An overview of PCI in the very elderly

Acute Coronary Syndrome in Elderly Patients: How to Tackle Them?

Elderly patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) represent a growing demographic population. These patients typically present more comorbidities and experience poorer outcomes compared to younger patients. Furthermore, they are less frequently subjected to revascularization procedures and are less likely to receive evidence-based medications in both the short and long-term periods. Assessing frailty is crucial in elderly patients with ACS because it can influence management decisions, as well as risk stratification and prognosis. Indeed, treatment decisions should consider geriatric syndromes, frailty, polypharmacy, sarcopenia, nutritional deficits, prevalence of comorbidities, thrombotic risk, and, at the same time, an increased risk of bleeding. Rigorous clinical assessments, clear revascularization criteria, and tailored approaches to antithrombotic therapy are essential for guiding personalized treatment decisions in these individuals. Assessing frailty helps healthcare providers identify patients who may benefit from targeted interventions to improve their outcomes and quality of life. Elderly individuals who experience ACS remain significantly underrepresented and understudied in randomized controlled trials. For this reason, the occurrence of ACS in the elderly continues to be a particularly complex issue in clinical practice, and one that clinicians increasingly have to address, given the general ageing of populations. This review aims to address the complex aspects of elderly patients with ACS to help clinicians make therapeutic decisions when faced with such situations.

The prevalence and outcomes in STEMI patients aged ≥75 undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention in China

Objective

To investigate the prevalence and outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Chinese patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) aged ≥75 years.

Methods

We identified STEMI patients aged ≥75 years between 2013 and 2014 from a multicenter registry. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) including a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiac death, recurrent MI, stroke, revascularization, and major bleeding. Hazard ratios (HR) and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Results

Approximately 32.9% (n = 999) patients received primary PCI. Primary PCI was associated with lower risks of two-year all-cause mortality (18.0% vs. 36.4%; adjusted HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.65, P < 0.0001), MACCE (28.7% vs. 43.5%; adjusted HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.80, P < 0.0001), and cardiac death (10.0% vs. 23.6%; adjusted HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.62, P < 0.0001) relative to no reperfusion (n = 2041) in patients aged ≥75 years. The better outcomes in two-year all-cause mortality, MACCE, and cardiac death were consistently observed in STEMI patients aged ≥85 years. No differences were observed in recurrent MI, stroke, revascularization, and major bleeding between the two groups. Additionally, in patients with relatively high-risk profiles such as cardiogenic shock or delaying hospital admission, primary PCI was also superior to no reperfusion.

Conclusion

Primary PCI may decrease two-year all-cause mortality, MACCE, and cardiac death in STEMI patients aged ≥75 years, even in these with age ≥85 years, cardiogenic shock, or delaying hospital admission. However, primary PCI was underutilized in Chinese clinical practice.

Predictors of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the predictors of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACE/MACCE) in older adults who underwent PCI.

METHODS

Three databases, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, were searched for observational studies considering the out-of-hospital MACE/MACCE in adults ≥ 60 years old with coronary artery disease (acute or chronic) who underwent PCI. Studies were eligible if they had determined at least two statistically significant predictors of MACE/MACCE by multivariable analysis. We used the QUIPS tool to evaluate the risk of bias in the studies. Random-effects meta-analysis was utilized to pool the hazard ratios (HRs) of the most reported predictors.

RESULTS

A total of 34 studies were included in the review. Older age (HR = 1.04, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.03-1.06, P-value < 0.001), diabetes (HR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.22-1.53, P < 0.001), history of myocardial infarction (MI) (HR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.37-2.57, P < 0.001), ST-elevation MI (STEMI) at presentation (HR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.37-2.18, P < 0.001), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.52-2.65, P < 0.001), successful PCI (HR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.27-0.47, P < 0.001), eGFR (HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.00; P-value = 0.04) and left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease (HR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.52-2.84, P < 0.001) were identified as predictors of MACE.

CONCLUSION

We identified older age, diabetes, history of MI, STEMI presentation, lower LVEF, and LMCA disease increased the risk of MACE/MACCE after PCI in older adults. Meanwhile, higher eGFR and successful PCI predicted lower adverse events risk. Future studies should focus on a more robust methodology and a precise definition of MACE.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42023480332).

Use of Calcium Modification During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention After Introduction of Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy

Background

Calcified coronary lesions are a challenge for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a novel calcium modification technology approved for commercial use in February 2021, but little is known about its uptake in US clinical practice.

Methods

We described trends in use of calcium modification strategies, variation in use across hospitals, and predictors of calcium modification and IVL use in PCI. We included National Cardiovascular Data Registry CathPCI Registry patients who underwent PCI between April 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. We examined trends and hospital variation in calcium modification and IVL use. We used multivariate hierarchical logistic regression to identify predictors of calcium modification and IVL use at hospitals in 2022.

