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Objective: We aimed to explore whether age, period or cohort effects explain the trends and inequalities in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) mortality in Scotland.Methods: We analysed IHD and CeVD deaths for 1974-2015 by sex, age and area deprivation, visually explored the data using heatmaps and dotplots and built regression models.Results: CeVD mortality improved steadily over time while IHD mortality improved more rapidly from the late 1980s. Age effects were evident; both outcomes showed an exponential relationship with age for all except males for IHD in the 1980s and 1990s. The mortality profiles by age became older, although improvement was slower for those aged <50 years for IHD, especially for males, and faster for CeVD in females aged <65 years. Rates were higher, and inequalities greater, among males, especially for IHD. For IHD, increased risk for males over females reduced with age (incidence rate ratio for 41-50 year old males=4.28 (95% CI 4.12 to 4.44) and 1.17 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.18) for 71-80 year olds). Inequalities in IHD mortality by area deprivation persisted over time, increasing from around 10% to around 25% higher risk in the most deprived areas between 1974 and 1986 before declining in absolute terms from around 2000. Inequalities for CeVD increased after the late 1980s.Conclusions: IHD and CeVD mortality in Scotland exhibit age but not recent distinct period or cohort effects. The improvements in mortality rates have been more sustained for CeVD and inequalities greater for IHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Objectives: To determine predictors of failure of transradial approach (TRA) in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and develop a novel score specific for this population.Methods: Consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI in a tertiary care high-volume radial centre were included. TRA-PCI failure was categorised as primary (primary transfemoral approach (TFA)) or crossover (from TRA to TFA). Multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of TRA-PCI failure, and an integer risk score was developed. Clinical outcomes up to 1 year were assessed.Results: From January 2006 to January 2011, 2020 patients were studied. Primary TRA-PCI failure occurred in 111 (5%) patients and crossover to TFA in 44 (2.2%) patients. Independent predictors of TRA-PCI failure were: weight ≤65 kg (OR: 3.0; 95% CI 1.9 to 4.8, p<0.0001), physician with ≤5% TFA conversion (OR: 0.45; 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9, p=0.033), and physician with ≥10% conversion to TFA (OR: 2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.7, p=0.005), intra-aortic balloon pump (OR: 2.0; 95% CI 0.9 to 4.3, p=0.066), cardiogenic shock (OR: 2.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 5.6, p=0.0035), endotracheal intubation (OR: 107; 95% CI 42 to 339, p<0.0001), creatinine >133 μmol/L (OR: 3.6; 95% CI 1.9 to 6.8, p<0.0001), age ≥75 (OR: 1.7; 95% CI 1.0 to 2.9, p=0.031), prior PCI (OR: 2.6; 95% CI 1.5 to 4.5, p=0.0009), hypertension (OR: 1.8; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.9, p=0.009). An integer risk score ranging from -1 to 12 was developed, and predicted TRA-PCI failure from 0% to 100% (c-statistic of 0.868; 95% CI 0.866 to 0.869). Mortality at 1 year remained significantly higher after TRA-PCI failure (adjusted OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2 to 3.9, p=0.011).Conclusions: In a high-volume radial centre, the incidence of TRA-PCI failure is low and can be accurately predicted using a 9-variables risk score. Since outcomes after TRA-PCI failure remained inferior, further effort to maximise the use of radial approach for primary PCI should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Uncertainty exists concerning the relative merits of pharmacological versus mechanical coronary reperfusion in patients presenting early with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with extensive myocardium at risk. Accordingly, we investigated whether the extent of baseline ST-segment shift was related to the response of either reperfusion modality in patients with STEMI presenting within 3 h of symptoms.Methods: We analysed baseline ECGs from 1859 patients enrolled in the STrategic Reperfusion Early After Myocardial Infarction (STREAM) trial. The sum of ST-segment elevation (∑STE) and ST-segment deviation (∑STD) was categorised into quartiles and associations with the primary endpoint (30-day death/shock/congestive heart failure/re-myocardial infarction) for each reperfusion strategy (early fibrinolysis vs primary percutaneous coronary intervention) were explored.Results: Overall, there was a progressive rise in the 30-day primary endpoint according to quartiles of baseline ∑STE (10.3% (0-5 mm), 12.4% (5.5-8.5 mm), 12.1% (9-13.5 mm), 17.6% (> 14.0 mm), p = 0.008) and ∑STD (9.0% (0-9 mm), 13.5% (9.5-14 mm), 14.7% (14.5-20 mm), 15.3% (> 20 mm), p = 0.019). Both ∑STE and ∑STD were associated with the primary endpoint (∑STE: p = 0.071; ∑STD: p = 0.024). However, there was no interaction between quartiles of baseline ∑STE or ∑STD and efficacy of either reperfusion strategy on the 30-day clinical outcomes (∑STE: p (interaction) = 0.696; ∑STD: p (interaction) = 0.542).Conclusions: These data demonstrate an association between ∑STE or ∑STD on the baseline ECG and clinical events at 30 days following reperfusion therapy in STEMI. More importantly, the response to different reperfusion strategies was not influenced by the extent of jeopardised myocardium.Trial Registration Number: NCT00623623; Post-results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the proper management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA). It states the need to conduct rhythm, early life support measures, and facilitated transfer to Cardiac Arrest Center where immediate assessment and treatment is undertaken. It mentions that patients with clear electrocardiogram (ECG) of ischaemia should be offered coronary angiography (CAG) with revascularization.

