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Background A high prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been described during COVID‐19. Our aim was to identify predictive factors of PE in non‐ICU hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. Methods Data and outcomes were collected upon admission during a French multicenter retrospective study, including patients hospitalized for COVID‐19, with a CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) performed in the emergency department for suspected PE. Predictive factors significantly associated with PE were identified through a multivariate regression model. Results A total of 88 patients (median [IQR] age of 68 years [60‐78]) were analyzed. Based on CTPA, 47 (53.4%) patients were diagnosed with PE, and 41 were not. D‐dimer ≥3000 ng/mL (OR 8.2 [95% CI] 1.3‐74.2, sensitivity (Se) 0.84, specificity (Sp) 0.78, P = .03), white blood count (WBC) ≥12.0 G/L (29.5 [2.3‐1221.2], Se 0.47, Sp 0.92, P = .02), and ferritin ≥480 µg/L (17.0 [1.7‐553.3], Se 0.96, Sp 0.44, P = .03) were independently associated with the PE diagnosis. The presence of the double criterion D‐dimer ≥3000 ng/mL and WBC ≥12.0 G/L was greatly associated with PE (OR 21.4 [4.0‐397.9], P = .004). Conclusion The white blood count, the D‐dimer and ferritin levels could be used as an indication for CTPA to confirm PE on admission in non‐ICU COVID‐19 patients.

International audience; Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-related myonecrosis is frequent and can affect the long-term prognosis of patients. To our knowledge, ticagrelor has not been evaluated in elective PCI and could reduce periprocedural ischaemic complications compared with clopidogrel, the currently recommended treatment. The aim of the ALPHEUS study was to examine if ticagrelor was superior to clopidogrel in reducing periprocedural myocardial necrosis in stable coronary patients undergoing high-risk elective PCI.Methods: The ALPHEUS study, a phase 3b, randomised, open-label trial, was done at 49 hospitals in France and Czech Republic. Patients with stable coronary artery disease were eligible for the study if they had an indication for PCI and at least one high-risk characteristic. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either ticagrelor (180 mg loading dose, 90 mg twice daily thereafter for 30 days) or clopidogrel (300-600 mg loading dose, 75 mg daily thereafter for 30 days) by use of an interactive web response system, and stratified by centre. The primary outcome was a composite of PCI-related type 4 (a or b) myocardial infarction or major myocardial injury and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding, both of which were evaluated within 48 h of PCI (or at hospital discharge if earlier). The primary analysis was based on all events that occurred in the intention-to-treat population. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02617290.Findings: Between Jan 9, 2017, and May 28, 2020, 1910 patients were randomly assigned at 49 sites, 956 to the ticagrelor group and 954 to the clopidogrel group. 15 patients were excluded from the ticagrelor group and 12 from the clopidogrel group. At 48 h, the primary outcome was observed in 334 (35%) of 941 patients in the ticagrelor group and 341 (36%) of 942 patients in the clopidogrel group (odds ratio [OR] 0·97, 95% CI 0·80-1·17; p=0·75). The primary safety outcome did not differ between the two groups, but minor bleeding events were more frequently observed with ticagrelor than clopidogrel at 30 days (105 [11%] of 941 patients in the ticagrelor group vs 71 [8%] of 942 patients in the clopidogrel group; OR 1·54, 95% CI 1·12-2·11; p=0·0070).Interpretation: Ticagrelor was not superior to clopidogrel in reducing periprocedural myocardial necrosis after elective PCI and did not cause an increase in major bleeding, but did increase the rate of minor bleeding at 30 days. These results support the use of clopidogrel as the standard of care for elective PCI.Funding: ACTION Study Group and AstraZeneca.

Aims Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) without return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) despite conventional resuscitation is common and has poor outcomes. Adding extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (extracorporeal-CPR) is increasingly used in an attempt to improve outcomes. Methods and results We analysed a prospective registry of 13 191 OHCAs in the Paris region from May 2011 to January 2018. We compared survival at hospital discharge with and without extracorporeal-CPR and identified factors associated with survival in patients given extracorporeal-CPR. Survival was 8% in 525 patients given extracorporeal-CPR and 9% in 12 666 patients given conventional-CPR (P = 0.91). By adjusted multivariate analysis, extracorporeal-CPR was not associated with hospital survival [odds ratio (OR), 1.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.8–2.1; P = 0.24]. By conditional logistic regression with matching on a propensity score (including age, sex, occurrence at home, bystander CPR, initial rhythm, collapse-to-CPR time, duration of resuscitation, and ROSC), similar results were found (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.5–1.3; P = 0.41). In the extracorporeal-CPR group, factors associated with hospital survival were initial shockable rhythm (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5–10.3; P = 0.005), transient ROSC before ECMO (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1–4.7; P = 0.03), and prehospital ECMO implantation (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5–5.9; P = 0.002). Conclusions In a population-based registry, 4% of OHCAs were treated with extracorporeal-CPR, which was not associated with increased hospital survival. Early ECMO implantation may improve outcomes. The initial rhythm and ROSC may help select patients for extracorporeal-CPR.

A higher survival rate was observed in Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurring during sports activities, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis that better initial management, rather than sports per se, may account for the observed better outcomes during sports activities.Data was taken between May 2011 and March 2016 from a prospective ongoing registry that includes all SCA in Paris and suburbs (6.7 million inhabitants). Sports-related SCA (i.e. SCA occurring during sport activities or within one hour of cessation of the activity) were identified.Over the study period, 13,400 SCA occurred, of which 154 were sports-related (median age: 51.2 years, 96.1% males). At discharge, sports activity was associated with an 8-times higher survival rate (39.7% vs. 5.1%, P 0.001). Logistic regression showed that after considering potential confounders, including age, gender, SCA location, witness presence, time to response, and initial shockable rhythm, occurrence of SCA during sports was associated with a higher survival rate (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14-2.74, P = 0.01). However, after further adjustment for initial basic life support, i.e. bystander CPR and AED use, there was no association between sports setting and survival at hospital discharge (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.91-2.23, P = 0.12).Sports-related SCA is a rare event, with an 8-times higher survival rate compared to non-sports-related SCA. Better initial management, including bystander CPR and AED use, rather than sports per se, mainly accounts this difference. This highlights the major importance of population education to basic life support in improving SCA outcome.

