Characterization of biomarkers in blood serum for cancer diagnosis in dogs using Raman spectroscopy

Biomarkers of cancer in sera of domestic dogs were detected through Raman spectroscopy with 830 nm excitation. Raman spectra of sera from 61 dogs (31 healthy and 30 with cancer, resulting in 154 and 200 spectra, respectively) were submitted to principal component analysis (PCA) for feature extraction and partial least squares (PLS) regression for discrimination between Healthy and Cancer groups. In the PCA, the peaks at 1132, 1342, 1368, and 1453 cm-1 (albumin and phenylalanine) were higher for the Cancer group. The "redshift" of the peaks at 621, 1003, and 1032 cm-1 (conformational change in proteins and/or bonds at sites close to the aromatic ring of amino acids) occurred in the Cancer group, and the peaks at 451 cm-1 (tryptophan) and 1441 cm-1 (lipids) were higher for the Healthy group. The PLS-DA classified the serum spectra in Healthy and Cancer groups with high accuracy (78%).

Intravenous antiplatelet therapy with cangrelor vs. tirofiban in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Intravenous antiplatelet drugs provide rapid and sustained inhibition of platelet aggregation and can mitigate the ischemic risk of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). However, there are few real-world studies comparing cangrelor to tirofiban in this patient population.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of cangrelor compared to tirofiban in a real-world population of STEMI patients undergoing pPCI.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study including consecutive STEMI patients who received either cangrelor or tirofiban during pPCI at six Italian high-volume pPCI centers from January 2020 to January 2022. The study population was divided into two groups according the antiplatelet treatment received (cangrelor or tirofiban). The primary study outcome was impaired myocardial revascularization assessed by post-procedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade <3. The secondary outcome measures were major bleeding, defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5, and all-cause mortality during the hospitalization.

Results

A total of 478 STEMI patients received intravenous antiplatelet therapy during pPCI. Of them, 16 patients were excluded since they received both cangrelor and tirofiban as bailout strategy. Thus, the final study population included 462 patients (mean age 63.9±11.8 years; 79.7% males): 223 patients received cangrelor (48.3%), and 239 tirofiban (51.7%). Patients treated with tirofiban had higher prevalence of prior myocardial infarction (p=0.016) and prior PCI (p=0.048) than patients receiving cangrelor (Table 1); also, they showed higher SYNTAX score (p=0.038) than patients receiving cangrelor, and a higher proportion of stent thrombosis as culprit lesion (p=0.047; Table 2). Conversely, patients treated with cangrelor had worse Killip class (p<0.001), and underwent more frequently pPCI via femoral access. Post-procedural TIMI flow<3 was reported in 114 (24.7%) patients. At propensity score adjusted regression analysis, the use of cangrelor was associated with a lower probability of post-procedural TIMI flow<3 (aOR: 0.530; 95% CI: 0.313–0.900; p=0.019) than tirofiban. Major bleeding and all-cause death occurred in 28 (6.1%) and 19 (4.1%) patients. There was no difference in the risk of major bleeding (aOR: 1.626; 95% CI: 0.618–4.279; p=0.324) and death (aOR: 2.724; 95% CI: 0.719–10.318; p=0.140) between groups.

Conclusions

In this real-world population of STEMI patients undergoing pPCI, periprocedural use of cangrelor was associated with improved myocardial reperfusion compared to tirofiban, but with no differences in terms of major bleeding or death during the hospitalization.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Lipoprotein(a) levels and risk of adverse events after myocardial infarction in patients with and without diabetes

Background

There is a positive continuous association between Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) levels and the risk of recurrent ischemic events in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI). However, the prognostic significance of the association between high Lp(a) levels and diabetes has been poorly investigated after MI.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of Lp(a) levels with the long-term risk of adverse events in post-MI patients, and to investigate whether diabetes may influence this association.

Methods

Consecutive MI patients who underwent urgent/emergent coronary angiography at our Institution from February 2013 to June 2019 were prospectively collected. Lp(a) serum concentrations was expressed for increasing range values (≤10, >10–30, >30–50, >50–70, and ≥70 mg/dL). The primary outcome was the recurrence of MI; the secondary outcome was all-cause death. The propensity score weighting technique was used to account for potential confounding between patients with and without diabetes.

Results

The study population consisted of 1018 post-MI patients (median age: 63 years; 76% males). Diabetes was reported in 280 patients (27.5%). The median value of Lp(a) was 10 mg/dL, and patients with diabetes showed significantly lower Lp(a) levels than patients without diabetes (p=0.025). At a median follow-up of 1121 days, the primary outcome was reported in 109 patients (10.7%), and the secondary outcome in 100 (9.8%). After propensity score weighting, there was a significant association between increasing Lp(a) range values and the primary outcome both in the overall population (p trend = 0.030) and in non-diabetic patients (p trend = 0.009), but not in diabetics.

