Recovery and prognostic value of myocardial strain in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with a concurrent chronic total occlusion

Objectives: Global left ventricular (LV) function is routinely used to assess cardiac function; however, myocardial strain is able to identify more subtle dysfunction. We aimed to determine the recovery and prognostic value of featuring tracking (FT) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) strain in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with a concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO). Methods: In the randomized EXPLORE trial, there was no significant difference in global LV functio

Recovery of right ventricular function and strain in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and concurrent chronic total occlusion

The right ventricle (RV) is frequently involved in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when the culprit or concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) is located in the right coronary artery (RCA). We investigated RV function recovery in STEMI-patients with concurrent CTO. In EXPLORE, STEMI-patients with concurrent CTO were randomized to CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or no CTO-PCI. We analyzed 174 EXPLORE patients with serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging RV data (baseline and 4-month follow-up), divided into three groups: CTO-RCA (CTO in RCA, culprit in non-RCA; n = 89), IRA-RCA (infarct related artery [IRA] in RCA, CTO in non-RCA; n = 56), and no-RCA (culprit and CTO not in RCA; n = 29). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV ejection fraction (RVEF), RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) were measured. We found that RV strain and TAPSE improved in IRA-RCA and CTO-RCA (irrespective of CTO-PCI) at follow-up, but not in no-RCA. Only RV FWLS was different among groups at baseline, which was lower in IRA-RCA than no-RCA (− 26.0 ± 8.3% versus − 31.0 ± 6.4%, p = 0.006). Baseline RVEF, RV end-diastolic volume and TAPSE were associated with RVEF at 4 months. RV function parameters were not predictive of 4 year mortality, although RV GLS showed additional predictive value for New York Heart Association Classification > 1 at 4 months. In conclusion, RV parameters significantly improved in patients with acute or chronic RCA occlusion, but not in no-RCA patients. RV FWLS was the only RV parameter able to discriminate between acute ischemic and non-ischemic myocardium. Moreover, RV GLS was independently predictive for functional status

Improved recovery of regional left ventricular function after PCI of chronic total occlusion in STEMI patients: A cardiovascular magnetic resonance study of the randomized controlled EXPLORE trial

Background: The Evaluating Xience and left ventricular function in PCI on occlusiOns afteR STEMI (EXPLORE) trial did not show a significant benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients on global left ventricular (LV) systolic function. However a possible treatment effect will be most pronounced in the CTO territory. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of CTO PCI compared to no-CTO PCI on the recovery of regional LV function, particularly in the CTO territory. Methods: Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) we studied 180 of the 302 EXPLORE patients with serial CMR (baseline and 4 months follow-up). Segmental wall thickening (SWT) was quantified on cine images by an independent core laboratory. Dysfunctional segments were defined as SWT < 45%. Dysfunctional segments were further analyzed by viability (transmural extent of infarction (TEI) ≤50%.). All outcomes were stratified for randomization treatment. Results: In the dysfunctional segments in the CTO territory recovery of SWT was better after CTO PCI compared to no-CTO PCI (ΔSWT 17 ± 27% vs 11 ± 23%, p = 0.03). This recovery was most pronounced in the dy

Recovery and prognostic value of myocardial strain in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with a concurrent chronic total occlusion

Objectives: Global left ventricular (LV) function is routinely used to assess cardiac function; however, myocardial strain is able to identify more subtle dysfunction. We aimed to determine the recovery and prognostic value of featuring tracking (FT) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) strain in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with a concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO). Methods: In the randomized EXPLORE trial, there was no significant difference in global LV function after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the CTO, compared with no-CTO PCI, post-STEMI. In the current study, we included 200 of the 302 EXPLORE patients with a baseline CMR, of which 180 also had 4-month follow-up (serial) CMR. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was calculated from 3 long-axis views. Global circumferential strain (GCS) and segmental strain were calculated from 3 short-axis views (basal, mid, and apical). Results: Global strain significantly improved at 4 months (GLS ∆ − 1.8 ± 4.3%, p < 0.001; GCS ∆ − 1.7 ± 4.7%, p < 0.001); however, there was no treatment effect of CTO-PCI on strain recovery. GLS was a significant predictor for 4 months of LV ejection fraction (p = 0.006), incremental to other CMR parameters including infarct size. For mortality, infarct size remained the strongest predictor. On regional level, segmental strain independently predicted recovery in the dysfunctional segments (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Global and segmental myocardial strains significantly improved over time, with no effect of CTO-PCI. Global strain was associated with outcome and segmental strain was an independent predictor for regional LV recovery in the dysfunctional CTO territory. Further research is needed to determine the additional prognostic value of strain beyond routine CMR parameters. Key Points: • In STEMI patients with a concurrent CTO, strain significantly improves over time, regardless of CTO-PCI. • Global strain is an independent predictor for functional recovery, incremental to infarct size, LVEF, and clinical parameters. • Segmental strain was able to predict the recovery of wall thickening, incremental to transmural extent of infarction

Improved recovery of regional left ventricular function after PCI of chronic total occlusion in STEMI patients: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study of the randomized controlled EXPLORE trial

