Door-to-balloon time and mortality among patients undergoing primary PCI

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department visits for serious cardiovascular conditions

OBJECTIVE

We examine how emergency department (ED) visits for serious cardiovascular conditions evolved in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic over January-October 2020, compared to 2019, in a large sample of U.S. EDs.

METHODS

We compared 2020 ED visits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, relative to 2019 visits in 108 EDs in 18 states in 115,716 adult ED visits with diagnoses for five serious cardiovascular conditions: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), ischemic stroke (IS), hemorrhagic stroke (HS), and heart failure (HF). We calculated weekly ratios of ED visits in 2020 to visits in 2019 in the pre-pandemic (Jan 1-March 10), early-pandemic (March 11-April 21), and later-pandemic (April 22-October 31) periods.

RESULTS

ED visit ratios show that NSTEMI, IS, and HF visits dropped to lows of 56%, 64%, and 61% of 2019 levels, respectively, in the early-pandemic and gradually returned to 2019 levels over the next several months. HS visits also dropped early pandemic period to 60% of 2019 levels, but quickly rebounded. We find mixed evidence on whether STEMI visits fell, relative to pre-pandemic rates. Total adult ED visits nadired at 57% of 2019 volume during the early-pandemic period and have only party recovered since, to approximately 84% of 2019 by the end of October 2020.

CONCLUSION

We confirm prior studies that ED visits for serious cardiovascular conditions declined early in the COVID-19 pandemic for NSTEMI, IS, HS, and HF, but not for STEMI. Delays or non-receipt in ED care may have led to worse outcomes.

New Interventional Therapies beyond Stenting to Treat ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction remains the principal cause of death in Europe. In patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a promptly revascularization with primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) has transformed prognosis in the last decades. However, despite increasing successful PCI procedures, mortality has remained unchanged in recent years. Also, due to an unsatisfactory reperfusion, some patients have significant myocardial damage and suffer left ventricular adverse remodeling with reduced function—all that resulting in the onset of heart failure with all its inherent clinical and socioeconomic burden. As a consequence of longer ischemic times, distal thrombotic embolization, ischemia-reperfusion injury and microvascular dysfunction, the resultant myocardial infarct size is the major prognostic determinant in STEMI patients. The improved understanding of all the pathophysiology underlying these events has derived to the development of several novel therapies aiming to reduce infarct size and to improve clinical outcomes in these patients. In this article, based on the mechanisms involved in myocardial infarction prognosis, we review the new interventional strategies beyond stenting that may solve the suboptimal results that STEMI patients still experience.

Relationship between door-to-balloon time and clinical experience level of emergency department physicians

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the experience level of physicians initially making the clinical diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the emergency department and door-to-balloon time (DBT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group comprised 522 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction who were immediately treated in the catheter laboratory. Information about DBT, the experience level of the physicians who initially clinically diagnosed the patients and clinical benefit parameters were collected. The experience level of the physicians was divided into three groups: medical practitioner (no emergency training; n = 351), assistant physician (undergoing emergency medicine training; n = 111) and emergency medicine specialist (n = 60). DBT was compared among these groups.

RESULTS

The average DBT was 80.3 ± 83.2 minutes for medical practitioners, 77.5 ± 74.7 minutes for assistant physicians and 53.6 ± 28.1 minutes for emergency medicine specialists. The difference in DBT between the emergency medicine specialist group and others was statistically significant (P = .046).

CONCLUSIONS

DBT decreased as the experience level of the emergency physician increased, but randomisation is required to determine the clinical benefit of this effect.

Isometric exercise promotes arteriogenesis in rats after myocardial infarction

Isometric exercise (IE) is a promising intervention of noninvasive revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to investigate the impact and mechanisms of IE training on arteriogenesis in AMI. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into the sham-operation group (SO), myocardial infarction (MI) group, and 13 IE subgroups treated according to training intensity, frequency, duration, or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), or/and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) inhibitors for eight weeks. Our results demonstrated that the IE group achieved superior improvement compared with the MI group in terms of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), myocardial infarction size (MIS), arterial density (AD), monocytes (MNCs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelial cells (ECs), relative collateral blood flow (RCBF), MCP-1, and FGF-2 at the endpoint. Positive correlations between MCP-1 and MNCs, MNCs and FGF-2, FGF-2 and SMCs, SMCs and AD, as well as AD and RCBF were observed. This study demonstrated that with MI of 100% load 20 times daily for eight weeks, the arteriogenesis was improved, which may be attributed to the recruitment of MNCs and SMCs in remote ischemic myocardium caused by increases in MCP-1 and FGF-2 expression.

Disparities in Emergency Medical Services Time Intervals for Patients with Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome: Findings from the North Carolina Prehospital Medical Information System

Background

Timely emergency medical services (EMS) response, management, and transport of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) significantly reduce delays to emergency treatment and improve outcomes. We evaluated EMS response, scene, and transport times and adherence to proposed time benchmarks for patients with suspected ACS in North Carolina from 2011 to 2017.

Methods and Results

We conducted a population‐based, retrospective study with the North Carolina Prehospital Medical Information System, a statewide electronic database of all EMS patient care reports. We analyzed 2011 to 2017 data on patient demographics, incident characteristics, EMS care, and county population density for EMS‐suspected patients with ACS, defined as a complaint of chest pain or suspected cardiac event and documentation of myocardial ischemia on prehospital ECG or prehospital activation of the cardiac care team. Descriptive statistics for each EMS time interval were computed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to quantify relationships between meeting response and scene time benchmarks (11 and 15 minutes, respectively) and prespecified covariates. Among 4667 patients meeting eligibility criteria, median response time (8 minutes) was shorter than median scene (16 minutes) and transport (17 minutes) time. While scene times were comparable by population density, patients in rural (versus urban) counties experienced longer response and transport times. Overall, 62% of EMS encounters met the 11‐minute response time benchmark and 49% met the 15‐minute scene time benchmark. In adjusted regression analyses, EMS encounters of older and female patients and obtaining a 12‐lead ECG and venous access were independently associated with lower adherence to the scene time benchmark.

Conclusions

Our statewide study identified urban–rural differences in response and transport times for suspected ACS as well as patient demographic and EMS care characteristics related to lower adherence to scene time benchmark. Strategies to reduce EMS scene times among patients with ACS need to be developed and evaluated.

Door-to-balloon time and mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty

AIMS

The evidence are not conclusive that a small incremental increase in door-to-balloon (D2B) time leads to a significant increase in death of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. In a previous study, we described a quality improvement intervention that reduced D2B time in 333 patients with STEMI. The aim of the current study was to compare mortality rates of the patients, before and after the intervention.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We examined the survival of 133 consecutive patients with STEMI treated prior to an intervention to decrease D2B time and 200 treated after the intervention. The mortality rate was the same before and after the quality intervention. The median D2B time for the entire cohort was 55 min. The number of patients with D2B time >55 min prior to the intervention was 82/133 (61%) and after the intervention 74/200 (37%) P < 0.00001. Thirty-day mortality among the patients with D2B time ≤55 min was 5/178 (2.8%) and among those with D2B time >55 min was 15/155 (9.7%), P < 0.008. The hazard ratio for 30-day mortality when the D2B time was >55 min was 3.7 (1.3-10.4).

CONCLUSION

Mortality and non-fatal complications did not differ significantly between STEMI patients before and after a quality improvement intervention. However, the number of patients treated within 55 min from arrival was significantly higher after the intervention; and coronary intervention within this time was associated with a lower death rate.

