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Background: Renal dysfunction and anaemia are common in patients with acute heart failure (HF). It is not known whether their combined presence has additive prognostic value. We investigated their prognostic value separately and in combination, on prognosis in acute HF patients. Furthermore, we examined whether the improvement in prognosis was comparable between patients with and without renal dysfunction. Methods and results: This prospective registry includes 1783 patients admitted to the (Intensive) Coronary Care Unit for acute HF in the period of 1985–2008. The outcome measure was the composite of all-cause mortality, heart transplantation and left ventricular assist device implantation. In patients without renal dysfunction, anemia was associated with worse 30-day outcome (HR 2.91; [95% CI 1.69–5.00]), but not with 10-year outcome (HR 1.13 [95% CI 0.93–1.37]). On the contrary, anemia was found to influence prognosis in patients with renal dysfunction, both at 30 days (HR 1.93 [95% CI 1.33–2.80]) and at 10 years (HR 1.27 [95% CI 1.10–1.47]). Over time, the 10-year survival rate improved in patients with preserved renal function (HR 0.73 [95% CI 0.55–0.97]), but not in patients with renal dysfunction. Conclusion: The long-term prognosis of acute HF patients with a preserved renal function was found to have improved significantly. However, the prognosis of patients with renal dysfunction did not change. Anemia was a strong prognosticator for short-term outcome in all patients. In patients with renal dysfunction, anemia was also associated with impaired long-term prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We studied differences in long-term (i.e., 10 year) prognosis among patients with acute heart failure (HF) with and without diabetes over the last three decades. In addition, we investigated whether the degree of prognostic improvement in that period was comparable between patients with and without diabetes.Research Design and Methods: This prospective registry included all consecutive patients aged 18 years and older admitted to the Intensive Coronary Care Unit with acute HF in the period of 1985-2008. A total of 1,810 patients were included; 384 patients (21%) had diabetes. The outcome measure was the composite of all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, and left ventricular assist device implantation after 10-year follow-up.Results: The 10-year outcome in patients with diabetes was significantly worse than in those without diabetes (87% vs. 76%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.17 [95% CI 1.02-1.33]). Patients admitted in the last decade had a significantly lower 10-year event rate than patients admitted in the first two decades, both among patients without diabetes (adjusted HR 0.86 [95% CI 0.75-0.99]) and patients with diabetes (adjusted HR 0.80 [95% CI 0.63-1.00]).Conclusions: The long-term outcome of patients with diabetes is worse than that of patients without diabetes. However, the long-term prognosis improved over time in both groups. Importantly, this improvement in long-term prognosis was comparable in patients with and without diabetes. Despite these promising results, more awareness for diabetes in patients with acute HF is necessary and there is still need for optimal treatment of diabetes in acute HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some aspects of prognosis are not reflected by cumulative survival estimates. These aspects include information on the time already survived by the patient and the patient's survival compared with the general population. Conditional survival (ie, conditional on having survived a certain period of time already) and relative conditional survival (ie, compared with the general population) do incorporate these aspects. We investigated these measures of prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods and Results: We studied 17 903 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention between 2000 and 2014. Cumulative survival was estimated for patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (n=5996, 853 deaths), non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (n=5371, 901 deaths), and stable angina pectoris (n=6536, 965 deaths) in 4 age categories. One-year conditional and relative conditional survival up to 10 years post-percutaneous coronary intervention was calculated. The results demonstrated that 1-year cumulative survival for patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction aged ≥76 years was 83%. One-year conditional survival, conditional on surviving the first month, was 92% in this group, and relative conditional survival (relative to the general population) was 99%. In younger age categories and in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris , similar patterns were found albeit less pronounced. Five-year relative conditional rendered similar results.Conclusions: Relative conditional survival provides a comprehensive picture of patient prognosis, particularly for older patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Although, as expected, their cumulative survival is low, once they survive the first month after percutaneous coronary intervention, their prognosis is comparable to that of the general population. Therefore, relative conditional survival estimates provide an important, meaningful addition when discussing prognosis with patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide prospective information on long-term outcome after surgical correction of valvular pulmonary stenosis (PS).Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients operated for PS during childhood between 1968 and 1980 in one centre are followed longitudinally for 37±3.4 years, including extensive in-hospital examination every 10 years.Results: Survival information was available in 100% of the original 53 patients. Cumulative survival was 94% at 20 years and 91% at 40 years. Excluding perioperative mortality (<30 days), survival was 94% at 40 years. Of 46 eligible survivors, 29 participated in the in-hospital examination and 15 gave permission to use their hospital records (96% participation). Cumulative event-free survival was 68% after 40 years: 25% needed a reintervention, 12% underwent pacemaker implantation and 9% had supraventricular arrhythmias. Early reinterventions were mainly for residual PS, late reinterventions for pulmonary regurgitation. Subjective health status was good. Exercise capacity was normal in 74% (median 96 (82-107)% of expected workload). Right ventricular and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was found in 13% and 41%, respectively. The use of a transannular patch and younger age at surgery were predictive for late events (HR 3.02 (95% CI 1.09 to 8.37) and HR 0.81/year (95% CI 0.66 to 0.98), respectively). Use of inflow occlusion compared with cardiopulmonary bypass showed a trend towards more reinterventions (HR 3.19 (95% CI 0.97 to 10.47)).Conclusions: Survival up to 40 years after successful PS repair is nearly normal. Subjective health status is good and there is a low incidence of arrhythmias. Reinterventions, however, are necessary in one-quarter and 40 years postoperatively several patients show LV dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Non-culprit plaques are responsible for a substantial number of future events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this study, we evaluated the prognostic implications of non-culprit plaques seen on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with ACS. Methods and results Coronary CTA was performed in 169 patients (mean 59 ± 11 years,129 males) admitted with ACS. Data sets were assessed for the presence of obstructive non-culprit plaques (>50% luminal narrowing), segment involvement score, and quantitative measures of plaque burden, after censoring initial culprit plaques. Follow-up was performed for the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) unrelated to the initial culprit plaque; cardiac death, second ACS, or coronary revascularization after 90 days. After a median follow-up of 4.8 (IQR 2.6-6.6) years, MACE occurred in 36 (24%) patients: 6 cardiac deaths, 16 second ACS, and 14 coronary revascularizations. Dyslipidaemia (hazard ratio [HR] 3.1 [95% confidence interval 1.5-6.6]) and diabetes mellitus (HR 4.8 [2.3-10.3]) were univariable clinical predictors of MACE. Patients with remaining obstructive non-culprit plaques (HR 3.66 [1.52-8.80]) and higher plaque burden index (HR 1.22 [1.01-1.48]) had a more risk of MACE. In multivariate analysis, with diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and plaque burden index, obstructive non-culprit plaques (HR 3.76 [1.28-11.09]) remained an independent predictor of MACE. Conclusion Almost a quarter of the study population experienced a new event arising from a non-culprit plaque during a follow-up of almost 5 years. ACS patients with remaining obstructive non-culprit plaques or high plaque burden have an increased risk of future MACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Beta-blockers improve the prognosis in heart failure (HF), but their introduction may seem impossible in patients dependent on inotropic support. However, many of these patients can be titrated on beta-blockers, but there is little evidence of successful clinical strategies. Methods and results We analysed the records of inotropy-dependent patients referred for assessment for heart transplantation. Thirtysix patients (45%) could not be weaned (NW) and underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation or transplantation, or died. However, 44 (55%) were successfully weaned (SW). Neither the aetiology (ischaemic vs. non-ischaemic) nor cardiac indexes were different in the SW as compared with the NW group (2.27±0.5 vs. 2.15±0.6 L/min/m²). The NW patients had lower LVEF (15±5% vs. 19±5%, P =0.001), higher right atrial pressure (12±6 vs. 8±6 mmHg, P =0.02), and more severe mitral regurgitation (P <0.001) than the SW patients. At discharge, 35 of 44 SW patients were receiving beta-blockers. In 29 of them, a beta-blocker could only be initiated or continued during concomitant support with i.v. enoximone for a duration of 14.1±7.2 days. Patients discharged on a beta-blocker had an LVAD/transplantation-free cumulative survival of 71% during a follow-up of 2074±201 days (confidence interval 1679-2470). Conclusion It takes time to put severely ill HF patients on beta-blockers and it may require bridging with inotropes which are independent of beta-adrenergic receptors. Whether such a strategy may result in a better clinical outcome warrants Further Research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are mostly caused by plaque rupture. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of in vivo detection of high-risk coronary plaques by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Methods and results Between November 2008 and January 2011, IVUS of a non-culprit coronary artery was performed in 581 patients who underwent coronary angiography for ACS (n = 318) or stable angina (n = 263). Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as mortality, ACS, or unplanned coronary revascularization. Culprit lesion-related events were not counted. Cumulative Kaplan–Meier incidence of 1-year MACE was 7.8%. The presence of IVUS virtual histology-derived thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) lesions (present 10.8% vs. absent 5.6%; adjusted HR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.09–3.60; P = 0.026) and lesions with a plaque burden of ≥70% (present 16.2% vs. absent 5.5%; adjusted HR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.60–5.25; P < 0.001) were independently associated with a higher MACE rate. Thin-cap fibroatheroma lesions were also independently associated with the composite of death or ACS only (present 7.5% vs. absent 3.0%; adjusted HR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.15–5.49; P = 0.021). Thin-cap fibroatheroma lesions with a plaque burden of ≥70% were associated with a higher MACE rate within (P = 0.011) and after (P < 0.001) 6 months of follow-up, while smaller TCFA lesions were only associated with a higher MACE rate after 6 months (P = 0.033). Conclusion In patients undergoing coronary angiography, the presence of IVUS virtual histology-derived TCFA lesions in a non-culprit coronary artery is strongly and independently predictive for the occurrence of MACE within 1 year, particularly of death and ACS. Thin-cap fibroatheroma lesions with a large plaque burden carry higher risk than small TCFA lesions, especially on the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: Systemic arterial hypertension is a strong and prevalent cardiovascular risk factor. Currently, information on the very long-term prognostic value of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with systemic arterial hypertension is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the value of stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin MPI for the prediction of very long-term outcome in these patients. Methods: The study population consisted of 608 patients with systemic arterial hypertension who underwent exercise or dobutamine stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin MPI for the assessment of known or suspected coronary artery disease. Follow-up was successful in 600 (99%) patients. The endpoints were all-cause mortality, cardiac death, nonfatal infarction, and coronary revascularization. Kaplan-Meier survival cures were constructed and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of very long-term outcome. