Thrombus Aspiration in ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: An Individual Patient Meta-Analysis: Thrombectomy Trialists Collaboration

Polycythemia Vera Presenting as Cardiac Arrest: Novel Management Strategies

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) usually occur in patients with multiple cardiac risk factors. In young adults, drug use and hypercoagulable states are common causes for ACS presentations. We report a case of a man in his early 30s who was diagnosed with polycythemia vera (PV) and had a cardiac arrest due to an anterolateral ST elevation myocardial infarction. We discuss his unique management and review the evidence on the management of arterial thromboembolism in PV patients.

Assessing and managing coronary microcirculation dysfunction in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

Microvascular dysfunction in the setting of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an indicator of poor long-term prognosis. Prompt assessment and pharmacological or procedural therapy (prophylactic or post onset of dysfunction) may improve outcomes in STEMI post-primary percutaneous intervention. Areas covered: The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the evidence available about the assessment and management of coronary microcirculatory injury/dysfunction in STEMI. We also aim to elucidate the possible strategies that could be applied in clinical practice to support the application of already available or novel therapeutic strategies for the prevention and management of microvascular impairment. Expert commentary: There are multiple established methods in assessing microvascular dysfunction, both non-invasively and invasively. Invasive physiological measurements allow real-time assessment of microvascular dysfunction and have prognostic cut-off values. Multiple therapeutic modalities exist for both preventing and treating microvascular dysfunction. These can be either pharmacological or mechanical, and there is no algorithm to guide if, how and when to apply them. Future research into both procedural and pharmacological therapy guided by physiological measurements is needed, with the aim of recognizing high-risk patients who would benefit from therapy.

Thrombus aspiration in hyperglycemic ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients: clinical outcomes at 1-year follow-up

Objectives

We evaluate whether the thrombus aspiration (TA) before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) may improve STEMI outcomes in hyperglycemic patients.

Background

The management of hyperglycemic patients during STEMI is unclear.

Methods

We undertook an observational cohort study of 3166 first STEMI. Patients were grouped on the basis of whether they received TA or not. Moreover, among these patients we selected a subgroup of STEMI patients with hyperglycemia during the event (glycaemia > 140 mg/dl). The endpoint at 1 year included all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and re-hospitalization for coronary disease, heart failure and stroke.

Results

One-thousand STEMI patients undergoing PPCI to plus TA (TA-group) and 1504 STEMI patients treated with PPCI alone (no-TA group) completed the study. In overall study-population, Kaplan–Meier-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in mortality rates between patients with and without TA (P = 0.065). After multivariate Cox-analysis (HR: 0.94, 95% CI 0.641–1.383) and the addition of propensity matching (HR: 0.86 95% CI 0.412–1.798) TA was still not associated with decreased mortality. By contrast, in hyperglycemic subgroup STEMI patients (TA-group, n = 331; no-TA group, n = 566), Kaplan–Meier-analysis demonstrated a significantly lower mortality (P = 0.019) in TA-group than the no-TA group. After multivariate Cox-analysis (HR: 0.64, 95% CI 0.379–0.963) and the addition of propensity matching (HR: 0.54, 95% CI 0.294–0.984) TA was still associated with decreased mortality.

Conclusions

TA was not associated with lower mortality in PPCI for STEMI when used in our large all-comer cohort. Conversely, TA during PPCI for STEMI reduces clinical outcomes in hyperglycemic patients.

Trial registration NCT02817542. 25th, June 2016

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12933-018-0795-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Determinants of angiographic thrombus burden and impact of thrombus aspiration on outcome in young patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the determinants of thrombus burden (TB) and the impact of thrombus aspiration (TA) on outcome in young adults with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

BACKGROUND

The determinants of TB in young STEMI patients are not fully understood now.

METHODS

The 182 young (age ≤ 45 years) STEMI patients, who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our hospital from January 2013 to September 2016, were included. Angiographic TB and impact of TA on major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were evaluated. Median clinical follow-up period was 875 (641-1,052) days.