Warning system improve the clinical outcomes in transfer patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

A warning system included directly faxing electrocardiography information to the mobile phone immediately after an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diagnosis was made at a non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capable hospital. This study aimed to explore the outcomes after using a warning system in transfer STEMI patients.From October 2013 to December 2016, 667 patients experienced a STEMI event and received primary PCI at our institution. 274 patients who were divided into transfer group were transferred from non-PCI capable hospitals and connected to a first-line cardiovascular doctor by the warning system. Other 393 patients were divided into the non-transfer group.The transfer group still had a longer pain-to-reperfusion time and presented higher troponin-I level when compared with non-transfer group. There was no significant difference in the use of drug-eluting stent and procedural devices between non-transfer and transfer groups. The prevalence of different anti-platelet agents loading did not differ between non-transfer and transfer groups. Non-significant trend about higher prevalence of statin use was noted in transfer group (78.9% vs 86.1%, P = .058). The transfer group presented similar clinical short-term results regarding both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality when comparing with non-transfer group. The transfer group provided non-significant trend about lower one-year cardiovascular mortality (10.7% vs 6.2%, P = .052) and lower all-cause mortality (12.2% vs 6.9%, P = .026) when compared with non-transfer group. There was a significant difference in the Kaplan-Meier curve of 1-year cardiovascular mortality between the transfer group and the non-transfer group (P = .049).After using the warning system, the inter-facility transfer group had comparable outcomes even though a longer pain-to-reperfusion time and a higher peak troponin-I level when comparing with non-transfer group.

Regional Systems of Care in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is a medical emergency with significant health care delivery challenges to ensure rapid triage and treatment. Several developments over the past decades have led to improved care delivery, decreased time to reperfusion, and decreased mortality. Still, significant challenges remain to further optimize the delivery of care for this patient population.

Quality Improvement and Public Reporting in STEMI Care

Mortality rates for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain high despite development of novel drugs and interventions over the past several decades. There is significant variability between hospitals in use of evidence-based treatments, and substantial opportunities exist to optimize care pathways and reduce disparities in care delivery. Quality improvement interventions implemented at local, regional, and national levels have improved care processes and patient outcomes. This article reviews evidence for quality improvement interventions along the spectrum of STEMI care, describes existing systems for quality measurement, and examines local and national policy interventions, with special attention to public reporting programs.

Gender-related Disparities of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Chart Review of 500 Patients

Door-to-balloon (DTB) time of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a predictive indicator of outcomes and mortality. Traditional gender-related differences that existed in the provision of DTB in STEMI had been allegedly improving until recent controversial data showed re-emergence of longer DTB in females. The objective of our study was to compare circadian disparities in percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI according to gender in our institution. We compared DTB and symptom-to-balloon (STB) as well as mortality outcomes in a registry of 514 patients. We studied 117 females and 397 males. Baseline characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors were similar among both populations. Men used more self-transportation (51% vs. 38%) compared with women. Both had similar DTB median times: males, 63 (47-79) min; and females, 61 (44-76) min. In addition, STB median times were also similar: males, 155 (116-264) min; and females, 165 (115-261) min. Mortality outcomes at 1 month were comparable at 3% in males versus 0.9% in females (P = 0.164). In a review of a tertiary care center in New York, we observed no gender differences in DTB and STB, endorsing the role of emergency medical service transportation in eliminating disparities.

Wide-ranging clinical spectrum of paradoxical embolism

The purpose of this review is to raise the index of suspicion for paradoxical embolism among generalists. The review is based solely on anecdotal reports compiled from EMBASE, MEDLINE, Googlescholar and Pubmed. Search terms were 'paradoxical embolism', 'pulmonary embolism' and 'pulmonary arteriovenous malformations'. What emerged was that right-to-left paradoxical embolism could occur with or without concurrent pulmonary embolism, and also with and without proof of the presence of an 'embolus-in-transit'. Potential sites of single or multiple systemic involvement included the central nervous system, the coronary circulation, renal arterial circulation, splenic circulation, the mesenteric circulation and the limbs. In many cases, the deep veins of the lower limbs were the source of thromboembolism. In other cases, thrombi originated from an atrial septal aneurysm, from a central venous line, from a haemodialysis-related arterio-venous shunt, from a popliteal vein aneurysm, internal jugular vein, superior vena cava, from a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, from tricuspid valve endocarditis (with and without pulmonary embolism) and from the right atrium, respectively. Stroke was by far the commonest systemic manifestation of paradoxical embolism. Some strokes were attributable to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations with or without coexistence of intracardiac shunts. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for paradoxical embolism because of its time-sensitive dimension when it occurs in the context of involvement of the intracranial circulation, coronary circulation, mesenteric circulation, and peripheral limb circulation.

Association between delayed transthoracic echocardiography and in-hospital mortality in type A acute aortic dissection-associated ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction

Background

This study evaluates the association between transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) timing and in-hospital mortality among individuals presenting with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicating type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD).

Methods

This cohort study obtained the data of previously published case reports from searches of PubMed (1990–2020), and adults with STEMI secondary to TAAAD were finally included. Delayed TTE (dTTE) exposure was defined as when the TTE test was made available after antithrombotic management for STEMI due to an initially missed diagnosis of TAAAD. The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality, comparing individuals with dTTE and those with emergency TTE (eTTE). The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to provide an estimate of association.

Results

A total of 109 individuals with a mean age of 56.7 [standard deviation (SD) 12.9] years, and of whom 75 were men (68.8%) presenting with STEMI complicating TAAAD were included. Of all patients, 68 (62.4%) had a dTTE test, which tended to be associated with increased in-hospital mortality after adjustment (OR, 2.320; 95% CI, 0.743–7.248). The association between dTTE and in-hospital death was significant only among patients presenting with a high-risk examination (HRE) (OR, 11.196; 95% CI, 1.322–94.803) and with surgical therapy (OR, 5.375; 95% CI, 1.080–26.700), and not among those presenting with negative HRE (OR, 0.150; 95% CI, 0.016–1.397) and no surgical therapy (OR, 0.177; 95% CI, 0.008–4.018).

Conclusions

This study found an association between dTTE and increased in-hospital mortality in TAAAD-associated STEMI patients with surgical management. This association warrants further investigation.

Likelihood of myocardial infarction, revascularization and death following catheterization laboratory activation in patients with vs. without both chest pain and ST elevation

BACKGROUND

Emergent cardiac catheterization laboratory activation (CCLA) for patients with suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is employed to expedite acute revascularization (AR). The incidence of false-positive CCLA, in which AR is not performed, remains high. The combination of chest pain (CP) and electrocardiographic ST elevation (STE) are the hallmarks of STEMI. However, CCLA is sometimes initiated for patients lacking this combination. The study objective was to quantify the difference in likelihood of AR and mortality in patients with vs. without both CP and STE.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 1621 consecutive patients for whom CCLA was initiated in a six-hospital network. We assessed the likelihood of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), presence of a culprit lesion (CL), performance of AR, and hospital mortality among patients with both CP and STE (+CP/+STE) compared with patients lacking one or both [non(CP/STE)].