Conversely, no significant association with the risk of all-cause mortality across increasing Lp(a) categories both in the overall population and in the study groups according to the presence or not of diabetes was found.

Compared with the lowest Lp(a) category, Lp(a) plasma levels >70 mg/dL were independently associated with the risk of recurrent MI (HR: 3.222; 95% CI, 1.225–8.478, p=0.018) and all-cause death (HR: 2.656; 95% CI, 1.009–6.991, p=0.048) in non-diabetic patients, but not in diabetics.

Conclusions

In this real-world post-MI population, Lp(a) serum levels were lower in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients. Increasing Lp(a) levels were significantly associated with the risk of recurrent MI, and very high Lp(a) serum concentration (>70 mg/dL) independently predicted recurrent MI and death in non-diabetic patients, but not in diabetics. These results reinforce the importance of routine assessment of Lp(a) levels after MI, particularly in patients without diabetes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

P97 VALIDATION OF THE ACADEMIC RESEARCH CONSORTIUM HIGH BLEEDING RISK CRITERIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND METANALYSIS OF 10 STUDIES AND 67,862 PATIENTS

Background

The Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC–HBR) has recently proposed, by consensus, twenty clinical criteria for the assessment of the bleeding risk after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A major criterion was defined as any individual clinical condition conferring in isolation a risk for major bleeding ≥4% up to 1 year after PCI; instead, a minor criterion was considered to confer a bleeding risk of < 4%. The aim of this meta–analysis was to assess the performance of the ARC–HBR criteria in stratifying the risk of bleeding and ischemic events after PCI.

Methods

MEDLINE, COCHRANE, Web of Sciences, and SCOPUS were searched for studies aimed at validating the ARC–HBR criteria in patients treated with PCI. The primary outcome measure of this meta–analysis was major bleeding.

Results

The analysis included 10 studies encompassing 67,862 patients undergoing PCI; the HBR definition was fulfilled in 44.7% of the cases. The risk of major bleeding was significantly higher in HBR vs. Non–HBR group (RR, 2.56, 95% CI 2.28–2.89). The average C–statistic was 0.64 (95% CI 0.60–0.68), indicating modest discrimination. The risk of intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, fatal bleeding, ischaemic stroke, cardiac death and all–cause death was higher in HBR vs. Non–HBR group. Despite a higher incidence of myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis in patients deemed at HBR, the rate of target lesion revascularization was comparable between groups (RR, 1.01, 95% CI 0.88–1.16). When assessed in isolation, the mean cumulative incidence of major bleeding at 1 year exceeded the cut–off value of 4% for all the major criteria and for two out of six minor criteria, including age ≥75 years and moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) (Figure).

Conclusion

The ARC–HBR definition identifies patients at higher risk of major bleeding and other adverse cardiovascular events after PCI. Almost all major criteria, but also two of the minor criteria, were individually associated with rates of major bleeding above 4% thus fulfilling the definition of major HBR criteria. These findings corroborate the ability of ARC–HBR major criteria in identifying PCI patients who are more likely to develop adverse events, but also suggest caution in the decision making of patients with isolated minor criteria, including age≥75 years and moderate CKD.

P192 LONG TERM PROGNOSTIC EFFECT OF LIPROTEIN(A) IN PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DIABETES MELLITUS AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Aims

To describe the baseline clinical, laboratory and angiographic characteristics of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) according to the presence or not of diabetes mellitus (DM), and to evaluate if DM may influence the effect of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] serum level on long–term outcome in this very high–risk population.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single–center, study including consecutive patients admitted with MI diagnosis between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020. The availability of data on baseline Lp(a) serum level was considered as an inclusion criterion. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence or not of DM. The Lp(a) value of 50 mg/dL was used to test the hypothesis of a different effect of Lp(a) on the clinical outcome of patients with or without DM. The primary study outcome was all–cause death at 3–year follow–up.

Results

The study population included 997 patients (mean age 63.7±13.5 years; 75.7% were males). Diabetes was reported in 280 (28.1%) patients. DM patients were older than those without DM (67.8±12.1 vs. 62.0±13.7 years, p < 0.001) and showed a significantly higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, prior MI and prior coronary revascularization (p < 0.001). DM patients showed higher SYNTAX score value (19.8 vs. 15.1, p < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of left main involvement (6.3 vs. 3.1, p = 0.023). At Kaplan–Meier analysis, in the group without DM, patients with Lp(a)≥50 mg/dL showed a significantly lower long–term survival compared with those with Lp(a)<50 mg/dL (Log–Rank=0.004). In DM patients DM, conversely, no survival difference was found between patients with Lp(a)≥50 mg/dL vs. those with Lp(a)<50 mg/dL. At multivariable Cox regression analysis, in patients without DM, Lp(a) serum level (HR: 2.68, 95% CI 1.23–5.83; p = 0.013) and age (HR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.04–1.09; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of mortality at 3–year follow–up. Among DM patients, only age was independently associated with 3–year mortality (HR: 1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.10; p < 0.001) (Table).