RESULTS

All patients were male, mean age was 40 ± 5 years. High thrombus burden (HTB) was evidenced in 100 (54.9%) patients. TA was performed in 62 out 100 (62%) patients with high TB (HTB) during PCI. The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in the HTB group than in the low thrombus burden (LTB) group (75 vs. 17%, P < 0.001). The proportion of smoking, alcohol consumption, and family history of premature coronary artery disease were similar between HTB and LTB groups. During follow-up, 2 patients died and 31 patients underwent repeat PCI. MACE rate was significantly higher in the HTB group than in the LTB group (24.0 vs. 9.8%, P = 0.012) and significantly lower in HTB patients with TA than HTB patients without TA (14.5 vs. 39.5%, P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertension is an independent determinant of HTB and TA could be considered as an effective therapeutic option in young male STEMI patients with HTB.

Impact of total ischemic time on manual thrombus aspiration benefit during primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

The benefits of manual thrombus aspiration (TA) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain uncertain. We assessed the influence of total ischemic time (TIT) on clinical outcomes among STEMI patients undergoing manual TA during pPCI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients enrolled in the Acute Myocardial Infarction in Switzerland Plus registry. STEMI patients undergoing pPCI with (TA group) or without (PCI-alone group) manual TA were stratified based on short (<3 hours), intermediate (3-6 hours), and long (>6 hours) TIT. The primary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoint was in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial reinfarction and stroke. Between 2008 and 2014, 4'154 patients (TA 48%) were included. Risk-adjusted in-hospital all-cause mortality was not different between TA and PCI-alone groups (OR 1.29; 95%CI 0.83-1.98; p=0.26), whereas there was significantly increased risk of MACE (OR 1.52; 95%CI 1.05-2.19; p=0.03) in patients treated with manual TA compared with PCI-alone. There was no significant difference between manual TA and PCI-alone with respect to risk-adjusted all-cause mortality according to TIT groups, but risk-adjusted MACE rates were significantly higher in the group of patients with long TIT treated with manual TA compared with PCI-alone (OR 2.42; 95%CI 1.16-5.04; p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

In a large registry of STEMI patients, manual TA was not associated with lower risk-adjusted in-hospital all-cause mortality compared with PCI-alone regardless of TIT but was associated with significantly greater risk of MACE. In patients with prolonged TIT, manual TA was associated with higher risk-adjusted MACE rates compared with PCI-alone.

Outcome of thrombus aspiration in STEMI patients: a propensity score-adjusted study

The use of thrombus aspiration (TA) prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) has undergone a radical change in intervention guidelines. The clinical implications, however, are still under scrutiny. This study investigated the clinical effects and outcome of TA before PPCI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Overall 1027 patients with STEMI were analyzed in this retrospective, propensity score-adjusted, multicenter study. The primary endpoints were in-hospital and long-term mortality. There were 418 patients in the TA group and 609 in the conventional PPCI group. The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in the TA group (8.7 vs. 5.0%; P = 0.03). During long-term follow-up [median follow-up duration 689 days (IQR 405-959)] the mortality rates were similar (TA 14.3%, conventional PPCI 15.0%; P = 0.85). Survival analysis for the complete observation period revealed no significant benefit of TA [hazard ratio (HR) 1.12; 97.5% CI 0.90-0.71; P = 0.63]. There were also no significant differences between the groups in the following secondary endpoints: composite of cardiovascular death and non-fatal reinfarction at discharge (P = 0.39), post-PPCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow-grade-3 (P = 0.14), left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.47), and non-fatal reinfarction during follow-up (P = 0.17). Rehospitalization rate (1.82 vs. 10.3%; P < 0.0001) and Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) grading (P = 0.02) during follow-up were significantly lower in the TA group. In our cohort the in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher for TA patients, but during long-term follow-up the mortality rates did not differ. The incidence of rehospitalization and CCS grading were lower in the TA-treated patients.

