had significantly higher risk of primary endpoint (adjusted HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.72–2.49), BARC 3 or 5 bleeding (adjusted HR 1.49 95% CI 1.14–1.96), all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 2.33, 95% CI 1.89–2.86), any MI (adjusted HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11–1.80), and any revascularization (adjusted HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03–1.39).

Hb level, WBC count and 2-year outcomes Outcomes at 2 years Hemoglobin level (mg/dL) WBC count (109/L) HR (95% CI) P value HR (95% CI) P value All-cause mortality or new Q wave MI 0.87 (0.82–0.91) <0.0001 1.00 (0.999–1.002) 0.33 All-cause mortality 0.82 (0.78–0.87) <0.0001 1.00 (0.999–1.002) 0.37 Any myocardial infarction 0.93 (0.87–0.99) 0.0165 1.00 (0.996–1.001) 0.23 Any revascularization 0.96 (0.93–1.00) 0.0302 1.00 (1.00–1.001) 0.25 BARC 3 or 5 bleeding 0.85 (0.79–0.91) <0.0001 1.00 (0.997–1.002) 0.76

Conclusion

In the all-comers patients undergoing PCI, the baseline Hb level was significantly associated with the ischemic and bleeding outcomes at 2 years whereas baseline WBC count was not. Baseline WBC count may not be useful as a prognostic factor after PCI.

P2811Impact of ticagrelor monotherapy on two-year clinical outcomes in patients with long stenting: insights from the Global Leaders trial

Background/Introduction

Data on the efficacy and safety of different antiplatelet regimens are limited in patients with increasing total stent length (TSL).

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of the experimental strategy (1-month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT] followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy) vs. the reference regimen (12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy) in patients with increasing TSL.

Methods

The present post-hoc analysis of the Global Leaders trial evaluated the primary endpoint (the composite of the all-cause death and new Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI]) at two years in patients with increasing TSL. In addition, the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) (the composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, and any revascularization) and the net adverse clinical events (NACE) (the composite of POCE and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] type 3 or 5 bleeding) were also assessed.

Results

The cohort of 15,450 patients treated with a biolimus-eluting biodegradable polymer stents were included in this analysis. In the longer TSL group (≥46mm), the experimental strategy significantly reduced the risk of the primary endpoint (3.78% vs. 5.68%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49–0.90, p=0.008, P interaction=0.042) as well as POCE (14.57% vs. 18.11%, HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.92, p=0.003, P interaction=0.010) and NACE (16.07% vs. 19.64%, HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69–0.93, p=0.004, P interaction=0.012) at two years. The risk of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding at two years was similar between the two antiplatelet regimens.

KM in patients with long stenting

Conclusion

Ticagrelor monotherapy significantly reduced the risk of the primary endpoint, POCE and NACE with a similar risk of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding at two years in patients with the longer TSL.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The Global Leaders trial was supported by unrestricted grants from AstraZeneca, Biosensors, and The Medicines Company. ECRI (European Cardiovascular R