Conclusion

In this MI population, Lp(a) was independently associated with long–term mortality in patients without DM, but not in patients with DM. Whether DM can modify the effect of Lp(a) on clinical outcome after MI requires confirmation by larger prospective studies.

Negative prognostic impact of right ventricular free wall strain in patients with functional mitral regurgitation undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Backgrounds

although right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction seems to be associated with adverse outcome after transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) with the MitraClip system, the prognostic value of RV free wall strain in this setting has not been yet investigated. 

Purpose

aim of this study is to evaluate RV free wall strain as predictor of outcome in patients with severe or moderate-to-severe functional MR undergoing TEER and its prognostic role compared with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE).

Methods

102 patients [73 (IQR 66.8-77.0) years, 73 males (71.6%)] were retrospectively selected from March 2012 to February 2021. Echocardiograms were performed by using General Electric machines. RV free wall strain was assessed through RV modified apical 4-chamber view, setting the region of interest to minimum size (Figure 1). Values of RV free wall strain >-20% were recognized as abnormal. We considered a composite endpoint including rehospitalization for heart failure (HF) and overall death as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were overall death, cardiac death and rehospitalization for HF. All patients were assessed at the longest available follow-up [median 22.1 (IQR 9.7-49.3) months].

Results

primary outcome was found in 60 (58.8%) patients, while secondary outcomes, i.e. overall death, cardiac death and rehospitalization for HF, were found respectively in 50 (50.0%), 31 (30.4%) and 36 (35.3%) patients. Mean TAPSE was 16.7 ± 4.0 mm and mean RV free wall strain was -16.9 ± 6.0%. At univariable analysis both TAPSE (HR 0.907, CI 0.848-0.970, p value 0.004) and RV free wall strain (HR 0.937, CI 0.897-0.979, p value 0.004) were significantly associated with the primary outcome. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with TAPSE <17 mm had a lower survival free from the composite outcome compared with those with TAPSE ≥17 mm (Log-Rank = 0.030); patients with RV free wall strain value > -20% also showed a lower survival free from the composite outcome compared with patients with RV free wall strain ≤-20% (Log Rank 0.004). Among patients with preserved RV systolic longitudinal function as indicated by TAPSE ≥17 mm, subjects with RV free wall strain >-20% had a significantly higher incidence of the composite outcome compare with those with RV free wall strain ≤-20% (Log-Rank = 0.008, Figure 2). Conversely, no difference was found among patients with TAPSE <17 mm. 

Conclusions

RV dysfunction assessed either by TAPSE and RV free wall strain is associated with poorer outcome in patients with severe or moderate-to-severe functional MR undergoing TEER. Compared with TAPSE, RV free wall strain seems to be superior in identifying patients at higher risk of adverse events during follow-up. Our data encourage the use of this speckle tracking-derived echocardiographic parameter in routinely evaluation of patients with functional MR candidate for TEER. Abstract Figure.  Abstract Figure 2

Mitral regurgitation and in-hospital mortality in patients with heart failure and low flow low gradient aortic stenosis

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Aim

this study sought to determine the prevalence, clinical impact, and in-hospital outcome of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG-AS) hospitalized for heart failure (HF).

Methods

Patients with aortic valve thickness and aortic velocities >2.5 m/s hospitalized for heart failure in a single referral center were prospectively enrolled from 2013 to 2021.

LFLG-AS was defined as indexed aortic valve area (iAVA) ≤0.6 cm2/m2, mean transaortic gradient <40 mmHg and stroke volume index <36 ml/m2. Complete demographic, clinical characteristics and echocardiographic data were collected. Mitral regurgitation severity was graded according to current guidelines. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to MR severity: no/mild MR vs moderate/severe MR. In hospital all cause death has been considered as the primary outcome.

Results

A total of 136 patients  (78 ± 9 yy; 68 (50%) male) hospitalized for HF with a new diagnosis of LFLG-AS were included in the study.

The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (121, 89%), dyslipidemia (106, 78%), chronic kidney disease (85, 63%), diabetes (56, 41%) and obesity (44, 32%). Atrial fibrillation/flutter was detected in 61 (45%) patients. Moderate to severe MR was detected in 33%. Mean functional NYHA class was 2,8 ± 0,8.