Daily melatonin protects the endothelial lineage and functional integrity against the aging process, oxidative stress, and toxic environment and restores blood flow in critical limb ischemia area in mice

We tested the hypothesis that daily melatonin treatment protects endothelial lineage and functional integrity against the aging process, oxidative stress/endothelial denudation (ED), and toxic environment and restored blood flow in murine critical limb ischemia (CLI). In vitro study using HUVECs, in vivo models (ie, CLI through left femoral artery ligation and ED through carotid artery wire injury), and model of lipopolysaccharide-induced aortic injury in young (3 months old) and aged (8 months old) mice were used to elucidate effects of melatonin treatment on vascular endothelial integrity. In vitro study showed that menadione-induced oxidative stress (NOX-1/NOX-2), inflammation (TNF-α/NF-kB), apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3/PARP), and mitochondrial damage (cytosolic cytochrome c) in HUVECs were suppressed by melatonin but reversed by SIRT3-siRNA (all P < .001). In vivo, reduced numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) (C-kit/CD31+/Sca-1/KDR+/CXCR4/CD34+), and angiogenesis (Matrigel assay of bone marrow-derived EPC and ex vivo aortic ring cultures) in older (compared with younger) mice were significantly reversed through daily melatonin administration (20 mg/kg/d, ip) (all P < .001). Aortic vasorelaxation and nitric oxide release were impaired in older mice and reversed in age-match mice receiving melatonin (all P < .01). ED-induced intimal/medial hyperplasia, reduced blood flow to ischemic limb, and angiogenesis (reduced CD31+/vWF+ cells/small vessel number) were improved after daily melatonin treatment (all P < .0001). Lipopolysaccharide-induced aortic endothelial cell detachment, which was more severe in aged mice, was also alleviated after daily melatonin treatment (P < .0001). Daily melatonin treatment protected both structural and functional integrity of vascular endothelium against aging-, oxidative stress-, lipopolysaccharide-, and ischemia-induced damage probably through upregulating the SIRT signaling pathway.

2017 ESC guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation: comments from the Dutch ACS working group

On behalf of the Dutch ACS working group, we discuss the most important changes in recommendations in the 2017 ESC guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation relevant for both the general and interventional cardiologist.

Efficacy and safety of thrombus aspiration in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

BACKGROUND:

The role of thrombus aspiration plus primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction remains controversial.

METHODS:

We performed a meta-analysis of 25 randomised controlled trials in which 21,740 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients were randomly assigned to thrombus aspiration plus primary percutaneous coronary intervention or primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Study endpoints were: death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and stroke.

RESULTS:

On pooled analysis, the risk of death (4.3% vs. 4.8%, odds ratio (OR) 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-1.03; P=0.123), myocardial infarction (2.4% vs. 2.5%, OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.80-1.13; P=0.57) and stent thrombosis (1.3% vs. 1.6%, OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.63-1.01; P=0.066) was similar between thrombus aspiration plus primary percutaneous coronary intervention and primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The risk of stroke was higher in the thrombus aspiration plus primary percutaneous coronary intervention than the primary percutaneous coronary intervention group (0.84% vs. 0.59%, OR 1.401, 95% CI 1.004-1.954; P=0.047). However, on sensitivity analysis after removing the TOTAL trial, thrombus aspiration plus primary percutaneous coronary intervention was not associated with an increased risk of stroke (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.58-1.78). The weak association between thrombus aspiration and stroke was also confirmed by the fact that the lower bound of the 95% CI was slightly below unity after removing either the study by Kaltoft or the ITTI trial. There was no interaction between the main study results and follow-up, evidence of coronary thrombus, or study sample size.

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, thrombus aspiration plus primary percutaneous coronary intervention does not reduce the risk of death, myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis. Thrombus aspiration plus primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with an increased risk of stroke; however, this latter finding appears weak.

