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Background: Several reports suggested that compliance with acute kidney injury care bundles among hospitalized patients resulted in improved kidney and patient outcomes. We investigated the effect of acute kidney injury care bundle utilization on the incidence of acute kidney injury and renal outcomes in a large cohort of myocardial infarction patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention., Methods: We included patients with myocardial infarction admitted following percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2008 and December 2020. From January 2016, acute kidney injury care bundle was implemented in our cardiac intensive care unit. Acute kidney injury care bundle consisted of simple standardized investigations and interventions, including strict monitoring of serum creatinine and urine analysis, planning investigations, treatment, and guidance about seeking nephrologist advice. Patients' records were evaluated for the occurrence of acute kidney injury, its severity, and recovery, before and after the implementation of acute kidney injury care bundle., Results: We included 2646 patients (1941 patients in the years 2008-2015 and 705 patients in the years 2016-2020). Implementation of care bundles resulted in a significant decrease in the occurrence of acute kidney injury from 190/1945 to 42/705 (10-6%; p < 0.001), with a trend for lower acute kidney injury score > 1 (20% vs. 25%; p = 0.07) and higher acute kidney injury recovery (62% vs. 45%, p = 0.001). Using a multivariable regression model, the use of care bundles resulted in a 45% decrease in the relative risk for acute kidney injury (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37-0.82, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, treated with percutaneous coronary intervention and admitted to our cardiac intensive care unit over the period January 2008-December 2020, compliance with acute kidney injury care bundle was independently associated with a significant decrease in occurrence of acute kidney injury and with better renal outcomes following acute kidney injury. Further interventions, such as e-alert systems for acute kidney injury, could improve utilization of the acute kidney injury care bundle and optimize its clinical benefits., (© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Italian Society of Nephrology.)

Background: Inflammatory biomarkers are known to rise and have predictive value for adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary ischemia. One of those biomarkers is neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). To date, only very few studies have assessed the prognostic value of NGAL in this setting. We investigated the prognostic utility of elevated NGAL levels on clinical outcomes among ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients., Methods: High NGAL was defined as values within the 4th quartile. Patients were assessed for major in-hospital adverse clinical events (MACE). Multivariable logistic regression and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to further evaluate NGAL association for MACE and discrimination ability., Results: A total of 273 patients were included. patients with high NGAL were at increased risk for MACE (62% vs. 19%; odds ratio 6.88, 95% confidence interval, 3.77-12.54, P  < 0.001). After propensity score matching, the incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients with high vs. low NGAL levels (69% vs. 6%, P  = 0.002). In multivariable regression, high NGAL level was independently associated with MACE. The discrimination ability of NGAL to identify MACE (AUC 0.823), is significantly better than that of other inflammatory markers., Conclusion: Among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, high NGAL levels are associated with adverse outcomes, independent of traditional inflammatory markers., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious complication in critically ill patients, particularly those with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Mechanical ventilation (MV) is often needed when respiratory deterioration occurs and is continuously associated with higher risk for AKI. Whether MV is an independent predictor for AKI in STEMI patients has not been evaluated before. We aimed to determine a potential association between MV and the occurrence of AKI in STEMI patients., Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort in a tertiary referral hospital. We evaluated consecutive patients that were admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit with acute STEMI between 2008 and 2019. Patients were divided into groups based on their need for MV upon admission. To minimize baseline differences between the two groups, propensity matching was performed. The primary outcome was the occurrence of AKI after intubation and secondary outcomes included severe AKI (&gt;2 times the baseline creatinine) and renal recovery., Results: 2,929 patients were included and of them, 143 (5%) were intubated. After using the propensity matching, 138 pairs were available for analysis with similar demographic and clinical characteristics. MV was a predictor for AKI (Table 2, odds ratio [OR]: 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9-5.6) and severe AKI (OR: 6.3, 95% CI: 2.5-16). These results remained significant after adjusting for the occurrence of a new heart failure and bleeding. Early or partial renal recovery was similar between the groups., Conclusion: MV is independently associated with the occurrence of AKI and severe AKI. The possible mechanism might be temporary, reflected by similar rates of renal recovery., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation (non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]) has recommended immediate (<2 h) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in very-high risk patients and early (<24 h) PCI in high-risk patients., Hypothesis: To examine the ESC NSTEMI guidelines adherence in a nationwide survey in Israel using the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS). We hypothesized that adherence to the guidlines' recommnded PCI timing in NSTEMI pateints will be inadequate, partly due to the inconsistent evidence regarding its effect on clinical outcomes., Methods: All NSTEMI patients who underwent PCI during the ACSIS surveys in 2016 and 2018 were included in the analysis., Results: Out of 1793 NSTEMI patients, 1643 (92%) patients underwent PCI, and door to balloon time was documented in 1078 of them. One hundred and fifty-six (14.5%) patients and 922 (85.5%) patients were defined as very high-risk and high-risk NSTEMI patients, respectively. Of the very high-risk NSTEMI patients, only 10 (6.4%) underwent immediate coronary angiography, and 50 (32.1%) underwent early coronary angiography. Acute heart failure 139 (89.1%) was the main reason for including NSTEMI patients in the very high-risk category. Of the high-risk patients, early coronary angiography was performed in only 405 (43.9%) patients. Patients in whom coronary angiography was postponed were older and had more comorbidities., Conclusions: Despite guidelines recommendations for immediate and early PCI in very high-risk and high-risk NSTEMI patients, respectively, most patients do not undergo immediate or early PCI according to contemporary guidelines. Further studies are needed to better understand the reasons for guidelines' nonadherence in those high-risk patients., (© 2022 The Authors. Clinical Cardiology published by Wiley Periodicals, LLC.)