Background Interhospital transfer of patients admitted with an acute myocardial infarction for specialised care is common and costly. However, the long-term mortality of transferred patients compared with patients solely treated at the presenting hospital has not been evaluated. Here, we assess the long-term mortality of patients who undergo interhospital transfer during their acute myocardial infarction admission. Methods We evaluated 40 482 patients with a ICD10- AM diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction admitted to hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, from 2004 to 2008, of whom 10 107 (25%) were transferred. We compared in-hospital and mortality up to 5.5 years postdischarge among transferred and non-transferred patients. We created a 1:1 propensity score matched cohort (n=16 854; 8427 per group) to account for selection bias. Results In the matched cohort, transferred patients were more likely to undergo revascularisation (55.6% vs 13.7%, RR 4.05; 95% CI 3.83 to 4.29) and had lower mortality at 30 days (3.5% vs 5.7%, HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.70), 1 year (7.5% vs 12.6%, HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.64) and at the end of follow-up (15.3% vs 22.5%, HR 0.65; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.70) than patients treated in presenting hospitals. With the exception of transfers originating from revascularisation capable hospitals, these findings were consistent across a range of subgroups, including patients of all ages, ST-elevation myocardial infarction and non ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients, and transfers originating from hospitals in regional and major city areas. Sensitivity analyses showed that these findings are unlikely to be due to survival bias or to confounding by unmeasured variables. Conclusions Patients hospitalised for an acute myocardial infarction who are transferred to one or more hospitals for specialised care have higher rates of coronary revascularisation and experience lower longterm mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI) is the preferred reperfusion option in ST-elevation myocardial infarction, but its benefits become attenuated as time to its potential delivery becomes prolonged. Based on the STrategic Reperfusion Early After Myocardial Infarction trial, we assessed the impact of increasing time delay on outcomes in patients randomised to a pharmacoinvasive strategy (PI) or P-PCI. Methods Thirty-day clinical outcomes were examined according to PCI-related delay (P-RD). Data from hospitals that enrolled >10 randomised patients were used and P-RD categorised as ≤55 min, >55-97 min and >97 min. Results Composite of death/congestive heart failure/ cardiogenic shock/myocardial infarction in PI and P-PCI arms occurred in 10.6% versus 10.3% (≤55 min, p=0.910); 13.9% versus 17.9% (>55-97 min, p=0.148) and 13.5% versus 16.2% (>97 min, p=0.470), respectively. While there was no worsening of outcomes for PI across the P-RD spectrum, this occurred in the P-PCI arm (p(trend)=0.038). For P-RD <55 min, fewer events tended to occur with P-PCI than PI. Conversely, as P-RD increased to >55 min, PI-assigned patients had better outcomes than P-PCI, suggesting an event-free advantage with PI as P-RD increased (p (interaction)=0.094). Analysing P-RD continuously showed that for every 10-min increment there was an increasing trend towards benefit among PI-assigned patients (p(interaction)=0.073). Conclusions As P-RD increased, PI outcomes became superior to P-PCI when P-RD is prolonged and exceeds guideline-mandated times. In such circumstances, a PI strategy may provide an alternative reperfusion option. Adverse time delays for delivery of P-PCI should be considered when evaluating reperfusion strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate clinical outcomes of coronary intervention using a biolimus-eluting stent (BES) compared with a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Limus Eluted from A Durable versus ERodable Stent (LEADERS) coating trial at the final 5-year follow-up. Methods The LEADERS trial is a multicentre all-comer study, where patients (n=1707) were randomised to percutaneous intervention with either BES containing biodegradable polymer or SES containing durable polymer. Out of 1707 patients enrolled in this trial, 573 patients had percutaneous coronary intervention for AMI (BES=280, SES=293) and were included in the current analysis. Patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE, including all death, all myocardial infarction (MI) and all revascularisations), major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including cardiac death, MI and clinically indicated target vessel revascularisation) and stent thrombosis were assessed at 5-year follow-up. Results The baseline clinical, angiographic and procedural characteristics were well matched between BES and SES groups. In all patients with AMI, coronary intervention with a BES, compared with SES, significantly reduced POCE (28.9% vs 42.3%; relative risk (RR) 0.61, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.82, p=0.001) at 5-year follow-up. There was also a reduction in MACE rate in the BES group (18.2% vs 25.9%; RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.95, p=0.025); however, there was no difference in cardiac death and stent thrombosis. In patients with ST-elevation MI (STEMI), coronary intervention with BES significantly reduced POCE (24.4% vs 39.3%; RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.85, p=0.006), MACE (12.6% vs 25.0%; RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.83, p=0.008) and cardiac death (3.0% vs 11.4%; RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.75, p=0.007), along with a trend towards reduction in definite stent thrombosis (3.7% vs 8.6%; RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.18, p=0.088), compared with SES. Conclusions BES, compared with SES, significantly improved safety and efficacy outcomes in patients with AMI, especially those with STEMI, at 5-year follow-up. Trial registration number NCT 00389220. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the reperfusion treatment of choice for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction with studies having demonstrated improved outcomes with PPCI over thrombolysis. Its use has increased substantially over the last decade, overtaking thrombolytic therapy in many countries. This has been paralleled with advances in adjunctive technology and pharmacological therapy to further improve outcome, but challenges remain for PPCI practitioners. The evidence behind PPCI is reviewed at every stage of the patient's journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective European ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) guidelines recommend prehospital diagnosis to facilitate early reperfusion in patients with STEMI, and they provide recommendations regarding optimal system delay (time from first medical contact (FMC) to the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI)). There are limited data on achievable system delays in an optimal STEMI system of care using prehospital diagnosis to triage patients with STEMI directly to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centres. We examined the proportion of tentative prehospital STEMI diagnoses established by telemedicine confirmed on hospital arrival, and we determined system delay in patients diagnosed before hospital arrival and triaged directly to the catheterisation laboratory. Methods Design: Population-based follow-up study. Setting: Central Denmark Region. Participants: 15 992 patients diagnosed using telemedicine. Results During the study period, a tentative diagnosis of STEMI was established in 1061 patients, of whom 919 were triaged directly to the PCI centre. In 771 (84%) patients, a diagnosis of STEMI was confirmed. Patients transported <10 km had a mean system delay of 82 min; this delay rose to 103 min for patients transported 50-75 km. Data on system delay was achievable in 682 patients in whom 553 (81%) were treated within 120 min of the FMC, and a system delay of <120 min was achievable in 89% of patients living up to 95 km from the PCI centre. Even for patients living <10 km from the PCI centre, only 16 (14%) had a system delay of 60 min or less. Conclusions The use of telemedicine for prehospital diagnosis and triage of patients directly to the catheter laboratory is feasible and allows 89% of patients living up to 95 km from the invasive centre to be treated with PPCI within 120 min of the emergency medical service call. The study confirms that a recommendation of a system delay <60 min is unachievable if the FMC is the emergency medical call. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate temporal changes in survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by early invasive strategy. Methods Accelerated failure time and 6-month relative survival analyses stratified by thrombolysis or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and coronary angiography for non-STEMI (NSTEMI) encompassing 583 466 patients across 247 hospitals in England and Wales over hospital admission periods 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. Results Survival improved significantly for STEMI patients who received reperfusion therapy (time ratio (TR) 1.47, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.78) and was stable for those who did not (TR 1.02, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.22). While there were significant improvements in survival for NSTEMI patients who underwent coronary angiography (TR 1.39, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.62), there was a significant decline for those who did not (TR 0.70, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.75). Patients without reperfusion therapy or coronary angiography had a greater number of comorbidities, but the use of secondary prevention medications was comparable with patients who received reperfusion therapy or coronary angiography. There was a significant hospital-level survival effect, with higher crude 6-month mortality in hospitals in the lowest coronary angiography and PPCI quartiles (angiography Q1: 16.4% vs Q4: 12.8%; PPCI Q1: 15.8% vs Q4: 12.4%). Conclusions Survival rates after AMI have improved. Whereas survival estimates for STEMI patients who did not receive reperfusion therapy were stable, they worsened for NSTEMI patients not receiving coronary angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acute management of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has seen significant changes in the past decade. Although the incidence has been declining in the UK, STEMI still gives rise to around 600 hospitalised episodes per million people each year, with many additional cases resulting in death before hospital admission. In-hospital mortality following acute coronary syndromes has fallen over the past 30 years from around 20% to nearer 5%, and this improved outcome has been attributed to various factors, including timely access to an expanding range of effective interventional and pharmacological treatments. A formal review of the acute management of STEMI is therefore appropriate. The recently published NICE clinical guideline (CG167: The acute management of myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation) provides evidence-based guidance on the acute management of STEMI, including the choice of reperfusion strategies, procedural aspects of the recommended interventions, the use of additional drugs before and longside reperfusion therapies, and the treatment of patients who are unconscious or in cardiogenic shock. The guideline development methods and detailed reviews of the evidence considered by the Guideline Development Group (GDG) can be found in the full version of the guideline (http://www.nice.org.uk/ CG167), and the priority recommendations are summarised in box 1. Other related NICE clinical guidelines deal with the diagnosis of recent-onset chest pain of suspected cardiac origin http://www.nice.org.uk/ CG95), the early management of unstable angina and non-STEMI (http://www.nice.org.uk/CG94), and secondary prevention after myocardial infarction (http:// www.nice.org.uk/CG48, currently being updated with publication expected end of 2013). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author reflects on use of catheter-based technology, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. It has been revealed through clinical trials that PCI does not result in reduction of death or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) or hospitalisation for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The author mentions that instead of lack of scientific evidence regarding effectiveness of PCI, it continues to be performed on large scale.

