Background This study was conducted with the aim of providing a quantitative appraisal of clinical outcomes of trans-radial access for primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with ST-segment evaluation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods In this study, we compared two propensity-matched cohorts of patients who underwent primary PCI via trans-radial (TRA) and trans-femoral access (TFA) in a 1:1 ratio. The profile of two cohorts was matched for gender, age, and body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, family history, and smoking. The outcomes of primary PCI were compared for the two cohorts which included all-cause in-hospital mortality, heart failure, re-infarction, cardiogenic shock, bleeding, transfusion, cerebrovascular accident, and dialysis. Results This analysis was performed on a total of 2316 patients with 1158 patients each in the TRA and TFA group. We observed significantly lower rates of mortality, 0.8% (9) vs. 3.5% (41); p < 0.001 and bleeding, 0.5% (6) vs.1.6% (19); p = 0.009 with shorter hospital stay, 1.61 ± 1.39 vs. 1.98 ± 1.5 days, in trans-radial vs. trans-femoral. However, both fluoroscopic time and contrast volume were significantly higher in the TRA as compared to TFA group 15.57 ± 8.16 vs. 12.79 ± 7.82 min; p < 0.001 and 143.22 ± 45.33 vs. 133.78 ± 45.97; p < 0.001 respectively. Conclusions Compared with TFA access, TRA for primary PCI is safe for patients with STEMI, it was found to be associated with a significant reduction in in-hospital mortality and bleeding complications.

Background Significance of total ischemic time (TIT) in the context of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is still controversial. Therefore, in this study, we have evaluate the association of TIT with immediate outcomes in STEMI patients in whom recommended door to balloon (DTB) time of less than 90 min was achieved. Results A total of 5730 patients were included in this study, out of which 80.9% were male and median age was 55 [61–48] years. The median DTB was observed to be 60 [75–45] min and onset of chest pain to emergency room (ER) arrival time was 180 [300–120] min. Prolonged TIT was associated with poor pre-procedure thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade (p = 0.022), number of diseased vessels (p = 0.002), use of intra-aortic balloon pump (p = 0.003), and in-hospital mortality (p = 0.002). Mortality rate was 4.5%, 5.7%, and 7.8% for the patients with TIT of ≤ 120 min, 121 to 240 min, and > 240 min, respectively. Thirty days’ risk of mortality on TIMI score was 4.97 ± 7.09%, 5.01 ± 6.99%, and 7.12 ± 8.64% for the patients with TIT of ≤ 120 min, 121 to 240 min, and > 240 min, respectively. Conclusions Prolonged total ischemic was associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Therefore, TIT can also be considered in the matrix of focus, along with DTB time and other clinical determinants to improve the survival from STEMI.

Background: Aim of this study was to perform quantitative evaluation of high thrombus burden (Grade ≥4) as an independent predictor of slow/no reflow phenomenon during primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study we included consecutive patients who have undergone primary PCI for STEMI at a tertiary care cardiac center of the Pakistan. High thrombus burden was defined as angiographic thrombus grade ≥ 4. The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow rate < III was defined as slow/no reflow phenomenon. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis for slow/no reflow phenomenon were reported as odds ratio (OR). Results: This analysis included 747 patients, 78.2% (584) patients were male and mean age was 55.82±11.54 years. High thrombus burden was observed in 68.1% (509) of the patients. Slow/no reflow phenomenon was observed in 33.6% (251) which was more common among patients in high thrombus burden group, 39.7% (202/509) vs. 20.6% (49/238); p<0.001. Adjusted OR of thrombus Grade ≥ 4 was 2.33 [1.6 -3.39]; p<0.001. Other significant variables were female gender (1.51 [1.01 -2.27]; p=0.045), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) ≥20 mmHg (2.34 [1.69 -3.26]; p<0.001), total lesion length ≥ 20 cm (1.54 [1.09-2.16]; p=0.014), and neutrophil count ≥ 8.8 cells/µL (1.72 [1.22 -2.43]; p=0.002). Conclusion: High thrombus burden (Grade ≥ 4) is a significant and an independent predictor of the slow/no reflow phenomenon. While predicting slow/no reflow phenomenon, thrombus burden should be given due importance along with other significant factors such as gender, LVEDP, lesion length, and neutrophil counts.

IntroductionEnvironmental triggers of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have gained mounting evidence from various geographies of the world. However, due to geographic variations in seasonal temperature and other metrological parameters, it is difficult to generalize the findings in one population to another population with different climatic conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between meteorological parameters and the number of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures for AMI at a tertiary care cardiac hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.MethodsFor this cross-sectional study, data was obtained on the number of primary PCI procedures conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) Karachi, Pakistan during 1st June 2016 to 31st May 2018. Daily meteorological data of the Karachi region for the same period was obtained from the Pakistan Meteorological Department. It consists of temperature, atmospheric pressure, and relative humidity. Based on the weather conditions of Karachi, the data was divided into two seasons; summer (April to October) and winter (November to March). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed taken the number of primary PCI performed as regressand and time trend, average temperature, temperature variation, and relative humidity as regressors.ResultsA total of 115,494 hospital admissions were recorded during the study period out of which rate of primary PCI was 10.5% (12,107). A negative relationship between average temperature and number of primary PCI was observed with standardized regression coefficients of -0.13 (p < 0.001) on the overall regression model. A similar significant negative relationship of average temperature was observed on the regression model for the cold season with standardized regression coefficients of -0.17 (p < 0.001). While no such relationship was observed for the warm season.ConclusionThe average daily temperature was found to be negatively related to the number of primary PCI. Subgroup analysis revealed that the average daily temperature had a significant negative relationship with the number of primary PCI in the cold season; however, no such impact was observed in the warm season.

Objectives: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at a younger age is now becoming a crucial problem. This study determined the effect of gender on the clinical findings and outcomes of young patients (≤ 45 years) with ACS. Methodology: In this descriptive cross sectional study, young patients (≤45 years) who presented with ACS and underwent coronary angiography were recruited. The comparison of clinical profile, angiographic findings, in-hospital, and 90-days mortality between genders were made. Results: A total of 335 young patients with ACS were included, 80.6% of whom were men. A significant difference was found between men and women in terms of mean age: 38±6 vs. 40±5 (p=0.014), hypertension: 37.8% vs. 58.5% (p=0.002), diabetes: 17.4% vs. 35.4% (p=0.001), smoking: 50.4% vs. 6.2% (p≤0.001), use of smokeless tobacco: 14.1% vs. 4.6% (p=0.037), median time from symptom onset to first medical contact: 270 [420–165] minutes vs. 346 [499.5–240] minutes (p=0.047), ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) 89.6% vs. 78.5% (p=0.015), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) 8.5% vs. 18.5% (p=0.019), and three-vessel disease (3VD) 10.7% vs. 21.5% (p=0.019), respectively. In-hospital and 90-day mortality rates were 0.4% vs. 3.1% (p=0.097) and 1.5% vs. 4.6% (p=0.136) for men and women, respectively. Conclusion: Women tended to have a higher age at presentation, more frequent traditional risk factors, late presentation after symptom onset, frequent NSTEMI, and 3VD, whereas men were distinct with frequent STEMI and higher tobacco use. In addition, women trended to have a higher in-hospital as well as short-term mortality than men did.