Low dose rivaroxaban therapy in aspirin allergic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

 

Aspirin in combination with a P2Y12 inhibitor is the mainstay of treatment post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, patients who are allergic to or intolerant to aspirin pose a therapeutic challenge especially when encountered in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. Aspirin desensitization strategies have been used in clinical practice to build tolerance prior to coronary intervention but clearly are not practical in the setting of ACS or significant symptomatic CAD. Low dose rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice a day) has been previously shown to be safe in combination with a P2Y12 inhibitor post ACS compared to aspirin. We therefore sought to see if low dose rivaroxaban is a safe and effective alternative to aspirin in patients post PCI who are unable to take aspirin.This study aims to compare the efficacy (Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)) and safety (Bleeding events as defined by Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria) in patients with confirmed aspirin allergy who were treated with low dose rivaroxaban therapy in place of aspirin in combination with P2Y12 inhibitors post PCI.

Methods

This was a single center observational study which looked at 50 cases of patients with aspirin allergy (47 cases) or significant confirmed aspirin intolerance (3 cases) who underwent PCI between December 2017 and February 2022. Patients were advised to take low dose rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice a day as an alternative to aspirin 75 mg once a day. A comparator group of 50 matched patients without aspirin allergy who underwent PCI during the same time period and treated with standard aspirin therapy (75mg) along with a P2Y12 inhibitor. Outcomes over follow-up were MACE (mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and unscheduled revascularisation) and bleeding events defined by–BARC criteria.

Results

The median age of the aspirin allergy cohort was 62 years old with typical comorbidities associated with CAD. The cohort included a case mix of ACS and stable angina.The P2Y12 inhibitor in the majority of cases (76%) was Clopidogrel; Ticagrelor was used in 20% of cases and Prasugrel in 4% cases. No differences existed between the rivaroxaban and matched patient groups. The median follow-up as 626 days (Interquartile range 237–549). The duration of low dose rivaroxaban therapy was for 12 months with a P2Y12 in 72%, 1–3 months for 22% and finally continued long term (with P2Y12 discontinuation at 12 months) in 6%. No difference existed in the incidence of MACE between the low dose rivaroxaban group (12%) compared to the matched cohort (10% p=0.266). No difference in bleeding outcomes (any bleeding event BARC type >0) were seen (14% in rivaroxaban and 16% in control, p=0.329).

Conclusions

This study provides more supporting evidence that low dose rivaroxaban therapy is an alternative to aspirin when used in combination with a P2Y12 inhibitor post PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Comparison of thrombus burden in patients with COVID-19 presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction across the three waves of outbreak in the United Kingdom

Background

It has been previously reported during the first COVID outbreak that patients presenting with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and concurrent COVID-19 infection have increased thrombus burden and poorer outcomes [1]. Subsequently, there have been multiple further waves of the pandemic with the emergence of at least two new COVID-19 variants and the emergence of vaccinations. To-date, there have been no reports comparing the outcomes of COVID-19-positive STEMI patients across all waves of the pandemic.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the baseline demographic, procedural and angiographic characteristics alongside the clinical outcomes of patients presenting with STEMI and concurrent COVID-19 infection across the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

Methods

This was a single-centre, observational study of 1250 consecutive patients admitted with confirmed STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at Barts Heart Centre between 01/03/2020 and 10/03/2022. COVID +ve patients were split into 3 groups based upon the time course of the pandemic (Wave 1: March 2020-June 2020, Wave 2: Sept 2020-March 2021, Wave 3: October 2021-March 2022). Comparison was made between waves and with a control group of COVID-ve patients treated during the same timeframe.

Results

A total of 135 COVID +ive patients with STEMI (1st Wave: 39 patients, 2nd Wave: 60 patients, 3rd wave 35 pts) were included in the present analysis; and compared with 1115 COVID negative patients. Significant changes in the baseline characteristics, angiographic features and clinical outcomes of COVID +ive patients occurred over time. Early during the pandemic (Wave 1 2020), STEMI patients presenting with concurrent COVID-19 infection had high rates of cardiac arrest, evidence of increased thrombus burden (higher rates of multi-vessel thrombosis, stent thrombosis, higher modified thrombus grade higher use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors and thrombus aspiration, coagulability (more heparin for therapeutic ACT), bigger infarcts (lower myocardial blush grade and left ventricular function) and worse outcomes (mortality). However, by wave 3 (late 2021/2022), no differences existed in clinical characteristics, thrombus burden, infarct size or outcomes between COVID +ive patients and those without concurrent COVID-19 infection with significant differences compared to earlier COVID +ve patients. Poor outcomes later in the study period were predominantly in unvaccinated individuals.

Conclusions

Significant changes have occurred in the clinical characteristics, angiographic features and outcomes of STEMI patients with COVID-19 infection treated by primary PCI during the course of the pandemic. Importantly it appears that angiographic features and outcomes of recent waves are no different to a non-COVID-19 population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Direct oral anticoagulants compared to vitamin K antagonists for the treatment of left ventricular thrombi

Background

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) complicates around one in six cases of acute and chronic left ventricular systolic dysfunction and is associated with an increased risk of stroke, major systemic embolism and death, believed to be ameliorated by anticoagulation. Off-label use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for LVT has steadily increased, largely based on favourable outcomes in atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism, but the safety and efficacy of DOACs versus vitamin K antagonists (VKA) for LVT remains uncertain.

Purpose

The main aim of our study was to compare treatment of LVT with VKA to DOAC, focusing on all-cause mortality, stroke, major systemic emboli and major bleeding.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational longitudinal study of patients presenting to two large quaternary centres between 2011 and 2021 with a diagnosis of LVT. Patients were eligible if they had a documented LVT and received anticoagulation with either VKA or DOAC. Baseline data, thrombus characteristics, treatment type and duration, follow up imaging and clinical events were recorded using electronic health care records. Outcome measures included thrombus resolution, stroke and systemic embolism (SSE), major bleeding and mortality.

Results

A total of 955 patients were identified, of whom 901 received treatment with either a VKA (567 pts, 62.9%) or a DOAC (334 pts, 37.1%) and were included in the analysis. Underlying aetiologies included acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (38.3%), chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy (38.0%) and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (23.7%). Rivaroxaban (43.4%) was the most frequently prescribed DOAC followed by apixaban (35.9%), and the remaining on edoxaban (20.7%). AMI related LVT was more commonly treated with DOAC (53.0%) and chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy with VKA (72.9%).

