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The appropriateness use criteria (AUC) for coronary revascularization have been formulated through the joint efforts of several professional societies. The goals of AUC were to aid in physician decision making and to objectively define the need and context for revascularization. These criteria, developed using a standardized approach, were widely promoted and adopted in many practices. Rigorous use in daily practice and public reporting of adherence to these criteria has exposed some of their deficiencies. Revisions to the original version were made to accommodate public and physician sentiments. Not surprisingly, the recent percutaneous coronary intervention performance measures developed by the same professional societies that have proposed AUC, have suggested that AUC should be used for internal quality improvement only at this time. Therefore, the present role and future application of AUC to cardiology practice is uncertain. The goals of this review are to describe methodology and development of the coronary revascularization AUC, to focus on the strengths and limitations of AUC, and to identify challenges related to application of these criteria in daily practice.

Objectives This study sought to investigate the effect of treatment delay on microvascular reperfusion in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients from the large, multicenter, prospective HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial. Background Despite restoration of epicardial blood flow during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), one-third of patients do not obtain myocardial perfusion due to impairment in the microvascular circulation. Methods We examined the effect of symptom onset-to-balloon time (SBT) and door-to-balloon time (DBT) on myocardial reperfusion during primary PCI in STEMI, utilizing resolution of ST-segment elevation (STR) and the myocardial blush grade (MBG). The primary analysis was the relationships between SBT ≤2, >2 to 4, and >4 h and DBT ≤1, >1 to 1.5, >1.5 to 2, and >2 h with MBG and STR. Clinical risk was assessed using a modified version of the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction risk score for STEMI. Results In 2,056 patients, absent microvascular perfusion (MBG 0/1) and STR (STR Conclusions The present study suggests that delay in mechanical reperfusion therapy during STEMI is associated with greater injury to the microcirculation.

The association between anatomic features of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and outcomes in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been fully investigated. We sought to clarify the impact of an LAD coronary artery wrapping around the left ventricular (LV) apex on clinical outcomes in patients with anterior STEMI. Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction enrolled patients with STEMI presenting12 hours after symptom onset who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients with a culprit lesion in the LAD were categorized as (1) LAD wrapping around the LV apex (wrap-around LAD, n = 871) versus (2) LAD not wrapping around the LV apex (non-wrap-around LAD, n = 224). Killip class ≥II, dysrhythmia, and LV mural thrombi were more frequently observed in the wrap-around LAD group; LV ejection fraction was worse in the wrap-around LAD group (54.5% vs 58.7%, p = 0.006). At 3 years of follow-up, major adverse cardiac events (death, stroke, or stent thrombosis, 12.7% vs 5.4%, p = 0.002), death (6.6% vs 3.2%, p = 0.052), stroke (1.9% vs 0.5%, p = 0.12), stent thrombosis (5.6% vs 2.3%, p = 0.047), and severe heart failure (4.5% vs 1.4%, p = 0.03) were more common in patients with a wrap-around LAD versus those with a non-wrap-around LAD. Multivariate analysis indicated that a wrap-around LAD independently and significantly predicted major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio 2.18, p = 0.02) and severe heart failure (odds ratio 3.31, p = 0.049) in patients with an anterior STEMI. In conclusion, a wrap-around LAD predicted adverse clinical outcomes at 3 years in patients with anterior STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aims To determine whether multivessel (MV) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed in one procedure improves outcomes when compared to single-vessel (SV) PCI for the culprit lesion(s) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Methods and results We utilised the Acute Catheterisation and Urgent Intervention Triage StrategY (ACUITY) study database to analyse the outcomes of 2,255 patients with MV disease who underwent SV PCI compared to 609 patients who underwent MV PCI in the setting of NSTE-ACS. The primary endpoint was the one-year rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE): death from any cause, myocardial infarction (MI), or ischaemia-driven revascularisation. At one year, patients undergoing MV PCI compared to SV PCI had similar rates of MACE (24.1% vs. 21.7%, respectively, p=0.11). However, death/MI was significantly higher in the MV PCI group (15.7% vs. 12.6%, p=0.05), primarily driven by higher rates of periprocedural non-Q-wave MI. Rates of death, ischaemia-driven revascularisation, stent thrombosis, acute renal failure and major bleeding were similar in both groups. By multivariable analysis with propensity score adjustment, MV PCI was not an independent predictor of one-year MACE (HR=1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96, 1.55; p=0.12) or death/MI (HR=1.28; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.74; p=0.15). Conclusions In patients with NSTE-ACS and MV disease, MV PCI does not appear to provide a clear clinical benefit over SV PCI. Randomised clinical trials specifically addressing these two strategies in this population, with attention to quality of life and symptom relief, are warranted.

The relation between left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) anatomic features and clinical outcomes in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction has not been fully investigated. The Intracoronary Abciximab and Aspiration Thrombectomy in Patients With Large Anterior Myocardial Infarction (INFUSE-AMI) trial randomized 452 patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions who underwent mechanical revascularization to intralesional abciximab versus no abciximab and to manual thrombus aspiration versus no aspiration. The primary end point was infarct size (percentage left ventricular mass) on contrast magnetic resonance imaging at 30 days. "Wraparound LAD" was defined as an LAD reaching the apex and supplying the apical inferior aspect of the heart. Among complete data available in 338 patients, 258 (76.3%) had wraparound LADs. Global infarct size (17.4% vs 16.1%, p = 0.64) and the left ventricular ejection fraction (49.7% vs 48.7%, p = 0.98) by contrast magnetic resonance imaging at 30 days were comparable between patients with and those without wraparound LADs. Regional apical anterior infarct size was comparable (59.5% vs 55.8%, p = 0.559) between the groups; however, apical septal (61.3% vs 48.9%, p = 0.005), apical inferior (19.0% vs 3.7%, p

