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Computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) enhances the specificity of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to that of the most specific non-invasive imaging techniques, while maintaining high sensitivity in stable coronary artery disease (CAD). As gatekeeper for invasive coronary angiography (ICA), use of CT-FFR results in a significant reduction of negative ICA procedures and associated costs and complications, without increasing cardiovascular events. It is expected that CT-FFR algorithms will continue to improve, regarding accuracy and generalisability, and that introduction of new features will allow further treatment guidance and reduced invasive diagnostic testing. Advancements in CCTA quality and artificial intelligence (AI) are starting to unfold the incremental diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of CCTA's attenuation-based images in CAD, with future perspectives promising additional CCTA parameters which will enable non-invasive assessment of myocardial ischaemia as well as CAD activity and future cardiovascular risk. This review discusses practical application, interpretation and impact of CT-FFR on patient care, and how this ties into the CCTA 'one stop shop' for coronary assessment and patient prognosis. In this light, selective adoption of the most promising, objective and reproducible techniques and algorithms will yield maximal diagnostic value of CCTA without overcomplicating patient management and guideline recommendations., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aims: The optimal vascular access site for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) remains uncertain. While observational data favour transradial access (TRA) due to lower complication rates and mortality, transfemoral access (TFA) PCI offers advantages such as shorter access and procedure times, along with quicker escalation to mechanical circulatory support (MCS). In this study, we aimed to investigate factors associated with a transfemoral approach and compare mortality rates between TRA and TFA in AMI-CS patients undergoing PCI., Methods and Results: Data from a nationwide registry of AMI-CS patients undergoing PCI (2017-2021) were analysed. We compared patient demographics, procedural details, and outcomes between TRA and TFA groups. Logistic regression identified access site factors and radial-to-femoral crossover predictors. Propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis examined the impact of access site on mortality. Of the 1562 patients, 45% underwent TRA PCI, with an increasing trend over time. Transfemoral access patients were more often female, had a history of coronary artery bypass grafting, lower blood pressure, higher resuscitation and intubation rates, and elevated lactate levels. After PSM, 30-day mortality was lower in TRA (33% vs. 46%, P < 0.001). Predictors for crossover included left coronary artery interventions, multivessel PCI, and MCS initiation., Conclusion: Significant differences exist between TRA and TFA PCI in AMI-CS. Transfemoral access was more common in patients with worse haemodynamics and was associated with higher 30-day mortality compared with TRA. This mortality difference persisted in the PSM analysis., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: BS reports receiving speaker fees from Abbott, Abiomed, AstraZeneca and research funding from Abiomed, DFG and EKFS outside the submitted work. BC reports receiving speaker fees from Abiomed, and consultancy fees from Amgen, Sanofi, Boston Scientific and Philips, outside the submitted work. JH reports receiving research grants from Health~Holland, B. Braun, Infraredx/Nipro, ZonMw, Astra Zeneca and Abbott Vascular, outside the submitted work., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Background: Mortality rates in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMICS) remain high despite advancements in AMI care. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of prehospital symptom duration on the prognosis of AMICS patients and those receiving mechanical circulatory support (MCS)., Methods and Results: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with data registered in the Netherlands Heart Registration. A total of 1,363 patients with AMICS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between 2017 and 2021 were included. Patients presenting after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were excluded. Most patients were male (68%), with a median age of 69 years (IQR 61-77), predominantly presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (86%). The overall 30-day mortality was 32%. Longer prehospital symptom duration was associated with a higher 30-day mortality with the following rates: < 3 h, 26%; 3-6 h, 29%; 6-24 h, 36%; ≥ 24 h, 46%; p < 0.001. In a subpopulation of AMICS patients with MCS (n = 332, 24%), symptom duration of > 24 h was associated with significantly higher mortality compared to symptom duration of < 24 h (59% vs 45%, p = 0.029). Multivariate analysis identified > 24 h symptom duration, age and in-hospital cardiac arrest as predictors of 30-day mortality in MCS patients., Conclusion: Prolonged prehospital symptom duration was associated with significantly increased 30-day mortality in patients presenting with AMICS. In AMICS patients treated with MCS, a symptom duration of > 24 h was an independent predictor of poor survival. These results emphasise the critical role of early recognition and intervention in the prognosis of AMICS patients., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Our study aimed to gain insights into patient characteristics, outcomes and treatment strategies in CS patients. Patients with CS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2017 and 2021 were identified in a nationwide registry. Data on medical history, laboratory values, angiographic features and outcomes were retrospectively assessed. A total of 2328 patients with a mean age of 66 years and of whom 73% were male, were included. Mortality at 30 days was 39% for the entire cohort. Non-survivors presented with a lower mean blood pressure and increased heart rate, blood lactate and blood glucose levels ( p -value for all <0.001). Also, an increased prevalence of diabetes, multivessel coronary artery disease and a prior coronary event were found. Of all patients, 24% received mechanical circulatory support, of which the majority was via intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs). Furthermore, 79% of patients were treated with at least one vasoactive agent, and multivessel PCI was performed in 28%. In conclusion, a large set of hemodynamic, biochemical and patient-related characteristics was identified to be associated with mortality. Interestingly, multivessel PCI and IABPs were frequently applied despite a lack of evidence.

