Work-Related Dermatoses of the Feet in Professional Dancers: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

The feet of professional dancers are exposed to high work-related stresses. To date, data from the professional dance sector concerning this matter are lacking. The aim of this exploratory project was to analyze and evaluate skin health in the foot area with regard to the prevalence of dermatoses, their locations, as well as gender-specific and load-specific differences.

METHODS

Professional classical and neo-classical ballet dancers were examined at two time points: in a phase with increased stress (T0: daily training sessions, rehearsals, and high performance frequency) (n=51, 35 females, 16 males) and after a 24-day rest phase (T1: n=35, 28 females, 7 males). In addition, gender-specific and load-specific (T0 and T1) differences were evaluated.

RESULTS

All professional dancers were affected by skin lesions of the feet at T0. Hyperkeratosis (96.1%), onychomycosis (27.5%), and subungual hematoma (11.8%) were the most frequent dermatoses of the feet of professional dancers. Onychomycosis affected the nails of the big toes in particular (right 15.7%; left 13.7%), and subungual hematomas were found exclusively on the nails of the first toe (right 7.8%; left 7.8%). Women tended to be more frequently affected by hyperkeratosis, men more frequently by onychomycosis. There were no load-specific differences between the stress and rest phases.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of work-related dermatoses is equally high among female and male dancers. The results can be used for further research and serve as a basis for specific measures of behavioral and environmental prevention in dance.

Final Study Report of Andexanet Alfa for Major Bleeding With Factor Xa Inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Andexanet alfa is a modified recombinant inactive factor Xa (FXa) designed to reverse FXa inhibitors. ANNEXA-4 (Andexanet Alfa, a Novel Antidote to the Anticoagulation Effects of Factor Xa Inhibitors) was a multicenter, prospective, phase-3b/4, single-group cohort study that evaluated andexanet alfa in patients with acute major bleeding. The results of the final analyses are presented.

METHODS

Patients with acute major bleeding within 18 hours of FXa inhibitor administration were enrolled. Co-primary end points were anti-FXa activity change from baseline during andexanet alfa treatment and excellent or good hemostatic efficacy, defined by a scale used in previous reversal studies, at 12 hours. The efficacy population included patients with baseline anti-FXa activity levels above predefined thresholds (≥75 ng/mL for apixaban and rivaroxaban, ≥40 ng/mL for edoxaban, and ≥0.25 IU/mL for enoxaparin; reported in the same units used for calibrators) who were adjudicated as meeting major bleeding criteria (modified International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis definition). The safety population included all patients. Major bleeding criteria, hemostatic efficacy, thrombotic events (stratified by occurring before or after restart of either prophylactic [ie, a lower dose, for prevention rather than treatment] or full-dose oral anticoagulation), and deaths were assessed by an independent adjudication committee. Median endogenous thrombin potential at baseline and across the follow-up period was a secondary outcome.

RESULTS

There were 479 patients enrolled (mean age, 78 years; 54% male, 86% White; 81% anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation at a median time of 11.4 hours since last dose, with 245 (51%) on apixaban, 176 (37%) on rivaroxaban, 36 (8%) on edoxaban, and 22 (5%) on enoxaparin. Bleeding was predominantly intracranial (n=331 [69%]) or gastrointestinal (n=109 [23%]). In evaluable apixaban patients (n=172), median anti-FXa activity decreased from 146.9 ng/mL to 10.0 ng/mL (reduction, 93% [95% CI, 94-93]); in rivaroxaban patients (n=132), it decreased from 214.6 ng/mL to 10.8 ng/mL (94% [95% CI, 95-93]); in edoxaban patients (n=28), it decreased from 121.1 ng/mL to 24.4 ng/mL (71% [95% CI, 82-65); and in enoxaparin patients (n=17), it decreased from 0.48 IU/mL to 0.11 IU/mL (75% [95% CI, 79-67]). Excellent or good hemostasis occurred in 274 of 342 evaluable patients (80% [95% CI, 75-84]). In the safety population, thrombotic events occurred in 50 patients (10%); in 16 patients, this occurred during treatment with prophylactic anticoagulation that began after the bleeding event. No thrombotic episodes occurred after oral anticoagulation restart. Specific to certain populations, reduction of anti-FXa activity from baseline to nadir significantly predicted hemostatic efficacy in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.54-0.70]) and correlated with lower mortality in patients <75 years of age (adjusted P=0.022; unadjusted P=0.003). Median endogenous thrombin potential was within the normal range by the end of andexanet alfa bolus through 24 hours for all FXa inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with major bleeding associated with the use of FXa inhibitors, treatment with andexanet alfa reduced anti-FXa activity and was associated with good or excellent hemostatic efficacy in 80% of patients.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; Unique identifier: NCT02329327.

