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Aims In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and multivessel coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of non-infarct-related artery reduces death or MI. However, whether selective PCI guided by fractional flow reserve (FFR) is superior to routine PCI guided by angiography alone is unclear. The current trial sought to compare FFR-guided PCI with angiography-guided PCI for non-infarct-related artery lesions among patients with acute MI and multivessel disease. Methods and results Patients with acute MI and multivessel coronary artery disease who had undergone successful PCI of the infarct-related artery were randomly assigned to either FFR-guided PCI (FFR ≤0.80) or angiography-guided PCI (diameter stenosis of >50%) for non-infarct-related artery lesions. The primary end point was a composite of time to death, MI, or repeat revascularization. A total of 562 patients underwent randomization. Among them, 60.0% underwent immediate PCI for non-infarct-related artery lesions and 40.0% were treated by a staged procedure during the same hospitalization. PCI was performed for non-infarct-related artery in 64.1% in the FFR-guided PCI group and 97.1% in the angiography-guided PCI group, and resulted in significantly fewer stent used in the FFR-guided PCI group (2.2 ± 1.1 vs. 2.5 ± 0.9, P < 0.001). At a median follow-up of 3.5 years (interquartile range: 2.7–4.1 years), the primary end point occurred in 18 patients of 284 patients in the FFR-guided PCI group and in 40 of 278 patients in the angiography-guided PCI group (7.4% vs. 19.7%; hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.75; P = 0.003). The death occurred in five patients (2.1%) in the FFR-guided PCI group and in 16 patients (8.5%) in the angiography-guided PCI group; MI in seven (2.5%) and 21 (8.9%), respectively; and unplanned revascularization in 10 (4.3%) and 16 (9.0%), respectively. Conclusion In patients with acute MI and multivessel coronary artery disease, a strategy of selective PCI using FFR-guided decision-making was superior to a strategy of routine PCI based on angiographic diameter stenosis for treatment of non-infarct-related artery lesions regarding the risk of death, MI, or repeat revascularization.

Pitavastatin is a unique lipophilic statin with moderate efficacy in lowering LDL-C levels by 30% to 50% with a tolerable safety profile. However, the efficacy of adding ezetimibe to pitavastatin in patients with dyslipidemia has not been well investigated. Therefore, the objective of this double-blind, multicenter, randomized, Phase III study was to compare the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin and ezetimibe combination therapy with those of pitavastatin monotherapy in Korean patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.Korean men and women aged19 and80 years with primary hypercholesterolemia requiring medical treatment were included in this study. During the 8-week screening period, all patients were instructed to make therapeutic lifestyle changes. The screening period consisted of a 4-week washout period and a placebo run-in period (4-8 weeks). During treatment period I, patients were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 treatments: pitavastatin 2 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg, pitavastatin 2 mg, pitavastatin 4 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg, or pitavastatin 4 mg. The 8-week double-blind treatment period then commenced. Adverse events (AEs), clinical laboratory data, and vital signs were assessed in all patients.The percentages in LDL-C from baseline after 8 weeks of double-blind treatment decreased significantly in the pooled pitavastatin/ezetimibe (-52.8% [11.2%]) and pooled pitavastatin (-37.1% [14.1%]) groups. Treatment with pitavastatin/ezetimibe resulted in a significantly greater LDL-C-lowering effect than that with pitavastatin (difference, -15.8 mg/dL; 95% CI, -18.7 to -12.9; P0.001). The precentages of achieving LDL-C goal in pooled pitavastatin/ezetimibe and pooled pitavastatin groups were 94.2% and 69.1%, respectively (P0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of overall AEs and adverse drug reactions. Serious AEs were comparable between the groups.Pitavastatin and ezetimibe combinations effectively and safely decreased LDL-C levels by50% in patients with dyslipidemia. The safety and tolerability of pitavastatin and ezetimibe combination therapy were comparable with those of pitavastatin monotherapy.gov identifier: NCT04584736.

The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) measured after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with microvascular obstruction (MVO) and adverse clinical events. To evaluate MVO after successful primary PCI for STEMI without pressure wires or hyperemic agents, we investigated the feasibility and usefulness of functional angiography-derived IMR (angio-IMR).The current study included a total of 285 STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Angio-IMR of the culprit vessel after successful primary PCI was calculated using commercial software. MVO, infarct size, and myocardial salvage index were assessed using CMR, which was obtained a median of 3.0 days [interquartile range, 3.0-5.0] after primary PCI.Among the total population, 154 patients (54.0%) showed elevated angio-IMR (40 U) in the culprit vessel. MVO was significantly more prevalent in patients with angio-IMR40 U than in those with angio-IMR ≤ 40 U (88.3% vs 32.1%, P.001). Infarct size, extent of MVO, and area at risk were significantly larger in patients with angio-IMR40 U than in those with angio-IMR ≤ 40 U (P.001 for all). Angio-IMR showed a significantly higher discriminatory ability for the presence of MVO than thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade or myocardial blush grade (area under the curve: 0.821, 0.504, and 0.496, respectively, P.001).Angio-IMR was significantly associated with CMR-derived infarct size, extent of MVO, and area at risk. An elevated angio-IMR (40 U) after primary PCI for STEMI was highly predictive of the presence of MVO in CMR. This trial was registered at ClnicalTrialsgov (Identifier: NCT04828681).

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients varies by geography but remains low in many regions despite guideline recommendations.This study aimed to characterize the care pathway of post-MI patients and understand barriers to referral for further SCD risk stratification and management in patients meeting referral criteria.This prospective, nonrandomized, multi-nation study included patients ≥18 years of age, with an acute MI ≤30 days and left ventricular ejection fraction 50% ≤14 days post-MI. The primary endpoint was defined as the physician's decision to refer a patient for SCD stratification and management.In total, 1,491 post-MI patients were enrolled (60.2 ± 12.0 years of age, 82.4% male). During the study, 26.7% (n = 398) of patients met criteria for further SCD risk stratification; however, only 59.3% of those meeting criteria (n = 236; 95% CI: 54.4%-64.0%) were referred for a visit. Of patients referred for SCD risk stratification and management, 94.9% (n = 224) attended the visit of which 56.7% (n =127; 95% CI: 50.1%-63.0%) met ICD indication criteria. Of patients who met ICD indication criteria, 14.2% (n = 18) were implanted.We found that ∼40% of patients meeting criteria were not referred for further SCD risk stratification and management and ∼85% of patients who met ICD indications did not receive a guideline-directed ICD. Physician and patient reasons for refusing referral to SCD risk stratification and management or ICD implant varied by geography suggesting that improvement will require both physician- and patient-focused approaches. (Improve Sudden Cardiac Arrest [SCA] Bridge Study; NCT03715790).

Differences in the impact of the 1- or 2-stent strategy in similar coronary bifurcation lesion conditions are not well understood. This study investigated the clinical outcomes and its predictors between 1 or 2 stents in propensity score-matched (PSM) complex bifurcation lesions.Methods and Results: We analyzed the data of patients with bifurcation lesions, obtained from a multicenter registry of 2,648 patients (median follow up, 53 months). The patients were treated by second generation drug-eluting stents (DESs). The primary outcome was target lesion failure (TLF), composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI), and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). PSM was performed to balance baseline clinical and angiographic discrepancies between 1 and 2 stents. After PSM (N=333 from each group), the 2-stent group had more TLRs (hazard ratio [HR] 3.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42-6.97, P=0.005) and fewer hard endpoints (composite of cardiac death and TVMI; HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.19-1.01, P=0.054), which resulted in a similar TLF rate (HR 1.40, 95% CI 0.83-2.37, P=0.209) compared to the 1-stent group. Compared with 1-stent, the 2-stent technique was more frequently associated with less TLF in the presence of main vessel (pThe 2-stent strategy should be considered to reduce hard clinical endpoints in complex bifurcation lesions, particularly those with calcifications.