Limited and inconsistent data are present regarding the importance of the time delay between symptom onset and balloon inflation in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. We aimed to investigate the possible influence of prolonging pain-to-balloon times (PBT) on in-hospital outcomes and mortality in a large cohort of patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. We retrospectively studied 2,345 STEMI patients (age 61 ± 13 years, 82% men) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were stratified according to PBT into 3 groups: ≤120 minutes, 121 to 360 minutes, and >360 minutes. Patients' records were assessed for the occurrence of in-hospital complications, 30-day, and 1-year mortality. Of the 2,345 study patients, 36% had PBT time ≤120 minutes, 40% had PBT of 121 to 360 minutes and 24% had PBT time >360 minutes. The major part of the total PBT (average 358 minutes) was caused by the time interval from symptom onset to hospital arrival, namely, pain-to-door time (average 312 minutes) in all 3 groups. Longer PBT was associated with a lower left ventricular ejection fraction, higher incidence of in-hospital complications, and higher 30-day mortality. In 2 multivariate cox regression models, a per-hour increase in PBT (hazard ratio 1.03 [95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.06], p = 0.039) as well as PBT >360 minutes (hazard ratio 1.6 [95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.5], p = 0.04) were both independently associated with an increased risk for 1-year mortality. In conclusion, PBT may be an accurate and independent marker for adverse events, pointing to the importance of coronary reperfusion as early as possible based on the onset of pain., Competing Interests: Disclosures The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Among ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), early hemodynamic changes may result in acute kidney injury (AKI) even prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, no information to date is present regarding the association between pain-to-balloon time (PBT) and AKI. We evaluated whether PBT predicts the risk of AKI among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI., Methods: Medical records of 2,343 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI were reviewed. Patients were stratified by PBT into 3 groups: ≤120, 121-360, and >360 min. Patients' records were assessed for the occurrence of AKI (defined by the KDIGO criteria as serum creatinine (sCr) elevation ≥0.3 mg/dL within 72 h after admission)., Results: Mean age was 61 ± 13 years, and 1,919 (82%) were male. Patients having longer PBT had more AKI complicating the course of STEMI (7% vs. 8% vs. 13%, p < 0.001) and had significantly higher sCr changes throughout hospitalization (0.08 mg/dL vs. 0.11 mg/dL vs. 0.17 mg/dL p < 0.001). In a multivariable logistic regression model, each 1-h increase in PBT was independently associated with a 2.2% increase in risk for AKI (odds ratio 1.022, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.04, p = 0.02)., Conclusion: Longer PBT may be an independent marker for the development of AKI in STEMI patients undergoing primary., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: The extent and impact of obesity as an isolated risk factor for coronary artery disease is not clear since co-morbidities serve as confounders and may mask this association., Objectives: To examine whether obesity is associated with extensive coronary artery disease among metabolically healthy patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to explore the outcomes according to body mass index (BMI)., Methods: We stratified STEMI patients who had a metabolically healthy phenotype and available weight and height data according to BMI: 18.5-25 kg/m² (lean), 25.01-30 kg/m² (overweight), and > 30 kg/m² (obese)., Results: Overall 381 patients were included, 42% lean, 41% overweight, and 17% obese. Patients with increased BMIs had higher levels of low-density proteins and triglycerides (P < 0.05). Obese patients presented with the lowest rates of multi-vessel disease (12.9% vs. 22.9% for overweight and 28% for lean). In a univariable analysis, obese patients were 60% less likely to be diagnosed with multi-vessel disease (odds ratio 0.4, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.9, P = 0.021) compared to lean patients. The association remained significant in a multivariable model adjusted for baseline characteristics (P = 0.029). There were no differences in 30-day or long-term mortality (median follow-up 3.2 years) among the groups (P > 0.1 for all comparisons)., Conclusions: Metabolically healthy phenotype obesity was associated with lower rates of multi-vessel disease despite higher levels of triglycerides. However, this association did not translate into increased mortality.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with adverse prognosis in various patient populations, but currently no data is available about the prevalence and prognostic implication of TR in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients., Objectives: To investigate the possible implication of TR among STEMI patients., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and its relation to major clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Patient records were assessed for the prevalence and severity of TR, its relation to the clinical profile, key echocardiographic parameters, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term mortality. Patients with previous myocardial infarction or known previous TR were excluded., Results: The study included 1071 STEMI patients admitted between September 2011 and May 2016 (age 61 ± 13 years; predominantly male). A total of 205 patients (19%) had mild TR while another 32 (3%) had moderate or greater TR. Patients with significant TR demonstrated worse echocardiographic parameters, were more likely to have in-hospital complications, and had higher long-term mortality (28% vs. 6%; P < 0.001). Following adjustment for significant clinical and echocardiographic parameters, mortality hazard ratio of at least moderate to severe TR remained significant (hazard ratio 2.44; 95% confidence interval 1.06-5.62; P = 0.036) for patients with moderate-severe TR., Conclusions: Among STEMI patients after primary PCI, the presence of moderate-severe TR was independently associated with adverse outcomes and significantly lower survival rate.

Background: We aimed to describe the characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients during the Covid-19 era., Methods: We conducted a prospective, multicenter study involving 13 intensive cardiac care units, to evaluate consecutive STEMI patients admitted throughout an 8-week period during the Covid-19 outbreak. These patients were compared with consecutive STEMI patients admitted during the corresponding period in 2018 who had been prospectively documented in the Israeli bi-annual National Acute Coronary Syndrome Survey. The primary end-point was defined as a composite of malignant arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and/or in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included individual components of primary outcome, cardiogenic shock, mechanical complications, electrical complications, re-infarction, stroke, and pericarditis., Results: The study cohort comprised 1466 consecutive acute MI patients, of whom 774 (53%) were hospitalized during the Covid-19 outbreak. Overall, 841 patients were diagnosed with STEMI: 424 (50.4%) during the Covid-19 era and 417 (49.6%) during the parallel period in 2018. Although STEMI patients admitted during the Covid-19 period had fewer co-morbidities, they presented with a higher Killip class (p value = .03). The median time from symptom onset to reperfusion was extended from 180 minutes (IQR 122-292) in 2018 to 290 minutes (IQR 161-1080, p < .001) in 2020. Hospitalization during the Covid-19 era was independently associated with an increased risk of the combined endpoint in the multivariable regression model (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.03-2.68, p value = .04). Furthermore, the rate of mechanical complications was four times higher during the Covid-19 era (95% CI 1.42-14.8, p-value = .02). However, in-hospital mortality remained unchanged (OR 1.73, 95% CI 0.81-3.78, p-value = .16)., Conclusions: STEMI patients admitted during the first wave of Covid-19 outbreak, experienced longer total ischemic time, which was translated into a more severe disease status upon hospital admission, and a higher rate of in-hospital adverse events, compared with parallel period., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) and anemia have been extensively studied in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), yet the precise nature of their reciprocal relationship has not been elucidated in STEMI patients., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 2096 consecutive patients admitted for STEMI between January 2008 and December 2018 and treated with primary coronary intervention. Patients were stratified into four groups according to the presence of baseline anemia and occurrence of AKI: without anemia or AKI, baseline anemia without AKI, AKI without baseline anemia and acute cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS), defined as the occurrence of AKI in patients with baseline anemia. Patients' medical records were reviewed for in-hospital complications, 30-day and long-term mortality., Results: The mean age was 61 ± 13 years and 1682 patients (80%) were men. Ten percent of patients had baseline anemia without AKI, 7% had AKI without baseline anemia and 3% were classified as CRAS. We found increments between the four groups for occurrence of new onset atrial fibrillation and heart failure rates, presence of a critical state, and both 30-day and long-term mortality (P < 0.001 for all). Logistic regression models demonstrated that as compared to AKI alone, CRAS was associated with a higher risk for long-term mortality (HR 10.49; 95% CI 6.5-17.1) as compared to anemia (HR 3.32, 95% CI 2.1-5.2) and AKI (HR 7.71, 95% CI 5.1-11.7) alone (P < 0.001 for all)., Conclusions: Among STEMI patients, the interaction between anemia and AKI is associated with worse short and long-term outcomes and reflects the reciprocity of cardiac and renal exacerbations., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) was shown to be associated with an increased risk for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, the optimal time frame to measure CRP for risk stratification is not known., Objectives: To evaluate the relation between the change in CRP over time (CRP velocity [CRPv]) and new-onset AF among STEMI patients treated with primary PCI., Methods: We included 801 STEMI patients who underwent PCI between 2007 and 2017 and had their CRP measured with a wide range assay (wr-CRP) at least twice during the 24 hours after admission. CRPv was defined as the change in wr-CRP concentration (mg/l) divided by the change in time (in hours) between the two measurements. Patient medical records were reviewed for occurrence of new-onset AF., Results: New onset AF occurred in 45 patients (6%). Patients with new onset AF had significantly higher median CRPv (1.27 vs. 0.43 mg/l/h, P = 0.002). New-onset AF during hospitalization occurred in 3.4%, 4.5 %, and 9.1% of patients in the first, second and third CRPv tertiles, respectively (P for trend = 0.006). In a multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for clinical variables the odds ratios for new onset AF was 1.93 (95% confidence interval 1.0-3.59, P = 0.04) for patients in the third CRPv tertile., Conclusions: CRPv might be an independent and rapidly measurable biomarker for new-onset AF following primary PCI in STEMI patients.

