Browsing by Author "Nedeljkovic, Milan (7004488186)"

Background: The 4S-AF scheme includes stroke risk, symptoms, severity of burden, and substrate severity domain. Aim: We aimed to assess the adherence to the 4S-AF scheme in patients classified according to stroke risk in post hoc analysis of the BALKAN-AF dataset. Methods: A 14-week prospective enrolment of consecutive patients with electrocardiographically documented atrial fibrillation (AF) was performed in seven Balkan countries from 2014 to 2015. Results: Low stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc score, 0 in males or 1 in females) was present in 162 (6.0%) patients. 2 099 (77.4%) patients had CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥3 in females or ≥2 in males (high stroke risk), and 613 (22.6%) had CHA2DS2-VASc score <3 in females or <2 in males. Seventy-five (46.3%) patients with low stroke risk and 1555 (74.1%) patients with high stroke risk were prescribed oral anticoagulants (OAC). Two thousand six hundred and seventy-seven (98.6%) had data on European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) class. Among 2099 patients with high stroke risk, 703 (33.4%) had EHRA class ≥3. Two hundred and seven (29.4%) patients with EHRA class ≥3 and high stroke risk were offered rhythm control; 620 (55.2%) of individuals with first-diagnosed or paroxysmal AF with high stroke risk were offered rhythm control. Two or more comorbidities occurred in 1927 (91.8%) patients with high stroke risk. Conclusions: OAC overuse was observed in patients with low stroke risk, whilst OAC underuse was evident in those with high risk of stroke. The percentage of highly symptomatic patients with high risk of stroke who were offered a rhythm control strategy was low. © the Author(s), 2022.

Introduction: Patient-reported treatment burden (TBN) refers to the patient’s time and effort invested in the management of their chronic health conditions. The aim of this research was to explore TBN in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Consecutive patients with chronic medical condition(s) were invited to complete the study questionnaires (TBN and EQ-5D). Results: Of 514 enrolled patients, 116 (22.6%) patients had CAD. The mean TBN score for CAD vs. non-CAD was 40.49 ±21.54 and 46.17 ±21.44 (p = 0.023), respectively. Conclusions: Patients with CAD could have a lower TBN in comparison to patients with other chronic medical conditions. © 2024 Termedia & Banach.

Approximately 1 in 3–4 patients presenting with an ischemic stroke will also have atrial fibrillation (AF), and AF-related strokes can be effectively prevented using oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC), either with well-controlled vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). In addition, OAC use (both VKAs and NOACs) is associated with a 26% reduction in all-cause mortality (VKAs) or an additional 10% mortality reduction with NOACs relative to VKAs. The decision to use OAC in individual AF patient is based on the estimated balance of the benefit from ischemic stroke reduction against the risk of major OAC-related bleeding [essentially intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)]. Better appreciation of the importance of VKAs’ anticoagulation quality [a target time in therapeutic range (TTR) of ≥70%] and the availability of NOACs (which offer better safety compared to VKAs) have decreased the estimated threshold for OAC treatment in AF patients towards lower stroke risk levels. Still, contemporary registry-based data show that OAC is often underused in AF patients at increased risk of stroke. The uncertainty whether to use OAC may be particularly pronounced in AF patients with a single additional stroke risk factor, who are often (mis)perceived as having a “borderline” or insufficient stroke risk to trigger the use of OAC. However, observational data from real-world AF cohorts show that the annual stroke rates in such patients are higher than in patients with no additional stroke risk factors, and OAC use has been associated with reduction in stroke, systemic embolism, or death in comparison to no therapy or aspirin, with no increase in the risk of bleeding relative to aspirin. In this review article, we summarize the basic principles of stroke risk stratification in AF patients and discuss contemporary real-world evidence on OAC use and outcomes of OAC treatment in AF patients with a single additional stroke risk factor in various real-world AF cohorts. © 2016, The Author(s).