International audience; The association of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with procedural and long-term outcomes after state-of-the-art percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of bifurcation lesions remains unsettled. A total of 5,333 patients who underwent contemporary coronary bifurcation PCI were included in the intercontinental retrospective combined insights from the unified RAIN (veRy thin stents for patients with left mAIn or bifurcatioN in real life) and COBIS (COronary BIfurcation Stenting) III bifurcation registries. Of 5,003 patients (93.8%) with known baseline LVEF, 244 (4.9%) had LVEF

Background Despite the benefit of culprit‐only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the CULPRIT‐SHOCK (Culprit Lesion Only PCI Versus Multi‐vessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock) trial, the optimal revascularization strategy for refractory cardiogenic shock (CS) requiring mechanical circulatory support devices remains controversial. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between the culprit‐only and immediate multivessel PCI strategies in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by CS who underwent venoarterial‐extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before revascularization. Methods and Results This study included patient‐pooled data from the RESCUE (Retrospective and Prospective Observational Study to Investigate Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy of Left Ventricular Assist Devices for Korean Patients With Cardiogenic Shock) and SMC‐ECMO (Samsung Medical Center–Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) registries. A total of 315 patients with acute myocardial infarction with multivessel disease who underwent venoarterial‐extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before revascularization attributable to refractory CS were included in this analysis. The study population was classified into culprit‐only versus immediate multivessel PCI according to nonculprit lesion treatment strategies. The primary end point was 30‐day mortality or renal‐replacement therapy, and the key secondary end point was 12‐month follow‐up mortality. Among the study population, 175 (55.6%) underwent culprit‐only PCI and 140 (44.4%) underwent immediate multivessel PCI. Compared with culprit‐only PCI, immediate multivessel PCI was associated with significantly lower risks of 30‐day mortality or renal‐replacement therapy (68.0% versus 54.3%; P =0.018) and all‐cause mortality during 12 months of follow‐up (59.5% versus 47.5%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.689 [95% CI, 0.506–0.939]; P =0.018) in patients with acute myocardial infarction and CS who underwent venoarterial‐extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before revascularization. These results were also consistent in the 99 pairs of propensity score–matched population (60.6% versus 43.6%; HR, 0.622 [95% CI, 0.420–0.922]; P =0.018). Conclusions Among patients with acute myocardial infarction with multivessel disease complicated by advanced CS requiring venoarterial‐extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before revascularization, immediate multivessel PCI was associated with lower incidences of 30‐day mortality or renal replacement therapy and 12‐month follow‐up mortality, compared with culprit‐only PCI. Registration Information clinicaltrials.gov . Identifier: NCT02985008.

BackgroundOlder patients who treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at a higher risk of adverse cardiac outcomes. We sought to investigate the clinical impact of bifurcation PCI in older patients from Korea and Italy.MethodsWe selected 5,537 patients who underwent bifurcation PCI from the BIFURCAT (comBined Insights from the Unified RAIN and COBIS bifurcAtion regisTries) database. The primary outcome was a composite of target vessel myocardial infarction, clinically driven target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis at two years.ResultsIn patients aged ≥75 years, the mean age was 80.1 ± 4.0 years, 65.2% were men, and 33.7% had diabetes. Older patients more frequently presented with chronic kidney disease (CKD), severe coronary calcification, and left main coronary artery disease (LMCA). During a median follow-up of 2.1 years, older patients showed similar adverse clinical outcomes compared to younger patients (the primary outcome, 5.7% vs. 4.5%; p = 0.21). Advanced age was not an independent predictor of the primary outcome (p = 0.93) in overall patients. Both CKD and LMCA were independent predictors regardless of age group.ConclusionsOlder patients (≥75 years) showed similar clinical outcomes to those of younger patients after bifurcation PCI. Advanced age alone should not deter physicians from performing complex PCIs for bifurcation disease.

Background Recently, diastolic stress testing and invasive hemodynamic measurements have been emphasized for diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) because when determined using noninvasive parameters it can fall into a nondiagnostic intermediate range. The current study evaluated the discriminative and prognostic roles of invasive measured left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure in the population with suspected HFpEF, particularly for patients with intermediate Heart Failure Association Pre‐test Assessment, Echocardiography & Natriuretic Peptide, Functional Testing, Final Etiology (HFA‐PEFF) score. Methods and Results A total of 404 patients with symptoms or signs of HF and preserved left ventricular systolic function were enrolled. All subjects underwent left heart catheterization with left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure measurement for confirmation of HFpEF (≥16 mm Hg). The primary outcome was all‐cause death or readmission due to HF within 10 years. Among the study population, 324 patients (80.2%) were diagnosed as invasively confirmed HFpEF, and 80 patients (19.8%) were as noncardiac dyspnea. The patients with HFpEF showed a significantly higher HFA‐PEFF score than the patients with noncardiac dyspnea (3.8±1.8 versus 2.6±1.5, P P P P =0.030). Conclusions The HFA‐PEFF score is a moderately useful tool for predicting future adverse events in suspected HFpEF, and invasively measured left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure can provide additional information to discriminate patient prognosis, particularly in those with intermediate HFA‐PEFF scores. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT04505449.

Because of paucity of published data, we evaluated the 2-year major clinical outcomes between early invasive (EI) and delayed invasive (DI) strategies according to the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), who underwent a successful newer-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.A total of 8241 NSTEMI patients were recruited from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR). Based on baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; ≥90, 60-89, 30-59, and30 mL/min/1.73 mAfter multivariable-adjusted and propensity score-adjusted analyses, the cumulative incidence of MACE (group A, p = 0.139 and p = 0.103, respectively; group B, p = 0.968 and p = 0.608, respectively; group C, p = 0.111 and p = 0.196, respectively; group D, p = 0.882 and p = 0.571, respectively), all-cause death, re-MI, and any repeat revascularization was similar between the EI and DI groups in the 4 different renal function groups.In the era of newer-generation DES, EI and DI strategies showed comparable major clinical outcomes in patients with NSTEMI and CKD during a 2-year follow-up period. However, to confirm these results, further randomized, large-scale, long-term follow-up studies are needed.

Background/Aims: While switching strategies of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors (RIs) have sometimes been used in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, the current status of in-hospital P2Y12RI switching remains unknown.Methods: Overall, 8,476 AMI patients who underwent successful revascularization from Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health (KAMIR-NIH) were divided according to in-hospital P2Y12RI strategies, and net adverse cardiovascular events (NACEs), defined as a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding during hospitalization were compared.Results: Patients with in-hospital P2Y12RI switching accounted for 16.5%, of which 867 patients were switched from clopidogrel to potent P2Y12RI (C-P) and 532 patients from potent P2Y12RI to clopidogrel (P-C). There were no differences in NACEs among the unchanged clopidogrel, the unchanged potent P2Y12RIs, and the P2Y12RI switching groups. However, compared to the unchanged clopidogrel group, the C-P group had a higher incidence of non-fatal MI, and the P-C group had a higher incidence of TIMI major bleeding. In clinical events of in-hospital P2Y12RI switching, 90.9% of non-fatal MI occurred during pre-switching clopidogrel administration, 60.7% of TIMI major bleeding was related to pre-switching P2Y12RIs, and 71.4% of TIMI major bleeding was related to potent P2Y12RIs. Only 21.6% of the P2Y12RI switching group switched to P2Y12RIs after a loading dose (LD); however, there were no differences in clinical events between patients with and without LD.Conclusions: In-hospital P2Y12RI switching occurred occasionally, but had relatively similar clinical outcomes compared to unchanged P2Y12RIs in Korean AMI patients. Non-fatal MI and bleeding appeared to be mainly related to pre-switching P2Y12RIs.

