Psychologic predictors of psychosocial and medical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty

The relationship between psychologic variables (the match between repressive style and level of cardiac information, and anxiety level) and medical complications, re-stenosis (renarrowing), and psychosocial adjustment was studied in 97 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for treatment of narrowed coronary arteries. Three major findings emerged for outcomes measured 6 months after PTCA: repressors with a high level of cardiac information (coping style-information level mismatch) and no history of heart attack were at higher risk for late medical complications (p less than 0.001); sensitizers with a low level of cardiac information (coping style-information level mismatch) and whose PTCA was only moderately successful were at higher risk for re-stenosis of the artery previously widened during PTCA (p less than 0.01); and patients who were more anxious during hospitalization had poorer social functioning and more mood disturbance 6 months after PTCA (p less than 0.05). Thus, psychologic, information, and medical factors are important in predicting 6-month outcomes in patients undergoing PTCA.     

An analysis of outcome following percutaneous transluminal coronary artery angioplasty. An autopsy series

We analyzed autopsy findings on 26 patients who died following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Twenty-one patients died within 3 weeks of undergoing PTCA; demonstrable cardiac complications were found in 19 patients: platelet-fibrin thrombi (10 patients [48%]), coronary artery dissections (17 patients [81%]), thromboemboli (13 patients [62%]), atheroemboli (seven patients [33%]), and myocardial infarcts (17 patients [81%]). An increased incidence of coronary platelet-fibrin thrombi was noted when compared with a non-PTCA cardiac autopsy population (five of 53 patients). Apparently there was an increased incidence of coronary atheroemboli and thromboemboli in the patients with coronary platelet-fibrin thrombi (eight patients) when compared with patients who did not have platelet-fibrin thrombi (five patients), although this was not statistically significant. There was no evidence of a systemic hypercoagulable state or of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The pathogenesis of this is unclear; however, vasospasm and a disruption of the endothelial surface induced by PTCA with subsequent platelet activation are possible causes. Although not statistically significant, there was a proponderance of female subjects (seven patients) and an increased incidence of diabetes mellitus (six patients) and hypertension (13 patients) when compared with a control population of all patients undergoing PTCA at The Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic Foundation in 1987, suggesting that diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and female sex may be clinical risk factors for fatal complications following PTCA.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of focal coronary lesions after cardiac transplantation

Summary Transplant coronary artery disease is the greatest impediment to long-term survival beyond the first year after cardiac transplantation. Transplant coronary artery disease shows a heterogeneous angiographic appearance, but focal stenoses can occur alone or at least predominate. Based on an angiographic indication 35 critical focal lesions causing narrowing by 75% or more were treated by PTCA during 23 procedures in seven patients 18–84 months after cardiac transplantation. Three patients each underwent only one procedure and four underwent repeated procedures [2, 3, 4 and 11, respectively]. Primary success was achieved without any complication in 35 of 35 lesions (100%). The mean degree of stenosis was reduced from 86±9% to 28±17% (P<0.001). The rate of restenosis was 18/29 (62%) at a mean of 4 months after angioplasty. Four patients are alive and free of adverse effects (symptoms, myocardial infarction, repeated percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, retransplantation) 16±10 months after their last angioplasty. One patient underwent a successful second heart transplantation 26 months after the first angioplasty. Two patients died, 1 and 31 months after the last angioplasty. In conclusion, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty can be performed safely with an excellent primary success rate in critical focal transplant coronary artery disease. The rate of restenosis is higher than in native coronary artery disease. Long-term follow-up depends on the individually variable accelerated nature of graft atherosclerosis.Abbreviations PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty - TxCAD transplant coronary artery disease - HTX heart transplantation - LAD left anterior decending artery - CFX circumflex artery - RCA right coronary artery     

The role of balloon angioplasty in the management of coronary artery disease

PTCA is a new technique for the treatment of certain patients with coronary artery disease. It involves dilatation of stenotic segments of artery using a balloon catheter, and is carried out in cardiac catheterization laboratories. If successful, the need for coronary bypass surgery may be removed, although some patients with initially successful PTCA will come to surgery eventually. Successful PTCA is associated with relief of angina, improved angiographic appearances and coronary perfusion. The primary success rate is between 65% and 80%, and the restenosis rate approximately 25%. 80% of patients will be angina free one year after PTCA. In this paper the indications, contraindications, technology, results and complications are discussed.     

