Prevalence and pharmacologic management of familial hypercholesterolemia in an unselected contemporary cohort of patients with stable coronary artery disease

INTRODUCTION: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterized by elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) associated with premature cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Using the data from the START (STable Coronary Artery Diseases RegisTry) study, a nationwide, prospective survey on patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), we described prevalence and lipid lowering strategies commonly employed in these patients. The study population was divided into "definite/probable FH," defined as a Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score ≥6, "possible FH" with DLCN 3-5, and "unlikely FH" in presence of a DLCN <3. RESULTS: Among the 4030 patients with the DLCN score available, 132 (3.3%) were classified as FH (2.3% with definite/probable and 1.0% with possible FH) and 3898 (96.7%) had unlikely FH. Patients with both definite/probable and possible FH were younger compared to patients not presenting FH. Mean on-treatment LDL-C levels were 107.8 ± 41.5, 84.4 ± 40.9, and 85.8 ± 32.3 (P < 0.0001) and a target of ≤70 mg/dL was reached in 10.9%, 30.0%, and 22.0% (P < 0.0001) of patents with definite/probable, possible FH, and unlikely FH, respectively. Statin therapy was prescribed in 85 (92.4%) patients with definite/probable FH, in 38 (95.0%) with possible FH, and in 3621 (92.9%) with unlikely FH (P = 0.86). The association of statin and ezetimibe, in absence of other lipid-lowering therapy, was more frequently used in patients with definite/probable FH compared to patients without FH (31.5% vs 17.5% vs 9.5%; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of consecutive patients with stable CAD, FH was highly prevalent and generally undertreated with lipid lowering therapies

How do cardiologists select patients for dual antiplatelet therapy continuation beyond 1 year after a myocardial infarction? Insights from the EYESHOT Post-MI Study

Background: Current guidelines suggest to consider dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) continuation for longer than 12 months in selected patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Hypothesis: We sought to assess the criteria used by cardiologists in daily practice to select patients with a history of MI eligible for DAPT continuation beyond 1 year. Methods: We analyzed data from the EYESHOT Post-MI, a prospective, observational, nationwide study aimed to evaluate the management of patients presenting to cardiologists 1 to 3 years from the last MI event. Results: Out of the 1633 post-MI patients enrolled in the study between March and December 2017, 557 (34.1%) were on DAPT at the time of enrolment, and 450 (27.6%) were prescribed DAPT after cardiologist assessment. At multivariate analyses, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with multiple stents and the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) resulted as independent predictors of DAPT continuation, while atrial fibrillation was the only independent predictor of DAPT interruption for patients both at the second and the third year from MI at enrolment and the time of discharge/end of the visit. Conclusions: Risk scores recommended by current guidelines for guiding decisions on DAPT duration are underused and misused in clinical practice. A PCI with multiple stents and a history of PAD resulted as the clinical variables more frequently associated with DAPT continuation beyond 1 year from the index MI

Twenty-four hour and early morning blood pressure control of olmesartan vs. ramipril in elderly hypertensive patients: pooled individual data analysis of two randomized, double-blind, parallel-group studies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the antihypertensive efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil and ramipril on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in elderly hypertensive patients by pooled data analysis of two studies with identical designs (one Italian, one European). METHODS: After a 2-week placebo wash-out 1453 elderly hypertensive patients (65-89 years; sitting office DBP 90-109 mmHg and/or sitting office SBP 140-179 mmHg) were randomized to a 12-week double-blind treatment with olmesartan medoxomil 10 mg or ramipril 2.5 mg once-daily, up-titrated (20 and 40 mg olmesartan medoxomil; 5 and 10 mg ramipril) after 2 and 6 weeks in patients without normalized office BP. 24-h ABP was recorded at randomization and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: In 715 patients with valid baseline and end-of-treatment recordings baseline-adjusted 24-h SBP and DBP reductions were greater with olmesartan medoxomil (n = 356) than with ramipril (n = 359) [between-treatment differences and 95% confidence interval (CI), SBP: 2.2 (3.8, 0.6), P = 0.006; DBP: 1.3 (2.2, 0.3), P = 0.009]. Olmesartan medoxomil showed larger BP reductions in the last 6 h from the dosing interval and higher smoothness indices than ramipril. Olmesartan medoxomil reduced the SBP morning rise [-2.8 (-4.9, -0.8) mmHg], whereas ramipril did not [+1.5 (-0.6, +3.6) mmHg; P = 0.004 between-treatments]. Five hundred and eighty-two patients with sustained hypertension (office and 24-h ambulatory hypertension) showed the largest antihypertensive effect, with between-treatment differences still in favor of olmesartan medoxomil [SBP: 2.1 (3.9, 0.4), P = 0.019; DBP: 1.2 (2.3, 0.1), P = 0.032]. CONCLUSIONS: Olmesartan medoxomil provides a more effective and sustained 24-h BP control than ramipril in elderly hypertensive patients, particularly in the hours farthest from last intake

Twenty-four hour and early morning blood pressure control of olmesartan vs. ramipril in elderly hypertensive patients: pooled individual data analysis of two randomized, double-blind, parallel-group studies

