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Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) with non-obstructed coronary arteries (MINOCA) is an increasingly recognized condition with challenging management. Some MINOCA patients ultimately experience recurrent acute MI (re-AMI) during follow-up; however, clinical and angiographic factors predisposing to re-AMI are still poorly defined., Methods: In this retrospective multicenter cohort study we enrolled consecutive patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria of MINOCA according to the IV universal definition of myocardial infarction; characteristics of patients experiencing re-AMI during the follow-up were compared to a group of MINOCA patients without re-AMI., Results: 54 patients (mean age 66 ± 13) experienced a subsequent re-AMI after MINOCA and follow-up was available in 44 (81%). Compared to MINOCA patients without re-AMI (n = 695), on first invasive coronary angiography (ICA) MINOCA patients with re-AMI showed less frequent angiographically normal coronaries (37 versus 53%, p = 0.032) and had a higher prevalence of atherosclerosis involving 3 vessels or left main stem (17% versus 8%, p = 0.049). Twenty-four patients (44%) with re-AMI underwent a new ICA: 25% had normal coronary arteries, 12.5% had mild luminal irregularities (<30%), 20.8% had moderate coronary atherosclerosis (30-49%), and 41.7% showed obstructive coronary atherosclerosis (≥50% stenosis). Among patients undergoing new ICA, atherosclerosis progression was observed in 11 (45.8%), 37.5% received revascularization, only 4.5% had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL&#95;C) under 55 mg/dL and 33% experienced a new cardiovascular disease (CVD) event (death, AMI, heart failure, stroke) at subsequent follow-up., Conclusions: In the present study, only a minority of MINOCA patients with re-AMI underwent a repeated ICA, nearly one out of two showed atherosclerosis progression, often requiring revascularization. Recommended LDL-C levels were achieved only in a minority of the cases, indicating a possible underestimation of CVD risk in this population., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a cardiovascular (CV) risk factor is debated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the CV morbidity and mortality related to NAFLD in the general population, and to determine whether CV risk is comparable between lean and non-lean NAFLD phenotypes. We searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, for observational studies published through 2022 that reported the risk of CV events and mortality. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality, CV mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were assessed through random-effect meta-analysis. We identified 33 studies and a total study population of 10,592,851 individuals (mean age 53±8; male sex 50%; NAFLD 2, 9%). Mean follow-up was 10±6 years. Pooled ORs for all-cause and CV mortality were respectively 1.14 (95% CI, 0.78-1.67) and 1.13 (95% CI, 0.57-2.23), indicating no significant association between NAFLD and mortality. NAFLD was associated with increased risk of MI (OR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5-1.7), stroke (OR: 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.1), atrial fibrillation (OR: 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3), and MACCE (OR: 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-4.2). Compared with non-lean NAFLD, lean NAFLD was associated with increased CV mortality (OR: 1.50; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0), but similar all-cause mortality and risk of MACCE. While NAFLD may not be a risk factor for total and CV mortality, it is associated with excess risk of non-fatal CV events. Lean and non-lean NAFLD phenotypes exhibit distinct prognostic profiles and should receive equitable clinical care., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To identify the best strategy to achieve complete revascularization (CR) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multi-vessel disease (MVD)., Methods and Results: We systematically reviewed the literature for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing IRA-only PCI and CR guided by angiography or fractional flow reserve (FFR) in MVD-STEMI. Both frequentist (classical) and Bayesian network meta-analysis were performed, including a comparative hierarchy estimation of the probability to reduce the primary composite endpoint of all-cause death and new myocardial infarction (MI). We identified 11 RCTs, including 8193 STEMI patients. Compared with IRA-only strategy, CR significantly reduced the primary endpoint (OR: 0.73; 95%CI0.55-0.97). We observed non-significant difference between angiography and FFR guidance in reducing the primary endpoint (OR: 0.73, 95% CI 0.35-1.57). The Bayesian probability analysis ranked angio-guided CR as the best intervention yielding lowest risk of all-cause death or new MI (SUCRA92%)., Conclusions: In patients with MVD-STEMI, CR is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality and new MI compared with IRA-only PCI. Angio-guided CR is associated with the lowest risk of all-cause death or new MI, therefore the role of FFR-guidance in this setting is questionable., Condensed Abstract: Both frequentist and Bayesian network meta-analysis were performed to compare infarct-related artery (IRA)-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and complete revascularization (CR) guided by angiography or fractional flow reserve (FFR) in multivessel disease (MVD) and acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Eleven randomized controlled trials were identified, including 8193 STEMI patients. Compared with IRA-only strategy, CR significantly reduced the incidence of the composite endpoint of all-cause death and new myocardial infarction without significant difference in angio-guided and FFR-guided CR. The Bayesian probability analysis ranked angio-guided CR as the best intervention yielding lowest risk of the composite endpoint and, therefore the role of FFR-guidance in this setting is questionable., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: We aim to define whether the timing of microaxial left ventricular assist device (IMLVAD) implantation might impact on mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cardiogenic shock (CS) patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI)., Background: Despite the widespread use of PPCI, mortality in patients with AMI and CS remains high. Mechanical circulatory support is a promising bridge to recovery strategy, but evidence on its benefit is still inconclusive and the optimal timing of its utilization remains poorly explored., Methods: We compared clinical outcomes of upstream IMLVAD use before PPCI versus bailout use after PPCI in patients with AMI CS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing the two strategies were performed. Effect size was reported as odds ratio (OR) using bailout as reference group and a random effect model was used. Study-level risk estimates were pooled through the generic inverse variance method (random effect model)., Results: A total of 11 observational studies were identified, including a pooled population of 6759 AMI-CS patients. Compared with a bailout approach, upstream IMLVAD was associated with significant reduction of 30-day (OR = 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.51-0.82; I 2  = 43%, adjusted OR = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.37-0.59; I 2  = 3%, test for subgroup difference p = 0.30), 6-month (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.27-0.96; I 2  = 66%), and 1-year (OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.39-0.79; I 2  = 0%) all-cause mortality. Incidence of access-related bleeding, acute limb ischemia and transfusion outcomes were similar between the two strategies., Conclusion: In patients with AMI-CS undergoing PPCI, upstream IMLVAD was associated with reduced early and midterm all-cause mortality when compared with a bailout strategy., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Aims: To assess the effect of pharmacological therapy on long-term prognosis of patients with MINOCA., Methods and Results: In this retrospective multicentre cohort study involving 9 Hub Hospitals across Italy we enrolled consecutive patients 18 years and older with diagnosis of MINOCA discharged from 1st March 2012 to 31st March 2018. Data on baseline characteristics and pharmacological therapy at discharge (ACEI/ARB, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor antagonists; ASA, acetylsalicylic acid; beta-blockers; CCB, calcium-channel blockers; DAPT, dual anti-platelet therapy; statins), were collected systematically. The primary endpoint (PE) of the study was a composite of all cause death or acute myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome or heart failure leading to hospitalization or stroke. A total of 621 patients were included (mean [SD] age 65.1 [13.9] years; 344 [55.4%] female), of whom 106 (17.1%) experienced PE, including 27 patients (4.3%) who died. Multivariable analysis, after correction for all baseline differences, showed a significant association between pharmacological therapy at discharge and an increased risk of PE for aspirin (HR[95%CI] = 2.47[1.05-5.78], adjusted p = 0.04), whereas beta-blockers were associated with a significant benefit (HR[95%CI] = 0.49 [0.31-0.79], adjusted p = 0.02)., Conclusion: The use of beta-blockers was significantly associated to a less frequent occurrence of adverse outcomes at long-term follow-up among patients with MINOCA, whereas ASA displayed a potentially harmful impact on prognosis. The findings in the study may be relevant for the design of future studies which should take into account possible heterogeneity among MINOCA patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no relationships that could be construed as a conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be challenging for high thrombus burden and catecholamine-induced vasoconstriction. The Xposition-S stent was designed to prevent stent undersizing and minimize strut malapposition. We evaluated 1-year clinical outcomes of a nitinol, self-apposing®, sirolimus-eluting stent, pre-mounted on a novel balloon delivery system, in de novo lesions of patients presenting with STEMI undergoing pPCI., Methods: The iPOSITION is a prospective, multicenter, post-market, observational study. The primary endpoint, target lesion failure (TLF), was defined as the composite of cardiac death, recurrent target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR)., Results: The study enrolled 247 STEMI patients from 7 Italian centers. Both device and procedural success occurred in 99.2% of patients, without any death, TV-MI, TLR, or stent thrombosis during the hospital stay and at 30-day follow-up. At 1 year, TLF occurred in 2.6%, cardiac death occurred in 1.7%, TV-MI occurred in 0.4%, and TLR in 0.4% of patients. The 1-year stent thrombosis rate was 0.4%., Conclusions: The use of an X-position S self-apposing® stent is feasible in STEMI pPCI, with excellent post-procedural results and 1-year outcomes.