Objectives We sought to estimate the direct costs (in-hospital and 30-day) associated with an intraprocedural thrombotic event (IPTE) among patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background Patients with IPTE have higher rates of in-hospital and 30-day major adverse cardiac events than patients without IPTE. The extent to which IPTE also add to medical costs is unknown. Methods Hospital costs for patients in the ACUITY Trial were compared between patients with and without IPTE. Adjusted comparisons were performed using generalized linear models (GLMs). All costs are reported in 2012 US dollars. Results A total of 1,307 patients with both core laboratory-based angiographic assessment and detailed economic data were included in the final study population. IPTE occurred in 52 patients (4.0%). Median in-hospital costs were higher in patients with IPTE than in those without IPTE ($23,719 vs. $18,419, P = 0.01). Thirty-day median costs were also higher for IPTE patients ($23,719 vs. $19,556, P = 0.05). After adjusting for baseline differences, IPTE was associated with 19.5% (95% CI: [2.8–38.8%], P = 0.02) and 18.9% (95% CI: [1.2–39.7%], P = 0.04) increases in in-hospital and 30-day costs, respectively. These relative differences represent median increases of $3,592 in initial hospital costs and $3,696 in 30-day costs. Conclusions The occurrence of IPTE during the index PCI in patients with NSTEACS is associated with substantial increases in-hospital and 30-day costs. These findings suggest that strategies to prevent IPTE may be associated with important cost offsets as well as improved clinical outcomes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Infarct size after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with long-term clinical outcomes. However, there is insufficient information correlating creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) or troponin levels to infarct size and infarct location in first-time occurrence of STEMI. We, therefore, assessed the utility of CK-MB measurements after primary percutaneous coronary intervention of a first anterior STEMI using bivalirudin anticoagulation in patients who were randomized to intralesion abciximab versus no abciximab and to manual thrombus aspiration versus no aspiration. Infarct size (as a percentage of total left ventricular [LV] mass) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 30 days and correlated to peak CK-MB. Peak CK-MB (median 240 IU/L; interquartile range 126 to 414) was significantly associated with infarct size and with LVEF (r = 0.67, p0.001; r = -0.56, p0.001, respectively). A large infarct size (greater than or equal the median, defined as 17% of total LV mass) and LVEF ≤40% were more common in the highest peak CK-MB tertile group than in the other tertiles (87.6% vs 49.5% vs 9.1%, p0.001; 43.2% vs 14.0% vs 4.6%, p0.001, respectively). Peak CK-MB of at least 300 IU/L predicted with moderate accuracy both a large infarct size (area under the curve 0.88) and an LVEF ≤40% (area under the curve 0.78). Furthermore, CK-MB was an independent predictor of 1-year major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio 1.42 per each additional 100 IU/L [1.20 to 1.67], p0.001). In conclusion, CK-MB measurement is useful in estimating infarct size and LVEF and in predicting 1-year clinical outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for first anterior STEMI.

Large thrombus burden negatively affects the results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated the impact of thrombus burden in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI with the mesh-covered MGuard stent (InspireMD Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel) versus a control bare-metal or drug-eluting stent. In 433 patients with STEMI randomized to the MGuard stent versus a control stent, angiographically visible thrombus was identified in 383 patients (88.5%), with median thrombus area 30.15 mm(2) (22.70, 41.93). Lesions with large thrombus (areamedian) were treated with more frequent use of manual aspiration (80.8% vs 65.8%, p = 0.0009) and longer (22.1 ± 5.9 vs 19.4 ± 5.4 mm, p0.0001) and larger (3.46 ± 0.40 vs 3.29 ± 0.36 mm, p0.0001) stents. PCI of lesions with large thrombus burden had more thrombotic complications (30.6% vs 15.9%, p = 0.0007) and reduced angiographic success (80.3% vs 91.1%, p = 0.003). In large thrombus lesions, the MGuard stent was more effective than control stents in achieving Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction-3 flow (87.9% vs 74.5%, p = 0.02) and tended to result in less slow flow or no reflow (8.8% vs 17.6%, p = 0.07). ST-segment resolution was improved with the MGuard, and clinical outcomes were favorable in both stent groups, regardless of thrombus burden. In conclusion, reperfusion success is reduced after primary PCI in lesions with large thrombus burden, an outcome that may be modified by the MGuard stent.

Background Women are more likely than men to experience adverse cardiac events after ST-elevation myocardial (STEMI). Whether differences in infarct size or reperfusion contribute to sex differences in outcomes is unknown. Methods We compared baseline and procedural characteristics, angiographic and electrocardiographic indices of reperfusion, microvascular obstruction, infarct size, and clinical outcomes in 118 women and 334 men with anterior STEMI enrolled in the INFUSE-AMI randomized trial of intralesion abciximab and aspiration thrombectomy (NCT00976521). Infarct size was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 30days, and clinical end points were adjudicated by an independent committee. Results Women were older, were more commonly affected by hypertension and renal impairment, and had a 50.5-minute longer delay to reperfusion. There were no differences in infarct size, microvascular obstruction, or reperfusion success. At 30days, major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as death, reinfarction, new-onset severe heart failure, or rehospitalization for heart failure, were more common in women (11.1% vs 5.4%, hazard ratio 2.09, 95% CI 1.03-4.27, P = .04). After multivariable adjustment, age, but not sex or time to reperfusion, was an independent predictor of MACE. Conclusions In the INFUSE-AMI randomized trial, women with anterior STEMI experienced a higher rate of MACE, attributable to older age. Despite longer delay from symptom onset to reperfusion therapy, there was no difference between women and men in infarct size or reperfusion success.

Two decades ago, Lee et al. [(1)][1] identified the major predictors of mortality within 30 days after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with 1 of 4 fibrinolysis regimens in the GUSTO-I (Global Utilization of Streptokinase To Open Occluded Arteries) trial. Among 41

BACKGROUND: The risk of recurrent ischemic and bleeding events after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may not be uniform over time, which may affect the benefit-to-risk ratio of guideline-recommended antithrombotic therapies in different intervals. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize the average daily ischemic rates (ADIRs) and average daily bleeding rates (ADBRs) within the first year after primary PCI for STEMI. METHODS: Among 3,602 patients with STEMI who were enrolled in the HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial, all ischemic and bleeding events, including recurrent events, were classified according to the timing of their occurrence as acute (?24 h after PCI), subacute (1 day to 30 days), and late (30 days to 1 year). Patients were treated with aspirin and clopidogrel for the entire year. ADIRs included cardiac death, reinfarction, and definite stent thrombosis. ADBRs included non-coronary artery bypass graft-related Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction major and minor bleeding. ADIRs and ADBRs were calculated as the total number of events divided by the number of patient-days of follow-up in each interval assuming a Poisson distribution. Generalized estimating equations were used to test the absolute least square mean differences (LSMD) between ADIRs and ADBRs. RESULTS: The ADIR and ADBR both exponentially decreased from the acute to the late periods (p < 0.0001). Although there were no significant differences in ADIR and ADBR in the acute phase (LSMD: +0.11%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.35% to 0.58%; p = 0.63), the ADBR was greater than the ADIR in the subacute phase (LSMD: -0.39%; 95% CI: -0.58% to -0.20%; p < 0.0001). In the late phase, the ADIR exceeded the ADBR (LSMD: +1.51%; 95% CI: 1.04% to 1.98%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: After primary PCI, the ADIR and ADBR both markedly decreased over time. Although the rates for bleeding exceeded those for ischemia within 30 days, the daily risk of ischemia significantly exceeded the daily risk of bleeding beyond 30 days, supporting the use of intensified platelet inhibition during the first year after STEMI.