There was a lower baseline LVEF in the VKA cohort (29.5±13.2 vs 33.1±14.2, p<0.0001). Other demographic features were comparable. Median follow up was 2.5 years (IQR: 1–3.5). There were no differences in follow up duration between the two treatments (p=0.17). Greater rates of thrombus resolution were seen in the DOAC group compared to VKA (1 year: 78.4% vs 51.4%, p<0.0001), with higher rates of persistent thrombus over the follow-up period seen in the VKA group (25.1% vs 12.9%, p<0.0001). Rates of stroke and systemic embolization were similar between the groups (VKA 9.3% vs 9.6% DOAC, p=0.93). Higher rates of bleeding (BARC >3, 8.1% VKA, 3.6% DOAC, p=0.031) (Figure 1A) and mortality (VKA 18.5%, DOAC 10.2%, p=0.001) (Figure 1B) were seen in the VKA group over the follow-up period.

Conclusions

In a large multi-centre registry of LVT of mixed aetiology, anticoagulation with DOAC was associated with earlier and greater rates of thrombus resolution and consequential reduced adverse events (major bleeding and mortality) during follow up. A funding application to support a multi-centre randomised control trial is underway.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by the British Heart Foundation (Fellowship FS/CRTF/21/24190 to HM) and the National Institute for Health Research (Biomedical Research Centre Award to Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT and King's College London).

A multicenter prospective observational study on the use of type and screen method versus conventional type and crossmatch policy for pre-transfusion testing in the Indian population

Despite knowing the benefits of the type and screen (TS) method in pre-transfusion testing (PTT), most transfusion centers in developing countries continue to be reluctant to adopt a TS strategy over the conventional type and antihuman globulin (AHG) crossmatch (TX) policy in their routine laboratory practice because of the cost of obtaining antibody screening reagents. To generate strong evidence, this multicenter, observational study was conducted in which we collected data prospectively over a 1-year period from six major blood centers in India. The primary objective of this study was to identify the discordance between TS and TX results. A secondary objective was to identify the allo-antibody specificity in patients with positive antibody detection tests. All patients with orders for red blood cell transfusion who met patient selection criteria were subjected to parallel testing by column agglutination technology (CAT) for both the antibody detection test (screen) using a commercial three-cell panel and for the AHG crossmatch. A total of 21,842 patients were tested. In 148 patients with incompatible crossmatches, samples from six patients gave negative results with the antibody detection test, whereas the antibody detection test was positive in samples from 118 patients among the 21,694 crossmatch-compatible cases. The TS approach achieved a positive percent agreement of 95.95 and was found to be significantly effective in preventing the transfusion of serologically incompatible blood. The risk associated with abbreviating the AHG crossmatch was found to be 0.009 percent. Most of the identified clinically significant alloantibodies were directed to Rh antigens (D>E>c>C>e), followed by anti-K and anti-M. This study has generated sufficient robust data for the Indian population by including patients from all major geographical areas of the country and concluded a satisfactory agreement level as well as non-inferiority to the current PTT policy. Therefore, TS policy can be implemented in developing countries with no compromise on blood safety, provided sufficient technical and infrastructural support are available.

Differential associations of conduct disorder, callous-unemotional traits and irritability with outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression

BACKGROUND

Previous work has examined the association of aggression levels and callous-unemotional traits with outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression. Less work has examined the outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression of adolescents with Conduct Disorder (CD). Also, no studies have examined links between irritability (a second socio-affective trait associated with CD) and these social cognitive processes despite the core function of anger in retaliatory aggression and establishing dominance.

METHOD

The current study, investigating these issues, involved 193 adolescents (typically developing [TD; N = 106], 87 cases with CD [N = 87]). Participants completed an adaptation of the Outcomes Expectations and Values Questionnaire and were assessed for CU traits and irritability via the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional traits and the Affective Reactivity Index.

RESULTS

While CD was associated with atypical outcome expectations this was not seen within statistical models including CU traits and irritability. CU traits were associated with decreased expectation that aggression would result in feelings of remorse and victim suffering, as well as decreased concern that aggressive acts would result in punishment and victim suffering. Irritability was associated with increased expectations and concern that aggression would result in dominance and forced respect.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that CU traits and irritability, often present in youth with CD, are associated with different forms of maladaptive outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression. This suggests that the atypical social cognitive processes underlying aggressive behavior among youth exhibiting CU traits may differ from those exhibiting problems regulating anger.

Prospective Role of Calcium Supplementation in Prevention of Fluorosis: A Study in Some North Indian Villages

More than a hundred million people from almost twenty-five countries, including India, are affected by fluorosis. An assessment of fluoride in water, a prospective study of dental fluorosis and the role of calcium in preventing or ameliorating dental fluorosis through a long-term community study in endemic high fluoride area in Northern India was done. Water survey from different areas was done to identify high fluoride area in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, India. House to house survey of a population of almost 5000 people was done. Biochemical tests were performed in 50 dental fluorotic and 50 non-fluorotic randomized subjects. Clinical and biochemical status was recorded after six months of calcium supplementation. Our results have shown that 28.64% population had dental fluorosis (total fluorosis: 43%), the highest in 13-15 years age group. After six months of calcium supplementation, 44% of cases showed reversal of dental fluorosis, whereas in 40% of them disease did not progress further. An increase in serum calcium and a significant decrease in urinary fluoride was observed post supplementation. In this first large-scale prospective community study of its kind, it is demonstrated that long-term administration of calcium can reverse dental fluorosis especially in children with early grades of fluorosis. Calcium may protect tooth against damage from high fluoride intake and reduces dental fluorosis. With the increase in the prevalence of dental fluorosis, calcium can prove a cheap and effective method for the prevention and treatment of dental fluorosis.

A study on clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis in free ranging and captive wild animals of India

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease of paramount importance at the wildlife-livestock-human interface.

Aims

To study the occurrence and Mycobacterium (M) species involved in the TB of free-ranging and captive wild animals in various Indian states.

Methods

A total of 396 clinical samples from 207 different wild animal species from various Indian national parks, zoological gardens, etc., were analyzed by lateral flow assay (LFA), Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining, and PCR. Clinical samples include blood (n=156), faecal swabs (n=103), serum (n=73), and nasal swabs or trunk wash fluids (n=64).

