High-Risk Plaque Detected on Coronary CT Angiography Predicts Acute Coronary Syndromes Independent of Significant Stenosis in Acute Chest Pain : Results From the ROMICAT-II Trial

Background

It is not known whether high-risk plaque, as detected by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), permits improved early diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) independently to the presence of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with acute chest pain.

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether high-risk plaque features, as detected by CTA in the emergency department (ED), may improve diagnostic certainty of ACS independently and incrementally to the presence of significant CAD and clinical risk assessment in patients with acute chest pain but without objective evidence of myocardial ischemia or myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

We included patients randomized to the coronary CTA arm of the ROMICAT-II (Rule Out Myocardial Infarction/Ischemia Using Computer-Assisted Tomography II) trial. Readers assessed coronary CTA qualitatively for the presence of nonobstructive CAD (1% to 49% stenosis), significant CAD (≥50% or ≥70% stenosis), and the presence of at least 1 of the high-risk plaque features (positive remodeling, low <30 Hounsfield units plaque, napkin-ring sign, spotty calcium). In logistic regression analysis, we determined the association of high-risk plaque with ACS (MI or unstable angina pectoris) during the index hospitalization and whether this was independent of significant CAD and clinical risk assessment.

Results

Overall, 37 of 472 patients who underwent coronary CTA with diagnostic image quality (mean age 53.9 ± 8.0 years; 52.8% men) had ACS (7.8%; MI n = 5; unstable angina pectoris n = 32). CAD was present in 262 patients (55.5%; nonobstructive CAD in 217 patients [46.0%] and significant CAD with ≥50% stenosis in 45 patients [9.5%]). High-risk plaques were more frequent in patients with ACS and remained a significant predictor of ACS (odds ratio [OR]: 8.9; 95% CI: 1.8 to 43.3; p = 0.006) after adjustment for ≥50% stenosis (OR: 38.6; 95% CI: 14.2 to 104.7; p < 0.001) and clinical risk assessment (age, sex, number of cardiovascular risk factors). Similar results were observed after adjustment for ≥70% stenosis.

Conclusions

In patients presenting to the ED with acute chest pain but negative initial electrocardiogram and troponin, presence of high-risk plaques on coronary CTA increased the likelihood of ACS independent of significant CAD and clinical risk assessment (age, sex, and number of cardiovascular risk factors). (Multicenter Study to Rule Out Myocardial Infarction by Cardiac Computed Tomography [ROMICAT-II]; NCT01084239)     

A modified HEART risk score in chest pain patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

Objective To validate a modified HEART [History, Electrocardiograph (ECG), Age, Risk factors and Troponin] risk score in chest pain patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) in the emergency department (ED). Methods This retrospective cohort study used a prospectively acquired database and chest pain patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected NSTE-ACS were enrolled. Data recorded on arrival at the ED were used. The serum sample of high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin I other than conventional cardiac Troponin I used in the HEART risk score was tested. The modified HEART risk score was calculated. The end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as a composite of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), percutaneous intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), or all-cause death, within three months after initial presentation. Results A total of 1,300 patients were enrolled. A total of 606 patients (46.6%) had a MACE within three months: 205 patients (15.8%) were diagnosed with AMI, 465 patients (35.8%) underwent PCI, and 119 patients (9.2%) underwent CABG. There were 10 (0.8%) deaths. A progressive, significant pattern of increasing event rate was observed as the score increased (P < 0.001 by χ² for trend). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84. All patients were classified into three groups: low risk (score 0–2), intermediate risk (score 3–4), and high risk (score 5–10). Event rates were 1.1%, 18.5%, and 67.0%, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions The modified HEART risk score was validated in chest pain patients with suspected NSTE-ACS and may complement MACE risk assessment and patients triage in the ED. A prospective study of the score is warranted.     

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Versus Stress Echocardiography in Acute Chest Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives

This study sought to compare early emergency department (ED) use of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and stress echocardiography (SE) head-to-head.