Background: Retrograde approach increases the success rate for percutaneous recanalization of complex chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary arteries. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe our initial experience of retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention for CTO program, focusing on its safety and feasibility, and long-term clinical follow-up. Methods: The study was a single center retrospective registry which included a total of 40 patients, of 590 CTO treated patients (6.7%), between January 2008 and October 2011, who underwent retrograde approach for CTO recanalization. Results: Mean occlusion duration was 37.8 ± 40.3 months. Overall success recanalization rate was 87.5% (35/40). Septal collaterals were used to access the occlusion in all cases (100%). Retrograde guidewire crossing of collateral channels was successful in 36/40 (90.0%) patients with success rate of CTO recanalization in these patients of 97.2%. Retrograde approach as the primary strategy was applied in 23/40 (57.5%) patients, retrograde approach immediately after antegrade failure attempt was performed in 8/40 (20.0%) patients, and retrograde approach as elective procedure, after previously failed antegrade attempt, was performed in 9/40 (22.5%) patients. The success rate of these strategies was: 87.0% (20/23 patients) for primary, 87.5% (7/8 patients) for retrograde immediately after antegrade failure, and 88.9% (8/9 patients) for retrograde after previous failed antegrade attempt, respectively. Total in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate was 5.0% (2 non-Q-wave myocardial infarctions). The MACE free survival at median follow-up of 20 months was 89% (95% CI: 78-100%). Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that adequate training and international proctorship for this complex and demanding technique is a necessity and prerequisite to achieve high overall success rates, with acceptable complication rates and excellent long-term survival rate. © 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background: Glycogen phosphorylase BB (GPBB) is released from cardiac cells during myocyte damage. Previous studies have shown contradictory results regarding the relation of enzyme release and reversible myocardial ischemia. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma kinetics of GPBB as a response to the exercise stress echocardiographic test (ESET), and to define the relationship between myocardial ischemia and enzyme plasma concentrations. Methods: We studied 46 consecutive patients undergoing ESET, with recent coronary angiography. In all patients, a submaximal stress echo test according to Bruce protocol was performed. Concentration of GPBB was measured in peripheral blood that was sampled 5 min before and 10, 30 and 60 min after ESET. Results: There was significant increase of GPBB concentration after the test (p = 0.021). Significant increase was detected 30 min (34.9% increase, p = 0.021) and 60 min (34.5% increase, p = 0.016) after ESET. There was no significant effect of myocardial ischemia on GPBB concentrations (p = 0.126), and no significant interaction between sampling intervals and myocardial ischemia, suggesting a similar release profile of GPBB in ischemic and non-ischemic conditions (p = 0.558). Patients in whom ESET was terminated later (stages 4 or 5 of standard Bruce protocol; n = 13) had higher GPBB concentrations than patients who terminated ESET earlier (stages 1, 2 or 3; n = 33) (p = 0.049). Baseline GPBB concentration was not correlated to any of the patients' demographic, clinical and hemodynamic characteristics. Conclusions: GPBB plasma concentration increases after ESET, and it is not related to inducible myocardial ischemia. However, it seems that GPBB release during ESET might be related to exercise load/duration.

Background: Glycogen phosphorylase BB (GPBB) is released from cardiac cells during myocyte damage. Previous studies have shown contradictory results regarding the relation of enzyme release and reversible myocardial ischemia. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma kinetics of GPBB as a response to the exercise stress echocardiographic test (ESET), and to define the relationship between myocardial ischemia and enzyme plasma concentrations. Methods: We studied 46 consecutive patients undergoing ESET, with recent coronary angiography. In all patients, a submaximal stress echo test according to Bruce protocol was performed. Concentration of GPBB was measured in peripheral blood that was sampled 5 min before and 10, 30 and 60 min after ESET. Results: There was significant increase of GPBB concentration after the test (p = 0.021). Significant increase was detected 30 min (34.9% increase, p = 0.021) and 60 min (34.5% increase, p = 0.016) after ESET. There was no significant effect of myocardial ischemia on GPBB concentrations (p = 0.126), and no significant interaction between sampling intervals and myocardial ischemia, suggesting a similar release profile of GPBB in ischemic and non-ischemic conditions (p = 0.558). Patients in whom ESET was terminated later (stages 4 or 5 of standard Bruce protocol; n = 13) had higher GPBB concentrations than patients who terminated ESET earlier (stages 1, 2 or 3; n = 33) (p = 0.049). Baseline GPBB concentration was not correlated to any of the patients' demographic, clinical and hemodynamic characteristics. Conclusions: GPBB plasma concentration increases after ESET, and it is not related to inducible myocardial ischemia. However, it seems that GPBB release during ESET might be related to exercise load/duration.