A history of diabetes mellitus (DM) is an independent predictor for adverse events in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Outcomes of patients with STEMI and newly diagnosed DM (NDM) are less well described. We used the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial database to identify the outcomes at 30 days and 3 years according to no, known, and NDM in patients with STEMI. In HORIZONS-AMI, 3,602 patients with STEMI were randomized to bivalirudin versus heparin and a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, and eligible patients were randomized again to a paclitaxel-eluting stent or a bare-metal stent. DM was defined as a history of hyperglycemia managed by insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, or diet. NDM was defined as the absence of previous diagnosis or treatment for DM at baseline and its addition at discharge. DM was present in 593/3,599 patients (16.5%), and NDM was diagnosed in 130 cases (3.6%). Compared with nondiabetics, those with DM and NDM had higher 3-year rates of death (11.4% and 12.0% vs 5.6%, respectively, p0.0001) and major adverse cardiac events (29.6% and 30.2% vs 19.9%, respectively, p0.0001). There were no significant differences in adverse events between new and known diabetic patients. DM and NDM were independent predictors of 3-year mortality and 3-year major adverse cardiac events. In conclusion, patients with NDM have a similarly poor prognosis after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI as those with previously established DM.

BACKGROUND Right Atrial Volume Index (RAVI) measured by echocardiography is an independent predictor of morbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictive value of RAVI assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for all-cause mortality in patients with HFrEF and to assess its additive contribution to the validated Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic heart failure (MAGGIC) score. METHODS AND RESULTS We identified 243 patients (mean age 60 ± 15; 33% women) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% measured by CMR. Right atrial volume was calculated based on area in two- and four -chamber views using validated equation, followed by indexing to body surface area. MAGGIC score was calculated using online calculator. During mean period of 2.4 years 33 patients (14%) died. The mean RAVI was 53 ± 26 ml/m2; significantly larger in patients with than without an event (78.7±29 ml/m2 vs. 48±22 ml/m2, p

Family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) is a well-established risk factor of future cardiovascular events. The authors sought to examine the relationship between family history of CAD and clinical profile and prognosis of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Baseline features and clinical outcomes at 30 days and at 3 years from 3601 patients with STEMI enrolled in the HORIZONS-AMI trial were compared in patients with and without family history of premature CAD, which was present in 1059 patients (29.4%).These patients were younger (median 56.7 vs. 62.1years, P0.0001) and more often current smokers (52.4% vs. 43.5%, P0.0001), had more dyslipidemia (47.7% vs. 41.1%, P=0.0003), less diabetes mellitus (14.1% vs. 17.5%, P=0.01) and had shorter symptom onset to balloon times (median 213 vs. 225 min, P=0.02). Patients with a family history of premature CAD had higher rates of final TIMI 3 flow (93.8% vs. 90.6%, P=0.002), and myocardial blush grade 2 or 3 (83.2% vs. 78.0% P=0.0008), and fewer procedural complications. Although the unadjusted 30-day and 3-year mortality rates were lower in patients with a family history of premature CAD (1.8% vs. 3.0%, P=0.046 and 4.8% vs. 7.7%, P=0.002, respectively), by multivariable analysis the presence of a family history of premature CAD was not an independent predictor of death at 3 years (HR [95%CI]=1.00 [0.70, 1.44], P=0.98).A family history of premature CAD is not an independent predictor of higher mortality.

The ability of stent implantation to improve indexes of reperfusion may depend on the time to reperfusion in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and may also vary with stent type. The purpose of this prespecified analysis from the randomized MGUARD for Acute ST Elevation Reperfusion trial was to evaluate the impact of delay to reperfusion on outcomes in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with the MGuard embolic protection stent or standard metallic stents. A total of 431 patients were divided according to symptom-onset-to-balloon time (SBT) into 2 groups: SBT ≤3 hours (167 patients; 39%) and SBT >3 hours (264 patients; 61%). Complete ST-segment resolution (STR) after percutaneous coronary intervention was more often achieved in patients with shorter SBT (58.6% vs 47%, p = 0.02). At 1 year, the all-cause mortality rate was lower in patients with shorter SBT (0% vs 3.5%, p = 0.02). STR was achieved in 58% of MGuard patients and in 45% of the control stent patients (p = 0.008). STR was 57% in the MGuard group versus 38% in the control group (p = 0.002 for SBT >3 hours) and 60% versus 57% (p = 0.72), respectively, for SBT ≤3 hours (p for interaction = 0.11). In conclusion, longer delay to mechanical reperfusion remains an important factor negatively influencing outcomes in patients with STEMI. Use of the MGuard embolic protection stent compared with conventional metallic stents resulted in superior rates of complete STR, even in patients with longer delays to reperfusion.

