Hypertension and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in Argentina. The Argentine Factores de Riesgo Coronario en America del Sur (FRICAS) Investigators

The relationship between a history of hypertension and the quality of its control in routine clinical practice and the risk of acute myocardial infarction was examined in a multicenter, case-control study conducted in Argentina between November 1991 and August 1994, within the framework of the FRICAS study. The cases were 939 patients with acute myocardial infarction and without a history of ischemic heart disease. The controls were 949 subjects identified in the same centers as the cases and admitted with a wide spectrum of acute disorders unrelated to known or suspected risk factors for acute myocardial infarction. The odds ratios and the 95% confidence intervals were derived from multiple logistic regression equations, including terms for age, gender, education, social status, exercise, smoking status, cholesterolemia, history of diabetes, body mass index, and family history of myocardial infarction. The quality of hypertension control was assessed with the most recent blood pressure reading reported by the subjects. Seventy-two percent of hypertensive cases and 62.6% of hypertensive controls had a history of antihypertensive therapy by self-report, when admitted to the medical center. The adjusted odds ratio for acute myocardial infarction due to hypertension was 2.58 (95% confidence interval, 2.08-3.19). The odds ratio was 2.42 (95% confidence interval, 1.88-3.11) when hypertensives reported that their greatest systolic value was below 200 mm Hg (moderate status) and 4.12 (95% confidence interval, 2.87-5.89) when it was above 200 mm Hg (severe status). When the highest diastolic blood pressure value was below 120 mm Hg (moderate status), the risk increased to 2.48 (95% confidence intervals, 1.90-3.24) and to 4.12 (95% confidence interval, 2.83-5.99) when it was above 120 mm Hg (severe status). If the most recent systolic blood pressure was less-than-or-equal140 mm Hg, the odds ratio was 2.59 (95% confidence interval, 1.96-3.41), and it was 3.42 (95% confidence interval, 2.40-4.87) when the value was >140 mm Hg. If the most recent diastolic blood pressure was less-than-or-equal90 mm Hg, the risk increased more than two fold (odds ratio=2.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.91-3.22), and if it was >90 mm Hg, it increased nearly four-fold (odds ratio=3.72; 95% confidence interval, 2.33-5.96). In smokers, the odds ratio was 2.28 in the absence of hypertension and increased to 7.51 when hypertension was present. In this Argentine population, hypertension is a strong and independent risk factor for acute myocardial infarction. In routine clinical practice, the control of blood pressure to levels below 140/90 seems to be required in order to reduce part (but not all) of the risk of acute myocardial infarction in hypertensive patients. (c) 2001 by CHF, Inc.     

Effect of successful late reperfusion by primary coronary angioplasty on mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction

It has been suggested that early treatment decreases, but late treatment increases, the risk of mechanical complications for a thrombolytic strategy. However, few studies have evaluated whether late reperfusion by primary coronary angioplasty decreases the risk of mechanical complications. A total of 2,209 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary angioplasty within 24 hr after the onset of symptoms were divided into three groups: early reperfusion (ER; <- 12 hr, n = 1,647), late reperfusion (LR; > 12 hr, n = 219), and failed reperfusion (RF; n = 343). We evaluated the incidence, risk ratio, and predictors of mechanical complication. The overall incidence of mechanical complications was 2.0%. The incidence of mechanical complications was highest in the FR group (ER 1.4%, LR 1.8%, FR 5.0%, p <0.01). After adjusting for clinical variables, the risk ratio for mechanical complications increased in the FR group compared with LR group [risk ratio 7.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 - 52.80, p = 0.04]. Predictors of an increased risk of mechanical complications by multivariate analysis were age >- 70 years (odds ratio 3.68, 95% CI 1.56-8.64, p < 0.01), Killip class >- II (odds ratio 3.73, 95% CI 1.52-9.12, p >- 0.01), absence of collateral vessels (odds ratio 4.09, 95% CI 1.17-14.26, p = 0.03), and FR (odds ratio 2.68, 95% CI 1.01-6.61, p = 0.03). In conclusion, successful late reperfusion by primary coronary angioplasty is associated with the reduced risk of mechanical complications in patients with acute myocardial infarction.     

