Correlation between peripheral arterial disease and coronary artery disease using ankle brachial index-a study in Indian population

ObjectiveTo study the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower limbs in a high-risk population and its correlation with coronary artery disease (CAD), using the ankle brachial index (ABI).MethodsThe present study was conducted in randomly selected indoor patients >45 years of age with one or more risk factors for PAD admitted in the cardiology and medicine wards in a tertiary care institute.ResultsBased on ABI <0.9, PAD was diagnosed in 32 of the 182 (18%) patients. Coronary artery disease was present in 15 cases of PAD which was statistically significant.ConclusionThere is a definite and strong correlation between PAD and CAD. Correct diagnosis and supervision of patients with PAD is important for preventing the local progression of the disease and effective secondary prevention of future coronary and cerebrovascular events.     

Intra-aortic balloon pumping recruits graft flow reserve by lowering coronary resistances

Background

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is used worldwide as an anti-ischemic strategy and to reduce myocardial workload. However, whether IABP augments coronary flow after coronary bypass via a passive increase in diastolic pressure or an active response of the coronary bed remains uncertain.

Methods

We analyzed transit-time flow measurements and the contemporary changes in coronary resistances obtained during 1:1 IABP and during its cessation in 144 consecutive patients receiving prophylactic IABP before isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 340 graft segments).

Results

Normally functioning grafts showed lower coronary resistances, greater percentage decrease in resistance, and greater increases in average maximum diastolic and mean flow during 1:1 IABP compared with IABP cessation (P < .001). Arterial and sequential saphenous vein grafts showed better flowmetry and greater reductions in coronary resistances compared with single venous grafts. Accordingly, graft flow reserve (defined as mean flow during 1:1 IABP/mean flow with IABP off) was recruited (graft flow reserve > 1) during 1:1 IABP in all normally functioning grafts, with higher values in single arterial or sequential saphenous vein grafts than in single venous grafts (both P < .001). Coronary resistances were higher in 7 failed grafts versus normal-functioning grafts at baseline; these did not decrease during 1:1 IABP and showed worse transit-time flow results.

Conclusions

IABP recruits graft flow reserve by lowering coronary resistance in functioning grafts. Arterial and sequential venous grafts showed greater reduction in coronary resistance compared with single saphenous grafts.     

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has a unique cardiac biomarker profile: NT-proBNP/myoglobin and NT-proBNP/troponin T ratios for the differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes and stress induced cardiomyopathy

Background

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) usually is not recognized until heart catheterization reveals typical wall motion abnormalities in the absence of significant coronary artery disease. It was our aim to identify TC by its unique cardiac biomarker profile at an early stage and, preferably, with non-invasive procedures only.

Methods

Ratios of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and myoglobin, NT-proBNP and troponin T (TnT), NT-proBNP and creatinekinase-MB (CK-MB) were compared in patients with TC (n = 39), patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, n = 48) and patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI, n = 34). Biomarkers were recorded serially at admission and at the three consecutive days. Optimal cut-off values to distinguish TC from STEMI and NSTEMI were calculated with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

At admission a NT-proBNP (ng/l)/myoglobin (μg/l) ratio of 3.8, distinguished TC from STEMI (sensitivity: 89%, specificity: 90%), while a NT-proBNP (ng/l)/myoglobin (μg/l) ratio of 14 separated well between TC and NSTEMI (sensitivity: 65%, specificity: 90%). Best differentiation of TC and ACS was possible with the ratio of peak levels of NT-proBNP (ng/l)/TnT (μg/l). A cut-off value of NT-proBNP (ng/l)/TnT (μg/l) ratio of 2889, distinguished TC from STEMI (sensitivity: 91%, specificity: 95%), while a NT-proBNP (ng/l)/TnT (μg/l) ratio of 5000 separated well between TC and NSTEMI (sensitivity: 83%, specificity: 95%).

Conclusions

TC goes along with a singular cardiac biomarker profile, which might be useful to identify patients with TC among patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).     

Human plasma complement C3 is independently associated with coronary heart disease, but only in heavy smokers (the CODAM study)

Background

Complement C3 is an emerging risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and is particularly increased in the metabolic syndrome. A direct effect of smoking on structure and function of complement C3 has been suggested.

