Chronic kidney disease's impact on revascularization and subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with chronic coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of CKD on the completeness of revascularization and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study enrolled 400 CCS patients who underwent revascularization by PCI. They were separated into two categories according to their eGFR levels: the control group: 200 patients with eGFR ≥60mL/min/1.73m2, and the CKD Group: 200 patients with eGFR< 60ml/min/1.73m.2 Patients were reclassified according to revascularization into complete and incomplete revascularization groups with one-year follow-up to assess the MACE.

RESULTS

CKD patients were significantly older (65.78 ± 6.41 vs. 56.70 ± 9.20 years, P=<0.001). They had higher syntax scores (P = 0.005), CIN (P = 0.001), all-cause mortality (P = 0.02), MACE (P = 0.037), and heart failure (P = 0.014). After reclassification according to revascularization. GFR was significantly reduced among patients with incomplete revascularization (51.08 ± 28.15 vs. 65.67 ± 26.62, respectively, P =<0.001). Repeated revascularization (P < 0.001), STEMI (P = 0.003), stent thrombosis (P = 0.015), MACE (P < 0.001), stroke (P < 0.001), and all-cause mortality (P < 0.001) were more prevalent among patients with incomplete revascularization. Multivariate regression analysis revealed eGFR (P = 0.001) and Syntax score (SS) (P=<0.001) as independent predictors of incomplete revascularization. The optimal eGFR cutoff value for predicting partial revascularization is 49.50mL/min/1.73m2, with 58.8% sensitivity and 69.3 % specificity.

CONCLUSION

Chronic kidney disease is associated with a higher syntax score and incomplete revascularization prevalence in CCS patients. Additionally, incomplete revascularization is associated with an increased incidence of major adverse cardiac events. In patients with CCS, CKD predicts partial revascularization and subsequent MACE.

Boosting protection for patients with non-acute cardiovascular disease: a focus on antithrombotic regimen (a consensus expert opinion from the Egyptian Society of Cardiology working group of thrombosis and prevention)

BACKGROUND

Till the moment of this document writing, no Egyptian consensus is there to guide selection of additional antithrombotic in stable patients with established CVD. Despite use of lifestyle measures and statins, those patients with established CVD still face a considerable burden of residual risk.

MAIN BODY

With the evolvement of evidence-based medicine, there have been a lot of recommendations to use additional antithrombotic medications to maximize protection for those patients. Accordingly, the Egyptian Society of Cardiology working group of thrombosis and prevention took the responsibility of providing an expert consensus on the current recommendations for using antithrombotic medications to maximize protection in stable patients with established CVD. For stable patients with established CVD, in addition to proper lifestyle measures and appropriate dose statins, we recommend long-term aspirin therapy. In patients who are unable to take aspirin and in those with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, clopidogrel is a reasonable alternative.

CONCLUSIONS

For some stable atherosclerotic CVD patients who are at high risk of cardiovascular events and at low risk for bleeding, a regimen of rivaroxaban and aspirin might be taken into consideration.

Association of Left Atrial Deformation Analysis by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography With Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus in Patients With Primary Valvular Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the functional parameters of the left atrium (LA) derived from deformation imaging, two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) strain and strain rate (SR) and the function of the left atrial appendage (LAA) as measured by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with primary valvular heart disease.

METHODS

This cross-sectional research included 200 primary valvular heart disease cases, categorized into Group I (n = 74) with thrombus and Group II (n = 126) without thrombus. All patients were subjected to standard 12 lead electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), strain and SR imaging of the LA by TDI and 2D speckle tracking, and TEE.

RESULTS

At a cut-off value of <10.50%, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) is a predictor of thrombus with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.975 (95% CI: 0.957-0.993), sensitivity of 94.6%, specificity of 93.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 89.7%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.7%, and accuracy of 94%. At a cut-off value of <0.295 m/s, LAA emptying velocity is a predictor of thrombus with an AUC of 0.967 (95% CI: 0.944-0.989), sensitivity of 94.6%, specificity of 90.5%, PPV of 85.4%, NPV of 96.6%, and accuracy of 92%. The PALS (<10.50%) and LAA velocity (<0.295 m/s) are significant predictors of thrombus (P = 0.001, β = 2.745, SE = 0.804, OR = 15.56, and 95% CI: 3.219-75.245; and P = 0.002, β = 2.499, SE = 0.799, OR = 12.17, and 95% CI: 2.543-58.201, respectively). Peak systolic strain < 12.55% and SR < 1.065/s are insignificant predictors of thrombus (β = 1.167, SE = 0.996, OR = 3.21, and 95% CI: 0.456-22.631; and β = 1.443, SE = 0.929, OR = 4.23, and 95% CI: 0.685-26.141, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Among LA deformation parameters derived from TTE, PALS is the best predictor of reduced LAA emptying velocity and LAA thrombus in primary valvular heart disease, regardless of the rhythm.