Results

Clinical signs of TB were absent in 202 animals, although 21 wild animals were seropositive for pathogenic Mycobacterium antigens by LFA. Clinical signs like progressive weight loss, and respiratory distress were exhibited by 4 sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) and an elephant (Elephas maximus), which were also found positive for LFA, PCR, and ZN staining. ZN staining showed positivity for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in 9 (8.74%) faecal and 9 (14.06%) nasal swabs or trunk wash fluids of sloth bears (7 samples) and elephants (2 samples). M. tuberculosis was detected in 7 sloth bears and 2 elephants, whereas M. bovis was found in a spotted deer (Axis axis) by species-specific PCR.

Conclusion

The circulation of TB organisms in wild animals warrants a strict surveillance programme to identify the carrier status of these animals so that effective TB control strategies can be formulated.

The impact of non-pharmacological therapies on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with refractory angina: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

 

Despite advances in revascularization techniques and optimal medical management, refractory angina (RFA) represents an essential group of patients where progress has stalled, and in which therapeutic approaches remain uncertain.

Numerous randomized control trials have reported clinical outcomes on a variety of treatments but to date no direct outcome comparison has been made. Our aim is to investigate and compare the outcomes of these different non-pharmacological technologies in RFA, centring on major adverse cardiac events and all-cause mortality.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed of PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medica database),Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, Google Scholar databases of randomized controlled trials, and scientific session abstracts. Studies were deemed eligible if they met the following criteria: (1) full-length publications in peer-reviewed journals; (2) evaluated non-pharmacological therapies use in patients with no further revascularization options while on optimal medical treatment; (3) patients had ongoing angina, Canadian Cardiovascular Society class II–IV; and (4) included a placebo/control arm. We calculated risk ratios for all-cause mortality, combined MACE events. We assessed heterogeneity using χ2 and I2 tests.

We analysed 3292 citations with 51 randomized control trials testing 9 therapies including angiogenic proteins, stem-cell therapy, lipoprotein apheresis, coronary sinus reducer, spinal cord stimulator, percutaneous laser revascularization, shock-wave therapy, transmyocardial laser revascularization and enhanced external counter pulsation all meeting the inclusion criteria (table 1). Our analysis identified stem cell therapy as the only therapy with a reduction in all-cause mortality (Odds ratio, 0.45; CI, 0.21–1.00) (figure 1). A corresponding reduction in major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was also seen with stem cell therapy (OR 0.48: CI 0.30–0.75) alongside patients who received angiogenic proteins (OR 0.72: CI 0.55–0.93) and cardiac shockwave therapy (OR, 0.21: CI 0.10–0.46) Improvements in secondary measures of angina symptoms or frequency were seen with stem cell therapy, angiogenic proteins, coronary sinus reducer, spinal cord stimulator, shock-wave therapy, transmyocardial laser revascularization and enhanced external counterpulsation.

This is the largest meta-analysis comparing outcomes of novel technologies used in refractory angina. This suggests that stem cell therapy is the only non-pharmacological therapy for RFA associated with a reduction in mortality, MACE and anginal symptoms. We propose further larger randomized control trials, to support these findings.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1. Randomized control trials and outcomesFigure 1. All-cause mortality forest plot

The management of severe aortic stenosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study comparing TAVI and SAVR

Introduction

Outcomes and characteristics of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) treated during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown.

Methods

This was a single-centre observational study of patients undergoing AS treatment with transcatheter (TAVI) or surgical (SAVR) therapy during the first-wave of the UK COVID-19 pandemic compared to a control cohort undergoing treatment in 2019.

Demographics, baseline echocardiogram, CT, procedural characteristics and outcome data were collated. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoint was duration of post-procedural hospitalisation.

Results

319 patients were recruited - 122 underwent intervention during the pandemic [73 TAVI; 49 SAVR] and 197 in 2019 [127 TAVI; 70 SAVR].

In 2020, TAVI patients had a higher Euroscore II (p<0.001) but there were no differences in procedural complications or mortality [p=0.16] compared to TAVI 2019 cases. Duration from TAVI to discharge was shorter in 2020 (p<0.001).

SAVR 2020 patients had similar baseline profile [p=0.48], surgical characteristics, mortality (p=0.68) and duration from SAVR to discharge compared to those in 2019.

During the pandemic, TAVI patients were older (p<0.001) and had a higher Euroscore II (p<0.001) than SAVR counterparts. TAVI patients had reduced 30-day mortality [0 (0%) vs 3 (6%); p=0.06] and were discharged more rapidly post-intervention than SAVR patients [median 1 [1] vs 7 [4] days; p<0.001) translating into shorter hospitalization (p<0.001).

Conclusions

TAVI and SAVR can be safely delivered with predictable resource utilisation during a pandemic. Despite the TAVI cohort incorporating higher risk, older patients, outcomes were at least as good as SAVR with a shorter length of post-procedural hospitalisation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Procedural Complications TAVI/SAVRDuration to discharge post TAVI/SAVR

Natural infection of Delta mutant of SARS-CoV-2 in Asiatic lions of India

The current pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) has underlined the importance of emerging diseases of zoonotic importance. Along with human beings, several species of wild and pet animals have been demonstrated to be infected by SARS‐CoV‐2, both naturally and experimentally. In addition, with constant emergence of new variants, the species susceptibility might further change which warrants intensified screening efforts. India is a vast and second most populated country, with a habitat of a very diverse range of animal species. In this study we place on record of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections in three captive Asiatic lions. Detailed genomic characterization revealed involvement of Delta mutant (Pango lineage B.1.617.2) of SARS‐CoV‐2 at two different locations. Interestingly, no other feline species enclosed in the zoo/park were found infected. The epidemiological and molecular analysis will contribute to the understanding of the emerging mutants of SARS‐CoV‐2 in wild and domestic animals.

POS0672 FIRST-IN-HUMAN STUDY OF GS-5718, AN ORAL IRAK-4 INHIBITOR, IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS: PHARMACOKINETICS, SAFETY, TOLERABILITY, AND ASSESSMENT OF EFFECT OF FOOD AND ACID REDUCING AGENTS ON EXPOSURE

Background:

GS-5718 is a potent and selective interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) inhibitor in clinical development for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Objectives:

The aim of this first-in-human study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of GS-5718; and the effect of food and acid-reducing agents (ARA) on GS-5718 pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects.

