Usefulness of coronary angioplasty in asymptomatic patients

Of 6,545 patients who had elective coronary angioplasty procedures performed over a 7.5-year period from June 1980 through December 1987, 114 (1.7%) never had symptoms of myocardial ischemia. Exercise-induced silent myocardial ischemia was documented before angioplasty in 94% of these asymptomatic patients. Angioplasty was successful in 87%, whereas emergency coronary artery bypass grafting was required in 4%, and a further 2% had myocardial infarctions after the procedures. The remaining 7% had unsuccessful angioplasty procedures but experienced no in-hospital cardiac events. The follow-up period after hospital discharge averaged 43 +/- 20 months (range 5 to 93). There were no deaths. In the group of 99 patients with initially successful angioplasty procedures the follow-up interval ranged from 5 to 92 months. During that period, 7 patients underwent coronary bypass surgery, 4 patients had myocardial infarction and 30 patients had repeat angioplasty procedures for restenosis. The cumulative probability of event-free survival over 5 years for the group with successful angioplasty was: 100% freedom from death, 95% freedom from myocardial infarction, 87% freedom from myocardial infarction or coronary bypass surgery and 61% freedom from myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery or repeat angioplasty. Thus, coronary angioplasty performed in 114 asymptomatic patients, most with exercise-induced silent myocardial ischemia, achieved very good primary success and was accompanied by low cardiac event rates and no deaths over several years of patient follow-up.     

A Randomized Trial of Intravenous Streptokinase Versus Tissue Plasminogen Activator for the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results Using an Aggressive Approach

Seventy-six patients presenting within 6 hours of the onset of an acute myocardial infarction were randomized to either treatment with 1.5 million units of Streptokinase or 100 mg of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator intravenously. Patients not demonstrating clinical reperfusion within 1 hour were taken emergently for “salvage” angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery. Those patients demonstrating clinical reperfusion underwent early (12 to 72 hours) elective angiography and either elective angioplasty or bypass surgery. The mean time from pain onset to treatment was 149 minutes in the Streptokinase group and 134 minutes in the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator group (P = NS). There were no statistical differences between groups with regard to prior myocardial infarction, infarct location, prior coronary bypass surgery and Killip classification. Clinical reperfusion was demonstrated in 56% of the Streptokinase group and 53% of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator group (P - NS). Angiographic patency was demonstrated in 70% of the Streptokinase group and 66% of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator group (P = NS). Left ventricular ejection fraction at discharge was no different: 47% in the Streptokinase group and 43% in the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator group (P = NS). Recurrent ischemic events were found more often in the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator group, 18%, versus the Streptokinase group 3% (P = 0.05). Treatment outcomes did not differ between groups. There was one (3%) death in the Streptokinase group versus two (6%) deaths in the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator group (P = NS). There was a trend toward a greater need for emergent coronary bypass surgery after attempted angioplasty in the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator group, four of 18 patients (22%) versus one of 23 patients (4%) in the Streptokinase group (P = 0.14). In summary, in the setting of acute myocardial infarction treated by thrombolysis, those patients treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator experienced significantly more recurrent ischemic events and required emergent coronary bypass surgery more frequently for failed angioplasty compared to those treated with Streptokinase. The results suggest there may be agent specific increases in complications dependent upon the thrombolytic agent of choice when salvage or early coronary angioplasty is used.     

Failed elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty requiring coronary artery bypass surgery. In-hospital and late clinical outcome at 5 years