Hypothesis

Smoking behavior may affect the cardiovascular risk that is associated with plasma complement C3.

Methods

The association between plasma C3 and CHD was studied in the CODAM (Cohort on Diabetes and Atherosclerosis Maastricht) study population (n = 562, 61% male) with examination of effect modification by smoking.

Results

The overall prevalence of CHD was 23.3%. Higher plasma C3 levels were associated with a higher CHD prevalence, and there was a significant interaction with heavy smoking (p = 0.01). In never & light smokers, the univariate OR for CHD per 1 s.d. (0.33 g/L) increase in C3 was 1.09 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85-1.41] (p = 0.505) whereas in heavy smokers it was 2.05 [1.43-2.93] (p < 0.001). The association in the group of heavy smokers remained significant (OR 2.38 [1.54-3.68], p < 0.001) after adjustment for traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease and also after further adjustment for other cardiometabolic risk factors, i.e. the metabolic syndrome, CRP and insulin resistance (HOMA2IR) (OR C3 between 2.16 and 2.29, all p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

Human plasma complement C3 is associated with prevalent CHD, but only in heavy smokers, and this association is independent of important metabolic cardiovascular risk factors.     

The older patient with syncope: practicalities and controversies

Introduction

Corticosteroid administration in Kawasaki disease (KD) is controversial but accepted as treatment for patients who do not respond to initial treatment. The impact of corticosteroids on evolving coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) and future vascular remodelling is unknown.

Methods and results

The clinical history of 80 patients (73% male; median age at diagnosis 2.2 years) seen from 1990 to 2008 with CAAs after KD were reviewed, 19 (24%) of whom received systemic corticosteroids in the acute phase (14 for ≤ 3 days, 5 for 4+ days). CAA z-scores were assessed at baseline, 2-3 months, and 1 year after the acute phase. Linear regression models adjusted for repeated measures were used to determine the association between change in CAA z-score over time and corticosteroid use, adjusting for patient age at diagnosis, gender, intravenous immunoglobulin use, total days of fever, albumin level, hemoglobin level and platelet count.

Results

The corticosteroid treated group had longer duration of fever in the acute phase (median 17 vs. 11 days, p = 0.04). Adjusted CAA z-scores at diagnosis, 2-3 months and 1 year follow-up for CAA in the left anterior descending decreased (from + 5.5 to + 3.5 to + 1.9) in those not treated with corticosteroids, but progressed for those treated with corticosteroids (from + 7.4 to + 17.5 to + 15.8), regardless of duration of corticosteroid treatment. Similar results were noted for CAA of the right coronary artery and the left main coronary artery.

Conclusions

The use of corticosteroids in the acute phase of KD for patients with evolving CAAs may be associated with worsening involvement and impaired vascular remodelling and warrants further study.     

A novel method of surgical site infection surveillance after cardiac surgery by active participation of stake holders

We describe a comprehensive surveillance system involving infection control practitioners, surgeons, administrative staff, and patients aimed at improving the postdischarge surveillance of surgical site infections. The system was able to detect 22 infections out of 538 procedures, 95% of which were detected during the postdischarge period.     

老年冠心病患者介入治疗术后的预后因素分析

目的 探讨影响老年冠心病患者介入治疗后的预后因素. 方法 1981例经皮介入治疗后的冠心病患者被分为老年组(≥65岁)801例和对照组(非老年组,＜65岁)1180例.术后随访12～84个月(平均36个月). 结果 老年组全因死亡率明显高于对照组(5.4％和2.3％,P＜0.01);老年组的主要心血管不良事件(MACE)明显高于对照组(18.9％和3.7％,P＜0.01).影响介入治疗后死亡的因素为年龄65岁(OR=1.05,95％ CI=1.02～1.10,P=0.014),左主干病变(OR=4.78,95％ CI=2.36～17.22,P=0.027),冠状动脉3支病变(OR=5.68,95％ CI=3.17～15.32,P=0.018),合并糖尿病(OR=6.24,95％CI=2.11～16.36,P=0.001);影响介入治疗后主要心血管不良事件的因素为年龄65岁(OR=2.06,95％CI=2.23～4.32,P=0.007),左主干病变(OR=3.64,95％CI=1.86～15.34,P=0.001),冠状动脉3支病变(OR=4.35,95％CI=2.54～13.82,P=0.017),合并糖尿病(OR=5.35,95％ CI=1.77～14.51,P=0.001).性别和高血压不是影响总死亡率和主要心血管不良事件的因素. 结论 年龄、糖尿病、左主干病变、冠状动脉3支病变是影响老年冠心病患者介入治疗预后的主要因素,而性别和高血压对预后影响不明显.     

