Early hospital discharge after direct angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

To determine the feasibility and safety of early hospital discharge after myocardial infarction, we reviewed a 3-yr experience with direct angioplasty: 204 patients had direct angioplasty with in-hospital mortality of 3.4%. Of these patients, 125 were discharged < 5 days after infarction and 98% of these were available for 30-day follow-up. There was one early death (0.8% mortality), two early readmissions without complications, and three late readmissions. Thus early hospital discharge a mean of 3.4 days after infarction can be achieved in > 60% of patients undergoing direct angioplasty with no significant early complications and excellent 30-day survival (99.2%). © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Long-term follow-up after direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to analyze long-term follow-up information over several years from consecutive, unselected patients treated with direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction (MI).Background. Direct PTCA is often used in patients with acute MI. Short-term results are favorable. However, there is less information available on long-term observations over several years in these patients.Methods. A total of 416 consecutive and unselected patients with acute MI underwent direct PTCA. Survival of the acute infarct phase was 94.2%; the remaining 392 patients—the study population—were discharged and followed for 3.3 ± 1.4 years. Mortality as well as cardiac events and reinterventions are reported. Clinical variables assessed at the time of discharge are submitted to statistical analysis to detect potential risk factors.Results. Total cumulative mortality in the first year was 10% for the entire group and 6% for patients not presenting in cardiogenic shock. Mortality after discharge was 4.6% in the first year and dropped to <4% per year thereafter. Reinterventions after discharge were required in 16% in the first year and in <4% per year in years 2 to 4. Poor left ventricular ejection fraction (<35%), three-vessel disease and advanced age (≥75 years) were long-term risk factors for total mortality after direct PTCA.Conclusions. The clinical benefit of direct PTCA for acute MI is maintained during follow-up with respect to mortality. However, reinterventions for restenosis or de novo stenosis are often required (10% to 20%). Although few in number (<10%), patients with severely impaired left ventricular function continue to have a poor prognosis.     

Prospective observational study of primary angioplasty of the infarct-related artery for acute myocardial infarction.

Primary angioplasty has been shown to reduce rates of in-hospital mortality, recurrent ischaemia and infarction. However, the role of primary stenting and abciximab is presently undergoing evaluation. This study attempted to examine the feasibility, safety and outcomes of primary angioplasty in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Data in 100 patients who underwent primary angioplasty for evolving acute myocardial infarction was prospectively analysed to assess the safety and efficacy of various modalities. Twenty patients were in Killip class III and above. Multivessel (2 or more vessels) disease was noted in more than 52 cases. Procedural success was 99 percent; 86 patients received primary stenting, majority of them had Kalam-Raju stent implantation. Adjunct treatment included abciximab infusion in 22 and intra-aortic balloon pump support in 12. Overall mortality rate was six percent with a mortality of 2.2 percent in non-cardiogenic shock patients. Recurrent ischaemic events were noted in five, three of them had successful reperfusion with repeat angioplasty. None of the patients had emergency coronary artery bypass surgery. It is concluded that primary angioplasty is safe and effective with high procedural success. Recurrent ischaemic events are low, possibly due to routine use of stenting and selective use of abciximab.     

Emergency coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. Results from a community hospital

Emergency coronary angioplasty was performed in 127 patients presenting to a community hospital with acute myocardial infarction. Reperfusion and successful dilatation were performed in 117 patients (92%) at 3.3 +/- 1.8 hours from the onset of pain. Eleven patients (8.6%) died, ten patients (7.9%) developed reocclusion, and ten patients (7.9%) required coronary bypass surgery during the initial hospitalization. Late restenosis occurred in 36% (27/76) of patients restudied or 27% (27/100) of patients at risk for restenosis. Ejection fraction improved in patients with patent vs occluded vessels (8.4% +/- 8.2% vs -4.1% +/- 6.0%) and improved most in anterior vs inferior vs posterolateral infarcts (11.0% +/- 8.4% vs 6.8% +/- 6.4% vs 2.6% +/- 7.5%). Posthospitalization follow-up in all patients (mean, 13.4 months) revealed only one late death. Of the patients followed up, 83% had no angina, and 17% of patients had mild angina. Our experience demonstrates that coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction can be performed in the community hospital by an experienced cardiovascular laboratory team with a high success rate, a low reocclusion rate, an improvement in ejection fraction, and an excellent long-term prognosis. The community hospital setting allows early access to patients and creates the potential for early reperfusion and myocardial salvage.     

