Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients over 75 years old with acute myocardial infarct or unstable angina pectoris

Both increasing frequency and technical improvements of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) have focussed attention on possible applications of PTCA in elderly patients with coronary artery disease. From January 1986 to June 1989, among 1872 patients treated with PTCA in our hospital, 42 patients (2.3%) were 75 or more years old. Of these patients, 14 presented with unstable angina, 28 patients suffered from acute myocardial infarction. PTCA was performed on stenoses of left anterior descending artery (43%), circumflex coronary artery (18%), and right coronary artery (39%), respectively. In patients with unstable angina, PTCA in 81% could reduce diameter stenoses of culprit lesions to 50% or less. 43% of patients with acute myocardial infarction had received previous thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase or urokinase applied either systemically or intracoronarily. On cardiac catheterization, 39% of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction showed total occlusion of the infarct-related vessel. In 75% of patients with acute myocardial infarction, after PTCA, patency of the infarct-related artery (diameter stenoses 50% or less) was observed. In-hospital mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction subjected to PTCA was 10%, two patients dying in prolonged cardiogenic shock, one in septic shock. In 20% of cases, coronary dissection was observed after PTCA. Non-Q-wave infarction developed in one patient. Three patients had a peripheral vascular complication, and in one patient a transient ischemic attack was observed. No severe catheter-related complications occurred after thrombolytic therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Large atherosclerotic plaque related severe right coronary artery dissection during coronary angiography

Catheter-induced coronary artery dissection and occlusion is a rare but serious complication of diagnostic cardiac angiography. A 50 year-old man presented with unstable angina. ECG, exceptional of bradycardia, was normal (57 beat/min). Selective coronary angiography demonstrated 98% narrowing in the mid-portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). During the right coronary angiography, following catheter manipulation in the vicinity of the aortic valve, the patient complained of severe chest discomfort, and he had electrocardiographic evidence of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. Right coronary artery (RCA) was free of the significant obstruction, and it was observed to be having a dominant artery with a spiral dissection (NHLBI Grade IV) located between ostium and the proximal portion of the posterior descending and posterolateral artery bifurcation. The patient was immediately operated with off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Consequently, iatrogenic right coronary dissection that is a very rare condition as a cause of myocardial infarction, is discussed in this case report.     

急性心肌梗塞急性期心电图预测与梗塞有关血管疾病的价值

对385例作选择性冠状动脉造影术的急性心机梗塞患者急性期心电图进行总结,认为在诊断与梗塞有关血管疾病,符合率在前壁心梗时左前降支(CAD)为89%,下壁心梗时右冠状动脉(RCA)为76%。阻塞发生于LAD、RCA及左回旋支(LCX)近端分别为67%、58%及78%。在下壁心梗早期心电图出现心前导联ST段下降,可作为影响预后因素的一项重要指标。     

冠脉血流显像无创评估心肌梗死缺血区侧支循环的初步临床观察

目的 观察冠脉血流显像无创技术对心肌梗死缺血区的侧支循环状况,以期建立无创检测缺血区侧支循环新方法。方法 冠心病心肌梗死患者8例,采用心尖两腔切面观察前后降支及心肌内血流,左室短轴切面观察前后室间隔支的血流,频谱多普勒测量血流速度。结果８例患者经冠脉造影证实有不同途径的侧支交通,后降支与前降支末梢相交通者５例,前降支为逆向充盈、冠脉血流显像检查前降支远端可见收缩期为主和舒张期为主的逆向血流各１例,后降支远端测及舒张期反向血流１例;有前后室间隔支相交通的６例（由前间隔支至后室间隔支２例和后间隔至前间隔支４例）,冠脉血流显像检查时可见明显增强的前后室间隔支的血流信号并向缺血区延伸,频谱显示为舒张期为主的反向血流,造影显示由对角支和回旋支与前降支中部相交通的２例,冠脉血流显像仅探测到对角支内血流增快,为１.5m/s。另外,冠脉血流显像在１例前降支起始部闭塞的患者中观察到由左室腔进入缺血的前壁的血流束,频谱以舒张期为主,峰速为０.49m/s。结论 冠脉血流显像技术可直观显示心肌梗死患者的侧支循环血流,可作为冠脉造影的重要补充。     

