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Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) may be influenced by pathologic conditions due to changes in myocardial water content. We aimed to validate the principle and investigate T1 mapping at rest and adenosine stress to differentiate ischemic and infarcted myocardium from controls. Patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent CMR were prospectively recruited. Native rest and adenosine stress T1 maps were obtained using standard modified Look-Locker Inversion-Recovery technique. Among 181 patients included, T1 values were measured from three groups. In the control group, 72 patients showed myocardium with a T1 profile of 1,039 ± 75 ms at rest and a significant increase during stress (4.79 ± 3.14%, p < 0.001). While the ischemic (51 patients) and infarcted (58 patients) groups showed elevated resting T1 compared to controls (1,040 ± 90 ms for ischemic; 1,239 ± 121 ms for infarcted, p < 0.001), neither of which presented significant T1 reactivity (1.38 ± 3.02% for ischemic; 1.55 ± 5.25% for infarcted). We concluded that adenosine stress and rest T1 mapping may be useful to differentiate normal, ischemic and infarcted myocardium.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been and continues to be standard treatment in patients with coronary artery disease. The data for demographic and outcomes in Thailand are limited., Objective: To study data and characteristics relating to patients, the procedure, and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in the Thai population., Material and Method: The Thai Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Registry (TPCIR) was established in 2006, consisting of 27 hospitals in Thailand that perform the PCI procedure. All patients who underwent PCI between May 2006 and October 2006 in participating hospitals were asked to participate in this registry. Data was recorded in case record form and then entered into the web-based registry. Key variables include demographic data, risk factors, indications for PCI, outcomes, and complications., Results: Four thousand one hundred fifty six patients were enrolled; 69.2% were male. Average age of PCI patients was 62.7 years. Indications for PCI were ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (14%), Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (37.3%), and stable coronary artery disease (48.7%). PCI was successfully performed in 92.5% of lesions or 89.6% of cases with in-hospital complications reported in 12% of cases., Conclusion: This was the first nationwide multi-center study of PCI in Thailand. The overall PCI procedure success rate was 92.5%.

Background: In-hospital and postdischarge mortality for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) vary across Asia and remain generally poorer than globally. The relationship between real-life antithrombotic management patterns (AMPs) and ACS-related outcomes in Asia is unclear., Methods: EPICOR Asia (Long-tErm follow-uP of antithrombotic management patterns In acute CORonary syndrome patients in Asia) (NCT01361386) is a prospective, multinational, observational study of patients discharged after hospitalization for an ACS, with 2-year follow-up. The aim is to describe short- and long-term (up to 2 years post-index event) AMPs in patients hospitalized for ACS and to record clinical outcomes, healthcare resource use, and self-reported health status. Pre- and in-hospital management, AMPs, and associated outcomes, with particular focus on ischemic and bleeding events, will be recorded during the 2-year follow up., Results: Between June 2011 and May 2012, 13 005 patients were enrolled. From these, 12 922 patients surviving an ACS (6616 with STEMI, 2570 with NSTEMI, and 3736 with UA) were eligible for inclusion from 219 hospitals across 8 countries and regions in Asia: China (n = 8214), Hong Kong (n = 177), India (n = 2468), Malaysia (n = 100), Singapore (n = 93), South Korea (n = 705), Thailand (n = 957), and Vietnam (n = 208)., Conclusions: EPICOR Asia will provide information regarding clinical management and AMPs for ACS patients in Asia. Impact of AMPs on clinical outcomes, healthcare resource use, and self-reported health status both during hospitalization and up to 2 years after discharge will also be described., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The accuracy of various electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for the diagnosis of healed myocardial infarction (MI) has never been validated. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy and prognostic value of standard ECG criteria for the diagnosis of healed MI compared with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Consecutive patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease who were referred for CMR were studied. Twelve-lead electrocardiography and CMR were performed the same day. A standard CMR protocol including a delayed-enhancement (DE) technique was performed. The prognostic value of using various ECG criteria and DE-CMR was assessed for the occurrence of cardiac death, nonfatal MI, or major adverse cardiac events. We studied 1,366 patients. Average follow-up was 31.4 +/- 15.8 months. Myocardial scar was detected in 507 patients (37.1%) using DE-CMR. Healed MI using various ECG criteria had sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 44% to 59%, 91% to 95%, and 75% to 79% compared with DE-CMR, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that myocardial scar using DE-CMR was the most powerful predictor for cardiac events, followed by left ventricular ejection fraction. In the absence of DE-CMR data, MI using European Society of Cardiology/American College of Cardiology (ESC/ACC) 2000 criteria was the most powerful predictor. In conclusion, various ECG criteria had limited sensitivity, but high specificity, for the diagnosis of healed MI compared with myocardial scar using DE-CMR. Myocardial scar, left ventricular ejection fraction, and MI using ESC/ACC 2000 criteria were important predictors for cardiac events.