BACKGROUND: Coronary microvascular dysfunction is a clinically significant component of ischemic heart disease. There can be heterogenous patterns of coronary microvascular dysfunction defined by invasive physiologic indexes such as coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR). We sought to compare the prognosis of coronary microvascular dysfunction according to different patterns of CFR and IMR. METHODS: The current study included 375 consecutive patients undergoing invasive physiologic assessment for suspected stable ischemic heart disease and intermediate but functionally nonsignificant epicardial stenosis (fractional flow reserve, >0.80). According to cutoff values of invasive physiologic indexes reflecting microcirculatory function (CFR, RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was significantly different among the 4 groups (group 1, 20.1%; group 2, 18.8%; group 3, 33.9%; and group 4, 45.0%; overall P P =0.019) and elevated IMR subgroups (HR, 3.307 [95% CI, 1.519–7.202]; P =0.003). Conversely, the risk of primary outcome was not significantly different between elevated and low IMR in preserved CFR subgroups (HR, 0.926 [95% CI, 0.428–2.005]; P =0.846). Furthermore, as continuous variables, IMR-adjusted CFR (adjusted HR, 0.644 [95% CI, 0.537–0.772]; P P =0.515) was not. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with suspected stable ischemic heart disease who were found to have an intermediate but functionally nonsignificant epicardial stenosis, depressed CFR was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and admission for heart failure. However, elevated IMR alone with preserved CFR showed limited prognostic value in this population.

Background Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) has been considered as a possible cause of cardiac diastolic dysfunction. The current study evaluated the association between cardiac diastolic dysfunction and CMD, and their prognostic implications in patients without significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction and epicardial coronary stenosis. Methods and Results A total of 330 patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction ≥50%) and significant epicardial coronary stenosis (fractional flow reserve >0.80) were analyzed. Cardiac diastolic dysfunction was defined by echocardiographic parameters (early diastolic transmitral flow velocity/early diastolic mitral annular velocity, e' velocity, tricuspid regurgitation velocity, and left atrial volume index). Overt CMD was defined as coronary flow reserve P =0.002). Patients with cardiac diastolic dysfunction showed significantly higher risk of the primary outcome than those without (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.996 [95% CI, 1.888–4.755]; P P P =0.006) but not in patients without cardiac diastolic dysfunction (interaction P P for comparison=0.034). Conclusions There was significant association between the presence of cardiac diastolic dysfunction and overt CMD. Both cardiac diastolic dysfunction and overt CMD were associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death or admission for heart failure. Integration of overt CMD into cardiac diastolic dysfunction showed improvement of the risk stratification in patients without significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction and epicardial coronary stenosis. Registration DIAST‐CMD (Prognostic Impact of Cardiac Diastolic Function and Coronary Microvascular Function) registry; Unique identifier: NCT05058833.

Background: It remains unclear whether P2Y 12 monotherapy, especially clopidogrel, following short-duration dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is associated with favorable outcomes in patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, this study analyzed the efficacy and safety of P2Y 12 inhibitor monotherapy, mostly clopidogrel (78%), in complex PCI following short-term DAPT. Methods: The post-hoc analysis of the SMART-CHOICE trial involving 2,993 patients included 498 cases of complex PCIs, defined by at least one of the following features: 3 vessels treated, ≥ 3 stents implanted, ≥ 3 lesions treated, bifurcation with ≥ 2 stents implanted, and a total stent length of ≥ 60 mm. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The primary safety endpoint included bleeding, defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) types 2 to 5. Results: Complex PCI group had a higher risk of MACCE (4.0% vs. 2.3%, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–2.89, p = 0.033) and a similar risk of BARC types 2–5 bleeding (2.6% vs. 2.6%, HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.56–1.86, p = 0.939) compared with those without complex PCIs. Patients undergoing complex PCIs, followed by P2Y 12 inhibitor monotherapy and 12 months of DAPT exhibited similar rates of MACCE (3.8% vs. 4.2%, HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.38–2.21, p = 0.853). Conclusions: P2Y 12 inhibitor monotherapy, mostly clopidogrel, following 3 months of DAPT did not increase ischemic events in patients with complex PCIs.

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a critical risk factor for the pathogenesis and progression of coronary artery disease, with a higher prevalence of complex coronary artery disease, including bifurcation lesions. This study aimed to elucidate the optimal stenting strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions in patients with DM.MethodsA total of 905 patients with DM and bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) from a multicenter retrospective patient cohort were analyzed. The primary outcome was the 5-year incidence of target lesion failure (TLF), which was defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization.ResultsAmong all patients with DM with significant bifurcation lesions, 729 (80.6%) and 176 (19.4%) were treated with one- and two-stent strategies, respectively. TLF incidence differed according to the stenting strategy during the mean follow-up of 42 ± 20 months. Among the stent strategies, T- and V-stents were associated with a higher TLF incidence than one-stent strategy (24.0 vs. 7.3%, p < 0.001), whereas no difference was observed in TLF between the one-stent strategy and crush or culotte technique (7.3 vs. 5.9%, p = 0.645). The T- or V-stent technique was an independent predictor of TLF in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 3.592; 95% confidence interval, 2.117–6.095; p < 0.001). Chronic kidney disease, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and left main bifurcation were independent predictors of TLF in patients with DM.ConclusionT- or V-stenting in patients with DM resulted in increased cardiovascular events after second-generation DES implantation.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03068494?term=03068494&draw=2&rank=1, identifier: NCT03068494.

Background It has not been determined which specific 2-stenting strategy is the best for bifurcation lesions. Our aim was to investigate the clinical outcomes of various 2-stenting strategies in the era of 2nd-generation drug-eluting stents (2G-DES).Methods and Results:We analyzed 454 patients who finally underwent 2-stenting for a bifurcation lesion, from among 2,648 patients enrolled in the COBIS III registry. The primary outcome was target lesion failure (TLF). Patients were analyzed according to stenting sequence (provisional [main vessel stenting first] vs. systemic [side branch stenting first]) and stenting technique (crush vs. T vs. culotte vs. kissing/V stenting). Overall, 4.4 years' TLF after 2-stenting treatment for bifurcation lesion was excellent: TLF 11.2% and stent thrombosis 1.3%. There was no difference in TLF according to 2-stenting strategy (11.1% vs. 10.5%, P=0.990 for provisional and systemic sequence; 8.6% vs. 14.4% vs. 12.9% vs. 12.2%, P=0.326 for crush, T, culotte, kissing/V technique, respectively). Only left main (LM) disease and a shorter duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were associated with TLF. The distribution of DAPT duration differed between patients with and without TLF, and the time-point of intersection was 2.5 years. Also, the side branch was the most common site of restenosis. Conclusions The stenting sequence or technique did not affect clinical outcomes, but LM disease and shorter DAPT were associated with TLF, in patients with bifurcation lesions undergoing 2-stenting with 2G-DES.