Electrophysiology lab efficiency comparison between cryoballoon and point-by-point radiofrequency ablation: a German sub-analysis of the FREEZE Cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is recommended to treat paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). This analysis aimed to assess the hospital efficiency of single-shot cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and point-by-point radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

METHODS

The discrete event simulation used PVI procedure times from the FREEZE Cohort study to establish the electrophysiology (EP) lab occupancy time. 1000 EP lab days were simulated according to an illustrative German hospital, including 3 PVI cases per day using CBA at one site and RFA at the other.

RESULTS

The analysis included 1560 CBA patients and 1344 RFA patients from the FREEZE Cohort. Some baseline patients' characteristics were different between groups (age, AF type, and some concomitant diseases), without being statistically associated to ablation procedure time. Mean procedure time was 122.2 ± 39.4 min for CBA and 160.3 ± 53.5 min for RFA (p < 0.0001). RFA was associated with a more than five-fold increase of cumulative overtime compared to CBA over the simulated period (1285 h with RFA and 253 h with CBA). 70.7% of RFA lab days included overtime versus 25.7% for CBA. CBA was associated with more days with an additional hour at the end of the EP lab shift compared to RFA (47.8% vs 11.5% days with one hour left, respectively).

CONCLUSION

CBA is faster and more predictable than point-by-point RFA, and enables improvements in EP lab efficiency, including: fewer cumulative overtime hours, more days where overtime is avoided and more days with remaining time for the staff or for any EP lab usage. Clinical trial registration NCT01360008 (first registration 25/05/2011).

The role of trigger factors in the occurrence of appropriate ICD shocks and their prognostic implications

Background

The role of triggers in the occurrence of appropriate ICD shocks due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias is not well known. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of trigger factors in appropriate ICD shocks and to analyze their prognostic impact on clinical outcome.

Methods

A total of 710 consecutive patients of a prospective single-centre ICD-registry who received a first appropriate ICD shock between 2000 and 9/2021 were analyzed.

Results

In 35% of ICD patients with first ICD shock, at least one of the following triggers was found: Ischemia (22%), Compliance (9%), Decompensation (38%), Stress (12%), Technical (5%), Electrolyte/endocrinological disorder (22%) and Medication intoxication (4%) (Table 1). The trigger factors can be summarized under the acronym ICD-STEMi. Patients with trigger associated ICD shocks had a more depressed ejection fraction and presented more often with ventricular fibrillation or electrical storm. The therapy after VT/VF shock in the trigger group comprised trigger optimization in 100% and heart failure optimization in 21% as compared to 0% respectively 10% in the no-trigger group (p&lt;0.001). The ventricular arrhythmia therapy (antiarrhythmics or VT ablation) was not different between both groups (35% in each group). Patients with triggered first ICD shock had an increased 5-year mortality rate (50% versus 38%, p&lt;0.001) (Figure 1).

Conclusions

In one third of ICD patients with first appropriate ICD shock, at least one trigger can be identified. Finding a trigger strongly influenced therapy after VT/VF shock. Patients with triggered ICD shock have a higher 5-year mortality rate. The evaluation of trigger factors after the occurrence of ICD shocks is mandatory and can be systematically evaluated using the acronym ICD-STEMi.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Comparative efficacy and safety of ticagrelor vs. prasugrel in patients undergoing PCI for NSTE-ACS. Results of the prospective ALKK-Registry

Background

Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor has become standard of care for patients with NSTE-ACS. Guidelines recommend prasugrel and ticagrelor over clopidogrel. In the ISAR-5 trial prasugrel was superior to ticagrelor in NSTE-ACS patients. We evaluated the outcome of patients undergoing PCI for NSTE-ACS in a large number of patients in real life and compared patients treated with prasugrel and ticagrelor.

