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Introduction: Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is often characterized by myocardial interstitial fibrosis (MIF). MIF, classically measured by magnetic resonance imaging, was shown to be accurately measured by computed tomography (CT)-derived extra cellular volume fraction (ECVF). Serum albumin level (SA, g/dL) has been shown to correlate with ECVF among patients with heart failure preserved ejection fraction. Aim: To evaluate the association between SA and ECVF among patients with severe symptomatic AS. Methods: Patients with symptomatic severe AS who were evaluated as candidates for intervention between 2016 and 2018, were enrolled prospectively. All patients underwent pre- and post-contrast CT for estimating myocardial ECVF. Valid ambulatory SA within 6 weeks of the cardiac CT were obtained and classified as (tertials): Results: The study included 68 patients, mean age 80.94±6.5, 53% females. Patients with lower SA were more likely to have chronic renal failure, prior percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and a reduced functional class. The mean ECVF (%) in the study cohort was 40.96±11.6%, significantly higher among the patients in the lower SA level groups (50±11.6% vs. 38.2±7.3% vs. 32.8±8.6% in the Conclusions: SA level is inversely associated with CT-derived ECVF in patients with severe AS. Additional studies are warranted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms explaining the observed association and potential clinical implications

Introduction: Frequent fluctuations in hemoglobin A1c (HbA 1C ) values are independent predictors of diabetic complications and patient outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic significance of HbA 1C levels and its changes among diabetic patients after non-fatal AMI. Methods: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who were admitted to a tertiary medical center with AMI throughout 2002-2017 and survived >1year thereafter were evaluated. All the results of HbA 1C values during the follow-up period (up to 10-years after discharge) were obtained and analyzed. The changes (Δ) of HbA 1C were calculated for all pairs of tests in each patient. The time interval of ΔHbA 1C values was classified as rapid ( Results: A total of 4,066 patients were analyzed, mean age 66.4±11.9 years, 36% females. A U-shaped association was observed between HbA1C and mortality: adjOR=1.887 and adjOR=1.302 for HbA 1C 1C and long-term survival was found: adjOR=2.376 and adjOR=1.340 for the groups of 1C changes respectively (p1C (±0.5%). Rapid increase in HbA 1C (but not decrease) following AMI was associated with greater risk for mortality. Conclusions: HbA 1C values, its changes and their rate are significant independent prognostic markers for long-term all-cause mortality with a U-shaped association following non-fatal AMI among DM patients. Thus, ΔHbA 1C and its timing, in addition to absolute HbA 1C values should be monitored among these patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of diabetes mellitus in the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI (acute kidney injury) in patients admitted with ACS (acute coronary syndrome). Methods: We performed a comparative evaluation of ACS patients with vs. without DM who developed AKI enrolled in the biennial ACS Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) between 2000 and 2018. AKI was defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine (≥0.5 mg/dL) or above 1.5 mg/dL or new renal replacement therapy upon admission with ACS. Outcomes included 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and 1-year all-cause mortality. Results: The current study included a total of 16,879 patients, median age 64 (IQR 54–74), 77% males, 36% with DM. The incidence of AKI was significantly higher among patients with vs. without DM (8.4% vs. 4.7%, p &lt, 0.001). The rates of 30-day MACE (40.8% vs. 13.4%, p &lt, 0.001) and 1-year mortality (43.7% vs. 10%, p &lt, 0.001) were significantly greater among diabetic patients who developed vs. those who did not develop AKI respectively, yet very similar among patients that developed AKI with vs. without DM (30-day MACE 40.8% vs. 40.3%, p = 0.9 1-year mortality 43.7 vs. 44.8%, p = 0.8, respectively). Multivariate analyses adjusted to potential confounders, showed similar independent predictors of AKI among patients with and without DM, comprising, older age, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and peripheral arterial disease. Conclusions: Although patients with DM are at much greater risk for AKI when admitted with ACS, the independent predictors of AKI and the worse patient outcomes when AKI occurs, are similar irrespective to DM status.

