Long-term efficacy and safety of moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination therapy versus high-intensity statin monotherapy in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (RACING): a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

Drug combinations rather than increasing doses of one drug can achieve greater efficacy and lower risks. Thus, as an alternative to high-intensity statin monotherapy, moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination therapy can lower LDL cholesterol concentrations effectively while reducing adverse effects. However, evidence from randomised trials to compare long-term clinical outcomes is needed.

METHODS

In this randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial, patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) at 26 clinical centres in South Korea were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination therapy (rosuvastatin 10 mg with ezetimibe 10 mg) or high-intensity statin monotherapy (rosuvastatin 20 mg). The primary endpoint was the 3-year composite of cardiovascular death, major cardiovascular events, or non-fatal stroke, in the intention-to-treat population with a non-inferiority margin of 2·0%. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03044665 and is complete.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 14, 2017, and Dec 18, 2018, 3780 patients were enrolled: 1894 patients to the combination therapy group and 1886 to the high-intensity statin monotherapy group. The primary endpoint occurred in 172 patients (9·1%) in the combination therapy group and 186 patients (9·9%) in the high-intensity statin monotherapy group (absolute difference -0·78%; 90% CI -2·39 to 0·83). LDL cholesterol concentrations of less than 70 mg/dL at 1, 2, and 3 years were observed in 73%, 75%, and 72% of patients in the combination therapy group, and 55%, 60%, and 58% of patients in the high-intensity statin monotherapy group (all p<0·0001). Discontinuation or dose reduction of the study drug by intolerance was observed in 88 patients (4·8%) and 150 patients (8·2%), respectively (p<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Among patients with ASCVD, moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination therapy was non-inferior to high-intensity statin monotherapy for the 3-year composite outcomes with a higher proportion of patients with LDL cholesterol concentrations of less than 70 mg/dL and lower intolerance-related drug discontinuation or dose reduction.

FUNDING

Hanmi Pharmaceutical.

Computational Fractional Flow Reserve From Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography—Optical Coherence Tomography Fusion Images in Assessing Functionally Significant Coronary Stenosis

Background

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) provide additional functional information beyond the anatomy by applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study sought to evaluate a novel approach for estimating computational fractional flow reserve (FFR) from coronary CTA-OCT fusion images.

Methods

Among patients who underwent coronary CTA, 148 patients who underwent both pressure wire-based FFR measurement and OCT during angiography to evaluate intermediate stenosis in the left anterior descending artery were included from the prospective registry. Coronary CTA-OCT fusion images were created, and CFD was applied to estimate computational FFR. Based on pressure wire-based FFR as a reference, the diagnostic performance of Fusion-FFR was compared with that of CT-FFR and OCT-FFR.

Results

Fusion-FFR was strongly correlated with FFR (r = 0.836, P < 0.001). Correlation between FFR and Fusion-FFR was stronger than that between FFR and CT-FFR (r = 0.682, P < 0.001; z statistic, 5.42, P < 0.001) and between FFR and OCT-FFR (r = 0.705, P < 0.001; z statistic, 4.38, P < 0.001). Area under the receiver operating characteristics curve to assess functionally significant stenosis was higher for Fusion-FFR than for CT-FFR (0.90 vs. 0.83, P = 0.024) and OCT-FFR (0.90 vs. 0.83, P = 0.043). Fusion-FFR exhibited 84.5% accuracy, 84.6% sensitivity, 84.3% specificity, 80.9% positive predictive value, and 87.5% negative predictive value. Especially accuracy, specificity, and positive predictive value were superior for Fusion-FFR than for CT-FFR (73.0%, P = 0.007; 61.4%, P < 0.001; 64.0%, P < 0.001) and OCT-FFR (75.7%, P = 0.021; 73.5%, P = 0.020; 69.9%, P = 0.012).

Conclusion

CFD-based computational FFR from coronary CTA-OCT fusion images provided more accurate functional information than coronary CTA or OCT alone.

Clinical Trial Registration

[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT03298282].

Impact of New-Onset Persistent Left Bundle Branch Block on Reverse Cardiac Remodeling and Clinical Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background

The clinical implication of new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains controversial. We investigated the impact of new-onset persistent LBBB on reverse cardiac remodeling and clinical outcomes after TAVR.

Methods

Among 478 patients who had undergone TAVR for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis from 2011 to 2021, we analyzed 364 patients after excluding patients with pre-existing intraventricular conduction disturbance or a pacing rhythm before or during the indexed hospitalization for TAVR. Echocardiographic variables of cardiac remodeling at baseline and 1 year after TAVR were comprehensively analyzed. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure. Secondary outcomes were all-cause death and individual components of the primary outcome.

Result

New-onset persistent LBBB occurred in 41 (11.3%) patients after TAVR. The no LBBB group showed a significant increase in the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and decreases in LV dimensions, the left atrial volume index, and LV mass index 1 year after TAVR (all p < 0.001). However, the new LBBB group showed no significant changes in these parameters. During a median follow-up of 18.1 months, the new LBBB group experienced a higher incidence of primary outcomes [hazard ratio (HR): 5.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.60–9.73; p < 0.001] and all-cause death (HR: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.38–5.69; p = 0.003). The data were similar after multivariable regression analysis.

Conclusion

New-onset persistent LBBB after TAVR is associated with insufficient reverse cardiac remodeling and increased adverse clinical events.

Long-Term Beta-Blocker Therapy in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

It is unclear whether beta-blocker treatment is advantageous in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated the clinical impact of long-term beta-blocker maintenance in patients with stable CAD after PCI with drug-eluting stent (DES).

Methods

From a nationwide cohort database, we identified the stable CAD patients without current or prior history of myocardial infarction or heart failure who underwent DES implantation. An intention-to-treat principle was used to analyze the impact of beta-blocker treatment on long-term outcomes of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) composed of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and hospitalization with heart failure.

Results

After stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting, a total of 78,380 patients with stable CAD was enrolled; 45,746 patients with and 32,634 without beta-blocker treatment. At 5 years after PCI with a 6-month quarantine period, the adjusted incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients treated with beta-blockers [10.0 vs. 9.1%; hazard ratio (HR) 1.11, 95% CI 1.06–1.16, p &lt; 0.001] in an intention-to-treat analysis. There was no significant difference in all-cause death between patients treated with and without beta-blockers (8.1 vs. 8.2%; HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94–1.04, p = 0.62). Statistical analysis with a time-varying Cox regression and rank-preserving structure failure time model revealed similar results to the intention-to-treat analysis.

Conclusions

Among patients with stable CAD undergoing DES implantation, long-term maintenance with beta-blocker treatment might not be associated with clinical outcome improvement.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT04715594).

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes Between Biodegradable and Durable Polymer Drug-Eluting Stents: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Background

Despite the theoretical benefits of biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES), clinical benefits of BP-DES over durable polymer DES (DP-DES) have not been clearly demonstrated. Using data from a large-volume nationwide cohort, we compared long-term clinical outcomes between BP-DES- and DP-DES-treated patients.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study that enrolled all patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with new-generation DES between 2010 and 2016 in Korea was conducted by using the National Health Insurance Service database. The outcomes of interest were all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and myocardial infarction (MI).

