Coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in women

There are important dissimilarities in clinical presentation, aggregation of comorbidities, cardiovascular risk factors and the quality of delivery of medical care among men and women with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Compared with men, despite the well-known older age and more pronounced frailty, women with ACS present later from symptom onset and are at high bleeding risk after invasive procedures. In addition, autoimmune/inflammatory disease, fibromuscular dysplasia, polycystic ovary, early menopause and history of pre-eclampsia are risk factors preceding ACS among younger women. They more often experience myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), which makes diagnosis and treatment of ACS among women more challenging compared with men. Women and men do both benefit from guideline-recommended treatment, although, compared with men, women with ACS have a higher adjusted risk of early death, which equalises between both sexes within the first year. Young women with ACS suffer frequently of depression and present often with MINOCA. Compared with young men, they (young women) have a higher risk of death. Therefore, focusing on young patients with ACS, understanding the particular physiopathology of MINOCA and developing programmes targeting comorbidities and depression-related behavioural risk factors are urgently needed

ST-segment resolution after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background: The association between ST-segment resolution and clinical outcome in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) remains unclear. Recent studies on the association between ST-segment resolution and mortality have given conflicting results. We undertook this study to assess whether ST-segment resolution in electrocardiograms recorded 90&#8211;120 min after initiation of PPCI predicts long-term mortality in patients with STEMI. Methods: The study included 900 patients with STEMI presenting within the first 24 h after symptom onset who were treated with PPCI. The ST-segment resolution was assessed in electrocardiograms recorded 90&#8211;120 min after the first balloon inflation. The ST-segment resolution was dichotomized as follows: < 30% (no resolution), 30% to &le; 70% (partial resolution) and > 70% (complete resolution). The primary endpoint was five-year mortality. Results: ST-segment resolution was < 30% in 263 (29.0%) patients, between 30% and &le; 70% in 356 (40.0%) patients and > 70% in 281 (31.0%) patients. There were 62 deaths during the follow-up. In patients with ST-segment resolution < 30%, 30 to &le; 70% and > 70%, the Kaplan-Meier estimates of mortality were 8.3% (n = 17 deaths), 11.5% (n = 29 deaths) and 6.8% (n = 16 deaths), respectively; unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46&#8211;1.67, p = 0.695 for ST-segment resolution > 70% vs < 30%; adjusted HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.61&#8211;1.33; p = 0.607, for ST-segment resolution > 70% vs ST-segment resolution < 30%. Conclusions: In patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI, ST-segment resolution in electrocardiograms recorded 90&#8211;120 min after initiation of PPCI did not predict long-term mortality. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 1: 61&#8211;69

Vessel Size and Outcome After Coronary Drug-Eluting Stent Placement Results From a Large Cohort of Patients Treated With Sirolimus- or Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents

ObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the influence of vessel size on the outcomes of patients after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.BackgroundThere are no dedicated studies on the influence of vessel size on the outcomes of patients treated with different DES.MethodsThe study population was composed of 2,058 consecutive patients who received sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) or paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES). Patients were grouped into tertiles according to vessel size (<2.41 mm in the lower tertile, 2.41 to 2.84 mm in the middle tertile, and >2.84 mm in the upper tertile). The primary end point was target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary end points were binary angiographic restenosis and the composite of death or myocardial infarction.ResultsVessel size did not influence the composite end point of death and myocardial infarction. The TLR rates were higher among patients in the lower tertile (12.1%) as compared with the middle (8.4%) and upper (8.0%) tertiles (p = 0.02). In a multivariate analysis, vessel size emerged an independent predictor of TLR (p = 0.009). The model showed also a significant interaction between DES type and vessel size regarding TLR (p = 0.008). There was a significant difference in TLR rates among patients treated with SESs (8.6%) and PESs (16.4%) in the lower tertile (p = 0.002), but not in the middle and upper tertiles.ConclusionsThe influence of vessel size on restenosis is related to the specific DES used, with SESs providing better outcomes than PESs in small but not in large coronary vessels

Periprocedural Bleeding and 1-Year Outcome After Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Appropriateness of Including Bleeding as a Component of a Quadruple End Point

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between bleeding within the 30 days after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and 1-year mortality and to assess the appropriateness of inclusion of the periprocedural bleeding in a quadruple composite end point to assess PCI outcome.BackgroundPeriprocedural bleeding is one of the most frequent complications of PCI.MethodsThis study included 5,384 patients from 4 randomized placebo-controlled trials on the value of abciximab after pre-treatment with 600 mg of clopidogrel: ISAR-REACT, -SWEET, -SMART-2, and –REACT-2. Bleeding—defined according to the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction criteria—included all bleeding events within 30 days after enrollment. The primary end point was 1-year mortality.ResultsIn the 4 trials, within the first 30 days there were 42 deaths (0.8%), 314 myocardial infarctions (MIs) (5.8%), 52 urgent revascularizations (1.0%), and 215 bleeding complications (4.0%). Mortality at 1 year was 3.6% (n = 197). A Cox proportional hazards model revealed that the 30-day occurrence of bleeding (hazard ratio [HR] 2.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.96 to 4.48; p < 0.001), MI (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.52 to 3.46; p < 0.001) and urgent revascularization (HR 2.49, 95% CI 1.16 to 5.35; p = 0.019) independently predicted 1-year mortality. The c statistic was 0.79 for bleeding, 0.78 for MI, and 0.78 for urgent revascularization, demonstrating a comparable discriminatory power of these adverse events for predicting 1-year mortality.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates a strong relationship between the 30-day frequency of bleeding and 1-year mortality after PCI and supports the inclusion of periprocedural bleeding in a 30-day quadruple end point for the assessment of outcome after PCI