Background: BALKAN-AF evaluated patterns of atrial fibrillation (AF) management in real-world clinical practice in the Balkans. The objectives were: to assess the proportion of patients with first-diagnosed AF in the BALKAN-AF cohort and to compare the management of patients with newly-diagnosed AF and those with previously known AF in clinical practice. Methods: Consecutive patients from 7 Balkan countries were enrolled prospectively to the snapshot BALKAN-AF survey. Results: Of 2712 enrolled patients, 2677 (98.7%) with complete data were included. 631 (23.6%) patients had newly-diagnosed AF and 2046 (76.4%) patients had known AF. Patients with newly-diagnosed AF were more likely to be hospitalized for AF and to receive single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) alone and less likely to receive OACs than those with known AF (all p < 0.001). The use of OAC was not significantly associated with the CHA2DS2-VASc (p = 0.624) or HAS-BLED score (p = 0.225) on univariate analysis. Treatment in capital city, hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy, mitral valve disease, country of residence or rate control strategy were independent predictors of OAC use, whilst non-emergency centre, treatment by cardiologist, paroxysmal AF, palpitations, symptoms attributable to AF (as judged by physician), mean heart rate and AF as the main reason for hospitalization were independent predictors of rhythm control strategy use. Conclusions: In BALKAN-AF survey, patients with newly-diagnosed AF were more often hospitalized, less often received OAC and were more likely to receive SAPT alone. The use of OAC for stroke prevention has not been driven by the individual patient stroke risk. © 2019 The Authors

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence and parameters associated with myocardial ischemia during mental stress (MS) as measured by echocardiography and to evaluate the relation between MS-induced and exercise-induced myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Study participants were 79 patients (63 men; mean [M] [standard deviation {SD}] age = 52 [8] years) with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease and previous positive exercise test result. The MS protocol consisted of mental arithmetic and anger recall task. The patients performed a treadmill exercise test 15 to 20 minutes after the MS task. Data of post-MS exercise were compared with previous exercise stress test results. RESULTS: The frequency of echocardiographic abnormalities was 35% in response to the mental arithmetic task, compared with 61% with anger recall and 96% with exercise (p <.001, exercise versus MS). Electrocardiogram abnormalities and chest pain were substantially less common during MS than were echocardiographic abnormalities. Independent predictors of MS-induced myocardial ischemia were: wall motion score index at rest (p =.02), peak systolic blood pressure (p =.005), and increase in rate-pressure product (p =.004) during MS. The duration of exercise stress test was significantly shorter (p <.001) when MS preceded the exercise and in the case of earlier exercise (M [SD] = 4.4 [1.9] versus 6.7 [2.2] minutes for patients positive on MS and 5.7 [1.9] versus 8.0 [2.3] minutes for patients negative on MS). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography can be successfully used to document myocardial ischemia induced by MS. MS-induced ischemia was associated with an increase in hemodynamic parameters during MS and worse function of the left ventricle. MS may shorten the duration of subsequent exercise stress testing and can potentiate exercise-induced ischemia in susceptible patients with coronary artery disease. Copyright © 2012 by the American Psychosomatic Society.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate the incidence and parameters associated with myocardial ischemia during mental stress (MS) as measured by echocardiography and to evaluate the relation between MS-induced and exercise-induced myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Study participants were 79 patients (63 men; mean [M] [standard deviation {SD}] age = 52 [8] years) with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease and previous positive exercise test result. The MS protocol consisted of mental arithmetic and anger recall task. The patients performed a treadmill exercise test 15 to 20 minutes after the MS task. Data of post-MS exercise were compared with previous exercise stress test results. RESULTS: The frequency of echocardiographic abnormalities was 35% in response to the mental arithmetic task, compared with 61% with anger recall and 96% with exercise (p <.001, exercise versus MS). Electrocardiogram abnormalities and chest pain were substantially less common during MS than were echocardiographic abnormalities. Independent predictors of MS-induced myocardial ischemia were: wall motion score index at rest (p =.02), peak systolic blood pressure (p =.005), and increase in rate-pressure product (p =.004) during MS. The duration of exercise stress test was significantly shorter (p <.001) when MS preceded the exercise and in the case of earlier exercise (M [SD] = 4.4 [1.9] versus 6.7 [2.2] minutes for patients positive on MS and 5.7 [1.9] versus 8.0 [2.3] minutes for patients negative on MS). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography can be successfully used to document myocardial ischemia induced by MS. MS-induced ischemia was associated with an increase in hemodynamic parameters during MS and worse function of the left ventricle. MS may shorten the duration of subsequent exercise stress testing and can potentiate exercise-induced ischemia in susceptible patients with coronary artery disease. Copyright © 2012 by the American Psychosomatic Society.