RESULTS

87.0% of patients presented with CP, 82.4% with STE, and 73.7% with both. Among +CP/+STE patients, AMI was confirmed in 90.4%, a CL in 88.9%, and AR performed in 83.1%. The corresponding values among non(CP/STE) patients were 35.8, 31.9, and 28.1%, respectively (P < 0.0001 for each). Nevertheless, mortality among non(CP/STE) patients was three-fold higher than in +CP/+STE patients (13.3% vs. 4.5%; P < 0.0001), with non-coronary deaths 24-fold more likely.

CONCLUSION

Patients lacking the combination of CP and STE have a markedly lower likelihood of AMI and AR than +CP/+STE patients, but significantly higher mortality. Protocols aimed at rapid, focused evaluation of non(CP/STE) patients prior to CCLA are needed.

MicroRNAs in Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction-A New Tool for Diagnosis and Prognosis: Therapeutic Implications

Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, coronary artery disease and especially its extreme manifestation, ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early and prompt diagnosis is of great importance regarding the prognosis of STEMI patients. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising tools involved in many pathophysiological processes in various fields, including cardiovascular diseases. In acute coronary syndromes (ACS), circulating levels of miRNAs are significantly elevated, as an indicator of cardiac damage, making them a promising marker for early diagnosis of myocardial infarction. They also have prognostic value and great potential as therapeutic targets considering their key function in gene regulation. This review aims to summarize current information about miRNAs and their role as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets in STEMI patients.

Cardioprotective Effect of Opioids, Derivatives of Amide N-Methyl-2-(Pirrolidin-1-yl)Cyclohexyl-1-Amine, under Conditions of Ischemia/Reperfusion of the Heart

We performed a comparative analysis of infarction-limiting activity of analogues of opioid receptor agonist U-50488 under conditions of heart reperfusion in rats. Derivatives of amide N-methyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)cyclohexyl-1-amine were administered 5 min before reperfusion in a dose of 1 mg/kg, derivative II (opicor) was additionally used in a dose of 2 mg/kg. In a dose of 1 mg/kg, all derivatives of opioid U-50488 were ineffective and produced no infarction-limiting effect. Opicor in a dose of 2 mg/kg reduced the infarction size/area at risk ratio and improved the contractility parameters of the isolated heart. Opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (5 mg/kg) abolished the infarction-limiting effect of opicor. Hence, the infarction-reducing effect of opicor is associated with activation of opioid receptors. We also demonstrated that the opioid (opicor) can improve cardiac contractility during the reperfusion period.

Safety and Feasibility of 48 h Discharge After Successful Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

The aim of the current study is to determine the safety of early discharge (ED) within 48 hours (h) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and to define the criteria of low-risk patients that can be considered for ED.

Methods

This is a single-center retrospective study that took place at Mohammed bin Khalifa Cardiac Centre in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 301 patients who underwent PPCI between January 2018 and March 2019 were included. Endpoints at 30 days follow-up comprised cardiac re-admission, cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Results

Of the 301 patients included in our study, 74 (24.5%) were discharged within 48 h (group 1) compared with 227 (75.5%) hospitalized for more than 48 h after PPCI (group 2) (<0.0001). In terms of baseline characteristics, group 2 had higher proportions of chronic kidney disease (P = 0.051), mean HbA1c (P = 0.016) and mean CPK (P < 0.0001) compared to their group 1 counterparts. The prevalence of anterior STEMI was twice as high among group 2 (P < 0.0001), with a significantly higher prevalence of left main stenting (P = 0.025). Additionally, larger proportion of group 2 required inotropic therapy (P = 0.031), oral anticoagulation (P = 0.005) and had a significantly lower ejection fraction (LVEF) (P < 0.0001) with more procedural complications (P = 0.005). LVEF exerts a large effect on ED, as reflected by a high deviance R² = 20.4%, and was able to correctly classify the subjects into their pertaining discharge group with an accuracy of 80.4%, a specificity of 82.7%, and a sensitivity of 71.2%. According to the fitted LVEF values using the logistic equation, each 1% increase in LVEF is associated with a 3.5% increase in the chance of ED. The two groups recorded fairly similar clinical outcomes at 30-day.

Conclusion

Preserved LV systolic function is a good predictor of early and safe discharge after successful PPCI. The presented data support the practice of ED, with length of stay even shorter than current guidelines recommendation in selected low-risk patients.

Myocardial protective effect of intracoronary administration of nicorandil and alprostadil via targeted perfusion microcatheter in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of nicorandil and alprostadil on myocardial protection in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

In this prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled study, 90 consecutive patients scheduled for elective PCI for de novo coronary lesions were assigned to the nicorandil, alprostadil, and nitroglycerin groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Drugs were administered intracoronary via a targeted perfusion microcatheter. The primary endpoint was the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) myocardial perfusion frame count (TMPFC). Additionally, the corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC), TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG), and incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) were assessed.

RESULTS

Both nicorandil and alprostadil were significantly effective in reducing TMPFC (114.6 ± 33.7 vs 93.4 ± 30.9, P = .016; 114.3 ± 34.3 vs 94.7 ± 33.3, P = .029, respectively). Similar findings were observed in the improvement of cTFC (20.3 ± 10.5 vs 13.5 ± 5.0, P = .003; 20.2 ± 7.4 vs 15.2 ± 5.2, P = .003, respectively) and percentage of TMPG 3 (100% vs 82.8%, P = .052; 83.3% vs 96.7%, P = .196, respectively); whereas, nitroglycerin produced a limited effect on TMPFC (114.4 ± 30.9 vs 112.1 ± 31.9, P = .739), cTFC (19.4 ± 7.2 vs 19.3 ± 7.2, P = .936), and percentage of TMPG 3 (86.7% vs 86.7%, P = 1.000). No significant difference was found in the incidence of PMI (16.7% vs 16.0% vs 27.6%, P = .537), though it was comparatively lower in the nicorandil and alprostadil groups. Furthermore, the intracoronary administration of nicorandil and alprostadil had a mild effect on blood pressure and heart rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The intracoronary administration of nicorandil and alprostadil via a targeted perfusion microcatheter was more effective in improving myocardial perfusion in patients undergoing elective PCI than nitroglycerin.

The Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on STEMI care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requiring primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) worldwide. This review examines the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of STEMI admissions, and relationship between the pandemic and door-to-balloon time (D2B), all-cause mortality and other secondary STEMI outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to primarily compare D2B time and in-hospital mortality of STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI during and before the pandemic. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the influence of geographical region and income status of a country on STEMI care. An online database search included studies comparing the aforementioned outcomes between STEMI patients during and before the pandemic.

RESULTS

In total, 32 articles were analyzed. Overall, 19,140 and 68,662 STEMI patients underwent primary PCI during and before the pandemic respectively. Significant delay in D2B was observed during the pandemic (WMD=8.10mins; CI:3.90-12.30mins; p=0.0002, I²=90%). In-hospital mortality was higher during the pandemic (OR=1.27; CI:1.09-1.49; p=0.002, I²=36%), however this varied with factors such as geographical location and income status of a country. Subgroup analysis found that low-middle income countries observed a higher rate of mortality during the pandemic (OR=1.52; CI:1.13-2.05; p=0.006), with a similar but insignificant trend seen among the high income countries (OR=1.17; CI:0.95-1.44; p=0.13).

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with worse STEMI performance metrics and clinical outcome, particularly in the Eastern low-middle income status countries. Better strategies are needed to address these global trends in STEMI care during the pandemic.

Changes in demographics, clinical practices and long-term outcomes of patients with ST segment-elevation myocardial infarction who underwent coronary revascularisation in the past two decades: cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in demographics, clinical practices and long-term clinical outcomes of patients with ST segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before and beyond 2010.