Aims: We sought to develop a reproducible animal model for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in adult atherosclerosis-prone pigs. Methods and results: A coil was placed in the right coronary artery or the left anterior descending artery in 26 downsized spontaneously hypercholesterolaemic pigs and left untreated until thrombotic occlusion. Then, we crossed the thrombotic occlusion with a guidewire, followed by predilatation, thrombus visualisation with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and, finally, deployment of a stent and repeated OCT. After revascularisation, we calculated the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR). After a feasibility phase (six animals), acute thrombotic occlusion was achieved in all 20 pigs. Eighteen animals were successfully revascularised and survived until sacrifice. Thrombus formation was confirmed by OCT, measurement of thrombin-antithrombin complexes and pathology examination. Myocardial necrosis was confirmed by troponin T elevation, myocardial staining and pathology examination. Distal thrombotic embolisation and microvascular obstruction were supported by increased IMR and pathology examination. Conclusions: A porcine model of thrombotic occlusion AMI in miniaturised adult spontaneously atherosclerosis-prone pigs is feasible by percutaneous intracoronary placement of a coil. The reperfusion by angioplasty completed this model which mirrors human pathological conditions with myocardial infarction, necrosis and distal embolisation.

Background Optimizing patient exposure in interventional cardiology is key to avoid skin injuries. Purpose To establish predictive models of peak skin dose (PSD) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO), and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures. Material and Methods A total of 534 PCI, 219 CTO, and 209 TAVI were collected from 12 hospitals in eight European countries. Independent associations between PSD and clinical and technical dose determinants were examined for those procedures using multivariate statistical analysis. A priori and a posteriori predictive models were built using stepwise multiple linear regressions. A fourfold cross-validation was performed, and models’ performance was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), coefficient of determination (R²), and linear correlation coefficient (r). Results Multivariate analysis proved technical parameters to overweight clinical complexity indices with PSD mainly affected by fluoroscopy time, tube voltage, tube current, distance to detector, and tube angulation for PCI. For CTO, these were body mass index, tube voltage, and fluoroscopy contribution. For TAVI, these parameters were sex, fluoroscopy time, tube voltage, and cine acquisitions. When benchmarking the predictive models, the correlation coefficients were r = 0.45 for the a priori model and r = 0.89 for the a posteriori model for PCI. These were 0.44 and 0.67, respectively, for the CTO a priori and a posteriori models, and 0.58 and 0.74, respectively, for the TAVI a priori and a posteriori models. Conclusion A priori predictive models can help operators estimate the PSD before performing the intervention while a posteriori models are more accurate estimates and can be useful in the absence of skin dose mapping solutions

Introduction: Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) Agatston score has shown an excellent prognostic value and particularly in diabetic patients, with a very low rate of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with zero CAC score. Recent studies have suggested that high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) may be useful to detect subclinical atherosclerosis. Hypothesis: To assess the predictive value of hs-cTnI and BNP to predict zero CAC score in diabetic patients. Methods: Between 2015 and 2019, CAC score was performed in consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients with symptoms, coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation were excluded. Within 24h from CT examination, blood samples were taken to measure hs-cTnI and BNP. The relationship between hs-cTnI/BNP concentrations and zero CAC score was evaluated using univariate and multivariate binomial models, and nested models associated with Chi-squared test of independence. Results: Among 844 diabetic patients (61±7 years, 57% men, duration of diabetes 18 years), 35% had zero CAC score, 30% a score from 1-100, 19% from 101-400, and 16% >400. Hs-cTnI/BNP were associated with zero CAC score (OR 2.63, 95%CI[1.51-5.01]; p Conclusions: Biomarkers hs-cTnI and BNP are associated with zero CAC score in diabetic patients.

Introduction: With the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, early identification of the most severely impacted patients is essential. Previous cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic diseases affect the COVID-19 prognosis. In high CV risk patients, coronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with a higher incidence of CV outcomes. Hypothesis: To assess the association between the presence of CAC on the chest CT performed to diagnose COVID-19 and the occurrence of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Methods: Cross-sectional study on consecutive patients from 40 to 80 years of age, hospitalized for COVID-19 infection, with a chest CT without contrast injection performed on the day of admission. Patients with CV disease history were excluded. CAC was defined as any area ≥1mm2 with a density >130 Hounsfield units on the known coronary track. The primary outcome was the rate of patients with severe progression, defined as a score of 5 to 7 on the WHO Blueprint expert group scale (noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, death) within 8 days following hospital admission. Results: 134 consecutive patients (60±8 years) were included. CAC was detected in 61 patients (46%). The primary outcome occurred in 29 (48%) of those 61 patients with CAC compared to 15 (21%) without CAC (HR 2.9; 95% CI [1.6 - 5.3]; p=0.0008). In patients ≤60 years (n=69), CAC was detected in 28% and the primary outcome occurred in 58% of patients with CAC compared to 16% without CAC (p=0.0006). In patients >60 years (n=65), CAC was detected in 63% of patients. In this population, the primary outcome occurred in 43% of patients with CAC compared to 30% without CAC without significant interaction. Multivariate analysis showed that CAC was independently associated with poor prognosis (HR 3.4; 95% CI [1.5 - 7.8]; p= 0.004). Conclusions: The evidence of CAC on initial chest CT performed in patients with COVID-19 is associated with a worse prognosis.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. BACKGROUND Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) scoring assessed by the Agatston score has shown an excellent prognostic value in large studies, particularly in diabetic patients, with a very low rate of cardiovascular events in patients with a zero Agatston score. Moreover, recent studies have suggested that high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) may be useful for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis, especially in diabetic patients. However, the link between hs-cTnI/BNP and the Agatston score has not been investigated in this population. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate if hs-cTnI and BNP can bring additional value to predict zero Agatston score in patients with diabetes mellitus in addition to usual risk factors. METHODS Between 2015 and 2019, CAC score was prospectively performed in consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus with high cardiovascular risk. Patients with symptoms or known coronary artery disease were excluded. Within 24h from CT exam, peripheral blood samples were taken to measure hs-cTnI and BNP. The relationship between serum hs-cTnI/BNP concentrations and zero Agatston score was evaluated using univariate and multivariate binomial models. 77 variables have been used to build the model. The implication of hs-cTnI and BNP in this multivariate model was evaluated using nested models associated with Chi-squared test of independence. RESULTS A total of 844 patients with diabetes were enrolled (61 ± 7 years, 57% men, mean diabetes duration 18 years). In this population, 294 (35%) had a zero Agatston score, 253 (30%) an Agatston score from 1 to 100, 161 (19%) from 101 to 400, and 136 (16%) higher than 400. In univariate analysis, hs-cTnI and BNP concentrations were associated with a zero Agatston score (respectively OR, 2.63 [95% CI, 1.51-5.01]; p CONCLUSIONS Cardiac biomarkers hs-cTnI and BNP are associated with a zero Agatston score, which is correlated with a very low risk of cardiovascular events in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus. Abstract Figure. ROC curve to predict zero Agatston score

