Prognostic value of electrocardiographic exercise testing and noninvasive assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction soon after acute myocardial infarction

To determine the relative value of clinical findings, results of low-level treadmill electrocardiographic (ECG) exercise testing and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) for predicting cardiac events in the year after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 72 patients who had had an uncomplicated AMI were studied with either radionuclide angiography or 2-dimensional echocardiography to assess LVEF and a low-level treadmill exercise test before hospital discharge. All patients were followed for 1 year. Nineteen patients (26%) had at least 1 cardiac event: coronary artery bypass grafting (11 patients), recurrent AMI (6 patients) or cardiac death (6 patients). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that total cardiac events were predicted by exercise ECG ST-segment depression or angina, prior AMI, ventricular ectopic activity during exercise and digoxin therapy (cumulative r = 0.58, p less than 0.001). Coronary artery bypass grafting was predicted by exercise ECG ST-segment depression or angina (r = 0.29, p = 0.01). Recurrent AMI was predicted by exercise ECG ST-segment depression or angina, prior AMI and ventricular ectopic activity during exercise (cumulative r = 0.49, p less than 0.001). Cardiac death was predicted by an LVEF of 40% or less (r = 0.38, p = 0.01). The presence of both an LVEF of 40% or less and ECG ST-segment depression on treadmill exercise testing defined a subgroup of patients with a high incidence of early cardiac death (33%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Predischarge maximal exercise test identifies risk for cardiac death in patients with acute myocardial infarction

A maximal exercise test was performed in 54 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) before discharge and in 49 age-matched control subjects. The long-term prognosis was assessed after an average follow-up of 7.6 years in AMI patients and 5.8 years in control subjects. The maximal work capacity and systolic blood pressure increase in AMI patients was 59% that of control subjects (p less than 0.001). Seventeen AMI patients had significant ST-segment shifts, 13 with ST depression and 4 with ST elevation. In AMI patients experiencing a cardiac death during follow-up the maximal work capacity and systolic blood pressure increase were significantly lower than in survivors and those who died from noncardiac reasons (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.05), with no difference between these groups in the number of patients with ST-segment shifts. The average maximal work capacity of control subjects was 143 watts. A maximal work capacity half this (less than or equal to 72 watts) predicted long-term mortality in AMI patients (p less than 0.001). In addition a low increase in systolic blood pressure (less than 30 mm Hg) also predicted long-term mortality (p less than 0.005), whereas ST shifts were of no significant value. In this study maximal work capacity turned out to be the best single exercise variable for identifying groups of AMI patients with very low and relative high risk of cardiac death. When all 3 exercise variables were combined, the predischarge maximal exercise test was of great value in identifying AMI patients at low risk for cardiac death (predictive value of a negative test: 95%).     

Prognostic value of predischarge low-level exercise thallium testing after thrombolytic treatment of acute myocardial infarction

Low-level exercise thallium testing is useful in identifying the high-risk patient after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). To determine whether this use also applies to patients after thrombolytic treatment of AMI, 64 patients who underwent early thrombolytic therapy for AMI and 107 patients without acute intervention were evaluated. The ability of both the electrocardiogram and thallium tests to predict future events was compared in both groups. After a mean follow-up of 374 days, there were 25 and 32% of cardiac events in the 2 groups, respectively, with versus without acute intervention. These included death, another AMI, coronary artery bypass grafting or angioplasty with 75% of the events occurring in the 3 months after the first infarction. The only significant predictors of outcome were left ventricular cavity dilatation in the intervention group and ST-segment depression and increased lung uptake in the nonintervention group. The sensitivity of exercise thallium was 55% in the intervention group and 81% in the nonintervention group (p less than 0.05). Therefore, in patients having thrombolytic therapy for AMI, nearly half the events after discharge are not predicted by predischarge low-level exercise thallium testing. The relatively weak correlation of outcome with unmasking ischemia in the laboratory before discharge may be due to an unstable coronary lesion or rapid progression of disease after the test. Tests considered useful for prognostication after AMI may not necessarily have a similar value if there has been an acute intervention, such as thrombolytic therapy.     

