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Objective Human microRNA-185 (miR-185) has been reported to act as a regulator of fibrosis and angiogenesis in cancer. However, miR-185 has not been investigated in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We hypothesized that the changes in miR-185 levels in STEMI patients are related to the processes of myocardial healing and remodeling. Methods Between January 2011 and December 2013, 145 patients with STEMI (65.9±11.6 years old; 41 women) were enrolled. Initial and discharge serum samples collected from 20 patients with STEMI and mixed sera from 8 healthy controls were analyzed by a microarray. A quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis of miR-185 was performed in all 145 patients. The correlation between the miR-185 levels and the clinical, laboratory, angiographic, and echocardiographic parameters was analyzed. Results The microarray analysis revealed a biphasic pattern in miR-185 levels, with an initial decrease followed by an increase at discharge. The miR-185 levels at discharge were significantly correlated with the troponin-I, CK-MB, and area under the curve of CK-MB levels. There was a positive correlation between the transforming growth factor-β and miR-185 levels at discharge (ρ=0.242, p=0.026). A high wall motion score index and a low ejection fraction, as measured by echocardiography, and high B-type natriuretic peptide level at one month after STEMI were related to high miR-185 levels. Conclusion Our results showed that elevated miR-185 levels at the late stage of STEMI were related to a large amount of myocardial injury and adverse remodeling.

Visual Abstract, Highlights • Our study supports the feasibility of measuring thrombogenicity in patients with acute myocardial infarction, with intent to predict periprocedural and long-term clinical events, in real-world clinical practice. • Preprocedural assessment of ex vivo thrombogenicity (eg, platelet-fibrin clot strength by thromboelastography) was significantly associated with the risk of coronary microvascular dysfunction. • A combined risk stratification with coronary microvascular dysfunction and platelet-fibrin clot strength increased the prognostic implication to predict the rates of long-term clinical outcomes., Summary The association between thrombogenicity and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) has been poorly explored in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In our real-world clinical practice (N = 116), thrombogenicity was evaluated with thromboelastography and conventional hemostatic measures, and CMD was defined as index of microcirculatory resistance of >40 U using the invasive physiologic test. High platelet-fibrin clot strength (P-FCS) (≥68 mm) significantly increased the risk of postprocedural CMD (odds ratio: 4.35; 95% CI: 1.74-10.89). Patients with both CMD and high P-FCS had a higher rate of ischemic events compared to non-CMD subjects with low P-FCS (odds ratio: 5.58; 95% CI: 1.31-23.68). This study showed a close association between heightened thrombogenicity and CMD and their prognostic implications after reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction patients.

A higher SYNTAX score (SS) is strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (CS-STEMI). However, the predictive value of culprit-lesion SYNTAX score (cul-SS) and SS has not been compared although the culprit-lesion-only primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategy showed improved long-term survival recently. This study compared the predictive utility of cul-SS and SS for in-hospital mortality among the patients with CS-STEMI from during 2010-2019. Of the 215 patients, 79 (37%) died. SS ≥22, cul-SS ≥11, final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow ≤2, and no-reflow phenomenon were associated with in-hospital mortality. In patients with multi-vessel disease, the nonsurvivors with cul-SS ≥11 had a higher mortality rate than the survivors (75.0% vs. 44.9%, p = 0.001), whereas the SS ≥22 showed no significant difference. The cul-SS ≥11 revealed only an independent factor in the multivariate analysis (OR 2.6, p = 0.010). the AUC of cul-SS ≥11 for in-hospital mortality was modest (0.617 p < 0.05), which might be augmented up to 0.745 (p < 0.001) by the combination with TIMI flow ≤2, no-reflow phenomenon, and blood total CO2 content

BACKGROUND Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder that results from a deficiency of α-galactosidase A enzyme activity in which glycosphingolipids gradually accumulate in multi-organ systems. Cardiac manifestations are the leading cause of mortality in patients with AFD. Among them, arrhythmias comprise a large portion of the heart disease cases in AFD, most of which are characterized by conduction disorders. However, atrial fibrillation as a presenting sign at the young age group diagnosed with AFD is uncommon. CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 26-year-old man who was admitted with chest discomfort. Left ventricular hypertrophy was fulfilled in the criteria by the Sokolow-Lyon index and atrial fibrillation on the 12 Leads-electrocardiography (ECG) that was documented in the emergency room. After spontaneously restored to normal sinus rhythm, relationships between P and R waves, including a shorter PR interval on the ECG, were revealed. The echocardiographic findings showed thickened interventricular septal and left posterior ventricular walls. Based on the clues mentioned earlier, we realized the possibility of AFD. Additionally, we noticed the associated symptoms and signs, including bilateral mild hearing loss, neuropathic pain, anhidrosis, and angiokeratoma on the trunk and hands. He was finally diagnosed with classical AFD, which was confirmed by the gene mutation and abnormal enzyme activity of α-galactosidase A. CONCLUSION This case is a rare case of AFD as a presentation with atrial fibrillation at a young age. Confirming the relationship between P and Q waves on the ECG through sinus rhythm conversion may help in differential diagnosis of the cause of atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic myocardium.

