Left atrial strain is associated with long-term mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients.

To investigate the long-term prognostic value of the left atrial (LA) strain indices - peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), peak conduit strain (PCS), and peak atrial contractile strain (PACS) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in relation to all-cause mortality. This retrospective study included ACS patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and examined with echocardiography. Exclusion criteria were non-sinus rhythm during echocardiography, missing images, and inadequate image quality for 2D speckle tracking analysis of the LA.

Organized thrombus is a frequent underlying feature in culprit lesion morphology in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. A study using optical coherence tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

The concept that the culprit lesion in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is caused by sudden plaque rupture with acute thrombus formation has recently been challenged. While angiography is an old gold-standard for culprit identification it merely visualizes the lumen contour. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides a detailed view of culprit features.

Echocardiographic Measures of Left Atrial Structure and Function and the Association with Atrial Fibrillation following Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF). This arrhythmia is associated with adverse outcomes, making it important to identify high-risk patients. The aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of measures of left atrial (LA) structure and function in AF prediction following ACS.

Longitudinal change in cardiac structure and function following acute coronary syndrome according to culprit coronary artery lesion.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may lead to adverse remodelling and impaired cardiac function. Limited data exists on the effect of culprit coronary artery lesion site and impact on longitudinal cardiac remodelling. The present study included a total of 299 patients suffering from ACS treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Change in global longitudinal strain following acute coronary syndrome and subsequent risk of heart failure.

Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) is a well-established predictor of heart failure (HF) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We aim to investigate the prognostic value of GLS obtained at a follow-up consultation, as well as the change in GLS for long-term risk of incident HF. A total of 235 ACS patients had an echocardiogram performed immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and a follow-up echocardiogram (FUE) median 215 (IQR: 71; 878) days after the first echocardiogram.

Usefulness of left atrial strain for predicting incident atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke in the general population.

Aims: Left atrial enlargement predicts incident atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the prognostic value of peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) for predicting incident AF in participants from the general population is currently unknown. Our aim was to investigate if PALS can be used to predict AF and ischaemic stroke in the general population.

Left ventricular systolic ejection time is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Aims: Colour tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) M-mode through the mitral leaflet is an easy and precise method to obtain cardiac time intervals including isovolumic contraction time (IVCT), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and systolic ejection time (SET). The myocardial performance index (MPI) is defined as [(IVCT + IVRT)/SET]. Whether cardiac time intervals obtained by the TDI M-mode method can be used to predict outcome in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains unknown.

A Validated Echocardiographic Risk Model for Predicting Outcome Following ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Many echocardiographic measures have been proposed as potential predictors of outcome following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We hypothesized that combining multiple echocardiographic measures in a risk model provides more prognostic information than individual echocardiographic measures. We prospectively included 373 STEMI patients which constituted our derivation cohort.

Ratio of Transmitral Early Filling Velocity to Early Diastolic Strain Rate as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality Following Acute Coronary Syndrome.

The ratio of early mitral inflow velocity (E) to early diastolic strain rate (E/e'sr) is a significant predictor of cardiac outcomes in various patient populations. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of E/e'sr for heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and death due to cardiovascular disease following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In total, 432 ACS patients underwent echocardiography following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Post-systolic shortening predicts heart failure following acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Post-systolic shortening (PSS) is a novel echocardiographic marker of myocardial dysfunction. Our objective was to assess the prognostic value of PSS in patients following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A total of 428 patients hospitalized for ACS (mean age 64 ± 12 years, male 73%) underwent speckle tracking echocardiography following treatment with PCI (median 2 days).

Pooled Analysis Comparing the Efficacy of Intracoronary Versus Intravenous Abciximab in Smokers Versus Nonsmokers Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization for Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Cigarette smokers with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may present different response to potent antithrombotic therapy compared to nonsmokers. We assessed the impact of smoking status and intracoronary abciximab in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We pooled data from 5 randomized trials comparing intracoronary versus intravenous abciximab bolus in patients undergoing primary PCI.

1-Year Outcomes With Intracoronary Abciximab in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Diabetic patients are at increased risk for future cardiovascular events after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Administration of an intracoronary abciximab bolus during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may be beneficial in this high-risk subgroup.

