Refractory Angina

The regimen for treating refractory angina is similar to that for impending infarction. Specific approaches to treatment include drugs and other medical methods. Operative intervention is reserved for those patients who do not respond to medical measures.     

Coronary bypass grafting or endovascular angioplasty in patients with coronary artery disease with multivascular coronary lesions

Myocardial revascularization in a standard method of treatment of patients with severe stenocardia and hemodynamically significant lesions of coronary vessels. Nowadays, endovascular correction techniques are more and more wide-spread in patients with multi-vascular lesions. Earlier comparative studies demonstrated absence of differences according to lethal outcome and acute myocardial infarction frequencies, but a higher requirement for repeated interventions and a higher rate of stenocardia recurrence after endovascular technique application vs. surgical treatment. However, nowadays stents with antiproliferative coating allowing for significant reduction in restenosis rate are widely used. This article is dedicated to analysis of the results of surgical and endovascular treatment of patients with multi-vascular coronary lesions.     

Plasminogen activator inhibitor in patients with acute myocardial infarction and re-infarction in syndrome X

Plasminogen activator inhibitor was determined in myocardial infarction and re-infarction patients along with other parameters relevant for the Syndrome X, such as triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and body mass index. Plasminogen activator inhibitor was determined in 58 patients with myocardial infarction and 18 patients with re-infarction as well as in 57 healthy individuals. Significantly higher plasminogen activator inhibitor values were found in re-infarction patients (6.53 +/- 0.39 U/mL) than in myocardial infarction patients (4.32 +/- 0.19 U/mL), whereas the values were significantly higher in both groups in comparison to healthy individuals (2.81 +/- 0.74 U/mL). Triglyceride values were also significantly higher in myocardial infarction (2.05 +/- 0.1 mmmi/L) and re-infarction patients (2.02 +/- 0.99 mmol/L) than in healthy individuals (1.35 +/- 0.58 mmol/L), although the difference between the triglyceride values obtained for myocardial infarction and re-infarction patients was not statistically significant. HDL-cholesterol values for myocardial infarction (1.18 +/- 0.04 mmol/L) and re-infarction (1.14 +/- 0.18 mmol/L) patients were significantly lower than in healthy individuals (1.46 +/- 0.5 mmol/L). However, the difference was not statistically significant between the myocardial infarction and the re-infarction group. The difference in body mass index between myocardial infarction (26.65 +/- 0.39 kg/m2) and re-infarction (25.49 +/- 0.39 kg/m2) patients and healthy individuals (24.45 +/- 3.41 kg/m2) was evidenced.     

The effects of various factors on long-term outcomes of non-stable stenocardia

The article presents the results of one-year observation of 472 patients who experienced non-stable stenocardia in 2003-2004. During this period, exacerbation of coronary artery disease with or without acute coronary catastrophe was noted in every third patient. Thirty-three cases of acute coronary pathology were registered. Year lethality was 27.3%, with acute myocardial infarction as the leading cause of death. By step-wise diagnostic regression method it was proved that old myocardial infarction was the only factors that had a significant negative effect on the long-term prognosis of non-stable stenocardia.     

THE ROLE OF EARLY SURGERY FOLLOWING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

This co-operative study was a prospective randomised study to evaluate the role of coronary bypass surgery following acute myocardial infarction. The criterion for entry was an early positive exercise tolerance test. All patients who satisfied the clinical criteria of acute myocardial infarction but who were excluded had information on survival obtained after two years. A total of 4658 patients were assessed, with 3334 (71 %) having a modified exercise test. This test was positive in 728 patients, of whom 598 then underwent coronary angiography. Three hundred and forty-eight patients were randomised (surgery 168, continuing medical treatment 180). At two years the survival in the medical group was 96% and in the surgical group was 93%. At five years the corresponding figures were 88% and 91%. Sub group analyses in terms of age, ejection fraction and extent of vessel disease failed to show any significant differences between those randomised to medicine or surgery. A positive exercise test early after infarction does help to delineate those more likely to require intervention, but a negative exercise test is not an indication for complacency.     

The role of early surgery following myocardial infarction. European Coronary Surgery Bypass Group.