OBJECTIVE: To assess the antihypertensive efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil and ramipril on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in elderly hypertensive patients by pooled data analysis of two studies with identical designs (one Italian, one European). METHODS: After a 2-week placebo wash-out 1453 elderly hypertensive patients (65-89 years; sitting office DBP 90-109 mmHg and/or sitting office SBP 140-179 mmHg) were randomized to a 12-week double-blind treatment with olmesartan medoxomil 10 mg or ramipril 2.5 mg once-daily, up-titrated (20 and 40 mg olmesartan medoxomil; 5 and 10 mg ramipril) after 2 and 6 weeks in patients without normalized office BP. 24-h ABP was recorded at randomization and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: In 715 patients with valid baseline and end-of-treatment recordings baseline-adjusted 24-h SBP and DBP reductions were greater with olmesartan medoxomil (n = 356) than with ramipril (n = 359) [between-treatment differences and 95% confidence interval (CI), SBP: 2.2 (3.8, 0.6), P = 0.006; DBP: 1.3 (2.2, 0.3), P = 0.009]. Olmesartan medoxomil showed larger BP reductions in the last 6 h from the dosing interval and higher smoothness indices than ramipril. Olmesartan medoxomil reduced the SBP morning rise [-2.8 (-4.9, -0.8) mmHg], whereas ramipril did not [+1.5 (-0.6, +3.6) mmHg; P = 0.004 between-treatments]. Five hundred and eighty-two patients with sustained hypertension (office and 24-h ambulatory hypertension) showed the largest antihypertensive effect, with between-treatment differences still in favor of olmesartan medoxomil [SBP: 2.1 (3.9, 0.4), P = 0.019; DBP: 1.2 (2.3, 0.1), P = 0.032]. CONCLUSIONS: Olmesartan medoxomil provides a more effective and sustained 24-h BP control than ramipril in elderly hypertensive patients, particularly in the hours farthest from last intak

Glomerular filtration rate: A prognostic marker in atrial fibrillation-A subanalysis of the AntiThrombotic Agents Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE An increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity has been widely reported in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, a subanalysis of the AntiThrombotic Agents Atrial Fibrillation (ATA-AF) is performed with the aim to evaluate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as an independent prognostic marker of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with AF. METHODS AND RESULTS The ATA-AF study enrolled 7148 patients with AF, in 360 Italian centers. The eGFR was calculated from data reported in patient notes or hospital database. This post-hoc analysis included 1097 AF patients with eGFR data available and 1-year clinical follow-up. The endpoint was assessed as cardiovascular mortality and/or hospital admission for cardiovascular causes at follow-up. Patients were also divided in two groups according to the eGFR (<60 and ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m ). The Kaplan-Meyer curve for the mentioned endpoint showed a higher endpoint incidence in the group of patient with eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m (P < 0.001). Using multivariate analysis (Cox regression), a trend toward a higher rate of occurrence of the primary endpoint was observed for eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m without reaching the conventional level of statistical significance (hazard ratio [HR] 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99-1.99; P = 0.0572). When eGFR was included in the analysis as continuous variable a significant correlation was observed with the combined endpoint at the Cox regression (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION The result of this post-hoc analysis indicates that an impaired eGFR is independently associated with worse prognosis among patients with AF

MEDICAL SCIENCE. GISSI-2: A factorial randomised trial of alteplase versus streptokinase and heparin versus no heparin among 12 490 patients with acute myocardial infarction

A multicentre, randomised, open trial with a 2 x 2 factorial design was conducted to compare the benefits and risks of two thrombolytic agents, streptokinase (SK, 1\ub75 MU infused intravenously over 30-60 min) and alteplase (tPA, 100 mg infused intravenously over 3 h) in patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to coronary care units within 6 h from onset of symptoms. The patients were also randomised to receive heparin (12 500 U subcutaneously twice daily until discharge from hospital, starting 12 h after beginning the tPA or SK infusion) or usual therapy. All patients without specific contraindications were given atenolol (5-10 mg iv) and aspirin (300-325 mg a day). The end-point of the study was the combined estimate of death plus severe left ventricular damage. 12 490 patients were randomised to four treatment groups (SK alone, SK plus heparin, tPA alone, tPA plus heparin). No specific differences between the two thrombolytic agents were detected as regards the combined end-point (tPA 23\ub71%; SK 22\ub75%; relative risk 1\ub704, 95% Cl 0\ub795-1\ub713), nor after the addition of heparin to the aspirin treatment (hep 22\ub77%, no hep 22\ub79%; RR 0\ub799, 95% Cl 0\ub791-1\ub708). The outcome of patients allocated to the four treatment groups was similar with respect to baseline risk factors such as age, Killip class, hours from onset of symptoms, and site and type of infarct. The rates of major in-hospital cardiac complications (reinfarction, post-infarction angina) were also similar. The incidence of major bleeds was significantly higher in SK and heparin treated patients (respectively, tPA 0\ub75%, SK 1\ub70%, RR 0\ub757, 95% Cl 0\ub738-0\ub785; hep 1\ub70%, no hep 0\ub76%, RR 1\ub764, 95% Cl 1\ub709-2\ub745), whereas the overall incidence of stroke was similar in all groups. SK and tPA appear equally effective and safe for use in routine conditions of care, in all infarct patients who have no contraindications, with or without post-thrombolytic heparin treatment. The 8\ub78% hospital mortality of the study population (compared with approximately 13% in the control cohort of the GISSI-1 trial) indicates the beneficial impact of the proven acute treatments for AMI. \ua9 1990