Concerning echocardiographic evaluation, the mean gradient of the aortic valve was 26 ± 7 mmHg and the mean iAVA was 0.42 ± 0.10 cm2/m2. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) was 46 ± 13%. Paradoxical LFLG-AS with a preserved LV EF was detected in 73 patients (54%) and the LFLG-AS with a low LV EF was detected in 63 (46%).

In this population, 26 patients (19%) underwent surgical valvular replacement, 15 patients (11%) had aortic percutaneous valvuloplasty and 33 patients (24%) underwent TAVI. The remaining patients (45%, n = 62) were maintained under optimized medical therapy.

In-hospital death occurred in 17 (12,5%) patients (just 1 for non-cardiovascular causes).

Moderate/severe MR was detected in 44 (33%) patients.

When comparing the two subgroups statistically significant differences between age (p = 0,035), male sex (p = 0,028), atrial fibrillation/flutter (p = 0,003), obesity (p = 0,040) and in-hospital mortality (p = 0,013) were detected. In the overall population the multivariate regression analysis showed that only the presence of moderate /severe MR was a significant independent predictor of all-cause in-hospital death (p = 0.017 ; OR 3.571 ; IC  1.257-10.151).

Conclusion. Moderate to severe MR is frequently detected in patients with LFLG AS and HF. In this peculiar cohort significant MR has a negative impact on outcome and is independently associated with in-hospital mortality.

Clinical profile and in-hospital course of patients with primary and secondary takotsubo syndrome: single center experience

Background

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute cardiac disease increasingly recognized in a variety of clinical scenarios. Heart Failure Association of the ESC classified TTS in primary (occurring in the setting of psychological or emotional trigger or without clear identifiable stressors) and secondary (triggered by physical stressors or other critical illnesses). However, the clinical profile and outcome of these different subtypes is still controversial.

Aim of the study

To compare baseline features, clinical presentation and in-hospital outcomes in patients with primary or secondary TTS in a single referral center.

Methods

Overall study population included 210 patients (mean age 66.1±12.2 years, 14 male); 165 and 45 with primary and secondary TTS, respectively; consecutively enrolled from 2012 to 2019 in our center. Clinical, instrumental and laboratory data and in-hospital events were also recorded in both groups.

Results

Compared to patients with primary TTS, patients with secondary form were older (70.6±14.6 vs 64.9±11.2 years; p=0.006) and more frequently man (13.3% vs 4.8%; p=0.043). Several comorbidities such as diabetes (23.8% vs 8.9%; p=0.008); pulmonary (45.2% vs 12.9%; p<0.001); neurologic (23.8% vs 9.7%; p=0.015); nephro-urologic (31% vs 13.5%; p=0.008); psychiatric (42.9% vs 26.5%; p=0.039) and orthopedic (28.6% vs 13.5%; p=0.020) diseases were prevalent in secondary TTS patients. Atypical presentation with higher incidence of dyspnea was significantly prevalent (42.2% vs 19.4%; p=0.002) in secondary group. The number of patients with ST-T elevation on admission was similar (80% vs 77%; p=0.5) in both groups. Prolonged QT interval in a majority of secondary TTS patients (46.3% vs 28.4%; p=0.029) was detected. Peak levels of troponin, creatine-kinase and myoglobin did not differ between the two groups. Echocardiography revealed larger left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (62.7±25.3 vs 50.6±14.3 ml/mq; p=0.024 and 35.1±14.5 vs 28.7±9 ml/mq; p=0.048) at presentation in secondary TTS, however no differences in baseline left ventricular ejection fraction were detected. Furthermore, the prevalence of apical ballooning was similar between the two groups. Of note, secondary TTS patients experienced more frequently acute heart failure (40.5% vs 23.1%; p=0.024), hyperkinetic arrhythmia (9.1% vs 1.9%; p=0.022), cardiogenic shock (15.9% vs 3.2%; p=0.002), and mechanical ventilation use (9.3% vs 1.3%; p=0.006) during the acute phase. In-hospital stay (10.8±6.9 vs 7.4±6.2 days, p=0.004) was longer in this cohort.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that to classify TTS patients in primary or secondary form is clinically relevant. Secondary form generally is associated to higher rate of comorbidities and to atypical presentation. Owing to the worse in-hospital outcome of the secondary TTS patients a tailored and more intensive treatment should be adopted in this cohort.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Hyperthyroidism in Takotsubo syndrome: prevalence, clinical features and long-term outcomes

Background

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an increasingly recognized form of transient left ventricular dysfunction, often completely reversible. The exact pathogenesis is not fully understood, but central role of adrenergic dysfunction has been widely accepted. A possible link between hyperthyroidism and TTS has been hypothesized, since thyroid and adrenergic systems are in closely connection. Nevertheless, clinical study to define the association between hyperthyroidism and TTS is still lacking.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess prevalence, clinical features and long-term outcomes of hyperthyroidism at presentation in TTS patients.