Background: Angina without angiographic evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) is a highly prevalent condition with insufficient pathophysiological knowledge and lack of evidence-based medical therapies. This affects ANOCA patients prognosis, their healthcare utilization and quality of life. In current guidelines, performing a coronary function test (CFT) is recommended to identify a specific vasomotor dysfunction endotype. The NetherLands registry of invasive Coronary vasomotor Function testing (NL-CFT) has been designed to collect data on ANOCA patients undergoing CFT in the Netherlands., Methods: The NL-CFT is a web-based, prospective, observational registry including all consecutive ANOCA patients undergoing clinically indicated CFT in participating centers throughout the Netherlands. Data on medical history, procedural data and (patient reported) outcomes are gathered. The implementation of a common CFT protocol in all participating hospitals promotes an equal diagnostic strategy and ensures representation of the entire ANOCA population. A CFT is performed after ruling out obstructive coronary artery disease. It comprises of both acetylcholine vasoreactivity testing as well as bolus thermodilution assessment of microvascular function. Optionally, continuous thermodilution or Doppler flow measurements can be performed. Participating centers can perform research using own data, or pooled data will be made available upon specific request via a secure digital research environment, after approval of a steering committee., Conclusion: NL-CFT will be an important registry by enabling both observational and registry based (randomized) clinical trials in ANOCA patients undergoing CFT., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest NL-CFT is supported by research grants from Dutch Cardiovascular Alliance consortium IMPRESS (2020B004), Philips and Abbott. Damman P received research grants, lecture and consultancy fees from Phillips, and research grants and lecture fees from Abbott Vascular. Van Royen N has received research grants from Philips, Biotronik, Medtronic and Abbott and speaker fees from Microport, Rainmed and Abbott. Van ‘t Hof A received research grants and lecture fees from Abbott Vascular, Medtronic, Boehringer Ingelheim, Astra Zeneca and AMGEN not related to this work. Van de Hoef T received institutional research grants and consultancy fees from Philips and Abbott Vascular. Appelman Y received research grant from Dutch Heart Foundation IMPRESS, lecture and consultancy fees from Abbott Vascular and Phillips. Woudstra P received lecture fees from Philips. All other authors have no disclosures., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Patients with complex coronary artery disease, concomitant cardiac disease, and multiple comorbidities are addressed as complex higher-risk indicated patients (CHIPs). Selecting a revascularization strategy in this population remains challenging. If coronary artery bypass grafting is deemed high risk or patients are considered inoperable, high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the support of the Impella CP ventricular assist device (Abiomed) may be an attractive alternative., Methods: In this retrospective, multicenter study, we included consecutive patients undergoing Impella CP-facilitated complex high-risk PCI. All patients were discussed by the heart team and were declined for surgery. Additionally, periprocedural mechanical circulatory support was deemed necessary. We collected demographic, clinical, and procedural characteristics. Major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and mortality rates up to 30 days were evaluated., Results: A total of 27 patients (median age, 73 ± 9.7 years; 74.1% men) were included in our study. The median SYNTAX score was 32 (range, 8-57) and EuroSCORE was 7.25% (range, 1.33-49.66; ± 12.76%). Periprocedural hemodynamic instability was observed in 1 patient (3.7%). In-hospital combined with 30-day mortality was 7.4% (2/27). No repeat revascularization was necessary. MACE was observed in 10 patients (37.0%). Six patients (22.2%) had a major bleeding complication, of which 2 were related to Impella access site. Median Impella run time was 1.22 hours and there was no significant decrease in kidney function. Median admission time after PCI was 3 days (range, 1-23; ± 4.76)., Conclusions: The Impella CP system showed good feasibility and provided adequate hemodynamic support during high-risk PCI in this CHIP population.

Aims: To assess differences in long-term outcome and functional status of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) treated by percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)., Methods and Results: Long-term follow-up of the multicentre, randomized IMPRESS in Severe Shock trial (NTR3450) was performed 5-year after initial randomization. Between 2012 and 2015, a total of 48 patients with severe CS from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with ST-segment elevation undergoing immediate revascularization were randomized to pMCS by Impella CP (n = 24) or IABP (n = 24). For the 5-year assessment, all-cause mortality, functional status, and occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) were assessed. MACCE consisted of death, myocardial re-infarction, repeat percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, and stroke. Five-year mortality was 50% (n = 12/24) in pMCS patients and 63% (n = 15/24) in IABP patients (relative risk 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.47-1.59, P = 0.65). MACCE occurred in 12/24 (50%) of the pMCS patients vs. 19/24 (79%) of the IABP patients (P = 0.07). All survivors except for one were in New York Heart Association Class I/II [pMCS n = 10 (91%) and IABP n = 7 (100%), P = 1.00] and none of the patients had residual angina. There were no differences in left ventricular ejection fraction between the groups (pMCS 52 ± 11% vs. IABP 48 ± 10%, P = 0.53)., Conclusions: In this explorative randomized trial of patients with severe CS after AMI, there was no difference in long-term 5-year mortality between pMCS and IABP-treated patients, supporting previously published short-term data and in accordance with other long-term CS trials., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Objectives: Performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for fractional flow reserve (FFR) positive coronary lesions improves clinical outcomes and is recommended by international guidelines. It has been hypothesized that lesions with a positive FFR but a preserved coronary flow reserve (CFR) are less likely to be flow limiting and might best be treated medically. We investigated the association of CFR in FFR-positive lesions with clinical outcomes when treated medically, as well as the treatment effect of PCI vs medical therapy in FFR-positive lesions and a preserved CFR., Methods: We performed a substudy of the randomized, multicenter Compare-Acute trial, in which stabilized ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with non-culprit lesions were randomized to either FFR-guided PCI or medical therapy. Based on baseline and hyperemic pressure gradients, we computed physiologic limits of CFR, the so-called pressure-bounded CFR (pb-CFR), and classified lesions as low (<2) or preserved (≥2). The primary endpoint was 12-month major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) rate, defined as a composite of death from any cause, non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, or cerebrovascular events., Results: A total of 980 lesions from 885 patients were included in this substudy. In lesions with FFR ≤0.80, a total of 249 patients had a pb-CFR <2 and 29 patients had a preserved CFR (pb-CFR ≥2). The rate of MACCE at 1 year was not significantly different between patients with FFR ≤0.80 and pb-CFR <2 vs patients with FFR ≤0.80 and pb-CFR ≥2 (25% vs 17%, respectively; P=.39). Because of randomization, baseline characteristics were well balanced between patients with FFR ≤0.80 and pb-CFR ≥2 treated by either by PCI or medical therapy. Importantly, in patients with FFR ≤0.80 and pb-CFR ≥2, MACCE occurred more frequently in patients treated medically vs patients treated by PCI (44% vs 0%, respectively; P=.01)., Conclusions: Preserved or low pb-CFR did not alter clinical outcomes in patients with a positive FFR. Patients with FFR-positive coronary lesions but a preserved CFR had more clinical events when treated medically vs those treated with PCI.