DETERMINANTS OF 6-MONTH MORTALITY IN SURVIVORS OF MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION AFTER THROMBOLYSIS - RESULTS OF THE GISSI-2 DATA-BASE

none647Background. Current knowledge of risk assessment in survivors of myocardial infarction is largely based on data gathered before the advent of thrombolysis. It must be determined whether and to what extent available information and proposed criteria of prognostication are applicable in the thrombolytic era. Methods and Results. We reassessed risk prediction in the 10 219 survivors of myocardial infarction with follow-up data available (ie, 98% of the total) who had been enrolled in the GISSI-2 trial, relying on a set of prespecified variables. The 3.5% 6-month all-cause mortality rate of these patients compared with the higher value of 4.6% found in the corresponding GISSI-1 cohort, originally allocated to streptokinase therapy, indicates a 24% reduction in postdischarge 6-month mortality. On multivariate analysis (Cox model), the following variables were predictors of 6-month all-cause mortality: ineligibility for exercise test for both cardiac (relative risk [RR], 3.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.36-4.62) and noncardiac reasons (RR, 3.28; 95% CI, 2.23-4.72), early left ventricular failure (RR, 2.41; 95% Cl, 1.87-3.09), echocardiographic evidence of recovery phase left ventricular dysfunction (RR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.78-2.98), advanced (more than 70 years) age (RR, 1.81; 95% Cl, 1.43 -2.30), electrical instability (ie, frequent and/or complex ventricular arrhythmias) (RR, 1.70; 95% Cl, 1.32-2.19), late left ventricular failure (RR, 1.54; 95% Cl, 1.17-2.03), previous myocardial infarction (RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.14-1.89), and a history of treated hypertension (RR, 1.32; 95% Cl, 1.05-1.65). Early post-myocardial infarction angina, a positive exercise test, female sex, history of angina, history of insulin-dependent diabetes, and anterior site of myocardial infarction were not risk predictors. On further multivariate analysis, performed on 8315 patients with the echocardiographic indicator of left ventricular dysfunction available, only previous myocardial infarction was not retained as an independent risk predictor. Conclusions. A decline in 6-month mortality of myocardial infarction survivors, seen within 6 hours of symptom onset, has been observed in recent years. Ineligibility for exercise test, early left ventricular failure, and recovery-phase left ventricular dysfunction are the most powerful (RR, >2) predictors of 6-month mortality among patients recovering from myocardial infarction after thrombolysis. Qualitative variables reflecting residual myocardial ischemia do not appear to be risk predictors. The lack of an independent adverse influence of early post-myocardial infarction angina on 6-month survival represents a major difference between this study and those of the prethrombolytic era.noneVOLPI A; DEVITA C; FRANZOSI MG; GERACI E; MAGGIONI AP; MAURI F; NEGRI E; SANTORO E; TAVAZZI L; TOGNONI G; FERUGLIO GA; LOTTO A; ROVELLI F; SOLINAS P; TAVAZZI L; TOGNONI G; BRUNO M; CAPPELLO T; COPPINI A; FINCATI F; MANTOVANI G; PANGRAZZI J; POGNA M; TURAZZA FM; ANSELMI M; BARBONAGLIA L; BIGI R; CAVALLI A; FRIGERIO M; GIORDANO A; GUALTIEROTTI C; TORTA D; CAROLA R; GIORDANO F; BARLOTTI R; LOPARCO G; VIGLINO GL; RUGGERI G; GIAMUNDO L; DANESI A; PACIARONI E; GAMBINI C; URBANO G; PURCARO A; FRANCESCONI M; FIGLIOLIA S; CANNONE M; ANTOLINI R; DEVOTI G; CRISTALLINI P; PORCIELLO PI; TEONI P; BURALI A; ZUCCONELLI V; DEMATTEIS C; IERVOGLINI A; SCATASTA M; AMABILI S; CARATTI CA; ZOLA G; FERRAGUTO P; SALICI G; CENTARO A; ROTIROTI D; GENOVESE M; GINEVRINO P; DAMATO N; ALTAMURA CM; COLONNA L; CASTELLANETA G; BOVENZI F; MESSINA D; GALANTINO A; CAMPOREALE N; CUCCHINI F; CAMPOSTELLA L; MALACRIDA R; GENONI M; PELLEGRINI P; BRIDDA A; RIGGI L; ACONE L; MOSCATIELLO G; BRUNO A; INVERNIZZI G; TESPILI M; GUAGLIUMI G; CASARI A; ALBANO T; TOMASSINI B; TORTA D; DIBIASE G; SCARAMUZZINO G; RUGGERO S; BRACCHETTI D; DECASTRO U; FULVI M; BRAITO E; ERLICHER A; OBERLECHNER W; GAGLIARDI RS; BIGHIGNOLI L; BONIZZATO G; RIZZI GM; SCAZZINA L; PERRINI A; STRANEO G; STRANEO U; SCIRE A; VERRIENTI A; GUADALUPI M; STORELLI A; ZUCCA L; DABUSTI M; ALBONICO B; DEPETRA V; TABACCHI GC; SCERVINO R; MEREU D; MAXIA