This study was performed to define the in-hospital and late clinical outcome at 5 years in 430 patients who had a failed elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery during their hospitalization. This group comprised 5.9% of 7,246 patients undergoing elective PTCA. CABG surgery was performed in 346 patients with ongoing myocardial ischemia (80.5%) and in 84 patients without ischemia (19.5%). Their mean age was 56 +/- 9 years, and 76.3% were male. One-vessel disease was present in 72.3%, and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 59 +/- 11%. Overall, 1.9 +/- 0.9 bypass grafts were placed. There was increased use of the internal thoracic artery in the nonischemic group. A new nonfatal postprocedural Q wave myocardial infarction occurred in 21.2% and occurred more frequently in the ischemic (25.4%) than in the nonischemic (3.6%) group (p less than 0.0001). There were six in-hospital deaths (1.4%), an incidence that did not differ between the two groups. Follow-up was 99.8% complete. There were 25 deaths (93.2 +/- 1.5%, 5-year survival), including 16 of cardiac cause (95.3 +/- 1.3%, 5-year cardiac survival). Q wave myocardial infarction occurred in 111 patients (91 in-hospital), and freedom from cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction at 5 years was 71 +/- 3%. In the group going to CABG surgery with ongoing ischemia, the 5-year cardiac survival was 94.9 +/- 1.6%, and in the group without ischemia, the corresponding survival was 96.2 +/- 2.2%. By multivariate analysis, the presence of preoperative myocardial ischemia, pre-PTCA diameter stenosis less than 90%, and the presence of multiple-vessel disease correlated with the occurrence of cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction at 5 years. At this large-volume center with extensive PTCA operator and surgical experience, the excellent survival and low event rates over 5 years support the concept that despite the failed elective PTCA procedure, there was little effect on long-term survival provided the patient underwent prompt successful surgical revascularization.     

Bidirectional crossover and late outcome after coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery: 8 to 11 year follow-up

Between March 1978 and July 1981, 217 symptomatic patients underwent coronary angioplasty as an alternative to coronary bypass surgery. Angioplasty was successful in 143 patients (66%), unsuccessful but uncomplicated in 65 (30%) and complicated in 9 (4%) by one or more of the following criteria: Q wave myocardial infarction (2%), emergency surgery (4%) or death (0.5%). Late follow-up evaluation was obtained in 213 patients at a mean of 9 +/- 1 years. Of patients in whom angioplasty was successful, 59 (42%) of 140 required another revascularization procedure (repeat angioplasty in 26% and bypass surgery in 16%). The actuarial survival rate at 5, 9 and 10 years after successful angioplasty was 98%, 93% and 92%, respectively. Of the 65 patients with unsuccessful and uncomplicated angioplasty (usually as a result of technical factors), 58 underwent elective bypass surgery within 2 months and 56 survived. These 56 surgical patients were compared with the 140 patients with successful angioplasty. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors did not reveal significant differences between these two groups. At late follow-up study, the successful angioplasty and the successful surgical groups had similar rates of survival (93% versus 95%, p = NS) and of death or infarction, or both (11% versus 12.5%, p = NS). Repeat revascularization was required more frequently after successful angioplasty than after surgery (42% versus 18%, p less than 0.001). Crossover from angioplasty to surgery occurred slightly more often than from surgery to angioplasty (16% versus 12.5%, p = NS). The time to crossover from angioplasty to surgery occurred earlier than from surgery to angioplasty (mean 21 versus 76 months, p less than 0.001).     

Favorable early and long-term prognosis following coronary bypass surgery therapy for myocardial infarction: results of a multicenter trial. TAMI Study Group

Coronary bypass surgery was performed before hospital discharge on 82 (21%) of 386 consecutive patients enrolled in the Thrombolysis and Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (TAMI) multicenter trial of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. Time from infarct symptom onset to coronary bypass surgery was 7.3 +/- 1.9 hours for 24 patients operated upon on an emergency basis and 9.3 +/- 5.2 days for 58 patients having late in-hospital surgery. There were no operative deaths and five in-hospital deaths in the surgical group, all of which occurred in patients with preoperative cardiogenic shock. Although patients in the surgical group were older (59.7 +/- 10.4 years versus 54.9 +/- 10.2 years; p = 0.03), had more extensive coronary artery disease (42% three-vessel disease versus 11%; p = 0.001), and had a higher incidence of anterior wall myocardial infarction (48% versus 39%; p = 0.02), in-hospital mortality for the surgical group (6%) was similar to that in 301 patients not undergoing surgery (7%) in this trial. For patients discharged from the hospital, mortality at 1 year was 2.5% in the surgical group and 1.8% in patients not having coronary bypass surgery before hospital discharge. At a 1 year follow-up, there were no significant differences in the frequency of cardiac or noncardiac-related hospitalizations or in event-free survival between surgical and nonsurgical groups. The majority of patients in both groups considered themselves to be in excellent or good condition. Coronary bypass surgery can be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates in close temporal association to acute myocardial infarction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The conservative coronary angioplasty strategy after thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction: immediate and short-term results.

