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Background: Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is recognized in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Little is known about cardiac involvement in non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (no-IPF). This issue can be explored by advanced echocardiography. Methods: Thirty-three clinically stable and therapy-naive fibrotic IPF and 28 no-IPF patients, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were autoimmune systemic diseases, coronary disease, heart failure, primary cardiomyopathies, chronic obstructive lung diseases, pulmonary embolism, primary pulmonary hypertension. Lung damage was evaluated by diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCOsb). All participants underwent an echo-Doppler exam including 2D global longitudinal strain (GLS) of both ventricles and 3D echocardiographic RV ejection fraction (RVEF). Results: We observed LV diastolic dysfunction in IPF and no-IPF, and LV GLS but not LV EF reduction only in IPF. RV diastolic and RV GLS abnormalities were observed in IPF versus both controls and no-IPF. RV EF did not differ significantly between IPF and no-IPF. DLCOsb and RV GLS were associated in the pooled pulmonary fibrosis population and in the IPF subgroup (&beta, = 0.708, p &lt, 0.001), independently of confounders including pulmonary arterial systolic pressure. Conclusion: Our data highlight the unique diagnostic capabilities of GLS in distinguishing early cardiac damage of IPF from no-IPF patients.

AIMS We aimed to assess whether the RenalGuard™ System is effective in preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS AND RESULTS Forty-eight consecutive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) scheduled for TAVI were assigned to: 1) hydration with sodium bicarbonate solution (Control group), or 2) hydration with RenalGuard Therapy (RenalGuard group). Hypotension was defined as periprocedural mean blood pressure

BACKGROUND: High urine flow rate (UFR) has been suggested as a target for effective prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). The RenalGuard therapy (saline infusion plus furosemide controlled by the RenalGuard system) facilitates the achievement of this target. METHODS: Four hundred consecutive patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) and/or a high predicted risk (according to the Mehran score ≥11 and/or the Gurm score >7%) treated by the RenalGuard therapy were analyzed. The primary end points were (1) the relationship between CI-AKI and UFR during preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural phases of the RenalGuard therapy and (2) the rate of acute pulmonary edema and impairment in electrolytes balance. RESULTS: Urine flow rate was significantly lower in the patients with CI-AKI in the preprocedural phase (208 ± 117 vs 283 ± 160 mL/h, P < .001) and in the intraprocedural phase (389 ± 198 vs 483 ± 225 mL/h, P = .009). The best threshold for CI-AKI prevention was a mean intraprocedural phase UFR ≥450 mL/h (area under curve 0.62, P = .009, sensitivity 80%, specificity 46%). Performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (hazard ratio [HR] 4.13, 95% CI 1.81-9.10, P < .001), the intraprocedural phase UFR 0.32 mg/kg (HR 5.03, 95% CI 2.33-10.87, P < .001) were independent predictors of CI-AKI. Pulmonary edema occurred in 4 patients (1%). Potassium replacement was required in 16 patients (4%). No patients developed severe hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, or hypernatremia. CONCLUSIONS: RenalGuard therapy is safe and effective in reaching high UFR. Mean intraprocedural UFR ≥450 mL/h should be the target for optimal CI-AKI prevention.

An 84-year-old man affected by arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure on dialysis, chronic ischemic heart disease, permanent atrial fibrillation, previous AICD implantation about one year before, was admitted to the intensive care unit because of typical chest pain and dyspnoea during dialysis treatment with nonspecific ST segment changes at ECG and mild increase of cardiac enzymes. A transthoracic echocardiogram was requested, and it demonstrated a big loculated paracardiac hematoma not easily distinguished from pleural source, with sprays of fibrin localized in correspondence of the free wall of the right ventricle determining a partial compression of the right ventricle with no signs of tamponade. Moreover, a chest CT scan with contrast medium was performed and it confirmed the presence of an intrapericardial hematoma located in correspondence of right heart chambers in the absence of contrast spearing post injection. Subsequently, during the following dialysis treatment the patient developed severe hypotension with chest pain, dyspnoea and paradox pulse treated with liquids infusion with prompt resolution of symptoms followed by a surgical drainage through midline sternotomy. The patient underwent operation and a large organizing thrombus was removed from the pericardial space anterolateral and inferior to the right atrium. The pericardium, which was not thickened, was not removed. His postoperative course was uneventful. This case shows that an intrapericardial hematoma several months following the initial bleeding can present with evolving clinical features and cause an impaired cardiac filling in condition of volume depletion such as dialysis treatment. Although two-dimensional echocardiography represents the first line diagnostic tool in this condition, chest CT scan with contrast medium is frequently used to evaluate patients for pericardial effusion and it is of value in these cases because it permits differentiation of an extracardiac from an intracavitary mass, precise determination of the extracardiac extent of a mass and characterization of a mass as a probable hematoma. Finally, we can conclude that a very low threshold for requesting complimentary imaging studies is essential for prompt diagnosis, and the selection of the diagnostic test depends on the urgency of the clinical presentation. Furthermore, the noninvasive information allowed the surgical team to plan an optimal approach to excising the mass.

