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Increasing observational and experimental trial data have shown that mental stress can lead to an increase in adverse clinical cardiovascular events. Mental stress affects the heart by inducing ischaemia and precipitating myocardial infarction (MI) or direct myocardial injury. Mental stress leads to systemic inflammation. Inflammation is known to cause rapid atheromatous plaque progression, instability and thrombosis—the classic type 1 MI. Inflammation can also lead to type 2 MI or myocarditis and injury. The published data linking systemic inflammation, mental stress and cardiovascular disease will be reviewed to establish the linkage between mind and heart, thereby highlighting the importance of holistically managing the patient, not only addressing separate organ systems. Finally, recent trial evidence showing the value of anti-inflammatory drugs in cardiovascular and mental conditions will be briefly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 57-year-old man was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and Stanford type A aortic dissection that had spread to the common iliac arteries. He underwent a Bentall procedure for vascular repair. Immediately after surgery, he developed numbness and severe weakness in his left leg. On examination, he had hypotonia, absent deep tendon reflexes, weakness in the left leg (Medical Research Council (MRC) scale for muscle strength - 0/5 distal, 3/5 proximal) and reduced sensation in the left leg. Electromyography confirmed subacute involvement of the left lumbar and lumbosacral plexus. MR scan of the lumbar plexus showed diffuse muscle oedema involving the left gluteus maximus. We diagnosed ischaemic lumbosacral plexopathy secondary to extensive aorta dissection and internal iliac artery occlusion. We discuss the clinical features of ischaemic plexopathy and the diagnostic approach and review the vascular anatomy of the lumbosacral plexus. [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]

Recent years have seen major advances in the evaluation and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. These include assessment of novel biomarkers and imaging methods for patients at risk for coronary artery disease, care of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, a novel device to treat medical refractory angina, use of non-statin lipid-lowering agents, a better understanding of the risks and benefits of long-term dual antiplatelet therapy and the use of the newer antiplatelet agents. This article summarises research related to coronary artery disease published in Heart in 2014 and 2015, within the context of other major cardiovascular journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Levosimendan is an inotropic agent with cardioprotective and vasodilating properties used for the management of acutely decompensated heart failure. We studied the effects of levosimendan treatment on the size of myocardial infarction (MI) and left ventricular (LV) function in experimental pig model of post MI heart failure.Methods: After occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, animals received levosimendan 5 mg/kg/day orally for 8 weeks (n=7) or no treatment (n=18). One week after stopping treatment, transthoracic echocardiography, CT scan and positron emission tomography were performed to evaluate myocardial function, perfusion and oxidative metabolism. Histology was used to confirm the size of MI and features of LV remodelling.Results: The size of MI was significantly smaller in the levosimendan group than in the controls (12±13% vs 27±15% of the LV, p=0.03). End-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) were smaller in the levosimendan than in the control group (EDV 161±29 mL vs 245±84 mL, p=0.06; ESV 81±18 mL vs 149±67 mL, p=0.03), whereas ejection fraction tended to be higher in the levosimendan group (50±6% vs 41±8%, p=0.06).Conclusions: Eight weeks of levosimendan therapy after recent LAD occlusion decreases the size of MI and leads to better preservation of LV function as well as reduced LV remodelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Supplemental oxygen therapy may increase myocardial injury following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of the dose and duration of oxygen exposure on myocardial injury after STEMI.Methods: Descriptive analysis of data from a multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled trial of 441 patients with STEMI randomised to supplemental oxygen therapy or room air breathing. The primary endpoint was myocardial infarct size as assessed by cardiac biomarkers, troponin (cTnI) and creatine kinase (CK). Oxygen therapy was commenced by paramedics, and continued for up to 12 h postintervention in hospital. Supplemental oxygen exposure was calculated as the area under the dose×time curve for oxygen administration over the first 12 h, and then assessed for its association with cTnI/CK release using multivariable linear regression.Results: The median supplemental oxygen exposure was 1746 L (IQR: 960-2858). After adjustment for potential confounders, every 100 L increase in oxygen exposure in the first 12 h was associated with a 1.4% (95% CI 0.6% to 2.2%, p<0.001) and 1.2% (95% CI 0.7% to 1.8%, p<0.001) increase in the mean peak cTnI and CK, respectively. Excluding patients who developed cardiogenic shock, recurrent myocardial infarction or desaturations (SpO2<94%) during admission, every 100 L increase in oxygen exposure was associated with a 1.2% (95% CI 0.2% to 2.1%, p=0.01) and 1.0% (95% CI 0.3% to 1.7%, p=0.003) increase in the mean peak cTnI and CK, respectively. The median supplemental oxygen exposure of 1746 L would result in a 21% (95% CI 3% to 37%) increase in infarct size according to the cTnI profile.Conclusions: Supplemental oxygen exposure in the first 12 h after STEMI was associated with a clinically significant increase in cTnI and CK release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Non-invasive cardiac imaging may suffer from poor image quality in morbidly obese individuals. This study aimed to determine the clinical value of contemporary stress echocardiography (SE) in morbidly obese patients referred for assessment of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods: This prospective, multicentre observational study was conducted in two district hospitals and one tertiary centre in London, UK. Individuals with body mass index ≥35 kg/m(2) referred for SE were evaluated. The percentage of patients with obstructive CAD on coronary angiography, following abnormal SE, was assessed. Patient outcomes were determined with follow-up for the composite end-point of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and late revascularisation.Results: Over a 13-month period, 209 morbidly obese patients underwent SE, and contrast agent was used in 96% of patients. A diagnostic result was obtained in 200/209 (96%) patients. Of 32 (15%) patients with inducible ischaemia, 25 underwent angiography, 22 (88%) had corresponding significant CAD and, of these, 16 (77%) underwent revascularisation. Conversely, only 2/157 patients (1.3%) with normal SE underwent angiography, and none underwent revascularisation. Over a mean follow-up period of 17.8±5.4 months, there were nine events. The annualised cardiac event rate after a normal SE was 0.95%. Events were more frequent in patients with inducible ischaemia versus those without ischaemia (5/32 (15.6%) vs 4/153 (2.6%); p=0.002). Ejection fraction <50% (HR 9.5; 95% CI 2.4 to 38.0; p=0.002) and inducible ischaemia (HR 9.4; 95% CI 2.5 to 35.8; p=0.001) were predictors of outcome on univariable Cox regression analysis.Conclusions: Contemporary SE has excellent feasibility and positive predictive value and resulted in appropriate risk stratification of symptomatic patients with significant obesity. A normal SE portends an excellent outcome over the short-intermediate term in this high-risk patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite prompt reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), the mortality and morbidity of patients presenting with an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain significant with 9% death and 10% heart failure at 1 year. In these patients, one important neglected therapeutic target is 'myocardial reperfusion injury', a term given to the cardiomyocyte death and microvascular dysfunction which occurs on reperfusing ischaemic myocardium. A number of cardioprotective therapies (both mechanical and pharmacological), which are known to target myocardial reperfusion injury, have been shown to reduce myocardial infarct (MI) size in small proof-of-concept clinical studies-however, being able to demonstrate improved clinical outcomes has been elusive. In this article, we review the challenges facing clinical cardioprotection research, and highlight future therapies for reducing MI size and