Multiple biomarkers at admission are associated with angiographic, electrocardiographic, and imaging cardiovascular mechanistic markers of outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Am Heart J. 2012 May;163(5):783-9

Authors: Damman P, Kuijt WJ, Woudstra P, Haeck JD, Koch KT, Gu YL, van Straalen JP, Fischer J, Tijssen JG, Krucoff MW, de Winter RJ

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The multimarker risk score, based on estimated glomerular filtration rate, glucose, and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), has been shown to predict mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). In this study, we investigated the relation between the multimarker risk score and cardiovascular mechanistic markers of outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI.
METHODS: Complete biomarkers were available in 197 patients with STEMI. Angiographic Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade and myocardial blush grade at the end of the PPCI, electrocardiographic ST-segment resolution (STR) at the time of last contrast injection and 240 minutes after last contrast, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and infarct size at 4 to 6 months after the index event were available.
RESULTS: In linear regression models, higher multimarker scores were associated with worse angiographic (P < .01 for both outcomes), electrocardiographic (P < .001 for the association with STR at last contrast, and P < .01 for STR at 240 minutes), and CMR outcomes (P < .01 for both). CONLUSIONS: The multimarker risk score is associated with angiographic, electrocardiographic, and CMR mechanistic markers of outcomes. These data support the ability of the multimarker risk score to identify patients at high risk for suboptimal reperfusion and CMR outcomes and may aid in the early triage of patients who stand to benefit most of adjuvant treatments in STEMI.

PMID: 22607855 [PubMed - in process]

International variation in use of oral anticoagulation among heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation.

Am Heart J. 2012 May;163(5):804-11

Authors: Suarez J, Piccini JP, Liang L, Atherton JJ, Hayward CS, Krum H, Fonarow GC, Lopes RD, Hernandez AF

Abstract
BACKGROUND: We sought to characterize patient factors and regional variations associated with vitamin K antagonist (VKA) use in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in areas outside the United States and Europe.
METHODS: The ADHERE-International registry enrolled patients with decompensated HF from 10 Asia Pacific and Latin American countries from December 2005 to January 2009. Rates of VKA use in patients with HF and either new-onset AF or a history of AF were determined and compared according to CHADS(2) scores. Multivariable logistic regression and hierarchical modeling with random effects for hospitals were used to determine clinical and regional factors associated with VKA use at discharge.
RESULTS: Among 9,706 admissions, there were 2,358 (24.3%) with prior AF and 674 (6.9%) with new-onset AF. The median age was 71 years (25th-75th percentiles 59-79) for prior AF and 69 (57-80) for new-onset AF patients. The overall rate of VKA use at discharge was 39.5%. Vitamin K antagonist use at discharge was 36.2% in patients with CHADS(2) scores ?2 versus 50.2% in patients with CHADS(2) score equal to 1 (P < .0001). Vitamin K antagonist use was 36.4% in patients with hypertension, 28.1% in patients >75 years old, 34.8% in diabetics, and 44.4% in those with prior stroke/transient ischemic attack. After adjusting for patient characteristics, the highest and lowest rates of anticoagulation were in Australia (65.2%) and Taiwan (25.1%).
CONCLUSION: International use of guidelines-recommended anticoagulation in HF patients with AF varies significantly across countries and represents an important opportunity for improving quality of care.

PMID: 22607858 [PubMed - in process]

Combined use of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide improves measurements of performance over established mortality risk factors in chronic heart failure.

Am Heart J. 2012 May;163(5):821-8

Authors: de Antonio M, Lupon J, Galan A, Vila J, Urrutia A, Bayes-Genis A

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Heart failure still maintains a high mortality. Biomarkers reflecting different pathophysiological pathways are under evaluation to better stratify the mortality risk. The objective was to assess high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in combination with N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for risk stratification in a real-life cohort of ambulatory heart failure patients.
METHODS: We analyzed 876 consecutive patients (median age 70.3 years, median left ventricular ejection fraction 34%) treated at a heart failure unit. A combination of biomarkers reflecting myocyte injury (hs-cTnT) and myocardial stretch (NT-proBNP) was used in addition to an assessment based on established mortality risk factors (age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association functional class, diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate, ischemic etiology, sodium, hemoglobin, ?-blocker treatment, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker treatment).
RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 41.4 months, 311 patients died. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were independent prognosticators (P = .003 each). The combined elevation of both biomarkers above cut-off values significantly increased the risk of death (HR 7.42 [95% CI, 5.23-10.54], P < .001). When hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were individually included in a model with established mortality risk factors, measurements of performance significantly improved. Results obtained for hs-cTnT compared with NT-proBNP were superior according to comprehensive discrimination, calibration, and reclassification analysis (net reclassification indices of 7.7% and 1.5%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: hs-cTnT provides significant prognostic information in a real-life cohort of patients with chronic heart failure. Simultaneous addition of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP into a model that includes established risk factors improves mortality risk stratification.