Background: Most studies investigated the value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a marker of renal tubular injury only at a single time point. We investigated the possible utilization of NGAL level dynamics for the identification of different renal injury patterns in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients., Methods: Blood samples for plasma NGAL in 132 STEMI patients were drawn immediately before and 24 h following primary coronary intervention. Abnormal elevation of NGAL levels was defined using the cardiac surgery-associated NGAL score with NGAL levels ≥100 ng/mL suggesting renal tubular damage. According to NGAL levels at 0 and 24 h, patients were stratified into 3 groups: no tubular damage (NGAL <100 ng/mL in both exams), reversible tubular damage (NGAL >100 ng/mL at 0 h but <100 ng/mL at 24 h), and persistent tubular damage (NGAL >100 ng/mL at both 0 and 24 h)., Results: Mean age was 62 ± 13 years, and 78% were men. Of these patients, 29/132 (22%) demonstrated reversible tubular damage, and 36/132 (27%) persistent tubular damage. Only 13/132 patients (10%) progressed to clinical acute kidney injury during hospitalization, all of whom had persistent tubular injury. In multivariate regression model, symptom duration was independently associated with persistent tubular damage, both as continues variable (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.04; p = 0.04) and for symptom duration >360 min (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.07-6.63; p = 0.03)., Conclusions: Renal tubular damage is common among STEMI patients. Dynamic NGAL measurement may differentiate between reversible and persistent tubular damage. Further trials are needed in order to assess the complex cardiorenal interactions., (© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While AKI occurring post-PCI has been well studied, the incidence and clinical significance of early renal impairment evident on hospital admission prior to PCI and which resolves towards discharge has not been investigated., Methods: We retrospectively studied 2339 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI. The incidence of renal impairment and in-hospital complications as well as short and long-term mortality were compared between patients who did not develop renal impairment, patients who developed post-PCI AKI and those who presented with renal impairment on admission but improved their renal function during hospitalization (improved renal function). Improved renal function was defined as continuous and gradual decrease of ⩾ 0.3 mg/dL in serum creatinine levels obtained at hospital admission., Results: One hundred and nineteen patients (5%) had improved renal function and 230 patients (10%) developed post-PCI AKI. When compared with patients with no renal impairment, improved renal function and post-PCI AKI were associated with more complications and adverse events during hospitalization as well as higher 30-day mortality. Long-term mortality was significantly higher among those with post-PCI AKI (63/230, 27%) following STEMI than those without renal impairment (104/1990, 5%; p <0.001), but there was no significant difference in long term mortality between patients with no renal impairment and those with improved renal function (5% vs . 7.5%, p =0.17)., Conclusion: In STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, the presence of renal impairment prior to PCI which resolves towards discharge is not uncommon and is associated with adverse short-term outcomes but better long-term outcomes compared with post-PCI AKI.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for primary reperfusion in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has largely been superseded byf primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and is estimated to be performed in ≤ 5% of STEMI cases., Objectives: To compare early CABG (within 30 days following admission) and primary PCI outcomes following STEMI., Methods: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of patients hospitalized with acute STEMI for early reperfusion therapy between January 2008 and June 2016. Short- and long-term outcomes were assessed for patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI vs. early CABG as reperfusion therapy., Results: The study comprised 1660 STEMI patients, 38 of whom (2.3%) underwent CABG within 30 days of presentation. Unadjusted 30-day mortality was more than twice as high in the CABG group (7.5%) than in the PCI group (3.3%); however, it did not reach statistical significance. Similar results were demonstrated for mortality rates beyond 30 days (22% vs. 14%, P = 0.463). All patients undergoing CABG beyond 72 hours following admission survived past 2 years. Multivariate analysis found no differences between the two groups in long-term mortality risk. propensity score matched long-term mortality comparison (30 days-2 years) yielded a 22% mortality rate in the CABG groups compared with 14% in the PCI group (P < 0.293)., Conclusions: Early CABG was performed in only a minority of STEMI patients. This high-risk patient population demonstrated worse outcomes compared to patients undergoing PCI. Performing surgery beyond 72 hours following admission may be associated with lower risk.

Objective: ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) in very young adults is uncommon. Many studies have focused on the cutoff of 45-50 years old to define young patients with STEMI leaving limited data on the group of very young patients aged less than 35 years old. We investigated the incidence of STEMI in different subgroups of young patients and focused on the characteristics, possible pathogenesis and outcomes in very young patients aged less than 35 years old., Methods: We retrospectively studied 792 STEMI patients aged less than 55 years who underwent successful primary PCI. We categorized patients as very young if they were or less 35 years old and as young if they were between 36 and 55 years old. Baseline characteristics, angiographic findings, as well as short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups., Results: There were 46 (6%) very young patients (age ≤ 35 years) and 748 (94%) young patients (36 < age ≤ 55 years). Very young patients had fewer atherosclerotic risk factors than young patients, but there was no difference in short- or long-term outcomes. Overt hypercoagulable state was evident serologically (antiphospholipid antibodies) in 2/7 (29%) of screened patients and clinically (left ventricular thrombus or acute coronary thrombosis without an atherosclerotic plaque) in 6/46 patients (13%)., Conclusion: Very young patients with STEMI constitute a distinct subset of young patients with fewer atherosclerotic risk factors yet comparable outcomes. More efforts should be made screening for serologic and clinical evidence of hypercoagulability in this group of patients.

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a glycoprotein released by renal tubular cells upon nephrotoxic or ischemic events and is considered an early marker of tubular damage. We aimed to demonstrate the presence of early renal injury detected by elevated NGAL levels taken before contrast administration in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Patients and Methods: We prospectively included 88 patients with STEMI treated with PCI. Blood samples for plasma NGAL were drawn immediately before PCI (baseline NGAL; NGAL1) and 24 h after PCI (NGAL2). Abnormal elevations in NGAL levels were defined using the cardiac surgery associated NGAL score (NGAL score) with NGAL levels at least 100 ng/ml, suggesting renal tubular damage. Patients were also assessed for the dynamics between NGAL2 and NGAL1 levels., Results: The mean age of the patients was 62 ± 13 years and 78% were men. A total of 50/88 (56%) patients had baseline NGAL level of at least 100, suggesting possible tubular damage before PCI. Only 10 patients progressed to clinical acute kidney injury during hospitalization, all of whom had baseline NGAL level of at least 100 (P < 0.001). Among patients with baseline NGAL at least 100, 28/50 (56%) showed a decrease in the NGAL level within 24 h, whereas only 9/50 (18%) showed an elevation in the NGAL level. In contrast, only 7/38 (19%) patients with baseline NGAL level less than 100 showed an elevation in NGAL levels within 24 h., Conclusion: Elevated NGAL levels before primary PCI suggesting renal tubular damage are common among STEMI patients. Further trials are needed to assess the complex cardio-renal interactions.