Rapid guide to the management of cardiac patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt: "a position statement of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology"

COVID-19 pandemic poses an enormous challenge to healthcare system in Egypt. This document is a position statement from the Egyptian Society of Cardiology. It aims to provide information to cardiovascular healthcare providers in Egypt to guarantee delivery of quality patient care and ensure adequate levels of protection against infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older patients and those with cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of mortality. The current situation requires unusual allocation of resources which may negatively impact the care of patients with cardiovascular disease. Cardiologists should be prepared in the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge is in providing the best quality of care despite limited resources while keeping all medical staff as safe as possible. Consider deferring elective procedures whenever possible. All medical staff should undergo rigorous training on infection control and the use of high-quality personal protection equipment. Cardiologists should promote telemedicine in the outpatient setting, prioritize outpatient contacts, and avoid nosocomial dissemination of the virus to patients and healthcare providers. A much conservative approach for emergent cardiac patients is recommended, and invasive interventions are reserved for high risk hemodynamically unstable patients. During the pandemic, the most important principles of treatment should be controlling the spread of infection as the first priority, prompt assessment of patient risk, recommending conservative medical therapy rather than invasive interventions, and strict infection control measures to limit infection spread within the hospital and to healthcare workers.

Comparison between Bolus Intracoronary versus Bolus Intravenous Injection Regimens of Eptifibatide during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Anterior ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background.Eptifibatide achieves high local concentration via direct intracoronary (I/V) injection as it promotes clot disaggregation, but it remains unclear if it is of superior benefit than the routine intravenous (I/V) administration. Aim. The current study aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of I/C vs I/V bolus regimen dose of eptifibatide during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Material and methods. Prospective, controlled, randomized study enrolled 100 patients with acute anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) eligible for PPCI equally divided into 2 groups (group A received bolus I/C eptifibatide and group B received it I/V) followed by 12-hour continuous I/V infusion. Features related to of myocardial salvage in the form of TIMI flow grade 3, myocardial blush grade 3, ST segment resolution and left ventricular systolic function were evaluated with short-term follow up for 1 month.

Results. Mean age of the study population was 50.95±8.45years, there was statistically insignificant difference between both groups regarding baseline characteristics in age (p=0.062), gender (p=0.488), coronary artery disease risk factors (p>0.05), time from onset of pain to admission (p=0.86) or door to balloon (p=0.12). Group A achieved statistically significant better myocardial blush grade 3 (42% vs 10%, p=0.005), ejection faction 30 days after PPCI (46.11±7.81% vs 40.88±6.26%, p=0.005) but statistically insignificant TIMI flow grade 3 (p=0.29) and ST resolution (p=0.34). Incidence of complications in the hospital and 30 days after discharge was statistically insignificant (p>0.05).

Conclusion. Both regimens were safe and effective in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI and regimen of I/C bolus eptifibatide achieved better myocardial blush grade and systolic function. 

Thyroid hormone patterns in elderly patients undergoing elective coronary procedures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Thyroid dysfunction is common in the elderly. We sought to explore thyroid hormone patterns in a series of elderly patients undergoing elective coronary procedures and their relation to the extent of coronary artery disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 81 consecutive elderly patients admitted to undergo elective diagnostic or interventional coronary procedures. Samples were collected for assay of free thyroxin, free tri-iodothyronine, thyroid stimulating hormone, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. According to the number of coronary arteries affected by significant stenosis (> or = 70% luminal obstruction), we classified patients into a group with insignificant coronary disease, another with single vessel disease, and a third group with multi-vessel disease.

RESULTS

Forty one (50.6%) patients were euthyroid, two patients (2.5%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 12 (14.8%) had clinical hypothyroidism. Yet, neither subclinical nor clinical hypothyroidism was statistically different among the 3 groups, (p > 0.05 for both). Additionally, 3 patients (3.7%) had subclinical, and 2 (2.5%) had clinical hyperthyroidism. Finally, 21 patients (25.9%) had sick euthyroid syndrome. Again, all were statistically similar between the study groups, (p > 0.5 for all). Similarly, both anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were statistically similar among the 3 groups (p > 0.05 for both).

CONCLUSION

Thyroid hormone disturbances are quite frequent in elderly patients undergoing elective coronary procedures, chiefly in the form of a hypothyroid state. These data do not support that thyroid hormone patterns relate to the extent of coronary artery disease in the elderly.