DESIGN

Multicentre retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The Coronary Revascularization Demonstrating Outcome Study in Kyoto (CREDO-Kyoto) AMI Registries Wave-1 (2005-2007, 26 centres) and Wave-2 (2011-2013, 22 centres).

PARTICIPANTS

9001 patients with STEMI who underwent coronary revascularisation (Wave-1: 4278 patients, Wave-2: 4723 patients).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was all-cause death at 3 years. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death, cardiac death, sudden cardiac death, non-cardiovascular death, non-cardiac death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, stroke, hospitalisation for heart failure, major bleeding, target vessel revascularisation, ischaemia-driven target vessel revascularisation, any coronary revascularisation and any ischaemia-driven coronary revascularisation.

RESULTS

Patients in Wave-2 were older, more often had comorbidities and more often presented with cardiogenic shock than those in Wave-1. Patients in Wave-2 had shorter onset-to-balloon time and door-to-balloon time, were more frequently implanted drug-eluting stents, and received guideline-directed medication than those in Wave-1. The cumulative 3-year incidence of all-cause death was not significantly different between Wave-1 and Wave-2 (15.5% and 15.7%, p=0.77). The adjusted risk of all-cause death in Wave-2 relative to Wave-1 was not significant at 3 years (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.03, p=0.14), but lower beyond 30 days (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.98, p=0.03). The adjusted risks of Wave-2 relative to Wave-1 were significantly lower for definite stent thrombosis (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.81, p=0.001) and for any coronary revascularisation (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.81, p<0.001), but higher for major bleeding (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.51, p=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

We could not demonstrate improvement in 3-year mortality risk from Wave-1 to Wave-2, but we found reduction in mortality risk beyond 30 days. We also found risk reduction for definite stent thrombosis and any coronary revascularisation, but an increase in the risk of major bleeding from Wave-1 to Wave-2.

Evaluation of the 0 h/1 h high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T algorithm in diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in Han population

OBJECTIVES

A rapid 0 h/1 h algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) for rule-out and rule-in of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is recommended by the European Society of Cardiology. We aim to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of the algorithm in Chinese Han patients with suspected NSTEMI.

METHODS

In this prospective diagnostic cohort study, 577 patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected NSTEMI and recent (<12 h) onset of symptoms were enrolled. The levels of serum hs-cTnT were measured on admission, 1 h later and 4-14 h later. All patients underwent the initial clinical assessment and were triaged into three groups (rule-out, rule-in and observe) according to the 0 h/1 h algorithm. The major cardiovascular events (MACE) were evaluated at the 7-day and 30-day follow-ups.

RESULTS

Among 577 enrolled patients, NSTEMI was the final diagnosis for 106 (18.4%) patients. Based on the hs-cTnT 0 h/1 h algorithm, 148 patients (25.6%) were classified as rule-out, 278 patients (48.2%) as rule-in and 151 patients (26.2%) were assigned to the observe group. The rule-out approach resulted in a sensitivity of 100% and negative predictive value of 100%. The rule-in approach resulted in a specificity of 62.9% [95% CI (58.5-67.2%)] and positive predictive value of 37.1% [95%CI (31.3-42.8%)]. No MACE was observed in the rule-out group within 30-day follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The hs-cTnT 0 h/1 h algorithm is a safe tool for early rule-out of NSTEMI, while probably not an effective strategy for accurate rule-in of NSTEMI in Chinese Han population.

Novel device-based therapies to improve outcome in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) has dramatically changed the outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, despite improvements in interventional technology, registry data show little recent change in the prognosis of patients who survive STEMI, with a significant incidence of cardiogenic shock, heart failure, and cardiac death. Despite a technically successful PPCI procedure, a variable proportion of patients experience suboptimal myocardial reperfusion. Large infarct size and coronary microvascular injury, as the consequence of ischaemia-reperfusion injury and distal embolization of atherothrombotic debris, account for suboptimal long-term prognosis of STEMI patients. In order to address this unmet therapeutic need, a broad-range of device-based treatments has been developed. These device-based therapies can be categorized according to the pathophysiological pathways they target: (i) techniques to prevent distal atherothrombotic embolization, (ii) techniques to prevent or mitigate ischaemia/reperfusion injury, and (iii) techniques to enhance coronary microvascular function/integrity. This review is an overview of these novel technologies with a focus on their pathophysiological background, procedural details, available evidence, and with a critical perspective about their potential future implementation in the clinical care of STEMI patients.

Comparison of Door-to-Balloon Time and 30-Day Mortality According to Symptom Presentation in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: We hypothesized that symptom presentation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may affect their management and subsequent outcome. Methods and Results: Using Rural AMI Registry data, 1,337 consecutive patients with AMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were analyzed. Typical symptoms were defined as any symptoms of chest pain or pressure due to myocardial ischemia. We considered the specific symptoms of dyspnea, nausea, or vomiting as atypical symptoms. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. There were 150 (11.2%) and 1,187 (88.8%) patients who presented with atypical and typical symptoms, respectively. Those who presented with atypical symptoms were significantly older (mean [±SD] age 74±12 vs. 68±13 years; P<0.001) and had a higher Killip class (46.7% vs. 21.8%; P<0.001) than patients presenting with typical symptoms. The prevalence of door-to-balloon time of ≤90 min was significantly lower in patients with atypical than typical symptoms (40.0% vs. 66.3%; P<0.001). At 30 days, there were 55 incidents of all-cause death. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that symptom presentation was associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio 2.33; 95% confidence interval 1.20-4.38; P<0.05). Conclusions: Atypical symptoms in patients with AMI are less likely to lead to timely reperfusion and are associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality.

A modified cardiac triage strategy reduces door to ECG time in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction

Timely performing electrocardiography (ECG) is crucial for early detection of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). For shortening door-to-ECG time, a chief complaint-based “cardiac triage” protocol comprising (1) raising alert among medical staff with bedside triage tags, and (2) immediate bedside ECG after focused history-taking was implemented at the emergency department (ED) in a single tertiary referral center. All patients diagnosed with STEMI visiting the ED between November 2017 and January 2020 were retrospectively reviewed to investigate the effectiveness of strategy before and after implantation. Analysis of a total of 117 ED patients with STEMI (pre-intervention group, n = 57; post-intervention group, n = 60) showed significant overall improvements in median door-to-ECG time from 5 to 4 min (p = 0.02), achievement rate of door-to-ECG time < 10 min from 45 to 57% (p = 0.01), median door-to-balloon time from 81 to 70 min (p < 0.01). Significant trends of increase in achievement rates for door-to-ECG and door-to-balloon times (p = 0.032 and p = 0.002, respectively) was noted after strategy implementation. The incidences of door-to-ECG time > 10 min for those with initially underestimated disease severity (from 90 to 10%, p < 0.01) and walk-in (from 29.2 to 8.8%, p = 0.04) were both reduced. In conclusion, a chief complaint-based “cardiac triage” strategy successfully improved the quality of emergency care for STEMI patients through reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Overexpression of genes involved in lymphocyte activation and regulation are associated with reduced CRM-derived cardiac remodelling after STEMI

AIMS

Lymphopenia after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) correlates with deleterious cardiac consequences and worse prognosis. An in-depth examination of genes implicated in lymphocyte proliferation, activation and regulation and their association with short- and long-term cardiac structure and function is therefore of great interest.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 10 control subjects and 64 patients with a first STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and submitted to cardiac magnetic resonance after 1 week and 6 months. mRNA expression of genes implicated in lymphocyte activation (CD25 and CD69) and regulation [programmed death (PD)-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4] were determined by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

In comparison to controls, STEMI patients showed heightened mRNA expression of CD25 and lower PD-1 and CTLA-4 96 h after coronary reperfusion. Patients with extensive infarctions (>30% of left ventricular mass) at 1 week displayed a notable reduction in CD25, CD69, PD-1, and CTLA-4 expression (p < 0.05). However, CD25 was the only predictor of 1-week extensive infarct size in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 0.019; 95% confidence interval [0.001-0.505]; p = 0.018). Regarding long-term ventricular function, mRNA expression of CD25 under the mean value was associated with worse ventricular function and more adverse remodelling.

