P2Y12 blocker monotherapy after percutaneous coronary intervention

For secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) antiplatelet therapy is essential. For patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) temporary dual antiplatelet platelet therapy (DAPT: aspirin combined with a P2Y12 blocker) is mandatory, but leads to more bleeding than single antiplatelet therapy with aspirin. Therefore, to reduce bleeding after a PCI the duration of DAPT is usually kept as short as clinically acceptable; thereafter aspirin monotherapy is administered. Another option to reduce bleeding is to discontinue aspirin at the time of DAPT cessation and thereafter to administer P2Y12 blocker monotherapy. To date, five randomised trials have been published comparing DAPT with P2Y12 blocker monotherapy in 32,181 stented patients. Also two meta-analyses addressing this novel therapy have been presented. P2Y12 blocker monotherapy showed a 50-60% reduction in major bleeding when compared to DAPT without a significant increase in ischaemic outcomes, including stent thrombosis. This survey reviews the findings in the current literature concerning P2Y12 blocker monotherapy after PCI

Screening for tuberculosis infection and effectiveness of preventive treatment among people with HIV in low-incidence settings

OBJECTIVE: To determine the yield of screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among people with HIV (PWH) in low tuberculosis (TB) incidence countries (<10 TB cases per 100 000 persons). DESIGN: To determine the yield of screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among people with HIV (PWH) in low tuberculosis (TB) incidence countries (<10 TB cases per 100 000 persons). METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched for studies reporting primary data, excluding studies on active or paediatric TB. We extracted LTBI cases, odds ratios, and TB incidences; pooled estimates using a random-effects model; and used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for bias. RESULTS: In 51 studies with 65 930 PWH, 12% [95% confidence interval (CI) 10–14] had a positive LTBI test, which was strongly associated with origin from a TB-endemic country [odds ratio (OR) 4.7] and exposure to TB (OR 2.9). Without TPT (10 629 PWH), TB incidence was 28/1000 person-years (PY; 95% CI 12–45) for LTBI-test positive versus 4/1000 PY (95% CI 0–7) for LTBI-test-negative individuals. Among 625 PWH (1644 PY) receiving TPT, 15 developed TB (6/1000 PY). An estimated 20 LTBI-positive individuals would need TPT to prevent one case of TB, and numbers NNS to detect LTBI or prevent active TB varied according to a-priori risk of LTBI. CONCLUSION: The relatively high prevalence of LTBI among PWH and the strong correlation with origin from a TB-endemic country support risk-stratified LTBI screening strategies for PWH in low-incidence countries and treating those who test positive

Current discharge management of acute coronary syndromes: data from the Rijnmond Collective Cardiology Research (CCR) study

BACKGROUND: Medical discharge management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains suboptimal outside randomised trials and constitutes an essential quality benchmark for ACS. We sought to evaluate the rates of key guideline-recommended pharmacological agents after ACS and characteristics associated with optimal treatment at discharge. METHODS: The Rijnmond Collective Cardiology Research (CCR) registry is an ongoing prospective, observational study in the Netherlands that aims to enrol 4000 patients with ACS. We examined discharge and 1-month follow-up medication use among the first 1000 patients enrolled in the CCR registry. Logistic regression was performed to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with collective guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy at hospital discharge. RESULTS: At discharge, 94 % of patients received aspirin, 100 % thienopyridines, 80 % angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-II receptor blockers, 87 % β-blockers, 96 % statins, and 65 % the combination of all 5 agents. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and enrolment in an interventional centre were positive independent predictors of 5-drug combination therapy at discharge. Negative independent predictors were unstable angina and advanced age. CONCLUSION: Current data from the CCR registry reflect a high quality of care for ACS discharge management in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region. However, potential still remains for further optimisation

Predictors of long-term adverse events after Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation: a 1,933-patient pooled analysis from international registries

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of long-term adverse clinical events after implantation of the everolimus-eluting Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS). Methods and results: We pooled patient-level databases derived from the large-scale ABSORB EXTEND study and five high-volume international centres. Between November 2011 and November 2015, 1,933 patients underwent PCI with a total of 2,372 Absorb BVS implanted. The median age was 61.0 (IQR 53.0 to 68.6) years, 24% had diabetes, and 68.2% presented with stable coronary artery disease. At a median follow-up of 616 days, MACE occurred in 93 (4.9%) patients, all-cause death in 36 (1.9%) patients, myocardial infarction in 47 (2.5%) patients, and target vessel revascularisation in 72 (3.8%) patients. Definite or probable scaffold thrombosis occurred in 26 (1.3%) patients. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, acute coronary syndromes (hazard ratio [HR] 2.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47 to 5.29; p=0.002), dyslipidaemia (HR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.23 to 1.79; p=0.007), scaffold/reference diameter ratio &gt;1.25 (HR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.88; p=0.001), and residual stenosis &gt;15% (HR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.34 to 2.07; p&lt;0.001) were independent predictors of MACE, whereas the use of intravascular imaging was independently associated with a reduction in MACE (HR 0.13, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.28; p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: Optimal Absorb BVS implantation and the use of intravascular imaging guidance are associated with lower rates of adverse events at long-term follow-up

