Atorvastatin Pretreatment Improves Outcomes in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing Early Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate potential protective effects of atorvastatin in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

BACKGROUND

Randomized studies have shown that pretreatment with atorvastatin may reduce periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients with stable angina during elective PCI; however, this therapy has not been tested in patients with ACS.

METHODS

A total of 171 patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS were randomized to pretreatment with atorvastatin (80 mg 12 h before PCI, with a further 40-mg preprocedure dose [n = 86]) or placebo (n = 85). All patients were given a clopidogrel 600-mg loading dose. All patients received long-term atorvastatin treatment thereafter (40 mg/day). The main end point of the trial was a 30-day incidence of major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned revascularization).

RESULTS

The primary end point occurred in 5% of patients in the atorvastatin arm and in 17% of those in the placebo arm (p = 0.01); this difference was mostly driven by reduction of myocardial infarction incidence (5% vs. 15%; p = 0.04). Postprocedural elevation of creatine kinase-MB and troponin-I was also significantly lower in the atorvastatin group (7% vs. 27%, p = 0.001 and 41% vs. 58%, p = 0.039, respectively). At multivariable analysis, pretreatment with atorvastatin conferred an 88% risk reduction of 30-day major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio 0.12, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.50; p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The ARMYDA-ACS trial indicates that even short-term pretreatment with atorvastatin may improve outcomes in patients with ACS undergoing early invasive strategy. These findings may support routine use of high-dose statins before intervention in patients with ACS.

Protection From Procedural Myocardial Injury by Atorvastatin Is Associated With Lower Levels of Adhesion Molecules After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this work was to investigate whether protection from myocardial injury during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by atorvastatin is related to reduction of endothelial inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND

In the randomized ARMYDA (Atorvastatin for Reduction of MYocardial Damage during Angioplasty) trial, 7-day pre-treatment with atorvastatin before PCI significantly reduced procedural myocardial injury; mechanisms underlying this effect are not characterized.

METHODS

In a planned subanalysis of the ARMYDA trial, a subgroup of 76 patients was blind-tested for measurement of plasma levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and E-selectin: 38 patients belonged to atorvastatin (40 mg/day) and 38 to the placebo arm. Adhesion molecules were evaluated 7 days before intervention, immediately before PCI, and after 8 and 24 h.

RESULTS

Reduction of procedural myocardial injury after statin pre-treatment was also confirmed in this subgroup. Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, and VCAM-1 levels were not different at randomization and before intervention in either arm. At 8 h, increase of ICAM-1 levels was similar in the 2 arms, whereas 24-h levels were significantly lower in the atorvastatin versus placebo group (282 +/- 56 vs. 325 +/- 70 ng/ml; p = 0.007). Attenuation of E-selectin elevation occurred at 8 h in the atorvastatin group (50 +/- 8 vs. 59 +/- 13 ng/ml; p = 0.002) and became even more significant at 24 h (57 +/- 9 vs. 73 +/- 18 ng/ml; p = 0.0008). Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels were not different at any time point in the 2 arms.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing PCI, reduction of procedural myocardial injury after 7-day pre-treatment with atorvastatin is paralleled by concomitant attenuation of post-procedural increase of ICAM-1 and E-selectin levels; thus, reduction of endothelial inflammatory response may explain this protective effect of statins.

Percutaneous coronary intervention utilizing a new endothelial progenitor cells antibody-coated stent: a prospective single-center registry in high-risk patients

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively evaluate the outcome with circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) capture stent implantation in a cohort of consecutive patients with high-risk angiographic and/or clinical features.

BACKGROUND

Genous R-stent is a stainless steel coronary stent covered with antibodies specific to EPC's surface antigens, designed to promote the formation of a confluent functional endothelial layer over the device; conceivably, this may prevent both stent thrombosis and restenosis.

METHODS

From November 2005 to March 2007, 80 patients received 93 EPC capture stents at Campus Bio-Medico, University of Rome. Patients had two or more of the following high-risk features: diabetes mellitus (33%), unstable coronary syndromes (73%), left ventricular dysfunction (8%), multivessel intervention (9%), B2/C lesions (56%).