Prediction of functional capacity and use of exercise testing for predicting risk after acute myocardial infarction

This study evaluated whether an ischemic exercise test response or functional capacity could be predicted from data available during hospitalization in patients discharged after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The value of exercise test variables for predicting death and new AMI within 1 year was also examined. Among 1,469 patients, 466 (32%) underwent treadmill exercise testing around the time of discharge. An ischemic exercise test response (ST-segment depression or angina) could not be predicted. Good functional capacity (more than 4 METs) could be predicted from age and ST-segment changes at rest. Among the 60% of the patients who were predicted to have functional capacity of more than 4 METs, only 15% had poor functional capacity at the time of testing. Multivariate analysis for predicting death and new infarction selected only functional capacity (continuous variable in METs), which classified 72% of the patients into a low-risk group with less than a 2% rate of death and new AMI in the first year. The high-risk group (29% of the patients) had an 18% rate of death or new AMI. It is concluded that functional capacity is the most important exercise test variable and that patients likely to have good functional capacity can be identified on the basis of age and ST-segment changes at rest. Further, the level of functional capacity on exercise testing can identify groups of patients with very low and relatively high risk of death or new AMI within 1 year.     

Myocardial viability in patients with thrombolyzed myocardial infarction: Is it assessable by predischarge exercise electrocardiography test?

BACKGROUND: Most studies concerning exercise electrocardiography (ECG) testing after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were carried out in the prethrombolytic era. ST-segment elevation in the infarction area during exercise has usually been interpreted as indicating the presence of dyskinesia as a result of extensive left ventricle damage. HYPOTHESIS: This study was undertaken to evaluate the contributions of exercise-induced ST-segment elevation and T-wave pseudonormalization to the assessment of myocardial viability in patients with thrombolyzed myocardial infarction (MI), compared with low-dose dobutamine echocardiography. METHODS: The study comprised 52 consecutive patients with AMI treated with thrombolysis. All patients underwent low-dose dobutamine echocardiography and symptom-limited exercise testing before discharge. RESULTS: Nineteen patients showed ST-segment elevation (Group 1), 9 showed isolated T-wave pseudonormalization (Group 2), and 24 patients did not exhibit either of these ST-T segment changes (Group 3). Low-dose dobutamine echocardiography revealed evidence of viability in 16 patients (84%) in Group I (p = 0.01), 5 (56%) in Group 2 (p = NS), and 11 patients (46%) in Group 3 (p = NS). CONCLUSION: Exercise-induced ST-segment elevation may contribute to the evaluation of myocardial viability in patients with AMI treated with thrombolysis. However, in the absence of exercise-induced ST-segment elevation, further noninvasive studies might be indicated to assess myocardial viability.     

Residual myocardial ischaemia in first non-Q versus Q wave infarction: maximal exercise testing and ambulatory ST-segment monitoring

In a prospective study of 123 consecutive survivors of a firstmyocardial infarction (43 non-Q wave, 80 Q wave), we determinedthe total residual ischaemic burden by use of pre-dischargemaximal exercise testing and post-discharge 36 h ambulatoryST-segment monitoring initiated 11 ± 5 days after theinfarction. The prevalence of exercise-induced ischae-mic manifestations in the infarct types was similar: chest pain 14%vs 16% and ST-segment depression 54% vs 54%. The ischaemic thresholddid not differ either (heart rate at 1 mm of ST-segmnent depression120 ± 27 vs 119 ± 25 beats. min^–1). Duringearly post-discharge daily activities, more patients with non-Qwave infarction demonstrated transient episodes of ST-segmentdepression: 28% vs 14% (ns). Furthermore, ischaemic episodeswere significantly longer (42.5±50.1 vs 22.0 ±20.6 min; p <0.001), and the ischaemic threshold was significantlylower in non-Q wave infarction (heart rate at onset of ST-segmentdepression 84±11 vs 88±9 beats.min^–1; p<0.05). During 3.5±0.9 years of follow-up the proportionof patients with 1 ischaemic event (non-fatal reinfarction,angina pectoris, revascularization) was significantly higherin non-Q wave infarction (51%) as compared to Q wave infarction(31%) (P<005). In both infarct types the presence of ST-segmentdepression on ambulatory recording and exercise testing significantlypredicted the development of future angina pectoris, whereaspatients at increased risk for subsequent non-fatal reinfarctionor cardiac death were not identified.     

