Our study demonstrates that the GRACE score has significant value for assessing the severity and extent of coronary artery stenosis in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Rivaroxaban is an oral anticoagulant agent that directly inhibits Factor Xa and interrupts both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade and is currently indicated for use in patients for atrial fibrillation and prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis. The present case reports of spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma during rivaroxaban therapy for atrial fibrillation in a 75-year-old woman.

Introduction This study aims to evaluate the effect of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and thrombolytic therapy (TT) on the in-hospital adverse events, in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients over 65 years of age with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Material and methods A total of 111 retrospectively screened patients (73 males, mean age: 73.4 ±5.9 years) over 65 years of age with STEMI, who underwent TT or primary PCI, were included in the study. Patients’ characteristics, in-hospital outcomes, and 6-month and 1-year mortalities were recorded. Results Our study was conducted with 111 patients over 65 years of age with STEMI (73 males, 38 females). Of the patients, 66 (59.5%) were treated with thrombolytics, and 45 (40.5%) patients underwent primary PCI. Door-to-needle time was 25.9 ±7.8 min in the TT group, whereas door-to-balloon time was 84.4 ±20.0 min in the PCI group. Time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 213.6 ±158.4 min in the thrombolytic group, and 166.8 ±112.8 min in the PCI group. Rescue PCI was performed in 7 (10.6%) patients in the TT group due to lack of reperfusion. Recurrent infarction was observed in 5 (7.6%) patients in the TT group and in 2 (4.4%) patients in the PCI group. Non-haemorrhagic stroke was observed in 1 (1.5%) patient in the thrombolytic-administered group and in 4 (8.9%) patients in the PCI group. No intracranial haemorrhage was observed in any patient. Major haemorrhage was observed in 4 (6.1%) patients in the TT group and in 4 (8.9%) patients in the PCI group. Six-month and 1-year mortalities were present in 15 (22.7%) patients and 19 patients in thrombolytic group, and 8 (17.8%) and 8 (17.8%) patients in the PCI group, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the patient’s age was the only predictor for 1-year mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.019–1.188, p = 0.015). Conclusions Considering the in-hospital adverse outcomes, in-hospital mortality, and 6-month mortality rates, TT and primary PCI have similar effects in STEMI patients aged 65 years and over according to the results of our study. Although 1-year mortality was higher in the TT group, it was not statistically significant.

Access site complications are more common with femoral access (FA) than radial access (RA). However, due to the higher rate of failure and crossover, door-to-balloon time (DBT) is prolonged by RA. Records of 3600 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) between January 2016 and June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 130 patients with crossover from RA to FA were identified and compared with the data of 501 patients who underwent pPCI with successful RA during 2018. Regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of crossover. Crossover to the femoral approach occurred in 5.9% of our cases. Mean DBT was 17 minutes longer in the crossover group (61 ± 72 minutes vs 78 ± 79 minutes, P = .026). Female sex (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8; 95% CI, 0.99-3.46, P = .046) and anterior myocardial infarction (AntMI; OR: 0.52; 95% CI, 0.33-0.88, P = .007) were independent predictors of crossover. In-hospital mortality rates were significantly higher in the crossover group than in the radial success group (5.4% vs 1.8%, P = .020). Crossover to FA due to radial failure is associated with delayed DBT and increased rate of in-hospital mortality. Female sex and AntMI were primary predictors of crossover.

SUMMARYA 32-year-old multiparous woman who presented with chest pain at seven weeks gestation was admitted to our hospital 35 minutes after the onset of symptoms. Sudden cardiac arrest developed while the patient was waiting in the triage room. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, and the patient was immediately intubated. Electrocardiography revealed an inferior myocardial infarction. The patient underwent coronary angiography, which revealed slow coronary flow of the circumflex and left anterior descending coronary arteries. For treatment, the combination of aspirin with clopidogrel and unfractionated heparin was initiated. She had previously had three healthy children and hadn't had any problems during her previous pregnancies. She had a history of family and smoking, but no history of other coronary risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. She was discharged home on day five after admission with clopidogrel, aspirin and a beta-blocker with close outpatient follow-up. Elective abortion was planned for two weeks after the myocardial infarction.