Results

A total of 127,731 patients treated with new-generation DES with thin struts (<90 μm) were enrolled for this analysis. After stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting, the incidence of all-cause death was significantly lower in patients treated with BP-DES (n = 19,521) at 5 years after PCI (11.3 vs. 13.0% in those treated with DP-DES [n = 108,067], hazard ratio [HR] 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88–0.96, p < 0.001), while showing no statistically significant difference at 2 years after PCI (5.7 vs. 6.0%, respectively, HR 0.95, 95% CI, 0.89–1.01, p = 0.238). Similarly, use of BP-DES was associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular death (7.4 vs. 9.6% in those treated with DP-DES, HR 0.82, 95% CI, 0.77–0.87, p < 0.001), and MI (7.4 vs. 8.7%, respectively, HR 0.90, 95% CI, 0.86–0.94, p = 0.006) at 5 years after PCI. There was no statistically significant difference of cardiovascular death (4.6 vs. 4.9%, respectively, HR 0.93, 95% CI, 0.85–1.01, p = 0.120) and MI (5.0 vs. 5.1%, respectively, HR 0.98, 95% CI, 0.92–1.05, p = 0.461) at 2 years after PCI.

Conclusions

Implantation of BP-DES was associated with a lower risk of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and MI compared with DP-DES implantation. This difference was clearly apparent at 5 years after DES implantation.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT04715594.

Drug-eluting stents for the treatment of coronary artery disease: A review of recent advances

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous coronary intervention is a widely used procedure for the treatment of coronary artery disease to relieve narrowing or occlusion and improve blood supply. Although only balloon angioplasty was performed in the early period, coronary stents were developed later and coronary drug-eluting stents were introduced to decrease in-stent restenosis, which is related to the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells.

AREAS COVERED

The drug-eluting stents are composed of a metallic or polymeric platform, specific drug, and polymers or coating for drug release. In this article, the recent advances in drug-eluting stent technologies for the treatment of coronary artery disease and adjunctive antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation will be reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION

The need for further advances in drug-eluting stents or fully bioresorbable coronary scaffolds still exists to improve patient survival or clinical outcomes. The use for different actions or of combinations of drugs with several actions can be potential. Technological refinement and progress in manufacturing to improve mechanical integrity are needed, particularly for fully bioresorbable scaffolds. For antiplatelet therapy after stenting, clinical bleeding reduction strategies, such as a shortened duration of dual-antiplatelet therapy, are in progress.

Postlaryngectomy supraglottic stenosis revealed by three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction: A case report

RATIONALE

Supraglottic stenosis is a rare cause of airway obstruction. It can be induced by radiation, trauma, autoimmune diseases, or caustic exposure, and is often misdiagnosed as asthma. Detailed airway information is necessary to re-establish the normal functioning of the airway.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 78-year-old woman with severe dyspnea and hypercarbia was scheduled for surgery to resolve airway obstruction, previously known as supraglottic stenosis.

DIAGNOSES

To determine the exact internal shape of the stenotic lesion, we reconstructed three dimensional computed tomography (CT) images depicted a tubular supraglottic stenosis.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent tracheotomy under monitored anesthesia care and local anesthesia, followed by general anesthesia. For long-term management of the patient, the otorhinolaryngologist excised the supraglottic stricture via micro-laryngeal surgery using a CO2 laser and applied mitomycin to prevent further obstruction.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered uneventfully after anesthesia, and symptom due to supraglottic stenosis was improved.

LESSONS

During airway management of patients with postlaryngectomy supraglottic stenosis, three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography images facilitate airway configuration in addition to endoscopy and other radiological findings.

Improved 3-Year Cardiac Survival After IVUS-Guided Long DES Implantation: A Patient-Level Analysis From 2 Randomized Trials

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to evaluate long-term cardiac survival benefit for intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)- versus angiography-guided long drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

BACKGROUND

Although the long-term benefit of IVUS guidance for DES implantation has been reported from recent randomized trials, this benefit was primarily driven by the reduction in repeat revascularization. Thus, it remains uncertain whether IVUS guidance improved survival during long-term follow-up.

METHODS

We pooled the data of 2 randomized trials (IVUS-XPL [Impact of Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance on the Outcomes of Xience Prime Stents in Long Lesions] and ULTIMATE [Intravascular Ultrasound Guided Drug Eluting Stents Implantation in All-Comers Coronary Lesions]) and compared IVUS guidance versus angiography guidance in 2,577 patients with long lesions treated with an implanted stent length ≥28 mm. The primary end point was cardiac death at 3 years.

RESULTS

A 3-year clinical follow-up was completed in 96%. The primary end point of cardiac death occurred in 12 patients (1.0%) in the IVUS-guided group vs 28 patients (2.2%) in the angiography-guided group (HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.22-0.84; P = 0.011). In addition, target lesion-related myocardial infarction occurred in 3 patients (0.2%) in the IVUS-guided group and in 9 patients (0.7%) in the angiography-guided group (HR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.09-1.22; P = 0.081), stent thrombosis developed in 3 patients (0.2%) in the IVUS-guided group and 9 patients (0.7%) in the angiography-guided group (HR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.09-1.23; P = 0.082), and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization was observed in 47 patients (3.8%) in the IVUS-guided group and 80 patients (6.5%) in the angiography-guided group (HR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40-0.82; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In this post hoc pooled patient-level analysis, the use of IVUS-guided long DES implantation compared with angiography-guided stent implantation improved long-term patient cardiac survival.

Ticagrelor vs. Clopidogrel in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease After New-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

Background: The impact of ticagrelor-based dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear.

Methods: Data on a total of 1,067 ACS patients with CKD including end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who underwent new-generation drug-eluting stent implantation were extracted from a multicenter registry. This study aimed to compare outcomes of patients treated with ticagrelor- (n = 449) and those treated with clopidogrel-based (n = 618) DAPT. Outcomes of interest included major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium grade 3 or 5) at 12 months. Propensity-score matching (346 pairs) analysis was performed.

Results: The patients with ESRD showed the highest MACCE and bleeding rates (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the rate of MACCEs between the treatment groups (7.8% vs. 8.4%; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.56–1.61, P = 0.855); however, a trend toward an increased bleeding rate was observed in the ticagrelor-based DAPT group (6.8% vs. 3.8%, HR = 1.84, 95% CI = 0.93–3.63, P = 0.079). Among patients with CKD stage III/IV but without ESRD (277 pairs), the ticagrelor-based DAPT group showed a reduced MACCE rate (3.6% vs. 8.7%, HR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.19–0.86, P = 0.018) and a similar bleeding rate (5.1% vs. 3.2%, HR = 1.61, 95% CI = 0.70–3.71, P = 0.267), compared with those of the clopidogrel-based DAPT group.

Conclusion: The effects of ticagrelor-based DAPT on ischemic and bleeding outcomes of ACS patients with CKD varied according to CKD stage; in ACS patients with CKD without ESRD, ticagrelor-based DAPT reduced MACCE risk without increasing bleeding risks, relative to those observed with clopidogrel-based DAPT.

Ticagrelor Monotherapy After 3-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome by High Bleeding Risk: The Subanalysis From the TICO Trial

This study demonstrated that for acute coronary syndrome patients treated with drug eluting stents, high bleeding risk (HBR) was associated with higher rates of net adverse clinical events (NACEs), not only including bleeding but also ischemic events. Ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was associated with lower rates of NACEs and major bleeding than ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT regardless of HBR, with no significant interaction between therapy and HBR. These findings were consistent regardless of HBR definition by Academic Research Consortium for HBR criteria or by Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent DAPT score.

Background and Objectives

Identifying patients with high bleeding risk (HBR) is important when making decisions for antiplatelet therapy strategy. This study evaluated the impact of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) according to HBR in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients treated with drug eluting stents (DESs).

