Coronary artery bypass graft versus percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent implantation for diabetic patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease: the D-DELTA registry.
textabstractAims: Data regarding the impact on clinical outcomes of PCI with DES implantation vs. CABG to treat unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease in diabetic patients are still insufficient. The present study evaluated the short-term and long-term results of percutaneous and surgical revascularisation in diabetic patients with ULMCA disease in a large population. Methods and results: A total of 826 diabetic patients with ULMCA stenosis who received DES (n=520) or underwent CABG (n=306) were selected and analysed from the DELTA registry. In-hospital MACCE was significantly higher in the CABG group, mainly driven by a higher incidence of MI. At four-year follow-up, freedom…
Primary endpoint results of the OMEGA Study: One-year clinical outcomes after implantation of a novel platinum chromium bare metal stent.
Bare metal stents (BMS) have similar rates of death and myocardial infarction (MI) compared to drug-eluting stents (DES). DES lower repeat revascularization rates compared to BMS, but may have higher rates of late stent thrombosis (ST) potentially due to impaired endothelialization requiring longer dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT). OMEGA evaluated a novel BMS designed to have improved deliverability and radiopacity, in comparison to currently available platforms.OMEGA was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study enrolling 328 patients at 37 sites (US and Europe). Patients received the OMEGA stent (bare platinum chromium element stent) for the treatment of de novo native coronary artery…
Reperfusion therapy for ST elevation acute myocardial infarction 2010/2011:current status in 37 ESC countries
Item does not contain fulltext AIMS: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We conducted this study to evaluate the contemporary status on the use and type of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional descriptive study based on aggregated country-level data on the use of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI during 2010 or 2011. Thirty-seven ESC countries were able to provide data from existing national or regional registries. In countries where no such registries exist, dat…
Long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary artery bypass grafting for left main coronary artery disease in octogenarians (from a Drug-Eluting stent for LefT main Artery registry substudy).
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents is an accepted alternative to surgery for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease, but the long-term outcome in elderly patients is unclear. Aim of our study was to compare the clinical outcomes of octogenarians with ULMCA disease treated either with PCI with drug-eluting stents or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The primary study end point was the composite of death, cerebrovascular accident, and myocardial infarction at follow-up. A total of 304 consecutive patients with ULMCA stenosis treated with PCI or CABG and aged 80 years were selected and analyzed in a large multinational regist…
EUROASPIRE IV: A European Society of Cardiology survey on the lifestyle, risk factor and therapeutic management of coronary patients from 24 European countries.
AIMS: To determine whether the Joint European Societies guidelines on cardiovascular prevention are being followed in everyday clinical practice of secondary prevention and to describe the lifestyle, risk factor and therapeutic management of coronary patients across Europe. METHODS AND RESULTS: EUROASPIRE IV was a cross-sectional study undertaken at 78 centres from 24 European countries. Patients <80 years with coronary disease who had coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary intervention or an acute coronary syndrome were identified from hospital records and interviewed and examined ≥ 6 months later. A total of 16,426 medical records were reviewed and 7998 patients (24.4% female…
The comparison of knee osteoarthritis treatment with single-dose bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells vs. hyaluronic acid injections
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare treatment methods of the knee joint degenerative osteoarthritis, using autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells and hyaluronic acid injections and observe prevalence of adverse effects in both groups. Materials and methods: A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out. The analysis of pain and changes in osteoarthritis symptoms after a single intra-articular bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell injection into the knee joint in the Kellgren– Lawrence stage II–III osteoarthritis during the 12-month period were performed. The results were compared with the control group treated routinely by hyaluronic acid injections…
Heart rate and other risk factors in outpatients with stable coronary artery disease in Latvia
Heart rate and other risk factors in outpatients with stable coronary artery disease in Latvia The aim of the study was to characterise coronary artery disease (CAD) outpatients in Latvia by risk factors (RF) including heart rate (HR), physical examination data, clinical data and treatment. Twelve practitioners had each examined and questioned 6 to 12 patients with established CAD (n = 120). The most frequent cardiovascular (CV) RF and co-morbidity were dyslipidemia (94.2%) and hypertension (78.3%), respectively. Prevalence of increased resting HR (≥70 bpm) was 35.9% and 33.6%, when measured by pulse palpation and electrocardiography, respectively. Regarding other RFs, prevalence of treated…
A case report of pulmonary vein isolation performed in a patient with polysplenia and interrupted inferior vena cava
Abstract Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has entrenched itself as one of the main approaches for the treatment of paroxysmal symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulmonary vein isolation prevents focal triggers from pulmonary veins from initiating AF paroxysms. As standard—PVI is performed through the inferior vena cava (IVC) approach, through the femoral vein. However, there are conditions when this approach is not appropriate or is not available. Case summary We report a case of a 53-year-old male who was referred to Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital for PVI due to worsening AF. Due to the rare anatomical variant of the venous system, the standard approach to PVI coul…
TCT-361 Heart Team Approach to CAD Management in Patients Undergoing Elective Vascular Surgery Who Have Asymptomatic Ischemia-producing Coronary Stenosis
Patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery (PVS) are at increased risk of post-op MI/death due to unrecognized CAD. Coronary CTA-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) reliably identifies lesion-specific ischemia (LSI) in stable chest pain patients but has not been used in PVS patients. We
Decrease in annual incidence of acute coronary syndrome and restructuring of coronary care in Latvia
Abstract Introduction Improvement in coronary heart disease prevention and treatment, as well as availability of coronary care facilities, is important for the reduction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) incidence. Centralized acute coronary care system is crucial to provide optimal hospitalization and management algorithm for ACS patients. Aim The aim of the current report was to assess the annual incidence of ACS and the quality of acute coronary care in Latvia. Methods The Data from The Latvian Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes were analyzed covering the time period from 2005 to 2010. Results Since the year 2005 the annual incidence of hospitalization due to ACS decreased significantly…
Intravascular Ultrasound-based Imaging Modalities for Tissue Characterisation
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in the developed world. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a widely used imaging modality providing complementary diagnostic information to angiography regarding the vessel wall of the coronary arteries. IVUS has been used for assessment of ambiguous angiographic lesions, evaluation of new interventional devices and in atherosclerosis progression-regression trials. However, the standard gray-scale IVUS has limited value for the accurate identification of specific plaque components. This limitation has been partially over- come by introduction of new IVUS-based imaging methods such as: virtual histology IVUS, iMAP…
Drug eluting and bare metal stents in people with and without diabetes: Collaborative network meta-analysis
Objective To compare the effectiveness and safety of three types of stents (sirolimus eluting, paclitaxel eluting, and bare metal) in people with and without diabetes mellitus. Design Collaborative network meta-analysis. Data sources Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), relevant websites, reference lists, conference abstracts, reviews, book chapters, and proceedings of advisory panels for the US Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers and trialists provided additional data. Review methods Network meta-analysis with a mixed treatment comparison method to combine direct within trial comparisons between stents with indirect evidence fr…
TCT-43 First-in-human experience of a novel transradial device for embolic deflection during transcatheter aortic valve replacement
The average stroke rate in contemporary transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) studies is 4.4%. The majority of the TAVR studies are non-randomized registries, hence, neurological outcomes may be underreported. Over 50% of all TAVR related strokes occur during the procedure or on the same day
TCTAP A-059 Intrahospital and Long-term Outcomes After True Bifurcation Stenting
Bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is challenging and is associated with lower rate of procedural success and higher risk of complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate intrahospital and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent PCI for bifurcation lesions involving
Lead-Related Infective Endocarditis in Latvia: A Single Centre Experience
Background and Objectives: Over the last five decades cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) have become established as the mainstay for the treatment of permanent bradycardias, chronic heart failure and dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. These devices improve survival and quality of life in many patients. However, infections associated with CIED implantation, particularly lead-related infective endocarditis (LRIE), can offset all benefits and make more harm than good for the patient. To date, there are no other studies in Latvia, addressing patients with lead-related infective endocarditis. The objective of this study was to identify the most common pathogens associated with LRIE …
Plaque and blood vulnerability in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients: association between lesion morphology using intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency analysis and circulating biomarkers.
AIM The purpose of the study was to evaluate associations between iMap intravascular ultrasound tissue characterization of culprit and nonculprit lesions in infarct-related artery and plasma biomarkers during ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and at 10-month follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS Sixty-three STEMI patients at the time of index hospitalization and 10-month follow-up underwent coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound with iMap tissue characterization of the culprit artery. Proximal and culprit segments were analyzed. A higher percentage of necrotic tissue in the nonculprit segment was found in patients in the top soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sI…
Lifestyle and impact on cardiovascular risk factor control in coronary patients across 27 countries: Results from the European Society of Cardiology ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V registry
Aims The aim of this study was to determine whether the Joint European Societies guidelines on secondary cardiovascular prevention are followed in everyday practice. Design A cross-sectional ESC-EORP survey (EUROASPIRE V) at 131 centres in 81 regions in 27 countries. Methods Patients (<80 years old) with verified coronary artery events or interventions were interviewed and examined ≥6 months later. Results A total of 8261 patients (females 26%) were interviewed. Nineteen per cent smoked and 55% of them were persistent smokers, 38% were obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), 59% were centrally obese (waist circumference: men ≥102 cm; women ≥88 cm) while 66% were physically active <30 min 5…
Diagnosis and management of silent coronary ischemia in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
Abstract Background Coronary artery disease is the primary cause of death in patients with carotid artery disease and silent ischemia is a marker for adverse coronary events. A new noninvasive cardiac diagnostic test, coronary computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) can reliably identify ischemia-producing coronary stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease and help to select patients for coronary revascularization. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of silent coronary ischemia in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and to evaluate the usefulness of FFRCT in selecting patients for coronary revascularization to decrease cardiac ev…
