Angiographic morphology impacts outcomes in STEMI patients with LAD occlusion

Objectives and background: Acute proximal occlusion of the left anterior descendent coronary artery (LAD) is a critical medical condition often leading to heart failure and death. Our objective was to investigate how additional angiographic findings might influence prognosis. Methods: In a single center setting by using consecutive data from the Swedish angiography and angioplasty registry (SCAAR), we identified all patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related to the proximal LAD referred for primary coronary angioplasty. Clinical and angiographic data were collected from January 2004 to December 2008. Results: In the study period, 359 patients (mean age 67.9 ± 12.3 years, 111 women) were identified as having proximal LAD‐related culprit lesion. Follow‐up was up to 5.5 years. Compared to patients with LAD occlusion only, having both a small conus branch (<0.5 mm in diameter) and an occluded first septal perforator was associated with increased risk of death after adjustment for age, diabetes mellitus and prior AMI (hazard ratio 4.5, 95% CI; 1.1–18, P = 0.033). A small conus branch in itself was not important. Multivessel coronary artery disease in addition to occlusion of the first septal perforator branch and having a small conus branch was also associated with increased risk of death (hazard ratio 5.2, 95% CI; 1.3–20), P = 0.018). Conclusions: In patients with STEMI because of a proximal LAD lesion treated by primary PCI, the combination of a small conus branch and an occluded first septal perforator branch is associated with a poorer outcome. Additional presence of multivessel coronary artery disease further aggravates outcome. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Stenting of the septal perforator coronary artery

This report describes the first application of intracoronary stenting to the septal perforator coronary artery in a patient with a totally occluded left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and a patent venous graft to the distal LAD. The procedure was successful and resulted in almost complete relief of class III angina. Therefore, diseased large septal perforators may cause angina and be treated effectively by intracoronary stenting in selected cases.     

Transient left septal and anterior fascicular block associated with type 1 electrocardiographic Brugada pattern

The left septal fascicular block (LSFB) or blockage of the middle fibers of the left bundle branch is probably caused mainly by - in the developed world - the proximal obstruction of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) before its first anterior septal perforator branch (S₁). The association of transient LSFB and left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) - left bifascicular block - and the electrocardiographic type 1 Brugada pattern (BrP) has not been described in the literature yet.     

Electrocardiographic criteria for predicting total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery in anterior wall acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Patients with occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) proximal to both the first septal branch and the first diagonal branch may benefit most from early reperfusion therapy due to extensive area at risk. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to examine whether 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) in the acute phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) could identify total occlusion of the LAD proximal to both the first septal and the first diagonal branch. METHODS: A 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded on admission in 128 patients with anterior AMI within 12 h from symptom onset. Patients were divided into three groups according to the culprit lesion: 33 patients had total occlusion of the LAD proximal to both the first septal perforator and the first diagonal branch (Group P), in 51 it was proximal to either the first septal perforator or the first diagonal branch (Group D-a), and in 44 it was distal to both the first septal perforator and the first diagonal branch (Group D-b). RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of a greater degree of ST-segment depression in lead III than that of ST-segment elevation in lead aVL were 85 and 95%, respectively, which was better than the results derived by all other ECG criteria (p< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a greater degree of ST-segment depression in lead III than that of ST-segment elevation in lead aVL is a useful predictor of proximal LAD occlusion in patients with anterior AMI.     

Electrocardiographic prediction of ejection fraction and site of LAD occlusion in anterior myocardial infarction

Q-wave anterior myocardial infarctions due to occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) are generally associated with the most extensive left ventricular damage. The presence of abnormal Q waves on the electrocardiogram (ECG) provides important information to localize the site of left ventricular infarction. However, the relationship between abnormalities of the QRS morphology in the precordial leads and angiographic information such as ejection fraction and the site of LAD occlusion (before or after the first septal perforator) has not been studied extensively. Seventy-three patients with single-vessel disease with complete LAD occlusion, abnormal QRS morphology in leads V₁-V₄ on ECG, and abnormal wall motion with contrast ventriculography were studied retrospectively. LAD occlusions were proximal to the first septal perforator in 33 patients and distal in 40 patients. Q waves were present in 59 patients, and the other 14 patients had either minimal R waves (<0.25 mm), poor R-wave progression, or R-wave regression. A significantly higher ejection fraction was associated with the presence of R wave in V₂ (0.52 ± 0.18 vs. 0.39 ± 0.15 in the absence of R wave, p<0.003). LAD occlusion after and before the first septal perforator was associated with R wave in V₂ in 67 and 36% of patients, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of predicting occlusion after the first septal perforator based on R wave in V₂ was 0.68 and 0.64, respectively. In patients with anterior myocardial infarctions, occluded LAD artery, and abnormal QRS morphology in the precordial leads, the presence of R wave in V₂ is a useful predictor of higher ejection fraction. The prediction of site of LAD occlusion in relation to the first septal perforator based on ECG findings is limited and probably not sufficiently specific or sensitive to be of clinical use.     