Prognostic Value of Risk Factors,Calcium Score,Coronary CTA,Myocardial Perfusion Imaging,and Invasive Coronary Angiography in Kidney Transplantation Candidates

Objectives

This study sought to perform a prospective head-to-head comparison of the predictive value of clinical risk factors and a variety of cardiac imaging modalities including coronary artery calcium score (CACS), coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and all-cause mortality in kidney transplantation candidates.

BNP was Associated with Ischemic Myocardial Scintigraphy and Death in Patients at Chest Pain Unit

Background

Recent studies have suggested that B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is an important predictor of ischemia and death in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. Increased levels of BNP are seen after episodes of myocardial ischemia and may be related to future adverse events.

Objectives

To determine the prognostic value of BNP for major cardiac events and to evaluate its association with ischemic myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS).

Methods

This study included retrospectively 125 patients admitted to the chest pain unit between 2002 and 2006, who had their BNP levels measured on admission and underwent CPM for risk stratification. BNP values were compared with the results of the MPS. The chi-square test was used for qualitative variables and the Student t test, for quantitative variables. Survival curves were adjusted using the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed by using Cox regression. The significance level was 5%.

Results

The mean age was 63.9 ± 13.8 years, and the male sex represented 51.2% of the sample. Ischemia was found in 44% of the MPS. The mean BNP level was higher in patients with ischemia compared to patients with non-ischemic MPS (188.3 ± 208.7 versus 131.8 ± 88.6; p = 0.003). A BNP level greater than 80 pg/mL was the strongest predictor of ischemia on MPS (sensitivity = 60%, specificity = 70%, accuracy = 66%, PPV = 61%, NPV = 70%), and could predict medium-term mortality (RR = 7.29, 95% CI: 0.90-58.6; p = 0.045) independently of the presence of ischemia.

Conclusions

BNP levels are associated with ischemic MPS findings and adverse prognosis in patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency room, thus, providing important prognostic information for an unfavorable clinical outcome.     

Correlation between major adverse cardiac events and coronary plaque characteristics

BACKGROUND:

Unstable plaque is believed to be responsible for major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) could be used to predict future MACE.

METHODS:

Patients undergoing CCTA between January 2008 and February 2010 were consecutively enrolled in the study. The hospital database was screened for patients who later developed acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI (NSTEMI) or cardiac death. Plaque scores were calculated and analyzed using one-way ANOVA to examine the relationship between plaque scores and MACE.

RESULTS:

Of the 8557 patients who underwent CCTA, 1055 had hospital records available for follow-up. During follow-up, 25 patients experienced MACE including death (six patients), heart failure (two patients), STEMI (11 patients) and NSTEMI (six patients). The plaque scores were significantly increased in patients who later died, developed heart failure or experienced STEMI (P<0.05). Calcification, erosion and severe stenosis were responsible for the events (P<0.05). Mild and moderate lesions, positive remodelling, drug-eluting stent placement, occlusion and diffuse lesions were not predictive of MACE (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Severe calcification, erosion and severe stenosis predict death, heart failure and STEMI.     

Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of ischemia-modified albumin and echocardiography in patients with acute chest pain

BACKGROUND:

Several imaging tests and biomarkers have been proposed for the identification of patients with unstable angina among those presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Preliminary data suggest that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) may represent a potentially useful biomarker in these patients.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare IMA and echocardiography in excluding unstable angina in patients with acute chest pain.

METHODS:

Thirty-three patients (mean [± SD] age 59.8±10.8 years; 28 men) presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain lasting <3 h suggestive of acute coronary syndrome, with normal or non-diagnostic electrocardiograms, and creatine kinase MB and troponin levels within the normal range, were included in the present study.

RESULTS:

After further diagnostic evaluation, five patients (15.2%) were diagnosed with unstable angina. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive (NPV) value of echocardiography for diagnosing unstable angina was 60.0%, 89.3%, 50.0% and 92.6%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for diagnosing unstable angina based on the serum IMA levels was 0.193 (95% CI 0.047 to 0.339; P<0.05). Based on ROC curve analysis, serum IMA levels ≥31.95 IU/mL yielded the optimal combination of sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing unstable angina. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and NPV of serum IMA levels ≥31.95 IU/mL for diagnosing unstable angina was 40.0%, 28.6%, 9.1% and 72.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Measurement of serum IMA levels appears to represent a useful tool for excluding unstable angina in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Moreover, IMA shows an NPV that is comparable with echocardiography.     