Methods

In this post-hoc analysis of the TICO trial, HBR was defined by 2 approaches: meeting Academic Research Consortium for HBR (ARC-HBR) criteria or Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent DAPT (PRECISE-DAPT) score ≥25. The primary outcome was a 3–12 months net adverse clinical event (composite of major bleeding and adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events).

Results

Of the 2,980 patients without adverse events during the first 3 months after DES implantation, 453 (15.2%) were HBR by ARC-HBR criteria and 504 (16.9%) were HBR by PRECISE-DAPT score. The primary outcome rate was higher in HBR versus non-HBR patients (by ARC-HBR criteria: hazard ratio [HR], 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76–4.69; p<0.001; by PRECISE-DAPT score: HR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.92–4.98; p<0.001). Ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT was associated with lower primary outcome rate than ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT regardless of HBR by ARC-HBR criteria, with similar magnitudes of therapy effect for HBR and non-HBR patients (p-interaction=0.400). Results were consistent by PRECISE-DAPT score (p-interaction=0.178).

Conclusions

In ACS patients treated with DESs, ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT was associated with lower rate of adverse clinical outcomes regardless of HBR, with similar magnitudes of therapy effect between HBR and non-HBR.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02494895

Is Routine Postdilation During Angiography-Guided Stent Implantation as Good as Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance?: An Analysis Using Data From IVUS-XPL and ULTIMATE

BACKGROUND

There are 2 competing approaches to optimize drug-eluting stent implantation: angiography-guided routine postdilation or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance.

METHODS

From the pooled data of 2 randomized trials, IVUS-XPL (Impact of Intravascular Ultrasound Guidance on the Outcomes of Xience Prime Stents in Long Lesions) and ULTIMATE (Intravascular Ultrasound Guided Drug Eluting Stents Implantation in All-Comers Coronary Lesions), that compared IVUS- versus angiography-guided drug-eluting stent implantation, we compared 1037 patients (1265 lesions) with IVUS-guided postdilation, 905 patients (1170 lesions) with angiography-guided postdilation, and 383 patients (397 lesions) with angiography-guided drug-eluting stent implantation without postdilation as a reference group; all patients required ≥28 mm long stents. The primary end point was composite of cardiac death, target lesion-related myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization at 3 years.

RESULTS

Postintervention quantitative coronary angiography-based minimum lumen diameter was not different between the angiography guidance with postdilation versus the angiography guidance without postdilation group (2.5±0.4 mm versus 2.5±0.4 mm; P=0.367). However, it was larger in the IVUS guidance with postdilation versus the angiography guidance without postdilation group (2.6±0.5 mm versus 2.5±0.4 mm; P=0.046), and also in the IVUS guidance with postdilation versus the angiography guidance with postdilation group (2.6±0.5 mm versus 2.5±0.4 mm; P<0.001). The rate of the primary end point was not different between the angiography guidance with postdilation versus the angiography guidance without postdilation group (8.6% versus 9.8%; hazard ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.58-1.29]; P=0.473). However, it was lower after IVUS guidance with postdilation versus angiography guidance without postdilation (4.5% versus 9.8%; hazard ratio, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.28-0.68]; P<0.001) and also after IVUS guidance with postdilation versus angiography guidance with postdilation (4.5% versus 8.6%; hazard ratio, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.35-0.74]; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing long drug-eluting stent implantation, IVUS-guided postdilation was associated with improved long-term clinical outcomes, unlike angiography-guided postdilation.

Two-year outcomes between ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing newer-generation drug-eluting stent implantation

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the 2-year clinical outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who received newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES).

METHODS

Overall, 18,875 acute myocardial infarction patients were divided into two groups: CKD (STEMI, n = 1707; NSTEMI, n = 1648) and non-CKD (STEMI, n = 8660; NSTEMI, n = 6860). The occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), any repeat coronary revascularization, and definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST), was evaluated.

RESULTS

After multivariable-adjusted analysis, in the CKD group, the MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.365, p = 0.004), all-cause death (aHR: 1.503, p = 0.004), noncardiac death (non-CD; aHR: 1.960, p = 0.004), and all-cause death or MI rates (aHR: 1.458, p = 0.002) were significantly higher in the NSTEMI group than in the STEMI group. In the non-CKD group, the non-CD rate (aHR: 1.78, p = 0.006) was also higher in the NSTEMI group. The CD, re-MI, any repeat revascularization, and ST rates were similar between groups. In the CKD group, from 6 months to 2 years after the index procedure, all-cause death, non-CD, and all-cause death or MI rates were significantly higher in the NSTEMI group than in the STEMI group. These results may be related to the higher non-CD rate in the NSTEMI group.

CONCLUSIONS

In the era of contemporary newer-generation DES, NSTEMI showed a relatively higher non-CD rate than STEMI in both CKD and non-CKD groups.

Age-Dependent Effect of Ticagrelor Monotherapy Versus Ticagrelor With Aspirin on Major Bleeding and Cardiovascular Events: A Post Hoc Analysis of the TICO Randomized Trial

Background

We aimed to evaluate the age‐dependent effect of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3‐month dual‐antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) versus ticagrelor‐based 12‐month DAPT on major bleeding and cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods and Results

From the TICO trial (Ticagrelor Monotherapy After 3 Months in the Patients Treated With New Generation Sirolimus‐eluting Stent for Acute Coronary Syndrome), which randomized 3056 patients (median age, 61 years) to the ticagrelor monotherapy after 3‐month DAPT group or ticagrelor‐based 12‐month DAPT group, this post hoc analysis evaluated the age‐dependent effect of the treatment strategies on the primary end point (a composite of major bleeding, death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, or target‐vessel revascularization) using the subpopulation treatment effect pattern plot. The cutoff age for distinguishing patients with greater benefit from this strategy was also determined. The risk reduction effect of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3‐month DAPT versus ticagrelor‐based 12‐month DAPT on the primary end point gradually increased with age and was more marked from the subpopulation of age 64 years with the change point. With this cutoff value of 64 years, the occurrence of the primary end point was significantly lower in the ticagrelor monotherapy after 3‐month DAPT group than in the ticagrelor‐based 12‐month DAPT group (4.4% versus 9.0%; P=0.002) in patients aged ≥64 years (n=1278), but it was not different in those aged <64 years (n=1778) with a significant interaction (P‐interaction=0.036).

Conclusions

The age‐dependent increase in the benefit of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3‐month DAPT versus ticagrelor‐based 12‐month DAPT was observed in the patients with acute coronary syndrome. In elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome, ticagrelor monotherapy after short‐term DAPT might be more optimal than ticagrelor‐based 12‐month DAPT.

ST-segment elevation versus non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in current smokers after newer-generation drug-eluting stent implantation

We compared the 2-year major clinical outcomes between ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) in patients who are current smokers who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs). The availability of data in this regard is limited.A total of 8357 AMI patients were included and divided into 2 groups: the STEMI group (n = 5124) and NSTEMI group (n = 3233). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), or coronary repeat revascularization. The secondary endpoints were the cumulative incidences of the individual components of MACE and stent thrombosis (definite or probable).After propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis, 2 PSM groups (2250 pairs, C-statistics = 0.795) were generated. In the PSM patients, both for 1 month and at 2 years, the cumulative incidence of MACE (P = .183 and P = .655, respectively), all-cause death, cardiac death, re-MI, all-cause death or MI, any repeat revascularization, and stent thrombosis (P = .998 and P = .341, respectively) was not significantly different between the STEMI and NSTEMI groups. In addition, these results were confirmed using multivariate analysis.In the era of contemporary newer-generation DESs, both during 1 month and at 2 years after index PCI, the major clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the STEMI and NSTEMI groups confined to the patients who are current smokers. However, further research is needed to confirm these results.