International audience

Background: Elderly patients receive bare metal stents instead of drug-eluting stents (DES) to shorten the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The SENIOR trial compared outcomes between these 2 types of stents combined with a short duration of DAPT. A significant decrease in the number of patients with at least 1 major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) was noted in the DES group. Objectives: The objective of this article was to perform an economic evaluation of the SENIOR trial. Methods: This evaluation was performed separately in 5 participating countries using pooled patient-level data from all study patients and country-specific unit costs and utility values. Costs, MACCEs, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated in both arms at 1 year, and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated. Uncertainty was explored by probabilistic bootstrapping. Results: A total of 1200 patients underwent randomization. The average total cost per patient was higher in the DES group. The number of MACCEs and average QALYs were not statistically different between the 2 groups. The 1-year incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for each country of reference ranged from (sic)13 752 to (sic)20 511/MACCE avoided and from (sic)42 835 to (sic)68 231/QALY gained. The scatter plots found a wide dispersion, reflecting a large uncertainty surrounding the results. But in each country studied, 90% of the bootstrap replications indicated a higher cost for greater effectiveness for the DES group. Assuming a willingness to pay of (sic)50000/QALY, there was between a 40% and 50% chance that the use of DES was cost-effective in 4 countries. Conclusion: The use of DES instead of bare metal stents combined with a short duration of DAPT in elderly patients induced higher cost for greater effectiveness in each of the 5 countries studied.

International audience; Aim: Coronary angiogram (CA) may be useful after resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), but data regarding its benefit in patients with non-shockable initial rhythm without ST-segment elevation is scarce. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and survival in OHCA patients with non-shockable initial rhythm without ST-segment elevation and compare them to patients with shockable initial rhythm without ST-segment elevation.Methods: Retrospective single-centre study approved by the ethics committee of our institution, including adults successfully resuscitated from OHCA of presumed cardiac cause, undergoing routine CA on admission. Baseline characteristics, angiographic data including presence of ACS and survival were compared between patients with non-shockable and shockable initial rhythm focusing on patients without ST-segment elevation.Results: Among 517 patients included between 2002 and 2018, 311 had no ST-elevation, of whom 179 had non-shockable and 132 shockable initial rhythm. Compared with shockable initial rhythm patients without ST-elevation, non-shockable initial rhythm patients without ST-elevation had longer no-flow duration, 5 (1-10) versus 2 (0-8) min, p = 0.024, more frequent shock requiring vasopressors, 72% versus 47% p < 0.0001, a lower prevalence of ACS, 2 (1%), versus 29 (22%), p < 0.001 and higher mortality, 85% versus 39% (p < 0.0001). Among ACS patients, none survived in the non-shockable without ST-elevation group, while 20 (69%) survived in the shockable rhythm without ST-elevation group.Conclusions: Prevalence of ACS in patients without ST-segment elevation and non-shockable initial rhythm is extremely low, and survival extremely poor, therefore routine emergency CA does not seem beneficial in these patients.

Background: Conflicting data exist regarding the benefit of urgent coronary angiogram and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in the absence of ST-segment elevation. We hypothesized that the type of lesions treated (stable versus unstable) influences the benefit derived from PCI. Methods: Data were taken between May 2011 and 2014 from a prospective registry enrolling all sudden cardiac arrest in Paris and suburbs (6.7 million inhabitants). Patients undergoing emergent coronary angiogram were included. Decision to perform PCI was left to the discretion of local teams. We assessed the impact of emergent PCI on survival at discharge according to whether the treated lesion was angiographically unstable or stable, and we investigated the predictive factors for unstable coronary lesions. Results: Among 9265 sudden cardiac arrests occurring during the study period, 1078 underwent emergent coronary angiogram (median age: 59.6 years, 78.3% males): 463 (42.9%) had an unstable lesion, 253 (23.5%) only stable lesions, and 362 (33.6%) no significant lesions. Emergent PCI was performed in 478 patients (91.4% of unstable and 21.7% of stable lesions). At discharge, PCI of unstable lesions was associated with twice-higher survival rate compared with untreated unstable lesions (47.9% versus 25.6%, P =0.013), while stable lesions PCI did not improve survival (25.5% versus 26.3%, P =1.00). After adjustment, PCI of unstable coronary lesions was independently associated with improved survival (odds ratio, 2.09 [95% CI, 1.42–3.09], P P =0.824). Angina, initial shockable rhythm, ST-segment elevation, and absence of known coronary artery disease were independent predictors of unstable lesions. Conclusions: Emergent PCI of unstable lesions is associated with improved survival after sudden cardiac arrest, contrary to PCI of stable lesions. Accordingly, early PCI should only be performed in patients with unstable lesions. Four factors (chest pain, ST-elevation, absence of coronary artery disease history, and shockable initial rhythm) could help identify patients with unstable lesions who would, therefore, benefit from emergent coronary angiogram.