Minor depression as a cardiac risk factor after coronary artery bypass surgery

A few studies have investigated the role of psychosocial variables on clinical outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting patients. The aims of this prospective study were 1) to assess clinical and subclinical distress in a consecutive sample of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery at both a 1-month assessment and a 6- to 8-year follow-up visit; and 2) to investigate the relationship between psychological variables and coronary events. A consecutive series of 47 patients with recent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery was evaluated by means of observer-rated categories (both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM] and the new Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research [DCPR]), and self-rated scales such as the Psychosocial Index. Survival analysis was used to characterize the clinical course of patients at the 6- to 8-year follow-up. One month after surgery, at the first psychological assessment, 36% of patients received a psychiatric diagnosis, and almost half of the sample met the criteria for a DCPR cluster. At follow-up, only abnormal illness behavior scores varied significantly from those at the first evaluation. Among the variables examined as potential risk factors for coronary events, only minor depression attained statistical significance. Psychological evaluation of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery needs to incorporate both clinical (DSM) and subclinical (DCPR) methods of classification. Furthermore, the data suggest minor depression as a potential cardiac risk factor in coronary artery bypass grafting patients. The clinical approach to coronary artery bypass grafting patients should thus include not only major depressive symptoms but also minor depression.     

Catheter dilatation of coronary artery stenosis. 2 years' experience

We report our experiences with the first 40 patients treated by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) over the past two years. The technique was successful in 25 patients (63%) with 28 coronary stenoses, reducing the degree of stenosis from a mean of 81 to 25% (p less than 0.001) and the coronary pressure gradient from 70 to 26 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). Because of reduction of coronary blood flow with evolving myocardial infarction an emergency aortocoronary bypass surgery was necessary in two patients (5%). An additional patient suffered a myocardial infarction (2.5%). Within a follow-up observation of 6 months, restenoses occurred in 7 patients (33%); 5 of them were treated with bypass surgery and one was redilated successfully. Our first experiences with PTCA are similar to the results of other institutions.     

Microalbuminuria is no risk factor for restenosis following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Summary Microalbuminuria is known to be associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. It is detectable in acute myocardial infarction and could therefore also be a risk factor for reocclusion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In our study follow-up coronary angiography was performed in 50 consecutive patients with a mean age of 56 years (38–70) on average 14 months after successful PTCA. Restenosis was defined as a decrease in diameter of 25% or more of the original result and one of at least 50% in vessel diameter. In the restenosis group there were 23 patients, and 27 showed no restenosis. The family history and anamnestic risk profile, results of the initially performed coronary angiography, and laboratory risk factors were comparable in the two groups. Median microalbumin was 11.2 mg/g creatinine in those with restenosis and 9.8 mg/g creatinine in those without. Using a cutoff of 10.0 mg/g creatinine, 12 of 23 patients with restenosis (52%) and 10 of 27 patients without (37%) were positive for microalbuminuria (NS). The incidence of microalbuminuria was higher in both groups compared to historical controls. Thus, in the restenosis group the incidence of microalbuminuria tended to be higher than in the nonrestenosis group, but since this difference did not reach statistical significance, it cannot be used to predict the risk of reocclusion after PTCA.Abbreviations PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty - MA microalbuminuria - R restenosis group - NR group without restensosis     

Overcommitment predicts restenosis after coronary angioplasty in cardiac patients

The objective of this study is to examine the role of a particular stress-enhancing psychosocial risk factor, termed overcommitment, in predicting restenosis after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Overcommitment defines a personal pattern of coping with demands characterized by excessive striving in combination with a strong desire of being approved and esteemed. One hundred six consecutive male patients with coronary artery disease who underwent PTCA were followed over a mean of 12 months. The restenosis rate as defined by quantitative angiography was 34%. Multivariate analysis revealed independent effects of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (odds ratio [OR] 3.19), age (OR 3.43), and overcommitment (OR 2.86) on risk of restenosis. In conclusion, a stress-enhancing psychosocial person characteristic termed overcommitment acts as an independent predictor of coronary restenosis after PTCA. As overcommitment is subject to cognitive-behavioral intervention, results have implications for a more comprehensive approach to secondary prevention in cardiac patients. This research was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG-SFB 242/D18). We thank Dr. Myriam Valk-Draad for her collaboration.     

A comparison of angioplasty with medical therapy in the treatment of single-vessel coronary artery disease. Veterans Affairs ACME Investigators.