Transient prominent anterior QRS forces in the setting ST segment elevation coronary syndrome: Left septal fascicular block

Numerous successive publications have shown that transient prominent anterior QRS forces (PAF) in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is suggestive of critical proximal obstruction of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) before its first septal perforator branch (S₁). Transient ischemia of the left septal fascicle resulting in left septal fascicular block has been proposed as the causative mechanism. We present a case of acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction caused by acute proximal occlusion of the right coronary artery associated with proximal critical obstruction of the left anterior descending coronary artery.     

Non-surgical septal myocardial reduction by coil embolization for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: early and 6 months follow-up.

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility and the incidence of complete heart block (CHB) after non-surgical septal myocardial reduction by coil embolization in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty patients with HOCM and drug-refractory symptoms underwent non-surgical myocardial septal reduction by coil embolization with detachable coils. Occlusion of septal perforator branches was successfully performed in all patients. We detected neither ventricular tachycardia nor CHB. One patient presented an interventricular septal defect after the procedure, and died 19 days later. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed, in all patients, an increase in areas of hyperenhancement in the interventricular septum (IVS) compared with baseline. At 6-month follow-up, NYHA functional class and peak oxygen consumption were significantly improved compared with baseline (14.8 +/- 4.5 vs. 18.5 +/- 4.5 mL/kg/min; P = 0.001, respectively). Echocardiography showed a significant reduction of the IVS thickness and left ventricular outflow tract gradient (21 +/- 3 vs. 17 +/- 4 mm, P < 0.0001; 80 +/- 29 to 35 +/- 29 mmHg, P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot non-randomized study suggest that non-surgical septal myocardial reduction by coil embolization in HOCM is feasible and does not induce CHB. Larger studies, ideally with a randomized comparison between coil embolization and alcohol septal ablation, are warranted.     

Septal myocardial perfusion imaging with thallium-201 in the diagnosis of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery disease

The use of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to identify obstructive coronary disease of the left anterior descending coronary artery proximal to the first septal perforator (prox LAD) was studied in 60 patients. Perfusion of the septum and anteroapical areas with thallium-201 injected during exercise was compared to results of coronary arteriography. Septal MPI defect was found in 92.3% of patients with obstruction of the proximal LAD, 27.7% of patients with obstruction of LAD distal to first septal perforator, 0% in patients with obstructions involving right or circumflex arteries, and in 10.5% of patients without coronary disease. Anteroapical MPI defects were found with similar frequency in the three groups with obstructive coronary disease. Septal MPI defect had a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 85.4% in the diagnosis of proximal LAD disease. Normal septal perfusion with thallium-201 virtually excluded proximal LAD disease.     

Effect of alcohol septal ablation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on the electrocardiographic pattern

Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) allows study of the electrocardiographic effects of myocardial necrosis confined to the base of the interventricular septum, a rare event in atherothrombotic coronary artery disease. Eighty-four consecutive patients were studied after ASA for HC. After excluding 20 with pacing before ASA and 6 with no available preprocedure electrocardiograms, the electrocardiograms of the remaining 58 patients were compared with those of 58 consecutive patients with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarctions who underwent primary intervention for left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusions. In 25 patients, the occlusions were proximal to the first septal perforator, and in 33 patients, the occlusions were more distal. All electrocardiograms were analyzed with respect to conduction abnormalities and ST-segment changes. Patients with HC developed right bundle branch block significantly more often than those with LAD occlusions (50% vs 14%, p = 0.001) Moreover, patients with HC required postprocedure pacing more frequently (14% vs 2%, p <0.05). A distinctive pattern of ST displacement was found. There was more frequent ST depression in leads I and aVF and greater ST elevation in lead V(1) in patients who underwent ASA, indicating a greater tendency toward a rightward direction than was true in patients with LAD occlusions. In conclusion, in addition to more frequent right bundle branch block after ASA, a distinctive a characteristic pattern of ST-segment deviation similar to but distinct from that produced by proximal LAD occlusion appeared.     

Anomalous right coronary artery originating from the mid left anterior descending artery

A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia presented with recurrent episodes of chest discomfort. A 12-lead ECG and an echocardiogram were normal. A myocardial perfusion study could not rule out ischemia in the inferior wall. At coronary angiography using the transradial approach, the right coronary artery (RCA) could not be visualized. Angiography of the left coronary system demonstrated non-obstructive atherosclerosis involving the mid segment of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and a normal circumflex (Cx) artery. The RCA originated from the mid LAD segment distal to the first septal perforator and the first diagonal branch and was free of atherosclerosis disease. A contrast-enhanced 64-slice multi-detector cardiac computed tomography showed that the LAD was severely calcified in the proximal part, and the RCA coursed anterior to the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) to reach the right atrioventricular groove. The patient was managed medically and became asymptomatic.     

