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Although kidney insufficiency has been shown to be associated with increased risk of myocardial injury, benefit of coronary angiography (CAG) and revascularization remains uncertain, with implications on management strategies and outcomes. We aimed to compare rates of CAG and revascularization and subsequent risk of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in hospitalized patients with myocardial injury and kidney dysfunction. Retrospective cohort study encompassing hospitalized patients with myocardial injury i.e. elevated troponin I or T and an eGFR ≤60 ml/min/1.73 m2 identified between 2011 and 2021 in Danish national registers. 30-day odds for CAG were computed across granular eGFR-categories based on multiple logistic regression. Standardized one-year risks of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes including mortality were determined based on hazards obtained in multiple Cox regression. A total of 52,798 patients with myocardial injury were identified. CAG was performed in 14.3 % (n = 7549). 30-day odds ratios for CAG were 0.64 [0.60–0.68], 0.38 [0.34–0.42], 0.18 [0.14–0.22], and 0.35 [0.30–0.40] in patients with eGFR 31–45 ml/min/1.73 m2, eGFR 15–30 ml/min/1.73 m2 for eGFR<15 ml/min/1.73 m2 and chronic dialysis, respectively (eGFR 46-60 ml/min/1.73 m2 as reference). Median follow-up was 4.1 years. One-year mortality risk differences associated with CAG and revascularization (no CAG as reference) were −7.8 [−7.0; −8.7] and −9.1 [−8.4; −9.9] for eGFR 46-60 ml/min/1.73 m2; −7.0 [−5.7;-8–3] and −8.0 [−6.6; −9.5] for eGFR 31-45 ml/min/1.73 m2; −5.4 [−3.0; −7.2] and −5.2 [−2.2; −8.3] for eGFR 15-30 ml/min/1.73 m2; −8.8 [−3.1; −13.7] and −5.4 [3.1; −13.4] for eGFR<15 ml/min/1.73 m2; and −4.9 [−0.1; −9.7] and −4.2 [1.5; −9.2] for chronic dialysis, respectively. Probability of CAG following myocardial injury declined with progressive kidney dysfunction. Overall, CAG was associated with lower mortality irrespective of kidney function and subsequent revascularization. • Myocardial injury i.e. elevated cardiac troponins is common in hospitalized patients • Implications of elevated troponin remain uncertain in patients with kidney insufficiency beyond overt myocardial infarction • Probability of coronary angiography and revascularization declines with progressive kidney dysfunction • Revascularization benefit is curtailed with increasing kidney dysfunction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While several studies have investigated clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) vs. percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), studies investigating self-reported health and the association with adverse outcomes are limited. Thus, the aim was to investigate differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression at discharge and the association with a composite endpoint of the first event of acute cardiac readmission, revascularisation or 1-year mortality among patients undergoing CABG vs. PCI. Methods: Data from the national cohort study, DenHeart, were used, including measures of HRQoL; EuroQoL-5D-5L (EQ-5D Index Score and VAS) and HeartQoL (Global, Physical and Emotional), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and register-based follow-up. A total of 7000 patients were included (CABG n = 652, PCI n = 6348) (median age 65, 75% men). Cox Proportional Hazard models were performed among a propensity-matched population of responders (n = 520). Results: HRQoL was significantly better among patients undergoing PCI vs. CABG, but with no differences in time to readmission or revascularisation. HRQoL, anxiety and depression were significantly associated with the risk of the composite endpoint among the PCI group (Hazard Ratio, HR (95% confidence intervals, CI) [EQ-5D index score 3.07 (1.67–5.67), EQ-5D VAS 0.97 (0.96–0.99), HeartQol Global 0.61 (0.38–0.95), HeartQol Emotional 0.56 (0.39–0.80), HADS-D ≥ 8 3.12 (1.61–6.01), HADS-A ≥ 8 2.08 (1.14–3.80)]. Conclusion: Patients undergoing PCI reported better HRQoL at discharge compared with patients undergoing CABG, whereas readmission rates were similar. Self-reported health was associated with the risk of adverse events among patients undergoing PCI, but not among patients undergoing CABG. Clinical trial registration: NCT01926145. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is used to treat acute kidney injury as part of multi organ failure. Use and prognostic implications after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is not well known. This study aims to assess incidence and use of RRT and whether RRT post-arrest was associated with 30-day mortality in Denmark in the years 2005-2013.Methods: The Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry holds information on all OHCA patients in Denmark from 2005 to 2013. We identified 3,012 one-day survivors of OHCA ≥18 years, with presumed cardiac aetiology of arrest, admitted to ICU without previous RRT. Change in use of RRT during the study period was assessed using competing risk analysis. Mortality was assessed with Cox regression.Results: On average, RRT was performed in 6% of the patient population with an average annual 1% increase, HR: 1.01, CI: 0.95-1.07, p = .69. Hazard of RRT was lower in patients receiving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (p < .001), patients with a shockable primary rhythm (p = .009) and elderly patients (p = .03). Socioeconomic factors did not influence hazard of RRT, but patients admitted to tertiary centres had higher hazard of RRT (p = .009). Use of RRT was associated with increased mortality in multivariate Cox regression (HR: 1.28, CI: 1.06-1.55, p = .01).Conclusion: Use of RRT as part of post resuscitation care following OHCA did not increase from 2005 to 2013; use was more common in tertiary centres and in patients with negative prehospital predictors (no bystander CPR, non-shockable rhythm). RRT was associated with increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author discusses aspects of the effectiveness and safety of drug-eluting stents (DES) which are utilized as a treatment for coronary artery disease. The author explores the study concerning the differences between two second-generation DES such as the Xience V everolimus-eluting stent (EES) and Resolute zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES). The author states that the study showed that the non-inferiority result was maintained even after the dual antiplatelet therapy cessation.

The authors reflect on treatment delays in ST elevation myocardial infarction. They suggest that the delays can be reduced by prehospital diagnosis and the direct transfer to high volume catheterisation laboratories. They argue that setting up large volume treatment and intervention centers may be the best option for preventing delays because treatment at those types of centers has been associated with better medical outcome.