BACKGROUND. Despite the widespread use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), only a few prospective trials have assessed its efficacy. We compared the effects of PTCA with those of medical therapy on angina and exercise tolerance in patients with stable single-vessel coronary artery disease. METHODS. Patients with 70 to 99 percent stenosis of one epicardial coronary artery and with exercise-induced myocardial ischemia were randomly assigned either to undergo PTCA or to receive medical therapy and were evaluated monthly. The patients assigned to PTCA were urged to have repeat angioplasty if their symptoms suggested restenosis. After six months, all the patients had repeat exercise testing and coronary angiography. RESULTS. A total of 107 patients were randomly assigned to medical therapy and 105 to PTCA. PTCA was clinically successful in 80 of the 100 patients who actually had the procedure, with an initial reduction in mean percent stenosis from 76 to 36 percent. Two patients in the PTCA group required emergency coronary-artery bypass surgery. By six months after the procedure, 16 patients had had repeat PTCA. Myocardial infarction occurred in five patients assigned to PTCA and in three patients assigned to medical therapy. At six months 64 percent of the patients in the PTCA group (61 of 96) were free of angina, as compared with 46 percent of the medically treated patients (47 of 102; P less than 0.01). The patients in the PTCA group were able to increase their total duration of exercise more than the medical patients (2.1 vs. 0.5 minutes, P less than 0.0001) and were able to exercise longer without angina on treadmill testing (P less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS. For patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease, PTCA offers earlier and more complete relief of angina than medical therapy and is associated with better performance on the exercise test. However, PTCA initially costs more than medical treatment and is associated with a higher frequency of complications.     

Anti-oxidized low density lipoprotein antibody determination as a predictor of restenosis following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Recent data suggests that autoimmune factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this context several autoantigens have been shown to elicit an immune response that results in accelerated atherosclerotic plaque formation. In the present study, we investigated whether elevated titers of anti-oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), anticardiolipin and antibodies to beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2GPI) can predict subsequent restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). A total of 74 consecutive patients (52 males, 22 females) with coronary artery disease were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent successful PTCA prior to which blood was drawn for the antibody analysis. The PTCA was followed by a clinical evaluation. Patients with recurrent chest pains underwent a repeated angiography and 34 of the 74 patients (46%) experienced restenosis. Patients positive for the presence of anti-oxLDL antibodies were more likely to develop restenosis within 6 months when compared with patients with no subsequent restenosis (relative-risk of 1.87; P< 0.05). Presence of anti-oxLDL antibodies was associated with hyperlipidemia (r = 0.25; P < 0.05) but not with other risk factors for atherosclerosis. Positivity for anticardiolipin or anti-beta2GPI antibodies which associate with a prothrombotic state, was not effective in predicting lumen narrowing. Thus, the presence of elevated levels of anti-oxLDL antibodies is associated with a higher risk for coronary restenosis following PTCA.     

慢性完全闭塞冠状动脉血管的治疗

慢性完全闭塞冠状动脉的定义为闭塞冠状动脉远端无前向造影剂通过 (ＴＩＭＩ 0级 )或仅有少量造影剂通过 (ＴＩＭＩ 1级 )。患者通常无症状 ,但在活动或其他引起心肌耗氧增加的情况下出现心绞痛 ,少数则以心功能不全为主要表现。关于这些患者的临床处理目前尚有争议。1　慢性完全闭塞血管及病理特点在行冠状动脉造影 (ＣＡＧ )检查的患者中 ,约5%～ 15%的患者可发现冠状动脉血管闭塞[1,2 ] 。我院 2 50 0例ＣＡＧ中共发现 132例慢性完全闭塞血管 ,占 4 .5%。一般认为血管闭塞时间超过 3个月以上称为慢性完全闭塞。这些闭塞血管病理基础不同…     

心肌脂肪酸结合蛋白浓度对急性冠脉综合征临床转归的预测价值

目的：探讨血浆心肌脂肪酸结合蛋白（H-FABP）浓度对急性冠脉综合征（ACS）患者临床预后的预测价值。方法：连续入选172例住院的ACS患者,于出现胸痛6 h内测定H-FABP浓度,并随访1年,以再发心血管事件（包括心脏性死亡、非致命性心肌梗死、非致命性心力衰竭及反复心绞痛发作住院）作为研究终点。结果：经过1年随访,共有47例患者发生心血管事件,其中心脏性死亡6例,非致命性心肌梗死9例,非致命性心力衰竭11例,反复心绞痛发作住院21例。心血管事件组H-FABP浓度较无心血管事件组显著增高（P<0.01）;H-FABP浓度增高（>中位数12.5 μg/L）组患者出现心血管事件明显增加（36例 vs 11例,P<0.01）;Cox比例风险模型多因素逐步分析显示H-FABP浓度增高是ACS患者再发心血管事件的独立危险因子（RR=5.430,P<0.01;95% CI 2.587-11.398）。结论：H-FABP浓度增高的ACS患者再发心血管事件风险显著增加,H-FABP浓度增高可能是ACS患者预后的独立预测因子。     