Methods:

This was a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, single and multiple (once daily for 10 days) oral dose study. Healthy male and female subjects were enrolled in ascending dose cohorts and randomized to receive GS-5718 (15, 50 or 150 mg) or placebo. GS-5718 was administered fasted in the single ascending dose cohorts, and under fed conditions (standard meal) in the multiple dose cohorts. The effects of a high-fat meal and omeprazole (a representative ARA) on GS-5718 50 mg dose pharmacokinetics were also evaluated. Serial blood samples were collected and GS-5718 pharmacokinetic parameters were characterized. Safety was assessed by review of adverse events (AEs), clinical laboratory tests, and vital signs.

Results:

A total of 74 subjects (n = 62 GS-5718; n = 12 placebo) enrolled and completed study drug treatments in this study. GS-5718 was generally well tolerated at all evaluated dose levels; AEs were mild in severity and no dose-limiting toxicities, serious AEs, nor clinically relevant electrocardiogram or vital sign abnormalities were observed in subjects administered GS-5718. GS-5718 exposure was approximately dose proportional across the evaluated multiple ascending dose range. GS-5718 showed low-to-moderate pharmacokinetic variability with median half-life of 25 to 33 hours and 1.6 to 2.4- fold accumulation at steady-state, which was achieved by Day 5-7 of dosing. Food had no clinically meaningful impact on GS-5718 exposure (AUC and Cmax) at the 50 mg dose. Co-administration of omeprazole with GS-5718 reduced GS-5718 exposure (AUC and Cmax) by 23% and 43%, respectively, at the 50 mg dose.

Conclusion:

GS-5718, administered once daily, was well tolerated following single or multiple dosing up to 150 mg. The pharmacokinetic and safety profile of GS-5718 support the further development in inflammatory diseases with once-daily administrations.

Disclosure of Interests:

Kacey Anderson Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Chia-Hsiang Hsueh Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Oksana Gurtovaya Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Anubhav Mathur Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, James Taylor Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Adrian Serone Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences, Ahmed A. Othman Shareholder of: Gilead Sciences, Employee of: Gilead Sciences

764 Human Factors in Operative Theatres During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Operating Theatre Staff Experiences in a Regional Centre

Introduction

In the already high-risk, high-stress environment of the operating theatre, operating during Covid-19 has brought its own unique challenges. Communication, teamwork and anxiety related new operating practices secondary to Covid-19 are hypothesised to have a negative impact on patient care.

Method

We conducted a single-centre online survey of operating theatre staff from 22nd June–6th July 2020. Respondents completed 18 human factors questions related to COVID-19 precautions including communication, teamwork, situational awareness, decision making, stress, fatigue, work environment and organisational culture. Questions consisted of yes/no responses, multiple choice and Likert items. Kruskall-Wallis tests, Chi-Squared, Mann Whitney U tests, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, lambda and Cramer’s V tests were used. Free-text responses were also reviewed.

Results

116 theatre staff responded. Visual (90.5%), hearing/ understanding (96.6%) difficulties, feeling faint/lightheaded (66.4%) and stress (47.8%) were reported. Decreased situational awareness was reported by 71.5% and correlated with visors (r = 0.27 and p = 0.03) and FFP2/3 mask usage (r = 0.29 and p = 0.01). Reduced efficiency of theatre teams was reported by 75% of respondents and 21.5% felt patient safety was at greater risk due to Covid-19 precautions in theatre.

Conclusions

Organisational adjustments are required, and research focused on development of fit-for-purpose personal protective equipment (PPE).

Intracoronary autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells for the compassionate treatment of advanced heart failure

Background

Intracoronary delivery of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMCs) has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of patients with ischaemic (IHD) and non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Given the results of phase II clinical trials in this population, our centre initiated the only programme to offer intracoronary BMCs to patients with advanced heart failure due to IHD or DCM in the UK. Clinical data and outcomes in these patients were maintained as part of a registry, the results of which are reported herein.

Purpose

To report outcomes of the first 20 patients with DCM treated at the compassionate stem cell unit.

Methods

A total of 45 patients with advanced heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at referral of ≤45%, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification ≥2 and no secondary cause for the cardiomyopathy) despite optimal medical therapy (OMT) were accepted into the programme and received treatment with intracoronary BMCs, manufactured and supplied as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, with adjunctive granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). All patients received 5 days of G-CSF followed by bone marrow aspiration and IC infusion of cells (∼10ml of BMCs) on Day 6. LVEF was assessed by cardiac CT.

Results

Of the 20 patients with DCM, 80% were male with a mean age of 64.6±10.6 years (range 45–81 years old). Baseline LVEF was 36.1%±10.6. Baseline NYHA class distributions were 70% NYHA class II (n=14), NYHA class III 25% (n=5), and NYHA class IV – 5% (n=1). All procedures were performed successfully with no procedural complications (100% radial). One year after treatment, 71.4% of people improved by 1 or more NYHA classes with 28.6% noting no change (1 year NYHA classes I (60%), II (27%) and III (13%)). No patients felt worse. A mean increase of 3.4% (±9.6%) was seen in LVEF at 1 year compared to baseline with a corresponding mean reduction in NT-pro-BNP of 18.9% (mean 1012pmol/l vs 1250pmol/l). In terms of clinical events, at 1 year all treated patients were alive, with no reported MACE events and no admissions for heart failure.

Conclusion

IC autologous BMC injections are a novel therapy for patients with advanced HF despite OMT. These data indicate this therapy is safe and results in significant improvement in symptoms of heart failure. An improvement in the LVEF is seen at levels which support initial findings of phase II clinical trials.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Heart Cell Foundation; Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital

The impact of stem cell therapy in chronic ischaemic heart disease and congestive heart failure: an updated cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Introduction

Controversies in stem cell research (Anversa retractions) have led many to question the validity of clinical cell therapy research. There is however consistent data supporting the use of cell therapy for chronic IHD.

Purpose

To update the clinical evidence for the safety and efficacy of autologous adult bone marrow-derived stem/progenitor cells as a treatment for chronic IHD and CHF.

Methods

A full Cochrane review of relevant trials up to 21st November 2018 was performed. Randomised controlled trials comparing autologous adult stem/progenitor cells with no cells in participants with chronic IHD and CHF were deemed eligible. Trials that involved acute myocardial infarction were excluded.