Background: The purpose of a bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) is to provide radial support during coronary healing. In this study, coronary artery healing after optical coherence tomography (OCT)- versus angiography-guided magnesium BRS (MBRS) implantation in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is compared.Methods: 75 patients were randomized 1:1 to OCT- or angiography-guided implantation of a MBRS with protocolled pre- and post-dilation. In the OCT-guided group, prespecified criteria indicating additional intervention were (1) scaffold under-expansion, (2) strut malapposition, (3) edge dissection, and (4) residual stenosis at distal or proximal reference segments. The primary endpoint was OCT-derived healing stage at 6 months.Results: At 6 months, there was no difference in average healing stage between OCT- and angiography-guided intervention (4.6 [interquartile range (IQR): 4.5-4.7] versus 4.5 [IQR: 4.3-4.7]; p = 0.54). The MBRSs were completely resolved in 77.0% [IQR: 68.5-85.5] versus 76.5% [IQR: 67.9-85.5]; (p = 0.97). Minimal lumen area (MLA) was reduced at 6 months in both the OCT- (32.3%; p < 0.01) and the angiography-guided group (21.3%; p < 0.01), however OCT-guided implantation was associated with a greater reduction of total lumen volume (-27.1 ± 32.5 mm3 versus -5.0 ± 32.9 mm3; p < 0.01) and MLA (-2.3 ± 1.6 mm2 vs. -1.4 ± 1.4 mm2; p = 0.02).Conclusions: In NSTEMI patients, OCT-guidance with protocolled pre- and post-dilation of MBRS implantation showed similar healing pattern at 6 months compared to angiography-guidance alone.Clinical Trial Registration: The Coronary Artery Healing Process after Optical Coherence Tomography Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Magmaris Bioresorbable Scaffold in Patients with Non-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: (HONEST) trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03016624. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for selected refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is increasingly used. Detailed knowledge of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and long-term cognitive function is limited. HRQoL and cognitive function were assessed in ECPR-survivors and OHCA-survivors with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation after standard advanced cardiac life support (sACLS). Fifteen ECPR-survivors and 22 age-matched sACLS-survivors agreed to participate in this follow-up study. Participants were examined with echocardiography, 6-minute walk test, and neuropsychological testing, and answered HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L and Short Form 36 (SF-36)), and mental health questionnaires. Most patients were male (73 % and 82 %) and median age at follow-up was similar between groups (55 years and 60 years). Low flow time was significantly longer for ECPR-survivors (86 min vs. 15 min) and lactate levels were significantly higher (14.1 mmol/l vs. 3.9 mmol/l). No between-group difference was found in physical function nor in cognitive function with scores corresponding to the 23rd worst percentile of the general population. SACLS-survivors had HRQoL on level with the Danish general population while ECPR-survivors scored lower in both EQ-5D-5L (index score 0.73 vs. 0.86, p = 0.03, visual analog scale: 70 vs. 84, p = 0.04) and in multiple SF-36 health domains (role physical, bodily pain, general health, and mental health). Despite substantially longer low flow times with thrice as high lactate levels, ECPR-survivors were similar in cognitive and physical function compared to sACLS-survivors. Nonetheless, ECPR-survivors reported lower HRQoL overall and related to mental health, pain management, and the perception of limitations in physical role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient-specific and lesion-specific computational simulation of bifurcation stenting is an attractive approach to achieve individualized pre-procedural planning that could improve outcomes. The objectives of this work were to describe and validate a novel platform for fully computational patient-specific coronary bifurcation stenting. Our computational stent simulation platform was trained using n = 4 patient-specific bench bifurcation models (n = 17 simulations), and n = 5 clinical bifurcation cases (training group, n = 23 simulations). The platform was blindly tested in n = 5 clinical bifurcation cases (testing group, n = 29 simulations). A variety of stent platforms and stent techniques with 1- or 2-stents was used. Post-stenting imaging with micro-computed tomography (μCT) for bench group and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for clinical groups were used as reference for the training and testing of computational coronary bifurcation stenting. There was a very high agreement for mean lumen diameter (MLD) between stent simulations and post-stenting μCT in bench cases yielding an overall bias of 0.03 (− 0.28 to 0.34) mm. Similarly, there was a high agreement for MLD between stent simulation and OCT in clinical training group [bias 0.08 (− 0.24 to 0.41) mm], and clinical testing group [bias 0.08 (− 0.29 to 0.46) mm]. Quantitatively and qualitatively stent size and shape in computational stenting was in high agreement with clinical cases, yielding an overall bias of < 0.15 mm. Patient-specific computational stenting of coronary bifurcations is a feasible and accurate approach. Future clinical studies are warranted to investigate the ability of computational stenting simulations to guide decision-making in the cardiac catheterization laboratory and improve clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Remote ischaemic conditioning with transient ischaemia and reperfusion applied to the arm has been shown to reduce myocardial infarct size in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). We investigated whether remote ischaemic conditioning could reduce the incidence of cardiac death and hospitalisation for heart failure at 12 months.Methods: We did an international investigator-initiated, prospective, single-blind, randomised controlled trial (CONDI-2/ERIC-PPCI) at 33 centres across the UK, Denmark, Spain, and Serbia. Patients (age >18 years) with suspected STEMI and who were eligible for PPCI were randomly allocated (1:1, stratified by centre with a permuted block method) to receive standard treatment (including a sham simulated remote ischaemic conditioning intervention at UK sites only) or remote ischaemic conditioning treatment (intermittent ischaemia and reperfusion applied to the arm through four cycles of 5-min inflation and 5-min deflation of an automated cuff device) before PPCI. Investigators responsible for data collection and outcome assessment were masked to treatment allocation. The primary combined endpoint was cardiac death or hospitalisation for heart failure at 12 months in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02342522) and is completed.Findings: Between Nov 6, 2013, and March 31, 2018, 5401 patients were randomly allocated to either the control group (n=2701) or the remote ischaemic conditioning group (n=2700). After exclusion of patients upon hospital arrival or loss to follow-up, 2569 patients in the control group and 2546 in the intervention group were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. At 12 months post-PPCI, the Kaplan-Meier-estimated frequencies of cardiac death or hospitalisation for heart failure (the primary endpoint) were 220 (8·6%) patients in the control group and 239 (9·4%) in the remote ischaemic conditioning group (hazard ratio 1·10 [95% CI 0·91-1·32], p=0·32 for intervention versus control). No important unexpected adverse events or side effects of remote ischaemic conditioning were observed.Interpretation: Remote ischaemic conditioning does not improve clinical outcomes (cardiac death or hospitalisation for heart failure) at 12 months in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.Funding: British Heart Foundation, University College London Hospitals/University College London Biomedical Research Centre, Danish Innovation Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, TrygFonden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the impact of sampling bias due to reported as well as unreported exclusion of the target population in a multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We compared clinical characteristics and mortality between participants in the DANAMI-3 trial to contemporary non-participants with STEMI using unselected registries. A total of 179 DANAMI-3 participants (8%) and 617 contemporary non-participants (22%) had died (Log-Rank: P < 0.001) after a median follow-up of 1333 days (range: 1–2021 days). In an unadjusted Cox regression model all groups of non-participants had a higher hazard ratio to predict mortality compared to participants: eligible excluded (n = 144) (hazard ratio: 3.41 (95% CI: (2.69–4.32)), ineligible excluded (n = 472) (hazard ratio: 3.42 (95% CI: (2.44–4.80), eligible non-screened (n = 154) (hazard ratio: 3.37 (95% CI: (2.36–4.82)), ineligible non-screened (n = 154) (hazard ratio: 6.48 (95% CI: (4.77–8.80). Sampling bias had occurred due to both reported and unreported exclusion of eligible patients and the difference in mortality between participants and non-participants could not be explained only by the trial exclusion criteria. Thus, screening logs may not be suited to address the risks of sampling bias. • Participants in the DANAMI-3 trial were not representative to the background population with STEMI. • Participants in the DANAMI-3 trial were not representative to the per protocol target population. • Sampling bias and unreported screening had occurred. • Screening logs may not be suitable for addressing issues of external validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Morphine adversely impacts the action of oral adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-receptor blockers in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, and is possibly associated with differing patient characteristics. This retrospective analysis investigated whether interaction between morphine use and pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (pre-PCI) ST-segment elevation resolution in STEMI patients in the ATLANTIC study was associated with differences in patient characteristics and management.Methods: ATLANTIC was an international, multicenter, randomized study of treatment in the acute ambulance/hospital setting where STEMI patients received ticagrelor 180 mg ± morphine. Patient characteristics, cardiovascular history, risk factors, management, and outcomes were recorded.Results: Opioids (97.6% morphine) were used in 921 out of 1862 patients (49.5%). There were no significant differences in age, sex or cardiovascular history, but more morphine-treated patients had anterior myocardial infarction and left-main disease. Time from chest pain to electrocardiogram and ticagrelor loading was shorter with morphine (both p = 0.01) but not total ischemic time. Morphine-treated patients more frequently received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (p = 0.002), thromboaspiration and stent implantation (both p < 0.001). No significant difference between the two groups was found regarding pre-PCI ≥ 70% ST-segment elevation resolution, death, myocardial infarction, stroke, urgent revascularization and definitive acute stent thrombosis. More morphine-treated patients had an absence of pre-PCI Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow (85.8% vs. 79.7%; p = 0.001) and more had TIMI major bleeding (1.1% vs. 0.1%; p = 0.02).Conclusions: Morphine-treatment was associated with increased GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor use, less pre-PCI TIMI 3 flow, and more bleeding. Judicious morphine use is advised with non-opioid analgesics preferred for non-severe acute pain.