Positive predictive value of a point-of-care testing strategy on first-draw specimens for the emergency department-based detection of acute coronary syndromes

CONTEXT: The rapid and accurate diagnosis of the etiology of chest pain is of central importance in the triage of patients presenting to emergency departments. The "first-draw" sensitivity of serum cardiac markers is known to be low on initial presentation; however, less is understood regarding the predictive value of a positive test in this situation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of a critical pathway combining medical history and physical examination, electrocardiographic findings, point-of-care testing, and central laboratory data to accurately predict the presence of acute coronary ischemia. METHODS: We investigated the positive predictive value of a testing algorithm for first-draw specimens in clinical practice, combining a qualitative, point-of-care, triple-screen testing panel for cardiac markers, including myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB, and cardiac troponin I, with confirmation of the rapid assay in the central hospital laboratory by quantitative assays for creatine kinase-MB and cardiac troponin T. RESULTS: While a positive result on any of the individual cardiac markers of the point-of-care test had a positive predictive value for the acute coronary syndrome of only 36% (creatine kinase-MB, 41%; myoglobin, 36%; and troponin I, 65%), the positive predictive value for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome increased to 76% if all 3 point-of-care markers were simultaneously positive. The positive predictive value for acute coronary syndrome for a positive confirmatory result in the hospital laboratory for either creatine kinase-MB or cardiac troponin T was 61%. Among those patients with a positive marker on both the point-of-care test and the laboratory test, a careful retrospective review of the clinical history (with exclusion of patients with nonischemic cardiac pathologies and renal insufficiency) increased the positive predictive value of this algorithm to 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that qualitative, point-of-care, triple-screen cardiac marker testing of patients with chest pain at initial presentation may exhibit relatively low positive predictive values. Positive predictive value can be significantly improved by rapid confirmation in the hospital laboratory and careful review of clinical findings.     

冠心病患者血浆OLAB、BNP和CRP水平变化分析

检测冠心病患者血浆OLAB、BNP和CRP水平变化, 探讨冠心病发病机制及不稳定性心绞痛(UAP)治疗前后对其影响.用RIA和ELISA法对124例冠心病患者和30名对照者血浆中的OLAB、BNP和CRP水平变化及相关性进行研究, 同时对48例UAP经皮冠状动脉形成术(PTCA)治疗前、后对上述三项指标的变化进行分析; 结果表明冠心病患者与对照组比较BNP水平有显著性差异(P＜0.01),尤其是AMI和UAP组比SAP组升高更明显; CRP水平比对照组明显增高(P＜0.05),特别是不稳定性心绞痛和AMI组升高明显(P＜0.05);AMI组血浆OLAB水平明显高于正常和其他两组, OLAB、BNP和CRP三项在UAP组中治疗前后比较差异显著(P＜0.01).总之,OLAB、BNP和CRP参与了冠心病的发病过程, 并可预测心肌梗死患者远期心功能恢复的情况, UAP组经PTCA支架术后, 三项指标均明显降低, 可作为疗效观察的一个重要参数, OLAB参与了冠状动脉粥样硬化的全过程及AMI的发病始末.     

冠脉成形术缺血性刺激前后血清IL-6、TNF-α水平的变化

目的:冠脉成形术(PTCA)引起的炎症反应始于术后早期。白细胞介素6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)是主要的炎性细胞因子。本实验拟通过对比有或没有侧支循环病人PTCA前后IL-6、TNF-α水平的变化,探讨PTCA引起早期炎性反应的机制。方法:参照Leaman冠脉积分系统,对PTCA球囊阻断引起的缺血强度进行量化。计算正常对照组与冠心病组PTCA手术前后的IL-6、TNF-α水平变化,并进行相关性分析。结果:缺血性剌激前IL-6和TNF-α分别为(9.592±1.847)ng/L和(26.959±1.967)ng/L。在剌激后4h分别为(27.423±1.882)ng/L和(78.542±1.573)ng/L,呈显著差异。结论:IL-6、TNF-α是反映PTCA术后早期炎性反应的敏感指标。缺血积分可作为反映PTCA术中缺血/再灌注损伤程度的量化指标。侧支循环可减轻PTCA术后早期炎症反应。     

Prognostic importance of thallium uptake by the lungs during exercise in coronary artery disease