Outcomes between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus in older adults with acute myocardial infarction in the era of newer-generation drug-eluting stents: a retrospective observational study

Background

The comparative clinical outcomes between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in older adults with AMI in the era of newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) are limited. We investigated the 2-year clinical outcomes of these patients.

Methods

A total of 5492 AMI patients aged ≥65 years were classified into three groups according to their glycemic status: normoglycemia (group A: 1193), prediabetes (group B: 1696), and T2DM (group C: 2603). The primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), and any repeat revascularization. The secondary outcome was stent thrombosis (ST).

Results

The primary and secondary outcomes cumulative incidences were similar between the prediabetes and T2DM groups. In both the prediabetes and T2DM groups, the cumulative incidences of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.373; p = 0.020 and aHR: 1.479; p = 0.002, respectively) and all-cause death or MI (aHR: 1.436; p = 0.022 and aHR: 1.647; p = 0.001, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the normoglycemia group. Additionally, the cumulative incidence of all-cause death in the T2DM group was significantly higher than that in the normoglycemia group (aHR, 1.666; p = 0.003).

Conclusions

In this retrospective study, despite the 2-year clinical outcomes of the patients with prediabetes and T2DM in the older adults were worse than those in the normoglycemia group; they were similar between the prediabetes and T2DM groups. Hence, comparable treatment strategies should be strengthened between prediabetes and T2DM in older adults with AMI.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered.

Comparison of two-year clinical outcomes according to glycemic status and renal function in patients with acute myocardial infarction following implantation of new-generation drug-eluting stents

AIM

We compared the 2-year clinical outcomes between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) after the successful implantation of new-generation drug-eluting stents.

METHODS

A total of 11,961 AMI patients were classified into group A (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 60 ml/min/1.73m², n = 2271) and group B (eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m², n = 9690). These two groups were sub-classified into normoglycemia, prediabetes, and T2DM. The occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, recurrent MI (re-MI), and any repeat revascularization was evaluated.

RESULTS

In group A, the MACE (p = 0.016 and p = 0.004, respectively) and all-cause death (p = 0.044, and p = 0.031, respectively) rates; in groups B, the MACE, all-cause death, and cardiac death rates, were significantly higher in the prediabetes and T2DM groups than in the normoglycemia group. The re-MI and any repeat revascularization rates were significantly higher in the T2DM group than in the normoglycemia group. The MACE, all-cause death, and cardiac death rates in group A were significantly higher than those in all three glycemic subgroups of group B. Both in group A and B, the major clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the prediabetes and T2DM groups.

CONCLUSIONS

AMI patients, both with prediabetes and T2DM, showed a higher mortality rate than those with normoglycemia regardless of the degree of eGFR.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement with Minimal Contrast Dye in Patients with Renal Insufficiency

PURPOSE

Concerns have been consistently raised in regards to the considerable amount of contrast dye used during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with renal insufficiency. In the present study, we introduced minimal contrast TAVR and compared its 30-day clinical outcomes with conventional TAVR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively investigated 369 patients who underwent TAVR between July 2011 and April 2020 in our institute. Among them, 93 patients with severe aortic stenosis and renal insufficiency (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤50 mL/min/1.73 m²) were included and divided into a conventional TAVR group (n=56) and a minimal contrast TAVR group (n=37). In the minimal contrast TAVR group, the total amount of contrast was <10 mL during the entire TAVR procedure. Thirty-day major adverse clinical events (MACE), including death, stroke, implantation of permanent pacemaker, and initiation of hemodialysis, were investigated.

RESULTS

The incidence of MACE was significantly lower in the minimal contrast TAVR group than the conventional TAVR group (16.2% vs. 42.9%, p=0.010). Death occurred in 9 patients (16.1%) in the conventional TAVR group and in 0 patients in the minimal contrast group (p=0.011). Hemodialysis was initiated in 2 patients (5.4%) in the minimal contrast TAVR group and in 7 patients (12.5%) in the conventional TAVR group (p=0.256). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the minimal contrast TAVR procedure was an independent predictor for reducing MACE (hazard ratio 0.208, 95% confidence interval: 0.080-0.541, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Minimal contrast TAVR is feasible and shows more favorable short-term clinical outcomes than conventional TAVR in patients with renal insufficiency.

Clinical Outcomes of Atherectomy Plus Drug-coated Balloon Versus Drug-coated Balloon Alone in the Treatment of Femoropopliteal Artery Disease

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) emerged as an attractive treatment option for femoropopliteal artery disease. However, achieving the best outcome with DCB needed proper vessel preparation. Thus, the reduction and modification of atherosclerotic plaques by atherectomy were suggested. This study investigated the efficacy of atherectomy in native femoropopliteal artery disease compared with DCB alone using two-center cohorts. As a result, the pretreatment with atherectomy improved the technical success of DCB treatment; however, it was associated with increased minor complications. Additionally, atherectomy plus DCB showed no clinical benefit regarding TLR-free survival or clinical patency compared with DCB treatment alone.

Background and Objectives

Atherectomy as a pretreatment has the potential to improve the outcomes of drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment by reducing and modifying atherosclerotic plaques. The present study investigated the outcomes of atherectomy plus DCB (A+DCB) compared with DCB alone for the treatment of femoropopliteal artery disease.

Methods

A total of 311 patients (348 limbs) underwent endovascular therapy using DCB for native femoropopliteal artery lesions at two endovascular centers. Of these, 82 limbs were treated with A+DCB and 266 limbs with DCB alone. After propensity score matching based on clinical and lesion characteristics, a total of 82 pairs was compared for immediate and mid-term outcomes.

Results

For the matched study groups, the lesion length was 172.7±111.2 mm, and severe calcification was observed in 43.3%. The technical success rate was higher in the A+DCB group than in the DCB group (80.5% vs. 62.2%, p=0.015). However, the A+DCB group showed more procedure-related minor complications (37.0% vs. 13.4%, p=0.047). At 2-year follow-up, primary clinical patency (73.8% vs. 82.6%, p=0.158) and the target lesion revascularization (TLR)-free survival (84.3% vs. 88.2%, p=0.261) did not differ between the two groups. In Cox proportional hazard analysis, atherectomy showed no significant impact on the outcome of DCB treatments.

Conclusions

The pretreatment with atherectomy improved technical success of DCB treatment; however, it was associated with increased minor complications. In this study, A+DCB showed no clinical benefit in terms of TLR-free survival or clinical patency compared with DCB treatment alone.

Skin Perfusion Pressure Predicts Early Wound Healing After Endovascular Therapy in Chronic Limb Threatening Ischaemia

OBJECTIVE

Skin perfusion pressure (SPP) has been proposed as a method to predict wound healing in chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI). However, studies regarding the impact of SPP before and after endovascular therapy (EVT) on wound healing are limited. This study sought to evaluate the predictive value of SPP for early wound healing in CLTI treated by EVT.

METHODS

Between January 2018 and June 2020, 236 limbs (172 patients) with CLTI that underwent SPP measurement before and after EVT were included. SPP was measured before and 24 - 48 hours after the procedure. Early wound healing was defined as the achievement of complete epithelisation of all wounds without major amputation within three months of EVT.