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early marker of renal tubular damage. We investigated the incidence and possible implications of elevated NGAL levels (suggesting renal damage) compared to both functional and damage markers (manifested as serum creatinine [sCr] elevation) and no NGAL/sCr change, among -ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: We included 131 patients with STEMI treated with PCI. Blood samples for plasma NGAL were drawn 24 h following PCI. We used the terms NGAL(-) or NGAL(+) with levels ≥100 ng/mL suggesting renal tubular damage and the terms. sCr(-) or sCr(+) to consensus diagnostic increases in sCr defining acute kidney injury. Patients were also assessed for in hospital-adverse outcomes., Results: Of the study patients, 56 (42%) were NGAL(-)/sCr(-), 58 (44%) NGAL(+)/sCr(-), and 18 (14%) were both NGAL(+)/sCr(+). According to the 3 study groups, there was a stepwise increase in the proportion of left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% (43 vs. 60. vs. 72%; p = 0.04), in-hospital adverse outcomes (9 vs. 14 vs. 56%; p < 0.001) and their combination. Specifically, more NGAL(+)/sCr(-) patients developed the composite endpoint when compared to NGAL(-)/sCr(-) patients (64 vs. 46%; OR 2.1, [95% CI 1.1-4.5], p = 0.05). A similar and consistent increase was observed in peak sCr, length of hospital stay, and C-reactive protein levels., Conclusions: Elevated NGAL levels suggesting renal tubular damage, increased inflammation, or both are common among STEMI patients and are associated with adverse outcomes even in the absence of diagnostic increase in sCr., (© 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction and Objective: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a glycoprotein released by renal tubular cells, can be used as a marker of early tubular damage. We evaluated plasma NGAL level utilization for the identification of acute kidney injury (AKI) among ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: 131 STEMI patients treated with PCI were prospectively included. Plasma NGAL levels were drawn prior to PCI (0 h) and 24 h afterwards. AKI was defined per KDIGO criteria of serum creatinine increase. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) methods were used to identify optimal sensitivity and specificity for the observed NGAL range., Results: Overall AKI incidence was 14%. NGAL levels were significantly higher for patients with AKI at both 0 h (164 ± 42 vs. 95 ± 30; p < 0.001) and 24 h (142 ± 41 vs. 93 ± 36; p < 0.001). Per ROC curve analysis, an optimal cutoff value of NGAL (>120 ng/mL) predicted AKI with 80% sensitivity and specificity (AUC 0.881, 95%, CI 0.801-0.961, p < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression model, NGAL levels were independently associated with AKI at 0 h (OR 1.044, 95% CI 1.013-1.076; p = 0.005) and 24 h (OR 1.018, 95% CI 1.001-1.036; p = 0.04)., Conclusions: Elevated NGAL levels, suggesting renal tubular damage, are independently associated with AKI in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI., (© 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: The ratio of contrast media volume to glomerular filtration rate (contrast/GFR) has been shown to correlate with the occurrence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in unselected patient populations who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Objective: We evaluated the possible utilization of this marker and optimal cutoff among ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary PCI., Methods: We retrospectively included 419 patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI. The occurrence of CI-AKI was defined by the KDIGO criteria as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 h following PCI. A receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the optimal cutoff value of contrast/GFR ratio to predict CI-AKI. This value was then assessed using multivariable logistic regression., Results: The overall incidence of CI-AKI was 9%. The contrast/GFR ratio was significantly higher among patients with CI-AKI (2.7 ± 1.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.9; p < 0.001). According to the ROC curve analysis, the optimal cutoff value of contrast/GFR ratio to predict AKI was measured as ≥2.13, with 70% sensitivity and 60% specificity (AUC 0.65, 95% CI 0.56-0.74; p = 0.002). In a multivariate logistic regression model, contrast/GFR ratio ≥2.13 was independently associated with CI-AKI (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.09-5.57; p = 0.03)., Conclusions: Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, contrast/GFR ratio ≥2.13 was independently associated with CI-AKI., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Elderly individuals ( ≥ 75 years) constitute an increasing proportion of patients presenting with myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but only limited data are available regarding the incidence and prognostic implications of acute kidney injury (AKI) in this group of patients., Objective: To evaluate the incidence and prognostic implications of AKI in older adults ( ≥ 75 years) with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary PCI., Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort, observational, single-center study of consecutive 416 older patients with STEMI (≥ 75 years) treated with primary PCI between January 2008 and August 2017 was conducted. AKI was defined as an increase of at least 0.3 mg/dl in serum creatinine within 48 h following admission., Results: A total of 96/416 (23%) patients developed AKI. The occurrence of AKI was associated with adverse in-hospital outcomes, higher 30 days (25 vs. 6%; P < 0.001), and long-term mortality (46 vs. 17%; hazard ratio: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 2.1-4.7; P < 0.001). Among patients with AKI, 46/96 (48%) demonstrated recovery of renal function at hospital discharge. Lack of renal function recovery at discharge (50/96 patients; 52%) was associated with the occurrence of new or progression of baseline chronic kidney disease., Conclusion: Among older patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, AKI is a frequent complication associated with adverse renal short-term and long-term outcomes.

Background: Data suggest that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with progression of chronic renal disease; however, no study to date has assessed the possible relation between SCH and acute deterioration of renal function., Objectives: To investigate the possible relation between SCH and acute kidney injury (AKI) in a large cohort of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: We evaluated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 levels of 1591 STEMI patients with no known history of hypothyroidism or thyroid replacement treatment who were admitted to the coronary care unit (October 2007-August 2017). The presence of SCH was defined as TSH levels ≥ 5 mU/ml in the presence of normal free T4 levels. Patients were assessed for development of AKI ( 0.3 mg/dl increase in serum creatinine, according to the KDIGO criteria)., Results: The presence of SCH was demonstrated in 68/1593 (4.2%) STEMI patients. Patients presenting with SCH had more AKI complications during the course of STEMI (20.6% vs. 9.6 %; P = 0.003) and had significantly higher serum creatinine change throughout hospitalization (0.19 mg/dl vs. 0.08 mg/dl, P = 0.04). No significant difference was present in groups regarding baseline renal function and the amount of contrast volume delivered during coronary angiography. In multivariate logistic regression model, SCH was independently associated with AKI (odds ratio = 2.19, 95% confidence interval 1.05-4.54, P =0.04)., Conclusions: Among STEMI patients treated with PCI, the presence of SCH is common and may serve as a significant marker for AKI.

Background: Current guidelines for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommend a door-to-balloon time (DBT) of ≤ 90 min for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to investigate the possible impact of further reduction in DBT intervals beyond the 90 min cutoff on short and long-term outcomes among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI., Methods: We retrospectively studied 889 STEMI patients (median age 61 years, 83% men) who underwent successful primary PCI and had a DBT of ≤ 90 min. Patients were stratified according to DBT into 2 groups: < 60 min and 60-90 min. Patients records were assessed for the occurrence of in-hospital complications, 30-day and 1-year mortality., Results: Patients having DBT < 60 min (n = 608, 68%) were more likely to present earlier, in daytime and weekdays, and had better post-procedural left ventricular ejection fraction and lower 30-day mortality (3% vs. 6%, p = 0.03). Mortality over 1-year was significantly lower among patients having DBT < 60 compared to DBT of 60-90 min (4.6% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.004). In a binary logistic regression model DBT < 60 min was associated with 51% risk reduction for 1-year mortality (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.93, p = 0.03)., Conclusions: Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI within 90 min of admission DBT < 60 min was independently associated with better 1-year mortality.

Background: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) was shown to be associated with an increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), however, the optimal time frame to measure CRP for risk stratification is not known. We evaluated the relation between the change in CRP over time (CRP velocity-CRPv) and AKI among STEMI patients treated with primary PCI., Methods: We included 801 STEMI who presented between 2007 and 2017 and had their CRP measured with a wide range assay (wr-CRP) at least twice during the 24 h after admission. CRPv was defined as the change in wr-CRP concentration (mg/l) divided by the change in time (in h) between the two measurements. Patient's medical records were reviewed for occurrence of AKI., Results: Mean age was 62 ± 16 and 80% were males. Patients with AKI had significantly higher CRPv (1.47 versus 0.4 mg/l/h, p < 0.001). In a multivariate regression model CRPv was independently associated with AKI (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.0 5, p = 0.001). On receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve the optimal cutoff value of CRPv to predict AKI was measured as more than 0.8 mg/l/h, with 70% sensitivity and 65% specificity (AUC 0.712, 95% CI 0.64-0.78, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: CRPv might be an independent and rapidly measurable biomarker for AKI following primary PCI in STEMI patients.