Depression and 1-year prognosis in unstable angina

BACKGROUND: Depression is common after acute myocardial infarction and is associated with an increased risk of mortality for at least 18 months. The prevalence and prognostic impact of depression in patients with unstable angina, who account for a substantial portion of acute coronary syndrome admissions, have not been examined. METHODS: Interviews were carried out in hospital with 430 patients with unstable angina who did not require coronary artery bypass surgery before hospital discharge. Depression was assessed using the 21-item self-report Beck Depression Inventory and was defined as a score of 10 or higher. The primary outcome was 1-year cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction. RESULTS: The Beck Depression Inventory identified depression in 41.4% of patients. Depressed patients were more likely to experience cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction than other patients (odds ratio, 4.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.94-11.27; P<.001). The impact of depression remained after controlling for other significant prognostic factors, including baseline electrocardiographic evidence of ischemia, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the number of diseased coronary vessels (adjusted odds ratio, 6.73; 95% confidence interval, 2.43-18.64; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Depression is common following an episode of unstable angina and is associated with an increased risk of major cardiac events during the following year.     

Clinical characteristics determining the mode of presentation in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to examine clinical characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndromes to identify factors that influence the mode of presentation.

Background. In acute coronary syndromes, presentation with myocardial infarction or unstable angina has major prognostic implications, yet clinical factors affecting the mode of presentation are not well defined.

Methods. A prospective cohort study was made of 1,111 patients with acute coronary syndromes. Baseline demographic, clinical and biochemical data were compared in groups with myocardial infarction (n = 633) and unstable angina (n = 478).

Results. The risk of myocardial infarction relative to unstable angina was increased by age >70 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33 to 3.66), male gender (OR 1.56; CI 1.13 to 2.16) and cigarette smoking (OR 1.49; CI 1.09 to 2.03). A rise in admission creatinine from the 10th to the 90th centile of the distribution also increased the odds of myocardial infarction (OR 1.30; CI 1.05 to 1.94). Conversely, the risk of myocardial infarction relative to unstable angina was reduced by previous treatment with aspirin (OR 0.37; CI 0.27 to 0.52), hypertension (OR 0.64; CI 0.47 to 0.86) and previous acute coronary syndromes (OR 0.36; CI 0.26 to 0.51) and revascularization procedures (OR 0.36; CI 0.21 to 0.62).

Conclusions. The clinical presentation of acute coronary syndromes may be influenced by various factors that have the potential to influence the coagulability of the blood, the collateralization of the coronary circulation and myocardial mass. Myocardial infarction is favored by cigarette smoking, advanced age and renal impairment, while unstable angina is favored by treatment with aspirin, hypertension, previous revascularization and previous coronary syndromes.     

Tar yield and risk of acute myocardial infarction: pooled analysis from three case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: Controversial information is available with reference to the role of type or yield of cigarettes on the risk of cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: We considered the issue in a combined dataset of three case-control studies of acute myocardial infarction conducted in Italy between 1983 and 2003. METHODS: Cases were 1990 subjects with a first episode of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, and controls were 2521 patients in hospital for acute diseases unrelated to smoking or other recognized risk factors for myocardial infarction. The odds ratio and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived by unconditional multiple logistic regression models, including terms for age, sex, and several major risk factors for myocardial infarction. RESULTS: As compared to never smokers, the multivariate odds ratio was 2.70 (95% CI 2.01-3.63) for smokers of low tar cigarettes (<10 mg), 3.06 (95% CI 2.53-3.70) for intermediate (10-19 mg) and 3.14 (95% CI 2.12-4.64) for high tar yield (> or =20 mg). After further allowance for duration of smoking and number of cigarettes per day, as compared to low tar yield cigarettes, the odds ratio was 1.14 (95% CI 0.85-1.53) for intermediate, and 1.28 (95% CI 0.81-2.02) for high tar yield. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that no substantial reduction in acute myocardial infarction risk resulted from the decrease of cigarette tar yield.     

Do angiotensin II receptor blockers increase the risk of myocardial infarction?