preventing heart failure in patients presenting with STEMI at risk of myocardial reperfusion injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is insufficiently implemented in many countries. We investigated patient and hospital characteristics associated with PPCI utilisation.Methods: Whole country registry data (MINAP, Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project) comprising PPCI-capable National Health Service trusts in England (84 hospital trusts; 92 350 hospitalisations; 90 489 patients), 2003-2013. Multilevel Poisson regression modelled the relationship between incidence rate ratios (IRR) of PPCI and patient and trust-level factors.Results: Overall, standardised rates of PPCI increased from 0.01% to 86.3% (2003-2013). While, on average, there was a yearly increase in PPCI utilisation of 30% (adjusted IRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.36), it varied substantially between trusts. PPCI rates were lower for patients with previous myocardial infarction (0.95, 0.93 to 0.98), heart failure (0.86, 0.81 to 0.92), angina (0.96, 0.94 to 0.98), diabetes (0.97, 0.95 to 0.99), chronic renal failure (0.89, 0.85 to 0.90), cerebrovascular disease (0.96, 0.93 to 0.99), age >80 years (0.87, 0.85 to 0.90), and travel distances >30 km (0.95, 0.93 to 0.98). PPCI rates were higher for patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention (1.09, 1.05 to 1.12) and among trusts with >5 interventional cardiologists (1.30, 1.25 to 1.34), more visiting interventional cardiologists (1-5: 1.31, 1.26 to 1.36; ≥6: 1.42, 1.35 to 1.49), and a 24 h, 7-days-a-week PPCI service (2.69, 2.58 to 2.81). Half of the unexplained variation in PPCI rates was due to between-trust differences.Conclusions: Following an 8 year implementation phase, PPCI utilisation rates stabilised at 85%. However, older and sicker patients were less likely to receive PPCI and there remained between-trust variation in PPCI rates not attributable to differences in staffing levels. Compliance with clinical pathways for STEMI is needed to ensure more equitable quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Non-invasive imaging plays a critical role in the assessment of patients presenting with suspected angina chest pain. However, wide variations in practice across Europe and North America highlight the lack of consensus in selecting the appropriate first-line test for the investigation of coronary artery disease (CAD). CT coronary angiography (CTCA) has a high negative predictive value for excluding the presence of CAD. As such, it serves as a potential 'gatekeeper' to downstream testing by reducing the rate of inappropriate invasive coronary angiography. Two recent large multicentre randomised control trials have provided insights into whether CTCA can be incorporated into chest pain care pathways to improve risk stratification of CAD. They demonstrate that using CTCA enhances diagnostic certainty and improves the targeting of appropriate invasive investigations and therapeutic interventions. Importantly, reductions in cardiac death and non-fatal myocardial infarction appear to be attained through the more appropriate use of preventative therapy and coronary revascularisation when guided by CTCA. With this increasing portfolio of evidence, CTCA should be considered the non-invasive investigation of choice in the evaluation of patients with suspected angina pectoris due to coronary heart disease.Clinical Trial Number: NCT01149590, post-results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Carotid artery stenting (CAS) for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (SCS) has been proved to be safe and effective in many randomized controlled trials, but the safety and efficacy of CAS for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACS) is not clear. Objective To prospectively compare the outcomes of CAS between patients with ACS and SCS. Methods 402 consecutive patients, 233 with ACS and 169 with SCS, underwent CAS. The primary outcome was a composite of death, stroke or myocardial infarction at 30 days and during the follow-up period. Procedural success and complications such as hyperperfusion, sinus-cardiac reflex, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, acute thrombosis, and vagus nerve reflex were also compared between the ACS and SCS groups. Results CAS was successful in all patients. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics of the patients (age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption and dyslipidemia) and in 30-day or long-term follow-up outcomes between the ACS and SCS groups. Conclusions Periprocedural and long-term follow-up outcomes of CAS appear similar for ACS and SCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year in emergency department (ED) patients with possible acute coronary syndromes, stratified by high sensitivity troponin (hs-cTnI) concentrations using sex-specific cut points compared with overall cut points.Methods: In a multicentre observational study of 2841 patients, presentation hs-cTnI concentrations were categorised using sex-specific (women 16 ng/L; men 34 ng/L) and overall (26 ng/L) cut points. The primary outcome was MACE occurring within 1 year of presentation. Patients with hs-cTnI values concentrations within these categories were reported by sex and 1-year MACE. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) was computed to measure the change in prediction after altering the hs-cTnI cut points, and was calculated separately for events and non-events.Results: Application of sex-specific 99th percentile cut points rather than the overall cut point of 26 ng/L, reclassified 25 females from having a non-elevated troponin to having an elevated troponin, and 29 males from having an elevated troponin value to having a non-elevated troponin value on presentation. Of these, 7 (28.0%) females and 12 (41.4%) males had a 1-year MACE. There was no reclassification improvement for those with or without 1-year MACE (NRIevents=-1.5%, 95% CI -4.0% to 1.1%; NRInon-events -0.04%, 95% CI -0.5% to 0.4%).Conclusions: Sex-specific cut points improve the identification of women but not men at risk for 1-year MACE. The net-effect across the whole ED population with possible cardiac chest pain is minimal. Lowering the clinical cut point for both sexes may be appropriate for prognostic purposes.Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN No. 21109279, ACTRN12609000283279. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine physiological and clinical relevance of an anomalous right coronary artery originating from left sinus of Valsalva (right ACAOS) with interarterial course in adults.Methods and Results: For physiological assessment, fractional flow reserve (FFR) during dobutamine challenge was measured in 37 consecutive adult patients with lone right ACAOS with interarterial course. At baseline, mean FFR was 0.91±0.06, declining to 0.89±0.06 upon dobutamine infusion (p<0.001). Dobutamine stress FFR was significant (≤0.8) in three patients (8.1%), two of whom were surgically treated. Following surgery, dobutamine stress FFR rose from 0.76 to 0.94 and 0.76 to 0.98. Remodelling index (r=0.583, p=0.002), minimal lumen area (diastole: r=0.580, p=0.002; systole: r=0.0618, p<0.001) and per cent area stenosis (r=-0.550, p=0.004), measured by intravascular ultrasound, correlated with dobutamine stress FFR. To assess the clinical relevance, follow-up data of 119 patients with lone right ACAOS with interarterial course were analysed retrospectively. Two deaths occurred during a median follow-up period of 4 years, for a mortality rate of 0.34 per 100 person-year. No instances of myocardial infarction were recorded and one patient did undergo surgical revascularisation in the course follow-up.Conclusions: Most instances of lone right ACAOS with interarterial course discovered in adults were physiologically insignificant and ran benign clinical courses. Conservative management may thus suffice in this setting if no definitive signs of myocardial ischaemia are evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Smokers have lower short-term mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than non-smokers; however, little is known about the long-term effects of smoking on life expectancy after AMI. This study aimed to quantify the burden of smoking after AMI using life expectancy and years of life lost.Methods: We analysed data from the Cooperative Cardiovascular Project, a medical record study of 158,349 elderly Medicare patients with AMI and over 17 years of follow-up, to evaluate the age-specific association of smoking with life expectancy and years of life lost after AMI.Results: Our sample included 23,447 (14.8%) current smokers. Current smokers had lower crude mortality up to 5 years, which was largely explained by their younger age at AMI. After adjustment other patient characteristics, smoking was associated