Impact of time to treatment on myocardial reperfusion and infarct size with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction (from the EMERALD Trial)

Current and Future Roles of Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa Inhibitors in Primary Angioplasty for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction still represents the major cause of mortality in high-income countries. Therefore, considerable efforts have been focused on the treatment of myocardial infarctions in the acute and long-term phase, with special attention being paid to reperfusion strategies and adjunctive antithrombotic therapies. In fact, despite the successful mechanical recanalization of the epicardial conduit, a substantial percentage of patients still experience poor myocardial reperfusion or acute/subacute in-stent thrombosis. Due the delayed onset of action of currently available oral antiplatelet therapies, glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa inhibitors could be expected to improve clinical outcomes, especially when administrated in the early phase of the infarction, due to the larger platelet composition of fresh thrombi, the dynamic nature of early thrombi, and the larger amount of viable myocardium existing in the early, as compared to a delayed, phase. Considerable evidence has accumulated regarding the benefits from GP IIb-IIIa inhibitors on mortality, especially among high-risk patients and when administered as an upstream strategy. Therefore, based on currently available data, GP IIb-IIIa inhibitors can be considered when the drug can be administered within the first 3 h of symptom onset and among high-risk patients (e.g., those with advanced Killip class or an anterior myocardial infarction). Even though it is not universally accepted, in our opinion, this strategy should be implemented in a pre-hospital setting (in an ambulance) or as soon as possible when arriving at the hospital (at the Emergency Room or Coronary Care Unit, irrespective of whether they are in spoke or hub hospitals). A new, second-generation GP IIb-IIIa inhibitor (zalunfiban) appears to be highly suitable as a pre-hospital pharmacological facilitation strategy at the time of first medical contact due to its favourable features, including its simple subcutaneous administration, rapid onset of action (15 min), and limited time of action (with a half-life of ~1 h), which is likely to minimize the risk of bleeding. The ongoing CELEBRATE trial, including 2499 STEMI patients, may potentially provide compelling data to support the upstream treatment of STEMI patients undergoing mechanical reperfusion. In fact, although the current therapeutic target of increased rates of timely reperfusion has been achieved, the future goal in myocardial infarction treatment should be to achieve the most rapid reperfusion prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention, thus further minimizing myocardial damage, or, in some cases, even preventing it completely, and improving survival.

Impact of symptom-to-reperfusion-time on transmural infarct extent and left ventricular strain in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a 3D view on the wavefront phenomenon

AIMS

We examined the association between the symptom-to-reperfusion-time and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived global strain parameters and transmural infarct extent in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study included 108 STEMI patients who underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Patients were categorized according to the median symptom-to-reperfusion-time: shorter (<160 min, n = 54) and longer times (>160 min, n = 54). CMR was performed 2-7 days after PPCI and at 1 month. CMR cine imaging was performed for functional assessment and late gadolinium enhancement to evaluate transmural infarct extent. Myocardial feature-tracking was used for strain analysis. Groups were comparable in relation to incidence of LAD disease and pre- and post-PPCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades. The mean transmural extent score at follow-up was lower in patients with shorter reperfusion time (P < 0.01). Both baseline and follow-up maximum transmural extent scores were smaller in patients with shorter reperfusion time (P = 0.03 for both). Patients with shorter reperfusion time had more favourable global left ventricular (LV) circumferential strain (baseline, P = 0.049; follow-up, P = 0.01) and radial strain (baseline, P = 0.047; follow-up, P < 0.01), whilst LV longitudinal strain appeared comparable for both baseline and follow-up (P > 0.05 for both). In multi-variable regression analysis including all three strain directions, baseline LV circumferential strain was independently associated with the mean transmural extent score at follow-up (β=1.89, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In STEMI patients, time-to-reperfusion was significantly associated with smaller transmural extent of infarction and better LV circumferential and radial strain. Moreover, infarct transmurality and residual LV circumferential strain are closely linked.

No-reflow after stroke reperfusion therapy: An emerging phenomenon to be explored

In the field of stroke thrombectomy, ineffective clinical and angiographic reperfusion after successful recanalization has drawn attention. Partial or complete microcirculatory reperfusion failure after the achievement of full patency of a former obstructed large vessel, known as the "no-reflow phenomenon" or "microvascular obstruction," was first reported in the 1960s and was later detected in both experimental models and patients with stroke. The no-reflow phenomenon (NRP) was reported to result from intraluminal occlusions formed by blood components and extraluminal constriction exerted by the surrounding structures of the vessel wall. More recently, an emerging number of clinical studies have estimated the prevalence of the NRP in stroke patients following reperfusion therapy, ranging from 3.3% to 63% depending on its evaluation methods or study population. Studies also demonstrated its detrimental effects on infarction progress and neurological outcomes. In this review, we discuss the research advances, underlying pathogenesis, diagnostic techniques, and management approaches concerning the no-reflow phenomenon in the stroke population to provide a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon and offer references for future investigations.

Reperfusion Delays and Outcomes Among Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction With and Without Cardiogenic Shock

BACKGROUND

Mortality remains high in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS), and early reperfusion has been shown to improve outcomes. We analyzed the association between first medical contact (FMC)-to-percutaneous coronary angiography time with mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events among patients with STEMI with and without CS.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority STEMI registry, including all patients with STEMI who received primary percutaneous coronary angiography between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2020, and stratified them by presence or absence of CS at hospital arrival. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, the secondary outcome was in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events, defined as a composite of the first occurrence of mortality, cardiac arrest, heart failure, intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebrovascular accident, or reinfarction. Mixed effects logistic regression with restricted cubic splines was used to estimate the relationships between FMC-to-device time and the outcomes in the CS and non-CS groups.

RESULTS

2929 patients were included, 9.4% (n=275) had CS. Median FMC-to-device time was 113.5 (interquartile range, 93.0-145.0) and 103.0 (interquartile range, 85.0-130.0) minutes for patients with CS and without CS, respectively. More patients with CS had FMC-to-device times above guideline recommendations (76.6% versus 54.1%, P<0.001). Between 60 and 90 minutes, for each 10-minute increase in FMC-to-device time, absolute mortality for patients with CS increased by 4% to 7%, whereas for patients without CS, it increased by <0.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary angiography, reperfusion delays among patients with CS are associated with significantly worse outcomes. Strategies to reduce FMC-to-device times for patients with STEMI presenting with CS are required.

Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Is a Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death in the Early Period After Hospital Discharge in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) after discharge in Japanese acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study population included 1,429 AMI patients (199 with LVEF ≤35% and 1,230 with LVEF >35%) admitted to the Hirosaki University Hospital, treated with primary PCI within 12 h after onset, and survived to discharge. LVEF was evaluated in all patients before discharge, and the patients were followed up for a mean of 2.6±0.8 years. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed LVEF ≤35% was associated with all-cause death and SCD. The incidence of SCD was 2.6% at 1 year and 3.1% at 3 years in patients with LVEF ≤35%, whereas it was 0.1% at 1 year and 0.3% at 3 years in patients with LVEF >35%. Sixty-seven percent of SCDs in patients with LVEF ≤35% occurred within 4 months after discharge, and the events became less frequent after this period. A Cox proportional hazard model indicated LVEF ≤35% as an independent predictor for all-cause death and SCD.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of SCD was relatively low in Japanese AMI patients treated with primary PCI, even in patients with LVEF ≤35% upon discharge. Careful management of patients with reduced LVEF is required to prevent SCD, especially in the early phase after discharge.

Acute Coronary Syndrome in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reduced Cases and Increased Ischaemic Time

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented stress on health care systems, and has affected acute coronary syndrome treatment at every step. This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on patient presentations with acute coronary syndromes during the first and second pandemic wave in Melbourne, Victoria.