PMID: 22607860 [PubMed - in process]

The changing definition of contrast-induced nephropathy and its clinical implications: Insights from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium (BMC2).

Am Heart J. 2012 May;163(5):829-34

Authors: Slocum NK, Grossman PM, Moscucci M, Smith DE, Aronow HD, Dixon SR, Share D, Gurm HS

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The traditional definition of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been an absolute rise of serum creatinine (Cr) of ?0.5 mg/dL, although most recent clinical trials have included a ?25% increase from baseline Cr. The clinical implication of this definition change remains unknown.
METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared the association of the two definitions with risk of death or need for dialysis among 58,957 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in 2007 to 2008 in a large collaborative registry. Patients with a preexisting history of renal failure requiring dialysis were excluded. Contrast-induced nephropathy as defined by a rise in Cr ?0.5 mg/dL (CIN(Traditional)) developed in 1,601, whereas CIN defined either as Cr ?0.5 mg/dL or ?25% increase in baseline Cr (CIN(New)) developed in 4,308 patients. Patients meeting the definition of CIN(New) but not CIN(Traditional) were classified as CIN(Incremental) (n = 2,707). Compared with CIN(New), CIN(Traditional) was more commonly seen in patients with abnormal renal function, which was more likely to develop in patients with normal renal function at baseline. Compared with CIN(Incremental), patients meeting the definition of CIN(Traditional) were more likely to die (16.7% vs 1.7%) and require in-hospital dialysis (9.8% vs 0%).
CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the traditional definition of CIN (a rise in Cr of ?0.5 mg/dL) in patients undergoing PCI is superior to ?25% increase in Cr at identifying patients at greater risk for adverse renal and cardiac events.

PMID: 22607861 [PubMed - in process]

Design of the Rule Out Myocardial Ischemia/Infarction Using Computer Assisted Tomography: a multicenter randomized comparative effectiveness trial of cardiac computed tomography versus alternative triage strategies in patients with acute chest pain in the emergency department.

Am Heart J. 2012 Mar;163(3):330-8, 338.e1

Authors: Hoffmann U, Truong QA, Fleg JL, Goehler A, Gazelle S, Wiviott S, Lee H, Udelson JE, Schoenfeld D,

Abstract
Although early cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) might improve the management of emergency department (ED) patients with acute chest pain, it could also result in increased testing, costs, and radiation exposure. ROMICAT II was a randomized comparative effectiveness trial enrolling patients 40 to 74 years old without known coronary artery disease who presented to the ED with chest pain but without ischemic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes or elevated initial troponin and who required further risk stratification. Overall, 1000 patients at 9 sites within the United States were randomized to either CCTA as the first diagnostic test following serial biomarkers or to standard of care, which included no testing or functional testing such as exercise ECG, stress radionuclide imaging, or stress echocardiography. Test results were provided to ED physicians, yet patient management was not driven by a study protocol in either arm. Data were collected on diagnostic testing, cardiac events, and cost of medical care for the index hospitalization and during the following 28 days. The primary end point was length of hospital stay. Secondary end points were cumulative radiation exposure, resource utilization, and costs of competing strategies. Tertiary end points were institutional, physician, and patient characteristics associated with primary and secondary outcomes. Rate of missed acute coronary syndrome within 28 days was the safety end point. The ROMICAT II will provide rigorous data on whether CCTA is more efficient than standard of care in the management of patients with acute chest pain at intermediate risk for acute coronary syndrome.

PMID: 22424002 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Downstream procedures and outcomes after stress testing for chest pain without known coronary artery disease in the United States.