The in-hospital and short-term follow-up results of a conservative coronary angioplasty approach in 354 consecutive patients treated after thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction were compared with results obtained in 408 control noninfarcted patients treated for the classical indication of myocardial ischemia. Only 20% of the study patients underwent angioplasty during the initial hospitalization period and the clinical success rate was 93% versus 95% in the control group (p = NS). No significant differences in the total number of in-hospital untoward events were observed (10.2% and 7.6%, respectively). During a 7.4 +/- 1.5 month follow-up period, the total number of adverse events was only 16.9% in the study patients but it was 27.8% in the control group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in death, myocardial infarction, or coronary surgery as individual events, but repeat angioplasty was less frequent in the study group (14.0% versus 21.5%, p < 0.01). Thus in-hospital results in patients undergoing angioplasty on a deferred basis after thrombolysis for myocardial infarction were largely comparable with those results obtained in noninfarcted patients. Moreover, short-term clinical follow-up events were reduced when compared with the control group, an observation apparently largely related to the subgroup without clinical evidence of residual ischemia.     

Comparison of coronary artery bypass surgery and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty including surgery for failed angioplasty

Selection and treatment of patients with ischemic heart disease is presently undergoing an evolutionary trend. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has been recommended as the initial procedure for many patients with coronary artery disease and has thus redefined candidates for coronary artery bypass surgery. During our first years of experience with percutaneous angioplasty, 339 patients underwent the procedure and were compared with 338 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients who underwent PTCA had a shorter duration of angina and a lower number of prior myocardial infarctions and were found to have better left ventricular function (p less than 0.01). PTCA was considered initially successful in 87% (295 of 339) of patients. The most common finding at operation in those with failed angioplasty who underwent urgent or emergency revascularization was dissection of atheromatous plaque. Although the cumulative frequency of new Q waves in the entire 18-month angioplasty series was low (2.7%), the incidence was high (18%) in those with angioplasty failure and subsequent operation (N = 20) and significantly greater than in patients who had elective coronary artery bypass surgery (3.6%). Use of inotropic agents and lidocaine for ventricular arrhythmias was significantly higher in patients with unsuccessful PTCA who required operation than in those who underwent elective bypass surgery (10% vs 3% and 10% vs 1.5%, respectively; p less than 0.01). In an analysis of our entire experience between October 1980 and June 1982, 777 patients who had PTCA and 2068 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery were analyzed for differences in clinical complications and early outcome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Left main coronary angioplasty: early and late results of 127 acute and elective procedures

The results of 127 left main (LM) coronary angioplasties were reviewed to assess short- and long-term effectiveness. Three major subgroups were considered: (1) elective "protected" (defined as the presence of a patent bypass graft to the left coronary circulation) patients (n = 84); (2) elective "unprotected" patients (n = 33); and (3) acute patients, in whom LM coronary angioplasty was performed in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction (n = 10). Successful LM dilation was achieved in 94% of elective patients and 90% of acute patients. Procedural mortality was 4.3% in elective patients (2.4 and 9.1% in protected and unprotected patients, respectively, p = 0.14) and 50% in the acute subgroup. Long-term follow-up data, available for 98% of patients, revealed actuarial 3-year survival rates of 90 and 36% in elective protected and unprotected subgroups, respectively (p less than 0.0005). In the acute subgroup, 3 patients (30%) were alive at the time of follow-up; all had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Thus, although elective angioplasty of an unprotected LM coronary artery is technically feasible, the long-term prognosis of such patients is very poor. LM angioplasty in this subgroup should be reserved for patients in whom surgical revascularization is not an option. In contrast, elective angioplasty of a protected LM coronary artery can be accomplished safely with good long-term results. LM coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction can be effective as a salvage procedure; however, adjunctive coronary bypass surgery is important for long-term survival.     

