Peripheral artery disease and outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Temporal Trends and Mortality Patterns in Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Comprehensive Analysis of Hospitalized Patients in Kazakhstan between 2014 and 2021

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a global health concern associated with arterial narrowing or blockage, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the disease burden and trends in mortality utilizing nationwide administrative health data.

METHODS

This retrospective study utilized data from the Unified National Electronic Healthcare System (UNEHS) from 2014 to 2021. Patients meeting PAD criteria were included, with demographic and clinical data analyzed. Cox regression and Competing Risk Analysis assessed mortality risks.

RESULTS

Between 2014 and 2021, 19,507 individuals were hospitalized due to PAD, with 8,332 (43%) being women and 11,175 (57%) men. The incidence of PAD increased markedly over the observation period, rising from 79 individuals per million population (PMP) in 2014 to 309 PMP in 2021. Concurrent heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), diabetes, and essential hypertension were prevalent in 50%, 27%, 27%, and 26% of the PAD patients, respectively. Competing Risk Analysis showed a subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of 6.53 [95% CI: 4.65-9.19] for individuals over 80 years. Heart failure was associated with lower all-cause HR [0.80, 95% CI: 0.76-0.86, p < 0.001] but higher SHR [1.30, 95% CI: 1.18-1.44, p < 0.001]. Comorbidities such as heart failure, stroke, and acute myocardial infarction significantly increased mortality risks, while essential hypertension was associated with lower risk of death.

CONCLUSION

The significant rise in the incidence rate of PAD underscores the growing burden of the disease, highlighting the urgent need for targeted preventive and management strategies in Kazakhstan.

Colchicine for cardiovascular and limb risk reduction in Medicare beneficiaries with peripheral artery disease: emulation of target trials

Aims

Recent evidence from randomized trials demonstrates that colchicine can reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with coronary artery disease. Colchicine's effect on lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is not known.

Methods and results

To make inferences about the real-world effectiveness of colchicine in PAD, we emulated two target trials leveraging the variable prescribing practice of adding colchicine vs. a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to urate-lowering therapy in patients with gout and PAD. Emulated Trial 1 compared colchicine initiators with NSAID initiators. Emulated Trial 2 compared long-term (indefinite) and short-term (3 months) treatment strategies after initiating colchicine. Eligible individuals were those continuously enrolled in Medicare receiving care at a multicentre academic health system between July 2007 and December 2019. The primary outcome for both trials was a 2 year composite of major adverse limb events (MALE), MACE, and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included MALE and death, MACE and death, and individual components of the primary outcome. Inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for confounding. Percentile-based 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using non-parametric bootstrapping. A total of 1820 eligible patients were included; the mean age was 77 years [standard deviation (SD) 7], 32% were female, and 9% were non-White. The mean (SD) duration of colchicine and NSAID therapy was 247 (345) and 137 (237) days, respectively. In the emulation of Trial 1, the risk of the primary composite outcome of MALE, MACE, and death at 2 years was 29.9% (95% CI 27.2%, 32.3%) in the colchicine group and 31.5% (28.3%, 34.6%) in the NSAID group, with a risk difference of -1.7% (95% CI -6.5%, 3.1%) and a risk ratio of 0.95 (95% CI 0.83, 1.07). Similar findings were noted in the emulation of Trial 2, with a risk of the primary composite outcome at 2 years of 30.7% (95% CI 23.7%, 38.1%) in the long-term colchicine group and 33.4% (95% CI 29.4%, 37.7%) in the short-term group, with a risk difference of -2.7% (95% CI -10.3%, 5.4%) and risk ratio of 0.92 (95% CI 0.70, 1.16).

Conclusion

In a real-world sample of patients with PAD and gout, estimates of the effect of colchicine were consistent across two analyses and provided no conclusive evidence that colchicine decreased the risk of adverse cardiovascular or limb events and death. The cardiovascular and limb benefits of colchicine in older, comorbid populations with PAD and advanced systematic atherosclerosis remain uncertain.

Ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease and all-cause mortality in Chinese elderly patients: a propensity-score matching study

BACKGROUND

Ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. However, studies focusing on elderly and very elderly patients are scarce. Hence, our study aimed to characterize and investigate the long-term prognostic implications of ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases in elderly Chinese patients.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 1026 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were categorized into the mono ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease (MICCD) (either coronary artery disease or ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack) (n = 912) and the comorbidity of ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CICCD) (diagnosed with both coronary artery disease and ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack at admission) (n = 114). The primary outcome was all-cause death. The mortality risk was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards risk model with multiple adjustments by conventional and propensity-score-based approaches.