Dipyridamole stress myocardial perfusion by computed tomography in patients with left bundle branch block

Background

Functional tests have limited accuracy for identifying myocardial ischemia in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB).

Objective

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of dipyridamole-stress myocardial computed tomography perfusion (CTP) by 320-detector CT in patients with LBBB using invasive quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) (stenosis ≥ 70%) as reference; to investigate the advantage of adding CTP to coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and compare the results with those of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Methods

Thirty patients with LBBB who had undergone SPECT for the investigation of coronary artery disease were referred for stress tomography. Independent examiners performed per-patient and per-coronary territory assessments. All patients gave written informed consent to participate in the study that was approved by the institution’s ethics committee.

Results

The patients’ mean age was 62 ± 10 years. The mean dose of radiation for the tomography protocol was 9.3 ± 4.6 mSv. With regard to CTP, the per-patient values for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were 86%, 81%, 80%, 87%, and 83%, respectively (p = 0.001). The per-territory values were 63%, 86%, 65%, 84%, and 79%, respectively (p < 0.001). In both analyses, the addition of CTP to CTA achieved higher diagnostic accuracy for detecting myocardial ischemia than SPECT (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The use of the stress tomography protocol is feasible and has good diagnostic accuracy for assessing myocardial ischemia in patients with LBBB.     

Alternative diagnoses based on CT angiography of the chest in patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism

Objective

: To determine the prevalence of alternative diagnoses based on chest CT angiography (CTA) in patients with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) who tested negative for PTE, as well as whether those alternative diagnoses had been considered prior to the CTA.

Methods

: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study involving 191 adult patients undergoing CTA for suspected PTE between September of 2009 and May of 2012. Chest X-rays and CTAs were reviewed to determine whether the findings suggested an alternative diagnosis in the cases not diagnosed as PTE. Data on symptoms, risk factors, comorbidities, length of hospital stay, and mortality were collected.

Results

: On the basis of the CTA findings, PTE was diagnosed in 47 cases (24.6%). Among the 144 patients not diagnosed with PTE via CTA, the findings were abnormal in 120 (83.3%). Such findings were consistent with an alternative diagnosis that explained the symptoms in 75 patients (39.3%). Among those 75 cases, there were only 39 (20.4%) in which the same alterations had not been previously detected on chest X-rays. The most common alternative diagnosis, made solely on the basis of the CTA findings, was pneumonia (identified in 20 cases). Symptoms, risk factors, comorbidities, and the in-hospital mortality rate did not differ significantly between the patients with and without PTE. However, the median hospital stay was significantly longer in the patients with PTE than in those without (18.0 and 9.5 days, respectively; p = 0.001).

Conclusions

: Our results indicate that chest CTA is useful in cases of suspected PTE, because it can confirm the diagnosis and reveal findings consistent with an alternative diagnosis in a significant number of patients.     

Clinical outcomes with Biolimus (A9)™ eluting stent, ‘BioMatrix’ in diabetic patients – interim results from multicenter post market surveillance registry in India

Objective

The objective of this registry is to establish safety and efficacy of BioMatrix, BioMatrix™-Biolimus A9™ eluting stent in diabetic population in India.

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a major predisposing factor for coronary artery disease. Prognosis for diabetic population patients presenting with coronary artery disease who undergo coronary revascularization is inferior to non diabetics and remains an independent risk factor of restenosis, need for revascularization, and overall mortality. Stent thrombosis is a potential complication of first generation, permanent polymer drug-eluting stents. Biodegradable polymer is a good relief in this era and its utility in diabetic patients will be a major advantage for them.

Methods

334 patients with diabetes mellitus and requiring angioplasty, implanted with BioMatrix stent were followed at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months who entered in a multicenter registry in India. We analyzed the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and stent thrombosis (ST) at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months.