Results

In total 41 randomised controlled trials and 2397 patients are included in the meta-analysis. This updated Cochrane review shows a statistically significant reduction in mortality (RR 0.51; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.68; p≤0.00001) and MACE (RR 0.66; CI 0.55 to 0.80; p<0.00001) seen with cell therapy. This is associated with a significant improvement in symptoms (exercise tolerance, NYHA, CCS) and ejection fraction.

Conclusions

Cell therapy may be effective for this patient group both for cardiovascular outcomes and symptom control. This conclusion therefore warrants further testing of cell therapy in prospective clinical trials assessing meaningful clinical endpoints.

Stem cell therapy and risk of all-cause

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Impact of early (<24h) versus delayed (>24h) intervention in patients with non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (an observational study of 20882 patients)

Background

In patients presenting with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) an invasive approach has been shown to be superior to conservative management.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the optimal timing of invasive coronary angiography and subsequent intervention.

Methods

We examined the impact ofearly (≤24h) versus delayed (>24h) intervention in a large observational cohort of 20882 consecutive patients with acute NSTE myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) treated with PCI between 2005 and 2015 at 9 tertiary cardiac centers in London (UK) using Cox-regression analysis and propensity matching.

Results

Mean age was 64.5±12.7 years and 26.1% were females. A quarter (27.6%), were treated within 24h.Patients treated within 24h were slightly younger (62.8±12.8 vs. 65.2±12.6, p<0.001), most commonly male (76% vs. 72.9%, p<0.001) and were more frequently ventilated (2.3% vs. 1.4%, p<0.001) and in cardiogenic shock (3.6% vs. 1.4%, p<0.001) with dynamic changes on their ECG (84.5% vs. 76.1% p<0.001). At a median follow up of 4.2 years (interquartile range 1.8 to 7) 17.7% of patients had died. Estimated 5-year survival in patients treated within 24h was 84.6% vs. 81% for those treated >24h following their presentation (p<0.001). This survival benefit remained following adjustment for confounders; HR (delayed vs. early management)1.11 (95% CI 1.003 to 1.23, p=0.046). In the propensity matched cohort of 4356 patients in each group, there remained a trend for higher survival in the early intervention group (p=0.061).

Conclusions

Notwithstanding the limitations of the retrospective design, this real-world cohort of NSTEMI patients suggests that an early intervention (≤24h) may improve mid term survival.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Use of enhanced stent visualisation compared to angiography alone to guide percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the use of enhanced stent visualisation (ESV) on outcomes, after PCI with overlapping stents, specifically using CLEARstent technology.

BACKGROUND

Stent underexpansion and overlap are both significant risk factors for restenosis and stent thrombosis. Enhanced stent visualisation (e.g. CLEARstent) systems could provide important data to reduce under-expansion and stent overlap.

METHODS

This was a cohort study based on this institution's percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry. A total of 2614 patients who had PCI for stable angina or acute coronary syndromes (ACS, excluding cardiogenic shock) with overlapping 2nd generation drug eluting stents (DES) in the same vessel between May 2015 and January 2018 were included in the analysis. Patients were divided into ESV (n = 1354) and no ESV guided intervention (n = 1260). The primary end-point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: target vessel revascularisation, target vessel myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality) recorded at a median follow up of 2.4 years.

RESULTS

Groups were comparable for patient characteristics (age, diabetes mellitus, ACS presentation). A significant difference in MACE was observed between patients who underwent ESV-guided PCI (9.5%) compared with patients who underwent Standard PCI (14.4%, p = .018). This difference was mainly driven by reduced rates of target vessel revascularisation and recurrent myocardial infarction. Overall this difference persisted after multivariate Cox analysis (HR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.73-0.98) and propensity matching (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.69-0.99).

CONCLUSION

We suggest that routine clinical use of ESV technology during PCI can be useful, and is associated with better medium-term angiographic and clinical outcomes. Further study is required to build on this promising signal.

P2720Diagnostic accuracy of Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) and Vessel Fractional Flow Reserve (vFFR) compared to Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) based on 7.5 frames/second coronary angiography

Background

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the gold standard for the physiological assessment of intermediate coronary artery lesions. Recently, several novel methods for computation of FFR based on 3-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography have been developed. These techniques allow analyses to be performed retrospectively and do not require induction of hyperaemia. The development and validation of these techniques are based on good quality coronary angiography with high frames per second (15 fps) acquisition. The diagnostic accuracy of Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) and Vessel Fractional Flow Reserve (vFFR) in real world “radiation-save mode” coronary angiography has not been studied.

Purpose

To validate the accuracy of QFR and vFFR compared to FFR based on a series of coronary angiography acquired at 7.5 fps.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 134 vessels (102 patients) with intermediate coronary artery stenosis (30–90%) in whom an FFR measurement had been performed. All the coronary angiography were acquired at 7.5 fps. 33 vessels (20 patients) were excluded from the study due to unsuitable coronary anatomy, invalid FFR measurements, poor image quality and lack of 2 projections ≥25° apart. A total of 101 vessels (82 patients) were included in the final analysis. Contrast-QFR (cQFR), fixed-QFR (fQFR) and vFFR analysis were performed in these vessels by two independent trained experts blinded to the FFR readings. FFR measurements at hyperaemic steady state was taken as the gold standard reference.

Results

Good intra- and inter-observer reliability was noted for fQFR, cQFR and vFFR analysis (intra-observer mean difference for fQFR: 0.016±0.060, p=0.066; cQFR: 0.009±0.053, p=0.230; vFFR: 0.008±0.040, p=0.175; inter-observer mean difference for fQFR: 0.001±0.036, p=0.847; cQFR: −0.001±0.049; p=0.910, vFFR: −0.005±0.037, p=0.393). fQFR and cQFR showed good correlation with FFR (r=0.694, p<0.001 and r=0.674, p<0.001, respectively) while vFFR showed moderate correlation with FFR (r=0.388, p<0.001). Similarly, fQFR and cQFR showed good accuracy for the detection of functionally significant coronary stenosis (fQFR AUC 0.882 (95% CI 0.803–0.938) and cQFR AUC 0.886 (95% CI 0.807–0.940)) while vFFR showed moderate accuracy with AUC 0.719 (95% CI 0.621–0.804). For identifying functionally significant stenosis (FFR ≤0.80), the overall diagnostic accuracy were 81.2%, 85.2%, 75.3% for fQFR, cQFR and vFFR, repectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 72.7%, 89.9% (fQFR); 83.5%, 31.8% (cQFR) and 68.2%, 87.3% (vFFR).