This co-operative study was a prospective randomised study to evaluate the role of coronary bypass surgery following acute myocardial infarction. The criterion for entry was an early positive exercise tolerance test. All patients who satisfied the clinical criteria of acute myocardial infarction but who were excluded had information on survival obtained after two years. A total of 4658 patients were assessed, with 3334 (71%) having a modified exercise test. This test was positive in 728 patients, of whom 598 then underwent coronary angiography. Three hundred and forty-eight patients were randomised (surgery 168, continuing medical treatment 180). At two years the survival in the medical group was 96% and in the surgical group was 93%. At five years the corresponding figures were 88% and 91%. Sub group analyses in terms of age, ejection fraction and extent of vessel disease failed to show any significant differences between those randomised to medicine or surgery. A positive exercise test early after infarction does help to delineate those more likely to require intervention, but a negative exercise test is not an indication for complacency.     

Nissen vs. toupet fundoplication in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a serious phenomenon in pediatric health care. Without proper treatment, complications related to GERD can impede normal development and can lead to multiple hospitalizations and medical conditions. Previously, surgical intervention was limited to one technique, nissen fundoplication; however, the use of various forms of fundoplication surgery, primarily the toupet fundoplication, is currently increasing. Nurses need to be aware of treatment options and care of pediatric patients with severe GERD requiring surgical intervention, including common treatment modalities used prior to surgery and postoperative care necessary to promote positive results following fundoplication surgery.     

Experimental ancrod (Arvin) for acute ischemic stroke: nursing implications.

By increasing local cerebral blood flow to ischemic brain tissue in a timely fashion, impending cerebral infarction can be reversed. Aggressive, early intervention is the key to overall neurological improvement of stroke patients. Ancrod, a purified protein fraction of venom from the Malayan pit viper, has been shown to produce rapid and effective defibrinogenation in humans. A current clinical trial with ancrod in patients with acute or progressing nonhemorrhagic ischemic stroke requires an onset to treatment time of no more than 6 hours. Ancillary hospital personnel, physicians and nurses all play important roles in expediting study treatment. Nurses must assess ancrod study patients for potential bleeding problems. Community awareness and education about the warning signs of impending stroke are factors important to insuring early intervention and improving neurological outcome of stroke victims.     

Surgical interventions for cancer patients with impending or actual pathologic fractures

Oncology patients are at risk of developing bone metastases that frequently result in destructive lesions of the skeleton. Treatment options for patients diagnosed with metastatic bone disease depend on the primary cancer site, presence of pain, and fracture risk. Typically, surgical intervention is the best form of management for impending or actual pathologic fractures of long bones because they are associated with considerable mortality. The purpose of this clinical article is to describe the pathogenesis of bone metastases and review the clinical presentation and evaluation. The surgical management of impending and actual pathologic fractures is reviewed with an emphasis on evaluating the risks and benefits associated with the surgical treatment of the femur. Nursing implications for patient assessment, monitoring, and education to minimize the risk of postoperative complications are presented.     

The effects of a discharge planning and home follow-up intervention on elders hospitalized with common medical and surgical cardiac conditions.

This study was a secondary analysis of data collected on 202 patients hospitalized with common medical or surgical cardiac conditions who completed a 24-week postdischarge follow-up program as part of a large-scale randomized clinical trial. Subjects were age 65 years or older, admitted from their homes with one of the following diagnosis-related groups: heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or cardiac valve replacement. The intervention consisted of comprehensive discharge planning and home follow-up by an advanced practice nurse (APN) for 4 weeks after discharge. Control subjects received usual care. Findings indicated that medical patients in the intervention group had fewer multiple readmissions during the 24 weeks of follow-up and a reduced total number of days of rehospitalization. There were fewer hospital readmissions in the surgical group when measured from discharge to 6 weeks. There were no differences in functional status between intervention and control groups for either population. The findings of this study suggest that high-risk elders with significant cardiac problems may benefit from a care program that emphasizes collaborative, coordinated discharge planning and home follow-up that includes telephone and home visits by APNs.     

Dissection of the aorta.

Our approach to management, both initial and definitive, is summarized in Table 2. Patients with proximal dissection require surgical intervention after medical stabilization, unless prior debilitating illness precludes general anesthesia or prolonged vascular surgery. If myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accidents has complicated the dissection, results are extremely poor, regardless of therapy. Patients with distal dissection have a good prognosis with medical therapy alone, unless aortic rupture or impending rupture, hematoma progression despite a maximal drug program, vital organ compromise, or inability to control pain or blood pressure medically supervene. Dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, while potentially a promptly fatal event, is amenable to aggressive therapy provided that one is alert to the possibility of this disease. Despite all technical advances, the single most important factor in making the diagnosis of dissecting aortic aneurysm is a strong index of suspicion on the part of the physician.     