Tissue Doppler is an ultrasound tool representing a useful completion of standard Doppler echocardiographic examination, The placement of pulsed tissue Doppler sample volume at the level of the different sites of the mitral annulus allows to obtain information on left ventricular global longitudinal (systolic and diastolic) function, whereas the sampling of tricuspid lateral annulus gives similar information on the right ventricular chamber. Myocardial early diastolic velocity (Em) is a marker of ventricular diastolic relaxation and the ratio obtainable between transmitral (or transtricuspid) E velocity and annular Em (E/Em ratio) is an accurate index of the level of filling pressure of the assessed ventricular chamber. Myocardial systolic velocity (Sm) as well as the frequency of acceleration of presystolic velocity, occurring during isovolumic contraction time, are indexes of systolic performance and their reduction is evident in several cardiac pathologies. Tissue Doppler-derived systolic and diastolic indexes have a recognized prognostic value in heart failure and after acute myocardial infarction. In these conditions they are able to predict both left ventricular remodeling and mortality.

Background: Our purpose is to describe a technique for exclusion of anteroseptal dyskinetic or akinetic areas., Methods: From January to December 2002, 22 consecutive patients with myocardial infarction following left anterior descending artery occlusion underwent septal reshaping. All of them were admitted for dyspnea. Eight patients were referred for angina. After a 5 to 8 cm apical incision, 2 U stitches were passed from inside to join the anterior wall to the septum, as high as possible, following the border of the scars. An oval Dacron patch was then sutured from the septum (end of the direct suture through the border with the inferior septum) to the anterior wall (between the healthy and the scarred wall) up to the new apex. Purpose of the procedure is to maintain a longitudinal size as similar as possible to the normal. The incision was closed in a double layer., Results: No patient died and only one had acute renal failure. No patients had restrictive syndrome. After a mean follow-up of 6.7 +/- 3.6 months (3 to 15), mean New York Heart Association Class improved from 2.7 +/- 1.1 to 1.2 +/- 0.3 (p < 0.001). Echocardiographic results showed reduction of left ventricle volumes and normalization of the stroke volume. In patients with low ejection fraction (

Background: To analyze the characteristics and prognosis of a contemporary cohort of patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructed coronaries (MINOCA) were referred for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, focusing on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) patterns. Methods: We retrospectively examined and prospectively followed up with 135 patients (49 ± 21 years old, 48% female) undergoing CMR imaging due to a MINOCA diagnosis from 2014 to 2016. We grouped and analyzed the sample according to ischemic (focal or transmural) and non-ischemic LGE patterns. The primary outcome was cardiac-related death; the secondary outcome was a composite of cardiac-related rehospitalizations, the new occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), or arrhythmias. Results: CMR exams were performed after a median of 28 days from the acute event. One-third of the ischemic MINOCA were first managed as myocarditis, while CMR helped to adopt a different therapy regimen in 22% of patients (30/135). After a median follow-up of 2.3 years, more cardiac-related deaths occurred in the ischemic than non-ischemic group (2 vs. 1, p = 0.36), but it was not statistically significant. The ischemic group also experienced more cardiac-related-rehospitalizations (42%, p < 0.001). In a multivariable Cox regression model, dyslipidemia, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, ST-elevation at the hospitalization, and the LGE transmural pattern were the independent predictors of cardiac-related rehospitalizations. Conclusions: In a contemporary cohort of MINOCA patients who underwent CMR, ischemic and non-ischemic patterns had distinct features and outcomes. Among the MINOCA patients, CMR can identify patients at higher risk who require more aggressive therapeutic approached and strict follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sex- and gender related disparities have been reported in chest pain syndromes. • A sex- and gender-biased approach to these conditions contributes to the worse outcome in