Methods

Overall, 590 TTS patients from 23 centers were included in this prospective registry. Thyroid profile was available for 314 patients at time of TTS admission. Patients in hypothyroid state (n=32) according to TSH value were excluded. The remaining 282 patients were divided in normal thyroid state and hyperthyroid state according to TSH value, respectively 240 (85%) and 42 (15%) patients.

Results

The median age was 73±10 and the female rate was 93%. TTS related to physical trigger was mostly detected in hyperthyroidism patients (52% vs 30%, respectively in hyperthyroid state and normal thyroid state; p=0.005); while, TTS related to emotional trigger was less common (19%, vs 38%, respectively in hyperthyroid state and normal thyroid state; p=0.016). In TTS unprovoked by a stress factor, there was no statistical difference in thyroid state (29% vs 31%, respectively in hyperthyroid state and normal thyroid state; p=0.690). Follow-up rate was 95% and follow-up length was 41±36 months. At long-term follow-up, mortality rate was 39% and 20% in hyperthyroidism and normal thyroid state, respectively (p=0.008; Figure 1) and adverse event rates (the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction and stroke) were 39% and 24% in hyperthyroid state and normal thyroid state, respectively (p=0.034). At multivariable analysis, hyperthyroidism resulted as a strong predictor of mortality (OR 3.82, 95% CI: 1.71–8.50; p=0.001) and of adverse event rates (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.19–3.98; p=0.011).

Conclusion

Hyperthyroidism at presentation is relatively common in TTS patients and associated with physical triggers and unfavorable long-term prognosis.

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier curves

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Long-term predictors of myocardial infarction recurrence in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Despite the implementation in the use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and in secondary preventive measures, the risk of recurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients who underwent ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains high. The prognostic role of old and emerging cardiovascular risk factors for MI recurrence, such as Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, in this very high-risk population is still not fully understood.

Purpose

To identify the baseline predictors of MI recurrence in a cohort of patients admitted for STEMI and treated with pPCI.

Methods

Single-center, observational, retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted for STEMI who underwent pPCI from February 2013 to April 2019 at our Insitution. Baseline demographic, clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory data were prospectively collected. Only patients with available Lp(a) values were included in the analysis.

The study outcome was the recurrence of MI at three years follow-up. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the baseline variables correlated to the study outcome.

Results

The study population included 560 patients (mean age = 60.6±13.7 years; 79.5% males). Hypertension was observed in 351 patients (62.7%), diabetes in 134 (23.9%), dyslipidemia in 266 (47.5%), smoking status in 316 (56.4%), history of coronary artery disease (CAD) in 76 (13.6%), prior MI in 69 (12.3%), prior PCI in 62 (11.1%). Multivessel disease (MVD) was reported in 211 (37.7%) cases. The infarct-related artery was the left anterior descending in 310 patients (55.4%), the right coronary artery in 179 (32.0%), the left circumflex 60 (10.7%) and the left main in 11 (2.0%). Total cholesterol mean value was 187.7±48.8 mg/dl; LDL cholesterol was 112.2±41.3 mg/dl and Lp(a) was 26.5±27.2 mg/dl. At three-year follow-up, MI occurred in 58 (10.4%) patients. At multivariable analysis, Lp(a) (HR 1.015 95% CI: 1.008–1.022 p<0.001) and MVD (HR 1.994; 95% CI 1.179–3.372 p=0.010) emerged as the only two independent predictors of MI recurrence up to three years. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly lower survival free from MI in patients with Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dl as compared to the subgroups with levels ≥30 and <50 mg/dL, or <30 mg/dL (Log-Rank=0.001). Also, MVD was able to identify patients with significantly lower survival free from MI for up to three years (Log-Rank=0.004). The Kaplan-Meier analysis combining these two parameters identified patients with both MVD and Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dl as the highest risk cohort for MI recurrence up to three years (MI incidence rate=22.2%; Log-Rank=0.002).

Conclusions

Among patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI, high Lp(a) level and MVD predict the recurrence of MI at long-term follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Clinical outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and angiographic evidence of coronary artery ectasia

Background

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a relatively frequent finding in patient with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who undergo emergent coronary angiography. However, the long-term outcome of STEMI patients with CAE as compared to Non-CAE has been poorly investigated.

Purpose

To compare the baseline features and outcome of patients with and without CAE in the clinical setting of STEMI.

Methods

All patients with STEMI who underwent emergent coronary angiography from January 2012 to December 2017 at our Institution were retrospectively enrolled. Baseline demographic, clinical, instrumental, angiographic and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) findings were collected for patients with and without CAE. The study outcome measures were recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) and all-cause death. The propensity score weighting (PSW) technique was used to take into account for potential selection bias in treatment assignment between CAE and Non-CAE groups.

