A Clinical Evaluation of Primary Angioplasty and Stenting in Acute Myocardial Infarction

In 1949 the fibrinolytic effect of streptococcal fibrinolysin (streptokinase) was described for the treatment of fibrous, pUl1llent or sanguineous pleural exudations. The effect of this lytic agent in patients with acute myocardial infarction was described by Fletcher in 1958. In the late nineteensevcnties the pathofysiologic mechanism underlying acute myocardial infarction was recognised. In the majority of patients with acute myocardial infarction a completely occluded coronary artery is present at immediate angiography, caused by the formation of a platelet rich thrombus on reptured atherosclerotic plaque. Reperfusion therapy is aimed at removal of this obstructing clot which can be achieved by t1uombolytic agents (given directly into the coronary artery or intrav

Everolimus- and sirolimus-eluting stents in patients with and without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Aims Everolimus-eluting stents (EES) were superior to sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in a dedicated myocardial infarction trial, a finding that was not observed in trials with low percentages of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Therefore, this study sought to investigate the influence of clinical presentation on outcome after EES and SES implantation. Methods A pooled population of 1602 randomised patients was formed from XAMI (acute MI trial) and APPENDIXAMI (all-comer trial). Primary outcome was cardiac mortality, MI and target vessel revascularisation at 2 years. Secondary endpoints included definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST). Adjustment was done using Cox regression. Results In total, 902 EES and 700 SES patientswere included, of which 44%STEMI patients (EES 455; SES 257) and 56% without STEMI (EES 447; SES 443). In the pooled population, EES and SES showed similar outcomes during followup. Moreover, no differences in the endpoints were observed after stratification according to presentation. Although a trend toward reduced early definite/probable ST was observed in EES compared with SES in STEMI patients, long-term ST rates were low and comparable. Conclusions EES and SES showed a similar outcome during 2-year follow-up, regardless of clinical presentation. Longterm safety was excellent for both devices, despite wide inclusion criteria and a large sub-population of STEMI patients

Sex differences in characteristics and outcome in acute coronary syndrome patients in the Netherlands

Background Sex differences in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been reported, but little is known about the situation in the Netherlands. M

Antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing TAVI: An overview of Dutch hospitals

Purpose To assess current antithrombotic treatment strategies in the Netherlands in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods For every Dutch hospital performing TAVI (n =14) an interventional cardiologist experienced in performing TAVI was interviewed concerning heparin, aspirin, thienopyridine and oral anticoagulation treatment in patients undergoing TAVI. Results The response rate was 100 %. In every centre, a protocol for antithrombotic treatment after TAVI was available. Aspirin was prescribed in all centres, concomitant clopidogrel was prescribed 13 of the 14 centres. Duration of concomitant clopidogrel was 3 months in over twothirds of cases. In 2 centres, duration of concomitant clopidogrel was based upon type of prosthesis: 6 months versus 3 months for supra-annular and intra-annular prostheses, respectively. Conclusions Leaning on a small basis of evidence and recommendations, the antithrombotic policy for patients undergoing TAVI is highly variable in the Netherlands. As a standardised regimen might further reduce haemorrhagic complications, large randomised clinical trials may help to establish the most appropriate approach

Behandeling van patiënten met acute coronaire syndromen in Nederland in 2000/2001; een vergelijking met andere Europese landen en met de richtlijnen

Doel. Beschrijven of richtlijnen voor de behandeling van acuut coronair syndroom (ACS) in de dagelijkse praktijk worden toegepast, en op welke punten de behandeling verschilt tussen Nederland en de overige lidstaten van de European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Opzet. Prospectief observationeel onderzoek. Methode. In de periode 4 september 2000-15 mei 2001 werden in Nederland in 6 ziekenhuizen, en in 24 andere ESC-lidstaten in 97 ziekenhuizen, patiënten met een bevestigde diagnose van ACS geïncludeerd. Gegevens werden verzameld over de acute behandeling en secundaire preventie bij patiënten met ST-elevatie en over medicamenteuze behandeling, risicostratificatie en secundaire preventie bij patiënten zonder ST-elevatie. De bevindingen werden vergeleken met de aanbevelingen in de richtlijnen van de ESC. Resultaten. In Nederland werden 223 patiënten met ST-elevatie geïncludeerd en 198 zonder, en in de overige Europese landen respectievelijk 4208 en 5169 patiënten. De mediane leeftijd was 64-67 jaar. Het percentage mannen was 64-73. Van de patiënten met ST-elevatie die binnen 12 uur na het ontstaan van de symptomen in het ziekenhuis arriveerden, ontving 35% noch trombolyse, noch primaire percutane coronaire interventie. Zowel in Nederland als in de andere Europese landen onderging de helft van de patiënten met ST-elevatie trombolyse later dan 40 minuten en primaire percutane coronaire interventie later dan 90 minuten, na binnenkomst in het ziekenhuis. Risicoschatting door een troponinebepaling werd in Nederland vaker toegepast. Van de hoogrisicopatiënten zonder ST-elevatie onderging ruim 50% in zowel Nederland als de rest van Europa coronairangiografie. Bijna 70% en 80% van de laag-risicopatiënten zonder ST-elevatie onderging een inspanningstest en/of coronairangiografie. In Nederland werden clopidogrel, glycoproteïne-IIb/IIIa-antagonisten en statinen vaker voorgeschreven en ACE-remmers minder vaak. Conclusie. Richtlijnen voor de behandeling van ACS werden zowel in Nederland als in de rest van Europa matig gevolgd. De behandeling verschilde op diverse punten tussen Nederland en de andere landen

Peri-procedural use of rivaroxaban in elective percutaneous coronary intervention to treat stable coronary artery disease the X- PLORER trial

Patients on rivaroxaban requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a clinical conundrum. We aimed to investigate whether rivaroxaban, with or without an additional bolus of unfractionated heparin (UFH), effectively inhibits coagulation activation during PCI. Stable patients (n=108) undergoing elective PCI and on stable dual antiplatelet therapy were randomised (2:2:2:1) to a short treatment course of rivaroxaban 10 mg (n=30), rivaroxaban 20 mg (n=32), rivaroxaban 10 mg plus UFH (n=30) or standard peri-procedural UFH (n=16). Blood samples for markers of thrombin generation and coagulation activation were drawn prior to and at 0, 0.5, 2, 6–8 and 48 hours (h) after start of PCI. In patients treated with rivaroxaban (10 or 20 mg) and patients treated with rivaroxaban plus heparin, the levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 at 2 h post-PCI were 0.16 [0.1] nmol/l (median) [interquartile range, IQR] and 0.17 [0.2] nmol/l, respectively. Thrombin–antithrombin complex values at 2 h post-PCI were 3.90 [6.8] μg/l and 3.90 [10.1] μg/l, respectively, remaining below the upper reference limit (URL) after PCI and stenting. This was comparable to the control group of UFH treatment alone. However, median values for thrombin–antithrombin complex passed above the URL with increasing tendency, starting at 2 h post-PCI in the UFHalone arm but not in rivaroxaban-treated patients. In this exploratory trial, rivaroxaban effectively suppressed coagulation activation after elective PCI and stenting