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59 ± 10 years, and 65% of them were male. MPI findings were normal in 301 patients (50%). Myocardial perfusion abnormalities were fixed in 162 (27%) and reversible in 137 (23%) patients. During a median 8.1-year follow-up, 241 (40%) patients died (121 cardiac deaths), 52 (9%) had a nonfatal myocardial infarction, and 128 (21%) underwent coronary revascularization. Survival curves in patients with a low vs a high summed difference score diverged up to 5 years after the test was performed. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that SPECT MPI provided incremental prognostic information up to 5 years after the test. Conclusions: Stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin MPI provides incremental prognostic information for the prediction of cardiovascular outcome in patients with systemic arterial hypertension. Patients with normal stress MPI have a significantly better prognosis as compared with those with an abnormal study, up to 5 years after the test is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Exercise myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is widely used, but the long-term prognostic value of this test in patients with normal exercise electrocardiographic testing is not defined. Methods and results A consecutive group of 650 patients (428 men, mean age: 56 ± 11 years) with known or suspected coronary artery disease underwent exercise electrocardiographic testing and MPI. Follow-up endpoints were mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Predictors of outcome were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis using clinical, exercise electrocardiographic testing and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) variables. A total of 324 (50%) patients had an abnormal SPECT, and 131 (20%) had completely or partially reversible perfusion defects. During a mean follow-up of 9.2 ± 2.0 years, 107 (23%) patients died, 69 (11%) had a non-fatal myocardial infarction, 90 (14%) underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, and 142 (22%) percutaneous coronary intervention. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the summed rest score was an independent predictor of mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.08–1.22], P < 0.001). The summed stress score was an independent predictor of MACE [HR: 1.09, 95% CI: (1.04–1.13), P < 0.001]. The addition of SPECT variables to clinical and exercise electrocardiographic testing data provided incremental prognostic information for the prediction of mortality and MACE (both P < 0.001). Conclusion Approximately 20% of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease and normal exercise electrocardiographic testing have completely or partially reversible myocardial perfusion defects. MPI provides additional information for the prediction of 9-year cardiovascular outcomes in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

OBJECTIVE--To determine the incremental prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) at 13-year follow-up (SD 3.2 years) for predicting mortality and cardiac events in diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--A total of 396 diabetic patients (mean age 616 11 years; 252 men [64%]) with limited exercise capacity who underwent DSE for evaluation of ischemia were studied. End points were all causes of mortality, cardiac death, and hard cardiac events (cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction). RESULTS--During a mean follow-up of 13 years, 230 patients (58%) died (121 cardiac deaths), and 30 patients had nonfatal myocardial infarction. Cumulative survival in patients with an abnormal DSE at 5, 10, and 15 years was 68, 49, and 41%, respectively. In patients with a normal DSE, these respective numbers were 74, 57, and 44%. Multivariate analyses showed that DSE provided incremental value over clinical characteristics and stress test parameters for prediction of mortality and cardiac events. Survival analysis showed that DSE provided optimal risk stratification up to 7 years after initial testing; after that period, the risk of adverse outcome increased comparably in both normal and abnormal DSE patients. CONCLUSIONS--DSE provided restricted predictive value of adverse outcome in patients with diabetes who were unable to perform an adequate exercise stress test. DSE provided optimal risk stratification up to 7 years after initial testing. Repeated DSE at that time might add to its prognostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims In patients with atrial fibrillation, minor troponin I elevation is regularly detected; however, the prognostic significance of this finding is unknown. We therefore sought to examine the prognostic value of elevated troponin I in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods and results A prospective study was conducted analysing all consecutive patients admitted with atrial fibrillation in a 2-year period. Patients with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) were excluded. Minor troponin elevation was defined as a troponin I level between 0.15 and 0.65 ng/mL, which is still below the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit. A positive troponin I was defined as ≥0.65 ng/mL. Study outcomes were all-cause mortality (death), death and myocardial infarction (death/MI), or all major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, MI, or revascularization). A total of 407 patients were eligible for inclusion. The median duration of follow-up was 688 days. A minor elevation occurred in 81 (20%) patients and 77 (19%) had a positive troponin I. In a multivariate model, minor troponin I elevation and a positive troponin I were independently associated with death [hazard ratio (HR): 2.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–4.73 for minor elevation and HR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.42–10.02 for positive troponin I]. Also, there was an independent correlation between the combined endpoints of death/MI and MACE and both a minor elevation and a positive troponin I. Conclusion Minor elevations in troponin I on hospital admission are associated with mortality and cardiac events in patients with atrial fibrillation and might be useful for risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Depression is associated with adverse prognosis in cardiac patients, warranting the availability of brief and valid instruments to identify depressed patients in clinical practice.Objectives: We examined whether the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was associated with adverse events in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients treated with paclitaxel-eluting stenting (using the continuous score and various cutoffs), overall and by gender.Design: Prospective follow-up study.Participants: Consecutive PCI patients (n = 796) seen at a university medical centre.Measurements: PHQ-2 at baseline. The study endpoint was an adverse event, defined as a combination of death or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) at follow-up (mean of 1.4 years).Results: At follow-up, 47 patients had experienced an adverse event. Using the continuous score