Methods

We used the data of the prospective German ALKK-PCI registry and included patients treated with prasugrel or ticagrelor and undergoing PCI for NSTE-ACS treated in 42 centers. Baseline variables, procedural features, antithrombotic therapies and in-hospital outcomes were centrally collected and analysed. Patients with cardiogenic shock were excluded.

Results

Between 2011 and 2020 a total of 7888 patients &lt;75 years without prior stroke undergoing PCI for NSTE-ACS were included. Of these 4905 (62.2%) patients were treated with ticagrelor and 2983 (37.8%) were treated with prasugrel. Baseline characteristics, procedural features and in-hospital outcomes are given in the table.

Conclusion

In clinical practice in patients with NSTE-ACS undergoing PCI ticagrelor was used more often than prasugrel. Ticagrelor treated patients were older and had more comorbidities. Despite this higher risk profile in ticagrelor patients the in-hospital mortality and the short-term safety profile were comparable in both groups.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Institut für Herzinfarktforschung Ludwigshafen

Interventional treatment of para-valvular leaks after prosthetic valve replacement with plug devices -first results from a prospective registry

Background

Interventional closure of symptomatic paravalvular leaks (PVL) after surgical or interventional valve replacement by plug implantation has emerged as an alternative to surgical correction, which is associated with high morbitity and mortality rates. To date, data on procedural efficacy and clinical outcome after transcatheter closure with plugs is sparse, especially prospective data are missing.

Methods

We analysed data from a multi-center prospective registry on interventional PVL closure with plug devices.

Results

Between 06/2012 and 04/2020 55 interventions were performed with different numbers of plugs (maximal 4) in 51 patients at 9 hospitals. Interventions were performed in 15 women and 36 men at high surgical risk for repeat surgery. 48% of procedures were performed for mitral PVLs and 52% procedures were performed for aortic PVLs. Mean age of the population treated was 69±13 years and mean log. Euro-Score I was 22.5±14.2%. Patients were treated by implantation of Amplatzer Vascular Plug III (80%) and Occlutec occluders (9%). Aortic PVLs were treated using a retrograde transfemoral access, mitral PVLs were treated using either a transseptal (25/26) or transapical access (1/26) with 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance. Indication for PVL closure was previous surgery (n=39), high-risk patients (n=24), heart failure (n=22), age (n=20) and hemolysis (n=12). 40 patients had NYHA class III/IV at admission. Interventional closure of PVL was completely successful in 40 procedures (73%), partially successful in 7 procedures (13%) and failed in 7 procedures (13%). NYHA class I/II after PVL closure was achieved in 75% patients. However, 8 out of 12 patients with hemolysis as indication still hemolyzed at discharge. Complications occurred in 16% of patients. In-hospital mortality rate was 4% of procedures (2/51). After hospital discharge no death occurred during 30-day follow-up.

Conclusions

In this prospective interventional PVL registry inclusion rate was lower than expected. There was an equal distribution of aortal and mitral PVLs. At least partial success could be achieved in 86% of patients, with significant functional improvement in most patients. In this high risk population hospital mortaliy was low (4%), indicating that interventional PVL treatment should be the treatment of choice, when discussed by a heart team.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Patrolling the boundaries of social domains: Neural activations to violations of expectations for romantic and work relationships

According to the social domains hypothesis, we reduce the information-processing demands of complex social cues by classifying them into a limited number of domains, each with distinct sets of expectations. This requires rapid identification of violations of the boundaries between social domains. We hypothesized that these violations are likely to be associated with neural activation of the salience system. Using fMRI we compared responses of 20 adults to expected and unexpected everyday social scenarios in personal and work interactions. The vignettes exemplified different kinds of scenarios presented in the work setting, i.e., task-focused scenarios which are expected at work and scenarios with a personal focus, which are unexpected at work. The key contrast between task and personal focussed scenarios presented in the work setting was associated with fronto-insular activation. Perceived inappropriateness of the unexpected scenarios, and shorter response time to judgment of inappropriateness were also associated with fronto-insular activation, after controlling for unpleasantness. This study indicates specific neural responses to violations of expectations in different social situations. Our findings suggest that the fronto-insular region is implicated in rapid detection of behaviors that cross the boundaries of social domains, which are hypothesized to be necessary for efficient social information processing.