RESULTS

Early wound healing was achieved in 145 (61.4%) limbs after EVT. Baseline SPP (44.1 ± 21.0 mmHg vs. 33.5 ± 21.7 mmHg; p < .001) and post-procedural SPP (61.8 ± 18.5 mmHg vs. 37.4 ± 19.9 mmHg; p < .001) were significantly higher in the wound healing (+) group than in the wound non-healing (-) group. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for early wound healing was 0.82 for post-procedural SPP with a cutoff value of 50 mmHg (sensitivity 74.5%, specificity 78.0%). The early wound healing rate was significantly higher with a post-procedural SPP ≥ 50 mmHg compared with a SPP < 50 mmHg (84.4% vs. 35.0%; p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Post-procedural SPP with a cutoff value of 50 mmHg was capable of predicting early wound healing after EVT in CLTI.

Impact of Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Optimal Stent Expansion on 3-Year Hard Clinical Outcomes

[Figure: see text].

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors versus angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers in patients with acute myocardial infarction and prediabetes after successful implantation of newer-generation drug-eluting stents

BACKGROUND

Because limited data are available, the present study investigated 2-year major clinical outcomes after angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and prediabetes after successful implantation of newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs).

METHODS

Overall, 2932 patients with AMI and prediabetes were classified into two groups - the ACEIs group (n = 2059) and the ARBs group (n = 873). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of patient- -oriented composite outcome (POCO), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), or any repeat revascularization. The secondary endpoint was definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST).

RESULTS

The cumulative incidences of POCO (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.020; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.740-1.404; p = 0.906), all-cause death (aHR: 1.394; 95% CI: 0.803-2.419; p = 0.238), Re-MI (aHR: 1.210; 95% CI: 0.626-2.340; p = 0.570), any repeat revascularization (aHR: 1.150; 95% CI: 0.713-1.855; p = 0.568), and ST (aHR: 1.736; 95% CI: 0.445-6.766; p = 0.427) were similar between the groups. These results were confirmed after propensity score-adjusted analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, patients with AMI and prediabetes who received ACEIs or ARBs showed comparable clinical outcomes during the 2-year follow-up period.

Association between angiographic and intravascular ultrasound optimizations after new-generation drug-eluting stent implantation and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Uncertainty remains regarding the associations of angiographic optimization and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) optimization after new-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

METHODS

From four randomized trials comparing outcomes between IVUS and angiography-guidance for long or chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, 1396 patients who underwent IVUS-guided new-generation DES implantation were enrolled. Of these, 1112 patients (80%) met angiographic optimization criteria (postprocedural diameter stenosis, ≤20%) and were further classified into the matched (same results for angiographic optimization and IVUS optimization) and the mismatched group (opposite results for angiographic optimization and IVUS optimization) according to the meeting of IVUS optimization criteria (minimal stent area, ≥5.5 mm2 or ≥80% of mean reference lumen area). The major adverse clinical events (MACE) were compared.

RESULTS

Of 1112 patients with angiographic optimization, 675 patients met the IVUS optimization criteria (61%; matched), but 437 patients (39%; mismatched) failed to meet IVUS optimization criteria (false-positive rate = 76%). On multivariate analyses, age >60 years, reference vessel diameter ≤2.7 mm, left circumflex artery and lesion length ≥33 mm were significant predictors for the mismatched. When comparing the 12-month MACE rates, the mismatched group (6.8%) showed a significantly higher rate than the matched group (1.5%; hazard ratio = 2.62; 95% confidence interval = 1.20-5.72; P = 0.012), mainly driven by a higher target-vessel revascularization rate (6.4 vs 1.4%; P = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

Despite meeting angiographic optimization criteria in long or CTO lesions, more than one-third of the patients with IVUS-guided new-generation DES implantation failed to meet the IVUS optimization criteria and had worse clinical outcomes. Therefore, IVUS optimization should be considered for patients who had predictors of mismatch.

Association of pre-percutaneous coronary flow grade and clinical outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Data from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry

Because of a paucity of published data, we compared the 2-year major clinical outcomes between pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (pre-PCI) thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 0/1 (pre-TIMI flow grade [pre-TIMI] 0/1) group and pre-PCI TIMI flow grade 2/3 (pre-TIMI 2/3) group in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who underwent successful implantation of newer-generation drug-eluting stent.A total of 7506 NSTEMI patients were divided into 2 groups: pre-TIMI 0/1 group (n = 3157) and pre-TIMI 2/3 group (n = 4349). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, or any repeat revascularization. The secondary outcome was stent thrombosis (ST).After propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis, 2 PSM groups (2473 pairs, n = 4946, C-statistic = 0.684) were generated. Major adverse cardiac events (hazard ration [HR], 1.294; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.065-1.572; P = .009), all-cause death (HR, 1.559, P = .003), cardiac death (HR: 1.641, P = .005), and all-cause death or MI (HR: 1.531, P = .001) rates were significantly higher in the pre-TIMI 0/1 group than in the pre-TIMI 2/3 group. Moreover, these differences were more prominent during the first 1 month after the index PCI. However, the cumulative incidences of recurrent myocardial infarction, any revascularization, and ST were similar between the 2 groups.Among a contemporary cohort of NSTEMI, these data suggest that the presence of a pre-PCI patency of the infarct-related artery showed better mortality reduction capacity than those with a lack of patency.

Comparative effect of statin intensity between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus after implanting newer-generation drug-eluting stents in Korean acute myocardial infarction patients: a retrospective observational study

Background

Comparative studies regarding the long-term clinical outcomes of statin intensity between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with prediabetes and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), after successful implantation of newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) with statin treatment, are limited. We compared the 2-year clinical outcomes between these patients.

Methods

A total of 11,612 AMI patients were classified as statin users (n = 9893) and non-users (n = 1719). Thereafter, statin users were further divided into high-intensity (n = 2984) or low-moderate-intensity statin (n = 6909) treatment groups. Those in these two groups were further classified into patients with normoglycemia, prediabetes, and T2DM. The major outcomes were the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), or any repeat coronary revascularization.

Results

After adjusting for both high-intensity and low-moderate-intensity statin users, the cumulative incidences of MACE (p = 0.737, p = 0.062, respectively), all-cause death, Re-MI, and any repeat revascularization were similar between the prediabetes and T2DM groups. In the total study population, both high-intensity and low-moderate-intensity statin treatments showed comparable results. However, in the patients who enrolled after October 2012, the cumulative incidences of MACE (aHR 1.533; 95% CI 1.144–2.053; p = 0.004) and any repeat revascularization (aHR, 1.587; 95% CI 1.026–2.456; p = 0.038) were significantly lower in high-intensity statin users than in low-moderate intensity statin users. The beneficial effects of high-intensity compared to low-moderate-intensity statin therapy were more apparent in the normoglycemia group than hyperglycemia group, as it reduced the cumulative incidences of MACE (aHR 1.903; 95% CI 1.203–3.010; p = 0.006) and any repeat revascularization (aHR 3.248; 95% CI 1.539–6.854; p = 0.002).

Conclusions

In this retrospective registry study, prediabetes and T2DM groups showed comparable clinical outcomes, after administering both high-intensity and low-moderate-intensity statin treatments. However, these results are likely to be clearly proved by further studies, especially in patients with AMI who are being treated in contemporary practice.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-021-02198-w.

Ticagrelor Monotherapy Versus Ticagrelor With Aspirin in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With a High Risk of Ischemic Events

[Figure: see text].

Acute and one-year clinical outcomes of pre-stenting intravascular ultrasound: a patient-level meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Pre-stenting intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) assessment is helpful for appropriate stent sizing and determination of the stent landing zone during percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS

The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of pre-stenting IVUS evaluation on procedural and clinical outcomes for diffuse lesions treated with drug-eluting stents (DES).