BackgroundNon-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) emerged as an alternative with comparable or superior efficacy and safety to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).ObjectivesThe aim of the current study was to investigate the patterns, predictors, timelines and temporal trends of shifting from VKAs to NOACs.MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, the computerized database of a large healthcare provider in Israel, Maccabi Healthcare Services, was searched to identify patients with AF for whom either a VKA or NOAC was prescribed between 2012 and 2015. Time from diagnosis to therapy initiation and to shifting between therapies was evaluated.ResultsOut of 6987 eligible AF incident patients, 2338 (33.4%) initiated treatment with a VKA and 2221 (31.7%) with a NOAC. In addition, 5259 prevalent patients were analyzed. During the study period, NOAC prescriptions proportion among the newly diagnosed cases increased from 32 to 68.4% (pfor trend 2and CHA2DS2-VASC score, non-smoking, and treatment with antiplatelets were associated with a greater likelihood for therapy shift. Shifting from a NOAC to a VKA decreased over time from 8 to 4.5% in 2012 to 0.5% and 0.7% in 2015 in the incident and prevalent groups,p ConclusionsShifting from VKA to NOAC occurred in 50% of the cases, more frequently among incident cases, and younger patients with greater stroke risk. Shifting from a NOAC to a VKA was much less frequent, yet it occurred more often in incident cases and decreased over time. A socially and economically sensitive program to optimize the initiation of OAC therapy upon diagnosis is warranted.