RESULTS

Of the 2494 consecutive elderly patients admitted to the hospital, 1026 (median age 83 years [interquartile range]: 76.5-86.4; 94.4% men) met the inclusion criteria. Patients with CICCD consisted mostly of very elderly (79.2% vs. 66.1%, P < 0.001) individuals with a higher burden of comorbidities. Over a median follow-up of 10.4 years, 398 (38.8%) all-cause deaths were identified. Compared with the MICCD group, the CICCD group exhibited a higher adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidential interval, CI) of 1.71 (1.32-2.39) for long-term mortality after adjusting for potential confounders. The sensitivity analysis results remained robust. After inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) modeling, the CICCD group displayed an even worse mortality risk (IPTW-adjusted HR: 2.07; 95% CI 1.47-2.90). In addition, anemia (adjusted HR: 1.48; 95% CI 1.16-1.89) and malnutrition (adjusted HR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.15-1.78) are also independent risk factors for all-cause mortality among elderly and very elderly patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results thus suggest that elderly patients with ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular disease and anemia or malnutrition may have higher mortality, which may be predicted upon admission. These findings, however, warrant further investigation.

Temporal trends in characteristics and outcomes after myocardial infarction in patients with and without peripheral artery disease - A Nationwide, register-based follow-up study

AIM

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) represent a high-risk population with increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine trends in myocardial infarction (MI), PAD and adverse clinical outcomes from years 2000 to 2019.

METHODS

This nationwide Danish-based registry study included all patients with MI from years 2000-2019. Patients with PAD were compared to patients without PAD. Temporal changes in PAD prevalence over time was examined using the Cochrane-Armitage trend test, and Cox regression was used to test for between-group significance in all care and outcome measures.

RESULTS

A total of 196,635 patients experienced an MI within the study time frame; the prevalence of PAD over time showed a slight increase (p < 0.01). Patients with MI and a concurrent PAD diagnosis elicited a heavier burden of comorbidities. The primary MACE endpoint showed significant decreases in both patients with and without PAD (p < 0.01); the decrease was more marked in patients without a concurrent PAD diagnosis (p < 0.01) alongside with 1-year all-cause mortality (p < 0.01). There was a slight increase in initiation of preventive pharmacotherapy with a prominent increase in initiation of P2Y12-inhibitors post discharge in patients without PAD in comparison to patients with PAD, and the same pattern applied for lipid lowering agents (p < 0.01). Also, there was an increase in revascularization in patients with MI but more markedly in patients without coexisting PAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite significant decreases in MACE and mortality and significant increases in guideline-recommended care and revascularization over time for MI patients both with and without PAD, improvement in all these measures was less prominent in patients with MI and concomitant PAD.

Association of Increased Inter-arm Blood Pressure Difference with Long-term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often have peripheral artery disease (PAD). It is well known that the long-term clinical outcomes of AMI are worse in patients with a low ankle-brachial index (ABI) than in patients with a preserved ABI. Unlike ABI, the association between the inter-arm blood pressure difference (IABPD) and clinical outcomes in patients with AMI has not yet been established. This retrospective study examined whether or not the IABPD is associated with long-term clinical outcomes in patients with AMI. Methods We included 979 patients with AMI and divided them into a high-IABPD group (IABPD ≥10 mmHg, n=31) and a low-IABPD group (IABPD <10 mmHg, n=948) according to the IABPD measured during hospitalization for AMI. The primary endpoint was the all-cause mortality rate. Results During a median follow-up duration of 694 days (Q1, 296 days; Q3, 1,281 days), 82 all-cause deaths were observed. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that all-cause death was more frequently observed in the high-IABPD group than in the low-IABPD group (p<0.001). A multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that a high IABPD was significantly associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio 2.061, 95% confidence interval 1.012-4.197, p=0.046) after controlling for multiple confounding factors. Conclusion A high IABPD was significantly associated with long-term all-cause mortality in patients with AMI. Our results suggest the usefulness of the IABPD as a prognostic marker for patients with AMI.

Invasiveness of previous treatment for peripheral arterial disease and risk of adverse cardiac events after coronary stenting

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PADs), undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), have higher adverse event risks. The effect of invasiveness of PADs treatment on PCI outcome is unknown. This study assessed the impact of the invasiveness of previous PADs treatment (invasive or non-invasive) on event risks after PCI with contemporary drug-eluting stents. This post-hoc analysis pooled 3-year patient-level data of PCI all-comer patients living in the eastern Netherlands, previously treated for PADs. PADs included symptomatic atherosclerotic lesion in the lower or upper extremities; carotid or vertebral arteries; mesenteric arteries or aorta. Invasive PADs treatment comprised endarterectomy, bypass surgery, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, stenting or amputation; non-invasive treatment consisted of medication and participation in exercise programs. Primary endpoint was (coronary) target vessel failure: composite of cardiac mortality, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, or clinically indicated target vessel revascularization. Of 461 PCI patients with PADs, information on PADs treatment was available in 357 (77.4%) patients; 249 (69.7%) were treated invasively and 108 (30.3%) non-invasively. Baseline and PCI procedural characteristics showed no between-group difference. Invasiveness of PADs treatment was not associated with adverse event risks, including target vessel failure (20.5% vs. 16.0%; HR: 1.30, 95%-CI 0.75-2.26, p = 0.35), major adverse cardiac events (23.3% vs. 20.4%; HR: 1.16, 95%-CI 0.71-1.90, p = 0.55), and all-cause mortality (12.1% vs. 8.3%; HR: 1.48, 95%-CI 0.70-3.13, p = 0.30). In PADs patients participating in PCI trials, we found no significant relation between the invasiveness of previous PADs treatment and 3-year outcome after PCI. Consequently, high-risk PCI patients can be identified by consulting medical records, searching for PADs, irrespective of the invasiveness of PADs treatment.