Results

The mean age was 58.71 ± 9.2 years, 81% were males, comorbidity index was 1.6 ± 1.02, and 59.1% presented with acute coronary syndrome. The incidence of adverse event rates was: MACE 1.27%. There were no incidences of myocardial infarction (MI) and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Definite stent thrombosis occurred only in 2 patients.

Conclusion

In this registry of diabetic population treated with BioMatrixTM-Biolimus A9TM eluting stent (BioMatrix), the reported incidence of MACE and ST were much lower than previously published results. The 1- and 2-year follow-up result supports favorable clinical outcomes of using BioMatrix stents as a suitable alternative to contemporary DES available during PCI in diabetic patients.     

Stress Echocardiography and Major Cardiac Events in Patients with Normal Exercise Test

Background

Exercise test (ET) is the preferred initial noninvasive test for the diagnosis and risk stratification of coronary artery disease (CAD), however, its lower sensitivity may fail to identify patients at greater risk of adverse events.

Objective

To assess the value of stress echocardiography (SE) for predicting all-cause mortality and major cardiac events (MACE) in patients with intermediate pretest probability of CAD and a normal ET.

Methods

397 patients with intermediate CAD pretest probability, estimated by the Morise score, and normal ET who underwent SE were studied. The patients were divided into two groups according to the absence (G1) or presence (G2) of myocardial ischemia on SE .End points evaluated were all-cause mortality and MACE, defined as cardiac death and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Results

G1 group was comprised of 329 (82.8%) patients. The mean age of the patients was 57.37 ± 11 years and 44.1% were male. During a mean follow-up of 75.94 ± 17.24 months, 13 patients died, three of them due to cardiac causes, and 13 patients suffered nonfatal AMI. Myocardial ischemia remained an independent predictor of MACE (HR 2.49; [CI] 95% 1.74-3.58). The independent predictors for all-cause mortality were male gender (HR 9.83; [CI] 95% 2.15-44.97) and age over 60 years (HR 4.57; [CI] 95% 1.39-15.23).

Conclusion

Positive SE for myocardial ischemia is a predictor of MACE in the studied sample, which helps to identify a subgroup of patients at higher risk of events despite having normal ET.     

Admission is not always necessary for patients with community-acquired pneumonia in risk classes IV and V diagnosed in the emergency room

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the factors that allow patients with community-acquired pneumonia who are at high risk of mortality (risk classes IV and V) to be treated at home.

DESIGN:

A prospective, observational study.

SETTING:

Six hospitals and one free-standing emergency room in Edmonton, Alberta.

PARTICIPANTS:

The present study included 2354 patients in risk classes IV and V who had a diagnosis of pneumonia made by an emergency room physician or an internist.

MEASUREMENTS:

Symptoms, signs and laboratory findings, as well as outcome measures of length of stay and mortality.

RESULTS:

Of the total study group, 319 of the patients (13.5%) were treated on an ambulatory basis. Factors predictive of admission were definite or possible pneumonia on chest radiograph as read by a radiologist, functional impairment, altered mental status, substance abuse, psychiatric disorder, abnormal white blood cell count, abnormal lymphocyte count, oxygen saturation less than 90% and antibiotic administration in the week before admission. If chest pain was present, admission was less likely. Only two of the 319 patients required subsequent admission (both had positive blood cultures) and only two died.

CONCLUSIONS:

A substantial number of patients in risk classes IV and V can be safely treated at home. Factors that help clinicians to select this subset of patients are discussed.     

Intérêt du coroscanner en urgence pour l’exclusion de la maladie coronaire chez les patients souffrant de douleur thoracique à risque faible ou intermédiaire

Purpose

To demonstrate the usefulness of the multislice computer tomography coronary angiography (CCTA) in patients with suspected acute chest pain without electrical changes or enzyme rise, and with low cardiovascular risk.

Patients and methods

Fifty-three patients at low or intermediate risk for coronary artery disease, who were admitted in the emergency department for an acute chest pain, and who underwent a CCTA, were included in the study. Results of the CCTA were classified as normal, non-obstructive stenosis (≤ 50% stenosis in diameter), obstructive stenosis (> 50% stenosis in diameter). The mortality was assessed during a 4-years follow-up period.

