scholarly journals Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS)—Unravelling Biology to Identify New Therapies—The Microcirculation as a Frontier for New Therapies in ACS

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2188
Author(s):  
Kaivan Vaidya ◽  
Bradley Tucker ◽  
Sanjay Patel ◽  
Martin K. C. Ng

In acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, restoring epicardial culprit vessel patency and flow with percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting has been the mainstay of treatment for decades. However, there is an emerging understanding of the crucial role of coronary microcirculation in predicting infarct burden and subsequent left ventricular remodelling, and the prognostic significance of coronary microvascular obstruction (MVO) in mortality and morbidity. This review will elucidate the multifaceted and interconnected pathophysiological processes which underpin MVO in ACS, and the various diagnostic modalities as well as challenges, with a particular focus on the invasive but specific and reproducible index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR). Unfortunately, a multitude of purported therapeutic strategies to address this unmet need in cardiovascular care, outlined in this review, have so far been disappointing with conflicting results and a lack of hard clinical end-point benefit. There are however a number of exciting and novel future prospects in this field that will be evaluated over the coming years in large adequately powered clinical trials, and this review will briefly appraise these.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 610
Author(s):  
Ana Gabaldon-Perez ◽  
Victor Marcos-Garces ◽  
Jose Gavara ◽  
Cesar Rios-Navarro ◽  
Gema Miñana ◽  
...  

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) persists as the leading cause of death in the Western world. In recent decades, great headway has been made in reducing mortality due to IHD, based around secondary prevention. The advent of coronary revascularization techniques, first coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in the 1960s and then percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the 1970s, has represented one of the major breakthroughs in medicine during the last century. The benefit provided by these techniques, especially PCI, has been crucial in lowering mortality rates in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, in the setting where IHD is most prevalent, namely chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), the increase in life expectancy provided by coronary revascularization is controversial. Over more than 40 years, several clinical trials have been carried out comparing optimal medical treatment (OMT) alone with a strategy of routine coronary revascularization on top of OMT. Beyond a certain degree of symptomatic improvement and lower incidence of minor events, routine invasive management has not demonstrated a convincing effect in terms of reducing mortality in CCS. Based on the accumulated evidence more than half a century after the first revascularization procedures were used, invasive management should be considered in those patients with uncontrolled symptoms despite OMT or high-risk features related to left ventricular function, coronary anatomy, or functional assessment, taking into account the patient expectations and preferences.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Syed Khurram Mushtaq Gardezi ◽  

A 61-year-old man was admitted to hospital with severe occipital headache and weakness and numbness of the left arm. His electrocardiograms showed changes hinting at acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, in view of his clinical presentation, he underwent tests for likely subarachnoid haemorrhage, but this was ruled out. The next day, he was referred to cardiology. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed reduced left ventricular systolic function along with regional wall motion abnormalities involving inferoposterior walls. The patient was treated as per the protocol for ACS. A dobutamine stress echocardiogram confirmed inferior myocardial infarction with evidence of myocardial viability in the affected left ventricular segments. Subsequent investigations confirmed three-vessel coronary artery disease and reduced left ventricular systolic function. The patient underwent successful coronary artery bypass grafting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhao ◽  
Ting-Yu Zhang ◽  
Yu-Jing Cheng ◽  
Yue Ma ◽  
Ying-Kai Xu ◽  
...  