Immediate and long-term outcomes after "Ephesos" coronary stent implantation in patients with stable or unstable angina

AIM: An open non-randomized trial was initiated to assess clinical and angiographic results of using the coronary stent "Ephesos" in 457 patients with stable or unstable angina pectoris and native coronary affections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 268 stents have been implanted in 231 patients with stable angina (SA) and 271 stents--in 226 patients with unstable angina (UA). 46% lesions were complicated. The length of stenosis was 12.9 +/- 6.7 mm in the group SA and 14.1 +/- 7.4 mm in the group UA, 30% stenoses were long. RESULTS: Successful stenting was stated in 99% without cases of acute thrombosis. Non-fatal myocardial infarction took place in hospital in 1.3% of SA patients and in 2.6% of UA patients. Incidence of cardiac complications (death, recurrent angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, restenosis, repeated revascularization) for 6-month follow-up was 15.6% in SA group and 18.1% in UA group. At angiographic control, the index of vascular diameter loss made up 0.22 +/- 0.2 in SA group and 0.3 +/- 0.27 in UA group. Incidence of restenosis was 12 and 14%, respectively. 18-month follow-up found no differences in frequency of complications: 21.6 and 22.6% in groups SA and UA, respectively. CONCLUSION: Implantation of the stent "Ephesos" is effective in prevention of thrombosis and restenosis in patients with stable or unstable angina pectoris at high risk of intervention.     

Outcome of noncardiac operations in patients with severe coronary artery disease successfully treated preoperatively with coronary angioplasty.

The risk of perioperative myocardial infarction and death was evaluated in 50 patients (mean age, 68 years) with severe coronary artery disease who underwent a noncardiac operation after revascularization had been achieved by successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Before angioplasty, all patients were thought to be at high risk for perioperative complications on the basis of assessment of clinical variables and findings on specialized diagnostic tests. Of the 50 patients, 31 had Canadian Heart Association class III or IV angina or unstable angina. All patients who underwent functional testing had positive results. At catheterization, 38 patients (76%) had multivessel disease. The 50 patients underwent 54 noncardiac operations at a median of 9 days after angioplasty. The overall frequency of perioperative myocardial infarction was 5.6%, and the mortality was 1.9%. Two nonfatal non-Q-wave infarctions and one fatal Q-wave infarction occurred. In patients who have undergone successful angioplasty for severe coronary artery disease, the risk of major cardiac complications associated with a noncardiac surgical procedure is low.     

冠状动脉心肌桥的诊断及临床意义

目的探讨冠状动脉心肌桥的诊断以及临床意义.方法对486例行冠状动脉造影(CAG)检查资料进行了回顾性分析.结果共检出13例心肌桥,检出率为2.67%;其中位于左前降支(LAD)12例,左回旋支(LCX)1例;合并冠状动脉粥样硬化症2例;临床表现急性心肌梗死1例,心绞痛4例.结论冠脉造影是冠状动脉心肌桥的特异性诊断方式;局部冠状动脉收缩期狭窄是心肌桥的主要征象;心肌桥患者多数无临床症状,严重者可致心绞痛甚至心肌梗死.     