CONCLUSIONS

Following STEMI, heightened expression of genes expressed in regulatory T cells (CD25 and CD69) and immune checkpoints (PD-1 and CTLA-4) correlates with a better short- and long-term cardiac structure and function. Advancing understanding of the pathophysiology of lymphopenia and evaluating novel immunomodulatory therapies will help translate these results into future clinical trials.

Association of Cardiac Care Regionalization With Access, Treatment, and Mortality Among Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Regionalization of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) systems of care has been championed over the past decade. Although timely access to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to improve outcomes, no studies have determined how regionalization has affected the care and outcomes of patients. We sought to determine if STEMI regionalization is associated with changes in access, treatment, and outcomes.

METHODS

Using a difference-in-differences approach, we analyzed a statewide, administrative database of 139 494 patients with STEMI in California from 2006 to 2015 using regionalization data based on a survey of all local Emergency Medical Services agencies in the state.

RESULTS

For patients with STEMI, the base rate of admission to a hospital with PCI capability was 72.7%, and regionalization was associated with an increase of 5.34 percentage points (95% CI, 1.58-9.10), representing a 7.1% increase. Regionalization was also associated with a statistically significant increase of 3.54 (95% CI, 0.61-6.48) percentage points in the probability of same-day PCI, representing an increase of 7.1% from the 49.7% base rate and a 4.6% relative increase (2.97 percentage points [95% CI, 0.1-5.85]) in the probability of receiving PCI at any time during the hospitalization. There was a 1.84 percentage point decrease (95% CI, -3.31 to -0.37) in the probability of receiving fibrinolytics. For 7-day mortality, regionalization was associated with a 0.53 (95% CI, -1 to -0.06) percentage point greater reduction (representing 5.8% off the base rate of 9.1%) and a 1.75 percentage point decrease in the likelihood of all-cause 30-day readmission (95% CI, -3.39 to -0.11; representing 6.4% off the base rate of 27.4%). No differences were found in longer-term mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with STEMI in California from 2006 to 2015, STEMI regionalization was associated with increased access to a PCI-capable hospital, greater use of PCI, lower 7-day mortality, and lower 30-day readmissions.

Management of left ventricular thrombus: a narrative review

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and also non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. We performed a narrative literature review, manual-search of reference lists of included articles and relevant reviews. Our literature review indicates that the incidence of LVT following acute MI has decreased, probably due to improvement in patient care as a result of better and earlier reperfusion techniques. Predictors of LVT include anterior MI, involvement of left ventricular (LV) apex (regardless of the coronary territory affected), LV akinesis or dyskinesis, reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF), severe diastolic dysfunction and large infarct size. LVT is associated with increased risk of systemic embolism, stroke, cardiovascular events and death, and there is evidence that anticoagulant therapy for at least 3 months can reduce the risk of these events. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has the highest diagnostic accuracy for LVT, followed by echocardiography with the use of echocardiographic contrast agents (ECAs). Although current guidelines suggest use of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for a minimum of 3 to 6 months, there is growing evidence of the benefits of direct acting oral anticoagulants in treatment of LVT. Embolic events appear to occur even after resolution of LVT suggesting that anticoagulant therapy needs to be considered for a longer period in some cases. Recommendations for the use of triple therapy in the presence of the LVT are mostly based on extrapolation from outcome data in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and MI. We conclude that the presence of LVT is more likely in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) (involving the apex) and reduced ejection fraction (EF). LVT should be considered a marker of increased long-term thrombotic risk that may persist even after thrombus resolution. Ongoing clinical trials are expected to elucidate the best management strategies for patients with LVT.

Predictors of Microvascular Reperfusion After Myocardial Infarction

Purpose of Review

In acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), successful restoration of blood flow in the infarct-related coronary artery may not secure effective myocardial reperfusion. The mortality and morbidity associated with acute MI remain significant. Microvascular obstruction (MVO) represents failed microvascular reperfusion. MVO is under-recognized, independently associated with adverse cardiac prognosis and represents an unmet therapeutic need.

Recent Findings

Multiple factors including clinical presentation, patient characteristics, biochemical markers, and imaging parameters are associated with MVO after MI.

Summary

Impaired microvascular reperfusion is common following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). New knowledge about disease mechanisms underpins precision medicine with individualized risk assessment, investigation, and stratified therapy. To date, there are no evidence-based therapies to prevent or treat MVO post-MI. Identifying novel therapy for MVO is the next frontier.

Clinical efficacy and safety of Shuxuetong injection for acute myocardial infarction: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Shuxuetong injection (SXT) is a Chinese medicine injection and has been widely used for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Asia. However, whether SXT has a definite efficacy and safety is poorly understood. The aim of our study was to clarify the effect of SXT on clinical symptoms alliavation and survival in AMI patients.

METHODS

A systematic reviews of SXT combined with conventional therapy treating AMI will be searched in 8 electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang Database, China Biology Medicine (CBM), Google Scholar, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), from inception to December 2020. The literature will extracted by 2 researchers independently and the methodological quality of the included study will be evaluated. We will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to evaluate the evidence quality of the included literature. RevMan software (version 5.3) will be applied for the original research data synthesis.

RESULTS

The results of our study will be published in a peer reviewed journal.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis will provide the latest evidence to determine whether SXT is an effective intervention for AMI patients.

Door-to-unload: left ventricular unloading before reperfusion in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

ST-elevation myocardial infarction treatment in the modern era has focused on minimizing time of ischemia by reducing door-to-balloon time to limit infarct size and improve survival. Although there have been significant improvements in minimizing time to coronary reperfusion, the incidence of heart failure following a myocardial infarction has remained high. Preclinical studies have shown that unloading the left ventricle for 30 min prior to coronary reperfusion can reduce infarct size and promote myocardial recovery. The DTU-STEMI randomized prospective trial will test the hypothesis that left ventricular unloading for at least 30 min prior to coronary reperfusion will improve infarct size and heart failure-related events as compared with the current standard of care.

Five years of Stent for Life in Portugal

OBJECTIVE

To analyze changes in performance indicators five years after Portugal joined the Stent for Life (SFL) initiative.

METHODS

National surveys were carried out annually over one-month periods designated as study Time Points between 2011 (Time Zero) and 2016 (Time Five). In this study, 1340 consecutive patients with suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent coronary angiography, admitted to 18 24/7 primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers, were enrolled.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in the proportion of patients who attended primary healthcare centers (20.3% vs. 4.8%, p<0.001) and non-PCI-capable centers (54.5% vs. 42.5%, p=0.013). The proportions of patients who called 112, the national emergency medical services (EMS) number (35.2% vs. 46.6%, p=0.022) and of those transported via the EMS to a PCI-capable center (13.1% vs. 30.5%, p<0.001) increased. The main improvement observed in timings for revascularization was a trend toward a reduction in patient delay (114 min in 2011 vs. 100 min in 2016, p=0.050). System delay and door-to-balloon time remained constant, at a median of 134 and 57 min in 2016, respectively.