Coronary angioplasty in octogenarians: comparisons to coronary bypass surgery

Coronary angioplasty was performed in 74 patients 80 years of age and older (mean 83 +/- 3). Single vessel coronary disease was present in 34% and multivessel coronary disease in 66%. Angioplasty of a single vessel was performed in 51 patients (69%), while 23 (31%) had angioplasty of multiple vessels. Angioplasty was successful in 59 of 74 patients (80%). Angioplasty was unsuccessful but uncomplicated in 12 (16%) due to (unyielding) calcified lesions or (impassable) old occlusions. Of these 12, 8 were discharged on medical therapy and 4 underwent elective uncomplicated bypass surgery prior to discharge. Three (4%) patients required emergency coronary bypass surgery due to abrupt vessel closure during the angioplasty procedure, with one hospital death (1.4%). Follow-up (mean 24 +/- 22 months) was obtained in all patients. Of the 59 successful angioplasty patients, late mortality was 10% (cardiac 7% and non-cardiac 3%). Survival and survival without myocardial infarction were both 90%; survival without either infarction or bypass surgery was 86%. Actuarial 3-year survival was 91% and 3-year freedom from death, infarction or bypass surgery was 87% by life-table analysis. Repeat angioplasty for restenosis was performed in 7 patients (12%) without complications.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with prior myocardial infarction: angioplasty at a distance from the prior infarct zone

Patients undergoing coronary angioplasty who have had a prior transmural myocardial infarction in the distribution of a contralateral coronary artery are considered a high-risk group because of potentially severe left ventricular dysfunction if an ischemic complication occurs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of coronary angioplasty in 28 patients with prior myocardial infarction remote from the artery undergoing dilatation. Prior myocardial infarction was defined by the presence of pathologic Q waves on ECG or segmental akinesis on ventriculography. Angioplasty was successful in 30 of 33 lesions (91%) and in 25 of 28 patients (89%). Mean stenosis diameter was reduced from 91% +/- 7% to 28% +/- 16%; mean translesional gradient after angioplasty was 6 +/- 5 mm Hg. No patient developed severe hemodynamic deterioration from transient coronary occlusion during balloon inflation or from an acute ischemic complication. Three patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery after unsuccessful angioplasty. There were no new Q wave infarctions or deaths. The results of coronary angioplasty in patients with prior infarction were compared with those of 203 patients without prior remote infarction. Primary success and occurrence of major complications were comparable in both groups. At a mean follow-up of 12 +/- 6 months, 18 of the 25 patients (72%) who underwent initially successful dilatation have remained symptom free with angioplasty alone. Therefore, coronary angioplasty is a suitable therapeutic procedure in carefully selected patients with angina pectoris and prior myocardial infarction at a distance from the site of angioplasty.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with cardiogenic shock.

In cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been reported to significantly improve the modest survival benefits afforded by emergency surgical revascularization and thrombolytic therapy. The records of all patients who underwent angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock were retrospectively reviewed to determine whether coronary angioplasty improves survival. Of the 45 patients, 28 (group 1, 62%) had successful dilation of the infarct-related artery and 17 (group 2, 38%) had unsuccessful angioplasty. The groups were similar in extent of coronary artery disease, infarct location, incidence of multivessel disease and hemodynamic variables. The overall hospital survival rate was 56% (71% in group 1 and 29% in group 2). Group 1 patients had more left main coronary artery disease, and group 2 patients were older and had a higher incidence of prior myocardial infarction. Multivariate analysis showed that the survival advantage in patients with successful angioplasty was statistically significant (p = 0.014) when these factors were taken into account. At a mean follow-up interval of 2.3 years (range 1 month to 5.6 years), there were five deaths (four cardiac and one noncardiac), for a 2.3-year survival rate of 80% in patients surviving to hospital discharge. During the follow-up period, 36% of hospital survivors had repeat hospitalization for cardiac evaluation, 8% had myocardial infarction, 8% had coronary artery bypass surgery and 24% had angina.     

