MyMedR

Clinical use of clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome

Zambahari R, Kwok OH, Javier S, Mak KH, Piyamitr S, Tri Ho HQ, et al.

Int J Clin Pract, 2007 Mar;61(3):473-81.

Several therapeutic approaches have been developed to improve the outcome among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, treatment with antithrombotic therapies such as oral glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors has been limited by the lack of efficacy and excess bleeding complications. As the publication of the landmark study Clopidogrel in Unstable Angina to Prevent Recurrent Events (CURE), the clinical benefit of early and intermediate-term use of combined antiplatelet agents--clopidogrel plus aspirin--in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients became evident. Pretreatment and intermediate-term therapy with clopidogrel in NSTEMI ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was further supported by the PCI-CURE trial. Recently, the results of two major trials Clopidogrel as Adjunctive Reperfusion Therapy-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 28, Clopidogrel and Metoprolol in Myocardial Infarction Trial established the pivotal role of clopidogrel in the other spectrum of ACS-STEMI. Coupled with the results from previous multicentre trials, these two studies provide a guide for the early and long-term use of clopidogrel in the whole spectrum of ACS. A review summarising the results of the recent clinical trials and a discussion on its implications for the clinical management of ACS is presented.

Gender differences with short-term vs 12 months dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with the COMBO dual therapy stent: 2-years follow-up results of the REDUCE trial

Verdoia M, Suryapranata H, Damen S, Camaro C, Benit E, Barbieri L, et al.

J Thromb Thrombolysis, 2021 Oct;52(3):797-807.

PMID: 33847862 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-021-02439-x

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in the thrombotic and bleeding risk have been suggested to condition the benefits of antithrombotic therapies in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients, and mainly among those undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions with drug eluting stents (DES). The impact of gender on the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in ACS patients is still unexplored and was, therefore, the aim of the present sub-study.

METHODS: REDUCE was a prospective, multicenter, randomized investigator-initiated study designed to enroll 1500 ACS patients after treatment with the COMBO Dual Stent Therapy, based on a noninferiority design. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to either 3 or 12 months of DAPT. Primary study endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST), stroke, target-vessel revascularization (TVR) and bleedings (BARC II, III, V) at 12 months. Secondary endpoints were cardiovascular mortality and the individual components of the primary endpoint within 24 months.

RESULTS: From June 2014 to May 2016 300 women and 1196 men were included in the study. Among them, 43.7% of females and 51.9% of males were assigned to the 3 months DAPT treatment. Baseline characteristics were well matched between the two arms, with the exception of a lower rate of TIMI flow

Fulltext Polymer-free drug-coated coronary stents in patients at high bleeding risk

Urban P, Meredith IT, Abizaid A, Pocock SJ, Carrié D, Naber C, et al.

N Engl J Med, 2015 Nov 19;373(21):2038-47.

PMID: 26466021 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1503943

BACKGROUND: Patients at high risk for bleeding who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often receive bare-metal stents followed by 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy. We studied a polymer-free and carrier-free drug-coated stent that transfers umirolimus (also known as biolimus A9), a highly lipophilic sirolimus analogue, into the vessel wall over a period of 1 month.
METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind trial, we compared the drug-coated stent with a very similar bare-metal stent in patients with a high risk of bleeding who underwent PCI. All patients received 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy. The primary safety end point, tested for both noninferiority and superiority, was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis. The primary efficacy end point was clinically driven target-lesion revascularization.
RESULTS: We enrolled 2466 patients. At 390 days, the primary safety end point had occurred in 112 patients (9.4%) in the drug-coated-stent group and in 154 patients (12.9%) in the bare-metal-stent group (risk difference, -3.6 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.1 to -1.0; hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.91; P<0.001 for noninferiority and P=0.005 for superiority). During the same time period, clinically driven target-lesion revascularization was needed in 59 patients (5.1%) in the drug-coated-stent group and in 113 patients (9.8%) in the bare-metal-stent group (risk difference, -4.8 percentage points; 95% CI, -6.9 to -2.6; hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.69; P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Among patients at high risk for bleeding who underwent PCI, a polymer-free umirolimus-coated stent was superior to a bare-metal stent with respect to the primary safety and efficacy end points when used with a 1-month course of dual antiplatelet therapy. (Funded by Biosensors Europe; LEADERS FREE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01623180.).

The MitraClip Asia-Pacific registry: Differences in outcomes between functional and degenerative mitral regurgitation

Tay E, Muda N, Yap J, Muller DW, Santoso T, Walters DL, et al.

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv, 2016 Jun;87(7):E275-81.