Objectives To investigate the predictors and impact on long-term survival of one chronic total occlusion (CTO) or multiple CTOs in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Design Single-centre retrospective observational study. Setting University-based tertiary referral centre. Patients Between 2006 and 2011, a total of 2020 consecutive patients referred with STEMI were categorised into single vessel disease, multivessel disease (MVD) without CTO, with one CTO or with multiple CTOs. Intervention Primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Main outcome measure The primary end-point was the 1-year mortality. Results The prevalence of single vessel disease, MVD without CTO, with one CTO or with multiple CTOs was 70%, 22%, 7.2% and 0.8%, respectively. Independent clinical predictors for the presence of CTO were cardiogenic shock (OR 5.05; 95% CI 3.29 to 7.64), prior myocardial infarction (OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.35 to 3.09), age >65 years (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.40 to 2.71) and history of angina (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.87). Mortality was worse in patients with multiple CTOs (76.5%) compared with those with one CTO (28.1%) or without CTO (7.3%) (p<0.0001). After adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction and renal function, MVD was an independent predictor for 1-year mortality (HR: 1.81; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.77, p1/40.007), but CTO was not (HR: 1.07; 95% CI 0.66 to 1.73, p1/40.78). Conclusions Simple clinical factors are associated with the presence of CTO in non-infarct-related artery in patients presenting with STEMI. In these patients, long-term survival was independently associated with MVD, left ventricular ejection fraction and renal function, but not with CTO per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the consequence of treatment delay of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) on long-term survival Background Network organisation based on early recognition, shortening prehospital time delays and procedural delays is the cornerstone of optimal clinical results in the acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Nevertheless, the evidence of a relationship between symptom onset-to-balloon time and mortality is weak, and few long-term data are available. Setting and measures In this single-centre observational follow-up study, we evaluated the long-term survival of 790 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age 68±13 years; 73% males) undergoing PPCI=12 h from symptom onset, or 12-36 h in the case of persistence of symptoms or hemodynamic instability. Results The median (IQR) treatment delay, defined as the time from symptom onset to reperfusion, was 180 min (120;310), fairly balanced between patient delay (80 min (40;140)) and system delay (80 min (60-114)). Patients with a treatment delay <180 min displayed lower mortality at 1, 3, 5 and 7 years (12%, 17%, 22% and 26%, respectively) than those with a treatment delay >180 min (15%, 24%, 28% and 37%, respectively). The HR was 0.7 (95% CI 0.5 to 0.9). On univariate and stepwise multiple regression analysis, field triage and transportation (p=0.0001), shorter distance from hospital (p=0.02) and male gender ( p=0.02), but not clinical variables, were independent predictors of shorter treatment delay. Conclusions Shorter symptom onset-to-balloon time predicts long-term lower mortality in STEMI patients treated with PPCI. Our findings emphasise the need to minimise any component of treatment delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the cost-effectiveness of bivalirudin versus heparin and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (H-GPI) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), from a UK health service perspective. Design Cost-utility analysis with life-long time horizon. Main outcome measures Costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness Methods Event risks and medical resource use data derived from the HORIZONS-AMI trial were entered into a decision analytic model. Clinical events until the end of year 1 (main model) or year 3 (alternative model) were modelled in detail. Adjustments were applied to approximate UK routine practice characteristics. Life expectancy of 1-year or 3-year survivors, health-state utilities, initial hospitalisation length of stay in the comparator strategy and unit costs were based on UK sources. Costs and effects were discounted at 3.5%. Results The main model predicted bivalirudin and H-GPI patients to survive 11.52 and 11.35 (undiscounted) years on average, respectively, and to accrue 6.26 and 6.17 QALYs. Patient lifetime costs were £267 lower in the bivalirudin strategy (£12 843 vs £13 110). Extensive sensitivity and scenario analyses confirmed these results to be robust. In probabilistic analysis, quality-adjusted survival was higher and costs were lower with bivalirudin in 95.0% of simulation runs. In 99.2%, cost-effectiveness was better than £20 000 per QALY gained. Results from the alternative model were fully consistent. Conclusion The use of bivalirudin instead of H-GPI in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI is cost-effective, and offers a high probability of dominance. Background treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel is assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess short-term and medium-term outcomes following radial and femoral artery access for primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Scotland-wide. Patients All 4534 patients undergoing primary or rescue PCI in Scotland between April 2000 and March 2009 using the Scottish Coronary Revascularisation Register. Intervention Primary or rescue PCI. Main outcome measures Procedural success; periprocedural complications; 30-day and 1-year mortality, myocardial infarction or stroke and long-term mortality. Results Use of the radial approach increased from no cases in 2000 to 924 (80.5%) in 2009 (p<0.001). Patients in whom the radial approach was used were more likely to be male (p=0.041) and to have multiple comorbidities (p<0.001), including hypertension (p<0.001) and left ventricular dysfunction (p<0.001). They were less likely to have renal impairment (p=0.017), multi-vessel coronary disease (p=0.001) and cardiogenic shock (p<0.001). In multivariable analyses, use of radial artery access was associated with greater procedural success (adjusted OR 1.89, 95% Cl 1.26 - 2.82, p=0.002) and a lower risk of any complications (adjusted OR 0.67, 95% Cl 0.51 - 0.87, p=0.001) or access site bleeding complications (adjusted OR 0.21, 0.08 - 0.56, p=0.002), as well as a lower risk of myocardial infarction (adjusted OR 0.66, 95% Cl 0.51-0.87, p=0.003) or death within 30 days (adjusted OR 0.51, 95% Cl 0.04 - 0.52, p<0.001). The differences in myocardial infarction and death remained significant up to 9 years of follow-up. Conclusion Use of the radial artery for primary or rescue PCI is associated with improved clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Immediate reopening of the acutely occluded infarct-related artery via primary PCI is the preferred treatment in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the sudden reinitiation of blood flow can lead to a local acute inflammatory response with further endothelial and myocardial damage, so-called reperfusion injury. The activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is suggested to be a key event in this process. Objectives To investigate circulating MMPs, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in relation to infarct size, left ventricular dysfunction and remodelling in a STEMI population undergoing PCI. Methods 58 Patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were included. Blood samples were collected at baseline before PCI and at 12, 24 and 48 h for later analysis of MMPs, TIMPs and MPO by ELISA. Infarct size, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and remodelling were assessed by cardiac MRI at 5 days and 4 month after STEMI. Results Plasma MMP-2 at 0 and 12 h showed a consistent and significant correlation with infarct size and LV dysfunction measured both at 5 days and at 4 months and correlated well with troponin I measurements. For TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 some support was found for associations with infarct size and LV dysfunction, but these were not as consistent as for MMP-2. MMP-8, MMP-9 and MPO did not overall correlate with measures of infarct size, LV dysfunction or remodelling. Conclusions In patients