AIMS: The uncertainty surrounding safety of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) increased after publication of experimental and clinical studies which suggested an excess risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in people treated with ARBs. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials, which compared ARBs with either a placebo or active drugs different from ARBs. Overall, ARBs were not associated with an excess risk of MI [odds ratio (OR): 1.03 in a random-effect model and 1.02 in a fixed-effect model]. In pre-specified subgroup analyses, incidence of MI did not differ between ARBs and either placebo (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.84-1.10) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-Inhibitors (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.91-1.07). Incidence of MI was slightly higher with ARBs than with drug classes different from ACE-Inhibitors (OR: 1.16; P=0.06 in a random-effect model and 0.017 in a fixed-effect model). Cardiovascular mortality did not differ between ARBs and drugs different from ARBs (OR: 1.00 in a random-effect model and 0.99 in a fixed-effect model) and it was slightly lesser with ARBs than with placebo (OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.83-0.99; P=0.042) in a pre-specified subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that ARBs increase the risk of MI.     

Effect of diabetes mellitus and its treatment on ventricular arrhythmias complicating acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus and its treatment on the risk of arrhythmias among early survivors of acute myocardial infarction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: The Onset Study was conducted in 64 US medical centres. Between August 1989 and September 1996, 3882 patients were interviewed after having an acute myocardial infarction. We used logistic regression models to examine the association of diabetes and its treatment with the risk of ventricular arrhythmia after adjustment for age, gender, hypertension, thrombolytic therapy, smoking, obesity, cardiac medicines and congestive heart failure. RESULTS: During the index hospitalization, patients with diabetes (n=814) were less likely to develop ventricular arrhythmias than patients without diabetes (6.8 vs. 13.3%, P<0.001). The risk of ventricular arrhythmia in patients treated with first generation sulphonylureas or diet alone was similar to patients without diabetes (OR=0.91; 95% CI, 0.39-2.15, and 0.76; 95% CI, 0.46-1.26, respectively). However, compared with patients without diabetes, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for ventricular arrhythmias was lower among patients treated with insulin or patients treated with second generation sulphonylureas (OR=0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.92; OR=0.45, 95% CI 0.27-0.75, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients without diabetes, the risk of ventricular arrhythmias complicating acute myocardial infarction is lower in patients with diabetes treated with second generation sulphonylureas or insulin, but not in those treated with first generation sulphonylureas or diet alone. This suggests that differences in the mechanism of action of different sulphonylureas may result in clinically relevant differences in arrhythmic risk.     

药物保守治疗高龄老年急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的临床特征和预后分析

目的探讨接受药物保守治疗的高龄急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者的临床特征及预后。方法回顾性连续收集2013年1月至2016年12月期间在我院接受药物保守治疗的93例高龄急性STEMI患者的临床资料。分析患者的基本临床资料、临床用药以及预后情况。采用Logistic回归模型分析患者预后不良及死亡的影响因素。Kaplan-Meier曲线分析高龄患者随着时间的生存状况。结果高龄STEMI患者多数具有高血压(64例,占68.8%)和高脂血症(84例,占90.3%)。除阿司匹林、氯吡格雷外,高龄急性STEMI患者他汀类药物使用率较高,达89.2%。急性前壁心肌梗死和急性下壁心肌梗死患者较多,分别达41.9%和28.0%。预后分析表明,2年内预后良好的患者占33.3%,住院期间死亡占32.3%,院外死亡占23.7%。多因素Logistic回归分析表明,性别是药物保守治疗的高龄急性STEMI患者预后不良的影响因素(OR=3.18,95%CI 1.09~9.26,P=0.03),女性患者预后不良的发生率是男性患者的3.18倍;NYHA心功能分级Ⅳ级(OR=67.17,95%CI 2.73~154.50,P=0.01)和未使用利尿剂(OR=0.06,95%CI 0.00~0.95,P=0.04)是高龄急性STEMI患者院内死亡的危险因素。结论接受药物保守的高龄急性STEMI患者女性往往较男性预后更差。NYHA心功能分级Ⅳ级和未使用利尿剂是导致高龄STEMI患者院内死亡的危险因素。     

Antihypertensive therapy at the onset of an acute myocardial infarction predicts in-hospital mortality