Conclusion

Functional assessment of intermediate coronary stenosis based on 7.5 fps angiography-derived computational modelling is feasible. Our study shows that fQFR and cQFR have a better diagnostic accuracy for detecting functionally significant coronary stenosis compared to vFFR. At the lower radiation-save mode 7.5 fps angiography, cQFR does not appear to provide additional diagnostic accuracy compared to fQFR.

P6426The use of direct oral anti-coagulations (DOACs) compared to vitamin k antagonist in patients with left ventricular thrombus after acute myocardial infarction

Aim

Current guidelines recommend the use of Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) for up to 3–6 months for the treatment of LV thrombus post- acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However based on evidence supporting the non-inferiority and potential superiority of Direct Oral Anti-Coagulation's (DOAC) compared to VKA for other indications such as atrial fibrillation, DOACs are being increasingly used off licence for the treatment of left ventricular (LV) thrombus post AMI. In this study we investigated the effect of DOACs compared to VKA on LV thrombus resolution and their safety profile in patients presenting with AMI.

Methods and results

This was a prospective observational study of 2,328 consecutive patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) for AMI between 2015- 2018, at a UK cardiac centre. Patients' details were collected from the hospital electronic database. The primary end-point was the rate of resolution of LV thrombus with bleeding rates as a secondary outcome.

Left ventricular (LV) thrombus was diagnosed by echocardiography, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in 98 (5.1%) patients. Sixty patients (61.2%) were started on VKA and 38 patients (38.8%) on DOAC therapy (Rivaroxaban: 57.9%, Apixaban, 36.8% and Edoxaban: 5.3%). Both groups were well matched in terms of baseline characteristics including age, previous cardiac history (previous MI, PCI, CABG), and cardiovascular risk factors (Hypertension, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolaemia).

Over the follow up period (median 1.8 years), overall rates of LV thrombus resolution were 86%. There was greater and earlier LV thrombus resolution in the DOAC group compared to patients treated with warfarin (75% vs 53%, p=0.0018, at 1 year), which persisted after adjusting for baseline variables (OR 1.8 95% CI 1.2–2.9). Major bleeding such as intracranial bleed, major GI bleed and bleed requiring hospital admission were lower in DOAC group, compared with VKA group (0% vs 5%, p=0.030) with no difference in rates of systemic thromboembolism (p=0.388).

Conclusion

This data suggests improved thrombus resolution in post ACS LV thrombosis in patient treated with DOACs compared to vitamin K antagonists. This improvement in thrombus resolution was accompanied with a better safety profile for the DOAC patients' vs VKA treated patients. This supports the need for randomised controlled trials to confirm this observational data.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P869Predictive value of the endothelial shear stress distribution in three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography models in detecting vulnerable plaques

Background

Low Endothelial shear stress (ESS) is a well-known instigator of coronary atherosclerosis. Prospective intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-based imaging studies with computational fluid dynamic analysis revealed its predictive merit in-vivo. However, whether coronary modelling derived from quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is equally effective in detecting high-risk plaques remains to be established.

Purpose

To examine the value of endothelial shear stress (ESS) estimated in three-dimensional (3D) QCA models in detecting plaques that are likely to progress and cause events.

Method

We analysed the baseline intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) and angiographic data from 28 non-culprit lesions with a vulnerable phenotype (i.e., fibroatheroma or thin cap fibroatheroma) that caused major adverse cardiac events or required revascularization (nc-MACE-R) at 5-year follow-up and from a control group of 119 vulnerable plaques that remained quiescent. The segments studied by IVUS-VH at baseline were reconstructed using 3D-QCA software and in the obtained geometries blood flow simulation was performed and we estimated the resting Pd/Pa across the vulnerable plaque and the mean ESS values in 3mm sub-segments. A propensity score was built by the baseline plaque characteristics and the hemodynamic indices and its efficacy in detecting nc-MACE-R lesions was examined.

Results

Nc-MACE-R lesions were longer (32.5mm [18.0, 41.6], vs. 19.6mm [12.7, 31.3], p=0.03), had smaller minimum lumen area (MLA) (3.65mm2 [3.26, 4.36] vs. 5.03mm2 [3.98, 6.66], p<0.01), increased plaque burden (PB) (69.4% [63.5, 72.0] vs. 60.8% [53.7, 66.5], p<0.01), were exposed to higher ESS (9.40Pa [6.3, 12.5] vs. 4.1Pa [3.0, 6.9], p<0.01), and exhibited a lower resting Pd/Pa (0.97 [0.95, 0.98] vs. 0.98 [0.97, 0.99], p<0.01]. In multivariable analysis the only independent predictor of nc-MACE-R was the maximum 3mm ESS value (hazard ratio: 1.08 [1.02, 1.16], P=0.016). Lesions exposed to high ESS (>4.95Pa) with a high-risk anatomy (MLA<4mm2and PB>70%) had a higher nc-MACE-R rate (53.8%) than those with a low-risk anatomy exposed to high ESS (31.6%) or those exposed to low ESS that had high (20.0%) or low-risk anatomy (7.1%, P<0.001).

Conclusion

In the present study, 3D-QCA-derived local hemodynamic variables provided useful prognostic information and in combination with lesion anatomy enabled more accurate identification of nc-MACE-R lesions. Further research in a larger number of patients is need to confirm these findings before the conduction of large scale prospective studies that will combine intravascular imaging and 3D-QCA modelling to more accurately detect vulnerable plaques.

P2671The addition of admission lactate to the CREST risk score to determine prognosis in out of hospital cardiac arrest: the C-AREST score

Introduction

There has been an increasing focus on the development of scoring systems for patients admitted following resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) to determine both prognosis and short-term management. One such system, the CREST score, has been shown to predict circulatory aetiology death in patients without ST-elevation myocardial infarction, however with an increasing number of OHCAs seen, general scoring systems to predict outcome in OHCA would be helpful.

Aims

We sought to determine whether the addition of an admission lactate ≥8 mmol/l to the existing CREST score was able to better predict in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with OHCA.

Methods and results

We retrospectively analysed the data of 500 patients admitted with an OHCA of presumed cardiac origin to our tertiary cardiac centre between June 2014 and Oct 2018. Mean age was 62.6y (±14.7), 379 (76%) were male and 250 (50%) were Caucasian. 313 (62.6%) were admitted with ST elevation myocardial infarction or equivalent. 48.6% (243/500) of patients died in hospital and of those that survived, 20.2% (52/257) were left with hypoxic brain injury (CPC score 3–4).