METHODS

In four randomised trials comparing IVUS- and angiography-guided DES placement, a total of 1,396 patients who underwent DES implantation with IVUS guidance were identified. Pre-stenting IVUS assessment was performed in 905 patients along with post-stenting IVUS (65%; pre-stenting IVUS(+) group). Post-stenting IVUS evaluation alone was conducted on 491 patients (35%; pre-stenting IVUS(-) group).

RESULTS

The pre-stenting IVUS(+) group had a larger angiographic minimal lumen diameter and IVUS-derived minimal stent area (MSA) than did the pre-stenting IVUS(-) group. After adjusting, these findings were consistent. The one-year composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularisation did not differ between the groups. In subgroup analysis, the pre-IVUS(+) group was significantly favoured over the pre-IVUS(-) group in the subset of patients with acute myocardial infarction and lesions with small vessels in terms of larger MSA, and in the subset of patients with chronic total occlusions in terms of better clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-stenting IVUS assessment prior to DES placement was associated with better acute procedural outcomes, though this did not translate into one-year clinical outcomes in the context of post-stenting IVUS assessment. Visual summary. Acute and one-year outcomes of pre-stenting intravascular ultrasound: a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Safety and usefulness of a novel short track sliding balloon catheter

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and technical utility of the short track sliding (STS) balloon catheter.

BACKGROUND

An STS balloon catheter is designed to ensure a low profile at the shaft and perform distal anchoring using a single guidewire. However, its clinical practice with the STS balloon catheter has not been reported.

METHODS

This prospective multi-center registry enrolled 100 patients with significant coronary artery disease who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention using an STS balloon catheter at three hospitals in Korea from March 2019 to July 2020. Overall safety was assessed as any occurrences of device-related malfunction during the pre-dilation of the lesions. Its technical success rates of the kissing balloon technique or the distal anchoring technique using a single guidewire were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 118 lesions pre-dilated using the STS balloon, no significant complication was observed except for three significant coronary dissections, which were completely covered with stents. There was no incidence of balloon catheter malfunction, such as fracture, entrapment, or perforation. With 13 attempts of kissing ballooning techniques with the STS balloon with a 6F guiding catheter, all cases were successful. The distal anchoring techniques were attempted in 10 cases, the stent was successfully crossed to the target lesion in all 10 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel STS balloon catheter can be safely applied in routine coronary intervention with minimal complications. In addition, this catheter could be useful for performing the kissing balloon technique with a small-caliber guiding catheter and distal anchoring technique with a single guidewire.

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy or dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary revascularisation: individual patient level meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To assess the risks and benefits of P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy compared with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and whether these associations are modified by patients' characteristics.

DESIGN

Individual patient level meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

DATA SOURCES

Searches were conducted in Ovid Medline, Embase, and three websites (www.tctmd.com, www.escardio.org, www.acc.org/cardiosourceplus) from inception to 16 July 2020. The primary authors provided individual participant data.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing effects of oral P2Y₁₂ monotherapy and DAPT on centrally adjudicated endpoints after coronary revascularisation in patients without an indication for oral anticoagulation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was a composite of all cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, tested for non-inferiority against a margin of 1.15 for the hazard ratio. The key safety endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3 or type 5 bleeding.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included data from six trials, including 24 096 patients. The primary outcome occurred in 283 (2.95%) patients with P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy and 315 (3.27%) with DAPT in the per protocol population (hazard ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.79 to 1.09; P=0.005 for non-inferiority; P=0.38 for superiority; τ²=0.00) and in 303 (2.94%) with P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy and 338 (3.36%) with DAPT in the intention to treat population (0.90, 0.77 to 1.05; P=0.18 for superiority; τ²=0.00). The treatment effect was consistent across all subgroups, except for sex (P for interaction=0.02), suggesting that P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy lowers the risk of the primary ischaemic endpoint in women (hazard ratio 0.64, 0.46 to 0.89) but not in men (1.00, 0.83 to 1.19). The risk of bleeding was lower with P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy than with DAPT (97 (0.89%) v 197 (1.83%); hazard ratio 0.49, 0.39 to 0.63; P<0.001; τ²=0.03), which was consistent across subgroups, except for type of P2Y₁₂ inhibitor (P for interaction=0.02), suggesting greater benefit when a newer P2Y₁₂ inhibitor rather than clopidogrel was part of the DAPT regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy was associated with a similar risk of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, with evidence that this association may be modified by sex, and a lower bleeding risk compared with DAPT.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020176853.

Effect of Coronary CTA on Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to test whether the success rate of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) increased with pre-procedural coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

BACKGROUND

Coronary CTA provides valuable information before and during CTO-PCI. However, there are no randomized data that explore whether coronary CTA increases its success rate.

METHODS

In this multicenter, randomized trial, a total of 400 patients with CTO were randomized to receive PCI with pre-procedural coronary CTA (coronary CTA-guided group; n = 200) or without coronary CTA (angiography-guided group; n = 200) between January 2014 and September 2019. The primary endpoint was the successful recanalization rate, a final TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) grade ≥2, and ≤30% residual stenosis on the final angiogram.

RESULTS

A total of 10 operators performed PCI. Successful recanalization was achieved in 187 patients (93.5%) in the coronary CTA-guided group and in 168 patients (84.0%) in the angiography-guided group (absolute difference, 9.5% [95% confidence interval: 3.4% to 15.6%]; p = 0.003). When comparing the success rates according to the Multicenter CTO Registry of Japan score (J-CTO), the coronary CTA guidance was favored over the angiography-guidance in the subset of J-CTO ≥2 versus in the subset of J-CTO <2 (p interaction = 0.035). Coronary perforations occurred in 2 (1%) and 8 patients (4%) in the coronary CTA- and angiography-guided groups, respectively (p = 0.055). Periprocedural myocardial infarction was not observed in the coronary CTA-guided group, whereas it occurred in 4 patients (2%) in the angiography-guided group (p = 0.123). Total procedure and fluoroscopic times were not different. There were no differences between the groups in the occurrences of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, or target-vessel revascularization at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-procedural coronary CTA-guidance for CTO resulted in higher success rates with numerically fewer immediate periprocedural complications such as coronary perforations or periprocedural myocardial infarction than angiography guidance. Higher success rates were more prominently observed in patients with CTO who had a high J-CTO score than those who did not. (Role of CT Scan for the Successful Recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusion; a Randomized Comparison Between 3D CT-guided PCI vs. Conventional Treatment [CT-CTO Trial]; NCT02037698).

Increased risk of chronic otitis media in chronic rhinosinusitis patients: a longitudinal follow-up study using a national health screening cohort

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and chronic otitis media (COM) share pathophysiological mechanisms such as bacterial infection, biofilm, and persistence of the obstruction state of ventilation routes. However, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between these two diseases nationwide and in the general population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the incidence of COM in patients with CRS differed from that of a matched control from the national health screening cohort.

METHODS

Data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Samples were collected from 2002 to 2015. Participants who were treated ≥ ≥ ≥2 times and underwent head and neck computed tomography evaluation were selected. A 1:4 matched CRS group (n=8,057) and a control group (n=32,228) were selected. The control group included participants who were never treated with the ICD-10 code J32 from 2002 to 2015. The CRS group included CRS patients with/without nasal polyps.