EMBOLIC MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. EXPERIENCE IN DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, both in the Russian Federation and around the world. Approximately, in up to 10% of patients with clinical diagnostic features of AMI, early angiography does not reveal an occluded vessel or possibly any evidence of coronary artery disease. These patients constitute an intriguing subgroup referred to as “Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries” (MINOCA). MINOCA is a collective concept that unites many different pathologies, which determines the essential heterogeneity of the etiological factors. Coronary artery embolism is recognized as an important non-atherosclerotic cause of AMI. In turn, the most common underlying disease in those with coronary embolism is the atrial fibrillation. The advantages of reperfusion strategy and cardioprotective therapy in the treatment of obstructive arteriosclerosis are well studied, widely presented in the literature and supported by a strong evidence base, while the issues of diagnosis and treatment of patients with MINOCA are currently widely discussed We present two clinical cases of embolic myocardial infarction in patients with atrial fibrillation, diagnosed in our clinic in 2017.

Intracoronary tenecteplase in STEMI with massive thrombus

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is the current standard of care in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, large thrombus is an independent predictor for stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for STEMI. Here we report a series of STEMI patients with large thrombus burden treated successfully with low dose intracoronary thrombolysis. There was prompt and early ST resolution. There was improvement in thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow and myocardial blush grade postlysis in all patients. Majority had recanalised infarct related coronary artery thus obviating the need for stenting. There was no inhospital or 1 month mortality or bleeding events. Hence intracoronary thrombolysis is an option in patients with large thrombus burden.

Myocardial reperfusion with tirofiban injection via aspiration catheter : Efficacy and safety in STEMI patients with large thrombus burden

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on the use of thrombus aspiration (TA) in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), and few studies have focused on the performance of tirofiban via TA catheter after PPCI. Our study investigated the clinical outcome of tirofiban injection through TA in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with large thrombus burden undergoing PPCI treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study comprised 122 STEMI patients who underwent TA during PPCI. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received intravenous tirofiban injection and tirofiban injection via a TA catheter to the infarcted coronary artery after aspiration (n = 61). Group B received intravenous tirofiban injection only (n = 61). Baseline clinical information and follow-up data were collected for both groups. Coronary angiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography findings as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were recorded.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in postprocedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 2 and 3 flow between the two groups (p = 0.021, p = 0.006, respectively). The incidence of slow-flow in group A was significantly lower than that of group B (p = 0.011). An increased incidence of no ST-segment resolution was observed in group B (p = 0.011). There were fewer major adverse cardiovascular events in group A than in group B, but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Selective tirofiban injection via TA catheter during PPCI may improve myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients with large thrombus burden.

German contribution to development and innovations in the management of acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock

Treatment of acute coronary syndromes has evolved over time leading to a significantly reduced mortality. Multiple major trials have been performed in Germany leading to new treatment strategies in acute coronary syndromes including cardiogenic shock. This review article will summarize major trials and their impact on guideline recommendations in acute myocardial infarction highlighting reperfusion strategies, antiplatelet regimens, prognosis assessment and also mechanical circulatory support in stable infarction patients and in cardiogenic shock.

Clinical impact of thrombus aspiration on in-hospital mortality in each culprit lesion in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Recent randomized clinical trials have questioned the clinical benefits of thrombus aspiration (TA) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Real-world data on TA and the efficacy of TA for various culprit lesions have not been sufficiently evaluated. This study mainly aimed to evaluate whether the clinical impact of TA depends on culprit lesions in the setting of STEMI. We surveyed the Tokyo Coronary Care Unit Network Registry, a prospective cohort study, between 2010 and 2014, which included 10,232 patients with STEMI. In-hospital deaths occurred in 538 patients (5.3%). Improved Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow was more frequently observed in patients who underwent TA than in those who did not (87 vs. 80%; p < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that TA was associated with a lower in-hospital mortality rate [odds ratio (OR), 0.80; 95% confidential interval (CI), 0.66-0.96; p = 0.016]. However, the difference was not significant after multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.71-1.17; p = 0.355). Only TA for the left circumflex (LCx) lesions was associated with a better prognosis (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.21-0.72; p = 0.003). The effect persisted after adjustment (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.25-0.99; p = 0.049) but was attenuated after analysis using inverse probability weighting (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.93-0.99; p = 0.048). On the basis of the findings in a large Japanese cohort, a prognostic benefit of TA on in-hospital mortality was not observed. The effect of TA on the LCx lesions was marginally significant and limited. Therefore, TA is not recommended in Japanese patients with STEMI.

