American Journal of Cardiology

Causes of Death in Patients ≥75 Years of Age With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

2013-03-29

The causes of death within 1 year of hospital admission in patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes are ill defined, particularly in patients aged ≥75 years. From January 2008 through May 2010, we enrolled 645 patients aged ≥75 years with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: 313 in a randomized trial comparing an early aggressive versus an initially conservative approach, and 332, excluded from the trial for specific reasons, in a parallel registry. Each death occurring during 1 year of follow-up was adjudicated by an independent committee. The mean age was 82 years in both study cohorts, and 53% were men. By the end of the follow-up period (median 369 days, interquartile range 345 to 391), 120 patients (18.6%) had died. The mortality was significantly greater in the registry (23.8% vs 13.1%, p = 0.001). The deaths were classified as cardiac in 94% of the cases during the index admission and 68% of the cases during the follow-up period. Eighty-six percent of the cardiac deaths were of ischemic origin. In a multivariate logistic regression model that included the variables present on admission in the whole study population, the ejection fraction (hazard ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.94 to 0.97; p <0.001), hemoglobin level (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.76 to 0.94; p = 0.001), older age (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.10, p = 0.010), and creatinine clearance (hazard ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.97 to 0.99; p = 0.030) were the independent predictors of all-cause death at 1 year. In conclusion, within 1 year after admission for non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, most deaths in patients aged ≥75 years have a cardiac origin, mostly owing to myocardial ischemia.

Effects of Ivabradine and Ranolazine in Patients With Microvascular Angina Pectoris

2013-04-03

Patients with microvascular angina (MVA) often have persistence of symptoms despite full classical anti-ischemic therapy. In this study, we assessed the effect of ivabradine and ranolazine in MVA patients. We randomized 46 patients with stable MVA (effort angina, positive exercise stress test [EST], normal coronary angiography, coronary flow reserve <2.5), who had symptoms inadequately controlled by standard anti-ischemic therapy, to ivabradine (5 mg twice daily), ranolazine (375 mg twice daily), or placebo for 4 weeks. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), EuroQoL scale, and EST were assessed at baseline and after treatment. Coronary microvascular dilation in response to adenosine and to cold pressor test and peripheral endothelial function (by flow-mediated dilation) were also assessed. Both drugs improved SAQ items and EuroQoL scale compared with placebo (p <0.01 for all), with ranolazine showing some more significant effects compared with ivabradine, on some SAQ items and EuroQoL scale (p <0.05). Time to 1-mm ST-segment depression and EST duration were improved by ranolazine compared with placebo. No effects on coronary microvascular function and on flow-mediated dilation were observed with drugs or placebo. In conclusion, ranolazine and ivabradine may have a therapeutic role in MVA patients with inadequate control of symptoms in combination with usual anti-ischemic therapy.

Exercise Stress Tests for Detecting Myocardial Ischemia in Asymptomatic Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

2013-04-10

The predominant cause of death in diabetes mellitus (DM) is coronary artery disease (CAD). Little is known about prevalence of silent ischemia in developing nations. We compared prevalence of silent ischemia in DM to a control group by exercise myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and electrocardiogram (ECG) in developing nations. The prospective multinational Ischemia Assessment with Exercise imaging in Asymptomatic Diabetes study recruited participants at 12 sites in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. DM participants were age- and gender-matched 2:1 to non-DM individuals with ≥1 CAD risk factor. Subjects underwent exercise tests that were interpreted in core labs in blinded fashion. The study included 392 DM and 205 control participants. Among participants with diagnostic ECGs, a similar proportion of DM and controls had ischemic ECG (15% vs 12%, p = 0.5). A significantly higher proportion of DM group had MPI abnormalities compared with controls (26% vs 14%, p <0.001). In participants with ischemia on MPI, only 17% had ischemic ECG, whereas in those without ischemia on MPI, 10% had ischemic ECG. In a multivariable model, DM was independently associated with abnormal MPI (odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.3–3.5, p = 0.004). Women were less likely to have ischemia by MPI than men (10% vs 30%, p <0.001) and concordance between ECG and MPI was much worse in women. In conclusion, in this large prospective study, asymptomatic DM participants had (1) more ischemia by exercise MPI than ECG, (2) more ischemia by MPI but not ECG than control group, and (3) ischemia by MPI was less in women than men.

