Haemorrheological abnormalities in unstable angina pectoris: a relation independent of risk factor profile and angiographic severity.

Plasma viscosity, photometric erythrocyte aggregation index, and erythrocyte filterability were measured in 194 patients with coronary artery disease. Patients with unstable angina (n = 64) had a higher plasma viscosity and photometric erythrocyte aggregation index than patients with stable angina (95% confidence intervals for the mean difference: 0.052-0.100 mPa.s for plasma viscosity, and 43%-72% for the photometric erythrocyte aggregation index). Multiple regression with fibrinogen, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, smoking habits, coronary artery score, and left ventricular ejection fraction as independent variables showed a significant partial correlation between fibrinogen and the photometric erythrocyte aggregation index (r2 = 0.20) and plasma viscosity (r2 = 0.09), between triglycerides and plasma viscosity (r2 = 0.05), and between aortic pressure and erythrocyte filterability (r2 = 0.03). Logistic regression for unstable/stable angina with the haemorrheological variables as independent variables correctly identified 72% of the patients with stable angina and 78% of those with unstable angina. Inclusion of all the variables investigated did not substantially improve the discriminative potential of the logistic regression model. Unstable angina is associated with an impairment of blood fluidity that is essentially independent of risk factor profile and angiographic data.     

Coronary angiographic findings and troponin T in patients with unstable angina pectoris

This study sought to identify differences in coronary anatomic pathology in patients with unstable angina and elevated versus nonelevated serum troponin T values. Previous studies have shown a worse prognosis in unstable angina patients with elevated serum troponin T values. Consecutive patients (n = 117) with Braunwald class IIIB angina were included in the study. Serum samples for troponin T were obtained at admission and every 6 to 8 hours for 18 to 24 hours. Acute myocardial infarction was excluded by routine creatine kinase measurements. All patients underwent coronary angiography before discharge. Cardiac events including cardiac death and myocardial infarction were recorded. Two thirds of the patients with unstable angina had no increase in serum troponin T (<0.1 microg/L) (n = 80). They had a lower incidence of 3-vessel disease (26% vs 46%, p <0.001), left main disease (5% vs 16%, p = 0.04), visible thrombus (4% vs 22%, p = 0.006), and less severe stenosis of the culprit artery (65% vs 84%, p <0.004) than patients with elevated serum troponin T values (> or =0.1 microg/L) (n = 37). The 1-year cardiac event rate was 0% versus 19% in patients with troponin T values <0.1 microg/L compared with patients with serum troponin T values > or =0.1 microg/L (p <0.0001). It was concluded that patients with unstable angina and no release of troponin T have less severe coronary artery disease, and have an excellent prognosis. It is suggested that these patients may be managed more conservatively and without invasive evaluation before discharge.     

Coronary artery stenting in unstable angina pectoris: a comparison with stable angina pectoris

OBJECTIVE: To compare early complication rates in unselected cases of coronary artery stenting in patients with stable v unstable angina. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: 390 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 306 with unstable angina (UAP). Patients treated for acute myocardial infarction (primary angioplasty) or cardiogenic shock were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: 268 coronary stents were attempted in 211 patients (30.3%). Stents used included AVE (63%), Freedom (14%), NIR (7%), Palmaz-Schatz (5%), JO (5%), and Multilink (4%). Intravascular ultrasound was not used in any of the cases. All stented patients were treated with ticlopidine and aspirin together with periprocedural unfractionated heparin. RESULTS: 123 stents were successfully deployed in 99 SAP patients v 132 stents in 103 UAP patients. Failed deployment occurred with nine stents in SAP patients, v four in UAP patients (NS). Stent thrombosis occurred in four SAP patients and 11 UAP patients. Multivariate analysis showed no relation between stent thrombosis and clinical presentation (SAP v UAP), age, sex, target vessel, stent length, or make of stent. Stent thrombosis was associated with small vessel size (p < 0.001) and bailout stenting (p = 0.01) compared with elective stenting and stenting for suboptimal PTCA, with strong trends toward smaller stent diameter (p = 0.052) and number of stents deployed (p = 0.06). Most stent thromboses occurred in vessels < 3 mm diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery stenting in unstable angina is safe in vessels >/= 3 mm diameter, with comparable initial success and stent thrombosis rates to stenting in stable angina.     

粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子与不稳定型心绞痛的关系

目的　观察不稳定型心绞痛 (UAP)患者血清粒细胞 -巨噬细胞集落刺激因子 (GM- CSF)水平的变化 ,并进一步探讨其与血小板激活及内皮损伤之间的关系。方法　采用液相竞争放射免疫法检测 2 0例不稳定型心绞痛患者(U AP组 )、2 0例稳定型心绞痛患者 (SAP组 )及 2 0例正常对照组 (NC组 )血清 GM- CSF浓度 ,用酶联免疫双抗体夹心法测定其血浆血管性血友病因子 (v WF)及 P-选择素含量。结果　 U AP组血清 GM- CSF、血浆 P-选择素、v WF的水平明显高于 SAP组及正常对照组 (P均 <0 .0 1)。SAP组与对照组比较上述指标虽均升高 ,但无统计学意义 (P>0 .0 5 ) ;U AP患者血清 GM- CSF分别与血浆 P-选择素、v WF呈正相关 (r=0 .5 83及 r=0 .5 74 ;P均 <0 .0 1)。结论　不稳定型心绞痛患者血清 GM- CSF浓度升高 ,其可能与不稳定型心绞痛患者血小板激活和内皮损伤有关     

Fibrinopeptide A and platelet factor levels in unstable angina pectoris

Fibrinopeptide A, platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin, thromboxane B2, and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha were estimated by radioimmunoassay on venous plasma samples taken within 48 hr of admission from 16 consecutive patients with unstable angina and 15 patients with stable angina matched for clinical variables. The ratio of circulating platelet aggregates, platelet aggregation to increasing concentrations of ADP (0.455 to 1.82 micrograms/ml), and platelet thromboxane B2 production in vitro were also tested. The two groups of patients were statistically similar in terms of sex distribution, age, presence of risk factors, use of medication, extent of coronary artery disease and history of previous myocardial infarction. Mean plasma levels of fibrinopeptide A were 2.7 +/- 0.4 ng/ml (geometric means +/- SEM, range 1.5 to 5.5) in patients with stable angina vs 5.5 +/- 1.8 ng/ml (range 2.4 to 32; p less than .001) in those with unstable angina. In the latter group, after 6 to 8 days, fibrinopeptide A levels decreased to 3.6 +/- 0.5 ng/ml (range 1.5 to 9.3; p less than .04 vs admission). All other variables measured were statistically identical in the two groups. We conclude that plasma fibrinopeptide A levels, as opposed to platelet factors, discriminate between patients with unstable and stable angina, indicating an activation of the coagulation system in unstable angina.     

QT dispersion ratio in patients with unstable angina pectoris (A new risk factor?)

Background: QT dispersion has been shown to be associated with fatal arrhythmias and sudden death in coronary artery disease. A recent study indicated that marked QT dispersion in electrocardiograms (ECGs) obtained during acute ischemia demonstrated a significant correlation with ventricular fibrillation. Hypothesis: This study investigated the ECG parameters for repolarization (QT dispersion, corrected QT, corrected QT dispersion, and QT dispersion ratio) and their interrelation with acute ischemia. Methods: QT parameters as well as a newly developed repolarization index, QT dispersion ratio l(QT dispersion/RR interval) × 100] were calculated digitally during rest and ischemia in 32 patients with coronary artery disease (rest angina, Braunwald class III). Results were correlated with clinical consequences, mainly arrhythmias, within a follow-up period of 5±2days. Results: While most patients had an increase in all four parameters, only the QT dispersion ratio showed a significant difference when correlated with ventricular arrhythmias (p < 0.001, F ratio = 38). Conclusion: QT dispersion ratio appears to be a new and promising parameter in predicting ventricular arrhythmias in patients with acute ischemia.     