International audience; This cross-sectional study evaluates the association of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) integrated with fractional flow reserve as the management strategy for diabetes with outcomes in patients with ambiguous lesions who undergo angiography.Key PointsQuestionWhat are the usefulness, rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and clinical outcomes of routinely integrating fractional flow reserve in the management strategy for patients with diabetes who undergo coronary angiography? FindingsIn this cross-sectional study of 1983 patients, overall reclassification by fractional flow rate was high and similar in patients with diabetes (41.2%) and patients without diabetes (37.5%); however, reclassification from medical treatment to revascularization was more frequent among patients with diabetes. The rate of 1-year MACE was similar in reclassified (9.7%) and nonreclassified (12.0%) patients with diabetes, and the rate of MACE of patients deferred based on fractional flow reserve was similar among those with and without diabetes. MeaningThe findings suggest that management strategies guided by fractional flow reserve, including revascularization deferral, may be useful for patients with diabetes.ImportanceApproximately one-third of patients considered for coronary revascularization have diabetes, which is a major determinant of clinical outcomes, often influencing the choice of the revascularization strategy. The usefulness of fractional flow reserve (FFR) to guide treatment in this population is understudied and has been questioned. ObjectiveTo evaluate the usefulness and rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) of integrating FFR in management decisions for patients with diabetes who undergo coronary angiography. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used data from the PRIME-FFR study derived from the merger of the POST-IT study (Portuguese Study on the Evaluation of FFR-Guided Treatment of Coronary Disease [March 2012-November 2013]) and R3F study (French Study of FFR Integrated Multicenter Registries Implementation of FFR in Routine Practice [October 2008-June 2010]), 2 prospective multicenter registries that shared a common design. A population of all-comers for whom angiography disclosed ambiguous lesions was analyzed for rates, patterns, and outcomes associated with management reclassification, including revascularization deferral, in patients with vs without diabetes. Data analysis was performed from June to August 2018. Main Outcomes and MeasuresDeath from any cause, myocardial infarction, or unplanned revascularization (MACE) at 1 year. ResultsAmong 1983 patients (1503 [77%] male; mean [SD] age, 65 [10] years), 701 had diabetes, and FFR was performed for 1.4 lesions per patient (58.2% of lesions in the left anterior descending artery; mean [SD] stenosis, 56% [11%]; mean [SD] FFR, 0.81 [0.01]). Reclassification by FFR was high and similar in patients with and without diabetes (41.2% vs 37.5%, P=.13), but reclassification from medical treatment to revascularization was more frequent in the former (142 of 342 [41.5%] vs 230 of 730 [31.5%], P=.001). There was no statistical difference between the 1-year rates of MACE in reclassified (9.7%) and nonreclassified patients (12.0%) (P=.37). Among patients with diabetes, FFR-based deferral identified patients with a lower risk of MACE at 12 months (25 of 296 [8.4%]) compared with those undergoing revascularization (47 of 257 [13.1%]) (P=.04), and the rate was of the same magnitude of the observed rate among deferred patients without diabetes (7.9%, P=.87). Status of insulin treatment had no association with outcomes. Patients (6.6% of the population) in whom FFR was disregarded had the highest MACE rates regardless of diabetes status. Conclusions and RelevanceRoutine integration of FFR for the management of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes may be associated with a high rate of treatment reclassification. Management strategies guided by FFR, including revascularization deferral, may be useful for patients with diabetes.

International audience; Aim: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has recently been emphasized as a major cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young adults. We aim to assess the rate of immediate coronary angiography performance in young patients resuscitated from SCA.Methods: From May 2011 to May 2017, all cases of out-of-hospital SCA aged 18-40 years alive at hospital admission were prospectively included in 48 hospitals of the Great Paris area. Cardiovascular causes of SCA were centrally adjudicated, and management including immediate coronary angiography performance was assessed.Results: Out of 3579 SCA admitted alive, 409 (11.4%) patients were under 40 years of age (32.3 ± 6.2 years, 69.7% males), with 244 patients having a definite cause identified. Among those, CAD accounted for 72 (29.5%) cases, of which 64 (88.9%) were acute coronary syndromes. The rate of immediate coronary angiography was only 41.7% compared to 65.1% among those ≥40-years (P < 0.001). During the study period, while the rate of immediate coronary angiography increased from 60.5% to 70.3% (P < 0.001) in patients aged ≥40 years, the rate in patients aged less than 40 years remained stable (43.5% to 45.3%, P = 0.795). Patients younger than 40 years were significantly less likely to undergo immediate coronary angiography (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.25-0.47), although early angiography was associated with survival at hospital discharge (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.21-6.00).Conclusion: CAD is the first cause of SCA in young adults aged less than 40 years. The observed low rates of immediate coronary angiography suggest a missed opportunity for early intervention.

Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the 12-month clinical outcomes in patients with drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis (DES-ISR) who were either pre-dilated with non-compliant balloons (NCBA) and with additional scoring balloons (NCBA + SBA) prior to drug coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty. Methods This monocentric, retrospective study included patients with DES-ISR who were routinely treated over a 2-year time span. Patients with stable angina and documented ischemia or selected forms of unstable angina due to a culprit DES-ISR lesion were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the clinically driven target-lesion revascularization (TLR) rate at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included post-interventional lumen gain and late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months. Results The 12-month TLR rates in 124 patients who underwent either NCBA + SBA or NCBA only group were not different (17.3%, 9/52 vs 11.6%, 8/69, P = 0.371) and low as compared to other comparable studies. The use of SBA led to equally high post minimal lumen diameters (MLD) in both treatment arms (NCBA 2.21 ± 0.33 vs NCBA + SBA 2.18 ± 0.41, P = 0.868). We did not find a significant difference in late lumen loss (LLL) between both groups (0.50 ± 0.62 mm vs 0.40 ± 0.46 mm, P = 0.468). Conclusions Scoring Balloon Angioplasty can safely and effectively prepare DES-ISR lesions to render them suitable for DCB angioplasty with acceptable TLR and MACE rates.

Circulatory failure following cardiac arrest (CA) requires catecholamine support and occasionally veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vaECMO). VaECMO-generated blood flow is continuous and retrograde, increasing ventricular stroke work. Our aim was to assess the benefit of a device generating a pulsatile vaECMO flow synchronized with the heart rhythm lowering systolic vaECMO output on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and pulmonary capillary pressure (Pcap) after CA. This experimental randomized study in pigs compared standard nonpulsatile vaECMO (control) with pulsatile synchronized vaECMO (study) group using a pulsatility-generating device. After sedation and intubation, ventricular fibrillation was induced by pacing. After 10-min ventricular fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 20 min then vaECMO, defibrillation and 0.15 µg/kg/min intravenous epinephrine infusion were initiated. Hemodynamics, Pcap, LVEF by echocardiography and angiography were measured at baseline and every 30 min after the vaECMO start until vaECMO and epinephrine were stopped (at 120 min), and 30 min later. Baseline hemodynamics did not differ between groups; 120 min after vaECMO initiation, LVEF by echocardiography and angiography was significantly higher in the study than control group 55 ± 19% versus 34 ± 13% (P = 0.042), 50 ± 16% versus 33 ± 12% (P = 0.043), respectively. Pcap decreased from baseline by 4.2 ± 8.6 mm Hg in the study group but increased by 5.6 ± 5.9 mm Hg in the control group (P = 0.043). Thirty minutes later, LVEF remained higher in the study group 44 ± 7% versus 26 ± 11% (P = 0.008) while Pcap did not differ. A synchronized pulsatile device decreasing systolic output from vaECMO improved LVEF and Pcap in a pig model of CA and resuscitation.