with STEMI, circulating levels of MMP-2, measured early and even before reperfusion therapy, are strongly associated with infarct size and LV dysfunction. This provides further evidence for the role of MMP-2 in ischaemia-reperfusion injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the risk and outcomes of serious bleeding events in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease or risk factors. Methods: 68 375 outpatients with prior ischaemic vascular events or multiple atherosclerotic risk factors were followed in this prospective observational study; 64 977 had 1-year follow-up data. Main outcome measures were rates of serious bleeding events and 1-year outcomes for patients with and without serious bleeding events. Results: The 1-year rate of serious haemorrhage was 0.92%, with a cerebral haemorrhage rate of 0.11%. Patients with symptomatic vascular disease had a haemorrhage rate of 1.0%, compared with 0.59% in those with risk factors only. Risk factors for serious bleeding included age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, use of antithrombotics and polyvascular disease. Bleeding risk increased with the use of anticoagulants (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.86, p<0.001) or antiplatelet agents combined with anticoagulants (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.74 to 3.71, p<0.001). By logistic regression analysis, patients with a serious bleed (excluding cerebral haemorrhage) had a more than threefold increased risk (HR 3.25, 95% CI 2.58 to 4.10, p<0.0001) of a significant vascular outcome (myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular death) compared with patients without a serious bleed. Conclusions: Serious bleeding complications were relatively rare, but significant considering the large population at risk. Predictors of increased bleeding were similar to the risk factors for ischaemic events. Patients who experienced a serious bleed had a significantly higher rate of major vascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Interstitial haemorrhage due to reperfusion of severely ischaemic myocardium can be detected in vivo by T2-weighted (T2W) and T2⋆ cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The clinical implications of myocardial haemorrhage following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) remain undetermined. Objectives To assess whether the presence of myocardial haemorrhage influences ventricular remodelling and risk of late ventricular arrhythmia following PPCI for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods Forty-eight patients with first ST-elevation AMI, treated successfully with PPCI, underwent CMR at day 2 and 3 months. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were determined from cine-CMR, infarct size and microvascular obstruction (MVO) from gadolinium-enhanced images and area at risk (AAR) from T2W CMR. Myocardial haemorrhage was defined as hypointense signal within the AAR on both T2W and T2⋆ images. All patients had a signal-averaged electrocardiogram at 3 months. Results 30/48 (63%) patients had MVO and 12 of these showed myocardial haemorrhage. Patients with haemorrhagic myocardial infarction (MI) had significantly larger LVEDV and LVESV, lower LVEF and larger infarcts than those with non-haemorrhagic MI at baseline and at 3 months. The presence of haemorrhage was an independent predictor of adverse remodelling defined as increased LVESV on follow-up (p¼0.001, OR 1.6) and prolonged filtered QRS (fQRS) on signal-averaged ECG at 3 months (p¼0.020, OR 1.176). Conclusions Reperfusion haemorrhage following AMI is associated with larger infarct size, diminished myocardial salvage and lower LVEF. The presence of haemorrhage is the strongest independent predictor of adverse ventricular remodelling and is also associated with prolonged fQRS duration, which is a marker of arrhythmic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Controversy remains over the optimal timing of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who have initially been treated with fibrinolytic agents. Objective A meta-analysis of studies was performed comparing immediate or early angiography after fibrinolysis versus a more conservative strategy of deferred PCI or ischaemia-guided management. Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov Study selection Nine contemporary randomised controlled trials eligible for inclusion enrolling a total of 3325 patients were identified. Follow-up ranged between 1 and 12 months. Data extraction Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using a standard form and cross-checked. Results There was suggestive evidence for a reduction in the risk of total mortality in patients undergoing immediate or early PCI. There were no significant differences in the risk of stroke or major bleeding. Conclusions These results support the current recommendation of a routine early invasive strategy in STEMI patients after successful fibrinolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a well-recognised complication of cardiac catheterisation and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) after catheterisation and PCI has not been fully evaluated. A number of risk factors have been implicated in the development of AKI following cardiac catheterisation. Transradial access could lead to a lower incidence of CKD after catheterisation or PCI because of less catheter contact with aortic atheroma, and reduced potential for atheroembolism. Objective To determine the incidence of CKD onset and its association with arterial access in patients after cardiac catheterisation or PCI. Methods and results Linkages between the British Columbia (BC) Cardiac Registry (N=69 214) patients who underwent catheterisation or PCI between 1999 and 2005 and the BC Renal Database were determined. Within 6 months after the cardiac procedure 0.4% of patients developed dialysis dependency, 0.2% in the transradial versus 0.4% in the transfemoral group (p<0.0001); 0.3% of patients developed stage 4 or 5 CKD, 0.1% in the transradial versus 0.4% in the transfemoral group (p<0.0001); 0.9% of patients developed new CKD, 0.2% in the transradial versus 1.2% in the transfemoral group (p<0.0001). After adjusting for baseline characteristics the femoral access site had an OR of 4.36 (95% CI 2.48 to 7.66) for the development of the composite end point of new dialysis, new stage 4 or 5 CKD or new CKD. Conclusions In this large database of current practice coronary catheterisation and PCI, the incidence of CKD onset within 6 months of the procedure was 0.9%. The transradial access site is associated with less CKD than the femoral approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Restoration of myocardial perfusion is the goal of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction. A major predictor of no-reflow is the increasing time to treatment (TTT). Thrombus aspiration (TA) is reported to improve myocardial reperfusion as compared with standard PCI (SP). Objective To investigate the influence of TTT on TA efficacy. Design Pooled analysis of individual patients' data of three prospective randomised trials comparing TA and SP. Patients A total of 299 patients (150 in TA group and 149 in SP group) entered the study. The study population was divided into three subgroups according to the TTT: ≤3 h (short TTT subgroup), >3 h to ≤6 h (intermediate TTT subgroup), >6 h to ≤12 h (long TTT subgroup). Main outcome measures The goal of the study was the comparison of optimal myocardial reperfusion, defined as the combination of myocardial blush grade 2 or 3 at post-PCI angiography and ST resolution more than 70% at post-PCI ECG, between SP and TA according to TTT. Results In the SP group, increasing TTT was associated with a decreased rate of optimal reperfusion (27.4% vs 17.9% vs 10%, p for trend=0.06), whereas in the TA group the same trend was not seen (40.9% vs 33.8% vs 50%, p for trend=0.93). In a multivariate logistic regression model, a significant interaction (p=0.04) between time to treatment and thrombus aspiration was observed. Conclusions TA limits the adverse effects of TTT prolongation on myocardial reperfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on clinical trials that examined the efficacy and safety of drug eluting stents (DES) in the setting of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and management of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The observed benefits of DES are mentioned. The DES used in the studies include sirolimus eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel eluting stents.