Results

Of 2,733,494 PCIs across 1676 hospitals over 4.75 years, 11.4% were performed with calcium modification. Coronary IVL use increased rapidly from 0% of PCIs in Q4 2020 to 7.8% of PCIs in Q4 2022, which was accompanied by an overall increase in use of all calcium modification strategies (11.1%-16.0%) during this period with a slight corresponding decrease in coronary atherectomy use (5.4%-4.4%). In 2022, there was wide variation in IVL use across hospitals (median, 3.86%; IQR, 0%-8.19%), with IVL being the most common calcium modification strategy in 48% of hospitals. The treating hospital was the strongest predictor of calcium modification (median odds ratio [OR], 2.49; 95% CI, 2.40-2.57) and IVL use (median OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 2.74-3.04).

Conclusions

IVL has rapidly changed the landscape of calcium modification use for PCI, although there remains wide variation across hospitals.

Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: A Contemporary Review of Diagnosis and Management

Significant left main coronary artery disease is a very high-risk subgroup of coronary artery disease that is a crucial indicator of heightened morbidity and mortality rates. Despite its clinical significance, uncertainties persist regarding the optimal management strategy for patients, particularly given its phenotypic variations. Existing evidence-based guidelines offer insights into revascularization options, yet questions remain regarding long-term prognoses and clinical outcomes when comparing percutaneous coronary intervention to coronary artery bypass grafting. This comprehensive review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of contemporary strategies for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of left main coronary artery disease. By synthesizing current literature and addressing the evolving landscape of revascularization modalities, this review seeks to contribute valuable insights for clinicians and researchers grappling with the complexities of managing left main coronary artery disease.

Age and outcomes following personalized antiplatelet therapy in chronic coronary syndrome patients: a post hoc analysis of the randomized PATH-PCI trial

It is particularly important to establish more effective and safer antiplatelet treatment strategies according to age. The present subanalysis of the PATH-PCI trial was to determine the safety and efficacy of any dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) strategy in different age groups. We randomized 2285 chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) into a standard group or a personalized group from December 2016 to February 2018. The personalized group received personalized antiplatelet therapy (PAT) based on a novel platelet function test (PFT). The standard group received standard antiplatelet therapy (SAT). Then, all patients were divided according to age (under the age of 65 years and aged 65 years or over) to investigate the association and interaction of age on clinical outcomes at 180 days. In the patients under the age of 65 years, the incidence of NACEs was decreased in the personalized group compared to the standard group (5.1% vs. 8.8%, HR: 0.603, 95% CI: 0.409-0.888, P = .010). The rates of MACCEs (3.3% vs. 7.7%, HR: 0.450, 95% CI: 0.285-0.712, P = .001), MACEs (2.2% vs. 5.4%, HR: 0.423, 95% CI: 0.243-0.738, P = .002) also decreased. We did not find a significant difference in bleeding between the groups. In the patients aged 65 years or over, no difference in the primary endpoint was found (4.9% vs. 4.2%, P = .702), and comparable rates of survival were observed with the two strategies (all Ps > 0.05). The present study shows that PAT according to PFT was comparable to SAT at the 180-day follow-up for both ischemic and bleeding endpoints in CCS patients aged 65 years or over who underwent PCI. In patients under the age of 65 years, PAT can reduce ischemic events but does not increase bleeding, and it is an effective and safe treatment strategy. It may be necessary for young CCS patients after PCI to undergo PAT early after PCI.

Relationship Between Number of Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Training Sessions, Muscle Mass, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Rural Elderly Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the effects of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise program on skeletal muscle index (SMI) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients aged ≥65 years.

Patients and Methods

From January 2012 to December 2021, patients living in rural regions aged ≥65 who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and at least one CR exercise session were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients who underwent an exercise tolerance test (ETT) at initial and 3-month follow-ups. A total of 36 patients were enrolled who underwent a mean of 6.56 exercise sessions and were divided into groups based on the number of center-based CR (CBCR) sessions: 14 in Group A (≥7 sessions) and 22 in Group B (<7 sessions). In CBCR session, we comprehensively counseled them about their nutrition, smoking cessation et al. Both groups underwent an ETT after 12 weeks. The outcomes were CRF parameters examined by a cardiorespiratory exercise test and the SMI examined by bioimpedance analysis (BIA).

Results

The number of exercise sessions was significantly correlated with the rate of SMI change. Group A showed significant increases in metabolic equivalent of task (MET), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and SMI after 3 months. There were significant differences in the rates of change in MET, VO2max, and SMI between the two groups.

Conclusion

CRF significantly improved in Group A in a short period. Further studies are required to increase long-term CBCR adherence in elderly patients with AMI in rural regions.