Objective: To assess whether combining venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) improves outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) over VA-ECMO alone., Background: VA-ECMO is an upcoming technique in the treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS); however, it increases afterload. IABP + VA-ECMO has been suggested to reduce afterload and increase survival., Methods: A multicenter in-hospital registry was maintained on all patients undergoing VA-ECMO or VA-ECMO + IABP treatment for CS in STEMI., Results: Between 2015 and 2018, a total of 18 patients with STEMI underwent VA-ECMO ± IABP treatment for CS. The majority (n = 14; 78%) were male and median age was 59 years (interquartile range, 47-75 years). VA-ECMO + IABP was performed in 7 patients (39%) and VA-ECMO alone was performed in 11 patients (61%). The VA-ECMO + IABP group had more complex coronary anatomy and a higher number of patients with left main (LM) disease, LM + 3-vessel disease, or 3-vessel disease (VA-ECMO + IABP 86% vs VA-ECMO alone 18%; P=.03). The Survival After Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (SAVE) score did not differ between the groups (VA-ECMO alone -5.9 ± 2.4 vs VA-ECMO + IABP -6.1 ± 2.6; P=.88). The SYNTAX score was higher in the VA-ECMO + IABP group (32 ± 13 vs 22 ± 14 in the VA-ECMO alone group). In the total group, a SAVE score of -6 had a predicted survival of 25%-35%. Survival in the VA-ECMO + IABP group was 100% (7/7) and survival in the VA-ECMO group was 55% (6/11); P=.04. Good neurological outcome was achieved in more patients in the VA-ECMO + IABP group (VA-ECMO alone 45% vs VA-ECMO + IABP 100%; P=.04)., Conclusion: In STEMI complicated by CS, VA-ECMO + IABP leads to a lower observed mortality and higher observed good neurological outcome.

Background: In selected patients with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by Cardiogenic shock (CS), mechanical circulatory support with Impella may be beneficial, although conclusive evidence is still lacking. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that Impella initiation prior to primary PCI might improve survival., Objective: To investigate the effect pre-PCI versus immediate post-PCI Impella initiation on short term mortality., Methods: A prospective, single center, observational study, was performed including all patients with STEMI complicated by CS, treated with primary PCI and Impella. Thirty day mortality was compared between patients with Impella initiation pre-PCI and immediately post-PCI., Results: A total of 88 patients were included. In the pre-PCI group (n = 21), admission heart rate was lower (84 versus 94 bpm, p = 0.04) and no IABP was implanted before Impella initiation, versus 17.9% in post-PCI group (n = 67), p = 0.04. Total 30-day all-cause mortality was 58%, and was lower in pre-PCI group, 47.6% versus 61.2% in the post-PCI group, however not statistically significant (HR 0.7, 95% CI 0.3-1.3, p = 0.21). Thirty-day cardiac mortality was significantly lower in the pre-PCI group, 19% versus 44.7% in the post-PCI group (HR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09-0.96, p = 0.042)., Conclusion: Pre-PCI Impella initiation in AMICS patients was not associated with a statistically significant difference in 30-day all-cause mortality, compared to post-PCI Impella initiation., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Purpose: Complex high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is challenging and frequently accompanied by haemodynamic instability. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) can provide cardiopulmonary support in high-risk PCI. However, the outcome is unclear., Methods: A two-centre, retrospective study was performed of all patients undergoing high-risk PCI and receiving VA-ECMO for cardiopulmonary support., Results: A total of 14 patients (92% male, median age 69 (53-83) years), of whom 50% had previous coronary artery disease in the form of a coronary artery bypass graft (36%) and a PCI (14%) underwent high-risk PCI and received VA-ECMO support. The main target lesion was a left main coronary artery in 78%, a left anterior descending artery in 14%, a right coronary artery in 7%, and 71% underwent multi-vessel PCI in addition to main target vessel PCI. The median SYNTAX score was 27.2 (8-42.5) and in 64% (9/14) there was a chronic total occlusion. Left ventricular function was mildly impaired in 7% (1/14), moderately impaired in 14% (2/14) and severely impaired in 64% (9/14). Cannulation was femoral-femoral in all patients. Median ECMO run was 2.57 h (1-4). Survival was 93% (13/14). One patient died during hospitalisation due to refractory cardiac failure. All other patients survived to discharge. Complications occurred in 14% (2/14), with one patient developing a transient ischaemic attack post-ECMO and one patient developing a thrombus in the femoral vein used for ECMO cannulation., Conclusion: VA-ECMO in high-risk PCI is feasible with a good outcome. It can be successfully used for cardiopulmonary support in selected patients.

Background: Microvascular dysfunction in the setting of ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) is thought to be related to stress-related metabolic changes, including acute glucose intolerance. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between admission glucose levels and microvascular function in non-diabetic STEMI patients., Methods: 92 consecutive patients with a first anterior-wall STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) were enrolled. Blood glucose levels were determined immediately prior to PPCI. After successful PPCI, at 1‑week and 6‑month follow-up, Doppler flow was measured in culprit and reference coronary arteries to calculate coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), baseline (BMR) and hyperaemic (HMR) microvascular resistance., Results: The median admission glucose was 8.3 (7.2-9.6) mmol/l respectively 149.4 mg/dl [129.6-172.8] and was significantly associated with peak troponin T (standardised beta coefficient [std beta] = 0.281; p = 0.043). Multivariate analysis revealed that increasing glucose levels were significantly associated with a decrease in reference vessel CFVR (std beta = -0.313; p = 0.002), dictated by an increase in rest average peak velocity (APV) (std beta = 0.216; p = 0.033), due to a decreasing BMR (std beta = -0.225; p = 0.038) in the acute setting after PPCI. These associations disappeared at follow-up. These associations were not found for the infarct-related artery., Conclusion: Elevated admission glucose levels are associated with impaired microvascular function assessed directly after PPCI in first anterior-wall STEMI. This influence of glucose levels is an acute phenomenon and contributes to microvascular dysfunction through alterations in resting flow and baseline microvascular resistance.

Aims: Mortality in cardiogenic shock patients remains high. Short-term mechanical circulatory support with Impella can be used to support the circulation in these patients, but data from randomised controlled studies and 'real-world' data are sparse. The aim is to describe real-life data on outcomes and complications of our 12 years of clinical experience with Impella in patients with cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction and to identify predictors of 6-month mortality., Methods: We describe a single-centre registry from October 2004 to December 2016 including all patients treated with Impella for cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction. We report outcomes and complications and identify predictors of 6-month mortality., Results: Our overall clinical experience consists of 250 patients treated with Impella 2.5, Impella CP or Impella 5.0. A total of 172 patients received Impella therapy for cardiogenic shock, of which 112 patients had cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction. The mean age was 60.1±10.6 years, mean arterial pressure was 67 (56-77) mmHg, lactate was 6.2 (3.6-9.7) mmol/L, 87.5% were mechanically ventilated and 59.6% had a cardiac arrest before Impella placement. Overall 30-day mortality was 56.2% and 6-month mortality was 60.7%. Complications consisted of device-related vascular complications (17.0%), non-device-related bleeding (12.5%), haemolysis (7.1%) and stroke (3.6%). In a multivariate analysis, pH before Impella placement is a predictor of 6-month mortality., Conclusions: Our registry shows that Impella treatment in cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction is feasible, although mortality rates remain high and complications occur.