Results

The study included 534 patients with STEMI (mean age 62.9±12.0 years), 154 were CAE and 380 Non-CAE. The two groups were significantly different in terms of sex (90.9% in CAE vs 72,6% in Non-CAE, p<0.001), diabetes (11.7% vs. 25.8%; p=0.009) and smoking status (72.1% vs. 62.4%; p=0.042). The right coronary artery was more commonly treated in CAE patients (41.6% vs. 30.8%, p=0.023) and, as expected, the stent diameter (p<0.001) and the TIMI frame count (p<0.001) were significantly higher in CAE group. The myocardial blush grade was higher in Non-CAE (p<0.001). The Kaplan-Meyer analysis showed a comparable rate of all-cause death among the two groups (3.4/100 person/years in CAE vs. 3.5 per 100 person/years in Non-CAE, Log-Rank = 0.86).

The survival free from recurrent MI was lower, although not statistically significant, in CAE vs. Non-CAE patients (3.1/100 person/years vs. 4.8/100 person/years; Log-Rank = 0.068).

After PSW, an optimal balance was obtained as demonstrated by a standardized mean difference <0.1 for all the variables included in the model. The adjusted Cox regression analysis showed a significantly higher risk of recurrent MI in CAE vs. Non-CAE groups (HR = 1.93; p=0.009). No difference in the risk of all-cause death was observed (HR = 0.83, p=0.501).

Conclusions

Patient with STEMI and angiographic evidence of CAE have a different clinical profile compared to Non-CAE. In this analysis focused on STEMI patients, CAE was associated with a higher risk of recurrent MI at long-term follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

412 Sacubitril/valsartan promotes cardiac reverse remodeling and preserves renal function in a real-world heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) population

Funding Acknowledgements

none

Aims. To evaluate the effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan (S/V) on clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters and outcomes in a real-world population with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods and results. Prospective study enrolling consecutive patients with HFrEF treated with S/V.The primary outcome was HF rehospitalization;secondary outcomes were all-cause death, cardiac death and the composite of cardiac death and HF rehospitalization at 12 months follow up.The clinical outcome was compared with a retrospective cohort of 90 HFrEF patients treated with standard medical therapy by using propensity score weighting. At 6 months follow-up, changes in symptoms, echocardiographic parameters, eGFR and furosemide dose were also evaluated. The study population consisted of 90 patients (66.1 ± 11.7 years). At 6 months FU, a significant improvement in NYHA class, LVEF (from 31.0% to 34.0%; p = 0.001), LVESV (from 115.0 to 101.0 mL; p = 0.033) and sPAP (from 31.0 to 25.0 mmHg; p = 0.024) was observed. Moreover, S/V did not affect negatively eGFR and was associated with a significantly lower dose of furosemide prescribed. The propensity score weighting adjusted regression analysis showed a significantly lower risk for HF rehospitalization (HR, 0.131; 95% CI, 0.034-0.503; p = 0.003) and the composite outcome (HR, 0.162; 95% CI, 0.053-0.492; p = 0.001) among patients treated with S/V as compared to the standard therapy group.

Conclusions

In this real-world HFrEF population, S/V reduced HF rehospitalization and cardiac death at 1 year. Moreover, S/V improved significantly NYHA class, LVEF, LVESV and sPAP at 6 months, preserving renal function and reducing the need of furosemide.

Table Study outcomes Unadjusted model HR 95% CI p-value HF rehospitalization 0.273 0.101-0.740 0.011 Cardiac death 0.443 0.137-1.440 0.176 Composite outcome 0.331 0.155-0.710 0.005 All-cause death 0.666 0.272-1.628 0.372 Adjusted model HR 95% CI p-value HF rehospitalization 0.131 0.034-0.503 0.003 Cardiac death 0.259 0.047-1.415 0.119 Composite outcome 0.162 0.053-0.492 0.001 All-cause death 0.713 0.201-2.529 0.601 Adjusted and unadjusted HR for the study outcomes.

Abstract 412 Figure.

P330 Blunted heart rate reserve during vasodilator stress echocardiography in diabetic and renal failure patients

Funding Acknowledgements

None

Background

A blunted heart rate reserve (HRR) during dipyridamole stress echo (SE) is a marker of cardiac autonomic dysfunction associated with poor outcome, independently of inducible ischemia, underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) and beta-blocker therapy. Patients with diabetes and/or renal failure have higher prevalence of underlying autonomic dysfunction.

Aim. To assess the value of HRR in patients undergoing dipyridamole SE.