Factors Associated With Myocardial Infarction in a Rural Population With Peripheral Arterial Diseases

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) studies in rural populations are limited. The incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) is higher in patients with PAD. This study examined the association between sociodemographic and clinical risk factors and MI in patients with PAD in Central Appalachia, comprising of 230 counties across six states in the United States. Data from electronic medical records of 13,455 patients with PAD were extracted from a large health system in Central Appalachia. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted. The final sample consisted of 5574 patients with PAD, of whom 24.85% were also diagnosed with MI. The mean age was 71 ± 11.23 years, and the majority were male (56.40%). After adjusting for confounders, patients with hypertension had three times higher odds of MI (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 3.21; 95% CI: 2.50-4.14) compared with those without hypertension. The likelihood of MI increased by 51% among patients with diabetes (aOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.33-1.71), 34% among ever-smokers (aOR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.18-1.52), and 45% in males (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.27-1.65). Hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and male sex were identified as significant risk factors for MI. Screening and effective management of these risk factors in rural areas could potentially prevent MI incidence among patients with PAD.

The spectrum of post-myocardial infarction care: From acute ischemia to heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with incidence ranging from 14% to 36% in patients admitted due to AMI. HF post-MI develops due to complex inter-play between macrovascular obstruction, microvascular dysfunction, myocardial stunning and remodeling, inflammation, and neuro-hormonal activation. Cardiogenic shock is an extreme presentation of HF post-MI and is associated with a high mortality. Early revascularization is the only therapy shown to improve survival in patients with cardiogenic shock. Treatment of HF post-MI requires prompt recognition and timely introduction of guideline-directed therapies to improve mortality and morbidity. This article aims to provide an up-to-date review on the incidence and pathogenesis of HF post-MI, current strategies to prevent and treat onset of HF post-MI, promising therapeutic strategies, and knowledge gaps in the field.

Comparing the long-term outcomes in chronic coronary syndrome patients with prior ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: findings from the TIGRIS registry

OBJECTIVES

Compared with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, non-STEMI (NSTEMI) patients have more comorbidities and extensive coronary artery disease. Contemporary comparative data on the long-term prognosis of stable post-myocardial infarction subtypes are needed.

DESIGN

Long-Term rIsk, clinical manaGement and healthcare Resource utilisation of stable coronary artery dISease (TIGRIS) was a multinational, observational and longitudinal cohort study.

SETTING

Patients were enrolled from 350 centres, with >95% coming from cardiology practices across 24 countries, from 19 June 2013 to 31 March 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

This study enrolled 8277 stable patients 1-3 years after myocardial infarction with ≥1 additional risk factor.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Over a 2 year follow-up, cardiovascular events and deaths and self-reported health using the EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire score were recorded. Relative risk of clinical events and health resource utilisation in STEMI and NSTEMI patients were compared using multivariable Poisson regression models, adjusting for prognostically relevant patient factors.

RESULTS

Of 7752 patients with known myocardial infarction type, 46% had NSTEMI; NSTEMI patients were older with more comorbidities than STEMI patients. NSTEMI patients had significantly poorer self-reported health and lower prevalence of dual antiplatelet therapy at hospital discharge and at enrolment 1-3 years later. NSTEMI patients had a higher incidence of combined myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death (5.6% vs 3.9%, p<0.001) and higher all-cause mortality (4.2% vs 2.6%, p<0.001) compared with STEMI patients. Risks were attenuated after adjusting for other patient characteristics. Health resource utilisation was higher in NSTEMI patients, although STEMI patients had more cardiologist visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-NSTEMI chronic coronary syndrome patients had a less favourable risk factor profile, poorer self-reported health and more adverse cardiovascular events during long-term follow-up than individuals post STEMI. Efforts are needed to recognise the risks of stable patients after NSTEMI and optimise secondary prevention and care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01866904.

Outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention using ultrathin-strut biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting versus thin-strut durable polymer zotarolimus-eluting stents in patients with comorbid peripheral arterial disease: a post-hoc analysis from two randomized trials

Background

In patients with peripheral arterial disease (PADs), who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), little is known about the potential impact of using different new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) on outcome. In PCI all-comers, the results of most between-stent comparisons-stratified by strut thickness-suggested some advantage of coronary stents with ultrathin-struts. The current post-hoc analysis aimed to assess outcomes of PCI with ultrathin-strut biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (BP-SES) vs. thin-strut durable polymer zotarolimus-eluting stents (DP-ZES) in patients with PADs.

Methods

We pooled 3-year patient-level data from two large-scale randomized all-comer trials to compare Orsiro ultrathin-strut BP-SES vs. Resolute-type thin-strut DP-ZES in trial participants with concomitant PADs. BIO-RESORT (December 2012 to August 2015) and BIONYX (October 2015 to December 2016) included all-comer patients who were aged 18 years or older, capable of providing informed consent, and required a PCI. The trials had web-based randomization, with block sizes of 4 and 8, performed in a 1:1:1 or 1:1 fashion. Assessors, research staff, and patients were blinded to the type of stent used. We assessed the composite main clinical endpoint target vessel failure [TVF: cardiac death, target vessel related myocardial infarction (MI), or clinically indicated target vessel revascularization (TVR)], its components, and stent thrombosis.