Three-year follow-up of patients with silent ischemia in the subacute phase of myocardial infarction after thrombolysis and early coronary intervention

In order to assess the prognostic value of silent myocardial ischemia in acute myocardial infarction after thrombolysis and early coronary angiography (14-48 h after start of thrombolysis) including percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, if indicated, 126 patients underwent 24 h-Holter-monitoring in the early postinfarction period. The 24 h-Holter-recording was initiated directly after early coronary intervention (40+/-11 h after onset of symptoms). Of the 126 patients initially eligible for the study 29 had to be excluded from further analysis for clinical or methodical reasons. Of the remaining 97 patients, 10 (10%) had silent ischemia (group A) and 87/97 (90%) patients showed no significant ST-segment alterations. Both groups did not significantly differ from each other with regard to baseline clinical characteristics, severity of coronary artery disease and frequency of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The left ventricular ejection fraction showed a trend towards lower values in patients with than in those without silent ischemia (47+/-15% vs. 55+/-13%, p=0.07). When both silent ischemia and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were present, a subset of patients at high risk for cardiac death could be identified (specificity: 98%, positive predictive accuracy: 75%). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, significantly more cardiac deaths occurred in group A than in group B (30% vs. 6%, p<0.01) during the three-year follow-up (950+/-392 days) after acute myocardial infarction. Regarding the cardiac events during long-term follow-up (emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting, non-fatal reinfarction, and cardiac death) there was no significant difference between both groups (30% vs. 18%, NS). In conclusion, Holter monitor-detected silent ischemia in the subacute phase of myocardial infarction after thrombolysis followed by early delayed coronary intervention occurs in 10% of the patients indicating either a residual ischemia in the infarcted zone despite a combined reperfusion strategy or a remote ischemic potential in case of multivessel disease. In this small selected group of infarct patients too, silent ischemia is to be considered as an important non-invasive parameter to predict cardiac death during long-term follow-up and provides valuable complementary information to left ventricular dysfunction, a well established prognostic marker in the postinfarction period.     

Long-term outcome of unsuccessful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

We analyzed the long-term outcome of 198 patients after unsuccessful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Forty-nine percent underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, 17% had elective bypass surgery, and 34% were treated medically. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4%, and myocardial infarction occurred in 36% of patients. Follow-up was completed in 100% of patients with a mean follow-up period of 35 +/- 22 months. Actuarial cardiac survival at 4 years was 97% in the emergency bypass surgery group, 100% in the elective bypass surgery group, and 86% in the medically treated group. Actuarial event-free survival (freedom from myocardial infarction, bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty, and cardiac death) at 4-year follow-up was 81% in 198 patients, 90% in the emergency bypass surgery group, 85% in the elective bypass surgery group, and 65% in the medically treated group. Results of multivariate analysis showed that emergency or elective bypass surgery after failed coronary angioplasty, normal or mildly impaired left ventricular function, and male sex were predictors of better outcome at 4 years.     

Acute complications of elective coronary angioplasty: a review of 500 consecutive procedures

In 500 consecutive procedures of elective coronary angioplasty attempted at a centre with a primary success of 86%, one or more major acute complications occurred in 34 cases (6.8%). Twenty four patients (4.8%) sustained an acute myocardial infarction (in six this was despite emergency coronary artery bypass surgery) and two patients (0.4%) had emergency coronary bypass without myocardial infarction. Ventricular fibrillation was a complication without sequelae in five (1.0%) patients; one (0.2%) patient died because of refractory ventricular fibrillation and ensuing electromechanical dissociation. "Benign" coronary artery rupture occurred in one (0.2%) patient, and one (0.2%) patient had elective coronary surgery to retrieve the tip of a fractured guide wire after an otherwise successful angioplasty. Despite a low mortality, coronary angioplasty is associated with major complications in about one of 14 procedures; the complication is usually acute myocardial infarction caused by occlusion of the vessel.     