Usefulness of Preprocedural Levels of Advanced Glycation End Products to Predict Restenosis in Patients With Controlled Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation for Stable Angina Pectoris (From the Prospective ARMYDA-AGEs Study)

2013-04-04

Diabetes mellitus (DM) remains the main predictor of restenosis rates and cardiovascular events following successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) despite the use of drug-eluting stents (DES). HbA1c <6.0% is considered an index of optimized metabolic control in patients with DM, but several studies are downsizing its role in the clinical management of these patients. Increasing evidence points at the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in restenosis pathogenesis independently on Hb1AC levels. Thus, we investigated the predictive value of preprocedural AGE levels for in-stent restenosis in a population of euglycaemic diabetic patients undergoing PCI with DES implantation. One hundred twenty-five consecutive patients with DM in optimized glycemic control admitted for stable angina pectoris and treated with elective DES implantation at a tertiary hospital were prospectively included. The primary end point of the ARMYDA-AGEs study was to compare rates of angiographic ISR at 6 months after the intervention according to pre-PCI levels of AGEs. Secondary end points were the correlations of AGE levels with occurrence of periprocedural myocardial damage, major adverse cardiac events, and in-stent late loss at 6-month control coronary angiography. AGE levels >17 μM was found to be an independent predictor of ISR at 6 months and stent lumen loss. AGEs failed to predict occurrence of secondary endpoints. In conclusion, elevated AGE levels predict occurrence of in-stent restenosis after DES implantation in patients with DM on optimized glycemic control and might represent a dosable marker of adverse outcome after PCI.

Development and Validation of a Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Model in Patients With Established Coronary Artery Disease

2013-04-03

Appropriate risk stratification of patients with established, stable coronary artery disease could contribute to the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate risk prediction models for various cardiovascular end points in the EURopean trial On reduction of cardiac events with Perindopril in stable coronary Artery disease (EUROPA) database, consisting of 12,218 patients with established coronary artery disease, with a median follow-up of 4.1 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used for model development. The end points examined were cardiovascular mortality, noncardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous coronary intervention, resuscitated cardiac arrest, and combinations of these end points. The performance measures included Nagelkerke's R2, time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curves, and calibration plots. Backward selection resulted in a prediction model for cardiovascular mortality (464 events) containing age, current smoking, diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol, body mass index, previous myocardial infarction, history of congestive heart failure, peripheral vessel disease, previous revascularization, and previous stroke. The model performance was adequate for this end point, with a Nagelkerke R2 of 12%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.73. However, the performance of models constructed for nonfatal and combined end points was considerably worse, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of about 0.6. In conclusion, in patients with established coronary artery disease, the risk of cardiovascular mortality during longer term follow-up can be adequately predicted using the clinical characteristics available at baseline. However, the prediction of nonfatal outcomes, both separately and combined with fatal outcomes, poses major challenges for clinicians and model developers.

Coronary Superficial and Spotty Calcium Deposits in Culprit Coronary Lesions of Acute Coronary Syndrome as Determined by Optical Coherence Tomography

2013-03-29

The characteristics of coronary artery calcium responsible for vulnerable plaque remain incompletely elucidated. We used optical coherence tomography to investigate the characteristics of coronary calcium in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and stable angina pectoris (SAP). We evaluated calcium deposits in the culprit lesions (30-mm segment) using optical coherence tomography in 187 patients with AMI (n = 44), UAP (n = 73), or SAP (n = 70). The arc, area, and length of calcium were significantly smaller in those with AMI and UAP than in those with SAP (p <0.001). The number of spotty calcium deposits (with an arc of <90°) per patient was significantly larger in the AMI and UAP groups than in the SAP group (p <0.001). The number of large calcium deposits (with an arc of >90°) per patient was significantly lower in the AMI and UAP groups than in the SAP group (p <0.001). The minimum distance between the inner edge of the calcium and the luminal surface was significantly shorter in the AMI and UAP groups than in the SAP group (p <0.001). Plaque rupture frequency correlated positively with the number of spotty calcium deposits (r = 0.479, p <0.001) and inversely with the number of large calcium deposits (r = −0.219, p = 0.003). In conclusion, calcium was very spotty and more superficial in the culprit lesions of AMI and UAP. These characteristics of calcium might play an important role in the pathogenesis of plaque vulnerability.

Relation Between Transient or Persistent Acute Kidney Injury and Long-Term Mortality in Patients With Myocardial Infarction

2013-04-03

Limited information is available regarding the impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) during hospitalization on clinical outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI), and the effect of transient kidney injury (KI) on long-term mortality has not been validated. We retrospectively analyzed 2,289 patients diagnosed with MI. AKI patients were classified into a transient KI group and a persistent KI group based on serum creatinine levels at discharge. The end point of the study was 3-year mortality after MI. We included 2,110 patients of whom 237 patients (11%) developed AKI during hospitalization. Of these 237 patients, 154 (65%) had transient KI, and 83 (35%) had persistent KI. Multivariate analysis showed that age, left ventricular ejection fraction, estimated glomerular filtration rate on admission, and Killip class were significantly associated with developing AKI during hospitalization. The adjusted hazard ratios for 3-year mortality were 1.71 (95% confidence interval: 1.08–2.70) for AKI patients with transient KI and 2.21 (95% confidence interval: 1.34–3.64) for AKI patients with persistent KI, compared with no AKI. In conclusion, AKI was associated with an increased risk of death for patients who experienced MIs and survived during hospitalization. Although renal function had completely recovered in many AKI patients at discharge, these transient KI patients are also at a great risk of death after MI.