Objectives This study sought to assess the safety and the efficacy of bivalirudin compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH) alone in the subset of patients at increased risk of bleeding undergoing transfemoral elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background Bivalirudin, a synthetic direct thrombin inhibitor, determines a significant decrease of in-hospital bleeding following PCI. Methods This is a single-center, investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Consecutive biomarker-negative patients at increased bleeding risk undergoing PCI through the femoral approach were randomized to UFH (UFH group; n = 419) or bivalirudin (bivalirudin group; n = 418). The primary endpoint was the rate of in-hospital major bleeding. Results The primary endpoint occurred in 11 patients (2.6%) in the UFH group versus 14 patients (3.3%) in the bivalirudin group (odds ratio: 0.78; 95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 1.72; p = 0.54). Distribution of access-site and non–access-site bleeding was 18% and 82% in the UFH group versus 50% and 50% in the bivalirudin group (p = 0.10). Conclusions The results of this randomized study, carried out at a single institution, suggest that there is no difference in major bleeding rate between bivalirudin and UFH in increased-risk patients undergoing transfemoral PCI. (Novel Approaches in Preventing and Limiting Events III Trial: Bivalirudin in High-Risk Bleeding Patients [NAPLES III]; NCT01465503 )

Background— The role of statins in the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) is controversial. Methods and Results— First, we investigated the in vivo effects of atorvastatin on CIAKI. Patients with chronic kidney disease enrolled in the Novel Approaches for Preventing or Limiting Events (NAPLES) II trial were randomly assigned to (1) the atorvastatin group (80 mg within 24 hours before contrast media [CM] exposure; n=202) or (2) the control group (n=208). All patients received a high dose of N -acetylcysteine and sodium bicarbonate solution. Second, we investigated the in vitro effects of atorvastatin pretreatment on CM-mediated modifications of intracellular pathways leading to apoptosis or survival in renal tubular cells. CIAKI (ie, an increase >10% of serum cystatin C concentration within 24 hours after CM exposure) occurred in 9 of 202 patients in the atorvastatin group (4.5%) and in 37 of 208 patients in the control group (17.8%) ( P =0.005; odds ratio=0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.69). CIAKI rate was lower in the atorvastatin group in both diabetics and nondiabetics and in patients with moderate chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate, 31–60 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 ). In the in vitro model, pretreatment with atorvastatin (1) prevented CM-induced renal cell apoptosis by reducing stress kinases activation and (2) restored the survival signals (mediated by Akt and ERK pathways). Conclusions— A single high loading dose of atorvastatin administered within 24 hours before CM exposure is effective in reducing the rate of CIAKI. This beneficial effect is observed only in patients at low to medium risk.

Background— Cystatin C (CyC) is more sensitive than serum creatinine (sCr) to rapidly detect acute changes in renal function. Methods and Results— We measured CyC together with sCr in 410 consecutive patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing either coronary and/or peripheral angiography and/or angioplasty. sCr was assessed at baseline and 24 and 48 hours after contrast media exposure. CyC was assessed at baseline and at 24 hours. Major adverse events (including death of any cause and dialysis) at 12 months were assessed. At 48 hours after contrast media exposure, contrast-induced acute kidney injury (defined as a sCr increase ≥0.3 mg/dL) occurred in 34 patients (8.2%). A CyC increase concentration ≥10% at 24 hours after contrast media exposure was detected in 87 patients (21.2%). This was the best CyC cutoff for the early identification of patients at risk for contrast-induced acute kidney injury (negative predictive value=100%; positive predictive value=39.1%). According to the defined cutoffs (that is, increase in CyC ≥10% and sCr ≥0.3 mg/dL), major adverse events occurred in 16 of 297 patients (5.4%) without any cutoffs satisfied (group 1), in 9 of 49 patients (18.4%) with only a CyC increase ≥10% (group 2), and in 9 of 31 patients (29%) with both cutoffs satisfied (group 3). By logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of major adverse events at 1 year were group 2 (odds ratio=2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 5.41; P =0.02), group 3 (odds ratio=4.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.72 to 11.54; P =0.002), and baseline glomerular filtration rate (odds ratio=0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 0.95; P Conclusions— In patients with chronic kidney disease, CyC seems to be a reliable marker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of contrast-induced acute kidney injury.