RESULTS

The incidence of COM was significantly higher in the CRS group than in the control group. In a subgroup analysis, the incidence of COM in all age groups and in men and women was significantly higher in the CRS group than in the control group. More, CRS increased the risk of COM.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association was observed between CRS and COM. This indicates that CRS patients have a high risk of developing COM.

Comparison of the improvement of flow-mediated dilatation in patients with acute coronary syndrome versus stable angina after six-month cardiac rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether the improvement in endothelial function, measured using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), an important predictor of cardiovascular outcomes, was comparable in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) versus stable angina patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and a six-month cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme.

METHODS

We analysed the results from 119 patients who completed a six-month CR programme after successful PCI for stable angina (n = 50) and ACS (n = 69).

RESULTS

After six months of CR, the results of FMD were significantly improved in both groups. There were no significant between-group differences in the FMD results at the six-month follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

After successful PCI and a six-month CR programme, FMD values were equally improved in both stable angina and ACS patients.

Two-Year Clinical Outcomes According to Pre-PCI TIMI Flow Grade and Reperfusion Timing in Non-STEMI After Newer-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents Implantation

The 2-year clinical outcomes according to pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade and reperfusion timing were investigated in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who received newer-generation drug-eluting stents. A total of 7506 NSTEMI patients were divided into 2 groups: early (PCI ≤ 24 hours: n = 6398; pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 [n = 2729], pre-PCI TIMI 2/3 [n = 3669]) and delayed (PCI > 24 hours: n = 1108; pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 [n = 428], pre-PCI TIMI 2/3 [n = 680]) invasive groups. Major adverse cardiac events were defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, or any repeat revascularization. All-cause death (P = 0.005 and 0.009, respectively) and cardiac death (P = .003 and 0.046, respectively) were significantly higher in pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 patients than in pre-PCI TIMI 2/3 patients both in the early and delayed invasive groups. In pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 patients, all-cause death rate was significantly higher in the delayed group (P = .023). In pre-PCI TIMI 2/3 patients, the clinical end point was similar between the 2 groups. An early invasive strategy is preferred to a delayed invasive strategy in reducing all-cause death in patients with pre-PCI TIMI 0/1. However, in patients with pre-PCI TIMI 2/3, both treatment strategies are acceptable.

Association Between Timing of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Clinical Outcomes in Refractory Cardiogenic Shock

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether earlier extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock (CS).

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of patients with refractory CS receiving ECMO remains poor. However, little is known about the association between the timing of ECMO implantation and clinical outcomes in these patients.

METHODS

From a multicenter registry, 362 patients with refractory CS who underwent ECMO between January 2014 and December 2018 were identified. Participants were classified into 3 groups according to tertiles of shock-to-ECMO time (early, intermediate, and late ECMO). Inverse probability of treatment weighting was conducted to adjust for baseline differences among the groups, followed by a weighted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for 30-day mortality associated with each ECMO time group.

RESULTS

The overall 30-day mortality rate was 40.9%. The risk for 30-day mortality was lower in the early group than in the late group (hazard ratio: 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.28 to 0.99). Early ECMO support was also associated with lower risk for in-hospital mortality, ECMO weaning failure, composite of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure at 1 year, all-cause mortality at 1 year, and poor neurological outcome at discharge. However, the incidence of adverse events, including stroke, limb ischemia, ECMO-site bleeding, and gastrointestinal bleeding, did not differ significantly among the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Earlier ECMO support was associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with refractory CS.

Effects of stent generation on clinical outcomes after acute myocardial infarction compared between prediabetes and diabetes patients

We investigated the effects of stent generation on 2-year clinical outcomes between prediabetes and diabetes patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A total of 13,895 AMI patients were classified into normoglycemia (group A: 3673), prediabetes (group B: 5205), and diabetes (group C: 5017). Thereafter, all three groups were further divided into first-generation (1G)-drug-eluting stent (DES) and second-generation (2G)-DES groups. Patient-oriented composite outcomes (POCOs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), and any repeat revascularization were the primary outcome. Stent thrombosis (ST) was the secondary outcome. In both prediabetes and diabetes groups, the cumulative incidences of POCOs, any repeat revascularization, and ST were higher in the 1G-DES than that in the 2G-DES. In the diabetes group, all-cause death and cardiac death rates were higher in the 1G-DES than that in the 2G-DES. In both stent generations, the cumulative incidence of POCOs was similar between the prediabetes and diabetes groups. However, in the 2G-DES group, the cumulative incidences of Re-MI and all-cause death or MI were significantly higher in the diabetes group than that in the prediabetes group. To conclude, 2G-DES was more effective than 1G-DES in reducing the primary and secondary outcomes for both prediabetes and diabetes groups.

Consensus Decision-Making for the Management of Antiplatelet Therapy before Non-Cardiac Surgery in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents: A Cohort Study

Background

Although antiplatelet therapy (APT) has been recommended to balance ischemic‐bleeding risks, it has been left to an individualized decision‐making based on physicians' perspectives before non‐cardiac surgery. The study aimed to assess the advantages of a consensus among physicians, surgeons, and anesthesiologists on continuation and regimen of preoperative APT in patients with coronary drug‐eluting stents.

Methods and Results

A total of 3582 adult patients undergoing non‐cardiac surgery after percutaneous coronary intervention with second‐generation stents was retrospectively included from a multicenter cohort. Physicians determined whether APT should be continued or discontinued for a recommended period before non‐cardiac surgery. There were 3103 patients who complied with a consensus decision. Arbitrary APT, not based on a consensus decision, was associated with urgent surgery, high bleeding risk of surgery, female sex, and dual APT at the time of preoperative evaluation. Arbitrary APT independently increased the net clinical adverse event (adjusted odds ratio [OR_adj], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.98–3.11), major adverse cardiac event (OR_adj, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.31–7.34), and major bleeding (OR_adj, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.45–3.76) risks. The association was consistently noted, irrespective of the surgical risks, recommendations, and practice on discontinuation of APT.

Conclusions

Most patients were treated in agreement with a consensus decision about preoperative APT based on a referral system among physicians, surgeons, and anesthesiologists. The risk of perioperative adverse events increased if complying with a consensus decision was failed.

Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03908463.

Recent Evidence and Initial Experiences of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair of the Mitral Valve in South Korea

As a percutaneous technique for the reduction of mitral regurgitation, the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL, USA) for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve was developed in 1998 and first used in 2003. Its main advantage is being less invasive than surgery, because it can be performed through a transcatheter approach without any hemodynamic compromise. Recent studies have shown that this procedure reduces symptoms and improves functional capacity with low complication rates. Two randomized clinical trials have investigated the use of this technique for functional mitral regurgitation. The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved its use for degenerative mitral regurgitation in 2019, and this procedure started to be performed in Korea in January 2020. Its use for functional mitral regurgitation was also approved in Korea in 2020. In this article, recent evidence on transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve and our initial experiences in Korea will be reviewed.

Factors Related to Major Bleeding After Ticagrelor Therapy: Results from the TICO Trial

Background

There is a lack of data on factors that are related to clinically relevant bleeding after ticagrelor treatment. We investigated the clinical and procedural factors related to major bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with ticagrelor after coronary stent implantation.

