Acute myocardial infarction after simultaneous thrombosis in normal right and left coronary arteries

A 32-year-old male patient with clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of acute myocardial infarction underwent coronary angiographic study. We observed nonocclusive thrombosis simultaneously in right and left anterior descending coronary arteries, without confirmation of spasm or obstructive artery disease in other coronary branches. Documentation of coronary thrombosis in more than one artery is rare, and its pathophysiology is still unknown. With the advent of thrombolytic therapy and immediate coronary angiographic studies in patients with evolving myocardial infarction, it has been possible to confirm the presence of thrombus and the type of coronary disease. In this case, we observed total lysis of both thrombi and the final aspect of "normal" angiographically reperfused coronary arteries.     

Acute myocardial infarction during streptokinase therapy

A 45-year-old man developed sequential inferolateral and anterior myocardial infarctions within 10 hours of a possible allergic reaction to oral penicillin. The anterior myocardial infarction occurred during apparently successful streptokinase therapy for the initial inferolateral infarction. Subsequent coronary arteriography confirmed a subtotal stenosis of the left circumflex coronary artery and a complete thrombotic occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. This case documents the occurrence of three rare clinical phenomena; first, the occurrence of sequential acute myocardial infarctions in close temporal proximity; second, the occurrence of myocardial infarction during thrombolytic therapy; and third, the association of myocardial infarction with a possible allergic reaction.     

Acute myocardial infarction in juvenile patients with normal coronary arteries

Three patients below 21 years of age presented with typical symptoms, electrocardiographic pattern, and levels of enzymes suggestive for acute myocardial infarction. Various risk factors for coronary artery disease were present in all three patients. Coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries in all. Thus, acute myocardial infarction may be experienced even in very young patients. Clinical and angiographic findings are discussed on the basis of the existing reports in the literature.     

Intravenous versus intracoronary streptokinase for acute transmural myocardial infarction

In order to compare the thrombolytic efficacy of selective versus systemic administration of streptokinase, we gave this drug by either the intracoronary or intravenous routes to 25 patients during the first 6 hours of acute myocardial infarction. All patients had total occlusion of the infarct-related vessel, unresponsive to intracoronary nitroglycerin. Twelve patients received intravenous streptokinase and 13 received intracoronary administration of the drug. Angiograms were taken prior to and during streptokinase administration. Reopening was achieved in 11 of 13 intracoronary patients and 8 of 12 intravenous patients (P = Ns). Time to reopening was longer (54 minutes) in the intravenous patients than in the intracoronary patients (26 minutes) (P < 0.05). In this study, intravenous streptokinase reopened infarct-related vessels nearly as often as intracoronary streptokinase, but it took longer. Given the limited access and time to prepare for intracoronary infusion and the ease of intravenous administration, further study of intravenous streptokinase is justified.     

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.     

冠状动脉正常的急性Q波性心肌梗死单中心回顾性分析

目的 回顾性分析冠状动脉正常的急性Q波性心肌梗死患者的临床特点.方法 选取中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院确诊为急性心肌梗死,合并心电图病理性Q波形成,并经冠状动脉造影证实冠状动脉正常的患者17例,分析其临床特点.结果 本研究中,4例患者有自发性冠状动脉痉挛,表现为冠状动脉造影时严重狭窄但冠状动脉内给予硝酸甘油后狭窄消失.1例女性患者既往有下肢动脉栓塞病史,经血液系统进一步检查证实为蛋白C缺乏症.1例患者为粒细胞增多症,3例患者为血小板增多症.另有1例患者有肺癌病史,考虑可能与肺癌相关的高凝状态有关.急性Q波性心肌梗死但罪犯冠状动脉正常的患者占同期急性心肌梗死患者比例为1.85％（17/918）.此类患者平均年龄为44.2岁,男性为主,占88.2％（15/17）,吸烟比例高达82.4％（14/17）,其中吸烟患者中男性达92.9％（13/14）,与非冠状动脉正常的急性Q波性心肌梗死患者比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.急性Q波性心肌梗死但罪犯冠状动脉正常的患者左心室射血分数显著高于冠状动脉造影异常组（54.4％±9.6％ vs.45.8％±8.8％,P＜0.01）.另外,造影正常组所有患者住院期间均未发生主要心血管事件,而造影异常组主要心血管事件发生率为6.7％（60/901）.结论 急性心肌梗死但冠状动脉正常患者以男性为主,多有吸烟史,同时合并有血液系统疾病者较多见,但大部分心功能状态良好,住院期间未见严重主要心血管事件.     