P; BIANCO A; CRABU E; MANGIAMELI S; CENTAMORE G; MALFITANO D; AMICO C; VANCHERI F; SANTOPUOLI G; BALDINI F; PANTALEONI A; CONTESSOTTO F; TERLIZZI R; MERIGHI A; TURCHI E; TEGLIO V; PIGNATTI F; PEZZANA A; GOZZOLINO G; GIGLIO M; PETTINATI G; IEVA M; CIRICUGNO S; CORREALE E; ROMANO S; DIFUCCIA A; CASTELLANO B; NATALE A; CERNETTI C; CELEGON L; CANDELPERGHER G; ARIENZO F; RUSSO F; DEVIVO L; MAY L; ACHILLI G; BLASI A; SORRENTINO F; DATO A; GALLONE P; PALUMBO C; DELLAMONICA R; PAGANO L; ALBERTI A; ORSELLI L; DEPONTI C; PARMIGIANI ML; FERRARI M; ACITO P; BUSI F; DELLAVITTORIA G; BELLET C; BORTOLINI F; ROSSI A; CORONA C; BONDI S; NICCOLINI D; GAMBERI G; ARCURI G; MAIOLINO P; CARROZZA A; DELIO U; CAPRETTI G; MARINONI C; GUASCONI C; SONNINO S; PAGLIEI M; FERRARI G; LOMBARDI R; AGNELLI D; DERINALDIS G; CALCAGNILE A; SIGNORELLI S; BENDINELLI S; LUSETTI L; MOLLAIOLI M; COSMI F; PLASTINA F; VENNERI N; FERACO E; CATELLI P; POLUZZI C; DISTANTE S; BIANCHI C; COPPETTI S; ZAMPAGLIONE G; GATTO C; ZURLO R; USLENGHI E; MARGARIA F; MILANESE U; LOMANTO B; ZIACCHI V; RIVA D; BERTOCCHI P; TIRELLA G; DAULERIO M; SAURO G; BINI A; MAZZONI V; POGGI P; MARESTA A; JACOPI F; PATRONCINI A; PUPITA F; GAGGI S; FRAUSINI G; ANTONIOLI GE; MALACARNE C; CODECA L; CAPPATO R; ANDREOLI L; VARACCA S; BUIO E; FAZZINI PF; PUCCI P; SARRO F; VERGASSOLA R; BARCHIELLI M; DEMATTEIS D; CARRONE M; BRUNOZZI LT; MENICONI L; LIBERATI R; RADOGNA M; TALLONE M; CONTE R; IERI A; ZIPOLI A; SANSONI M; CANZIANI R; GUIDALI P; CRISTALLO E; MARIELLO F; MUZIO L; BENVENUTO MR; BALDINI MR; VECCHIO C; CHIARELLA F; FALCIDIENO M; CECCHI A; GIULIANO G; SEU V; PERUGINI P; TOSELLI A; BASSO F; CORTI E; ROSSI P; DELFINO R; CAPONNETTO S; GNECCO G; GHIGLIOTTI G; PENNESI A; LOMBARDI G; RUGGIERI A; BERTOLO L; SLOMP L; LANZETTA T; MAZZARONE L; CRESTI A; BELLODI G; ZUARINI AM; VENERI L; PARCHI C; GIOVANELLI N; NEGRONI S; DETHOMATIS M; BARGHINI A; MARINO E; RICCI D; LEMME P; DIGIACOMO U; AQUARO G; RONZANI G; OTTELLO B; VONTI V; MORETTI S; PALERMO R; MARSILI P; SIDERI F; RAGAZZINI G; GRAMENZI S; BATTISTINI S; DIODATO T; VALERIO A; TUCCI C; DEPASQUALE B; GELFO PG; BERTULLA A; BOLLINI R; DEMARCHI E; BACCA F; DEGIORGI V; LOCATELLI V; SAVOIA MT; FERRACINI C; BARBARESI F; COTOGNI A; FRANCO G; ROMANO S; PASSONI F; DURBANO M; MORETTI G; PEROTTI S; CAPRETTI M; DELBENE P; CASCONE M; BALDINI U; ORLANDI M; ODDONE A; CAIZZI V; MASINI G; LAZZARI M; BALLERINI B; BOZZI L; MOCETTI T; BERTOLINI A; PASOTTI E; SANGUINETTI M; MANTOVANI R; TOGNOLI T; MAGGI A; TUSA M; CAMERONI E; GUERRA GP; REGGIANI A; REDAELLI S; GIUSTI S; TANTALO L; RIZZI A; DIGIOVANNI N; GUZZO V; GABRIELE M; COLOMBO G; ALBERZONI A; SALVIOLI G; GALFETTI F; DOVICO E; BELLUZZI F; GOLA E; CASELLATO F; LECCHI G; CONSOLO F; SACCA CB; CONSOLO A; PICCOLO E; GASPARINI G; DEVITA C; ALBERTI A; MASSA D; BELLI C; DOSSENA MG; CORSINI C; SANNA GP; AZZOLLINI M; TRUAZZA F; LOTTO A; NADOR F; DEMARTINI M; BOZZI G; SEREGNI R; PASTINE I; MORPURGO M; CASAZZA F; REGALIA F; MAGGIOLINI S; RIGO R; PANCALDI S; POZZETTI D; PASCOTTO P; FRANCESCHI L; DAINESE F; MELINI L; CAPPELLI C; BERNARDI C; PALMIERI M; BORGIONI L; ZILIO G; SANDRI R; ALITTO F; MASARO G; VALAGUSSA F; SCHIAVINA R; RAVESI D; DANIELLO L; PIANTADOSI FR; BARRA P; ROMEO D; MININNI N; SEVERINO S; MOSTACCI M; CASTELLARI M; BANDA D; ROLANDI R; VILLA WD; CARBONE V; ALLEGRI M; FASCIOLO L; PITTALIS M; MUREDDU V; SORO F; DELEDDA MG; MARRAS E; MARCHI SM; DELUCA C; MANETTA M; VOLTA SD; SPERANDEO V; DONZELLI M; VITRANO MG; GERACI E; PITROLO F; LAMONICA S; BELLANCA G; MESSINA G; MIRTO U; RAINERI A; TRAINA M; DIBENEDETTO A; RIBAUDO E; DIFRANCESCO M; RONCHITELLI R; CARONE M; DIGREGORIO D; DIPAOLO G; PASQUALE M; COREA L; COCCHIERI M; ALUNNI G; PAPI L; CHIRIATTI G; LUPETTI M; GAZZOLA U; ARRUZZOLI S; VILLANI GQ; MELLINI M; MADRUZZA L; PIAZZA R; MICHELI G; FRANCHINI C; BECHI S; MARTINES C; MARCHESE D; GABBIA G; BIGALLI A; CIUTI M; CABANI E; DELCITERNA F; ALFIERI A; CHITI M; LONGHINI J; CODELUPPI P; NEGRELLI M; ZANUTTINI D; NICOLOSI GL; MARTIN G; PETRELLA A; BARDAZZI L; BIANCO GA; CELLAMARE G; GIANNELLI F; LICITRA G; LICITRA R; LETTICA GV; TUMIOTTO G; BELLANTI G; BOSI S; CASALI G; MONDUCCI I; BARONE A; PARENTI F; HEYMAN J; COZZI E; BALDACCI G; BACCOS D; BRIGHI F; DESANCTIS A; BOCK R; PALMIERI M; ROSSI F; AMATI P; SEMPRINI P; NARDELLI A; BOTTERO G; VARTOLO C; MILAZZOTTO F; DICROCE G; DIMARIO F; ANGRISANI G; AZZOLINI P; NEJA CP; MANZOLI