Am Heart J. 2012 Mar;163(3):454-61

Authors: Mudrick DW, Cowper PA, Shah BR, Patel MR, Jensen NC, Peterson ED, Douglas PS

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Millions of Americans with suspected coronary artery disease undergo noninvasive cardiac stress testing annually. Downstream procedures and subsequent outcomes among symptomatic patients without known coronary disease referred for stress testing are not well characterized in contemporary community practice.
METHODS: We examined administrative insurance billing data from a national insurance provider from November 2004 through June 2007. After excluding patients with prior cardiac disease or chest pain evaluation, we identified 80,676 people age 40 to 64 years with outpatient cardiac stress testing within 30 days after an office visit for chest pain. We evaluated rates of invasive coronary angiography, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular events after stress testing.
RESULTS: Within 60 days, only 8.8% of stress test patients underwent cardiac catheterization and only 2.7% underwent revascularization; within 1 year, only 0.5% died and had myocardial infarction or stroke. There were marked geographic variations in 1-year rates of catheterization (3.8%-14.8%) and revascularization (1.2%-3.0%) across 20 hospital referral regions.
CONCLUSIONS: In this large national cohort of middle-aged patients without previously coded cardiac diagnosis who were referred for stress testing after outpatient chest pain evaluation, few proceeded to invasive angiography or revascularization, and subsequent cardiovascular events were infrequent.

PMID: 22424017 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Development and validation of a prioritization rule for obtaining an immediate 12-lead electrocardiogram in the emergency department to identify ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Am Heart J. 2012 Mar;163(3):372-82

Authors: Glickman SW, Shofer FS, Wu MC, Scholer MJ, Ndubuizu A, Peterson ED, Granger CB, Cairns CB, Glickman LT

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend an immediate (eg, <10 minutes) 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. Yet, one third of all patients with myocardial infarction do not have chest pain. Our objective was to develop a practical approach to identify patients, especially those without chest pain, who require an immediate ECG in the ED to identify STEMI.
METHODS: An ECG prioritization rule was derived and validated using classification and regression tree analysis among >3 million ED visits to 107 EDs from 2007 to 2008.
RESULTS: The final study population included 3,575,178 ED patient visits; of these, 6,464 (0.18%) were diagnosed with STEMI. Overall, 1,413 (21.9%) of patients with STEMI did not present to the ED with chest pain. Major predictors of those requiring an immediate ECG in the ED included age ?30 years with chest pain; age ?50 years with shortness of breath, altered mental status, upper extremity pain, syncope, or generalized weakness; and those with age ?80 years with abdominal pain or nausea/vomiting. When the ECG prioritization rule was applied to a validation sample, it had a sensitivity of 91.9% (95% CI 90.9%-92.8%) for STEMI and a negative predictive value 99.98% (95% CI 99.98%-99.98%).
CONCLUSION: A simple ECG prioritization rule based on age and presenting symptoms in the ED can identify patients during triage who are at high risk for STEMI and therefore should receive an immediate 12-lead ECG, often before they are seen by a physician.

PMID: 22424007 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Safety and effectiveness of antithrombotic strategies in older adult patients with atrial fibrillation and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Am Heart J. 2012 Apr;163(4):720-8

Authors: Fosbol EL, Wang TY, Li S, Piccini JP, Lopes RD, Shah B, Mills RM, Klaskala W, Alexander KP, Thomas L, Roe MT, Peterson ED

Abstract
BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the comparative safety and effectiveness of various antithrombotic treatment strategies among older adults with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and atrial fibrillation (AF).
METHODS: Using the CRUSADE registry linked to longitudinal Medicare claims data, we examined NSTEMI patients aged ?65 years with a concomitant diagnosis of AF. Multivariable Cox analysis was used to compare risk of rehospitalization for bleeding and a major cardiac composite end point of death, readmission for myocardial infarction, or stroke, according to discharge antithrombotic strategy.
RESULTS: Among 7619 NSTEMI patients with AF, 29% were discharged on aspirin alone; 37%, on aspirin + clopidogrel; 7%, on warfarin alone; 17%, on aspirin + warfarin; and 10%, on warfarin + aspirin + clopidogrel. There was no difference in predicted stroke risk between groups. By 1 year, 12.2% of patients were rehospitalized for bleeding, and 33.1% had a major cardiac event. Relative to aspirin alone, antithrombotic intensification was associated with increased bleeding risk (aspirin + clopidogrel adjusted HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03-1.46 and warfarin + aspirin HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.21-1.80). Patients treated with aspirin + clopidogrel + warfarin had the highest observed bleeding risk (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.30-2.10). One-year risk of the major cardiac end point was similar between groups, although, relative to aspirin only, there was a trend toward lower risk for the warfarin + aspirin group (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78-1.00).
CONCLUSIONS: Older NSTEMI patients with AF are at high risk for subsequent bleeding and major cardiac events. Increased antithrombotic management was associated with increased bleeding risk. Further investigation is needed to clarify whether these risks are counterbalanced by reduced thromboembolic events in this population.

