Recurrent myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Unchanged cellular inflammatory response following recurrent ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Recurrent ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) are associated with poorer prognosis. A diminished haematopoietic response has been proposed as the mechanism responsible for this, but has yet to be validated in human studies. We therefore aim to map out the leukocyte response, and its subtypes, following the first and second STEMI to identify if the inflammatory response is dampened after recurrent myocardial infarctions.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of patients presenting with recurrent STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Full blood counts were taken within 24 h of each admission, and daily thereafter. The primary outcome was whether there were any qualitative or quantitative difference in leukocyte cell response (and its subtypes) between first and second STEMI.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (mean age 59 years [SD 14.9], 26 males [83.9%]) with an average of 3.1 years between infarcts were included in the study. Overall, between first and second STEMI, similar mean leukocyte response (and its subtypes) was observed from admission to day three post PCI. Similarly, the peak leukocyte response (and its subtypes) was similar between the two STEMIs, even after adjusting for infarct size.

CONCLUSIONS

In recurrent STEMIs, there is no long-term memory effect on the cellular inflammatory response leading to diminished peripherally circulating leucocytes, and its subtypes.

Implication of cognitive-behavioral stress management on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in acute myocardial infarction patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: a multicenter, randomized, controlled study

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention enhances the psychological status and quality of life in patients with various diseases, such as cancer, human immunodeficiency virus infection, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. This multicenter, randomized, controlled study intended to explore the potential benefit of CBSM in ameliorating the anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 250 AMI patients who received PCI were randomly allocated to the CBSM (N = 125) and control care (CC) (N = 125) groups, and underwent weekly corresponding interventions for 12 weeks. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D), and EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) scores were evaluated at baseline (M0), month (M)1, M3, and M6. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were recorded during follow-up.

RESULTS

HADS-anxiety score at M1 (P = 0.036), M3 (P = 0.002), and M6 (P = 0.001), as well as anxiety rate at M6 (P = 0.026), was reduced in the CBSM group versus the CC group. HADS-depression score at M3 (P = 0.027) and M6 (P = 0.002), as well as depression rate at M6 (P = 0.013), was decreased in the CBSM group versus the CC group. EQ-5D score at M3 (P = 0.046) and M6 (P = 0.001) was reduced, while EQ-VAS score at M1 (P = 0.037), M3 (P = 0.010), and M6 (P = 0.003) was raised, in the CBSM group versus the CC group. However, accumulating MACE rate did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.360).

CONCLUSION

CBSM ameliorates anxiety, depression, and QoL but does not affect MACE in AMI patients after PCI.

Racial Differences in Fatal Out-of-Hospital Coronary Heart Disease and the Role of Income in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Cohort Study (1987 to 2017)

Black patients have higher incident fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) rates than do their White counterparts. Racial differences in out-of-hospital fatal CHD could explain the excess risk in fatal CHD among Black patients. We examined racial disparities in in- and out-of-hospital fatal CHD among participants with no history of CHD, and whether socioeconomic status might play a role in this association. We used data from the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study, including 4,095 Black and 10,884 White participants, followed between 1987 and 1989 until 2017. Race was self-reported. We examined racial differences in in- and out-of-hospital fatal CHD with hierarchical proportional hazard models. We then examined the role of income in these associations, using Cox marginal structural models for a mediation analysis. The incidence of out-of-hospital and in-hospital fatal CHD was 1.3 and 2.2 in Black participants, and 1.0 and 1.1 in White participants, respectively, per 1,000 person-years. The gender- and age-adjusted hazard ratios comparing out-of-hospital and in-hospital incident fatal CHD in Black with that in White participants were 1.65 (1.32 to 2.07) and 2.37 (1.96 to 2.86), respectively. The income-controlled direct effects of race in Black versus White participants decreased to 1.33 (1.01 to 1.74) for fatal out-of-hospital and to 2.03 (1.61 to 2.55) for fatal in-hospital CHD in Cox marginal structural models. In conclusion, higher rates of fatal in-hospital CHD in Black participants than in their White counterparts likely drive the overall racial differences in fatal CHD. Income largely explained racial differences in both fatal out-of-hospital CHD and fatal in-hospital CHD.