Background To consider hemodynamic assessment of myocardial bridging (MB) adequate, it is believed that inotropic stimulation with dobutamine should be estimated because its dynamic nature depends on the degree of extravascular coronary compression. This study evaluated comparative assessment of hemodynamic relevance of MB using coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) measurements by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) with vasodilatative and inotropic challenges. Methods This prospective study included forty-four patients with angiographic evidence of isolated MB of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and systolic compression of ≥ 50% diameter stenosis. All patients were evaluated by exercise stress-echocardiography (ExSE) test for signs of myocardial ischemia, and CFVR of the distal segment of LAD during iv.infusion of adenosine (ADO:140 μg/kg/min) and iv.infusion of dobutamine (DOB:10-40 μg/kg/min), separately. Results Exercise-SE was positive for myocardial ischemia in 8/44 (18%) of patients. CFVR during ADO was significantly higher than CFVR during peak DOB (2.85 ± 0.68 vs. 2.44 ± 0.48, p = 0.002). CFVR during peak DOB was significantly lower in SE-positive group in comparison to SE-negative group (2.01 ± 0.16 vs. 2.54 ± 0.47, p < 0.001), but not for ADO (2.47 ± 0.51 vs. 2.89 ± 0.70, p = 0.168), respectively. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that CFVR peak DOB was the most significant predictor of functional significant MB (OR 0.011, 95%CI: 0.001–0.507, p = 0.021). Receiver-operating characteristic curves have shown that TTDE-CFVR obtained by high-dose of dobutamine infusion is better than those by adenosine regarding to functional status of MB (AUC 0.861, p = 0.004; AUC 0.674, p = 0.179, respectively). Conclusions Non-invasive CFVR measurement by TTDE during inotropic stimulation, in comparison to vasodilation, provides more reliable functional evaluation of MB. © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd

Background: The potential of angiography to evaluate the hemodynamic severity of a left main coronary artery (LM) stenosis is limited. Noninvasive transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) evaluation of intermediate coronary stenosis has demonstrated remarkably high negative prognostic value. The aim of this study was to assess clinical outcomes in patients with angiographically intermediate LM stenosis and preserved CFVR (>2.0) as evaluated by transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic CFVR. Methods: The initial study population included 102 patients with intermediate coronary stenosis of the LM referred for transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic CFVR assessment. Peak diastolic CFVR measurements were performed in the distal segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery after intravenous adenosine (140 μg/kg/min), and CFVR was calculated as the ratio between maximal hyperemic and baseline coronary flow velocity. Nineteen patients had impaired CFVR (≤2.0) and were excluded from further analysis, as well as two patients with poor acoustic windows. The final group consisted of 81 patients (mean age, 60 ± 9 years; 76 men) evaluated for adverse cardiac events including death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization. Results: Mean follow-up duration was 62 ± 26 months. Mean CFVR was 2.4 ± 0.4. Total event-free survival was 75 of 81 (92.6%), as six patients were referred for revascularization (five patients with coronary artery bypass grafting, one patient with percutaneous coronary intervention). There were no documented myocardial infarctions or cardiovascular deaths in the follow-up period. Conclusions: In patients with angiographically intermediate and equivocal LM stenosis and preserved CFVR values of >2.0, revascularization can be safely deferred. © 2018 American Society of Echocardiography