BACKGROUND The in-stent restenosis (ISR) rates are reportedly inconsistent despite the increased use of second-generation drug eluting stent (DES). Although bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) have substantial advantages with respect to vascular restoration, the rate of scaffold thrombosis is higher with BVS than with DES. Optimal treatment strategies have not been established for DES-ISR to date. CASE SUMMARY We report on a case of a 60-year-old man patient with acute coronary syndrome. He had a history of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction associated with very late scaffold thrombosis and treated with a DES. Coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis, suggesting DES-ISR on the previous BVS. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) identified a plaque rupture and a disrupted scaffold strut in the neointimal proliferation of DES. To treat the DES-ISR on the previous BVS, we opted for a drug-coated balloon (DCB) after a balloon angioplasty using a semi-compliant and non-compliant balloon. The patient did not experience adverse cardiovascular events on using a DCB following the use of intensive dual antiplatelet therapy and statin for 24 mo. CONCLUSION This case highlights the importance of OCT as an imaging modality for characterizing the mechanism of target lesion failure. The use of a DCB following the administration of optimal pharmacologic therapy may be an optimal strategy for the treatment and prevention of recurrent BVS thrombosis and DES-ISR.

Intermittent left main coronary artery ostium obstruction (LMOO) caused by native aortic valve thrombus (NAVT) is an extremely rare condition. It may therefore be challenging to identify the cause using only coronary angiography, even though the clinical presentation and electrocardiography (ECG) strongly suggest myocardial infarction. We herein report a 53-year-old man with NAVT complicating intermittent occlusion of left main disease in preexisting coronary artery stenosis.

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is commonly known as a chronic complication of left ventricular remodeling due to coronary artery disease. Acute IMR after coronary artery disease, such as acute myocardial infarction particular, could also develop as a mechanical complication involving papillary muscle rupture. However, the clinical significance of acute transient IMR and the therapeutic intervention in coronary artery disease is infrequently reported. We describe a patient with acute pulmonary edema due to acute IMR, which resolved immediately after coronary revascularization.

Amlodipine has a potential to reduce clopidogrel bioactivation through the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme in vivo, but the clinical impact of this interaction remains controversial. This randomized, open-label, two-period, crossover study was performed to evaluate the influence of amlodipine on the haemostatic profiles of high-risk patients during clopidogrel treatment. We recruited 40 Asian patients (Male/Female: n = 36/4) receiving clopidogrel (75 mg/day), aspirin (100 mg/day) and rosuvastatin for at least 6 months following percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg daily amlodipine or not for 2 weeks, and then were crossed over to the other treatment for 2 weeks. Haemostatic measurements were conducted with the VerifyNow assay and thromboelastography (TEG). Primary endpoint was P2Y12 Reaction Units (PRU) during on- versus off-amlodipine treatment. The on-amlodipine strategy showed higher level of PRU compared with the off-amlodipine strategy (176.8 ± 75.4 vs. 150.7 ± 65.5 PRU; ∆mean: 26.1 PRU; ∆95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.5–47.7 PRU; p = 0.019). Platelet-fibrin clot strength measured by TEG was lower during on- versus off-amlodipine treatment (7,712 ± 1,889 vs. 8,559 ± 2,174 dyne/cm2; ∆mean: –847 dyne/cm2; ∆95% CI: –1,632 to –62 dyne/cm2; p = 0.035). After amlodipine discontinuation, 27 patients (67.5%) showed a decrease in PRU, which was associated with ‘PRU ≥ 160 on-amlodipine’ in multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 62.014; 95% CI: 2.302–1670.328; p = 0.014). In conclusion, amlodipine increases platelet reactivity and decreases platelet-fibrin clot strength during clopidogrel treatment. In addition, the effect of amlodipine discontinuation on clopidogrel responsiveness is associated with on-amlodipine platelet reactivity.