Prognostic Value of Adenosine Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients Presenting With Chest Pain

Rachid R. Macwar, Brent A. Williams, Jamshid Shirani — 2013-04-10

Adenosine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (AS-CMR) has emerged as an alternative to other stress tests for identifying coronary artery disease. From January 1, 2002 to January 1, 2009, 564 consecutive patients underwent AS-CMR for evaluation of chest pain. The clinical characteristics, AS-CMR findings, and outcomes were evaluated by retrospective chart review and telephone interview. The median follow-up was 51 months. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention or bypass surgery. The AS-CMR findings were normal in 264, ischemic in 201, and scar in 240 patients. No cardiac death occurred in the normal AS-CMR group. Among the ischemic and scar groups, 7.2% and 8.3% experienced an event, respectively. On univariate analysis, ischemia (hazard ratio 5.3, 95% confidence interval 2.5 to 11.5, p <0.001) and the presence of scar (hazard ratio 5.7, 95% confidence interval 2.6 to 12.4, p <0.001) were independent predictors of all cardiac events. Multivariate Cox regression analysis for MACE identified the presence of ischemia (hazard ratio 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 6.2, p = 0.01) and scarring (hazard ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 6.6, p = 0.01) as the strongest independent factors. The annual event rate for hard events was 0% in the normal, 1.7% in the scar, and 1.5% in the ischemia group. For the MACE end points, the rate was 0.5% in the normal, 2.4% in the scar, and 2.6% in the ischemia group. In conclusion, in the present, single-center cohort with chest pain, normal AS-CMR findings conferred very low risk (<1% annually) of MACE. However, the findings of ischemia or scar were a significant and independent predictor of hard events and MACE.

Management and Outcomes of Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in Relation to Previous Use of Antianginal Therapies (from the Canadian Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events [GRACE] and Canadian Registry of Acute Coronary Events [CANRACE])

2013-04-15

Randomized trials have established the efficacy of antianginal medications in the treatment of chronic stable coronary disease. Using data from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and Canadian Registry of Acute Coronary Events (CANRACE), we examined the temporal trends in antianginal use (beta blockers, calcium antagonists, and nitrates) before non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome presentation from 1999 to 2008 in 10,019 patients. The relationships among previous antianginal use, clinical characteristics on presentation, and in-hospital management and outcomes were examined. Beta blockers were the most commonly used agents, and there was a significant decline in the use of nitrates over time. Compared with patients not on any antianginal therapy before presentation, those on treatment were more likely to be older, female, and have a history of hypertension, diabetes, previous angina, and myocardial infarction; they were less likely to present with positive biomarkers (all p <0.001). Patients not on antianginal therapy before presentation were more likely to undergo coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention and less likely to have recurrent ischemia during hospitalization (all p <0.001). In multivariable analysis, previous antianginal use was independently associated with lower use of coronary angiography in hospital (p = 0.034) but not with in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, there has significant temporal decline in nitrate use before non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. Patients receiving antianginal therapy before presentation more frequently had preexisting cardiovascular disease and previous revascularization and were less likely to present with non-ST-segment elevation MI compared with patients on no antianginal therapies. Previous antianginal use was independently associated with a lower use of coronary angiography in hospital.

Comparison of C-Reactive Protein and Fibrinogen Levels in Patients Having Anterior Wall ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction With Versus Without Left Ventricular Thrombus (From a Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Cohort)

2013-04-05

We tested the hypothesis that admission serum inflammatory biomarkers may predict risk of early left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation in patients with first-ever anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Medical records of 207 patients admitted to our department between January 2006 and April 2012 for first-ever diagnosed anterior wall STEMI and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) were reviewed. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen levels were determined from blood samples taken before PPCI. Patients underwent an initial cardiac echocardiography on days 1 or 2 of admission and a second echocardiography on days 5 to 7 of hospitalization. An early LV thrombus was detected on the second echocardiogram in 11 patients (11 of 207, 5%), 6 of whom had also displayed an LV thrombus already during their first echocardiogram. Patients with an LV thrombus had significantly higher mean serum CRP levels than those without an LV thrombus (48 mg/L vs 8.4 mg/L, p = 0.001), and a trend for higher fibrinogen levels was also observed (398 ± 135 mg/dl vs 312 ± 82 mg/dl, p = 0.063). Following adjustment to other variables and the performance of multiple logistic regression, the CRP (relative risk 4.63, p = 0.004) and fibrinogen (relative risk 1.006, p = 0.033) levels were independent predictors of LV thrombus formation. We conclude that admission serum CRP and fibrinogen levels are independent predictors for early LV thrombus formation complicating a first-ever anterior wall STEMI.