[Fatal course of COVID-19 despite IL-6 receptor blockade in cytokine storm : Perimyocarditis and coagulopathy after administration of tocilizumab]

A 59-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital diagnosed with moderate pneumonia associated with COVID-19. Upfront treatment with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin was started. Due to a clinical deterioration (ARDS, circulatory shock) and greatly increased inflammation markers 6 days after admission, a cytokine storm was suspected and off-label treatment with the IL‑6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab was initiated. Subsequently there was a dramatic rise of D‑dimers indicating pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy and respiratory insufficiency worsened. After a second dose of tocilizumab was administered severe perimyocarditis with cardiac arrhythmia, hemodynamic instability and ST elevation occurred. Shortly afterwards the patient died due to multiorgan failure. From our experience, exacerbation of COVID-19 following treatment with tocilizumab cannot be ruled out. Randomized controlled studies are necessary to further investigate the efficacy, safety and patient selection criteria for tocilizumab treatment in COVID-19.

Cardiogenic shock and radial access in patients with an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background

Cardiogenic shock (CS) in patients (pts) with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the strongest predictor of hospital mortality. Radial in contrast to femoral access in STEMI pts might be associated with a lower mortality. However, little is known on radial access in CS pts.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed all STEMI pts between 2009 and 2015 who sufferend from CS and who were included into the ALKK PCI registry. Pts treated via a radial access were compared to those treated via a femoral access.

Results

Between 2009 and 2015 23796 STEMI pts were included in the registry. 1763 (7.4%) of pts were in CS. The proportion of radial access was 6.6%: in 2009 4.0% and in 2015 19.6%, p for trend &lt;0.0001 with a strong variation between the participating centres (0% to 37%).

Conclusions

Radial access was only used in 6.6% of STEMI pts presenting in CS. However, a significant increase in the use of radial access was observed over time (2009: 4%, 2015 19.6%, p&lt;0.001), with a great variance in its use between the participating hospitals. Despite similar pt characteristics the difference in hospital mortality according to access site has to be interpretated with caution.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

How many CCS- and ACS-patients might reach the newly recommended LDL-C-target &lt;55mg/dl in clinical practice if guidelines were applied – an estimate from the DYSIS II study population

Background

The 2019 ESC guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia even further lowered the LDL-C-target values for the very high-risk population from &lt;70mg/dl to &lt;55mg/dl. Population based studies already had shown that the previous target was difficult to reach. It is yet unclear how many patients in clinical practice might be treated to the new target.

Methods

The Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS II) prospectively collected data of patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) and acute coronary syndromes (ACS) (all on statins) in 18 countries in Europe, the Middle East, South- and East Asia to document patient characteristics, medication and a current lipid profile from 2012 to 2014 under real life conditions in physicians' offices and hospitals. We took these real-life lipid profiles and data on the kind/dose of used statins to estimate how treatment escalation such as changing statin treatment to a high dose (atorvastatin ≥40mg / rosuvastatin≥20mg), adding ezetimibe and adding a PCSK9-inhibitor might help to bring LDL-C-levels to the recommended &lt;55mg/dl target.

Results

A total of 7,865 patients were enrolled into DYSIS II, 6,794 had CCS and 1,071 ACS. Under the documented statin treatment in DYSIS only 12.7% of patients reached an LDL-C &lt;55mg/dl. Putting all patients on high dose statins in combination with ezetimibe, 64.1% would reach the target. If PCSK9-inhibitors would be used in the remaining patients not at goal a total of 94.0% would match the goal.