Contemporary mortality due to acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina and exertional angina in a population in South East London

BACKGROUND: Data on the contemporary mortality of coronary heart disease (CHD) are surprisingly sparse. AIM: To describe the contemporary mortality of all manifestations of CHD. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up of patients with a first presentation of CHD in a defined population. METHODS: We studied 537 patients with a first presentation of acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina or new exertional angina in Bromley Health Authority, London (population 295,000). Patients were prospectively monitored for cardiac and non-cardiac mortality for a median of 6 years. RESULTS: During a median 6 years follow-up, there were 88 (16%) deaths. Survival free from cardiac death was not significantly different between unstable angina (92%) and new exertional angina (94%), but was lower for acute myocardial infarction (84%). DISCUSSION: Mortality from CHD appears to be falling. However, efforts to prevent myocardial infarction should continue to be a priority, because on-going early mortality remains high. New exertional angina should be diagnosed and managed promptly, as its mortality is similar to that of unstable angina.     

不伴心肌梗死的冠状动脉完全闭塞病变心绞痛的临床分析

目的：探讨不伴心肌梗死的冠状动脉完全闭塞病变心绞痛患者的临床特点。方法：对24例不伴心肌梗死的冠状动脉完全闭塞患者的临床表现、心电图、超声心动图及冠状动脉造影资料进行回顾分析。结果：中、高危险组主要表现为静息心绞痛，低危险组和稳定性心绞痛组主要表现为劳力型心绞痛。冠状动脉造影显示左前降支闭塞10例（37％），右冠状动脉闭塞7例（26％），左回旋支闭塞6例（22％），合并多支血管病变23例（95．8％）。心电图ST段异常14例（58．3％）。62．5％的患者进行经皮冠脉血运重建术。结论：不伴心肌梗死的冠状动脉完全闭塞主要表现为劳力型心绞痛，心电图ST段异常是预测冠脉病变严重程度的主要危险因素。经皮冠状动脉介入治疗正成为慢性冠状动脉闭塞的主要手段之一。     

The medical management of acute coronary syndromes and potential roles for new antithrombotic agents

Antithrombic therapy is recommended to prevent ischemic complications in patients with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, including patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing fibrinolysis with fibrin-specific agents. Ischemic benefit from these agents must be balanced against an increased risk of bleeding, which may itself carry adverse long-term consequences. Recent trials suggest that the low-molecular-weight heparin enoxaparin may be superior to unfractionated heparin for preventing ischemic complications, although it also may be associated with an increase in bleeding risk. In two other contemporary trials, the Factor Xa inhibitor fondaparinux improved mortality and morbidity in patients with unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing fibrinolytic reperfusion, without increasing bleeding risk. These data underscore the promise of new antithrombotic agents to improve outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients being medically managed.     

临床诊断急性冠状动脉综合征与冠状动脉造影结果的对比分析

目的　探讨冠状动脉造影 (CAG)检查对临床初诊急性冠状动脉综合征 (ACS)患者的临床意义。方法　对 2 0例临床初诊ACS患者的CAG和心电图 (ECG)结果进行对比分析。结果　非冠状动脉狭窄引起的胸痛占 10 %。ECG诊断ACS患者冠状动脉病变阳性率为 80 %。ECG表现前壁缺血改变以左主干、左前降支及 3支血管病变为主 ;下壁缺血改变以右冠脉或右冠脉加回旋支及 3支血管病变为主。初发劳力型心绞痛以单支、轻度血管病变为主 ;恶化劳力型心绞痛以多支血管中、重度病变为主 ;静息心绞痛、非ST段抬高心肌梗死 (NSTEMI)以多支血管 (均有左主干 )、重度或完全血管闭塞病变为主 ;ST段抬高的心肌梗死 (STEMI)以多支、重度血管病变为主。对这些患者早期介入治疗 ,可降低心绞痛发作次数 ,改善临床近期预后 ,减少心肌梗死及死亡发生。结论　临床初诊ACS患者应尽早行CAG检查 ,对ACS患者早期正确诊断 ,了解病变血管部位、程度提供客观依据 ,以利于及时进行冠脉血运重建术。     