This study compared myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) and mortalities between patients under and over the age of 45 years.Methods and Results:From January 2010 and June 2019, patients with cardiac troponin measurement within 30 days after non-cardiac surgery were enrolled and divided into groups according to age:45 (≥45 years) and45 (45 years). Further analyses were conducted only in patients who were diagnosed with MINS. The outcomes were MINS and 30-day mortality. Of the 35,223 patients, 31,161 (88.5%) patients were in the45-year group and 4,062 (11.5%) were in the45-year group. After adjustment with inverse probability of weighting, the45-years group showed a lower incidence of MINS and cardiovascular mortality (16.6% vs. 11.7%; odds ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.84; P0.001 and 0.4% vs. 0.2%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19-0.88; P=0.02, respectively). In a comparison of only the45-years group, MINS was associated with increased 30-day mortality (0.7% vs. 10.3%; HR, 10.48; 95% CI, 6.18-17.78; P0.001), but the mortalities of patients with MINS did not differ according to age.MINS has a comparable prognostic impact in patients aged under and over 45 years; therefore, future studies need to also consider patients aged45 years regarding risk factors of MINS and screening of perioperative troponin elevation.

Percutaneous coronary interventions performed at coronary bifurcations yield high rates of stent thrombosis (ST). The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictors of ST in contemporary coronary bifurcation percutaneous coronary interventions. We retrospectively investigated the BIFURCAT (comBined Insights From the Unified RAIN and COBIS bifurcAtion regisTries) registry on coronary bifurcations to assess the incidence and predictors of definite ST, which were the study primary endpoints. Predictors of ST among patients on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were also examined. A total of 5330 patients were included. After a mean 2-years follow-up, 64 (1.2%) patients experienced ST. 42 (65.6%) ST patients were on DAPT. At multivariable analysis, age (HR 1.02, CI 1.01 to 1.05, p = 0,027), smoking status (HR 2.57, CI 1.49 to 4.44, p = 0.001), chronic kidney disease (HR 2.26, CI 1.24 to 4.12, p = 0.007) and a 2-stent strategy (HR 2.38, CI 1.37 to 4.14, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of ST, whereas intracoronary imaging (HR 0.42, CI 0.23 to 0.78, p = 0.006) and final kissing balloon (FKB) (HR 0.48, CI 0.29 to 0.82, p = 0.007) were protective against ST. Among patients on DAPT, smoking status and a 2-stent strategy significantly increased the risk of ST, while intracoronary imaging and FKB reduced the risk. In conclusion, age, smoking status, chronic kidney disease and a 2-stent strategy were significant predictors of ST, whereas intracoronary imaging use and FKB had a protective effect. Only smoking status and a 2-stent strategy significantly predicted ST in DAPT subgroup, while intracoronary imaging and FKB had a protective role.

Optimal dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary bifurcations is an unmet issue. The BIFURCAT registry was obtained by merging two registries on coronary bifurcations. Three groups were compared in a two-by-two fashion: short-term DAPT (≤ 6 months), intermediate-term DAPT (6-12 months) and extended DAPT (>12 months). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), target-lesion revascularization and stent thrombosis) were the primary endpoint. Single components of MACE were the secondary endpoints. Events were appraised according to the clinical presentation: chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) versus acute coronary syndrome (ACS). 5537 patients (3231 ACS, 2306 CCS) were included. After a median follow-up of 2.1 years (IQR 0.9-2.2), extended DAPT was associated with a lower incidence of MACE compared with intermediate-term DAPT (2.8% versus 3.4%, adjusted HR 0.23 [0.1-0.54], p

Whether moderate-intensity statins plus ezetimibe could be an alternative to high-intensity statins in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is unclear. We compared the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients receiving moderate-intensity statins plus ezetimibe vs. high-intensity statins after a coronary revascularization procedure using data from a large cohort study. Population-based cohort study using nationwide medical insurance data from Korea. Study participants (n = 20,070) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016, and received moderate-intensity statins (atorvastatin 10–20 mg or rosuvastatin 5–10 mg) plus ezetimibe (n = 922) or high-intensity statins (atorvastatin 40–80 mg or rosuvastatin 20 mg; n = 19,148). The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular mortality, hospitalization for myocardial infarction (MI), hospitalization for stroke, or revascularization. At 12 months, the incidence rates of the primary outcome were 138.0 vs. 154.0 per 1000 person-years in the moderate-intensity stains plus ezetimibe and the high-intensity statins group, respectively. The fully adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for the primary outcome was 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86–1.42; p = 0.43). The multivariable-adjusted HR for a composite of cardiovascular mortality, hospitalization for MI, or hospitalization for stroke was 1.05 (95% CI 0.74–1.47; p = 0.80). During follow-up, the proportion of patients maintaining their initial lipid-lowering therapy was significantly higher in the moderate-intensity statins plus ezetimibe group than in the high-intensity statins group. Patients undergoing a coronary revascularization procedure who received moderate-intensity statins plus ezetimibe showed similar rates of major adverse cardiovascular events as patients who received high-intensity statins.

Clinical implications of systemic atherosclerosis in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) remain unclear. This study investigated the association between polyvascular disease (PVD) and clinical outcome in CS patients.A total of 1247 CS patients was enrolled from the RESCUE registry, a multicenter, observational cohort between January 2014 and December 2018. They were divided into two groups according to presence of PVD, defined as ≥2 coexistence of coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, or cerebrovascular disease. Primary outcome was all-cause death during 12 months of follow-up.136 (10.9%) patients were diagnosed with PVD. The risk of 12-month all-cause death was significantly higher in the PVD group than in the non-PVD group (54.4% versus 40.4%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.69, p = 0.034). There was a significant interaction between PVD and vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) (p for interaction = 0.014). Among the 945 patients with VIS84, PVD was associated with a higher risk of 12-month all-cause death (unadjusted HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.30-2.41, p = 0.030); among the 302 patients with VIS ≥84, the incidence of 12-month all-cause death was similar between the PVD and non-PVD groups (unadjusted HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.68-1.56, p = 0.301).Presence of PVD was associated with 12-month all-cause mortality in patients with CS, especially for less severe forms of CS patients with VIS84. Clinicaltrials.govnumber:NCT02985008.

This study sought to evaluate clinical implications of the residual fractional flow reserve (FFR) gradient after angiographically successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Recent studies have demonstrated FFR measured after PCI is associated with clinical outcome after PCI. Although post-PCI FFR pull back tracings provide clinically relevant information on the residual FFR gradient, there are no objective criteria for assessing post-PCI FFR pull back tracings.A total of 492 patients who underwent angiographically successful PCI and post-PCI FFR measurement with pull back tracings were analyzed. The presence of the major residual FFR gradient after PCI was assessed by both conventional visual interpretation of the pull back tracings and objective analysis using the instantaneous FFR gradient per unit time (dFFR(t)/dt) with a cutoff value of dFFR(t)/dt ≥0.035. Classification agreement between 2 independent operators for the presence of the major residual FFR gradient was compared before and after providing dFFR(t)/dt results. Target vessel failure (TVF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or clinically driven target vessel revascularization at 2 years, was compared according to the presence of the major residual FFR gradient.Among the study population, 33.9% had the major residual FFR gradient defined by dFFR(t)/dt. The classification agreement between operators' assessments for the major residual FFR gradient increased with dFFR(t)/dt results compared with conventional visual assessment (Cohen's kappa = 0.633 to 0.819; P 0.001; intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.776 to 0.901; P 0.001). Patients with major residual FFR gradient were associated with a higher risk of TVF at 2 years than those without major residual FFR gradient (9.0% vs 2.2%; P 0.001). Inclusion of the major residual FFR gradient to a clinical prediction model significantly increased discrimination and reclassification ability (C-index = 0.539 vs 0.771; P = 0.006; net reclassification improvement = 0.668; P = 0.007; integrated discrimination improvement = 0.033; P = 0.017) for TVF at 2 years. The presence of the major residual FFR gradient was independently associated with TVF at 2 years, regardless of post-PCI FFR or percent FFR increase (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.930; 95% confidence interval: 1.353-11.420; P = 0.012).Objective analysis of post-PCI FFR pull back tracings using dFFR(t)/dt improved classification agreement on the presence of the major residual FFR gradient among operators. Presence of the major residual FFR gradient defined by dFFR(t)/dt after angiographically successful PCI was independently associated with an increased risk of TVF at 2 years. (Automated Algorithm Detecting Physiologic Major Stenosis and Its Relationship with Post-PCI Clinical Outcomes [Algorithm-PCI]; NCT04304677; Influence of FFR on the Clinical Outcome After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [COE-PERSPECTIVE]; NCT01873560).

ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze cardiac and renal outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with multi-vessel disease who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Materials and methodsChronic kidney disease patients with multi-vessel disease who underwent CABG or PCI were retrospectively selected from our database and divided into the PCI group [further stratified into PCI with complete revascularization (PCI-CR) and PCI with incomplete revascularization (PCI-IR) groups] and the CABG group. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke at 5 years. The key secondary endpoint was the 5-year rate of the renal composite outcome, defined as >40% glomerular filtration rate decrease, initiation of dialysis, and/or kidney transplant. Outcomes were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and the results were further adjusted by multivariable analyses and inverse probability weighting.ResultsAmong the study population (n = 798), 443 (55.5%) patients received CABG and 355 (44.5%) patients received PCI. Compared with the CABG group, the PCI group had similar risk of the primary endpoint (CABG vs. PCI, 19.3% vs. 24.0%, HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.95–1.73, p = 0.11) and a lower risk of the renal composite outcome (36.6% vs. 31.2%, HR: 0.74, 95% CI 0.58–0.94, p = 0.03). In addition, PCI-IR was associated with a significantly higher risk of the primary endpoint than CABG (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.11–2.13, p = 0.009) or PCI-CR (HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.09–2.89, p = 0.02). However, PCI-CR had a comparable 5-year death, MI, or stroke rate to CABG (HR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.54–1.38, p = 0.54).ConclusionCoronary artery bypass grafting showed an incidence of death, MI, or stroke similar to PCI but was associated with a higher risk of renal injury. PCI-CR had a prognosis comparable with that of CABG, while PCI-IR had worse prognosis. If PCI is chosen for revascularization in patients with CKD, achieving CR should be attempted to ensure favorable outcomes.Clinical trial registration[clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT 03870815].

Introduction and objectives There are no guidelines regarding the most appropriate approach for provisional side branch (SB) intervention in left main (LM) bifurcation lesions. Methods The present prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter trial compared conservative vs aggressive strategies for provisional SB intervention during LM bifurcation treatment. Although the trial was designed to enroll 700 patients, it was prematurely terminated due to slow enrollment. For 160 non-true bifurcation lesions, a 1-stent technique without kissing balloon inflation was applied in the conservative strategy, whereas a 1-stent technique with mandatory kissing balloon inflation was applied in the aggressive strategy. For 46 true bifurcation lesions, a stepwise approach was applied in the conservative strategy (after main vessel stenting, SB ballooning when residual stenosis > 75%; then, SB stenting if residual stenosis > 50% or there was a dissection). An elective 2-stent technique was applied in the aggressive strategy. The primary outcome was a 1-year target lesion failure (TLF) composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization . Results Among non-true bifurcation lesions, the conservative strategy group used a smaller amount of contrast dye than the aggressive strategy group. There were no significant differences in 1-year TLF between the 2 strategies among non-true bifurcation lesions (6.5% vs 4.9%; HR, 1.31; 95%CI, 0.35-4.88; P = .687) and true bifurcation lesions (17.6% vs 21.7%; HR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.20-2.83; P = .683). Conclusions In patients with a LM bifurcation lesion, conservative and aggressive strategies for a provisional SB approach have similar 1-year TLF rates.

BACKGROUND: Data on direct comparison between various drug-eluting stents with short duration dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) are limited, especially in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). AIMS: We sought to compare biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES) with durable polymer everolimus-eluting (DP-EES) and zotarolimus-eluting stents (DP-ZES) in patients with ACS according to different durations of DAPT. METHODS: In the SMART-DATE trial, 2,712 patients with ACS underwent randomisation for allocation of DAPT (6 months [n=1,357] or 12 months or longer [n=1,355]) and type of stent (BP-BES [n=901]), DP-EES [n=904], or DP-ZES [n=907]). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis. RESULTS: At 18 months, the primary endpoint was attained by 2.6% with BP-BES, 2.0% with DP-EES, and 2.1% with DP-ZES (HR 1.29, 95% CI: 0.70-2.39, p=0.42 for BP-BES vs DP-EES and HR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.67-2.26, p=0.50 for BP-BES vs DP-ZES). The treatment effect of BP-BES for the primary endpoint was consistent among patients receiving 6-month DAPT as well as those receiving 12-month or longer DAPT (BP-BES vs. DP-EES, pinteraction=0.48 and BP-BES vs DP-ZES, pinteraction=0.87). After excluding 179 patients (101 in the BP-BES group) who did not receive allocated DES, the per-protocol analysis showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis was not significantly different between patients receiving BP-BES versus DP-EES or DP-ZES across a short or prolonged duration of DAPT after ACS.

The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic implications of physiological 2-dimensional disease patterns on the basis of distribution and local severity of coronary atherosclerosis determined by quantitative flow ratio (QFR) virtual pull back.The beneficial effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is determined by physiological distribution and local severity of coronary atherosclerosis.The study population included 341 patients who underwent angiographically successful PCI and post-PCI fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement. Using pre-PCI virtual pull backs of QFR, physiological distribution was determined by pull back pressure gradient index, with a cutoff value of 0.78 to define predominant focal versus diffuse disease. Physiological local severity was assessed by instantaneous QFR gradient per unit length, with a cutoff value of ≥0.025/mm to define a major gradient. Suboptimal post-PCI physiological results were defined as both post-PCI FFR ≤0.85 and percentage FFR increase ≤15%. Clinical outcome was assessed by target vessel failure (TVF) at 2 years.QFR pull back pressure gradient index was correlated with post-PCI FFR (R = 0.423; P 0.001), and instantaneous QFR gradient per unit length was correlated with percentage FFR increase (R = 0.370; P 0.001). Using the 2 QFR-derived indexes, disease patterns were classified into 4 categories: predominant focal disease with and without major gradient (group 1 [n = 150] and group 2 [n = 21], respectively) and predominant diffuse disease with and without major gradient (group 3 [n = 115] and group 4 [n = 55], respectively). Proportions of suboptimal post-PCI physiological results were significantly different according to the 4 disease patterns (18.7%, 23.8%, 22.6%, and 56.4% from group 1 to group 4, respectively; P 0.001). Cumulative incidence of TVF after PCI was significantly higher in patients with predominant diffuse disease (8.1% in group 3 and 9.9% in group 4 vs 1.4% in group 1 and 0.0% in group 2; overall P = 0.024).Both physiological distribution and local severity of coronary atherosclerosis could be characterized without pressure-wire pull backs, which determined post-PCI physiological results. After successful PCI, TVF risk was determined mainly by the physiological distribution of coronary atherosclerosis. (Automated Algorithm Detecting Physiologic Major Stenosis and Its Relationship With Post-PCI Clinical Outcomes [Algorithm-PCI], NCT04304677; Influence of FFR on the Clinical Outcome After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PERSPECTIVE], NCT01873560).