with lower 30-day (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.94) but higher long-term mortality (17-year HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.20) after AMI. Overall, crude life expectancy estimates were lower for current smokers than non-smokers at all ages, which translated into sizeable numbers of life-years lost attributable to smoking. As age at AMI increased, the magnitude of life-years lost due to smoking decreased. After full risk adjustment, the differences in life expectancy between current smokers and non-smokers persisted at all ages.Conclusions: Current smoking is associated with lower life expectancy and large numbers of life-years lost after AMI. Our findings lend additional support to smoking cessation efforts after AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is little published data reporting outcomes for those found to have a chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) that is electively treated medically versus those treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to compare long-term clinical outcomes between patients treated by PCI and elective medical therapy in a consecutive cohort of patients with an identified CTO.Methods: Patients found to have a CTO on angiography between January 2002 and December 2007 in a single tertiary centre were identified using a dedicated database. Those undergoing CTO PCI and elective medical therapy to the CTO were propensity matched to adjust for baseline clinical and angiographic differences.Results: In total, 1957 patients were identified, a CTO was treated by PCI in 405 (20.7%) and medical therapy in 667 (34.1%), 885 (45.2%) patients underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Of those treated by PCI or medical therapy, propensity score matching identified 294 pairs of patients, PCI was successful in 177 patients (60.2%). All-cause mortality at 5 years was 11.6% for CTO PCI and 16.7% for medical therapy HR 0.63 (0.40 to 1.00, p=0.052). The composite of 5-year death or myocardial infarction occurred in 13.9% of the CTO PCI group and 19.6% in the medical therapy group, HR 0.64 (0.42 to 0.99, p=0.043). Among the CTO PCI group, if the CTO was revascularised by any means during the study period, 5-year mortality was 10.6% compared with 18.3% in those not revascularised in the medical therapy group, HR 0.50 (0.28-0.88, p=0.016).Conclusions: Revascularisation, but not necessarily PCI of a CTO, is associated with improved long-term survival relative to medical therapy alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is frequently associated with reciprocal ST-segment depression in contralateral ECG leads. However, the relationship of the resolution of ST-segment depression (STD-R) with myocardial damage is unknown and the potential prognostic value incompletely understood. We sought to evaluate the association between STD-R and markers of myocardial injury as well as to determine the prognostic impact of STD-R in patients with acute reperfused STEMI.Methods: We enrolled 611 patients with STEMI in this multicentre cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) study. STD-R, defined as either worsened (<0%), incomplete (0-50%) or complete (≥50%), was determined 90 min after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients underwent CMR in median 3 (2-4) days after infarction. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as a composite of death, reinfarction and new congestive heart failure within 12 months after enrollment.Results: Patients with worsened or incomplete STD-R (n=148 (24.2%)) had a significantly larger area at risk (42 (31-50) vs 37 (29-52) vs 34 (24-46) %LV, p=0.001), larger infarct size (20 (13-30) vs 17(10-26) vs 16 (8-24) %LV, p=0.003), larger extent of microvascular obstruction (0.6(0-3.4) vs 0.4 (0-2.4) vs 0.0 (0-1.4) %LV, p=0.003), and a lower LVEF (46 (39-54) vs 48 (40-56) vs 52 (45-58) %, p<0.001). MACE rate (n=37 (6%)) was significantly higher in patients with worsened (n=10 (19%)) or incomplete STD-R (n=7 (7%)) than in patients with complete STD-R (n=20 (4%), p<0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, categorised STD-R emerged as an independent predictor of MACE at 12 months after adjusting for clinical variables (p=0.007).Conclusions: Patients with acute STEMI and worsened or incomplete STD-R after PCI show a more pronounced myocardial as well as microvascular damage as detected by CMR with subsequent independent prognostic information on MACE over a 12-month follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death and disability globally. There is increasing evidence from observational studies that influenza infection is associated with AMI. In patients with known coronary disease, influenza vaccination is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events. However, the effect of influenza vaccination on incident AMI across the entire population is less well established.Method: The purpose of our systematic review of case-control studies is twofold: (1) to estimate the association between influenza infection and AMI and (2) to estimate the association between influenza vaccination and AMI. Cases included those conducted with first-time AMI or any AMI cases. Studies were appraised for quality and meta-analyses using random effects models for the influenza exposures of infection, and vaccination were conducted.Results: 16 studies (8 on influenza vaccination, 10 on influenza infection and AMI) met the eligibility criteria, and were included in the review and meta-analysis. Recent influenza infection, influenza-like illness or respiratory tract infection was significantly more likely in AMI cases, with a pooled OR 2.01 (95% CI 1.47 to 2.76). Influenza vaccination was significantly associated with AMI, with a pooled OR of 0.71 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.91), equating to an estimated vaccine effectiveness of 29% (95% CI 9% to 44%) against AMI.Conclusions: Our meta-analysis of case-control studies found a significant association between recent respiratory infection and AMI. The estimated vaccine effectiveness against AMI was comparable with the efficacy of currently accepted therapies for secondary prevention of AMI from clinical trial data. A large-scale randomised controlled trial is needed to provide robust evidence of the protective effect of influenza vaccination on AMI, including as primary prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term type 2 myocardial infarction first appeared as part of the universal definition of myocardial infarction. It was introduced to cover a group of patients who had elevation of cardiac troponin but did not meet the traditional criteria for acute myocardial infarction although they were considered to have an underlying ischaemic aetiology for the myocardial damage observed. Since first inception, the term type 2 myocardial infarction has always been vague. Although attempts have been made to produce a systematic definition of what constitutes a type 2 myocardial infarction, it has been more often characterised by what it is not rather than what it is. Clinical studies that have used type 2 myocardial infarction as a diagnostic criterion have produced disparate incidence figures. The range of associated clinical conditions differs from study to study. Additionally, there are no agreed or evidence-based treatment strategies for type 2 myocardial infarction. The authors believe that the term type 2 myocardial infarction is confusing and not evidence-based. They consider that there is good reason to stop using this term and consider instead the concept of secondary myocardial injury that relates to the underlying pathophysiology of the primary clinical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of death or myocardial infarction (MI) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). We assessed whether prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy beyond the recommended 12 months may prevent adverse outcomes in patients with CKD receiving drug-eluting stents (DES) or bare-metal stents (BMS).Methods: We studied all Veterans receiving PCI with BMS or first-generation DES in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System between 2002 and 2006, classified by CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min) or normal renal function. We used landmark analyses from 12 months after PCI with Cox proportional hazards multivariable and propensity-adjusted models to assess the effect of prolonged clopidogrel (more than 12  months) versus 12 months or less after PCI on clinical outcomes from 1 year to 4 years after PCI.Results: Of 23 042 eligible subjects receiving PCI, 4880 (21%) had CKD. Compared with normal renal function, patients with CKD had higher risks of death or MI 1-4 years after DES (21% vs 12%, HR=1.75; 95% CI 1.51 to 2.04) or BMS (28% vs 15%, HR=2.10; 95% CI 1.90 to 2.32). In patients with CKD receiving