of the PHQ-2 and the recommended cutoff > or =3, depressive symptoms were not associated with adverse events (ps > 0.05). Using a cutoff > or =2, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with adverse events (HR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.06-3.35) and remained significant in adjusted analysis (HR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.05-3.44). Depressive symptoms were associated with an increased risk of adverse events in men (HR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.36-5.32) but not in women (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.24-2.43); these results remained in adjusted analysis.Conclusions: Depression screening with a two-item scale and a cutoff score of > or =2 was independently associated with adverse events at follow-up. The PHQ-2 is a brief and valid measure that can easily be used post PCI to identify patients at risk for adverse health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardiological health status and health-related quality of life after the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) in comparison with a normative reference group. Chart review and cross-sectional systematic follow-up, including echocardiography, exercise testing, and electrocardiography, were performed on all survivors of ASO for TGA between 1990 and 1995. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using a standardized questionnaire. A normative reference group was included. Forty-nine survivors [median age at operation 13 days, mean age at follow-up 11 +/- 2 years (37/49 with intact ventricular septum] were identified. Thirty-three of 49 patients (67%) [22/33 TGA with intact ventricular septum (IVS)] participated in cross-sectional follow-up. Cumulative 10-year event-free survival was 88% and the re-intervention rate 6%. Aortic root dilatation occurred in 70% of patients; none had severe aortic regurgitation. Left ventricular function was normal. Exercise performance (85% of reference capacity, p = 0.02), maximal oxygen uptake (85%, p < 0.01) and peak heart rate (95%, p < 0.01) were decreased. Exercise electrocardiogram was normal as was rhythm status. Unfavourable outcomes on HRQOL were found for motor functioning and positive emotional functioning. Overall there were no significant differences between TGA/IVS and TGA/VSD. We conclude that at mid- to long-term follow-up after ASO, major events and re-interventions (6%) occur infrequently. Exercise capacity and maximal oxygen uptake are lower than those in a reference population, which could not be related to diminished ventricular function. Aortic root dilatation is frequent, irrespective of the anatomical subgroup. Severe aortic regurgitation or left ventricular dilatation was not found. The unfavourable health-related quality of life deserves further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether stress myocardial perfusion imaging can independently predict long-term mortality. Methods: We studied 1,386 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease by means of stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion tomography. The end point during follow-up was death from any cause. Mortality rates were compared with that in a reference population using calculated age- and gender-specific data in the general population. Results: Mean age was 60±11 years. There were 608 (44%) women. Perfusion abnormalities were fixed in 416 (30%) patients and reversible in 445 (32%) patients. During a mean follow-up of 6±1.9 years, 290 (21%) patients died. The annual mortality was 1.7% in patients with normal perfusion and 5.2% in patients with abnormal perfusion. Patients with multivessel distribution of perfusion abnormalities had the highest annual mortality (6.2%). The annual mortality in the reference population was 3.2%. In a multivariate analysis model, predictors of death were age [risk ratio (RR)=1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.07], male gender (RR=2, CI 1.6-2.6), history of heart failure (RR=2.3, CI 1.8-3.1), diabetes mellitus (RR=2.1, CI 1.6-2.7), smoking (RR=1.8, CI 1.4-2.3), reversible perfusion defects (RR=1.8, CI 1.4-2.5) and fixed perfusion defects (RR=1.7, CI 1.3-2.1). Conclusion: Myocardial perfusion abnormalities on stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin tomography are independently associated with long-term risk of death. The extent of perfusion abnormalities is a major determinant of mortality. The presence of normal perfusion is associated with a lower mortality compared with the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Negative emotions have an adverse effect on cardiac prognosis. We investigated whether social inhibition (inhibited self-expression in social interaction) modulates the effect of negative emotions on clinical outcome following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are commonly found on diagnostic angiography, and there is some evidence from one study that successful percutaneous revascularization leads to an improvement in long-term survival rates. However, this study included patients treated for unstable angina with short-duration occlusion, and stent implantation was utilized in only 7%. We re-evaluated the long-term outcomes of a large consecutive series of patients with a CTO of >1-month duration treated at our centre, with stent implantation utilized in the majority. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Objective: We examined the independent prognostic value of the four subscales of the Heart Patients Psychological Questionnaire (HPPQ) on mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors up to 8 years after the event. Methods: The HPPQ, which measures well-being, feelings of being disabled, despondency and social inhibition, was administered to 567 AMI patients during hospitalisation and at 3 months follow-up. The patients were followed for 8 years. Results: During follow-up, 157 patients (28%) died. Forty-one percent of the patients had a score indicating at least mild to moderate feelings of being disabled. Patients with feelings of being disabled were at increased risk of mortality compared with those having a low score, adjusted for other cardiac risk factors [hazard ratio (HR)=1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.3–2.5]. There was no interaction between feelings of being disabled and gender. None of the other HPPQ subscales were related to mortality or recurrent myocardial infarction (MI). When the study population was stratified by low and high clinical risk (43% vs. 57%, respectively), feelings of being disabled was the most prominent predictor of mortality in the low-risk group (HR=3.5, 95% CI=1.4–8.8). Conclusion: Feelings of being disabled measured at baseline and at 3 months was the most prominent predictor of mortality in low-risk patients 8 years post-MI. This finding adds to the existing knowledge that psychosocial variables influence morbidity and mortality