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Aims Severe pulmonary complications are well described in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been documented as well. Most patients (pts) recover quickly; nevertheless, the potential long-term cardiovascular sequalae of COVID-19 remain currently unknown. The aim was to report cases of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) after healing from COVID-19 and their features at coronary angiography; secondary purpose was to hypothesize the underlying mechanisms. Methods and results A retrospective study was performed by acquiring data from the electronic medical record. From January to June 2021, four hypertensive pts (64 ± 17 years old; three males) with no history of CVDs and previous symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (mean interval from first positive molecular swab 47 ± 32 days; all recovered after 15 days with double negative swab) were admitted to the emergency department for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (3 anterior and one inferior). At admission, the SARS-CoV-2 molecular swab tested negative, left ventricle ejection fraction was 42 ± 12%, troponin T and Nt-proBNP values were 47 ± 24 ng/l and 1180 ± 978 ng/l, respectively. Emergency coronary angiography showed single-vessel acute thrombotic occlusion (in three cases of the anterior descending artery and in one case of the right coronary artery), with no evidence of atherosclerotic disease. Because of the high thrombotic burden, in all cases a mechanical thrombus aspiration system was used, tirofiban infusion started and no balloon angioplasty or drug-eluting stent implantation was necessary (Figures A–D). After 72 h, a second SARS-CoV-2 molecular swab tested also negative. In the following days, the pts gradually recovered and they were discharged home. Conclusions These cases deserve specific considerations both on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the ACS possibly related to SARS-CoV-2 and on the subsequent long-term sequelae. Among various pathophysiologic mechanisms proposed, the high affinity of the spike protein for the angiotensin converting enzyme two receptor (expressed by both cardiac and endothelial cells) could explain direct cardiac viral infection and vasculitis with possible development of thrombosis. The latter could contribute both to acute and long-term cardiac sequelae, even months after the acute infection, configuring a sort of ‘cardiac post-Covid syndrome’. Whether and how long this status persists, making COVID-19 a risk factor for subsequent CVDs, is still an unresolved question. In this regard, continuous monitoring of these pts and larger future studies will be essential.

Rationale: In the exploratory Phase II STEM-AMI (Stem Cells Mobilization in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial, we reported that early administration of G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor), in patients with anterior ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction after successful percutaneous coronary intervention, had the potential to significantly attenuate LV adverse remodeling in the long-term. Objective: The STEM-AMI OUTCOME CMR (Stem Cells Mobilization in Acute Myocardial Infarction Outcome Cardiac Magnetic Resonance) Substudy was adequately powered to evaluate, in a population showing LV ejection fraction ≤45% after percutaneous coronary intervention for extensive ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, the effects of early administration of G-CSF in terms of LV remodeling and function, infarct size assessed by late gadolinium enhancement, and myocardial strain. Methods and Results: Within the Italian, multicenter, prospective, randomized, Phase III STEM-AMI OUTCOME trial, 161 ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients were enrolled in the CMR Substudy and assigned to standard of care (SOC) plus G-CSF or SOC alone. In 119 patients (61 G-CSF and 58 SOC, respectively), CMR was available at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Paired imaging data were independently analyzed by 2 blinded experts in a core CMR lab. The 2 groups were similar for clinical characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, and pharmacological treatment, except for a trend towards a larger infarct size and longer symptom-to-balloon time in G-CSF patients. ANCOVA showed that the improvement of LV ejection fraction from baseline to 6 months was 5.1% higher in G-CSF patients versus SOC ( P =0.01); concurrently, there was a significant between-group difference of 6.7 mL/m 2 in the change of indexed LV end-systolic volume in favor of G-CSF group ( P =0.02). Indexed late gadolinium enhancement significantly decreased in G-CSF group only ( P =0.04). Moreover, over time improvement of global longitudinal strain was 2.4% higher in G-CSF patients versus SOC ( P =0.04). Global circumferential strain significantly improved in G-CSF group only ( P =0.006). Conclusions: Early administration of G-CSF exerted a beneficial effect on top of SOC in patients with LV dysfunction after extensive ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction in terms of global systolic function, adverse remodeling, scar size, and myocardial strain. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01969890.

Availability of a telematic system of electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission may improve the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), by reducing time to treatment. The aim of this study was to show the effectiveness of telephone transmission of ECG in improving quality of care for patients with acute STEMI.Since January 1, 2003, we activated a management program of STEMI in healthcare district of Varese, located in the North-West of Lombardy (Italy), comprising one fourth-level hospital, equipped with a cath lab on call 24/24 h for primary angioplasty since 1993 and cardiac surgery, and 2 community hospitals, placed in a mountain area approximately 30 km far from Varese. The emergency medical system (EMS) transport was activated 24/24 h and has 15 basic life support (BLS) ambulances with trained nurse staff and 2 mobile units with medical staff, all of them equipped with semiautomatic defibrillator Lifepack 12, enabling a GSM telephone transmission of a 12-lead ECG, coupled with 3-lead continuous rhythm recording and clinical data, if necessary. The ECGs were transmitted to a core unit placed in the coronary care unit (CCU) of the Hospital di Circolo of Varese, directly connected with the EMS core unit.From January 2003 to August 2005, a total of 2063 ECGs were transmitted, 538 of them (26%) recorded by EMS ambulances. Of 144 ECGs (7%) showing a persistent ST-elevation suggesting an acute STEMI (group A), 112 subjects underwent reperfusion: 73 were treated with angioplasty and 39 by lysis alone. By comparing data of group A with a group of 256 patients (180 reperfused) with acute STEMI, admitted to our hospital in the same period without ECG teletransmission (group B), we observed no statistical difference in mortality and reperfusion rates but a significative reduction in the pre-hospital and in-hospital times in group A patients treated by primary angioplasty and thrombolysis.Our study confirms previous results in that an early availability of a 12-lead ECG, transmitted from peripheral community hospitals and BLS ambulances, is able to reduce time to management of patients with an acute STEMI, thus improving quality of decision-making and treatment.

We describe a case of impending paradoxical embolism of a 22 cm long thromboembolus, straddling over a patent foramen ovale, detected by transthoracic and transesophageal echo 11 days after a coronary artery bypass operation. The patient underwent successful emergency removal of the clot and closure of the patent foramen ovale. A vena cava filter was placed because of new thrombi detected in deep veins of the legs.(J Card Surg 2003;18:167-169)