Objective To assess the relationship of femoral vascular closure device (VCD) use to bleeding and ischemic events in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) via different anticoagulation strategies. Background It is unknown whether femoral VCD reduce major bleeding after primary PCI for STEMI using bivalirudin anticoagulation. Methods We compared VCD-treated patients with propensity-matched controls in the HORIZONS-AMI trial with respect to net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as the composite of major bleeding unrelated to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and major adverse cardiac events (comprised of death, reinfarction, ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization, and stroke), at 30 days and 1 year. Results Among 3,602 patients enrolled in HORIZONS-AMI, 2,948 underwent primary PCI via femoral arterial access and 896 (30%) received VCDs, of whom 642 were included in our model along with 642 propensity-matched controls. At 30 days, VCD-treated patients had significantly less NACE (6.7% vs. 10.8%, HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.42–0.89, P = 0.009), driven by a lower rate of non-CABG related major bleeding (5.0% vs. 8.1%, HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.94, P = 0.02). Bleeding reduction was maintained at one year and consistent in magnitude regardless of randomization to bivalirudin or unfractionated heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (P for interaction = 0.84). Conclusion In patients undergoing transfemoral primary PCI for STEMI, VCD use was associated with significantly lower non-CABG major bleeding irrespective of anticoagulation strategy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Objectives Our aim was to study the impact of delay from symptom onset to first coronary device on infarct size and clinical outcomes at 30 days and 1 year in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Background Longer delay from symptom onset to reperfusion has been linked to increased mortality and worse clinical outcome. The mechanisms underpinning this association are not entirely clear. Methods The INFUSE-AMI trial (INFUSE-Anterior Myocardial Infarction) randomized patients with anterior STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with bivalirudin anticoagulation within 5 h of symptom onset to intralesion (IL) bolus abciximab versus no abciximab and to thrombus aspiration versus no aspiration. The primary endpoint was contrast magnetic resonance infarct size (IS) (percentage of left ventricular mass) at 30 days. Time to reperfusion was classified as Results There were 280 patients (62%) with Conclusions In patients with large anterior myocardial infarction undergoing relatively early reperfusion, longer delays to reperfusion were associated with larger IS and 1-year mortality, but not with reduced reperfusion success. (The INFUSE - Anterior Myocardial Infarction [AMI] Study; NCT00976521 )

Objective We sought to investigate the relationship between the SYNTAX score (SS) and stent thrombosis (ST) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background The relationship between the SS and ST is undetermined. Methods We stratified 2,627 patients undergoing PCI in the ACUITY trial by SS tertile according to the current population (true tertiles, SS 12) and by the SYNTAX trial (original SYNTAX tertiles, SS 32). Thirty-day and 1-year rates of definite/probable ST were determined for each tertile. Results A total 30 (1.1%) and 41 (1.6%) definite/probable ST events occurred by 30 days and 1 year, respectively. When stratified by true tertiles, 30-day and 1-year rates of definite/probable ST were significantly greater in the highest tertile (SS >12; 2.0% and 2.8%) compared with the intermediate (SS = 7–12; 0.7% and 1.1%) and lowest tertiles (SS 32; 6.3% and 8.8%) and intermediate tertiles (SS = 23–32; 2.8% and 3.7%) compared with the lowest tertile (SS < 22; 0.8% and 1.2%), P

Objectives This study sought to determine the frequency and impact of coronary calcification among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Background Small studies in patients with stable coronary artery disease have suggested a worse prognosis after PCI of calcified compared with noncalcified lesions. Little is known about the impact of coronary calcification on outcomes after PCI for patients presenting with non–ST-segment elevation and ST-segment elevation ACS. Methods Data from 6,855 patients presenting with ACS in whom PCI was performed were pooled from 2 large-scale randomized, controlled trials, ACUITY (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy) and HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction). One-year outcomes were analyzed according to the severity of PCI target lesion calcification (none/mild, moderate, or severe) as assessed by an independent angiographic core laboratory. Results Target lesion calcification was severe in 402 patients (5.9%), moderate in 1,788 (26.1%), and none/mild in 4,665 (68.1%). Moderate/severe target lesion calcification was more frequent in older patients, men, hypertensive patients, and those presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The unadjusted 1-year rates of death, cardiac death, definite stent thrombosis, and ischemic target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization were significantly increased in patients with moderate/severe target lesion calcification. By multivariable analysis, the presence of moderate/severe target lesion calcification was an independent predictor of 1-year definite stent thrombosis (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14 to 2.30; p = 0.007) and ischemic TLR (HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.78; p = 0.0007). Conclusions Moderate/severe lesion calcification was relatively frequent in patients with non–ST-segment elevation ACS and STEMI and was strongly predictive of stent thrombosis and ischemic TLR at 1 year. (Comparison of Angiomax Versus Heparin in Acute Coronary Syndromes [ACS]; NCT00093158 ; Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction; NCT00433966 )

Statin therapy is indicated after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to reduce recurrent ischemic events, but approximately 6% of patients with STEMI do not receive a statin prescription at discharge. This substudy aimed to define the clinical outcomes and patient characteristics associated with statin nonprescription after STEMI. We compared clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics and in-hospital, 30-day, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year outcomes in 3,512 patients discharged after STEMI with and without (6%) statin prescriptions in the harmonizing outcomes with revascularization and stents in acute myocardial infarction trial (www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00433966). Statin nonprescription was associated with female sex, nonwhite race, previous bypass surgery, heart failure, renal impairment, anemia, thrombocytopenia, care in the United States, lower prescription rates of antiplatelets and neurohormonal antagonists, less percutaneous coronary intervention and stents, and, in 26% of cases, angiographically normal or nonobstructed coronary arteries. At every time point of follow-up after discharge, patients with no discharge statin prescription had significantly higher rates of net adverse clinical events, major adverse cardiac events, major bleeding unrelated to bypass surgery, and death. After multivariable adjustment, absence of a discharge statin prescription independently predicted 3-year major adverse cardiac event (hazard ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 2.07, p = 0.0037) and death (hazard ratio 2.30, 95% confidence interval 1.41 to 3.77, p = 0.0009). In conclusion, within the framework of this randomized trial of patients presenting with STEMI, approximately 6% of patients were discharged without statin therapy. Absence of a discharge statin prescription after STEMI was an independent predictor of ischemic events including death.

Objectives This study sought to evaluate the clinical impact of intraprocedural stent thrombosis (IPST), a relatively new endpoint. Background In the prospective, double-blind, active-controlled CHAMPION PHOENIX (Clinical Trial Comparing Cangrelor to Clopidogrel Standard of Care Therapy in Subjects Who Require Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) trial, cangrelor significantly reduced periprocedural and 30-day ischemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including IPST. Methods An independent core laboratory blinded to treatment assignment performed a frame-by-frame angiographic analysis in 10,939 patients for the development of IPST, defined as new or worsening thrombus related to stent deployment at any time during the procedure. Adverse events were adjudicated by an independent, blinded clinical events committee. Results IPST developed in 89 patients (0.8%), including 35 of 5,470 (0.6%) and 54 of 5,469 (1.0%) patients in the cangrelor and clopidogrel arms, respectively (odds ratio: 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.42 to 0.99; p = 0.04). Compared to patients without IPST, IPST was associated with a marked increase in composite ischemia (death, myocardial infarction [MI], ischemia-driven revascularization, or new-onset out-of-laboratory stent thrombosis [Academic Research Consortium]) at 48 h and at 30 days (29.2% vs. 4.5% and 31.5% vs. 5.7%, respectively; p Conclusions In the large-scale CHAMPION PHOENIX trial, the occurrence of IPST was strongly predictive of subsequent adverse cardiovascular events. The potent intravenous adenosine diphosphate antagonist cangrelor substantially reduced IPST, contributing to its beneficial effects at 48 h and 30 days. (Clinical Trial Comparing Cangrelor to Clopidogrel Standard of Care Therapy in Subjects Who Require Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI] [CHAMPION PHOENIX]; NCT01156571 )