in cardiac patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study assessed the incremental value of dobutamine stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for the prediction of cardiac events in diabetic patients with limited exercise capacity. Methods: The study population comprised 125 consecutive diabetic patients (mean age 61±9 years, 61% men) who were unable to perform an exercise test and underwent dobutamine 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT. Follow-up was successful in 124 (99%) patients. Three patients who underwent early revascularisation (within 60 days) were excluded. End-points during follow-up were cardiac death and non-fatal myocardial infarction. Results: An abnormal scan (with the presence of reversible or fixed perfusion defects) was observed in 76 (63%) patients. During the follow-up (3.4±1.5 years), 36 patients died (19 cardiac deaths) and four patients had non-fatal myocardial infarction. Cardiac death occurred in one of 49 (2%) patients with a normal myocardial perfusion study and in 18 of 75 (24%) patients with an abnormal study (p<0.001). Abnormal scan was incremental to the clinical parameters in predicting cardiac death (χ²=48 vs 39, p< 0.05) and hard cardiac events (χ²=50 vs 43, p<0.05). Conclusion: Dobutamine stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT provides prognostic information additional to clinical data for the prediction of cardiac death and hard cardiac events in diabetic patients unable to perform an exercise test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) have recently been shown to reduce restenosis in selected patients. The impact of this new stent on the use of coronary bypass graft (CABG) surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in clinical practice is yet unknown. Therefore, we investigated the impact of SES on the clinical practice of CABG and PCI in a series of unselected consecutive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Our objective was to assess the prognostic value of the scintigraphic extent of coronary artery disease on stress technetium 99m tetrofosmin single photon emission computed tomography in patients with previous myocardial infarction.Methods and Results: We studied 383 patients (280 men and 103 women; mean age, 60 +/- 11 years) more than 3 months after an acute myocardial infarction by exercise bicycle or dobutamine (up to 40 mug . kg -1 . min -1 ) stress Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion tomography. Stress images were acquired 1 hour after stress, and rest images were acquired 24 hours after stress testing. An abnormal study was defined as one demonstrating a reversible or fixed perfusion abnormality. Myocardial segments were assigned to corresponding coronary arteries as follows: the apex, anterior wall, and anterior septum were assigned to the left anterior descending coronary artery; the posterolateral wall was assigned to the left circumflex artery; and the basal posterior septum and inferior wall were assigned to the right coronary artery. During a mean follow-up of 4.3 +/- 2.1 years, 48 cardiac events occurred (36 cardiac deaths and 12 nonfatal myocardial infarctions). Myocardial perfusion was normal in 51 patients, abnormal in a single-vessel distribution in 170 patients, and abnormal in a multivessel distribution in 162 patients. The annual cardiac event rates in these groups were 0.4%, 2.6%, and 4%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis model, independent predictors of cardiac events were diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-4.5), history of congestive heart failure (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4-4), age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08), and scintigraphic extent of coronary artery disease (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.8-9.1).Conclusion: Stress Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion imaging provides independent prognostic information for the risk stratification of patients with previous myocardial infarction. The event rate is directly related to the scintigraphic extent of coronary artery disease. Patients with normal perfusion have an excellent event-free survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Exercise tolerance in patients with diabetes is frequently impaired due to noncardiac disease such as claudication and polyneuropathy. This study assesses the prognostic value of dobutamine stress myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with diabetes.Research Design and Methods: A total of 207 consecutive diabetic patients who were unable to undergo exercise stress testing underwent dobutamine-atropine stress myocardial perfusion imaging. Follow-up was successful in 206 of 207 (99.5%) patients. A total of 12 patients underwent early (<60 days) revascularization and were excluded from the analysis. End points during follow-up were hard cardiac events, defined as cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction.Results: Abnormal myocardial perfusion was detected in 125 (64%) patients. During 4.1 +/- 2.4 years of follow-up, 73 (38%) deaths occurred, 36 (49%) of which were due to cardiac causes. Nonfatal myocardial infarction occurred in 7 (4%) patients, and 45 (23%) patients underwent late coronary revascularization. Cardiac death occurred in 2 of 69 (3%) patients with normal myocardial perfusion and in 34 of 125 (27%) patients with perfusion abnormalities (P < 0.0001). A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that, in addition to clinical and stress test data, an abnormal scan had an incremental prognostic value for prediction of cardiac death (hazard ratio 7.2, 95% CI 1.7-30). The summed stress score was an important predictor of cardiac death; the hazard ratio was 1.2 (95% CI 1.07-1.34) per one-unit increment.Conclusions: Dobutamine-atropine stress myocardial perfusion imaging provides additional prognostic information incremental to clinical data in patients with diabetes who are unable to undergo exercise stress testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning has evolved into an important subclinical prediction method for cardiovascular diseases in asymptomatic subjects. However, the prognostic implication of CAC scanning in symptomatic individuals is less clear. To assess the prognostic utility of CAC in predicting risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in stable patients with suspected CAD. We did a systematic electronic literature search for studies presenting original data in CAC score, and reporting cardiovascular events in stable, symptomatic patients as primary outcome. Primary outcome of the meta-analysis was the occurrence of MACE, a composite of late coronary revascularization, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiac death or all-cause mortality. Using random effects models, we pooled relative risk ratios of CAC for MACE, and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of