Early discharge after direct angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Pre-existing intracoronary thrombus has been associated with an increased risk of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) failure. Whether intracoronary thrombus is an independent risk factor for failure is uncertain, as conflicting data exist in the literature. Additionally, given advances in patient selection and angioplasty ballon design, it is uncertain whether the current risk posed by intracoronary thrombus is as substantial as that in the early angioplasty experience. The primary objective of this study was to first assess whether pre-existing coronary thrombus was an independent predictor of angioplasty failure and if so, whether the risk due to thrombus had changed from the early angioplasty experience to the present time. Our prospectively collected angioplasty data base was used to identify individuals undergoing single-vessel angioplasty of a thrombus-containing segment from January 1, 1984 through December 1, 1991. Univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression techniques were utilized to analyze clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics associated with angioplasty failure. The study period was divided into three separate time periods and these used as variables in our multivariate analysis. In the study population that consisted of 2,699 patients with single-vessel angioplasty, univariate analysis demonstrated that among many factors, thrombus was importantly associated with angioplasty failure (P < 0.0001). A multivariate logistic model of angioplasty failure was developed and thrombus achieved independent predictive significance in this model. Analysis with respect to time showed no variation in the importance of thrombus between our earliest angioplasty experience and that achieved in the last 2 years of the study period. Pre-existing coronary thrombus is a risk factor for angioplasty failure which is independent of other clinical, anatomic, and procedural factors. The importance of this risk factor has not changed in our practice between 1984 and 1991.     

Subacute development of a coronary artery pseudoaneurysm after primary angioplasty and stenting for acute myocardial infarction

Three months after successful primary angioplasty with stent implantation for an acute myocardial infarction, we were confronted with an intra-stent pseudoaneurysm. It was located at the proximal part of the left anterior descending coronary artery and associated with an early severe restenosis on a marginal branch; the choice was made for surgical treatment. Despite a review of the literature and an examination of the procedural data, we were not able to explain the pseudoaneurysm. We assume that either the guidewire perforated the arterial wall when it cleared the occlusion or a non-angiographically visible dissection provoked this phenomenon.     

Influence of collateral filling of the occluded infarct-related coronary artery on prognosis after acute myocardial infarction.

Previous studies showed that long-term morbidity and mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are influenced by the presence or absence of anterograde flow in the infarct artery. In comparison with patients with anterograde flow, those whose infarct artery remains occluded are more likely to have unstable angina, recurrent AMI, congestive heart failure and sudden death. This study was performed to assess the influence of collateral filling of the infarct artery on long-term morbidity and mortality in surviving patients of initial AMI in whom the infarct artery was occluded. Over a 12.5-year period, 146 subjects (108 men and 38 women, aged 25 to 76 years) with AMI, no anterograde flow in the infarct artery, and no disease of other coronary arteries were medically treated and followed for 42 +/- 28 (mean +/- standard deviation) months. Of these subjects, 120 had angiographic evidence of collateral filling of the infarct artery (group I), whereas the remaining 26 did not (group II). The groups were similar in age, sex, cardioactive medications, left ventricular performance and infarct artery. They were also similar in incidence of unstable angina (19% of group I, 31% of group II; p = not significant [NS]), recurrent AMI (12% of group I, 8% of group II; p = NS), congestive heart failure (16% of group I, 12% of group II; p = NS) and cardiac death (16% of group I, 19% of group II; p = NS). Thus, angiographic evidence of collateral filling of the infarct artery in surviving patients of AMI exerts no demonstrable influence (beneficial or detrimental) on long-term morbidity or mortality.     