Background: Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention (PCI) and thrombolytic therapy (TT) are alternative means of achieving reperfusion in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Objective: To compare the outcomes between both reperfusion strategies. The authors sought to compare in-hospital outcomes after PCI or TT for patients with acute STEMI., Material and Method: From August 2002 through June 2004, data from all patients who received reperfusion therapy for acute STEMI were collected prospectively. The decision regarding type of reperfusion strategy was at the attending cardiologist's discretion. The patient's data on demographics, procedures, medications, and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed., Results: From August 2002 through June 2004, 234 patients were admitted to the authors' institute with the diagnosis of acute STEMI. Of the 146 patients who received reperfusion therapy, 91 were treated with primary PCI and 55 received intravenous TT as the reperfusion modality. In the TT group, 51 (93%) patients received streptokinase and 11 (21.6%) underwent rescue angioplasty. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. Both patient groups had frequent presence of diabetes (PCI 44.2% vs. TT 39.6%, p = 0. 6). Cardiogenic shock on admission was present in 11% of the PCI patients and 7.3% of the TT patients (p = ns). In-hospital mortality was not significantly different in the two groups (PCI 14.3% vs. TT 10. 9%, p = 0.56). In the TT group, there was a trend toward a higher rate of major bleeding (PCI 6.6% vs. TT 16.4%, p = 0.06) and stroke (PCI 2.2% vs. TT 7.3%, p = 0.13) complications without statistical significance., Conclusion: The present findings suggest that both PCI and TT are comparable alternative methods of reperfusion among STEMI patients in terms of in-hospital mortality. In certain subgroups that are at increased risk of bleeding or stroke, primary PCI may be the preferred treatment strategy.

Background: The primary objective was to determine the influence of obesity and associated metabolic status on clinical outcomes of Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This study was based on a prospective multicenter of patients with nonvalvular AF. Patients were classified as obese and nonobese and being metabolic unhealthy was defined as having at least one of the three cardiovascular risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus. Outcomes were a primary composite outcome of all‐cause death, ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SSE), acute myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure (HF), as well as the individual end points. Results: There were a total of 3141 enrolled patients (mean age 67.4 ± 11.1 years; 41.0% female), of whom 1566 (49.9%) were obese and 2564 (81.6%) were metabolic unhealthy. During a mean follow‐up of 32.2 ± 8.3 months, the incidence rate of the composite outcome, all‐cause death, SSE, MI, and HF were 7.21 (6.63–7.82), 3.86 (3.45–4.30), 1.48 (1.23–1.77), 0.47 (0.33–0.64), and 2.84 (2.48–3.23) per 100 person‐years, respectively. Metabolic unhealthy nonobese subjects were at higher risk of the composite outcomes than metabolic unhealthy obese subjects with hazard ratio (HR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.66, p <.001. Metabolic unhealthy obese subjects tend to have an increased risk of the composite outcomes compared to those metabolic healthy obese (HR 1.36, 95% CI 0.91–2.02, p =.133). Metabolic healthy obese subjects were not associated with increased risk. Conclusions: Metabolic unhealthy obese subjects were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in AF patients, whereas metabolically healthy obesity was not associated with an increased risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is increasingly utilized for evaluating patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to assess the safety and clinical impact of adenosine stress CMR in a tertiary care setting in Thailand. Methods: A total of 3,768 consecutive patients aged 18 years and above who underwent adenosine stress CMR between 2017 and 2020 were included in the study. Patient records were reviewed to collect data on clinical characteristics, hemodynamic measurements, complications during or immediately after CMR, and the rates of clinical changes resulting from CMR. Results: Among the included patients, the primary indications for adenosine stress CMR were risk stratification in suspected CAD (70.8%) and the assessment of myocardial ischemia/viability in patients with known CAD (26.5%). There were no reported deaths or acute myocardial infarctions during the procedure. Major complications, specifically acute pulmonary edema requiring hospital observation or admission for further management, occurred in four patients (0.11%), all of whom were elderly (ranging from 75 to 91 years) with a history of heart failure. Non-major complications were observed in 13.7% of patients, with dyspnea (9.8%) and mild chest pain (5.6%) being the most common. CMR provided a completely new diagnosis in 26.2% of patients. Overall, stress CMR resulted in a change in diagnosis or management for 48% of patients. Conclusion: Adenosine stress CMR was found to be safe and to have a significant impact on clinical management in Asian patients with known or suspected CAD. These findings support the use of adenosine stress CMR as a valuable tool for evaluating and guiding treatment decisions in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective cohort study investigated for association between increased extracellular volume (ECV) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiovascular composite outcomes in obesity. Native T1 was measured at the ventricular septum. ECV was calculated from native and post-contrast T1 and hematocrit. Cardiovascular (CV) composite outcomes included acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring hospitalization, myocardial revascularization (excluding early revascularization), heart failure, and CV death. A total of 456 patients with a mean follow-up of 2.1 ± 0.4 years were enrolled. LGE and LVH was detected in 30.5% and 9.2%. 