CONCLUSION

During the lifetime of the SFL initiative in Portugal, there was a positive change in patient delay indicators, especially the lower proportion of patients who attended non-PCI centers, along with an increase in those who called 112. System delay did not change significantly over this period. These results should be taken into consideration in the current Stent - Save a Life initiative.

Targeted temperature management at 33°C or 36℃ induces equivalent myocardial protection by inhibiting HMGB1 release in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is lethal and causes myocardial necrosis via time-dependent ischemia due to prolonged occlusion of the infarct-related artery. No effective therapy or potential therapeutic targets can prevent myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Targeted temperature management (TTM) may reduce peri-infarct regions by inhibiting the extracellular release of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) as a primary mediator of the innate immune response. We used a rat left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation model to determine if TTM at 33°C and 36°C had similar myocardial protective effects. Rats were divided into sham, LAD I/R+37°C normothermia, LAD I/R+33°C TTM, and LAD I/R+36°C TTM groups (n = 5 per group). To verify the cardioprotective effect of TTM by specifically inhibiting HMGB1, rats were assigned to sham, LAD I/R, and LAD I/R after pre-treatment with glycyrrhizin (known as a pharmacological inhibitor of HMGB1) groups (n = 5 per group). Different target temperatures of 33°C and 36°C caused equivalent reductions in infarct volume after myocardial I/R, inhibited the extracellular release of HMGB1 from infarct tissue, and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines from peri-infarct regions. TTM at 33°C and 36°C significantly attenuated the elevation of cardiac troponin, a sensitive and specific marker of heart muscle damage, after injury. Similarly, glycyrrhizin alleviated myocardial damage by suppressing the extracellular release of HMGB1. TTM at 33°C and 36°C had equivalent myocardial protective effects by similar inhibiting HMGB1 release against myocardial I/R injury. This is the first study to suggest that a target core temperature of 36°C is applicable for cardioprotection.

Impact of ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Regionalization Programs on the Treatment and Outcomes of Patients Diagnosed With Non-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background Many communities have implemented systems of regionalized care to improve access to timely care for patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. However, patients who are ultimately diagnosed with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMIs) may also be affected, and the impact of regionalization programs on NSTEMI treatment and outcomes is unknown. We set out to determine the effects of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction regionalization schemes on treatment and outcomes of patients diagnosed with NSTEMIs. Methods and Results The cohort included all patients receiving care in emergency departments diagnosed with an NSTEMI at all nonfederal hospitals in California from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2015. Data were analyzed using a difference-in-differences approach. The main outcomes were 1-year mortality and angiography within 3 days of the index admission. A total of 293 589 patients with NSTEMIs received care in regionalized and nonregionalized communities. Over the study period, rates of early angiography increased by 0.5 and mortality decreased by 0.9 percentage points per year among the overall population (95% CI, 0.4-0.6 and -1.0 to -0.8, respectively). Regionalization was not associated with early angiography (-0.5%; 95% CI, -1.1 to 0.1) or death (0.2%; 95% CI, -0.3 to 0.8). Conclusions ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction regionalization programs were not statistically associated with changes in guideline-recommended early angiography or changes in risk of death for patients with NSTEMI. Increases in the proportion of patients with NSTEMI who underwent guideline-directed angiography and decreases in risk of mortality were accounted for by secular trends unrelated to regionalization policies.

Time Delay, Infarct Size, and Microvascular Obstruction After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Symptom-to-balloon time (SBT) and door-to-balloon time (DBT) are both considered important metrics in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to assess the relationship of SBT and DBT with infarct size and microvascular obstruction (MVO) after pPCI.

METHODS

Individual patient data for 3115 ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing pPCI in 10 randomized trials were pooled. Infarct size (% left ventricular mass) was assessed within 1 month after randomization by technetium-99 m sestamibi single-photon emission computerized tomography (3 studies) or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (7 studies). MVO was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance. Patients were stratified by short (≤2 hours), intermediate (2-4 hours), or long (>4 hours) SBTs, and by short (≤45 minutes), intermediate (45-90 minutes), or long (>90 minutes) DBTs.

RESULTS

Median [interquartile range] SBT and DBT were 185 [130-269] and 46 [28-83] minutes, respectively. Median [interquartile range] time to infarct size assessment after pPCI was 5 [3-12] days. There was a stepwise increase in infarct size according to SBT category (adjusted difference, 2.0% [95% CI, 0.4-3.5] for intermediate versus short SBT and 4.4% [95% CI, 2.7-6.1] for long versus short SBT) but not according to DBT category (adjusted difference, 0.4% [95% CI, -1.2 to 1.9] for intermediate versus short DBT and -0.1% [95% CI, -1.0 to 3.0] for long versus short SBT). MVO was greater in patients with long versus short SBT (adjusted difference, 0.9% [95% CI, 0.3-1.4]) but was not different between patients with intermediate versus short SBT (adjusted difference, 0.1 [95% CI, -0.4 to 0.6]). There was no difference in MVO according to DBT. Results were similar in multivariable analysis with SBT and DBT included as continuous variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Among 3115 patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing infarct size assessment after pPCI, SBT was more strongly correlated with infarct size and MVO than DBT.

Benefit of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation before Revascularization in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Profound Cardiogenic Shock after Resuscitated Cardiac Arrest

Few studies have focused on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with cardiogenic shock after resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Only a small number of studies have reported the timing of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with AMI with cardiogenic shock. The current study, which used the large nationwide OHCA registry, shows that ECMO treatment before revascularization can decrease 30-day mortality, compared to ECMO after revascularization, in patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest. The current study emphasized the importance of early ECMO therapy before revascularization in circumstance which is difficult to determine optimal revascularization timing.

Background and Objectives

The study sought to investigate the impact of early extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support before revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest. It is difficult to determine optimal timing of ECMO in patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest.

Methods

Among 116,374 patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in South Korea, a total of 184 resuscitated patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock, and who were treated successfully with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and ECMO, were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the timing of ECMO: pre-PCI ECMO (n=117) and post-PCI ECMO (n=67). We compared 30-day mortality between the 2 groups.

Results

In-hospital mortality was 78.8% in the entire study population and significantly lower in the pre-PCI ECMO group (73.5% vs. 88.1%, p=0.020). Thirty-day mortality was also lower in the pre-PCI ECMO group compared to the post-PCI ECMO group (74.4% vs. 91.0%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47–0.93; p=0.017). Shockable rhythm at the emergency room (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.91; p=0.019) and successful therapeutic hypothermia (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.23–0.69; p=0.001) were also associated with improved 30-day survival.

Conclusions

ECMO support before revascularization was associated with an improved short-term survival rate compared to ECMO after revascularization in patients with AMI complicated by profound cardiogenic shock after resuscitated cardiac arrest.