METHOD

A retrospective cohort study of adults presenting with cute coronary syndrome during the first pandemic wave from 1 March 2020 to 31 April 2020 and the second pandemic wave from 1 July 2020 to 31 August 2020 was compared to a control period from 1 March to 31 April 2019 at a single sub-tertiary referral centre in Melbourne, Victoria servicing a catchment area with a relatively high incidence of COVID-19 cases.

RESULTS

Three-hundred-and-thirty-five (335) patients were hospitalised with acute coronary syndromes across all three time periods. The total number of patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome was reduced during the pandemic, with a higher proportion of ST elevation myocardial infarctions. Ischaemic times increased with time from symptom onset to first medical contact rising from 191 minutes in the control period to 292 minutes in the first wave (p=0.06) and 271 minutes in the second wave (p=0.06). Coronary angiography with subsequent revascularisation significantly increased from 55% in the control period undergoing revascularisation to 69% in the first wave (p<0.001) and 74% in the second wave (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

A concerning reduction in acute coronary presentations occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, associated with longer ischaemic times and a higher proportion requiring revascularisation. It is crucial that public awareness campaigns are instituted to address the contributing patient factors in future waves.

An "occlusive thrombosis-on-a-chip" microfluidic device for investigating the effect of anti-thrombotic drugs

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the world's leading causes of death. Myocardial infarction (heart attack) is triggered by occlusion of coronary arteries by platelet-rich thrombi (clots). The development of new anti-platelet drugs to prevent myocardial infarction continues to be an active area of research and is dependent on accurately modelling the process of clot formation. Occlusive thrombi can be generated in vivo in a range of species, but these models are limited by variability and lack of relevance to human disease. Although in vitro models using human blood can overcome species-specific differences and improve translatability, many models do not generate occlusive thrombi. In those models that do achieve occlusion, time to occlusion is difficult to measure in an unbiased and objective manner. In this study we developed a simple and robust approach to determine occlusion time of a novel in vitro microfluidic assay. This highlighted the potential for occlusion to occur in thrombosis microfluidic devices through off-site coagulation, obscuring the effect of anti-platelet drugs. We therefore designed a novel occlusive thrombosis-on-a-chip microfluidic device that reliably generates occlusive thrombi at arterial shear rates by quenching downstream coagulation. We further validated our device and methods by using the approved anti-platelet drug, eptifibatide, recording a significant difference in the "time to occlude" in treated devices compared to control conditions. These results demonstrate that this device can be used to monitor the effect of antithrombotic drugs on time to occlude, and, for the first time, delivers this essential data in an unbiased and objective manner.

Impact in total ischemic time and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction admissions during COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, cardiovascular disease is still the main cause of death in developed countries. Of these deaths, acute coronary syndromes (ACS) account for a substantial percentage of deaths. Improvement in ACS outcomes, are achieved by reducing the time from symptom onset until reperfusion or total ischemic time (TIT). Nevertheless, due to the overwhelming reality at the beginning of the pandemic, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) care may have been compromised.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated delays in TIT based on the date and timing of admissions in patients with STEMI, by a timeline follow-up form, before and during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Between July 2018 and June 2020, two hundred and twelve patients diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were admitted to our medical center. Upon presentation, cases were assigned a timeline report sheet and each time interval, from onset of symptoms to the catheterization lab, was documented. The information was later evaluated to study potential excessive delays throughout ACS management.

RESULTS

Our data evidenced that during the COVID-19 pandemic ACS admissions were reduced by 34.54%, in addition to several in-hospital delays in patient's ACS management including delays in door-to-ECG time (9.43 ± 18.21 vs. 18.41 ± 28.34, p = 0.029), ECG-to-balloon (58.25 ± 22.59 vs. 74.39 ± 50.30, p = 0.004) and door-to-balloon time (57.41 ± 27.52 vs. 69.31 ± 54.14, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

During the pandemic a reduction in ACS admissions occurred in our hospital that accompanied with longer in-hospital TIT due to additional tests, triage, protocols to protect and prevent infection within hospital staff, and maintenance of adequate standards of care. However, door-to-balloon time was maintained under 90 min.

Management of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) in Different Settings

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a life-threatening condition that requires emergent, complex, well-coordinated treatment. Although the primary goal of treatment is simple to describe-reperfusion as quickly as possible-the management process is complicated and is affected by multiple factors including location, patient, and practitioner characteristics. Hence, this narrative review will discuss the recommended management and treatment strategies of STEMI in the circumstances.

Electrocardiographic criteria for anterior STEMI - Does the cut-off point affect treatment delay?

BACKGROUND

Diagnostic criteria for anterior STEMI differ between the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Resuscitation Council (ERC). A greater degree of ST-segment elevation is required to meet ERC criteria compared to ESC criteria. This may potentially lead to discrepancies in management between emergency teams and cardiologists, subsequent delay in reperfusion therapy and worse prognosis.

METHODS

We performed an observational study in patients with anterior STEMI routinely treated with primary PCI and assessed whether differing electrocardiographic diagnostic criteria could impact treatment and short-term prognosis. All patients in the study had anterior STEMI confirmed by electrocardiographic ESC criteria and subsequent coronary angiography. Patients were divided into two groups. Those who did not meet ERC criteria in the index ECG were assigned to the "non-ERC" group and were compared with those who met them - the "ERC" group.

RESULTS

Out of 60 patients with anterior STEMI based on ESC criteria (mean age 66.9 ± 13.6 years, 70% males), 26 patients (44%) did not meet ERC criteria ("non-ERC" group) for STEMI. There were no significant differences in age, gender distribution or clinical characteristics between "ERC" and "non-ERC" patients. Total-Ischemic-Time, Patient-Delay, and System-Delay times were significantly longer in "non-ERC" group (433.1 ± 389.9 min vs. 264.2 ± 229.6 min, p = 0.03; 290.8 ± 337.6 min vs. 129.5 ± 144.9 min; p < 0.05 and 158.8 ± 158 vs 134.6 ± 191 min, p < 0.02 respectively). There were no differences in In-Hospital-Delay, procedure duration, and success rate of PCI. Proximal LAD occlusion (64.7%) and TIMI = 0 flow (73.5%) tended to be more frequently observed in "ERC" than in the "non-ERC" group (53.8% and 65.4%, respectively). Hospitalization time and LVEF (44.4 ± 8.7 vs 42.8 ± 9.5%, p = 0.53) were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in electrocardiographic criteria for anterior STEMI leave a significant proportion of patients undiagnosed. Patients with STEMI who failed to meet less strict ERC criteria had more distal LAD disease with better TIMI flow but received reperfusion therapy later. Thus, character of the disease may compensate for treatment delay but this needs to be further evaluated. Finally, lowering the cut-off point with stricter criteria compromises specificity and is expected to increase the false positive rate, however there were no false positives in this study as all patients were angiographically confirmed to have acute coronary obstruction.

Every minute counts: in-hospital changes of left ventricular regional and global function in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

AIMS

The aim of our study was to assess the effects of an early percutaneous coronary intervention on changes of in-hospital left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion score index (WMSI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 324 consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, divided into two groups, according to the first medical contact (FMC)-to-reperfusion time, respectively, 90 min or less (n = 173) and more than 90 min (n = 151). Moreover, we performed a sub-analysis in the group of patients who showed at discharge an improvement in the LVEF of at least 10%.