Qualitative and Quantitative Stress Perfusion Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Clinical Practice: A Comprehensive Review

Stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a well-validated non-invasive stress test to diagnose significant coronary artery disease (CAD), with higher diagnostic accuracy than other common functional imaging modalities. One-stop assessment of myocardial ischemia, cardiac function, and myocardial viability qualitatively and quantitatively has been proven to be a cost-effective method in clinical practice for CAD evaluation. Beyond diagnosis, stress CMR also provides prognostic information and guides coronary revascularisation. In addition to CAD, there is a large body of literature demonstrating CMR's diagnostic performance and prognostic value in other common cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). This review focuses on the clinical applications of stress CMR, including stress CMR scanning methods, practical interpretation of stress CMR images, and clinical utility of stress CMR in a setting of CVDs with possible myocardial ischemia.

Antiplatelet Therapy Aims and Strategies in Asian Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome or Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has been the mainstay treatment to reduce ischemic events, such as myocardial infarction or stroke, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The development of potent P2Y12 inhibitors (ticagrelor and prasugrel) has helped to further reduce ischemic events, particularly among high-risk patients. Meanwhile, the evolution of newer generations of drug-eluting stents are also improving outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention. Research studies on antiplatelet therapy in recent years have focused on balancing ischemic and bleeding risks through different strategies, which include P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy, escalation and de-escalation, and extended DAPT. Because results from the large number of clinical studies may sometimes appear conflicting, this review aims to summarize recent advances, and demonstrate that they are aligned by a general principle, namely, strategies may be adopted based on treatment aims for specific patients at several time points. Another aim of this review is to outline the important considerations for using antiplatelet therapy in Asian patients, in whom there is a greater prevalence of CYP2C19 loss-of-function mutations, and a common increased risk of bleeding, despite high platelet reactivity (the so-called "East Asian Paradox").

CSL112 (Apolipoprotein A-I [Human]) Strongly Enhances Plasma Apoa-I and Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients: A PK/PD Substudy of the AEGIS-I Trial

Introduction:

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is impaired following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). CSL112 is an intravenous preparation of human plasma-derived apoA-I formulated with phosphatidylcholine (PC). CSL112 is intended to improve CEC and thereby prevent early recurrent cardiovascular events following AMI. AEGIS-I (ApoA-I Event Reducing in Ischemic Syndromes I) was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging phase 2b study, designed to evaluate the hepatic and renal safety of CSL112. Here, we report an analysis of a pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) substudy of AEGIS-I.

Methods:

AMI patients were stratified by renal function and randomized 3:3:2 to 4, weekly, 2-hour infusions of low- and high-dose (2 g and 6 g) CSL112, or placebo. PK/PD assessments included plasma concentrations of apoA-I and PC, and measures of total and ABCA1-dependent CEC, as well as lipids/lipoproteins including high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ApoB, and triglycerides. Inflammatory and cardio-metabolic biomarkers were also evaluated.

Results:

The substudy included 63 subjects from AEGIS-I. CSL112 infusions resulted in rapid, dose-dependent increases in baseline corrected apoA-I and PC, which peaked at the end of the infusion (Tmax ≈ 2 hours). Similarly, there was a dose-dependent elevation in both total CEC and ABCA1-mediated CEC. Mild renal impairment did not affect the PK or PD of CSL112. CSL112 administration was also associated with an increase in plasma levels of HDL-C but not non-HDL-C, LDL-C, apoB, or triglycerides. No dose-effects on inflammatory or cardio-metabolic biomarkers were observed.

Conclusion:

Among patients with AMI, impaired CEC was rapidly elevated by CSL112 infusions in a dose-dependent fashion, along with an increase in apoA-I plasma concentrations. Findings from the current sub-study of the AEGIS-I support a potential atheroprotective benefit of CSL112 for AMI patients.

Care management and 90-day post discharge mortality in patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction and COVID-19: A French nationwide observational study

BACKGROUND

Concomitant or cured coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) may lead to difficulties in acute care management and impair prognosis.

AIMS

To describe and compare the characteristics, care management and 90-day post discharge outcomes of patients hospitalized for MI who did not have COVID-19 with those of patients with concomitant or previous hospital-diagnosed COVID-19.