Development of Comorbidity Index for In-hospital Mortality for Patients Underwent Coronary Artery Revascularization

Background

For myocardial revascularization, coronary artery bypass grafting (CAGB) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are two common modalities but with high in-hospital mortality. A comorbidity index is useful to predict mortality or can be used with other covariates to develop point-scoring systems. This study aimed to develop specific comorbidity indices for patients who underwent coronary artery revascularization.

Methods

Patients who underwent CABG or PCI were identified in the National Inpatient Sample database between Q4 2015-2020. Patients of age<40 were excluded for congenital heart defects. Patients were randomly sampled into experimental (70%) and validation (30%) groups. Thirty-eight Elixhauser comorbidities were identified and included in multivariable regression to predict in-hospital mortality. Weight for each comorbidity was assigned and single indices, Li CABG Mortality Index (LCMI) and Li PCI Mortality Index (LPMI), were developed.

Results

Mortality prediction by LCMI approached adequacy ( c -statistic=0.691, 95% CI=0.682-0.701) and was comparable to multivariable regression with comorbidities ( c -statistic=0.685, 95% CI=0.675-0.694). LCMI prediction performed significantly better than Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) ( c -statistic=0.621, 95% CI=0.611-0.631) and can be further improved by adjusting age ( c -statistic=0.721, 95% CI=0.712-0.730). LPMI moderately predicted in-hospital mortality ( c -statistic=0.666, 95% CI=0.660-0.672) and performed significantly better than ECI ( c -statistic=0.610, 95% CI=0.604-0.616). LPMI performed better than the all-comorbidity multivariable regression ( c -statistic=0.658, 95% CI=0.652-0.663). After age adjustment, LPMI prediction was significantly increased and was approaching adequacy ( c -statistic=0.695, 95% CI=0.690-0.701).

Conclusions

LCMI and LPMI effectively predicted in-hospital mortality. These indices were validated and performed superior to ECI. The adjustment of age increased their predictive power to adequacy, implicating potential clinical application.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin predicted to contrast-associated acute kidney injury after planned percutaneous coronary intervention in elderly patients

AIM

To determine the proportion of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the predictive value of urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) for CA-AKI in elderly patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

METHODS

A total of 509 patients who had planned percutaneous coronary intervention (mean age was 63.58 ± 11.63 years and 63.3% of males) were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 153; elderly patients) with ≥70 years old and group 2 (n = 356) with <70 years old. Urine NGAL was measured by the ELISA method. Clinical and laboratory data were collected on the day before intervention. CA-AKI was defined based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria.

RESULTS

The ratio of CA-AKI in group 1 was 23.5% which was higher than that of group 2 (8.7%) with a p-value < 0.001. Urine NGAL level in group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2 [31.3 (19.16-55.13) ng/ml vs. 19.86 (13.21-29.04) ng/ml, p < 0.001]. At a cut-off value of 44.43 ng/ml, uNGAL had a predictive value for CA-AKI in all patients (AUC = 0.977, p < 0.001). Especially at a cut-off value of 44.14 ng/ml, uNGAL had a predictive value for CA-AKI in elderly patients (AUC = 0.979, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of CA-AKI after PCI in elderly patients was 23.5%. Urine NGAL before PCI had a good predictive value for CA-AKI in elderly patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Sex-related differences in clinical outcomes and predictive factors in the very elderly patients with ACS undergoing PCI

Background

As shown in previous studies, there may be sex-related differences in clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the benefits of PCI in very elderly ACS patients and the gender differences were poorly described and understood. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes after PCI by sex stratification, and the predictive factors of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in this very elderly ACS cohort.

Methods

A total of 1,676 consecutive ACS patients (50.2% women) aged ≥80 years old between January 2013 and May 2020 were recruited in this study. All patients were divided into four groups according to gender and treatment: male PCI (n = 321) and conservative management groups (n = 513), and female PCI (n = 283) and conservative management groups (n = 559). Clinical and coronary lesion characteristics were compared among four groups, also the clinical outcomes. MACCE and their predictive factors were assessed using Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox regression analysis.

Results

PCI procedures were conducted in 604 patients, and 1,072 were conservative management. Men were most likely to present with prior myocardial infarction (MI), peripheral artery disease, and chronic total occlusion (CTO); women had a higher prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia. The proportion of men receiving PCI procedures was significantly higher than that of women (38.5 vs. 33.6%, p = 0.038). Compared to conservative management, successful PCI significantly improved composite MACCE in both men (33.9 vs. 18.4%, p < 0.001) and women (27.9 vs. 20.8%, p = 0.026). There were no differences between sex in the improvement of clinical outcomes after PCI. In addition, age, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), log N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), P2Y12 receptor antagonist, and β-blocker were independently associated with the incidence of MACCE after PCI tested by the Cox regression model, but not gender (male: hazard ratio (HR) 1.275, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.853–1.905, p = 0.236).