Objectives Atorvastatin administered at least 7 days before the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces the rate of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI). It is unknown whether a single, high (80 mg) loading dose of atorvastatin may reduce the rate of periprocedural MI. Background Periprocedural MI is a prognostically important complication of PCI. Methods The day before the elective PCI, 668 statin-naive patients were randomly assigned to atorvastatin 80 mg (atorvastatin group; n = 338) or no statin treatment (control group; n = 330). Creatine kinase-myocardial isoenzyme (CK-MB) (upper limit of normal [ULN] 3.5 ng/ml) and cardiac troponin I (ULN 0.10 ng/ml) were assessed before and 6 and 12 h after the intervention. Periprocedural MI was defined as a CK-MB elevation >3× ULN alone or associated with chest pain or ST-segment or T-wave abnormalities. Results The incidence of a periprocedural MI was 9.5% in the atorvastatin group and 15.8% in the control group (odds ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 0.89; p = 0.014). Median CK-MB peak after PCI was 2.10 ng/ml (interquartile range 1.00 to 12.50 ng/ml) in the atorvastatin group and 3.20 ng/ml (interquartile range 1.37 to 16.07 ng/ml) in the control group (p = 0.014). The incidence of cardiac troponin I elevation >3× ULN was 26.6% in the atorvastatin group and 39.1% in the control group (odds ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.40 to 0.78; p Conclusions A single, high (80 mg) loading (within 24 h) dose of atorvastatin reduces the incidence of periprocedural MI in elective PCI.

Bivalirudin demonstrated similar efficacy but resulted in a lower rate of bleeding compared to unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. It has not been clearly evaluated whether this can also be applied to patients with diabetes mellitus. A total of 335 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus referred for elective percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized in the Novel Approaches for Preventing or Limiting EventS (NAPLES) trial to receive bivalirudin monotherapy or UFH plus routine tirofiban. The primary composite end point (30-day composite incidence of death, urgent repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, and all bleeding) was lower in the bivalirudin group than in the UFH plus tirofiban group (18.0% vs 31.5%, odds ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.79, p = 0.004). No death, urgent revascularization, or Q-wave myocardial infarction occurred. The rate of non-Q-wave myocardial infarction was similar in the 2 groups (10.2% in the bivalirudin group vs 12.5% in the UFH plus tirofiban group, p = 0.606). In contrast, fewer patients in the bivalirudin group experienced bleeding (8.4% vs 20.8%, odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.67, p = 0.002). This difference was mainly ascribed to the lower rate of minor bleeding (7.8% in the bivalirudin group vs 18.5% in the UFH plus tirofiban group, odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.74, p = 0.005), although the rate of major bleeding in the 2 groups was comparable (0.6% vs 2.4%, respectively; p = 0.371). In conclusion, in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention, the strategy of bivalirudin monotherapy compared to UFH plus routine tirofiban is safe and feasible and associated with a significant reduction of in-hospital bleeding.

Background— Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early marker of acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods and Results— Urine NGAL and serum NGAL (sNGAL) were assessed at 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after contrast media (CM) exposure in 458 high-risk patients (development set). Optimal thresholds in predicting contrast-induced AKI (serum creatinine [sCr] increase ≥0.3 mg/dL at 48 hours after CM administration) were identified. Major adverse events (MAE; death, dialysis, nonfatal myocardial infarction, sustained kidney injury, and myocardial revascularization) at 1 year were assessed. In the development set, optimal thresholds for contrast-induced AKI occurred at 6 hours for both urine NGAL (≥20 ng/mL; 97% negative predictive value and 27% positive predictive value) and sNGAL (≥179 ng/mL; 93% negative predictive value and 20% positive predictive value). Furthermore, sNGAL ≥179 ng/mL at 6 hours was an independent predictor of 1-year MAE. 1-year MAE occurred in 27/198 patients (13.5%) with sNGAL Conclusions— Urine NGAL Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01098032.