Methods

We prospectively recruited a sample of 61 patients with known or suspected CAD (mean age 75 ± 10 years; 34 males, 55,7%; 50% on beta-blockers at the time of testing). Coexistent atrial fibrillation or previous pacemaker implantation were considered as exclusion criteria. Three groups were identified a priori: non-diabetic with normal renal function (n = 43, Group 1); diabetics, with normal renal function (n = 14, Group 2); severely impaired renal function on dialysis (n = 4, Group 3). All patients underwent dipyridamole SE (0.84 mg/kg in 10"). Wall motion score Index (WMSI) was calculated with a 17-segment score of left ventricle, each segment scored from 1= normal to 4= dyskinetic. HRR was measured by ECG as the peak/rest HR ratio.

Results

A positive SE (stress WMSI> rest WMSI) was present in 2 patients of Group 1 (4.7%), 4 of Group 2 (28.6%) and no patient in Group 3. Heart rate was different, although not significant, among the 3 groups both at rest (66.1 ± 11.1 vs 64.6 ± 8.5 vs 79.0 ± 8.0, p = 0.050) and at peak stress (83.8 ± 12.6 vs 75.3 ± 10.3 vs 86.5 ± 11.1, p = 0.059). Of note, HRR was statistically different among groups (1.29 ± 0.20 vs 1.19 ± 0.14 vs 1.09 ± 0.06, p < 0.047; see figure). There was no difference in HRR between patients off and on-beta-blockers (1.19 ± 0.16 vs 1.24 ± 0.24, p = 0.421) and with or without positive SE (1.20 ± 0.14 vs 1.25 ± 0.20, p = 0.530). Overall, HRR ≤ 1.17 (median value) was reported in 39.5% of Group 1, 71.4% of Group 2, and 100% of Group 3 pts (p = 0.024). No significant correlations between HRR and peak WMSI (p = 0.183) or age (0.062) were reported.

Conclusion

HRR is frequently abnormal in patients referred for SE testing, especially in presence of concomitant diabetes and advanced renal failure. The blunted chronotropic response is a simple, imaging independent marker of cardiac autonomic dysfunction and may usefully complement the conventional evaluation with regional wall motion abnormalities during vasodilator SE.

Abstract P330 Figure title: HRR box plots

P322 Dynamic changes of left ventricular cardiac mechanics in takotsubo syndrome: a preliminary study

Background

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient left ventricular (LV) heart failure due to a reversible systolic dysfunction, usually recovering within days or weeks.

Purpose

To assess the dynamic changes of LV cardiac mechanics in a small cohort of TTS patients through the estimation of myocardial work, a newly developed non-invasive approach which allows correction of global longitudinal strain (GLS) for systolic blood pressure.

Methods

Twenty-four patients (mean age, 63.8 ± 8.4 yy; all female) with TTS diagnosis were retrospectively enrolled. Data from transthoracic two-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography on admission and at 3 months follow-up were collected. Global myocardial work index (GWI, mmHg%) was calculated as the area of the LV pressure (LVP)-strain loop, where LVP was estimated noninvasively using a standard waveform fitted to valvular events and scaled to systolic blood pressure. From GWI we also assessed: global constructive work (GCW, mmHg%: work performed during shortening in systole + negative work during lenghtening in isovolumetric relaxation, IVR), global wasted work (GWW, mmHg%: negative workperformed by a segment during lengthening in systole + work performed during shortening in IVR) and global work efficiency (GWE, %: constructive work divided by the sum of constructive and wasted work). Baseline demographic and clinical features, including in-hospital adverse events as acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock and cardiac death, were also assessed.

Results

On overall population, a reduced ejection fraction (EF) and GLS were detected at hospital admission, with a substantial improvement at discharge and at follow-up (from 41.7 ± 8.3% to 54.5 ± 6.5% to 60.2 ± 4.6% for EF and from -11.7 ± 4.5% to -16.2 ± 4.2 to -21.3 ± 2.8% for GLS, respectively). Similarly, global MWI and MWE both showed a positive trend during the hospital course and at follow-up: MWI increased from 1048.8 ± 580.5 to 1522.4 ± 695.4 to 2021.1 ± 388.6 mmHg% and MWE from 78.7 ± 10.2 to 91.1 ± 4.6 to 94.5 ± 3.8 %. Increasing in MWE has been obtained through an improvement of GCW (from 1195.9 ± 537.2 to 1651.3 ± 700.3 to 2316.8 ± 490.6 mmHg%) and a contemporary decreasing in GWW (from 237.9 ± 137.2 to 106 ± 37.2 to 131.8 ± 150.8 mmHg%).