Multivessel coronary angioplasty early after acute myocardial infarction

Coronary angioplasty has been applied in patients with recent myocardial infarction, but results of angioplasty of multiple vessels early after myocardial infarction in patients with severe multivessel disease have not been reported. Coronary angioplasty of multiple vessels was performed in 105 patients 0 to 15 days (mean 5 +/- 4) after recent myocardial infarction. There were 77 men (73%) and 28 women (27%), with a mean age of 57 years. All patients had severe multivessel disease, 68% with two vessel and 32% with three vessel disease. Twenty-eight patients (27%) had successful thrombolysis before angioplasty and 70 (67%) had postinfarction angina. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 58 +/- 10% and was less than 45% in 13 patients (12%). Angioplasty was attempted in 319 lesions (mean 3 lesions per patient, range 2 to 9) and 252 vessels (mean 2.4 vessels per patient, range 2 to 4), with success in 302 lesions (95%) and 237 vessels (94%); angioplasty was done in two stages in 59 patients (56%). Clinical success was achieved in 102 patients (97%). Complications included myocardial infarction in six patients (5.7%) (one Q wave, five non-Q wave), urgent bypass surgery in two (1.9%) and death in one (0.9%); overall, seven patients (7%) had a major complication. All patients had a follow-up duration greater than 1 year (mean 31 months, range 12 to 73). Clinical recurrence developed in 24 patients (23%), of whom 21 had repeat angioplasty, 1 had bypass surgery and 2 were managed medically. Ten patients (9.8%) had a late infarction and 5 (4.9%) died of cardiac death during the follow-up period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

曲美他嗪对急性心肌梗死溶栓再通患者的心肌保护作用

目的探讨曲美他嗪对急性心肌梗死溶栓再通患者的心肌保护作用.方法68例因急性心肌梗死而行早期静脉溶栓的患者随机分为曲美他嗪组(T组)和对照组(C组),T组在常规治疗的基础上于溶栓前后给予曲美他嗪口服,C组不用曲美他嗪.比较两组再通患者间肌酸激酶(CK)峰值浓度、CK恢复正常的时间、再灌注心律失常及2周后的左室功能.结果(1)T组和C组溶栓再通患者分别为24例和23例,两组临床基线资料无统计学差异.(2)T组CK和CK-MB峰值浓度分别为(1265±728)和(114±67)U/L,显著低于C组的(1739±814)和(159±72)U/L(P＜0.05);T组CK及CKMB峰值时间和恢复正常的时间均显著短于C组(P＜0.05或0.01).(3)T组33%(8例)发生再灌注心律失常,显著低于C组的65%(15例)(P＜0.05).(4)2周后超声心动图检测的左室射血分数T组为(58±10)%,显著高于C组的(51±10)%(P＜0.05);室壁运动指数T组为1.25±0.23,显著低于C组的1.43±0.25(P＜0.05).结论对溶栓再通的急性心肌梗死患者,曲美他嗪可能缩小梗死面积,减轻再灌注损伤,保护心脏功能.     

Catheterization laboratory events and hospital outcome with direct angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

To assess the safety of direct infarct angioplasty without antecedent thrombolytic therapy, catheterization laboratory and hospital events were assessed in consecutively treated patients with infarctions involving the left anterior descending (n = 100 patients), right (n = 100), and circumflex (n = 50) coronary arteries. The groups of patients were similar for age (left anterior descending coronary artery, 59 years; right coronary artery, 58 years; circumflex coronary artery, 62 years), patients with multivessel disease (left anterior descending coronary artery, 55%; right coronary artery, 55%; circumflex coronary artery, 64%), and patients with initial grade 0/1 antegrade flow (left anterior descending coronary artery, 79%; right coronary artery, 84%; circumflex coronary artery, 90%). Cardiogenic shock was present in eight patients with infarction of the left anterior descending coronary artery, four with infarction of the right coronary artery, and four with infarction of the circumflex coronary artery. Major catheterization laboratory events (cardioversion, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, dopamine or intra-aortic balloon pump support for hypotension, and urgent surgery) occurred in 10 patients with infarction of the left anterior descending coronary artery, eight with infarction of the right coronary artery, and four with infarction of the circumflex coronary artery (16 of 16 shock and six of 234 nonshock patients, p less than 0.001). There was one in-laboratory death (shock patient with infarction of the left anterior descending coronary artery).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Results and significance of Holter monitoring after direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Whether acute and direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty improves the incidence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in patients surviving acute myocardial infarction is not known. In 400 consecutively studied patients, Lown classification IVb on Holter monitoring was only associated with arrhythmia morbidity, whereas reduced ejection fraction was related to total and cardiac mortality and arrhythmia morbidity.     