Introduction Approximately 5–15% patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome were found to have no traditional cardiovascular risk factors (RFs). Data regarding the determinants, management and outcomes of these patients are scarce. Purpose To evaluate the management, outcomes and time dependent changes of ACS patients without RFs. Methods Evaluation of clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes as well as time dependent changes (by 3 time periods: early [2000–2006], mid [2008–2013], and late [2016–2018]) of ACS patients without RFs (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, family history of IHD and current or past smoking) or known coronary artery disease, enrolled in the biennial ACS Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) between 2000 and 2018. We compared ACS patients without RFs (RF−) to those ≥1 RFs (RF+). Results Overall 583 out of 10,324 (5.6%) eligible ACS patients did not have any RFs (median age 64 [IQR 52–77], 25% females]. The RF− group were older, more educated, with lower BMI and prevalence of another cardiovascular comorbidity and chronic kidney disease compared with the RF+ group. The in-hospital PCI rates were lower among the RF− vs. the RF+ group (55% vs. 66%, respectively p Conclusions ACS patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors comprise a unique group with reduced prevalence of comorbidities yet significantly worse short-and long-term outcomes. Additional research to identify unique risk factors and targets for interventions to improve outcomes of this group of patients is warranted. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are considered to be at increased risk for AKI in this setting. However, data regarding the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of AKI in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetics presenting with ACS is scarce. Purpose To evaluate the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of AKI in patients with vs. without DM who are admitted with ACS. Methods ACS patients enrolled in the biannual ACS Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) between 2000 and 2018 were analyzed. AKI was defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine (≥0.5 mg/dL) or above 1.5 mg/dL or new renal replacement therapy upon admission with ACS. Outcomes included 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and 1-year all-cause mortality. Results The current study included a total of 16,879 patients, median age 64 (IQR 54–74), 77% males, 36% with DM. The incidence of AKI was significantly higher among patients with vs. without DM (8.4% vs. 4.7%, p Multivariate analyses (figure 1) adjusted to potential confounders showed similar independent predictors of AKI among patients with and without DM comprising; older age, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and peripheral arterial disease Conclusions Although patients with DM are at greater risk for AKI when admitted with ACS, the independent predictors of AKI and the worse patient outcomes when AKI occurs, are similar and irrespective to DM. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background There is a growing interest in transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVR) therapy among patients with bicuspid severe aortic stenosis (BAV). Conduction disturbances remain a frequent complication of TAVR, and new-onset permanent LBBB (NOP-LBBB) post-TAVR may be a marker of worse outcomes. Purpose To evaluate primarily the rate of NOP-LBBB following TAVR among patients with BAV as compared to tricuspid severe aortic stenosis (TAV). Methods Patients enrolled in the multicenter (5 centers) Bicuspid AS TAVR Registry were reviewed and compared with patients with TAV. Patients with prior aortic valve replacement, other valve morphologies and those with preprocedural LBBB or pacemaker were excluded. NOP-LBBB was defined as LBBB first detected and persisting 30-days following TAVR. Results A total of 387 patients (66 with BAV, 321 with TAV), age 80.3±7.3, 47% females were analyzed. The device success rates were 95% in both groups without any conversions to surgery. The rate of NOP-LBBB was significantly higher among patients with BAV vs. TAV (29.2% vs. 16.9%, p=0.02). However, the rate of post procedural pacemaker implantation was similar (14.8% vs. 12.5%; respectively, p=0.62). In BAV and TAV groups, 1-year mortality (6.1% vs. 7.2%; respectively, p=0.75) and stroke rates (6.1% vs. 3.5%; respectively, p=0.3) were not significantly different. Multivariate analysis identified BAV as an independent predictor of NOP-LBBB (OR=2.7, 95% CI 1.3–5.4). Furthermore, BAV subtypes with raphe (type 1) were identified as independent predictors of NOP-LBBB (OR=3.2, 95% CI: 1.5–6.7). Conclusions Patients with BAV undergoing TAVR have greater risk for developing NOP-LBBB compared with patients with TAV and the presence of raphe was associated with increased risk of NOP-LBBB. The prognostic significance for this finding warrants further evaluation in future studies. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is being increasingly performed in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis (AS). Purpose This study sought to compare aortic root, aorta and iliofemoral artery anatomy in patients with bicuspid versus tricuspid AS. Methods 172 patients with bicuspid AS and 331 patients with tricuspid AS underwent pre-procedural computed tomography (CT) evaluation before TAVR. Dimensions, calcification, and tortuosity of the iliofemoral arteries were evaluated and the dimensions of aortic root, aorta, and left subclavian arteries were determined. Results Dimensions of aortic root, aorta, left subclavian, and iliofemoral arteries were consistently and significantly larger in bicuspid than in tricuspid AS (P Conclusions Bicuspid AS was associated with larger dimensions of aortic root, aorta, subclavian, and iliofemoral arteries compared with tricuspid AS. Low vascular calcification and decreased tortuosity index of iliofemoral arteries characterized bicuspid anatomy. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of bicuspid vascular anatomy on vascular complications after TAVR. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is often characterized by myocardial interstitial fibrosis. Myocardial interstitial fibrosis, classically measured by magnetic resonance imaging, was also shown to be accurately measured by computed tomography (CT)-derived extracellular volume fraction (ECVF). Serum albumin (SA) level (g/dl) has been shown to correlate with ECVF among patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Our objective was to evaluate the association between SA and ECVF among patients with severe symptomatic AS. Patients with symptomatic severe AS who were evaluated as candidates for intervention between 2016 and 2018 were enrolled prospectively. All patients underwent precontrast and postcontrast CT for estimating myocardial ECVF. Valid ambulatory SA within 6 weeks of the cardiac CT were obtained and classified as (tertiles)

INTRODUCTION Up to 20% of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have no traditional cardiovascular risk-factors (RFs). Data regarding the determinants, management, and outcomes of these patients are scarce. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the management, outcomes, and time-dependent changes of ACS patients without RFs. METHODS Evaluation of clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes as well as time-dependent changes [by 3 time periods: early (2000-2006), mid (2008-2013), and late (2016-2018)] of ACS patients without RFs (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, family history of ischemic heart disease, and smoking) or known coronary artery disease, enrolled in the biennial ACS Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) between 2000 and 2018. We compared ACS patients without RFs (no-RF group) to those with ≥1 RFs (RF group). RESULTS Overall, 554/9,683 (5.7%) eligible ACS patients did not have any RFs [median age 63 (IQR 52-76) years, 25% females]. The no-RF group were older, with lower body mass index and prevalence of other cardiovascular comorbidity and chronic kidney disease compared with the RF group. The in-hospital percutaneous coronary intervention rates were lower among the no-RF vs. the RF group (55% vs. 66%, respectively p