Time to Treatment and In-Hospital Major Adverse Cardiac Events Among Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) According to the 24/7 Primary PCI Service Registry in Iran: Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as a preferred reperfusion strategy for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may be associated with major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (MACCEs). Thus, timely primary PCI has been emphasized in order to improve outcomes. Despite guideline recommendations on trying to reduce the door-to-balloon time to <90 minutes in order to reduce mortality, less attention has been paid to other components of time to treatment, such as the symptom-to-balloon time, as an indicator of the total ischemic time, which includes the symptom-to-door time and door-to-balloon time, in terms of clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

Objective

We aimed to determine the association between each component of time to treatment (ie, symptom-to-door time, door-to-balloon time, and symptom-to-balloon time) and in-hospital MACCEs among patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI.

Methods

In this observational study, according to a prospective primary PCI 24/7 service registry, adult patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI in one of six catheterization laboratories of Tehran Heart Center from November 2015 to August 2019, were studied. The primary outcome was in-hospital MACCEs, which was a composite index consisting of cardiac death, revascularization (ie, target vessel revascularization/target lesion revascularization), myocardial infarction, and stroke. It was compared at different levels of time to treatment (ie, symptom-to-door and door-to-balloon time <90 and ≥90 minutes, and symptom-to-balloon time <180 and ≥180 minutes). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24 (IBM Corp), with descriptive statistics, such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and statistical tests, such as chi-square test, t test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and with a significance level of <.05 and 95% CIs for odds ratios (ORs).

Results

Data from 2823 out of 3204 patients were analyzed (mean age of 59.6 years, SD 11.6 years; 79.5% male [n=2243]; completion rate: 88.1%). Low proportions of symptom-to-door time ≤90 minutes and symptom-to-balloon time ≤180 minutes were observed among the study patients (579/2823, 20.5% and 691/2823, 24.5%, respectively). Overall, 2.4% (69/2823) of the patients experienced in-hospital MACCEs, and cardiac death (45/2823, 1.6%) was the most common cardiac outcome. In the univariate analysis, the symptom-to-balloon time predicted in-hospital MACCEs (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.4; P=.03), while the symptom-to-door time (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7-2.6; P=.34) and door-to-balloon time (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-1.8, P=.77) were not associated with in-hospital MACCEs. In the multivariate analysis, only symptom-to-balloon time ≥180 minutes was associated with in-hospital MACCEs and was a predictor of in-hospital MACCEs (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-5.2; P=.04).

Conclusions

A longer symptom-to-balloon time was the only component associated with higher in-hospital MACCEs in the present study. Efforts should be made to shorten the symptom-to-balloon time in order to improve in-hospital MACCEs.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/13161

Establishment and validation of a risk model for prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction after primary PCI

Background

Currently, how to accurately determine the patient prognosis after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear and may vary among populations, hospitals, and datasets. The aim of this study was to establish a prediction model of in-hospital mortality risk after primary PCI in patients with acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

This was a multicenter, observational study of patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI. The outcome was in-hospital mortality. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was used to select the features that were the most significantly associated with the outcome. A regression model was built using the selected variables to select the significant predictors of mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram.

Results

Totally, 1169 and 316 patients were enrolled in the training and validation sets, respectively. Fourteen predictors were identified by the LASSO analysis: sex, Killip classification, left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD), grading of thrombus, TIMI classification, slow flow, application of IABP, administration of β-blocker, ACEI/ARB, symptom-to-door time (SDT), symptom-to-balloon time (SBT), syntax score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and CK-MB peak. The mortality risk prediction nomogram achieved good discrimination for in-hospital mortality (training set: C-statistic = 0.987; model calibration: P = 0.722; validation set: C-statistic = 0.984, model calibration: P = 0.669). Area under the curve (AUC) values for the training and validation sets are 0.987 (95% CI: 0.981–0.994, P = 0.003) and 0.990 (95% CI: 0.987–0.998, P = 0.007), respectively. DCA shows that the nomogram can achieve good net benefit.

Conclusions

A novel nomogram was developed and is a simple and accurate tool for predicting the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI.

Outcome of inter-hospital transfer versus direct admission for primary percutaneous coronary intervention: An observational study of 25,315 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction from the London Heart Attack Group

Background and aims:

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), mortality is directly related to time to reperfusion with guidelines recommending patients be delivered directly to centres for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to describe the impact of inter-hospital transfer on reperfusion time and to assess whether or not treatment delays influenced clinical outcomes in comparison with direct admission to a primary PCI centre in a large regional network.

Method and results:

We undertook an observational cohort study of patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI between 2005 and 2015 in London, UK. Patient details were recorded at the time of the procedure in databases using the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society PCI dataset. The primary end-point was all-cause mortality at a median of 4.1 years (interquartile range: 2.2–5.8 years). Secondary outcomes were in-hospital major adverse cardiac events. Of 25,315 patients, 17,560 (69.4%) were admitted directly to a primary PCI centre and 7755 (31.6%) were transferred from a non-primary PCI centre. Patients in the direct admission group were older and more likely to have left ventricular impairment compared with the inter-hospital transfer group. Median time from call for help to reperfusion in transferred patients was 52 minutes longer compared with patients admitted directly (p &lt;0.001). However, call to first hospital admission was similar. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated significantly lower mortality rates in patients who were transferred directed to a primary PCI centre compared with patients who were transferred from a non-PCI centre (17.4% direct vs. 18.7% transfer, p=0.017). Furthermore, after propensity matching, direct admission for primary PCI was still a predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 0.89, 95% confidence interval: 0.64–0.95).

Conclusions:

In this large registry of over 25,000 STEMI patients treated by primary PCI survival was better in patients admitted directly to a cardiac centre versus patients transferred for primary PCI, most likely due to longer call to balloon times in patient transferred from other hospitals.

Unusual Fatigue and Failure to Utilize EMS Are Associated With Prolonged Prehospital Delay for Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Rapid reperfusion reduces infarct size and mortality for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but efficacy is time dependent. The aim of this study was to determine if transportation factors and clinical presentation predicted prehospital delay for suspected ACS, stratified by final diagnosis (ACS vs. no ACS).

METHODS

A heterogeneous sample of emergency department (ED) patients with symptoms suggestive of ACS was enrolled at 5 US sites. Accelerated failure time models were used to specify a direct relationship between delay time and variables to predict prehospital delay by final diagnosis.

RESULTS

Enrolled were 609 (62.5%) men and 366 (37.5%) women, predominantly white (69.1%), with a mean age of 60.32 (±14.07) years. Median delay time was 6.68 (confidence interval 1.91, 24.94) hours; only 26.2% had a prehospital delay of 2 hours or less. Patients presenting with unusual fatigue [time ratio (TR) = 1.71, P = 0.002; TR = 1.54, P = 0.003, respectively) or self-transporting to the ED experienced significantly longer prehospital delay (TR = 1.93, P < 0.001; TR = 1.71, P < 0.001, respectively). Predictors of shorter delay in patients with ACS were shoulder pain and lightheadedness (TR = 0.65, P = 0.013 and TR = 0.67, P = 0.022, respectively). Predictors of shorter delay for patients ruled out for ACS were chest pain and sweating (TR = 0.071, P = 0.025 and TR = 0.073, P = 0.032, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Patients self-transporting to the ED had prolonged prehospital delays. Encouraging the use of EMS is important for patients with possible ACS symptoms. Calling 911 can be positively framed to at-risk patients and the community as having advanced care come to them because EMS capabilities include 12-lead ECG acquisition and possibly high-sensitivity troponin assays.