Initial experience with everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds for treatment of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction

Aims: Limited data are currently available on midterm outcomes after implantation of everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) for treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods and results: Patients presenting with STEMI and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the initial experience with BVS were evaluated and compared with patients treated with everolimus-eluting metal stents (EES) by applying propensity matching. Quantitative coronary angiography analysis, and 18-month clinical follow-up were reported. A total of 302 patients were analysed, 151 with BVS and 151 with EES. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between groups. Final TIMI 3 flow was 87.4% vs. 86.1%, p=0.296. At 18-month follow-up, all-cause mortality was 2.8% vs. 3.0% in the BVS and EES groups respectively, p=0.99; the MACE rate was higher in the BVS group (9.8% vs. 3.6%, p=0.02); target lesion revascularisation was 5.7% vs. 1.3%, p=0.05. The 30-day MACE rate in BVS patients without post-dilatation was 6.8%, while in patients with post-dilatation it was 3.6%. Scaffold thrombosis (ST) occurred primarily in the acute phase (acute ST 2.1% vs. 0.7%, p=0.29; subacute 0.7% vs. 0.7%, p=0.99; late 0.0% vs. 0.0%; very late 1.5% vs. 0.0%, p=0.18). All three BVS cases with acute ST had no post-dilatation at the index procedure. Conclusions: STEMI patients treated during the early experience with BVS had similar acute angiographic results as compared with the EES group. Clinical midterm follow-up data showed a higher clinical events rate compared with metal stents. The majority of clinical events occurred in the early phase after implantation and mainly in cases without post-dilatation. Optimisation of the implantation technique in the acute clinical setting is of paramount importance for optimal short and mid-term outcomes

Pharmaco-invasive therapy: Early implementation of statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors after acute coronary syndrome

Elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) plays a major role in atheroma formation and inflammation. Medical therapy to lower elevated LDL-C is the cornerstone for reducing the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Statin therapy, and more recently, other drugs such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, have proven efficacy in long-term lowering of LDL-C and therefore diminish cardiovascular risk. During an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a systemic inflammatory response can destabilize other non-culprit atherosclerotic plaques. Patients with these vulnerable plaques are at high risk of experiencing recurrent cardiovascular events in the first few years post-ACS. Initiating intensive LDL-C lowering therapy in these patients with statins or PCSK9 inhibitors can be beneficial via several pathways. High-intensity statin therapy can reduce inflammation by directly lowering LDL-C, but also through its pleiotropic effects. PCSK9 inhibitors can directly lower LDL-C to recommended guideline thresholds, and could have additional effects on inflammation and plaque stability. We discuss the potential role of early implementation of statins combined with PCSK9 inhibitors to influence these cascades and to mediate the associated cardiovascular risk, over and above the well-known long-term beneficial effects of chronic LDL-C lowering

OCT assessment of the long-term vascular healing response 5 years after everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold

AbstractBackgroundAlthough recent observations suggest a favorable initial healing process of the everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), little is known regarding long-term healing response.ObjectivesThis study assessed the in vivo vascular healing response using optical coherence tomography (OCT) 5 years after elective first-in-man BVS implantation.MethodsOf the 14 living patients enrolled in the Thoraxcenter Rotterdam cohort of the ABSORB A study, 8 patients underwent invasive follow-up, including OCT, 5 years after implantation. Advanced OCT image analysis included luminal morphometry, assessment of the adluminal signal-rich layer separating the lumen from other plaque components, visual and quantitative tissue characterization, and assessment of side-branch ostia “jailed” at baseline.ResultsIn all patients, BVS struts were integrated in the vessel and were not discernible. Both minimum and mean luminal area increased from 2 to 5 years, whereas lumen eccentricity decreased over time. In most patients, plaques were covered by a signal-rich, low-attenuating layer. Minimum cap thickness over necrotic core was 155 ± 90 μm. One patient showed plaque progression and discontinuity of this layer. Side-branch ostia were preserved with tissue bridge thinning that had developed in the place of side-branch struts, creating a neo-carina.ConclusionsAt long-term BVS follow-up, we observed a favorable tissue response, with late luminal enlargement, side-branch patency, and development of a signal-rich, low-attenuating tissue layer that covered thrombogenic plaque components. The small size of the study and the observation of a different tissue response in 1 patient warrant judicious interpretation of our results and confirmation in larger studies

Are BVS suitable for ACS patients? Support from a large single center real live registry

Objectives To investigate one-year outcomes after implantation of a bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared to stable angina patients. Background Robust data on the outcome of BVS in the setting of ACS is still scarce. Methods Two investigator initiated, single-center, single-arm BVS registries have been pooled for the purpose of this study, namely the BVS Expand and BVS STEMI registries. Results From September 2012-Octob

Angiographic and Optical Coherence Tomography Insights into Bioresorbable Scaffold Thrombosis: Single-Center Experience

Background - As bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) are being increasingly used in complex real-world lesions and populations, BVS thrombosis cases have been repo