METHODS

This population-based French study included all patients hospitalized for MI in France (30 December 2019 to 04 October 2020) from the French National Health Data System. Outcomes were described for each COVID-19 group and compared using adjusted logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among 55,524 patients hospitalized for MI, 135 had previous hospital-diagnosed COVID-19 and 329 had concomitant COVID-19. Patients with previous hospital-diagnosed COVID-19 had more personal history of cardiovascular diseases than those without concomitant/previous confirmed COVID-19. In-hospital and 90-day post discharge mortality rates of patients with previous COVID-19 were 8.1% and 4.0%, respectively, compared with 3.5% and 3.0% in patients without concomitant/previous confirmed COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR]_{adjin-hospital} 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-3.46; OR_{adjpostdischarge} 0.77, 95% CI 0.28-2.13). Patients with concomitant COVID-19 had more personal history of cardiovascular diseases, but also a poorer prognosis than their no concomitant/no previous confirmed COVID-19 counterparts; they presented excess cardiac complications during hospitalization (OR_adj 1.62, 95% CI 1.29-2.04), in-hospital mortality (OR_adj 3.31, 95% CI 2.32-4.72) and 90-day post discharge mortality (OR_adj 2.09, 95% CI 1.24-3.51).

CONCLUSIONS

In-hospital and 90-day post discharge mortality of patients hospitalized for MI who had previous hospital-diagnosed COVID-19 did not seem to differ from those hospitalized for MI alone. Conversely, concomitant COVID-19 and MI carried a poorer prognosis extending beyond the hospital stay. Special attention should be given to patients with simultaneous COVID-19 and MI, in terms of acute care and secondary prevention.

Comparison of the pathways of care and life courses between first-time ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and STEMI with prior MI: findings from the OSCAR registry

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesised that patients having experienced one coronary event in their life were susceptible to present differences in their pathways of care and within 1 year of their life courses. We aimed to compare pathways between first-time ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and STEMI with prior myocardial infarction (MI).

DESIGN

A retrospective observational study based on the Observatoire des Syndromes Coronariens Aigus du réseau RESCUe (OSCAR) registry collecting all suspected STEMI from 10 percutaneous coronary intervention centres in France.

SETTING

All patients with STEMI from 2013 to 2017 were included (N=6306 with 5423 first-time STEMI and 883 STEMI with prior MI). We provided a matching analysis by propensity score based on cardiovascular risk factors.

PARTICIPANTS

We defined first-time STEMI as STEMI occurring at the inclusion date, and STEMI with prior MI as STEMI with a history of MI prior to the inclusion date.

RESULTS

Patients with first-time STEMI and patients with STEMI with prior MI were equally treated during hospitalisation and at discharge. At 12 months, patients with first-time STEMI had a lower adherence to BASIC treatment (ie, beta-blocker, antiplatelet therapy, statin and converting enzyme inhibitor) (48.11% vs 58.58%, p=0.0167), more frequently completed the cardiac rehabilitation programme (44.33% vs 31.72%, p=0.0029), more frequently changed their lifestyle behaviours; more frequently practiced daily physical activity (48.11% vs 35.82%, p=0.0043) and more frequently stopped smoking at admission (69.39% vs 55.00%, p=0.0524). The estimated mortality was higher for patients with STEMI with prior MI at 1 month (p=0.0100), 6 months (p=0.0500) and 1 year (p=0.0600).

CONCLUSIONS

We provided an exhaustive overview of the real-life clinical practice conditions of STEMI management. The patients with STEMI with prior MI presented an optimised use of prehospital resources, which was probably due to their previous experience, and showed a better adherence to drug therapy compared with patients with first-time STEMI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (number 2 013 090 v0).

The Effects of Clinical Pharmacist Education on Lifestyle Modifications of Postmyocardial Infarction Patients in South India: A Prospective Interventional Study

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with significant short-term and long-term mortality and morbidity. Secondary prevention and treatment of post-MI patients through medication and lifestyle modification is becoming an important aspect of patient care regimens. Pharmacists have a crucial role in providing these disease-prevention interventions compared with other health care professionals.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective included evaluation of clinical pharmacist interventions at discharge and post-MI discharge follow-up to improve the secondary lifestyle modifications and medication adherence among post-MI patients. The secondary objective included the prevention of hospital readmission rates for major adverse cardiovascular events and death among post-MI patients.