RESULTS

Acute success was achieved in 79/80 patients (98%), without Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), in-hospital death or emergency bypass surgery; no patient had acute or subacute stent thrombosis. Follow-up was available in 78 patients (mean 14 +/- 4 months): noncardiac death occurred in one patient, acute MI in one patient; no patient required bypass surgery; 10 patients (13%) underwent percutaneous target lesion revascularization (TLR); three patients (4%) had reintervention on a nontarget vessel. Kaplan-Meyer life-table analysis showed event-free survival of 86% and TLR-free survival of 90% at one and a half year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The cell capture stent is safe and effective, with satisfactory immediate results and mid-term outcome, without evidence of stent thrombosis. Whether those devices represent a viable alternative to currently available drug-eluting or bare metal stents will need to be evaluated in larger randomized studies.

Early prediction of contrast-induced acute kidney injury by a "bedside" assessment of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin during elective percutaneous coronary interventions

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a serious complication during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Currently, the diagnosis of CI-AKI relies on serum creatinine (SCr) that is however affected by several limitations potentially leading to delayed or missed diagnoses. In this study we examined the diagnostic accuracy of a “bedside” measurement of plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in the early detection of CI-AKI in 97 patients undergoing elective PCI. The overall incidence of CI-AKI was 3%. A significant positive correlation was observed between 6-hours NGAL and post-PCI SCr (r = 0.339, p = 0.004) and a significant negative correlation between 6-hours NGAL and post-PCI CrCl (r = -0.303, p = 0.010). In patients with post-PCI SCr increase > 0.24 mg/dl (median SCr absolute increase), delta NGAL 0–6 hours and 6-hours NGAL values were higher compared with patients with SCr elevation below the defined threshold (p = 0.049 and p = 0.056). The ROC analysis showed that a 6 hours NGAL value > 96 ng/ml significantly predicted an absolute SCr increase > 0.24 mg/dl after contrast exposure with sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 74% (AUC 0.819, 95% CI: 0.656 to 0.983, p = 0.005). The use of bedside NGAL assessment may significantly hasten diagnosis and treatment of CI-AKI, with remarkable clinical prognostic consequences.

Antiplatelet therapy in valvular and structural heart disease interventions

Transcatheter interventions for valvular and structural heart diseases are rapidly expanding due to greater operators' experience and development of new generation devices associated with increased procedural safety. They represent the standard strategy for patients with prohibitive risk for open surgery. These procedures are associated with a significant occurrence of both thrombotic and bleeding complications, thus in this setting, even more than in other percutaneous procedures, the balance between thrombotic and bleeding risk is critical. This review describes the current data available on the antithrombotic management of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system, percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion and percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO)/atrial septal defects (ASD) closure.

Relation of Platelet Indexes to Platelet Reactivity and Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty

No comprehensive data are available on the role of platelet indexes (PI) in the periprocedural risk stratification of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of PI to platelet reactivity (PR) and periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) in patients receiving PCI. A total of 502 PCI patients had preprocedural measurement of PI and PR, the latter assessed by VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. Study end points were incidence of PMI and high platelet reactivity (HPR) according to tertiles of PI and evaluation of PI in HPR patients. Incidence of PMI in the overall population was 6.6%. Rates of PMI were not different in PI tertiles: platelet count (I: 6.0%, II: 7.1%, III: 6.5%; p = 0.74), mean platelet volume (MPV, I: 6.6%, II: 7.3%, III: 5.8%;p = 0.86), platelet distribution width (I: 7.2%, II: 7.2%, III: 5.8%;p = 0.74), and MPV/P ratio (I: 6.6%, II: 6.0%, III: 7.1%; p = 0.91). The occurrence of PMI was significantly different in PR tertiles (I: 3%, II: 5.4%, III: 11.4%; p = 0.006). Platelet count and MPV/P ratio were significantly different in patients with and without HPR (221.8 ± 58.6 × 103/µL vs207 ± 59.4 × 103/µL, p = 0.008; 51.73 ± 15.17 vs 56.7 ± 18.3, p = 0.002).In conclusion, this study showed no relation between PI and PMI in PCI patients but confirms the association of HPR with increased incidence of PMI; thus, PI seem to be not able to identify patients at higher periprocedural risk, but monitoring PR by a bedside assay remains a useful tool for risk stratification.