Methods and Results

From the TICO (Ticagrelor Monotherapy After 3 Months in Patients Treated With New Generation Sirolimus‐Eluting Stent for Acute Coronary Syndrome) randomized trial, a total of 2660 patients were included for the present study. Patients with major bleeding, defined by TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) major or Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 or 5, were compared with those without major bleeding. On the basis of multivariable and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, weight ≤65 kg, hemoglobin ≤12 g/dL, and estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m² were associated with an increased risk of major bleeding. In contrast, 3‐month aspirin therapy with continued ticagrelor (versus 12‐month aspirin and ticagrelor) was associated with a decreased risk of major bleeding. The lower risk of a net adverse clinical event (a composite of TIMI major bleeding and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events) in patients treated with 3‐month aspirin therapy reported from the TICO trial remained valid in patients with any of these risk factors (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39–0.90; P_interaction=0.74).

Conclusions

Low body weight, anemia, and chronic kidney disease were risk factors for major bleeding after ticagrelor therapy. Early aspirin discontinuation had a net clinical benefit among patients with a bleeding risk.

Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique Identifier: NCT02494895.

ST-elevation versus non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction after combined use of statin with renin-angiotensin system inhibitor: Data from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry

Background

Limited data are available comparing the combined effects of statins and renin–angiotensin system inhibitor (RASI) between patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and those with non-STEMI (NSTEMI). We compared the effects of statins combined with RASI in STEMI and NSTEMI patients after stent implantation during a 2-year follow-up period.

Methods

A total of 21,890 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients who underwent successful stent implantation and who received statins with RASI were enrolled. They were separated into the STEMI group (n = 12,490) and the NSTEMI group (n = 9400). The major clinical endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), and any repeat revascularization.

Results

Two propensity score-matched groups (5891 pairs, n = 11,782, C-statistic = 0.821) were generated. Even though the cumulative incidences of MACE, Re-MI, total repeat revascularization were similar between the two groups, the cumulative incidences of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 1.407; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.106–1.790; p = 0.005) and cardiac death (HR 1.311; 95% CI 0.983–1.749; p = 0.046) were significantly higher in the NSTEMI group.

Conclusions

In this study, statin with RASI combination therapy was more beneficial to the STEMI patients than to the NSTEMI patients in reducing all-cause death and cardiac death.

Effect of statin treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A retrospective observational registry study

ABSTRACT

Studies comparing long-term clinical outcomes of statin treatment between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with prediabetes and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) are limited. We compared 2-year clinical outcomes between these patients.A total of 11,962 AMI patients were classified as statin users (n = 10,243) and statin nonusers (n = 1719). Thereafter, statin users and nonusers were further divided into the normoglycemia, prediabetes, and T2DM groups. The major outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), or any repeat coronary revascularization.After statin treatment, the cumulative incidences of MACE (P = .314), all-cause death, cardiac death (CD), Re-MI, and any repeat revascularization were similar between the prediabetes and T2DM groups. However, the cumulative incidences of MACE (P = .025) and all-cause death (P = .038) in the prediabetes group and those of MACE (P = .001), all-cause death (P = .009), and CD (P = .048) in the T2DM group were significantly higher than those in the normoglycemia group. Moreover, in all the 3 glycemic groups, the cumulative incidences of MACE, all-cause death, and CD were significantly higher among statin nonusers than among statin users.This study revealed that AMI patients with prediabetes had worse clinical outcomes than those with normoglycemia and comparable to those with T2DM after 2-year statin treatment. However, further studies are warranted to confirm the current findings.

Comparison of First- and Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Based on Pre-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Flow Grade

This study aims to investigate the two-year clinical outcomes between first-generation (1G) and second-generation (2G) drug-eluting stents (DES) based on pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade (pre-TIMI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Overall, 17,891 STEMI patients were classified into two groups: pre-TIMI 0/1 group (n = 12,862; 1G-DES (n = 4318), 2G-DES (n = 8544)) and pre-TIMI 2/3 group (n = 5029; 1G-DES (n = 2046), 2G-DES (n = 2983)). During a two-year follow-up period, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), or any repeat revascularization and stent thrombosis (ST) were considered as the primary and the secondary outcomes. In the pre-TIMI 0/1 and 2/3 groups, the cumulative incidences of MACEs (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.348, p < 0.001, and aHR: 1.415, p = 0.02, respectively) and any repeat revascularization (aHR: 1.938, p < 0.001, and aHR: 1.674, p = 0.001, respectively) were significantly higher in the 1G-DES than in the 2G-DES. However, sirolimus-eluting stent showed similar cumulative incidence of any repeat revascularization compared with zotarolimus-eluting stent and biolimus-eluting stent in both pre-TIMI 0/1 and 2/3 groups. The cumulative incidences of all-cause death, re-MI, and ST were similar between the 1G-DES and 2G-DES groups. In this study, 2G-DES showed better clinical outcomes than 1G-DES concerning MACEs and any repeat revascularization regardless of pre-TIMI. However, more research is needed to support these results.

Prediabetes versus type 2 diabetes mellitus based on pre-percutaneous coronary intervention thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after successful newer-generation drug-eluting stent implantation

BACKGROUND

We compared the 2-year clinical outcomes between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) according to the pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Overall, 6448 STEMI patients were divided into two groups: pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 group (n = 4854) and pre-PCI TIMI 2/3 group (n = 1594). They were further divided into patients with normoglycemia, prediabetes, and T2DM. The major endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, or any repeat revascularization.

RESULTS

In the pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 group, all-cause death rate was higher in both prediabetes (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.633, p = 0.045) and T2DM (aHR: 2.064, p = 0.002) groups than in the normoglycemia group. In the pre-PCI TIMI 2/3 group, any repeat revascularization rate was also higher in both prediabetes (aHR: 2.511, p = 0.039) and T2DM (aHR: 3.156, p = 0.009) than normoglycemia. In each group (pre-PCI TIMI 0/1 or 2/3), the MACEs and all other clinical outcomes rates were similar between the prediabetes and T2DM groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediabetes showed comparable worse clinical outcomes to those of T2DM regardless of the pre-PCI TIMI flow grade.

Optimal Duration for Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Left Main Coronary Artery Stenting

BACKGROUND

Coronary interventions using drug-eluting stents (DESs) of left main coronary artery (LMCA) lesions have shown favorable clinical outcomes. However, duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after LMCA interventions has not yet been investigated.Methods and Results:From a multicenter Korean Multicenter Angioplasty Team (KOMATE) registry, 1,004 patients who received DES implantations for LMCA lesions and did not experience major adverse cardiovascular events (including major bleeding) for 1 year after coronary intervention were analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups; DAPT ≤12 (n=503) and >12 months (n=501). The primary endpoint was number of net clinical adverse events (NACEs), composite of cardiac deaths, myocardial infarctions, stent thrombosis and major bleeding events. During a 4.5-year follow-up period after LMCA interventions, the DAPT >12 months group showed a lower NACE rate than the DAPT ≤12 months group (adjusted-HR 0.53 [0.29-0.99], P=0.045). For patients who maintained DAPT >12 months, rate of cardiac deaths, myocardial infarctions, and stent thrombosis events were lower than in patients who had DAPT ≤12 months (adjusted-HR 0.35 [0.17-0.73], P=0.005) without increased major bleeding (P=0.402).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who can continue DAPT without major bleeding events, prolonged DAPT (>12 months) after LMCA stenting demonstrated better long-term efficacy outcomes than DAPT ≤12 months with comparable safety.

Liquid crystal filter based tunable transmitter for 25Gps wavelength division multiplexing-passive optical network fronthaul

A novel tunable transmitter structure based on liquid crystal filter, to the best of our knowledge, is presented. The structure is designed for application to 5G fronthaul and supports 25 Gbps dense wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission and tunable range of 35 nm. The design takes into account easy change of operation band over coarse WDM grid. Prototype samples are developed to test feasibility of the design.