Controversy remains regarding the optimal antiplatelet regimen in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy compared with conventional dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and aspirin monotherapy in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Data on 4,453 patients were pooled from SMART-DATE and SMART-CHOICE randomized trials. Antiplatelet therapy regimens were categorized as P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy (P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT), conventional DAPT (12-month or longer DAPT), and aspirin monotherapy (aspirin monotherapy after 6-month DAPT). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke). Inverse-probability of treatment-weighted (IPTW) analysis was performed. At 1 year, patients in the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy had a comparable risk of MACCE compared with those in the conventional DAPT (IPTW-adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.655; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.393 to 1.094; p = 0.106), and tended to have a lower risk of MACCE than those in the aspirin monotherapy (IPTW-adjusted HR, 0.606; 95% CI, 0.347 to 1.058; p = 0.078). The adjusted hazard for the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2 to 5 bleeding was significantly lower in P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy than in conventional DAPT (IPTW-adjusted HR, 0.341; 95% CI, 0.190 to 0.614; p0.001) and in aspirin monotherapy (IPTW-adjusted HR, 0.359; 95% CI, 0.182 to 0.708; p = 0.003). In conclusion, among patients with ACS undergoing PCI, P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT reduced risk of bleeding compared with conventional DAPT and aspirin monotherapy after 6-month DAPT without increasing MACCE.

Aims This study aimed to investigate differences in baseline and treatment characteristics, and in‐hospital mortality according to the aetiologies of cardiogenic shock in patients undergoing veno‐arterial‐extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO). Methods and results The RESCUE registry is a multicentre, observational cohort that includes 1247 patients with cardiogenic shock from 12 centres. A total of 496 patients requiring VA‐ECMO were finally selected, and the study population was stratified by cardiogenic shock aetiology [ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM, n = 342) and non‐ICM (NICM, n = 154)]. The primary outcome of interest was in‐hospital mortality. Sensitivity analyses including propensity‐score matching adjustments were performed. Mean age of the entire population was 61.8 ± 14.2, and 30.8% were women. There were significant differences in baseline characteristics; notable differences included the older age of patients with ICM (65.1 ± 13.7 vs. 58.2 ± 13.8, P

Background Several studies have shown that obesity is associated with better outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). Although this phenomenon, the “obesity paradox,” reportedly manifests differently based on sex in other disease entities, it has not yet been investigated in patients with CS. Methods and Results A total of 1227 patients with CS from the RESCUE (Retrospective and Prospective Observational Study to Investigate Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy of Left Ventricular Assist Device for Korean Patients With Cardiogenic Shock) registry in Korea were analyzed. The study population was classified into obese and nonobese groups according to Asian Pacific criteria (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m 2 for obese). The clinical impact of obesity on in‐hospital mortality according to sex was analyzed using logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline curves. The in‐hospital mortality rate was significantly lower in obese men than nonobese men (34.2% versus 24.1%, respectively; P =0.004), while the difference was not significant in women (37.3% versus 35.8%, respectively; P =0.884). As a continuous variable, higher BMI showed a protective effect in men; conversely, BMI was not associated with clinical outcomes in women. Compared with patients with normal weight, obesity was associated with a decreased risk of in‐hospital death in men (multivariable‐adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.63; CI, 0.43–0.92 [ P =0.016]), but not in women (multivariable‐adjusted OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.55–1.61 [ P =0.828]). The interaction P value for the association between BMI and sex was 0.023. Conclusions The obesity paradox exists and apparently occurs in men among patients with CS. The differential effect of BMI on in‐hospital mortality was observed according to sex. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02985008.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate whether earlier extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock (CS). Background The prognosis of patients with refractory CS receiving ECMO remains poor. However, little is known about the association between the timing of ECMO implantation and clinical outcomes in these patients. Methods From a multicenter registry, 362 patients with refractory CS who underwent ECMO between January 2014 and December 2018 were identified. Participants were classified into 3 groups according to tertiles of shock-to-ECMO time (early, intermediate, and late ECMO). Inverse probability of treatment weighting was conducted to adjust for baseline differences among the groups, followed by a weighted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for 30-day mortality associated with each ECMO time group. Results The overall 30-day mortality rate was 40.9%. The risk for 30-day mortality was lower in the early group than in the late group (hazard ratio: 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.28 to 0.99). Early ECMO support was also associated with lower risk for in-hospital mortality, ECMO weaning failure, composite of all-cause mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure at 1 year, all-cause mortality at 1 year, and poor neurological outcome at discharge. However, the incidence of adverse events, including stroke, limb ischemia, ECMO-site bleeding, and gastrointestinal bleeding, did not differ significantly among the groups. Conclusions Earlier ECMO support was associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with refractory CS.

ObjectiveTo compare P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with 12-month DAPT according to the type of P2Y12 inhibitor in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsThe Smart Angioplasty Research Team: Comparison Between P2Y12 Antagonist Monotherapy vs Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Undergoing Implantation of Coronary Drug-Eluting Stents (SMART-CHOICE) randomised trial compared 3-month DAPT followed by P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy with 12-month DAPT. In this trial, 2993 patients undergoing successful PCI with drug-eluting stent were enrolled in Korea. As a prespecified analysis, P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT versus 12-month DAPT were compared among patients receiving clopidogrel and those receiving potent P2Y12 inhibitor (ticagrelor or prasugrel), respectively. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction or stroke at 12 months after the index procedure.ResultsAmong 2993 patients (mean age 64 years), 58.2% presented with acute coronary syndrome. Clopidogrel was prescribed in 2312 patients (77.2%) and a potent P2Y12 inhibitor in 681 (22.8%). There were no significant differences in the primary endpoint between the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy group and the DAPT group among patients receiving clopidogrel (3.0% vs 3.0%; HR: 1.02; 95% CI 0.64 to 1.65; p=0.93) as well as among patients receiving potent P2Y12 inhibitors (2.4% vs 0.7%; HR: 3.37; 95% CI 0.77 to 14.78; p=0.11; interaction p=0.1). Among patients receiving clopidogrel, P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy compared with DAPT showed consistent treatment effects across various subgroups for the primary endpoint. Among patients receiving potent P2Y12 inhibitors, the rate of bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium types 2– 5) was significantly lower in the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy group than in the DAPT group (1.5% vs 5.0%; HR: 0.33; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.87; p=0.03).ConclusionsCompared with 12-month DAPT, clopidogrel monotherapy after 3-month DAPT showed comparable cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing PCI.Trial registration numberNCT02079194.

Objectives We evaluated the clinical impact of residual non-culprit left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) on prognosis in patients undergoing emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Methods A total of 429 patients who underwent PCI for AMI complicated by CS was enrolled from 12 centers in the Republic of Korea. The patients were divided into two groups according to presence of non-culprit LMCAD or not: the LMCAD non-culprit group (n = 43) and the no LMCAD group (n = 386). Primary outcome was major adverse cardiac event (MACE, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization). Propensity score matching analysis was performed to reduce selection bias and potential confounding factors. Results During a 12-month follow-up, a total of 168 MACEs occurred (LMCAD non-culprit group, 17 [39.5%] vs. no LMCAD group, 151 [39.1%]). Multivariate analysis revealed no significant difference in the incidence of MACE at 12 months between the LMCAD non-culprit and no LMCAD groups (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58 to 1.62, p = 0.901). After propensity score matching, the incidence of MACE was still similar between the two groups (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.33 to 1.23; p = 0.180). The similarity of MACEs between the two groups was consistent across a variety of subgroups. Conclusions After adjusting for baseline differences, residual non-culprit LMCAD does not appear to increase the risk of MACEs at 12 months in patients undergoing emergent PCI for AMI complicated by CS.