Objectives: Limited data are present on persistent renal impairment following acute kidney injury (AKI) among ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated the incidence and prognostic implications of acute kidney disease (AKD), defined as reduced kidney function for the duration of between 7 and 90 days after exposure to an AKI initiating event, as well as long-term renal outcomes among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI who developed AKI., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively studied 225 consecutive STEMI patients who developed AKI. Patients were assessed for the occurrence of AKD and long-term renal outcomes on the basis of serum creatinine levels measured at 7 days/hospital discharge and within 90-180 days of renal insult. Mortality was assessed at 90 days and over a period of 1271±903 days (range: 2-2130 days) following the renal insult., Results: Progression to AKD occurred in 81/225 (36%) patients and was associated with higher 90-day (35 vs. 11%, P<0.001) and long-term mortality (35 vs. 17%, P<0.001). Normalization of serum creatinine to a level equal/lower than hospital admission level at more than 90 days from renal insult occurred in 41% of patients with AKD, whereas 59% of these patients showed new/progressed chronic kidney disease. In contrast, only 7% of patients without AKD showed the progression of pre-existing renal disease while, in the rest, the serum creatinine level remained stable., Conclusion: Progression to AKD following an acute renal insult in STEMI is frequent and associated with worse survival and adverse long-term renal outcomes.

Purpose: To demonstrate the possible association of statin therapy with C reactive protein (CRP) serial measurements in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients., Materials and Methods: STEMI patients between 2008 and 2016 with available CRP data from admission were divided into two groups according to pre-admission statin therapy. A second CRP measurement was noted following primary coronary intervention (within 24 h from admission). The difference between the two measurements was designated ΔCRP., Results: The cohort consisted of 1134 patients with a median age of 61 (IQR52-70), 81% males. Patients on statins prior to admission (336/1134, 26%) were more likely to have CRP levels within normal range (≤5 mg/l) compared to patients without prior treatment, both at admission (75 vs. 24%, p = 0.004) and at 24 h (70 vs. 48%, p = 0.029). The prevalence of patients with pre-admission statin therapy decreased as ΔCRP increased (p = 0.004; n = 301). The likelihood of ΔCRP to be above 5 mg/l in patients with pre-admission statin therapy was reduced after age and gender adjustments (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.92, p = 0.023) and in multivariate (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.99, p = 0.048) analysis., Conclusions: Pre-admission statin therapy is associated with a less robust inflammatory response in STEMI patients, highlighting statin's pathophysiological importance.

Background: There are limited data regarding the effect of long-standing hyperglycemia on the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: We retrospectively studied 723 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Patients were stratified into two groups according to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels as a marker of prolonged hyperglycemia: those with HbA1c < 7% and those with HbA1c ≥7%. Medical records were reviewed for the occurrence of AKI., Results: HbA1c levels ≥7% were found in 225/723 (31%) of patients. The occurrence of AKI was significantly higher among patients with HbA1c levels ≥7% (32/225, 14%) compared to patients with HbA1c levels < 7% (32/498, 6%; p = 0.001). Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and HbA1c ≥7% had an eight-fold increase in the incidence of AKI compared to patients with HbA1c < 7% and no CKD (32 vs. 4%). In a multivariable regression model, HbA1c ≥7% was independently associated with AKI (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.09-3.36, p = 0.02)., Conclusion: HbA1c ≥7% was associated with a higher likelihood of AKI in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background:: Acute kidney injury is associated with adverse outcomes after acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). It remains unclear, however, whether subclinical increase in serum creatinine that does not reach the consensus criteria for acute kidney injury is also related to adverse outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention., Methods:: We conducted a retrospective study of 1897 consecutive STEMI patients between January 2008 and May 2016 who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and in whom acute kidney injury was not diagnosed throughout hospitalization. We investigated the incidence of subclinical acute kidney injury (defined as serum creatinine increase of ≥ 0.1 and < 0.3 mg/dl) and its relation to a composite end point of adverse in hospital outcomes., Results:: Subclinical acute kidney injury was detected in 321 patients (17%). Patients with subclinical acute kidney injury had increased rate of the composite end point of adverse in-hospital events (20.3% vs. 9.7%, p<0.001), a finding which was independent of baseline renal function. Individual components of this end point (occurrence of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, need for mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality) were all significantly higher among patients with subclinical acute kidney injury ( p< 0.05 for all). In a multivariable regression model subclinical acute kidney injury was independently associated with higher risk for adverse in-hospital events (odds ratio 1.92.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-2.97, p=0.004)., Conclusions:: Among STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention, small, subclinical elevations of serum creatinine, while not fulfilling the consensus criteria for acute kidney injury, may serve as a significant biomarker for adverse outcomes.

Background: A positive family history (FHx+) of coronary artery disease (CAD) is a well-known risk factor for the development of coronary pathology in first-degree relatives. We sought to evaluate the association between FHx+ of CAD and clinical outcomes in patients presenting with a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)., Patients and Methods: A historical cohort study of all patients with a first STEMI, who were admitted to cardiac ICU between 2007 and 2016, was carried out. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to compare patients with or without a FHx+ of CAD. In further analysis, propensity score matching was used to reduce differences in baseline characteristics., Results: The study included 1785 patients, 365 (20%) of whom had FHx+ of CAD. FHx+ was associated with decreased in-hospital major adverse events and long-term mortality rates (hazard ratio=0.208, 95% confidence interval: 0.051-0.857; P=0.03). After propensity score matching, patients with FHx+ had decreased long-term mortality rates (hazard ratio=0.105, 95% confidence interval: 0.033-0.33; P<0.001)., Conclusion: In this large cohort of patients with STEMI, FHx+ was associated with better short-term and long-term outcomes. Understanding the rule of FHx in patients with STEMI is important to evaluate the prognosis and may help to construct a prediction model for patients admitted to cardiac ICU.

Background: Recent reports have demonstrated the adverse effects of venous congestion on renal function in patients with heart failure. None of these trials, however, has evaluated the effect of acute myocardial ischemia on the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI)., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 1336 ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between June 2012 and June 2016. Comprehensive echocardiographic examination was performed within 72 h of hospital admission. Non-invasive evaluation of central venous pressure (CVP) was estimated from measurements of inferior vena cava diameter and its collapsibility. Intermediate-high CVP was defined as ≥ 8 mm/Hg. Patients were stratified according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and CVP and assessed for AKI., Results: Intermediate-high CVP was associated with AKI both in patients with LVEF greater than 45% and those with 45% or lower. Patients having LVEF ≤ 45% and intermediate-high CVP had a 10-fold increase in the incidence of AKI compared to patients with LVEF > 45% and normal CVP (39 vs. 4%). In a multivariable logistic regression model, intermediate-high CVP was independently associated with AKI (OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.54-4.87; p = 0.001). Other variables associated with AKI included LVEF ≤ 45% (OR = 2.37, 95%CI 1.25-4.51; p = 0.008), time to reperfusion, mechanical ventilation and chronic kidney disease., Conclusions: Among STEMI patients undergoing PCI, the utilization of simple echocardiographic measurements (LVEF and CVP) may be useful for early identification of those at high risk for AKI.