PMID: 22520540 [PubMed - in process]

Incidence, clinical predictors, and prognostic impact of worsening renal function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure on intensive medical therapy.

Am Heart J. 2012 Mar;163(3):407-414.e1

Authors: Maeder MT, Rickli H, Pfisterer ME, Muzzarelli S, Ammann P, Fehr T, Hack D, Weilenmann D, Dieterle T, Kiencke S, Estlinbaum W, Brunner-La Rocca HP

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Incidence, predictors, and prognostic impact of worsening renal function (WRF) in elderly patients with chronic heart failure (HF) undergoing intensive contemporary medical therapy are unknown.
METHODS AND RESULTS: In 566 patients (age 77 ± 8 years) included in the TIME-CHF, serum creatinine (sCr) was repeatedly measured up to 6 months. Worsening renal function was classified as increase in sCr by 0.2 to 0.3 (WRFI), 0.3 to 0.5 (WRFII), or ?0.5 mg/dL (WRFIII) within the first 6 months. Outcome events were assessed for 18 months.
RESULTS: The incidence of WRF I, II, and III was 12%, 19%, and 22%, respectively. Worsening renal function III was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio 1.98 [95% CI 1.27-3.07, P = .002] vs no WRF), whereas WRF I/II was not. History of renal failure, spironolactone treatment, higher baseline dose, and higher maximal increase in loop diuretic dose were independently associated with the occurrence of WRF III, whereas angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blocker, and ?-blocker use and allocation to N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide-guided management were not. Worsening renal function III was an independent predictor of death, death or hospitalization, and death or HF hospitalization also after adjusting for baseline characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS: One fifth of elderly patients with chronic HF experienced WRF III on 6-month intensive HF treatment. These patients had higher mortality, whereas patients with smaller sCr rises did not. Occurrence of WRF III was associated with high doses of loop diuretics and spironolactone use but not with other treatments.

PMID: 22424011 [PubMed - in process]

Sex differences in in-hospital mortality in acute decompensated heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction.

Am Heart J. 2012 Mar;163(3):430-437.e3

Authors: Hsich EM, Grau-Sepulveda MV, Hernandez AF, Peterson ED, Schwamm LH, Bhatt DL, Fonarow GC

Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are no sex-specific survival comparisons between patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced and those with preserved ejection fraction. Large registries noting women have better survival than men combined HF patients with reduced and preserved EF. Other registries that compared patients with reduced and preserved EF did not analyze their data by sex. We sought to evaluate sex/EF differences in mortality and risk factors for survival in hospitalized patients with HF.
METHODS: We included hospitals fully participating in Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure that admitted HF patients with reduced (EF <40%) or preserved (EF ?50%) EF. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. Multivariate generalized estimating equation logistic models were used to compute odds ratios accounting for hospital clustering.
RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 51,428 patients with EF <40% (36% women, 64% men) and 37,699 patients with EF ?50% (65% women, 35% men). Women compared with men with reduced and preserved EF were older and more likely to have hypertension, depression, or valvular heart disease and less likely to have coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease. There were no sex differences in in-hospital mortality (EF <40%, 2.69% women vs 2.89% men, P = .20; EF ?50%, 2.61% women vs 2.62% men, P = .96), and risk factors such as age, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and history of renal failure/dialysis were highly predictive of death for each sex/EF subgroup.
CONCLUSIONS: In a large, multicenter registry, we found that despite differences in baseline characteristics, women and men with reduced and preserved EF have similar in-hospital mortality and risk factors predicting death.

PMID: 22424014 [PubMed - in process]

Patient and hospital characteristics associated with traditional measures of inpatient quality of care for patients with heart failure.

