The American journal of cardiology
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We investigated the prognostic value of newly developed T-wave inversion after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. New T-wave inversion was defined as new onset of T-wave inversion after the primary PCI, without negative T waves on the presenting electrocardiogram. The primary end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which consisted of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and rehospitalization for heart failure. ⋯ The cumulative MACE rate was significantly lower in patients with new T-wave inversion than in those without new T-wave inversion (8% vs 30%; odds ratio 0.197, 95% confidential interval 0.096 to 0.403; p <0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, new T-wave inversion was an independent prognostic factor for MACE (hazard ratio 0.297, 95% confidential interval 0.144 to 0.611; p = 0.001). In conclusion, newly developed T-wave inversion after primary PCI was associated with favorable long-term outcome.
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The management of noninfarct-related arteries in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary disease (MVD) is still debated. We evaluated the prognostic impact of staged complete revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in STEMI patients with MVD admitted to our hospital from 2005 to 2013. Patients undergoing staged complete revascularization (n = 300) were compared with 1:1 propensity score-matched patients with culprit lesion-only treatment (n = 300). ⋯ Although this difference was no longer significant when considering only the survivors at day 5, all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities were still reduced in the staged complete revascularization group. Complete revascularization was associated with a better outcome (hazard ratio 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.63, p = 0.005) if performed within 30 days of STEMI. In conclusion, compared with culprit lesion-only revascularization, in STEMI patients with MVD undergoing primary PCI, an approach of staged complete revascularization was associated with a better outcome.
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Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the physiologically normal levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the thresholds for development of atherosclerosis and adverse coronary events are in the 30- to 70-mg/dl range. More patients have been studied in randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of statins on outcomes than any other drug class in the history of medicine. ⋯ Thus far, these agents appear to be safe even when LDL-C is lowered to about 50 mg/dl, although more robust outcome and safety data are required, particularly for the PCSK9 inhibitors and very low LDL-C levels (e.g., down to 25 mg/dl). In conclusion, the current national guidelines specifying only the use of a high-potency statin without specific LDL-C goals may lead to substantial undertreatment of high-risk patients, leaving them vulnerable to future adverse cardiovascular events.
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Poor data exist about predictors of long-term cardiac mortality in patients presenting acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI), and current risk-adjustment models in this setting are not adequate. We retrospectively analyzed our registry of patients with AMI treated with p-PCI. The aim of this study was to identify the independent predictors of 2-year cardiac mortality in patients presenting CS. ⋯ The mortality rates among different score risk level were highly significant (p <0.001): 32% score risk 1 (points 0), 58% score risk 2 (points 0.5-2), and 83% score risk 3 (points >2), respectively. In conclusion, OHCA, age >75 years, and failed p-PCI are strong predictors of 2-year cardiac mortality. On the basis of this, a rapid score tool could be useful to identify patients at major risk of death.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Usefulness of Icosapent Ethyl (Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Ester) in Women to Lower Triglyceride Levels (Results from the MARINE and ANCHOR Trials).
There are limited data on the efficacy and safety of triglyceride (TG)-lowering agents in women. We conducted subgroup analyses of the effects of icosapent ethyl (a high-purity prescription form of the ethyl ester of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid) on TG levels (primary efficacy variable) and other atherogenic and inflammatory parameters in a total of 215 women with a broad range of TG levels (200-2000 mg/dl) enrolled in two 12-week placebo-controlled trials: MARINE (n = 18; placebo, n = 18) and ANCHOR (n = 91; placebo, n = 88). ⋯ Icosapent ethyl was well tolerated, with adverse-event profiles comparable with findings in the overall studies. In conclusion, icosapent ethyl 4 g/day significantly reduced TG levels and other atherogenic parameters in women without increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with placebo; the clinical implications of these findings are being evaluated in the REDUCtion of Cardiovascular Events With Eicosapentaenoic Acid [EPA]-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) cardiovascular outcomes study.