Prognostic value of exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity for mortality after acute myocardial infarction

To evaluate the importance of ventricular ectopic activity on the predischarge treadmill exercise test for predicting mortality in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 163 patients with uncomplicated AMI were studied using symptom limited low-level treadmill exercise testing and 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring before hospital discharge. All patients were followed for at least 2 years or until recurrent AMI, coronary artery bypass grafting or death. Seventeen patients (10%) died during the follow-up period, 15 patients (9%) had recurrent AMI and 45 patients (28%) underwent bypass surgery. Ventricular ectopic activity was the only single treadmill abnormality that predicted subsequent cardiac death; angina pectoris, electrocardiographic ST-segment depression and a hypotensive blood pressure response did not. The mortality rate in the 20 patients with exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity was 25%, compared with 8% in those without (p less than 0.004). Furthermore, in this patient population, exercise-induced ventricular ectopic activity was a much better predictor of cardiac death than that detected by ambulatory monitoring. Thus, ventricular ectopic activity on the predischarge treadmill exercise test is an important risk factor for death after AMI.     

Predictors of long-term outcomes following direct percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction.

To determine predictors of a long-term major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in unselected patients undergoing direct percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 274 consecutive patients presenting within 12 hours of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were evaluated. No patient with ST-segment elevation AMI received intravenous thrombolytic drugs. Chest pain to balloon time was 3.8 hours (range 2.5 to 6.9). percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was successful in 95% of patients. Abciximab was administered to 69% of patients, stents were deployed in 53%, and 17% underwent only catheterization. In-hospital events were death (7%), abrupt closure (2%), emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (5%), repeat PCI (3%), and recurrent myocardial infarction (1%). In patients undergoing direct PCI (n = 227), the in-hospital event rate was death 5.3%, abrupt closure 2.2%, emergency CABG 0.9%, repeat PCI 3.1%, and repeat myocardial infarction 1.3%. Median time to last follow-up or death was 20 months (range 11 to 34), and to any event, 0.3 months (range 0.03 to 24.0). Postdischarge MACE included death (5%), AMI (4%), repeat PCI (8%), CABG (9%), and stroke (0.7%). Among those undergoing direct PCI (n = 227), 10% died, 3.5% had a repeat AMI, 9% had a repeat PCI, 5% had CABG, and 1% had a stroke at long-term follow-up. At long-term follow-up, 75% were event free. Multivariate predictors were (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)]): abciximab use 0.6 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.95), Killip class 2.2 (95% CI 1.1 to 4.4), and number of narrowed coronary arteries 1.7 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.2). In this unselected consecutive series of patients presenting with ST-segment elevation AMI, direct PCI was associated with sustained long-term efficacy. Outcomes were predicted by cardiac impairment at presentation and number of narrowed coronary arteries. MACE is not related to device selection but is significantly improved with abciximab.     