Objectives We performed a study to assess the efficacy of fenoldopam mesylate (a specific agonist of the dopamine-1 receptor) as compared with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in preventing contrast agent-associated nephrotoxicity (CAN). Background Prophylactic administration of NAC, along with hydration, prevents CAN in patients with chronic renal insufficiency who are undergoing contrast media administration. Preliminary data support the hypothesis that fenoldopam might be as effective as NAC. Methods One hundred ninety-two consecutive patients with chronic renal insufficiency, referred to our institution for coronary and/or peripheral procedures, were assigned randomly to receive 0.45% saline intravenously and NAC (1,200 mg orally twice daily; NAC group; n = 97) or fenoldopam (0.10 μg/kg/min; fenoldopam group; n = 95) before and after a nonionic, iso-osmolality contrast dye administration. Results Baseline creatinine levels were similar in the two groups: NAC group = 1.72 mg/dl (interquartile range, 1.55 to 1.90 mg/dl) and fenoldopam group = 1.75 mg/dl (interquartile range, 1.62 to 2.01 mg/dl) (p = 0.17). An increase of at least 0.5 mg/dl of the creatinine concentration 48 h after the procedure occurred in 4 of 97 patients (4.1%) in the NAC group and in 13 of 95 patients (13.7%) in the fenoldopam group (p = 0.019; odds ratio 0.27; 95% confidence interval 0.08 to 0.85). The amount of contrast media administration was similar in the two groups (NAC group = 160 ± 82 ml; fenoldopam group = 168 ± 104 ml; p = 0.54). Conclusions N-acetylcysteine seems to be more effective than fenoldopam in preventing CAN.

Prophylactic administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (600mg orally twice daily), along with hydration, prevents contrast agent-associated nephrotoxicity (CAN) induced by a low dose of non-ionic, low-osmolality contrast dye. We tested whether a double dose of NAC is more effective to prevent CAN.Two-hundred-twenty-four consecutive patients with chronic renal insufficiency (creatinine levelor =1.5mg/dl and/or creatinine clearance60ml/min), referred to our institution for coronary and/or peripheral procedures, were randomly assigned to receive 0.45% saline intravenously and NAC at the standard dose (600mg orally twice daily; SD Group; n=110) or at a double dose (1200mg orally twice daily; DD Group; n=114) before and after a non-ionic, low-osmolality contrast dye administration. Increase of at least 0.5mg/dl of the creatinine concentration 48h after the procedure occurred in 12/109 patients (11%) in the SD Group and 4/114 patients (3.5%) in the DD Group (P=0.038; OR=0.29; 95% CI=0.09-0.94). In the subgroup with low (140ml, or contrast ratio=1) contrast dose, no significant difference in renal function deterioration occurred between the 2 groups. In the subgroup with high (or =140ml, or contrast ratio1) contrast dose, the event was significantly more frequent in the SD Group. Conclusions Double dose of NAC seems to be more effective than the standard dose in preventing CAN, especially with high volumes of non-ionic, low-osmolality contrast agent.

This study sought to assess the safety and the efficacy of bivalirudin compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH) alone in the subset of patients at increased risk of bleeding undergoing transfemoral elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Bivalirudin, a synthetic direct thrombin inhibitor, determines a significant decrease of in-hospital bleeding following PCI.This is a single-center, investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Consecutive biomarker-negative patients at increased bleeding risk undergoing PCI through the femoral approach were randomized to UFH (UFH group; n = 419) or bivalirudin (bivalirudin group; n = 418). The primary endpoint was the rate of in-hospital major bleeding.The primary endpoint occurred in 11 patients (2.6%) in the UFH group versus 14 patients (3.3%) in the bivalirudin group (odds ratio: 0.78; 95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 1.72; p = 0.54). Distribution of access-site and non-access-site bleeding was 18% and 82% in the UFH group versus 50% and 50% in the bivalirudin group (p = 0.10).The results of this randomized study, carried out at a single institution, suggest that there is no difference in major bleeding rate between bivalirudin and UFH in increased-risk patients undergoing transfemoral PCI. (Novel Approaches in Preventing and Limiting Events III Trial: Bivalirudin in High-Risk Bleeding Patients [NAPLES III]; NCT01465503).