107 patients (23.5%) had the composite outcomes. Multivariable analysis revealed that LGE, LVH, and high ECV as independent predictors for cardiovascular composite outcomes The event rate in the LVH and high ECV, the LVH alone, the high ECV alone, and the no-LVH with lower ECV group was 57.1%, 38.1%, 32.6%, and 17.7%, respectively. Assessment of incremental prognostic value by comparing global chi-square showed that high ECV had additional prognostic value on top of LGE, and LVH. LVH and high ECV are independent predictors of CV composite outcomes in obesity. This is the first study that demonstrate the prognostic value of ECV in obese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence and prognostic value of papillary muscle infarction. Materials and Methods: The authors studied patients who were referred for cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR] for assessment of myocardial ischemia or myocardial viability and found to have previous myocardial infarction. CMR was performed for assessment of cardiac function and late gadolinium enhancement [LGE], including detection and quantification of mitral regurgitation. Patients were followed for cardiac events, including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalization due to heart failure. Results: The authors studied 785 patients with previous myocardial infarction. Average age was 64.8 years. Papillary muscle infarction was found in 305 patients (38.9%). Papillary muscle infarction was associated with an increase in left ventricular volumes, mass, wall motion score, LGE percentages, and mitral regurgitation. Patients with papillary muscle infarction had increased risk of cardiac event during follow-up. Multivariable analysis showed that left ventricular end-systolic volume index and mitral regurgitation were independent predictors for cardiac event. Conclusion: Papillary muscle infarction is not an uncommon condition. It was found to be associated with more severe left ventricular dysfunction. The increased risk associated with papillary muscle infarction was mediated by more severe myocardial damage and mitral regurgitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The EPICOR Asia (long-tErm follow-uP of antithrombotic management patterns In acute CORonary syndrome patients in Asia) study (NCT01361386) was an observational study of patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) enrolled in 218 hospitals in eight countries/regions in Asia. This study examined costs, length of stay and the predictors of high costs during an ACS hospitalization.Methods and Results: Data for patients hospitalized for an ACS (n = 12,922) were collected on demographics, medical history, event characteristics, socioeconomic and insurance status at discharge. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks' post-hospitalization for an ACS event to assess associated treatment costs from a health sector perspective. Primary outcome was the incurring of costs in the highest quintile by country and index event diagnosis, and identification of associated predictors. Cost data were available for 10,819 patients. Mean length of stay was 10.1 days. The highest-cost countries were China, Singapore, and South Korea. Significant predictors of high-cost care were age, male sex, income, country, prior disease history, hospitalization in 3 months before index event, no dependency before index event, having an invasive procedure, hospital type and length of stay.Conclusions: Substantial variability exists in healthcare costs for hospitalized ACS patients across Asia. Of concern is the observation that the highest costs were reported in China, given the rapidly increasing numbers of procedures in recent years.Trial Registration: NCT01361386 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe real-world inter-hospital transfer patterns for ACS patients in Asia in terms of surgical facilities. Background: Little is known about acute coronary syndromes (ACS) management and inter-hospital transfer, and any role of on- or off-site catheterization laboratory (cath lab) facilities in Asia. Results: EPICOR Asia (NCT01361386) is a prospective, multi-country, observational, cohort study of 12,922 ACS patients surviving to hospital discharge (51.2% ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], and 48.8% non-STEMI-ACS [19.9% non-NSTEMI, 28.9% unstable angina]). Patients were enrolled in Asia (218 hospitals/eight countries and regions) between June 2011 and May 2012 and categorized as non-transferred or transferred (latter includes patients transferred-in from another hospital and discharged, or transferred-out to a second hospital but discharged from their initial hospital after transfer back). Results: Most (82.9%) ACS patients were non-transferred, 16.9% were transferred-in and 0.2% transferred-out. Admission hospitals for most patients non-transferred (97.6%) had cath lab facilities while most transferred patients (83.5%) were initially admitted to a hospital without cath lab facilities and transferred to a hospital with facilities. The most frequent reasons for transfer were need for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in STEMI, elective/routine PCI, and