Long-term value of exercise testing after acute myocardial infarction: influence of thrombolytic therapy

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term predictive value of exercise testing performed early after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy. DESIGN: Nonblinded prospective follow-up study. SETTING: Cardiac rehabilitation unit in a 900-bed university hospital. SUBJECTS: Four hundred forty-three patients allowed to perform exercise testing 3 weeks after AMI were followed for a median of 75 months; 183 received IV thrombolysis and 263 did not. RESULTS: Cardiac death hazard ratios were significantly increased in the presence of reduced physical working capacity on exertion, left ventricular dysfunction, and > or = 1-mm (but < 2-mm) ST-segment depression on exertion. In the group receiving thrombolytic therapy, no patient with > or = 2-mm ST-segment depression on exercise died; this group was characterized by a high rate of revascularization, whereas the group with > or = 1-mm but < 2-mm ST-segment depression was not. No parameter related to clinical or exercise testing predicted recurrent infarction in the group receiving thrombolytic therapy. Among patients not receiving thrombolysis, cardiac death was significantly related to > or = 2-mm ST-segment depression on exertion, to reduced physical working capacity, and to the lack of revascularization during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Exercise test-derived parameters have variable value in predicting long-term survival of patients performing exercise test after AMI depending on the following: (1) whether thrombolytic therapy was given or not; (2) the degree of ST-segment depression during exercise testing; and (3) the rate of revascularization.     

Exercise-provoked ST-segment depression and prognosis in patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction. Significance and pitfalls

Abstract. The importance of maximal versus submaximal exercise testing and the significance of heart failure on the prognostic value of exercise-provoked ST-segment depression ≥ 0.1 mV was studied in 143 patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction. Patients were exercise tested prior to discharge and follow up lasted for up to 18 months (mean 17 months). End-point was first major event (i.e. first non-fatal reinfarction or death). A symptom-limited exercise test was superior to a heart-rate-limited test in detecting ST-segment depressions (27% vs. 20%; P < 0.5), and patients with ST-segment depression at lower heart rates did not have an increased risk of subsequent events compared with patients with ST-segment depression at higher heart rates (14% vs. 27%; NS). Heart failure surpassed ST-segment depression as a risk predictor (34% vs. 18%). Based on a meta-analysis including 13 studies (1987 patients) exercise-provoked ST-segment depression possessed an increased risk of subsequent major events (P < 0.0001; risk ratio = 1.90: 95% confidence limits 1.43.2.51). Thus, ST-segment depression provoked by a symptom-limited test selects patients with an increased risk of subsequent major events. In patients with a history of heart failure exercise-provoked ST-segment depression is of limited value.     

The influence of thrombolytic therapy on the predictive value of exercise testing 3 weeks after acute myocardial infarction

Abstract. Objectives. To evaluate the prognostic value of exercise testing performed soon after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients treated with thrombolytic therapy. Design. A 1-year prospective follow-up of 185 subjects treated with thrombolytic therapy who survived AMI, and who performed exercise testing 3 weeks after AMI. These patients were compared with 272 patients not receiving thrombolytic therapy during the same period. Subjects. Patients recovering from AMI, without medical contraindications to exercise testing performed 3 weeks after AMI. Main outcome measures. ST-segment deviations during exercise testing 3 weeks post-AMI were related to clinical outcome 1-year post-AMI and to the administration of thrombolytic therapy during the acute phase of infarction. Results. In patients treated with thrombolytic therapy, the only exercise-test-related parameter predicting subsequent cardiac events was ST-segment elevation. In contrast, patients not receiving thrombolytic therapy and demonstrating ST-segment depression of ≥ 1 mm during exercise had more clinical cardiac events than those without this finding (12.3 vs. 3.9%; P < 0.05). Conclusion. This study casts doubt on the ability of exercise testing to select a high-risk population requiring early intervention to prevent recurrent coronary events after thrombolysis for AMI.     