In-hospital adverse events occurred in 8 (50%) patients. Of note, despite EF and GLS at admission showed no significant differences, patients experiencing in-hospital adverse events showed lower value of acute MWI (725.6 ± 289.6 vs 1371.9 ± 632.1 mmHg%; p= 0.02) and MWE (73.6 ± 3.4 vs 83.8 ± 12.4%; p= 0.04) compared to patients without in-hospital complications.

Conclusion

Non-invasive assessment of myocardial work through echocardiographic strain-based technique could be useful to demonstrate the peculiar dynamic changes of cardiac mechanics and for a better risk stratification in TTS patients.

Abstract P322 Figure.

5037Drug treatment with beta-blockers and long-term outcome in patients with takotsubo syndrome: results from the takotsubo Italian network

Background

Although generally considered a benign disease, Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) has recently been associated to a substantially comparable long-term outcome than acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The use of beta-blockers (BB) has been advocated in these patients for secondary prevention after the index event, considering the presumed role of catecholamine in TTS pathophysiology. However, the effect of BB on long-term outcome remains controversial due to the paucity of data and the lack of evidence from randomized studies.

Purpose

To investigate the impact of BB therapy on long-term outcome in patients with TTS.

Methods

The study included all TTS patients enrolled in the Takotsubo Italian Network multicenter registry. Patients were divided in two study groups according to the BB therapy after discharge. The following major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were assessed at the longest available follow-up: cardiac death, TTS recurrence, rehospitalization for cardiac cause, acute or worsening heart failure (HF) and ACS. Also, the composite of cardiac death and rehospitalization as well as the overall MACE were analyzed

Results

The study population included 548 patients (mean age 68.7±11.4 years; 44 males, 8%). Among them, BB treatment was reported in 368 (BB group, 67.2%) and 180 (no-BB group, 32.8%) patients, respectively. The baseline clinical characteristics were substantially comparable among groups with the only exception of COPD, which was prevalent in the no-BB group (10.3% vs 21.7%, p=0.001).

During follow-up (median 18 months 25–75% c.i. 6–29), TTS recurrence was reported in 26 patients (4.7%), ACS in 10 (1.8%), acute or worsening HF in 39 (7.1%), cardiac hospitalization in 71 (13.0%) and cardiac death in 18 (3.3%). The rate of TTS recurrence and ACS was comparable between groups. Conversely, no-BB patients experienced more frequently acute or worsening HF (5.4% vs 10.6%, p=0.034), cardiac rehospitalization (10.9% vs 17.2%, p=0.042) and cardiac death (1.9% vs 6.1, p=0.018) than BB patients. Therefore, the MACE composite endpoint was significantly prevalent in the no-BB group (12.0% vs 20.6%, p=0.010).

Kaplan-Meier curves for the composite of cardiac death and rehospitalization showed a statistically lower survival in the no-BB patients compared to the BB group (p=0.006). Moreover, landmark analysis showed a wider survival benefit in the BB patients after 2 years.

Conclusions

Although in absence of a secondary preventive effect on TTS recurrence, BB may improve the long-term cardiac outcome in patients with TTS. Prospective randomized studies are advisable to confirm these findings.

A novel miR-371a-5p-mediated pathway, leading to BAG3 upregulation in cardiomyocytes in response to epinephrine, is lost in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Molecular mechanisms protecting cardiomyocytes from stress-induced death, including tension stress, are essential for cardiac physiology and defects in these protective mechanisms can result in pathological alterations. Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) is expressed in cardiomyocytes and is a component of the chaperone-assisted autophagy pathway, essential for homeostasis of mechanically altered cells. BAG3 ablation in mice results in a lethal cardiomyopathy soon after birth and mutations of this gene have been associated with different cardiomyopathies including stress-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC). The pathogenic mechanism leading to TTC has not been defined, but it has been suggested that the heart can be damaged by excessive epinephrine (epi) spillover in the absence of a protective mechanism. The aim of this study was to provide more evidence for a role of BAG3 in the pathogenesis of TTC. Therefore, we sequenced BAG3 gene in 70 TTC patients and in 81 healthy donors with the absence of evaluable cardiovascular disease. Mutations and polymorphisms detected in the BAG3 gene included a frequent nucleotide change g2252c in the BAG3 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of Takotsubo patients (P<0.05), resulting in loss of binding of microRNA-371a-5p (miR-371a-5p) as evidenced by dual-luciferase reporter assays and argonaute RNA-induced silencing complex catalytic component 2/pull-down assays. Moreover, we describe a novel signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes that leads to BAG3 upregulation on exposure to epi through an ERK-dependent upregulation of miR-371a-5p. In conclusion, the presence of a g2252c polymorphism in the BAG3 3′-UTR determines loss of miR-371a-5p binding and results in an altered response to epi, potentially representing a new molecular mechanism that contributes to TTC pathogenesis.