Acute complications of elective coronary angioplasty: a review of 500 consecutive procedures.

In 500 consecutive procedures of elective coronary angioplasty attempted at a centre with a primary success of 86%, one or more major acute complications occurred in 34 cases (6.8%). Twenty four patients (4.8%) sustained an acute myocardial infarction (in six this was despite emergency coronary artery bypass surgery) and two patients (0.4%) had emergency coronary bypass without myocardial infarction. Ventricular fibrillation was a complication without sequelae in five (1.0%) patients; one (0.2%) patient died because of refractory ventricular fibrillation and ensuing electromechanical dissociation. "Benign" coronary artery rupture occurred in one (0.2%) patient, and one (0.2%) patient had elective coronary surgery to retrieve the tip of a fractured guide wire after an otherwise successful angioplasty. Despite a low mortality, coronary angioplasty is associated with major complications in about one of 14 procedures; the complication is usually acute myocardial infarction caused by occlusion of the vessel.     

Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation support for elective coronary angioplasty in the setting of poor left ventricular function: a two center experience

A two-center elective coronary angioplasty experience with intra-aortic balloon pump support for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction is reported. To prevent hemodynamic collapse, an intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted percutaneously before coronary angioplasty in 97 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35% (26% of whom had ejection fractions less than 25%). The cohort was predominantly male (71%) with a mean age of 64 +/- 9 years. Angioplasty was successfully performed in 83 (85.6%) patients and 80 (82.5%) of these successful patients were discharged from the hospital. Seven patients had unsuccessful angioplasty without a major cardiac event. Seven patients (7.2%) suffered a major cardiac event; 4 had emergent coronary bypass surgery with q-wave infarction, 2 had uneventful emergency coronary bypass surgery, and one patient died in the operating room after a failed angioplasty. Using logistic regression analysis, the presence of multivessel disease and a history of prior myocardial infarction were associated with more complications during angioplasty (p less than 0.05). Intra-aortic balloon pump placement did not interfere with the angioplasty procedure. Two patients had limb ischemia which resolved when the intra-aortic balloon pump was removed. Of the 80 successful patients discharged, 72 were followed for a mean of 22 months. At the latest follow-up, 52 had not suffered a myocardial infarction and were alive. Of the 20 late deaths, 16 were cardiac and 4 non-cardiac.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of angioplasty and bypass surgery in multivessel coronary artery disease

The role of coronary angioplasty in the treatment of patient with multivessel coronary artery disease has not been fully established. We compared immediate and 1-year follow-up results in 60 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty for multivessel coronary disease in 1982 with 41 patients anatomically suitable for angioplasty but who underwent elective coronary bypass surgery during the same time period. Baseline variables were similar in both groups except for number of vessels diseased which was higher in the surgical group. Angioplasty was initially successful in 70% of cases. There were no deaths. Mean initial hospital days were lower in the angioplasty group. At follow-up there were no significant differences in survival, functional class, occurrence of subsequent myocardial infarction or use of cardiac medications. However, 33% of the successfully dilated patients required either repeat dilatation or subsequent bypass surgery because of restenosis or inadequate initial revascularization. The statistical power of the study was limited due to the small sample sizes. While demonstrating that angioplasty can be successfully performed in patients with multivessel disease, definitive conclusions about the comparability of the two treatments are hampered by possible selection bias and small patient numbers. This issue could be better addressed by a multicenter prospective randomized trial.     