Two-Year Follow-Up of Outcomes of Second-Generation Everolimus-Eluting Stents Versus First-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents for Stenosis of Saphenous Vein Grafts Used as Aortocoronary Conduits

2013-04-04

Second-generation everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) have demonstrated superiority in efficacy and safety compared with first-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) in the treatment of native coronary artery lesions. The present study evaluated and compared the safety and efficacy of EESs and first-generation DESs in saphenous vein graft lesions. The EES group consisted of 88 patients with 96 lesions, and the first-generation DES group consisted of 243 patients with 317 lesions (sirolimus-eluting stents, n = 212; paclitaxel-eluting stents, n = 105). The end points included target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, major adverse cardiovascular events (composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization), and definite stent thrombosis at 2 years. The groups had similar baseline characteristics and graft ages (128.1 ± 77.5 vs 132.4 ± 90.8 months, p = 0.686). The EES group had more type C lesions and less embolic protection device use. The peak postprocedure values of creatinine kinase-MB and troponin I were similar between the 2 groups. Overall, major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 18.2% of EES patients and 35.0% of first-generation DES patients (p = 0.003), mainly driven by a lower target vessel revascularization rate (6.8% vs 24.5%, p <0.001). The target lesion revascularization rate was lower in the EES group (1.1% vs 11.6%, p = 0.005). Stent thrombosis was low and similar between the 2 groups (0% vs 0.8%, p = 1.000). On multivariate analysis, the type of DES implanted and graft age were the only independent predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events. In conclusion, the superiority of EESs compared with first-generation DESs shown in native artery lesions has been extended to saphenous vein graft lesions and should be considered as the DES of choice for this lesion type.

Comparison of Intravascular Ultrasound and Histological Findings in Culprit Coronary Plaques Between ST-Segment Elevation and Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

2013-04-15

It remains uncertain whether the histology of culprit coronary plaques differs between ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI). We compared intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histologic findings in coronary culprit plaques among patients presenting with STEMI and NSTEMI. Atherectomy specimens were obtained from 96 patients, 70 with STEMI and 26 with NSTEMI, who underwent directional coronary atherectomy for de novo coronary artery lesions. IVUS examinations were performed before directional coronary atherectomy. IVUS and histologic data were analyzed. Clinical characteristics were largely similar between the 2 groups; however, normal antegrade flow before angioplasty was less frequently observed in patients with STEMI than those with NSTEMI. Plaque rupture was more common on the proximal side of the minimal lumen site. There were no differences in vessel area, lumen area, calcification, plaque burden, or remodelling index at the reference and culprit sites. However, the arc of the ruptured cavity was significantly greater in patients with STEMI than those with NSTEMI (69.4 ± 27.9° vs 51.8 ± 20.0°, respectively, p = 0.008). The proportion of atheroma, fibrocellular, and thrombus areas was not different between the 2 groups. Similarly, the relative areas immunopositive for CD31, smooth muscle α-actin, and CD68 were similar in the 2 groups. In conclusion, coronary culprit lesions in patients with STEMI show more severe plaque rupture with similar histologic features than those in patients with NSTEMI, supporting the idea that a large plaque rupture is more likely in STEMI patients.

Aldosterone and Myocardial Extracellular Matrix Expansion in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

2013-04-17

Myocardial extracellular matrix expansion and reduced coronary flow reserve (CFR) occur in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without heart failure or coronary artery disease. Because aldosterone is implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiac fibrosis and vascular injury, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that aldosterone is associated with extracellular matrix expansion and reduced CFR in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without evidence of coronary artery disease were recruited. Blood pressure, lipid management, and glycemic control were optimized over 3 months. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with T1 mapping was used to measure myocardial extracellular volume (ECV). Cardiac positron emission tomography was used to assess CFR. On a liberal, 250 mEq/day sodium diet, 24-hour urinary aldosterone and change in serum aldosterone with angiotensin II stimulation were measured. Fifty-three participants with type 2 diabetes (68% men, mean age 53 ± 7 years, mean body mass index 32.2 ± 4.3 kg/m2, mean glycosylated hemoglobin 6.8 ± 0.7%, mean systolic blood pressure 126 ± 14 mm Hg) without infarction or ischemia by cardiac magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography were studied. Subjects had impaired CFR (2.51 ± 0.83) and elevated ECV (0.36 ± 0.05), despite normal echocardiographic diastolic function and normal left ventricular function. Myocardial ECV, but not CFR, was positively associated with 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion (r = 0.37, p = 0.01) and angiotensin II–stimulated aldosterone increase (r = 0.35, p = 0.02). In a best-overall multivariate model (including age, gender, body mass index, glycosylated hemoglobin, and blood pressure), 24-hour urinary aldosterone was the strongest predictor of myocardial ECV (p = 0.004). In conclusion, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without coronary artery disease, aldosterone is associated with myocardial extracellular matrix expansion. These results implicate aldosterone in early myocardial remodeling in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Predictors of Progression of Recently Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation in REgistry on Cardiac Rhythm DisORDers Assessing the Control of Atrial Fibrillation (RecordAF)–United States Cohort