Background: Interventional cardiologists are inevitably exposed to low-dose radiation, and consequently are at risk for radiation induced diseases like cataract and left-sided brain tumours. Operator behaviour may possibly be the largest influencer on radiation exposure. We hypothesised that awareness regarding radiation exposure grows as skill and the general experience in the catheterization laboratory increase., Objectives: In this study we determined the difference in the relative radiation exposure of staff interventional cardiologists compared with cardiology fellows-in-training., Methods: During this prospective trial the operator's radiation exposure (E in µSv) was measured at chest height during 766 diagnostic catheterisations and percutaneous coronary interventions. Also, the patient exposure (DAP in mGy·cm 2 ), representing the amount of radiation administered by the operator per procedure, was collected. The primary outcome of this study was the difference in relative exposure between staff interventional cardiologists versus cardiology fellows-in-training (E/DAP)., Results: From January to May 2017, staff interventional cardiologists performed 637 procedures and cardiology fellows-in-training 129 procedures. The performance of relatively complex procedures by staff interventional cardiologists resulted in a 74% higher use of radiation compared with fellows-in-training. Consequently, staff interventional cardiologists were exposed to 50% higher levels of actual radiation exposure. However, when correcting for the complexity of the procedure, by comparing the relative operator exposure (E/DAP), fellows-in-training were exposed to a 34% higher relative exposure compared with staff interventional cardiologists (p = 0.025)., Conclusions: In the current study, when corrected for complexity, cardiology fellows-in-training were exposed to significantly higher radiation levels than staff interventional cardiologists during catheterisation procedures.

Vasospastic angina (VSA) is considered a broad diagnostic category including documented spontaneous episodes of angina pectoris produced by coronary epicardial vasospasm as well as those induced during provocative coronary vasospasm testing and coronary microvascular dysfunction due to microvascular spasm. The hallmark feature of VSA is rest angina, which promptly responds to short-acting nitrates; however, VSA can present with a great variety of symptoms, ranging from stable angina to acute coronary syndrome and even ventricular arrhythmia. VSA is more prevalent in females, who can present with symptoms different from those among male patients. This may lead to an underestimation of cardiac causes of chest-related symptoms in female patients, in particular if the coronary angiogram (CAG) is normal. Evaluation for the diagnosis of VSA includes standard 12-lead ECG during the attack, Holter monitoring, exercise testing, and echocardiography. Patients suspected of having VSA with a normal CAG without a clear myocardial or non-cardiac cause are candidates for provocative coronary vasospasm testing. The gold standard method for provocative coronary vasospasm testing involves the administration of a provocative drug during CAG while monitoring patient symptoms, ECG and documentation of the coronary artery. Treatment of VSA consists of lifestyle adaptations and pharmacotherapy with calcium channel blockers and nitrates.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate the relative performance of a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) and a drug-eluting stent (DES) in patients with any (bare-metal or drug-eluting stent) in-stent restenosis (ISR)., Background: The treatment of ISR remains challenging in contemporary clinical practice., Methods: In a multicenter randomized noninferiority trial, patients with any ISR were randomly allocated in a 1:1 fashion to treatment with a DEB (SeQuent Please paclitaxel-eluting balloon, B. Braun Melsungen, Melsungen, Germany), or a DES (XIENCE everolimus-eluting stent, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California). The primary endpoint was noninferiority in terms of in-segment minimal lumen diameter (MLD) at 6-month angiographic follow-up. Secondary endpoints included angiographic parameters at 6 months and clinical follow-up up to 12 months., Results: A total of 278 patients, of whom 56% had DES-ISR, were randomized at 8 sites to treatment with DEB (n = 141) or DES (n = 137). As compared with DEB, DES was associated with larger MLD and lower % stenosis immediately post-procedure (1.84 ± 0.46 vs. 1.72 ± 0.35; p = 0.018; and 26 ± 10% vs. 30 ± 10%; p = 0.03). Angiographic follow up was completed at 196 ± 53 days in 79% of patients. With respect to the primary endpoint of in-segment MLD at 6 months, DEB was noninferior to DES (DEB 1.71 ± 0.51 mm vs. DES 1.74 ± 0.61 mm; p for noninferiority <0.0001). Target vessel revascularization at 12-month follow-up was similar in both groups (DES 7.1% vs. DEB 8.8%; p = 0.65)., Conclusions: In patients with ISR, treatment with DEB was noninferior compared with DES in terms of 6-month MLD. There were no differences in clinical endpoints, including target vessel revascularization up to 12 months. Therefore, use of a DEB is an attractive treatment option for in-stent restenosis, withholding the need for additional stent implantation., (Copyright © 2018 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Coronary artery spasm may be the underlying mechanism in up to 10% of cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and sudden cardiac death. Asian individuals exhibit a 3-times greater incidence of spasm than Caucasians; this is likely due to different types of mechanisms. Consequently, solid data is limited about the long-term prognosis in Caucasian patients presenting with ACS and/or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) caused by coronary spasm., Methods: Between 2002 and 2015, thirty Caucasian patients with coronary artery spasm presenting with ACS (N = 29) and/or OHCA (N = 11) were enrolled in this prospective registry. Follow-up, consisting of regular outpatient visits, was conducted with a mean follow-up period of 7.5 ± 3.3 years. Outcomes included presence of stable angina pectoris, recurrence of ACS, occurrence of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks and death., Results: The majority of patients (60%) remained asymptomatic during the entire follow-up period. At the end of the follow-up period only 3 patients still experienced stable angina (10%). Only 2 patients (7%) had a recurrent cardiac event, in which the ICD provided appropriate shock therapy. Half of the patients treated with stenting (N = 6), required re-interventions., Conclusion: Coronary spasm with ACS and/or OHCA in a Caucasian patient cohort has a relatively benign prognosis in the majority of patients in long-term follow-up, if treated appropriately with medical therapy. Both the role of ICD in OHCA secondary to coronary spasm, and the efficacy of stenting to treat vasospastic angina, warrant further study in large-sized prospective clinical trials.