When analysed independently, all individual factors other than history of Coronary artery disease (OR 1.47, p=0.084) significantly predicted in-hospital mortality: Admission lactate ≥8 mmol/l (OR 6.78, p<0.0001), non-shockable Rhythm (OR 10.9, p<0.0001), Ejection fraction <30% (OR 5.84, p<0.0001), Shock at presentation (OR 5.49, p<0.0001) and ischaemic Time >25 minutes (OR 12.8, p<0.0001).

When each factor was assigned one point and totalled, both increasing CREST and C-AREST scores were associated with increasing in-hospital mortality: CREST (0–5 points): 4.3%, 30.5%, 41.5%, 85.6%, 95.2%, 100% vs C-AREST (0–6 points): 9.1%, 28.3%, 41.9%, 62.8%, 97.6%, 96.4%, 100%. When analysed with stepwise logistic regression, the addition of admission lactate ≥8 mmol/l to the model improved the prediction of in-hospital mortality: CREST (40.8% of variance explained) vs C-AREST (43.3%), with admission lactate remaining an independently significant predictor (OR 3.67, p=0.002).

Conclusion

We describe a novel modification to the previously described CREST scoring system for OHCA: the C-AREST score. The addition of admission lactate ≥8 mmol/l may have a role in differentiating those in intermediate risk categories (score between 2 and 3) where the predicted in hospital mortality would otherwise vary greatly. Given the relative ease of obtaining admission lactate, this scoring system may further improve stratification of patients who may or may not benefit from invasive management.

P6516The association between prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery and outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): an observational study of 123,780 patients

Background

Limited information exists regarding procedural success and clinical outcomes in patients with previous CABG undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to compare outcomes in patients undergoing PCI with or without previous coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG).

Methods

This was an observational cohort study of 123,780 consecutive PCI procedures from the Pan-London (United Kingdom) PCI registry, from January 2005 to December 2015. The primary end-point was all-cause mortality at a median follow-up of 3.0 years (interquartile range 1.2–4.6 years).

Results

12,641 (10.2%) patients had a history of previous CABG, of whom 29.3% (n=3,703) underwent PCI to native vessels and 70.7% (n=8,938) to bypass grafts. There were significant differences in the demographic, clinical, and procedural characteristics of these groups. The risk of mortality during follow-up was significantly higher in patients with prior CABG (23.2%) (p=0.0005) compared to patients with no history of prior CABG (12.1%) and was seen for patients who underwent either native vessel (20.1%) or bypass graft PCI (24.2%, p<0.0001). However, after adjustment for baseline characteristics, there was no significant difference in outcomes seen between the groups when PCI was performed in native vessels in patients with previous CABG (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.77–1.34; P=0.89) but a significant increase in mortality among patients with PCI to bypass grafts (HR 1.33 95% CI 1.03–1.71, P=0.026). This was seen after multivariate adjustment and propensity matching.

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier Curves

Conclusion

Patients with prior CABG are older, with a greater comorbid burden and more complex procedural characteristics, but after adjustment for these differences clinical outcomes are similar to patients undergoing PCI without prior CABG. In these patients, native vessel PCI was associated with better outcomes compared to the treatment of vein grafts.

P2665An observational study assessing the impact of a cardiac arrest centre on patient outcome

Background

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of death in Europe and the United States. There has been recent literature to suggest that the centralisation of OHCA services may benefit patient outcomes. In 2015, two major tertiary cardiac centres in the UK agglomerated to form a large dedicated tertiary cardiac centre. The previous centre had strict criteria on which OHCA patients could be admitted, with the vast majority of cases being STEMI-related. After the agglomeration, admission criteria were relaxed to include all OHCA cases within geographic range with a suspected cardiac cause.

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the short-term mortality of patients admitted with an OHCA to a tertiary cardiac centre before-and-after a major agglomeration of services had taken place and admission criteria had been relaxed.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the data of patients admitted before and after agglomeration (2015) with OHCA who were resuscitated via conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Baseline demographic characteristics were recorded, along with factors relating to the cardiac arrest. Primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 650 patients (189 before and 461 after the agglomeration) with an OHCA between 2013 and 2018 were analysed. Patients admitted pre merger were older (67.7 vs 62.4 years, p=0.022), otherwise there were similar baseline demographic characteristics between patients admitted before and after the agglomeration (pre vs post) in terms of gender (74.4% vs 75.9% male, p=0.827), ethnicity (66.7% vs 58.9% Caucasian, p=0.588) and existing coronary artery disease (22.8% vs 22.7%, p=0.432). There were also similar peri-arrest characteristics, with a comparable number of patients having a non-shockable rhythm (15.4% vs 25.4%, p=0.164) and similar total downtimes between the groups (33 vs 32.3 mins, p=0.883). Interestingly there was a decrease in those with cardiogenic shock on arrival (92.3% vs 57.0%, p=0.0001) and fewer patients with an ejection fraction <30% (63.2 vs 38.7%, p=0.0003) post-agglomeration.

There was a greater proportion of non-ACS-related OHCA admission after the agglomeration (16.9% vs 24.1%, p=0.047) and a corresponding decrease in those admitted with a STEMI (81.5% vs 62.3%, p=0.032) and those treated with PCI (77.8% vs 54.0%, p=0.034). Despite this, in-hospital mortality was lower after the agglomeration (69.7% vs 47.1%, p=0.019), which persisted after adjustment for the previously described demographic and arrest-related characteristics using stepwise logistic regression (p=0.036) between the two groups.

Conclusion

Despite an increase in non-ACS-related-OHCA cases, the formation of a centralised invasive heart centre was associated with improved survival in OHCA patients. This suggests there may be a benefit for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest-centre model of care, supporting a centralised strategy for immediate post-resuscitation care in OHCA patients.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

The management of chronic cough

Chronic cough is a common presentation to primary care and constitutes a significant volume of referrals to secondary care. It affects around 10% of the adult population and has a plethora of respiratory and non-respiratory causes. It can have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. In many patients, minimal baseline investigations lead to an easily identifiable and treatable cause. In others, no cause can be identified even after extensive investigations in specialized cough clinics. This evidence-based review article outlines the approach to the adult patient presenting with chronic cough and focuses upon current management strategies in those with chronic idiopathic cough. It includes results from trials of speech and language therapies, and the emerging concept of chronic idiopathic cough as a neuropathic disorder with its own bespoke approach to management including the use of neuromodulatory agents.