2013-04-04

The progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) to a more sustained form is associated with increased symptoms and morbidity. The aims of the REgistry on Cardiac Rhythm DisORDers Assessing the Control of Atrial Fibrillation (RecordAF)–United States (US) cohort study were to identify the risk factors of AF progression and the effects of management approaches. RecordAF is the first worldwide, 1-year observational study of the treatment of community-based patients with recent-onset AF. We assessed AF progression at 12 months in the US cohort. AF progression was defined as a change of AF to a more sustained form (either paroxysmal becoming persistent or permanent, or persistent becoming permanent). The US cohort included 955 patients, with mean age of 68.9 years; 56.8% were men and 88.8% were white. At entry, 59.6% of patients were selected for rate-control and 40.4% for rhythm-control therapy. At 12 months, the management strategy was unchanged for 68.2% of the patients in the rate- and 77.7% of the patients in the rhythm-control groups. Overall, AF progression had occurred in 18.6% of patients at 12 months. The progression rate was significantly greater in the rate-control (27.6%) than in the rhythm-control (5.8%) group (p <0.001). Progression to permanent AF occurred in 16.4% of patients. In addition to a rate-control strategy, older age, AF rhythm at entry, persistent AF at baseline, and a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack independently predicted AF progression. Rate control was associated with AF progression, with a propensity score adjusted odds ratio of 2.67 (p <0.001). In conclusion, rate control was the preferred treatment of recent-onset AF in the US but was associated with more AF progression than rhythm control.

Consequence of Use of Lower Dose Flat Plate Fluoroscopy in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Ablation for Supraventricular Tachycardia

2013-04-22

Traditional imaging for ablation of supraventricular tachycardia has been fluoroscopy, although 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping (3D) has been demonstrated to reduce radiation exposure. This study compares a technique for the reduction of radiation, low-dose fluoroscopy (LD), with standard-dose fluoroscopy (SD) and 3D with SD (3D-SD). This was a single institutional retrospective cohort study. All patients undergoing initial ablation for atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) or atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) from 2009 to 2012 were reviewed and divided into 3 groups: (1) SD, (2) 3D (CARTO or NavX) with SD, or (3) LD. LD uses the same equipment as SD but includes customized changes to the manufacturer's lowest settings by decreasing the requested dose to the detector. Primary outcomes were fluoroscopy time and dose area product exposure. One hundred eighty-one patients were included. The median age was 15.0 years (3.3–20.8); 59% had AVRT, 35% had AVNRT, and 6% had both AVRT and AVNRT. LD decreased the dose area product (DAP) compared with SD (637.0 vs 960.1 cGy*cm2, p = 0.01) with no difference in fluoroscopy time. 3D-SD decreased fluoroscopy time compared with SD (9.9 vs 18.3 minutes, p <0.001) with DAP of 570.1.0 versus 960.1 cGy*cm2 (p = 0.16). LD and 3D-SD had comparable DAP (637.0 vs 570.1 cGy*cm2, p = 0.67), even though LD had significantly longer fluoroscopy time (19.9 vs 9.9 minutes, p <0.001). In conclusion, LD during catheter ablation of AVRT and AVNRT significantly reduced the DAP compared with SD and had similar radiation exposure compared with 3D with SD.

Effect of Zofenopril and Ramipril on Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

2013-04-15

A head-to-head evaluation of the effect of ramipril and zofenopril on the cardiovascular mortality rate of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) in the setting of clinical practice is not yet available. We prospectively enrolled 224 patients with all-cause HF, who were untreated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. These patients were then assigned to zofenopril 15 to 30 mg/day or ramipril 5 to 10 mg/day on the basis of a prospective, randomized, open, blinded, end point trial. The primary outcome of the trial was patient survival during the follow-up period. The groups were similar in a large number of clinical parameters. The mean follow-up of this cohort was 6.1 ± 1.2 years. Overall, during the follow-up period, we observed 45 deaths in the zofenopril-treated group and 48 in the ramipril-treated group (p = 0.251). Zofenopril and ramipril appears to be equivalent regarding the effects on cardiovascular mortality in the entire sample. Zofenopril was a significant predictor of better survival in patients who were the median age or older (odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.35 to 0.91), in men (odds ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.30 to 0.98), and in patients with a lower ejection fraction (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.26 to 0.97). In conclusion, in the clinical practice setting, ramipril and zofenopril seem to have similar effects on cardiovascular mortality. However zofenopril might be more efficacious in elderly patients, male patients, and patients with a lower ejection fraction.