The length of hospital stay after a successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction is subject of debate. Patients should not be kept in hospital longer than strictly needed in terms of safety, psycho-social reasons, adequate mobilisation and patient comfort. In many tertiary centres with a busy PCI program insufficient bed capacity is an ongoing concern. Moreover, it seems obvious that shorter hospital stay will lead to a significant cost reduction. In order to know if very early discharge after primary PCI is feasible and safe one should identify the events that might threaten the patient as well as the timing of occurrence of such events. As a result a relatively large proportion of patients with a very low risk of early complications can be defined and in those patients very early discharge is indicated [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical impact of a regional network for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: All patients with STEMI (n = 1823) admitted to any of the hospitals of an area with one million inhabitants during the year 2002 (n = 858)—that is, before the network was implemented, and in 2004 (n = 965), the year of full implementation of the network, were enrolled in this study. The primary evaluation was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as death, myocardial infarction, stroke and coronary revascularisation procedures over 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2004, there was a major change in reperfusion strategy: primary angioplasty increased from 20.2% to 65.6% (p<0.001), fibrinolytic therapy decreased from 38.2% to 10.7% (p<0.001) and the rate of patients not undergoing reperfusion was reduced from 41.6% to 23.7% (p<0.001). In-hospital mortality decreased from 17.0% to 12.3% (p = 0.005), and this reduction was sustained at 1-year follow-up (23.9% in 2002 and 18.8% in 2004, p = 0.009). Similarly, the 1-year incidence of all MACCE was reduced from 39.5% in 2002 to 34.3% in 2004 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Organisation of a territorial network for STEMI is associated with increased rates of reperfusion therapy and reduction of in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a continuing controversy about the acceptable time-window for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Recent American and European guidelines recommend PPCI if the delay in performing PPCI instead of administering fibrinolysis (PCI-related delay) is <60 min and the presentation delay is more than 3 h. Based on a review of the literature, this viewpoint recommends a revision of the guidelines. The evidence supports an acceptable PCI-related delay of 80–120 min and PPCI as the better reperfusion strategy also in the early incomers. Furthermore, the previous assumption that PPCI is less time-dependent than fibrinolysis is questioned. To maximise the number of patients with STEMI eligible for PPCI the optimal logistic may be to establish the diagnosis in the prehospital phase, to bypass local hospitals and re-route patients directly to catheterisation laboratories running 24/7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe recent trends in outcome after first coronary revascularisation in routine clinical practice, with a focus on the influence of co-morbidity, demographics and ethnicity. Design: Historical cohort study. Setting: Leicestershire, UK (resident population 946 000). Patients: All consecutive patients (n = 6068) after first-ever coronary revascularisation by coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG, n = 2520) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, n = 3548) in the period between 1995–6 and 2003–4. Outcome measures: Mortality (all-cause and cardiovascular), repeat revascularisation, unplanned readmission, acute myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and the combination of these outcomes. Results: Among inpatients undergoing their first revascularisation, hospital co-morbidity increased significantly between 1995–6 and 2003–4. In contrast, operative outcomes improved, particularly among the PCI patients experiencing a two-year event-free survival of 83% in the latter period (2001–4), compared to just 73% in the earlier period (1995–8). After statistical adjustment for the temporal increase in preoperative co-morbidity and changing patient demographics, the rates of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were similar after PCI when compared to CABG, generally less than 5% in the first two years following the index procedure. However, the risk of further revascularisation was much higher (10-fold) with index PCI. The adjusted risk for the need for further procedure was lower after PCI with a coronary stent (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.74), compared to without, a coronary stent. Except for the risk of readmission, outcome was independent of patients’ ethnicity, and for women the risk of death was lower (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.87). Conclusions: On a background of increasingly complex preoperative profile, outcomes after first coronary revascularisation procedure seem to have improved in routine clinical practice since the 1990s, and compare well to those seen in clinical trials. In contemporary, routine clinical practice survival is very similar after CABG or PCI, but rate of further revascularisation procedure remains much higher after PCI, despite increasing use of coronary stenting. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) in the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) era. DESIGN: A multicentre observational prospective registered cohort study. SETTING: 18 medical centres in Japan. PATIENTS: 4122 consecutive patients (mean age 66 (SD 12) years, 73.7% male) with acute MI, who were discharged alive. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end-point was SCD, and a secondary end-point was death from any cause. RESULTS: Patients were categorised into three groups: LVEF >40% (n = 3416), LVEF 40% and >30% (n = 507) and LVEF 30% (n = 199). Among all patients, 77.8% received PCI and 3.7% received coronary artery bypass graft surgery. During an average follow-up of 4.1 years, SCD was 1.2% and mortality was 13.1%. Patients with LVEF 30% and LVEF 40% and >30% were at increased risk for SCD (HR 5.99, 95% CI 2.73 to 13.14, p<0.001, HR 3.37, 95% CI 1.74 to 6.50, p<0.001, respectively), and mortality (HR 3.85, 95% CI 2.96 to 5.00, p<0.001, HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.66 to 2.57, p<0.001, respectively), compared to patients with LVEF >40%. Kaplan-Meier estimates of SCD in patients with LVEF 30% were 2.9%, 5.1% and 5.1% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a low incidence of SCD in survivors of MI in the primary PCI era, although LVEF is a predictor of increased risk for SCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Even though time-to-treatment has been shown to be a determinant of mortality in primary angioplasty, the potential benefits from early pharmacological reperfusion by glycoprotein (Gp) lIb-Illa inhibitors are still unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to combine individual data from all randomised trials conducted on facilitated primary angioplasty by the use of early Op lIb-Illa inhibitors. Methods and results: The literature was scanned by formal searches of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE) from January 1990 to October 2007. All randomised trials on facilitation by the early administration of Op lIb-Illa inhibitors in ST-segment elevation myocar- dial infarction (STEMI) were examined. No language restrictions were enforced. Individual patient data were obtained from 11 out of 13 trials, including 1662 patients (840 patients (50.5%) randomly assigned to early and 822 patients (49.5%) to late Op llb-lIla inhibitor administration). Preprocedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Study (TIMI) grade 3 flow was more frequent with early Op lb-lIla inhibitors. Postprocedural TIMI 3 flow and myocardial blush grade 3 were higher with early Op lIb- lIla inhibitors but did not reach statistical significance except for abciximab, whereas the rate of complete ST- segment resolution was significantly higher with early Op lIb-Illa inhibitors. Mortality was not significantly different between groups, although early abciximab demonstrated improved survival compared with late administration, even after adjustment for clinical and angiographic confounding factors. Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows that pharmacological facilitation with the early administration of Op lIb- lIla inhibitors in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for STEMI is associated with significant benefits in terms of preprocedural epicardial recanalisation and ST-segment resolution, which translated into non-significant mortality benefits except for abciximab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients found to have chronic kidney disease (CKD). It talks about the current available evidence about the medical and interventional management strategies for CAD in these patients, particularly patients with stage IV-V renal failure.