U; ROSSI E; TRANI C; MASINI V; SEBASTIANI F; TOPAI M; BORGIA MC; LUCIANI C; FERRI F; DEPAOLA D; CAPURSO S; TUGNOLI F; VETTA C; ALTIERI T; BORZI M; VISCOMI A; STRIANO U; SALITURI S; ZONZIN P; FIORENCIS R; BADIN A; RAVERA B; BALDI C; SILVESTRI F; ALLEMANO P; REYNAUD S; SANSON A; MILANI L; DESIMONE MV; RUSSO A; VILLELLA A; GRAZINI M; AMIDEI S; ANSELMI L; PICCANICOLINO R; MASCELLI G; TAGLIAMONTE A; MESSINA V; TEDESCHI C; BOSSI M; BISIOLI M; TACCHI G; PAGNI G; VIVALDI F; IBBA GV; SANNIA L; PEDRAZZINI F; BAGNI E; FABII S; ALVINO A; ANTONIELLI E; DORONZO B; MARTINENGO E; BECCHI G; SALMOIRAGHI A; DIGIOVANNA F; CARAMANNO G; CAPORICCI D; BRUN M; GIANI P; FERRARIO G; PECI P; RONCONI G; SKOUSE D; BIANCHI C; GIUSTINIANI S; CUCCHI GF; TAVASCI E; SILVERII A; MARCELLINI G; SPECA G; STANISCIA D; CIMINO A; SERAFINI N; DEBONIS P; CERRUTI P; BAZZUCCHI M; DALPRA F; SPEROTTO C; MOLE GD; BARBANO G; POMARI F; GASCHINO G; PARIGI A; GANDOLFO N; RONDONI F; BRUSCA A; DILEO M; GOLZIO PG; ABRATE M; SCLAVO MG; ROCCI R; POGGIO G; GIANI S; CUZZUCREA D; BRASCHI GB; SCIACCA R; SAMMARTANO A; FURLANELLO F; BRAITO G; CUZZATO V; TOTIS O; FAURETTO F; LEO F; GALATI A; PALMA P; CAMERINI F; MORGERA T; BARBIERI L; FERUGLIO GA; SLAVICK GA; FRESCO C; CUDA A; SARNICOLA P; ARZILLO P; BINAGHI G; MACCHI G; CALVERI G; DIMARCO G; LEVANTESI G; PANERAI C; CATURELLI G; FACCHIN L; SARTORE G; ZARDINI P; MARINO P; CARBONIERI E; NAVA S; MAZZINI C; NAVA R; SERRA N; SASSARA M; NICROSINI F; GANDOLFI P; BERGOGNONI G; BALLESTRA AM; VIOLO CVOLPI A; DEVITA C; FRANZOSI MG; GERACI E; MAGGIONI AP; MAURI F; NEGRI E; SANTORO E; TAVAZZI L; TOGNONI G; FERUGLIO GA; LOTTO A; ROVELLI F; SOLINAS P; TAVAZZI L; TOGNONI G; BRUNO M; CAPPELLO T; COPPINI A; FINCATI F; MANTOVANI G; PANGRAZZI J; POGNA M; TURAZZA FM; ANSELMI M; BARBONAGLIA L; BIGI R; CAVALLI A; FRIGERIO M; GIORDANO A; GUALTIEROTTI C; TORTA D; CAROLA R; GIORDANO F; BARLOTTI R; LOPARCO G; VIGLINO GL; RUGGERI G; GIAMUNDO L; DANESI A; PACIARONI E; GAMBINI C; URBANO G; PURCARO A; FRANCESCONI M; FIGLIOLIA S; CANNONE M; ANTOLINI R; DEVOTI G; CRISTALLINI P; PORCIELLO PI; TEONI P; BURALI A; ZUCCONELLI V; DEMATTEIS C; IERVOGLINI A; SCATASTA M; AMABILI S; CARATTI CA; ZOLA G; FERRAGUTO P; SALICI G; CENTARO A; ROTIROTI D; GENOVESE M; GINEVRINO P; DAMATO N; ALTAMURA CM; COLONNA L; CASTELLANETA G; BOVENZI F; MESSINA D; GALANTINO A; CAMPOREALE N; CUCCHINI F; CAMPOSTELLA L; MALACRIDA R; GENONI M; PELLEGRINI P; BRIDDA A; RIGGI L; ACONE L; MOSCATIELLO G; BRUNO A; INVERNIZZI G; TESPILI M; GUAGLIUMI G; CASARI A; ALBANO T; TOMASSINI B; TORTA D; DIBIASE G; SCARAMUZZINO G; RUGGERO S; BRACCHETTI D; DECASTRO U; FULVI M; BRAITO E; ERLICHER A; OBERLECHNER W; GAGLIARDI RS; BIGHIGNOLI L; BONIZZATO G; RIZZI GM; SCAZZINA L; PERRINI A; STRANEO G; STRANEO U; SCIRE A; VERRIENTI A; GUADALUPI M; STORELLI A; ZUCCA L; DABUSTI M; ALBONICO B; DEPETRA V; TABACCHI GC; SCERVINO R; MEREU D; MAXIA P; BIANCO A; CRABU E; MANGIAMELI S; CENTAMORE G; MALFITANO D; AMICO C; VANCHERI F; SANTOPUOLI G; BALDINI F; PANTALEONI A; CONTESSOTTO F; TERLIZZI R; MERIGHI A; TURCHI E; TEGLIO V; PIGNATTI F; PEZZANA A; GOZZOLINO G; GIGLIO M; PETTINATI G; IEVA M; CIRICUGNO S; CORREALE E; ROMANO S; DIFUCCIA A; CASTELLANO B; NATALE A; CERNETTI C; CELEGON L; CANDELPERGHER G; ARIENZO F; RUSSO F; DEVIVO L; MAY L; ACHILLI G; BLASI A; SORRENTINO F; DATO A; GALLONE P; PALUMBO C; DELLAMONICA R; PAGANO L; ALBERTI A; ORSELLI L; DEPONTI C; PARMIGIANI ML; FERRARI M; ACITO P; BUSI F; DELLAVITTORIA G; BELLET C; BORTOLINI F; ROSSI A; CORONA C; BONDI S; NICCOLINI D; GAMBERI G; ARCURI G; MAIOLINO P; CARROZZA A; DELIO U; CAPRETTI G; MARINONI C; GUASCONI C; SONNINO S; PAGLIEI M; FERRARI G; LOMBARDI R; AGNELLI D; DERINALDIS G; CALCAGNILE A; SIGNORELLI S; BENDINELLI S; LUSETTI L; MOLLAIOLI M; COSMI F; PLASTINA F; VENNERI N; FERACO E; CATELLI P; POLUZZI C; DISTANTE S; BIANCHI C; COPPETTI S; ZAMPAGLIONE G; GATTO C; ZURLO R; USLENGHI E; MARGARIA F; MILANESE U; LOMANTO B; ZIACCHI V; RIVA D; BERTOCCHI P; TIRELLA G; DAULERIO M; SAURO G; BINI A; MAZZONI V; POGGI P; MARESTA A; JACOPI F; PATRONCINI A; PUPITA F; GAGGI S; FRAUSINI G; ANTONIOLI GE; MALACARNE C; CODECA L; CAPPATO R; ANDREOLI L; VARACCA S; BUIO E; FAZZINI PF; PUCCI P; SARRO F; VERGASSOLA R; BARCHIELLI M; DEMATTEIS D; CARRONE M; BRUNOZZI LT; MENICONI L; LIBERATI R; RADOGNA M; TALLONE M; CONTE R; IERI A; ZIPOLI A; SANSONI M; CANZIANI R; GUIDALI P; CRISTALLO E; MARIELLO