Clinical Features of Patients With Decompensated Heart Failure After the Great East Japan Earthquake

2013-04-04

The occurrence of heart failure (HF) and its clinical features after a great disaster have not been rigorously examined. We retrospectively examined the effect of the Great East Japan Earthquake on the occurrence of decompensated HF. The number of patients admitted for treatment of decompensated HF and their clinical features were compared between 2 periods, March 11, 2011 to September 10, 2011 (after the earthquake) and the same period in the previous year. The number of admissions increased from 55 in 2010 to 84 in 2011. A comparison of the clinical features showed that the patients admitted after the earthquake had (1) older age (p = 0.031), (2) greater systolic blood pressure (p = 0.039), (3) a greater incidence of new-onset HF due to valvular heart disease (p = 0.040), (4) interruption of drugs (p = 0.001), (5) a greater incidence of infection (p = 0.019), (6) greater B-type natriuretic peptide (p = 0.005) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.003) levels, (7) a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.048) and lower albumin levels (p = 0.021), and (8) a larger diameter of the inferior vena cava (p = 0.008). In conclusion, these results suggest that the earthquake increased the incidence of HF in association with high blood pressure, interruption of drugs, inflammation, malnutrition, and fluid retention. Taking appropriate measures to control blood pressure, nutritional status, and hygiene environment might decrease the occurrence of HF in future disasters.

Treatment Assignment of High-Risk Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis Patients Referred for Transcatheter AorticValve Implantation

2013-04-04

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an option for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis whose co-morbidities place them at high surgical risk. However, little is known regarding treatment allocation. From May 2008 to May 2011, all high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis referred to an experienced single-center TAVI clinic were reviewed. A total of 170 consecutive patients were evaluated. Of these, 58 (34%) were accepted for TAVI (mean age 81 ± 8 years). Thirty-three patients (19%) were accepted for conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR; mean age 83 ± 6 years). Sixty-two patients (37%) were treated conservatively (mean age 83 ± 6 years). Seventeen patients (10%) died awaiting complete assessment. At 30 days, all-cause mortality was 10% in the TAVI group, 3% in the conventional AVR group, and 32% in the conservatively treated group. Multivariate-adjustment identified the absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hazard ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.09 to 0.98, p <0.05) and the absence of frailty (hazard ratio 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.55, p <0.01) as independent predictors of conventional AVR. In conclusion, of the high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis referred for TAVI at a large single center, approximately 1/2 were accepted for intervention (conventional AVR or TAVI), and roughly 1/3 were treated conservatively.

Frequency, Determinants and Prognostic Implications of Infectious Complications After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

2013-04-08

In-hospital infection (IHI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has received little attention, although it may have a significant effect on outcomes and costs because of prolonged hospital stay. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the incidence, type, predictors, and prognostic effects of IHI after TAVI. This study included 298 consecutive patients from 2 centers who underwent TAVI from November 2005 to November 2011. IHI during the hospital stay was defined on the basis of symptoms and signs assessed by the attending physician in the cardiac care unit or medium care unit in combination with all technical examinations performed to confirm infection. IHI after TAVI was observed in 58 patients (19.5%): urinary tract infections in 25 patients (43.1%), pneumonia in 12 patients (20.7%), and access-site infections in 7 patients (12.1%). In 12 patients (20.7%), the site of infection could not be determined, and 2 patients (3.4%) had multiple infection sites. Multivariate analysis revealed that surgical access through the femoral artery was the most important determinant of infection (odds ratio [OR] 4.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 17.19), followed by perioperative major stroke (OR 3.21, 95% CI 1.01 to 9.52) and overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2; OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.12 to 4.59). The length of hospital stay in patients with IHIs was 15.0 days (interquartile range 8.0 to 22.0) compared with 7.0 days (interquartile range 4.0 to 10.0) in patients without infections (p <0.0001). Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival at 1 year were 76.6% and 74.4% (log-rank, p = 0.61), respectively. Unadjusted and adjusted OR analysis revealed that IHI did not predict mortality at 30 days (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.49 to 3.30) or at 1 year (hazard ratio 1.24, 95% CI 0.68 to 2.25). In conclusion, IHI occurred in 19.5% of the patients. Patient-related and, more important, procedure-related variables play a role in the occurrence of infection, indicating that improvements in the execution of TAVI may lead to a reduction of this complication.

Comparison of Characteristics and Short-Term Outcome From Fungal Infective Endocarditis in Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Versus Native Valve Endocarditis

2013-04-05

Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare, serious, and potentially lethal disease, yet its clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes remain poorly understood. A detailed comparative analysis of fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and native valve endocarditis (NVE) has not been performed. This study was designed to explore the general characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of patients with fungal IE in a Chinese hospital and compare these data between PVE and NVE. Four hundred ninety-three patients were admitted to Fuwai hospital from January 2002 to December 2010. Fungal IE accounted for 7% (32 cases) of cases. Of these patients, 19 (59%) patients had NVE, 12 (37%) PVE, and 1 (3%) cardiac device–related infective endocarditis (CDRIE). Candida albicans remained the predominant causative pathogen (47% of all IE). Patients with NVE, compared with PVE patients, were older (50 years vs 37 years, p = 0.034), had less frequent history of previous endocarditis (0 vs 25%, p = 0.049), and were more likely to have a history of diabetes (37% vs 0, p = 0.026) and be in an immunocompromised state (37% vs 0, p = 0.026). Nearly half of the patients died of refractory heart failure, followed by severe sepsis and stroke. In-hospital mortality rate was 38%, and the 3-month cumulative mortality rate was 47%. Recurrence of IE was more common in fungal PVE patients (42% vs 5%, p = 0.022) during the 90-day follow-up. In conclusion, fungal IE is associated with high mortality and recurrence rates. Surgery performed in selected cases may improve the outcomes, but the recurrence rate remains high.