Conclusion

Our analysis indicates that in real life practice the use available lipid-lowering medications would substantially increase the percentage of CCS- and ACS-patients reaching the newly recommended 2019 ESC guideline LDL-C-target of &lt;55 mg/dl from less than 20% to more than 90% of the population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): MSD

Impact of left atrial diameter on outcome in patients undergoing edge-to-edge mitral valve repair: results from the German TRAnscatheter Mitral valve Interventions registry (TRAMI)

Background

Left atrium (LA) dimension is a marker of disease severity and outcome in primary and secondary mitral regurgitation. In transcatheter mitral valve repair LA enlargement might additionally impact on device handling and technical success through an altered anatomy and atrial annular dilatation.

Methods

Data from the multicenter German transcatheter mitral valve intervention registry “TRAMI” were used to analyse the association of baseline LA diameter by tertiles and efficacy, safety and long-term clinical outcome in patients undergoing edge-to-edge repair with the MitraClip.

Results

In 520 of 843 patients prospectively enrolled in TRAMI baseline LA diameter were reported (median [interquartile range] LA diameter in tertiles: 44 [40–46] mm, 51 [48–53] mm and 60 [55–66] mm). Larger LA diameters were significantly associated with secondary etiology of mitral regurgitation, lower ejection fraction, larger left ventricle, male sex and atrial fibrillation (all p&lt;0.05). Technical success was not different across tertiles (96%, 95.4%, 98.4% respectively, p=0.43) as were major in-hospital cardiovascular and cerebral adverse events (mortality, myocardial infarction or stroke) (1.8%, 1.2% and 4.4%, p=0.11 across tertiles). However, 4-year mortality significantly increased with larger LA diameter (32.9%, 46.4% and 51.7% respectively, p&lt;0.01), as did hospitalization in survivors (60%, 67.6% and 78.9% respectively, p&lt;0.05). The association between LA diameter and all-cause mortality remained significant after multivariable adjustment including baseline left ventricular end-diastolic diameter.

Conclusion

LA enlargement is a strong and independent predictor of adverse long-term outcome in mitral regurgitation suggesting that timely transcatheter mitral valve repair may have the potential to modify outcome.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): The TRAMI registry has been supported by proprietary means of IHF. Additional funding is provided by “Deutsche Herzstiftung” and a grant from Abbott Vascular.

Negative emotions towards others are diminished in remitted major depression

Background:

One influential view is that vulnerability to major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with a proneness to experience negative emotions in general. In contrast, blame attribution theories emphasise the importance of blaming oneself rather than others for negative events. Our previous exploratory study provided support for the attributional hypothesis that patients with remitted MDD show no overall bias towards negative emotions, but a selective bias towards emotions entailing self-blame relative to emotions that entail blaming others. More specifically, we found a decreased proneness for contempt/disgust towards others relative to oneself (i.e. self-contempt bias). Here, we report a definitive test of the competing general negative versus specific attributional bias theories of MDD.

Methods:

We compared a medication-free remitted MDD (n = 101) and a control group (n = 70) with no family or personal history of MDD on a previously validated experimental test of moral emotions. The task measures proneness to specific emotions associated with different types of self-blame (guilt, shame, self-contempt/disgust, self-indignation/anger) and blame of others (other-indignation/anger, other-contempt/disgust) whilst controlling for the intensity of unpleasantness.

Results:

We confirmed the hypothesis that patients with MDD exhibit an increased self-contempt bias with a reduction in contempt/disgust towards others. Furthermore, they also showed a decreased proneness for indignation/anger towards others.

Conclusions:

This corroborates the prediction that vulnerability to MDD is associated with an imbalance of specific self- and other-blaming emotions rather than a general increase in negative emotions. This has important implications for neurocognitive models and calls for novel focussed interventions to rebalance blame in MDD.

P5737Use of the IMPELLA mechanical support device in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock - Results of the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial

Background

Mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) is still high despite the use of early revascularization therapy. While IABP support has been shown not improve outcome more effective mechanical support devices such as the IMPELLA are increasingly used. We sought to study the use of the IMPELLA device in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and CS.

Methods

The CULPRIT-SHOCK shock trial included 686 patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock and multivessel coronary artery disease treated with early PCI. Patients were randomized to immediate multivessel PCI or culprit lesion only PCI. In the current subanalysis, we investigated the patients treated with an IMPELLA support device compared these to patients without IMPELLA.