Postprandial angina pectoris: Clinical and angiographic correlations

Objectives. This study was designed to determine the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with postprandial angina pectoris.Background. Postprandial angina is a manifestation of coronary artery disease. Although seen in clinical practice, very little has been published about the syndrome, and no anatomic correlations have been described.Methods. Questionnaires were given to 408 patients with chest pain and objective evidence of ischemia. Thirty-five patients (8.6%) were identified as having postprandial angina (Group A). The other 373 patients (Group B) had nonpostprandial angina and served as the control group. Coronary angiography was performed in all patients, and the results were analyzed.Results. Postprandial angina was observed predominantly in men (91% vs. 66%, p = 0.0036). It was associated with a high incidence of rest angina (83% in Group A vs. 51% in Group B, p = 0.0005) and a very high incidence of left main (34% vs. 10%, p = 0.0001) and three-vessel (82% vs. 54%, p = 0.001) coronary artery disease. The ejection fraction was lower as well in these (0.39 vs. 0.47, p = 0.046). Postprandial angina occurred at rest and on exertion, most commonly after dinner.Conclusions. Postprandial angina is a likely marker of severe coronary artery disease and should be considered an indication for coronary angiography.     

Beta2-integrin activation on T cell subsets is an independent prognostic factor in unstable angina pectoris

Background  Cardiac troponins provide excellent risk stratification in unstable angina (UA), but no reliable markers are available in troponin-negative patients. Beta2-integrin mediated T cell recruitment plays a pivotal role in coronary atherosclerotic plaque rupture. The present study investigates beta2-integrin activation on T cell subsets as a risk marker in UA. Methods  Functional activation (affinity/avidity) of beta2-integrins on T cells was measured using a flow cytometry-based whole blood assay in 87 patients with UA. Results  Beta2-integrin activation was significantly higher in patients with severe coronary artery disease (sC) and myocardial infarction (MI) compared to patients with no/minimal coronary atherosclerosis (no/mC), irrespective of troponin status. Adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, medication, left ventricular function, MI at enrollment and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), beta2-integrin activation was independently associated with incidence of revascularization, hospitalization and all major cardiovascular events during 9 months of follow-up after index investigation. The highest prognostic value of beta2-integrin activation was seen in troponin-and hsCRP-negative patients. Conclusion  Quantitative assessment of T cell beta2-integrin activation allows to identify high risk patients with UA and sC without established MI; furthermore, it is associated with incidence of future cardiovascular events independent of conventional risk factors (troponin, hsCRP). Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Returned for 1. Revision: 15 October 2008 1. Revision received: 23 October 2008 Returned for 2. Revision: 30 October 2008 2. Revision received: 31 October 2008 Y. Samstag and T.J. Dengler contributed equally.     

血浆细胞因子水平与不稳定型心绞痛危险分层的相关性

目的:探讨血浆炎性细胞因子———肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα)、白细胞介素6(IL6)、白细胞介素1β(IL1β)和白细胞介素10(IL10)的变化与不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)患者危险分层的相关性。方法:采用酶联免疫吸附法分别测定39例稳定型心绞痛(SAP)患者、98例UAP患者和32例健康体检者的TNFα、IL6、IL1β和IL10水平,并根据肌钙蛋白I(TnI)的检测结果,将UAP患者分为TnI正常亚组(60例)和TnI升高亚组(38例),比较各组间细胞因子水平的差异。结果:UAP组外周血TNFα、IL6及IL1β水平均显著高于正常对照组和SAP组,而IL10的水平则显著低于正常对照组和SAP组;UAP患者TnI升高亚组TNFα、IL6及IL1β水平均显著高于TnI正常亚组,而IL10的水平、左室射血分数则显著低于TnI正常亚组。结论:炎性细胞因子TNFα、IL6、IL1β及IL10可能参与了UAP的发生、发展过程,并且不同的细胞因子所起的作用不同。     