Conclusion

In this very elderly ACS cohort, men presented with more complex clinical conditions, and women were less likely to receive PCI treatment. Both women and men had similar benefits from the PCI procedure in the decrease of MACCE.

Frailty Predicts Poor Prognosis of Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies

Background: Frailty has been related to a higher risk of cardiovascular events, while the association between frailty and outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis of cohort studies to evaluate the above association. Methods: Cohort studies aiming to determine the potential independent association between frailty and clinical outcomes after PCI were identified by search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to February 22, 2021. A random-effects model that incorporates the possible heterogeneity among the included studies was used to combine the results. Results: Ten cohort studies with 7,449,001 patients were included. Pooled results showed that frailty was independently associated with higher incidence of all-cause mortality [adjusted risk ratio (RR) = 2.94, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.90-4.56, I ² = 56%, P < 0.001] and major adverse cardiovascular events [(MACEs), adjusted RR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.32-3.66, I ² = 0%, P = 0.002]. Sensitivity analyses limited to studies including elderly patients showed consistent results (mortality: RR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.51-3.41, I ² = 23%, P < 0.001; MACEs: RR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.44-4.31, I ² = 0%, P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that characteristics of study design, follow-up duration, or type of PCI did not seem to significantly affect the associations (P-values for subgroup analyses all >0.05). Conclusions: Frailty may be an independent risk factor of poor prognosis for patients with CAD after PCI.

Risk stratification and mortality prediction in octo- and nonagenarians with peripheral artery disease: a retrospective analysis

Objectives

Among changes in demographics, aging is the most relevant cardiovascular risk factor. The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is high in elderly patients and is associated with a worse prognosis. Despite optimal treatments, mortality in the high-risk population of octo- and nonagenarians with PAD remains excessive, and predictive factors need to be identified. The objective of this study was to investigate predictors of mortality in octo- and nonagenarians with PAD.

Methods

Cases of treated octo- and nonagenarians, including the clinical characteristics and markers of myocardial injury and heart failure, were studied retrospectively with respect to all-cause mortality. Hazard ratios [HR] were calculated and survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meyer curves and receiver operating characteristic curved were assessed for troponin-ultra and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Results

A total of 123 octo- and nonagenarians admitted for PAD were eligible. The troponin level was the major predictor of all-cause mortality (HR: 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–15.3), followed by the NT-proBNP level (HR: 3.9, 95% CI 1.8–8.8) and CLTI (HR: 3.1, 95% CI 1.6–5.9). Multivariate regression revealed that each increment of 1 standard deviation in log troponin and log NT-proBNP was associated with a 2.7-fold (95% CI 1.8–4.1) and a 1.9-fold (95% CI 1.2–2.9) increased risk of all-cause death. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis using a combination of all predictors yielded an improved area under the curve of 0.888. In a control group of an equal number of younger individuals, only NT-proBNP (HR: 4.2, 95% CI 1.2–14.1) and CLTI (HR: 6.1, 95% CI 1.6–23.4) were predictive of mortality.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that cardiovascular biomarkers and CLTI are the primary predictors of increased mortality in elderly PAD patients. Further risk stratification through biomarkers in this high-risk population of octo- and nonagenarians with PAD is necessary.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-021-02177-1.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Antiplatelet Therapy-Related Bleeding Complications Among Elderly Patients After Coronary Stenting: A Multicenter Retrospective Observation

Purpose: To determine the incidence and risk factors of bleeding events as well as assess the performance of the PRECISE-DAPT score in elderly patients (≥75 years) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and one-year dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Methods: A total of 940 patients (≥75 years) who received PCI and one-year DAPT were retrospectively enrolled into the study. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors of antiplatelet-related bleeding complications. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the Delong test were performed to obtain the optimized PRECISE-DAPT score. Results: It was observed that 89 (9.47%) patients suffered bleeding complications, while 37 (3.94%) of them had the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC, type ≥2) bleeding events. We stratified the PRECISE-DAPT score in tertiles (T1: ≤23; T2:24 to 32; T3: ≥33) and found that BARC ≥ 2 type bleeding occurred more frequently in T3 than in T1 and T2 (8.25 vs. 1.46% vs. 2.40%, p <0.05). The ROC curve analysis revealed that the PRECISE-DAPT score cutoff for BARC ≥2 type bleeding prediction was 33. In comparison with the current recommended cutoff score of 25 (AUC: 0.608, based on ROC analysis), the Delong test indicated significantly improved ability for predicting BARC ≥ 2 type bleeding events using the proposed cutoff value of 33, AUC of 0.676 (p = 0.03), and Brier Score of 0.04. The multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the PRECISE-DAPT score ≥ 33 [OR: 3.772; 95% CI (1.229, 11.578); p = 0.02] was associated with BARC ≥ 2 type bleeding event, along with a history of hemorrhagic stroke [OR: 6.806; 95% CI (1.465, 31.613); p = 0.014], peptic ulcer [OR: 3.871; 95% CI (1.378, 10.871); p = 0.01], and/or myocardial infarction [MI, OR: 3.081; 95% CI (1.140, 8.326); p = 0.027]. Conclusion: A higher PRECISE-DAPT score of 33 might be a more reasonable cutoff value for predicting BARC ≥2 type bleeding risk in CAD patients (≥75 years). In addition, the history of hemorrhagic stroke, peptic ulcer, and myocardial infarction were identified as the risk factors of BARC ≥2 type bleeding events.

