Epidemiological profile of patients with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriography]

Of a total of 4,800 coronary arteriogrammes, 1,280 of which were carried out after myocardial infarction, 25 cases of proven infarction with normal coronary arteriography, confirmed by several "blind" interpretations, were retained. The interval between acute infarction and coronary arteriography was usually less than 6 months. The average age of the patients was 36.9 years, affecting more women than in classical coronary artery disease. The acute infarction was nearly always the first symptom. Cigarette consumption and hormonal factors is women were coronary risks factors of note. Ventricular sequellae were frequent, cardiac failure exceptional, exercise testing nearly always negative and occupational rehabilitation usually normal. It would seem that this affection is less serious than classical myocardial infarction due to atheroma probably because the non-infarcted myocardium is healthy, but the true prognosis of this type of coronary accident will only be revealed by long term studies. In the meantime the most useful investigations and the management of these patients are discussed.     

Coronary reserve, left ventricular function, and coronary risk factors in patients with myocardial infarction, but normal coronary arteries (author's transl)

In 5 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and previous myocardial infarction (left ventricular a- or dyscinesia), measurement of coronary reserve revealed normal values. On average, patients with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteries were younger than patients with angiographically proven obstructive coronary lesions (p less than 0,001), and did not exhibit a rise in coronary risk factors. These results suggest that in some cases myocardial infarction is due to acute, completely reversible occlusion or severe stenosis of larger coronary arteries without morphological or functional defects of coronary arteries detectable later on.     

Myocardial infarction with normal coronary angiogram. Possible mechanism of smoking risk in coronary artery disease.

The coronary angiograms of 120 consecutive patients under 40 years of age were examined. Ten new cases of myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteriogram were identified (group 1) and compared with 30 cases of myocardial infarction and obstructive coronary disease (group 2). Heavy cigarette smoking was the sole major risk factor in group 1. Patients in group 2 smoked as well but most also had hypercholesterolaemia or hypertension. Pre- and postinfarction angina was rare among the patients with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriogram, and recanalisation after smoking-induced thrombotic occlusion is thought to be the most likely mechanism. Smoking-induced thrombosis is only likely to be recognised in special circumstances, when it develops in apparently normal coronary arteries, is followed by recanalisation, and is complicated by infarction as a permanent marker of previous obstruction to regional myocardial blood flow. Thrombotic occlusion of a "normal" coronary artery without recanalisation will only be recognised when infarction is fatal. If smoking can predispose to thrombosis in "normal" coronary arteries, it may be even more likely to accelerate thrombosis in atheromatous coronary arteries. The importance of recognising group 1 may well be in relation to the much commoner group 2.     

Acute myocardial infarction in patients with normal coronary arteries after acute ethanol intoxication

Three cases are presented where acute myocardial infarction occurred in young individuals after an episode of heavy alcohol intake. Subsequent coronary arteriograms demonstrated normal coronary arteries. Several mechanisms by which acute ethanol intoxication might precipitate myocardial infarction are discussed. To our knowledge, no similar cases have been reported.     

Myocardial infarction in young people with normal coronary arteries

Myocardial infarction occurring in young people with angiographically normal coronary arteries is well described but the pathophysiology of this condition remains unknown. Coronary artery spasm in association with thrombus formation and minimal atheromatous disease or spontaneous coronary artery dissection are possible causes. Two young men presented with severe chest pain after acute alcohol intoxication and each sustained an extensive anterior myocardial infarction. Investigations including intravascular ultrasound showed no evidence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Coronary artery spasm associated with acute alcohol intoxication as well as a prothrombotic state and endothelial damage related to cigarette smoking may be mechanisms leading to acute myocardial infarction in these cases. Acute myocardial infarction occurs in young persons with normal coronary arteries and the diagnosis should be considered in young patients presenting with severe chest pain, particularly those abusing cocaine or alcohol, so that reperfusion therapy can be initiated promptly.

Keywords: myocardial infarction;  coronary vasospasm;  alcohol;  intravascular ultrasound     

Acute myocardial infarction with angiographically normal coronary arteries

The exact etiology of myocardial infarction remains unknown in a majority of the patients with normal coronary arteries. Those who smoke cigarettes and use cocaine are more prone to have this condition. The possible mechanisms underlying myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries are hypercoagulable states, coronary embolism, an imbalance between oxygen demand and supply, nonatherosclerotic coronary diseases, coronary trauma, coronary vasospasm, and coronary thrombosis. Myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries primarily affects younger persons and is distinctly rare in patients older than 50 years. We describe a case of acute myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries in a 61-year-old woman who smoked cigarettes. The clinical perspectives and management of the myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries are discussed.     