Assessment of Brain Injury and Brain Volumes after Posthemorrhagic Ventricular Dilatation: A Nested Substudy of the Randomized Controlled ELVIS Trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of early and late intervention for posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation on additional brain injury and ventricular volume using term-equivalent age-MRI.

STUDY DESIGN

In the Early vs Late Ventricular Intervention Study (ELVIS) trial, 126 preterm infants ≤34 weeks of gestation with posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation were randomized to low-threshold (ventricular index >p97 and anterior horn width >6 mm) or high-threshold (ventricular index >p97 + 4 mm and anterior horn width >10 mm) groups. In 88 of those (80%) with a term-equivalent age-MRI, the Kidokoro Global Brain Abnormality Score and the frontal and occipital horn ratio were measured. Automatic segmentation was used for volumetric analysis.

RESULTS

The total Kidokoro score of the infants in the low-threshold group (n = 44) was lower than in the high-threshold group (n = 44; median, 8 [IQR, 5-12] vs median 12 [IQR, 9-17], respectively; P < .001). More infants in the low-threshold group had a normal or mildly increased score vs more infants in the high-threshold group with a moderately or severely increased score (46% vs 11% and 89% vs 54%, respectively; P = .002). The frontal and occipital horn ratio was lower in the low-threshold group (median, 0.42 [IQR, 0.34-0.63]) than the high-threshold group (median 0.48 [IQR, 0.37-0.68], respectively; P = .001). Ventricular cerebrospinal fluid volumes could be calculated in 47 infants and were smaller in the low-threshold group (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

More brain injury and larger ventricular volumes were demonstrated in the high vs the low-threshold group. These results support the positive effects of early intervention for posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN43171322.

Real time detection and quantification of Epstein Barr virus in different grades of oral gingivitis and periodontitis patients

BACKGROUND

Periodontal diseases are of microbial etiology and are globally causing loss of teeth in adult population. Many severe oral diseases have been recently associated to Herpes viruses, of which Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) have been indicated in the etiology of periodontal diseases.

AIM

The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of EBV in different types of periodontal diseases namely acute gingivitis, chronic gingivitis, acute and chronic, localized and generalized aggressive (juvenile) periodontitis and apical periodontitis.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

70 individuals were included in this study. Supragingival plaque and plaque from two deepest sites of the periodontal pockets were collected then stored at 70° c and prepared for nucleic acid extraction. For EBV detection, DNA were extracted from the plaque samples with the QIAamp DNA mini kit. Q-PCR was performed by targeting the non-polymorphic Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) gene using Corbett Research 6000 Q-PCR instrument and Rotor gene 6000 software.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of EBV in the disease group was 60% (27/45 patients) as compared to only 8% (4/25 people) in the normal population. The mean copy number of EBV DNA was found to be significantly higher in periodontitis (2234 ± 1811.34) when compared to gingivitis (554 ± 537.64, p = .001) and normal patients (370 ± 161.03, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Here, we found that the prevalence of EBV as well as copy number of EBV was significantly higher in periodontitis patients as compared to gingivitis patients or normal population.

Decreased Expression and Function of Vß6+ and Vß14+ T Cells is Associated with Decreased Th1 Cytokine Production in Mice with Plasma Cell Tumors

Aims and background

We have found that polyclonally stimulated T cells from mice bearing ascitic plasma cell tumors demonstrate specific decreases in Th1 cytokine production. In this study we investigated whether loss of Th1 responses in the plasma cell tumor system was associated with alterations in the Vß T cell receptor repertoire.

Methods

We examined the cell surface expression of specific Vß expressing splenic CD4+ or CD8+ T cells from normal and tumor bearing mice using direct three-color flowcytometry. In order to determine the Th phenotype of Vß expressing T cells, we enriched for Vß6, Vß14 or Vß8.1,8.2 cells, polyclonally stimulated them and measured the levels of the cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).

Results

We find that there is a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of Vß6+ and Vß14+ CD8+ T cells in mice bearing a plasma cell tumor (B53) as compared to normals (p<0.05). Stimulated Vß6+ and Vß14+ T cells exhibit an exclusively Th1 phenotype. Stimulated Vß6+ and Vß14+ T cells from B53 mice are deficient in production of the Th1 cytokines. In contrast, stimulated Vß8.1,8.2+ T cells, which are not altered in B53 mice, reveal a Th2 phenotype.

Conclusions

The significance of this study is our demonstration that decreased expression and function of Vß6+ and Vß14+ T cells may be, at least in part, responsible for the decrease in the production of IL-2 and/or IFN-gamma observed in hosts with tumors.

Magnetically Coated Bioabsorbable Stents for Renormalization of Arterial Vessel Walls after Stent Implantation

The insertion of a stent in diseased arteries is a common endovascular procedure that can be compromised by the development of short- and long-term inflammatory responses leading to restenosis and thrombosis, respectively. While treatment with drugs, either systemic or localized, has decreased the incidence of restenosis and thrombosis these complications persist and are associated with a high mortality in those that present with stent thrombosis. We reasoned that if stents could be made to undergo accelerated endothelialization in the deployed region, then such an approach would further decrease the occurrence of stent thrombosis and restenosis thereby improving clinical outcomes. Toward that objective, the first step necessitated efficient capture of progenitor stem cells, which eventually would become the new endothelium. To achieve this objective, we engineered intrinsic ferromagnetism within nonmagnetizable, biodegradable magnesium (Mg) bare metal stents. Mg stents were coated with biodegradable polylactide (PLA) polymer embedding magnetizable iron-platinum (FePt) alloy nanoparticles, nanomagnetic particles, ⁿMags, which increased the surface area and hence magnetization of the stent. ⁿMags uniformly distributed on stents enabled capture, under flow, up to 50 mL/min, of systemically injected iron-oxide-labeled (IO-labeled) progenitor stem cells. Critical parameters enhancing capture efficiency were optimized, and we demonstrated the generality of the approach by showing that ⁿMag-coated stents can capture different cell types. Our work is a potential paradigm shift in engineering stents because implants are rendered as tissue in the body, and this "natural stealthiness" reduces or eliminates issues associated with pro-inflammatory immune responses postimplantation.