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01347580. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Survival from Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest is highly associated with bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The quality of bystander CPR is influenced by citizens attending Basic Life Support (BLS) courses and the quality of these courses. The purpose of the study was to investigate content, quality and compliance with the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines in national Danish BLS courses and the skill retention.Methods: Books from 16 different course providers were analyzed for compliance with guidelines using the principle of mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive questioning. Observation of 56 BLS courses were conducted using an evaluation sheet, with a five-point Likert scale including theoretical, technical, and non-technical skills. BLS skills of participants were assessed with a follow-up test 4-6 months after a course using a modified Cardiff Test.Results: Analysis of the books, showed compliance with ERC guidelines of 69% on the examined items. Courses using ERC educational structure and having maximum six participants per instructor were associated with high quality in the course observations and a better follow-up test. Especially, the use of automated external defibrillator showed significant odds ratio (OR) of 21.8 (95% CI 4.1-114.7) to 31.3 (95% CI 3.7-265.1) of achieving high quality on courses with similar results in the follow-up test.Conclusion: National BLS courses had significant variation in the content of books, and compliance to ERC guidelines during courses and in skills retention 4-6 months after the courses. This study can be used to further improve and standardize BLS courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to investigate if lesion-specific ischaemia by invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) can be predicted by an integrated machine learning (ML) ischaemia risk score from quantitative plaque measures from coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).Methods: In a multicentre trial of 254 patients, CTA and invasive coronary angiography were performed, with FFR in 484 vessels. CTA data sets were analysed by semi-automated software to quantify stenosis and non-calcified (NCP), low-density NCP (LD-NCP, < 30 HU), calcified and total plaque volumes, contrast density difference (CDD, maximum difference in luminal attenuation per unit area) and plaque length. ML integration included automated feature selection and model building from quantitative CTA with a boosted ensemble algorithm, and tenfold stratified cross-validation.Results: Eighty patients had ischaemia by FFR (FFR ≤ 0.80) in 100 vessels. Information gain for predicting ischaemia was highest for CDD (0.172), followed by LD-NCP (0.125), NCP (0.097), and total plaque volumes (0.092). ML exhibited higher area-under-the-curve (0.84) than individual CTA measures, including stenosis (0.76), LD-NCP volume (0.77), total plaque volume (0.74) and pre-test likelihood of coronary artery disease (CAD) (0.63); p < 0.006.Conclusions: Integrated ML ischaemia risk score improved the prediction of lesion-specific ischaemia by invasive FFR, over stenosis, plaque measures and pre-test likelihood of CAD.Key Points: • Integrated ischaemia risk score improved prediction of ischaemia over quantitative plaque measures • Integrated ischaemia risk score showed higher prediction of ischaemia than standard approach • Contrast density difference had the highest information gain to identify lesion-specific ischaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background ATLANTIC was a randomized study comparing pre- and in-hospital treatment with a ticagrelor loading dose (LD) in ongoing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to compare patient characteristics and clinical outcomes in France with other countries participating in ATLANTIC. Methods The population comprised 1862 patients, 660 (35.4%) from France and 1202 from 12 other countries. The main endpoints were reperfusion (≥ 70% ST-segment elevation resolution) and TIMI flow grade 3 before (co-primary endpoints) and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Other endpoints included a composite ischaemic endpoint (death/myocardial infarction/stroke/urgent revascularization/definite stent thrombosis) and bleeding events at 30 days. Results In France, median times from first LD to angiography and between first and second LDs were 49 and 35 min, respectively, and were similar to other countries. French patients were younger (mean 58.7 vs 61.9 years, p < 0.0001) and characterized by a higher rate of radial access (89.9% vs 54.8%, p < 0.0001), more frequent use of pre-hospital glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors (14.1% vs 3.1%, p < 0.0001) and intravenous enoxaparin (57.3% vs 10.1%, p < 0.0001). In France, as in other countries, the co-primary endpoints did not differ between the two randomization groups. The composite ischaemic endpoint was numerically lower in France (3.3% vs 5.1%, p = 0.07), with a lower mortality (1.4% vs 3.3%, p = 0.01). PLATO major bleeding was numerically less frequent in France (1.8% vs 3.2%, p = 0.07). Conclusions The French population appears to have better outcomes than the rest of the study population, and seems related to differences in demographics and management characteristics. Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01347580 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the extent of myocardial injury by cardiac biomarkers during prolonged targeted temperature management of 24 hours vs 48 hours after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.Methods: This randomized Scandinavian multicenter study compares the extent of myocardial injury quantified by area under the curve (AUC) of cardiac biomarkers during prolonged targeted temperature management at 33°C ± 1°C of 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. Through a period of 2.5 years, 161 comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients were randomized to targeted temperature management for 24 hours (n = 77) or 48 hours (n = 84). The AUC was calculated using both high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnTAUC) and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MBAUC) that were based upon measurements of these biomarkers every 6 hours upon admission until 96 hours after reaching target temperature.Results: The median hs-cTnTAUC of 33,827 ng/L/h (interquartile range [IQR] 11,366-117,690) of targeted temperature management at 24 hours did not differ significantly from that of 28,973 ng/L/h (IQR 10,656-163,655) at 48 hours. In contrast, the median CK-MBAUC of 1829 μg/L/h (IQR 800-6799) during targeted temperature management at 24 hours was significantly lower than that of 2428 μg/L/h (IQR 1163-10,906) within targeted temperature management at 48 hours, P <.05.Conclusion: This study of comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors showed no difference between the extents of myocardial injury estimated by hs-cTnTAUC of prolonged targeted temperature management of 48 hours vs 24 hours, although the CK-MBAUC was significantly higher during 48 hours vs 24 hours. Hence, it seems unlikely that the duration of targeted temperature management has a beneficial effect on the extent of myocardial injury after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and may even have a worsening effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-term safety and efficacy for everolimus-eluting stents (EES) versus those of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) are unknown.Objectives: This study compared 5-year outcomes for EES with those for SES from the SORT OUT IV (Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials with Clinical Outcome) trial.Methods: Five-year follow-up was completed for 2,771 patients (99.9%). Primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR), and definite stent thrombosis.Results: At 5-years, MACE occurred in 14.0% and 17.4% in the EES and SES groups, respectively (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66 to 0.97; p = 0.02). The MACE rate did not differ significantly within the first year (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.19; p = 0.79), but from years 1 through 5, the MACE rate was lower with EES (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.90; p = 0.006; p interaction = 0.12). Definite stent thrombosis was lower with EES (0.4%) than with SES (2.0%; HR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.46), with a lower risk of very late definite stent thrombosis in the EES group (0.2% vs. 1.4%, respectively; HR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.53). When censoring the patients at the time of stent thrombosis, we found no significant differences between the 2 stent groups for MACE rates (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.08; p = 0.23), target lesion revascularization (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.64 to 1.27; p = 0.55), and MI (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.64 to 1.36; p = 0.72).Conclusions: At 5-year follow-up, MACE rate was significantly lower with EES- than with SES-treated patients, due largely due to a lower risk of very late definite stent thrombosis. (Randomized Clinical Comparison of the Xience V and the Cypher Coronary Stents in Non-selected Patients With Coronary Heart Disease [SORT OUT IV]; NCT00552877). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Intracoronary imaging provides accurate lesion delineation and precise measurements for sizing and positioning of coronary stents. During percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), it may be challenging to identify corresponding segments between intracoronary imaging and angiography. Computer based online co-registration may aid the target segment identification. Methods The DOCTOR fusion study was a prospective, single arm, observational study including patients admitted for elective PCI. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was acquired pre-stent implantation for sizing of stents. The operator subsequently indicated on the angiogram the target area as identified by OCT. Computer based co-registration was performed on-line immediately after pre-stent acquisition to assess feasibility. The cumulated numerical difference between operator based, and computer based co-registration was assessed as the "Operator Registration Error". The operator implanted the stent blind to the co-registrated angiogram. The difference between the co-registered stent border positions and the actual stent deployment border positions was the "Geographic Miss Distance". Results Twenty-two patients were included in the study. Two patients were excluded due to missing pre or post-OCT acquisitions. Online co-registration pre-stenting was successful in all analyzed cases. The mean "Operator Registration Error" was 5.4 ± 2.6 mm. Without access to the computer-based co-registration, segments of the target lesion indicated on OCT were left uncovered by stent in 14 patients (70%). Conclusion Computer based online co-registration of OCT and angiography is feasible. Frequent inaccuracies in operator based registration indicate that computer aided co-registration may reduce errors in corresponding OCT findings to the angiogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

System delay (delay from emergency medical service call to reperfusion with primary percutaneous coronary intervention [PPCI]) is acknowledged as a performance measure in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), as shorter system delay is associated with lower mortality. It is unknown whether system delay also impacts ability to stay in the labor market. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate whether system delay is associated with duration of absence from work or time to retirement from work among patients with STEMI treated with PPCI. We conducted a population-based cohort study including patients ≤67 years of age who were admitted with STEMI from January 1,1999, to December 1,2011 and treated with PPCI. Data were derived from Danish population-based registries. Only patients who were full- or part-time employed before their STEMI admission were included. Association between system delay and time to return to the labor market was analyzed using a competing-risk regression analysis. Association between system delay and time to retirement from work was analyzed using a Cox regression model. A total of 4,061 patients were included. Ninety-three percent returned to the labor market during 4 years of follow-up, and 41% retired during 8 years of follow-up. After adjustment, system delay >120 minutes was associated with reduced resumption of work (subhazard ratio 0.86,95% confidence interval 0.81 to 0.92) and earlier retirement from work (hazard ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.36). In conclusion, system delay was associated with reduced work resumption and earlier retirement. This highlights the value of system delay as a performance measure in treating patients with STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In head-to-head comparisons of coronary drug-eluting stents, the primary endpoint is traditionally assessed after 9--12 months. However, the optimum timepoint for this assessment remains unclear. In this study, we assessed clinical outcomes at up to 5 years' follow-up in patients who received two different types of drug-eluting stents. Methods We undertook this multicentre, open-label, randomised superiority trial at five percutaneous coronary intervention centres in Denmark. We randomly allocated 2332 eligible adult patients (≥18 years of age) with an indication for drug-eluting stent implantation to the zotarolimus-eluting Endeavor Sprint stent (Medtronic, Santa Rosa, CA, USA) or the sirolimus-eluting Cypher Select Plus stent (Cordis, Johnson & Johnson, Warren, NJ, USA). Randomisation of participants was achieved by computer-generated block randomisation and a telephone allocation service. The primary endpoint of the SORT OUT III study was a composite of major adverse cardiac events—cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularisation--at 9 months' follow-up. In this study, endpoints included the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events and definite stent thrombosis at follow-up times of up to 5 years. Analysis was by intention to treat. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00660478. Findings We randomly allocated 1162 patients to receive the zotarolimus-eluting stent and 1170 to the sirolimus-eluting stent. At 5-year follow-up, rates of major adverse cardiac events were similar in patients treated with both types of stents (zotarolimus-eluting stents 197/1162 [17·0%] vs sirolimus-eluting stents 182/1170 [15·6%]; odds ratio [OR] 1·10, 95% CI 0·88--1·37; p=0·40). This finding was indicative of the directly contrasting results for rates of major adverse cardiac events at 1-year follow up (zotarolimus 93/1162 [8·0%] vs sirolimus 46/1170 [3·9%]; OR 2·13, 95% CI 1·48--3·07; p<0·0001) compared with those at follow-up between 1 and 5 years (104 [9·0%] vs 136 [11·6%]; OR 0·78, 95% CI 0·59--1·02; p=0·071). At 1-year follow-up, definite stent thrombosis was more frequent after implantation of the zotarolimus-eluting stent (13/1162 [1·1%]) than the sirolimus-eluting stent (4/1170 [0·3%]; OR 3·34, 95% CI 1·08--10·3; p=0·036), whereas the opposite finding was recorded for between 1 and 5 years' follow-up (zotarolimus-eluting stent 1/1162 [0·1%] vs sirolimus-eluting stent 21/1170 [1·8%], OR 0·05, 95% CI 0·01--0·36; p=0·003). 26 of 88 (30%) target lesion revascularisations in the zotarolimus-eluting stent group occurred between 1 and 5 years' follow-up, whereas 54 of 70 (77%) of those in the sirolimus-eluting stent group occurred during this follow-up period. Interpretation The superiority of sirolimus-eluting stents compared with zotarolimus-eluting stents at 1-year follow-up was lost after 5 years. The traditional 1-year primary endpoint assessment therefore might be insufficient to predict 5-year clinical outcomes in patients treated with coronary drug-eluting stent implantation. Funding Cordis and Medtronic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Millions of patients were treated with the sirolimus-eluting Cypher™ and the paclitaxel-eluting Taxus™ coronary stents with potential late-occurring increase in event rates. Therefore, the long-term outcome follow-up is of major clinical interest. Design. In total, 2.098 unselected patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI, stable or unstable angina pectoris were randomized to receive Cypher™ ( n = 1.065) or Taxus™ ( n = 1.033) stents and were followed for 5 years. Results. The primary end-point; the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization (major adverse cardiac event, MACE), occurred in 467 patients (22.3%); Cypher™ n = 222 (20.8%), Taxus™ n = 245 (23.7%), ns. Definite and probable stent thrombosis occurred in 107 patients (5.1%); Cypher™ n = 51 (4.8%), Taxus™ n = 56 (5.4%), ns. No statistically significant differences were found in the elements of the primary end-point or in other secondary end-points between the two stent groups. After one year, the annual rates of stent thrombosis and MACE remained constant. Conclusions. During 5-year follow-up, the Cypher™ and the Taxus™ coronary stents had similar clinical outcome with no signs of increasing rates of adverse events over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The optimal long-term antithrombotic treatment of patients with coexisting atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease is unresolved, and commonly, a single antiplatelet agent is added to oral anticoagulation. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of adding antiplatelet therapy to vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in atrial fibrillation patents with stable coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Atrial fibrillation patients with stable coronary artery disease (defined as 12 months from an acute coronary event) between 2002 and 2011 were identified. The subsequent risk of cardiovascular events and serious bleeding events (those that required hospitalization) was examined with adjusted Cox regression models according to ongoing antithrombotic therapy. A total of 8700 patients were included (mean age, 74.2 years; 38% women). During a mean follow-up of 3.3 years, crude incidence rates were 7.2, 3.8, and 4.0 events per 100 person-years for myocardial infarction/coronary death, thromboembolism, and serious bleeding, respectively. Relative to VKA monotherapy, the risk of myocardial infarction/coronary death was similar for VKA plus aspirin (hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.34]) and VKA plus clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 1.53 [95% confidence interval, 0.93-2.52]). The risk of thromboembolism was comparable in all regimens that included VKA, whereas the risk of bleeding increased when aspirin (hazard ratio, 1.50 [95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.82]) or clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 1.84 [95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.06]) was added to VKA. CONCLUSIONS: In atrial fibrillation patients with stable coronary artery disease, the addition of antiplatelet therapy to VKA therapy is not associated with a reduction in risk of recurrent coronary events or thromboembolism, whereas risk of bleeding is increased significantly. The common practice of adding antiplatelet therapy to oral VKA anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease warrants reassessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background--The optimal long-term antithrombotic treatment of patients with coexisting atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease is unresolved, and commonly, a single antiplatelet agent is added to oral anticoagulation. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of adding antiplatelet therapy to vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in atrial fibrillation patents with stable coronary artery disease. Methods and Results--Atrial fibrillation patients with stable coronary artery disease (defined as 12 months from an acute coronary event) between 2002 and 2011 were identified. The subsequent risk of cardiovascular events and serious bleeding events (those that required hospitalization) was examined with adjusted Cox regression models according to ongoing antithrombotic therapy. A total of 8700 patients were included (mean age, 74.2 years; 38% women). During a mean follow-up of 3.3 years, crude incidence rates were 7.2, 3.8, and 4.0 events per 100 person-years for myocardial infarction/coronary death, thromboembolism, and serious bleeding, respectively. Relative to VKA monotherapy, the risk of myocardial infarction/coronary death was similar for VKA plus aspirin (hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.34]) and VKA plus clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 1.53 [95% confidence interval, 0.93-2.52]). The risk of thromboembolism was comparable in all regimens that included VKA, whereas the risk of bleeding increased when aspirin (hazard ratio, 1.50 [95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.82]) or clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 1.84 [95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.06]) was added to VKA. Conclusions--In atrial fibrillation patients with stable coronary artery disease, the addition of antiplatelet therapy to VKA therapy is not associated with a reduction in risk of recurrent coronary events or thromboembolism, whereas risk of bleeding is increased significantly. The common practice of adding antiplatelet therapy to oral VKA anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease warrants reassessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvement of prehospital triage is essential to ensure rapid management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study evaluates the feasibility of prehospital quantitative point-of-care cardiac troponin T (POC-cTnT) analysis, its ability to identify patients with AMI, and its capacity to predict mortality. The study was performed in the Central Denmark Region from May 2010 to May 2011. As a supplement to electrocardiography, a prehospital POC-cTnT measurement was performed by a paramedic in patients with suspected AMI. AMI was diagnosed according to the universal definition of myocardial infarction using the ninety-ninth percentile upper reference level as diagnostic cut point. The paramedics performed POC-cTnT measurements in 985 subjects with a symptom duration of 70 minutes (95% CI, 35 to 180); of whom, 200 (20%) had an AMI. The prehospital sample was obtained 88 minutes (range, 58 to 131) before the sample made on admission to the hospital. The sensitivity for detection of patients with an AMI was 39% (95% CI, 32% to 46%) and the diagnostic accuracy of the POC-cTnT values was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.71). Adjusted survival analysis showed a strong significant association between elevated prehospital POC-cTnT level above the detection level of 50 ng/L and mortality in patients with a suspected AMI irrespective of whether an AMI was diagnosed. In conclusion, large-scale quantitative prehospital POC-cTnT testing by paramedics is feasible. An elevated prehospital POC-cTnT value contains diagnostic information and is highly predictive of mortality in patients with a suspected AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: This prospective multicenter registry used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with definite stent thrombosis (ST) to compare rates of incomplete stent apposition (ISA), stent fracture and stent expansion in patients treated with drug-eluting (DES) versus bare metal (BMS) stents. ST is a rare, but potential life threatening event after coronary stent implantation. The etiology seems to be multifactorial. Methods: 124 patients with definite ST were assessed by IVUS during the acute ST event. The study was conducted in 15 high-volume percutaneous coronary intervention -centers in the Nordic–Baltic countries. Results: In early or late ST there were no differences in ISA between DES and BMS. In very late ST, ISA was a more frequent finding in DES than in BMS (52% vs.16%; p=0.005) and the maximum ISA area was larger in DES compared to BMS (1.1±2.3mm2 vs. 0.1±0.5mm2; p=0.004). Further, ISA was more prevalent in sirolimus-eluting than in paclitaxel-eluting stents (58% vs. 37%; p=0.02). Stent fractures were found both in DES (16%) and BMS (24%); p=0.28, and not related to time of stent thrombosis occurrence. For stents with nominal diameters ≥2.75mm, 38% of the DES and 22% of the BMS had a minimum stent area of less than 5mm2; p=0.14. Conclusions: Very late stent thrombosis was more prevalent and associated with more extensive ISA in DES than in BMS treated patients. Stent fracture was a common finding in ST after DES and BMS implantation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective Obesity is paradoxically associated with enhanced survival in patients with established cardiovascular disease. We explored this paradox further by examining the influence of obesity on survival in patients with verified atherosclerotic heart disease. Design and patients This retrospective registry based cohort study included all patients from the Western Denmark Heart Registry with coronary atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary angiography from January 2000 to December 2010. Patients were divided into eight groups according to body mass index (BMI) based on WHO BMI classification. Setting Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark. Results The study included 37 573 patients (70.7% men) with a mean age of (66.3±11.1) years. During the 11 years of follow-up, 5866 (15.6%) patients died. Multivariable analysis confirmed that the risk of death was the lowest among the preobese patients (27.5⩽BMI<30 kg/m2) with adjusted HR of 0.82 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.95; p=0.008) and increased with both low (BMI<18.50 kg/m2) and very high (BMI⩾40 kg/m2) BMI, HR 2.04 (95% CI 1.63 to 2.57; p<0.001) and HR 1.35 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.72; p<0.01), respectively. Also the normal weight class I (18.5⩽BMI<23 kg/m2) had a significant risk of mortality HR 1.28 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.45; p<0.001). Obese classes I and II did not differ from the reference group (23⩽BMI<25 kg/m2). Conclusions Overweight atherosclerotic heart disease patients have improved survival compared with normal weight patients. Underweight and severely obese patients have increased mortality. Our results lean more towards an overweight paradox than an obesity paradox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which investigated the effects of a biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stent and durable polymer-coated sirolimus-eluting stent in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Particular focus is given to the methodology used in the study. Findings revealed that the primary endpoint was met by 4.1% of patients in the biolimus-eluting stent and 3.1% in the sirolimus-eluting stent group.

Diabetes is associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) after percutaneous coronary intervention. The purpose of this substudy of the SORT OUT IV trial was to compare clinical outcomes in patients with and without diabetes mellitus treated with everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) or sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs). In total 2,774 patients (390 with diabetes, 14.1%) were randomized to stent implantation with EESs (n = 1,390, diabetes in 14.0%) or SESs (n = 1,384, diabetes in 14.2%). Randomization was stratified by presence/absence of diabetes. The primary end point was MACEs, a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or target vessel revascularization within 18 months. MACEs were higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic patients (13.1% vs 6.4%, hazard ratio [HR] 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.51 to 2.86). In diabetic patients, MACEs were seen in 10.3% of those treated with EESs and in 15.8% of those treated with SESs (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.11). In nondiabetic patients, MACEs occurred in 6.6% of EES-treated and in 6.3% SES-treated patients (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.46). In diabetics, cardiac death occurred in 3.1% of EES-treated and in 4.6% of SES-treated patients (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.89), myocardial infarction occurred in 0.5% of EES-treated and in 3.6% of SES-treated patients (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.16), and clinically driven target lesion revascularization was needed in 3.1% of EES-treated and in 7.7% of SES-treated patients (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.02). No interaction between diabetes status and type of drug-eluting stent was found for the end points. In conclusion, patients with diabetes have higher MACE rates than nondiabetics. No significant differences in safety or efficacy outcomes after EES or SES implantation were present in nondiabetic or diabetic patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: There are limited head-to-head randomized data on patient-related versus stent-related outcomes for everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and sirolimus-eluting stents (SES). Background: In the SORT OUT IV (Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials With Clinical Outcome IV) trial, comparing the EES with the SES in patients with coronary artery disease, the EES was noninferior to the SES at 9 months. Methods: The primary endpoint was a composite: cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), definite stent thrombosis, or target vessel revascularization. Safety and efficacy outcomes at 2 years were further assessed with specific focus on patient-related composite (all death, all MI, or any revascularization) and stent-related composite outcomes (cardiac death, target vessel MI, or symptom-driven target lesion revascularization). A total of 1,390 patients were assigned to receive the EES, and 1,384 patients were assigned to receive the SES. Results: At 2 years, the composite primary endpoint occurred in 8.3% in the EES group and in 8.7% in the SES group (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73 to 1.22). The patient-related outcome: 15.0% in the EES group versus 15.6% in the SES group, (HR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.15), and the stent-related outcome: 5.2% in the EES group versus 5.3% in the SES group (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.35) did not differ between groups. Rate of definite stent thrombosis was lower in the EES group (0.2% vs. 0.9%, (HR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.80). Conclusions: At 2-year follow-up, the EES was found to be noninferior to the SES with regard to both patient-related and stent-related clinical outcomes. (The SORT OUT IV TRIAL [SORT OUT IV]; NCT00552877) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a worse outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than nondiabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to compare rates of stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and death in diabetic and nondiabetic patients treated with primary PCI for ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) in Western Denmark. From January 2002 through June 2005, 3,655 consecutive patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI and stent implantation (316 patients with DM, 8.6%; 3,339 patients without DM, 91.4%) were recorded in the Western Denmark Heart Registry. All patients were followed for 3 years. Cox regression analysis was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs), controlling for potential confounding. Three-year rates of definite stent thrombosis were 1.6% in the DM group and 1.5% in the non-DM group (adjusted HR 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50 to 2.67). The rate of MI was 12.3% in the DM group versus 5.6% in the non-DM group (adjusted HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.81 to 3.61). Rates of TLR were 12.1% in the DM group and 8.7% in the non-DM group (adjusted HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.11). All-cause mortality was 23.7% in patients with DM versus 12.7% in patients without DM (adjusted HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.59). In conclusion, stent thrombosis rate was similar in patients with and without DM and STEMI treated with primary PCI, whereas the presence of DM increased the risk of MI, TLR, and death. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Patients ≥80 years old with coronary artery disease constitute a particular risk group in relation to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). From 2002 through 2008 we examined the annual proportion of patients ≥80 years old undergoing PCI in western Denmark, their indications for PCI, and prognosis. From 2002 through 2009 all elderly patients treated with PCI were identified in a population of 3.0 million based on the Western Denmark Heart Registry. Cox regression analysis was used to compare mortality rates according to clinical indications controlling for potential confounding. In total 3,792 elderly patients (≥80 years old) were treated with PCI and the annual proportion increased from 224 (5.4%) in 2002 to 588 (10.2%) in 2009. The clinical indication was stable angina pectoris (SAP) in 30.2%, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 35.0%, UAP/non-STEMI in 29.7%, and “ventricular arrhythmia or congestive heart failure” in 5.1%. Overall 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 9.2% and 18.1%, respectively. Compared to patients with SAP the adjusted 1-year mortality risk was significantly higher for patients presenting with STEMI (hazard ratio 3.86, 95% confidence interval 3.08 to 4.85), UAP/non-STEMI (hazard ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.53 to 2.50), and ventricular arrhythmia or congestive heart failure (hazard ratio 2.75, 95% confidence interval 1.92 to 3.92). In patients with SAP target vessel revascularization decreased from 7.1% in 2002 to 2.5% in 2008. In conclusion, the proportion of patients ≥80 years old treated with PCI increased significantly over an 8-year period. Patients with SAP had the lowest mortality rates and rates of clinically driven target vessel revascularization decreased over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), delay between contact with the health care system and initiation of reperfusion therapy (system delay) is associated with mortality, but data on the associated risk for congestive heart failure (CHF) among survivors are limited. Objective: To evaluate the association between system delay and the risk for readmissions or outpatient contacts due to CHF after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in patients with STEMI. Design: Historical follow-up study using population-based medical registries. Setting: Western Denmark. Patients: Patients with STEMI who were transported by emergency medical service from 1 January 1999 to 7 February 2010 and treated with PPCI within 12 hours of symptom onset and who had a system delay of 6 hours or less (n = 7952). The median duration of follow-up was 3.1 years. Measurements: Cumulative incidence of readmissions or outpatient contacts due to CHF was determined by using competing-risk regression analysis, with death as the competing risk. Crude and adjusted cause-specific hazard ratios for readmissions or outpatient contacts due to CHF were determined for system delay and other covariates. Results: System delays of 60 minutes or less (n = 451), 61 to 120 minutes (n = 3457), 121 to 180 minutes (n = 2655), and 181 to 360 minutes (n = 1389) corresponded with long-term risks for readmissions or outpatient contacts due to CHF of 10.1%, 10.6%, 12.3%, and 14.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, system delay was an independent predictor of readmissions or outpatient contacts due to CHF (adjusted hazard ratio per hour increase in delay, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17]). Limitation: In any nonrandomized study, there are risks for selection bias and residual confounding. Conclusion: In patients with STEMI, shorter delay to PPCI is associated with lower risk for readmissions or outpatient contacts due to CHF during follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prehospital electrocardiographic (ECG) diagnosis has improved triage and outcome in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. However, many patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) present with equivocal ECG patterns making prehospital ECG diagnosis difficult. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and ability of prehospital troponin T (TnT) testing to improve diagnosis in patients with chest pain transported by ambulance. From June 2008 through September 2009, patients from the central Denmark region with suspected AMI and transported by ambulance were eligible for prehospital TnT testing with a qualitative point-of-care test (cutpoint 0.10 ng/ml). Quantitative TnT was measured at hospital arrival and after 8 and 24 hours (cutpoint 0.03 ng/ml). A prehospital electrocardiogram was recorded in all patients. Prehospital TnT testing was attempted in 958 patients with a 97% success rate. In 258 patients, in-hospital TnT values were increased (≥0.03 ng/ml) during admission. The prehospital test identified 26% and the first in-hospital test detected 81% of patients with increased TnT measurements during admission. A diagnosis of AMI was established in 208 of 258 patients with increased TnT. The prehospital test identified 30% of these patients, whereas the first in-hospital test detected 79%. Median times from symptom onset to blood sampling were 83 minutes (46 to 167) for the prehospital sample and 165 minutes (110 to 276) for the admission sample. In conclusion, prehospital TnT testing is feasible with a high success rate. This study indicates that prehospital implementation of quantitative tests, with lower detection limits, could identify most patients with AMI irrespective of ECG changes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim of the study: Quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical determinant of outcome following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of CPR provided by emergency medical service providers (Basic Life Support (BLS) capability) and emergency medical service providers assisted by paramedics, nurse anesthetists or physician-manned ambulances (Advanced Life Support (ALS) capability) in a nationwide, unselected cohort of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with non-traumatic etiology (>18 years of age) occurring from the 1st to the 31st of January 2009 and treated by the primary Danish emergency medical service operator, covering approximately 85% of the population. One hundred and ninety-one cases were eligible for analysis. Follow-up was up to one year or death. Quality of CPR was evaluated using measurements of transthoracic impedance. Results: The majority of patients were treated by ambulances with ALS capability (54%). Interruptions in CPR related to loading of the patient into the emergency medical service vehicle were substantial, but independent of whether patients were managed by ALS or BLS capable units (222s versus 224s, P =0.76) as were duration of interruptions during rhythm analysis alone (20s versus 22s, P =0.33) and defibrillation (24s versus 26s, P =0.07). Conclusions: Nationwide, routine monitoring of transthoracic impedance is feasible. CPR is hampered by extended interruptions, particularly during loading of the patient into the emergency medical service vehicle, rhythm analysis and defibrillation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study which evaluated the associations between system, treatment, patient, and door-to-balloon delays and mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The basis for the study was population-based Danish medical registries of patients suffering from STEMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008 in Western Denmark. The authors found an association between system delay and mortality in patients with STEMI with primary PCI.