F; MUZIO L; BENVENUTO MR; BALDINI MR; VECCHIO C; CHIARELLA F; FALCIDIENO M; CECCHI A; GIULIANO G; SEU V; PERUGINI P; TOSELLI A; BASSO F; CORTI E; ROSSI P; DELFINO R; CAPONNETTO S; GNECCO G; GHIGLIOTTI G; PENNESI A; LOMBARDI G; RUGGIERI A; BERTOLO L; SLOMP L; LANZETTA T; MAZZARONE L; CRESTI A; BELLODI G; ZUARINI AM; VENERI L; PARCHI C; GIOVANELLI N; NEGRONI S; DETHOMATIS M; BARGHINI A; MARINO E; RICCI D; LEMME P; DIGIACOMO U; AQUARO G; RONZANI G; OTTELLO B; VONTI V; MORETTI S; PALERMO R; MARSILI P; SIDERI F; RAGAZZINI G; GRAMENZI S; BATTISTINI S; DIODATO T; VALERIO A; TUCCI C; DEPASQUALE B; GELFO PG; BERTULLA A; BOLLINI R; DEMARCHI E; BACCA F; DEGIORGI V; LOCATELLI V; SAVOIA MT; FERRACINI C; BARBARESI F; COTOGNI A; FRANCO G; ROMANO S; PASSONI F; DURBANO M; MORETTI G; PEROTTI S; CAPRETTI M; DELBENE P; CASCONE M; BALDINI U; ORLANDI M; ODDONE A; CAIZZI V; MASINI G; LAZZARI M; BALLERINI B; BOZZI L; MOCETTI T; BERTOLINI A; PASOTTI E; SANGUINETTI M; MANTOVANI R; TOGNOLI T; MAGGI A; TUSA M; CAMERONI E; GUERRA GP; REGGIANI A; REDAELLI S; GIUSTI S; TANTALO L; RIZZI A; DIGIOVANNI N; GUZZO V; GABRIELE M; COLOMBO G; ALBERZONI A; SALVIOLI G; GALFETTI F; DOVICO E; BELLUZZI F; GOLA E; CASELLATO F; LECCHI G; CONSOLO F; SACCA CB; CONSOLO A; PICCOLO E; GASPARINI G; DEVITA C; ALBERTI A; MASSA D; BELLI C; DOSSENA MG; CORSINI C; SANNA GP; AZZOLLINI M; TRUAZZA F; LOTTO A; NADOR F; DEMARTINI M; BOZZI G; SEREGNI R; PASTINE I; MORPURGO M; CASAZZA F; REGALIA F; MAGGIOLINI S; RIGO R; PANCALDI S; POZZETTI D; PASCOTTO P; FRANCESCHI L; DAINESE F; MELINI L; CAPPELLI C; BERNARDI C; PALMIERI M; BORGIONI L; ZILIO G; SANDRI R; ALITTO F; MASARO G; VALAGUSSA F; SCHIAVINA R; RAVESI D; DANIELLO L; PIANTADOSI FR; BARRA P; ROMEO D; MININNI N; SEVERINO S; MOSTACCI M; CASTELLARI M; BANDA D; ROLANDI R; VILLA WD; CARBONE V; ALLEGRI M; FASCIOLO L; PITTALIS M; MUREDDU V; SORO F; DELEDDA MG; MARRAS E; MARCHI SM; DELUCA C; MANETTA M; VOLTA SD; SPERANDEO V; DONZELLI M; VITRANO MG; GERACI E; PITROLO F; LAMONICA S; BELLANCA G; MESSINA G; MIRTO U; RAINERI A; TRAINA M; DIBENEDETTO A; RIBAUDO E; DIFRANCESCO M; RONCHITELLI R; CARONE M; DIGREGORIO D; DIPAOLO G; PASQUALE M; COREA L; COCCHIERI M; ALUNNI G; PAPI L; CHIRIATTI G; LUPETTI M; GAZZOLA U; ARRUZZOLI S; VILLANI GQ; MELLINI M; MADRUZZA L; PIAZZA R; MICHELI G; FRANCHINI C; BECHI S; MARTINES C; MARCHESE D; GABBIA G; BIGALLI A; CIUTI M; CABANI E; DELCITERNA F; ALFIERI A; CHITI M; LONGHINI J; CODELUPPI P; NEGRELLI M; ZANUTTINI D; NICOLOSI GL; MARTIN G; PETRELLA A; BARDAZZI L; BIANCO GA; CELLAMARE G; GIANNELLI F; LICITRA G; LICITRA R; LETTICA GV; TUMIOTTO G; BELLANTI G; BOSI S; CASALI G; MONDUCCI I; BARONE A; PARENTI F; HEYMAN J; COZZI E; BALDACCI G; BACCOS D; BRIGHI F; DESANCTIS A; BOCK R; PALMIERI M; ROSSI F; AMATI P; SEMPRINI P; NARDELLI A; BOTTERO G; VARTOLO C; MILAZZOTTO F; DICROCE G; DIMARIO F; ANGRISANI G; AZZOLINI P; NEJA CP; MANZOLI U; ROSSI E; TRANI C; MASINI V; SEBASTIANI F; TOPAI M; BORGIA MC; LUCIANI C; FERRI F; DEPAOLA D; CAPURSO S; TUGNOLI F; VETTA C; ALTIERI T; BORZI M; VISCOMI A; STRIANO U; SALITURI S; ZONZIN P; FIORENCIS R; BADIN A; RAVERA B; BALDI C; SILVESTRI F; ALLEMANO P; REYNAUD S; SANSON A; MILANI L; DESIMONE MV; RUSSO A; VILLELLA A; GRAZINI M; AMIDEI S; ANSELMI L; PICCANICOLINO R; MASCELLI G; TAGLIAMONTE A; MESSINA V; TEDESCHI C; BOSSI M; BISIOLI M; TACCHI G; PAGNI G; VIVALDI F; IBBA GV; SANNIA L; PEDRAZZINI F; BAGNI E; FABII S; ALVINO A; ANTONIELLI E; DORONZO B; MARTINENGO E; BECCHI G; SALMOIRAGHI A; DIGIOVANNA F; CARAMANNO G; CAPORICCI D; BRUN M; GIANI P; FERRARIO G; PECI P; RONCONI G; SKOUSE D; BIANCHI C; GIUSTINIANI S; CUCCHI GF; TAVASCI E; SILVERII A; MARCELLINI G; SPECA G; STANISCIA D; CIMINO A; SERAFINI N; DEBONIS P; CERRUTI P; BAZZUCCHI M; DALPRA F; SPEROTTO C; MOLE GD; BARBANO G; POMARI F; GASCHINO G; PARIGI A; GANDOLFO N; RONDONI F; BRUSCA A; DILEO M; GOLZIO PG; ABRATE M; SCLAVO MG; ROCCI R; POGGIO G; GIANI S; CUZZUCREA D; BRASCHI GB; SCIACCA R; SAMMARTANO A; FURLANELLO F; BRAITO G; CUZZATO V; TOTIS O; FAURETTO F; LEO F; GALATI A; PALMA P; CAMERINI F; MORGERA T; BARBIERI L; FERUGLIO GA; SLAVICK GA; FRESCO C; CUDA A; SARNICOLA P; ARZILLO P; BINAGHI G; MACCHI G; CALVERI G; DIMARCO G; LEVANTESI G; PANERAI C; CATURELLI G; FACCHIN L; SARTORE G; ZARDINI P; MARINO P; CARBONIERI E; NAVA S; MAZZINI C; NAVA R; SERRA N; SASSARA M; NICROSINI F; GANDOLFI P; BERGOGNONI G; BALLESTRA AM; VIOLO