Results

Of 4,830 trial participants, 360 had PADs: 177 (49.2%) were treated with BP-SES and 183 (50.8%) with DP-ZES. Baseline characteristics were similar. For BP-SES, the 3-year TVF rate was 11.0% and for DP-ZES 17.9% [hazard ratio (HR): 0.59, 95% CI: 0.33-1.04; P=0.07]. For BP-SES, the TVR rate was lower than for DP-ZES (4.1% vs. 11.0%; HR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.15-0.86; P=0.016), but this did not translate into between-group differences in cardiac death or MI. In small vessels (<2.75 mm), the TVR rate was also lower in BP-SES (5.6% vs. 13.9%; HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11-0.91; P=0.024). Definite-or-probable stent thrombosis rates were 1.2% and 2.3% (P=0.43).

Conclusions

In PCI patients with PADs, the 3-year TVF incidence was numerically lower in the ultrathin-strut BP-SES vs. the thin-strut DP-ZES group. Furthermore, TVR risk was significantly lower in ultrathin-strut BP-SES, mainly driven by a lower TVR rate in small vessels.

Trial Registration

BIO-RESORT trial: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01674803); BIONYX trial: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02508714).

Clinical and Cardiovascular Profile in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Background  Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a vascular disorder leading to serious complications if not managed promptly. This study is conducted to analyze clinical and cardiovascular risk factors in PAD patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital and management strategies. Methodology This observational study was conducted at the Department of Cardiology, Mohamed Bin Khalifa Specialist Cardiac Centre. One hundred and twenty patients aged more than 35 years with PAD were included in the study. Data regarding age, gender, physical exam, cardiovascular risk profile, carotid disease, coronary artery disease, and treatment strategy were recorded on a pre-designed questionnaire by the researcher himself. The data were analyzed using IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Results The mean age of patients with PAD was 65.46±10.56 years. About 79.2% were hypertensive, 81.7% had hyperlipidemia, 83.3% had diabetes, 29.2% had renal insufficiency, and 38.3% were active smokers, respectively. In age ≥65 years, infra-popliteal PAD was significantly lower as compared to above-knee PAD (23.4% vs. 76.6%, p=0.002). In diabetic patients, the proportion of above-knee PAD was higher than below-knee PAD (60% vs. 40%, p=0.033). Conclusion Older age, diabetes, and carotid disease were significant predictors for peripheral artery disease, and these are significantly associated with above-the-knee peripheral artery disease.

Risk of bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention and its impact on further adverse events in clinical trial participants with comorbid peripheral arterial disease

BACKGROUND

Both patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and patients with peripheral arterial disease (PADs) have an increased bleeding risk. Information is scarce on bleeding in CAD patients, treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), who have comorbid PADs. We assessed whether PCI patients with PADs have a higher bleeding risk than PCI patients without PADs. Furthermore, in PCI patients with PADs we evaluated the extent by which bleeding increased the risk of further adverse events.

METHODS

Three-year pooled patient-level data of two randomized PCI trials (BIO-RESORT, BIONYX) with drug-eluting stents were analyzed to assess mortality and the composite endpoint major adverse cardiac events (MACE: all-cause mortality, any myocardial infarction, emergent coronary artery bypass surgery, or target lesion revascularization).

RESULTS

Among 5989 all-comer patients, followed for 3 years, bleeding occurred in 7.7% (34/440) with comorbid PADs and 5.0% (279/5549) without PADs (HR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.11-2.23, p = 0.010). Of all PADs patients, those with a bleeding had significantly higher rates of all-cause mortality (HR: 4.70, 95%CI: 2.37-9.33, p < 0.001) and MACE (HR: 2.39, 95%CI: 1.23-4.31, p = 0.003). Furthermore, PADs patients with a bleeding were older (74.4 ± 6.9 vs. 67.4 ± 9.5, p < 0.001). After correction for age and other potential confounders, bleeding remained independently associated with all-cause mortality (adj.HR: 2.97, 95%CI: 1.37-6.43, p = 0.006) while the relation of bleeding with MACE became borderline non-significant (adj.HR: 1.85, 95%CI: 0.97-3.55, p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

PCI patients with PADs had a higher bleeding risk than PCI patients without PADs. In PADs patients, bleeding was associated with all-cause mortality, even after adjustment for potential confounders.

Comparative evaluation of socioeconomic insecurity in peripheral and coronary artery disease patients

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease represents the leading cause of death worldwide. Socioeconomic deprivation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We have previously shown that precariousness was more frequent in symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients than in the general population. According to a previous study, coronary artery disease (CAD) patients have a higher level of education than CAD with PAD, but no study directly compared the level of precariousness in PAD and CAD patients.

AIM

To measure and compare the level of socioeconomic insecurity in patients suffering from symptomatic PAD with those suffering from isolated CAD, i.e without symptomatic PAD.