Comparison of platelet activation in unstable and stable angina pectoris and correlation with coronary angiographic findings

We sought to investigate the relation between platelet activation and the angiographic evidence of ruptured plaque in patients presenting with unstable and stable angina pectoris. We prospectively enrolled 25 consecutive patients (5 women and 20 men, mean age 62 +/- 3 years), 17 with unstable angina and 8 with stable angina. Systemic venous blood samples were collected within 4 to 6 hours of admission for flow cytometry analysis. Activation-dependent epitope CD63 and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa on the platelet membrane were assayed. Fibrinogen levels were also measured. All patients with unstable angina underwent cardiac catheterization and had angiographic evidence of ruptured plaque. Of the patients with stable angina, 5 underwent coronary angiography with smooth noncomplex lesions and 3 had negative technetium-99m sestamibi stress tests. Patients with unstable angina were characterized by 39% higher levels of fibrinogen than patients with stable angina (423 +/- 304 vs 304 +/- 51 mg/dl, p = 0.004). The percentage of platelets positive for the activation-dependent epitope CD63 was 5 times higher in patients with unstable than stable angina (14.6 +/- 5.6% vs 2.75 +/- 1.6%, p = 0.0026). They also had a 15% higher expression of their glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (517 +/- 79 vs 449 +/- 50 mean fluorescence intensity, p = 0.038). Thus, this study establishes a direct relation between the morphology of ruptured plaque and platelet activation in patients with unstable angina. This may allow for further risk stratification. Patients with unstable complex lesions had a fivefold higher expression of the platelet activation epitope CD63 than patients with stable angina. Furthermore, they had 15% more glycoprotein IIb/IIIa aggregation sites expressed on their platelet membrane, thus indicating an intense thrombogenic potential.     

高危不稳定型心绞痛患者临床和冠状动脉造影特点

目的　研究高危不稳定型心绞痛 (U A)患者临床和冠状动脉造影特点。方法　 115例 U A患者根据其病史、心电图及肌钙蛋白 T(Tn T)变化分为低危险组 (A组 ,48例 )、中危险组 (B组 ,3 6例 )和高危险组 (C组 ,3 1例 )。分别记录入院前 48h心绞痛发作情况 ,其中 98例 (A、B、C组各 41例、3 0例和 2 7例 )进行了冠状动脉造影 ,详细分析冠状动脉病变情况 ,住院期间同时测定 C-反应蛋白 (CRP)水平。结果　 C组心绞痛病史明显短于 A组和 B组 ,二组比较差异均有显著性 (P<0 .0 1和 P<0 .0 5 ) ;C组患者入院前 48h心绞痛发作次数较 A组为多 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;C组三支病变较 A组多见 ,而单支病变 A组较 C组多见 (P均 <0 .0 5 ) ;C组 CRP水平较 A、B组明显增高 (P均 <0 .0 5 )。结论　高危险组冠状动脉病变较低、中危险组广泛 ,心绞痛发作次数亦较后二组为多 ,临床上常需要更强的药物治疗及积极的介入和外科治疗     

Thrombosis-related markers in unstable angina pectoris

While thrombus formation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of unstable angina, the value of thrombus-related markers for distinguishing unstable from stable angina is not well defined. Fibrin D-dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor were prospectively analyzed in the peripheral blood of 46 patients (26 with unstable angina and 20 with stable angina or normal coronary arteries). Baseline blood samples were drawn within 24 h after rest pain in patients with unstable angina and in 19 of these 26 patients in less than 6 h. In patients with unstable angina, mean +/- SD (median) values for fibrin D-dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor values measured 0.09 +/- 0.06 (0.07) microgram/ml and 9.1 +/- 9.6 (5.9) IU, respectively, compared to 0.11 +/- 0.10 (0.05) microgram/ml and 5.5 +/- 1.9 (5.0) IU/ml, in patients in the control group (p = NS for all comparisons between the two groups). Recurrent in-hospital pain, coronary anatomy and need for intervention showed no relation to the levels of these markers. In 19 additional patients (9 with unstable angina and 10 control patients) samples from the coronary sinus and the peripheral blood were also analyzed. Again, in patients with unstable angina all samples were drawn less than 24 h after rest pain; in six of nine patients samples were drawn in less than 6 h. A coronary sinus to peripheral blood gradient for either of these markers could not be demonstrated. The differences between peripheral and coronary sinus D-dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor concentrations were also similar in patients with unstable angina and control patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Circulating hepatocyte growth factor as a marker of thrombus formation in unstable angina pectoris