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have shown the increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. This study sought to evaluate the impact of clot strength on prevalence and major adverse CV events (MACE) of PAD in high-risk patients. We enrolled patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 1667) with available platelet–fibrin clot strength [thrombin-induced maximal amplitude (MAthrombin) measured by thromboelastography] and inflammation [high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)]. PAD was defined with abnormal ankle-brachial index (≤ 0.9 or > 1.4). MACE was defined as a composite of CV death, myocardial infarction or stroke. PAD was observed in 201 patients (12.1%). In the multivariate analysis, high clot strength [MAthrombin ≥ 68 mm: odds ratio (OR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20 to 2.41, p = 0.003] and enhanced inflammation (hs-CRP ≥ 3.0 mg/L: OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.56 to 3.41, p

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel on left ventricular (LV) remodeling after reperfusion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in humans. Background Animal studies have demonstrated that ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel better protects myocardium against reperfusion injury and improves remodeling after myocardial infarction. Methods In this investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded trial performed at 10 centers in Korea, patients were enrolled if they had naive STEMI successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and at least 6-month planned duration of dual-antiplatelet treatment. The coprimary endpoints were LV remodeling index (LVRI) (a relative change of LV end-diastolic volume) measured on 3-dimensional echocardiography and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide level at 6 months. Results Among initially enrolled patients with STEMI (n = 336), 139 in each group completed the study. LVRI at 6 months was numerically lower with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel (0.6 ± 18.6% vs. 4.5 ± 16.5%; p = 0.095). Ticagrelor significantly reduced the 6-month level of N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (173 ± 141 pg/ml vs. 289 ± 585 pg/ml; p = 0.028). These differences were prominent in patients with pre-PCI TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) flow grade 0. By multivariate analysis, ticagrelor versus clopidogrel reduced the risk for positive LV remodeling (LVRI >0%) (odds ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.33 to 0.95; p = 0.030). The LV end-diastolic volume index remained unchanged during ticagrelor treatment (from 54.7 ± 12.2 to 54.2 ± 12.2 ml/m2; p = 0.629), but this value increased over time during clopidogrel treatment (from 54.6 ± 11.3 to 56.4 ± 13.9 ml/m2; p = 0.056) (difference −2.3 ml/m2; 95% confidence interval: −4.8 to 0.2 ml/m2; p = 0.073). Ticagrelor reduced LV end-systolic volume index (from 27.0 ± 8.5 to 24.7 ± 8.4 ml/m2; p Conclusions Ticagrelor was superior to clopidogrel for LV remodeling after reperfusion of STEMI with primary PCI. (High Platelet Inhibition With Ticagrelor to Improve Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction [HEALING-AMI]; NCT02224534 )

Background Although ankle-brachial index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity measurement are well-established modalities for assessing peripheral artery disease and arterial stiffness and predicting cardiovascular events, it is unclear which one is more important or if a combination of the two is more effective for determining prognosis among patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods Patients with acute myocardial infarction (n = 889) were stratified into four groups according to a brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (cut-off value: 1684 cm/s) and ankle-brachial index (cut-off value: 0.98): group I (high ankle-brachial index and low brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, n = 389), group II (high ankle-brachial index and high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, n = 281), group III (low ankle-brachial index and low brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, n = 103), group IV (low ankle-brachial index and high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, n = 116). The mean follow-up duration was 348 days. Results Major adverse cardiovascular events or cardiac death occurred in 64 (7.2%) and 26 patients (2.9%), respectively. In multivariable analysis, group III and IV had a significant high hazard ratio for major adverse cardiovascular events (5.93, 5.43) and cardiac death (13.51, 19.06). Additionally, ankle-brachial index had a higher hazard ratio than brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity for major adverse cardiovascular events (3.38 vs. 1.40) and cardiac death (6.21 vs. 2.40). When comparing receiver operating characteristic curves of the combined models of risk factors, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, and ankle-brachial index, pulse wave velocity plus ankle-brachial index or pulse wave velocity plus ankle-brachial index plus risk factors were significantly more predictive of major adverse cardiovascular events than risk factors. Conclusion Our findings indicate that ankle-brachial index is a strong independent prognostic factor and adding a brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity measurement to ankle-brachial index increases the prognostic power for cardiac events in patients with acute myocardial infarction, while ankle-brachial index and pulse wave velocity showed additive value to risk factors.