women. • An improved knowledge of these disparities is essential to bridge the gender gap in chest pain syndromes. Chest pain syndromes encompass a wide range of different clinical conditions, being coronary artery disease one of the most important and feared aetiology. Sex and gender disparities have been reported in pathophysiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic work-up and outcomes of patients admitted for chest pain. Biological differences in sexual hormones and neurological pain procession pathways have been proposed as contributors to disparities between men and women; however, gender-related disparities in socio-economic and psychological status have emerged as additional factors involved in these conditions. A better understanding of gender- and sex-related disparities will lead to improved clinical care and management of chest pain syndromes in both men and women. In this comprehensive review, we describe the existing knowledge regarding sex and gender-based differences in management and outcomes of chest pain syndromes in order to stimulate and promote the development of a more sex- and gender-oriented approach to these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Coronary microvascular disease is one of the most recognized causes of myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA), but assessment of coronary microvascular (dys)function is challenging. • Index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) is a guidewire-based measurement that allows direct quantitative assessment of coronary microcirculation but has practical restrictions for AMI patients. • Angiography-derived IMR (caIMR), based on application of computational flow dynamics to three-dimensional modeling of the coronary artery, allows simple, offline, and guidewire-free microcirculatory assessment. • caIMR in MINOCA patients independently predicts major cardiovascular events at intermediate-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE Left ventricular surgical remodelling (LVSR) can be targeted to volume reduction (VR), (independently of the final shape) or to conical shape (CS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical and echocardiographic results of these two surgical strategies. METHODS From January 1988 to December 2012, 401 patients underwent LVSR: 107 in Group VR (1988–2001) and 294 in Group CS (1998–2012). The latter group of patients had lower ejection fraction (EF) and higher mitral and tricuspid regurgitation grade, with higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension. A propensity score model was built to adjust long-term results for preoperative and operative profiles. RESULTS Thirty-day mortality was 6.0%. Median follow-up interval time was 100 (3–300) months. Overall 20-year and event-free survival were 36.1 ± 7.8 and 19.4 ± 7.2, respectively. No differences were found regarding 10-year survival (Group VR: 55.1 ± 4.8 vs Group CS: 64.2 ± 4.2, P = 0.16) and event-free survival (Group VR: 41.1 ± 4.8 vs Group CS: 50.5 ± 4.8, P = 0.12). However, Group CS provided better 10-year freedom from cardiac deaths (74.5 ± 3.7 vs 60.4 ± 4.8, P = 0.03) and from cardiac events (55.6 ± 5.0 vs 45.0 ± 4.9, P = 0.04). After propensity score adjustment, all the main outcomes were significantly better in Group CS. Multivariate Cox analysis confirmed this result; furthermore, to avoid any bias related to improved experience, 30-day mortality being higher in Group VR, we excluded the first month from Cox analysis: left ventricle VR (independently of the final shape) was still confirmed as the wrong approach. At the follow-up, Group CS showed significant improvement in EF (+18 vs +8%), end-systolic volume index (−35 vs −20%) and sphericity index (−6 vs +9%). CONCLUSIONS LVSR should aim to provide a more physiological shape (conical) rather than simple VR. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: We report the long-term results of left ventricular surgical restoration in which 2 different strategies were used, which had restoration of ventricular volume or ventricular shape as their target. Methods: From 1988 to 2008, 308 patients with anterior scars underwent elective left ventricular surgical restoration. Before 2002, a Dor procedure was performed in 107 cases to reduce left ventricular volume (group V); from 1998 to 2001, a Guilmet procedure was performed in 32 patients to rebuild a left ventricular conical shape (group S). From 2002, 169 patients (group S) underwent left ventricular surgical restoration to reshape a conical left ventricle