METHODS

In this prospective interventional study comprising 160 screened patients, 154 patients were randomized according to eligibility criteria of whom 77 were enrolled in Group A (the intervention group: clinical care along with pharmacist education) and 77 in Group B (the control group: clinical care with usual counseling) (November 2017-April 2018). Two patients were lost to follow-up in both study groups. Group A patients received clinical care with pharmacist structured intervention at post-MI discharge and through telephone follow-ups, whereas Group B patients received clinical care with usual counseling at baseline. Patients in both groups were analyzed for secondary lifestyle modifications such as fasting blood sugar level; postprandial blood sugar level; blood pressure; and total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C, and triglyceride level; hospital readmission rates; and medication adherence at the baseline. At the end of 6 months patients in both study groups underwent follow-up. Medication adherence was analyzed using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale. Statistical analysis was carried out by using SPSS software version 17 (SPSS-IBM Inc, Armonk, NY).

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of the study population was 56.38 (11.68) years in Group A and 53.93 (13.26) years in Group B. Ther were more male patients than female patients in the study population. There was a statistically significant reduction in systolic and diastolic BP in Group A (P ˃ 0.0031 and P ˃ 0.0069, respectively) compared with Group B. Reduction in total cholesterol levels were observed in Group A compared with Group B (P ˃ 0.0001) patients, but there were no significant reductions found in lipid profile values, including LDL-C (P ˃ 0.0669), HDL-C (P ˃ 0.595), triglyceride (P ˃ 0.119), and VLDL-C (P ˃ 0.4215) at follow-up. Group A patients were more adherent to the medications with lower hospital readmission rates compared with Group B.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical pharmacist counseling improved the medication adherence and lifestyle modifications in post-MI patients with the reduction in blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and total cholesterol levels among the study population.

IL-7R blockade reduces post-myocardial infarction-induced atherosclerotic plaque inflammation in ApoE-/- mice

Modulating inflammation by targeting IL-1β reduces recurrent athero-thrombotic cardiovascular events without lipid lowering. This presents an opportunity to explore other pathways associated with the IL-1β signaling cascade to modulate the inflammatory response post-myocardial infarction (MI). IL-7 is a mediator of the inflammatory pathway involved in monocyte trafficking into atherosclerotic plaques and levels of IL-7 have been shown to be elevated in patients with acute MI. Recurrent athero-thrombotic events are believed to be mediated in part by index MI-induced exacerbation of inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques. The objective of the study was to assess the feasibility of IL-7R blockade to modulate atherosclerotic plaque inflammation following acute MI in ApoE^−/- mice. Mice were fed Western diet for 12 weeks and then subjected to coronary occlusion to induce an acute MI. IL-7 expression was determined using qRT-PCR and immuno-staining, and IL-7R was assessed using flow cytometry. Plaque inflammation was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. IL-7R blockade was accomplished with monoclonal antibody to IL-7R. IL-7 mRNA expression was significantly increased in the cardiac tissue of mice subjected to MI but not in controls. IL-7 staining was observed in the coronary artery. Plaque macrophage and lipid content were significantly increased after MI. IL-7R antibody treatment but not control IgG significantly reduced macrophage and lipid content in atherosclerotic plaques. The results show that IL-7R antibody treatment reduces monocyte/macrophage and lipid content in the atherosclerotic plaque following MI suggesting a potential new target to mitigate increased plaque inflammation post-MI.

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Myocardial infarction increases inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques.

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IL-7 is a mediator of inflammatory cell recruitment and is expressed in the ischemic myocardium.

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Monoclonal antibody blockade of IL-7Rα reduced plaque lipid and macrophage content.

Ticagrelor for Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Events After Myocardial Infarction: An Evidence Review Group Perspective of a NICE Single Technology Appraisal