Background: Treatment of nonculprit coronary stenosis during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction may be beneficial, but the mode and timing of the intervention are still controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the significance and prognostic value of preserved coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in patients with nonculprit intermediate stenosis early after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: Two hundred thirty patients with remaining intermediate (50%–70%) stenosis of non-infarct-related arteries, in whom CFVR was performed within 7 days after primary percutaneous coronary intervention, were prospectively enrolled. Twenty patients with reduced CFVR and positive results on stress echocardiography or impaired fractional flow reserve underwent revascularization and were not included in further analysis. The final study population of 210 patients (mean age, 58 ± 10 years; 162 men) was divided into two groups on the basis of CFVR: group 1, CFVR > 2 (n = 174), and group 2, CFVR ≤ 2 (n = 36). Cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and revascularization of the evaluated vessel were considered adverse events. Results: Mean follow-up duration was 47 ± 16 months. Mean CFVR for the whole group was 2.36 ± 0.40. There were six adverse events (3.4%) related to the nonculprit coronary artery in group 1, including one cardiac death, one ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and four revascularizations. In group 2, there were 30 adverse events (83.3%, P <.001 vs group 1), including two cardiac deaths, two ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions, and 26 revascularizations. Conclusions: In patients with CFVR > 2 of the intermediate nonculprit coronary lesion, deferral of revascularization is safe and associated with excellent long-term clinical outcomes. © 2018 American Society of Echocardiography

Background: The implementation of quality indicators in the atrial fibrillation (AF) care should be considered to improve quality of management and patient outcome. Methods: In the post-hoc analysis of the BALKAN-AF dataset, we assessed concordance with quality indicators for AF management. Available domains for AF management [patient assessment (baseline), anticoagulation, rate control strategy, rhythm control strategy and risk factor management] were identified and assessed at baseline visit. Results: Among 132 patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 (men) or 1 (women), 75 (56.8%) were prescribed oral anticoagulation (OAC). Of 2539 patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 1 for men and ≥ 2 for women, 1890 (74.4%) were prescribed OAC. Among 1088 patients with permanent AF, 110 (10.1%) individuals were prescribed antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). Of 1616 patients with structural heart disease, 37 (2.2%) were prescribed class IC AADs. Of 1624 patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF, 59 (3.6%) were offered catheter ablation. Among 2712 AF patients, 2121 (78.2%) had hypertension, 671 (24.7%) were obese, 53 (2.0%) had obstructive sleep apnoea, 110 (4.0%) had alcohol abuse and 340 (12.5%) were smokers. Conclusions: In the BALKAN-AF cohort, the use of OAC for stroke prevention was poorly associated with patients stroke risk. The use of AADs in patients with permanent AF was low. The prescription of class IC AADs to patients with structural heart disease was infrequent. A large proportion of AF patients had their modifiable risk factors identified. © 2021

This prospective, first-in-man, open-label multicenter study sought to assess the pharmacokinetics of sirolimus after Ultimaster drug-eluting stent implantation (coated with sirolimus and bioabsorbable co-polymer) in patients with de novo coronary artery disease (the TCD-10023 PK study). The primary endpoint was sirolimus concentration in peripheral whole blood at 28 days after stent implantation. In addition, safety, tolerability, therapeutic outcome and vasomotor response after stent implantation were studied. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study. Blood samples for the measurements of sirolimus concentration were collected at eight time points during first 48 h, at 7 days and 28 days after stent implantation. Patients underwent 6-month angiographic and up to 12 months clinical follow-up. At 28 days, only two of 20 patients had sirolimus concentrations above lower limit of quantification (20.0 pg/mL). The highest sirolimus blood concentration was 105 pg/mL. The median maximum concentration was 36.8 pg/mL (range 22.9-41.5 pg/mL) for stent 3.0 × 15 mm and 87.2 pg/mL (range 60.0-105.0 pg/mL) for 3 × 28 mm stent. The median systemic exposure, as measured by the area under the time-concentration curve, was 8.3 ng h/mL (range 6.47-28.0 ng h/mL). At 6 months, endothelial function was well preserved, and up to 12 months, there were no signs of sirolimus toxicity nor any other safety concerns. Our results demonstrate that implantation of Ultimaster stent resulted in almost nondetectable sirolimus in blood after 28 days. These findings were translated into exceptional safety profile, without any sign of systemic toxicity. © 2014 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