Serum myoglobin in detection of myocardial necrosis in patients with "coronary insufficiency"

Myoglobin, an oxygen-binding protein, is synthesized exclusively in striated and cardiac muscle, and is normally found in blood. Serum myoglobin determination has been used in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Experimental work has shown that myoglobin is released only after muscular necrosis. This prospective study included 101 patients: 62 with acute coronary insufficiency, 16 with acute myocardial infarction, and 23 controls. In all the patients with infarction the serum myoglobin levels were elevated. None of the controls showed serum myoglobin above normal. In patients with coronary insufficiency the peak serum myoglobin ranged from normal to 280 ng/ml. Half of all the patients with coronary insufficiency had a significant elevation of serum myoglobin (p less than 0.001). The obvious explanation of this finding is that myocardial necrosis to some extent develops in cases of so-called coronary insufficiency. Furthermore, this study confirms previous findings that serum myoglobin assessment constitutes a very early marker of myocardial damage.     

胰岛素抵抗及氧化应激对急性冠脉综合征患者冠脉病变评估的研究

目的 探讨胰岛素抵抗及氧化应激对急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者病情评估的价值及与冠脉病变程度的相关性.方法 入选急性心肌梗死患者30例为A组,不稳定型心绞痛患者30例为B组,冠脉造影正常者30例为C组.对各组受试者于入院24h内空腹抽取静脉血,测定入选患者血清脂质过氧化物（MDA）、一氧化氮（NO）、一氧化氮合酶总活力（tNOS）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）、空腹血糖（FPG）、空腹胰岛素（FINs）水平,均采用分光比色法.计算胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）,对入选患者行冠脉造影检查,根据冠脉造影结果所显示的血管狭窄程度及部位计算Gensini积分值.对胰岛素抵抗及氧化应激指标与冠脉Gensini积分进行相关性分析.结果 FPG、FINs、HOMA-IR、MDA、Gensini积分急性心肌梗死组高于不稳定型心绞痛组及冠脉造影正常组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;而tNOS、iNOS、NO急性心肌梗死组低于不稳定型心绞痛组及冠脉造影正常组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;急性心肌梗死组及不稳定型心绞痛组FPG、FINs、HOMA-IR、MDA、Gensini积分均高于冠脉造影正常组,而NO、tNOS、iNOS均低于冠脉造影正常组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;急性心肌梗死组及不稳定型心绞痛组HOMA-IR与MDA、Gensini积分呈正相关,与NO、tNOS、iNOS呈负相关.结论 胰岛素抵抗与氧化应激反应与急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者病情密切相关,且与冠脉病变程度呈正相关.     

Acute myocardial infarction with diminutive right coronary artery and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without significant coronary stenoses

Focal tissue abnormalities consistent with regional ischemia have been reported in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Coronary microvascular dysfunction has been also reported to be present in patients with HCM despite normal epicardial coronary arteries. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that in the case of HCM and idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy, hypoplastic coronary arteries as diminutive vessels are present and that obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is associated with enhanced thrombin generation and platelet activation. Previously, it has been described an acute myocardial infarction in a young athlete with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and normal coronary arteries. We present a case of an acute myocardial infarction with diminutive right coronary artery and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without significant coronary stenoses. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an acute myocardial infarction with diminutive right coronary artery and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without significant coronary stenoses.     

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.     

Restricted myocardial infarction. Coronary angiographic and ventriculographic findings. Comparison with acute coronary insufficiency and transmural infarction]

The findings at coronary arteriography and ventricular angiography in 52 patients with a restricted myocardial infarct were compared with those of 106 patients with acute coronary insufficiency and 100 with transmural infarcts. Certain features place restricted myocardial infarction in an intermediate category when compared with the two other syndromes. The percentage of coronary occlusions was significantly higher in transmural infarction (23.5%) and in restricted infarction (16.6%) than in acute coronary insufficiency 6.8%). Study of the vessel beyond a tight stenosis (greater than or equal to 75% was particularly effective in clearly separating the three groups. As a result, 63% of patients with coronary insufficiency, 40% of these with restricted infarcts, and only 23% of patients with a transmural infarct could be referred for surgery. Ventricular angiography showed a close relationship between restricted infarction and acute coronary insufficiency because ventricular function appeared normal or subnormal (localised hypokinesia) in 69% and 81% of cases respectively, compared with 4% of cases of transmural infarction. Restricted myocardial infarction appears to resemble coronary insufficiency, but shows elevation of enzymes and often more marked disease of distal vessels.     