more advanced care, irrespective of diagnosis. Median times from symptom-onset to catheterization were consistently longer for patients who were transferred versus those who were not. Conclusions: In Asia, lack of either on-site cath lab facilities or need for more advanced care are frequent reasons for inter-hospital transfer in ACS. Follow-up of such patients will help evaluate if patterns of transfer affect outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some patients may have normal wall motion after myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and prognosis of patients with myocardial scar in the absence of abnormal wall motion. We studied patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) who were referred for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for the assessment of global and regional cardiac function and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and had normal left ventricular wall motion. Prognostic value was determined by the occurrence of hard endpoints (cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) which also included hospitalization due to unstable angina or heart failure or life threatening ventricular arrhythmia. Results: A total 1148 patients (70.3%) were studied. LGE was detected in 104 patients (9.1%). Prevalence of LGE increased in patients with increased left ventricular mass. Average follow-up time was 955 ± 542 days. LGE was the strongest predictor for hard endpoints and MACE. Conclusion: LGE was detected in 9.1% of patients with suspected or known CAD and normal wall motion. LGE was the strongest predictor of significant cardiac events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately half of cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide occur in Asia, with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) a leading cause of mortality. Long-term ACS-related outcomes data in Asia are limited. This analysis examined 2-year ACS-related outcomes in patients enrolled in the EPICOR Asia study, and the association between patient characteristics and management on outcomes. EPICOR Asia is a multinational, prospective, primary data collection study of real-world management of Asian patients with ACS. Overall, 12,922 eligible adults (hospitalized for ACS within 48 h of symptom onset and who survived to discharge) were enrolled from 219 centers in eight Asian countries. Patients were followed up post-discharge for 2 years and clinical outcomes recorded. Patients were of mean age 60 years and 76% were male. Diagnoses were STEMI (51.2%), NSTEMI (19.9%), and UA (28.9%). During follow-up, 5.2% of patients died; NSTEMI patients had the highest risk profile. Mortality rate (adjusted HR [95% CI]) was similar in NSTEMI (0.97 [0.81–1.17]) and lower in UA (0.52 [0.33–0.82]) vs STEMI. Similar trends (adjusted) were seen for the composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke, and bleeding rates did not differ significantly. For all three diagnoses, patients who were medically managed had a markedly elevated risk of both death and the composite endpoint. During 2-year follow-up, adjusted risks of mortality, the composite endpoint, and bleeding rates were similar in NSTEMI and STEMI patients. Outcomes risk was better for invasive management. Long-term management strategies in Asia need to be optimized. • EPICOR Asia was a prospective, real-world, 2-year follow-up study of ACS survivors. • Among 12,922 patients, diagnoses were STEMI (51.2%), NSTEMI (19.9%), and UA (28.9%). • CV event rates and mortality were similar in NSTEMI and STEMI, and lower in UA. • Conservatively managed patients had a markedly elevated risk of events. • Long-term management strategies in Asia need to be optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately half of all deaths in Asia. The present analysis aimed to evaluate characteristics, antithrombotic management patterns (AMPs), and outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent in-hospital percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and survived to hospital discharge, using data from the EPICOR Asia registry (NCT01361386). Two-year post-discharge follow-up data were analyzed from 8757 ACS PCI patients from EPICOR Asia (218 centers, eight countries). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; death, non-fatal myocardial infarction [MI], non-fatal ischemic stroke), PCI characteristics, and AMPs were recorded. For MACE, time - to - event was analyzed using Cox regression. Primary PCI was performed in 62.0% of ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI), 38.7% of non-STEMI (NSTEMI), and 24.2% of unstable angina (UA) patients. At 12 months, 88.1% of patients were on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), with no differences by index event. Most (61.5%) still received DAPT at 2 years. Two-year incidences of mortality, composite MACE, and bleeding were 3.6%, 6.2%, and 6.6%, respectively. Risk of death and MACE was increased with STEMI and NSTEMI vs. UA. Patients from East Asia showed lower mortality and more bleeding vs. Southeast Asia/India. Many patients in EPICOR Asia underwent PCI and received DAPT up to 2 years post-discharge. These real-world findings improve our understanding of AMP impact on outcomes in Asian patients with ACS undergoing PCI. • In EPICOR Asia, primary PCI was performed in 8757 ACS survivors, mostly for STEMI. • At 1 and 2 years post discharge, 88.1% and 61.5%, respectively, were on DAPT. • Two-year risk of death and MACE was increased with STEMI and NSTEMI vs. UA. • East Asia patients showed lower mortality and more bleeding vs. Southeast Asia/India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]