Background Recently, the COMPASS trial demonstrated that dual therapy reduced cardiovascular outcomes compared with aspirin alone in patients with stable atherosclerotic disease. Methods and Results We sought to assess the proportion of patients eligible for the COMPASS trial and to compare the epidemiology and outcome of these patients with those without COMPASS inclusion or with any exclusion criteria in a contemporary, nationwide cohort of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Among the 4068 patients with detailed information allowing evaluation of eligibility, 1416 (34.8%) did not fulfill the inclusion criteria (COMPASS-Not-Included), 841 (20.7%) had exclusion criteria (COMPASS-Excluded) and the remaining 1811 (44.5%) were classified as COMPASS-Like. At 1 year, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke, was 0.9% in the COMPASS-Not-Included and 2.0% in the COMPASS-Like (p = 0.01), and 5.0% in the COMPASS-Excluded group (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Among the COMPASS-Like population, patients with multiple COMPASS enrichment criteria presented a significant increase in the risk of MACE (from 1.0% to 3.3% in those with 1 and ≥3 criteria, respectively; p = 0.012), and a modest absolute increase in major bleeding risk (from 0.2% to 0.4%, respectively; p = 0.46). Conclusions In a contemporary real-world cohort registry of stable CAD, most patients resulted as eligible for the COMPASS. These patients presented a considerable annual risk of MACE that consistently increases in the presence of multiple risk factors.

The impact of sex on the assessment of congestion in acute heart failure (AHF) is still a matter of debate. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate sex differences in the evaluation of congestion at admission in patients hospitalized for AHF. We consecutively enrolled 494 AHF patients (252 female). Clinical congestion assessment, B-type natriuretic peptide levels analysis, blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio (BUN/Cr), plasma volume status estimate (by means of Duarte or Kaplam-Hakim PVS), and hydration status evaluation through bioimpedance analysis were performed. There was no difference in medications between men and women. Women were older (79 ± 9 yrs vs. 77 ± 10 yrs, p = 0.005), and had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (45 ± 11% vs. 38 ± 11%, p < 0.001), and lower creatinine clearance (42 ± 25 mL/min vs. 47 ± 26 mL/min, p = 0.04). The prevalence of peripheral oedema, orthopnoea, and jugular venous distention were not significantly different between women and men. BUN/Cr (27 ± 9 vs. 23 ± 13, p = 0.04) and plasma volume were higher in women than men (Duarte PVS: 6.0 ± 1.5 dL/g vs. 5.1 ± 1.5 dL/g, p < 0.001; Kaplam–Hakim PVS: 7.9 ± 13% vs. −7.3 ± 12%, p < 0.001). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, female sex was independently associated with BUN/Cr and PVS. Female sex was independently associated with subclinical biomarkers of congestion such as BUN/Cr and PVS in patients with AHF. A sex-guided approach to the correct evaluation of patients with AHF might become the cornerstone for the correct management of these patients.

Patients with sick sinus syndrome have a high prevalence of cerebral ischemia and emboli of the viscera and extremities. The present study was designed to establish the prevalence of stroke in patients with sick sinus syndrome, with specific attention to pacing mode, atrial function (evaluated using Doppler echocardiography) and the clinical condition of the patients. The prospective study analyzed 80 consecutive patients with sick sinus syndrome who received either atrial, dual chamber or ventricular pacemakers. Patients underwent a cranial CT scan at the time of enrollment and again at the end of the study 24 months later. End points of the study were cerebral ischemia or emboli of the viscera or extremities. Clinical and echocardiographic features were assessed at the beginning of the study. A multivariate regression analysis was applied to all variables that had at least a marginal univariate predictive value. Cerebral ischemia occurred in 13 patients and emboli of the viscera or extremities were observed in 2 patients. Univariate predictors for embolism consisted of a prior history of cerebrovascular disease (p < 0.001), low atrial ejection force (p < 0.01) and a dilated left atrium with spontaneous echo contrast (p < 0.05). Independent risk factors for stroke included a history of previous cerebral ischemia, age > 65 years, left atrial echo contrast on an echocardiogram and a depressed atrial ejection force. These findings identified patients at high risk for the development of peripheral embolism among the group of patients paced for sick sinus syndrome

Circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations increase in heart failure (HF) and are related to disease severity. The relationship between PTH and congestion is still a matter of debate. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the role of PTH as a marker of congestion and prognosis in HF. We enrolled 228 patients with HF. Intact PTH concentrations and HYDRA score (constituted by: B-type natriuretic peptide, blood urea nitrogen–creatinine ratio, estimated plasma volume status, and hydration status) were evaluated. The study endpoint was all-cause mortality. PTH levels were higher in acute compared with chronic HF and in patients with clinical signs of congestion (i.e., peripheral oedema and orthopnea). PTH concentrations significantly correlated with NYHA class and HYDRA score. At multivariate analysis of HYDRA score, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and corrected serum calcium were independently determinants of PTH variability. Fifty patients (22%) died after a median follow-up of 408 days (interquartile range: 283–573). Using univariate Cox regression analysis, PTH concentrations were associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.003, optimal cut-off: >249 pg/mL—area under-the-curve = 0.64). Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, PTH was no longer associated with death, whereas HYDRA score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and eGFR acted as independent predictors for mortality (HR: 1.96, 0.97, and 0.98, respectively). Our study demonstrated that intact PTH was related to clinical and subclinical markers of congestion. However, intact PTH did not act as an independent determinant of all-cause death in HF patients.