the associations between different CAC strata (CAC 0–100,100–400, and ≥ 400, versus CAC = 0) and incident MACE. We included 19 observational studies (n = 34,041). In total, 1601 events were analyzed, of which 158 in patients with CAC = 0. The pooled relative risk ratio was 5.71 (95%-CI: 3.98;8.19) for subjects with CAC > 0. The pooled estimate of adjusted HRs demonstrated increasing, positive associations, with the strongest association for CAC > 400 (HR: 4.88; 95%-CI: 2.44;9.27). This meta-analysis demonstrated that increased levels of CAC are strongly and independently associated with increased risk for MACE in stable, symptomatic patients with suspected CAD, showing increasing risk with greater CAC scores. Application of CAC scanning as a prediction method could be useful for a considerable number of such patients. • In stable, symptomatic patients risk of MACE increases with greater CAC scores. • CAC scanning can also be considered a relevant subclinical risk prediction marker. • CACS implementation in risk prediction might preclude need for downstream testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) at >10-year follow-up is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the very long-term prognostic value of DSE in a high-risk cohort of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. This prospective, single-center study included 3,381 patients who underwent DSE from January 1990 to January 2003. Two-dimensional echocardiographic images were acquired at rest, during dobutamine stress, and during recovery. Follow-up events were collected and included overall mortality, cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and revascularization. The incremental value of DSE in the prediction of selected end points was evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. During a mean follow-up of 13 ± 3.2 years (range 7.3 to 20.5 years), there were 1,725 deaths (51%), of which 1,128 (33%) were attributed to cardiac causes. Patients with an abnormal DSE had a higher mortality rate (44% vs 35% at 15-year follow-up, p <0.001) than those with a normal DSE. When comparing echocardiographic variables at rest to variables at maximum dose dobutamine, the chi-square of the test improved from 842 to 870 (p <0.0001) and from 684 to 740 (p <0.0001) for all-cause mortality and cardiac death, respectively. DSE provided incremental value in predicting all-cause mortality, cardiac death, and hard cardiac events. There seems, however, to be a "warranty period" of approximately 7 years, when the survival curves of a normal and abnormal DSE no longer diverge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background--We aimed to study sex-related differences in temporal trends in short- and long-term mortality from 1985 to 2008 in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction. Methods and Results--We included a total of 14 434 consecutive patients admitted to our intensive coronary care unit between 1985 and 2008 for myocardial infarction. A total of 4028 patients (28%) were women. Women were more likely to present with a higher risk profile and were equally likely to receive pharmacological and invasive reperfusion therapy compared with men. Women had a higher unadjusted mortality rate at 30 days (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.5) and during 20 years (hazard ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.2) of follow-up. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, 30-day mortality was equal (adjusted odds ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-1.2) but the hazard for 20-year mortality was lower (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.90) in women compared to men. For 30-day mortality, there was no significant interaction between sex and age, diagnosis, or diabetes mellitus. Survival improved between 1985 and 2008. Temporal mortality reductions between 1985 and 2008 were at least as high in women as in men with myocardial infarction for both 30-day mortality and long-term mortality hazard. Conclusions--The fact that adjusted mortality rates for men and women treated for myocardial infarction in an intensive coronary care unit were similar and declined markedly over a 24-year period suggests that both sexes benefit from the evidence-based therapies that have been developed and implemented during this time period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Heart failure (HF) has a poor prognosis. Patients with acute heart failure in particular have a high risk of dying. However, there is a lack of data regarding their long-term mortality and changes there-in with time. The aim of our study was to describe trends in short- and long-term mortality of patients hospitalized with acute HF in the period from 1985 through 2008. In addition, we determined the prognostic worth of the aetiology of HF. Methods and results We included a consecutive series of 1810 patients with acute HF in this prospective registry in the period of 1985 through 2008. The cumulative one-year mortality rate of the patients was 35%. The short-term prognosis remained unchanged over the decades. However, the cumulative mortality rate ten years after admission was lowest in the last decade (73% in 2000–2008 vs. 78% in 1985–1999, p = 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, the ten-year mortality rate was lower in the last decade as compared to the first decade (hazard ratio (HR) 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–0.96). Ischemic cardiomyopathy was associated with a higher mortality (HR 1.32; 95% CI 1.12–1.54) when compared to other causes of HF. Conclusions Patients admitted with acute HF were found to have both high short-term and long-term mortality. Long-term prognostic improvement in the last decade was observed among patients with a reduced ejection fraction. While patients with HF due to valvular heart disease had the best prognosis, an ischemic aetiology of HF was associated with the worst outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Little evidence is available on the optimal sequence of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support initiation and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients who present with cardiogenic shock from ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the order of IABP insertion and primary PCI and its association with infarct size and mortality. Methods: A series of 173 consecutive patients admitted with cardiogenic shock from STEMI and treated with primary PCI and IABP between 2000 and 2009 were included. The order of IABP insertion and primary PCI was left at the discretion of the interventional cardiologist. Results: All baseline characteristics were similar in patients who first received IABP (n=87) and patients who received IABP directly after PCI (n=86). In these two groups, cumulative 30-day mortality was 44% and 37% respectively (p=0.39). Median peak serum creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were 