Successful COMPASS, Disappointing COMMANDER HF, What Have We Learned From These Two Trials?:

Echocardiographic risk factors of left ventricular thrombus in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction

AIMS

This study aimed to identify echocardiographic determinants of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) formation after acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This case-control study comprised 55 acute anterior MI patients with LVT as cases and 55 acute anterior MI patients without LVT as controls, who were selected from a cohort of consecutive patients with ischemic heart failure in our hospital. The cases and controls were matched for age, sex, and left ventricular ejection fraction. LVT was detected by routine/contrast echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging during the first 3 months following MI. Formation of apical aneurysm after MI was independently associated with LVT formation [72.0% vs. 43.5%, odds ratio (OR) = 5.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65-15.48, P = 0.005]. Echocardiographic risk factors associated with LVT formation included reduced mitral annular plane systolic excursion (<7 mm, OR = 4.69, 95% CI 1.84-11.95, P = 0.001), moderate-severe diastolic dysfunction (OR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.11-6.57, P = 0.028), and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction [reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion < 17 mm (OR = 5.48, 95% CI 2.12-14.13, P < 0.001), reduced RV fractional area change < 0.35 (OR = 3.32, 95% CI 1.20-9.18, P = 0.021), and enlarged RV mid diameter (per 5 mm increase OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.12-2.34, P = 0.010)]. Reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (<17 mm) significantly associated with increased risk of LVT in anterior MI patients (OR = 3.84, 95% CI 1.37-10.75, P = 0.010), especially in those patients without apical aneurysm (OR = 5.12, 95% CI 1.45-18.08, P = 0.011), independent of body mass index, hypertension, anaemia, mitral annular plane systolic excursion, and moderate-severe diastolic dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Right ventricular dysfunction as determined by reduced TAPSE or RV fractional area change is independently associated with LVT formation in acute anterior MI patients, especially in the setting of MI patients without the formation of an apical aneurysm. This study suggests that besides assessment of left ventricular abnormalities, assessment of concomitant RV dysfunction is of importance on risk stratification of LVT formation in patients with acute anterior MI.

Ischemic Stroke and Heart Failure: Facts and Numbers. An Update

Heart failure (HF) is a severe clinical syndrome accompanied by a number of comorbidities. Ischemic stroke occurs frequently in patients with HF as a complication of the disease. In the present review, we aimed to summarize the current state of research on the role of cardio–cerebral interactions in the prevalence, etiology, and prognosis of both diseases. The main pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of stroke in HF and vice versa are discussed. In addition, we reviewed the results of recent clinical trials investigating the prevalence and prevention of stroke in patients with HF.

Established and Emerging Pharmacological Therapies for Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients with Heart Failure: a Review of the Evidence

After an episode of myocardial infarction (MI), patients remain at risk for recurrent ischemic events, heart failure (HF), and sudden death. Post-MI patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) have an even greater risk of mortality and morbidity. Randomized clinical trials that included post-MI patients with LVSD have demonstrated that pharmacologic therapies aimed at preventing post-MI remodeling with neurohormonal antagonists can significantly improve short- and long-term outcomes, including death, reinfarction, and worsening HF. Recent trials have also demonstrated benefits in terms of cardiovascular event reduction with effective antithrombotic therapies and cholesterol-lowering agents in post-MI setting, especially in patients at very high risk such as those with LVSD. This paper reviews clinical trials that included post-MI patients with LVSD, with or without signs and symptoms of HF, assessing the efficacy of established and emerging pharmacological therapies.