Bivalirudin (Angiox, The Medicine's Company, Parsippany, NJ), a synthetic direct thrombin inhibitor, when compared with standard antithrombotic therapy (including unfractionated heparin [UFH] alone or plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor) determines a significant decrease of major and minor bleeding and similar protection against ischemic events both in elective and in urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is a lack of prospective clinical trial assessing the safety and the efficacy of bivalirudin compared with UFH alone in the subset of biomarker negative patients at high risk of bleeding undergoing to elective PCI through the femoral approach.This is a single-center, investigator-driven, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial ( www.clinicaltrial.gov registration: NCT01465503). Consecutive patients at high bleeding risk (score ≥10 according to Nikolsky et al.) undergoing elective PCI through the femoral approach will be screened for eligibility. Included patients will be randomized (ratio 1.1) to bivalirudin (Bivalirudin group) and UFH (UFH group). The primary endpoint will be the rate of major bleeding (REPLACE 2 criteria). We expect a major bleeding rate ≥5 % in the UFH group versus a ≤3 % event rate in the Bivalirudin group. Aiming for a 0.05 alpha and 0.80 power, a total of 662 patients will be needed. This number will be increased by about 25 % (leading to a total of ≈830 patients) because of uncertainty about expected endpoint rates.The present trial will give important information on what is the best anticoagulation regimen when performing PCI through the femoral approach in patients at high risk for bleeding.

Background— To expand the paucity of data on the efficacy of various drug-eluting stents in diabetic patients. Methods and Results— Type 2 diabetic patients treated in our institution from October 2005 to January 2007 presenting with of de novo lesions in native coronary arteries were randomly assigned to sirolimus-eluting stents (Cypher group; n=76); paclitaxel-eluting stents (Taxus group; n=75); and everolimus-eluting stents (Endeavor group; n=75). Poor metabolic control (HbA1c >7% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >100 mg/dL) and microvascular complications (retinopathy and/or nephropathy) were assessed. The primary end point was the 3-year composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death of any cause, myocardial infarction, and clinically driven target vessel revascularization. MACE-free survival was 86.8% in the Cypher group, 82.5% in the Taxus group, and 64.4% in the Endeavor group ( P =0.006 by log-rank test). The post hoc comparisons showed no significant difference between Cypher versus Taxus groups (adjusted P =1.0) but a higher MACE rate in the Endeavor group versus both the Cypher group (adjusted P =0.012) and the Taxus group (adjusted P =0.075). Independent predictors of 3-year MACE at Cox analysis were treatment by Endeavor versus Cypher stent (2.35 [95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 5.41]; P =0.030), multivessel disease (hazard ratio, 1.78 [95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 2.66]; P =0.031), diabetic retinopathy (hazard ratio, 1.60; [95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 2.76]; P =0.038), and poor metabolic control (hazard ratio, 1.60; [95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 2.52]; P =0.048). Conclusions— The present pilot study suggests that in diabetic patients, the Endeavor stent is associated with a higher 3-year MACE rate when compared with Cypher and Taxus stents.

We thank Drs Ribichini et al for their interest in our study on cystatin C and contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI).1 At present, 2 consensus definitions/classification systems have been proposed for the diagnosis of AKI: the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative's RIFLE criteria (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End Stage) and the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. Two aspects should be emphasized: (1) All of the proposed cutoffs predict unfavorable clinical outcome, and (2) the level of baseline kidney function influences the kinetics of serum creatine after …

Background— The RenalGuard System, which creates high urine output and fluid balancing, may be beneficial in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury. Methods and Results— The Renal Insufficiency After Contrast Media Administration Trial II (REMEDIAL II) trial is a randomized, multicenter, investigator-driven trial addressing the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in high-risk patients. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL · min −1 · 1.73 m −2 and/or a risk score ≥11 were randomly assigned to sodium bicarbonate solution and N-acetylcysteine (control group) or hydration with saline and N-acetylcysteine controlled by the RenalGuard System and furosemide (RenalGuard group). The primary end point was an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL in the serum creatinine concentration at 48 hours after the procedure. The secondary end points included serum cystatin C kinetics and rate of in-hospital dialysis. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury occurred in 16 of 146 patients in the RenalGuard group (11%) and in 30 of 146 patients in the control group (20.5%; odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.24 to 0.92). There were 142 patients (48.5%) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL · min −1 · 1.73 and 149 patients (51.5%) with only a risk score ≥11. Subgroup analysis according to inclusion criteria showed a similarly lower risk of adverse events (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL · min −1 · 1.73 m −2 : odds ratio, 0.44; risk score ≥11: odds ratio, 0.45; P for interaction=0.97). Changes in cystatin C at 24 hours (0.02±0.32 versus −0.08±0.26; P =0.002) and 48 hours (0.12±0.42 versus 0.03±0.31; P =0.001) and the rate of in-hospital dialysis (4.1% versus 0.7%; P =0.056) were higher in the control group. Conclusion— RenalGuard therapy is superior to sodium bicarbonate and N-acetylcysteine in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury in high-risk patients. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrial.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01098032.