DES, clopidogrel use of more than 12 months after PCI was associated with lower risks of death or MI (18% vs 24%, HR=0.74; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.95), and death (15% vs 23%, HR=0.61; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.80), but had no effect on repeat revascularisation 1-4 years after PCI.Conclusions: In patients with CKD, prolonging clopidogrel beyond 12 months after PCI may decrease the risk of death or MI only in patients receiving first-generation DES. These results support a patient-tailored approach to prolonging clopidogrel after PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Randomised controlled trials have demonstrated improved outcomes with an early invasive strategy compared with routine care after fibrinolysis among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. However, it remains uncertain whether specific patient subsets derive differential benefit from an early invasive strategy.Methods: Using patient-level data from seven randomised trials, we studied the relationship between treatment assignment (early invasive vs standard care) and adverse cardiovascular events. The outcomes assessed were death/reinfarction at 30 days and at 1 year, as well as death/reinfarction/recurrent ischaemia, major bleeding and stroke at 30 days. The analyses were conducted in strata (age, sex, diabetes, prior infarction, Killip class, anterior infarction and time from symptom onset to fibrinolysis) to assess for an interaction between the stratifying variable and treatment assigned.Results: There were 101 deaths and 115 recurrent infarctions at 30 days in 3010 patients. There were no strata where an invasive strategy conferred a differential treatment effect. With the exception of a marginally significant interaction between Killip class and treatment for death/reinfarction at 30 days and 1 year (p values for interaction 0.044 and 0.038, respectively), no interactions between the stratifying variables and treatment assignment were observed.Conclusions: Benefit from an early invasive strategy after fibrinolysis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction is similar across patient subgroups stratified by these clinical characteristics. Therefore, prediction of risk and benefit from an early invasive strategy after fibrinolysis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction is best achieved by global risk evaluation rather than specific patient characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We sought to determine whether guided high mechanical index (MI) impulses from a diagnostic ultrasound transducer during an intravenous microbubble infusion could augment low-dose fibrinolytic therapy in treating acute myocardial infarction (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, STEMI). Methods Acute thrombotic occlusions of the left anterior descending were created in 32 atherosclerotic pigs. Fourteen historical control pigs received half dose of tissue plasminogen activator alone (half tPA), while the subsequent 18 were randomised to (a) 1.0 mg/kg tPA (full-dose tPA); (b) low-dose tPA (0.5 mg/kg) and an intravenous microbubble infusion where guided transthoracic high MI impulses were applied intermittently to the risk area (guided high MI/half tPA) or (c) guided high MI impulses and microbubbles alone (guided high MI alone). Angiographic recanalisation, ST segment resolution and wall thickening (WT) at 60 min were compared between all pigs, while indexed infarct size at 48 h was compared in the 18 randomised pigs. Results Recanalisation rates improved from 36% for half dose tPA alone to 83% with the addition of guided high MI impulses, while it was 50% for full-dose tPA and guided high MI alone. WT recovery within the risk area following treatment was highest for guided high MI/half tPA (p=0.007 compared with full-dose tPA; ANOVA), and indexed infarct size was lowest (p<0.05 compared to full-dose tPA). Conclusions Guided high MI-induced microbubble cavitation from a diagnostic transducer added to low-dose tPA can immediately improve regional function and reduce infarct size in acute STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Cigarette smoking causes many chronic diseases that are costly and result in frequent hospitalisation. Hospital-initiated smoking cessation interventions increase the likelihood that patients will become smoke-free. We modelled the cost-effectiveness of the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC), an intervention that includes in-hospital counselling, pharmacotherapy and posthospital follow-up, compared to usual care among smokers hospitalised with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina (UA), heart failure (HF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods We completed a cost-effectiveness analysis based on a decision-analytic model to assess smokers hospitalised in Ontario, Canada for AMI, UA, HF, and COPD, their risk of continuing to smoke and the effects of quitting on re-hospitalisation and mortality over a 1-year period. We calculated short-term and long-term cost-effectiveness ratios. Our primary outcome was 1-year cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Results From the hospital payer's perspective, delivery of the OMSC can be considered cost effective with 1-year cost per QALY gained of $C1386, and lifetime cost per QALY gained of $C68. In the first year, we calculated that provision of the OMSC to 15 326 smokers would generate 4689 quitters, and would prevent 116 rehospitalisations, 923 hospital days, and 119 deaths. Results were robust within numerous sensitivity analyses. Discussion The OMSC appears to be cost-effective from the hospital payer perspective. Important consideration is the relatively low intervention cost compared to the reduction in costs related to readmissions for illnesses associated with continued smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare population-level trends in 30-day case fatality following incident myocardial infarction (MI) in people with diabetes and those without diabetes. Methods We identified all hospitalised incident MIs in 35-84 year olds from the Western Australian Data Linkage System for 1998-2010, stratified by diabetes status. Crude and age- and sex-standardised 30-day case fatality were estimated, and age- and sex-adjusted trends were calculated from logistic regression. We calculated the trend in risk of 30-day death associated with diabetes from multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for demographics, comorbidities and MI type. Results 26 610 hospitalised incident MI cases were identified, 24.8% of whom had diabetes. The prevalence of heart failure fell in people with diabetes, concurrent with increasing chronic kidney disease and prior coronary heart disease and increasing levels of evidence-based therapies. Case fatality in people with diabetes fell from 11.65%, in 1998-2001, to 3.96% by 2008-2010. Age- and sexstandardised case fatality declined at a greater rate in those with diabetes (-10.6%/year, 95% CI -12.8% to -8.2%) compared to non-diabetics (-6.9%/year, 95% CI -8.3% to -5.3%; interaction p=0.005). The adjusted risk of 30- day death after incident MI was 1.23 times higher in diabetics than non-diabetics in 1998-2001 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.50), but was lower by 2008-2010 (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.88). Conclusions Greater improvements in 30-day case fatality following incident MI in people with diabetes during the 13-year study period has led to diabetes no longer being an independent predictor of early death following incident MI by 2008-2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The value of multivessel revascularisation in cardiogenic shock and multivessel disease (MVD) is still not clear. We compared outcomes following culprit vessel or multivessel revascularisation in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), cardiogenic shock and MVD. Methods From 16 620 patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a nationwide, prospective, multicentre registry between January 2006 and December 2012, 510 eligible patients were selected and divided into culprit vessel revascularisation (n=386, 75.7%) and multivessel revascularisation (n=124, 24.3%) groups. The primary outcomes were inhospital mortality and all-cause death during a median 194-day follow-up. A weighted Cox regression model was constructed to determine the HRs and 95% CIs for outcomes in the two groups. Results Compared with culprit vessel revascularisation, multivessel revascularisation had a significantly lower adjusted risk of inhospital mortality (9.3% vs 2.4%, HR 0.263, 95% CI 0.149 to 0.462, p<0.001) and all-cause death (13.1% vs 4.8%, HR 0.400, 95% CI 0.264 to 0.606, p<0.001), mainly because of fewer cardiac deaths (9.7% vs 4.8%, HR 0.510, 95% CI 0.329 to 0.790, p=0.002). In addition, multivessel