Direct stenting is the best method for achieving reperfusion in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). We hypothesized that the use of a microcatheter (MC) during PPCI when Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow ≤ 1 after wire crossing would allow visualization of the downstream artery with an optimal TIMI 3 flow at the end of the procedure.In this pilot study, PPCI patients with TIMI flow ≤ 1 after wire crossing formed the MC group (n = 60); the MC was positioned in the distal part of the culprit artery and a small amount of contrast was injected through it to determine stent size and length to treat the culprit lesion. The MC group was compared with previous consecutive patients treated using standard PPCI (n = 94; similar characteristics except for the rate of previous percutaneous coronary intervention).In the MC group, downstream arteries were visualized in 98% of cases and direct stenting was achieved in 72% vs 31% (P 0.0001). Final TIMI 3 flow was similar in both groups (97%). There was less manual thrombectomy (20% vs 63%; P0.001) and bailout glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use (6.7% vs 29.8%; P0.002). The incidence of major adverse events (death, shock, severe arrhythmia) and left ventricular ejection fraction were similar. The peak cardiac enzymes level was significantly lower in the MC group.The MC strategy appears feasible and safe. It could allow exploring new strategies on the basis of more systematic direct stenting and prepared reperfusion by injecting drugs through the MC before reperfusion.

Cardiac arrest (CA) without return of spontaneous circulation can be treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vaECMO) implemented surgically or percutaneously. We performed a study assessing time for vaECMO percutaneous cannulation in the catheterization laboratory.Single-centre retrospective study in a University hospital without on-site cardiovascular surgery, including patients aged18 receiving vaECMO for out- or in-hospital refractory CA of presumed cardiac cause between 2010 and 2016, cannulated by interventional cardiologists. Cannulation time using anatomic landmarks vessel puncture and conventional wires (first period) was compared with ultrasound guidance puncture and stiff wires (second period). Data are expressed as medians (interquartile range) and percentages.Forty-six patients were included, age 56 (49-62), 34 in the first period. Shockable initial rhythm occurred in 29 (63%), 36 (78%) had ischemic heart disease and 26 (57%) acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Out-of-hospital refractory CA occurred in 27 (59%) patients. Time from out-of-hospital refractory CA to admission was 100 (80-118) min. Cannulation was successful in 42 (91%) patients. Cannulation time was 14 (10-21) min, 17 (12-26) (first) and 8 (6-12) min (second period), p0.001. Survival to discharge was 9%. In out-of-hospital versus in-hospital, time from CA to vaECMO was 120 (115-140) versus 82 (58-102) min, p=0.011, survival was 7% (two patients) versus 11% (two patients), p=0.35 respectively. All survivors had shockable initial rhythm.In these refractory CA patients with high prevalence of AMI and good feasibility of percutaneous vaECMO in the catheterization laboratory, cannulation time was shorter using ultrasound guidance and stiff wires.

Highlights •The Minnesota Resuscitation Consortium has established a protocol for rapid transport of patients with refractory out-of-hospital VF cardiac arrest to the cardiac catheterization laboratory for rapid evaluation and stabilization often requiring ECMO. This protocol provides new challenges to treatment paradigms that were created to rapidly achieve return of spontaneous circulation in the field. •A porcine model of refractory VF cardiac arrest was developed, including initiation of VF using endovascular occlusion of the proximal LAD followed by 5 min of untreated VF. Resuscitation begins with 10 min of high-quality CPR followed by 35 min of ACLS and reconstitution of coronary flow. •A 2 × 2 study design was used with animals randomized to use of epinephrine or placebo during ACLS and then again randomized to ECMO or no ECMO at the time of reinitiation of coronary flow. •ECMO-facilitated coronary reperfusion and hemodynamic stabilization improved 4-h survival compared with CPR-facilitated reperfusion and standard ACLS in a porcine model of refractory VF cardiac arrest. •Repeated epinephrine boluses provided in accordance with standard ACLS protocols increased systemic blood pressure and coronary perfusion pressure but provided no benefit in survival compared with placebo. •Over 50% of the animals receiving ECMO met criteria for decannulation at 4 h, suggesting that rapid cardiac and hemodynamic recovery is possible in severely injured animals treated with ECMO.

Item does not contain fulltext AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate whether bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) reduces infarct size (IS) for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in large acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicentre open-label trial randomised 78 patients undergoing PPCI for large AMI to bivalirudin or UFH. The primary endpoint was IS, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) five days after PPCI. Secondary endpoints included index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), CMR-assessed microvascular obstruction (MVO) and ejection fraction, and biomarkers for thrombin activity and cell injury. No difference was observed in mean IS at five days (25.0+/-19.7 g for bivalirudin vs. 27.1+/-20.7 g for UFH; p=0.75). Early MVO was numerically lower with bivalirudin (5.3+/-5.8 g vs. 7.7+/-6.3 g; p=0.17), with no significant difference in ejection fraction at 90 days (54.6+/-12.0% vs. 49.1+/-12.1%; p=0.11). In the biomarkers, thrombin-antithrombin complexes were reduced by 4.8 ug/L over the first day for bivalirudin versus an increase of 1.9 ug/L in the heparin arm (p=0.0003). Acute IMR was lower (43.5+/-21.6 vs. 68.7+/-35.8 mmHgxs, respectively; p=0.014). In a planned interim analysis, an approximate 11% reduction in IS was observed with bivalirudin; the trial was discontinued for futility. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not achieve its primary endpoint of significant infarct size reduction in PPCI by prolonged bivalirudin infusion compared to UFH, even though complete thrombin inhibition was achieved in the acute phase, with a lower myocardial microcirculation resistance at the end of the procedure.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an underdiagnosed clinical entity with a severe prognosis. Whereas conservative management is followed in asymptomatic patients with reassuring hemodynamic status and TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) flow grade 3 on angiography, high-risk

Despite the cardiovascular benefits of regular sports, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk is increased during or shortly after exercise. Association with coronary artery disease (CAD) has been described in small studies, mainly autopsic with potential bias given the high sports-related SCA survival, and focusing on young competitive athletes, whereas sports-related SCA occurs mostly in recreational athletes. 1-5 Through the Paris Sudden Death Expertise Center prospective registry that includes all SCAs in Paris and suburbs since May 2011, we performed the first broad comprehensive CAD description in sports-related SCAs, with a comparison with matched non-sports-related SCAs.

Background Despite dual antiplatelet treatment, major ischemic events are common following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to assess high platelet reactivity on aspirin (HPR-aspirin) and its association with P2Y12i (HPR-P2Y12i) during the acute phase of STEMI. Methods We included all consecutive patients admitted for STEMI treated by primary angioplasty in our center for 1 year. All patients received a loading dose followed by a maintenance dose of aspirin (75 mg/day) and prasugrel (ticagrelor or clopidogrel if contraindicated). Platelet reactivity was assessed 4 ± 1 days and 75 ± 15 days after admission using light transmission aggregometry with arachidonic acid (LTA-AA–HPR-aspirin) and VASP (HPR-P2Y12i) to define HPR as well as serum Thromboxane-B2 and LTA-ADP. Major cardiac and cerebrovascular events were recorded for 1 year. Results We included 106 patients – mean age was 61 y.o., 76% were male and 20% had diabetes. STEMI was anterior in 52% and LV ejection fraction at discharge was 51 ± 9%. 50% of patients were treated with prasugrel and 34% with ticagrelor. At day 4 after STEMI, HPR-aspirin was found in 26% patients and HPR-P2Y12i in 7%. HPR- both aspirin and P2Y12i was found in 4%. Diabetes and age were predictors of HPR-aspirin. HPR-aspirin was persistent 75 days later in 36% patients. At 1 year, 7.9% patients had experienced major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). HPR-aspirin and HPR on both aspirin and P2Y12i were significantly associated with MACCE. Conclusion HPR-aspirin is frequent just after STEMI and associated with MACCE especially when associated with HPR-P2Y12i.