METHODS

We conducted an observational, cohort, prospective, multicenter study. Patients suffering from symptomatic PAD or CAD were recruited through the medical or surgical vascular or cardiology departments, or the vascular rehabilitation center. The EPICES score and the INSEE parameters were used for analysis. The individual is considered precarious when his or her score is greater than or equal to 30. Cardiovascular risk factors and peripheral arterial disease stages were also collected.

RESULTS

In total, 230 patients were included. According to the EPICES score, 47.8% [95%CI, 38.7-56.7] of patients with symptomatic PAD were in a precarious situation compared to 17.4% [95%CI, 10.5-24.3] of patients suffering from isolated CAD (P<0.001). The mean EPICES score was 33.3 (SD 22.5) in the PAD and 16.9 (SD 17.02) in the CAD population, respectively (P<0.001). In the PAD population, the level of education was low, with an under-representation of patients with a baccalaureate or higher education degree: 21.7% [95%CI, 14.2-29.3] vs. 41.7% [95%CI, 32.7-50.7] in the PAD and CAD populations, respectively. There was also an under-representation of executives and intellectual and intermediate professions in the PAD population, 18.3% [95%CI, 11.2-25.3], compared to the CAD population, 31.3% [95%CI, 22.8-39.8].

CONCLUSION

PAD patients are more precarious than patients suffering from CAD. A better detection of socioeconomic deprivation in patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease could allow comprehensive care and thus hope for an improvement in terms of morbidity and mortality.

Outcomes After Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Artery Disease (from the TRACER, TRILOGY-ACS, APPRAISE-2, and PLATO Clinical Trials)

Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at risk for recurrent adverse events, and multiple reports suggest that this risk is increased in patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). The aim of this article was to investigate cardiovascular outcomes in patients with DM presenting with ACS, stratified by PAD status. Data were derived from 4 randomized post-ACS trials (PLATO [Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes], APPRAISE-2 p Apixaban for Prevention of Acute Ischemic Events 2], TRILOGY [Targeted Platelet Inhibition to Clarify the Optimal Strategy to Medically Manage], and TRACER [Thrombin Receptor Agonist for Clinical Event Reduction in Acute Coronary Syndrome]). Using Cox regression analysis, we investigated major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), a composite of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and the individual components of MACE and all-cause mortality in patients with DM, presenting with ACS, stratified by PAD status as the risk modifier. This study included 15,387 patients with a diagnosis of DM and ACS, of whom 1,751 had an additional diagnosis of PAD. PAD was associated with more than doubled rates of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.81 to 2.27), all-cause mortality (HR 2.48, 95% CI 2.14 to 2.87), cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.42, 95% CI 2.04 to 2.86), and MI (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.79 to 2.38). Patients with both PAD and DM were also more optimally treated with antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and statin medication at baseline. In conclusion, this analysis of 4 major post-ACS trials showed that patients with DM and PAD had a substantially higher risk of MACE, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, and MI despite being optimally treated with guideline-based therapies.

Association of Asymptomatic Low Ankle-Brachial Index with Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction

AIMS

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the well-known risk factor for cardiovascular events. Although low ankle-brachial index (ABI) is recognized as a risk factor in general population, low ABI without any symptoms of PAD has not been established as a prognostic marker in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) yet. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine whether asymptomatic low ABI was associated with long-term clinical outcomes in AMI patients without treatment history of PAD.

METHODS

We included 850 AMI patients without a history of PAD and divided them into the preserved ABI (ABI ≥ 0.9) group (n=760) and the reduced ABI (ABI ＜0.9) group (n=90) on the basis of the ABI measurement during the hospitalization. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalization for heart failure.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up duration of 497 days (Q1: 219 days to Q3: 929 days), a total of 152 MACE were observed. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that MACE were more frequently observed in the reduced ABI group than in the preserved ABI group (p＜0.001). The multivariate COX hazard analysis revealed that reduced ABI was significantly associated with MACE (hazard ratio 2.046, 95% confidence interval 1.344-3.144, p=0.001) after controlling confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced ABI was significantly associated with long-term adverse events in AMI patients without a history of PAD. Our results suggest the usefulness of ABI as a prognostic marker in AMI patients irrespective of symptomatic PAD.

Patient satisfaction with tele- and video- consultation in the COVID-19 era - a survey of vascular surgical patients

INTRODUCTION

The COVID 19 pandemic has resulted in increasing use of telemedicine, due to the advantages of avoiding viral transmission. Evidence suggests that telemedicine, for certain conditions, may be as effective as face-to-face consultations; however, there is no research to date regarding vascular patients acceptance or satisfaction with telemedicine during, and after, the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A patient satisfaction interview was designed to survey three aspects of the service: patient acceptability of teleconsultations as a replacement to physical clinics; their views of teleconsultation during the pandemic; and the future role of teleconsultations post-pandemic. Patients undergoing remote teleconsultation (either by telephone or video software), between April and June 2020, were suitable for inclusion. Patients were contacted by telephone in August 2020 to undertake the survey. Local 'Research and Development' approval was obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 333 patients had a consultation with a vascular consultant between April and June 2020, of which 178 were teleconsultations. Successful contact was made with 72 patients, of whom 68 agreed to participate; 10 patients had undergone video consultations, whilst the remainder had telephone consultations. Teleconsultations were widely viewed as acceptable, and over 90% of patients felt they were beneficial. 91% felt that not needing to travel for appointments was advantageous to them. The option of teleconsultation during the COVID pandemic was valued by 94% of the cohort. Whilst all interviewees felt teleclinics should continue during the pandemic, the majority (74%) also wanted to use teleconsultations for clinic appointments after the pandemic.