revascularisation significantly decreased the adjusted risk of the composite endpoint of all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction and any revascularisation (20.3% vs 18.1%, HR 0.728, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.965, p=0.026). Conclusions This study showed that, compared with culprit vessel revascularisation, multivessel revascularisation at the time of primary PCI was associated with better outcomes in patients with STEMI with cardiogenic shock. Our results support the current guidelines regarding revascularisation in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) presents a significant burden to the UK. This review presents data from nationally representative datasets to provide up-to-date statistics on mortality, prevalence, treatment and costs. Data focus on CVD as a whole, coronary heart disease (International Classification of Diseases (ICD):I20-25) and cerebrovascular disease (ICD:I60-69); however, where available, other cardiovascular conditions are also presented. In 2012, CVD was the most common cause of death in the UK for women (28% of all female deaths), but not for men, where cancer is now the most common cause of death (32% of all male deaths). Mortality from CVD varies widely throughout the UK, with the highest age-standardised CVD death rates in Scotland (347/100 000) and the North of England (320/ 100 000 in the North West). Prevalence of coronary heart disease is also highest in the North of England (4.5% in the North East) and Scotland (4.3%). Overall, around three times as many men have had a myocardial infarction compared with women. Treatment for CVD is increasing over time, with prescriptions and operations for CVD having substantially increased over the last two decades. The National Health Service in England spent around £6.8 billion on CVD in 2012/2013, the majority of which came from spending on secondary care. Despite significant declines in mortality in the UK, CVD remains a considerable burden, both in terms of health and costs. Both primary and secondary prevention measures are necessary to reduce both the burden of CVD and inequalities in CVD mortality and prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors focus on ischaemic conditioning as a therapeutic strategy to improve medical condition of patients subjected to acute myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Topics discussed include experience of acute IRI during cardiac bypass surgery and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); cardioprotection by subjecting the heart to cycles of ischaemia and reperfusion; and various types of myocardial reperfusion injuries including myocardial stunning.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, RNA molecules approximately 22 nucleotides in length which act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Individual miRNAs have been shown to regulate the expression of multiple genes. Conversely, the expression of individual genes can be regulated by multiple miRNAs. Consequently, since their discovery just over 20 years ago, miRNAs have been identified as key regulators of complex biological processes linked to multiple cardiovascular pathologies, including left ventricular hypertrophy, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertension and arrhythmias. Furthermore, since the finding that miRNAs are present in the circulation, they have been investigated as novel biomarkers, especially in the context of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure. While there is little convincing evidence that miRNAs can outperform traditional biomarkers, such as cardiac troponins, in the diagnosis of AMI, there is potential for miRNAs to complement existing risk prediction models and act as valuable markers of post-AMI prognosis. Encouragingly, the concept of miRNA-based therapeutics is developing, with synthetic antagonists of miRNAs (antagomiRs) currently in phase II trials for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. In the cardiovascular field, promising preclinical studies suggest that they could be useful in treating disorders ranging from heart failure to dyslipidaemia, although several challenges related to specificity and targeted delivery remain to be overcome. Through this review, we provide clinicians with a brief overview of the ever-expanding world of miRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Prior studies have demonstrated that patients with high-risk acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are less likely to receive guideline-directed medications during hospitalisation. It is unknown if this paradox persists following discharge. We aimed to assess if persistence with guideline-directed medications post discharge varies by patients' risk following AMI. Methods Data were analysed from two prospective, multicentre US AMI registries. The primary outcome was persistence with all prescribed guideline-directed medications (aspirin, ß-blockers, statins, angiotensinantagonists) at 1, 6 and 12 months post discharge. The association between risk and medication persistence post discharge was assessed using multivariable mixed-effect models. Results Among 6434 patients with AMI discharged home, 2824 were considered low-risk, 2014 intermediate-risk and 1596 high-risk for death based upon their Global Registry of Acute Coronary Event (GRACE) 6-month risk score. High-risk was associated with a lower likelihood of receiving all appropriate therapies at discharge compared with low-risk patients (relative risk (RR) 0.90; 95% CI 0.87 to 0.94). At 12 months, the rate of persistence with all prescribed therapies was 61.5%, 57.9% and 45.9% among lowrisk, intermediate-risk and high-risk patients, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, high-risk was associated with lower persistence with all prescribed medications (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.92) over follow-up. Similar associations were seen for individual medications. Over the 5 years of the study, persistence with prescribed therapies post discharge improved modestly among highrisk patients (RR 1.05; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.08 per year). Conclusions High-risk patients with AMI have a lower likelihood of persistently taking prescribed medications post discharge as compared with low-risk patients. Continued efforts are needed to improve the use of guideline-directed medications in high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the impact of winter season and exercise on the cardiovascular health of a individual. It states that in case of patients suffering with coronary artery disease (CAD), angina symptoms get worse in the winter season and they become non tolerant towards exercise. It mentions that cold temperature is associated with higher risks of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and states that a mismatch in supply and demand of myocardial oxygen leads to AMI.

Exercise recommendations for those who have Marfan syndrome or other genetic predisposition for thoracic aortic disease remain controversial and at times ambiguous. There are no outcomes studies to help guide recommendations. In this review, we examine the guidelines regarding exercise and inherited aortic conditions, the theoretical reasoning and circumstantial evidence that support the guidelines, as well as the knowledge gaps that continue to exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to determine outcomes in pregnant women with pre-existing coronary artery disease (CAD) or following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including myocardial infarction (MI). Background The physiological changes of pregnancy can contribute to myocardial ischaemia. The pregnancy risk for women with pre-established CAD or a history of ACS/MI is not well studied. Methods This was a retrospective multicentre study. Adverse maternal cardiac, obstetric and fetal/neonatal events were examined. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of cardiac arrest, ACS/MI, ventricular arrhythmia or congestive heart failure. The prevalence of new or progressive angina during pregnancy was also examined. Results Fifty pregnancies in 43 women (mean age 35 ±5 years) were included. Coronary atherosclerosis (40%) and coronary thrombus (36%) were the most common underlying diagnoses. The primary outcome occurred in 10% (5/50) of pregnancies and included one maternal death secondary to cardiac arrest. Other events included ACS/MI (3/50) and heart failure (1/50). New or progressive angina occurred in 18% of pregnancies. Ischaemic complications of any type (new or progressive angina, ACS/MI, ventricular arrhythmia, cardiac arrest) occurred more commonly in women with coronary atherosclerosis compared with those without (50% vs 10%, p=0.003). A high rate of adverse obstetric (16%) and fetal/neonatal (30%) events was observed. Conclusions Pregnant women with pre-existing CAD or ACS/MI before pregnancy are at increased risk of adverse events during pregnancy. Those with coronary atherosclerosis are at highest risk of adverse maternal cardiac events due to myocardial ischaemia during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate whether fractional flow reserve (FFR) should be performed for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) to guide the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategy. Background PCI is the most effective method to improve the outcomes of CAD. However, the proper usage of PCI has not been achieved in clinical practice. Methods A meta-analysis was performed on angiography-guided PCI and FFR-guided PCI strategies. Prospective and retrospective studies were included when research subjects were patients with CAD undergoing PCI. The primary endpoint was the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Secondary endpoints included death, myocardial infarction (MI), repeat revascularisation and death or MI. Results Four prospective and three retrospective studies involving 49 517 patients were included. Absolute risks of MACE/MACCE, death, MI, revascularisation and death or MI for angiography-guided PCI and FFR-guided PCI were 34.8% vs 22.5%, 15.3% vs 7.6%, 8.1% vs 4.2%, 20.4% vs 14.8%, and 21.9% vs 11.8%, respectively. The meta-analysis demonstrated that FFRguided PCI was associated with lower MACE/MACCE (OR: 1.71, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.23), death (OR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.96), MI (OR: 2.05, 95% CI 1.61 to 2.60), repeat revascularisation (OR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.44), and death or MI (OR: 1.84, 95% CI 1.58 to 2.15) than angiography-guided PCI strategy. Conclusions This meta-analysis supports current guidelines advising the FFR-guided PCI strategy for CAD. PCI should only be performed when haemodynamic significance is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study the impact of national economic and human development status on patient profiles and outcomes in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Targeted Platelet Inhibition to Clarify the Optimal Strategy to Medically Manage Acute Coronary Syndromes trial (TRILOGY ACS) population (51 countries; 9301 patients). Outcome measures compared baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes through 30 months by 2010 country level United Nations Human Development Indices (HDIs) and per-capita gross national income. Results TRILOGY ACS enrolled 3659 patients from 27 very-high HDI countries, 3744 from 18 high-HDI countries and 1898 from 6 medium-HDI countries. Baseline characteristics of groups varied significantly, with the medium-HDI group having a lower mean age (63.0 years, vs 65.0 and 68.0 years for high-HDI and very-high HDI, respectively; p<0.001), lower baseline Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score and lower rate of non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (58.0%, vs 62.2% and 83.9% among high-HDI and very-high HDI, respectively). Medium-HDI and high-HDI patients had lower unadjusted 30-month rates for the composite of cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction/stroke (17.6%, 16.9% and 23.1% for medium-HDI, high-HDI and veryhigh HDI, respectively); this difference disappeared after adjusting for baseline characteristics. Adjusted HRs for the composite endpoint were lower in lower-income/middleincome countries vs upper-income/middle-income (0.791 (95% CI 0.632 to 0.990)) and high-income countries (0.756 (95% CI 0.616 to 0.928)), with differences largely attributable to myocardial infarction rates. Conclusions Clinical patient profiles differed substantially by country HDI groupings. Lower unadjusted event rates in medium-HDI countries may be explained by younger age and lower comorbidity burden among these countries' patients. This heterogeneity in patient recruitment across country HDI groupings may have important implications for future global ACS trial design. Trial registration number NCT00699998. [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]

Objectives Acute management of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients on chronic vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy is uncertain. This study aims to estimate in-hospital major bleeding risk among STEMI patients on chronic VKA treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); and determine the relationship between bleeding and acute treatments stratified by international normalised ratio (INR) values. Methods We retrospectively examined 120270 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI at 586 national registry hospitals (2007-2012). Results Overall, 3101 patients (2.6%) were on VKA which was associated with increased in-hospital major bleeding risk when compared with patients not on VKA (17.0%, vs 10.1%; adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.40). In patients on VKA, admission INR =2.0 was not associated with an increase in bleeding risk compared to INR <2.0. Patients on VKA were more likely to receive clopidogrel or bivalirudin within 24 h of presentation (acute), but less likely to receive prasugrel, heparin, or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI). In those patients, acute GPI was associated with increased bleeding risk (adjusted OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.40) while bivalirudin was associated with decreased risk (adjusted OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.86); bleeding risk associated with heparin, bivalirudin, ADP-receptor blockers, or GPI was similar between INR =2.0 and <2.0. Conclusions In STEMI patients treated with primary PCI, chronic VKA therapy was associated with a significant increase in in-hospital major bleeding risk compared to no VKA therapy, irrespective of whether admission INR was =2.0 or not. In patients on VKA, GPI was associated with increased bleeding risk while bivalirudin was associated with decreased risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Various cardiovascular prediction models have been developed for patients w i t h type 2 diabetes. Their predictive performance in new patients is mostly not investigated. This study aims to quantify the predictive performance of all cardiovascular prediction models developed specifically for diabetes patients. Design and methods Follow-up data of 453, 1174 and 5 8 4 type 2 diabetes patients without pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the EPIC-NL, EPICPotsdam and Secondary Manifestations of ARTerial disease cohorts, respectively, were used to validate 10 prediction models to estimate risk of CVD or coronary heart disease (CHD). Discrimination was assessed by the c-statistic for time-to-event data. Calibration was assessed by calibration plots, the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic and expected to observed ratios. Results There was a large variation in performance of CVD and CHD scores between different cohorts. Discrimination was moderate for all 10 prediction models, with c-statistics ranging from 0.54 (95% CI 0.46 to 0.63) to 0.76 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.84). Calibration of the original models was poor. After simple recalibration to the disease incidence of the target populations, predicted and observed risks were close. Expected to observed ratios of the recalibrated models ranged from 1.06 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.40) to 1.55 (95% CI 0.95 to 2.54), mainly driven by an overestimation of risk in high-risk patients. Conclusions All 10 evaluated models had a comparable and moderate discriminative ability. The recalibrated, but not the original, prediction models provided accurate risk estimates. These models can assist clinicians in identifying type 2 diabetes patients who are at low or high risk of developing CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To describe the clinical outcomes of patients for whom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recent-onset chest pain guidance would not have recommended further investigation, compared with those of patients where further investigation would have been recommended. Methods 557 consecutive patients with recent-onset chest pain attending rapid-access chest pain clinics (RACPC) in two district general hospitals over a 9-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Likelihood of coronary artery disease (CAD) was calculated according to NICE-defined modified Diamond-Forrester criteria. Patients were categorised into those for whom NICE guidelines recommend (NICE-Y) and do not recommend (NICE-N) further investigation. Main outcome measures were subsequent diagnosis of significant CAD and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 6 months. Results 187/557 (33.6%) patients comprised NICE-γ group, with 370/557 (66.4%) in NICE-N group. 