Frailty in Acute and Chronic Coronary Syndrome Patients Entering Cardiac Rehabilitation

Worldwide population ageing is partly due to advanced standard of care, leading to increased incidence and prevalence of geriatric syndromes such as frailty and disability. Hence, the age at the onset of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) keeps growing as well. Moreover, ageing is a risk factor for both frailty and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Frailty and CVD in the elderly share pathophysiological mechanisms and associated conditions, such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, anemia, polypharmacy and both increased bleeding/thrombotic risk, leading to a negative impact on outcomes. In geriatric populations ACS is associated with an increased frailty degree that has a negative effect on re-hospitalization and mortality outcomes. Frail elderly patients are increasingly referred to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs after ACS; however, plans of care must be tailored on individual's clinical complexity in terms of functional capacity, nutritional status and comorbidities, cognitive status, socio-economic support. Completing rehabilitative intervention with a reduced frailty degree, disability prevention, improvement in functional state and quality of life and reduction of re-hospitalization are the goals of CR program. Tools for detecting frailty and guidelines for management of frail elderly patients post-ACS are still debated. This review focused on the need of an early identification of frail patients in elderly with ACS and at elaborating personalized plans of care and secondary prevention in CR setting.

The impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on long-term outcomes in older patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is reportedly associated with an increased risk of adverse events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The prognostic significance of SCH in the elderly was poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between SCH and long-term outcomes in older patients undergoing PCI.

METHODS

Three thousand one hundred sixty-eight patients aged 65 years or older who underwent PCI from January 2012 to October 2014 were included. Patients were divided into SCH group (n = 320) and euthyroidism (ET) group (n = 2848) based on thyroid function test. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) of all-cause death and cardiac death for patients with SCH during a 4-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

There were 227 deaths during the follow-up period including 124 deaths caused by cardiac events. There was no significant difference in mortality rate between the SCH group and the ET group (p > 0.05). After adjustment for covariates, compared with patients with ET, the RRs of death from all-cause and cardiac in patients with SCH were 1.261 (95%CI: 0.802-1.982, p = 0.315) and 1.231 (95%CI: 0.650-2.334, p = 0.524), respectively. When SCH was stratified by age, gender, and degree of thyroid-stimulating hormone elevation, no significant associations were also found in any stratum.

CONCLUSION

Our investigation revealed that SCH was negatively associated with the outcome of PCI in older patients.

[Choice of an alternative access in failed endovascular intervention through the right radial artery]

The transradial access has deservedly become the 'gold standard' while performing various X-ray endovascular interventions both diagnostic and therapeutic ones. However, along with all its advantages, it is not without disadvantages. These difficulties for the most part are related to peculiarities of the anatomy of upper-limb arteries. It is exactly complex anatomy that is the most common cause of complications and compelled change of the access while using the right radial artery. The purpose of our study was to examine the symmetry of complex anatomy of upper-limb arteries in order to choose an optimal and safe way of conversion of the access in case of forced refusal from the right radial access. For this reason there was developed an open multicentre registry acronymized as COMPAAS (COMPlex Anatomy of Arteries and Symmetry). During the work of this Registry from February to December 2018, correspondents of the study became 35 colleagues from 23 clinics of 11 cities of Russia. The working group analysed a total of 127 patients presenting with 157 variants of complex anatomy of lower limb arteries: high bifurcation of the radial artery (84), complete loop or tortuosity (66), and compartmental calcification of brachial arteries (7). The anatomy of arteries on the opposite upper extremity was studied based on angiographic findings. The most frequent variant (84 cases) of complex anatomy was high bifurcation of the radial artery at the level of the a. brachialis (20.9% of cases), with the origin of the brachial artery at the level of the a. axillaris being revealed half as often (9.9%). The maximum percentage of symmetry was observed in the group of patients presenting with compartmental calcification of upper-limb arteries (85.7%). Complete loop or marked (more than 100°) tortuosity of arteries on both arms was revealed in 54% of cases. Besides, in 25% of cases, tortuosity was combined with the high origin of the radial artery. It is noteworthy that none of the 127 patients appeared to have complex anatomy on the a. ulnaris. When revealing pronounced calcification of arteries of the forearm or a combination of high bifurcation with tortuosity, it seems feasible to decide upon conversion of the access to the femoral one (a. femoralis) or ulnar (a. ulnaris). In isolated high bifurcation on the right, effective conversion to the contralateral (left) radial approach is possible in not less than 75% of cases.