Five-Year Results of the Bioflow-III Registry:Real-World Experience with a Biodegradable Polymer Sirolimus-Eluting Stent
Abstract Purpose We aimed to assess long-term safety and performance of the Orsiro sirolimus-eluting coronary stent with biodegradable polymer in a large unselected population and in pre-specified subgroups. Methods BIOFLOW-III is a prospective, multicenter, international, observational registry with follow-up visits scheduled at 6 and 12 months, and at 3 and 5 years ( NCT01553526 ). Results 1356 patients with 1738 lesions were enrolled. Of those, 392 (28.9%) declined to participate in the study extension from 18 months to 5 years, 37 (2.7%) withdrew consent, and 89 (6.6%) were lost to follow-up. At 5-years, Kaplan-Meier estimates of target lesion failure, defined as a composite of cardiac …
Insufficient control of heart rate in stable coronary artery disease patients in Latvia
Background and objective:\ud Heart rate (HR) ≥70 beats per minute (bpm) increases cardiovascular risk in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The objective of the analysis is to characterize HR as well as other clinical parameters in outpatients with stable CAD in Latvia.<p></p>\ud \ud Materials and methods:\ud CLARIFY is an ongoing international registry of outpatients with established CAD. Latvian data regarding 120 patients enrolled in CLARIFY and collected at baseline visit during 2009–2010 were analyzed.<p></p>\ud \ud Results:\ud The mean HR was 67.7 ± 9.5 and 66.9 ± 10.7 bpm when measured by pulse palpation and electrocardiography, respectively. HR …
Influenza Vaccination After Myocardial Infarction:A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Trial
Background: Observational and small, randomized studies suggest that influenza vaccine may reduce future cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods: We conducted an investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind trial to compare inactivated influenza vaccine with saline placebo administered shortly after myocardial infarction (MI; 99.7% of patients) or high-risk stable coronary heart disease (0.3%). The primary end point was the composite of all-cause death, MI, or stent thrombosis at 12 months. A hierarchical testing strategy was used for the key secondary end points: all-cause death, cardiovascular death, MI, and stent thrombosis. Results: Because of the COV…
Chronic Total Coronary Artery Occlusion Recanalisation with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention — Single Centre 10-Year Experience
Abstract Coronary artery chronic total occlusions (CTO) are common — approximately one-third of patients with significant coronary artery disease on angiography have at least 1 CTO. Invasive treatment of these lesions still remain a major challenge for interventional cardiology due to their complexity. Historically, success rates have improved to about 60–70% by using only the traditional antegrade approach. The results have dramatically improved during the last decade after more widespread application of new retrograde techniques. The aim of our study was to review and analyse single hospital experience in CTO invasive treatment and to evaluate the long-term results. A total of 519 patient…
Latvian registry of familial hypercholesterolemia: The first report of three-year results.
Abstract Background and aims Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was rarely diagnosed in Latvia before 2015, when the Latvian Registry of FH (LRFH) was established. Here, we report the first experience of the LRFH over three years (2015–2017). Methods The LRFH is an ongoing nationwide, dynamic, long-term prospective cohort. The diagnosis of FH was assessed using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria. Cascade screening of first-degree relatives using age- and sex-specific percentiles of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was performed in relatives of patients with definite and probable FH. Results Among the 416 individuals included in the LRFH, 181 patients were diagnosed wi…
Role of genetic factors on the effect of additional loading doses and two maintenance doses used to overcome clopidogrel hyporesponsiveness.
Background and objective: Additional loading doses and higher maintenance doses (MDs) have been used to overcome hyporesponsiveness of clopidogrel. We aimed to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms of two cytochromes (CYP2C19 and CYP2C9) and ABCB1 modify effect of such dose-adjustment strategy.Materials and methods: We enrolled 118 patients undergoing elective or acute percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug eluting stent (DES). Platelet reactivity index (PRI) was measured using the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) index and a cut-off value of ≥60% was defined as hyporesponsiveness. Polymorphism of two cytochromes (CYP2C19, CYP2C9) and gene ABCB1 were determined. …
A putative placebo analysis of the effects of LCZ696 on clinical outcomes in heart failure
Aims: Although active-controlled trials with renin–angiotensin inhibitors are ethically mandated in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, clinicians and regulators often want to know how the experimental therapy would perform compared with placebo. The angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor LCZ696 was compared with enalapril in PARADIGM-HF. We made indirect comparisons of the effects of LCZ696 with putative placebos.\ud \ud Methods and results: We used the treatment-arm of the Studies Of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD-T) as the reference trial for comparison of an ACE inhibitor to placebo and the Candesartan in Heart failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidit…
Evaluation Of Massive Parallel Sequencing As A Diagnostic Tool For Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Abstract Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common single gene disorders, which is mostly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The physical signs of FH are elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), elevated total cholesterol (TC) levels and tendon xantomas. Identification and early treatment of affected individuals is desirable and in lack of physical symptoms DNA-based diagnosis provides confirmation of diagnosis and enables early patient management. The majority of FH cases are caused by mutations in four genes (APOB, LADLR, PCSK9, and LDLRAP1). There are commercial kits available for testing of the 20 most common FH causing mutations, but the spectrum …
Pre-operative Diagnosis of Silent Coronary Ischaemia May Reduce Post-operative Death and Myocardial Infarction and Improve Survival of Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Surgical Revascularisation.