Results

Of the 686 patients 82 (12%) were treated with an IMPELLA device, 32 (39%) with IMPELLA 2.5 and 50 (61%) with IMPELLA CP. The device has been implanted in 34 patients before and 48 patients after PCI. The table shows the baseline characteristics of the patients with and without IMPELLA. In an unadjusted analysis mortality was higher with IMPELLA (63% versus 45.5%). Patients with IMPELLA CP had somewhat lower mortality than IMPELLA 2.5 (59.2% versus 68.8%), while there was no difference for pre- and post-PCI implantation.

IMPELLA (n=82) No IMPELLA (n=606) p-value Age (years) 70 68 0.17 Women 22.2% 23.3% 0.88 Diabetes 37.7% 31.8% 0.30 Triple vessel disease 66.7% 62.9% 0.13 Left main disease 28.4% 14.1% 0.001 LV-EF 31% 34% 0.18 Lactate on admission 20 mmol/l 8 mmol/l 0.0001 Multivessel PCI 50.6% 51.1% 0.9 Mechanical ventilation 88.9% 80.2% 0.06 SAPS-2 score 65 55 0.0008

Conclusion

Currently the IMPELLA support device is used primarily in patients with higher risk indicated by a higher incidence of left main disease, higher lactate on admission and higher SAPS II scores. This is associated with a higher mortality. Therefore randomized trials are needed to determine the effect of IMPELLA on outcome in patients with cardiogenic shock.

P2809Comparison between treatment of “established” versus complex “off-label” coronary lesions with Absorb bioresorbable scaffold implantation: results from the GABI-R registry

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients treated with bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) for off-label versus approved indications.

Background

The BRS promised some advantages in terms of complete biodegradation, however, the implication of BRS for off-label indications is not well described.

Methods

The short- and long-term outcome after implantation of a bioresorbable scaffold system (ABSORB, Abbott Vascular, USA) was evaluated in the prospective, non-interventional, multicenter real-world German-Austrian ABSORB RegIstRy (GABI-R).

Results

A total of 3,188 patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: on-label BRS use (33.0%) and off-label use (66.9%) if at least one off-label use criteria was met. The incidence of scaffold thrombosis in confirmed cases was significantly higher in off-label group (1.36% vs. 0.57%, p=0.04; OR 2.41 (95% CI: 1.00–5.82) with also a trend towards higher myocardial infarction rate (2.39% vs. 1.42%, p=0.077; OR 1.70 (95% CI: 0.95–3.03) and cardiovascular death (1.27% vs. 1.14%, p=0.76, OR 1.11 (95% CI: 0.56–2.21) at 6 months follow up.

Clinical outcome at 6 months Total Off-label On-label p-value* OR (95%-CI) Patients with 6m FU record 99.0% 99.0% 99.1% 0.82 0.92 (0.43–1.95) Confirmed cardiovascular death 1.22% 1.27% 1.14% 0.76 1.11 (0.56–2.21) Confirmed non-cardiovascular death 0.22% 0.14% 0.38% 0.18 0.37 (0.08–1.66) Cause unknown 0.22% 0.28% 0.09% 0.29 2.97 (0.36–24.73) Hospitalisation 27.5% 27.9% 26.7% 0.51 1.06 (0.89–1.27) MI 2.07% 2.39% 1.42% 0.07 1.70 (0.95–3.03) ARC definite scaffold thrombosis 1.10% 1.36% 0.57% 0.04 2.41 (1.00–5.82) TLF 2.70% 3.00% 2.09% 0.13 1.45 (0.89–2.37) TVF 3.98% 4.31% 3.32% 0.18 1.31 (0.88–1.95) MACE 4.33% 4.64% 3.70% 0.22 1.27 (0.87–1.85) Values are mean ± standard deviation (SD) or number and percentage (n, %). *Comparison between off-label and on-label use. The p-values are from Chi-squared test or Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. ARC, academic research consortium; FU, follow up; MACE, major adverse cardiac events; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; TLF, target lesion failure; TVF, target vessel failure.

Kaplan-Meyer curve stent thrombosis

Conclusions

The off-label use of BRS compared to confirmed indications appears to be associated with a higher rate of clinical endpoints considering more complex lesions and higher morbidity in this patients' group.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This research was supported by a grant from Abbott Vascular.