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with worse outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and impact of new-onset AF after primary PCI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions from the Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial. HORIZONS-AMI was a large-scale, multicenter, international, randomized trial comparing different antithrombotic regimens and stents during primary PCI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions. Three-year ischemic and bleeding end points were compared between patients with and without new-onset AF after PCI. Of the 3,602 patients included in the HORIZONS-AMI study, 3,281 (91.1%) with sinus rhythm at initial presentation had primary PCI as their primary management strategy. Of these, new-onset AF developed in 147 (4.5%). Compared with patients without AF after PCI, patients with new-onset AF had higher 3-year rates of net adverse clinical events (46.5% vs 25.7%, p 0.0001), mortality (11.9% vs 6.3%, p = 0.01), reinfarction (16.4% vs 7.0%, p0.0001), stroke (5.8% vs 1.5%, p0.0001), and major bleeding (20.9% vs 8.2%, p0.0001). By multivariate analysis, new-onset AF after PCI was a powerful independent predictor of net adverse clinical events (hazard ratio 1.74, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 2.34, p = 0.0002) and major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio 1.73, 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 2.36) at 3 years. In conclusion, new-onset AF after PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was associated with markedly higher rates of adverse events and mortality.

The present study sought to determine the extent to which adverse angiographic events encountered during percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Patients with STEMI represent a cohort at particularly high risk of intraprocedural thrombotic events (IPTEs). The overall frequency and implications of IPTEs occurring in patients with STEMI have not been systematically quantified in previous studies. A total of 3,163 patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation for STEMI in the Harmonizing Outcomes with RevasculariZatiON and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial underwent detailed frame-by-frame core laboratory angiographic analysis to assess IPTEs. The clinical outcomes at 30 days were compared between the patients with and without IPTEs. IPTEs, defined as the development of new or increasing thrombus, abrupt vessel closure, no reflow, slow reflow, and distal embolization at any point during the procedure, occurred in 386 patients (12.2%). The independent predictors of IPTE were thrombus at baseline, lesion length, and randomization to bivalirudin; the patients with IPTEs were also more likely to receive bailout glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and unplanned thrombectomy. Compared with patients without IPTEs, the patients with IPTEs had higher 30-day rates of composite major adverse cardiovascular events (death, myocardial infarction, ischemic target vessel revascularization, and stroke; 7.8% vs 4.2%, p = 0.002), major bleeding not related to coronary artery bypass grafting (11.8% vs 6.5%, p0.001), and all-cause death (4.2% vs 1.8%, p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, IPTEs were independently associated with 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events, major bleeding, and death. In conclusion, the development of IPTEs in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI was associated with subsequent adverse outcomes, including major adverse cardiovascular events, major bleeding, and death. Additional studies of strategies to decrease the occurrence of IPTEs are warranted.

The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor antagonist after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) remains uncertain, especially considering the catastrophic complications of stent thrombosis (ST)

Despite advances in technology and technique, a substantial proportion of pts still die within several years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The relative rates of cardiovascular (CV) and non-cardiovascular (NCV) death after PCI remain uncertain. We pooled individual patient-level

The treatment of calcified coronary lesions by percutaneous coronary intervention has been shown to be associated with poor outcomes and an increased rate of complications. However, the impact of coronary calcification in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is unknown. A total of 755 patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome in the Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy trial underwent CABG. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the presence and extent of coronary calcifications (lesion level: severe, moderate, none to mild) as assessed by an independent angiographic core laboratory. Major ischemic and bleeding outcomes were assessed at 30 days and 1 year. Severe calcification was found in 103 patients (13.6%), moderate calcification in 249 patients (33.0%), and none-to-mild calcification in 403 patients (53.4%). The presence of severe calcification compared with moderate or none to mild was associated with a significantly higher unadjusted rate of death (11.8% vs 3.7% vs 4.5%, p = 0.006), death or myocardial infarction (MI; 31.1% vs 19.7% vs 16.4%, p = 0.006), and major adverse cardiac event (MACE; 32.0% vs 22.6% vs 20.8%, p = 0.059) at 1 year. By multivariate analysis, severe calcification (vs nonsevere calcification) was identified as an independent predictor of 1-year MACE (hazard ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 2.21, p = 0.04) and death or MI (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.18 to 2.66, p = 0.006). In conclusion, the presence of severe coronary calcification was associated with worse outcomes after CABG, including an increased risk of death. The presence of severe coronary calcification was identified as an independent predictor of MACE and death or MI 1 year after CABG.

Rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque is the principal mechanism responsible for the development of an acute coronary syndrome. Thrombus formation ensues rapidly on the surface of the injured endothelium. When the infarct vessel is completely occluded, ST-elevation myocardial infarction is diagnosed and urgent reperfusion is required. While infarct artery patency can be restored in most patients, adequate reperfusion at the tissue level is achieved much less often because of distal embolization of plaque and thrombus. Manual thrombus aspiration has been shown to reduce thrombus burden and improve markers of reperfusion, such as epicardial flow (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow), myocardial blush grade and ST-elevation resolution, compared with conventional balloon angioplasty and stenting. In one study, mortality was also reduced, but this result could not be duplicated in other series. Additional research is needed to clarify the exact role of manual thrombectomy in the management of ST-elevatio...