A unique complication during coronary angiography: peripheral embolism by selective right coronary engagement--a case report

"Micro" and "macro" peripheral embolisms during coronary angiography have been described. In all these cases, the aorta or the left heart chambers have been the source of embolus. A patient who during coronary angiography for acute inferior myocardial infarction experienced acute embolism of the left common femoral artery. The source of the embolus was a thrombus-filled right coronary artery, and the precipitating cause was its selective engagement with a diagnostic Judkins right catheter. A brief review of literature is also presented.     

Angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction due to "slow-flow phenomenon" in nonatherosclerotic coronary arteries: a case report

A 51 year-old White woman with angina pectoris and nonatheromatous coronary artery disease is presented. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated a "slow-flow phenomenon" in the left coronary artery accompanied by severe angina pectoris and anterolateral ST-segment elevation and culminating in an acute nontransmural myocardial infarction. At repeat coronary arteriography, ergonovine maleate provocation proved negative. This patient is unique, since the previously documented 6 cases with this coronary cineangiographic response did not exhibit angina pectoris or ECG evidence of myocardial ischemia during the "slow-flow phenomenon," and none was complicated by an acute myocardial infarction. Various aspects of the pathophysiology of angina pectoris in this patient, including the recently described "reduced vasodilator reserve" concept, are briefly outlined.     

Myocardial infarction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with normal findings from coronary arteriography and without coronary vasculitis--case reports

The authors present the cases of two young patients, a man and a woman, who presented with myocardial infarction, in the absence of ischemic heart disease or stenosis of the coronary arteries. The woman was known to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for the past 3 years (the immunoglobulin M [IgM] anticardiolipins antibodies were positive), without a history of coronary risk factors. Suddenly she presented with acute chest pain on rest that lasted 4 hours and culminated in anterior wall myocardial infarction. She was admitted to the coronary care unit, where no thrombolysis was given. She did not have echocardiographic evidence of Libman-Sacks endocarditis, but myocardial infarction was evident at the electrocardiogram (ECG). The young man had SLE (the IgM anticardiolipins were absent, but he was positive for lupus anticoagulant antibodies), he was hyperlipidemic, was a moderate smoker and moderately obese, and had no history of ischemic heart disease. He suddenly presented with an acute myocardial infarction documented by ECG, enzymes, and gammagraphy. In both patients, coronary angiography findings were normal and myocardial biopsy did not show evidence of arteritis. The relevance of these cases is the rare association of ischemic heart disease in SLE, with normal coronary arteries and without evidence of arteritis or verrucous endocarditis.     

老年人冠状动脉扩张症的临床特点

目的 探讨老年人冠状动脉扩张症的临床特点及治疗方法。方法 对我院近10年经冠状动脉造影诊断的154例老年冠状动脉扩张症患者的症状、体征、诊断及治疗方法进行总结分析。结果 154例冠状动脉扩张症患者均由冠状动脉造影确诊，表现为心绞痛者112例(72．7％)，心电图、胸片、超声心动图均无特异性。3例急性心肌梗死患者行急诊溶栓，154例患者均给予肠溶阿斯匹林或肝素抗凝治疗，同时使用硝酸脂类及钙离子拮抗剂扩张血管。154例随访1～20年，出现急性心肌梗死6例，其中再梗死1例，猝死1例；发生急性左心功能衰竭2例。结论 心绞痛为老年人冠状动脉扩张症的主要临床表现，冠状动脉造影是确诊的主要方法。本病一旦确诊应长期使用抗凝剂和血管扩张药物，防止冠状动脉痉挛与心肌梗死的发生。急性心肌梗死应积极溶栓，药物治疗不满意者，应行冠状动脉旁路移植术。     