冠状动脉完全闭塞无心肌梗死患者临床特点

目的探讨冠状动脉完全闭塞无心肌梗死患者的临床特点。方法选取冠状动脉造影显示冠状动脉完全闭塞而无心肌梗死发生的23例患者（无心肌梗死组）和冠状动脉造影显示冠状动脉完全闭塞有明显临床心肌梗死证据的27例患者（心肌梗死组），比较两组患者的临床特点。结果两组在高血压、年龄、性别等方面比较差异无显著性。无心肌梗死组在糖尿病、血脂异常、吸烟、心绞痛史等方面与心肌梗死组比较，差异均有显著性（均为P〈0．05）。无心肌梗死组冠状动脉病变血管支数较心肌梗死组多，侧支循环建立较好。但经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的成功率要低于心肌梗死组。结论冠状动脉造影显示有冠状动脉完全闭塞患者中，部分患者可无心肌梗死表现。除年龄、性别等不可控制因素外，糖尿病、血脂异常、吸烟等危险因素可能促进冠状动脉粥样硬化的发展。部分冠状动脉完全闭塞而无心肌梗死的患者常有较长的心绞痛史，冠状动脉病变弥散，侧支循环建立较好，所以在某支冠状动脉病变发展到完全闭塞时可不表现心肌梗死。     

体表心电图对急性前壁心肌梗死左主干病变的预测价值

目的 探讨急性前壁心肌梗死患者的体表心电图对左主干病变的预测价值.方法 对112例急性前壁心肌梗死患者的体表心电图(ECG)和冠状动脉造影资料进行回顾性对比分析,其中左主干病变24例(LM组),左前降支病变88例(LAD组).结果 LM组STavR及STv6导联抬高幅度显著高于LAD组,分别为(1.21±0.49)mV vs(0.28±0.38)mV(P＜0.01);(1.10±0.54)mV vs(0.60±0.83)mV(P ＜0.01).LM组STv1导联抬高幅度显著小于LAD组,(0.79±0.44) mV vs(1.49±1.04) mV(P＜0.01).LM组STaVR抬高、STavR抬高≥STv1抬高、STv6抬高≥STv1抬高的出现率显著高于LAD组,83.3％ vs 50.0％(P ＜0.01);83.3％ vs 3.4％(P＜0.01);79.2％ vs25.0％(P＜0.01),而STv1抬高的出现率显著低于LAD组,62.5％ vs 90.9％(P＜0.01).STavR抬高、STavR抬高≥STv1抬高、STv6抬高≥STv1预测左主干病变的敏感度分别为83.3％、83.3％、79.2％,特异度分别为50.0％、96.6％、68.2％.结论 急性前壁心肌梗死时,体表ECG对左主干病变有重要的预测价值.     

The comparative value of myoglobin determination in patients with different forms of ischemic heart disease]

The hemagglutination test was used to measure the content of myoglobin (MG) in the blood serum in 92 patients suffering from coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction, unstable and stable angina pectoris). The content of MG turned out a safe indicator attesting to acute myocardial infarction. In complications and spreading of necrosis, the MG level was returning to normal slowly. In patients with angina pectoris, the MG level did not on the average differ from control. However, in patients with unstable angina pectoris, there was an increase of the MG content after long-term attacks and in the development of small-focal necroses in the myocardium.     

Indications for coronary artery bypass graft surgery

ACBGS is indicated in patients with stable angina who have left main coronary artery disease; three-vessel disease; three or four of the clinical variables set forth in the Veterans Administration Cooperative Study; obstruction in proximal third of left anterior descending coronary artery as part of two- or three-vessel disease; and two- or three-vessel disease and exercise-induced ischemic ST-segment depression greater than or equal to 1.5 mm. ACBGS may increase survival in patients with limited exercise capacity. Finally, ACBGS may be indicated to increase the quality of life in patients with disabling angina that is refractory to medical treatment. Patients with unstable angina who have an inadequate response to intensive medical therapy should have emergency ACBGS. Indications for elective ACBGS in patients with unstable angina who respond adequately to medical therapy are the same as those for stable angina. Patients with rupture of the ventricular septum, acute severe mitral regurgitation, and cardiogenic shock with vessels suitable for ACBGS should have urgent ACBGS after acute myocardial infarction. Patients with postinfarction angina after the first few days following acute myocardial infarction, especially non-Q-wave infarction, should be considered for ACBGS. Indications for elective ACBGS in postinfarction patients are the same as those in stable angina. Patients with coronary artery disease, especially those with a significant amount of ischemic myocardium, who must undergo cardiac surgery for valvular heart disease or for congenital heart disease should probably have ACBGS performed at the time of surgery.     