Background: Interventional cardiologists are increasingly exposed to radiation-induced diseases like cataract and the stochastic risk of left-sided brain tumors. The RADPAD is a sterile, disposable, lead-free shield placed on the patient with the aim to minimize operator-received scatter radiation. The objective of the trial was to examine the RADPAD's efficacy in a real-world situation., Methods and Results: In the current, double-blind, sham-controlled, all-comer trial, patients undergoing diagnostic catheterization or percutaneous coronary interventions were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to a radiation absorbing shield (RADPAD), standard treatment (NOPAD), or a sham shield (SHAMPAD). The sham shield allowed testing for shield-induced radiation behavior. The primary outcome was the difference in relative exposure of the primary operator between the RADPAD and NOPAD arms and was defined as the ratio between operator's exposure (E in µSv) and patient exposure (dose area product in mGy·cm 2 ), measured per procedure. A total of 766 consecutive coronary procedures were randomized to the use of RADPAD (N=255), NOPAD (N=255), or SHAMPAD (N=256). The use of RADPAD was associated with a 20% reduction in relative operator exposure compared with that of NOPAD ( P =0.01) and a 44% relative exposure reduction compared with the use of a SHAMPAD ( P <0.001). Use of the SHAMPAD was associated with a 43% higher relative radiation exposure than procedures with NOPAD ( P =0.009)., Conclusions: In clinical daily practice, the standard use of the RADPAD radiation shield reduced operator radiation exposure compared with procedures with NOPAD or SHAMPAD. This study supports the routine use of RADPAD in the catheterization laboratory., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03139968., (© 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background: Despite advances in treatment, mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) remains high. Short-term mechanical circulatory support devices acutely improve hemodynamic conditions., Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether a new percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) device (Impella CP, Abiomed, Danvers, Massachusetts) decreases 30-day mortality when compared with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with severe shock complicating AMI., Methods: In a randomized, prospective, open-label, multicenter trial, 48 patients with severe CS complicating AMI were assigned to pMCS (n = 24) or IABP (n = 24). Severe CS was defined as systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg or the need for inotropic or vasoactive medication and the requirement for mechanical ventilation. The primary endpoint was 30-day all-cause mortality., Results: At 30 days, mortality in patients treated with either IABP or pMCS was similar (50% and 46%, respectively; hazard ratio with pMCS: 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 0.42 to 2.18; p = 0.92). At 6 months, mortality rates for both pMCS and IABP were 50% (hazard ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 0.47 to 2.32; p = 0.923)., Conclusions: In this explorative randomized controlled trial involving mechanically ventilated patients with CS after AMI, routine treatment with pMCS was not associated with reduced 30-day mortality compared with IABP. (IMPRESS in Severe Shock; NTR3450)., (Copyright © 2017 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is increasingly used in patients during cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock, to support both cardiac and pulmonary function. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies comparing mortality in patients treated with and without ECLS support in the setting of refractory cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction., Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the publisher subset of PubMed updated to December 2015. Thirteen studies were included of which nine included cardiac arrest patients (n = 3098) and four included patients with cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction (n = 235). Data were pooled by a Mantel-Haenzel random effects model and heterogeneity was examined by the I 2 statistic., Results: In cardiac arrest, the use of ECLS was associated with an absolute increase of 30 days survival of 13 % compared with patients in which ECLS was not used [95 % CI 6-20 %; p < 0.001; number needed to treat (NNT) 7.7] and a higher rate of favourable neurological outcome at 30 days (absolute risk difference 14 %; 95 % CI 7-20 %; p < 0.0001; NNT 7.1). Propensity matched analysis, including 5 studies and 438 patients (219 in both groups), showed similar results. In cardiogenic shock, ECLS showed a 33 % higher 30-day survival compared with IABP (95 % CI, 14-52 %; p < 0.001; NNT 13) but no difference when compared with TandemHeart/Impella (-3 %; 95 % CI -21 to 14 %; p = 0.70; NNH 33)., Conclusions: In cardiac arrest, the use of ECLS was associated with an increased survival rate as well as an increase in favourable neurological outcome. In the setting of cardiogenic shock there was an increased survival with ECLS compared with IABP., Competing Interests: Compliance with ethical standards Conflicts of interest J.P.S. Henriques reports research grants outside the submitted work. The other authors do not declare any conflicts of interest.

Background: The Navvus pressure sensor-equipped microcatheter allows to measure functional stenosis severity over a work-horse guidewire and is used as a more feasible alternative to regular sensor-equipped wires. However, Navvus is larger in diameter than contemporary sensor-equipped guidewires and may, thereby, influence functional measurements. The present study evaluates the hemodynamic influence of the Navvus microcatheter., Methods and Results: In patients with intermediate coronary stenosis, coronary pressure and flow velocity were measured using a dual sensor-equipped guidewire before and after introduction of Navvus. Patients were randomized to microcatheter-first or guidewire-first measurement. The primary end point was the difference in hyperemic stenosis resistance index between measurements before and after introduction of Navvus. Measurements were completed in 28 patients (28 stenoses). Mean hyperemic stenosis resistance was 0.37±0.19 Hg/cm/s for wire-only assessment and 0.48±0.26 Hg/cm/s after Navvus introduction (P<0.001). Bland-Altman analysis documented a mean bias of +0.11 Hg/cm/s (limits of agreement: -0.13 to 0.36), proportional to mean hyperemic stenosis resistance (Spearman ρ =0.61; P=0.001). Passing-Bablok analysis revealed absence of a constant difference but significant proportional difference between the methods. Mean fractional flow reserve was 0.86±0.06 for wire-only assessment and 0.82±0.07 after Navvus introduction (P<0.001). Bland-Altman analysis documented a mean bias of -0.033 (limits of agreement: -0.09 to 0.03), proportional to mean fractional flow reserve (Spearman ρ =0.40; P=0.036). Passing-Bablok analysis revealed significant constant and proportional differences between methods. Similar results were documented for resting indices of stenosis severity., Conclusions: Introduction of the Navvus microcatheter leads to clinically relevant stenosis severity overestimation in intermediate stenosis., (© 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Objectives: The use of intracardiac assist devices is expanding, and correct position of these devices is required for optimal functioning. The aortic valve is an important landmark for positioning of those devices. It would be of great value if the device position could be easily monitored on plain supine chest radiograph in the ICU. We introduce a ratio-based tool for determination of the aortic valve location on plain supine chest radiograph images, which can be used to evaluate intracardiac device position., Design: Retrospective observational study., Setting: Large academic medical center., Patients: Patients admitted to the ICU and supported by an intracardiac assist device., Interventions: We developed a ratio to determine the aortic valve location on supine chest radiograph images. This ratio is used to assess the position of a cardiac assist device and is compared with echocardiographic findings., Measurements and Main Results: Supine anterior-posterior chest radiographs of patients with an aortic valve prosthesis (n = 473) were analyzed to determine the location of the aortic valve. We calculated several ratios with the potential to determine the position of the aortic valve. The aortic valve location ratio, defined as the distance between the carina and the aortic valve, divided by the thoracic width, was found to be the best performing ratio. The aortic valve location ratio determines the location of the aortic valve caudal to the carina, at a distance of 0.25 ± 0.05 times the thoracic width for male patients and 0.28 ± 0.05 times the thoracic width for female patients. The aortic valve location ratio was validated using CT images of patients with angina pectoris without known valvular disease (n = 95). There was a good correlation between cardiac device position (Impella) assessed with the aortic valve location ratio and with echocardiography (n = 53)., Conclusions: The aortic valve location ratio enables accurate and reproducible localization of the aortic valve on supine chest radiograph. This tool is easily applicable and can be used for assessment of cardiac device position in patients on the ICU.