Objective: Delay in seeking medical care following symptom onset in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is related to increased morbidity and mortality. Actual trends of prehospital delays in patients hospitalized with STEMI have not been well characterized. We evaluated trends in the length of time that had elapsed from symptom onset to hospital presentation among STEMI patients admitted to our hospital., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively studied 2203 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between January 2008 and December 2016. Information on the delay in time from symptom onset to presentation at hospital was extracted from the patients' medical records., Results: Over the 9-year study period, the median duration of prehospital delay for patients undergoing primary PCI showed significant variations, being maximal between the years 2013 and 2014 (150 vs. 90 min, respectively, P<0.001). A significant increase was found in the proportion of patients with prehospital delay less than 2 h, being maximal between the years 2011 and 2013 (64 vs. 47%, P=0.001). An opposite trend was found for decrease in patients with prehospital delay more than 6 h, being maximal between 2008 and 2015 (32 vs. 23%, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression model showed that older age, diabetes, female sex, and first STEMI were associated independently with prehospital delay more than 2 h., Conclusion: Prehospital delay periods for patients undergoing primary PCI showed variations over time. More efforts are needed to educate at-risk populations about seeking early medical assistance.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) following acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with adverse outcomes. The recently proposed KDIGO criteria suggested modifications to the consensus classification system for AKI, namely lowering the threshold of increase in absolute serum creatinine and extending the time frame for AKI detection to 7 days. We evaluated the incidence, risk factors, and long-term mortality associated with AKI as classified by the KDIGO definition in a large single center cohort of consecutive STEMI patients., Methods: We retrospectively studied 2122 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recruited patients were admitted between January 2008 and May 2016 to the cardiac intensive care unit with the diagnosis of acute STEMI. We compared the utilization of the KDIGO and consensus criteria for the diagnosis of AKI and its relation to long term mortality., Results: The KDIGO criteria allowed the identification of more patients as having AKI (10.6 vs. 5.6%, p < 0.001) compared to the consensus criteria. Even mild elevation of serum creatinine (≥ 0.3 mg/dL) was associated with a marked increase in all-cause mortality (HR 4.7, 95% CI 3.1-6.43, p < 0.001). Patients with AKI whose renal function resolved prior to hospital discharge still had significantly higher mortality compared to patients with no AKI (23 vs. 8%, HR 3.1, 95% CI 2.09-4.90, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: KDIGO criteria is more sensitive than the consensus criteria in defining AKI in STEMI patients and identifying populations at risk for long term adverse outcomes.

Background: Since the advent of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), studies have reported a declining incidence of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated the incidence and outcomes of early (pre-discharge) LVT in the contemporary era of PCI practice in a large cohort of STEMI patients., Methods: We retrospectively studied 2071 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful primary PCI. Screening echocardiography was performed within 24-48 h of admission. Patients with anterior STEMI were treated with intravenous heparin for 24-48 h until a first echocardiography test was performed. Patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) ≤40% had a repeat test before hospital discharge (days 5-7). Heparin was continued in case of significant left ventricular dysfunction (EF < 35%) or apical akinesis or dyskinesis, until a second test ruled out LVT., Results: LVT was diagnosed before hospital discharge in 31/2071 patients (1.5%), 28 of whom (90%) had anterior STEMI. Only 2/31 patients with LVT (6.5%) developed embolic events before discharge and 1/31 (3.2%) had an episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that required blood transfusion. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding in-hospital STEMI-related complications, short- and long-term mortality. All LVTs resolved in subsequent echocardiograms within 6 months of discharge., Conclusions: We report a low incidence of early LVT following STEMI. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of a limited in-hospital anticoagulation protocol in STEMI patients with reduced EF.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-known complication in the setting of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Data on the long-term prognostic implications of New-Onset AF (NOAF) complicating STEMI in the era of complete revascularization remains controversial. Our aim therefore was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of prior AF (pAF) and new-onset AF (NOAF) in STEMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: We studied 1657 consecutive STEMI patients hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit during 2008-2014. We reviewed patient records for the occurrence of pAF and NOAF. NOAF was defined as AF occurring within 30days of the STEMI episode. Patients were followed for a mean period of 3.4±2.1years., Results: Within our cohort 77 (4.6%) patients had pAF and 47 (2.8%) had NOAF. Patients with any AF were older and had a reduced systolic ejection fraction. Thirty-day mortality and all-cause mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with pAF in comparison to those without AF (9.1% vs. 2.2% p<0.001 and 31.2% vs. 9.4%, p<0.001, respectively). NOAF showed a trend for increased all-cause mortality (17% vs. 9.1%, p=0.07) and 30-days mortality (6.4% vs. 2.1%. p=0.09). In a multivariate regression model, pAF but not NOAF was a predictor of mortality throughout the follow-up period (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1, p=0.005 and HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.56 to 2.2, p=0.75, respectively)., Conclusions: Prior AF and not new-onset AF is an independent predictor of both short and long term mortality in patients treated with PCI., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Positive fluid balance has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients admitted to general intensive care units. We analysed the relationship between a positive fluid balance and its persistence over time in terms of in-hospital outcomes among ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients complicated by cardiogenic shock., Methods: We retrospectively studied fluid intake and output for 96 hours following hospital admission in 48 consecutive adult patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock, all undergoing primary angioplasty. Daily and accumulated fluid balance was registered at up to 96 hours following admission. The cohort was stratified into two groups based on the presence or absence of positive fluid balance on day 4. Patients' records were assessed for in-hospital adverse outcomes, as well as 30-day all-cause mortality., Results: A positive fluid balance was present in 19/48 patients (40%). Patients with positive fluid balance were older and more likely to be treated by intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation and antibiotics. These patients were more likely to develop acute kidney injury and to need new intubation and were less likely to have renal function recovery as well as successful weaning from mechanical ventilation ( p < 0.05 for all). Patients with positive fluid balance had higher 30-day mortality (68% vs. 10%; p < 0.001). In a multivariate Cox regression model, for every 1-L increase in positive fluid balance, the adjusted risk for 30-day mortality increased by 24% (hazard ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.42; p = 0.003)., Conclusions: A positive fluid balance was strongly associated with higher 30-day mortality in STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Purpose: We analyzed the relationship between a positive fluid balance and its persistence over time on acute kidney injury (AKI) development, severity and resolution among ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients complicated by cardiogenic shock., Methods: We retrospectively studied the cumulative fluid balance intake and output at 96h following hospital admission in 84 consecutive adult patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock. The cohort was stratified into two groups, based on the presence or absence of positive fluid balance on day 4. Patients' records were assessed for the development of AKI, AKI severity and recovery., Results: Patients having positive fluid balance were more likely to develop a more severe AKI stage (52% vs. 13%; p<0.001), were less likely to have recovery of their renal function (29% vs. 75%, p=0.001), and demonstrated positive correlation between the amount of fluid accumulated and the rise in serum creatinine (R=0.42, p=0.004). For every 1l increase in positive fluid balance, the adjusted possibility for recovery of renal function decreased by 21% (OR=0.796, 95% CI 0.67-0.93; p=0.006)., Conclusions: A positive fluid balance was strongly associated with higher stage AKI and lower rate of AKI recovery in STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The new European Society of Cardiology guidelines reclassified heart failure according to left ventricular ejection fraction, recognizing patients with mid-range EF (mrEF; 40% to 49%) as a distinct group. We sought to investigate the clinical profile, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term mortality of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention who had mrEF. We conducted a retrospective study of 2,086 consecutive patients with STEMI between December 2007 and June 2016 who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention and had a comprehensive echocardiographic examination performed within 72 hours of hospital admission. Patients were stratified according to their left ventricular ejection fraction-mrEF (40% to 49%), reduced EF (rEF; <40%), and preserved EF (pEF; ≥50%) groups and evaluated for baseline characteristics, in-hospital outcomes, as well as for long-term mortality. A total of 858 of 2,086 patients (41%) had mrEF, 215 of 2086 (10%) had rEF, and 1,013 of 2,086 (48%) had pEF. Patients with mrEF had nearly similar baseline co-morbidities and similar 30-day mortality compared with patients with pEF (2% vs 1%, p = 0.17). In a univariate analysis, long-term mortality was higher compared with those with pEF (9.8% vs 7.2%, p <0.01). In a multivariate Cox regression model, mrEF was independently associated with increased long-term mortality risk compared with pEF (hazard ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.93, p = 0.04). In conclusion, among STEMI patients, those with mrEF at presentation constitute a distinct group in terms of baseline characteristics, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term mortality., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Our aim was to evaluate the mortality rate and occurrence of complications in patients aged <75 versus ≥75 years with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We studied 1,657 consecutive patients with STEMI hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit during 2008 to 2014. All patients underwent primary percutaneous intervention, of which 292 (18%) were aged ≥75 years. Patient records were evaluated for in-hospital complications, 30-day mortality, and long-term mortality over a mean period of 3.4 ± 2.1 years. Compared with younger patients, patients aged ≥75 years had a significantly higher rate of coronary disease risk factors, prolonged symptom duration (512 ± 640 vs 333 ± 545 minutes, p <0.01) and door-to-balloon time (51.1 ± 24 vs 45.6 ± 38, p = 0.02). Patients aged ≥75 years had more in-hospital noncardiac and cardiac complications, including cardiogenic shock and arrhythmia, and had higher 30-day and long-term mortalities. Cardiogenic shock was associated with increased short- and long-term mortality in the older group but was not incremental over the noncardiogenic shock cohort. In conclusion, in patients aged ≥75 years who underwent primary percutaneous intervention for STEMI, the short- and long-term mortality rate was greater than fourfold higher compared with younger patients., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Context: There is a known association between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and adverse outcomes in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The optimal time frame to measure CRP for risk stratification is not known., Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relation between the change in CRP velocity (CRPv) and 30-d mortality among STEMI patients., Material and Methods: We included consecutive patients with a diagnosis of STEMI who presented to Tel-Aviv Medical Center between 2008 and 2014 and had their CRP measured with a wide range assay (wr-CRP) at least twice during the 24 h after admission. CRPv was defined as the change in wr-CRP concentration (mg/l) divided by the change in time (in hours) between the two measurements., Results: The study population comprised of 492 patients, mean age was 62 ± 14, 80% were male. CRPv was significantly higher among patients who died within 30 d of admission (1.42 mg/l versus 0.18 mg/l, p < 0.001). In a multivariate regression model adjusted to multiple confounders, CRPv was independently associated with 30-d mortality (OR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.20-1.62, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: CRPv might be an independent and rapidly measurable biomarker for short-term mortality in patients presenting with STEMI.