T-wave changes in patients with Wellens syndrome are associated with increased myocardial mechanical and electrical dispersion

Some patients with unstable angina and critical stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) present with Wellens syndrome (WS), i.e., inverted or biphasic T-waves in the anterior precordial leads. We assessed clinical, angiographic, electro- and echocardiographic characteristic of patients with WS. In this retrospective study, clinical, angiographic, electro- and echocardiographic characteristic of 35 patients with WS were compared to 57 patients with critical LAD stenosis and normal resting electrocardiogram (ECG), and 45 subjects with normal coronary angiogram. QTc dispersion was measured from the 12-lead ECG as the difference between longest and shortest QTc intervals. Mechanical dispersion was defined as the time difference between the longest and shortest contraction durations which were measured as the time from the first deflection of the QRS complex to maximum myocardial shortening of each 18 segmental longitudinal strain curves derived by speckle tracking echocardiography. There were no significant differences in the complexity and location of the LAD lesion, anterograde and collateral flow in LAD and coronary artery dominance between patients with WS and normal ECG (P?>?0.05, for all). Patients with WS had lower global longitudinal strain (GLS) and more pronounced both QTc and myocardial mechanical dispersion than patients with critical LAD stenosis and normal ECG, and control subjects (P?<?0.05). T-wave changes in patients with WS are associated with more profound regional myocardial dysfunction and increased QTc and myocardial mechanical dispersion. Similar angiographic characteristics of the LAD lesion were seen in patients with WS and normal ECG.     

The management of stab wounds to the heart with laceration of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Penetrating cardiac injuries are an increasing cause of traumatic deaths in urban areas. The management of these injuries has undergone a transition from simple pericardiocentesis to cardiac ultrasound evaluation in the stable patient, and emergency thoracotomy and repair of myocardial wounds in the unstable patient in extremes. The incidence of traumatic coronary artery injury is not accurately known because not all victims are examined. With the improvement in emergency medical services, including speed of transportation of these patients, better resuscitation, and knowledgeable use of cardiac ultrasound or emergency room thoracotomy, more patients with coronary artery injuries will survive and reach the operating room. The operative management of the injured coronary artery is dependant on the location of the injury and whether there is myocardial dysfunction. Distal injuries with small myocardial infarction should be treated by ligation alone. Proximal injury and those injuries associate with larger area of ischaemia or infarction are best treated with coronary artery bypass. The role of cardiopulmonary bypass pump in these patients should be evaluated depending on the homodynamic stability of the patient. We present two cases of cardiac stab wounds with transection of the left anterior descending (LAD), which were successfully managed. A literature review regarding the management of combined cardiac and coronary artery injuries is also provided.     

Nickel concentrations in serum of patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris

Nickel was measured, by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in sera from (a) 30 healthy adults, (b) 54 patients with acute myocardial infarction, (c) 33 patients with unstable angina pectoris without infarction, and (d) five patients with coronary atherosclerosis who developed cardiac ischemia during treadmill exercise. Mean (and SD) concentrations in Group a were 0.3 (0.3) microgram/L (range less than 0.05-1.1 microgram/L). Within 72 h after hospital admission, hypernickelemia (Ni greater than or equal to 1.2 microgram/L) was found in 41 patients of group b (76%) and in 16 patients of group c (48%). Hypernickelemia was found before and after exercise in one patient of Group d (20%). Peak values averaged 3.0 micrograms/L (range 0.4-21 micrograms/L) in Group b, 1.5 microgram/L (range less than 0.05-3.3 micrograms/L) in Group c. In Group b, the mean time interval between the peak values for creatine kinase activity and for nickel was 18 h. Serum nickel concentrations were unrelated to age, sex, time of day, cigarette smoking, medications, clinical complications, or outcome. Mechanisms and sources of release of nickel into the serum of patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris are conjectural, but hypernickelemia may be related to the pathogenesis of ischemic myocardial injury.     