Background and objectives After the first acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a considerable proportion of patients are newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). However, in AMI, controversy remains regarding the disparity in prognosis between previously diagnosed DM (known-DM) and newly diagnosed DM (new-DM). Methods The study included 10,455 patients with AMI (non-DM, 6,236; new-DM, 659; known-DM, 3,560) admitted to one of 15 participating centers in Korea between November 2011 and January 2016 (average follow-up, 523 days). We compared the characteristics and clinical course of patients with known-DM and those with new- or non-DM. Results Compared to patients with known-DM, those with new-DM or non-DM were younger, more likely to be male, and less likely to have hypertension, dyslipidemia, prior stroke, angina, or myocardial infarction. Compared to patients with new-DM or non-DM (reference), those with known-DM had higher risks of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.35; p=0.004), cardiac death (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01-1.57; p=0.042), and congestive heart failure (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.20-2.08). Unlike known-DM, new-DM did not increase the risk of cardiac events (including death). Conclusions Known-DM was associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events after AMI, while new-DM had a similar risk of cardiac events as that noted for non-DM. There were different cardiovascular outcomes according to diabetes status in patients with AMI.

Objective Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement is a well-established modality for assessing arterial stiffness and predicting cardiovascular events. However, to our knowledge, its usefulness has not been clarified among patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). This study assessed the prognostic value of baPWV in patients with NSTEMI. Patients and methods Patients (n=411, mean age, 63.8±13.5 years, 75.2% men) with NSTEMI who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention and baPWV measurement were recruited between January 2013 and December 2015. Cardiac mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, re-acute myocardial infarction, revascularization, heart failure, and stroke after discharge were analyzed. The mean follow-up duration was 350 days. Results MACE and cardiac mortality occurred in 26 (6.3%) patients and 13 (3.1%) patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that MACE and cardiac mortality were significantly higher in patients with high baPWV (1708.0 cm/s). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, high baPWV (hazard ratio: 2.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-6.30, P=0.043) was an independent predictor of MACE even after adjusting for possible confounders. Conclusion Our findings indicate that baPWV was a strong independent prognostic factor of MACE in patients with NSTEMI. This suggests that baPWV can be a useful prognostic factor in the clinical setting for easier and less invasive prediction of MACE in patients with NSTEMI.

We investigated the utility of nutrition scores in predicting mortality and prognostic importance of nutrition status using three different scoring systems in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).In total, 1147 patients with AMI were enrolled in this study (72.5 % men; mean age 65.6 years). Patients were divided into three groups according to the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI); prognostic nutritional index (PNI); and triglycerides, total cholesterol, and body weight index(TCBI) scores as tertile: low (GNRI ≤ 103.8, n = 382), intermediate (103.8GNRI ≤ 112.3, n = 383), and high (GNRI112.3, n = 382) GNRI groups; low (PNI ≤ 50.0, n = 382), intermediate (50.0PNI ≤ 56.1, n = 383), and high (PNI56.1, n = 382) PNI groups; and low (TCBI ≤ 1086.4, n = 382), intermediate (1086.3GNRI ≤ 2139.1, n = 383), and high (TCBI2139.1, n = 382) TCBI groups.In the GNRI, TCBI, and PNI groups, the cumulative incidence of all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) was significantly higher in the low score group, followed by the intermediate and high score groups. Moreover, both intermediate and low PNI groups had a similar cumulative incidence of all-cause death and MACE. The GNRI score (AUC 0.753, 95% CI 0.608~0.745, P = 0.009) had significantly higher areas under the curve (AUCs) than the TCBI (AUC 0.659, 95% CI 0.600~0.719, reference) and PNI (AUC 0.676, 95% CI 0.608~0.745, P = 0.669) scores.Patients with low nutrition scores were at a higher risk of MACE and all-cause death than patients with high nutrition scores. Additionally, the GNRI had the greatest incremental value in predicting risks among the three different scoring systems used in this study.

저나트륨혈증은 심부전 환자에서 흔하게 관찰되며 이환율 및 사망률의 증가와 관련되어 있다. Tolvaptan은 V2-수용체 항길항제로서 심부전 환자에서 저나트륨혈증의 새로운 치료 약제로 이용되고 있다. 그러나 tolvaptan에 의한 삼투성 탈수초 증후군의 보고는 거의 없었다. 78세 여자가 심부전, 심방세동 및 저나트륨혈증으로 내원하여 tolvaptan을 투여받았다. 약제 처방 후 3일째 갑작스런 소변량 증가 및 혈청 나트륨 증가가 발생하였으며 의식저하가 동반되었다. 고령, 저체중 등의 위험 인자를 가진 심부전 환자에서 tolvaptan의 비정상적인 지연 반응이 나타나 탈수초 증후군이 발생한 증례를 보고하는 바이다.

