Conservative versus Invasive Strategy in Elderly Patients with Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Insights from the International POPular Age Registry.

This registry assessed the impact of conservative and invasive strategies on major adverse clinical events (MACE) in elderly patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Patients aged ≥75 years with NSTEMI were prospectively registered from European centers and followed up for one year. Outcomes were compared between conservative and invasive groups in the overall population and a propensity score-matched (PSM) cohort.

The Alkmaar CTO Registry: A Retrospective Cohort Evaluating the Introduction of a Dedicated CTO Program.

Background: Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTO) are high risk procedures with low success rates compared to standard PCI. Recently the 'hybrid approach' method has been developed to increase success rate. In 2015 we set up a dedicated program to systematically treat CTOs by this hybrid approach.

Histopathological evaluation of thrombus in patients presenting with stent thrombosis. A multicenter European study: a report of the prevention of late stent thrombosis by an interdisciplinary global European effort consortium.

Background: Stent thrombosis (ST) is a rare but serious complication following percutaneous coronary intervention. Analysis of thrombus composition from patients undergoing catheter thrombectomy may provide important insights into the pathological processes leading to thrombus formation. We performed a large-scale multicentre study to evaluate thrombus specimens in patients with ST across Europe.

Ticagrelor or prasugrel versus clopidogrel in elderly patients with an acute coronary syndrome: Optimization of antiplatelet treatment in patients 70 years and older--rationale and design of the POPular AGE study.

Rationale: Dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid in combination with a more potent P2Y12- inhibitor (ticagrelor or prasugrel) is recommended in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation (NSTE-ACS) to prevent atherothrombotic complications. The evidence on which this recommendation is based shows that ticagrelor and prasugrel reduce atherothrombotic events at the expense of an increase in bleeding events when compared with clopidogrel. However, it remains unclear whether ticagrelor or prasugrel has a better net clinical benefit in elderly patients with NSTE-ACS when compared with clopidogrel.

Use of clopidogrel with or without aspirin in patients taking oral anticoagulant therapy and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: an open-label, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: If percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is required in patients taking oral anticoagulants, antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is indicated, but such triple therapy increases the risk of serious bleeding. We investigated the safety and efficacy of clopidogrel alone compared with clopidogrel plus aspirin.

Methods: We did an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial in 15 centres in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Coronary artery pseudoaneurysm: closure with pericardium-covered stents, guided by cardiac computed tomography angiography.

Coronary aneurysms are found in approximately 5% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. We describe a case of a coronary artery pseudoaneurysm. The use of cardiac computed tomography angiography is demonstrated in the planning and follow-up of a percutaneous closure of the pseudoaneurysm with pericardium-covered stents.

Triggering mechanisms of stent thrombosis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the role of potential triggers of stent thrombosis.

Methods And Results: Patients (n = 437) with "definite" ST were recruited consecutively in the setting of a large multicentre observational cohort study. Patients were interviewed with validated questionnaires to identify one of the following triggers: i) timing of onset of ST, ii) performance of vigorous ( ≥ 6 MET) physical activity in the two hours preceding ST, iii) presence of emotional stress (experiencing a serious life event in the 14 days preceding the ST or feelings of anger in the 12 hours of ST) and iv) presence of a documented active infection at the time of ST.

Coronary stent thrombosis in the current era: challenges and opportunities for treatment.

The introduction of the drug-eluting stent has raised concerns regarding the occurrence of stent thrombosis (ST), particularly late (and very late) thrombosis. This renewed attention shows that ST remains a major concern after implantation of both bare metal and drug-eluting stents. Cardiologists should be aware of this dreadful complication, because it is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.

Long-term clinical outcome after a first angiographically confirmed coronary stent thrombosis: an analysis of 431 cases.

Background: There are limited data on the long-term clinical outcome after an angiographically confirmed (definite) stent thrombosis (ST).

Methods And Results: Four hundred thirty-one consecutive patients with a definite ST were enrolled in this multicenter registry. The primary end point was the composite of cardiac death and definite recurrent ST.