Aims To describe the cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging findings of patients who developed myocarditis following messenger RNA (mRNA) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Methods and results The present study retrospectively evaluated patients with clinically adjudicated myocarditis within 42 days of the first Pfizer-BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, between 20 December 2020 and 24 May 2021 who underwent CMR. A total of 15 out 54 patients (28%) with myocarditis underwent a CMR and were included, 100% males, median age of 32 years (interquartile range = 22.5–40). Most patients presented with chest pain (87%) and had an abnormal electrocardiogram (79%). The severity of the disease was mild in 67% and intermediate in 33%. All patients survived and one patient was readmitted during the study period. CMR was performed at a median of 65 days (range 3–130 days) following diagnosis. Median ejection fraction was 58% (range 51–74%) global- and regional wall motion abnormalities were present in one and three patients, respectively. Native T1 was available in 13/15 patients (2/3 in 3 T and 11/12 in the 1.5 T), with increased values among 6/13. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was found among 13/15 patients with a median of 2% (range 0–15%) with inferolateral wall being the most common location (8/13). The patterns of the LGE were: mid-wall in six patients; epicardial in five patients; and mid-wall and epicardial in two patients. Conclusions Among patients who were diagnosed with post-vaccination clinical myocarditis, CMR imaging findings are mild and consistent with ‘classical myocarditis’. The short-term clinical course and outcomes were favourable.

Frequent fluctuations of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) values predict patient outcomes. However, data regarding prognoses depending on the long-term changes in HbA1C among patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are scarce. We evaluated the prognostic significance of HbA1C levels and changes among diabetic patients (n = 4066) after non-fatal AMI. All the results of HbA1C tests up to the 10-year follow-up were obtained. The changes (∆) of HbA1C were calculated in each patient. The time intervals of ∆HbA1C values were classified as rapid (&lt, one year) and slow (≥one year) changes. The outcome was all-cause mortality. The highest mortality rates of 53.8% and 35.5% were found in the HbA1C &lt, 5.5–7% and ∆HbA1C = −2.5–(−2%) categories. A U-shaped association was observed between HbA1C and mortality: adjOR = 1.887 and adjOR = 1.302 for HbA1C &lt, 5.5% and ≥8.0%, respectively, as compared with 5.5–6.5% (p &lt, 0.001). Additionally, ∆HbA1C was associated with the outcome (U-shaped): adjOR = 2.376 and adjOR = 1.340 for the groups of &lt, −2.5% and ≥2.5% ∆HbA1C, respectively, as compared to minimal ∆HbA1C (±0.5%) (p &lt, 0.001). A rapid increase in HbA1C (but not decrease) was associated with a greater risk of mortality. HbA1C values and their changes are significant prognostic markers for long-term mortality among AMI-DM patients. ∆HbA1C and its timing, in addition to absolute HbA1C values, should be monitored.

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has significant consequences but is often misdiagnosed. The aim of the study was to evaluate predictors of NOAF throughout different phases of AMI. Patients with AMI admitted to a tertiary medical center were analyzed. Exclusion criteria were preexisting AF, AMI onset ≥24 hours prior to admission, in-hospital death, significant valvular disease, and in-hospital coronary artery bypass graft. Study population were AMI without-NOAF, early-AF (AF terminated within 24 hours of admission), and late-AF (beyond the first 24 hours). Overall 5946 patients were included, age: 64.8 ±14.8 years; 30% women. The incidence of NOAF was 4.6%: 1.6% early-AF, and 3% late-AF. Patients with NOAF comprised greater rate of women, cardiovascular risk-factors burden, severe left ventricular-dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, valvular disorders, and left atrial enlargement compared with patients without-NOAF. Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and inferior-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were significantly more prevalent among early-AF group, while anterior-STEMI, in late-AF. The final multivariate models showed c-statistics of 0.73 and 0.76 for the prediction of new-onset early-AF and late-AF, respectively. In conclusion, there are different clinical predictors of early- versus late-NOAF. The study points out “high risk” AMI population for more meticulous heart rate monitoring for NOAF.