Objectives We evaluated the impact of sex on mid-term prognosis in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Data on gender differences in current management or clinical outcomes after CABG are controversial, and there have been limited data focusing on them. Methods This was a retrospective and prospective, single-center, observational study. Between January 2001 and December 2017, 6613 patients who underwent CABG were enrolled from an institutional registry of Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea (Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03870815) and divided into two groups according to sex (female group, n = 1679 vs. male group, n = 4934). The primary outcome was cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction (MI) at 5 years. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to reduce confounding factors. Results During a mean follow-up duration of 54 months, a total of 252 cardiovascular death or MIs occurred (female, 78 [7.5%] vs. male, 174 [5.7%]). Multivariate analysis revealed no significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular death or MI at 5 years between female and male groups (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78 to 1.41; p = 0.735). After propensity score matching, the incidence of cardiovascular death or MI was still similar between the two groups (HR 1.08; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.54; p = 0.666). The similarity of long-term outcomes between the two groups was consistent across various subgroups. There was also no significant difference in the risk of 5-year cardiovascular death or MI between males and females according to age (pre- and postmenopausal status) (p for interaction = 0.437). Conclusions After adjusting for baseline differences, sex does not appear to influence long-term risk of cardiovascular death or MI in patients undergoing CABG. Clinical trials.gov number NCT03870815.

Cardiac diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of mortality, regardless of LV systolic function. However, the current guidelines that define cardiac diastolic dysfunction may underrate the clinical implications of those with indeterminate diastolic function.We sought to evaluate the prognostic implications of indeterminate diastolic function on echocardiography and its association with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD).A total of 330 patients without LV systolic dysfunction and significant epicardial coronary stenosis (fractional flow reserve0.80) were analyzed from a prospective registry. Cardiac diastolic dysfunction was defined according to two algorithms depending on the presence of myocardial disease. First, the presence of myocardial disease and evidence of elevated LV filling pressure indicated diastolic dysfunction. Second, diastolic function in those without myocardial disease was defined using echocardiographic parameters (E/e', e' velocity, tricuspid regurgitation velocity, and left atrial volume index). Patients who did not meet half of the available criteria were classified as having indeterminate diastolic function. CMD was defined as coronary flow reserve2.0 and index of microcirculatory resistance≥25U. The primary outcome was cardiovascular death or admission for heart failure at 5 years.Coronary flow reserve was lower in patients with indeterminate diastolic function compared with those with no diastolic dysfunction (3.5±1.6 vs. 3.2±1.6, P=0.002). The prevalence of CMD was also higher in patients with indeterminate diastolic function than those with no diastolic dysfunction (10.6% vs. 4.9%, P0.034). Patients with indeterminate diastolic function showed significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death or admission for heart failure than those without, but not greater than those with definite diastolic dysfunction (cumulative incidence: 12.6%, 27.2%, and 32.7%, respectively, log-rank P0.001). Presence of CMD and elevated LV filling pressure (E/e'14) were independent predictors for cardiovascular death or admission for heart failure in patients with indeterminate diastolic function.Patients with indeterminate diastolic function on echocardiogram showed higher risk of cardiovascular death or admission for heart failure than those with no diastolic dysfunction. Presence of CMD and elevated LV filling pressure were independent predictors for cardiovascular death or admission for heart failure among patients with indeterminate diastolic function.

OBJECTIVES To identify whether the prognostic implications of Vasoactive Inotropic Score according to use of mechanical circulatory support differ in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. DESIGN A multicenter retrospective and prospective observational cohort study. SETTING/PATIENT The REtrospective and prospective observational Study to investigate Clinical oUtcomes and Efficacy registry includes 1,247 patients with cardiogenic shock from 12 centers in Korea. A total of 836 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock were finally selected, and the study population was stratified by quartiles of Vasoactive Inotropic Score ( 90) for the present study. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality and secondary endpoint was follow-up mortality. Among the study population, 326 patients (39.0%) received medical treatment alone, 218 (26.1%) received intra-aortic balloon pump, and 292 (34.9%) received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. In-hospital mortality occurred in 305 patients (36.5%) and was significantly higher in patients with higher Vasoactive Inotropic Score (15.6%, 20.8%, 40.2%, and 67.3%, for 90; p < 0.001). Vasoactive Inotropic Score showed better ability to predict in-hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiogenic shock who received medical treatment alone (area under the curve: 0.797; 95% CI, 0.728-0.865) than in those who received intra-aortic balloon pump (area under the curve, 0.704; 95% CI, 0.625-0.783) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (area under the curve, 0.644; 95% CI, 0.580-0.709). The best cutoff value of Vasoactive Inotropic Score for the prediction of in-hospital mortality also differed according to the use of mechanical circulatory support (16.5, 40.1, and 84.0 for medical treatment alone, intra-aortic balloon pump, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, respectively). There was a significant interaction between Vasoactive Inotropic Score as a continuous value and the use of mechanical circulatory support including intra-aortic balloon pump (interaction-p = 0.006) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (interaction-p < 0.001) for all-cause mortality during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS High Vasoactive Inotropic Score was associated with significantly higher in-hospital and follow-up mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. The predictive value of Vasoactive Inotropic Score for mortality was significantly higher in acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiogenic shock treated by medical treatment alone than in those treated by mechanical circulatory support such as intra-aortic balloon pump or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) is one of the most common cardiovascular complications associated with mortality and morbidity during the first 2 years after surgery. However, the relevant variables associated with mortality after discharge in patients with MINS have not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the association between persistent inflammation detected by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at discharge and postdischarge mortality after MINS. DESIGN Retrospective observational analysis of acquired data from Samsung Medical Center Troponin in Noncardiac Operation (SMC-TINCO) registry. SETTING A tertiary hospital from January 2010 to June 2019. PATIENTS Patients who were discharged alive after a diagnosis of MINS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary endpoint was postdischarge 1-year mortality, and 30-day mortality and the mortality from 30 days to 1 year was also compared. RESULTS Data from a total of 4545 adult patients were divided into two groups according to hsCRP concentration at discharge. There were 757 (16.7%) patients in the normal hsCRP group and 3788 (83.3%) patients in the elevated hsCRP group. After inverse probability weighting, 1-year mortality was significantly higher in the elevated group than the normal group (hazard ratio 1.93, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.57, P

BACKGROUND Pre-operative anaemia is associated with adverse outcomes of noncardiac surgery, but its association with myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) has not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVE The association between pre-operative anaemia and MINS. DESIGN A single-centre retrospective cohort study. SETTING Tertiary care referral centre. PATIENTS Patients with measured cardiac troponin (cTn) I levels after noncardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS Patients were separated according to pre-operative anaemia (haemoglobin