Several studies, which have compared the efficacy of conventional antihypertensive drugs (thiazide diuretics and beta-blockers) with the newer agents [calcium blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors], have shown that they are almost equally efficacious with regard to effects on blood pressure, and in preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The potential value of these drugs when hypertensive patients suffer an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has, however, not been fully elucidated. The objective of the present observational study was to investigate whether prior use of different antihypertensive drugs could modify or influence in-hospital death in hypertensives suffering an AMI. A total of 299 hypertensive patients with the diagnosis of AMI were included. The demographic data were obtained from medical records. Variables were entered into a logistic regression model. The main predictors of death were age (adjusted odds ratio (ORa) 1.07, p = 0.002 (per each year), and the use of diuretics (ORa 2.54, p = 0.018) and calcium blockers (ORa 2.54, p = 0.010). On the other hand, the use of ACE inhibitors was associated with a marked reduction of in-hospital death (ORa 0.44, p = 0.045). The present study indicates that while the use of ACE inhibitors was associated with a reduced risk of in-hospital death in hypertensive patients suffering an AMI, the use of diuretics and calcium blockers was associated with increased risks.     

New insights and new approaches for the treatment of essential hypertension: selection of therapy based on coronary heart disease risk factor analysis, hemodynamic profiles, quality of life, and subsets of hypertension

The pharmacologic therapy of mild primary hypertension (diastolic blood pressure less than 105 mm Hg) has effectively reduced hypertensive arteriolar end organ disease such as cerebrovascular accidents, congestive heart failure, and nephropathy, but there has been no convincing evidence that coronary heart disease (CHD) or its complications, acute myocardial infarction or angina, have been reduced. The risks of therapy with certain antihypertensive drugs may outweigh their treatment benefits as it relates to CHD. The optimal treatment strategy should be to reduce all CHD risk factors, reverse the hemodynamic abnormalities present by lowering the systemic vascular resistance (SVR), preserving cardiac output (CO) and perfusion, and to select the best antihypertensive drug for concomitant medical diseases or problems while maintaining a good quality of life. Antihypertensive drugs that have favorable or neutral effects on CHD risk factors include alpha blockers, calcium channel blockers, central alpha agonists, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. On the other hand, diuretics and beta blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity have unfavorable effects on many CHD risk factors. Baseline and serial evaluation of the effects of these drugs on serum lipids, lipid subfractions, glucose, uric acid, electrolytes, exercise tolerance, left ventricular hypertrophy, blood pressure, SVR, CO, perfusion, concomitant diseases, and side effects is necessary to evaluate overall cardiovascular risk.     

Reassessment of treadmill stress testing for risk stratification in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated by thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVES--To evaluate the role of a treadmill stress test for identifying patients at risk of recurrent ischaemic events after acute myocardial infarction treated by thrombolysis. BACKGROUND--The natural history of myocardial infarction has changed with the introduction of thrombolytic treatment; there is a lower mortality but a higher incidence of recurrent thrombotic events (reinfarction, unstable angina). The treadmill stress continues to be recommended for risk stratification after acute myocardial infarction even though its value has never been formally reassessed in the thrombolytic era. METHODS--Prospective observational study in which 256 consecutive patients who presented with acute myocardial infarction treated by thrombolysis underwent an early treadmill stress test and were followed up for 10 (range 6-12) months. RESULTS--Recurrent ischaemic events occurred in 41 patients (unstable angina 15, reinfarction 21, death five) and a further 21 required revascularisation. Both ST depression at a low workload and low exercise tolerance (< 7 metabolic equivalents of the task (METS) were predictive of recurrent events, with respective hazard ratios of 1.93 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.17-3.20; p < 0.01)) and 1.67 (95% CI 1.0-2.78; p < 0.05). These variables identified 50% and 70% of patients who subsequently sustained a recurrent ischaemic event, but the corresponding values for positive predictive accuracy were only 26% and 21%. Thus they are of limited value as a screening measure for identifying patients likely to benefit from invasive investigation and revascularisation. None of the other variables (ST elevation, haemodynamic responses, ventricular extrasystoles, angina) was significantly associated with recurrent ischaemic events. CONCLUSIONS--The treadmill stress test is of limited value for identifying patients at risk of recurrent ischaemic events after acute myocardial infarction treated by thrombolysis.     

A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials comparing low-molecular weight heparins with unfractionated heparin in unstable angina.