Am Heart J. 2012 Feb;163(2):239-245.e3

Authors: Heidenreich PA, Zhao X, Hernandez AF, Yancy CW, Fonarow GC

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine patient and hospital characteristics associated with 4 measures of quality of inpatient heart failure care used by both the primary payer of heart failure care in the United States (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and the main hospital accrediting organization (The Joint Commission).
METHODS: We used data from Get With The Guidelines Program for patients hospitalized with heart failure. Eligibility for receiving care based on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services performance measures was determined for assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; n = 60,601), use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) if LVEF<40% and no contraindications (24,130), discharge instructions (49,383), and smoking cessation counseling (10,152). Patient and hospital characteristics that were significantly associated with performance measures in univariate analyses were entered into multivariate logistic regression models.
RESULTS: Overall, documentation for LVEF assessment was noted in 95%, ACEi/ARB use in 87%, discharge instruction in 82%, and smoking cessation counseling in 91% of eligible patients. In adjusted analyses, older patients and those with evidence of renal failure were significantly less likely to receive each care measure except for discharge instructions (no age effect). Patients with higher body mass index were more likely to receive ACEi/ARB and discharge instructions but less likely to have LVEF documented or to receive smoking cessation counseling. Small hospitals (<200 beds) were less likely to provide each of the performance measures compared with larger hospitals.
CONCLUSION: Recommended heart failure care is less likely in patients with certain characteristics (older age and abnormal renal function) and those cared for in smaller hospitals. Programs to improve evidence-based care for heart failure should consider interventions specifically targeting and tailored to smaller facilities and patients who are older with comorbidities.

PMID: 22305842 [PubMed - in process]

Efficacy and safety of enoxaparin compared with unfractionated heparin in the pharmacoinvasive management of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Insights from the TRANSFER-AMI trial.

Am Heart J. 2012 Feb;163(2):176-181.e2

Authors: Lavi S, Cantor WJ, Casanova A, Tan MK, Yan AT, Džavík V, Fitchett D, Cohen EA, Borgundvaag B, Heffernan M, Ducas J, Goodman SG

Abstract
AIMS: An early invasive strategy after fibrinolysis for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) improves outcomes, but the relative efficacy and safety of enoxaparin compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH) as part of this approach are unknown.
METHODS AND RESULTS: In the TRANSFER-AMI trial, patients with high-risk STEMI received fibrinolysis and were then randomized to either standard treatment or to immediate transfer for coronary angiography. In this substudy, the outcome of patients aged <75 years treated with enoxaparin is compared with that of patients who received UFH. Logistic regression and propensity score models were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these anticoagulants. Enoxaparin was administered to 498 patients, and UFH, to 448 patients, at the time of fibrinolysis. Approximately 50% in each group were randomized to the early invasive strategy. The primary composite end point of death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia, new or worsening heart failure, or cardiogenic shock at 30 days occurred in 11.9% and 11.6% of the patients who received enoxaparin and UFH, respectively (adjusted odds ratio 0.95 [95% CI 0.60-1.51], P = .84). Enoxaparin use was associated with more access site bleeding (5.0% vs 2.9%, P = .04) and mild bleeding (12.1% vs 7.8%, P = .03).
CONCLUSIONS: Among high-risk patients with STEMI undergoing early or late transfer for cardiac catheterization after fibrinolysis, enoxaparin was associated with similar efficacy compared with UFH, but there was more minor bleeding with enoxaparin (ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT00164190).

PMID: 22305834 [PubMed - in process]

High-concentration versus titrated oxygen therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Am Heart J. 2012 Feb;163(2):168-75

Authors: Ranchord AM, Argyle R, Beynon R, Perrin K, Sharma V, Weatherall M, Simmonds M, Heatlie G, Brooks N, Beasley R

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The optimal approach to oxygen therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is uncertain.
METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken in which 136 patients presenting with their first STEMI uncomplicated by cardiogenic shock or marked hypoxia were randomized to receive high-concentration (6 L/min via medium concentration mask) or titrated oxygen (to achieve oxygen saturation 93%-96%) for 6 hours after presentation. The main outcome variables were 30-day mortality and infarct size assessed by troponin T level at 72 hours. Secondary outcomes included a meta-analysis of mortality data from this study and previous randomized controlled trials, and infarct size was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging at 4 to 6 weeks.
RESULTS: There were 1 of 68 and 2 of 68 deaths in the high-concentration and titrated oxygen groups, respectively; a meta-analysis including these data with those from the 2 previous studies showed an odds ratio for mortality of high-concentration oxygen compared with room air or titrated oxygen of 2.2 (95% CI 0.8-6.0). There was no significant difference between high-concentration versus titrated oxygen in troponin T (ratio of mean levels 0.74, 95% CI 0.50-1.1, P = .14), infarct mass (mean difference -0.8 g, 95% CI -7.6 to 6.1, P = .82), or percent infarct mass (mean difference -0.6%, 95% CI -5.6 to 4.5, P = .83).
CONCLUSION: This study found no evidence of benefit or harm from high-concentration compared with titrated oxygen in initially uncomplicated STEMI. However, our estimates have wide CIs, and as a result, large randomized controlled trials are required to resolve the clinical uncertainty.