Age, knowledge, preferences, and risk tolerance for invasive cardiac care

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The extent to which individual knowledge, preferences, and priorities explain lower use of invasive cardiac care among older vs. younger adults presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unknown. We directly surveyed a group of patients to ascertain their preferences and priorities for invasive cardiovascular care.

DESIGN

We performed a prospective cohort study of adults hospitalized with ACS. We surveyed participants regarding their knowledge, preferences, goals, and concerns for cardiac care, as well as their risk tolerance for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

SETTING

Single academic medical center.

PARTICIPANTS

Six hundred twenty-eight participants (373 <75 years old; 255 ≥75 years old).

MEASUREMENTS

We compared baseline characteristics, knowledge, priorities, and risk tolerance for care across age strata. We also assessed pairwise differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between age groups for key variables of interest.

RESULTS

Compared with younger patients, older participants had less knowledge of invasive care; were less willing to consider cardiac catheterization (difference between 75-84 and< 65 years old: -7.8%, 95% CI: -14.4%,-1.3%; for ≥85 vs. <65: -15.7%, 95% CI: -29.8%,-1.6%), percutaneous coronary intervention (difference between 75-84 and< 65 years old: -12.8%, 95% CI: -20.8%,-4.8%; for ≥85 vs. <65: -24.8%, 95% CI: -41.2%,-8.5%), and CABG (difference between 75-84 and< 65 years old: -19.0%, 95% CI: -28.2%,-9.9%; for ≥85 vs. <65: -39.1%, 95% CI: -56.0%,-22.2%); and were more risk averse for CABG surgery (p < .001), albeit with substantial inter-individual variability and individual outliers. Many patients who stated they were not initially willing to undergo an invasive cardiovascular procedure actually ended up undergoing the procedure (49% for cardiac catheterization and 22% for PCI or CABG).

CONCLUSION

Age influences treatment goals and willingness to consider invasive cardiac care, as well as risk tolerance for CABG. Individuals' willingness to undergo invasive cardiovascular procedures loosely corresponds with whether that procedure is performed after discussion with the care team.

Influence of cognitive impairment on cardiac mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention in very elderly patients: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment (CI) increases cardiac mortality among very elderly patients. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients is considered a favorable strategy for decreasing cardiac mortality. Here, we investigated the influence of CI on cardiac mortality after PCI in very elderly patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational analysis of patients who received PCI between 2012 and 2014 at the South Miyagi Medical Center, Japan. IHD patients over 80 years old who underwent the Mini-Mental State Examination for CI screening during hospitalization and/or who had been diagnosed with CI were included. Participants were divided into CI and non-CI groups, and cardiac mortality and incidence of adverse cardiac events in a 3-year follow-up period were compared between groups. Statistical analyses were performed using the t-test, χ² test, and multivariable Cox regression analysis, with major comorbid illness and conventional cardiac risk factors as confounders.

RESULTS

Of 565 patients, 95 were included (41 CI, 54 non-CI). Cardiac mortality during the follow-up period was significantly higher in the CI group (36%) compared with the non-CI group (13%) (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.56-11.82, P < 0.05). CI was an independent cardiac prognostic factor after PCI and, for CI patients, living only with a CI partner was an independent predictor of cardiac death within three years.

CONCLUSIONS

CI significantly affected cardiac prognosis after PCI in very elderly patients, particularly those living with a CI partner. To improve patients' prognoses, social background should be considered alongside conventional medical measures.

A retrospective study of an invasive versus conservative strategy in patients aged ≥80 years with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objective

To investigate what is the most appropriate strategy for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) aged ≥80 years in China.

Methods

This cohort study retrospectively enrolled patients with STEMI aged ≥80 years old and grouped them according to the treatment strategy that was used: a conservative treatment strategy or an invasive treatment strategy. Factors associated with whether to perform an invasive intervention, in-hospital death and a good prognosis were investigated using logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 232 patients were enrolled: conservative treatment group ( n = 93) and invasive treatment group ( n = 139). Patients in the invasive treatment group had a better prognosis and lower incidence of adverse events compared with the conservative treatment group. Advanced age, creatinine level and a higher Killip class were inversely correlated with whether to perform an invasive intervention, while the use of beta-receptor-blocking agents was a favourable factor for invasive treatment. Hypertension and a higher Killip class were risk factors for in-hospital death, while the use of beta-receptor-blocking agents and diuretics decreased the risk of in-hospital death.