Acute myocardial infarction in a patient with severe aortic stenosis and normal coronary arteries

We report a case of acute myocardial infarction occurring ina patient with severe aortic stenosis and left ventricular hypertrophy.A coronary angiogram performed during the acute phase of evolvingmyocardial infarction excluded coronary obstruction as the causeof acute myocardial infarction in this patient.     

Management of patients after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction

The coronary artery thrombus that causes acute myocardial infarction can be lysed, and reperfusion can be achieved, in the first few hours after infarction. However, the infarct vessel will reocclude in 15-30% of patients, and this event is frequently associated with pain, reinfarction, arrhythmias, or death. The risk of reocclusion is greatest in patients with high-grade residual stenosis after thrombolysis. Percutaneous coronary angioplasty may be performed safely after thrombolytic therapy. Angioplasty effectively decreases the degree of residual stenosis, and may thereby reduce the risk of reocclusion and consequent ischemic events. However, a substantial proportion of patients with acute infarction are not suitable candidates for angioplasty. Coronary artery bypass surgery has also been safely performed within several days after thrombolytic therapy. Further studies are needed to determine which patients will benefit most from this aggressive approach to acute myocardial infarction.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty versus thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis

While percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) as a primary modality for treating acute myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown to have important advantages over thrombolysis, a survival benefit has not been demonstrated because of the small size of the individual trials. To increase the statistical power to detect a survival benefit, we performed a meta-analysis of trials of PTCA and thrombolysis. We pooled the data for all randomized, controlled trials; randomized, controlled trials stratified according to thrombolytic agent [streptokinase vs. tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)]; and all trials. Pooling was performed by calculating the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio with the Robins, Greenland, and Breslow estimate of variance. Calculation of the Q statistic was performed to assess heterogeneity. For all four analyses, the odds ratio indicated a significant survival advantage of PTCA over thrombolysis: all randomized controlled trials [0.57,95% confidence index (CI): 0.48,0.68)]; streptokinase trials [0.61,95% CI: 0.43,0.87); TPA trials (0.52,95% CI: 0.36,0.76); all trials (0.51,95% CI: 0.43,0.61). The Q statistic was not significant for any of the analyses. The results of our meta-analysis support the hypothesis that PTCA is associated with a significant reduction in mortality compared with thrombolysis.     

不同溶栓药物和剂量治疗急性心肌梗塞239例对比分析

２３９例急性心肌梗塞（ＡＭＩ）患者接受溶栓治疗，其中采用日本尿激酶（ＵＫ）９６万Ｕ３５例，１５０万Ｕ５５例；国产ＵＫ９６万Ｕ１５例，１５０万Ｕ５３例；德国链激酶（ＳＫ）１５０万Ｕ６６例；国产重组链激酶（ｒＳＫ）１５０万Ｕ１５例。对不同剂量及不同溶栓剂的疗效与安全性进行对比分析发现：１９９２年前国产ＵＫ９６万Ｕ比日本进口ＵＫ９６万Ｕ血管再通率低（２０．０％ｖｓ５１．４％Ｐ＜０．０１）。１９９２年后国产ＵＫ剂量增至１５０万Ｕ，血管再通率显著提高（５６．６％ｖｓ２０．０％Ｐ＜０．０１），与进口ＵＫ１５０万Ｕ的疗效与安全性相近（Ｐ＞０．０５）；国产ｒＳＫ１５０万Ｕ与进口ＳＫ１５０万Ｕ的血管再通率相似（７３．３％ｖｓ６５．２％Ｐ＞０．０５）；且比国产ＵＫ１５０万Ｕ的血管再通率明显提高（７３．３％ｖｓ５６．６％Ｐ＜０．０５），虽然ｒＳＫ轻度出血高于ＵＫ（２６．７％ｖｓ９．４％Ｐ＜０．０１），偶有低血压发生，但不影响疗效。国产ｒＳＫ与ＵＫ比进口ＳＫ和ＵＫ价格低２～４倍。因此认为，国产ｒＳＫ和ＵＫ是较为有效、安全、价廉且适合我国国情的溶栓药物。     

High dose intravenous streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction

Early recanalization of infarct-related coronary arteries has been attempted in 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angiographically proven total occlusion by brief high dose intravenous streptokinase infusion (IVSK). In 24 patients (60%) recanalization was achieved after 48 +/- 14 min of IVSK at an infusion rate of 30,000 to 40,000 IU/min (group A), in 16 patients there was a late (greater than 2 h) or no recanalization (group B). The total dose of SK was 1.7 +/- 0.48 Mio IU in group A and 1.74 +/- 0.41 Mio IU in group B, the time from the onset of symptoms to peak myocardial enzyme of creatine phosphokinase (CKMB) 11 +/- 3 h in group A and 22 +/- 6 h in group B (p less than 0.001). Biplane left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 55 +/- 9% at the time of acute angiography to 58 +/- 10% after 14 to 24 days in group A (p less than 0.1) and decreased from 49 +/- 11 to 41 +/- 11% in group B (p less than 0.005). There were four reocclusions in group A, two could be reopened by i.v. urokinase (1 Mio IU over 30 min). During a follow-up period of 18 +/- 8 months one patient in group A died from an early ventricular rupture 2 hours after recanalization, and one patient in group B from heart failure 7 months after IVSK. There was no serious bleeding or other complication related to IVSK. We conclude that IVSK is an effective and safe means of early recanalization of coronary thrombosis in AMI, and feasible in the majority of patients with AMI.     

Intravenous streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction

Intravenous (IV) fibrinolytic therapy, a recent area of research, has a great deal of applicability in emergency medicine. We report our experience with 30 patients treated with this method. Thirty consecutive patients in the early stages of acute evolving myocardial infarction (AMI) were assigned to receive high-dose IV streptokinase, 1.5 million units over a 30-minute period. Patients presented to the treating hospital at a mean time of 1.21 +/- 1.08 hours, and treatment commenced at a mean time of 2.77 +/- 1.31 hours after the onset of symptoms. Using standard clinical criteria, 86.7% (n = 26) of the patients reperfused initially. Two, however, reoccluded within the first 48 hours, and their clinical symptoms of myocardial infarction reappeared. By clinical observation 80% (n = 24) of the patients reperfused, and myocardial salvage was observed. Twenty-four patients with clinical reperfusion and one additional patient had patency of the affected artery, yielding a reperfusion rate of 83.3% (n = 25) as judged by angiography within one week of AMI. Both patients who had reoccluded clinically also were found to be occluded on angiography. Clinical and angiographic methods yield very similar results for the judgment of reperfusion (80% vs 83%, respectively, with no significant difference, P not significant). The results of our study tend to confirm the efficacy of IV streptokinase as a valuable management tool for early myocardial infarction.     

Acute anterior myocardial infarction: streptokinase prevents ventricular thrombosis independently of its effect on infarct size

Left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) is a frequent complication after acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether streptokinase (SK) therapy prevents LVT, and whether this effect is due to the preservation of left ventricular function or to the fibrinolytic action of the drug. Sixty-five patients who underwent a left ventricular angiography within 2 months after a first AMI were studied. Twenty-eight patients (SK group) received SK 1,500,000 U i.v. administered over 60 min within 6 h from the onset of symptoms. A lower incidence of LVT was found in the SK group (p = 0.0003). We divided patients into two classes according to the value of akinetic-dyskinetic area (AD): the first group with a lower value of AD, the second group with a higher value of AD. In both groups, a reduced incidence of LVT was associated with SK therapy (p = 0.014, p = 0.015, respectively). Early infusion of SK during AMI seems to prevent the development of LVT, with an effect partly independent from its action on infarct size for small to large myocardial infarction.     

冠状动脉造影正常的急性心肌梗死患者临床预后的研究

目的　通过对冠状动脉 (冠脉 )造影正常的急性心肌梗死 (MINC)患者的随访 ,探讨其临床预后 ,并分析发病危险因素。方法　 1987至 2 0 0 1年北京大学第一医院 4 0例 (A组 )首次急性心肌梗死后冠脉造影正常 (冠脉造影狭窄程度小于 2 0 % )患者。同时随访了 12 9例 (B组 )年龄、性别、梗死部位与A组相匹配的冠脉造影严重狭窄 (梗死相关血管狭窄程度 >5 0 % )的急性心肌梗死患者 ,比较分析两组患者急性期、远期预后及发病危险因素。结果　高血压史、危险因素个数、梗死后心绞痛发生率A组明显低于B组。住院期间LVEFA组明显高于B组。两组患者平均随访时间相似 (6 7± 4 0比 6 8± 34月 )。复合心血管事件发生率A组明显少于B组。结论　MINC患者急性期、远期预后明显好于MICS患者 ,冠心病危险因素明显少于后者     

Reduced occurrence of atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase.