Clinical predictors of 30-day cardiac events in patients with acute coronary syndrome at a community hospital

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine predictors of coronary events (cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction, and urgent revascularization) within 30 days after admission. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on 400 patients admitted through our emergency room for unstable angina and acute coronary syndromes. Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and those who required thrombolysis were excluded. RESULTS: Of 383 patients who were eligible, 120 patients had coronary events within 30 days. Statistically significant variables associated with coronary events were advanced age, male sex, family history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, tobacco abuse, prior congestive heart failure, prior myocardial infarction, and history of CAD. Symptoms at presentation associated with cardiac events were typical angina and shortness of breath. Objective measures of ischemia associated with cardiac events were elevated troponin T, elevated creatine kinase MB, and ischemic electrocardiographic changes. Using forward stepwise regression analysis, we generated a model to predict 30-day major adverse cardiac events. The strongest predicting variable was serum troponin T (accounting for 33% of predicting r2, P < 0.001) followed by typical angina (r2 increasing to 37%), ischemic electrocardiographic changes (40%), prior CAD (42%), family history of premature CAD (44%), shortness of breath (46%), and positive creatine kinase MB (48%). The positive predictive power of the complete model was r2 = 48%, P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Our model incorporating elements from the patient's demographic, medical history, presentation, and ischemic assessment identified 48% of patients presenting with unstable angina and acute coronary syndromes who will suffer a major adverse cardiac event within 30 days of admission. Although the strongest predictor was identified as serum troponin T, other clinical criteria offered improvement in our predictive abilities. Therefore, good initial clinical evaluation in addition to simple tests such as serum cardiac markers and electrocardiography are valuable in risk stratification of patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes and cardiac chest pain. Additional testing may be necessary to improve the positive predictive value of the model. Cardiac enzymes and electrocardiographic changes have the highest negative predictive value for occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. Identification of high-risk patients is essential to direct resources toward these patients and to avoid unnecessary costs and risk to the low-risk population.     

经桡动脉介入治疗冠脉慢性完全闭塞性病变82例临床研究

目的分析经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）对冠状动脉慢性完全闭塞性（CTO）病变安全性、临床效果,比较PCI与单纯药物治疗对冠状动脉慢性闭塞病变患者远期预后的影响。方法回顾2008年2月至2010年2月商丘市第一人民医院心内科住院患者82例,共116处CTO病变经桡动脉行介入治疗的资料。试验分组：PCI组：50例共67处病变经介入治疗开通闭塞血管;药物治疗组：32例共49处病变因未行PCI术或手术不成功而给予单纯药物治疗。分析两组的临床症状、主要并发症的发生率;两组均临床随访6个月,比较两组随访病例临床终点事件发生率;复查心脏彩超,观察患者心功能及室壁运动情况。结果116处CTO病变中67处病变经桡动脉成功开通,49处病变未能开通,成功率57．8％;两组临床特征差异无统计学意义。术后发生前臂血肿3例,无脉症0例,未见其他严重并发症。手术组不稳定心绞痛,再次心梗及死亡率均低于药物治疗组（P〈0．05）,心脏彩超显示手术。结论经桡动脉行介入治疗可安全、可行地干预CTO病变,成功率高,无严重并发症,可改善长期预告慢性冠状动脉闭塞,提高其生活质量,降低死亡率。