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare long-term clinical outcomes after implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background: The evidence of long-term efficacy and safety after implantation of DES in patients with complex lesions is scarce. Methods: We randomly assigned 626 patients with STEMI referred within 12 h to have a DES or a BMS implanted in the infarct-related lesion with or without distal protection during primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Results: At 3 years, target lesion revascularization was 6.1% in the DES group compared with 16.3% in the BMS group (p < 0.001), and the rate of major adverse cardiac events was 11.5% versus 18.2%, respectively (p = 0.02). Whereas all-cause mortality did not differ significantly, the rate of cardiac death was higher in the DES group, 6.1% versus 1.9% for the BMS group (p = 0.01). The occurrence of reinfarction, stroke, and stent thrombosis was similar. Conclusions: Implantation of DES in patients with STEMI reduces the long-term rate of major adverse cardiac events compared with BMS, but patients with DES had a higher risk of cardiac death not attributed to myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis. (Drug Elution and Distal Protection During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction [DEDICATION]; NCT00192868) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The sirolimus-eluting stent has demonstrated the least amount of late lumen loss among previously released drug-eluting stents, but its safety and efficacy has not been compared head-to-head with the everolimus-eluting stent. Method: The Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials with Clinical Outcome (SORT OUT) IV trial was designed as a prospective, multi-center, open-label, all-comer, two-arm, randomized, non-inferiority study comparing the everolimus-eluting stent with the sirolimus-eluting stent in the treatment of atherosclerotic coronary artery lesions. Based on a non-inferiority design, power calculations estimated a needed enrolment of 2,678 patients. The primary endpoint is a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis or target vessel revascularization after 9 months. Data on clinical events and mortality for all randomized patients will be obtained from national databases at 9 months. No clinical follow-up examination is scheduled. Conclusion: The SORT OUT IV trial will directly compare clinically relevant differences in efficacy and safety in two drug-eluting stents: a first-generation sirolimus-eluting stent versus a second-generation everolimus-eluting stent. The study makes use of clinical endpoints routinely collected in computerized healthcare registries, allowing complete follow-up of a large, well-defined population without scheduled angiographic examinations. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with diabetes mellitus have worse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention than patients without diabetes mellitus. We compared the risk of stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, death, and target lesion revascularization in diabetic and nondiabetic patients after implantation of drug-eluting stents or bare metal stents. In the Western Denmark Heart Registry, 12,347 consecutive patients (1,575 with and 10,772 without diabetes) were identified and followed up for 2 years. The 2-year risk of definite stent thrombosis was 0.52% in patients with diabetes mellitus and 0.71% in nondiabetic patients (adjusted relative risk [RR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41 to 1.34, p = 0.321). The 2-year risk of myocardial infarction was greater in the diabetic patients (6.9%) than in the nondiabetic patients (3.6%; adjusted RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.58 to 2.43; p <0.001). The all-cause 2-year mortality rate was almost twice as great for the diabetic patients compared to the nondiabetic patients (12.4% vs 6.7%; adjusted RR 1.91, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.23; p <0.001). The 2-year risk of target lesion revascularization was 8.5% in the diabetic patients and 6.8% in the nondiabetic patients (adjusted RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.49; p <0.001). In conclusion, 2 years after drug-eluting stent or bare metal stent implantation, diabetic patients had a greater risk than nondiabetic patients of myocardial infarction and death. Drug-eluting stent treatment reduced the risk of target lesion revascularization compared to bare metal stent treatment, regardless of diabetes status. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: Lengthy resuscitations in the catheterisation laboratory carry extremely high rates of mortality because it is essentially impossible to perform effective chest compressions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a mechanical chest compression device, LUCAS™, in the catheterisation laboratory, in patients who suffered circulatory arrest requiring prolonged resuscitation. Materials and methods: The study population was comprised of patients who arrived alive to the catheterisation laboratory and then required mechanical chest compression at some time during the angiogram, PCI or pericardiocentesis between 2004 and 2008 at the Lund University Hospital. This is a retrospective registry analysis. Results: During the study period, a total of 3058 patients were treated with PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) of whom 118 were in cardiogenic shock and 81 required defibrillations. LUCAS™ was used in 43 patients (33 STEMI, 7 non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), 2 elective PCIs and 1 patient with tamponade). Five patients had tamponade due to myocardial rupture prior to PCI that was revealed at the start of the PCI, and all five died. Of the remaining 38 patients, 1 patient underwent a successful pericardiocentesis and 36 were treated with PCI. Eleven of these patients were discharged alive in good neurological condition. Conclusion: The use of mechanical chest compressions in the catheterisation laboratory allows for continued PCI or pericardiocentesis despite ongoing cardiac or circulatory arrest with artificially sustained circulation. It is unlikely that few, if any, of the patients would have survived without the use of mechanical chest compressions in the catheterisation laboratory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of distal protection during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background: The use of distal filter protection during primary PCI increases procedure complexity and may influence lesion treatment and stent implantation. Methods: The STEMI patients were assigned to distal protection (DP) (n = 312) or conventional treatment (CT) (n = 314). Clinical follow-up was performed after 1, 6, and 15 months, and angiographic follow-up after 8 months. All target lesion revascularizations (TLRs) were clinically driven. We report the pre-specified end points of stent thrombosis according to the criteria of the Academic Research Consortium, TLR, and reinfarction after 15 months. Results: The total number of stent thrombosis was 11 in the DP group and 4 in the CT group (p = 0.06). The rate of definite stent thrombosis was significantly increased in the DP group as compared with the CT group, with 9 cases versus 1 (p = 0.01). Clinically driven TLRs (31 patients vs. 18 patients, p = 0.05) and clinically driven target vessel revascularizations (37 patients vs. 22 patients, p = 0.04) were more frequent in the DP group. Conclusions: In primary PCI for STEMI, the routine use of DP increased the incidence of stent thrombosis and clinically driven target lesion/vessel revascularization during 15 months of follow-up. (Drug Elution and Distal Protection in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Trial [DEDICATION]; NCT00192868). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of distal protection during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background: The use of distal filter protection during primary PCI increases procedure complexity and may influence lesion treatment and stent implantation. Methods: The STEMI patients were assigned to distal protection (DP) (n = 312) or conventional treatment (CT) (n = 314). Clinical follow-up was performed after 1, 6, and 15 months, and angiographic follow-up after 8 months. All target lesion revascularizations (TLRs) were clinically driven. We report the pre-specified end points of stent thrombosis according to the criteria of the Academic Research Consortium, TLR, and reinfarction after 15 months. Results: The total number of stent thrombosis was 11 in the DP group and 4 in the CT group (p = 0.06). The rate of definite stent thrombosis was significantly increased in the DP group as compared with the CT group, with 9 cases versus 1 (p = 0.01). Clinically driven TLRs (31 patients vs. 18 patients, p = 0.05) and clinically driven target vessel revascularizations (37 patients vs. 22 patients, p = 0.04) were more frequent in the DP group. Conclusions: In primary PCI for STEMI, the routine use of DP increased the incidence of stent thrombosis and clinically driven target lesion/vessel revascularization during 15 months of follow-up. (Drug Elution and Distal Protection in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Trial [DEDICATION]; NCT00192868) [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a randomised trial which tested the hypothesis on the link between myocardial salvage and remote ischaemic conditioning during evolving ST-elevation myocardial infarction before primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The study involved 333 consecutive adult patients with suspected first acute myocardial infarction, who received remote conditioning before hospital admission. The researchers concluded that myocardial salvage could be increased by remote ischaemic conditioning before hospital admission and could serve as a complement to angioplasty.

Accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR) has been considered a marker of successful reperfusion in fibrinolytic-treated patients. Evidence is limited regarding its significance in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence and associated outcomes of arrhythmias and conduction disturbances occurring during PPCI. In 503 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the arrhythmias and conduction disturbances occurring from arrival at the catheterization laboratory to 90 minutes after PPCI were registered. Continuous ST-monitoring was performed to determine the interval from the first wire to complete ST resolution. The area at risk was evaluated in the acute phase and the final infarct size (FIS) after 1 month using myocardial perfusion imaging. Mortality was registered at a median follow-up of 2.9 years. The most common arrhythmias observed during PPCI were AIVR (42%), sinus bradycardia (28%), and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (26%). The arrhythmias associated with the FIS included AIVR (unstandardized regression coefficient [B] = 5.27, p <0.001), sustained ventricular tachycardia (B = 15.7, p <0.001), and sinus bradycardia (B = −4.12, p = 0.001). Right bundle branch block was the only conduction disturbance associated with FIS (B = 7.17, p = 0.001). Patients with AIVR less often achieved spontaneous ST resolution before PPCI (13% vs 36%, p <0.001), less often had Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow 3 on admission (3% vs 33%, p <0.001), had a larger area at risk (35% vs 23% of the left ventricle, p <0.001), had a longer time to complete ST resolution (39 vs 21 minutes, p <0.001), had a larger FIS (13% vs 5% of the left ventricle, p <0.001) but had similar mortality (8.6% and 6.5%, p = 0.39) compared to patients without AIVR. In conclusion, AIVR is the most frequent arrhythmia occurring during PPCI in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. However, it is not a marker of successful reperfusion but is associated with extensive myocardial damage and delayed microvascular reperfusion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of in-stent restenosis after coronary stent implantation. Serial intravascular ultrasound was used to study chronic arterial responses and edge effects after implantation of Cypher (Cordis, Johnson & Johnson, Miami Lakes, Florida) or Taxus (Boston Scientific, Maple Grove, Minnesota) stents in diabetic patients. Seventy-four diabetic patients were randomly assigned to Cypher or Taxus stent implantation. Intravascular ultrasound of 5-mm long segments immediately proximal and distal to the stent was performed after the procedure and at the 8-month follow-up. The increase in peri-stent external elastic membrane (EEM) volume was more pronounced in the Taxus group (292.4 ± 132.6 to 309.5 ± 146.8 mm3) than in the Cypher group (274.4 ± 137.2 to 275.4 ± 140.1 mm3; p = 0.005). Peri-stent plaque volume increased in the Taxus group (152.5 ± 73.7 to 166.1 ± 85.1 mm3), but was unchanged in the Cypher group (153.5 ± 75.5 to 151.5 ± 75.8 mm3; p = 0.002). In proximal and distal reference segments, mean lumen area decreased within the entire 5-mm edge segment (proximal and distal) because of plaque progression (distal, 5.5 ± 3.6 to 5.8 ± 3.7 mm2; p = 0.097; proximal, 8.1 ± 2.7 to 8.7 ± 2.9 mm2; p = 0.006) without remodeling (change in EEM) in the Taxus group. Conversely, there were no significant changes in reference-segment EEM or plaque areas in the Cypher group. In conclusion, in diabetic patients, Taxus stent implantation was associated with increased (1) peri-stent EEM volume and peri-stent plaque, and (2) stent edge plaque progression accompanied by lumen reduction without remodeling. These findings were not seen in Cypher stents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: This registry study assessed the safety and efficacy of the 2 types of drug-eluting stents (DES), sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), compared with bare-metal stents (BMS). Background: Drug-eluting stents may increase the risk of stent thrombosis (ST), myocardial infarction (MI), and death. Methods: A total of 12,395 consecutive patients with coronary intervention and stent implantation recorded in the Western Denmark Heart Registry from January 2002 through June 2005 were followed up for 2 years. Data on death and MI were ascertained from national medical databases. We used Cox regression analysis to control for confounding. Results: The 2-year incidence of definite ST was 0.64% in BMS patients, 0.79% in DES patients (adjusted relative risk [RR]: 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72 to 1.65), 0.50% in SES patients (adjusted RR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.35 to 1.15), and 1.30% in PES patients (adjusted RR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.94). The incidence of MI was 3.8% in BMS-treated patients, 4.5% in DES-treated patients (adjusted RR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.51), 4.1% in SES-treated patients (adjusted RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.47), and 5.3% in PES-treated patients (adjusted RR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.81). Whereas overall 2-year adjusted mortality was similar in the BMS and the 2 DES stent groups, 12- to 24-month mortality was higher in patients treated with PES (RR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.09). Target lesion revascularization was reduced in both DES groups. Conclusions: During 2 years of follow-up, patients treated with PES had an increased risk of ST and MI compared with those treated with BMS and SES. Mortality after 12 months was also increased in PES patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate angiographic late luminal loss after the implantation of sirolimus-eluting Cypher stents and paclitaxel-eluting Taxus stents in patients with diabetes. The study was a Danish multicenter, open-label, randomized trial. One hundred fifty-three patients with diabetes with coronary artery disease were randomized to Cypher (n = 76) or Taxus (n = 77) stent implantation. All patients were followed for 8 months. The primary end point was 8-month angiographic in-stent late luminal loss. This primary end point was reduced in the Cypher group compared with the Taxus group (0.23 +/- 0.54 vs 0.44 +/- 0.52 mm, p = 0.025). Angiographic in-segment restenosis at 8-month follow-up, a secondary end point, was present in 16 patients (Cypher, n = 6; Taxus, n = 10; p = 0.24). Target lesion revascularization was performed in 5 patients (6.5%) and 9 patients (11.8%) in the Cypher and Taxus groups, respectively (p = 0.25). Definite stent thrombosis was observed in 2 patients (in the Taxus group), no patients had probable stent thrombosis, and 1 patient in each group had possible stent thrombosis. Major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or target lesion revascularization) were observed in 17 patients (Cypher, n = 6; Taxus, n = 11; p = 0.19). In conclusion, angiographic in-stent late luminal loss is significantly reduced in patients with diabetes by use of the sirolimus-eluting Cypher stent compared with the paclitaxel-eluting Taxus stent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate angiographic late luminal loss after the implantation of sirolimus-eluting Cypher stents and paclitaxel-eluting Taxus stents in patients with diabetes. The study was a Danish multicenter, open-label, randomized trial. One hundred fifty-three patients with diabetes with coronary artery disease were randomized to Cypher (n = 76) or Taxus (n = 77) stent implantation. All patients were followed for 8 months. The primary end point was 8-month angiographic in-stent late luminal loss. This primary end point was reduced in the Cypher group compared with the Taxus group (0.23 ± 0.54 vs 0.44 ± 0.52 mm, p = 0.025). Angiographic in-segment restenosis at 8-month follow-up, a secondary end point, was present in 16 patients (Cypher, n = 6; Taxus, n = 10; p = 0.24). Target lesion revascularization was performed in 5 patients (6.5%) and 9 patients (11.8%) in the Cypher and Taxus groups, respectively (p = 0.25). Definite stent thrombosis was observed in 2 patients (in the Taxus group), no patients had probable stent thrombosis, and 1 patient in each group had possible stent thrombosis. Major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or target lesion revascularization) were observed in 17 patients (Cypher, n = 6; Taxus, n = 11; p = 0.19). In conclusion, angiographic in-stent late luminal loss is significantly reduced in patients with diabetes by use of the sirolimus-eluting Cypher stent compared with the paclitaxel-eluting Taxus stent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Patients with diabetes have a higher risk for in-stent restenosis after coronary stent implantation. Drug-eluting stents (DES) are highly effective in reducing in-stent restenosis. Once neointimal hyperplasia is suppressed with DES, the impact of stent underexpansion becomes magnified. The aim of this study was to evaluate DES expansion in patients with diabetes. Ninety-five patients with diabetes were randomized to Cypher Select (n = 48) or Taxus Express-2 (n = 47) stent implantation. Intravascular ultrasound was performed after stent implantation. Stent expansion was defined as the ratio of measured to predicted minimum stent diameter. There was a trend for lower stent expansion in the Cypher Select stent group (0.74 ± 0.08 vs 0.78 ± 0.11 in the Taxus Express-2 stent group, p = 0.061). Cypher Select stents achieved a final minimal stent cross-sectional area of 5.5 ± 1. 8 mm2, compared with 6.4 ± 1.9 mm2 for Taxus Express-2 stents (p = 0.015). For stents with nominal diameters ≥2.75 mm (Cypher Select n = 40, Taxus Express-2 n = 38), 42.5% of the Cypher Select stents and 10.5% of the Taxus Express-2 stents did not achieve a final minimum stent area of 5 mm2 (p = 0.002). Insulin treatment (relative risk 0.31, 95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.95, p = 0.041) and stent type (relative risk 0.15, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.53, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of not achieving a minimum stent area >5.0 mm2. In conclusion, an important percentage of DES in patients with diabetes fail to achieve the manufacturers'' predicted final minimal stent diameter. Cypher Select stent and insulin treatment were independent predictors of not achieving a minimum stent area >5.0 mm2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]