Objectives To evaluate the clinical, angiographic, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) results in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background DM has been associated with increased mortality in patients with STEMI, yet the mechanisms underpinning this association have not been completely elucidated. Methods Overall, 451 patients (51 diabetics) from the INFUSE-AMI trial were studied. They presented with an anterior STEMI due to an occluded left anterior descending artery (LAD) and underwent bivalirudin-supported primary PCI with or without intralesion abciximab and with or without thrombus aspiration. Angiographic baseline and post-procedure parameters, cMRI at 30 days, and clinical follow-up at 30 days and at 1 year were compared between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Results Patients with DM had significantly more comorbidities and more extensive LAD disease than nondiabetics. Primary PCI was equally effective in restoring coronary flow in both groups and the infarct size at 30 days was similar (14.3% [7.1, 24.5] vs. 17.3% [8.1, 23.6], respectively, P = 0.55). Diabetic patients had more major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events at 1 year (16.5% vs. 8.0%, P = 0.04). Stent thrombosis within 30 days after primary PCI was higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic subjects (4.3% vs. 0.8%, P = 0.03). Conclusions Patients with DM presenting with STEMI had a higher baseline risk profile than those without DM. Although reperfusion success and infarct size were similar, diabetic patients experienced more death, reinfarction, stent thrombosis, and revascularization than nondiabetics. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Both ST-segment resolution (STR) and myocardial blush grade (MBG) have prognostic utility after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. We sought to clarify how frequently MBG and STR provide discordant measures of reperfusion success and to determine the independent prognostic significance of each on long-term outcomes.In HORIZONS-AMI, core laboratory measures of both MBG and STR were assessed in 2,367 patients undergoing primary PCI. Four groups were identified based on MBG (grades 2/3 vs 0/1) and STR (≥50% vs50%). A multivariable model identified predictors of death and major adverse cardiac events at 3 years.Myocardial blush grade 2/3 was achieved in 77.7% of patients, and STR ≥50% was achieved in 75.1% of patients. Myocardial blush grade and STR were discordant in 765 patients (30.9%). By multivariable analysis, MBG 2/3 compared with 0/1 was an independent predictor of lower mortality at 3 years (4.4% vs 8.4%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.57 [0.39, 0.82], P = .003). In contrast, STR ≥50% compared with50% was not associated with mortality (5.1% vs 5.9%, adjusted HR = 1.11 [0.68, 1.56], P = .89). However, repeated revascularization at 3 years was less frequent when STR ≥50% (12.4% vs 17.6%, adjusted HR = 0.74 [0.58, 0.95], P = .02). In contrast, MBG 2/3 vs 0/1 was not associated with reduced repeated revascularization (13.6% vs 14.1%, adjusted HR = 1.02 [0.79, 1.33], P = .85).In HORIZONS-AMI, MBG and STR after primary PCI were concordant in only 70% of patients and provided complementary prognostic information. Myocardial blush grade predicted long-term survival, whereas STR predicted freedom from repeated revascularization.

Perspective: Radial Access Is Preferred Dr. Rao is a consultant for and has received honoraria from Terumo Medical and The Medicines Company. In the world of cardiovascular medicine, debates are as common as unanswered questions—medical therapy versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI

Background— Whether intralesional abciximab administration and thrombus aspiration confer clinical benefits to patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction is controversial. Methods and Results— A total of 452 patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction caused by proximal or mid left anterior descending artery occlusion undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with bivalirudin anticoagulation were randomized in a 2×2 factorial design to bolus abciximab delivered locally at the infarct lesion site versus no abciximab and to manual thrombus aspiration versus no aspiration. Treatment with intralesional abciximab, thrombus aspiration, or both therapies compared with no active therapy before stent implantation resulted in lower 1-year rates of death (4.5% versus 10.4%; P =0.03), severe heart failure (4.2% versus 10.3%; P =0.02), and stent thrombosis (0.9% versus 3.8%; P =0.046). Between 30 days and 1 year of follow-up, treatment with intralesional abciximab compared with no abciximab was associated with a lower rate of death (1.4% versus 4.9%; P =0.04) and composite major adverse ischemic events (3.3% versus 7.8%; P =0.04), with nonsignificantly different overall 1-year rates of mortality, composite ischemic events, and heart failure–related events. Thrombus aspiration compared with no aspiration was associated with lower rates of new-onset severe heart failure between 30 days and 1 year (0.9% versus 4.5%; P =0.02) and of rehospitalization for heart failure from randomization to 1 year (0.9% versus 5.4%; P =0.0008), with nonsignificantly different rates of mortality. Conclusions— Intralesional abciximab and thrombus aspiration may have long-term benefits in patients with anterior ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction presenting early after symptom onset and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with bivalirudin anticoagulation. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00976521.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic implications of preprocedural TIMI flow in ACS patients undergoing early invasive management.Although the negative prognostic impact of reduced Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been well described, whether this relationship holds in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS; unstable angina and non-STEMI) has not been examined.We evaluated 3582 moderate and high-risk patients with ACS undergoing PCI enrolled in the ACUITY trial. Patients were divided in 3 groups according to pre-procedural culprit vessel TIMI flow (TIMI 0/1, TIMI 2 and TIMI 3 flows), determined by an independent angiographic core laboratory.Baseline culprit vessel flow was absent (TIMI 0/1) in 453 patients (12.6%), reduced (TIMI 2) in 389 patients (10.9%) and normal (TIMI 3) in 2740 patients (76.5%) patients. Post-PCI TIMI 3 flow was achieved in 87.2%, 86.8% and 98.8% of the 3 groups, respectively (P0.0001). At 1 year, mortality occurred in 2.7%, 2.4% and 3.0% of patients with baseline TIMI 0/1, 2 and 3 flows, respectively (P=0.82). By multivariable analysis, pre-PCI TIMI flow 0/1 (vs. TIMI 3) was not an independent predictor of 1-year mortality (P=0.61).Reduced baseline TIMI flow in moderate and high-risk patients with ACS undergoing PCI does not appear to affect survival at 1 year, in contrast to that described in patients with STEMI.