The experience and usage of percutaneous cardiac assist devices in cardiogenic shock as well as high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention have increased over the years. Nonetheless, there is still little evidence of clinical benefit of these devices other than immediate haemodynamic improvement. Despite the fact that these devices are used to treat a rather complex patient population, clinical testing remains important in order to evaluate their true impact on clinical outcome before being adopted into clinical practice. Therefore, this review shows an overview of the current experience and evidence of the available percutaneous cardiac assist devices., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The Academic Medical Center has received a research grant from Abiomed. Dr. Henriques has received honoraria/speaking fees from Abiomed.

Aim: Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS) is associated with high mortality rates, despite full conventional treatment. Although the results of treatment with surgically implantable ventricular assist devices have been encouraging, the invasiveness of this treatment limits its applicability. Several less invasive devices have been developed, including the Impella system. The objective of this study was to describe our three-center experience with the Impella 5.0 device in the setting of PCCS., Methods: From January 2004 through December 2010, a total of 46 patients were diagnosed with treatment-refractory PCCS and treated with the Impella 5.0 percutaneous left ventricular assist device at three european heart centers. Baseline and follow-up characteristics were collected retrospectively and entered into a dedicated database., Results: Within the study cohort of 46 patients, mean logistic and additive EuroSCORES were 24 ± 19 and 10 ± 4. The majority of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (48%) or combined surgery (33%). Half of all patients had been treated with an intra-aortic balloon pump before 5.0-implantation, 1 patient had been treated with an Impella 2.5 device. All patients were on mechanical ventilation and intravenous inotropes. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of overall 30-day survival was 39.5%., Conclusion: Thirty-day survival rates for patients with PCCS, refractory to aggressive conventional treatment and treated with the Impella 5.0 device, are comparable to those reported in studies evaluating surgically implantable VADs, whereas the Impella system is much less invasive. Therefore, mechanical circulatory support with the Impella 5.0 device is a suitable treatment modality for patients with severe PCCS.

Background: Coronary microvascular resistance is increased after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which may be related in part to changed left ventricular (LV) dynamics. Therefore we studied the coronary microcirculation in relation to systolic and diastolic LV function after STEMI., Methods: The study cohort consisted of 12 consecutive patients, all treated with primary PCI for a first anterior wall STEMI. At 4 months, we assessed pressure-volume loops. Subsequently, we measured intracoronary pressure and flow velocity and calculated coronary microvascular resistance. Infarct size and LV mass were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging., Results: Patients with an impaired systolic LV function due to a larger myocardial infarction showed a higher baseline average peak flow velocity (APV) than the other patients (26 ± 7 versus 17 ± 5 cm/s, p = 0.003, respectively), and showed an impaired variable microvascular resistance index (2.1 ± 1.0 versus 4.1 ± 1.3 mmHg cm(-1)∙s(-1), p = 0.003, respectively). Impaired diastolic relaxation time was inversely correlated with hyperaemic APV (r = -0.56, p = 0.003) and positively correlated with hyperaemic microvascular resistance (r = 0.48, p = 0.01). LV dilatation was associated with a reduced variable microvascular resistance index (r = 0.78, p = 0.006)., Conclusion: A larger anterior myocardial infarction results in impaired LV performance associated with reduced coronary microvascular resistance variability, in particular due to higher coronary blood flow at baseline in these compromised left ventricles.

Background: Guidelines strongly recommend additional intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy in STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, there is no randomised evidence suggesting survival benefit of IABP treatment in CS. It is suggested that timing of initiation of IABP therapy could be of great importance. Therefore, we compared mortality rates of IABP therapy versus no IABP therapy in the setting of STEMI complicated by CS. In addition, we investigated the effect of initiation of IABP therapy on mortality., Methods: From a cohort of 292 STEMI patients with CS treated by primary PCI, 199 patients received IABP therapy (IABP group) and 93 patients received no support (no IABP group). The IABP group was divided into two subgroups based on timing of initiation of support, i.e. 'IABP pre PCI' (n = 59) and 'IABP post PCI' (n = 140). Outcomes were assessed by propensity stratification and multivariate logistic regression., Results: All-cause 30-day mortality for the IABP versus the no IABP group was 47 % vs. 28 %, respectively, in univariate analysis resulting in an odds ratio (OR) of 1.67 (95%CI, 1.16 to 2.39). However, analyses adjusting outcomes by propensity stratification and logistic regression, respectively, neutralised this OR. In the IABP pre-PCI group vs. the post-PCI group 30-day mortality was 64 % vs. 40 %, resulting in an OR of 1.56 (95 % CI, 1.18 to 2.08). However, after propensity stratification analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, there were no significant differences in odds of 30-day mortality., Conclusion: In our cohort of patients with STEMI complicated by CS treated with primary PCI we observed a difference in mortality between those treated with IABP and those treated without IABP in favour of the 'no IABP' group. The mortality difference was eliminated after adjustment for differences in case mix by propensity stratification or by logistic regression analysis. Neither did we observe any difference in mortality between patients whose IABP treatment was initiated before or immediately after PCI.