PMID: 26508564 DOI: 10.1002/ccd.26289

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to describe and compare the use of the MitraClip therapy in mitral regurgitation (MR) patients with degenerative MR (DMR) and functional MR (FMR).

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous edge-to-edge repair of severe MR using the MitraClip device is approved for use in the USA for high risk DMR while European guidelines include its use in FMR patients as well.

METHODS: The MitraClip in the Asia-Pacific Registry (MARS) is a multicenter retrospective registry, involving eight sites in five Asia-Pacific countries. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, procedural outcomes and 1-month outcomes [death and major adverse events (MAE)] were compared between FMR and DMR patients treated with the MitraClip.

RESULTS: A total of 163 patients were included from 2011 to 2014. The acute procedural success rates for FMR (95.5%, n = 84) and DMR (92%, n = 69) were similar (P = 0.515). 45% of FMR had ≥2 clips inserted compared to 60% of those with DMR (P = 0.064).The 30-day mortality rate for FMR and DMR was similar at 4.5% and 6.7% respectively (P = 0.555). The 30-day MAE rate was 9.2% for FMR and 14.7% for DMR (P = 0.281). Both FMR and DMR patients had significant improvements in the severity of MR and NYHA class after 30 days. There was a significantly greater reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P = 0.002) and end systolic diameter (P = 0.017) in DMR than in FMR.

CONCLUSIONS: The MitraClip therapy is a safe and efficacious treatment option for both FMR and DMR. Although, there is a significantly greater reduction in LV volumes in DMR, patients in both groups report clinical benefit with improvement in functional class. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fulltext Left atrial myxoma: three case reports

Siew TY, Zambahari R

Med J Malaysia, 1986 Sep;41(3):229-32.

PMID: 3670139

The left atrial myxoma is important not only because of its relative frequency and diagnostic difficulty but because it can be successfully removed by surgery. However, if untreated, it invariably leads to death. We report three cases seen at the Cardiology Department, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur in 1985.

Meta-Analysis of Gender Disparities in In-hospital Care and Outcomes in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Shah T, Haimi I, Yang Y, Gaston S, Taoutel R, Mehta S, et al.

Am J Cardiol, 2021 05 15;147:23-32.

PMID: 33640366 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2021.02.015

Gender disparities in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) outcomes continue to be reported worldwide; however, the magnitude of this gap remains unknown. To evaluate gender-based discrepancies in clinical outcomes and identify the primary driving factors a global meta-analysis was performed. Studies were selected if they included all comers with STEMI, reported gender specific patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes, according to the registered PROSPERO protocol: CRD42020161469. A total of 56 studies (705,098 patients, 31% females) were included. Females were older, had more comorbidities and received less antiplatelet therapy and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Females experienced significantly longer delays to first medical contact (mean difference 42.5 min) and door-to-balloon time (mean difference 4.9 min). In-hospital, females had increased rates of mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.84 to 1.99, p <0.00001), repeat myocardial infarction (MI) (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.56, p=0.05), stroke (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.20, p <0.001), and major bleeding (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.12, p <0.00001) compared with males. Older age at presentation was the primary driver of excess mortality in females, although other factors including lower rates of primary PCI and aspirin usage, and longer door-to-balloon times contributed. In contrast, excess rates of repeat MI and stroke in females appeared to be driven, at least in part, by lower use of primary PCI and P2Y12 inhibitors, respectively. In conclusion, despite improvements in STEMI care, women continue to have in-hospital rates of mortality, repeat MI, stroke, and major bleeding up to 2-fold higher than men. Gender disparities in in-hospital outcomes can largely be explained by age differences at presentation but comorbidities, delays to care and suboptimal treatment experienced by women may contribute to the gender gap.

Fulltext Retrieval of detached fragment of central venous pressure catheter (CVP) lodged in the right ventricle and pulmonary artery: a case report

Sakijan AS, Zambahari R, Annuar Z, Yahya O, Ali J

Med J Malaysia, 1990 Dec;45(4):340-3.

PMID: 2152057

A successful retrieval of a detached segment of a CVP catheter by percutaneous right transfemoral venous route, using a Dotter intravascular retriever basket, is reported. The procedure was monitored under fluoroscopy. Only local anaesthesia, which was infiltrated around the puncture site, was given to the patient. No significant complication was encountered. Successful retrieval of the detached catheter fragment by percutaneous means obviates the need for thoracotomy.

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy in patients with severe kyphoscoliosis

Ramasamy D, Zambahari R, Fu M, Yeh KH, Hung JS

Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn, 1993 Sep;30(1):40-4.