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) invited AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of ticagrelor (Brilique®), to submit evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily (BID) in combination with low-dose aspirin [acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)] compared with ASA only for secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) and who are at increased risk of atherothrombotic events. Kleijnen Systematic Reviews Ltd (KSR), in collaboration with Maastricht University Medical Centre+, was commissioned as the evidence review group (ERG). This paper summarises the company submission (CS), the ERG report and the NICE guidance produced by the appraisal committee (AC) for the use of ticagrelor in England and Wales. The ERG critically reviewed the clinical- and cost-effectiveness evidence in the CS. The systematic review conducted as part of the CS identified one randomised controlled trial (RCT), PEGASUS-TIMI 54. This trial reported the time to first occurrence of any event from the composite of cardiovascular death, MI and stroke as the primary outcome (hazard ratio 0.84 ticagrelor 60 mg BID vs. placebo, 95% confidence interval 0.74-0.95). The population addressed in the CS was a subgroup of the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial population, i.e. the 'base-case' population, which comprised patients who had experienced an MI between 1 and 2 years ago, whereas the full trial population included patients who had experienced an MI between 1 and 3 years ago. While the ERG believed the findings of this RCT to be robust, doubts concerning the applicability of the trial to UK patients were raised. The company submitted an individual patient simulation model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of ticagrelor 60 mg BID + ASA versus ASA only. Parametric time-to-event models were used to estimate the time to first and subsequent (cardiovascular) events, time to treatment discontinuation and time to adverse events. The company's base-case analysis resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £20,098 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. The main issues surrounding the cost effectiveness of ticagrelor 60 mg BID + ASA were the use of parametric time-to-event models estimated based on the full trial population instead of being fitted to the 'label' population (the 'label' population comprised the 'base-case' population and patients who started ticagrelor 60 mg BID within 1 year of previous adenosine diphosphate inhibitor treatment), the incorrect implementation of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) of the individual patient simulation, and simplifications of the model structure that may have biased the health benefits and costs estimations of the intervention and comparator. The ERG believed the use of the full trial population to inform the parametric time-to-event models was not appropriate because the 'label' population was the main focus of the scope and CS. The ERG could not investigate the magnitude of the bias introduced by this assumption. The PSA of the individual patient simulation provided unreliable probabilistic results and underestimated the uncertainty surrounding the results because it was based on a single patient. The ERG used the cohort simulation presented in the cost-effectiveness model to perform its base-case and additional analyses and to obtain probabilistic results. The ERG amended the company cost-effectiveness model, which resulted in an ERG base-case ICER of £24,711 per QALY gained. In its final guidance, the AC recommended treatment with ticagrelor 60 mg BID + low-dose ASA for secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in adults who have had an MI and are at increased risk of atherothrombotic events.

Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy for coronary artery disease

The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for stable coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome is a complex decision. We review current literature on standard duration DAPT versus short duration DAPT (6 months or shorter) or extended duration DAPT (>12 months) after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent placement, and prolonged treatment after 12 months in acute coronary syndrome. Current guideline recommendations are summarised, including the use of risk scores for ischaemic and bleeding risk assessment. Because of the limitations of current risk scores, we propose multiple patient-related and procedure-related factors for the ischaemic and bleeding risk assessment aiding in personalised DAPT duration.

Y RNA fragment in extracellular vesicles confers cardioprotection via modulation of IL-10 expression and secretion

Cardiosphere‐derived cells (CDCs) reduce myocardial infarct size via secreted extracellular vesicles (CDC‐EVs), including exosomes, which alter macrophage polarization. We questioned whether short non‐coding RNA species of unknown function within CDC‐EVs contribute to cardioprotection. The most abundant RNA species in CDC‐EVs is a Y RNA fragment (EV‐YF1); its relative abundance in CDC‐EVs correlates with CDC potency in vivo. Fluorescently labeled EV‐YF1 is actively transferred from CDCs to target macrophages via CDC‐EVs. Direct transfection of macrophages with EV‐YF1 induced transcription and secretion of IL‐10. When cocultured with rat cardiomyocytes, EV‐YF1‐primed macrophages were potently cytoprotective toward oxidatively stressed cardiomyocytes through induction of IL‐10. In vivo, intracoronary injection of EV‐YF1 following ischemia/reperfusion reduced infarct size. A fragment of Y RNA, highly enriched in CDC‐EVs, alters Il10 gene expression and enhances IL‐10 protein secretion. The demonstration that EV‐YF1 confers cardioprotection highlights the potential importance of diverse exosomal contents of unknown function, above and beyond the usual suspects (e.g., microRNAs and proteins).

Antithrombotic agents for secondary prevention after acute coronary syndromes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nine oral antithrombotic medications currently available in the United States and Europe have been studied in clinical trials for secondary prevention of cardiac events following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Few combinations of these medications have been directly compared, and studies have used multiple different comparator regimens.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating one or more available oral antithrombotic therapies in patients with ACS or prior myocardial infarction (MI). Co-primary outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared with imputed placebo and aspirin monotherapy.