Background: Meta-analyses of trials have shown greater benefits from angioplasty than thrombolysis alter an acute myocardial infarction, but the time delay in initiating angioplasty needs to be considered. Objective: To extend earlier meta-analyses by considering 1- and 6-month outcome data for both forms of reperfusion. To use Bayesian statistical methods to quantify the uncertainty associated with the estimated relationships. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2003 was updated. Data on key clinical outcomes and the difference between time-to-balloon and time-to-needle were independently extracted by two researchers. Bayesian statistical methods were used to synthesise evidence despite differences between reported follow-up times and outcomes. Outcomes are presented as absolute probabilities of specific events and odds ratios (ORs; with 95% credible intervals (Crl)) as a function of the additional time delay associated with angioplasty. Results: 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis, with 3760 and 3758 patients randomised to primary angioplasty and thrombolysis, respectively. The mean (SE) angioplasty-related time delay (over and above time to thrombolysis) was 54.3 (2.2) minutes. For this delay, mean event probabilities were lower for primary angioplasty for all outcomes. Mortality within 1 month was 4.5% alter angioplasty and 6.4% alter thrombolysis (OR=0.68 (95% Cr1 0.46 to 1.01)). For non-fatal reinfarction, OR=0.32 (95% Crl 0.20 to 0.51); for non-fatal stroke OR =0.24 (95% Crl 0.11 to 0.50). For all outcomes, the benefit of angioplasty decreased with longer delay from initiation. Conclusions: The benefit of primary angioplasty, over thrombolysis, depends on the former's additional time delay. For delays of 30—90 minutes, angioplasty is superior for 1-month fatal and non-fatal outcomes. For delays of around 90 minutes thrombolysis may be the preferred option as assessed by 6-month mortality; there is considerable uncertainty for longer time delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of primary angioplasty, compared with medical management with thrombolytic drugs, to achieve reperfusion after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from the perspective of the UK NHS. Design: Bayesian evidence synthesis and decision analytic model. Methods: A systematic review was conducted and Bayesian statistical methods used to synthesise evidence from 22 randomised control trials. Resource utilisation was based on UK registry data, published literature and national databases, with unit costs taken from routine NHS sources and published literature. Main outcome measure: Costs from a health service perspective and outcomes measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Results: For the base case, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of primary angioplasty was £9241 for each additional QALY, with a probability of being cost effective of 0.90 for a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20 000. Results were sensitive to variations in the additional time required to initiate treatment with primary angioplasty. Conclusions: Primary angioplasty is cost effective for the treatment of AMI on the basis of threshold cost- effectiveness values used in the NHS and subject to a delay of up to about 80 minutes. These findings are mainly explained by the superior mortality benefit and the prevention of non-fatal outcomes associated with primary angioplasty for delays of up to this length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed a systematic review of all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from the pre-drug-eluting-stent era comparing bare-metal stenting (BMS) with balloon angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction (Ml) to examine coronary angiographic parameters of infarct-related vessel patency and to relate the angiographic measures to clinical outcome. The search was restricted to published RCTs in humans. 10 RCTs, (6192 patients) were analysed. Compared with balloon angioplasty, BMS was associated with reduced rates of reocclusion (6.7% vs 10.1%, OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.96, p=0.03) and restenosis (23.9% vs 39.3%, OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.59, p<0.001), but not with reduced rates of subacute thrombosis (1 .7% in both groups). BMS showed a reduction in target vessel revascularisation (TVR; 1 2.2% vs 1 9.2%, OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.69, p<0.001), but not in mortality (5.3% vs 5.1%) or reinfarction (3.9% vs 4%). The findings of this study support BMS placement in acute MI. The discrepancy between angiographic and clinical parameters has important implications for future studies investigating further technical improvements in mechanical reperfusion therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ischaemic preconditioning results in a reduction in ischaemic-reperfusion injury to the heart. This beneficial effect is seen both with direct local preconditioning of the myocardium and with remote preconditioning of easily accessible distant non-vital limb tissue. Ischaemic postcondtioning with a comparable sequence of brief periods of local ischaemia, when applied immediately after the ischaemic insult, confers benefits similar to preconditioning. Objective: To test the hypothesis that limb ischaemia induces remote postconditioning and hence reduces experimental myocardial infarct size in a validated swine model of acute myocardial infarction. Methods: Acute myocardial infarction was induced in 24 pigs with 90 mm balloon inflations of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Remote ischaemic postconditioning was induced in 12 of the pigs by ~` four 5 mm cycles of blood pressure cuff inflation applied to the lower limb immediately after the balloon deflation. Infarct size was assessed by measuring 72 h creatinine kinase release, MRI scan and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Area under the curve of creatinine kinase release was significantly reduced in the postconditioning group compared with the control group with a 26% reduction in the infarct size (p<0.05). This was confirmed by MRI scanning and immunohistochemical analysis that revealed a 22% (p<0.05) and a 47.52% (p<0.01) relative reduction in the infarct size, respectively. Conclusion: Remote ischaemic postconditioning is a simple technique to reduce infarct size without the hazards and logistics of multiple coronary artery balloon inflations. This type of conditioning promises clear clinical potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses insights on rescue percutaneous coronary intervention. Initial steps recommended for undertaking include prompt recognition of failed fibrinolysis, anticipation of time delays and rapid transfer to the cath lab. The administration of glycoprotein antagonists is recommended within the lab.