Objective Patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery have increased risk of death and myocardial infarction (MI), which may be due to unsuspected (silent) coronary ischaemia. The aim was to determine whether pre-operative diagnosis of silent ischaemia using coronary computed tomography (CT) derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) can facilitate multidisciplinary care to reduce post-operative death and MI, and improve survival. Methods This was a single centre prospective study with historic controls. Patients with no cardiac symptoms undergoing lower extremity surgical revascularisation with pre-operative coronary CTA-FFRCT testing were compared with historic controls with standard pre…
Evaluating the quality of implantation of percutaneous ventricular restoration device (Parachute®) by cardiac computed tomography
Background The Parachute is a novel percutaneously implanted ventricular partitioning device (VPD) that has emerged as a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with heart failure following anterior wall myocardial infarction. VPD efficacy is likely dependent on optimal device placement, but to date there are no published data examining the effect of device positioning on patient outcomes. Methods and results We retrospectively identified 32 patients successfully implanted with the Parachute device, all of whom underwent cardiac computed tomography (CCT) at baseline and after 6 months of follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups based on self-reported improvement in New York …
Global perspective of familial hypercholesterolaemia: a cross-sectional study from the EAS Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC)
Background The European Atherosclerosis Society Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) global registry provides a platform for the global surveillance of familial hypercholesterolaemia through harmonisation and pooling of multinational data. In this study, we aimed to characterise the adult population with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and described how it is detected and managed globally. Methods Using FHSC global registry data, we did a cross-sectional assessment of adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of probable or definite heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia at the time they were entered into the registries. Dat…
TCT-350 Safety and Performance of the Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold, Magmaris in a Real World Setting - First 400 Subjects at 12-month Follow-up of the BIOSOLVE-IV Registry
The aim of this registry is to investigate the clinical performance and long-term safety of the Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold (Magmaris) (BIOTRONIK AG, Buelach, Switzerland) in a real-world setting. Up to 2,054 subjects in up to 120 clinical sites in Europe, Asia, and Asia-Pacific countries will
Carotid artery stenting outcomes in high-risk patients receiving best medical therapy: results from a single high-volume interventional cardiology practice
Kontext: Implantace stentů do karotických tepen (carotid artery stenting, CAS) se v soucasnosti ve velkem měřitku použiva v lecbě stenozy karotických tepen. Klinicke studie z posledni doby prokazaly nizkou incidenci přihod po CAS. Tato studie hodnoti 30denni a rocni výsledky pacientů lecených pro CAS intenzivni farmakoterapii na pracovisti provadějicim vysoke pocty perkutannich koronarnich intervenci rocně.Metoda: V obdobi od ledna 2011 do prosince 2013 byla CAS provedena celkem u 184 pacientů. Mimo protidestickove lecby byla provaděna i intenzivni antihypertenzni lecba spolu s vysoce intenzivni terapii statiny a lecbou zaměřenou na normalizaci srdecni frekvence. Pacienti byli stratifikovan…
Next-generation-sequencing-based identification of familial hypercholesterolemia-related mutations in subjects with increased LDL–C levels in a latvian population
Background Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the commonest monogenic disorders, predominantly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. When untreated, it results in early coronary heart disease. The vast majority of FH remains undiagnosed in Latvia. The identification and early treatment of affected individuals remain a challenge worldwide. Most cases of FH are caused by mutations in one of four genes, APOB, LDLR, PCSK9, or LDLRAP1. The spectrum of disease-causing variants is very diverse and the variation detection panels usually used in its diagnosis cover only a minority of the disease-causing gene variants. However, DNA-based tests may provide an FH diagnosis for FH patients…
A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Cardiovascular Risk Factor in Latvia
Background and Objective. To date, the epidemiological studies of noncommunicable diseases in Latvia were more episodic and covered only selected areas. The first national crosssectional population-based survey of cardiovascular risk factors after regaining independence was carried out to provide reliable information on the cardiovascular risk factor profile in adults. Material and Methods. Computerized random sampling from the Registry of Latvian population was carried out. A total of 6000 enrolled subjects aged 25–74 years were divided into 10 age subgroups. The data of 3807 respondents (63.5% of all) were included into the final analysis. Results. The mean number of cardiovascular risk f…