Objectives This study sought to compare infarct size (IS) measured by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with successful (myocardial blush grade [MBG] 2/3) versus unsuccessful (MBG 0/1) microcirculatory reperfusion in the INFUSE-AMI (Intracoronary Abciximab and Aspiration Thrombectomy in Patients With Large Anterior Myocardial Infarction) trial. Background Successful microcirculatory reperfusion, defined angiographically by MBG 2 or 3, is associated with improved outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The precise mechanism underlying this association is not well defined. Methods The INFUSE-AMI trial randomized 452 patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction to intracoronary bolus abciximab delivered locally at the infarct lesion versus no abciximab, and to manual thrombus aspiration versus no aspiration. The primary endpoint was IS (percentage of left ventricular mass) at 30 days. Results MBG 2/3 was achieved in 367 patients (81.4%). IS was significantly lower in patients with MBG 2/3 than in those with MBG 0/1 (median: 16.7% [interquartile range (IQR): 7.0 to 22.7] vs. 19.5% [IQR: 11.1 to 29.2]; p = 0.002). Intracoronary abciximab further reduced IS in patients with MBG 2/3 (median: 14.4% [IQR: 5.4 to 20.9] vs. 17.4% [IQR: 10.5 to 23.8]; p = 0.01). MBG 2/3 was associated with ∼30% reduction in infarct mass (p = 0.002) and ∼90% reduction in microvascular obstruction on day 5. Ejection fraction was higher with MBG 2/3 at 30 days: median: 50.3% (IQR: 43.8 to 57.8) versus 46.9% (IQR: 37.5 to 54.0); p = 0.004. At 30 days, the rate of death was significantly lower (1.7% vs. 8.3%; p = 0.0008) in the MBG 2/3 group. Conclusions MBG 2/3 occurs in 80% of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and is associated with smaller infarct size, less microvascular obstruction, improved ejection fraction, and significantly lower 30-day mortality. (Intracoronary Abciximab and Aspiration Thrombectomy in Patients With Large Anterior Myocardial Infarction [INFUSE-AMI]; NCT00976521 ).

Routine scheduled angiographic follow-up (SAF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been associated with a higher rate of target vessel revascularization (TVR). Its benefits are not known. SAF at 13 months after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was planned in the first 1,800 successfully stented patients enrolled in the Harmonizing Outcomes with RevascularIZatiON and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial. We compared the outcomes of patients with and without SAF at 1 year (before SAF) and at 3 years (after SAF). There were 1,197 patients (66.5% of expected) with and 2,207 patients without SAF. Prior to SAF, the 1-year composite rate of death or myocardial infarction (MI) was not significantly different between the 2 groups (2.7% vs. 3.9%, respectively, P = 0.06), although the rate of death was lower (0.1% vs. 2.2%, P

Previous studies have suggested that angiographically detected persistent contrast staining (PSS) at follow-up may predict subsequent very late stent thrombosis. The Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial was a dual-arm, factorial, randomized trial in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions. All follow-up angiograms (1,330 lesions in 1,115 patients, median time 13.3 months) without major cardiovascular events before follow-up angiography were analyzed at a core laboratory blinded to clinical events for the presence of PSS (defined as contrast staining outside the stent contour extending to ≥20% of the stent diameter). Corresponding follow-up intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data (275 lesions in 248 patients) were also evaluated to assess the mechanisms of PSS. PSS was present in 23 patients (2.1%) at follow-up and was not more common with paclitaxel-eluting than with bare-metal stents. All 6 PSS patients with follow-up IVUS had stent malapposition (vs 41.2% malapposition in the follow-up IVUS cohort). Comparing poststent and follow-up IVUS, 2 patients had late acquired and 4 had persistent malapposition; all 6 showed positive vessel remodeling from baseline to follow-up (mean vessel area 22.0 ± 8.0 to 32.4 ± 11.7 mm(2), p = 0.07). During 3-year follow-up, stent thrombosis developed in no patient with PSS compared with 8 PSS-negative patients (0% vs 0.8%, p = 0.68). The rates of revascularization and major adverse cardiovascular events were also not increased in PSS patients. In conclusion, in the large-scale HORIZONS-AMI trial, PSS at angiographic follow-up was infrequent and was associated with late stent malapposition and positive remodeling but was independent of stent type. Identification of PSS was not associated with subsequent stent thrombosis.

The present substudy from the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial assessed the outcomes and their relation to different antithrombotic regimens in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Of 3,599 patients with information regarding a history of CABG, 105 (2.9%) had previously undergone CABG. Of these 105 patients, 46 were randomized to heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor and 59 to bivalirudin. The patients with versus without previous CABG were less frequently triaged to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (83.8% vs 93.2%, p = 0.0002) and had a longer door-to-balloon time (median 1.9 vs 1.6 hours, p = 0.047), lower rates of final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 2 to 3 in the intervened vessel (92.6% vs 97.8%, p = 0.007), and less frequent rates of complete or partial ST-segment resolution (66.3% vs 77.6%, p = 0.019). At 3 years, previous CABG was associated with a significantly greater incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (36.4% vs 21.4%, p0.001) owing to greater rates of mortality (11.2% vs 6.7%, p = 0.08), reinfarction (11.6% vs 7.1%, p = 0.09), stroke (5.1% vs 1.8%, p = 0.013), and ischemic target vessel revascularization (23.6% vs 12.9%, p = 0.005). The outcomes did not differ significantly as a function of the antithrombotic regimen. On multivariate analysis, previous CABG was an independent predictor of 3-year ischemic stroke (hazard ratio 3.57, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 11.66). Intervention on the saphenous vein graft versus the native vessel predicted 3-year major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 2.69, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 6.19). In the HORIZONS-AMI trial, previous CABG was associated with a delay to mechanical reperfusion and lower rates of percutaneous coronary intervention and patency of the infarct related vessel along with worse clinical outcomes.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) from the pulmonary artery is a rare entity. The current recommendation is corrective operation even in asymptomatic patients when this cardiac malformation is found. We report a case of a 21-year-old male who initially presented with ST elevations. After surgical repair with re-implantation of the RCA to the aorta, he was found to have an acute thrombus in his left circumflex and several months later developed a thrombus in the proximal left anterior descending artery. We propose that the change from a hyperkinetic high flow state to a slow flow state in the setting of inadequate coronary flow reserve and endothelial function predisposed our patient to thrombus formation in the persistently dilated coronary arteries. It is expected that restoration of normal flow pattern in all coronary arteries will result in normalization of perfusion, decrease in feeding artery size, and return of endothelial function. Because this anomaly is rare, limited information exists on the effects of the procedure on myocardial perfusion. These findings raise the question of whether re-implantation of the anomalous artery is truly the superior approach. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aborted myocardial infarction (AbMI) in patients with ST-elevation MI defined by ST resolution with less than 2-fold elevation in biomarkers has been previously reported. We examined the association among AbMI, other metrics of infarct size, and left ventricular (LV) function defined by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).A total of 5745 patients with ST-elevation MI enrolled in the APEX-AMI trial, and 73 who were part of the CMR substudy within 3 to 5 days of randomization were evaluated. Core laboratories analyzed electrocardiograms, angiograms, and CMR images.Aborted MI (peak creatine kinase/creatine kinase MB2× upper limit of normal) with typical evolutionary electrocardiogram changes was observed in 11% (437/3938) overall and in 19% (14/73) of patients within the CMR study. Patients with AbMI were older (62 vs 60 years, P = .003) and tended to achieve complete STE-resolution post-percutaneous coronary intervention (≥70% resolution: 64% vs 32%; P = .076) compared with patients with MI. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed that patients with AbMI had a smaller infarct size (4.7% vs 14.9% LV, P.001), less "no reflow" (0.9% vs 1.7% LV, P = .017), enhanced LV function (ejection fraction 54.4% vs 46.5%, P = .064), smaller LV end-systolic volumes (46.5 mL vs 67.2 mL, P = .009), and less transmurality (21.4% vs 50.9% with at least 1 segment with75% wall thickness, P = .046) when compared with patients with MI.Patients with AbMI had smaller subendocardial infarcts with enhanced LV size and function. Cardiac magnetic resonance provides corroborative evidence of AbMI and insights into its pathophysiology, specifically rapid successful reperfusion leading to limitation of the "wavefront" of infarct to the subendocardium.