RESULTS

In both groups at baseline, patients suffered from a moderately reduced LVEF (40.88 ± 8.38% in ≤90 min group vs. 40.70 ± 8.98% in >90 min group; P = 0.858). A WMSI of more than 1 was recorded uniformly: 1.71 ± 0.37 in patients with FMC-to-reperfusion 90 min or less and 1.72 ± 0.38 in patients more than 90 min (P = 0.810). At the time of discharge, a significant improvement in LVEF (43.82 ± 8.38%, P = 0.001) and WMSI (1.60 ± 0.41, P = 0.009) exclusively emerged in the 90 min or less group. Furthermore, we identified 105 patients who experienced an improvement in the LVEF of at least 10% compared with baseline values. In these patients FMC-to-reperfusion and total ischemic time resulted as significantly shorter, when compared with patients with LVEF improvement of less than 10%.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms and reinforces the concept that reducing the duration of the time between FMC and reperfusion, as well as the total ischemic time influences a positive recovery of left ventricular global and regional function during in-hospital stay.

Prognostic impacts of β-blockers in acute coronary syndrome patients without heart failure treated by percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

The use of β-blockers for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients without heart failure (HF) is controversial, and lacks of evidence in the era of reperfusion and intensive secondary preventions. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impacts of β-blockers on patients with ACS but no HF treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 2397 consecutive patients with ACS but no HF treated by PCI were retrospectively recruited from January 2010 to June 2017. Univariable Cox regression was used to assess the prognostic impacts of β-blockers, followed by adjusted analysis, one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM), and inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis, in order to control for systemic between-group differences. The primary outcome was all-cause death.

RESULTS

Among the included patients, 2060 (85.9%) were prescribed with β-blockers at discharge. The median follow-up time was 727 (433-2016) days, with 55 (2.3%) cases of all-cause death. Unadjusted analysis showed that the use of β-blockers was associated with lower risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23-0.76, P = 0.004), which was sustained in adjusted analysis (HR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29-0.98, P = 0.044), PSM analysis (HR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.20-0.96, P = 0.039) and IPTW analysis (HR: 0.49. 95% CI: 0.35-0.70, P < 0.001). Risk reduction was also seen in β-blocker users for cardiac death, but not for major adverse cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of β-blockers was associated with reduced long-term mortality for ACS-PCI patients without HF.

Sharing primary percutaneous coronary intervention care: first experiences with South Limburg ST-elevation myocardial infarction network

Background

In the region of South Limburg, the Netherlands, a shared ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networking system (SLIM network) was implemented. During out-of-office hours, two percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centres—Maastricht University Medical Centre and Zuyderland Medical Centre—are supported by the same interventional cardiologist. The aim of this study was to analyse performance indicators within this network and to compare them with contemporary European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Methods

Key time indicators for an all-comer STEMI population were registered by the emergency medical service and the PCI centres. The time measurements showed a non-Gaussian distribution; they are presented as median with 25th and 75th percentiles.

Results

Between 1 February 2018 and 31 March 2019, a total of 570 STEMI patients were admitted to the participating centres. The total system delay (from emergency call to needle time) was 65 min (53–77), with a prehospital system delay of 40 min (34–47) and a door-to-needle time of 22 min (15–34). Compared with in-office hours, out-of-office hours significantly lengthened system delays (55 (47–66) vs 70 min (62–81), p < 0.001), emergency medical service transport times (29 (24–34) vs 35 min (29–40), p < 0.001) and door-to-needle times (17 (14–26) vs 26 min (18–37), p < 0.001).

Conclusions

With its effective patient pathway management, the SLIM network was able to meet the quality criteria set by contemporary European revascularisation guidelines.

[Impact of COVID-19 on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care. The Spanish experience]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 outbreak has had an unclear impact on the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to assess changes in STEMI management during the COVID-19 outbreak.

METHODS

Using a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective, observational registry of consecutive patients who were managed in 75 specific STEMI care centers in Spain, we compared patient and procedural characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in 2 different cohorts with 30-day follow-up according to whether the patients had been treated before or after COVID-19.

RESULTS

Suspected STEMI patients treated in STEMI networks decreased by 27.6% and patients with confirmed STEMI fell from 1305 to 1009 (22.7%). There were no differences in reperfusion strategy (> 94% treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in both cohorts). Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak had a longer ischemic time (233 [150-375] vs 200 [140-332] minutes, P < .001) but showed no differences in the time from first medical contact to reperfusion. In-hospital mortality was higher during COVID-19 (7.5% vs 5.1%; unadjusted OR, 1.50; 95%CI, 1.07-2.11; P < .001); this association remained after adjustment for confounders (risk-adjusted OR, 1.88; 95%CI, 1.12-3.14; P = .017). In the 2020 cohort, there was a 6.3% incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of STEMI patients treated during the current COVID-19 outbreak fell vs the previous year and there was an increase in the median time from symptom onset to reperfusion and a significant 2-fold increase in the rate of in-hospital mortality. No changes in reperfusion strategy were detected, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention performed for the vast majority of patients. The co-existence of STEMI and SARS-CoV-2 infection was relatively infrequent.

Impact of COVID-19 on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care. The Spanish experience

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 outbreak has had an unclear impact on the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to assess changes in STEMI management during the COVID-19 outbreak.

METHODS

Using a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective, observational registry of consecutive patients who were managed in 75 specific STEMI care centers in Spain, we compared patient and procedural characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in 2 different cohorts with 30-day follow-up according to whether the patients had been treated before or after COVID-19.

RESULTS

Suspected STEMI patients treated in STEMI networks decreased by 27.6% and patients with confirmed STEMI fell from 1305 to 1009 (22.7%). There were no differences in reperfusion strategy (> 94% treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in both cohorts). Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak had a longer ischemic time (233 [150-375] vs 200 [140-332] minutes, P<.001) but showed no differences in the time from first medical contact to reperfusion. In-hospital mortality was higher during COVID-19 (7.5% vs 5.1%; unadjusted OR, 1.50; 95%CI, 1.07-2.11; P <.001); this association remained after adjustment for confounders (risk-adjusted OR, 1.88; 95%CI, 1.12-3.14; P=.017). In the 2020 cohort, there was a 6.3% incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of STEMI patients treated during the current COVID-19 outbreak fell vs the previous year and there was an increase in the median time from symptom onset to reperfusion and a significant 2-fold increase in the rate of in-hospital mortality. No changes in reperfusion strategy were detected, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention performed for the vast majority of patients. The co-existence of STEMI and SARS-CoV-2 infection was relatively infrequent.

Fibrinolytic Strategy for ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in additional challenges for systems designed to perform expeditious primary percutaneous coronary intervention for patients presenting with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. There are 2 important considerations: the guideline-recommended time goals were difficult to achieve for many patients in high-income countries even before the pandemic, and there is a steep increase in mortality when primary percutaneous coronary intervention cannot be delivered in a timely fashion. Although the use of fibrinolytic therapy has progressively decreased over the last several decades in high-income countries, in circumstances when delays in timely delivery of primary percutaneous coronary intervention are expected, a modern fibrinolytic-based pharmacoinvasive strategy may need to be considered. The purpose of this review is to systematically discuss the contemporary role of an evidence-based fibrinolytic reperfusion strategy as part of a pharmacoinvasive approach, in the context of the emerging coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Long-term effects of a standardized feedback-driven quality improvement program for timely reperfusion therapy in regional STEMI care networks

AIMS

Current European Society of Cardiology guidelines state that repetitive monitoring and feedback should be implemented for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treatment, but no evidence is available supporting this recommendation. We aimed to analyze the long-term effects of a formalized data assessment and systematic feedback on performance and mortality within the prospective, multicenter Feedback Intervention and Treatment Times in STEMI (FITT-STEMI) study.