Hybrid Surgery for Severe Mitral Valve Calcification: Limitations and Caveats for an Open Transcatheter Approach

Background and Objectives: Mitral stenosis with extensive mitral annular calcification (MAC) remains surgically challenging in respect to clinical outcome. Prolonged surgery time with imminent ventricular rupture and systolic anterior motion can be considered as a complex of causal factors. The aim of our alternative hybrid approach was to reduce the risk of annual rupture and paravalvular leaks and to avoid obstruction of the outflow tract. A review of the current literature was also carried out. Materials and Methods: Six female patients (mean age 76 +/- 9 years) with severe mitral valve stenosis and severely calcified annulus underwent an open implantation of an Edwards Sapien 3 prosthesis on cardiopulmonary bypass. Our hybrid approach involved resection of the anterior mitral leaflet, placement of anchor sutures and the deployment of a balloon expanded prosthesis under visual control. Concomitant procedures were carried out in three patients. Results: The mean duration of cross-clamping was 95 +/- 31 min and cardiopulmonary bypass was 137 +/- 60 min. The perioperative TEE showed in three patients an inconspicuous, heart valve-typical gradient on all implanted prostheses and a clinically irrelevant paravalvular leakage occurred in the anterior annulus. In the left ventricular outflow tract, mild to moderately elevated gradients were recorded. No adverse cerebrovascular events and pacemaker implantations were observed. All but one patient survived to discharge. Survival at one year was 83.3%. Conclusions: This off label implantation of the Edwards Sapien 3 prosthesis may be considered as a suitable bail-out approach for patients at high-risk for mitral valve surgery or deemed inoperable due to extensive MAC

Impact of Coronary Anatomy and Stenting Technique on Long-Term Outcome After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation for Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the impact of anatomic and procedural variables on the outcome of the unprotected left main coronary artery (uLMCA) itself after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.BackgroundThere is a controversial debate regarding when and how to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for an uLMCA stenosis.MethodsThis analysis is based on a randomized study of 607 patients undergoing PCI for uLMCA, randomized 1:1 to receive paclitaxel- or sirolimus-eluting stents. We evaluated the impact of the SYNTAX score, uLMCA anatomy, and stenting technique on in-stent restenosis (ISR), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and the 3-year outcomes.ResultsThe 3-year cardiac mortality rate was 5.8%; 235 (39%) patients had a true bifurcation lesion (TBL), and the median SYNTAX score was 27. TBL was associated with a higher need for multiple stents (72% vs. 37%, p < 0.001). TBL was a significant predictor of ISR (23% vs. 14%, p = 0.008) and for TLR (18% vs. 9%, p < 0.001). The need for multiple stents was a predictor of ISR (22% vs. 13%, p = 0.005) and for TLR (16% vs. 9%, p = 0.005). Culotte stenting showed better results compared with T-stenting for ISR (21% vs. 56%, p = 0.02) and for TLR (15% vs. 56%, p < 0.001). We observed a significant association between uLMCA-TLR and SYNTAX scores (9.2% for scores ≤22, 14.9% for scores 23 to 32, and 13.0% for scores ≥33, p = 0.008).ConclusionsPCI of uLMCA lesions with DES is safe and effective out to 3 years. TBL and multiple stents were independent predictors for ISR. In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors for TLR were TBL, age, and EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation). (Drug-Eluting-Stents for Unprotected Left Main Stem Disease [ISAR-LEFT-MAIN]; NCT00133237

Hybrid Surgery for Severe Mitral Valve Calcification: Limitations and Caveats for an Open Transcatheter Approach

Background and Objectives: Mitral stenosis with extensive mitral annular calcification (MAC) remains surgically challenging in respect to clinical outcome. Prolonged surgery time with imminent ventricular rupture and systolic anterior motion can be considered as a complex of causal factors. The aim of our alternative hybrid approach was to reduce the risk of annual rupture and paravalvular leaks and to avoid obstruction of the outflow tract. A review of the current literature was also carried out. Materials and Methods: Six female patients (mean age 76 9 years) with severe mitral valve stenosis and severely calcified annulus underwent an open implantation of an Edwards Sapien 3 prosthesis on cardiopulmonary bypass. Our hybrid approach involved resection of the anterior mitral leaflet, placement of anchor sutures and the deployment of a balloon expanded prosthesis under visual control. Concomitant procedures were carried out in three patients. Results: The mean duration of cross-clamping was 95 31 min and cardiopulmonary bypass was 137 60 min. The perioperative TEE showed in three patients an inconspicuous, heart valve-typical gradient on all implanted prostheses and a clinically irrelevant paravalvular leakage occurred in the anterior annulus. In the left ventricular outflow tract, mild to moderately elevated gradients were recorded. No adverse cerebrovascular events and pacemaker implantations were observed. All but one patient survived to discharge. Survival at one year was 83.3%. Conclusions: This “off label” implantation of the Edwards Sapien 3 prosthesis may be considered as a suitable bail-out approach for patients at high-risk for mitral valve surgery or deemed inoperable due to extensive MAC