Complete heart block following occlusion of the first septal perforator after coronary stenting

We report a case of transient complete heart block following occlusion of the first septal perforator branch after stent deployment in the left anterior descending coronary artery. The patient was treated with temporary transvenous pacing and reverted spontaneously to normal atrioventricular conduction after 3 days.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusive lesion of a left anterior descending artery using the retrograde approach via a septal–septal channel

The retrograde approach is an effective therapeutic strategy for chronic total occlusion (CTO) intervention. In CTO cases, the retrograde approach from the opposite coronary artery is not always applicable. In certain left anterior descending (LAD) CTO cases, the distal LAD is filled from the septal channel where it is supplied by the proximal septal route. We report two LAD CTO cases of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) conducted with a wire from the proximal septal branch to the distal septal channel using the retrograde approach.     

Conduction disturbances and operative results after closure of ventricular septal defects by three different surgical approaches

A total of 135 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) under 15 years of age, without associated cardiac lesions, underwent surgical repair by 3 different approaches of trans-pulmonary arteriotomy (PA), right atriotomy (RA) and right ventriculotomy (RA) between 1977 and 1981. Six hospital deaths (4.4%) occurred among the 135 patients. Of 41 children with PA, 53 with RA and 41 with RV, one child (2.4%), one child (1.9%) and 4 children (9.9%) died, respectively. In the trans-PA approach, 8 of 40 children (20.0%) developed complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB), but there was no occurrence of left axis deviation (LAD), transient complete heart block (CHB) and arrhythmias postoperatively. In the RA approach, 11 of 52 children (21.2%) developed CRBBB and 2 (3.8%) had a combination of LAD and CRBBB. Four of 52 children (7.7%) had a combination of LAD, CRBBB and CHB, but CHB has been treated successfully with medication. Three patients (5.8%) developed arrhythmias, such as junctional rhythm. In the trans-RV approach, 11 of 37 children (29.7%) developed CRBBB and 4 of the 37 (10.8%) had the combination of LAD and CRBBB. Two patients (5.4%) had arrhythmias which disappeared one month after surgery. All incidences of conduction disturbances and arrhythmias after closure of VSD were significantly less in the trans-PA than in the trans-RA or in the trans-RV (p less than 0.01). However, in the present study, the development of conduction disturbances and postoperative arrhythmias after closure of VSD was not significantly different between the trans-RA and the trans-RV approach.     

Comparison of diastolic septal perforator flow velocities in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy versus hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy

In this study, we measured diastolic septal perforator flow velocities by Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Using color-guided pulsed Doppler TTE, septal perforator flow velocity recordings were attempted in 69 patients and successfully recorded in 47 (68%). First, we compared 14 patients with HCM to 12 controls and to 11 patients with hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy. Next, in 10 additional patients with HCM, we compared the septal velocities with the epicardial left anterior descending artery (LAD) velocities recorded during the same TTE study. In the patients with HCM, the peak septal diastolic velocities were twice that of the normal controls (88 +/- 40 vs 41 +/- 13 cm/s) and also higher than in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (51 +/- 18 cm/s, p < 0.0001). All 10 patients with HCM showed a step-up of peak diastolic velocity from the LAD to the septal perforator from 41 +/- 9 to 72 +/- 17 cm/s (p < 0.0001). Three patients with HCM had surgical septal myectomy. These patients had luminal narrowings of the small intramural arteries at histopathologic examination. In conclusion, pulsed Doppler measurement of septal perforator flow velocities is feasible. In HCM, the epicardial coronary arteries enlarge to accommodate increased flow, and diastolic velocity is normalized. In contrast, the increased velocities in the septal branches of patients with HCM are similar to those previously observed in tunnel-like obstructions. These findings suggest that in HCM, notwithstanding an increase in coronary flow, hemodynamically significant narrowings are present in the septal branches. Doppler TTE may become useful for evaluation of abnormal intramural coronary flow in HCM.     

Single coronary artery Left (SCA L)-Right coronary artery arising from mid-left anterior descending coronary artery: New variant of Lipton classification (SCA L-II) diagnosed by computed tomographic angiography

Isolated single coronary artery (SCA) is a rare anomaly. Current classification of left and right is further classified based on the course of the anomalous vessel. We report two SCA L cases where right coronary artery (RCA) arose from mid-left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Our observation is a variation from the current Lipton classification SCA L Type II where RCA arose from left coronary artery before the LAD, in our cases the RCA arose from mid LAD after the first septal perforator. We believe that this variant should be described as SCA L Type II variant 2 (V2) while the original Lipton classification should be described as SCA L Type II variant 1 (V1).     