老年2型糖尿病患者并发冠心病的危险因素分析

目的 应用主成分分析法(principal component analysis,PCA)分析老年2型糖尿病患者并发冠心病的主要危险因素. 方法 回顾性分析我院住院行冠状动脉(冠脉)造影检查的60岁以上老年2型糖尿病患者503例临床资料,测定糖尿病患者尿白蛋白排泄率( urinary albuminexcretion rate,UAER)等指标,采用Gensini系统对冠脉血管病变程度进行评分. 结果 第1～7主成分的特征值均大于1,累计贡献率为64.6％;第1～4主成分分别为UAER、血脂、血压、尿酸,贡献率分别为14.1％、11.8％、10.2％、8.7％;第5～7主成分均属血糖,累计贡献率为19.8％. 结论UAER是老年2型糖尿病患者并发冠心病最主要的危险因素,伴微量白蛋白尿的老年2型糖尿病患者冠心病患病风险增加,且严重程度增加;UAER与老年2型糖尿病患者冠心病的发生及冠脉病变严重程度呈正相关,为其独立影响因素.     

老年冠心病患者血脂与肌酐清除率的相关性研究

目的 探讨老年冠心病患者血脂与肌酐清除率的相关性. 方法 选择784例年龄65岁及以上患者,根据冠状动脉造影结果和肌酐清除率水平进行分组,比较各项血脂水平. 结果肌酐清除率水平随冠状动脉病变的逐渐加重明显下降(F=5.35,P＜0.01).肾功能中重度损伤组(肌酐清除率小于0.83 ml· s-1·1.73 m-2)载脂蛋白A1(ApoA1)水平降低,载脂蛋白B(ApoB)水平升高(F=5.31,F=4.91,均P＜0.01).男性中肾功能中重度损伤组ApoA1水平降低(F=3.52,P＜0.05),ApoB水平升高(F=5.65,P＜0.01),冠心病患者中肾功能中重度损伤组ApoA1水平降低(F=5.79,P＜0.01),ApoB水平升高(F=4.56,P＜0.05),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平降低(F=3.39,P＜0.05).多元Logistic回归分析结果表明,肌酐清除率、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、ApoA1和ApoB是冠心病的影响因素. 结论 血脂异常和肾功能减退均是冠心病发病的危险因素,血脂异常同时引起肾脏损害.对于老年冠心病患者需积极控制血脂,同时关注其他重要脏器功能.     

冠心病患者介入治疗失败后行急诊冠状动脉旁路移植术的预后

目的 探讨冠心病患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗失败后行急诊冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)的预后.方法回顾性分析2002年1月至2010年12月阜外心血管病医院11例经皮冠状动脉介入治疗失败后行急诊CABG患者的临床资料,并进行随访.院内随访内容包括心脏性死亡、Q波心肌梗死、肾功能不全、神经系统事件;院外随访的研究终点为主要心血管不良事件,包括死亡、心肌梗死和靶病变血管重建.结果 患者年龄(61±5)岁.冠状动脉造影显示三支病变患者5例(45.5％).在介入治疗的靶血管病变中,9例(81.8％)位于左前降支,中、重度钙化、慢性完全闭塞及弥漫性长病变分别为3例(27.3％)、4例(36.4％)和4例(36.4％).11例患者均有行急诊CABG的指征,其中冠状动脉夹层5例(45.5％)、冠状动脉穿孔 3例(27.3％)、病变无法充分扩张1例(9.1％)、血管急性闭塞1例(9.1％)和支架脱载1例(9.1％).CABG术后随访(47±33)个月.院内随访期间,发生心脏性死亡1例(9.1％),Q波心肌梗死2例(18.2％).院外随访期间,1例(9.1％)患者死于肾功能衰竭,无因心原性事件再次住院的患者.结论经皮冠状动脉介入治疗失败后行急诊CABG多见于复杂冠状动脉病变,术后患者的长期预后良好.