Objective: Cardiogenic shock remains an important therapeutic challenge, with high in-hospital mortality rates. Mechanical circulatory support may be beneficial in these patients. Since the efficacy of the intra-aortic balloon pump seems limited, new percutaneously placed mechanical left ventricular support devices, such as the Impella system, have been developed for this purpose. Our current purpose was to describe our experience with the Impella system in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction presenting in profound cardiogenic shock, who were admitted to our intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation., Methods: From January 2004 through August 2010, a total of 34 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with profound cardiogenic shock were admitted to our intensive care unit and treated with either the Impella 2.5 or the Impella 5.0 device. Baseline and follow-up characteristics were collected retrospectively., Measurements and Main Results: Within the study cohort, 25 patients initially received treatment with the Impella 2.5, whereas nine patients received immediate Impella 5.0 support. Eight out of 25 patients in the Impella 2.5 group were upgraded to 5.0 support. After 48 hrs, 14 of 25 patients in the 2.5 group were alive, five of whom had been upgraded. In the 5.0 group, eight out of nine patients were alive. After 30 days, six of 25 patients in the 2.5 group were alive, three of whom had been upgraded. In the 5.0 group, three of nine patients were alive at 30 days., Conclusions: In ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with severe and profound cardiogenic shock, our initial experience suggests improved survival in patients who received immediate Impella 5.0 treatment, as well as in patients who were upgraded from 2.5 to 5.0 support, when compared to patients who received only Impella 2.5 support.

Aims: Mechanical left ventricular (LV) unloading may reduce infarct size when combined with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The Impella LP2.5 is a novel percutaneous left ventricular assist device. Although the short-term safety and feasibility of this device have been demonstrated, the long-term effects are unknown. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the long-term effects of the Impella LP2.5 support on the aortic valve and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)., Methods and Results: In 2006, 10 patients with anterior STEMI received 3-day support with the Impella LP2.5 after PCI. The control group consisted of 10 comparable patients, treated according to routine care. For the current study, echocardiography was performed and adverse events were recorded. Mean duration of follow-up was 2.9±0.6 years in the Impella group and 3.0±0.3 years in the control group. No differences in aortic valve abnormalities and LVEF were demonstrated between the groups; nevertheless, LVEF increase from baseline was significantly greater in Impella-treated patients (23.6±8.9% versus 6.7±7.0%, P=0.008)., Conclusions: Three-day support with the Impella LP2.5 is not associated with adverse effects on the aortic valve at long-term follow-up. LVEF was similar in both groups; however, recovery was significantly greater in the Impella group.

Objective: To assess the predictive value of three biomarkers for mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with cardiogenic shock., Background: STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock accounts for the majority of STEMI related deaths. Patients with STEMI and hyperglycemia, anemia or kidney dysfunction on admission have a poor prognosis. As data on the combination of those three established predictors of mortality are sparse in STEMI with cardiogenic shock, the objective of the current study was to investigate their predictive value in STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock., Methods and Results: Between 1997 and 2005, a total of 3038 patients presented with STEMI and were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). On admission 292 patients presented with cardiogenic shock. Glucose, hemoglobin and creatinine clearance were available in 183 out of 292 patients. Overall 1-year mortality was 34%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only glucose remained a strong independent predictor for mortality. The odds for mortality increased by 11% for each 1 mmol/l increase in glucose (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.21, P = 0.013)., Conclusion: Hemoglobin and creatinine clearance bear no prognostic value. Only admission glucose levels strongly and independently predict 1-year mortality in STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock and treated with PCI.

Background: Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the Proxis system (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) achieved significantly better microvascular flow as measured by ST-segment resolution. However, no differences were observed in left ventricular ejection fraction or infarct size as obtained by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of combined proximal embolic protection and thrombus aspiration on core-lab adjudicated angiographic outcomes., Methods: In the PRoximal Embolic Protection in Acute myocardial infarction and Resolution of ST-Elevation (PREPARE) study, patients were randomised to primary PCI with the Proxis system (n=141) or primary PCI alone (n=143). An independent core laboratory re-evaluated all angiograms and adjudicated the angiographic outcomes and computerised quantitative blush evaluation (QuBE) value., Results: There were no significant differences in Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, myocardial blush grade, or angiographic signs of distal embolisation among the two arms. QuBE values did not significantly differ between the Proxis-treated patients and control patients (15.1±5.4 vs. 15.8±5.5, respectively, p=0.34)., Conclusion: Primary PCI with combined proximal embolic protection and thrombus aspiration in STEMI patients more frequently resulted in complete immediate ST resolution compared with control patients. However, there were no significant differences in core laboratory adjudicated angiographic outcomes. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:531-6.).

Background: In the present study we developed, evaluated in volunteers, and clinically validated an image acquisition stabilizer (IAS) for Sidestream Dark Field (SDF) imaging., Methods: The IAS is a stainless steel sterilizable ring which fits around the SDF probe tip. The IAS creates adhesion to the imaged tissue by application of negative pressure. The effects of the IAS on the sublingual microcirculatory flow velocities, the force required to induce pressure artifacts (PA), the time to acquire a stable image, and the duration of stable imaging were assessed in healthy volunteers. To demonstrate the clinical applicability of the SDF setup in combination with the IAS, simultaneous bilateral sublingual imaging of the microcirculation were performed during a lung recruitment maneuver (LRM) in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. One SDF device was operated handheld; the second was fitted with the IAS and held in position by a mechanic arm. Lateral drift, number of losses of image stability and duration of stable imaging of the two methods were compared., Results: Five healthy volunteers were studied. The IAS did not affect microcirculatory flow velocities. A significantly greater force had to applied onto the tissue to induced PA with compared to without IAS (0.25 +/- 0.15 N without vs. 0.62 +/- 0.05 N with the IAS, p < 0.001). The IAS ensured an increased duration of a stable image sequence (8 +/- 2 s without vs. 42 +/- 8 s with the IAS, p < 0.001). The time required to obtain a stable image sequence was similar with and without the IAS. In eight mechanically ventilated patients undergoing a LRM the use of the IAS resulted in a significantly reduced image drifting and enabled the acquisition of significantly longer stable image sequences (24 +/- 5 s without vs. 67 +/- 14 s with the IAS, p = 0.006)., Conclusions: The present study has validated the use of an IAS for improvement of SDF imaging by demonstrating that the IAS did not affect microcirculatory perfusion in the microscopic field of view. The IAS improved both axial and lateral SDF image stability and thereby increased the critical force required to induce pressure artifacts. The IAS ensured a significantly increased duration of maintaining a stable image sequence.