A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay can detect 10 pg/ml of human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Circulating HGF was significantly higher in patients with unstable angina (296+/-184 pg/ml, mean+/-SD, n=36) than in healthy volunteers (201+/-64 pg/ml, n=250, p<0.0001). Individual concentrations exceeded the mean control value +2 SD (329 pg/ml) in 12 of the 36 (33%) patients with unstable angina. The present study indicates that this new, sensitive HGF assay can successfully detect thrombosis in patients with unstable angina.     

Prognostic significance of a predischarge exercise test in risk stratification after unstable angina pectoris

The prognostic significance of exercise testing was compared with clinical and electrocardiographic (ECG) variables in a prospective study of 107 patients with unstable angina discharged from the hospital on medical therapy. During a follow-up period of 12.8 +/- 1.4 months, 10 patients (9%) had a nonfatal myocardial infarction (n = 8) or died (n = 2) and 22 (20%) were readmitted with recurrent unstable angina. The relation between 20 clinical, ECG and exercise test variables and the risk of adverse outcome (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or recurrent unstable angina) was analyzed using both univariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analysis. Univariate predictors of adverse outcome included diabetes mellitus, evolutionary T wave changes, T wave changes on the preexercise ECG and low maximal rate-pressure product during exercise. Independent predictors of adverse outcome in multivariate analysis included diabetes mellitus, evolutionary T wave changes after admission, rest pain during hospitalization, ST depression during exercise and low maximal rate-pressure product. A predictive model constructed using the regression equation and all independent predictors stratified patients into high and low risk groups (41% and 5% risk of adverse outcome, respectively). The result of a predischarge exercise test adds independent prognostic information to clinical and ECG data in medically treated patients with unstable angina and could be used in combination with clinical and ECG data to identify patients at risk of adverse events.     

Use of nitrates in unstable angina pectoris

The rationale for using intravenous nitrates in patients hospitalized with severe angina pectoris is that physiologic action is almost immediate. Many studies and clinical experience indicate that the use of this preparation results in a marked diminution of recurrent angina episodes in most patients. If adverse reactions such as severe hypotension or bradycardia occur, decreasing the dose or stopping it entirely corrects the problem. Intravenous nitroglycerin can be used in combination with other known antianginal agents, such as beta blockers and calcium antagonists. In clinical practice most patients are treated with nitrates and beta blockers or calcium antagonists because the combination of drugs may reduce ischemia and symptoms more than each drug used alone over a long period.     

心肌肌钙蛋白I与不稳定型心绞痛患者预后的临床研究

目的观察不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)患者血清肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)含量的变化及其与患者预后的关系,并探讨cTnI与冠状动脉病变程度的关系。方法测定91例UAP患者血清cTnI、磷酸肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)的含量。分析其一般临床特征、冠状动脉病变情况,观察心脏事件发生率,用Logistic回归分析相关因素的影响。结果91例UAP患者中cTnI增高者43例,cTnI增高组与cTnI正常组冠状动脉病变支数、冠状动脉狭窄程度积分比较差异无显著性(P>0.05),通过对心脏事件相关因素的分析,cTnI增高是发生心脏事件的独立危险因素,其相对危险度的估计值为15.82(P<0.01)。结论血清cTnI是UAP患者危险度分层及判断预后的重要生化指标。