Unmet needs for emergency care and prevention of prehospital death in acute myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has successfully reduced the mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have high mortality, which is difficult to control by hospital staff. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of prehospital death (PHD) in patients with AMI. Furthermore, we investigated the risk factors associated with 30-day mortality in patients with AMI who survived PHD.

METHODS

We investigated the prevalence of PHD using data from the Yamagata AMI registry and from death certification of the entire Yamagata Prefecture in Japan between 2010 and 2015. Furthermore, we investigated the risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients who survived PHD, using data from the Yamagata AMI registry from 1993 to 2015. AMI was identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision code I21.

RESULTS

Out of the 6984 patients with AMI, 3771 patients had PHD. Patients with PHD were older and more likely to be women than those without PHD. More PHD occurred in winter and spring than in summer or autumn. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age, female sex, and winter onset were independently associated with PHD. We also investigated the risk factors associated with 30-day mortality in 9675 patients who survived PHD. The rate of PCI was remarkably lower in patients with acute death than in those without acute death. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age, anterior infarction, estimated glomerular filtration rate, Killip class, and PCI were independently associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSION

Approximately half of the patients with AMI died before they could reach the destination hospital. Although emergency PCI is the most important factor in reducing 30-day mortality in patients with AMI, attempts to reduce patient delay and system delay are possibly needed to further reduce PHD.

Evaluation of STEMI Regionalization on Access, Treatment, and Outcomes Among Adults Living in Nonminority and Minority Communities

IMPORTANCE

Cardiac care regionalization, specifically for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), has been touted as a potential mechanism to reduce systematic disparities by protocolizing the treatment of these conditions. However, it is unknown whether such regionalization arrangements have widened or narrowed disparities in access, treatment, and outcomes for minority communities.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent to which disparities in access, treatment, and outcomes have changed for patients with STEMI living in zip codes that are in the top tertile of the Black or Hispanic population compared with patients in nonminority zip codes in regionalized vs nonregionalized counties.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study used a quasi-experimental approach exploiting the different timing of regionalization across California. Nonpublic inpatient data for all patients with STEMI from January 1, 2006, to October 31, 2015, were analyzed using a difference-in-difference-in-differences estimation approach.

EXPOSURE

Exposure to the intervention was defined as on and after the year a patient's county was exposed to regionalization.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Access to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable hospital, receipt of PCI on the same day and at any time during the hospitalization, and time-specific all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

This study included 139 494 patients with STEMI; 61.9% of patients were non-Hispanic White, 5.6% Black, 17.8% Hispanic, and 9.0% Asian; 32.8% were women. Access to PCI-capable hospitals improved by 6.3 percentage points (95% CI, 5.5 to 7.1 percentage points; P < .001) when patients in nonminority communities were exposed to regionalization. Patients in minority communities experienced a 1.8-percentage point smaller improvement in access (95% CI, -2.8 to -0.8 percentage points; P < .001), or 28.9% smaller, compared with those in nonminority communities when both were exposed to regionalization. Regionalization was associated with an improvement to same-day PCI and in-hospital PCI by 5.1 percentage points (95% CI, 4.2 to 6.1 percentage points; P < .001) and 5.0 percentage points (95% CI, 4.2 to 5.9 percentage points; P < .001), respectively, for patients in nonminority communities. Patients in minority communities experienced only 33.3% and 15.1% of that benefit. Only White patients in nonminority communities experienced mortality improvement from regionalization.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although regionalization was associated with improved access to PCI hospitals and receipt of PCI treatment, patients in minority communities derived significantly smaller improvement relative to those in nonminority communities.

Similar Clinical Course and Significance of Circulating Innate and Adaptive Immune Cell Counts in STEMI and COVID-19

This study aimed to assess the time course of circulating neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and their ratio (NLR) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 and explore their associations with clinical events and structural damage. Circulating neutrophil, lymphocyte and NLR were sequentially measured in 659 patients admitted for STEMI and in 103 COVID-19 patients. The dynamics detected in STEMI (within a few hours) were replicated in COVID-19 (within a few days). In both entities patients with events and with severe structural damage displayed higher neutrophil and lower lymphocyte counts. In both scenarios, higher maximum neutrophil and lower minimum lymphocyte counts were associated with more events and more severe organ damage. NLR was higher in STEMI and COVID-19 patients with the worst clinical and structural outcomes. A canonical deregulation of the immune response occurs in STEMI and COVID-19 patients. Boosted circulating innate (neutrophilia) and depressed circulating adaptive immunity (lymphopenia) is associated with more events and severe organ damage. A greater understanding of these critical illnesses is pivotal to explore novel alternative therapies.

Angiogenesis after acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) inflicts massive injury to the coronary microcirculation leading to vascular disintegration and capillary rarefication in the infarct region. Tissue repair after MI involves a robust angiogenic response that commences in the infarct border zone and extends into the necrotic infarct core. Technological advances in several areas have provided novel mechanistic understanding of postinfarction angiogenesis and how it may be targeted to improve heart function after MI. Cell lineage tracing studies indicate that new capillary structures arise by sprouting angiogenesis from pre-existing endothelial cells (ECs) in the infarct border zone with no meaningful contribution from non-EC sources. Single-cell RNA sequencing shows that ECs in infarcted hearts may be grouped into clusters with distinct gene expression signatures, likely reflecting functionally distinct cell populations. EC-specific multicolour lineage tracing reveals that EC subsets clonally expand after MI. Expanding EC clones may arise from tissue-resident ECs with stem cell characteristics that have been identified in multiple organs including the heart. Tissue repair after MI involves interactions among multiple cell types which occur, to a large extent, through secreted proteins and their cognate receptors. While we are only beginning to understand the full complexity of this intercellular communication, macrophage and fibroblast populations have emerged as major drivers of the angiogenic response after MI. Animal data support the view that the endogenous angiogenic response after MI can be boosted to reduce scarring and adverse left ventricular remodelling. The improved mechanistic understanding of infarct angiogenesis therefore creates multiple therapeutic opportunities. During preclinical development, all proangiogenic strategies should be tested in animal models that replicate both cardiovascular risk factor(s) and the pharmacotherapy typically prescribed to patients with acute MI. Considering that the majority of patients nowadays do well after MI, clinical translation will require careful selection of patients in need of proangiogenic therapies.

P2Y12 inhibitor loading dose before catheterization in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Is this the best strategy?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) the benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy is unequivocal, but the optimal time to administer the loading dose (LD) of a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor is the subject of debate and disagreement. The main aim of this study was characterize current practice in Portugal and to assess the prognostic impact of P2Y₁₂ inhibitor LD administration strategy, before versus during or after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study based on the Portuguese National Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes included patients with STEMI and PCI performed between October 1, 2010 and September 19, 2017. Two groups were established: LD before PCI (LD-PRE) and LD during or after PCI (LD-CATH).

RESULTS

A total of 4123 patients were included, 66.3% in the LD-PRE group and 32.4% in the LD-CATH group. Prehospital use of a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor was a predictor of the composite bleeding endpoint (major bleeding, need for transfusion or hemoglobin [Hb] drop >2g/dl), Hb drop >2g/dl and reinfarction. There were no differences between groups in major adverse events (MAE) (in-hospital mortality, reinfarction and stroke) or in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Prehospital use of a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor was associated with an increased risk of bleeding, predicting the composite bleeding outcome and Hb drop >2g/dl, with no differences in mortality or MAE, calling into question the benefit of this strategy.