Troponin T in Acute Ischemic Stroke

2013-04-08

Multiple interactions are considered to occur among the various forms of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the serum level profile of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) to evaluate factors associated with increased serum levels of cTnT. Patients with AIS enrolled in this prospective observational study were admitted to the hospital <12 hours after stroke onset. At admission, and 4 hours later, all patients were subjected to neurologic examinations and brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging; standard laboratory tests, including cTnT and other cardiac markers; and repeated electrocardiography. Correlations between cTnT and several baseline parameters were tested, and multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the predictors of cTnT elevation. In total, 107 consecutive patients with AIS (65 men, mean age 67.2 ± 14.2 years) were enrolled. Thirty-nine patients (36.4%) presented with elevated cTnT above the upper limit of normal. The cTnT levels were correlated significantly with age (r = 0.448) and the levels of N-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (r = 0.528), cystatin C (r = 0.457), creatine kinase-MB mass (r = 0.253), urea (r = 0.281), and albumin (r = −0.219). Multiple logistic regression analysis found creatinine >90 μmol/L (odds ratio 3.45, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 10.85), N-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (odds ratio 100 μg/L increase 1.09, 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.16), and creatine kinase-MB mass (odds ratio per 1 μg/L increase 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 2.04) were associated with cTnT elevation in patients with AIS. In conclusion, elevated cTnT can be frequently detected in patients with AIS. To reliably identify patients with current acute myocardial impairment, more in-depth clinical investigation is needed.

A New Revised Cardiac Risk Index Incorporating Fragmented QRS Complex as a Prognostic Marker in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Vascular Surgery

2013-07-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of a new Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) that includes consideration of QRS fragmentation (fQRS) as a predictor of cardiac events in patients undergoing noncardiac vascular surgery. Four hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients admitted for noncardiac vascular surgery were studied. Patients were allocated to RCRI 0, 1, 2, or ≥3 groups according to the sum of diabetes, renal insufficiency, and histories of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease. They were then reallocated to fragmented RCRI (fRCRI) 0, 1, 2, or ≥3 groups after including a score of 1 or 0 corresponding to the presence or absence of fQRS. A major adverse cardiac event (MACE) was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and percutaneous coronary intervention before noncardiac vascular surgery. During index hospitalization, MACE developed in 38 patients (8.1%). fQRS was present in 169 (36.2%), and it was significantly greater in patients with MACE than in those without MACE (63.2% vs 34.3%, p <0.001). The proportions of RCRI 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 were 46.9% (n = 219), 35.3% (n = 165), 12.4% (n = 58), and 5.4% (n = 25), respectively. When fRCRI data were included, 28 patients (48.3%) in RCRI 2 were reclassified as fRCRI ≥3. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, fRCRI (odds ratio 1.529, 95% confidence interval 1.035 to 2.258, p = 0.033) and a left ventricular ejection fraction <50% independently predicted in-hospital MACE. In conclusion, fRCRI is an independent predictor of in-hospital MACE in patients undergoing noncardiac vascular surgery.

Race Differences in Ventricular Remodeling and Function Among College Football Players

2013-04-22

Athletic training is associated with increases in ventricular mass and volume. Recent studies have shown that left ventricular mass increases proportionally in white athletes with a mass/volume ratio approaching unity. The objective of this study was to compare the proportionality in ventricular remodeling and ventricular function in black versus white National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players. From 2008 to 2011, football players at Stanford University underwent cardiovascular screening with a 12-point history and physical examination, electrocardiography, and focused echocardiography. Compared with white players, black players had on average higher left ventricular mass indexes (77 ± 11 vs 71 ± 11 g/m2, p = 0.009), higher mass/volume ratios (1.18 ± 0.16 vs 1.06 ± 0.09 g/ml, p <0.001), and higher QRS vector magnitudes (3.2 ± 0.7 vs 2.7 ± 0.8, p = 0.002). Black race had an odds ratio of 14 (95% confidence interval 5 to 42, p <0.001) for a mass/volume ratio >1.2. Mass/volume ratio was inversely related to early diastolic tissue Doppler velocity e′ (r = −0.50, p <0.001) but not to QRS vector magnitude (r = 0.065, p = 0.034). With regard to systolic indexes, there was no significant difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction, velocity of circumferential shortening, and isovolumic acceleration. In conclusion, black college football players exhibit more concentric ventricular remodeling, lower early diastolic annular velocities, and increased ventricular voltage compared with white players. Ventricular mass increases proportionally to volume in white players but not in black players.