Recently we developed and internally-validated the Soroka Acute Myocardial Infarction (SAMI) Score for prediction of all-cause long-term mortality (c-statistic 0.83-0.94) among hospital-survivors of AMI. We aimed to perform an external-validation of the SAMI score for long-term risk-stratification of STEMI patients undergoing PCI.A prospective registry of 1273 STEMI patients treated using primary PCI and discharged alive from Rabin Medical Center in Israel between 2004 and 2014 (age 60.8 ± 12.5 years, 83% males) was utilized for the validation. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for calibration, and c-statistic (ROC procedure) for discrimination assessment of the SAMI score.All-cause mortality following one- and 5-years post-discharge was 3.8% and 8.1%, respectively. SAMI score values ranged between (-5) and (+15) points (median 2-points). In a univariate analysis the SAMI score variables were significantly associated with 1- and 5-years mortality. Higher SAMI score was associated with increased risk for dying: a one-point increase was associated with OR of 1.33 (95%CI: 1.24-1.42, p 0.001) and 1.37 (95%CI: 1.29-1.44, p 0.001) for 1- and 5-years mortality respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the currently observed mortality rates by groups of SAMI score and the expected mortality rates as per the SAMI score index. The c-statistics were 0.82 and 0.83 for 1- and 5-year mortality, respectively.The SAMI score is a simple, robust and now also externally-validated prognostic tool for prediction of long-term all-cause mortality in hospital survivors of STEMI.

Cardiovascular (CV) patients are becoming older with a greater number of CV risk factors (CVRFs). The Framingham risk score (FRS) includes the major CVRFs and is used for CV risk stratification. We investigated temporal trends in burden of CVRFs among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) throughout a decade. Patients with AMI hospitalized through 2002 to 2012 were studied. The baseline characteristics included age, sex, ethnicity, type of AMI (ST-segment elevation [STEMI] vs non-STEMI [NSTEMI]), coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and blood lipid profile. The FRS was calculated for each patient. A total of 14 698 AMI admissions were included (age 66.9 ± 13.6 years, 68% males, 47.6% STEMI). Half of admitted cases had ≥4 CVRFs. The mean FRS was 17.1 ± 4.1. Throughout the study period, patients with AMI became older with increased burden of CVRFs. The mean FRS increased from 16.8 ± 4.0 (2002) to 17.3 ± 4.1 (2012; P < .001). Multivari...

Additional file 1: Supplementary appendix.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) in a setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with significant metabolic changes and worse outcomes. To evaluate the prevalence and the prognostic significa...

Background Multi-vessel coronary artery disease (MV-CAD) is correlated with worse outcomes compared with single-vessel CAD (SV-CAD), potentially attributed to more advanced atherosclerotic disease in other vascular beds, greater endothelial dysfunction, thrombin activation and possibly greater platelet reactivity. Objectives The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association between MV-CAD and high on-aspirin platelet reactivity (HAPR) in patients with stable CAD treated with aspirin. Methods Patients with known stable CAD, who were taking aspirin (75–100 mg qd) regularly for at least one month, and had undergone coronary angiography at least 3 months prior to the test, were enrolled. Blood was drawn from the participants and sent for platelet function testing. MV-CAD was defined as >50% stenosis in ≥2 separate major coronary territories per coronary angiography. HAPR was defined as aspirin reaction units (ARU) >550. Results Overall 507 patients were analyzed; age 66.7±11.2, 17.9% women, 223 (44%) had MV-CAD. Mean ARU was significantly higher among patients with MV-CAD vs. SV-CAD (460±68 vs. 440±55, p Conclusions MV-CAD is significantly associated with HAPR. This could potentially explain, in part, the increased risk and/or worse outcomes in patients with MV-CAD and implies considering intensive anti-thrombotic therapy among these patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Coronary artery disease is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease. The concomitant renal disease often poses a major challenge in decision making as symptoms, cardiac biomarkers and noninvasive studies for evaluation of myocardial ischemia have different sensitivity and specificity thresholds in this specific population. Moreover, the effectiveness and safety of intervention and medical treatment in those patients is of great doubt as most clinical studies exclude patients with advance CKD. In the present paper, we discuss and review the literature in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of CAD in the acute and chronic setting, in patients with CKD.