Impact of Selective Aspiration Thrombectomy on Mortality in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Although routine aspiration thrombectomy (AT) is not recommended by the current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions guideline, for selected cases, a class IIb indication is given because of lack of data. We studied the impact of selective AT on mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction using a prospective registry. We analyzed data of 1,255 patients, of whom 535 underwent AT based on operator's decision. Separate propensity score matching procedures were performed including all patients and only those with initial TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) 0 to 1 flow, indicating the highest thrombus burden. Primary outcome measure was time to all-cause death at 1 year. Both studies were sufficiently powered to detect the hazard ratio (HR) of 0.52 seen in the TAPAS (Thrombus Aspiration during Percutaneous coronary intervention in Acute myocardial infarction Study) trial. In the study with open inclusion criteria, 1-year mortality rates were 15.5% and 14.5% in the AT and conventional percutaneous coronary intervention arm, respectively (p = 0.77). The unadjusted HR was 1.05 (95% CI 0.73 to 1.51), p = 0.80, whereas the adjusted HR was 0.97 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.41), p = 0.87. In patients with initial TIMI 0 to 1 flow, mortality rate at 1 year was 15.6% in the AT and 16.7% in the standard percutaneous coronary intervention group (p = 0.76). The unadjusted and adjusted HRs were similar: 0.91 (95% CI 0.62 to 1.34), p = 0.65 and 0.93 (95% CI 0.62 to 1.37), p = 0.70, respectively. In conclusion, selective AT based on operator's discretion offers no mortality benefit of the magnitude detected in the TAPAS trial, even for patients with initial TIMI 0 to 1 flow grade.

CVIT expert consensus document on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 2018

While primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has significantly contributed to improve the mortality in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction even in cardiogenic shock, primary PCI is a standard of care in most of Japanese institutions. Whereas there are high numbers of available facilities providing primary PCI in Japan, there are no clear guidelines focusing on procedural aspect of the standardized care. Whilst updated guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction were recently published by European Society of Cardiology, the following major changes are indicated; (1) radial access and drug-eluting stent over bare metal stent were recommended as Class I indication, and (2) complete revascularization before hospital discharge (either immediate or staged) is now considered as Class IIa recommendation. Although the primary PCI is consistently recommended in recent and previous guidelines, the device lag from Europe, the frequent usage of coronary imaging modalities in Japan, and the difference in available medical therapy or mechanical support may prevent direct application of European guidelines to Japanese population. The Task Force on Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT) has now proposed the expert consensus document for the management of acute myocardial infarction focusing on procedural aspect of primary PCI.

Thrombus aspiration and prehospital ticagrelor administration in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Findings from the ATLANTIC trial

BACKGROUND

The potential interactions between prehospital (pre-H) ticagrelor administration and thrombus aspiration (TA) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have never been studied. Therefore, we evaluated the potential benefit of TA and pre-H ticagrelor treatment in patients enrolled in the ATLANTIC trial (NCT01347580).

METHODS

This analysis included 1,630 patients who underwent primary PCI. Multivariate analysis was used to explore the potential association of TA and pre-H treatment to clinical outcomes. Potential interactions between TA and pre-H ticagrelor were also explored.

RESULTS

A total of 941 (57.7%) patients underwent TA. In adjusted multivariate logistic model, pre-H ticagrelor treatment was significantly associated with less frequent new MI or definite stent *thrombosis (ST) (odds ratio [OR] 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.92, P=.031), or definite ST (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.07-0.91, P=.036) at 30 days. Patients treated with TA had higher frequency of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow 0-1 compared with no-TA group (80.7% vs 51.9%, P<.0001). TA when also adjusted for TIMI flow 0-1 showed significant association only for higher bailout use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.18-2.50, P=.004) and more frequent 30-day TIMI major bleeding (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.10-7.76, P=.032). No significant interactions between TA and pre-H ticagrelor were present for the explored end points.