METHODS

Regular interactive feedback sessions with local STEMI management teams were performed at six participating German percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers over a 10-year period starting from October 2007.

RESULTS

From the first to the 10th year of study participation, all predefined key-quality indicators for performance measurement used for feedback improved significantly in all 4926 consecutive PCI-treated patients - namely, the percentages of patients with pre-hospital electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings (83.3% vs 97.1%, p < 0.0001) and ECG recordings within 10 minutes after first medical contact (41.7% vs 63.8%, p < 0.0001), pre-announcement by telephone (77.0% vs 85.4%, p = 0.0007), direct transfer to the catheterization laboratory bypassing the emergency department (29.4% vs 64.2%, p < 0.0001), and contact-to-balloon times of less than 90 minutes (37.2% vs 53.7%, p < 0.0001). Moreover, this feedback-related continuous improvement of key-quality indicators was linked to a significant reduction in in-hospital mortality from 10.8% to 6.8% (p = 0.0244). Logistic regression models confirmed an independent beneficial effect of duration of study participation on hospital mortality (odds ratio = 0.986, 95% confidence interval = 0.976-0.996, p = 0.0087). In contrast, data from a nationwide PCI registry showed a continuous increase in in-hospital mortality in all PCI-treated STEMI patients in Germany from 2008 to 2015 (n = 398,027; 6.7% to 9.2%, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that systematic data assessment and regular feedback is a feasible long-term strategy and may be linked to improved performance and a reduction in mortality in STEMI management.

Efficacy of a Novel Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide in a Porcine Model of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

•

A mitochondrial-derived peptide therapy, HNG, was safe and was delivered as adjunctive therapy with standard-of-care reperfusion in a translational large animal model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

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HNG reduced infarct size per area-at-risk by 41% with an ischemic time of 60 min followed by 48 h of reperfusion.

•

The infarct-sparing effects of HNG were abolished when the ischemic time was increased to 75 min followed by 48 h of reperfusion.

•

The use of rigorous translational large animal models that account for clinically relevant variables is a prerequisite to better predict the clinical efficacy and outcomes of novel therapeutic strategies.

With the complexities that surround myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury, therapies adjunctive to reperfusion that elicit beneficial pleiotropic effects and do not overlap with standard of care are necessary. This study found that the mitochondrial-derived peptide S14G-humanin (HNG) (2 mg/kg), an analogue of humanin, reduced infarct size in a large animal model of MI/R. However, when ischemic time was increased, the infarct-sparing effects were abolished with the same dose of HNG. Thus, although the 60-min MI/R study showed that HNG cardioprotection translates beyond small animal models, further studies are needed to optimize HNG therapy for longer, more patient-relevant periods of cardiac ischemia.

Spatial distribution of in- and out-of-hospital mortality one year after acute myocardial infarction in France

OBJECTIVE

To describe the spatial distribution of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality in France in association with the socio-economic characteristics of the patient's place of residence.

METHODS

In this population-based study, we included patients hospitalized for AMI identified according to ICD-10 codes, using data from the national health insurance database from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014. In- and out-of-hospital deaths were identified over a period of 1 year following the first hospital stay for AMI.An exploratory analysis was performed to classify area profiles. The spatial analysis of AMI mortality was performed using a principal component analysis followed by an ascending hierarchical classification taking into account socio-economic data, access-time by road to coronary angiography, standardized in-hospital prevalence, and 1 year mortality.

RESULTS

Over the 2 years, 115,418 patients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of AMI. Patients were a mean of 68 ​± ​15 years and most were men (68.5%). The overall mortality rate was 12.2% after 1 year. More than half of patients (65.5%) underwent an early revascularization procedure. The map of standardized 1 year mortality showed a geographic area of high mortality extending diagonally from north-east to south-west France. We identified 6 different area profiles with standardized mortality varying from 15.9 to 54.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. The spatial distribution of higher mortality was associated with lower socioeconomic levels. These findings were not associated with a lower access to coronary angiography.

CONCLUSION

There are considerable geographical differences in the prevalence of AMI and 1 year mortality. The spatial distribution of lower healthcare indicators follows the distribution of social inequalities. This study highlights the importance of focusing national policies on universally accessible prevention programs such as the promotion cardiac rehabilitation and healthy lifestyles.

Sex-Specific Treatment Effects After Primary Percutaneous Intervention: A Study on Coronary Blood Flow and Delay to Hospital Presentation

Background We hypothesized that female sex is a treatment effect modifier of blood flow and related 30-day mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI ) for ST -segment-elevation myocardial infarction and that the magnitude of the effect on outcomes differs depending on delay to hospital presentation. Methods and Results We identified 2596 patients enrolled in the ISACS - TC (International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Transitional Countries) registry from 2010 to 2016. Primary outcome was the occurrence of 30-day mortality. Key secondary outcome was the rate of suboptimal post- PCI Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction ( TIMI ; flow grade 0-2). Multivariate logistic regression and inverse probability of treatment weighted models were adjusted for baseline clinical covariates. We characterized patient outcomes associated with a delay from symptom onset to hospital presentation of ≤120 minutes. In multivariable regression models, female sex was associated with postprocedural TIMI flow grade 0 to 2 (odds ratio [ OR ], 1.68; 95% CI , 1.15-2.44) and higher mortality ( OR, 1.72; 95% CI , 1.02-2.90). Using inverse probability of treatment weighting, 30-day mortality was higher in women compared with men (4.8% versus 2.5%; OR , 2.00; 95% CI , 1.27-3.15). Likewise, we found a significant sex difference in post- PCI TIMI flow grade 0 to 2 (8.8% versus 5.0%; OR , 1.83; 95% CI , 1.31-2.56). The sex gap in mortality was no longer significant for patients having hospital presentation of ≤120 minutes ( OR , 1.28; 95% CI , 0.35-4.69). Sex difference in post- PCI TIMI flow grade was consistent regardless of time to hospital presentation. Conclusions Delay to hospital presentation and suboptimal post- PCI TIMI flow grade are variables independently associated with excess mortality in women, suggesting complementary mechanisms of reduced survival. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 01218776.

Impact of treatment delay on mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients presenting with and without haemodynamic instability: results from the German prospective, multicentre FITT-STEMI trial

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of contact-to-balloon time on mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with and without haemodynamic instability.

Methods and results

Using data from the prospective, multicentre Feedback Intervention and Treatment Times in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (FITT-STEMI) trial, we assessed the prognostic relevance of first medical contact-to-balloon time in n = 12 675 STEMI patients who used emergency medical service transportation and were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients were stratified by cardiogenic shock (CS) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). For patients treated within 60 to 180 min from the first medical contact, we found a nearly linear relationship between contact-to-balloon times and mortality in all four STEMI groups. In CS patients with no OHCA, every 10-min treatment delay resulted in 3.31 additional deaths in 100 PCI-treated patients. This treatment delay-related increase in mortality was significantly higher as compared to the two groups of OHCA patients with shock (2.09) and without shock (1.34), as well as to haemodynamically stable patients (0.34, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In patients with CS, the time elapsing from the first medical contact to primary PCI is a strong predictor of an adverse outcome. This patient group benefitted most from immediate PCI treatment, hence special efforts to shorten contact-to-balloon time should be applied in particular to these high-risk STEMI patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT00794001.