CONCLUSION

Telemedicine is viewed by vascular patients as generally acceptable and beneficial for use during the pandemic. The majority of patients wanted future telemedicine appointments, post-pandemic. Telemedicine services started as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have been viewed as a temporary measure, should be planned as continuing long term.

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Among Septic Shock and Coronary Interventions: A National Emergency Database Study

OBJECTIVE

To study coronary interventions and mortality among patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were admitted with septic shock.

METHODS

Data from the national emergency department sample (NEDS) that constitutes 20% sample of hospital-owned emergency departments in the United States was analyzed for the septic shock related visits from 2016 to 2018. Septic shock was defined by the ICD codes.

RESULTS

Out of 1 375 507 adult septic shock patients, 521 300 had a primary diagnosis of septic shock (mean age 67.41±15.67 years, 51.1% females) in the national emergency database for the years 2016 to 2018. Of these patients, 2768 (0.53%) had STEMI recorded during the hospitalization. Mortality rates for STEMI patients were higher than patients without STEMI (52.3% vs 23.5%). Mortality rates improved with PCI among STEMI patients (43.8% vs 56.2%). Coronary angiography was performed among 16% of patients of which percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) rates were 7.7% among patients with STEMI septic shock. PCI numerically improved mortality, however, had no significant difference than patients without PCI on multivariate logistic regression and univariate logistic regression post coarsened exact matching of baseline characteristics among STEMI patients. Among the predictors, STEMI was a significant predictor of mortality in septic shock patients (OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.37-3.49; P<.001). Age, peripheral vascular disease, were predominant predictors of mortality in STEMI with septic shock subgroup (P <.001). Pneumonia was the predominant underlying infection among STEMI (36.4%) and without STEMI group (29.5%).

CONCLUSION

STEMI complicating septic shock worsens mortality. PCI and coronary angiography numerically improved mortality, however, had no significant difference from patients without PCI. More research will be needed to improve mortality in such a critically ill subgroup of patients.

The impact of peripheral artery disease on major adverse cardiovascular events following myocardial infarction

AIMS

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) constitute a high-risk with adverse clinical outcomes. We aimed to investigate the cardiovascular outcomes following myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This nationwide, Danish register-based follow-up study includes all patients experiencing an MI between 2000 and 2017. Patients with and without PAD were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was used to derive relative risks of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; all-cause mortality, reinfarction, stroke or heart failure). Individual components, cardiovascular mortality, and bleeding, standardized to age, sex and comorbidity distributions of all patients were assessed. MI patients with PAD (n = 5083, 2.9%) were older and more comorbid compared to patients without PAD (n = 174,673). After standardization, PAD was associated with higher 1-year relative risks of MACE (RR 1.21 [95% CI 1.17;1.25]), all-cause (RR 1.29 [95% CI 1.24;1.35]) and cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.3 [95% CI 1.24;1.36]), reinfarction (RR 1.17 [95% CI 1.11;1.22]), stroke (RR 1.12 [95% CI 0.92;1.32]), heart failure (RR 1.22 [95% CI 1.12;1.32]), and bleeding episodes (RR 1.25 [95% CI 1.04,1.46]). Similar results were seen in 30-day survivors after adjustment for antithrombotic post-discharge medication for MACE (RR 1.25 [95% CI 1.20,1.31]), all-cause mortality (RR 1.47 [95% CI 1.37,1.57], cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.49 [95% CI 1.37,1.61]), reinfarction (RR 1.17 [95% CI 1.08,1.12]) and heart failure (RR 1.22 [95% CI 1.12,1.32]).

CONCLUSION

Comparing to patients without PAD, patients with PAD had increased 1-year relative risk of MACE, all-cause mortality, reinfarction, stroke, heart failure, cardiovascular mortality and bleeding following MI. The low prevalence of PAD is suggestive of considerable under-diagnosing.