Diagnosing Cardiac Involvement in the Hypereosinophilic Syndrome by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

2013-04-08

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by unexplained hypereosinophilia involving different organ systems. The investigators present a patient diagnosed with hypereosinophilic syndrome in which cardiac magnetic resonance was pivotal in establishing the presence of cardiac involvement.

Daughter-Mother Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy

Scott W. Sharkey, Daniel L. Lips, Victoria R. Pink, Barry J. Maron — 2013-04-04

The investigators describe the occurrence of an episode of acute tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy in a 51-year-old woman, which was followed, only days later, by an episode of acute tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy in her 74-year-old mother. The mother and daughter had distinctly different left ventricular contraction patterns, yet the left anterior descending coronary artery distribution was similar, extending beyond the left ventricular apex in both women. In conclusion, this unusual scenario suggests a familial predisposition to tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, the daughter’s event may have contributed to (or triggered) the tako-tsubo episode in her mother.

Proceedings of the Editorial Board Meeting of The American Journal of Cardiology on March 10, 2013

William Clifford Roberts — 2013-05-17

The 2013 meeting of the editorial board of The American Journal of Cardiology (AJC) was held on March 10, 2013, in San Francisco, California, at the time of the Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology Foundation. The meeting's purpose was to review the AJC's publication results for 2012, to recognize in particular those AJC board members who had reviewed the most manuscripts in 2012, and to receive criticisms and suggestions from board members on how to improve the journal. The meeting went as follows:

Mean Platelet Volume as a Surrogate Marker of Long-Term Mortality in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Sevket Balta, Sait Demirkol, Turgay Celik, Emin Ozgur Akgul — 2013-07-01

We have read the recently published article entitled “Usefulness of Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) as a Biomarker for Long-Term Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)” by Shah and coworkers. In that very well-designed and presented study, Shah and coworkers tried to determine whether the preprocedural MPV or the change in MPV over time could be a predictor of long-term mortality in unselected patients undergoing PCI. They have shown a stronger association between an increase in the MPV over time and long-term mortality, even after multivariate adjustment. They suggested that serial assessments of MPV should be considered in evaluating prognosis.

Editorial Board

2013-07-01

American Journal of Cardiology

Causes of Death in Patients ≥75 Years of Age With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

Effects of Ivabradine and Ranolazine in Patients With Microvascular Angina Pectoris

Exercise Stress Tests for Detecting Myocardial Ischemia in Asymptomatic Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Usefulness of Preprocedural Levels of Advanced Glycation End Products to Predict Restenosis in Patients With Controlled Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation for Stable Angina Pectoris (From the Prospective ARMYDA-AGEs Study)

Development and Validation of a Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Model in Patients With Established Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Superficial and Spotty Calcium Deposits in Culprit Coronary Lesions of Acute Coronary Syndrome as Determined by Optical Coherence Tomography

Relation Between Transient or Persistent Acute Kidney Injury and Long-Term Mortality in Patients With Myocardial Infarction

Prognostic Value of Adenosine Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients Presenting With Chest Pain

Management and Outcomes of Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in Relation to Previous Use of Antianginal Therapies (from the Canadian Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events [GRACE] and Canadian Registry of Acute Coronary Events [CANRACE])

Comparison of C-Reactive Protein and Fibrinogen Levels in Patients Having Anterior Wall ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction With Versus Without Left Ventricular Thrombus (From a Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Cohort)

Two-Year Follow-Up of Outcomes of Second-Generation Everolimus-Eluting Stents Versus First-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents for Stenosis of Saphenous Vein Grafts Used as Aortocoronary Conduits

Comparison of Intravascular Ultrasound and Histological Findings in Culprit Coronary Plaques Between ST-Segment Elevation and Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Aldosterone and Myocardial Extracellular Matrix Expansion in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Predictors of Progression of Recently Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation in REgistry on Cardiac Rhythm DisORDers Assessing the Control of Atrial Fibrillation (RecordAF)–United States Cohort

Consequence of Use of Lower Dose Flat Plate Fluoroscopy in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Ablation for Supraventricular Tachycardia

Effect of Zofenopril and Ramipril on Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Clinical Features of Patients With Decompensated Heart Failure After the Great East Japan Earthquake

Treatment Assignment of High-Risk Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis Patients Referred for Transcatheter AorticValve Implantation

Frequency, Determinants and Prognostic Implications of Infectious Complications After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Comparison of Characteristics and Short-Term Outcome From Fungal Infective Endocarditis in Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Versus Native Valve Endocarditis

Troponin T in Acute Ischemic Stroke

A New Revised Cardiac Risk Index Incorporating Fragmented QRS Complex as a Prognostic Marker in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Vascular Surgery

Race Differences in Ventricular Remodeling and Function Among College Football Players

Diagnosing Cardiac Involvement in the Hypereosinophilic Syndrome by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

Daughter-Mother Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy

Proceedings of the Editorial Board Meeting of The American Journal of Cardiology on March 10, 2013

Mean Platelet Volume as a Surrogate Marker of Long-Term Mortality in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Editorial Board

Contents