Objective: Increased transmitral flow velocity (E) to the early mitral annulus velocity (e') ratio (E/e'), signifying increased cardiac filling pressure, was previously found to be associated with deterioration of renal function in patients with congestive heart failure. No study, however, included patients with acute myocardial ischemia. We hypothesized that elevated E/e' ratio would be associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Study Design and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 804 consecutive STEMI patients between June 2012 and December 2015 who underwent primary PCI and had a comprehensive echocardiographic examination performed within 72 h of hospital admission. Patients were stratified according to E/e' ratio above and ≤15, and assessed for AKI using the KDIGO criteria, defined as either a serum creatinine rise >0.3 mg/dl, or an increase in serum creatinine ≥1.5 times baseline., Results: Patients with E/e' ratio >15 had lower left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, higher systolic pulmonary artery pressures, as well as right atrial pressures, and demonstrated worse in-hospital outcomes. Patients with E/e' ratio >15 had more AKI complicating STEMI (27 vs. 7 %; p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression model, E/e' ratio >15 was independently associated with AKI (OR = 1.87, 95 % CI 0.99-3.52; p = 0.05). Other variables associated with AKI included diabetes, LV ejection fraction, and glomerular filtration rate., Conclusions: Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, the early E/e' ratio >15 was associated with increased risk for AKI.