Value of the electrocardiogram in localizing the occlusion site in the left anterior descending coronary artery in acute anterior myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The study assessed the value of the electrocardiogram (ECG) as predictor of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion site in relation to the first septal perforator (S1) and/or the first diagonal branch (D1) in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: In anterior AMI, determination of the exact site of LAD occlusion is important because the more proximal the occlusion the less favorable the prognosis. METHODS: One hundred patients with a first anterior AMI were included. The ECG showing the most pronounced ST-segment deviation before initiation of reperfusion therapy was evaluated and correlated with the exact LAD occlusion site as determined by coronary angiography. RESULTS: ST-elevation in lead aVR (ST elevation(aVR)), complete right bundle branch block, ST-depression in lead V5 (ST depression(V5)) and ST elevation(V1) > 2.5 mm strongly predicted LAD occlusion proximal to S1, whereas abnormal Q-waves in V4-6 were associated with occlusion distal to S1 (p = 0.000, p = 0.004, p = 0.009, p = 0.011 and p = 0.031 to 0.005, respectively). Abnormal Q-wave in lead aVL was associated with occlusion proximal to D1, whereas ST depression(aVL) was suggestive of occlusion distal to D1 (p = 0.002 and p = 0.022, respectively). For both the S1 and D1, inferior ST depression > or = 1.0 mm strongly predicted proximal LAD occlusion, whereas absence of inferior ST depression predicted distal occlusion (p < or = 0.002 and p < or = 0.020, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In anterior AMI, the ECG is useful to predict the LAD occlusion site in relation to its major side branches.     

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in drug-resistant hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: 18-month follow-up results.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery has been the only therapeutic option in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) who are resistant to standard treatment. Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) by alcohol-induced occlusion of the septal artery for the reduction of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient is a novel method. However, long-term clinical follow-up is insufficient. This study reports the acute and mid-term results after PTSMA in symptomatic patients with HOCM. METHODS: Six patients (4 men and 2 women) with symptomatic HOCM and inadequate response to pharmacologic therapy had their major septal branches ablated with alcohol. Mean duration of follow-up was 1.5 years. RESULTS: There was reduction in LVOT gradient in all patients (100%) with a mean reduction of 50 mmHg. Two patients developed complete heart block (CHB) and 3 patients developed bifascicular block. CHB persisted in 1 patient. Two patients died within 8 days of the procedure; one due to cerebrovascular accident and 1 due to asystole. The patient who died of asystole had CHB but refused permanent pacemaker implantation. CHB reverted in 1 patient and bifascicular blocks persisted in 3 patients. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was achieved in the 4 surviving patients after 1.5 years. All surviving patients had LVOT gradient reduction and clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: PTSMA for HOCM is a non-surgical technique for reducing LVOT gradient. Heart blocks are one potential complication, and may require pacemaker implantation. Long-term follow-up and a larger series of patients are required to determine conclusive therapeutic significance.     

Simultaneous percutaneous treatment in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease: A case report

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an established therapy for coronary artery disease (CAD), whereas percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) is becoming increasingly significant in the therapy of symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). We report the first ever simultaneous treatment, in a 62-yr-old patient, of significant HOCM and a 75% LAD stenosis from which the septal branch to be occluded stemmed. Using a double wire technique, first the septal branch was occluded through a fractional injection of 4 ml absolute alcohol, thus ablating the hypertrophied septal myocardium with reduction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient at rest from 80 to 9 mmHg. Following this, the LAD stenosis was dilated and stented. Complications, in particular a trifascicular block or ventricular dysrhythmia, did not occur during the hospital stay. To conclude, combined PTSMA and PTCA may be considered as a therapeutic alternative to a combined surgical intervention in individual cases of symptomatic HOCM and CAD, provided that the potential complications are taken into account. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 44:65–69, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Alcohol septal ablation through a bare metal stent after rotative atherectomy: a complex procedure

We report the case of a patient with severe malignant hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and calcified stenosis of the proximal and middle left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. We elected to treat his ischemic heart disease first. We performed angioplasty of the proximal and middle LAD, after rotative atherectomy, and implanted two bare metal stents. Thirty days later we treated his HOCM by alcohol septal ablation with catheterization of the first septal branch through the mesh of the bare metal stent implanted in the LAD. To our knowledge, this is the first documented report of such a procedure.     

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the proximal left anterior descending artery and a single coronary artery anomaly: Three case reports

The anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) as a branch of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery is a very rare variation of single coronary artery. We have reported three cases in the last 10 years. Among 15,000 coronary angiograms, at least 40 cases have been described previously in the literature. The vast majority of previous reports have described a single anomalous vessel with its origin after the first septal perforator of the LAD. Two of our patients presented with acute coronary syndrome and were found to have three vessel disease and left main. They underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and third case presented with tachycardia had only mild coronary artery disease (CAD) and was treated medically.