Cost-effectiveness of optimized adherence to prevention guidelines in European patients with coronary heart disease : results from the EUROASPIRE IV survey
Background: This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of optimized guideline adherence in patients with a history of coronary heart disease. Methods: An individual-based decision tree model was developed using the SMART risk score tool which estimates the 10-year risk for recurrent vascular events in patients with manifest cardiovascular disease (CVD). Analyses were based on the EUROASPIRE IV survey. Outcomes were expressed as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Results: Data from 4663 patients from 13 European countries were included in the analyses. The mean estimated 10-year risk for a recurrent vascular event decreased from 20.13% to 18.61% after optimized guideline a…
TCT-664 Twelve-Month Clinical Outcomes Comparing Biodegradable Polymer Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Versus Durable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stents in Patients With De Novo Native Coronary Artery Lesions: The meriT-V Randomized Trial
The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of the biodegradable polymer coated sirolimus-eluting coronary stent (SES, BioMime™, Meril Life Sciences, India) with durable polymer coated everolimus-eluting coronary stent (EES, XIENCE family, Abbott Vascular, California, USA) in de
Pilot study of safety and efficacy of polyprenols in combination with coenzyme Q10 in patients with statin-induced myopathy
Background and objective: Statin-induced myopathy (SIM) has been partially attributed to deficiency of dolichol and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). We aimed to test the safety and efficacy of plant polyprenols in combination with CoQ10 for alleviation of SIM. Materials and methods: In an open-label, one-center prospective pilot study patients with SIM received conifer-tree needle polyprenols (4 mg/day) and CoQ10 (100 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Symptoms and safety were evaluated according to symptom severity score (0–10), creatine kinase (CK) levels, exercise test, dynamometry, complete blood count, clinical biochemistry and electrocardiography. Results: Of the 14 patients, 11 completed the study per protoc…
TCT-663 Comparison of Conformability and Wall Shear Stress Between Resolute Integrity Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent and the XIENCE Xpedition Everolimus-Eluting Stent in Angulated Vessels: An Interim Analysis of the SHEAR-STENT Randomized Controlled Study
Given its continuous wire molding and sinusoidal design, we hypothesized that Resolute Integrity stent (R-ZES) is more conformable than the XIENCE Xpedition stent (X-EES) and therefore may induce more physiologic wall shear stress (WSS) in angulated coronary arteries. Interim analysis of
Transcatheter Vs. Surgical Closure of Atrial Septal Defects in Adults
Abstract Percutaneous transcatheter device closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) has now largely replaced surgical closure in most centres. The aim of this study was to compare results of transcatheter and surgical ASD closure in adults in Latvia during the years 2002–2014 and to analyse long-term outcomes of transcatheter closure. We analysed data from 334 patients with secundum ASD who underwent ASD closure in Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital. Patients were included into device or surgical closure groups. In the device group, three follow-ups were made 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. No follow-up data were available for surgical arm patients beyond their hosp…
Patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes need improved management : a report from the EUROASPIRE IV survey: a registry from the EuroObservational Research Programme of the European Society of Cardiology
Background: In order to influence every day clinical practice professional organisations issue management guidelines. Cross-sectional surveys are used to evaluate the implementation of such guidelines. The present survey investigated screening for glucose perturbations in people with coronary artery disease and compared patients with known and newly detected type 2 diabetes with those without diabetes in terms of their life-style and pharmacological risk factor management in relation to contemporary European guidelines. Methods: A total of 6187 patients (18-80 years) with coronary artery disease and known glycaemic status based on a self reported history of diabetes (previously known diabet…
Cardiac computed tomography assessment of the near term impact of percutaneous ventricular restoration therapy (parachute®) on mitral valve geometry
Objectives The aim of current study is to assess the near term impact of percutaneous ventricular restoration therapy (PVR), Parachute® on mitral valve (MV) geometry by cardiac computed tomography (CCT). Background Recent data demonstrates the feasibility of PVR for treatment of post anterior myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure. Little is known, however, about the interaction of the device and left ventricular structures, particularly the MV apparatus. Methods This is a retrospective Core Laboratory analysis of Parachute Trials’ CCT data. Patients with paired (before and after Parachute implant) CCT acquisitions were included into analysis. MV geometric parameters were measured. Result…
Thirty Years of Epidemiological Studies of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Latvia: Why are they Needed?