Aim of the study Acute coronary syndrome is one of the main causes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). OHCA patients are particularly exposed to high platelet reactivity (HPR) under aspirin (ASA) treatment. The aim was to evaluate HPR-ASA in therapeutic hypothermia comatose patients resuscitated from OHCA. Methods and results Twenty-two consecutive patients with OHCA of cardiac origin were prospectively included after therapeutic hypothermia and randomized to receive ASA 100mg per day, either intravenously ( n =13) or orally via a gastric tube ( n =9). ADP inhibitors (prasugrel or, if contra-indicated, clopidogrel) were administered in the event of angioplasty. HPR-ASA was assessed by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) with arachidonic acid (AA) and by the PFA-100 ® system with collagen/epinephrine. Clinical, biological and angiographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Using LTA-AA, maximum aggregation intensity was significantly lower in the intravenous group compared to the oral group (15% vs. 29%, respectively; p =0.04). Overall, 10 patients (45%) had HPR-ASA (38% intravenously vs 56% orally; p =0.7). Similarly, closure time was significantly increased in the IV group (277s vs. 155s, respectively; p =0.04). Conclusion This study suggests that impaired response to both intravenous and oral aspirin is frequent in comatose patients resuscitated from OHCA.

Purpose Circulatory failure (CF) influences management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients and the decision of circulatory assistance. We performed a study to identify on hospital admission patients at risk for CF-related death. Materials and methods This is a single-center study including OHCA patients without obvious extracardiac cause and sustained return of spontaneous circulation, in a retrospective derivation (RC) and prospective validation cohort (PC). Univariate/multivariate logistic regression was used in the RC to determine a score predicting CF-related death (due to rearrest or persistent shock despite adequate fluid and catecholamine treatment). The score was validated in the PC. Results We included 207 patients in the RC and 96 in the PC. Circulatory failure occurred in 59% of RC and 63% of PC patients ( P = .70); 35% in both cohorts died of CF. In multivariate regression, correlates of CF-related death making up the logistic score were arterial pH ( P P = .0045). In the PC, for a logistic score cut-off of 0.5, sensitivity for CF-related death was 50%; specificity, 92%. Patients with shock and arterial pH less than or equal to 7.11 had a CF-related death probability greater than 0.5. Conclusion A logistic score based on arterial pH and shock requiring catecholamines on admission can predict CF-related death in OHCA patients.

Background Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Several studies have demonstrated a role for Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA) to predict the vulnerability of the plaque. Recent works suggest a role for calcification in this vulnerability. Purpose To assess if the CCTA study of the calcium component of plaques can predict plaque vulnerability defined by intracoronary OCT analysis in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods Prospective study of consecutive patients with NSTEMI and elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I level > 50 ng/ml from January to October 2018. CCTA was performed before coronary angiography. When CCTA demonstrated significant lesions, coronary angiography was performed with OCT study of three coronary arteries. Apart culprit plaques, vulnerable plaques were defined in OCT by a fibrous screed thickness Results Of 1478 patients with chest pain, 257 (17%) had NSTEMI. Among them 44(17%) were without known CAD and among these patients 29(66%-mean age 59 ± 13 years, 73% men) had received coronary angiography and OCT. A total of 123 calcified plaques were identified. Among them, OCT allowed to identify 77 (63%) SP and 47 (37%) calcified vulnerable plaques with 28 VNCP and 19 VCP. After CCTA analysis, predictive factors of vulnerability were identified: longer calcification length, larger calcification volume, higher plaque's Agatston score, lower sphericity index, more spotty calcifications, a more intimal position in the wall (P Fig. 1 ). Conclusion CCTA study of the calcium component of plaque allows to identify predictors of plaque vulnerability defined by OCT in patients with NSTEMI.

The deluge of data on scholarly output created unique opportunities for identifying the drivers of modern science, for studying career paths of scientists, and for measuring the research performance. These massive data and processing methodologies have given rise to an exciting new field, namely Science of Science (SoS) as the successor of what is called scientometrics or informetrics for many decades. Science of Science is the offspring of the fertile cooperation of many disciplines, such as network science, statistics, machine learning, mathematical analysis, sociology of science and so on. In this article, we provide a comprehensive coverage of recent advances in SoS related to network analysis, prediction and ranking, and investigate the issue of scientist ranking from a multilayer network perspective. Towards this goal, we contrast by experiments the well-known h-index and the recently proposed indicator C3-index to a generalization of PageRank for multilayer networks, namely BiPlex PageRank, which is based on solid tensor analysis. Both the obtained results and the brief survey of SoS will deepen our faith to SoS and stimulate further efforts in this transdisciplinary field.

Aspirin is the key treatment in the secondary prevention of atherothrombosis. Interindividual variability of response has been linked to a higher risk for ischemic events. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and biologic factors predicting high on-aspirin platelet reactivity (HPR) in a high-risk, "real-world" population of vascular patients. All platelet testing performed from 2011 to 2013 in consecutive patients receiving long-term treatment with aspirin for coronary or cerebrovascular disease was retrospectively analyzed. Indications for platelet testing were recurrent ischemic events or high-risk angioplasty. HPR was defined as aggregation intensity≥20% using light-transmission aggregometry with arachidonic acid 0.5 mg/ml. Collagen-epinephrine platelet function analysis was also performed (threshold165 seconds). Cardiovascular risk factors, usual biologic parameters, and antiplatelet treatment were recorded. A total of 1,508 patients were included (mean age 63 years, 71% men, 23% with diabetes). Antiplatelet treatment was aspirin alone in 333 patients and dual-antiplatelet therapy in 1,175 patients. HPR was found in 11.1% of patients. In multivariate analysis, independent predictive factors of HPR on light-transmission aggregometry with arachidonic acid were diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39 to 3.16), age (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.47), fibrinogen level (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.42), and von Willebrand factor level (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09). On light-transmission aggregometry with arachidonic acid and collagen-epinephrine platelet function analysis, fibrinogen remained the main factor associated with HPR (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.61). Similar results were found in patients treated with aspirin alone or dual-antiplatelet therapy. A fibrinogen level4.0 g/L was associated with a 3.9-fold increased risk for HPR in patients aged75 years. In conclusion, fibrinogen level was the major predictor of HPR on aspirin in this large population of high-risk vascular patients.