Background/Aims: Although a low triiodothyronine (T3) state is closely associated with heart failure (HF), it is uncertain whether total T3 levels on admission is cor related with the clinical outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic value of total T3 levels for major ad verse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with AMI undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 765 PCI-treated AMI patients (65.4 ± 12.6 years old, 215 women) between January 2012 and July 2014 were included and 1-year MACCEs were ana lyzed. We assessed the correlation of total T3 and free thyroxine (fT4) with preva lence of 1-year MACCEs and the predictive values of total T3, fT4, and the ratio of total T3 to fT4 (T3/fT4), especially for HF requiring re-hospitalization. Results: Thirty patients (3.9%) were re-hospitalized within 12 months to control HF symptoms. Total T3 levels were lower in the HF group than in the non-HF group (84.32 ± 21.04 ng/dL vs. 101.20 ± 20.30 ng/dL, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the cut-offs of total T3 levels (≤ 85 ng/dL) and T3/fT4 (≤ 60) for HF (area under curve [AUC] = 0.734, p < 0.001; AUC = 0.774, p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, lower T3/fT4 was an independent predictor for 1-year HF in PCI-treated AMI patients (odds ratio, 1.035; 95% confidential in terval, 1.007 to 1.064; p = 0.015). Conclusions: Lower levels of total T3 were well correlated with 1-year HF in PCI-treated AMI patients. The T3/fT4 levels can be an additional marker to pre dict HF.

SummaryThe role of platelet-leukocyte interaction in the infarct myocardium still remains unveiled. We aimed to determine the linkage of platelet activation to post-infarct left ventricular remodelling (LVR) process. REMODELING was a prospective, observational, cohort trial including patients (n = 150) with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were given aspirin plus clopidogrel therapy (600 mg loading and 75 mg daily). Platelet reactivity (PRU: P2Y12 Reaction Units) was assessed with VerifyNow P2Y12 assay on admission. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on admission and at one-month follow-up. The primary endpoint was the incidence of LVR according to PRU-based quartile distribution. LVR was defined as a relative ≥ 20 % increase in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) between measurements. Adverse LVR was observed in 36 patients (24.0 %). According to PRU quartile, LVR rate was 10.8 % in the first, 23.1 % in the second, 27.0 % in the third, and 35.1 % in the fourth (p = 0.015): the optimal cut-off of PRU was ≥ 248 (area under curve: 0.643; 95 % confidence interval: 0.543 to 0.744; p = 0.010). LVR rate also increased proportionally according to the level of high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p = 0.012). In multivariate analysis, the combination of PRU (≥ 248) and hs-CRP (≥ 1.4 mg/l) significantly increased the predictive value for LVR occurrence by about 21-fold. In conclusion, enhanced levels of platelet activation and inflammation determined the incidence of adverse LVR after STEMI. Combining the measurements of these risk factors increased risk discrimination of LVR. The role of intensified antiplatelet or anti-inflammatory therapy in post-infarct LVR process deserves further study.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) can provide perioperative prognostic information in risk stratification of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. This study directly compared the prognostic value of DSE and CTA in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.Between 2014 and 2016, 215 patients with more than one clinical risk factor for perioperative cardiovascular (CV) events were enrolled prospectively. They received both DSE and CTA before noncardiac surgery. Perioperative clinical risk was classified according to the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI), DSE results were categorized as abnormal (inducible ischemia and/or nonviable infarction) or not. CTA results were assessed using the severity of stenosis, with significant stenosis being ≥50% of the luminal diameter). After the exclusion, a total of 206 patients remained. Perioperative CV events were defined as CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), myocardial injury, pulmonary edema, non-fatal stroke, and systemic embolism within 30 days after surgery.Twenty-four patients (12%) had perioperative cardiac events (1 cardiac death, 10 non-fatal MI, 8 myocardial injury, 11 pulmonary edema, 1 non-fatal stroke, and 1 pulmonary embolism). Following adjustment for baseline RCRI score, abnormal result on DSE (OR, 6.08, 95% CI, 2.41 to 15.31, P 0.001), significant CAD on CTA (OR, 18.79; 95% CI, 5.24 to 67.42, P 0.001), and high CACS (OR, 4.19; 95% CI, 1.39 to 12.60, P = 0.011) remained significant predictors of perioperative CV events.DSE and CTA are independent predictive factors of events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Among them, assessment of significant CAD using CTA might show a higher prognostic value compared with DSE before noncardiac surgery.URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02250963.