How do cardiologists select patients for dual antiplatelet therapy continuation beyond 1 year after a myocardial infarction? Insights from the EYESHOT Post-MI Study

Background: Current guidelines suggest to consider dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) continuation for longer than 12 months in selected patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Hypothesis: We sought to assess the criteria used by cardiologists in daily practice to select patients with a history of MI eligible for DAPT continuation beyond 1 year. Methods: We analyzed data from the EYESHOT Post-MI, a prospective, observational, nationwide study aimed to evaluate the management of patients presenting to cardiologists 1 to 3 years from the last MI event. Results: Out of the 1633 post-MI patients enrolled in the study between March and December 2017, 557 (34.1%) were on DAPT at the time of enrolment, and 450 (27.6%) were prescribed DAPT after cardiologist assessment. At multivariate analyses, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with multiple stents and the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) resulted as independent predictors of DAPT continuation, while atrial fibrillation was the only independent predictor of DAPT interruption for patients both at the second and the third year from MI at enrolment and the time of discharge/end of the visit. Conclusions: Risk scores recommended by current guidelines for guiding decisions on DAPT duration are underused and misused in clinical practice. A PCI with multiple stents and a history of PAD resulted as the clinical variables more frequently associated with DAPT continuation beyond 1 year from the index MI

COMPASS criteria applied to a contemporary cohort of unselected patients with stable coronary artery diseases: insights from the START registry