Abstract The present review is designed to provide insight into population-based investigations of cardiovascular risk factors in Latvia. Most of them represent urban, rural and mixed populations. The results are age-standardised using the European Standard Population. All of the studies confirm a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors with wide differences across the studies. The differences are not consistent or regular and some of the underlying reasons are discussed. Analysis of the previous studies justifies the need for a nationwide cross-sectional epidemiological study, which in a small country can be carried out in compliance with all the requirements for a population-based …
The Full Revasc (Ffr-gUidance for compLete non-cuLprit REVASCularization) Registry-based randomized clinical trial
Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Background: Complete revascularization in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multivessel disease has resulted in reduction in composite clinical endpoints in medium sized trials. Only one trial showed an effect on hard clinical endpoints, but the revascularization procedure was guided by angiographic evaluation of stenosis severity. Consequently, it is not clear how Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) affects hard clinical endpoints in STEMI. Methods and Results: The Ffr-gUidance for compLete non-cuLprit REVASCularization (FULL REVASC) – is a pragmatic, multicenter, international, registry-based rand…
Second European Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Survey (Crt Survey Ii): Latvian Data Compared to Europe
Abstract The cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) survey II is a joint initiative between the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Failure Association. It compiles real world data about cardiac resynchronisation therapy in European Society of Cardiology member states. 11 088 patients assigned to implantation of CRT with pacemaker function (CRT-P) or CRT with an incorporated defibrillator (CRT-D) were enrolled in the survey starting 1 October 2015 till 31 December 2016 and for each patient, an electronic case report form (eCRF) was completed. Each participating country had each eCRF data-point benchmarked against the total cohort. In total, 79 patients were included from Latvia…
Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis with Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cell Injection: 12-Month Follow-up.
Objectives To evaluate the main symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and tissue structure changes after a single dose bone marrow–derived mononuclear cell (BM MNC) intra articular injection. Case series study. Patients with knee OA Kellgren Lawrence (K-L) grade II and III received 1 injection of BM MNC. The clinical results were analyzed with the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Knee Society Score (KSS) before, 3, 6, and 12 months after injection. Radiological evaluation was performed with a calibrated x-ray and the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging before and 6 to 7 months postinjection. Results A total of 34 knees were treated with BM MNC injections. Mean (±SD) age of…
A randomized multicentre trial to compare revascularization with optimal medical therapy for the treatment of chronic total coronary occlusions
Aims: The clinical value of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic coronary total occlusions (CTOs) is not established by randomized trials. This study should compare the benefit of PCI vs. optimal medical therapy (OMT) on the health status in patients with at least one CTO.Method and results: Three hundred and ninety-six patients were enrolled in a prospective randomized, multicentre, open-label, and controlled clinical trial to compare the treatment by PCI with OMT with a 2:1 randomization ratio. The primary endpoint was the change in health status assessed by the Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ) between baseline and 12 months follow-up. Fifty-two percent of patients have …
Lower ST-elevation myocardial infarction incidence during COVID-19 epidemic in Northern Europe
We compared the ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) incidence during COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020) to January-February 2020 and to same time period in earlier years 2017-2019 in five Nordic-Baltic tertiary centers. During 2017-2019, there were no marked differences in STEMI incidence between January, February and March. During 2020, there was an average drop of 32% in STEMI incidence in March. The isolation measures may decrease the risk for respiratory virus infection and contribute to the lower STEMI incidence and that we might benefit from firmer suggestions on hand hygiene and social distancing during flu season at least among high-risk individuals.
Pepsinogen Test for the Evaluation of Precancerous Changes in Gastric Mucosa: a Population-Based Study
Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the rationale of blood pepsinogen (PG) testing in population based screening settings.Methods: Participants from a cross-sectional population-based study of cardiovascular risk factors in Latvia were invited to participate in the current study. Pepsinogen I and II were measured in blood samples taken during the initial study and at follow-up; upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. There were three groups of patients: with moderately decreased (PG I< 70 ng/ml and PG I/PG II ratio < 3), with strongly decreased (PG I< 30 ng/ml and PG I/PG II ratio < 2), and with normal PG level. Biopsy with H. pylori detection was performed (updat…
Tissue characteristics in non-culprit lesions during the acute coronary event and at ten months follow-up
Introduction: It is not well established how the medication recommended in the guidelines will affect plaque compositional changes in non-culprit segments after STEMI. We hypothesized that the proportion of necrotic tissue in the non-culprit lesion in the culprit artery would decrease ten months after STEMI. Methods: In 63 consecutive STEMI patients the non-culprit segment in the culprit artery was analyzed with iMap intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at the time of the index procedure and 10 months later. The non-culprit segment was identified as being 20mm proximal to the most stenotic culprit segment. All patients were recommended to receive the drug therapy outlined in the STEMI guidelines…
Nitric Oxide Production and Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in Platelet Membranes of Coronary Heart Disease Patients with and without Diabetes
<i>Aim:</i> To evaluate the levels of nitrite (NO<sup>–</sup><sub>2</sub>) and nitrate (NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub>) ions and the incorporation of [<sup>3</sup>H]arachidonic acid (AA) into phospholipids of platelet membranes from coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with and without diabetes (NIDDM). <i>Subjects and Methods:</i> Eighteen CAD patients (group A), 18 CAD patients with NIDDM (group B), and 20 healthy controls (group C) without dyslipidemia, peripheral vascular disease and hypertension were included in the study. The groups were matched for age, sex and body mass index. The diagnosis of CAD was …