PMID: 22305833 [PubMed - in process]

Diagnostic accuracy of a point-of-care troponin I assay for acute myocardial infarction within 3 hours after presentation in early presenters to the emergency department with chest pain.

Am Heart J. 2012 Jan;163(1):74-80.e4

Authors: Diercks DB, Peacock WF, Hollander JE, Singer AJ, Birkhahn R, Shapiro N, Glynn T, Nowack R, Safdar B, Miller CD, Lewandrowski E, Nagurney JT

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend that serial cardiac marker testing to rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) be performed for 8 to 12 hours after symptom onset. We aim to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a contemporary point-of-care (POC) troponin I (TnI) assay within 3 hours for patients presenting within 8 hours of symptom onset.
METHODS: The MIDAS study collected blood from patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome at presentation and at 90 minutes, 3 hours, and 6 hours in whom the emergency physician planned an objective cardiac ischemia evaluation. Criterion standard diagnoses were adjudicated by experienced clinicians using all available medical records per American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology criteria. Reviewers were blinded to the investigational marker, Cardio3 TnI POC. The Cardio3 TnI reference value was defined as >0.05 ng/mL. Measures of diagnostic accuracy are presented with 95% CI.
RESULTS: A total of 858 of 1107 patients met the inclusion criteria. The study cohort had 476 men (55.5%) with median age of 57.0 years (interquartile range 48.0-67.0 years). Median time from symptom onset to initial blood draw was 3.9 hours (interquartile range 2.7-5.2 hours). Acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 82 patients (9.6%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio over 3 hours were 84.1, 93.4, 12.8, and 0.17, respectively. There was no significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy associated with adding 6-hour serial testing to the 3-hour sample.
CONCLUSION: In suspected patients with acute coronary syndrome presenting to the emergency department within 8 hours of symptom onset, 3 hours of serial testing with the Cardio3 TnI POC platform provides similar diagnostic accuracy for AMI as longer periods.

PMID: 22172439 [PubMed - in process]

The role of transthoracic echocardiography in the diagnosis and management of acute type A aortic syndrome.

Am Heart J. 2012 Jan;163(1):112-8

Authors: Cecconi M, Chirillo F, Costantini C, Iacobone G, Lopez E, Zanoli R, Gili A, Moretti S, Manfrin M, Münch C, Torracca L, Perna GP

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has been traditionally considered inadequate for the diagnosis of acute type A aortic syndrome (AAAS). In the last decade, high-resolution probes and harmonic imaging have been implemented in new echocardiographic systems. However, studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of TTE for the identification of AAAS in large populations using modern ultrasound technology are lacking.
METHODS: The diagnostic value of harmonic imaging TTE was assessed in 270 consecutive patients with suspected AAAS in whom TTE was the initial diagnostic test.
RESULTS: Acute type A aortic syndrome was diagnosed in 67 patients and excluded in 203 patients (disease prevalence 25%). Sixty-two patients had a classic acute type A aortic dissection, and 5, an acute type A intramural hematoma. Image quality achieved was considered optimal in 244 patients (90%). In the whole study population, TTE had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the diagnosis of AAAS of 87%, 91%, 75%, and 95%, respectively. When evaluating only patients with optimal image quality, these values increased to 97%, 100%, 100%, and 99%, respectively. Forty-seven patients with clear-cut evidence of AAAS were transferred immediately to the operative room, where transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis obtained by TTE in all patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Transthoracic echocardiography is a useful imaging modality for the diagnosis of classic acute type A aortic dissection. It cannot be used as the sole screening technique for detecting AAAS, but in the light of the predictive values observed, patients with optimal image quality and clear-cut diagnosis of AAAS should proceed to the operative room, whereas in patients with negative or indeterminate studies, other imaging techniques are needed to refine the diagnosis.

PMID: 22172444 [PubMed - in process]