Usefulness of the severity and extent of wall motion abnormalities as prognostic markers of an adverse outcome after a first myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy

The prognostic value of wall motion score index (WMSI), assessed at predischarge after a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the thrombolytic era, is still not well known. One-hundred forty-four consecutive patients with a first AMI treated with thrombolytic therapy underwent exercise testing and echocardiography at rest before discharge and were followed-up for a mean period of 18 months. During follow-up, there were 32 cardiac events (12 patients had cardiac deaths, 8 had unstable angina pectoris, 1 had nonfatal reinfarction, and 11 patients had congestive heart failure). The patients who experienced any cardiac event had a higher WMSI (1.67+/-0.15 vs. 1.30+/-0.16, p<0.0001), a higher end-systolic volume (75.1+/-34 vs. 59.5+/-22 ml, p<0.01), and a lower ejection fraction (47+/-16% vs. 55+/-10%, p<0.001) at predischarge than patients without events. The incidence of a positive predischarge exercise testing did not differ between patients with and without cardiac events (22% vs. 24%, p = NS). Multivariate Cox regression analysis, including clinical, exercise results, and echocardiographic parameters, showed that the most powerful predictor of a subsequent event was a resting WMSI > or =1.50 before discharge (chi-square 17.8, p<0.0001). Thus, in patients with a first AMI who underwent thrombolysis, the severity and extent of echocardiographically detected wall motion abnormalities are important independent predictors of cardiac events.     

Long-term safety and efficacy of Pitavastatin in patients with acute myocardial infarction (from the Livalo Acute Myocardial Infarction Study [LAMIS])

Pitavastatin is a potent lipophilic statin and may play an important role in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) but there have been limited data on the safety and efficacy of pitavastatin in AMI. This study consisted of 1,039 consecutive patients with AMI (74.0% men, mean age 61.4 ± 12.6 years) who presented in 10 major percutaneous coronary intervention centers in Korea from February 2007 through September 2009. Pitavastatin 2 mg/day was routinely administered in patients with AMI from time of presentation. We investigated changes of lipid profiles, biochemical markers, adverse events, and clinical outcomes up to 12 months. During the study 318 events overall occurred in 220 patients (21.2%) who reported ≥1 treatment emergent adverse event, although 20 events in 14 patients (1.4%) were treatment-related adverse events. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol percent change was -25.6% and LDL cholesterol target attainment was 70.5% at 12-month follow-up. Levels of creatinine phosphokinase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein decreased significantly during the first 1 month of pitavastatin treatment and were sustained to 12-month follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 66 patients (7.3%). All-cause deaths occurred in 32 patients (3.5%) including 19 (2.1%) cardiac deaths and recurrent MIs occurred in 14 (1.6%) and target lesion revascularizations in 42 (4.7%). In conclusion, administration of pitavastatin 2 mg/day in patients with AMI showed 70.5% LDL cholesterol target attainment with good tolerance and was associated with favorable clinical outcomes up to 12 months.     

Safety and implementation of exercise testing and training after coronary stenting in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of subacute stent thrombosis related to exercise testing (ETT) or exercise training in cardiac rehabilitation (exercise cardiac rehabilitation (ECR)) and to clarify the appropriate timing of ETT and ECR in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with coronary stenting, because the safety and appropriate timing of ETT and ECR after coronary stenting for AMI have not been established. Forty-six institutes performing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for AMI were surveyed for the incidence of exercise-related subacute stent thrombosis and the timing of the start of ETT and ECR in patients with AMI in 1996-1998. Among the total 13,685 patients with AMI, 4,360 (31.9%) underwent coronary stenting. Of the 132 (3.0%) subacute stent thromboses that developed within 1 month after stenting, only one event was related to maximal ETT and occurred in a patient not receiving ticlopidine. No stent thrombosis occurred in association with submaximal ETT or ECR. In 7 institutes, maximal ETT was routinely performed at 14 days after stenting for AMI without any adverse events, and in 6 institutes, ECR was routinely started within 7 days without any adverse events. This survey found that only 21.0% of all AMI patients participated in ECR. In conclusion, subacute stent thrombosis related to ETT or ECR is extremely rare (0-0.02%) in patients with AMI, especially when they are receiving ticlopidine, and therefore ETT and ECR for stented patients with AMI need not be delayed (ie, approximately 7 days after stenting for submaximal ETT and ECR, and 14 days after stenting for maximal ETT). The rate of participation of post-AMI patients in ECR is low in Japan, even in major hospitals that are actively working in the field.     