ObjectivesWhile coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) enables the evaluation of anatomic and hemodynamic plaque characteristics of coronary artery disease (CAD), the clinical roles of these characteristics are not clear. We sought to evaluate the prognostic implications of CCTA-derived anatomic and hemodynamic plaque characteristics in the prediction of subsequent coronary events.MethodsThe study cohort consisted of 158 patients who underwent CCTA with suspected CAD within 6–36 months before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina and age-/sex-matched 62 patients without PCI as the control group. Preexisting high-risk plaque characteristics (HRPCs: low attenuation plaque, positive remodeling, napkin-ring sign, spotty calcification, minimal luminal area 2, or plaque burden ≥70%) and hemodynamic parameters (per-vessel fractional flow reserve [FFRCT], per-lesion ΔFFRCT, and percent ischemic myocardial mass) were analyzed from prior CCTA. The primary outcome was a subsequent coronary event, which was defined as a composite of vessel-specific MI or revascularization for unstable angina. The prognostic impact of clinical risk factors, HRPCs, and hemodynamic parameters were compared between vessels with (160 vessels) and without subsequent coronary events (329 vessels).ResultsVessels with a subsequent coronary event had higher number of HRPCs (2.6 ± 1.4 vs. 2.3 ± 1.4, P = 0.012), lower FFRCT (0.76 ± 0.13 vs. 0.82 ± 0.11, P < 0.001), higher ΔFFRCT (0.14 ± 0.12 vs. 0.09 ± 0.08, P < 0.001), and higher percent ischemic myocardial mass (29.0 ± 18.5 vs. 26.0 ± 18.4, P = 0.022) than those without a subsequent coronary event. Compared with clinical risk factors, HRPCs and hemodynamic parameters showed higher discriminant abilities for subsequent coronary events with ΔFFRCT being the most powerful predictor. HRPCs showed additive discriminant ability to clinical risk factors (c-index 0.620 vs. 0.558, P = 0.027), and hemodynamic parameters further increased discriminant ability (c-index 0.698 vs. 0.620, P = 0.001) and reclassification abilities (NRI 0.460, IDI 0.061, P < 0.001 for all) for subsequent coronary events. Among vessels with negative FFRCT (>0.80), adding HRPCs into clinical risk factors significantly increased discriminant and reclassification abilities for subsequent coronary events (c-index 0.687 vs. 0.576, P = 0.005; NRI 0.412, P = 0.002; IDI 0.064, P = 0.001) but not for vessels with positive FFRCT (≤0.80).ConclusionIn predicting subsequent coronary events, both HRPCs and hemodynamic parameters by CCTA allow better prediction of subsequent coronary events than clinical risk factors. HRPCs provide more incremental predictability than clinical risk factors alone among vessels with negative FFRCT but not among vessels with positive FFRCT.Clinical Trial RegistrationPreDiction and Validation of Clinical CoursE of Coronary Artery DiSease With CT-Derived Non-INvasive HemodYnamic Phenotyping and Plaque Characterization (DESTINY Study), NCT04794868.

Long-term follow-up data on differential effects of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) according to lesion complexity are limited in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The current study compared long-term clinical outcomes between IVUS-guided and angiography-guided PCI in patients with second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES). Between February 2008 and December 2015, 5488 patients undergoing PCI with second-generation DES were recruited from an institutional registry of Samsung Medical Center. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI) during 46 months of median follow-up (interquartile range: 32–102 months). IVUS-guided PCI was performed in 979 patients (17.8%). IVUS-guided PCI was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiac death or MI compared with angiography-guided PCI (5.7% vs. 12.9%, hazard ratio 0.408, 95% confidence interval 0.284–0.587, p interaction = 0.819, ACC/AHA lesion classification, Pinteraction = 0.401 or SYNTAX score, Pinteraction = 0.149) and use of IVUS for risk of cardiac death or MI. IVUS-guided second-generation DES implantation was associated with a significantly lower long-term risk of cardiac death or MI compared with angiography guidance, regardless of lesion complexity.

For 20 years, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), consisting of the combination of aspirin and a platelet P2Y

Background Only a few observational studies using small patient samples and one subgroup analysis have compared norepinephrine and dopamine for the treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the use of norepinephrine was associated with improvements in clinical outcomes in CS patients compared to dopamine. Methods We retrospectively reviewed hospital medical records of patients who were admitted to cardiac intensive care unit from 2012 to 2018. We included 520 patients with CS in this analysis. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and serial hemodynamic data were also assessed. Results As a first-line vasopressor, dopamine was used in 156 patients (30%) and norepinephrine in 364 patients (70%). Overall, the norepinephrine group had significantly higher severity of shock, arrest at presentation, vital signs, and lactic acid than did the dopamine group at the time of vasopressor initiation. Nevertheless, in the norepinephrine group, additional vasopressor was required in 123 patients (33.8%), which was a significantly smaller percentage than the 92 patients (56.4%) in the dopamine group who required additional vasopressor (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the two groups (26.9% and 31.9%, respectively, p = 0.26). In addition, the incidence of arrhythmia was not different between the two groups (atrial fibrillation, 12.2% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.30; ventricular tachyarrhythmia, 19.9% vs. 25.3%, p = 0.18). Conclusions The use of norepinephrine as a first-line vasopressor was not associated with reductions of in-hospital mortality or arrythmia but could reduce use of additional vasopressors in CS patients.

Although vasodilators are widely used in patients with vasospastic angina (VA), few studies have compared the long-term prognostic effects of different types of vasodilators. We investigated the long-term effects of vasodilators on clinical outcomes in VA patients according to the type of vasodilator used. Study data were obtained from a prospective multicenter registry that included patients who had symptoms suggestive of VA. Patients were classified into two groups according to use of nitrates (n = 239) or other vasodilators (n = 809) at discharge. The composite clinical events rate, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), cardiac death, new-onset arrhythmia (including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation), and atrioventricular block, was significantly higher in the nitrates group (5.3% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.026) during one year of follow-up. Specifically, the prevalence of ACS was significantly more frequent in the nitrates group (4.3% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.024). After propensity score matching, the adverse effects of nitrates remained. In addition, the use of nitrates at discharge was independently associated with a 2.69-fold increased risk of ACS in VA patients. In conclusion, using nitrates as a vasodilator at discharge can increase the adverse clinical outcomes in VA patients at one year of follow-up. Clinicians need to be aware of the prognostic value and consider prescribing other vasodilators.

Background Chronic vasodilator therapy with long‐acting nitrate is frequently used to treat vasospastic angina. However, the clinical benefits of this approach are controversial. We investigated the prognostic impact of vasodilator therapy in patients with vasospastic angina from the multicenter, prospective VA‐KOREA (Vasospastic Angina in KOREA) registry. Methods and Results We analyzed data from 1895 patients with positive intracoronary ergonovine provocation test results. The patients were divided into 4 groups: no vasodilator (n=359), nonnitrate vasodilator (n=1187), conventional nitrate (n=209), and a combination of conventional nitrate and other vasodilators (n=140). The primary end point was a composite of cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, and new‐onset arrhythmia at 2 years. Secondary end points were the individual components of the primary end point, all‐cause death, and rehospitalization due to recurrent angina. The groups did not differ in terms of the risk of the primary end point. However, the acute coronary syndrome risk was significantly higher in the conventional nitrate (hazard ratio [HR], 2.49; 95% CI, 1.01–6.14; P =0.047) and combination groups (HR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.15–9.75, P =0.027) compared with the no‐vasodilator group, as assessed using the inverse probability of treatment weights. Subgroup analyses revealed prominent adverse effects of nitrate in patients with an intermediate positive ergonovine provocation test result and in those with low Japanese Coronary Spasm Association scores. Conclusions Long‐acting nitrate‐based chronic vasodilator therapy was associated with an increased 2‐year risk of acute coronary syndrome in patients with vasospastic angina, especially in low‐risk patients.