360/ 370 (97.3%) of NICE-N group would have been excluded from further investigation due to non-anginal chest pain. Of 92/557 (16.5%) patients subsequently diagnosed with significant CAD, 35/557 (9.5%) were from NICE-N group versus 57/557 (30.5%, p<0.0001) from NICE-Y group. Of 11 patients experiencing at least one MACE, 7/557 (1.9%) were from NICE-N group, versus 4/557 (2.1%, p=1.000) from NICE-Y group. Conclusions The rigid application of NICE chest pain guidance to a RACPC population may result in up to two-thirds of patients being excluded from further cardiac investigation. Potentially, up to 10% of these patients may subsequently be diagnosed with significant CAD, with up to 2% potentially experiencing a major adverse cardiac event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We aimed to assess differences in incidence, clinical features, current treatment strategies and outcome in patients with type 2 vs. type 1 acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods and results All 20 138 hospitalisations in Sweden with a diagnosis of AMI registered during 2011 in the Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies were classified into types 1 - 5 in accordance with the universal definition of myocardial infarction (MI) from 2007. Type 1 AMI was present in 88.5% of the cases while 7.1% were classified as type 2 AMI. Higher age, female sex, comorbidities, impaired renal function, anaemia and smaller extent of myocardial necrosis characterised patients with type 2 AMI. While normal coronary arteries were more frequently seen (42.4% vs. 7.4%), an invasive treatment was less common, and antiplatelet medications were less prescribed in patients with type 2 AMI compared with type 1 AMI. The group with type 2 AMI had significantly higher crude 1-year mortality compared with the group with type 1 AMI (24.7% vs. 13.5%, p<0.001). However, after adjustment, the HR for 1-year mortality in patients with type 2 AMI was 1.03 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.23). Conclusions In this real-life study, 7.1% of myocardial infarctions were classified as type 2 AMI. These patients were older, predominantly women and had more comorbidities. Invasive treatment strategies and cardioprotective medications were less used. Patients with type 2 AMI had higher crude mortality compared with type 1 patients with MI. However, after adjustment, the 1-year mortality was similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the cost effectiveness of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) study who were scheduled for non-invasive management. Methods A previously developed cost effectiveness model was used to estimate long-term costs and outcomes for patients scheduled for non-invasive management. Healthcare costs, event rates and healthrelated quality of life under treatment with either ticagrelor or clopidogrel over 12 months were estimated from the PLATO study. Long-term costs and health outcomes were estimated based on data from PLATO and published literature sources. To investigate the importance of different healthcare cost structures and life expectancy for the results, the analysis was carried out from the perspectives of the Swedish, UK, German and Brazilian public healthcare systems. Results Ticagrelor was associated with lifetime qualityadjusted life-year (QALY) gains of 0.17 in Sweden, 0.16 in the UK, 0.17 in Germany and 0.13 in Brazil compared with generic clopidogrel, with increased healthcare costs of €467, €551, €739 and €574, respectively. The cost per QALY gained with ticagrelor was €2747, €3395, €4419 and €4471 from a Swedish, UK, German and Brazilian public healthcare system perspective, respectively. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses indicated that the cost per QALY gained with ticagrelor was below conventional threshold values of cost effectiveness with a high probability. Conclusions Treatment of patients with ACS scheduled for 12 months' non-invasive management with ticagrelor is associated with a cost per QALY gained below conventional threshold values of cost effectiveness compared with generic clopidogrel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses key modalities used to determine infarct size reduction in acute myocardial infarction (MR) and with recent advancement in interventions used to reduce infarct size (IS). Topics include pathophysiology of MR, use of blood biomarkers to assess IS & role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance technique to characterize myocardial infarction. It discusses various methods to reduce IS including thrombectomy, hyperoxaemia & hypothermia & intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation.

Background Risk stratification after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event is recommended to guide intensity and timing of investigation and management. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) investigators have published several scores for predicting patient risk both at hospital admission and discharge. Objective To evaluate the performance of the admission-to-6-month and discharge-to-6-month GRACE scores for predicting myocardial infarction (MI) and mortality in a contemporary cohort of patients admitted with ACS. Methods The cohort comprised 3743 consecutive patients admitted to cardiology services in two large New Zealand hospitals with an ACS between 2007 and 2011. Risk score data was collected in an electronic registry and linked anonymously to national hospitalisation and mortality records. Results Between admission and 6 months, 160 patients died and another 269 were rehospitalised with an MI. The GRACE admission-to-6-month total mortality and mortality/MI scores both overestimated event rates approximately twofold. The discharge-to-6-month mortality equation was better calibrated. Global discrimination was very good for both admission-to-6-month and discharge-to-6-month mortality scores (c=0.805 and c=0.795, respectively) and moderately good for the corresponding mortality/MI equations (c=0.652 and c=0.624, respectively). Conclusions In a contemporary ACS cohort, the GRACE discharge-to-6-month mortality score has very good discrimination and accurately predicts mortality rates, whereas the admission-to-6-month equation, despite good discrimination, overestimated risk. Recalibration or more dynamic modelling of inhospital risk which includes variables such as time from admission to risk assessment are needed to support use of ACS risk assessment inhospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alterations in cortisol awakening and stress responses (CAR, CSR) are sensitive markers for the basal activity and responsiveness of the hypothalamus- pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) in psychopathological conditions. We investigated whether patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) differ in these markers when compared with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients and healthy controls. Methods: 19 female TTC patients were compared with 20 female NSTEMI patients and with 20 healthy women, matched by age and index event date. Salivary sampling indicated cortisol release, questionnaires assessed personality, life events, chronic stress and psychiatric symptoms. Results: The groups did not differ relevantly in their basal HPAA activity, psychiatric or personality profiles. Despite increased heart rates in response to stress (median difference (MDdiff )=3.5, p=0.002) and higher nervousness scores (MDdiff=-3.0, p=0.024), TTC patients revealed a blunted CSR with a medium effect compared to the controls (MDdiff=-3.2 nmol/L, p=0.022, r=0.36); even when controlled for prestress cortisol differences (p=0.044, r=0.33). In comparison with NSTEMI patients, no significant differences in CSR (MDdiff=-1.9 nmol/L, p=0.127, r=0.25) or nervousness (MDdiff=2.0, p=0.107) can be observed. Stressful life events, for example, traumatic experiences, occurred more often in TTC (42%) than in NSTEMI patients and controls (both 10%, p=0.031). Conclusions: In this small exploratory trial, a trend for a blunted CSR and high incidences of stressful life events were observed in TTC patients. If these results can be confirmed in larger studies, chronic stress and the inhibitory influence of cortisol on catecholamine release might be significant for the pathogenesis of TTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study in which a randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of a smartphone-based home service delivery (Care Assessment Platform) of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) (CAP-CR) on CR use and health outcomes compared with a traditional, centre-based programme (TCR) in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. As mentioned, the study concluded that smartphone-based home care CR programme improved post-MI CR uptake, adherence and completion.