This prospective, first-in-man, open-label multicenter study sought to assess the pharmacokinetics of sirolimus after Ultimaster drug-eluting stent implantation (coated with sirolimus and bioabsorbable co-polymer) in patients with de novo coronary artery disease (the TCD-10023 PK study). The primary endpoint was sirolimus concentration in peripheral whole blood at 28 days after stent implantation. In addition, safety, tolerability, therapeutic outcome and vasomotor response after stent implantation were studied. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study. Blood samples for the measurements of sirolimus concentration were collected at eight time points during first 48 h, at 7 days and 28 days after stent implantation. Patients underwent 6-month angiographic and up to 12 months clinical follow-up. At 28 days, only two of 20 patients had sirolimus concentrations above lower limit of quantification (20.0 pg/mL). The highest sirolimus blood concentration was 105 pg/mL. The median maximum concentration was 36.8 pg/mL (range 22.9-41.5 pg/mL) for stent 3.0 × 15 mm and 87.2 pg/mL (range 60.0-105.0 pg/mL) for 3 × 28 mm stent. The median systemic exposure, as measured by the area under the time-concentration curve, was 8.3 ng h/mL (range 6.47-28.0 ng h/mL). At 6 months, endothelial function was well preserved, and up to 12 months, there were no signs of sirolimus toxicity nor any other safety concerns. Our results demonstrate that implantation of Ultimaster stent resulted in almost nondetectable sirolimus in blood after 28 days. These findings were translated into exceptional safety profile, without any sign of systemic toxicity. © 2014 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

Background: Symptom-focused management is one of the cornerstones of optimal atrial fibrillation (AF) therapy. Objectives: To evaluate the use of rhythm control and rate control strategy. Second, to identify predictors of the use of amiodarone in patients with rhythm control and of the use of rhythm control strategy in patients with paroxysmal AF in the Balkans. Methods: Prospective enrolment of consecutive patients from seven Balkan countries to the BALKAN-AF survey was performed. Results: Of 2712 enrolled patients, 2522 (93.0%) with complete data were included: 1622 (64.3%) patients were assigned to rate control strategy and 900 (35.7%) to rhythm control. Patients with rhythm control were younger, more often hospitalised for AF and with less comorbidities (all P <.05) than those with rate control. Symptom score [European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)] was not an independent predictor of a rhythm control strategy [odds ratio (OR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90-1.10, P =.945]. The most commonly chosen antiarrhythmic agents were amiodarone (49.7%), followed by propafenone (24.3%). Conclusion: More than one-third of patients in the BALKAN-AF survey received a rhythm control strategy, and these patients tended to be younger with less comorbidities than those managed with rate control. EHRA symptom score is not significantly associated with rhythm control strategy. The most commonly used antiarrhythmic agents were amiodarone, followed by propafenone. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is commonly associated with hypertension (HTN). However, resting echocardiography (ECHO) can underestimate the severity of disease. Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) and the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) appeared to be useful tests in dynamic assessment of HFpEF. The value of combined exercise stress echocardiography cardiopulmonary testing (ESE-CPX) in the identification of masked HFpEF is still undetermined. Objective The purpose of this study was to analyse the value of the combined ESE-CPX in the identification of masked HFpEF in patients with HTN, dyspnoea and normal resting left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function. Methodology We studied 87 patients with HTN, exertional dyspnoea and normal resting LV function. They all underwent ESE-CPX testing (supine bicycle, ramp protocol, 15 W/min). ECHO measurements were performed at rest, and at peak load. Achievement of peak E/e' ratio>15 was a marker for masked HFpEF. Results Increase of E/e'>15 occurred in 8/87 patients (9.2%) during ESE-CPX. Those patients had the lower peak VO2 (p = 0.012), the lower VO2 at anaerobic threshold (p = 0.025), the lower workload (p = 0.026), the lower peak partial pressure end tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2) (p < 0.0001), and the higher VE/VCO2 slope (p < 0.0001) which was an independent multivariate predictor of HFpEF (p = 0.021), with the cut-off value of 32.95 according to the receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve (sensitivity (Sn) 100%, specificity (Sp) 90%). Conclusion The combined ESE-CPX test is feasible and reliable test that can unmask HFpEF and may become an important aid in the early diagnosis of HFpEF, excluding the other causes of exertional dyspnoea. © 2014 European Society of Cardiology.