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in serum during recent acute myocardial infarction

Lactate dehydrogenase (LD, EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzymes 1 and 2 and the LD 1:2 ratio were determined in 62 patients with recent myocardial infarction 24, 48, and 72 h after total serum LD activity had returned to normal values. From the results we could define two groups of patients. The first, 40 patients in whom proportions of LD-1 and LD-2 isoenzymes in serum and the LD 1:2 ratio were all within the normal reference interval, all had an uncomplicated course of recovery from myocardial infarction. In the remaining 22 patients, LD-1 still exceeded LD-2 24 to 72 h after total LD activity returned to normal values; i.e., the ratio was similar to that in patients with myocardial infarction. Seven of these 22 patients (32%) had a complicated course, with re-infarction in all seven. Thus, even in the presence of normal total LD activity, a high LD 1:2 ratio may reflect a consistent focal myocardial necrosis in some patients with recent myocardial infarction and may serve as an early marker for further re-infarction.     

Changes in creatine kinase activity in the course of acute myocardial infarction

Peak activity of creatine kinase (CK; EC 2.7.3.2) and its decline were determined in 380 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) whose CK values had peaked after admission to the hospital. During hospitalization, 26 patients either died (14 patients) or experienced nonfatal re-infarction (12 patients). In 22 of these 26 patients CK activity decreased by less than 50% within 48 h after the peak value was measured. In all patients who did not die or develop re-infarction, CK activity decreased by greater than 50% during the 48 h after the peak. Evidently the rate of decline of CK (i.e., whether more than or less than 50%) from its peak value during the 48 h after AMI may be helpful in assessing which patients are at high risk for developing re-infarction or dying.     

主动脉内球囊反搏辅助治疗急性心肌梗死并心源性休克的临床观察

目的 观察主动脉球囊反搏辅助治疗急性心肌梗死并心源性休克的临床效果.方法 分析30例急性心肌梗死合并心源性休克患者使用主动脉内球囊反搏后的治疗效果.结果 30例患者接受主动脉内球囊反搏(IABP)治疗后,血流动力学稳定,24例进行冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)及6例溶栓治疗均成功.7例死亡,其中3例发生泵衰竭而死亡,4例出现恶性心律失常而死亡,存活率为76.7%.结论 IABP对血流动力学状态有明显改善,减少心肌梗死再发生率,为PCI治疗赢得时间,有益于提高心肌梗死患者生存率.     

早期去骨瓣减压术治疗大面积脑梗死36例临床分析

目的：比较早期实施去骨瓣减压术和内科药物治疗大面积脑梗死的疗效,以探讨大面积脑梗死的正确治疗方法,减少死亡率和提高患者的生存质量。方法：对2005年8月至2012年8月收治的大面积脑梗死患者76例采用去骨瓣减压术治疗36例（外科组）和采用内科药物治疗40例（内科组）,比较两组患者的死亡率和康复情况,并探讨影响患者手术治疗效果的相关因素。结果：手术组的死亡率明显低于内科组,康复情况明显优于内科组,P均〈0．05。术前脑组织中线偏移≥10mm者,术后预后不良;48h内手术者较48h后的预后好。结论：早期去骨瓣减压术治疗大面积脑梗死较单纯内科保守治疗可降低其死亡率和提高其生存质量。     

Transient ischaemic attacks

Transient ischaemic attacks carry an increased risk of subsequent stroke, but death is more likely to result from myocardial infarction than from cerebral causes. Modification of risk factors, medical treatment and surgical intervention all have a role in management.     

Hemodynamic effects of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: the prospective, randomized IABP shock trial

We conducted the IABP Cardiogenic Shock Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT00469248) as a prospective, randomized, monocentric clinical trial to determine the hemodynamic effects of additional intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) treatment and its effects on severity of disease in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation is recommended in patients with CS complicating myocardial infarction. However, there are only limited randomized controlled trial data available supporting the efficacy of IABP following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and its impact on hemodynamic parameters in patients with CS. Percutaneous coronary intervention of infarct-related artery was performed in 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by CS, within 12 h of onset of hemodynamic instability. Serial hemodynamic parameters were determined over the next 4 days and compared in patients receiving medical treatment alone with those treated with additional intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. There were no significant differences among severity of disease (i.e., Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score) initially and no differences among both groups for disease improvement. We observed significant temporal improvements of cardiac output (4.8 ± 0.5 to 6.0 ± 0.5 L/min), systemic vascular resistance (926 ± 73 to 769 ± 101 dyn · s(-1) · cm(-5)), and the prognosis-validated cardiac power output (0.78 ± 0.06 to 1.01 ± 0.2 W) within the IABP group. However, there were no significant differences between the IABP group and the medical-alone group. Additional IABP treatment did not result in a significant hemodynamic improvement compared with medical therapy alone in a randomized prospective trial in patients with CS following PCI. Therefore, the use and recommendation for IABP treatment in CS remain unclear.     