视黄醇结合蛋白4评价冠状动脉病变严重程度的研究

目的 探究视黄醇结合蛋白4(retinol binding protein 4,RBP4)评价冠心病(coronary heart disease,CHD)患者冠状动脉病变的严重程度.方法 选取2018年12月至2019年8月于中国医科大学附属盛京医院行冠状动脉造影的患者202例,根据冠状动脉造影结果将患者分为冠心病组(159例)及正常组(43例);其中,根据诊断将冠心病组分为急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死组(36例)、急性非ST段抬高型心肌梗死组(35例)和心绞痛组(88例).采用SYNTAX评分评估冠状动脉病变的严重程度,并收集患者血液样本,检测血清RBP4水平,分析比较各组SYNTAX评分与RBP4水平的相关性.用Pearson相关分析方法分析RBP4水平与SYNTAX评分的相关性;应用ROC曲线评估RBP4水平预测重度冠状动脉病变的最佳切点.结果 冠心病组RBP4水平显著高于正常组[(42.51±19.00)ng/ml比(36.44±11.13)ng/ml],差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);其中,急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死组、急性非ST段抬高型心肌梗死组RBP4水平显著高于正常组[(47.82±29.98)ng/ml、(44.82±15.23)ng/ml比(36.44±11.13)ng/ml],差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);心绞痛组[(39.42±21.43)ng/ml]与正常组[(36.44±11.13)ng/ml]之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死组RBP4水平显著高于心绞痛组[(47.82±29.98)ng/ml比(39.42±21.43)ng/ml](P<0.05);冠心病组患者RBP4水平与SYNTAX评分呈正相关(r=0.412,P<0.001).ROC曲线分析结果提示,RBP4预测重度冠状动脉病变的最佳切点是33.37ng/ml,敏感度为0.76,特异度为0.49.结论 冠心病患者RBP4水平较正常人显著升高,RBP4与冠状动脉病变严重程度呈正相关,当RBP4>33.37ng/ml,可能存在重度冠状动脉病变风险.     

Prevalence of normal coronary angiography in the acute phase of suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction: experience from the PRAGUE studies

BACKGROUND: Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in patients with normal coronary arteries has previously been described, but coronary angiography in these patients was performed after the acute phase of the infarction. It is possible that these patients did not have normal angiograms during the acute phase (transient coronary thrombosis or spasm were usually suspected to be the cause). Information on the prevalence of truly normal coronary angiograms during the acute phase of a suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction is lacking. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Primary Angioplasty in patients transferred from General community hospitals to specialized PTCA Units with or without Emergency thrombolysis-1 (PRAGUE-1) and PRAGUE-2 studies enrolled 1150 patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction, in whom 625 coronary angiograms were performed within 2 h of the initial electrocardiogram. A simultaneous registry included an additional 379 coronary angiograms performed during the ST-elevation phase of a suspected myocardial infarction. Thus, a total of 1004 angiograms were retrospectively analyzed. A normal coronary angiogram was defined as one with the absence of any visible angiographic signs of atherosclerosis, thrombosis or spontaneous spasm. RESULTS: Normal coronary angiograms were obtained for 26 patients (2.6%). Among these, the diagnosis at discharge was a small myocardial infarction in seven patients (0.7%), acute (peri)myocarditis in five patients, dilated cardiomyopathy in four patients, hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy in three patients, pulmonary embolism in two patients and misinterpretation of the electrocardiogram (ie, no cardiac disease) in five patients. Seven patients with small infarctions underwent angiography within 30 min to 90 min of complete relief of the signs of acute ischemia, and thus, angiograms during pain were not taken. None of the 898 patients catheterized during ongoing symptoms of ischemia had a normal coronary angiogram. Spontaneous coronary spasm as the only cause (without underlying coronary atherosclerosis) for the evolving infarction was not seen among these 898 patients. Thus, the causes of the seven small infarcts in patients with normal angiograms remain uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: The observed prevalence of normal coronary angiography in patients presenting with acute chest pain and ST elevations was 2.6%. Most of these cases were misdiagnoses, not infarctions. A normal angiogram during a biochemically confirmed infarction is extremely rare (0.7%) and was not seen during the ongoing symptoms of ischemia.     

Survival after myocardial infarction caused by acute left main coronary artery occlusion: case report and review of the literature

We report a 44-year-old white male presenting with an acute anterior myocardial infarction. Cardiac catheterization at 2 weeks postinfarction revealed total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. There was a normal dominant right coronary artery supplying moderate collaterals to the left coronary system. The patient was managed with conservative therapy and was N.Y.H.A. functional class II on followup 2 years later. A review of the literature relative to myocardial infarction caused by acute left main coronary artery occlusion is presented, and unique features of these cases are described.     

Acute myocardial infarction with angiographically normal coronary arteries.

The authors present the case of a 51-year-old woman, with no known cardiovascular risk factors, admitted with anterior acute myocardial infarction complicated by primary ventricular fibrillation, who underwent reperfusion therapy with tenecteplase. Left heart catheterization on the sixth day showed left ventricular anteroapical akinesia and normal coronary arteries. The causes of acute myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries and its differential diagnosis are discussed.