Objectives: This study sought to report the 1-year clinical outcomes and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings in STEMI patients with and without diabetes randomized to intracoronary or intravenous abciximab bolus at the time of primary PCI.

Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Reflects Both Inflammation and Kidney Function in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.

Background/aims: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has emerged as a marker for acute kidney injury and cardiovascular outcome. However, the relative importance of inflammation versus kidney function on plasma NGAL levels is uncertain, making the interpretation of plasma NGAL unclear. Accordingly, we investigated the relationship between plasma NGAL, inflammation and kidney function in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

Interplay Between Adiponectin and Pro-Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Prognosis in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) may regulate adipocyte metabolism including adiponectin. Infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increases plasma adiponectin in patients with heart failure. However, this relation has not been examined in a clinical setting or in myocardial infarction (MI).

Intracoronary abciximab in diabetic patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Although intracoronary abciximab failed to improve prognosis compared with intravenous route in unselected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, little is known about the role of intracoronary abciximab in diabetic patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of intracoronary abciximab administration in diabetic patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Reperfusional and clinical outcomes of intracoronary abciximab compared with intravenous bolus abciximab according to diabetic status were evaluated in a pooled analysis of five randomized trials including 3158 STEMI patients.

Dynamic changes in sRAGE levels and relationship with cardiac function in STEMI patients.

Objectives: Soluble receptor of advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) may be a predictive biomarker in coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have higher sRAGE levels compared to healthy subjects. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes in sRAGE levels during AMI and relationship with cardiac dysfunction.

Osteoprotegerin levels change during STEMI and reflect cardiac function.

Background: High levels of circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) predicts long-term outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), possibly because of increased vascular inflammation resulting in myocardial damage. In the present study we aimed at elucidating the dynamic progress of OPG levels during STEMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and additionally, the effect of OPG levels on cardiac function.

Methods: We prospectively included 42 patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI.

Effects of baseline coronary occlusion and diabetes mellitus in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Several studies have highlighted the prognostic role of preprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow in the infarct-related artery (IRA) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the impact of preprocedural IRA occlusion in patients with diabetes with STEMI has been insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of baseline IRA occlusion and diabetic status in patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention by using data from a pooled analysis of randomized trials comparing intracoronary with intravenous abciximab bolus administration.

Unmet needs of young interventional cardiologists: proceedings from the 2nd summit of the European association of percutaneous cardiovascular interventions.

Every year, the EAPCI Board invites presidents and representatives of the interventional working groups affiliated to EAPCI to discuss issues and strategies surrounding the goals of education and advanced healthcare practices in interventional cardiology. In 2013, the 2nd EAPCI Summit, organised by the EAPCI Board in collaboration with the NIFYI committee, was entirely dedicated to discussing the unmet needs of the young generation of interventional cardiologists. In this article, we highlight a selection of the key points and proposed actions highlighted during the summit.

Intracoronary versus intravenous bolus abciximab administration in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a pooled analysis of individual patient data from five randomised controlled trials.

Aims: In recent years, intracoronary bolus abciximab has emerged as an alternative to the standard intravenous route in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of the current study was to perform an individual patient-level pooled analysis of randomised trials, comparing intracoronary versus intravenous abciximab bolus use in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

Methods And Results: Individual data of 3,158 patients enrolled in five trials were analysed.

Clinical impact of intracoronary abciximab in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: an individual patient data pooled analysis of randomised studies.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform an individual patient-level pooled analysis of randomised trials, comparing intracoronary versus intravenous abciximab bolus use in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: Abciximab represents a cornerstone in the treatment of STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Intracoronary abciximab bolus administration has been proposed as an alternative strategy to the standard intravenous route.

Tissue Doppler echocardiography improves the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis in stable angina pectoris.

Unlabelled: Aim To determine if colour tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) performed at rest in patients with suspected stable angina pectoris (SAP) is able to predict the presence of significant coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: This study comprises 296 consecutive patients with clinically suspected SAP, no previous cardiac history, and a normal ejection fraction. All patients were examined by colour TDI, exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), and coronary angiography (CAG).

Significance of the invasive strategy after acute myocardial infarction on prognosis and secondary preventive medication: a nationwide study of 6364 women and 11,915 men.

Objective: To describe gender-specific long-term outcome and initiation of secondary preventive medication among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Nationwide registries.