血小板参数在急性心肌梗死临床评估中的作用

目的 研究急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction,AMI)患者血小板计数、血小板分布宽度(platelet distribution width,PDW)、平均血小板体积(mean platelet volume,MPV)的动态演变,以及它们对急性心肌梗死风险评估的价值.方法 回顾性分析2012年至2014年间苏州大学附属第一医院收治的312例AMI患者,将患者分为ST段抬高型心肌梗死(ST-elevation myocardial infarction,STEMI)组、非ST段抬高型心肌梗死(non ST-elevation myocardial infarction,NSTEMI)组以及低PDW组、高PDW组,比较患者的临床资料及生化指标;收集所有患者入院第1天、第2天及第7天的血小板体积指标,分析其动态演变;GRACE风险评分系统评估患者住院期间病死率、1年内病死率和1年内死亡及再发急性心肌梗死风险;Spearman相关性分析研究MPV、PDW与GRACE预测风险的相关性.结果 ST段抬高型心肌梗死组发病年轻化(P =0.005),高血脂、吸烟者比例更高(P＜0.01),住院期间死亡风险更大(P=0.014).高PDW组的患者发生充血性心力衰竭、心源性休克比例更高(P＜0.01;P=0.026),KillipⅣ级患者更多(P＜0.01).PDW与患者住院期间病死率、1年内病死率和1年内死亡及再发急性心肌梗死风险显著相关(r =0.69,P＜0.01;r=0.68,P＜0.01;r=0.70,P＜0.01);MPV与患者1年内病死率相关(r =0.30,P=0.02).结论 PDW与急性心肌梗死严重程度相关,能够预测住院期间死亡、1年内死亡及再梗风险,辅助风险分层,有助于高危患者的筛选,从而制定合理的治疗方案、选择更积极的干预措施,改善患者整体预后.     

临床护理路径在急性心肌梗死冠状动脉介入术患者中的应用

目的:探讨临床护理路径(CNP)在急性心肌梗死(AMI)行冠状动脉介入术患者中的应用方法及临床效果.方法:将64例AMI患者随机分为实验组和对照组各32例,对照组进行常规护理,实验组按CNP进行护理,比较两组住院天数、医疗费用、并发症发生率及患者满意度.结果:实验组住院天数、并发症发生率、患者的满意度与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:将CNP应用于AMI行冠状动脉介入术患者,可提高护士的工作效率和患者的满意度,控制医疗成本,保证护理质量,值得临床推广.     

Beneficial effects of direct call to emergency medical services in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of an emergency medical services call on the management of acute myocardial infarction, considering time intervals for intervention and revascularization procedures. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from January 2001 to October 2002 from 531 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation and a pre-hospital delay of less than 24 h. RESULTS: Only 26% of patients called the emergency medical services at the onset of symptoms (n=140). Other patients (n=391, 74%) called another medical contact. Baseline characteristics and cardiovascular history were similar in the two groups, except for the percutaneous coronary intervention history (10% in the emergency medical services group versus 4% in the other medical contact group, P<0.05). Time intervals from the onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction to call or to medical intervention, as well as the time interval from medical intervention to hospital admission were significantly shorter in the emergency medical services group. The early reperfusion rate was also significantly greater in the emergency medical services group (77%) compared with the other medical contact group (64%), mainly because of a greater incidence of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (36 versus 26%, P<0.03, respectively). Multivariate analysis adjusted for sex and age showed that less than three medical care providers [odds ratio (OR) 5.042, P<0.001], percutaneous coronary intervention history (OR 2.462, P<0.05), as well as rhythmic disorders (OR 2.105, P<0.05) and complete atrioventricular block (OR 2.757, P<0.05) were independent predictors of emergency medical services care. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that a call to the emergency medical services is underutilized by patients with symptoms of myocardial infarction, and documented the beneficial effects of an emergency medical services call by reducing pre-hospital delays and increasing early revascularization therapies.