Although acid suppressants are needed to attenuate gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), pharmacodynamic interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) can increase the risk of high platelet reactivity (HPR). We sought to evaluate serial changes of platelet measures and influence of rabeprazole on platelet measures. After 600-mg clopidogrel loading for elective PCI, clopidogrel-sensitive patients were recruited and randomly assigned to add rabeprazole of daily 20 mg (n = 40) or famotidine of daily 40 mg (n = 40). Platelet measures were performed with light transmittance aggregometry and VASP-P assay. Primary endpoint was 5 μM ADP-induced platelet aggregation (PA) at 30-day follow-up. HPR was defined as 5 μM ADP-induced PA > 46%. Baseline platelet measures did not differ significantly between the groups. The 30-day level of 5 μM ADP-induced PA was similar between the famotidine vs. rabeprazole group (30.0 ± 16.4% vs. 30.2 ± 13.9%, P= .956). In addition, other platelet measures were comparable between the groups. At 30-day follow-up, the incidence of HPR was similar between the famotidine and rabeprazole groups (20.5% vs. 15.4%; P= .555). In conclusion, adjunctive use of rabeprazole showed the similar antiplatelet effect even in clopidogrel-sensitive patients compared with adjunctive famotidine, which may support the similar effect of rabeprazole and famotidine on the antiplatelet effect of dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel plus aspirin.

Background: High-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannula (HFNC) could reduce intubation rate and mortality rate among patients with acute respiratory failure. We evaluated the physiological responses and clinical outcomes of HFNC in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed in single medical tertiary center. Patients with AHF who had a progressive hypoxemia after oxygenation via facemask were divided into intubation group and HFNC group. We analyzed the physiological responses and in-hospital clinical outcomes between two groups. Results: Seventy-three patients of intubation group and 76 patients of HFNC group were included. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between two groups. There were no differences in changes of mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and pulse oxygen saturation during the first 6 hours. Among HFNC group, 66 of 76 patients (86.8%) were successfully recovered from progressive hypoxemia without endotracheal intubation, and there were no differences in in-hospital clinical outcomes between two groups. Conclusions: This study showed HFNC group had a similar result of improvement of oxygen saturation and in-hospital clinical outcomes compared with intubation group in AHF. Present study supported HFNC could be considered as initial choice of oxygen therapy in selected patients of AHF.

Appropriate risk stratification and timely revascularization of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are available in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) - capable hospitals (PCHs). This study evaluated whether direct admission vs inter-hospital transfer influences cardiac mortality in patients with AMI. This study was conducted in the PCH where the patients were able to arrive within an hour. The inclusion criteria were AMI with a symptom onset time within 24 hours and having undergone PCI within 24 hours after admission. The cumulative incidence of cardiac death after percutaneous coronary intervention was evaluated in the direct admission versus inter-hospital transfer groups. Among the 3178 patients, 2165 (68.1%) were admitted via inter-hospital transfer. Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the direct admission group had a reduced symptom onset-to-balloon time (121 minutes, P

Background/Aims: This study is a head-to-head comparison of predictive values for long-term cardiovascular outcomes between exercise electrocardiography (ex-ECG) and computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in patients with chest pain. Methods: Four hundred and forty-two patients (mean age, 56.1 years; men, 61.3%) who underwent both ex-ECG and CTCA for evaluation of chest pain were included. For ex-ECG parameters, the patients were classified according to negative or positive results, and Duke treadmill score (DTS). Coronary artery calcium score (CACS), presence of plaque, and coronary artery stenosis were evaluated as CTCA parameters. Cardiovascular events for prognostic evaluation were defined as unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, revascularization, heart failure, and cardiac death. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 2.8 ± 1.1 years. Fifteen patients experienced cardiovascular events. Based on pretest probability, the low- and intermediate-risks of coronary artery disease were 94.6%. Odds ratio of CACS > 40, presence of plaque, coronary stenosis ≥ 50% and DTS ≤ 4 were significant (3.79, p = 0.012; 9.54, p = 0.030; 6.99, p < 0.001; and 4.58, p = 0.008, respectively). In the Cox regression model, coronary stenosis ≥ 50% (hazard ratio, 7.426; 95% confidence interval, 2.685 to 20.525) was only significant. After adding DTS ≤ 4 to coronary stenosis ≥ 50%, the integrated discrimination improvement and net reclassification improvement analyses did not show significant. Conclusions: CTCA was better than ex-ECG in terms of predicting long-term outcomes in low- to intermediate-risk populations. The predictive value of the combination of CTCA and ex-ECG was not superior to that of CTCA alone.

The recent studies have shown that adjunctive use of anticoagulant can reduce the risk of atherothrombotic event occurrence in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We performed this analysis to evaluate the level of hypercoagulability and its impact on clinical events according to the

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.05.133.].