Should pre-operative left atrial volume receive more consideration in patients with degenerative mitral valve disease undergoing mitral valve surgery?

BACKGROUND

Severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR) carries a significant incidence of mortality and morbidity. Though a number of prognostic factors have been identified, the best timing for mitral valve repair is still debated. We assessed the role of Left Atrial Volume Indexed (LAVI) as predictor of adverse events after mitral valve surgery.

METHODS

134 patients with severe MR were studied with a follow-up of 42±16months. Endpoints were Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF), atrial and ventricular remodeling (LARR/LVRR) and correlation with outcome. POAF was defined as AF occurring within 2weeks and late AF (LAF) more than 2weeks after surgery. LARR was defined as LAVI reduction ≥15% and LVRR as any reduction of ventricular mass after surgery.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients experienced POAF, 26 had LAF. Pre-operative LAVI was an independent risk factor for POAF (OR 1.03, CI [1.00-1.06], p=0.01), LAF (OR 1.03, CI [1.00-1.06], p=0.02), LARR and LVRR (OR 1.04, CI [1.01-1.07], p=0.002, respectively). LARR was found in 75 patients, while LVRR in 111. Patients with heart remodeling had less incidence of LAF and cardiac adverse events, better diastolic function and improved their NYHA class after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

LAVI should be given more weight into decision making for patients with MR as it predicts POAF and LAF and reverse atrial and ventricular remodeling, both associated to long-term outcome.

Usefulness of Adding Pre-procedural Glycemia to the Mehran Score to Enhance Its Ability to Predict Contrast-induced Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Development and Validation of a Predictive Model

The Mehran score is the most widely accepted tool for predicting contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), a major complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Similarly, abnormal fasting pre-procedural glycemia (FPG) represents a modifiable risk factor for CI-AKI, but it is not included in current risk models for CI-AKI prediction. We sought to analyze whether adding FPG to the Mehran score improves its ability to predict CI-AKI following PCI. We analyzed 671 consecutive patients undergoing PCI (age 69 [63,75] years, 23% females), regardless of their diabetic status, to derive a revised Mehran score obtained by including FPG in the original Mehran score (Derivation Cohort). The new risk model (GlyMehr) was externally validated in 673 consecutive patients (Validation Cohort) (age 69 [62,76] years, 21% females). In the Derivation Cohort, both FPG and the original Mehran score predicted CI-AKI (AUC 0.703 and 0.673, respectively). The GlyMehr score showed a better predictive ability when compared with the Mehran score both in the Derivation Cohort (AUC 0.749, 95%CI 0.662 to 0.836; p = 0.0016) and the Validation Cohort (AUC 0.848, 95%CI, 0.792 to 0.903; p = 0.0008). In the overall population (n = 1344), the GlyMehr score confirmed its independent and incremental predictive ability regardless of diabetic status (p ≤0.0034) or unstable/stable coronary syndromes (p ≤0.0272). In conclusion, adding FPG to the Mehran score significantly enhances our ability to predict CI-AKI. The GlyMehr score may contribute to improve the clinical management of patients undergoing PCI by identifying those at high risk of CI-AKI and potentially detecting modifiable risk factors.

Characterization of inflammatory profile by breath analysis in chronic coronary syndromes

AIMS

Exhaled breath contains thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during various metabolic processes both in health and disease.Analysis of breath with electronic nose BIONOTE-V allows modifications of exhaled VOCs to be studied, which are clinically recognized to be a marker for several disorders, including heart failure. New noninvasive tests based on VOCs analysis might be a useful tool for early detection of chronic coronary syndromes (CCS).

METHODS

Exhaled air was collected and measured in individuals with an indication to perform invasive coronary angiography (ICA). All patients' samples were obtained before ICA.

RESULTS

Analysis with BIONOTE-V was performed in a total cohort of 42 patients consecutively enrolled, of whom 19 did not require myocardial revascularization and 23 with indication for myocardial revascularization. BIONOTE-V was able to correctly identify 18 out of 23 patients affected by severe coronary artery disease (sensitivity = 78.3% and specificity = 68.4%). Our predicted model had a tight correlation with SYNTAX score (error of the BIONOTE-V = 15).