CONCLUSIONS

TA when left to physicians' discretion was used in high-risk patients, was associated with bailout use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and TIMI major bleeding, and had no impact on 30-day clinical outcomes. Conversely, pre-H ticagrelor treatment predicted lower 30-day rates of ST or new MI without interaction with TA.

Atherothrombosis and Thromboembolism: Position Paper from the Second Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis

Atherothrombosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and long-term morbidity. Platelets and coagulation proteases, interacting with circulating cells and in different vascular beds, modify several complex pathologies including atherosclerosis. In the second Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis, this theme was addressed by diverse scientists from bench to bedside. All presentations were discussed with audience members and the results of these discussions were incorporated in the final document that presents a state-of-the-art reflection of expert opinions and consensus recommendations regarding the following five topics: 1. Risk factors, biomarkers and plaque instability: In atherothrombosis research, more focus on the contribution of specific risk factors like ectopic fat needs to be considered; definitions of atherothrombosis are important distinguishing different phases of disease, including plaque (in)stability; proteomic and metabolomics data are to be added to genetic information. 2. Circulating cells including platelets and atherothrombosis: Mechanisms of leukocyte and macrophage plasticity, migration, and transformation in murine atherosclerosis need to be considered; disease mechanism-based biomarkers need to be identified; experimental systems are needed that incorporate whole-blood flow to understand how red blood cells influence thrombus formation and stability; knowledge on platelet heterogeneity and priming conditions needs to be translated toward the in vivo situation. 3. Coagulation proteases, fibrin(ogen) and thrombus formation: The role of factor (F) XI in thrombosis including the lower margins of this factor related to safe and effective antithrombotic therapy needs to be established; FXI is a key regulator in linking platelets, thrombin generation, and inflammatory mechanisms in a renin-angiotensin dependent manner; however, the impact on thrombin-dependent PAR signaling needs further study; the fundamental mechanisms in FXIII biology and biochemistry and its impact on thrombus biophysical characteristics need to be explored; the interactions of red cells and fibrin formation and its consequences for thrombus formation and lysis need to be addressed. Platelet-fibrin interactions are pivotal determinants of clot formation and stability with potential therapeutic consequences. 4. Preventive and acute treatment of atherothrombosis and arterial embolism; novel ways and tailoring? The role of protease-activated receptor (PAR)-4 vis à vis PAR-1 as target for antithrombotic therapy merits study; ongoing trials on platelet function test-based antiplatelet therapy adjustment support development of practically feasible tests; risk scores for patients with atrial fibrillation need refinement, taking new biomarkers including coagulation into account; risk scores that consider organ system differences in bleeding may have added value; all forms of oral anticoagulant treatment require better organization, including education and emergency access; laboratory testing still needs rapidly available sensitive tests with short turnaround time. 5. Pleiotropy of coagulation proteases, thrombus resolution and ischaemia-reperfusion: Biobanks specifically for thrombus storage and analysis are needed; further studies on novel modified activated protein C-based agents are required including its cytoprotective properties; new avenues for optimizing treatment of patients with ischaemic stroke are needed, also including novel agents that modify fibrinolytic activity (aimed at plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor.

Impact of Thrombus Aspiration on Mortality, Stent Thrombosis, and Stroke in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Report From the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry