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate whether the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) measured with computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) predicts periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) in patients undergoing an elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 197 patients with stable angina underwent elective PCI after CTCA. We evaluated CACS using CTCA and assessed the clinical risk factors for PMI. PMI was defined as an elevation of troponin I levels exceeding five times the upper limit of normal within 24 h after PCI. Patients were followed up for major adverse cardiovascular events for a median of 4.6 years. RESULTS The prevalence of PMI was 18.7% (37 patients) and patients with PMI showed a trend toward a higher CACS (721±779 vs. 498±842, P=0.142). The prevalence of PMI showed a positive correlation with the CACS distribution [8.0%, first interquartile range (IQR); 14.3%, second IQR; 22.4%, third IQR; 30.6%, fourth IQR; P=0.002]. The CACS cut-off value for PMI was greater than 113 (area under the curve: 0.670; 95% confidence interval: 0.600-0.736; P

Coronary embolism in patients with metastatic cancer is an uncommon cause of acute myocardial infarction (1,2). Aspiration thrombectomy becomes necessary in specific conditions, especially in cases of large thrombus or coronary embolism. Some cases of cancer embolism, with restoration of coronary flow through percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using aspiration thrombectomy were reported in the literature (3,4). We report on a rare and lethal case of cardiac arrest due to acute myocardial infarction owing to coronary embolism. Coronary flow was restored and histologic confirmation was made after removal of emboli via aspiration thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) caused by total occlusion of the left circumflex artery (LCX) can present as non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We evaluate whether door-to-balloon time (DBT) is associated with cardiac mortality in patients with total occlusion of the LCX. PATIENTS AND METHODS From the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry, patients with AMI who had total occlusion with a Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade of 0 were included. We determined the factors for delay in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (DBT>90 min) and evaluated cardiac mortality for a median period of 14 months. RESULTS Mean DBT was 68 min (interquartile range=50-156 min), and the achievement rate of DBT less than or equal to 90 min was 66.9% in the entire study population. More than half of patients with total occlusion of LCX were presented as NSTEMI (57.7%). Among patients with total occlusion of the LCX, the mean DBT was 136 min (interquartile range=60-484 min), and the achievement rate of DBT less than or equal to 90 min was 42.8%. On multivariate analysis, LCX occlusion was an important factor for DBT more than 90 min (odds ratio: 1.766, P

295 Copyright c 2015 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Received: 2015. 4. 6 Revised: 2015. 5. 15 Accepted: 2015. 6. 18

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a transient left ventricular dysfunction that typically occurs after emotional or physical stress. TCM has a benign prognosis and serious complications are uncommon. However, though very rarely reported, cardiac tamponade has occurred on some occasions. We hereby report the case of a 70-year-old woman who underwent coronary angiography with an ergonovine provocation test to evaluate recurrent chest pain and was readmitted 7 days later presenting with TCM, followed by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and cardiac tamponade.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a systemic disorder associated with various extrarenal complications. The major cardiovascular complications of ADPKD include valvulopathies and vascular ectasia. A 64-year-old man who was diagnosed with ADPKD seven years previously was admitted to our hospital for heart failure. Pelvic computed tomography revealed multiple variable-sized cysts in both kidneys. Transthoracic echocardiography showed enlargement of the left ventricle and left atrium. Severe mitral regurgitation and moderate aortic regurgitation with annuloaortic ectasia were observed. The left main coronary artery was dilated. The patient had various cardiovascular features associated with ADPKD.

Aim Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy has been shown to attenuate the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel. The aim of this study was to compare the antiplatelet effects of cilostazol versus clopidogrel in patients co-administered a PPI. Methods We enrolled PPI-naive stented patients treated with standard clopidogrel and aspirin therapy for at least six months (n=100). The patients were randomly assigned to receive either cilostazol at a dose of 100mg twice daily (CILO group) or clopidogrel at a dose of 75mg daily (CLPD group) in addition to lansoprazole (30mg daily). The platelet aggregation (PA) determined using light transmittance aggregometry and the platelet reactivity index (PRI) obtained using a vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation assay were measured before randomization and at the 14-day follow-up visit. The primary endpoint was the PRI value at follow-up. Results At follow-up, the CLPD group showed similar values of PRI as the CILO group (66.9±14.0% vs. 63.1±14.1%; mean difference: 3.9%; 95% confidence interval of difference: -1.7% to 9.4%; p=0.174). However, the 6μg/mL collagen- and 0.5mg/mL arachidonic acid-induced PA values in the CLPD group were higher than those observed in the CILO group (mean differences: 9.8% to 11.1%; all p values ＜0.001). CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele carriage was the major contributing factor associated with the PRI level in the absence of lansoprazole treatment (with a gene-dose effect); this association was not observed in the subjects receiving lansoprazole co-administration in the CLPD group. Conclusions During lansoprazole co-administration, cilostazol treatment achieves a more favorable platelet function profile than clopidogrel therapy. The use of combination treatment with cilostazol and aspirin deserves further attention with respect to the management of stable stented patients requiring PPI co-administration.