CONCLUSION

CCS patients have a distinctive fingerprint of exhaled breath, and analysis by BIONOTE-V has the potential for identifying these patients. Moreover, it seems that this technique can correctly identify patients according to anatomical disease severity at ICA. If the preliminary data of this proof of concept study will be confirmed, this rapid and noninvasive diagnostic tool able to identify CCS might have an impact in routine clinical practice.

Large Ostium Primum Interatrial Septum Defect in Asymptomatic Elderly Patient

Ostium primum defect is a congenital malformation involving atrial septum contiguous with atrioventricular valve annulus; it is accompanied by abnormalities in the development of the endocardial cushions, often resulting in associated atrioventricular valves malformations. Few cases have been reported in adulthood because these patients frequently come to medical attention at an earlier age when symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, cyanosis, and tendency to underweight occur. Various factors affect the timing of clinical presentation, but the most important is the degree of mitral/tricuspid insufficiency; when valve regurgitation remains moderate, the appearance of symptoms may be delayed for decades. In adult patients, deterioration of clinical status and death are mainly due to the development of arrhythmias or heart block. We present the case of a 67-year-old patient, without previous cardiovascular events, with a new onset of atrial fibrillation, who developed dyspnea and fatigue; echocardiography showed a large interatrial defect localized in the basal portion of the septum, associated with anterior mitral valve cleft and moderate regurgitation. The patient underwent surgical closure of the defect (intraoperatory measures 1,9 × 3 cm) with autologous pericardium patch; a permanent epicardial pacemaker was implanted for the development of complete atrioventricular block in the early postoperative period.

Breath Analysis via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) in Chronic Coronary Syndrome (CCS): A Proof-of-Concept Study

Background: This proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the diagnostic potential of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in profiling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from exhaled breath as a diagnostic tool for the chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Methods: Exhaled air was collected from patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA), with all samples obtained prior to ICA. Post hoc, patients were divided into groups based on coronary lesion severity and indications for revascularization. VOCs in the breath samples were analyzed using GC-MS. Results: This study included 23 patients, of whom 11 did not require myocardial revascularization and 12 did. GC-MS analysis successfully classified 10 of the 11 patients without the need for revascularization (sensitivity of 91%), and 7 of the 12 patients required revascularization (specificity 58%). In subgroup analysis, GC-MS demonstrated 100% sensitivity in identifying patients with significant coronary lesions requiring intervention when the cohort was divided into three groups. A total of 36 VOCs, including acetone, ethanol, and phenol, were identified as distinguishing markers between patient groups. Conclusions: Patients with CCS exhibited a unique fingerprint of exhaled breath, which was detectable with GC-MS. These findings suggest that GC-MS analysis could be a reliable and non-invasive diagnostic tool for CCS. Further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to validate these results and explore the potential integration of VOC analysis into clinical practice.

In-Stent Restenosis After Carotid Artery Stenting: From Diagnosis to Treatment

Although carotid artery stenting is a safe and effective treatment for preventing ischaemic stroke in significant carotid atherosclerotic disease, it can be complicated by in-stent restenosis (ISR). Factors involved in the ISR process are both mechanical and patient-related, but the most important is the neointimal thickening within stent struts, leading to lumen reduction. Overall incidence of carotid ISR is low and related embolic risk seems to be lower than native disease. Digital subtraction angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis. Nowadays, Doppler ultrasound should be considered the first-line investigation, due to its non-invasiveness and reproducibility. Computed tomography angiography remains useful when Doppler ultrasound is inconclusive. Indication and modality of treatment of ISR are still debated: both surgery (carotid endarterectomy with stent removal in most cases) or interventional procedures such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with simple balloon, cutting-balloon, drug-eluting balloon, and stenting, showed safety and efficacy in follow-up. Surgery is currently reserved for selected cases. Carotid ISR is an overall rare complication which can be easily identified at routine follow-up. This paper is a literature review and state-of-the-art assessment of ISR, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.