We studied the value of thallium imaging as compared with clinical and exercise-test variables in predicting cardiac events occurring over five years in 525 consecutive patients referred for thallium-exercise testing in 1979. Follow-up was obtained on 467 patients (89 percent). There were 105 cardiac events--25 cardiac deaths, 33 myocardial infarctions, and 47 coronary bypass procedures. A Cox survival analysis identified increased thallium uptake by the lungs, a marker of left ventricular dysfunction during exercise, as the best predictor of a cardiac event (relative risk ratio = 3.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.2 to 5.4). The next most powerful predictors were a history of typical angina, a previous myocardial infarction, and ST-segment depression during exercise (relative risk ratios = 2.1, 1.8, and 1.7, respectively). No combination of variables made up for the loss in prognostic power when the variable of increased thallium uptake by the lungs was removed from the model. Cardiac events occurred over five years in 10 (5 percent) of 192 patients with a normal thallium scan, 41 (25 percent) of 163 patients with an abnormal thallium scan but normal thallium activity in the lungs, and 54 (67 percent) of 81 patients with increased thallium uptake by the lungs (P less than 0.0001). We conclude that increased uptake of thallium by the lungs during exercise predicts a high risk of subsequent cardiac events.     

Major depressive disorder predicts cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease

Fifty-two patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and subsequently found to have significant coronary artery disease (CAD) were given structured psychiatric interviews before catheterization. Nine of these patients met criteria for major depressive disorder. All 52 patients were contacted 12 months after catheterization, and the occurrence of myocardial infarction, angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery and death was determined. Results of the study show that major depressive disorder was the best predictor of these major cardiac events during the 12 months following catheterization. The predictive effect was independent of the severity of CAD, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the presence of smoking. Furthermore, with the exception of smoking, there were no statistically significant differences between those patients with major depressive disorder and the remaining patients on any variable studied. The possible mechanisms relating major depressive disorder to subsequent cardiac events are discussed. It is concluded that major depressive disorder is an important independent risk factor for the occurrence of major cardiac events in patients with CAD.     

Comparing multifactorial lifestyle interventions and stress management in coronary risk reduction

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of residential multifactorial cardiac rehabilitation, outpatient multifactorial rehabilitation, stress management, and standard coronary rehabilitation, on cardiac risk reduction. Out of 144 eligible male patients recently treated with percantaneous transluminal coronary angiography (PTCA), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 132 were randomized into this study. All interventions covered a 12-month active intervention, intense during the first months and subsequently leveled out. Main assessments were performed before randomization and after the intervention. Patients offered behavioral rehabilitation showed improved selfreported healthy diet habits and exercise frequency, and higher internal locus of control. Although blood lipids, exercise capacity, body mass, anxiety, depression, and Type A scores were changed in the expected direction, no significant difference emerged between active intervention and the standard care condition. Standard care of today appears to have great potential in particular if supplemented with some kind of stress management.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in a child with Kawasaki disease.

A successful attempt at percutaneous transluminanl coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to relieve stenosis of the mid-portion of the left anterior descending artery was achieved in a 6-year 9-month old boy who had multiple coronary aneurysms and stenosis due to Kawasaki disease. Despite the progression of coronary stenosis he had been well except for the perfusion defect of the anterior wall of myocardium on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT with dipyridamole infusion until PTCA was carried out after 4-year 4-months of the onset of illness. The area of stenosis was 70% before PTCA and 20% after PTCA. No restenosis at the site of PTCA was observed on follow-up angiography at 26 months after PTCA. This successful attempt may indicate that this procedure should be considered early in subclinical stenosis to prevent ischemic cardiac damage.     

Microvolt T-wave alternans predicts cardiac events after acute myocardial infarction in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BackgroundCurrent risk stratification after acute myocardial infarction (MI) depends on left ventricular ejection fraction. Microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) is one of promising markers to predict cardiac events in patients after acute MI treated according to current guidelines.MethodsIn this single center study, 112 consecutive patients with the first anterior ST-elevation MI undergoing PCI <12 hours from symptom onset, were enrolled prospectively. Demographics, established risk factors, myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) perfusion, index event data and MTWA were assessed. Composite cardiac events (CCE) defined as: death, recurrent MI, sustained ventricular tachycardia (sVT) or readmission for acute heart failure (HF) were recorded during follow-up.ResultsMTWA test was negative in 76, positive in 18 and undetermined in 7 patients. MTWA negative patients had significantly higher LVEF at 30 days. At 4 years, 26 patients experienced CCE (10 died, 2 reinfarcted and 14 HF events). In multivariate Cox proportional hazard model maximum CKMB, non-negative MTWA and reduced LVEF made the best model to predict CCE. Four year CCE free survival was 77% and was significantly lower for non-negative MTWA (94% vs 50%, p<0.003).ConclusionsNon-negative MTWA with infarct size index and reduced LVEF could predict cardiac events in patients with anterior STEMI treated with primary PCI. MTWA non-negative patients have significantly worse outcome.