Serial change of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and its clinical impact have not been demonstrated in large-sized patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Serial LVEFs were measured in 2,872 ACS cohort. Patients were stratified into 4 groups according to LVEF (on-admission & 1-month post-PCI): (1

We evaluate the clinical implication of hypercoagulability surrogates, D-dimer (fibrinolysis) and fibrinogen (thrombosis) levels, in PCI-treated patients. Baseline D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were measured (n=2,344). We stratified patients into four groups according to D-dimer and fibrinogen

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Combination antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of ischemic stroke compared with aspirin monotherapy in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. The underlying mechanism, however, remains unclear. In addition, the association between platelet inhibition and thrombogenicity in NVAF has not been evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We randomized 60 patients with NVAF that were taking 100 mg of aspirin daily (>1 month) to adding 75 mg of clopidogrel daily (CLPD group), 100 mg of cilostazol twice daily (CILO group), or 1000 mg of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid twice daily (PUFA group). Biomarkers (von Willebrand factor antigen [vWF:Ag], fibrinogen, D-dimer, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and platelet reactivity (PR), which were the levels stimulated by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin-receptor agonist peptide, collagen, and arachidonic acid, were measured at baseline and 30-day follow-up. RESULTS Combination antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced vWF:Ag and fibrinogen levels (7.7 IU/dL, p=0.015 and 15.7 mg/dL, p=0.005, respectively), but no changes were found in D-dimer and hs-CRP levels. The CLPD and CILO groups showed fibrinogen and vWF:Ag level reductions (24.9 mg/dL, p=0.015 and 9.3 IU/dL, p=0.044, respectively), whereas the PUFA group did not show any differences in biomarkers. Irrespective of regimen, the changes in fibrinogen and vWF:Ag levels were mainly associated with the change in ADP-mediated PR (r=0.339, p=0.008 and r=0.322, p=0.012, respectively). CONCLUSION In patients with NVAF, combination antiplatelet therapy showed reductions for vWF:Ag and fibrinogen levels, which may be associated with the inhibitory levels of ADP-mediated PR. The clinical implications of these findings need to be evaluated in future trials.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel and aspirin is a widely prescribed regimen to prevent ischemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A fixed-dose combination (FDC) capsule (HCP0911) has been developed to provide dosing convenience and improve adherence. We compared the antiplatelet effects of single daily dose HCP0911 with separate treatment with daily 75 mg clopidogrel plus 100 mg aspirin. This was a randomized, open-label, two-period, crossover, non-inferiority study conducted in stented patients who had been treated for at least 6 months with clopidogrel and aspirin. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to receive either daily 75 mg clopidogrel plus 100 mg aspirin treatment or HCP0911 for 2 weeks and then were crossed over to the other treatment for 2 weeks. Pharmacodynamic effects were measured with VerifyNow, light transmittance aggregometry (LTA), and thromboelastography (TEG®). The primary endpoint was P2Y12 Reaction Units (PRU) measured by VerifyNow. PRUs during treatment with HCP0911 were not inferior to those during separate treatment (202 ± 52 vs. 207 ± 60 PRU; mean difference, -5 PRU; 90% confidence interval of difference, -23 to 13 PRU; P for non-inferiority = 0.015 for predetermined limit). "BASE" and Aspirin Reaction Units by VerifyNow did not differ between the two treatments. During each treatment, there were no differences in maximal and final platelet aggregations by LTA (all P values ≥0.822) and TEG® measurements. In conclusion, in stented patients, the antiplatelet effect of a fixed-dose clopidogrel-aspirin combination, HCP0911, was not inferior to separate administration of clopidogrel and aspirin.

The authors conducted a national cross-sectional cohort study to evaluate the associations between pulse pressure (PP) and body mass index (BMI) and sex, according to blood pressure (BP) status. A total of 18 812 patients without a history of antihypertensive medication and cardiovascular disease were selected. There was good concordance between PP and the selected cardiovascular risk factors. PP increased with high BMI among patients with normal BP, but decreased with high BMI among patients with hypertension (HTN). BMI (s, −0.260; SE, 0.039 [P