BACKGROUND: Unfractionated heparin has been used extensively for the treatment of unstable angina/non-Q wave myocardial infarction but it has several disadvantages. Low-molecular weight heparins are now recommended although they are 3-5 times costlier than unfractionated heparin since they are convinient to administer and do not require activated thromboplastin time monitoring. Whereas enoxaparin, a low-molecular weight heparin, has been demonstrated to be superior to unfractionated heparin, the results of other low-molecular weight heparins have not been so convincing. METHOD AND RESULTS: Through manual, MEDLINE and EMBASE search, we identified five randomized trials (excluding enoxaparin trials) that compared low-molecular weight heparins with unfractionated heparin in unstable angina. The prespecified efficacy end point of interest included a composite of death, myocardial infarction, recurrent angina and urgent revascularization. The safety end point was taken as a composite of major hemorrhage, minor hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, allergic reaction and any other adverse event. We calculated odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for each trial for the composite end point, and the pooled odds ratio (95%) confidence interval) was calculated using two established methods of meta-analysis, the Mantel-Haenszel-Peto method and the DerSirmonian-Laird method. Both the methods yielded similar odds ratio (95% confidence interval). Separate odds ratio were calculated for efficacy and safety end points. There was a nonsignificant reduction in the incidence of the composite efficacy end point: the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 0.83 (0.70-0.99: p=0.08). The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the safety data was 0.78 (0.69-1.26: p=0.33). CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant difference was observed when the efficacy and safety of low-molecular weight heparins were compared with those of unfractionated heparin. A cost-effectiveness analysis of low-molecular weight heparins versus unfractionated heparin must be done urgently to establish more firmly the place of low-molecular weight heparins in the management of unstable angina.     

Influence of pre-infarction angina on mid-term mortality after acute myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Pre-infarction angina may reduce the extent of myocardial cell necrosis and improves the prognosis after myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to analyze the total mortality six-month after acute myocardial infarction according to the presence or absence of pre-infarction angina. METHODS: One hundred seventy-five consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction were prospectively included, 72 (41.4%) with pre-infarction angina. They were followed for 6 months. There were 16 deaths (15.5%) in the group of patients without pre-infarction angina and 7 (9.7%) in the group with pre-infarction angina (log-rank = 1.03; p = 0.311). The hazard-risk function curves showed a higher risk of death during the entire follow-up in the group without pre-infarction angina. In the multivariate logistic regression model, the presence of pre-infarction angina does not significantly reduce the risk of death (OR = 0.43; CI 95% = 0.09-2. 22; p = 0.303). We detected a significant interaction between treatment with sulfonylureas before the infarction and the presence of pre-infarction angina (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: In this study no significant differences were observed in total mortality six months after acute myocardial infarction according to the presence of pre-infarction angina. However, the risk of death seemed to be higher in the group of patients without pre-infarction angina during the entire follow-up. A significant interaction was found between the treatment with sulfonylurea drugs before infarction and the presence of pre-infarction angina.     

Effect of nicotine replacement therapy on cardiovascular outcomes after acute coronary syndromes

The optimal approach to encourage smoking cessation after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear. The safety of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) after ACS is not well established. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between NRT use and adverse cardiovascular outcomes after ACS. Using a pre-existing database, 663 smokers with ACS were identified. The patients were separated into the NRT (n = 184) or control (n = 479) groups according to whether NRT was prescribed on hospital discharge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to account for the baseline differences between the 2 groups. Of the 663 patients, 202 had adverse events in the first year after ACS. No significant differences were seen with NRT use for the 1-year combined end point of death, myocardial infarction), repeat revascularization, or rehospitalization for angina, congestive heart failure or arrhythmia (odds ratio [OR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 1.30, p = 0.54). There were no differences in the individual 1-year end points of death (odds ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 1.91, p = 0.61), myocardial infarction (odds ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.40 to 2.06, p = 0.80), repeat revascularization (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.44 to 1.36, p = 0.37), or rehospitalization for angina, congestive heart failure, or arrhythmia (odds ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 1.53, p = 0.97). In conclusion, NRT use was not associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events in the first year after ACS.     