Influence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Comorbidities, Medication Use and Procedural Variables on Remote Ischemic Conditioning Efficacy in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) confers cardioprotection in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Despite intense research, the translation of RIC into clinical practice remains a challenge. This may, at least partly, be due to confounding factors that may modify the efficacy of RIC. The present review focuses on cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, medication use and procedural variables which may modify the efficacy of RIC in patients with STEMI. Findings of such efficacy modifiers are based on subgroup and post-hoc analyses and thus hold risk of type I and II errors. Although findings from studies evaluating influencing factors are often ambiguous, some but not all studies suggest that smoking, non-statin use, infarct location, area-at-risk of infarction, pre-procedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow, ischemia duration and coronary collateral blood flow to the infarct-related artery may influence on the cardioprotective efficacy of RIC. Results from the on-going CONDI2/ERIC-PPCI trial will determine any clinical implications of RIC in the treatment of patients with STEMI and predefined subgroup analyses will give further insight into influencing factors on the efficacy of RIC.

Coronary intervention door-to-balloon time and outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the relationship between door-to-balloon delay in primary percutaneous coronary intervention and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) outcomes and examine for potential effect modifiers.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies that have investigated the relationship of door-to-balloon delay and clinical outcomes. The main outcomes include mortality and heart failure.

RESULTS

32 studies involving 299 320 patients contained adequate data for quantitative reporting. Patients with ST-elevation MI who experienced longer (>90 min) door-to-balloon delay had a higher risk of short-term mortality (pooled OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.65) and medium-term to long-term mortality (pooled OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.06). A non-linear time-risk relation was observed (P=0.004 for non-linearity). The association between longer door-to-balloon delay and short-term mortality differed between those presented early and late after symptom onset (Cochran's Q 3.88, P value 0.049) with a stronger relationship among those with shorter prehospital delays.

CONCLUSION

Longer door-to-balloon delay in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation MI is related to higher risk of adverse outcomes. Prehospital delays modified this effect. The non-linearity of the time-risk relation might explain the lack of population effect despite an improved door-to-balloon time in the USA.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42015026069).

Duration of ischemia and treatment effects of pre- versus in-hospital ticagrelor in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Insights from the ATLANTIC study

BACKGROUND

Among patients with STEMI in the ATLANTIC study, pre-hospital administration of ticagrelor improved post-PCI ST-segment resolution and 30-day stent thrombosis. We investigated whether this clinical benefit with pre-hospital ticagrelor differs by ischemic duration.

METHODS

In a post hoc analysis we compared absence of ST-segment resolution post-PCI and stent thrombosis at 30 days between randomized treatment groups (pre- versus in-hospital ticagrelor) stratified by symptom onset to first medical contact (FMC) duration [≤1 hour (n = 773), >1 to ≤3 hours (n = 772), and >3 hours (n = 311)], examining the interaction between randomized treatment strategy and duration of symptom onset to FMC for each outcome.

RESULTS

Patients presenting later after symptom onset were older, more likely to be female, and have higher baseline risk. Patients with symptom onset to FMC >3 hours had the greatest improvement in post-PCI ST-segment elevation resolution with pre- versus in-hospital ticagrelor (absolute risk difference: ≤1 hour, 2.9% vs. >1 to ≤3 hours, 3.6% vs. >3 hours, 12.2%; adjusted p for interaction = 0.13), while patients with shorter duration of ischemia had greater improvement in stent thrombosis at 30 days with pre- versus in-hospital ticagrelor (absolute risk difference: ≤1 hour, 1.3% vs. >1 hour to ≤3 hours, 0.7% vs. >3 hours, 0.4%; adjusted p for interaction = 0.55). Symptom onset to active ticagrelor administration was independently associated with stent thrombosis at 30 days (adjusted OR 1.89 per 100 minute delay, 95%CI 1.20-2.97, P < .01), but not post-PCI ST-segment resolution (P = .41).

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of pre-hospital ticagrelor to reduce stent thrombosis was most evident when given early within 3 hours after symptom onset, with delay in ticagrelor administration after symptom onset associated with higher rate of stent thrombosis. These findings re-emphasize the need for early ticagrelor administration in primary PCI treated STEMI patients.

Staff Recall Travel Time for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Impacted by Traffic Congestion and Distance: A Digitally Integrated Map Software Study

Background

Recent evidence suggests hospitals fail to meet guideline specified time to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for a proportion of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presentations. Implicit in achieving this time is the rapid assembly of crucial catheter laboratory staff. As a proof-of-concept, we set out to create regional maps that graphically show the impact of traffic congestion and distance to destination on staff recall travel times for STEMI, thereby producing a resource that could be used by staff to improve reperfusion time for STEMI.

Methods

Travel times for staff recalled to one inner and one outer metropolitan hospital at midnight, 6 p.m., and 7 a.m. were estimated using Google Maps Application Programming Interface. Computer modeling predictions were overlaid on metropolitan maps showing color coded staff recall travel times for STEMI, occurring within non-peak and peak hour traffic congestion times.

Results

Inner metropolitan hospital staff recall travel times were more affected by traffic congestion compared with outer metropolitan times, and the latter was more affected by distance. The estimated mean travel times to hospital during peak hour were greater than midnight travel times by 13.4 min to the inner and 6.0 min to the outer metropolitan hospital at 6 p.m. (p < 0.001). At 7 a.m., the mean difference was 9.5 min to the inner and 3.6 min to the outer metropolitan hospital (p < 0.001). Only 45% of inner metropolitan staff were predicted to arrive within 30 min at 6 p.m. compared with 100% at midnight (p < 0.001), and 56% of outer metropolitan staff at 6 p.m. (p = 0.021).

Conclusion

Our results show that integration of map software with traffic congestion data, distance to destination and travel time can predict optimal residence of staff when on-call for PCI.

A novel fibroblast growth factor-1 ligand with reduced heparin binding protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the presence of heparin co-administration

AIMS

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), a heparin/heparan sulfate-binding growth factor, is a potent cardioprotective agent against myocardial infarction (MI). The impact of heparin, the standard of care for MI patients entering the emergency room, on cardioprotective effects of FGF1 is unknown, however.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To address this, a rat model of MI was employed to compare cardioprotective potentials (lower infarct size and improve post-ischemic function) of native FGF1 and an engineered FGF1 (FGF1ΔHBS) with reduced heparin-binding affinity when given at the onset of reperfusion in the absence or presence of heparin. FGF1 and FGF1ΔHBS did not alter heparin's anticoagulant properties. Treatment with heparin alone or native FGF1 significantly reduced infarct size compared to saline (P < 0.05). Surprisingly, treatment with FGF1ΔHBS markedly lowered infarct size compared to FGF1 (P < 0.05). Both native and modified FGF1 restored contractile and relaxation function (P < 0.05 versus saline or heparin). Furthermore, FGF1ΔHBS had greater improvement in cardiac function compared to FGF1 (P < 0.05). Heparin negatively impacted the cardioprotective effects (infarct size, post-ischemic recovery of function) of FGF1 (P < 0.05) but not of FGF1ΔHBS. Heparin also reduced the biodistribution of FGF1, but not FGF1ΔHBS, to the left ventricle. FGF1 and FGF1ΔHBS bound and triggered FGFR1-induced downstream activation of ERK1/2 (P < 0.05); yet, heparin co-treatment decreased FGF1-produced ERK1/2 activation, but not that activated by FGF1ΔHBS.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that modification of the heparin-binding region of FGF1 significantly improves the cardioprotective efficacy, even in the presence of heparin, identifying a novel FGF ligand available for therapeutic use in ischemic heart disease.