RESULTS

Forty-seven studies (196,057 subjects) met inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Almost all studies tested either aspirin monotherapy compared with placebo or a combination of antithrombotic agents that included aspirin. Nearly all regimens reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared with imputed placebo. However, compared with imputed aspirin monotherapy, only combination therapy with aspirin plus ticagrelor was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.93), and triple therapy with aspirin, clopidogrel, and very low dose rivaroxaban was associated with lower all-cause mortality (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.90). Major bleeding was increased 45-95% with dual antithrombotic therapy, and 2-6-fold with triple therapy.

CONCLUSION

Few combinations of antithrombotic therapy were associated with a reduction in mortality compared with aspirin monotherapy, highlighting the difficulty in clinical interpretation of composite ischemic endpoints. Future studies may need to focus on limiting the number of antithrombotic therapies tested in combination to best balance ischemic event reduction and bleeding.

Impact of Morning Onset on the Incidence of Recurrent Acute Coronary Syndrome and Progression of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

The relationship between time of onset of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and long-term clinical outcome has not been completely understood. We hypothesized that morning onset acute MI may be associated with adverse cardiac events.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study involved 663 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The main outcome measures were cardiac death, recurrent acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and re-hospitalization for heart failure. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as a composite of individual adverse outcomes. Morning onset acute MI occurred in 212 patients (32.0%); they had higher rates of recurrent ACS (13% vs. 8%, P=0.03) and MACE (21% vs. 14%, P=0.012) than the patients with other times of onset. The PCI rate for progressive lesions was also higher than for patients with other times of onset (23% vs. 14%, P=0.013). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, morning onset was an independent predictor of recurrent ACS, MACE, and PCI for progressive lesions, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.06-2.92, P=0.030), 1.51 (95% CI: 1.02-2.23, P=0.038), and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.03-2.42, P=0.037), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Morning onset may be associated with increased risk of recurrent ACS and coronary atherosclerosis progression.

[Platelet aggregation inhibitors and anticoagulants during ophthalmic interventions]

In ophthalmology many patients undergo surgical treatment who need to take anticoagulant medication due to cardiovascular diseases. The proper handling of these drugs requires both correct assessment of the risk of thromboembolism as well as the rating of the risk of surgery-related hemorrhages. While there are established recommendations for estimation of the risk of thromboembolism based on a large body of prospective randomized trials, data regarding the evaluation of the related complications secondary to ophthalmic surgery are limited. In comparison to other surgical procedures, most interventions in ophthalmic surgery tend to have a relatively low risk of bleeding; therefore, in general there is no need to convert or discontinue anticoagulant drugs in patients undergoing opthalmic surgery. The sparse data available justifying the abrupt termination of anticoagulation are contrary to the approach currently widely distributed in clinical practice. This overview covers the relevant knowledge of the perioperative use of anticoagulant drugs. In addition, the data on the risk of hemorrhage in ophthalmological procedures are presented and discussed.

Type 4a myocardial infarction: Incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To assess the incidence of and outcomes related to periprocedural (Type 4a) myocardial infarction (MI) in a cohort of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable coronary disease or non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome with stable or falling cardiac troponin levels.

BACKGROUND

The 2012 Third Universal Definition for Type 4a MI has not been prospectively studied in routine clinical practice.

METHODS

The study included 516 patients undergoing eligible PCI at a single institution. Data were extracted from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, review of electronic medical records, and telephone interviews. Clinical outcomes assessed at one year included all-cause mortality, recurrent MI, or any repeat coronary revascularization.

RESULTS

Based on the Third Universal Definition of MI, 53 (10.3%) patients met criteria for Type 4a MI and 116 (22.5%) had myocardial injury. The Type 4a MI and myocardial injury groups each had significantly higher numbers of stents, longer stent lengths, and more use of rotational atherectomy than the control group. Type 4a MI was not associated with one-year mortality. The composite endpoint of death or recurrent MI at one year was similar between the Type 4a MI and myocardial injury groups (12 vs. 11%; P > 0.05), which were both higher compared with the control group (3%; P = 0.02, 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Type 4a MI and myocardial injury were frequent, and were associated with more complicated index PCI and more frequent death or recurrent MI at one year as compared with the control group. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Timing and long-term prognosis of recurrent MI after primary angioplasty : Stent thrombosis vs. non-stent-related reinfarction

BACKGROUND

In patients recovering from an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it is not clear whether the negative impact of stent thrombosis (ST) is different from a non-stent-related recurrent myocardial infarction (NSRMI). This study sought to assess the long-term incidence and prognostic impact of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI by comparing outcomes of ST versus NSRMI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2001 to 2007, 1025 patients undergoing PCI for STEMI were prospectively followed up. Patients with ST, with NSRMI, and those free from recurrent MI were compared regarding mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).