Objectives: Previous reports showed inconsistencies in the outcomes and prognosis of stent thrombosis (ST) when stratified according to the timing of its occurrence. We evaluated the incidence and possible prognostic implications of early and late ST presenting as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a large cohort of consecutive patients undergoing a primary percutaneous coronary intervention., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied 1722 STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The presence of ST was determined using the Academic Research Consortium definitions. Patients were evaluated for the time of ST (early, late) and for in-hospital outcomes as well as long-term mortality., Results: A total of 83/1722 (4.8%) patients showed definite ST, 35 (42%) of whom had early ST and 48 (58%) had late ST. Patients with early ST had more adverse events during hospitalization as well as higher 30-day mortality compared with patients with late or no ST (11 vs. 0 vs. 2%, P<0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression model, early ST was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (odds ratio 6.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1-38, P=0.033). No significant difference was observed in long-term mortality between patients presenting with early, late ST, or no ST., Conclusion: Early ST manifested as STEMI is associated independently with a higher 30-day mortality rate in comparison with STEMI because of late ST or de-novo coronary thrombosis.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction and remodeling of the left ventricle is associated with significant changes in systolic and diastolic echocardiographic derived indices. The investigators have tried to determine whether persistence of increased ratio of transmitral flow velocity (E) to early mitral annulus velocity (e'), signifying increased cardiac filling pressure, is associated with left ventricular (LV) remodeling and increased chamber size among patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, who underwent successful reperfusion with primary percutaneous coronary intervention., Methods: Fifty-two patients (76% men; mean age, 61 ± 10 years) with first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were retrospectively studied. Echocardiography was performed at baseline (days 1-3) and after 178 ± 62 days. Patients were stratified according to E/septal e' ratio >15 and ≤15 in both examinations. All patients received optimal medical therapy according to guidelines and local practice., Results: Patients with maintained or worsened E/septal e' ratios to >15 demonstrated on the second examination worse LV ejection fractions (mean, 45 ± 12% vs 52 ± 8%; P = .03) and higher indexed LV end-diastolic volumes (mean, 81.3 ± 22.9 vs 69.2 ± 13.4 mL/m(2); P = .01) and end-systolic volumes (mean, 33.0 ± 12.2 vs 23.7 ± 13.4 mL/m(2); P = .02) compared with the first examination, representing LV remodeling. Patients with E/septal e' ratios > 15 on the second examination demonstrated a positive correlation between the change in E/septal e' ratio and the change in indexed LV end-diastolic volume (linear R(2) = 0.344, P = .03)., Conclusions: Among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, early and persistent elevation of the E/septal e' ratio may be associated with LV remodeling., (Copyright © 2016 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Recent reports have demonstrated the adverse effects of venous congestion on renal function in patients having heart failure. None of the above trials, however, included patients with acute ischemia., Hypothesis: Echocardiographic correlates of increased right ventricular afterload would be associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive 930 STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI and had a full echocardiography study performed within 72 hours of hospital admission between June 2011 and December 2014., Results: Echocardiography demonstrated that patients with AKI had significantly lower left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), and right atrial pressures (P < 0.001 for all). Following the performance of logistic multivariate analysis model, SPAP (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04-1.11; P < 0.001) and LV ejection fraction (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.99; P = 0.03) emerged as independent predictors of AKI. On receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the optimal cutoff value of SPAP to predict AKI was measured as more than 32 mmHg, with 71% sensitivity and 62% specificity (AUC 0.739, 95% CI 0.671-0.806, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, worse LV function and elevated SPAP were associated with increased risk of AKI., (© 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an inflammatory biomarker related to acute kidney injury (AKI). Including 1892 consecutive patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in which NGAL was measured in 1624 (86%) on admission and in a consecutive subgroup at 6–12 h (n = 163) and 12–24 h (n = 222) after admission, this study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of NGAL in predicting AKI and mortality. Patients were stratified based on whether their admission NGAL plasma concentration was greater than or equal to/less than the median. The primary endpoint was a composite of the first occurrence of AKI or all-cause death within 30 days. AKI was classified by the maximal plasma creatinine increase from baseline during index admission as KDIGO1 (<200% increase) or KDIGO23 (≥200% increase) according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) system. Admission NGAL > the median was independently associated with a higher risk of severe AKI (KDIGO2-3) and 30-day all-cause mortality when adjusted for age, admission systolic blood pressure and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, left-ventricular ejection fraction, known kidney dysfunction, and cardiogenic shock with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.26 (1.18–4.51), p = 0.014. Finally, we observed increasing predictive values in a subgroup during the first day of hospitalization suggesting that assessment of NGAL should be delayed for optimal prognostic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are prone to a wide range of complications; one complication that is constantly correlated with a worse prognosis is acute kidney injury (AKI). Gender as an independent risk factor for said complications has raised some interest; however, studies have shown conflicting results so far. We aimed to investigate the possible relation of gender to the occurrence of AKI in STEMI patients undergoing PCI. This retrospective observational study cohort included 2967 consecutive patients admitted with STEMI between the years 2008 and 2019. Their renal outcomes were assessed according to KDIGO criteria (AKI serum creatinine ≥ 0.3 mg/dL from baseline within 48 h from admission), and in-hospital complications and mortality were reviewed. Our main results show that female patients were older (69 vs. 60, p < 0.001) and had higher rates of diabetes (29.2% vs. 23%, p < 0.001), hypertension (62.9% vs. 41.3%, p < 0.001), and chronic kidney disease (26.7% vs. 19.3%, p < 0.001). Females also had a higher rate of AKI (12.7% vs. 7.8%, p < 0.001), and among patients with AKI, severe AKI was also more prevalent in females (26.1% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.03). However, in multivariate analyses, after adjusting for the baseline characteristics above, the female gender was a non-significant predictor for AKI (adjusted OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.73–1.4, p = 0.94) or severe AKI (adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI 0.80–1.65, p = 0.18). In conclusion, while females had higher rates of AKI and severe AKI, gender was not independently associated with AKI after adjusting for other confounding variables. Other comorbidities that are more prevalent in females can account for the difference in AKI between genders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mortality from acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was significantly reduced with the introduction of percutaneous catheterization intervention (PCI) but remains high in patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI). Previous studies found overweight to be protective from mortality in patients suffering from STEMI and AKI separately but not as they occur concurrently. This study aimed to establish the relationship between AKI and mortality in STEMI patients after PCI and whether body mass index (BMI) has a protective impact. Between January 2008 and June 2016, two thousand one hundred and forty-one patients with STEMI underwent PCI and were admitted to the Tel Aviv Medical Center Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Their demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were collected and analyzed. We compared all-cause mortality in patients who developed AKI after PCI for STEMI and those who did not. In total, 178 patients (10%) developed AKI and had higher mortality (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between AKI, BMI, and mortality. AKI was significantly associated with both 30-day and overall mortality, while BMI had a significant protective effect. Survival analysis found a significant difference in 30-day and overall survival between patients with and without AKI with a significant protective effect of BMI on survival at 30 days. AKI presents a major risk for mortality and poor survival after PCI for STEMI, yet a beneficial effect of increased BMI modifies it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent practice guidelines recommended the use of new stress, functional, and damage biomarkers in clinical practice to prevent and manage acute kidney injury (AKI). Biomarkers are one of the tools used to define various AKI phenotypes and provide prognostic information regardless of an acute decline in renal function. We investigated the incidence and possible implications of AKI phenotypes among ST elevation myocardial infarction patient treated with primary coronary intervention. We included 281 patients with STEMI treated with PCI. Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) was utilized to determine structural renal damage and functional AKI was determined using the KDIGO criteria. Patients were stratified into four AKI phenotypes: no AKI, subclinical AKI, hemodynamic AKI, and severe AKI. Patients were assessed for in-hospital adverse events (MACE). A total of 46 patients (44%) had subclinical AKI, 17 (16%) had hemodynamic AKI, and 42 (40%) had severe AKI. We observed a gradual and significant increase in the occurrence of MACE between the groups being highest among patients with severe AKI (10% vs. 19% vs. 29% vs. 43%; p < 0.001). In a multivariable regression model, any AKI phenotype was independently associated with MACE with an odds ratio of 4.15 (95% CI 2.1–8.3, p < 0.001,) for subclinical AKI, 4.51 (95% CI 1.61–12.69; p = 0.004) for hemodynamic AKI, and 12.9 (95% CI 5.59–30.1, p < 0.001) for severe AKI. In conclusion, among STEMI patients, AKI is a heterogeneous condition consisting of distinct phenotypes, addition of novel biomarkers may overcome the limitations of sCr-based AKI definitions to improve AKI phenotyping and direct potential therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) early during an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may reflect the magnitude of the inflammatory response to myocardial damage and are associated with worse outcome. However, the routine measurement of both CRP and cardiac troponin simultaneously in the setting of ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not used broadly. Here, we sought to identify and characterize individuals who are prone to an elevated inflammatory response following STEMI by using a combined CRP and troponin test (CTT) and determine their short- and long-term outcome. We retrospectively examined 1186 patients with the diagnosis of acute STEMI, who had at least two successive measurements of combined CRP and cardiac troponin (up to 6 h apart), all within the first 48 h of admission. We used Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) tree analysis to determine which parameters, timing (baseline vs. serial measurements), and cut-offs should be used to predict mortality. Patients with high CRP concentrations (above 90th percentile, >33 mg/L) had higher 30 day and all-cause mortality rates compared to the rest of the cohort, regardless of their troponin test status (above or below 118,000 ng/L); 14.4% vs. 2.7%, p < 0.01. Furthermore, patients with both high CRP and high troponin levels on their second measurement had the highest 30-day mortality rates compared to the rest of the cohort; 21.4% vs. 3.7%, p < 0.01. These patients also had the highest all-cause mortality rates after a median follow-up of 4.5 years compared to the rest of the cohort; 42.9% vs. 12.7%, p < 0.01. In conclusion, serial measurements of both CRP and cardiac troponin might detect patients at increased risk for short-and long-term mortality following STEMI. We suggest the future use of the combined CTT as a potential early marker for inflammatory-prone patients with worse outcomes following ACS. This sub-type of patients might benefit from early anti-inflammatory therapy such as colchicine and anti-interleukin-1ß agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Identification of different AKI recovery patterns may improve patient prognostic stratification. We investigated the clinical relevance of AKI recovery patterns among STEMI patients undergoing PCI. Methods: A retrospective study of 2943 STEMI patients undergoing PCI. The incidence of renal impairment, in-hospital complications, short and long-term mortality, were compared between patients without AKI, with early recovery defined as a return to baseline creatinine within 72 h, and no AKI recovery/delayed recovery defined as all other AKI cases. Results: A total of 255 (8.7%) patients developed AKI, of whom 124/255 (49%) patients had an early recovery, whereas 131/255 (51%) had no AKI recovery/delayed recovery. Patients without recovery were more likely to have in-hospital complications and higher long-term mortality (36.64% vs. 7.25%%; p < 0.001). In a multivariable regression model, the mortality hazard ratio (HR) for long term mortality remained significant for patients with no/delayed recovery AKI (HR 7.76, 95% CI 4.69 to 12.86, p < 0.001), and a strong trend among patients with resolving AKI (HR 2.09, 95% CI 0.933–4.687, p = 0.071). Conclusions: Among STEMI patients undergoing PCI, the recovery pattern of AKI is a valuable prognostic marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elevated serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels reflect both inflammatory reactions and renal tubular injury. Recently, associations with endothelial dysfunction and plaque instability were also proposed. We investigated the prognostic utility of elevated NGAL levels for renal and clinical outcomes among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: We performed a prospective, observational, open-label trial. High NGAL was defined as values within the third tertile (>66 percentile). Results: A total of 267 patients were included (mean age 66 ± 14 years, 81% males). Short-term adverse outcomes were consistently increased in the high NGAL group with more acute kidney injury, lower mean left ventricular ejection fraction, higher 30-day mortality, and higher incidence for the composite outcome of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). In a multivariate logistic regression model, high NGAL emerged as a strong and independent predictor for MACE (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.15–3.73, p = 0.014). Conclusions: Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, elevated NGAL levels are associated with adverse renal and cardiovascular outcomes, independent of traditional inflammatory markers. Further studies are needed to assess the potentially unique role of NGAL in cardio–renal interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]