Results

Mean age was 61 years (36–86), 43% of patients were women. The CCTA was normal in 35 patients (66%), seven patients (13%) had non-obstructive stenosis and 11 (21%) had obstructive stenosis. In the group of normal CCTA, 8.5% of patients were admitted in cardiac intensive care unit, 57.1% in the non-obstructive stenosis and 90.9% in the group of obstructive stenosis. No deaths occurred during the 4-year follow up in the group of patients with normal CCTA.

Conclusion

This study confirms the negative predictive value of CCTA for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and for further clinical events in patients at low or intermediate risk referred to emergency department for an acute chest pain.     

Diagnostic importance of admission platelet volume indices in patients with acute chest pain suggesting acute coronary syndrome

Objective

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a challenging issue in cardiovascular medicine. Given platelet role in atherothrombosis, we sought to determine whether platelet indices can be used as diagnostic tests for patients who suffered from an acute chest discomfort.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 862 patients with an acute chest pain and 184 healthy matched controls. They were divided into four groups: 184 controls, 249 of non-ACS, 421 of unstable angina (UA), and 192 of myocardial infarction (MI) cases. Blood samples were collected at admission to the emergency department for routine hematologic tests.

Results

The mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) were significantly greater in patients with MI compared with those of non-ACS or control subjects. Negative and significant correlations existed between MPV, PDW, and P-LCR values and platelet count (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the MPV, PDW, and P-LCR with cut-off values of 9.15 fL, 11.35 fL, and 20.25% and with area under the curves of 0.563, 0.557, and 0.560, respectively, detected MI patients among those who had chest discomfort. The sensitivities and specificities were found to be 72% and 40%, 73% and 37%, and 68% and 44% for MPV, PDW, and P-LCR, respectively.

Conclusion

An elevated admission MPV, PDW, and P-LCR may be of benefit to detect chest pain resulting in MI from that of non-cardiac one, and also for risk stratification of patients who suffered from an acute chest discomfort.     

Diagnostic Accuracy of Coronary CT Angiography for the Evaluation of Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) for bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) evaluation.

Safety and diagnostic accuracy of stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging vs exercise tolerance testing early after acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

Objective

To determine the safety and diagnostic accuracy of adenosine‐stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) perfusion imaging early after acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared with standard exercise tolerance testing (ETT).

Design and setting

Cross sectional observational study in a university teaching hospital.

Patients

35 patients admitted with first acute STEMI.

Interventions

All patients underwent a CMR imaging protocol which included rest and adenosine‐stress perfusion, viability, and cardiac functional assessment. All patients also had an ETT (modified Bruce protocol) and x ray coronary angiography.

Main outcome measures

Safety and diagnostic accuracy of adenosine‐stress perfusion CMR vs ETT early after STEMI in identifying patients with significant coronary stenosis (⩾70%) and the need for coronary revascularisation. Also, to determine if CMR can distinguish between ischaemia in the peri‐infarct zone and ischaemia in remote myocardium.

Results

CMR imaging was well tolerated (all patients completed the protocol) and no complications occurred. CMR was more sensitive (86% vs 48%, p = 0.0074) and more specific than ETT (100% vs 50%, p<0.0001) for detecting significant coronary stenosis, and more sensitive for predicting revascularisation (94% vs 56%, p = 0.039). Inducible ischaemia in the infarct related artery territory was seen in 21 of 35 patients and was associated with smaller infarct size and less transmurality of infarction.

Conclusions

Adenosine‐stress CMR imaging is safe early after acute STEMI and identifies patients with significant coronary stenosis more accurately than ETT.     

A prospective validation of the HEART score for chest pain patients at the emergency department

Background

The focus of the diagnostic process in chest pain patients at the emergency department is to identify both low and high risk patients for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The HEART score was designed to facilitate this process. This study is a prospective validation of the HEART score.