Aims Recently, the cardiovascular outcomes for people using anticoagulation strategies (COMPASS) trial demonstrated that dual therapy reduced cardiovascular outcomes compared with aspirin alone in patients with stable atherosclerotic disease. Methods and We sought to assess the proportion of patients eligible for the COMPASS trial and to compare the epidemiology results and outcome of these patients with those without COMPASS inclusion or with any exclusion criteria in a contemporary, nationwide cohort of patients with stable coronary artery disease. Among the 4068 patients with detailed information allowing evaluation of eligibility, 1416 (34.8%) did not fulfil the inclusion criteria (COMPASS-Not-Included), 841 (20.7%) had exclusion criteria (COMPASS-Excluded), and the remaining 1811 (44.5%) were classified as COMPASS-Like. At 1 year, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, was 0.9% in the COMPASS-Not-Included and 2.0% in the COMPASS-Like (P = 0.01), and 5.0% in the COMPASS-Excluded group (P &lt; 0.0001 for all comparisons). Among the COMPASS-Like population, patients with multiple COMPASS enrichment criteria presented a significant increase in the risk of MACE (from 1.0% to 3.3% in those with 1 and &gt;_3 criteria, respectively; P = 0.012), and a modest absolute increase in major bleeding risk (from 0.2% to 0.4%, respectively; P = 0.46). Conclusion In a contemporary real-world cohort registry of stable coronary artery disease, most patients resulted as eligible for the COMPASS. These patients presented a considerable annual risk of MACE that consistently increases in the presence of multiple risk factors

How do cardiologists select patients for dual antiplatelet therapy continuation beyond 1 year after a myocardial infarction? Insights from the EYESHOT Post-MI Study

Background: Current guidelines suggest to consider dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) continuation for longer than 12 months in selected patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Hypothesis: We sought to assess the criteria used by cardiologists in daily practice to select patients with a history of MI eligible for DAPT continuation beyond 1 year. Methods: We analyzed data from the EYESHOT Post-MI, a prospective, observational, nationwide study aimed to evaluate the management of patients presenting to cardiologists 1 to 3 years from the last MI event. Results: Out of the 1633 post-MI patients enrolled in the study between March and December 2017, 557 (34.1%) were on DAPT at the time of enrolment, and 450 (27.6%) were prescribed DAPT after cardiologist assessment. At multivariate analyses, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with multiple stents and the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) resulted as independent predictors of DAPT continuation, while atrial fibrillation was the only independent predictor of DAPT interruption for patients both at the second and the third year from MI at enrolment and the time of discharge/end of the visit. Conclusions: Risk scores recommended by current guidelines for guiding decisions on DAPT duration are underused and misused in clinical practice. A PCI with multiple stents and a history of PAD resulted as the clinical variables more frequently associated with DAPT continuation beyond 1 year from the index MI