Comparative Clinical Effectiveness of Population-Based Atrial Fibrillation Screening Using Contemporary Modalities: A Decision-Analytic Model

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) screening is endorsed by certain guidelines for individuals aged ≥65 years. Yet many AF screening strategies exist, including the use of wrist-worn wearable devices, and their comparative effectiveness is not well-understood. Methods and Results We developed a decision-analytic model simulating 50 million individuals with an age, sex, and comorbidity profile matching the United States population aged ≥65 years (ie, with a guideline-based AF screening indication). We modeled no screening, in addition to 45 distinct AF screening strategies (comprising different modalities and screening intervals), each initiated at a clinical encounter. The primary effectiveness measure was quality-adjusted life-years, with incident stroke and major bleeding as secondary measures. We defined continuous or nearly continuous modalities as those capable of monitoring beyond a single time-point (eg, patch monitor), and discrete modalities as those capable of only instantaneous AF detection (eg, 12-lead ECG). In total, 10 AF screening strategies were effective compared with no screening (300-1500 quality-adjusted life-years gained/100 000 individuals screened). Nine (90%) effective strategies involved use of a continuous or nearly continuous modality such as patch monitor or wrist-worn wearable device, whereas 1 (10%) relied on discrete modalities alone. Effective strategies reduced stroke incidence (number needed to screen to prevent a stroke: 3087-4445) but increased major bleeding (number needed to screen to cause a major bleed: 1815-4049) and intracranial hemorrhage (number needed to screen to cause intracranial hemorrhage: 7693-16 950). The test specificity was a highly influential model parameter on screening effectiveness. Conclusions When modeled from a clinician-directed perspective, the comparative effectiveness of population-based AF screening varies substantially upon the specific strategy used. Future screening interventions and guidelines should consider the relative effectiveness of specific AF screening strategies.

Features of Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients with Multifocal Arterial Disease

Multifocal arterial injury is common in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular complications and death. Administration of more intensive antithrombotic therapy, particularly combinations of acetylsalicylic acid and a "vascular" dose of rivaroxaban, in patients with multifocal arterial injury is characterized by a beneficial ratio of efficiency and safety due to a pronounced decrease in the risk of cardiovascular complications. Detection of peripheral artery diseases in patients with ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic cerebrovascular pathology makes it possible to improve the risk stratification, optimize the diagnostic tactics and clarify indications for more intensive antithrombotic therapy.

Impact of Prior Digestive System Disease on In-Hospital Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE

Patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with prior digestive system disease are more likely to suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding than those without these diseases. However, few articles reported how the different conditions of the digestive tract produced different risks of GI bleeding.

METHODS

A single-center study on 7464 patients admitted for AMI from December 2010 to June 2019 in the Beijing Chaoyang Heart Center was retrospectively examined. Patients with major GI bleeding (n = 165) were compared with patients without (n = 7299). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to test the association between GI bleeding and prior diseases of the digestive tract, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, hepatic function damage, diseases of the colon and rectum, and gastroenterological tract tumors.

RESULTS

Of the 7464 patients (mean age, 63.4; women, 25.6%; STEMI, 58.6%), 165 (2.2%) experienced major GI bleeding, and 1816 (24.3%) had a history of digestive system disease. The risk of GI bleeding was significantly associated with peptic ulcer (OR = 4.19, 95% CI: 1.86-9.45) and gastroenterological tumor (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.07-7.04), indicated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Preexisting peptic ulcers and gastroenterological tract tumors rather than other digestive system diseases were indicators of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with AMI who undergo standard antithrombotic treatment during hospitalization.

Features of Risk Stratification, Diagnosis and Secondary Prevention in Patients with Multifocal Arterial Disease. Part 1: Risk Stratification and Diagnosis

Multifocal arterial disease is common in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and death. The possibility of improving the prognosis of patients with multifocal arterial disease is associated with a more efficient diagnosis of both the underlying disease and obstructive atherosclerotic lesions of other localizations and with a more intensive secondary prevention. According to observational studies, the presence of significant stenoses of the carotid arteries and, especially, lower extremities arterial disease can be predictorы of similar lesions in other vascular beds and their detection with screening methods available in clinical practice allows improvement of the diagnosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. On the other hand, screening of lower extremities artery diseases in patients with acute coronary syndrome can clarify indications for the use of invasive diagnostic and treatment strategy, in patients with chronic coronary artery disease it can justify more aggressive approaches to secondary prevention.

Prognostic value of myeloperoxidase in patients with peripheral artery disease

OBJECTIVES

The involvement of myeloperoxidase in the production of dysfunctional high-density lipoproteins and oxidised biomolecules leads to oxidative stress in the blood vessel endothelium. This prospective cohort study aimed to examine the prognostic value of myeloperoxidase in patients with peripheral artery disease in relation to major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), target lesion revascularisation, and major adverse limb events (MALEs) and its association with multi-bed vascular disease, which is defined as any combination of the following: peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Myeloperoxidase levels were measured in patients with peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease during angiography. A total of 94 patients were analysed and followed up regarding their MACEs, target lesion revascularisation, and MALEs from August 2016 until February 2019.

RESULTS

Among patients with peripheral artery disease, the rates of MACE and mortality were higher in patients with high myeloperoxidase levels than in those with low myeloperoxidase levels; the myeloperoxidase levels were 3.68 times higher in these patients (p < 0.0001). Patients with peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease (multi-bed vascular disease) had higher myeloperoxidase levels than those with only peripheral artery disease and only coronary artery disease (one-bed vascular disease). Peripheral artery disease patients with higher myeloperoxidase levels had significantly higher rates of limb ischaemia, requiring further revascularisation than those with low myeloperoxidase levels.