In a historical follow-up study of 152 hospital patients with acute myocardial infarction, the frequency of life-threatening arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia, 3rd degree AV-block, 2nd degree AV-block (Mobitz type II), and asystole) and atrial fibrillation in 76 patients treated with streptokinase was compared with their frequency in 76 patients who did not receive a thrombolytic therapy. Among those treated with streptokinase two patients (3%) developed atrial fibrillation, compared with 12 (16%) in the control group (P = 0.009). Life-threatening arrhythmias occurred with equal frequency in the two groups. Further studies should confirm and clarify the mechanism of the reduced frequency of atrial fibrillation in the streptokinase-treated patients.     

Clinical characteristics, aetiological factors and long-term prognosis of myocardial infarction with an absolutely normal coronary angiogram; a 3-year follow-up study of 91 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of a large cohort of patients who suffered an acute myocardial infarction with absolutely normal epicardial coronary arteries at the post-myocardial infarction coronary angiogram. The aetiological and prognostic factors in this population were also analysed. BACKGROUND: Few data exist concerning the outcome, and aetiological and prognostic factors, of patients with myocardial infarction and angiographically absolutely normal coronary arteries. METHODS: Ninety-one patients (34 females/57 males; mean age 50+/-13 years, range 24--78 years) admitted with an acute myocardial infarction had absolutely normal coronary arteries at the angiogram performed 6.2+/-4 days (range 1--15 days) after the myocardial infarction, defined by smooth contours and no focal reduction (NC). Of the 91 NC patients, 71 were evaluated prospectively, alongside a systematic search of all aetiological factors reported in the literature. The NC patients were matched for age, sex, and the same period of myocardial infarction onset with a group of 91 patients with coronary artery stenosis (>50% diameter stenosis) at the angiogram performed 7.3+/-4 days (range 1--15 days) after the myocardial infarction (SC). RESULTS: The percent of smokers was similar between the two groups; higher prevalence rates of coronary heart disease family history, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus were found in SC (P=0.043 to 0.0001). In NC, coronary spasm was found in 15.5%, congenital coagulation disorders in 12.8%, collagen tissue disorders in 2.2%, embolization in 2.2%, and oral contraceptive use in 1.1%. Left ventricular ejection fraction at hospital discharge was higher in NC (60%+/-13%) than in SC (55%+/-13%, P=0.04). The mean follow-up was 35 months (range 1--100 months). Kaplan-Meier event-free survival, with the combined end-point defined as death, reinfarction, heart failure and stroke was 75% in NC vs 50% in SC (P<0.0001). Survival rate was 94.5% in NC compared to 92% in SC (ns). Univariate predictors of events in NC were left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.03), age (P=0.02), diabetes (P=0.01), and smoking (P=0.03). Using Cox multivariate analysis, independent predictors of long-term outcome in NC patients were left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.003) and diabetes (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Aetiological factors, predominantly coronary spasm and inherited coagulation disorder, can be detected in only one third of the patients with myocardial infarction and absolutely normal coronary angiograms despite a systematic search in a prospective population. Mortality rates are similar but morbidity is lower in myocardial infarction patients with absolutely normal coronary angiography compared with those with coronary artery stenosis. The only two independent factors predictive of poor outcome in myocardial infarction patients with normal coronary arteries are left ventricular function and diabetes.     

Normal coronary arteries are rare in young patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the angiographic extent of coronary atherosclerosis in young patients (<45 years) with acute myocardial infarction (MI). BACKGROUND: Prior studies suggest 20% of young patients with acute MI have normal coronary arteries. However, most such studies defined "normal" as absence of stenoses >50% luminal diameter, ignoring the presence of nonflow limiting disease that may harbor culprit plaques. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 131 patients <45 years old with ST-segment elevation MI undergoing emergency catheterization. Angiograms were analyzed for the presence and extent of disease, including lesion "complexity" indicative of plaque instability. "Normal" vessels were defined as absence of any disease. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 40 +/- 7 years. The infarct related artery and an obvious complex culprit lesion was identified in all (100%) cases (left anterior descending 44%, right coronary 38%, and circumflex 18%). Single vessel disease involving the culprit vessel only was identified in 60% of cases, whereas additional disease was found in 40% of others (two-vessel in 29% and three-vessel disease in 11% of patients). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that young patients with acute MI typically manifest an identifiable complex culprit atherosclerotic coronary lesion. Furthermore, they often have multivessel atherosclerosis.