Background: The relationship between admission hyperglycemia and adverse outcome in myocardial infarction has been shown consistently. However, achieving and maintaining normoglycemia in ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients has proven difficult. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of sensor-augmented insulin pump (SAP) therapy to treat hyperglycemia., Methods: In a randomized controlled pilot trial, we assigned 20 patients, 30-80 years old, admitted with STEMI and hyperglycemia (>or=140 mg/dL) to receive either 48 h of strict glycemic control with an subcutaneous insulin pump augmented with a continuous glucose monitor (SAP group) or to treatment according to standard practice (Control group) with glucose measured by blinded continuous glucose monitoring. The main outcome measure was proportion of time spent in hyperglycemia., Results: The median treatment time was 47.0 h (interquartile range [IQR], 46.2-48.0 h) in the SAP group and 44.6 h (IQR, 22.0-48.6 h) in the Control group. The median proportion of time >or= 140 mg/dL was 14.6% (IQR, 10.5-18.5%) in the SAP group and 36.3% (IQR, 26.0-80.4%) in the control group (P = 0.006). The proportion of time

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) remains the most serious complication of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent complication of STEMI and a well-known predictor of mortality in STEMI without CS. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of MR in STEMI patients with CS on admission., Methods: Mitral regurgitation was assessed in 147 consecutive STEMI patients with CS on admission and treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Color Doppler of MR was graded with a 0 to 3 scale (none, n = 26; 1 = mild, n = 62; 2 = moderate, n = 40; 3 = severe, n = 19)., Results: Overall one-year mortality in the study cohort was 27%. One-year mortality was 8%, 23%, 30% and 58% for patients with no, mild, moderate and severe MR respectively (P <0.001). For each grade of MR increase, the odds for mortality increased with 71% (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.02-2.87; P = 0.043) when adjusted for age, gender, previous myocardial infarction, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%, multivessel disease and no-reflow., Conclusions: The presence of MR on early echocardiography is an important independent predictor of one-year mortality in STEMI patients with CS on admission treated by primary PCI.

Aims: Despite improvement in prognosis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, mortality remains high in STEMI patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS). Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is an established independent predictor for adverse prognosis in STEMI patients without CS. The purpose of our study was to determine the prognostic value of RV dysfunction on admission in STEMI patients presenting in CS., Methods and Results: Two hundred and ninety-two consecutive STEMI patients with CS on admission were treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from January 1997 through March 2005. RV function was assessed by measurement of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) on early echocardiography in 184 of 292 patients. Right ventricular dysfunction was defined as a TAPSE of

Aims: Despite the advances in treatment for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the past decades for both men and women, most previous studies reported on significantly higher unadjusted in-hospital and long-term mortality rates among women compared with men. Most of these studies have been performed in the (pre-)thrombolytic and early post-thrombolytic era. Many studies reported on myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndromes and did not specifically address STEMI. Moreover, the association of gender, quality of care and mortality has not been systematically assessed., Methods and Results: Early as well as long-term clinical outcome and delivered quality care was evaluated in an unselected cohort of 3,277 (2,367 men and 910 women) consecutive STEMI patients treated by primary PCI in a tertiary referral institution between January 1995 and 2006. Mean follow-up was 3.2+/-2.2 years. The unadjusted early and late hazards of mortality were not significantly different between men and women (30-days HR 0.87; 95%CI 0.67-1.12; 3-year HR 0.87; 95%CI 0.71-1.10), despite more adverse clinical characteristics in women. Gender was not an independent predictor for mortality and adjustment for covariates did not alter these results. Quality of care was similar between both sexes., Conclusions: Despite higher age and more disadvantageous clinical characteristics, unadjusted early as well as long-term mortality in women with STEMI treated by primary PCI was equal compared with men. Women have longer ischaemic times compared with men but not due to a difference in delivered care. Quality of care before, during and after reperfusion was equal for men and women.

Objectives: We studied online left ventricular (LV) dynamic effects of mechanical LV unloading directly after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Background: Limited clinical information is available on the direct LV dynamic consequences of LV unloading in patients undergoing high-risk PCI and primary PCI for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction., Methods: The effects of the Impella LP2.5 device on LV dynamics were studied in 11 patients (elective high-risk PCI, n = 6; primary PCI, n = 5). LV pressure and volume were continuously assessed by a pressure-conductance catheter at 4 different support levels of the Impella, from 0 L/min at baseline to 2.5 L/min at maximal support., Results: The response to increased LV unloading was not different between both groups of patients. The pooled data showed no change on global and systolic LV function during increased LV unloading, while diastolic function showed improvement as indicated by an increased LV compliance in all patients. There was a decrease in end-diastolic pressure from 22 +/- 12 to 13 +/- 9 mm Hg (P = 0.0001), in end-diastolic elastance from 0.134 +/- 0.060 to 0.091 +/- 0.064 mm Hg/mL (P = 0.009), and in end-diastolic wall stress from 84 +/- 50 to 47 +/- 39 mm Hg (P = 0.004)., Conclusions: LV unloading decreases end-diastolic wall stress and improves diastolic compliance dose-dependently. Our results indicate beneficial LV unloading effects of Impella during high-risk and primary PCI.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on long-term mortality and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)., Background: The impact of a CTO in a non-infarct-related artery (IRA) on prognosis after STEMI is unknown., Methods: Between 1997 and 2005, we admitted 3,277 STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were categorized as single-vessel disease (SVD), multivessel disease (MVD) without CTO, and MVD with a CTO in a non-IRA. We performed a "landmark survival analysis" to 5 years follow-up with a landmark set at 30 days. Additionally, we analyzed the evolution of LVEF within 1 year., Results: Of the patients, 2,115 (65%) had SVD, 742 patients (23%) had MVD without CTO, and 420 patients (13%) had a concurrent CTO. Presence of a CTO was a strong and independent predictor for 30-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6 to 4.7, p < 0.01), whereas MVD without CTO was a weak predictor (HR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2 to 2.2, p = 0.01). In 30-day survivors, CTO remained a strong predictor (HR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4 to 2.8, p < 0.01), and MVD lost its independent prognostic value (HR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.8 to 1.5, p = 0.45). Furthermore, CTO was associated with LVEF