Value of negative predischarge exercise testing in identifying patients at low risk after acute myocardial infarction treated by systemic thrombolysis.

Although thrombolytic therapy reduces mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it is associated with a greater incidence of successive coronary events, and there is still no ideal diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for such patients. The present study verifies the value of negative predischarge exercise testing in identifying low-risk patients treated with thrombolysis after AMI. One hundred fifty-seven consecutive patients with an uncomplicated clinical course underwent maximal or symptom-limited exercise testing (Bruce treadmill protocol) within 15 days of AMI in the absence of therapy. The location of the AMI was anterior in 51 patients, inferior in 85 and non-Q-wave in 21. All of the patients were followed for 6 months. Death and nonfatal reinfarction were considered as major coronary events, and the recurrence of angina as a minor event. Exercise test results were negative in 105 patients (group 1) and positive for angina or ST depression greater than or equal to 0.1 mV in 52 (group 2). No deaths occurred during follow-up; there were 3 reinfarctions (3%) and 7 cases (7%) of postinfarction angina in group 1, and 2 reinfarctions (4%) and 21 cases (40%) of postinfarction angina in group 2. By the end of follow-up, 90% of the patients with negative exercise test results were event-free (97% in the case of major events). These results show that thrombolytic therapy does not affect the value of negative postinfarction exercise testing in identifying low-risk patients.     

Predictive importance of clinical findings and a predischarge exercise test in patients with suspected unstable coronary artery disease

The prognostic information of clinical variables and a predischarge exercise test was studied in 400 patients (282 men, 118 women) admitted to the coronary care unit with suspected unstable coronary artery disease, that is, recurring chest pain of new onset, increasing anginal pain in formerly stable angina pectoris or suspected nontransmural acute myocardial infarction. Forty-nine coronary events occurred in the 276 men who performed the exercise test during the following year, whereas only 5 coronary events occurred among the 118 women. The only variable of prognostic importance in women was nontransmural myocardial infarction. In men, the clinical variables increasing age, duration of angina, ST- or T-segment changes on the rest electrocardiogram and increasing angina or nontransmural myocardial infarction as inclusion criteria were associated with increased occurrence of coronary artery bypass surgery, transmural myocardial infarction or cardiac death. Findings of ST-segment depression, limiting chest pain or low rate-pressure product during the exercise test were of greater value than any clinical variable in prediction of coronary artery bypass surgery, transmural myocardial infarction or cardiac death. Within all clinical subgroups of men, the results of the exercise test had an additive predictive value for future coronary events. Combinations of clinical data and exercise test results enabled the best identification of patients with high or low risk for coronary events.     

Prediction of cardiac events after uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction by clinical variables and dobutamine stress test.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the relative prognostic power of several clinical and dobutamine stress test variables in patients after a first uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: The value of dobutamine echocardiography (DE) for determining prognosis after AMI is not yet defined. In particular, the influence of dobutamine stress test response on the outcome of these patients is unknown. METHODS: A graded predischarge DE (from 5 to 40 microg/kg/min, plus atropine if needed) was performed in 245 patients (mean age 60 +/- 10 years) with a first uncomplicated AMI. RESULTS: At follow-up (17 +/- 13 months), an adverse outcome occurred in 40 patients: cardiac death in 7, nonfatal myocardial infarction in 9 (hard events = 16) and unstable angina requiring hospital readmission in 24. Significant predictors of adverse outcome by univariate analysis were positive DE, ischemic wall motion score index (WMSI), angina during DE and diabetes for all events, and positive DE, ischemic WMSI and age for hard events. At multivariate analysis, the only independent predictors of adverse outcome were positive DE, diabetes and angina during DE for all events, and positive DE and age for hard events. The presence of both age >60 years and a history of diabetes identified patients at high risk of cardiac events (event rate 37%), compared with patients <60 years and no diabetes (event rate 11%). In patients with intermediate risk (only one clinical risk factor, event rate 18%), DE added prognostic information (event rate 10% in the negatives, 25% in the positives and 35% in the positives with angina). CONCLUSIONS: After uncomplicated AMI, dobutamine stress test variables offer additional prognostic information to clinical data.     

Multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention in Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction and simple nonculprit arteries

BACKGROUND: Multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is currently controversial. In this study, we investigated the significance of multivessel PCI in Chinese patients with ST-segment elevation AMI and relatively simple lesions in nonculprit arteries. METHODS: We reviewed all consecutive primary PCI of ST-segment elevation AMI in our hospital between 2002 and 2005. The patients with multivessel disease and ACC/AHA type A/B1 lesions in nonculprit arteries who underwent multivessel PCI were identified (n = 105, multivessel PCI group), and 120 patients with single-vessel disease and treatment with primary PCI were enrolled as control subjects (single-vessel PCI group). The primary end points were the occurrences of 6-month major adverse cardiac events (cardiogenic death, nonfatal reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization). The secondary end points included procedure time, angiographic success rate, TIMI grade, reperfusion arrhythmia, ST-segment resolution, and left ventricular ejection fraction. RESULTS: All patients with multivessel PCI tolerated the operations well and had similar TIMI 3 and angiographic success rates but longer procedure times than those patients with single-vessel PCI. There were no significant differences in reperfusion arrhythmia, ST-segment resolution, left ventricular ejection fraction, or 6-month MACEs between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that multivessel PCI is effective and safe for Chinese patients with ST-segment elevation AMI and simple lesions in nonculprit arteries.     

雷帕霉素涂层支架治疗老年人冠心病的疗效及再狭窄的随访分析

目的 观察雷帕霉素涂层冠状动脉Cypher支架治疗老年冠心病患者的临床疗效及再狭窄情况。方法 2002年11月至2005年5月在我院心导管室接受Cypher支架治疗的328例60岁以上的老年冠心病患者，观察术后即刻效果，随访6个月记录心脏性死亡、心肌梗死、再次血管重建事件，并进行冠状动脉造影复查。328例中，ST段抬高的急性心肌梗死66例，非ST段抬高的急性心肌梗死21例，不稳定心绞痛149例，稳定型心绞痛92例。结果 支架植入成功率99．1％（325／328），住院期间无死亡。随访6个月出现急性和亚急性血栓各1例，晚期血栓致心肌梗死2例，心力衰竭死亡1例，进行血管重建术7例。住院其间主要心脏不良事件发生率0．6％（2／328），6个月心脏不良事件发生率3．7％（12／328）。术后6个月84例患者冠状动脉造影复查显示，再狭窄率为8．3％（7／84），支架内为2．4％（2／84），靶病变重建率为5．9％（5／84）。结论 应用Cypher支架治疗老年人冠心病是安全和有效的，主要心脏不良事件发生率低，支架内再狭窄率和靶病变重建率明显低于普通金属支架。     

急性心肌梗死后延迟冠状动脉介入治疗的疗效

目的评价急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction,AMI)后进行延迟经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(delayed percutaneous coronary intervention,dPCI)对心肌梗死患者的治疗效果。方法dPCI组选择ST段抬高的AMI56例,各例于发病后7～14d实施dPCI,对照组为同期入院而未进行PCI治疗的ST段抬高的AMI47例。两组均常规应用药物治疗。观察住院期间和随访6个月时的主要心血管事件和超声心动图的变化。结果6个月时dPCI组左心室舒张末容积指数(left ventricular end-diastolic volumeindex,LVEDVI)、左心室收缩末期容积指数(left ventricular end-systolic volume index,LVESVI)及左心室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)、左心室室壁节段运动评分指数(left ventricular wall motion score index,WMSI)及异常室壁节段恢复率优于对照组,dPCI组总临床事件发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论dPCI可有效抑制左心室重构和改善左心室功能,可能有利于减少远期心力衰竭的发生。