Atorvastatin administered at least 7 days before the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces the rate of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI). It is unknown whether a single, high (80 mg) loading dose of atorvastatin may reduce the rate of periprocedural MI.Periprocedural MI is a prognostically important complication of PCI.The day before the elective PCI, 668 statin-naive patients were randomly assigned to atorvastatin 80 mg (atorvastatin group; n = 338) or no statin treatment (control group; n = 330). Creatine kinase-myocardial isoenzyme (CK-MB) (upper limit of normal [ULN] 3.5 ng/ml) and cardiac troponin I (ULN 0.10 ng/ml) were assessed before and 6 and 12 h after the intervention. Periprocedural MI was defined as a CK-MB elevation3x ULN alone or associated with chest pain or ST-segment or T-wave abnormalities.The incidence of a periprocedural MI was 9.5% in the atorvastatin group and 15.8% in the control group (odds ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 0.89; p = 0.014). Median CK-MB peak after PCI was 2.10 ng/ml (interquartile range 1.00 to 12.50 ng/ml) in the atorvastatin group and 3.20 ng/ml (interquartile range 1.37 to 16.07 ng/ml) in the control group (p = 0.014). The incidence of cardiac troponin I elevation3x ULN was 26.6% in the atorvastatin group and 39.1% in the control group (odds ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.40 to 0.78; p0.001).A single, high (80 mg) loading (within 24 h) dose of atorvastatin reduces the incidence of periprocedural MI in elective PCI.

Aims Peri-procedural non-Q-wave myocardial infarction is a frequent and prognostically important complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It has been postulated that statins may reduce the rate of myocardial injury after PCI. Methods and Results Four hundred and fifty-one patients scheduled for elective PCI and not on statins were randomly assigned to either no treatment or to statin treatment. Statin administration was started at least 3 days before the procedure. Incidence of peri-procedural myocardial injury was assessed by analysis of creatinine kinase myocardial isoenzyme (CK-MB: upper limit of normal [ULN] 3.5 ng/ml) and cardiac troponin I (cTn I, ULN 0.10 ng/ml) before, 6 and 12 h after the intervention. A large non-Q-wave myocardial infarction was defined as a CK-MB elevation > 5 times ULN alone or associated with chest pain or ST segment or T wave abnormalities. Median CK-MB peak after PCI was 1.70 (interquartile ranges 1.10-3.70) ng/ml in the Statin group and 2.20 (1.30-5.60) ng/ml in the Control group (p = 0.015). Median peak of cTnl after PCI was 0.13 (0.05-0.45) ng/ml in the Statin group and 0.21 (0.06-0.85) ng/ml in the Control group (p = 0.033). The incidence of a large non-Q-wave myocardial infarction was 8.0% in the Statin group and 15.6% in the Control group (p = 0.012: OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.26-0.86). The incidence of cTnl elevation >5 times ULN was 23.5% in the Statin group and 32% in the Control group (p = 0.043: OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.42-0.98). By logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of CK-MB elevation >5 times ULN after PCI were intra-procedural angiographic complications (OR = 9.36; 95% CI = 3.06-28.64; p 65 years (OR=2.58; 95% CI = 1.09-6.11; p = 0.031). Conclusions Pre-procedural statin therapy reduces the incidence of large non-Q-wave myocardial infarction after PCI.

ObjectivesProphylactic acetylcysteine along with hydration seems to be better than hydration alone in preventing the reduction in renal function induced by a contrast dye.BackgroundContrast media can lead to acute renal failure that may occasionally require hemodialysis.MethodsOne hundred eighty-three consecutive patients with impairment of renal function, undergoing coronary and/or peripheral angiography and/or angioplasty, were randomly assigned to receive 0.45% saline intravenously and acetylcysteine (600 mg orally twice daily; group A, n = 92) or 0.45% saline intravenously alone (group B, n = 91) before and after nonionic, low-osmolality contrast dye administration.ResultsThe baseline serum creatinine concentrations were similar (1.5 ± 0.4 mg/dl in group A vs. 1.5 ± 0.4 mg/dl in group B; p = 0.37). An increase of ≥25% in the baseline creatinine level 48 h after the procedure occurred in 6 (6.5%) of 92 patients in group A and in 10 (11%) of 91 patients in group B (p = 0.22). In the subgroup with a low (