BACKGROUND

Thrombus aspiration is still being used in a substantial number of patients despite 2 large randomized clinical trials showing no favorable effect of routine thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the impact of thrombus aspiration on mortality, stent thrombosis, and stroke using all available data from the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We identified 42 829 consecutive patients registered in SCAAR between January 2005 and September 2014 who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Thrombus aspiration was used in 25% of the procedures. We used instrumental variable analysis with administrative healthcare region as the treatment-preference instrumental variable to evaluate the effect of thrombus aspiration on mortality, stent thrombosis, and stroke. Thrombus aspiration was not associated with mortality at 30 days (risk reduction: -1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.4 to 3.0; P=0.57) and 1 year (risk reduction: -2.4; 95% CI, -7.6 to 3.0; P=0.37). Thrombus aspiration was associated with a lower risk of stent thrombosis both at 30 days (risk reduction: -2.7; 95% CI, -4.1 to -1.4; P<0.001) and 1 year (risk reduction: -3.5; 95% CI, -5.3 to -1.7; P<0.001). In-hospital stroke and neurologic complications did not differ between groups (risk reduction: 0.1; 95% CI, -0.8 to 1.1; P=0.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality was not different between the groups. Thrombus aspiration was associated with decreased risk of stent thrombosis. Our study provides important evidence for the external validity of previous randomized studies regarding mortality.

Three-vessel coronary artery aneurysmal disease complicated by multivessel thrombosis and cardiogenic shock: the saving role of intracoronary thrombolysis

The benefit of intracoronary thrombolytics in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not well established. Mainstays of STEMI management include intravenous thrombolytics, percutaneous coronary interventions and surgical revascularisation. However, in cases of STEMI secondary to coronary artery aneurysmal disease (CAAD), standard treatment options may not be suitable due to high thrombus burden, perioperative risk and factors unique to each patient. Thus, STEMI management in CAAD can represent a therapeutically challenging clinical scenario. Here, we describe a patient with severe three-vessel CAAD complicated by multivessel thrombosis and cardiogenic shock for whom traditional management options including placement of haemodynamic support devices were not feasible. As an alternative measure, the patient was treated with intracoronary thrombolysis with remarkable clinical stabilisation and angiographic resolution of thrombosis. He remains clinically stable several years later without recurrent events. This case serves to demonstrate the potential lifesaving benefit of intracoronary thrombolysis in complicated multivessel CAAD.

Optimized Prognosis Assessment in ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Using a Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Risk Score

BACKGROUND

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) demonstrated great potential for the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a CMR-based risk score for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The scoring model was developed and validated on ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction cohorts from 2 independent randomized controlled trials (n=738 and n=458 patients, respectively) and included left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, infarct size, and microvascular obstruction. Primary end point was the 12-month MACE rate consisting of death, reinfarction, and new congestive heart failure. In the derivation cohort, LV ejection fraction ≤47%, infarct size ≥19%LV, and microvascular obstruction ≥1.4%LV were identified as the best cutoff values for MACE prediction. According to the hazard ratios in multivariable regression analysis, the CMR risk score was created by attributing 1 point for LV ejection fraction ≤47%, 1 point for infarct size ≥19%LV, and 2 points for microvascular obstruction ≥1.4%LV. In the validation cohort, the score showed a good prediction of MACE (area under the curve: 0.76). Stratification into a low (0/1 point) and high-risk group (≥2 points) resulted in significantly higher MACE rates in high-risk patients (9.0% versus 2.2%; P=0.001). Inclusion of the CMR score in addition to a model of clinical risk factors led to a significant increase of C statistics from 0.74 to 0.83 (P=0.037), a net reclassification improvement of 0.18 (P=0.009), and an integrated discriminative improvement of 0.04 (P=0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

Our approach integrates the prognostic information of CMR imaging into a simple risk score that showed incremental prognostic value over clinical risk factors in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT00712101 and NCT02158468.

Relationship between thrombus age in aspirated coronary material and mid-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Recent studies have shown that coronary thrombus histopathology is associated with impaired myocardial reperfusion and poor clinical outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We sought to investigate the age of thrombi aspirated during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with AMI and evaluate the relationship between histopathologic findings and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) defined as all-cause death, stroke, or myocardial infarction within 6 months of PCI.

METHODS

In this prospective 2-center observational study, coronary material was obtained during PCI from 305 patients with AMI within 24 h of symptom onset. Thrombi were morphologically classified as either only fresh or older (lytic changes or organization).