Admission C-reactive protein levels and 30-day mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Elevated C-reactive protein levels are associated with an increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with unstable angina. However, limited information is available concerning the value of C-reactive protein levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: We prospectively studied 448 consecutive patients (mean [+/- SD] age, 60 +/- 12 years) with acute myocardial infarction. Serum C-reactive protein levels were measured within 12 to 24 hours of symptom onset, and divided into tertiles. Infarct size was determined by echocardiographic examination that was performed on day 2 or 3. Patients were followed for 30 days for mortality and subsequent cardiac events. RESULTS: At 30 days, 4 deaths (3%) occurred in patients in the lowest C-reactive protein tertile, 15 (10%) in patients in the middle tertile (P = 0.02 vs. the lowest tertile), and 33 (22%) in patients in the highest tertile (P <0.001 vs. the lowest tertile). In a multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein in the upper tertile was associated with 30-day mortality (relative risk = 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3 to 7.2; P = 0.01) and the development of heart failure (odds ratio = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.6; P = 0.0006). C-reactive protein levels were not associated with the development of postinfarction angina, recurrent myocardial infarction, or the need for revascularization. CONCLUSION: Plasma C-reactive protein level obtained within 12 to 24 hours of symptom onset is an independent marker of 30-day mortality and the development of heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarction. These findings suggest that C-reactive protein levels may be related to inflammatory processes associated with infarct expansion and postinfarction ventricular remodeling.     

Prognostic value of fibrinogen in patients admitted with suspected unstable angina and non-q-wave myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In recent years, the relation between biological markers of inflammation and prognosis in patients suffering from acute coronary syndromes has been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between baseline fibrinogen concentrations and the development of clinical events in patients admitted with suspicion of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Levels of fibrinogen at enrollment were analyzed in 325 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndromes. Fibrinogen values were divided into tertiles and the incidence of clinical events was evaluated at each level. The combination of death and/or myocardial infarction was the main endpoint. RESULTS: Fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients who subsequently had myocardial infarction, cardiac death, or both during follow up. The probabilities of death and/or myocardial infarction were 6%, 13%, and 29% (p < 0.0001), respectively, in patients grouped by fibrinogen tertiles (304, 305-374 and 375 mg/dl). Multivariate predictors of combined events were age, previous angina, ST-segment depression in the admission ECG, and fibrinogen into tertiles. The adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) for patients in the upper tertile was 4.8 (1.6-14; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: High fibrinogen levels were related to a less favorable long-term or short-term outcome in patients admitted for suspicion of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. This association persists after adjustment for other classical risk factors such as age, prior angina, and ST-segment depression in the ECG.     

Renin‐Angiotensin System Inhibitors vs Other Antihypertensives in Hypertensive Blacks: A Meta‐Analysis

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors vs other antihypertensive agents on cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive black patients. The authors performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies that compared the effects of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) with calcium channel blockers (CCBs), diuretics, and β‐blockers in hypertensive black patients on cardiovascular outcomes. A total of 38,983 patients with a mean age of 60 years and mean follow‐up of 4 years were included in our meta‐analysis. No significant differences were found in all‐cause mortality, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality rates among patients treated with RAS inhibitors compared with CCBs, diuretics, and β‐blockers. The incidence of stroke was significantly increased in patients treated with RAS inhibitors compared with CCBs (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–1.87 [P<.00001]; I²=0%) and diuretics (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–2.17 [P=.004]; I²=56%) but not β‐blockers.     