Effect of coronary angioplasty on late potentials one to two weeks after acute myocardial infarction.

In survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the restoration of anterograde flow in the infarct artery, even if accomplished beyond the time for myocardial salvage, may reduce the frequency of subsequent arrhythmic events and sudden death. Twelve subjects (8 men and 4 women, aged 39 to 69 years) with a first AMI, signal-averaged electrocardiographic late potentials, and an occluded infarct artery were prospectively identified. Seven (group I) had successful coronary angioplasty 6 to 15 days after AMI, and 5 (group II) were managed conservatively. Follow-up signal-averaged electrocardiography was performed 3 to 7 months later. From baseline to follow-up, the 7 group I subjects had a significant change in QRS duration (117 +/- 13 [mean + SD] to 102 +/- 10 ms), root-mean-square voltage (10.4 +/- 4.7 to 31.0 +/- 7.6 microV), and low-amplitude signal duration (47.5 +/- 8.5 to 32.4 +/- 5.2 ms) (p < or = 0.05 for all 3 variables). No group I patient had a late potential at follow-up. In contrast, the 5 group II patients showed no change in QRS duration or low-amplitude signal duration from baseline to follow-up, and all 5 had a late potential at follow-up. At follow-up, the root-mean-square voltage was significantly greater and the low-amplitude signal and QRS durations significantly less in group I than in group II (p < 0.05 for all 3 variables). Thus, in our patients, the mechanical restoration of anterograde perfusion in an occluded infarct artery 1 to 2 weeks after AMI caused the resolution of signal-averaged electrocardiographic late potentials.     

Usefulness of coronary artery angioplasty strategies in acute myocardial infarction

The usefulness of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) as an adjunct to thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction is the focus of intense clinical investigation. With an angiographically significant residual stenosis present in the infarct vessel in at least 70% of cases, PTCA has the potential to resolve residual ischemia of surviving myocardium; provide a route for nutrient influx to promote healing and reorganization by leukocytes and fibroblasts; and maintain ventricular wall integrity. Additionally, the residual lesion may interfere with flow to collateral vessels supplying other diseased vascular territories, or inhibit the delivery of inotropic or antiarrhythmic agents to a problematic peri-infarct region. Various angioplasty strategies have been devised to define the optimal timing of PTCA in several clinical settings. Although the impact on resting left ventricular performance has been disappointing except in cases of cardiogenic shock, an approach involving early angiography with thoughtful triage to PTCA when feasible, has been associated with improved survival at one- to three-year follow-up, compared with a 'thrombolysis only' approach. The results of clinical trials investigating the role of PTCA as a direct method of revascularization; as a 'rescue' procedure following failed thrombolysis; as an empiric, immediate or deferred strategy; or as an elective adjunct to thrombolytic therapy only in the presence of subsequent ischemia are reviewed in detail.     

急性心肌梗死的冠状动脉再通

急性心肌梗死是导致冠心病病人死亡的最常见原因.20多年来,药物溶栓、急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI）等再灌注方法救治急性心肌梗死得到广泛应用并取得了良好疗效,已成为急性心肌梗死的首选标准治疗,但对具体策略,仍有进一步优化的必要.[第一段]