Angioplasty in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis vs. endarterectomy compared to best medical treatment: One-year interim results of SPACE-2

BACKGROUND

Treatment of individuals with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is still handled controversially. Recommendations for treatment of asymptomatic carotid stenosis with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are based on trials having recruited patients more than 15 years ago. Registry data indicate that advances in best medical treatment (BMT) may lead to a markedly decreasing risk of stroke in asymptomatic carotid stenosis. The aim of the SPACE-2 trial (ISRCTN78592017) was to compare the stroke preventive effects of BMT alone with that of BMT in combination with CEA or carotid artery stenting (CAS), respectively, in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis of ≥70% European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) criteria.

METHODS

SPACE-2 is a randomized, controlled, multicenter, open study. A major secondary endpoint was the cumulative rate of any stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or death from any cause within 30 days plus an ipsilateral ischemic stroke within one year of follow-up. Safety was assessed as the rate of any stroke and death from any cause within 30 days after CEA or CAS. Protocol changes had to be implemented. The results on the one-year period after treatment are reported.

FINDINGS

It was planned to enroll 3550 patients. Due to low recruitment, the enrollment of patients was stopped prematurely after randomization of 513 patients in 36 centers to CEA (n = 203), CAS (n = 197), or BMT (n = 113). The one-year rate of the major secondary endpoint did not significantly differ between groups (CEA 2.5%, CAS 3.0%, BMT 0.9%; p = 0.530) as well as rates of any stroke (CEA 3.9%, CAS 4.1%, BMT 0.9%; p = 0.256) and all-cause mortality (CEA 2.5%, CAS 1.0%, BMT 3.5%; p = 0.304). About half of all strokes occurred in the peri-interventional period. Higher albeit statistically non-significant rates of restenosis occurred in the stenting group (CEA 2.0% vs. CAS 5.6%; p = 0.068) without evidence of increased stroke rates.

INTERPRETATION

The low sample size of this prematurely stopped trial of 513 patients implies that its power is not sufficient to show that CEA or CAS is superior to a modern medical therapy (BMT) in the primary prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with an asymptomatic carotid stenosis up to one year after treatment. Also, no evidence for differences in safety between CAS and CEA during the first year after treatment could be derived. Follow-up will be performed up to five years. Data may be used for pooled analysis with ongoing trials.

[ARENA-Project atrial fibrillation in the Rhein-Neckar region]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac tachyarrhythmia. It is estimated that in the Rhein-Neckar region approximately 40,000-50,000 out of 2 million people are affected. Due to demographic changes in the near future there will be a significant increase in the prevalence of AF within the next decades. The ARENA project was initiated by the Foundation Institute for Cardiac Infarction Research (IHF) Ludwigshafen in cooperation with cardiological and neurological departments of neighboring hospitals, resident doctors and pharmacies to improve the awareness and care of patients with AF. The particular aim is the prevention of stroke as one of the most dreaded complications. The project focusses on the following three subtopics: interventions, medication, migration. The aim of the intervention project is to raise awareness of AF as a risk factor for stroke and to improve the diagnostic work-up and care for patients with diagnosed or unknown AF. The subproject medication focusses on the adherence of patients with AF to the prescribed antithrombotic medication. To evaluate differences concerning patients with and without a migration background the subproject migration was initiated.

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists

The role of GP IIb/IIIa antagonists has been focused on patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI. In the ISAR-REACT 2 study abciximab given in patients with NSTEACS undergoing PCI already treated with 600 mg clopidogrel improved 30-day death and reinfarction rate in troponin positive patients. In the large EARLY-ACS trial upstream therapy with eptifibatide in high risk with NSTE-ACS did not improve ischaemic complications but was associated with an increase in bleeding complications. Therefore GP IIb/IIIa antagonists should be given after the initial angiography and the decision the perform PCI in troponin positive patients with NSTE-ACS.

In patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI the prehospital administration of tirofiban was associated with an improved myocardial reperfusion. In contrast in the BRAVE 3 trial abciximab in patients with pretreatment with 600 mg clopidogrel did not reduce infarct size or improve clinial outcome. Comparative trials evaluating the effectiveness of abciximab and the small molecules tirofiban and eptifibatide did not show any differences between the three GP IIb/IIIa antagoniosts.

Early life stress explains reduced positive memory biases in remitted depression

BACKGROUND

There is contradictory evidence regarding negative memory biases in major depressive disorder (MDD) and whether these persist into remission, which would suggest their role as vulnerability traits rather than correlates of mood state. Early life stress (ELS), common in patients with psychiatric disorders, has independently been associated with memory biases, and confounds MDD versus control group comparisons. Furthermore, in most studies negative biases could have resulted from executive impairments rather than memory difficulties per se.

METHODS

To investigate whether memory biases are relevant to MDD vulnerability and how they are influenced by ELS, we developed an associative recognition memory task for temporo-spatial contexts of social actions with low executive demands, which were matched across conditions (self-blame, other-blame, self-praise, other-praise). We included fifty-three medication-free remitted MDD (25 with ELS, 28 without) and 24 healthy control (HC) participants without ELS.

RESULTS

Only MDD patients with ELS showed a reduced bias (accuracy/speed ratio) towards memory for positive vs. negative materials when compared with MDD without ELS and with HC participants; attenuated positive biases correlated with number of past major depressive episodes, but not current symptoms. There were no biases towards self-blaming or self-praising memories.

CONCLUSIONS

This demonstrates that reduced positive biases in associative memory were specific to MDD patients with ELS rather than a general feature of MDD, and were associated with lifetime recurrence risk which may reflect a scarring effect. If replicated, our results would call for stratifying MDD patients by history of ELS when assessing and treating emotional memories.

A novel resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging signature of resilience to recurrent depression

BACKGROUND

A high proportion of patients with remitted major depressive disorder (MDD) will experience recurring episodes, whilst some develop resilience and remain in recovery. The neural basis of resilience to recurrence is elusive. Abnormal resting-state connectivity of the subgenual cingulate cortex (sgACC) was previously found in cross-sectional studies of MDD, suggesting its potential pathophysiological importance. The current study aimed to investigate whether resting-state connectivity to a left sgACC seed region distinguishes resilient patients from those developing recurring episodes.

METHOD

A total of 47 medication-free remitted MDD patients and 38 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at baseline. Over 14 months, 30 patients remained resilient whilst 17 experienced a recurring episode.

RESULTS

Attenuated interhemispheric left-to-right sgACC connectivity distinguished the resilient from the recurring-episode and control groups and was not correlated with residual depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed a neural signature of resilience to recurrence in MDD and thereby elucidates the role of compensatory adaptation in sgACC networks.

[Catheter-based closure of paravalvular leaks: "Plug the hole"]

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a relatively rare, but serious complication occurring in up to 10% of patients after prosthetic aortic valve replacement and in up to 17% of patients after prosthetic mitral valve replacement. Up to 5% of patients will present with symptoms of congestive heart failure or mechanical haemolytic anaemia due to PVL and need further surgical or interventional treatment. Surgical repair is often technically challenging and carries a high mortality and morbidity risk. Catheter-based closure of PVL has emerged as an alternative approach especially for patients with relevant comorbidities at high surgical risk. Interventional closure of PVL is a complex procedure, which needs to be performed by an experienced team of interventional cardiologist, echocardiographer and anesthesiologist. To date available clinical results are promising showing low complication rates and high technical or clinical success rates of catheter-based closure of PVL (60-90%). Compared to surgical closure of PVL lower mortality rates (30-days mortality rate: 4,6%) have been documented in patients treated by catheter-based closure of PVL in clinical practice. Therefore interventional closure seems to be a promising option, which need to be discussed with every symptomatic patient suffering from PVL prior to therapeutical decision making. To date only sparse clinical data is available regarding indication and clinical outcome of patients undergoing catheter-based PVL in clinical practice. Therefore interventional closure of PVL should be limited to experienced interventional cardiologist at present. All patients treated should further be enrolled into a clinical registry to evaluate the safety and efficacy of catheter-based closure of PVL in clinical practice.