Methods

A total of 2440 unselected patients presented with chest pain at the cardiac emergency department of ten participating hospitals in The Netherlands. The HEART score was assessed as soon as the first lab results and ECG were obtained. Primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 6 weeks.Secondary endpoints were (i) the occurrence of AMI and death, (ii) ACS and (iii) the performance of a coronary angiogram. The performance of the HEART score was compared with the TIMI and GRACE scores.

Results

Low HEART scores (values 0–3) were calculated in 36.4% of the patients. MACE occurred in 1.7%. In patients with HEART scores 4–6, MACE was diagnosed in 16.6%. In patients with high HEART scores (values 7–10), MACE occurred in 50.1%. The c-statistic of the HEART score (0.83) is significantly higher than the c-statistic of TIMI (0.75)and GRACE (0.70) respectively (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The HEART score provides the clinician with a quick and reliable predictor of outcome, without computer-required calculating. Low HEART scores (0–3), exclude short-term MACE with > 98% certainty. In these patients one might consider reserved policies. In patients with high HEART scores (7–10) the high risk of MACE may indicate more aggressive policies.     

Outcome of primary PCI – An Indian tertiary care center experience

Objective

To assess the feasibility and outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Indian Scenario.

Methods

Between January 2005 and December 2012, consecutive STEMI patients who underwent PPCI within 12 h of onset of chest pain were prospectively enrolled in a PPCI registry. Patient demographics, risk factors, procedural characteristics, time variables and in-hospital and 30 day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [death, reinfarction, bleeding, urgent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and stroke] were assessed.

Results

A total of 672 patients underwent PPCI during this period. The mean age was 52 ± 13.4 years and 583 (86.7%) were males, 275 (40.9%) were hypertensives and 336 (50%) were diabetics. Thirty one (4.6%) patients had cardiogenic shock (CS). Anterior myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 398 (59.2%) patients. The median chest pain onset to hospital arrival time, door-to-balloon time and total ischemic times were 200 (10–720), 65 (20–300), and 275 (55–785) minutes respectively. In-hospital adverse events occurred in 54 (8.0%) patients [death 28 (4.2%), reinfarction 8 (1.2%), major bleeding 9 (1.3%), urgent CABG 4 (0.6%) and stroke 1 (0.14%)]. Nineteen patients with CS died (mortality rate – (61.3%)). At the end of 30 days, 64 (9.5%) patients had MACE [death 35 (5.2%), reinfarction 10 (2.1%), major bleeding 10 (1.5%), urgent CABG 4 (0.6%) and stroke 1 (0.1%)].

Conclusion

Our study has shown that PPCI is feasible with good outcomes in Indian scenario. Even though the recommended door-to-balloon time can be achieved, the total ischemic time remained long. CS in the setting of STEMI was associated with poor outcomes.     

Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) as an early diagnostic biomarker in patients with acute chest pain

Background

Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is an emerging biomarker, which was found to be sensitive for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We prospectively investigated the usefulness of H-FABP determination for the evaluation of acute chest pain in patients arriving at the emergency department.

Methods

Fifty-four patients presenting with acute ischemic chest pain were evaluated. H-FABP was estimated at admission using latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. Serial cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB) determination, ischemia workup with stress testing, and/or coronary angiogram (CAG) were performed according to standard protocols.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of H-FABP was 89.7% and 68%, for cTnI it was 62.1% and 100%, and for CK-MB it was 44.8% and 92%, respectively for diagnosis of AMI. The sensitivity of H-FABP was found to be far superior to initial cTnI and CK-MB, for those seen within 6 h (100% vs. 46.1%, 33% respectively). On further evaluation of patients with positive H-FABP and negative cTnI, 71.4% of the patients had significant lesion on CAG, indicating ischemic cause of H-FABP elevation. Six patients with normal cTnI and CK-MB with high H-FABP had ST elevation on subsequent ECGs and were taken for primary angioplasty.

Conclusion

H-FABP is a highly sensitive biomarker for the early diagnosis of AMI. H-FABP as early marker and cTnI as late marker would be the ideal combination to cover the complete diagnostic window for AMI. Detection of myocardial injury by H-FABP may also be applied in patients with unstable angina. H-FABP can also be used as a marker for early detection of STEMI before the ECG changes become apparent.