RESULTS

MACCE occurred in 38 (12.5%) patients. Only fresh thrombi were observed in 114 (37%) of 305 patients; older thrombi were identified in 191 (63%). The rate of MACCE was significantly higher among patients with older thrombus (p = 0.011). Multivariate analysis also showed the presence of older thrombus [odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.122-9.522] is an independent predictor of MACCE within 6 months of PCI, as well as age (OR 1.051, 95% CI 1.013-1.094) and creatine kinase concentration (OR 1.025, 95% CI 1.013-1.037). The prevalence of slow flow or distal embolization during PCI and peak creatine kinase concentration were significantly higher in the older thrombus group (p < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Older thrombus found in aspirated coronary material is associated with impaired myocardial reperfusion and is an independent predictor of mid-term MACCE in patients with AMI.

Concomitant pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction due to paradoxical embolism across a patent foramen ovale: a case report

Concomitant acute myocardial infarction (MI) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is exceedingly rare. However, establishing the diagnosis early is essential, since delay in treating the patient may lead to a potential fatal outcome. Right ventricular (RV) infarction in the setting of inferior ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI), coupled with acute massive PE confers particular risk due acute RV failure and low cardiac output, threatening survival. We report a rare case of concomitant PE and inferior STEMI in a 43-year-old woman with a history of acute chest pain. She was haemodynamically compromised, with Type I respiratory failure but lack of signs of heart failure. Early recognition of dual pathologies prompted administration of thrombolytic therapy and simultaneous right coronary artery thrombectomy to treat PE and STEMI. Prompt clinical diagnosis and delivery of targeted therapies adapted for the specific clinical presentation may have averted fatal outcome.

Combined thrombectomy and intracoronary administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors improves myocardial reperfusion in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Suboptimal myocardial reperfusion is common in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Furthermore, it results in increased infarct size and mortality rates. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of aspiration thrombectomy (AT) combined with intracoronary administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) in the improvement of myocardial reperfusion and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating combined AT and intracoronary GPI treatment versus AT alone. Outcomes of interest were thrombolysis in myocardial infarction myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG), infarct size (IS) assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at short-term (≤ 1 month) and long-term (6-12 months) follow-up, and bleeding complications during the hospital stay.

RESULTS

Eight trials involving 923 patients were included. Compared with AT alone, combined AT and intracoronary GPI significantly increased TMPG 3 flow (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.26), reduced IS [mean difference (MD): -3.46, 95% CI: -5.18 to -1.73], and improved LVEF (MD: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.54 to 2.33). Furthermore, GPI use decreased the risk of MACE at long-term follow-up (RR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.98). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of minor and major bleeding complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that compared with AT alone, combined AT and intracoronary GPI treatment resulted in improved myocardial reperfusion, better cardiac function, and MACE-free survival benefits at the long-term follow-up for patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Long-term outcomes with aspiration thrombectomy for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A meta-analysis of randomized trials

Randomized clinical trials that examined long-term clinical outcomes of routine aspiration thrombectomy prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction have yielded different results. We hypothesized that the routine use of manual thrombus aspiration prior to primary PCI lacks long-term clinical benefits. Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials comparing routine aspiration thrombectomy and conventional PCI. We included only trials that reported clinical outcomes beyond 6 months. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events, re-infarction, cardiovascular mortality, and stent thrombosis (ST). A DerSimonian-Laird model was used to construct the summary estimates risk ratio (RR). We retrieved 18 trials with 20 641 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients, of whom 10 331 patients underwent routine aspiration thrombectomy prior to primary PCI. At a mean follow-up of 12 months, there was no significant decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality (RR: 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82-1.05, P = 0.22), major adverse cardiac events (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.87-1.03, P = 0.18), re-infarction (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.80-1.13, P = 0.59), cardiovascular mortality (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.47-1.36, P = 0.40), or ST (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.63-1.01, P = 0.06) with routine aspiration thrombectomy. Routine aspiration thrombectomy prior to primary PCI was not associated with a reduction in long-term mortality or clinical outcomes. Future randomized trials are warranted to further evaluate the role of aspiration thrombectomy in select patients and coronary lesions.