Background— Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is not firmly established as a guide to treatment in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Primary goals were to evaluate the impact of integrating FFR on management decisions and on clinical outcome of patients with ACS undergoing coronary angiography, as compared with patients with stable coronary artery disease. Methods and Results— R3F (French FFR Registry) and POST-IT (Portuguese Study on the Evaluation of FFR-Guided Treatment of Coronary Disease), sharing a common design, were pooled as PRIME-FFR (Insights From the POST-IT and R3F Integrated Multicenter Registries - Implementation of FFR in Routine Practice). Investigators prospectively defined management strategy based on angiography before performing FFR. Final decision after FFR and 1-year clinical outcome were recorded. From 1983 patients, in whom FFR was prospectively used to guide treatment, 533 sustained ACS (excluding acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction). In ACS, FFR was performed in 1.4 lesions per patient, mostly in left anterior descending (58%), with a mean percent stenosis of 58±12% and a mean FFR of 0.82±0.09. In patients with ACS, reclassification by FFR was high and similar to those with non-ACS (38% versus 39%; P =NS). The pattern of reclassification was different, however, with less patients with ACS reclassified from revascularization to medical treatment compared with those with non-ACS ( P =0.01). In ACS, 1-year outcome of patients reclassified based on FFR (FFR against angiography) was as good as that of nonreclassified patients (FFR concordant with angiography), with no difference in major cardiovascular event (8.0% versus 11.6%; P =0.20) or symptoms (92.3% versus 94.8% angina free; P =0.25). Moreover, FFR-based deferral to medical treatment was as safe in patients with ACS as in patients with non-ACS (major cardiovascular event, 8.0% versus 8.5%; P =0.83; revascularization, 3.8% versus 5.9%; P =0.24; and freedom from angina, 93.6% versus 90.2%; P =0.35). These findings were confirmed in ACS explored at the culprit lesion. In patients (6%) in whom the information derived from FFR was disregarded, a dire outcome was observed. Conclusions— Routine integration of FFR into the decision-making process of ACS patients with obstructive coronary artery disease is associated with a high reclassification rate of treatment (38%). A management strategy guided by FFR, divergent from that suggested by angiography, including revascularization deferral, is safe in ACS.

To examine whether pulmonary artery balloon pulsation (PABP) could improve circulatory function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in pigs.Ten downsize pigs were sedated and ventilated. AMI was induced by inserting a plug into the left anterior descending artery. A pulsation balloon was placed in the pulmonary artery in all animals. In the treatment group (TG), pulsations began when life-threatening arrhythmia or30% drop in mean blood pressure (MBP) or40% decrease in cardiac output compared to baseline occurred. Pulsation rate was 120/min, independent of the heartbeat, maintained for 10 min. The control group (CG) received no pulsation. In the TG (n = 5), mean BP after the AMI improved by 7 ± 12 mmHg after 150 min while in the CG, MBP decreased by 17 ± 25 mmHg, P0.05; coronary perfusion pressure improved by 8 ± 7 mmHg in the TG but decreased by 15 ± 12 in the CG (P0.05). In the CG, cardiac output did not change but in the TG it improved from 3.5 ± 0.9 after the AMI to 4.2 ± 1.1 l/min 150 min after AMI (P0.05). The TG required 1.8 ± 0.4 electric shocks for ventricular fibrillation versus 0.8 ± 0.4 in the pulsation group (P0.05).PABP could be useful in the management of AMI due to improved mean arterial BP, coronary perfusion pressure, cardiac output and electrical stability. The mechanism of this effect remains to be determined.

We read with great interest the study by Bascom et al1 regarding the predictors of circulatory failure (CF)-related death after resuscitated cardiac arrest (CA). Identifying patients with CA at high risk of CF-related death is important because circulatory assistance devices, such as venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, could improve systemic and cerebral circulation until cardiac contractility and vascular resistance recover, potentially preventing CF-related death in some patients. In 2016, our team published a similar study,2 including out-of-hospital patients with CA without and also with ST-elevation myocardial infarction because these patients may also be at risk of CF-related death and may be potential candidates for …

We sought to develop a reproducible, percutaneous basic science and translational animal model for the generation of thrombotic occlusion acute myocardial infarction in adult atherosclerotic pigs. A vascular coil COOK TORNADO® 38 inches (3–3.5 × 20–50 mm) was placed in the right coronary artery or the left anterior descending artery in 26 downsized spontaneously hypercholesterolemic pigs and left untreated until a thrombotic intracoronary occlusion was present. After the angiographic confirmation of total occlusion, we proceeded to crossing the newly formed thrombotic occlusion with a guidewire, followed by pre-dilatation with a semi compliant balloon, thrombus visualization with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging and, finally, deployment of a stent and repeated OCT. After revascularization, we calculated the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) to estimate microvascular obstruction. AMI was confirmed by ECG, biochemical, histological, macroscopic examination and TTC imaging. After feasibility phase (6 animals), acute thrombotic occlusion was achieved in 20 pigs. In total, 18 were successful revascularized and survived until the previously selected time for sacrifice. Time to occlusion after coil placement was 69 ± 29 min, thrombus formation was confirmed by OCT, thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) measurements and pathology examination. Myocardial necrosis by troponin I elevation, myocardial staining and pathology examination. Distal thrombotic embolization and microvascular obstruction were supported by increased IMR and pathology examination. Thrombotic occlusion AMI in miniaturized adult spontaneously atherosclerotic pigs is feasible by percutaneous intracoronary placement of a coil. The reperfusion by angioplasty mirrors human pathological conditions with myocardial infarction, necrosis and distal embolization. Our model closely simulates human presentation of AMI and can be used to evaluate antithrombotic agents and primary angioplasty techniques.

