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BackgroundThe significance of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), independent of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve procedures remains unknown. The aim of this study is to examine the significance of abnormal RVEF by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), independent of LVEF in predicting outcomes of patients undergoing isolated CABG and valve surgery.MethodsFrom 2007 to 2009, 109 consecutive patients (mean age, 66 years; 38% female) were referred for pre-operative CMR. Abnormal RVEF and LVEF were considered <35% and <45%, respectively. Elective primary procedures include CABG (56%) and valve (44%). Thirty-day outcomes were perioperative complications, length of stay, cardiac re-hospitalizations and early mortaility; long-term (> 30 days) outcomes included, cardiac re-hospitalization, worsening congestive heart failure and mortality. Mean clinical follow up was 14 months.FindingsForty-eight patients had reduced RVEF (mean 25%) and 61 patients had normal RVEF (mean 50%) (p<0.001). Fifty-four patients had reduced LVEF (mean 30%) and 55 patients had normal LVEF (mean 59%) (p<0.001). Patients with reduced RVEF had a higher incidence of long-term cardiac re-hospitalization vs. patients with normal RVEF (31% vs.13%, p<0.05). Abnormal RVEF was a predictor for long-term cardiac re-hospitalization (HR 3.01 [CI 1.5-7.9], p<0.03). Reduced LVEF did not influence long-term cardiac re-hospitalization.ConclusionAbnormal RVEF is a stronger predictor for long-term cardiac re-hospitalization than abnormal LVEF in patients undergoing isolated CABG and valve procedures.

Dual antiplatelet therapy comprising aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor) is essential to prevent thrombotic complications after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The comparative efficacy between clopidogrel at a higher loading dose (600 mg) and prasugrel is uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare efficacy and safety of clopidogrel (higher loading dose) with prasugrel (loading dose of 60 mg) along with their respective maintenance doses in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing PCI at 1 year. This is a retrospective, observational, pilot study. Patients with ACS who underwent PCI and received clopidogrel 600 mg or prasugrel 60 mg loading dose followed by maintenance doses of 75 mg and 10 mg, respectively, daily between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011 were enrolled. For patients who have died during the study period, investigators attempted to identify the cause of deaths through medical records or death certificates. Two hundred twenty-one patients were enrolled in the study. Primary efficacy end point, composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke occurring through 1 year were not significantly different between the 2 treatment groups. Bleeding events were also not significant between the clopidogrel (N = 136) and prasugrel (N = 85) groups: 9.6% versus 8.2%, P = 0.85. Prasugrel is at least as effective and safe as clopidogrel in patients with ACS undergoing early invasive management.

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