RESULTS

Recurrent MI decreased from 37 events per 1000 person/months in the first month to 3.3 events per 1000 person/months after the first year. The cumulative 5‑year incidence of ST and NSRMI was 5.27 % and 13.2 %, respectively. MACCE at 60 months after recurrence were not significantly different for patients with reinfarction but were significantly higher than for patients free from any recurrent MI (both log-rank p < 0.001). However, the cumulative all-cause death rate did not differ between the three groups (27.8 vs. 26.7 vs. 23.0 %). Compared with ST occurring in the first 30 days after PCI for STEMI, early NSRMI was associated with a significantly reduced risk for all-cause death (HR, 0.21; 95 % CI, 0.33-3.30) but this association did not persist for recurrent MIs occurring in the late (HR, 1.05; 95 % CI, 0.33-3.30) or very late follow-up periods.

CONCLUSION

Although ST was associated with a significant increase in adverse events in the early recovery period, in the long term, MACCE and all-cause mortality rates were comparable to those for NSRMI.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Versus Drug-Eluting Stents Implantation for Previous Myocardial Infarction

Patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI) have a high risk of recurrence. Little is known about the effectiveness of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with a previous MI and left main or multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). We compared long-term outcomes of these 2 strategies in 672 patients with previous MI and left main or multivessel CAD, who underwent CABG (n = 349) or PCI with DES (n = 323). A pooled database from the BEST, PRECOMBAT, and SYNTAX trials was analyzed, and the primary outcome was a composite of death from any causes, MI, or stroke. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. The median follow-up duration was 59.8 months. The rate of the primary outcome was significantly lower with CABG than PCI (hazard ratio [HR] 0.59, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.82; p = 0.002). This difference was driven by a marked reduction in the rate of MI (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.55, p <0.001). The benefit of CABG over PCI was consistent across all major subgroups. The individual risks of death from any causes or stroke were comparable between the 2 groups. Conversely, the rate of repeat revascularization was significantly lower with CABG than PCI (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.51, p <0.001). In conclusion, in the patients with previous MI and left main or multivessel CAD, compared to PCI with DES, CABG significantly reduces the risk of death from any causes, MI, or stroke.

The changing epidemiology of myocardial infarction in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1995-2012

BACKGROUND

Contemporary data on the epidemiology of myocardial infarction in the population are limited and derived primarily from cohorts of hospitalized myocardial infarction patients. We assessed temporal trends in incident and recurrent myocardial infarction, with further partitioning of the rates into prehospital deaths and hospitalized events, in a geographically defined community.

METHODS

All myocardial infarction events recorded among Olmsted County, Minnesota residents aged 25 years and older from 1995-2012, including prehospital deaths, were classified into incident and recurrent. Standardized rates were calculated and temporal trends compared.

RESULTS

Altogether, 5258 myocardial infarctions occurred, including 1448 (27.5%) recurrences; 430 (8.2%) prehospital deaths were recorded. Among hospitalized events, recurrent myocardial infarction was associated with greater mortality risk than incident myocardial infarction (age-, sex-, and year-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-1.61). Although the overall rate of myocardial infarction declined over time (average annual percent change, -3.3), the magnitude of the decline varied widely. Incident hospitalized myocardial infarction rate fell 2.7%/y, compared with decreases of 1.5%/y in recurrent hospitalized myocardial infarction, 14.1%/y in prehospital fatal incident myocardial infarction, and 12.3%/y in prehospital fatal recurrent myocardial infarction (all P for diverging trends < .05). These trends resulted in an increasing proportion of recurrences among hospitalized myocardial infarctions (25.3% in 1995-2000, 26.8% in 2001-2006, and 29.0% in 2007-2012, Ptrend = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 18 years, a heterogeneous decline in myocardial infarction rates occurred in Olmsted County, resulting in transitions from incident to recurrent events and from prehospital deaths to hospitalized myocardial infarctions. Recurrent myocardial infarction confers a worse prognosis, thereby stressing the need to optimize prevention strategies in the population.