Occurrence and Impact of Time Delay to Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence, duration and impact of time delays to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

A total of 357 consecutive STEMI patients enrolled in the prospective Special Program University Medicine ACS (SPUM-ACS) cohort were included. In order to identify the causes behind a possible treatment delay, we constructed four different time points which included: 1) symptom onset to hospital arrival, 2) hospital arrival to arrival in the catheterization laboratory, 3) hospital arrival to first balloon inflation, and 4) time from arrival in the catheterization laboratory to first balloon inflation in addition to total ischemic time. Patients were stratified according to a delay > 3 h, > 30 min, > 90 min and > 1 h, respectively and major adverse events at 0, 30 and 365 days were analyzed.

Results

Resuscitated STEMI patients (23 patients) and STEMI patients presenting at weekends (101 patients) and to lesser extent at night hours (100 patients) experienced more time delays than stable patients and those presenting at office hours. Median door-to-balloon time averaged 93 min in resuscitated, but 65 min in stable patients. Median door-to-balloon time at weekends and public holidays was 89 min, but 68 min at office hours. Median time from hospital arrival to cathlab arrival at weekends and public holidays was 30 min, but 15 min during office hours. Corresponding times for resuscitated patients was 45 and 15 min in stable patients. Of note, resuscitated patients were late presenters as regards time from symptoms onset to hospital arrival with a median time of 180 min compared to 155 min in stable patients. Median total ischemic time was 225 min for all patients, 223 min at day hours, 239 at night hours, 244 min at weekends, 233 min at office days, 220 min in stable patients and 273 min in resuscitated patients. Patients with STEMI who arrived > 3 h after symptom onset had a higher rate of myocardial infarction (MI) at 1 year (1.6% vs. 9% in < 3 h; P = 0.008). Furthermore, STEMI patients who had a delay of > 1 h from cathlab arrival to first balloon inflation had a higher rate of in hospital reinfarction at 0 day (0.6% vs. 0% in < 1 h; P = 0.007), MI at 30 days (0.8% vs. 0% in < 1 h; P = 0.001) and MI at 1 year (1.4% vs. 1.1% in < 1 h; P = 0.012). Similarly, in these patients, cardiac deaths at 0 day (0.8% vs. 0.6% in < 1 h; P = 0.035) and at 30 days (0.8% vs. 0.6% in < 1 h; P = 0.035) were higher as were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACCE) at 0 day (1.4% vs. 0.8% in < 1 h; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Resuscitated STEMI patients and those presenting at weekends and to lesser extent at night hours experienced more time delays and longer ischemic time than stable patients and those presenting at office hours. In STEMI patients, any delay in treatment increased their risk of MACCE. Efforts should focus on improving patient’s awareness along with minimizing in-hospital transfer to the catheterization laboratory especially at weekends and in resuscitated patients.

Editor’s Choice- Heparin pre-treatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and the risk of intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion. Insights from the TASTE trial

Background:

Pre-treatment with unfractionated heparin is common in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) protocols, but the effect on intracoronary thrombus burden is unknown. We studied the effect of heparin pre-treatment on intracoronary thrombus burden and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI.

Methods:

The Thrombus Aspiration in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Scandinavia (TASTE) trial angiographically assessed intracoronary thrombus burden and TIMI flow, prior to percutaneous coronary intervention, in patients with STEMI. In this observational sub-study, patients pre-treated with heparin were compared with patients not pre-treated with heparin. Primary end points were a visible intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion prior to percutaneous coronary intervention. Secondary end points were in-hospital bleeding, in-hospital stroke and 30-day all-cause mortality.

Results:

Heparin pre-treatment was administered in 2898 out of 7144 patients (41.0%). Patients pre-treated with heparin less often presented with an intracoronary thrombus (61.3% vs. 66.0%, p<0.001) and total vessel occlusion (62.9% vs. 71.6%, p<0.001). After adjustments, heparin pre-treatment was independently associated with a reduced risk of intracoronary thrombus (odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.65–0.83) and total vessel occlusion (OR 0.64, 95% CI=0.56–0.73), prior to percutaneous coronary intervention. There were no significant differences in secondary end points of in-hospital bleeding (OR 0.84, 95% CI=0.55–1.27), in-hospital stroke (OR 1.17, 95% CI=0.48–2.82) or 30-day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% CI=0.60–1.30).

Conclusions:

Heparin pre-treatment was independently associated with a lower risk of intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion before percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI, without evident safety concerns, in this large multi-centre observational study.

GPIIb-IIIa Receptor Inhibitors in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Presenting With Cardiogenic Shock and/or After Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Data on the use of GPIIb-IIIa receptor inhibitors (GPI) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients presenting with cardiogenic shock and/or after cardiopulmonary resuscitation is sparse. The aim of the study was to establish the possible influence of the adjunctive use of GPI on 30-day and 1-year mortality in these high-risk patients.

METHODS

Acute coronary syndrome patients (261), who presented with cardiogenic shock and/or were cardiopulmonary resuscitated on admission, were analysed. Groups receiving (170 patients) and not receiving (91 patients) GPI were compared regarding 30-day and 1-year mortality.

RESULTS

The unadjusted all-cause 30-day and 1-year mortality were similar in patients receiving GPI and those not receiving GPI [79 patients (46.5%) vs 50 patients (54.9%) at 30 days; ns, 91 patients (53.5%) vs. 55 (61.1%) at 1 year; ns]. After the adjustment for baseline and clinical characteristics, the adjunctive usage of GPI was identified as an independent prognostic factor in lower 30-day mortality (adjusted OR: 0.41; 95%CI: 0.20 to 0.84; p=0.015) and 1-year mortality (HR 0.62; 95%CI 0.39-0.97; p=0.037). Age, left main PCI and major bleeding_, were also identified as independent prognostic factors in worse 30-day and 1-year mortality. In addition, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow 0/1 pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) predicted a worse 1-year outcome. Novel oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists predicted better 30-day and 1-year survival.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that the adjunctive usage of GPI may be beneficial in this high-risk group of patients in whom a delayed onset of action of oral antiplatelet therapy would be expected.

Intracoronary Eptifibatide During Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Early Versus Late Presenters with ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Trial

Introduction

The role of intracoronary (IC) eptifibatide in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and whether time of patient presentation affects this role are unclear. We sought to evaluate the benefit of IC eptifibatide use during primary PCI in early STEMI presenters compared to late STEMI presenters.

Methods

We included 70 patients who presented with STEMI and were eligible for PPCI. On the basis of symptom-to-door time, patients were classified into two arms: early (<3 h, n = 34) vs late (≥3 h, n = 36) presenters. They were then randomized to local IC eptifibatide infusion vs standard care (control group). The primary end point was post-PCI myocardial blush grade (MBG) in the culprit vessel. Other end points included corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC), ST segment resolution (STR) ≥70%, and peak CKMB.

Results

In the early presenters arm, no difference was observed in MBG results ≥2 in the IC eptifibatide and control groups (100% vs 82%; p = 0.23). In the late presenters arm, the eptifibatide subgroup was associated with improved MBG ≥2 (100% vs 50%; p = 0.001). IC eptifibatide in both early and late presenters was associated with less cTFC (early presenters 19 vs. 25.6, p = 0.001; late presenters 20 vs. 31.5, p < 0.001) and less peak CKMB (early presenters 210 vs 260 IU/L, p = 0.006; late presenters 228 vs 318 IU/L, p = 0.005) compared with the control group. No difference existed between both groups in STR index in early and late presenters.

Conclusion

IC eptifibatide might improve the reperfusion markers during PPCI for STEMI patients presenting after 3 h from onset of symptoms. A large randomized study is recommended to ascertain the benefits of IC eptifibatide in late presenters on clinical outcomes.