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, correlates, and consequences of intra-procedural stent thrombosis (IPST) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Background Stent thrombosis (ST) is a rare but serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The Academic Research Consortium definition of ST excludes events occurring during PCI. Methods Angiograms from the ACUITY (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage StrategY) and HORIZONS-AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with RevascularIZatiON and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trials were reviewed frame-by-frame at an independent core laboratory for the occurrence of IPST. Patients with versus without IPST were compared to identify baseline characteristics associated with IPST and demonstrate the independent association between IPST and adjudicated events at 30 days and 1 year. Results Intra-procedural ST occurred in 47 (0.7%) of 6,591 patients. The occurrence of IPST was associated with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction presentation, high white blood cell count, treatment of thrombotic and bifurcation lesions, bivalirudin monotherapy, bail-out IIb/IIIa inhibitor use, and implantation of bare-metal (rather than drug-eluting) stents. Major adverse ischemic events were markedly higher in patients with versus without IPST, including mortality at 30 days (12.9% vs. 1.4%, p Conclusions Intra-procedural ST is a relatively rare complication of PCI in ACS but is strongly associated with subsequent out-of-lab ST and mortality. Intra-procedural ST should be considered as a distinct category of ST and routinely reported, particularly for ACS patients.

The association between anemia at admission and adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been incompletely studied. Anemia was defined as serum hemoglobin12 g/dl in women or13 g/dl in men in 2 large trials of patients with ACS. We plotted hazard functions for major bleeding at 30 days and all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis at 1 year according to baseline hemoglobin. Among 16,318 patients, 3070 (18.8%) had anemia at baseline. All-cause death at 1 year (2.9% vs 1.5%), major bleeding (7.6% vs 3.6%, p0.001), and transfusions (6.7% vs 1.5%, p0.001) were more common in patients with baseline anemia. Spline transformations of the hazard for adverse events as a function of hemoglobin level on admission showed that adverse outcomes increased in a nonlinear fashion with lower levels of baseline hemoglobin; the lowest rates were observed at a level of ∼14 g/dl. Baseline hemoglobin and anemia were independent predictors of major bleeding and death. In conclusion, in patients with ACS, baseline hemoglobin carries important independent prognostic information and demonstrates a nonlinear association with major bleeding and mortality.

The optimal percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) revascularization strategy in patients with multivessel (MV) coronary artery disease (CAD) who present with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) has not been systematically addressed. Accordingly, we performed a study-level meta-analysis comparing 2 PCI strategies in these patients—infarct-related artery (IRA) only versus MV revascularization. Studies including patients with AMI and MV CAD complicated with CS who received primary PCI were searched from 2000 to 2016. The primary end points were in-hospital/30-day and mid- to long-term (≥6 month) mortality. Fixed and random effects models were used for analysis. Ten studies (9 prospective and 1 retrospective) involving 6,068 patients met our inclusion criteria. IRA-only PCI was the most frequently used revascularization strategy (4,872 patients, 80%), while MV PCI was performed in 1,196 patients (20%). The MV PCI strategy was associated with higher short-term mortality compared with the IRA-only PCI strategy (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.71, p = 0.008). There was no difference in mid- to long-term mortality between MV PCI and IRA-only strategies (odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 1.58, p = 0.94). In conclusion, in patients with AMI and MV CAD complicated by CS, the IRA-only PCI strategy seems to be associated with lower short-term, but not mid- to long-term mortality compared with MV PCI. This finding is different from the revascularization strategy recommended by current professional guidelines and suggests the need for dedicated randomized clinical trials.

The authors conducted a systematic pairwise and network meta-analysis to assess optimal treatment strategies in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary artery disease (MV-CAD) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Patients with STEMI and MV-CAD have a worse prognosis than those with single-vessel CAD. The optimal revascularization strategy for these patients is uncertain.Studies of revascularization strategies for MV-CAD in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI published between 2001 and 2015 were identified using an electronic search. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed for 3 PCI strategies in prospective and retrospective studies: 1) infarct-related artery (IRA)-only PCI; 2) single procedure MV-PCI; and 3) staged MV-PCI. Information on study design, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and clinical outcomes was extracted. The outcomes of interest were short-term and long-term mortality.Thirty-two studies (13 prospective and 19 retrospective) with 54,148 patients (IRA-only PCI [n = 42,112], single procedure MV-PCI [n = 8,138], and staged MV-PCI [n = 3,898]) were included in the analysis. Pairwise meta-analyses showed that staged MV-PCI was associated with lower short-term and long-term mortality compared with both IRA-only PCI and single stage MV-PCI, whereas IRA-only PCI was associated with lower mortality compared with single stage MV-PCI. Staged MV-PCI was also associated consistently with improved survival in network analyses.The present systematic review and meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that in patients with MV-CAD presenting with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, a staged multivessel revascularization strategy may improve early and late survival.

Background Right Atrial Volume Indexed (RAVI) measured by echocardiogram was identified to be an independent predictor of morbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic heart failure (MAGGIC) risk score is a robust tool in predicting mortality in HF patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate RAVI by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with HFrEF and to compare it with the validated risk score