PMID: 8402863

Because transseptal catheterization is felt to be contraindicated in patients with severe kyphoscoliosis, there have been no reports of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy performed in such patients. This report describes percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy in three patients with severe thoracic kyphoscoliosis, with special emphasis on the transseptal puncture technique. Biplane right atrial angiography and the contrast septal flush method are very useful in landmark selection for a safe transseptal puncture.

Women's cardiovascular health: perspectives from South-East Asia

Rajadurai J, Lopez EA, Rahajoe AU, Goh PP, Uboldejpracharak Y, Zambahari R

Nat Rev Cardiol, 2012 Aug;9(8):464-77.

PMID: 22525668 DOI: 10.1038/nrcardio.2012.59

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an under-recognized major health problem among women in South-East Asia. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, physical inactivity, and being overweight or obese has shown a significantly increasing trend among women in the region, with the exception of Singapore. The problem is compounded by low awareness that CVD is a health problem for women as well as for men, by misconceptions about the disease, and by the lack of suitable, locally available health literature. Efforts have been made by the national heart associations and other organizations to increase heart health awareness and promote healthy lifestyles. Singapore initiated these prevention programs in the early 1990s and has been successful in reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. The governments of the region, in accordance with the Noncommunicable Disease Alliance, have begun implementing appropriate preventive strategies and improving health-delivery systems. However, psychological, social, and cultural barriers to cardiovascular health awareness in women need to be addressed before these programs can be fully and successfully implemented.

Sex differences in acute coronary syndrome in a multiethnic asian population: results of the malaysian national cardiovascular disease database-acute coronary syndrome (NCVD-ACS) registry

Lu HT, Nordin R, Wan Ahmad WA, Lee CY, Zambahari R, Ismail O, et al.

Glob Heart, 2014 Dec;9(4):381-90.

PMID: 25592791 DOI: 10.1016/j.gheart.2014.06.001

Sex differences in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been well studied in major registries and clinical trials in Western populations. Limited studies have examined the sex differences in ACS using a large number of Asian women as the subjects.

Fulltext Are there gender differences in coronary artery disease? The Malaysian National Cardiovascular Disease Database - Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (NCVD-PCI) Registry

Lee CY, Hairi NN, Wan Ahmad WA, Ismail O, Liew HB, Zambahari R, et al.

PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e72382.

PMID: 24015238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072382

To assess whether gender differences exist in the clinical presentation, angiographic severity, management and outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Transcatheter closure of multiple muscular ventricular septal defects using Gianturco coils

Latiff HA, Alwi M, Kandhavel G, Samion H, Zambahari R

Ann Thorac Surg, 1999 Oct;68(4):1400-1.

PMID: 10543517

A 10-month-old boy underwent operation to close a large secundum atrial septal defect and multiple muscular ventricular septal defects. Closure of the ventricular septal defects was unsuccessful and led to worsening cardiac failure and inability to wean the patient from mechanical ventilation. Transcatheter closure of the ventricular septal defects using Gianturco coils was undertaken. This technique is an effective alternative for closure of multiple muscular ventricular septal defects in infants and small children.

Current status of cholesterol goal attainment after statin therapy among patients with hypercholesterolemia in Asian countries and region: the Return on Expenditure Achieved for Lipid Therapy in Asia (REALITY-Asia) study

Kim HS, Wu Y, Lin SJ, Deerochanawong C, Zambahari R, Zhao L, et al.

Curr Med Res Opin, 2008 Jul;24(7):1951-63.

PMID: 18547466 DOI: 10.1185/03007990802138731

BACKGROUND: Data on achieving National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) goals in Asia are limited.

OBJECTIVE: To examine treatment patterns, goal attainment, and factors influencing treatment among patients in 6 Asian countries who were taking statins.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, where 437 physicians (41% cardiologists) recruited adults with hypercholesterolemia newly initiated on statin monotherapy.