Prognostic impact of non-compliance with guidelines-recommended times to reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The FAST-MI 2010 registry

AIMS

Current guidelines recommend short time delays from qualifying ECG to reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Recently, however, it has been suggested that shortening door-to-balloon times might not result in lower mortality, thereby questioning the relevance of current guidelines. The aim of this study was to assess in-hospital and one-year mortality in patients with fibrinolysis or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) according to guidelines-recommended times to reperfusion therapy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

FAST-MI 2010 is a nationwide French registry including 4169 patients, of whom 1580 had ST-elevation myocardial infarction and had PPCI ( n=1289) or fibrinolysis ( n=291) as part of a pharmaco-invasive strategy. Four groups were constituted: Gr1 (within recommended times from ECG to PPCI; n=708), Gr2 (beyond recommended times from ECG to PPCI; n=581), Gr3 (time from ECG to lysis ⩽30 min, n=196), and Gr4 (time from ECG to lysis >30 min, n=95). In-hospital mortality was 3.6% in Gr2 vs. 1.0% in Gr1 and 3.2% in Gr4 vs. 1.0% in Gr3. After adjustment, hospital mortality was higher for reperfusion therapy beyond recommended times: odds ratio (OR) 3.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-8.18; for PPCI, OR: 4.13; 95% CI: 1.50-11.35 and for fibrinolysis, OR: 2.72; 95% CI: 0.34-21.96. Likewise, one-year mortality was higher in patients with reperfusion beyond recommended times (hazard ratio 2.13, 95% CI:1.29-3.50). The results were confirmed by propensity score analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Early and one-year mortality were lower for ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients when the recommended timelines for reperfusion therapy were met, suggesting that, in spite of recent interrogations, compliance with current guidelines remains a clinically relevant objective.

Distance-related Differences in Critical Times, Protocol Activation and Mortality in a Regional STEMI Network

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the differences in critical network times and mortality in STEMI patients presenting to hospitals in the same STEMI network, but located at different distances from the pPCI center.

Methods: Four-hundreed sixteen patients with STEMI were studied. Group 1: 101 patients presenting to any of the six regional hospitals in the network located at less than 70 km from the pPCI center, with a maximum transport time of 30 minutes. Group 2: 81 patients presenting to any of the three territorial hospitals in the network located at 70–150 km from the pPCI center, with a transport time between 30 and 70 minutes. Group 3: 93 patients presenting to any of the four territorial hospitals in the network located at 150–250 km from the pPCI center, with a transport time between 70 and 150 minutes. Group 4: 141 patients presenting directly to the emergency room of the pPCI center. The following time intervals were recorded: presentation time (PT), from the onset of symptoms to arrival at the pPCI center; protocol initiation time (PIT), from arrival at the pPCI center to STEMI protocol initiation; ischemic time (IT), from the onset of symptoms to repermeabilisation; door to balloon time (DTB), from arrival in the pPCI center to balloon.

Results: PT showed no significant difference between the groups – 183.08 ± 25.2 minutes vs. 199.1 ± 32.4 minutes vs. 166.7 ± 42.5 minutes vs. 161.91 ± 36.8 minutes, respectively (p=0.4). PIT was significantly lower in Group 3 (61.66 ± 15.4 minutes in Group 3 vs. 92 ± 11.5 minutes in Group 2 vs. 107.4 ± 12.5 minutes in Group 1, p = 0.002). DTB time was significantly longer for patients presenting directly to the pPCI center compared to those arriving from Zone 1, 2 or 3 hospitals, 86.96 ± 11.6 minutes vs. 52.27 ± 11.2 minutes vs. 39.94 ± 10.3 minutes vs. 43.9 ± 5.3 minutes, p <0.001). Despite the differences in distance to the pPCI center, there was no significant difference in total IT between the groups (Group 1, 344.6 ± 53.4 minutes; Group 2, 369.3 ± 42.6 minutes; Group 3, 366.65 ± 36.4 minutes; and 340.2 ± 26.9 minutes in the pPCIcenter, p = 0.2), and this was reflected in similar rates of mortality (Group 1, 3.9%; Group 2, 3.7%; Group 3, 3.2%; and 3.5% in the pPCI center).

Conclusion: A well organized STEMI network can shorten protocol initiation and DTB times, achieving similar ischemic times and resulting in similar mortality rates with the centers located closer to the pPCI center. Early activation of the STEMI protocol could lead to superior results even in areas situated at longer distances from the pPCI center.

Pre-hospital electrocardiographic severity and acuteness scores predict left ventricular function in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

System delay (time from first medical contact to primary percutaneous coronary intervention) is associated with heart failure and mortality in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the impact of system delay on left ventricular function (LVF) according to the combination of ischemia severity (Sclarovsky-Birnbaum grades) and acuteness (Anderson-Wilkins scores) in the pre-hospital electrocardiogram (ECG).

METHODS

In a predefined secondary analysis of a prospective study, the severity and acuteness scores were performed on the pre-hospital ECG. Patients were assessed with respect to 4 classifications which were not mutually exclusive: severe ischemia (+SI) or non-severe ischemia (-SI) and acute ischemia (+AI) or non-acute ischemia (-AI). LVF was assessed by global longitudinal strain (GLS) within 48hours of admission. Adjusted linear regression investigated the association of system delay with GLS in each group.

RESULTS

In total 262 patients were eligible for analysis of the ECG, which resulted in 42 (16%) with (+SI, -AI), 110 (42%) with (-SI, -AI), 90 (34%) with (-SI, +AI), and 20 (8%) patients with (+SI, +AI). Although system delay did not differ between groups, patients with severe and non-acute ischemia had the most impaired LVF. System delay correlated weakly with GLS in the entire population (r=0.133, p=0.031), and well with GLS in the (+SI, +AI) group (r=0.456, p=0.04), while there was no correlation in the other groups. By adjusted analysis, system delay predicted impaired GLS only in the (+SI, +AI) group (β=0.578, p=0.002).

CONCLUSION

Pre-hospital risk stratification by ECG identifies patients with acute and severe ischemia who are at increased risk for reduced ventricular function (assessed by GLS) after STEMI. Optimizing reperfusion delays in these patients can therefore be of particular benefit in improving clinical outcome after STEMI.

Independent association between symptom onset time and infarct size in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Recent studies have reported on circadian variation in infarct size in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Controversy remains as to whether this finding indicates circadian dependence of myocardial tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion injury or that it can simply be explained by confounding factors such as baseline profile and ischemic time. We assessed the clinical impact and independent association between symptom onset time and infarct size, accounting for possible subgroup differences. From a multicenter registry, 6799 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2004 and 2010 were included. Infarct size was measured using peak creatine kinase (CK). Infarct size exhibited circadian variation with largest infarct size in patients with symptom onset around 03:00 at night (estimated peak CK 1322 U/l; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1217-1436) and smallest infarct size around 11:00 in the morning (estimated peak CK 1071 U/l; 95% CI: 1001-1146; relative reduction 19%; p = 0.001). Circadian variation in infarct size followed an inverse pattern in patients with prior myocardial infarction (p-interaction <0.001) and prior PCI (p-interaction = 0.006), although the later did not persist in multivariable analysis. Symptom onset time remained associated with infarct size after accounting for these interactions and adjusting for baseline characteristics and ischemic time. Symptom onset time did not predict one-year mortality (p = 0.081). In conclusion, there is substantial circadian variation in infarct size, which cannot be fully explained by variations in baseline profile or ischemic time. Our results lend support to the hypothesis of circadian myocardial ischemic tolerance and suggest a different mechanism in patients with prior myocardial infarction.