by means of the Dor procedure (n = 29, septoapical scars) or septal reshaping (n = 140, when the septum was more involved than the anterior wall). The 2 groups were similar for all features but age, mitral regurgitation grade, mitral valve surgery rate (higher in group S), and ejection fraction (higher in group V). Results: Early mortality was 7.8% (11.2% in group V vs 6.0% in group S, P = .102). Logistic regression showed that volume reduction was significantly related to higher early mortality. Five-year cardiac survival, cardiac event–free survival, and event-free survival were higher in group S. Cox analysis showed that the choice of volume reduction provided lower survival (hazard ratio, 2.1), cardiac survival (hazard ratio, 3.0), cardiac event–free survival (hazard ratio, 2.7), and event-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.2). When 30-day events were excluded, volume reduction was still a risk factor for cardiac event–free survival (hazard ratio, 2.2). Conclusions: When the main target of left ventricular surgical restoration is left ventricular reshaping rather than left ventricular volume reduction, early and late outcomes seem to improve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Concern has been raised about the effects of prolonged left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion during minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass graft surgery (MIDCABG). We sought to assess the impact of myocardial dysfunction during MIDCABG on long-term outcome and the protective role of collateral circulation on myocardial ischemia.Methods: Myocardial function was evaluated in 92 patients by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography during MIDCABG.Results: Wall motion score index increased during LAD occlusion (p < 0.00l) and reverted after LAD reopening (p < 0.001 versus occlusion and p = not significant versus baseline). The change in wall motion score index (occlusion versus baseline) was higher in patients with multivessel disease (p < 0.05) and in patients with LAD Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction study classification flow grade 2 or less without collateral circulation (p < 0.05). Myocardial stunning was documented in 12 patients (13%). The 5-year adverse event rate (including death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization) was 12%. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, multivessel disease, but not perioperative ischemia or stunning, was the only predictor of event-free survival.Conclusions: During MIDCABG anterior wall dysfunction is transient, with prompt recovery after completion of the anastamosis in most cases; myocardial stunning can be documented in a minority of patients. Flow either antegrade or retrograde in the LAD territory plays a protective role against the development of ischemia. Multivessel disease, but not perioperative ischemia or stunning, predicts long-term event-free survival. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Incidence of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is increasing due to aging and better survival after acute myocardial infarction, the most frequent cause of FMR. At the basis of FMR there is a displacement of one of both papillary muscle(s) and/or annular enlargement, which can be primitive or, more often, secondary. There is general agreement that its natural history is unfavorable, as witnessed by a considerable body of evidences. However, even if there is no clear evidence that surgical treatment of FMR changes consistently the outcome of patients with this disease, at least in terms of survival, there are some studies which show that function improves, as well as the global quality of life. The guidelines reflect this uncertainty, providing no clear indications, even in the gradation of severity of the FMR. Surgical techniques are variable and are mainly addressed to the annulus (restrictive annuloplasty), which is only a part of the anatomic problem related to FMR. Insertion of a prosthesis inside the native valve is appearing more and more a valuable option rather than a bail out procedure. On the other side, techniques addressed to modify the position of the papillary muscles appear to be still under investigation and not yet in the armamentarium of surgical treatment of FMR. Even after many years, rules are not established and results are fluctuating, but how and when to treat FMR is becoming more and more a topic of interest in cardiac surgery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]