Long-term prognosis after myocardial infarction in patients with previous coronary artery bypass surgery

A group of 205 patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction 2 to 162 months (mean 66) after bypass surgery and 205 control patients with myocardial infarction were compared and followed up for 34 +/- 25 months after hospital discharge. At baseline the postbypass group contained more men (p less than 0.03) and more patients with previous myocardial infarction (p less than 0.06), but the groups were otherwise comparable. Indexes of infarct size were lower in postbypass patients: sum of ST elevation, QRS score, peak serum creatine kinase (CK) (1,115 +/- 994 versus 1,780 +/- 1,647 IU/liter) and peak MB CK (all p less than or equal to 0.001). Postmyocardial infarction ejection fraction was 45 +/- 15% in the postbypass group and 43 +/- 15% in the control group (p = NS); in-hospital mortality rate was 4 and 5%, respectively (p = NS). When patent grafts were taken into account, the two groups were comparable in extent of coronary artery disease. At 5 years after discharge, cumulative mortality was similar in the postbypass and control groups (30 versus 25%, respectively, p = NS). However, postbypass patients had more reinfarctions (40 versus 23%, p = 0.007), more admissions for unstable angina (23 versus 18%, p = 0.04) and more revascularization procedures (34 versus 20%, p = 0.04) than did control patients. The total for these events at 5 years was 70% in the postbypass group and 49% in the control group (p = 0.001). Thus, although patients with previous bypass surgery who develop acute myocardial infarction have a smaller infarct, their subsequent survival is no better than that of other patients with acute myocardial infarction. They experience more reinfarctions and unstable angina. Previous bypass surgery is an important clinical marker for recurrent cardiac events after myocardial infarction.     

Prevention of subsequent exercise-induced periinfarct ischemia by emergency coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction: comparison with intracoronary streptokinase

To compare the efficacy of emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and intracoronary streptokinase in preventing exercise-induced periinfarct ischemia, 28 patients presenting within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction were prospectively randomized. Of these, 14 patients were treated with emergency angioplasty and 14 patients received intracoronary streptokinase. Recatheterization and submaximal exercise thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography were performed before hospital discharge. Periinfarct ischemia was defined as a reversible thallium defect adjacent to a fixed defect assessed qualitatively. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 86% of patients treated with emergency angioplasty and 86% of patients treated with intracoronary streptokinase (p = NS). Residual stenosis of the infarct-related coronary artery shown at predischarge angiography was 43.8 +/- 31.4% for the angioplasty group and 75.0 +/- 15.6% for the streptokinase group (p less than 0.05). Of the angioplasty group, 9% developed exercise-induced periinfarct ischemia compared with 60% of the streptokinase group (p less than 0.05). Thus, patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with emergency angioplasty had significantly less severe residual coronary stenosis and exercise-induced periinfarct ischemia than did those treated with intracoronary streptokinase. These results suggest further application of coronary angioplasty in the management of acute myocardial infarction.     

Thrombolytic therapy for patients with prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and subsequent acute myocardial infarction

Our purpose was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with prior coronary angioplasty who underwent thrombolysis for new acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Global Utilization of Streptokinase and t-PA for Occluded Coronary Arteries-1 trial. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between patients with (n = 1,647) and without (n = 39,150) previous angioplasty. The relations among prior angioplasty, clinical outcomes, and treatment effects were examined with logistic regression modeling. Patients with previous angioplasty tended to be younger and presented sooner after symptom onset, but had more multivessel disease and lower ejection fractions. Unadjusted mortality was significantly lower in the prior-angioplasty group at 24 hours (1.8% vs 2.7%, P = 0.03) and 30 days (5.6% vs 7.0%, P = 0.036). Although most of the survival advantage was due to low-risk characteristics in this group (lower age and heart rate and fewer anterior wall AMIs), prior angioplasty remained a weak but independent predictor of survival. Recurrent ischemia and reinfarction occurred more often in the prior-angioplasty group, as did bypass surgery (12.2% vs 8.5%) and repeat angioplasty (34.5% vs 21.4%). Patients with prior angioplasty and prior AMI had lower 30-day mortality than those with prior infarction alone (6.3% vs 12.6%, p < 0.01). Treatment effects on 30-day mortality were similar among patients with prior angioplasty (odds ratio 1.2 for accelerated tissue-plasminogen activator v. combined Streptokinase arms, 95% confidence interval 0.73 to 1.9). Patients with prior angioplasty who present with AMI have fewer in-hospital adverse events and lower 30-day mortality than those without such a history.