Efficacy of an Embolic Protection Stent as a Function of Delay to Reperfusion in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (from the MASTER Trial)

The ability of stent implantation to improve indexes of reperfusion may depend on the time to reperfusion in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and may also vary with stent type. The purpose of this prespecified analysis from the randomized MGUARD for Acute ST Elevation Reperfusion trial was to evaluate the impact of delay to reperfusion on outcomes in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with the MGuard embolic protection stent or standard metallic stents. A total of 431 patients were divided according to symptom-onset-to-balloon time (SBT) into 2 groups: SBT ≤3 hours (167 patients; 39%) and SBT >3 hours (264 patients; 61%). Complete ST-segment resolution (STR) after percutaneous coronary intervention was more often achieved in patients with shorter SBT (58.6% vs 47%, p = 0.02). At 1 year, the all-cause mortality rate was lower in patients with shorter SBT (0% vs 3.5%, p = 0.02). STR was achieved in 58% of MGuard patients and in 45% of the control stent patients (p = 0.008). STR was 57% in the MGuard group versus 38% in the control group (p = 0.002 for SBT >3 hours) and 60% versus 57% (p = 0.72), respectively, for SBT ≤3 hours (p for interaction = 0.11). In conclusion, longer delay to mechanical reperfusion remains an important factor negatively influencing outcomes in patients with STEMI. Use of the MGuard embolic protection stent compared with conventional metallic stents resulted in superior rates of complete STR, even in patients with longer delays to reperfusion.

Trends in treatment delays for patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Treatment delay is an important prognostic factor for patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to determine recent trends in these delays and factors associated with longer delays.

METHODS

We compared two datasets collected in Helsinki University Central Hospital in 2007-2008 (HUS-STEMI I) and 2011-2012 (HUS-STEMI II), a total of 500 patients treated with primary PCI within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms.

RESULTS

Delays of the emergency medical system (EMS) were longer in HUS-STEMI I than II (medians 81 vs. 67 min, respectively, p < 0.001). Although door-to-balloon times were longer in the later dataset (33 vs. 48 min, p < 0.001) most of the patients (75.3% vs. 62.8%, respectively, p = 0.010) were treated within the recommendation (<60 min) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). In HUS-STEMI II, patient arrival at the hospital during off-hours was associated with longer door-to-balloon time (40 and 57.5 min, p = 0.001) and system delay (111 and 127 min, p = 0.009). However, in HUS-STEMI I, arrival time did not impact the delays. Longer system delay was associated with higher mortality rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Though the delays inside the hospital have increased they are still mostly within the ESC guidelines. Still, only about half of the patients are treated within a system delay of recommended two hours. Albeit our results are good in comparison with previous studies, further efforts for decreasing the delays particularly within the EMS should be established.

Delay from first medical contact to primary PCI and all-cause mortality: a nationwide study of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background

Early reperfusion in the setting of an ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is of utmost importance. However, the effects of early versus late reperfusion in this patient group undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have so far been inconsistent in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in a nationwide cohort the effects of delay from first medical contact to PCI (first medical contact [FMC]‐to‐PCI) and secondarily delay from symptom‐to‐PCI on clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results

Using the national Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Register (SCAAR) registry, STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI between the years 2003 and 2008 were screened for. A total of 13 790 patients were included in the FMC‐to‐PCI analysis and 11 489 patients were included in the symptom‐to‐PCI analyses. Unadjusted as well as multivariable analyses showed an overall significant association between increasing FMC‐to‐PCI delay and 1‐year mortality. A statistically significant increase in mortality was noted at FMC‐to‐PCI delays exceeding 1 hour in an incremental fashion. FMC‐to‐PCI delays in excess of 1 hour were also significantly associated with an increase in severe left ventricular dysfunction at discharge. An overall significant association between increasing symptom‐to‐PCI delays and 1‐year mortality was noted. However, when stratified into time delay cohorts, no symptom‐to‐PCI delay except for the highest time delay showed a statistically significant association with increased mortality.

Conclusions

Delays in FMC‐to‐PCI were strongly associated with increased mortality already at delays of more than 1 hour, possibly through an increase in severe heart failure. A goal of FMC‐to‐PCI of less than 1 hour might save patient lives.

Assessing myocardial recovery following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: short- and long-term perspectives using cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Myocardial recovery after revascularization for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a significant diagnostic and, despite novel treatment strategies, a therapeutic challenge. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as a valuable clinical and research tool after acute STEMI. It represents the gold standard for functional and morphological evaluation of the left ventricle. Gadolinium-based perfusion and late-enhancement viability imaging has expanded our knowledge about the underlying pathologies of inadequate myocardial recovery. T2-weighted imaging of myocardial salvage after early reperfusion of the infarct-related artery underlines the effectiveness of current invasive treatment for STEMI. In the last decade, the number of publications on CMR after acute STEMI continued to rise, with no plateau in sight. Currently, CMR research is gathering robust prognostic data on standardized CMR protocols with the aim to substantially improve patient care and prognosis. Beyond established CMR protocols, more specific methods such as magnetic resonance relaxometry, myocardial tagging, 4D phase-contrast imaging and novel superparamagnetic contrast agents are emerging. This review will discuss the currently available data on the use of CMR after acute STEMI and take a brief look at developing new methods currently under investigation.

New insights in the pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction detectable by a contemporary troponin assay

OBJECTIVES

ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, NSTEMI) are considered two distinct pathophysiologic entities. We evaluated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) release in STEMI and NSTEMI using a "contemporary" (CV>10 to 20% at the 99th percentile concentration) cTnI assay for patients undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

DESIGN AND METHODS

856 patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome consecutively admitted to the Emergency Department of the Maggiore Hospital of Novara (225 STEMI and 135 NSTEMI) were selected according to: 1) early (≤ 4 h from admission) and successful PCI; and 2) cTnI measurements at ED presentation and within 24h. The influence of the MI type on cTnI concentrations at baseline and after PCI as well as the velocity of cTnI [cTnI V=absolute increase (after log conversion of cTnI measurements)/delay between the two measurements] was studied by multiple regression analysis, adjusting for patient parameters.

RESULTS

A statistically significant interaction between MI type and time from symptoms was reported on cTnI concentrations (p<0.0001): STEMI and NSTEMI differed for cTnI releases at admission and after revascularization. Higher cTnI V in STEMI was detectable in patients admitted within 6h from symptoms. Baseline cTnI concentrations were lower in patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and increased with aging (p<0.0001). In the elderly (>75 years), the cTnI V was significantly increased.

CONCLUSION

STEMI and NSTEMI patients have different patterns and dynamics of cTnI release influenced by the interaction with time from symptoms, by aging and history of CAD.

Association of time to reperfusion with left ventricular function and heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Shorter time to reperfusion is associated with a significant reduction in mortality; however, its association with heart failure (HF) is not clearly documented. We conducted a systematic review to examine the association between time to reperfusion and incident HF and/or left ventricular dysfunction.

METHODS

MEDLINE/OVID, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched from January 1974 to May 2012 for studies that reported the association between time to reperfusion and incident HF or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

RESULTS

Of 362 nonduplicate abstracts, 71 studies were selected for full-text review. Thirty-three studies were included in the final review, of which 16 were single-center studies, 7 were population-based studies, 7 were subanalyses from randomized controlled trials, and 3 were based on national samples. The pooled data demonstrate that every 1-hour delay in time to reperfusion is associated with a 4% to 12% increased risk of new-onset HF and a 4% relative increase in the risk of incident HF during follow-up. Early reperfusion was associated with a 2% to 8% greater LVEF before discharge and a 3% to 12% larger improvement in absolute LVEF at follow-up compared with the index admission.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review presents evidence that longer time to reperfusion is not only associated with worsened left ventricular systolic function and new-onset HF at the time of index admission, but also with increased risk of HF and reduced improvement in left ventricular systolic function during follow-up.