Background: The Evaluating Xience and left ventricular function in PCI on occlusiOns afteR STEMI (EXPLORE) trial did not show a significant benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients on global left ventricular (LV) systolic function. However a possible treatment effect will be most pronounced in the CTO territory. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of CTO PCI compared to no-CTO PCI on the recovery of regional LV function, particularly in the CTO territory. Methods: Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) we studied 180 of the 302 EXPLORE patients with serial CMR (baseline and 4 months follow-up). Segmental wall thickening (SWT) was quantified on cine images by an independent core laboratory. Dysfunctional segments were defined as SWT <45%. Dysfunctional segments were further analyzed by viability (transmural extent of infarction (TEI) <= 50%.). All outcomes were stratified for randomization treatment. Results: In the dysfunctional segments in the CTO territory recovery of SWT was better after CTO PCI compared to no-CTO PCI (Delta SWT 17 +/- 27% vs 11 +/- 23%, p = 0.03). This recovery was most pronounced in the dysfunctional but viable segments(TEI <50%) (.SWT 17 +/- 27% vs 11 +/- 22%, p = 0.02). Furthermore in the CTO territory, recovery of SWT was significantly better in the dysfunctional segments in patients with Rentrop grade 2-3 collaterals compared to grade 0-1 collaterals to the CTO (16 +/- 26% versus 11 +/- 24%, p = 0.04). Conclusion: CTO PCI compared with no-CTO PCI is associated with a greater recovery of regional systolic function in the CTO territory, especially in the dysfunctional but viable segments. Further research is needed to evaluate the use of CMR in selecting post-STEMI patients for CTO PCI and the effect of regional LV function recovery on clinical outcom

Predictors and outcomes of procedural failure of percutaneous coronary intervention of a chronic total occlusion—A subanalysis of the EXPLORE trial

Objective: To evaluate predictors of procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total coronary occlusions (CTOs) in a non-infarct-related artery following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and demonstrate the effect on left ventricular functionality (LVF), infarct size (IS), and pro-arrhythmic electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters. Background: Predictors of unsuccessful revascularization of a CTO are numerous, although following STEMI, these are lacking. Besides, effects of failed CTO PCI (FPCI) on the myocardium are unknown. Methods: This is a subanalysis of the EXPLORE trial, in which 302 STEMI patients with a concurrent CTO were randomized to CTO PCI (n = 147) or no-CTO PCI (NPCI, n = 154). For the purpose of this subanalysis, we divided patients into successful CTO PCI (SPCI, n = 106), FPCI (n = 41), and NPCI (n = 154) groups. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and angiographic data were derived from the EXPLORE database, combined with ECG parameters. To gain more insight, all outcomes were compared with patients that did not undergo CTO PCI. Results: In multivariate regression, only CTO lesion length >20 mm was an independent predictor of procedural failure (OR 3.31 [1.49–7.39]). No significant differences in median left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, IS, and the pro-arrhythmic ECG parameters such as QT-dispersion, QTc-time, and TpTe-intervals were seen between the SPCI and FPCI groups at 4 months follow-up. Conclusion: This subanalysis of the EXPLORE trial has demonstrated that a CTO lesion length >20 mm is an independent predictor of CTO PCI failure, whereas procedural failure did not lead to any adverse effects on LVF nor pro-arrhythmic ECG parameters

Long-term impact of chronic total occlusion recanalisation in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

During primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) is found in 10% of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Long-term benefits of CTO-PCI have been suggested; however, randomised data are lacking. Our aim was to determine mid-term and long-term clinical outcome of CTO-PCI versus CTO-No PCI in patients with STEMI with a concurrent CTO

Impact of collateralisation to a concomitant chronic total occlusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: A subanalysis of the EXPLORE randomised controlled trial

Objective The impact on cardiac function of collaterals towards a concomitant chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been investigated yet. Therefore, we have evaluated the impact of well-developed collaterals compared with poorly developed collaterals to a concomitant CTO in STEMI. Methods and results In the EXPLORE trial, patients with STEMI and a concomitant CTO were randomised to either CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or no-CTO PCI. Collateral grades were scored angiographically using the Rentrop grade classification. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) at 4 months were measured using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Well-developed collaterals (Rentrop grades 2-3) to the CTO were present in 162 (54%) patients; these patients had a significantly higher LVEF at 4 months (46.2±11.4% vs 42.1±12.7%, p=0.004) as well as a trend for a lower LVEDV (208.2±55.7 mL vs 222.6±68.5 mL, p=0.054) when compared with patients with poorly developed collaterals to the CTO. There was no significant difference in the total amount of scar in the two groups. Event rates were statistically comparable between patients with well-developed collaterals and poorly developed collaterals to the CTO at long-term follow-up. Conclusions In patients with STEMI and a concomitant CTO, the presence of well-developed collaterals to a concomitant CTO is associated with a better LVEF at 4 months. However, this effect on LVEF did not translate into improvement in clinical outcome. Therefore, the presence of well-developed collaterals is important, but should not solely guide in the clinical decision-making process regarding any additional revascularisation of a concomitant CTO in patients with STEMI. Clinical trial registration NTR1108

Less bleeding by omitting aspirin in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients:Rationale and design of the LEGACY study

Background: Early aspirin withdrawal, also known as P2Y12-inhibitor monotherapy, following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) can reduce bleeding without a trade-off in efficacy. Still the average daily bleeding risk is highest during the first months and it remains unclear if aspirin can be omitted immediately following PCI. Methods: The LEGACY study is an open-label, multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of immediate P2Y12-inhibitor monotherapy versus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 12 months in 3,090 patients. Patients are randomized immediately following successful PCI for NSTE-ACS to 75-100 mg aspirin once daily versus no aspirin. The primary hypothesis is that immediately omitting aspirin is superior to DAPT with respect to major or minor bleeding defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding, while maintaining noninferiority for the composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke compared to DAPT. Conclusions: The LEGACY study is the first randomized study that is specifically designed to evaluate the impact of immediately omitting aspirin, and thus treating patients with P2Y12-inhibitor monotherapy, as compared to DAPT for 12 months on bleeding and ischemic events within 12 months following PCI for NSTE-ACS