5692U/l and 4034U/l respectively (p=0.048). In multivariable analysis, IABP insertion before PCI was independently associated with higher CK levels (p=0.046). In patients who survived 30days, IABP insertion before PCI was not associated with late mortality evaluated at five years of follow-up (HR1.5, 95% CI 0.7–3.3; p=0.34). Conclusions: Early IABP insertion before primary PCI might be associated with higher peak CK levels, indicating a larger infarct size. A possible explanation may be the increased reperfusion delay. Our study suggests that early reperfusion could have priority over routine early IABP insertion in STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock. Randomized studies are needed to determine the optimal timing of IABP insertion relative to primary PCI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Depression has been associated with poor prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but little is known about the impact of depression on long-term mortality. We examined whether depression was associated with 7-year mortality in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), after adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, anxiety, and the distressed (Type D) personality. Methods: The sample comprised a cohort of consecutive PCI patients (N=1234; 72.0% men; mean age 62.0±11.1years, range [26–90] years) from the Rapamycin-Eluting Stent Evaluated At Rotterdam Cardiology Hospital (RESEARCH) registry. At baseline (i.e., 6months post-PCI), patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess anxiety and depression and the Type D scale (DS14) to assess Type D personality. The endpoint was defined as all-cause mortality. Results: The prevalence of depression (HADS-D≥8) was 26.2% (324/1236). After a median follow-up of 7.0±1.6years, 187 deaths (15.2%) from any cause were recorded. The incidence of all-cause mortality in depressed patients was 23.5% (76/324) versus 12.2% (111/910) in non-depressed patients. Cumulative hazard functions differed significantly for depressed versus non-depressed patients (log-rank X2 =25.57, p<.001). In multivariable analysis, depression remained independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR=1.63; 95% CI [1.05–2.71], p=.038), after adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, anxiety, and Type D personality. Conclusions: Depression was independently associated with a 1.6-fold increased risk for 7-year mortality, above and beyond anxiety and Type D personality. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the potential pathways linking depression to long-term mortality following PCI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate the survival and prognostic implications of cardiovascular, inflammatory and prothrombotic risk factors in young patients with premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: Follow-up data were obtained from 353 young patients with a first cardiac event (men ≤45 years and women ≤55 years). Baseline characteristics on traditional risk factors were collected at the time of the first event, and plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), von Willebrand Factor (VWF), and fibrinogen were measured one to three months after the first event to exclude an acute phase response. We performed age and sex adjusted Cox regression analyses to assess the relationship between these factors and recurrent events with three different endpoints: all cause mortality, recurrent cardiac event (myocardial infarction or revascularisation procedure), and any recurrent event (cardiac event, cerebrovascular event or all cause mortality). Results: During a total follow-up time of 1483 person years (mean 4.2 years), 11 patients died (3%), 42 patients had a recurrent cardiac event (12%), and 53 patients had any recurrent event (15%). CRP was associated with an increased risk of any recurrent event (HR 1.28[95% CI = 1.02–1.59] per unit increase in lnCRP). Also, both CRP (5.00[1.04–24.04]) and fibrinogen (5.04[1.05–24.23]) were associated with all cause mortality when levels were above the 50th percentile. Conclusions: Fifteen percent of young patients with a first cardiac event have a recurrent event or die within a median follow-up of 4.2 years. In these young patients we have shown that, independently of cardiovascular risk factors, high CRP levels contribute to the risk of recurrent events, including all cause mortality, and high fibrinogen levels are associated with all cause mortality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is increasingly used to treat patients with aortic stenosis who are considered to be too high-risk for surgical replacement of the aortic valve. Although the procedural risks are decreasing, the occurrence of new conduction abnormalities remains a vexing issue. Both left bundle branch block and atrioventricular dissociation can affect prognosis after TAVI. Understanding the intimate relationship between the atrioventricular conduction axis and the aortic root, in addition to elucidation of factors related specifically to the procedure, devices, and patients, might help to reduce these conduction abnormalities. The purpose of this Review is to assess, and offer insights into, the available information on the frequency of new conduction abnormalities associated with TAVI, their anatomical and procedural causes, and their clinical consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The clinical value of exercise ankle brachial index (ABI) is still unclear, especially in patients with normal resting ABI. Method: 2164 patients performed a single-stage treadmill exercise test to diagnose or evaluate PAD. The population was divided into two groups: a normal resting ABI (resting ABI≥0.90) and PAD (resting ABI<0.90). Patients with a normal resting ABI were divided into 4 exercise ABI groups: exercise ABI<0.90, 0.90–0.99, 1.00–1.09 and 1.10–1.29 (reference). Results: Mean follow-up was 5years. Exercise ABI added significant prognostic information on all cause long-term mortality only in patients with normal resting ABI (p-value 0.014, HR 0.99 95% CI (0.98–0.99)), not in patients with PAD. Fifty years or older (OR 2.93 95% CI (1.65–5.20)) and resting systolic blood pressure>140mmHg (OR 2.18 95% CI (1.35–3.55)) were associated with an abnormal exercise ABI in patients with a normal resting ABI. Mortality rate increased when the exercise ABI became worse (p trend 0.0001) with a 2.5-fold increase mortality risk in patients with a normal resting ABI but exercise ABI <0.90 (HR 2.56, 95% CI (1.11–5.91)). Conclusion: In patients with a normal resting ABI, treadmill exercise ABI added important prognostic information on long-term mortality. Based on our results we recommend that at least all patients suspected for PAD, with a resting ABI≥0.90, who are 50years or older and having hypertension should undergo treadmill exercise testing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: In patients undergoing exercise testing a hypotensive response is associated with a poor prognosis. There is limited information regarding the prognostic significance of hypotension during dobutamine stress test. This study investigates the association between a severe hypotensive response during DSE and long-term prognosis. Methods: Patients (3381) underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Blood pressure was measured automatically at rest and at the end of every dose-step. Wall motion was scored using a 16-segement, 5-point score. Ischemia was defined by the presence of new wall motion abnormalities. Hypotensive response during DSE was defined as mild (MHR) when systolic blood pressure (SBP) dropped <20 mmHg between rest and peak stress, and severe (SHR) when SBP dropped <20 mmHg. During follow-up all cause mortality and MACE (cardiac death or non-fatal myocardial infarction) were noted. Results: MHR and SHR occurred in 936 (28%) and 521 (15%) patients, respectively. Independent predictors of SHR were older age, new or worsening wall motion abnormalities and history of hypertension. During follow-up of 4.5 (±3.3) years, 920 patients died, of which 555 due to cardiac causes, and 713 patients experienced a MACE. After adjustment for baseline characteristics and DSE results SHR during DSE was independently associated with increased long-term cardiac death (HR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.03–1.6) and MACE (HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.1–1.6), while MHR was not associated with a worse outcome. Conclusions: Severe hypotensive response during DSE independently predicts cardiac death and MACE in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: The study’s objective was to evaluate the prognostic value of left ventricular ejection fraction and stress-induced ischemia during dobutamine stress echocardiography, in addition to ankle-brachial index measurements and clinical risk factors in patients with suspected or known peripheral arterial disease. Methods: In 852 patients with suspected or known peripheral arterial disease (mean age 63 years, 70% male), the ankle-brachial index was measured, left ventricular ejection fraction was assessed, and all patients underwent additional stress testing. Endpoints were all-cause mortality and hard cardiac events (cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction). Results: During a mean follow-up of 7.6±4.4 years, death occurred in 288 patients (34%), and hard cardiac events occurred in 216 patients (25%). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 50%±17%, and stress-induced ischemia was observed in 352 patients (41%). In multivariate analysis with adjustment for clinical risk factors and ankle-brachial index, each 5% decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction was associated with increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.09) and hard events (HR 1.14, 95% CI, 1.08-1.21). Stress-induced ischemia also independently predicted all-cause mortality (HR 2.01, 95% CI, 1.38-2.79) and hard events (HR 2.06, 95% CI, 1.39-3.08). Left ventricular ejection fraction and stress-induced ischemia provided incremental prognostic information over clinical data and ankle-brachial index values (P <.001). Conclusions: Left ventricular ejection fraction and stress-induced ischemia independently predict long-term outcome and improve prognostic risk assessment, in addition to ankle-brachial index and clinical risk factors in patients with suspected or known peripheral arterial disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: We investigated the relative effects of fatigue, depressive symptoms, and hopelessness on prognosis at 2-year follow-up in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients. Methods: Consecutively admitted PCI patients (n=534) treated with paclitaxel-eluting stent as the default strategy completed the Maastricht Questionnaire (MQ) at baseline. Apart from an overall vital exhaustion score, the MQ also assesses fatigue (seven items; Cronbach''s α=.87) and depressive symptoms (seven items; Cronbach''s α=.83), with hopelessness (one item) comprised in the depressive symptom items. Patients were followed up for adverse clinical events (mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction) at 2 years. Results: At 2-year follow-up, there were 31 clinical events. In univariable analyses, overall vital exhaustion and depressive symptoms, but not fatigue, were associated with adverse prognosis; in multivariable analysis, depressive symptoms [hazard ratio (HR)=2.69; 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.31–5.55] remained the only predictor of clinical outcome. Among the depressive symptoms, hopelessness (HR=3.44; 95% CI=1.65–7.19) was the most cardiotoxic symptom. The incidence of clinical events was higher in the high-hopelessness patients (11% vs. 3%; P=.001) than in the low-hopelessness patients. Hopelessness (HR=3.36; 95% CI=1.58–7.14; P=.002) remained an independent predictor of clinical outcome at 2 years in adjusted analysis. Conclusion: Symptoms of depression, but not fatigue, predicted adverse clinical events. Hopelessness was the most cardiotoxic symptom, associated with a more than three-fold risk of clinical events 2 years post-PCI. Screening for hopelessness may lead to the identification of high-risk patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: Noninvasive pacemaker stress echocardiography is a newly introduced method for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with a permanent pacemaker. The prognostic value of pacemaker stress echocardiography has not been studied. Subjects and methods: We studied 136 patients (mean age 64±12 years) with a permanent pacemaker who underwent pacemaker stress echocardiography for evaluation of coronary artery disease. All patients underwent pacemaker stress echocardiography by external programming (pacing heart rate up to ischemia or target heart rate). Results: Thirty-one patients (23%) had normal study results. Ischemia was detected in 75 patients (55%). During a mean follow-up of 3.5±2.4 years, 35 deaths (26%) (20 the result of cardiac causes) and 2 nonfatal myocardial infarctions (1%) occurred. The annual cardiac death rate was 1.3% in patients without ischemia and 4.6% in patients with ischemia (P =.01). The annual all-cause mortality rate was 3.1% in patients without ischemia and 7% in patients with ischemia (P =.004). The presence of ischemia during pacemaker stress echocardiography was the strongest independent predictor of cardiac death (hazard ratio 4.1, confidence interval 1.2-14.5) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.7, confidence interval 1.2-6.0) in a multivariable model. Conclusion: Myocardial ischemia during pacemaker stress echocardiography is an independent predictor of cardiac death and all-cause mortality in patients with a permanent pacemaker. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]