CONCLUSIONS

High myeloperoxidase levels suggest poor outcomes and are associated with MACE and limb ischaemia. Our findings indicated that myeloperoxidase levels could become a prognostic marker and may be used in conjunction with other methods for risk stratification in patients with peripheral artery disease and multi-bed vascular disease.

Effect of Cerebrovascular and/or Peripheral Artery Disease With or Without Attainment of Lipid Goals on Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Involvement of atherosclerosis in extracardiac vascular territories may identify coronary artery disease (CAD) patients at higher risk for adverse events. We investigated the long-term prognostic implications of polyvascular disease in patients with CAD, and further analyzed lipid goal attainment and its relation to patient outcomes. The study was a retrospective analysis of 10,297 patients who underwent coronary revascularization, categorized as having CAD alone (83.1%) or with multisite artery disease (MSAD) (16.9%) including cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD). Incidence rates and hazard ratios (HR) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or all-cause death) according to vascular territories involved, and in relation to most-recent lipid levels attained, were analyzed. Patients with MSAD were older with higher burden of co-morbidities. The rate of MACE (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or all-cause death) and its individual components increased with the number of affected vascular beds. Adjusted HR (95% confidence interval) for MACE was 1.41 (1.24 to 1.59) in patients with CAD and CBVD, 1.46 (1.33 to 1.62) in CAD and PAD, and 1.69 (1.49 to 1.92) in those with CAD and CBVD and PAD, compared with CAD alone. Most-recent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels <55 mg/dl and <70 mg/dl were attained by 21.8% and 44.6% of patients with CAD alone, in comparison to 22.7% and 43.3% in MSAD. Compared with patients with most-recent LDL-C > 100 mg/dl, attaining LDL-C < 70 mg/dl had an adjusted HR for MACE of 0.52 (0.47 to 0.57) in CAD only patients and 0.66 (0.57 to 0.78) in MSAD patients. In conclusion, the presence of CBVD and/or PAD in patients with CAD is associated with higher burden of co-morbidities and progressive increase in long-term MACE. More than half of CAD patients with or without MSAD do not achieve lipid goals, which are associated with a significantly lower risk for adverse events.

Evaluating the correlation of the impairment between skeletal muscle and heart using MRI in a spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus rhesus monkey model

AIMS

To investigate the correlation of impairment in skeletal muscle and heart in spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rhesus monkeys using magnetic resonance image (MRI).

METHODS

Fifteen T2DM monkeys and fourteen healthy control (HC) monkeys were included. The microcirculation of skeletal muscle [skeletal muscle blood flow (SMBF), skeletal muscle oxygen extraction fraction (SMOEF)] and the function and strain of heart were evaluated by MRI. Three regions of interests were chosen on the soleus muscle (SOL), gastrocnemius muscle (GAS) and tibialis anterior muscle (TA) for image analysis.

RESULTS

Eight T2DM monkeys and eight HC monkeys were obtained the full data. The SMBF reserves and SMOEF reserves were found significantly decreased in T2DM during inflation in SOL, GAS and TA muscles (all p < 0.05), and the SMBF reserves decreased during hyperemia in GAS and TA muscles (all p < 0.05). In these monkeys, the global peak longitudinal strain (longitudinal PS), peak systolic longitudinal strain rate (longitudinal PSSR) and peak diastolic longitudinal strain rate (longitudinal PDSR) were seen significantly different in T2DM compared to HC monkeys (all p < 0.05). The longitudinal PSSR was found negatively correlated with SMBF reserves in SOL, GAS and TA during inflation in all monkeys.

CONCLUSIONS

The impaired microcirculation of skeletal muscle and the myocardial deformation were found in T2DM monkeys with normal ejection fraction. And a negative correlation was existed in the longitudinal PSSR and the SMBF reserves.

Usefulness of four-limb blood pressure measurement in prediction of overall and cardiovascular mortality in acute myocardial infarction

Four-limb blood pressure measurement could improve mortality prediction in the elderly. However, there was no study to evaluate whether such measurement was still useful in predicting overall and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Two hundred AMI patients admitted to cardiac care unit were enrolled. The 4-limb blood pressures, inter-limb blood pressure differences, and ankle brachial index (ABI) were measured using an ABI-form device. The median follow-up to mortality was 64 months (25th-75th percentile: 5-174 months). There were 40 and 138 patients documented as CV and overall mortality, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, the ankle diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on the lower side, ABI value, ABI < 0.9, interarm DBP difference, interankle systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP differences, interankle SBP difference ≥ 15 mmHg, and interankle DBP difference ≥ 10 mmHg could predict overall mortality (P ≤ 0.025). The ankle DBP on the lower side, interankle DBP difference, and interankle DBP difference ≥ 10 mmHg could predict CV mortality (P ≤ 0.031). In addition, in the Nested Cox model, the model including the ankle DBP on the lower side and the model including interankle DBP difference had the best value for overall and CV mortality prediction, respectively (P ≤ 0.031). In AMI patients, 4-limb blood pressure measurement could generate several useful parameters in predicting overall and CV mortality. Furthermore, ankle DBP on the lower side and interankle DBP difference were the most powerful parameters in prediction of overall and CV mortality, respectively.