Background: The research on the association between the relative glycemic level postpercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and adverse prognosis in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients is relatively inadequate. Objective: The study aimed to identify whether the glycemic level post-PCI predicts adverse prognosis in NSTE-ACS patients. Methods: Patients (n=2465) admitted with NSTE-ACS who underwent PCI were enrolled. The relative glycemic level post-procedure was calculated as blood glucose level post-PCI divided by HbA1c level, which was named post-procedural glycemic index (PGI). The primary observational outcome of this study was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [defined as a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and any revascularization]. Results: The association between PGI and MACE rate is presented as a U-shape curve. Higher PGIs [hazard ratio (HR): 1.669 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.244-2.238) for the third quartile (Q3) and 2.076 (1.566-2.753) for the fourth quartile (Q4), p<0.001], adjusted for confounding factors, were considered to be one of the independent predictors of MACE. The association between the PGI and the risk of MACE was more prominent in the non-diabetic population [HR (95%CI) of 2.356 (1.456-3.812) for Q3 and 3.628 (2.265-5.812) for Q4, p<0.001]. There were no significant differences in MACE risk between PGI groups in the diabetic population. Conclusion: Higher PGI was a significant and independent predictor of MACE in NSTE-ACS patients treated with PCI. The prognostic effect of the PGI is more remarkable in subsets without pre-existing diabetes than in the overall population. The predictive value of PGI was not identified in the subgroup with diabetes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Shitara ◽  
Ryo Naito ◽  
Takatoshi Kasai ◽  
Hirohisa Endo ◽  
Hideki Wada ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to determine the difference in effects of beta-blockers on long-term clinical outcomes between ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients with mid-range ejection fraction (mrEF) and those with reduced ejection fraction (rEF). Methods Data were assessed of 3508 consecutive IHD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1997 and 2011. Among them, 316 patients with mrEF (EF = 40–49%) and 201 patients with rEF (EF < 40%) were identified. They were assigned to groups according to users and non-users of beta-blockers and effects of beta-blockers were assessed between mrEF and rEF patients, separately. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and non-fatal acute coronary syndrome. Results The median follow-up period was 5.5 years in mrEF patients and 4.3 years in rEF patients. Cumulative event-free survival was significantly lower in the group with beta-blockers than in the group without beta-blockers in rEF (p = 0.003), whereas no difference was observed in mrEF (p = 0.137) between those with and without beta-blockers. In the multivariate analysis, use of beta-blockers was associated with reduction in clinical outcomes in patients with rEF (hazard ratio (HR), 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.36–0.97; p = 0.036), whereas no association was observed among those with mrEF (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.49–1.10; p = 0.137). Conclusions Our observational study showed that use of beta-blockers was not associated with long-term clinical outcomes in IHD patients with mrEF, whereas a significant association was observed in those with rEF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 18-28
Author(s):  
Kevin White ◽  
Judy Currey ◽  
Julie Considine

Topic Patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention are at risk of clinical deterioration that results in similar general signs and symptoms regardless of its cause. However, specific causes and forms of clinical deterioration are associated with key differences in assessment findings. Focused clinical assessments using a modified primary survey enable nurses to rapidly identify the cause and form of clinical deterioration, facilitating targeted treatment. Clinical Relevance Clinical deterioration during percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Previous studies identified nursing inconsistencies when recognizing clinical deterioration, with inconsistent collection of cues and prioritization of cues related to cardiac performance over more sensitive indicators of clinical deterioration. Purpose of Paper To describe a framework to help nurses optimize physiological cue collection to improve recognition of clinical deterioration during periprocedural care of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for unstable acute coronary syndrome. Content Covered Literature analysis revealed 7 forms of clinical deterioration in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: coronary artery occlusion, stroke, ventricular rupture, valvular insufficiency, lethal cardiac arrhythmias, access-site and non–access-site bleeding, and anaphylaxis. Evidence for the pathophysiology, incidence, severity, and clinical features of each form of clinical deterioration is identified. A framework is proposed to help nurses conduct highly focused patient assessments, enabling prompt recognition of and response to the specific forms of clinical deterioration that occur in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiro Barssoum ◽  
Ashish Kumar ◽  
Devesh Rai ◽  
Adnan Kharsa ◽  
Medhat Chowdhury ◽  
...  

Background: Long term outcomes of culprit multi-vessel and left main patients who presented with Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and underwent either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined. Randomized trials comparing the two modalities constituted mainly of patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). We performed a meta-analysis of studies that compared the long term outcomes of CABG vs. PCI in NSTE-ACS. Methods: Medline, EmCare, CINAHL, Cochrane databases were queried for relevant articles. Studies that included patients with SCAD and ST-elevation myocardial infarction were excluded. Our primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 3-5 years, defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, re-infarction and repeat revascularization. The secondary outcome was re-infarction at 3 to 5 years. We used the Paule-Mandel method with Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman adjustment to estimate risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using Higgin’s I 2 statistics. All statistical analysis was carried out using R version 3.6.2 Results: Four observational studies met our inclusion criteria with a total number of 6695 patients. At 3 to 5 years, the PCI group was associated with a higher risk of MACE as compared to CABG, (RR): 1.52, 95% CI: 1.28 to 1.81, I 2 =0% (PANEL A). The PCI group also had a higher risk of re-infarctions during the period of follow up, RR: 1.88, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.38, I 2 =0% (PANEL B). Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, CABG was associated with a lower risk of MACE and re-infarctions as compared to PCI during 3 to 5 years follow up period.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mykola Shved ◽  
Lesia Tsuglevych ◽  
Svitlana Heryak