Objective: To determine whether revascularisation is more likely to be performed in higher-risk patients and whether the findings are influenced by hospitals adopting more or less aggressive revascularisation strategies. Methods: GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) is a multinational, observational cohort study. This study involved 24 189 patients enrolled at 73 hospitals with on-site angiographic facilities. Results: Overall, 32.5% of patients with a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 53.7% in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)) and 7.2% underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; 4.0% in STEMI). The cumulative rate of in-hospital death rose correspondingly with the GRACE risk score (variables: age, Killip class, systolic blood pressure, ST segment deviation, cardiac arrest at admission, serum creatinine, raised cardiac markers, heart rate), from 1.2% in low-risk to 3.3% in medium-risk and 13.0% in high-risk patients (c statistic = 0.83). PCI procedures were more likely to be performed in low- (40% non-STEMI, 60% STEMI) than medium- (35%, 54%) or high-risk patients (25%, 41%). No such gradient was apparent for patients undergoing CABG. These findings were seen in STEMI and non-ST elevation ACS, in all geographical regions and irrespective of whether hospitals adopted low (4.2–33.7%, n = 7210 observations), medium (35.7–51.4%, n = 7913 observations)or high rates (52.6–77.0%, n = 8942 observations) of intervention. Conclusions: A risk-averse strategy to angiography appears to be widely adopted. Proceeding to PCI relates to referral practice and angiographic findings rather than the patient's risk status. Systematic and accurate risk stratification may allow higher-risk patients to be selected for revascularisation procedures, in contrast to current international practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether ischaemia grade (GI) on the presenting ECG and duration of symptoms can identify subgroups of patients who would derive more benefit than the general population of patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardium infarction (STEMI) from primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) over thrombolytic treatment (TT) in reducing mortality or reinfarction. Methods: 1319 DANAMI-2 (Danish trial in Acute Myocardial Infarction-2) patients were classified as having grade 2 ischaemia (GI2; ST segment elevation without terminal QRS distortion) or grade 3 ischaemia (GI3; ST segment elevation with terminal QRS distortion in ⩾ 2 adjacent leads), and were divided into early and late groups split by the median time (3 h) from symptom onset to treatment. Outcomes were 30-day mortality and reinfarction. Results: Mortality was significantly higher for GI3 than for GI2 (9.7% v 4.8%, p < 0.00 1) and doubled for patients presenting late (GI2: 6.0% v 3.3%, p = 0.01; GI3: 12.5% v 4.7%, p = 0.05). Overall mortality did not differ significantly between pPCI and TI; however, a 5.5% absolute mortality reduction was seen in GI3 treated early with pPCI (1.4% v 6.9%, p = 0.10). Reinfarction rate was particularly high among GI3 patients presenting late and treated with TT (1 2.2%). pPCI in such patients significantly reduced the rate of reinfarction (0%, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio (OR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06 to 1.12, p <0.001), prior angina (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.44 to 4.54, p = 0.001), heart rate (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.04, p = 0.001) and GI3 (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.44, p = 0.031) were independently associated with mortality, whereas the sum of SI segment elevation was not. Conclusions: GI3 is an independent predictor of mortality among patients with STEMI. Mortality increased significantly with symptom duration in both GI2 and GI3. pPCI may be especially beneficial for patients with GI3 presenting early, whereas patients with GI3 presenting late and treated with TT are at particular risk of reinfarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the role of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A polymorphism, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism, PAI-1, homocysteine, and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) in the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndromes who underwent coronary stenting. Design: 520 patients (375 men and 145 women) with acute coronary syndromes and 520 age and sex matched controls were enrolled. MACE were recorded for 109 patients. Heterozygosity for factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A polymorphism, and 4G/5G polymorphism did not significantly differ between patients with and without MACE. A significantly higher percentage of patients with increased homocysteine (28% v 19%, p < 0.001) and PAI-1 concentrations (25% v 16%, p < 0.001) had MACE with respect to those who did not. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the overall risk of MACE was significantly higher among patients with increased PAI-1 (p = 0.006) and homocysteine concentrations (p = 0.04). Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, renal function, systolic left ventricular function, the number of stenosed vessels, and history of percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting showed that homocysteine (odds ratio 7.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 57.7, p < 0.05) and PAI-1 concentrations (odds ratio 5.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 23.8, p < 0.05) within the fifth quintile (with respect to the first) were significant and independent risk factors for the future occurrence of MACE. Conclusions: Increased PAI-1 and homocysteine concentrations are independent risk factors for MACE after successful coronary stenting, whereas Lp(a) and thrombophilic polymorphisms are not predictive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To study the clinical significance of infarct location during long term follow up in a trial comparing thrombolysis with primary angioplasty. Design: Retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis of prospectively entered data. Setting: Patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients: In the Zwolle trial 395 patients with acute STEMI were randomly assigned to intravenous streptokinase or PCI. Main outcome measures: Survival according to infarct location and treatment after 8 (2) years of follow up. Results: 105 patients died: 63 patients in the streptokinase group and 42 patients in the primary PCI group (relative risk (RR) 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 2.6; p = 0.03). In patients with non-anterior STEMI there was no difference in mortality between streptokinase and PCI treated patients (RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6 to 2.1; p = 0.68) but the streptokinase group had significantly more major adverse cardiac events (MACE) than the PCI group (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.6). The number needed to treat to prevent one MACE was four. In patients with anterior STEMI, mortality was higher in the streptokinase group than in the PCI group (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 5.5; p = 0.004). The number needed to treat to prevent one death was five. Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed the benefits of primary angioplasty in the first year and showed additional benefit of PCI compared with streptokinase between 1-8 years after the acute event. Conclusions: Patients with anterior STEMI have better long term survival when treated with PCI than with streptokinase. In patients alive one year after the acute event, PCI confers a significant additional survival benefit, probably due to better preserved residual left ventricular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the impact on observed mortality of the British Cardiac Society (BCS) definition of myocardial infarction (MI) in 11 UK hospitals. Design: Prospective observational registry. Setting: 11 adjacent hospitals in the West Yorkshire region. Patients: 2484 patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were identified during a six month period (28 April to 28 October 2003). Demographic, clinical, and treatment variables were collected on all patients. Deaths were monitored through the Office of National Statistics. Patients were categorised into three groups according to the BCS definition of MI: ACS with unstable angina (UA), ACS with myocyte necrosis, and ACS with clinical MI. Results: 30 day mortality was 4.5%, 10.4%, and 12.9% (p <0.001) in the ACS with UA, ACS with myocyte necrosis, and ACS with clinical MI groups, respectively. At six months the mortality for patients in the groups ACS with clinical MI and ACS with myocyte necrosis was similar (19.2% v 18.7%), being higher than for ACS with UA (8.6%). Same admission percutaneous coronary intervention was similar in groups with clinical Ml and myocyte necrosis (11.1 % v 10.7%, respectively) as was coronary artery bypass grafting (2.6% v 2.7%, respectively). However, these two groups differed significantly in the prescribing of secondary prevention (aspirin, 79% v 69%; statins, 80% v 68%; β blockers, 66% v 53%; and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, 65% v 53%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: At 30 days the new BCS categories for MI predict three distinct outcomes. However, within a contemporary UK population this was no longer apparent at six months, as mortality for patients with ACS with myocyte necrosis had risen to the some level as those for patients with ACS with clinical MI. One possible explanation for this is the apparent under use of drugs known to improve prognosis after traditionally defined MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a discussion on the recent advances in primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Interventional cardiology has evolved since the first studies comparing PPCI and intravenous thrombolysis for the treatment of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. The futuristic view of PPCI as a triumvirate of reperfusion, plaque stabilisation, and myocardial repair is appealing, and may be realistic within a few years. However, today's reality is that the vast majority of patients in developed countries do not have access to PPCI, and more importantly almost a third of AMI patients receive no reperfusion therapy at all.