Background: Nicorandil, as a selective potassium channel opener, has dual action including coronary and peripheral vasodilatation and cardioprotective effect through ischemic preconditioning. Considering those characteristics, nicorandil was suggested to reduce the degree of microvascular dysfunction. Methods: Thirty-two patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) were included in the study. Index of microvascular resistance (IMR) was measured in all patients immediatelly after pPCI before the after administration of Nicorandil. ST segment resolution was monitored before intervention and 60 min after terminating the procedure. Echocardiographic evaluation of myocardial function and transthoracic Doppler derived Coronary flow reserve (CFR) of infarct related artery (IRA) was performed during hospitalization and 3 months later. Results: IMR was significantly lower after administration of Nicorandil (9.9∈±∈3.7 vs. 14.1∈±∈5.1, p∈<∈0.001). There was significant difference in ST segment elevation before and after primary PCI with administration of Nicorandil (6.9∈±∈3.7 mm vs. 1.6∈±∈1.6 mm, p∈<∈0.001). Transthoracic Doppler CFR measurement improved after 3 months (2.69∈±∈0.38 vs. 2.92∈±∈0.54, p∈=∈0.021), as well as WMSI (1.14∈±∈0.17 vs. 1.07∈±∈0.09, p∈=∈0.004). Conclusion: Intracoronary Nicorandil administration after primary PCI significantly decreases IMR, resulting in improved CFR and ventricular function in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. © 2015 Kostic et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of Biolimus A9 eluted from Nobori coronary stents. Background: The release kinetics and pharmacokinetics of drugs delivered via coronary stents have been shown to play an essential role in the efficacy and safety of drug eluting stents. Methods: Twenty patients with coronary artery disease were treated with single 14-mm (10 patients) or 28-mm long stent (10 patients). Blood samples were drawn at 16 time points to determine the pharmacokinetics of Biolimus A9. At seven time points, complete laboratory and toxicology panels were assessed to screen for potential Biolimus A9 toxicity. The primary endpoint of the study was the systemic blood concentrations of Biolimus A9 after 28 days and 6 months as measured using highly specific and sensitive liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry assay. Results: At 28 days, 6 patients (30%) had quantifiable Biolimus A9 concentrations in blood. The highest Biolimus A9 blood concentration measured in any sample was 32.2 pg/mL. The median time to maximum concentration was 2 hr, ranging from 0.05 hr to 3 months. Six months after stent implantation, only 1 of 20 patients had measurable Biolimus A9 concentrations at the lowest level of quantification, while at 9 months no sample had quantifiable Biolimus A9 concentrations. Laboratory and toxicology assessments did not indicate any impact of Biolimus A9 on the evaluated parameters. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that systemic exposure to Biolimus A9 was very low and that Biolimus A9 was well tolerated. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Introduction Routine thrombus aspiration is proposed to be superior to conventional primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in terms of improved myocardial perfusion, in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, myocardial perfusion after thrombus aspiration has not been evaluated by a quantitative, invasive method. We intend to determine whether manual thrombus aspiration in the infarct-related coronary artery increases myocardial perfusion assessed by index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) compared with conventional primary PCI. Study Design PATA STEMI is a single-center, prospective, randomized trial with a planned inclusion of 128 patients with the first STEMI. Prior to coronary angiography, patients are randomly assigned to thrombus aspiration using the Eliminate aspiration catheter (Terumo Medical Supply, Japan) or to conventional primary PCI. After completion of primary PCI, IMR is determined both in infarct-related artery and in noninfarct-related arteries without critical stenoses. The primary end-point is a group mean value of IMR after thrombus aspiration compared with conventional primary PCI. Secondary end-points are myocardial perfusion grade, resolution of ST-segment elevation, enzymatic estimation of infarct size, left ventricular remodeling assessed by echocardiographic indices, and major adverse cardiac events rate at 1, 6, and 12 months. Conclusion If manual thrombus aspiration significantly reduces microcirculatory resistance, thereby improving myocardial perfusion, it may become the routine strategy in primary PCI. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:341-347) © 2014, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.