RESULTS: Of 2622 patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria, approximately 66% had coronary heart disease (CHD)/diabetes mellitus, 24% had no CHD but > or =2 risk factors, and 10% had no CHD and <2 risk factors. Most patients ( approximately 90%) received statins at medium or lower equipotency doses. Across all cardiovascular risk categories, 48% of patients attained ATP III targets for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), including 38% of those with CHD/diabetes (goal: <100 mg/dL), 62% of those without CHD but with > or =2 risk factors (goal: <130 mg/dL), and 81% of those without CHD and <2 risk factors (goal: <160 mg/dL). Most patients who achieved goals did so within the first 3 months. Increasing age (odds ratio (OR)=1.015 per 1-year increment; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.005-1.206; p=0.0038) and initial statin potency (OR=2.253; 95% CI=1.364-3.722; p=0.0015) were directly associated with goal attainment, whereas increased cardiovascular risk (OR=0.085; 95% CI=0.053-0.134; p<0.0001 for CHD/diabetes mellitus at baseline compared with <2 risk factors,) and baseline LDL-C (OR=0.990; 95% CI=0.987-0.993); p<0.0001 per 1-mg/dL increment) were inversely associated with LDL-C goal achievement. Limitations of this study include potential differences in treatment settings and cardiovascular risk factors between different countries and centers. In addition, the effects on cholesterol goal achievement of concomitant changes in lifestyle were not assessed.

CONCLUSION: LDL-C goal attainment is low in Asians, particularly those with CHD/diabetes. More effective patient monitoring, treatments, including combining regimens and dose titration, and adherence to these treatments along with therapeutic lifestyle counseling may facilitate goal attainment.

Impact of age on the comparison between short-term vs 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with the COMBO dual therapy stent: 2-Year follow-up results of the REDUCE trial

Kedhi E, Verdoia M, Suryapranata H, Damen S, Camaro C, Benit E, et al.

Atherosclerosis, 2021 03;321:39-44.

PMID: 33639478 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.02.006

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The impact of advanced age on the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization (PCI) is still greatly debated. Therefore, the aim of the present sub-analysis of the REDUCE trial was to assess the impact of age on the comparison between a short 3 months vs standard 12 months DAPT in ACS patients treated with the COMBO Dual Stent Therapy.

METHODS: The REDUCE trial is a prospective, multicenter, investigator-initiated study that randomized ACS patients undergoing PCI with the COMBO drug eluting stent to either 3 or 12 months of DAPT. The study population was divided according to age (

Evaluation of the XIENCE V everolimus eluting coronary stent system in the Asian population of the SPIRIT V single arm study. 2-year clinical follow-up data

Kaul U, Patel TM, Zambahari R, Mullasari AS, Bahl VK, Stuteville M, et al.

Indian Heart J, 2011 Sep-Oct;63(5):402-8.

PMID: 23550416

Asian patients have a uniquely high risk for heart disease compared to other ethnicities. Past drug eluting stent trials have examined mainly populations of European heritage. As a significant proportion of the real world population in the SPIRIT V single arm study is Asian, the study provides insight into how this population responds to stenting with the XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent (EES).

Fulltext Rheumatic heart disease in referred cases: Experience at a cardiology centre

Jamal F, Abdullah N, Zambahari R

Family Practitioner, 1988;11(1):46-47.

Fulltext Acute coronary syndrome in women of reproductive age

Idris N, Aznal SS, Chin SP, Wan Ahmad WA, Rosman A, Jeyaindran S, et al.

Int J Womens Health, 2011;3:375-80.

PMID: 22140324 DOI: 10.2147/IJWH.S15825

There is scarce or no data on prevalence and presentation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among women of reproductive age. Furthermore, whether women of reproductive age presenting with ACS have the same risk factors as men and older women is not known.

Fulltext The cervical aortic arch

Hoe TS, Chan KC, Zambahari R

Med J Malaysia, 1987 Jun;42(2):90-2.

PMID: 3503196

A patient with a cervical aortic arch associated with a coarctation of the aortic arch and a Tetralogy of Fallot presented to the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur.

Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum percutaneous radiofrequency-assisted valvotomy and balloon dilation versus surgical valvotomy and Blalock Taussig shunt

Alwi M, Geetha K, Bilkis AA, Lim MK, Hasri S, Haifa AL, et al.

J Am Coll Cardiol, 2000 Feb;35(2):468-76.

PMID: 10676696

We compared the result of radiofrequency (RF)-assisted valvotomy and balloon dilation with closed surgical valvotomy and Blalock Taussig (BT) shunt as primary treatment in selected patients with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS).

A characteristic continuous wave Doppler signal in cor triatriatum?

Alwi M, Hamid ZA, Zambahari R

Br Heart J, 1992 Jul;68(1):6-8.

PMID: 1515294

Continuous wave Doppler recordings of the turbulent jet through the restrictive orifice of a left atrial partition in a patient with corrected transposition of the great arteries and cor triatriatum showed alternate bands of high intensity diastolic and low intensity systolic signals with preservation of the normal configuration of the diastolic E and A peaks. It is thought that Doppler studies in cor triatriatum will provide useful complementary haemodynamic information in the echocardiographic diagnosis of this anomaly.

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