Conclusions

An invasive treatment strategy was superior to a conservative treatment strategy in patients with STEMI aged ≥80 years.

Annual Trends in Total Ischemic Time and One-Year Fatalities: The Paradox of STEMI Network Performance Assessment

This study is aimed at assessing trends and relations between total ischemic time, the major quality measure of systemic delay, and case-fatality at the population or patient level in response to growing cardiovascular risk and a constant need to shorten the time to treatment in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Data from a prospective nationwide registry of STEMI patients admitted between 2006 and 2013 who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were analyzed. Total ischemic time was calculated as the time from the onset of symptoms to primary PCI and was determined as individual and annual. The primary end-point was one-year, all-cause case-fatality. Among the total 70,093 analyzed patients, temporal trends showed significant decrease in total ischemic time (268 vs. 230 minutes, p < 0.001), a worsening of the risk profile and an increase in one-year case-fatality (7.1% vs. 10.8%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, longer individual total ischemic time was a risk factor for higher mortality (HR 1.024, 95%CI 1.015–1.034, p < 0.001) and remained significant after adjustment for the year of admission. An inverse relation was observed for the median annual time (HR 0.992, 95%CI 0.989–0.994, p < 0.001). Thus, the observed increasing annual trends in case-fatality cannot directly measure the quality of STEMI network performance.

Coronary angiography in the very old: impact of diabetes on long-term revascularization and mortality

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is often associated with coronary artery disease, leading to adverse clinical outcomes. Real-world data is limited regarding the impact of diabetes in very old patients undergoing coronary angiography on the risk for late or repeated coronary revascularization and mortality.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 1,353 consecutive patients ≥ 80 years who were admitted to the cardiac unit and further underwent coronary angiography. Subsequent revascularization procedures and all-cause mortality were recorded over a median follow-up of 47 months and their relation to diabetic status and presentation with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was studied.

RESULTS

Diabetes was present in 31% of the patients undergoing coronary angiography, and was associated with higher rates of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease and female gender. ACS was the presenting diagnosis in 71% of the patients and was associated with worse survival (1-year mortality 20% in ACS vs. 6.2% in non-ACS patients, P < 0.0001). Increase in long-term mortality rates was seen in diabetic subjects compared to non-diabetic subjects presenting with ACS (log-rank P = 0.005), but not in the non-ACS setting (P = 0.199). In a multivariable model, additionally adjusting for acuity of presentation, the presence of diabetes was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.60 (95% confidence interval: 1.12-2.28), P = 0.011, for the need of late or repeat coronary revascularization and 1.48 (1.26-1.74), P < 0.0001 for all-cause mortality, during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In very old patients undergoing coronary angiography, presentation with ACS was associated with worse survival. Diabetes was an independent predictor of late or repeated revascularization and long-term mortality.

Nationwide real-world database of 20,462 patients enrolled in the Japanese Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (JAMIR): Impact of emergency coronary intervention in a super-aging population

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), are leading causes of death among the Japanese, who have the longest life expectancy in the world. Over the past 50 years in Japan, the percentage of elderly individuals has increased 4-fold, from 5.7% in 1960 to 23.1% in 2010. To explore medical practices and emergency care for AMI in this aging society, the Japan Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (JAMIR) was established as a nationwide real-world database.

METHODS

JAMIR conducted retrospective analysis of 20,462 AMI patients (mean age, 68.8 ± 13.3 years; 15,281 men [74.7%]) hospitalized between January 2011 and December 2013.

RESULTS

The rates of ambulance use and emergency PCI were 78.9% and 87.9%, respectively. The median door-to-balloon time was 80 min (interquartile range, 53-143 min). Overall in-hospital mortality was 8.3%, including 6.6% due to cardiac death. JAMIR included 4837 patients aged ≥80 years (23.6%). In this age group, patients who underwent PCI (79.9%) had significantly lower in-hospital mortality than those who did not (11.1% vs. 36.9%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The large JAMIR database, with 24% of AMI patients aged ≥80 years, could provide useful information about medical care in an aging society. The reasonable in-hospital outcomes observed may justify consideration of PCI for patients with AMI aged ≥80 years.