Objective This study sought to determine the rate and potential clinical impact of persistent platelet reactivity (PPR) in unprotected left main (ULMD) stenting. Background PPR under aspirin or thienopyridines is associated with acute events after angioplasty. Methods We prospectively included 125 patients referred for ULMD stenting. For the first 64 patients (ALMA-1), angioplasty was performed under aspirin and clopidogrel without platelet reactivity assessment. For the last 61 patients (ALMA-2), platelet reactivity was assessed before angioplasty: in patients with aspirin-related PPR, aspirin twice daily was given and in those with clopidogrel-related PPR, clopidogrel double dose or prasugrel was used. Results Overall, patients' mean age was 69 ± 13 years, 37% were diabetic, and 37% had non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Patients' characteristics were similar in both studies with isolated left main in 14% and associated with 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel disease in 23%, 36%, and 27%, respectively. Mean SYNTAX score was 23 ± 9. Procedural characteristics were similar using provisional T stenting in 69%, T stenting in 27%, and other techniques in 4%. In ALMA-2, 28% patients had PPR for aspirin, 29% for clopidogrel, and 8% for both. Aspirin twice daily was given in 28% of patients, clopidogrel double dose in 26%, and prasugrel in 31%. The rate of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was lower in ALMA-2 versus ALMA-1 (8.2% vs. 20.8%; P = 0.04) as a composite end-point of cardiovascular death or stent thrombosis (0.0% vs. 8.3%; P = 0.02). Conclusion PPR under aspirin and thienopyridines is frequent in ULMD stenting and could be related to subsequent major events.

Background Despite dual antiplatelet treatment with the new P2Y12 platelet receptor antagonists (P2Y12i), major ischemic events are common following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Objectives To assess separately resistance to aspirin (HPR-aspirin), resistance to P2Y12i (HPR-P2Y12i) and their association during the acute phase of STEMI in relation to the occurrence of ischemic events. Methods We included all consecutive patients admitted for STEMI in our center between January 2013 and December 2013. All patients received a loading dose followed by a maintenance dose of aspirin (75mg/day) and either clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor. Platelet reactivity was assessed 4±1 days and 75±15 days after admission using light transmission aggregometry (LTA) with arachidonic acid (AA) and serum Thromboxane-B2 concentration to assess HPR-aspirin and LTA-ADP and VASP index to assess HPR-P2Y12i. Major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were recorded during one year. Results 106 patients (61years old, 76% male, 20% with diabetes) were included. STEMI was anterior in 52% and LV ejection fraction at discharge was 51±9%. At day 4 after STEMI, HPR-aspirin measured by LTA-AA alone was found in 23% patients and was correlated with serum thromboxane inhibition, HPR-P2Y12i (VASP≥50% and LTA-ADP≥65%) was observed only in 7% and combined resistance was present in 4% of the patients. Diabetes and age were predictors of HPR-aspirin. The large use of ticagrelor (34%) and prasugrel (50%) explained the low rate of P2Y12i resistance. HPR-aspirin was persistent 75 days later in 36% patients who were resistance at day 4. At 1 year, 7.9% patients had experienced MACCE. HPR-aspirin alone and HPR for both aspirin and P2Y12i were significantly associated with MACCE. Conclusion Aspirin resistance is frequent just after STEMI and is associated with MACCE especially when associated with P2Y12i resistance.

La mortalite cardiovasculaire reste la premiere cause de deces chez les patients diabetiques. Le traitement medical et l’equilibre glycemique restent les elements fondamentaux du traitement de la cardiopathie ischemique. L’angioplastie est le mode de revascularisation privilegie en cas de syndrome coronaire aigu, notamment en cas d’infarctus du myocarde, avec un arsenal pharmacologique qui s’est considerablement etoffe ces dernieres annees. La connaissance et l’emploi d’un environnement antithrombotique adequat sont fondamentaux. Concernant la revascularisation programmee, la chirurgie « tout arterielle » de pontages coronaires et l’angioplastie coronaire sont deux techniques complementaires qui permettent de proposer, en fonction de l’anatomie coronaire (SYNTAX score) mais aussi des comorbidites (EuroSCORE), la meilleure option possible chez des patients qui beneficieront souvent des deux techniques au cours de leur vie.

Background Troponin is a major diagnostic criterion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) but in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients, its diagnostic value may be altered by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Methods Single-centre study assessing the diagnostic characteristics of troponin for AMI diagnosis in consecutive patients resuscitated from OHCA between 2002 and 2008 with coronary angiogram (CA) performed on admission. Patients with obvious non-cardiac cause of OHCA, unsustained or absent return of spontaneous circulation were excluded. AMI was defined on CA by the presence of acute occlusion or critical stenosis with intracoronary fresh thrombus easily crossed by an angioplasty wire. Troponin concentration was recorded once on admission and once 6–12h after the OHCA. Results A total of 163 patients aged 56 (median) years (interquartile range (IQR) 48–65) was included, all comatose. Most prevalent initial OHCA rhythms were ventricular fibrillation (49%) and asystole (41%). AMI was diagnosed on coronary angiogram in 37% of the patients. Median troponin concentration on admission was 1.7 (0.3–10)ngml −1 and sensitivity for AMI diagnosis was 72% and specificity 75% for a 2.5ngml −1 cut-off. A combined criterion comprising ST elevation and troponin >2.5ngml −1 had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 64%. Six to twelve hours after the OHCA, median troponin concentration was 7.6ngml −1 (1.4–47.5), sensitivity was 84% and specificity 84% for a 14.5ngml −1 cut-off. Conclusion Troponin I has a good diagnostic value for AMI diagnosis in OHCA patients. In combination with ST elevation, troponin I on admission achieves a very high sensitivity.

Background Diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients is important because immediate coronary angiography with coronary angioplasty could improve outcome in this setting. However, the value of acute post-resuscitation electrocardiographic (ECG) data for the detection of AMI is debatable. Methods We assessed the diagnostic characteristics of post-resuscitation ECG changes in a retrospective single centre study evaluating several ECG criteria of selection of patients undergoing AMI, in order to improve sensitivity, even at the expense of specificity. Immediate post resuscitation coronary angiogram was performed in all patients. AMI was defined angiographically using coronary flow and plaque morphology criteria. Results We included 165 consecutive patients aged 56 (IQR 48–67) with sustained return of spontaneous circulation after OHCA between 2002 and 2008. 84 patients had shockable, 73 non-shockable and 8 unknown initial rhythm; 36% of the patients had an AMI. ST-segment elevation predicted AMI with 88% sensitivity and 84% specificity. The criterion including ST-segment elevation and/or depression had 95% sensitivity and 62% specificity. The combined criterion including ST-segment elevation and/or depression, and/or non-specific wide QRS complex and/or left bundle branch block provided a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, a specificity of 46% and a positive predictive value of 52%. Conclusion In patients with OHCA without obvious non-cardiac causes, selection for coronary angiogram based on the combined criterion would detect all AMI and avoid the performance of the procedure in 30% of the patients, in whom coronary angiogram did not have a therapeutic role.