Objective: To compare clinical outcome of paclitaxel eluting stents (PES) versus sirolimus eluting stents (SES) for the treatment of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Design and patients: The first 136 consecutive patients treated exclusively with PES in the selling of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in this single centre registry were prospectively clinically assessed at 30 days and one year. They were compared with 186 consecutive patients treated exclusively with SES in the preceding period. Setting: Academic tertiary referral centre. Results: At 30 days, the rate of all cause mortality and reinfarction was similar between groups (6.5% v 6.6% for SES and PES, respectively, p = 1.0). A significant difference in target vessel revascularisation (TVR) was seen in favour of SES (1.1% v 5.1% for PES, p = 0.04). This was driven by stent thrombosis (n = 4), especially in the bifurcation stenting (n = 2). At one year, no significant differences were seen between groups, with no late thrombosis and 1.5% in-stent restenosis (needing TVR) in PES versus no reinterventions in SES (p = 0.2). One year survival free of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was 90.2% for SES and 85% for PES (p = 0.16). Conclusions: No significant differences were seen in MACE-free survival at one year between SES and PES for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction with very low rates of reintervention for restenosis. Bifurcation stenting in acute myocardial infarction should, if possible, be avoided because of the increased risk of stent thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the predictors of time between presentation and primary angioplasty and the influence of this delay time on in-hospital mortality in clinical practice. Design: Analysis of data from the registry of percutaneous coronary interventions in acute myocardial infarction of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leitender Kardiologischer Krankenhausärzte (ALKK). Patients: Data of 4815 patients registered at 80 hospitals between 1994 and 2000 were analysed. Results: Mean age of the patients was 61.4 (12.5) years. Cardiogenic shock was present in 14.1 %. Mean time from admission to primary angioplasty ("door to angiography" time) was 83 (122) minutes. Logistic regression analysis showed the presence of a bundle branch block (odds ratio (OR) 1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15 to 3.29), prior coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.59), pre-hospital delay > 3 hours (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.89), and female sex (OR 1.21,95% CI 1.01 to 1.45) to be independently associated with longer door to angiography times, whereas a higher hospital volume of performing primary angioplasty (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.62) and the year of the investigation (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.00) were independently associated with shorter door to angiography times. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were cardiogenic shock (41.6% v 4.0% without cardiogenic shock, p < 0.0001), technical success (29.2% with TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) flow < 3 v 6.5% with TIMI flow 3, p < 0.0001), age (16.5% ⩾ 70 years v 6.6% < 70, p < 0.0001), three vessel disease (16.5% v 6.8% with < 3 vessel disease, p < 0.0001), anterior location of infarction (12% v 7.4% without anterior infarction, p < 0.0001), year of inclusion (adjusted OR 0.92 per year, p = 0.011), and volume of primary angioplasty at the hospital (11% for < 20 angioplasty procedures/year v 8.3% for ⩾ 20/year, p = 0.027) but not the door to angiography time (adjusted OR 1.14 per tertile, p = 0.397). Conclusions: In current clinical practice in Germany median door to angiography time is quite short (83 (122) minutes). Some patients and hospital factors are independently associated with a longer door to angiography time. Within the observed short in-hospital delays door to angiography time did not influence in-hospital mortality. However, efforts to keep them as short as possible should be continued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To document the trends in reperfusion therapy for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Switzerland. Design: National prospective multicentre registry, AMIS Plus (acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina in Switzerland), of patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes. Setting: 54 hospitals of varying size and capability in Switzerland. Patients: 7098 of 11 845 AMIS Plus patients who presented with ST segment elevation or left bundle branch block on the ECG at admission. Main outcome measures: In-hospital mortality and its predictors at admission by multivariate analysis. Results: The proportion of patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) progressively increased from 1997 to 2002, while the proportion with thrombolysis or no reperfusion decreased (from 8.0% to 43.1%, from 47.2% to 25.6%, and from 44.8% to 31.4%, respectively). Overall in-hospital mortality decreased over the study period from 12.2% to 6.7% (p < 0.001). Main in-hospital mortality predictors by multivariate analysis were primary PCI (odds ratio (OR) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.33 to 0.81), thrombolysis (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.83), and Killip class III (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.24) and class IV (OR 5.97, 95% CI 3.51 to 10.17) at admission. When adjusted for the year, multivariate analysis did not show PCI to be significantly superior to shrombolysis for in-hospital mortality (OR 1.2 for PCI better, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.9, p = 0.42). Conclusion: Primary PCI has become the preferred mode of reperfusion for STEMI since 2002 in Switzerland, whereas use of intravenous thrombolysis has decreased from 1997 to 2002. Furthermore, there was a major reduction of in-hospital mortality over the same period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that treatment of patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a superior reperfusion strategy compared to on-site thrombolysis. Patient delay (time from onset of symptoms until calling for help) is still the major contributor of treatment delay (time from onset of symptoms until initiation of reperfusion treatment). Media campaigns have failed to yield a long lasting reduction in patient delay. Thus, adapting a trauma team approach, including a regional strategy of prehospital diagnosis and referral of patients directly to interventional centers, may be one of the new successes in modern cardiology.

The article focuses on the suitability of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (MI). Mechanical reperfusion with PCI in acute MI was first performed in the beginning of the 1980s. During the next decade pioneer work, results revealed that primary PCI was superior to thrombolytic treatment. Subsequent trials also showed that in this setting primary PCI was better than thrombolytic treatment. In a recent meta-analysis of 23 randomized trials comparing primary PCI and thrombolytic treatment, primary PCI was found superior to thrombolysis.

The article focuses on the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a frequent clinical condition associated with a high immediate and short term mortality and long term morbidity. The pre-hospital case fatality rate is approximately 32% and is most often caused by malignant arrhythmias. In-hospital mortality of those patients who reach the hospital alive is 8-15%. In case of survival, the patient may become severely incapacitated because of heart failure as a result of the loss of normal functioning myocardium and ventricular remodeling.

Acute coronary syndrome describes a spectrum of clinical conditions ranging from ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) to non-ST segment elevation MI and unstable angina. The syndrome is the consequence of disruption of a vulnerable coronary artery plaque, complicated by intraluminal thrombosis, embolisation, and varying degrees of obstruction to perfusion. The severity of coronary arterial obstruction and the volume of affected myocardium determine the characteristics of clinical presentation. Patients with complete occlusion may manifest ST segment elevation infarction if the lesion occludes an artery supplying a substantial volume of myocardium, but the same occlusion in the presence of extensive collateralisation may manifest as infarction without ST segment elevation. Similarly, incomplete occlusion at the site of a disrupted arterial plaque may produce ischaemia or microinfarction, depending on the volume of myocardium affected and the extent of distal embolisation. Sensitive and specific markers of myocyte injury allow the detection of more subtle volumes of infarction than possible using conventional cardiac enzymes. INSETS: Trial acronyms.;Management of ACS: Key points..