The aim of the study was to increase the efficiency of restorative treatment of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (Miocardial Infarction) by incorporating the protocol therapy for the course of parenteral use of L-arginine and L-carnitine (Tivorel). It has been determined that patients with ACS (MI) after percutaneous coronary intervention often develop reperfusion syndrome with manifestations of left ventricular insufficiency and rhythm disturbances. Substantial clinical and functional improvement was noted under the influence of standard medical treatment in patients of control group. At the same time postinfarction remodeling with systolic and diastolic function of the heart, with the development of heart failure syndrome and endothelial dysfunction of blood vessels, and also remained resistant to extrasystole therapy, progressed. Patients in the experimental group under the influence of complex medical treatment with the inclusion of L-arginine and L-carnitine marked a significant decrease in the frequency of violations of rhythm and conduction for the second day of observation, as well as a decrease in the manifestations of post-infarction remodeling of LV, which ultimately manifested a significant improvement in myocardial contractility (EF increased by 13%) and decreased diastolic dysfunction. Improvement of the inotropic function of the heart and a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of reperfusion arrhythmias was achieved precisely due to cardiometabolic effects of L-carnitine. In addition, in patients undergoing additional treatment with L-arginine and L-carnitine after 10 days of treatment, the activity of ET-1 was significantly lowered and the concentration of nitrogen oxide metabolites in the blood plasma increased and reach the level of healthy subjects (p>0.05). So, they recovered the endothelial function of the vessels.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan DeBlois ◽  
Pierre Voisine ◽  
Olivier F Bertrand ◽  
Siamak Mohammadi ◽  
Gerald Barbeau ◽  
...  

Background: Very little data exists regarding percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as an alternative to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for the treatment of unprotected left main disease (LMD) in octogenarians, and no studies to date have compared CABG and PCI for the treatment of LMD in this population. The objectives of our study were to compare the acute and midterm follow-up results of PCI and CABG for the treatment of significant LMD in octogenarians. Methods: A total of 163 consecutive patients ≥80 years old diagnosed with LMD have undergone coronary revascularization in our center between 2002 and 2006. One hundred and one patients underwent CABG and 62 patients had PCI (non-surgical candidates: 30%, very high surgical risk patients: 61%, patient refusal of CABG: 9%). All complications occurring within the first 30 days following the procedure were recorded, and major adverse cardiovascular events -MACCE- (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event, revascularization) were evaluated at follow-up. Results: Patients who underwent PCI were older (85 ± 3 yrs vs. 82 ± 2 yrs, p<0.0001), presented more frequently with an acute coronary syndrome (92% vs. 50%, p<0.0001), and had a higher EuroSCORE (9.5 ± 2.7 vs. 8.5 ± 2.5, p=0.01). Drug-eluting stents were used in 48% of PCI patients. There were no significant differences in the incidence of MACCE at 30 days between groups (CABG: 28%, PCI: 19%, p=0.22), but the CABG group was associated with a higher rate of atrial fibrillation (48% vs. 14%, p<0.0001) and acute renal failure (17% vs. 6%, p=0.05). The incidence of MACCE occurring between 30 days and 24 ± 17 months follow-up was higher in the PCI group (32% vs. 13%, p=0.005), but the cumulative incidence of MACCE was similar in both groups (CABG 39% vs. PCI 44%, p=0.53). Conclusions: PCI was associated with a 30-day cardiac event rate similar to that of CABG for the treatment of unprotected LMD in octogenarians. Surgical patients experienced fewer cardiac events during the follow-up period, but the cardiovascular event-free survival rate was similar between groups at 2-year follow-up. Further randomized studies with longer-term follow-up comparing both revascularization strategies in this high risk coronary population are warranted.


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