Exercise, Chronotropic and Inotropic Capacity in Athletes with Different Training Programmes
Abstract Amateur sport has significant influence on peoples’ physical activity and affects the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The population of competing amateur athletes has not been sufficiently studied, and there is a huge gap between functional results of untrained individuals and professional athletes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the exercise capacity and chrono-tropic, inotropic capacity in amateur athletes with different training programmes, as assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. In a longitudinal prospective study, 600 amateur athletes who performed high dynamic load sports, according to the Mitchell Classification of Sports, were assessed. The individua…
New-generation drug-eluting stents for left main coronary artery disease according to the EXCEL trial enrollment criteria: Insights from the all-comers, international, multicenter DELTA-2 registry
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been established as an alternative treatment option to coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) surgery in patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD). Whether the findings of randomized controlled trials are applicable to a real-world patient population is unclear.We compared the outcomes of PCI with new-generation DES in the all-comer, international, multicenter DELTA-2 registry retrospectively evaluating mid-term clinical outcomes with the historical CABG cohort enrolled in the DELTA-1 registry according to the EXCEL key inclusion or exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint was the composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke a…
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Ostial/Midshaft Lesions in Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery From the DELTA Registry
Objectives The aim of this study was to report the long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for ostial/midshaft lesions in an unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA). Background Data regarding outcomes in these patients are limited. Methods Of a total of 2,775 patients enrolled in the DELTA multinational registry, 856 patients with isolated ostial/midshaft lesions in an ULMCA treated by PCI with DES (n = 482) or CABG (n = 374) were analyzed. Results At a median follow-up period of 1,293 days, there were no significant differences in the propensity score-adjusted analyses for …
Comparison of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (With Drug-Eluting Stents) Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Women With Severe Narrowing of the Left Main Coronary Artery (from the Women-Drug-Eluting stent for LefT main coronary Artery disease Registry)
Women typically present with coronary artery disease later than men with more unfavorable clinical and anatomic characteristics. It is unknown whether differences exist in women undergoing treatment for unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease. Our aim was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes in women treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). All consecutive women from the Drug-Eluting stent for LefT main coronary Artery disease registry with ULMCA disease were analyzed. A propensity matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences. In total, 817 women were included: 489 (59.8%) unde…
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Ostial/Mid-Shaft Lesions Versus Distal Bifurcation Lesions in Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery
Objectives The aim of this study was to compare, in a large all-comer registry, the long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) for ostial/mid-shaft lesions versus distal bifurcation lesions in unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis. Background Limited data are available regarding clinical outcomes following DES implantation at the different ULMCA sites. Methods Patients with ULMCA stenosis treated by PCI with DES were analyzed in this multinational registry. Results A total of 1,612 patients were included: 482 were treated for ostial/mid-shaft lesions versus 1,130 for distal bifurcation lesions. At a median follo…
New Modalities in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Using Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells
Abstract The clinical effects on knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and tissue structure were evaluated after bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell intraarticular injection. A group of 32 patients with 34 knee joints in stage II–III osteoarthritis were treated by intraarticular injection of mononuclear cell suspension. Clinical results were obtained by KOOS (Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) and KSS (Knee Society Score) scores during a 12 months follow-up period. Radiological evaluation was performed using magnetic resonance imaging. A comparison with a control group of 28 patients treated with routinely used three hyaluronic acid intra-articular injections was made. No adverse effects were …
Optical Coherence Tomography Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Evaluate Coronary Artery Disease and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
ObjectivesWe compared intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and 2 different generations of optical coherence tomography (OCT)—time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) and frequency-domain OCT (FD-OCT)—for the assessment of coronary disease and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using stents.BackgroundOCT is a promising light-based intravascular imaging modality with higher resolution than IVUS. However, the paucity of data on OCT image quantification has limited its application in clinical practice.MethodsA total of 227 matched OCT and IVUS pull backs were studied. One hundred FD-OCT and IVUS pull backs in nonstented (n = 56) and stented (n = 44) vessels were compared. Additionally, 127 matched TD-OCT and …
Pacemaker-Based Cardiac Neuromodulation Therapy in Patients With Hypertension: A Pilot Study.
Background In prior unblinded studies, cardiac neuromodulation therapy (CNT) employing a sequence of variably timed short and longer atrioventricular intervals yielded sustained reductions of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in patients with hypertension. The effects of CNT on SBP were investigated in this double‐blind randomized pilot study. Methods and Results Eligible patients had daytime ambulatory SBP (aSBP) ≥130 mm Hg and office SBP ≥140 mm Hg despite taking ≥1 antihypertensive medication, and an indication for a dual‐chamber pacemaker. Patients underwent Moderato device implantation, which was programmed as a standard pacemaker during a 1‐month run‐in phase. Patients whose daytime aSBP…
David V procedure with concomitant ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta replacement in adult patient with coarctation of aorta
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis in Latvia.
Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis are related to an increased risk for gastric cancer. There is a decrease in global H. pylori prevalence. We analyzed the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Latvia by the plasma IgG test and the presence of atrophy by means of pepsinogen testing.This subanalysis was carried out on a randomly selected cross-sectional sample of a general population of adults to access cardiovascular risk factors. Plasma samples were screened for H. pylori IgG (cutoff value 24 U/ml), and pepsinogens (Pg) I and II. Pg cutoff values of PgI/PgII ≤ 3 and PgI ≤ 70 ng/ml were used to assess the prevalence of atrophy of any grade and PgI/PgII ≤ 2 and PgI ≤ 30 ng/m…
Cultivation of 3D Dermal Tissue by Application of Autologous Matrix
Abstract The most common reasons for major skin loss are thermal trauma — burns and scalds that can result in rapid, extensive, deep wounds as well as chronic non-healing wounds. Treatment using common techniques is poor and depending on the trauma level can result in death. There is a substantial need for skin integrity restoration. The main goal of this study was to develop an autologous 3D skin model that could eventually be translated into clinical applications. The study examined a variety of factors — extracellular matrix components, cell count, culture medium modification and role of structurally and functionally high-quality 3D skin dermis layer tissue culture production. The result…
Drug-Eluting Stent for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease
Objectives The aim of this study was to compare, in a large all-comers registry, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with first-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis. Background Percutaneous coronary intervention with DES implantation in ULMCA has been shown to be a feasible and safe approach at midterm clinical follow-up. Methods All consecutive patients with ULMCA stenosis treated by PCI with DES versus CABG were analyzed in this multinational registry. A propensity score analysis was performed to adjust for baseline dif…
Computing Methods for Composite Clinical Endpoints in Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Revascularization
Abstract Objectives The study sought to investigate the impact of different computing methods for composite endpoints other than time-to-event (TTE) statistics in a large, multicenter registry of unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease. Background TTE statistics for composite outcome measures used in ULMCA studies consider only the first event, and all the contributory outcomes are handled as if of equal importance. Methods The TTE, Andersen-Gill, win ratio (WR), competing risk, and weighted composite endpoint (WCE) computing methods were applied to ULMCA patients revascularized by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at 14 interna…
9-Month Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes of the COBRA Polyzene-F NanoCoated Coronary Stent System
Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of the COBRA Polyzene-F NanoCoated Coronary Stent System (CeloNova Biosciences, San Antonio, Texas) for the treatment of de novo coronary artery lesions. Background Polyzene-F–coated coronary stents have shown reduced thrombogenicity and inflammation in preclinical studies. Methods Patients with de novo coronary artery lesions meeting eligibility criteria were enrolled in a nonrandomized, prospective clinical trial. The primary endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF) (defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or clinically driven target vessel revascularization) at 9 months. A pre-spe…
Derivation and Validation of a Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion Intervention Procedural Success Score From the 20,000-Patient EuroCTO Registry
Abstract Objectives The aim was to establish a contemporary scoring system to predict the outcome of chronic total occlusion coronary angioplasty. Background Interventional treatment of chronic total coronary occlusions (CTOs) is a developing subspecialty. Predictors of technical success or failure have been derived from datasets of modest size. A robust scoring tool could facilitate case selection and inform decision making. Methods The study analyzed data from the EuroCTO registry. This prospective database was set up in 2008 and includes >20,000 cases submitted by CTO expert operators (>50 cases/year). Derivation (n = 14,882) and validation (n = 5,745) datasets were created to develop a …
Prevalence estimation of celiac disease in the general adult population of Latvia using serology and HLA genotyping
Background: Prevalence estimates for celiac disease (CD) depend on the method used. The role of deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) and genetic testing in epidemiological studies and diagnostic settings of celiac disease (CD) has still to be established. Objectives: The objective of this article is to assess the prevalence of CD in Latvia by combining serological tests with DQ2.5/ DQ8 testing. Methods: A total of 1444 adults from a randomly selected cross-sectional general population sample were tested by ELISA for tTG IgA, DGP IgA and IgG antibodies (QUANTA Lite, Inova Diagnostics Inc). Samples with tTG IgA 20U were tested for EMA IgA by indirect immunofluorescence assay, and all specimens wi…
Two-year outcomes from the MitrAl ValvE RepaIr Clinical (MAVERIC) trial: a novel percutaneous treatment of functional mitral regurgitation.
AIMS We report the 2-year outcomes of the MitrAl ValvE RepaIr Clinical (MAVERIC) trial. Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with poor outcomes for which there remains an unmet clinical need. ARTO is a transcatheter annular reduction device for the treatment of FMR and an emerging alternative for patients at high surgical risk. The MAVERIC trial was designed to evaluate the safety and performance of the ARTO system in FMR and heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS MAVERIC is an international multicentre, prospective, single arm study enrolling patients with FMR grade ≥ 2, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥II symptoms despite maximal medical therapy. Patients were excl…