Long-term Intake of Pasta Containing Barley (1-3)Beta-D-Glucan Increases Neovascularization-mediated Cardioprotection through Endothelial Upregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Parkin

Barley (1-3)β-D-Glucan (BBG) enhances angiogenesis. Since pasta is very effective in providing a BBG-enriched diet, we hypothesized that the intake of pasta containing 3% BBG (P-BBG) induces neovascularization-mediated cardioprotection. Healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice fed P-BBG (n = 15) or wheat pasta (Control, n = 15) for five-weeks showed normal glucose tolerance and cardiac function. With a food intake similar to the Control, P-BBG mice showed a 109% survival rate (P < 0.01 vs. Control) after cardiac ischemia (30 min)/reperfusion (60 min) injury. Left ventricular (LV) anion superoxide production and infarct size in P-BBG mice were reduced by 62 and 35% (P < 0.0001 vs. Control), respectively. The capillary and arteriolar density of P-BBG hearts were respectively increased by 12 and 18% (P < 0.05 vs. Control). Compared to the Control group, the VEGF expression in P-BBG hearts was increased by 87.7% (P < 0.05); while, the p53 and Parkin expression was significantly increased by 125% and cleaved caspase-3 levels were reduced by 33% in P-BBG mice. In vitro, BBG was required to induce VEGF, p53 and Parkin expression in human umbelical vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, the BBG-induced Parkin expression was not affected by pifithrin-α (10 uM/7days), a p53 inhibitor. In conclusion, long-term dietary supplementation with P-BBG confers post-ischemic cardioprotection through endothelial upregulation of VEGF and Parkin.

Staged versus "one-time" multivessel intervention in elderly patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome

Objective

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of “one-time” versus staged multivessel stenting in elderly (≥ 60 years) patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and multivessel disease (MVD).

Methods

We analyzed data of consecutive NSTE-ACS patients with multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who were enrolled in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region between 2008 and 2012. A total of 1090 eligible patients aged ≥ 60 were further categorized into “one-time” group (n = 623) and staged PCI group (n = 467) according to intervention strategy. The primary endpoint was composite outcome of myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiac death during 3-year follow-up.

Results

The estimated 3-year composite rate of cardiac death or MI was 7.0% in the staged PCI group and 9.5% in the “one-time” group (P = 0.110). Multivariate analysis confirmed the benefit of staged PCI on the primary events in the elderly (HR: 0.638, 95% CI: 0.408–0.998, P = 0.049). In a propensity score matched cohort, staged PCI was associated with lower rates of primary events (6.1% vs. 10.4%, P = 0.046) and MI (3.4% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.037) at three years. In addition, there were reduced trends in the stent thrombosis at 30 days (0.3% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.177) and at three years (1.1% vs. 2.4%, P = 0.199) in the staged PCI group. There was no significant difference in the 3-year target vessel revascularization (15.5% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.746).

Conclusions

In elderly NSTE-ACS patients with MVD, staged PCI might be an optimal strategy associated with reduced long-term cardiac death or MI compared with “one-time” PCI strategy, which needs further confirmation.

Predictive value of SYNTAX score II for clinical outcomes in octogenarian undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the predictive value of SYNTAX Score II (SS-II) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in octogenarian (≥ 80 years old) undergoing PCI.

METHODS & RESULTS

Data from three consecutive years of octogenarian undergoing PCI from Ruijin Hospital (Shanghai, China) was retrospectively collected (n = 308). Follow up clinical data at one year including all cause mortality, cardiac mortality and main adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were collected. Patients were stratified according to tertiles of SS-II for PCI: SS-II ≤ 26 (n = 104), SS-II: 27-31 (n = 102), SS-II > 31 (n = 102). After adjustment for confounding factors, SS-II for PCI was an independent risk factors for all cause mortality (odds ratio: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.13-8.06; P = 0.04). Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher event rates for all cause mortality and cardiac mortality in higher tertile of SS-II for PCI (Log-Rank test P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). SS-II for PCI predicted one year mortality in octogenarian population undergoing PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

In octogenarian, SS-II which incorporated clinical variables with angiographic anatomy variable was suitable in risk stratifying and predicting clinical outcomes at one year.

Safety of Antithrombotic Agents in Elderly Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

There are unique challenges in the treatment and prevention of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with antithrombotics in elderly patients: elderly patients usually require multiple drugs due to comorbidities, are highly susceptible to adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions, may have cognitive problems affecting compliance and complications, are especially exposed to the risk of falls and, most importantly, ageing is an independent risk factor for bleeding. Antithrombotic drugs, alone or in association, further and variously amplify age-related bleeding risk. Moreover, age-related changes in primary haemostasis may potentially affect the pharmacodynamics of some antiplatelet drugs. Thus, elderly subjects might be more or less sensitive to standard antiplatelet regimens depending on individual characteristics affecting antiplatelet drug response. Importantly, elderly patients are a rapidly growing population worldwide, have the highest incidence of ACS, but are poorly represented in clinical trials. As a consequence, evidence on antithrombotic drug benefits and risks is limited. Thus, in the real-world setting, older people are often denied antithrombotic drugs because of unjustified concerns, or might be over-treated and exposed to excessive bleeding risk. Personalized antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients is particularly critical, to minimize risks without affecting efficacy.