Background: The main strategy for alleviating heart disease has been to target individuals and encourage them to change their health behaviours. Although important, emphasis on individuals has diverted focus and responsibility away from neighbourhood characteristics, which also strongly influence people’s behaviours. Although a growing body of research has repeatedly demonstrated strong associations between neighbourhood characteristics and cardiovascular health, it has typically focused on negative neighbourhood characteristics. Only a few studies have examined the potential health enhancing effects of positive neighbourhood characteristics, such as perceived neighbourhood social cohesion. Methods: Using multiple logistic regression models, we tested whether higher perceived neighbourhood social cohesion was associated with lower incidence of myocardial infarction. Prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study—a nationally representative panel study of American adults over the age of 50 —were used to analyse 5276 participants with no history of heart disease. Respondents were tracked for 4 years and analyses adjusted for relevant sociodemographic, behavioural, biological and psychosocial factors. Results: In a model that adjusted for age, gender, race, marital status, education and total wealth, each SD increase in perceived neighbourhood social cohesion was associated with a 22% reduced odds of myocardial infarction (OR=0.78, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.94. The association between perceived neighbourhood social cohesion and myocardial infarction remained even after adjusting for behavioural, biological and psychosocial covariates. Conclusions: Higher perceived neighbourhood social cohesion may have a protective effect against myocardial infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Copeptin, a quantitative marker of endogenous stress, seems to provide incremental value in addition to cardiac troponin in the early rule-out of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Prevalence, characteristics and outcome of acute chest pain patients with causes other than AMI and elevated copeptin are poorly understood. Methods A total of 984 consecutive patients with non-cardiac chest pain were selected from a prospective multicentre study of acute chest pain patients presenting to the emergency department. Levels of copeptin were determined in a blinded fashion and considered elevated if above 13 pmol/L (the 97,5th centile of healthy individuals). The final diagnosis was adjudicated by two independent cardiologists. Median duration of follow-up was 756 days. Results Elevated copeptin levels were seen in 215 patients (22%). In comparison to patients with normal copeptin levels, patients with elevated levels were older, had more pre-existing cardiac and non-cardiac disorders, more silent cardiomyocyte injury and increased haemodynamic stress as quantified by levels of highsensitivity cardiac troponin T (9.6 ng/L (3.6-18.3) vs 5.8 ng/L (2.9-9.4)) and B-type natriuretic peptide (75 ng/L (37-187) vs 35 ng/L (15-77)) (both p<0.001), more electrocardiographic abnormalities, more often an adjudicated diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux or bronchitis/pneumonia and higher 2- year mortality (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 5.7). The increased mortality rate seemed to be largely explained by age and comorbidities. Conclusions Elevated levels of copeptin are present in about one in five patients with non-cardiac chest pain and are associated with aging, cardiac and non-cardiac comorbidities as well as mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We evaluated the prespecified endpoint, aborted myocardial infarction (AbMI), according to the use of a pharmacoinvasive (PI) strategy versus primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 1754 patients randomised within 3 h of symptom onset in the STrategic Reperfusion Early After Myocardial infarction (STREAM) trial. Methods Based on sequential ECG's and biomarkers, AbMI was defined as ST-elevation resolution =50% (90 min posttenecteplase (TNK) in the PI arm or 30 min postprimary PCI) with minimal biomarker rise. Results In the PI arm 11.1% (n=99) had AbMI versus 6.9% (n=59) in primary PCI arm ( p<0.01). In a multivariable model, AbMI patients overall had less baseline SST-deviation, fewer baseline Q-waves and shorter total ischaemic times. PI AbMI patients had faster time to TNK (90 vs 100 min, p=0.015): total ischaemic time was 100 min longer in primary PCI AbMI patients and no difference in ischaemic time existed between AbMI and non-AbMI patients within this group. Although no significant interaction between treatment and AbMI on the composite endpoint of death/shock/congestive heart failure/recurrent MI occurred (p=0.292), PI AbMI patients had a lower incidence in this endpoint than non- AbMI patients (5.1 vs 12%, p=0.038); this was not evident in primary PCI patients. Forty-five patients (ie, 2.5%) had masquerading MI with minimal biomarker elevation and no evolution in baseline ST-elevation. Conclusions A PI strategy of early fibrinolysis more frequently aborts MI than primary PCI. Such PI patients had more favourable outcomes as compared with non- AbMIs. Diligent review of ECG evolution in STEMI distinguishes AbMI from infarct masquerade. Clinical Trials.gov ID NCT00623623. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods An observational cohort study was conducted using data from the Acute Myocardial Infarction in Florence 2 registry, including all ACS hospitalised in 1 year in the area of Florence, Italy. Patients aged 75+ years were selected, whose background risk was stratified with the Silver Code (SC), a validated tool predicting mortality based upon administrative data. Multivariable OR for PCI application and HR for 1-year mortality by PCI usage were calculated. Results In 698 patients (358 women, mean age 83 years), of whom 176 had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), for each point increase in SC score the odds for application of PCI decreased by 11%, whereas the hazard of 1-year mortality increased by 10%, adjusting for positive and negative predictors. PCI reduced 1-year mortality progressively more with increasing SC, with HR (95% CI) of 0.8 (0.19 to 1.21), 0.41 (0.18 to 0.45), 0.41 (0.23 to 0.74) and 0.26 (0.14 to 0.48) for SC of 0-3, 4-6, 7-10 and 11+. Conclusions Application of PCI in older ACS patients decreased with increasing background risk. This therapeutic attitude could not be justified by decreasing effectiveness of PCI in more compromised patients: conversely, application of PCI was associated with a long-term survival advantage that increased progressively with background risk, as expressed by SC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Many studies demonstrated a decline in hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases after the implementation of a smoking ban, but evidence for reductions in cardiovascular mortality is more limited. In Belgium, smoke-free legislation was implemented in different phases. Public places and most workplaces became smoke-free in January 2006, whereas the legislative ban on smoking in restaurants was introduced in January 2007. These successive steps in legislation provided us the opportunity to investigate possible stepwise changes in fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rates. Methods Data on all AMI deaths of 30 years of age or older in Flanders (Belgium) between 2000 and 2009 (n=38 992) were used. Age-standardised AMI death rates were analysed with segmented Poisson regression allowing for secular trends, seasonality, temperature, PM10 and influenza. Results An immediate decrease in AMI mortality rates was observed in January 2006 (smoking ban at work). The effect was highest for women younger than 60 years of age (-33.8%; 95% CI-49. 6 to -13.0), compared with an effect of -13.1% (95% CI -24.3 to -0.3) for male counterparts. Estimates for the elderly (≥60 years) were -9.0% (95% CI -14.1 to -3.7) for men and 7.9% (95% CI -13.5 to -2.0) for women. An additional effect of the smoking ban in restaurants was observed for elderly men, with an annual slope change of -3.8% (95% CI -6.5 to -1.0) after 1 January 2007. Conclusions Smoking ban interventions are associated with reductions in the population rate of myocardial mortality, with public health gains even before and during the middle-aged period of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We aimed to derive and validate a clinical decision rule (CDR) for suspected cardiac chest pain in the emergency department (ED). Incorporating information available at the time of first presentation, this CDR would effectively risk-stratify patients and immediately identify: (A) patients for whom hospitalisation may be safely avoided; and (B) high-risk patients, facilitating judicious use of resources. Methods In two sequential prospective observational cohort studies at heterogeneous centres, we included ED patients with suspected cardiac chest pain. We recorded clinical features and drew blood on arrival. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (death, prevalent or incident acute myocardial infarction, coronary revascularisation or new coronary stenosis >50%) within 30 days. The CDR was derived by logistic regression, considering reliable (p>0.6) univariate predictors (p<0.05) for inclusion. Results In the derivation study (n=698) we derived a CDR including eight variables (high sensitivity troponin T; heart-type fatty acid binding protein; ECG ischaemia; diaphoresis observed; vomiting; pain radiation to right arm/shoulder; worsening angina; hypotension), which had a C-statistic of 0.95 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.97) implying near perfect diagnostic performance. On external validation (n=463) the CDR identified 27.0% of patients as 'very low risk' and potentially suitable for discharge from the ED. 0.0% of these patients had prevalent acute myocardial infarction and 1.6% developed MACE (n=2; both coronary stenoses without revascularisation). 9.9% of patients were classified as 'high-risk', 95.7% of whom developed MACE. Conclusions The Manchester Acute Coronary Syndromes (MACE) rule has the potential to safely reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and facilitate judicious use of high dependency resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]