The safety and efficacy of subcutaneous enoxaparin versus intravenous unfractionated heparin and tirofiban versus placebo in the treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients ineligible for reperfusion (TETAMI): a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the Safety and Efficacy of Subcutaneous Enoxaparin Versus Intravenous Unfractionated Heparin and Tirofiban Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Ineligible for Reperfusion (TETAMI) study were to demonstrate that enoxaparin was superior to unfractionated heparin (UFH) and that tirofiban was better than placebo in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who do not receive timely reperfusion. BACKGROUND: An optimal treatment strategy has not been identified for the many STEMI patients ineligible for acute reperfusion. METHODS: A total of 1224 patients were enrolled in 91 centers in 14 countries between July 1999 and July 2002. Patients with STEMI ineligible for reperfusion were randomized to enoxaparin, enoxaparin plus tirofiban, UFH, or UFH plus tirofiban. All patients received oral aspirin. The primary efficacy end point was the 30-day combined incidence of death, reinfarction, or recurrent angina; the primary analysis was the comparison of the pooled enoxaparin and UFH groups. REULTS: The incidence of the primary efficacy end point was 15.7% enoxaparin versus 17.3% for UFH (odds ratio 0.89 [95% confidence interval CI = 0.66 to 1.21]) and 16.6% for tirofiban versus 16.4% for placebo (odds ratio 1.02 [95% CI 0.75 to 1.38]). The Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major hemorrhage rate was 1.5% for enoxaparin versus 1.3% for UFH (odds ratio 1.16 [95% CI 0.44 to 3.02]) and 1.8% versus 1% for tirofiban versus placebo (odds ratio 1.82 [95% CI 0.67 to 4.95]). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not show that enoxaparin significantly reduced the 30-day incidence of death, reinfarction, and recurrent angina compared with UFH in non-reperfused STEMI patients. However, enoxaparin appears to have a similar safety and efficacy profile to UFH and may be an alternative treatment. Additional therapy with tirofiban did not appear beneficial.     

心肌灌注显像对冠心病患者心脏不良事件预测价值的初步探讨

目的初步探讨心肌灌注显像可逆缺损与不可逆缺损对心脏不良事件的预测价值。方法追踪了５０例进行血运重建术治疗［冠状动脉旁路术（ＣＡＢＧ）或经皮冠状动脉腔内成形术（ＰＴＣＡ）］和７８例单纯药物治疗冠心病患者,并于术前或药物治疗前行冠状动脉造影、术后或药物治疗前进行了运动静息心肌灌注断层显像（ＳＰＥＣＴ）,随诊时间为６～１２０个月,平均（３６３±２２４）个月。结果１２８例患者ＳＰＥＣＴ示：可逆性缺损（心肌缺血）５２例,固定性缺损（心肌梗塞）２２例,正常５４例。随访期间发生心脏事件分别为３９例（７５％）、３例（１３６％）、４例（７４％）。单因素时序检验（Ｌｏｇｒａｎｋ）显示,可逆性缺损组与固定性缺损组、正常组对心脏事件的预测差异有显著性（Ｐ＜０００１）,固定性缺损（心肌梗塞）组与正常组差异无显著性。Ｃｏｘ回归分析表明：ＳＰＥＣＴ显像图上有可逆缺损（心肌缺血）是心脏事件的独立的预测因素（Ｐ＜０００１,风险比ＯＲ＝１５１,９５％的可信限ＣＩ为５２２～４２９０）。结论运动静息心肌灌注显像对心肌缺血、心肌梗塞后的心脏不良事件有较高的预测价值。     

Effect of Alirocumab on Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Coronary Syndromes: Insights from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES Trial

BackgroundUsing data from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial (NCT01663402), we sought to identify factors associated with the development of incident atrial fibrillation in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome without prior atrial fibrillation and to determine whether alirocumab treatment influenced risk of incident atrial fibrillation.MethodsODYSSEY OUTCOMES compared alirocumab treatment with placebo in 18,924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome and dyslipidemia despite high-intensity or maximum-tolerated statin therapy. The primary outcome of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) comprised death from coronary heart disease, non-fatal myocardial infarction, fatal or non-fatal ischemic stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization. Patients were classified as having previous atrial fibrillation (present prior to or at randomization) or no previous atrial fibrillation. A multivariable model was used to determine factors associated with incident atrial fibrillation.ResultsAmong 18,262 participants without prior atrial fibrillation at baseline, 499 (2.7%) had incident atrial fibrillation during follow-up. Older age, history of heart failure or myocardial infarction, and higher body mass index were significantly associated with incident atrial fibrillation. Treatment with alirocumab or placebo did not influence the cumulative incidence of atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-1.09). Patients with vs without a history of atrial fibrillation had a higher incidence of MACE (8.8 vs 3.7 events per 100 patient-years), without significant interaction between atrial fibrillation and randomized treatment on risk of MACE (P_interaction = .78).ConclusionsWhile alirocumab did not modify risk of incident atrial fibrillation after acute coronary syndrome, it did reduce the risk of MACE, regardless of prior atrial fibrillation history. History of atrial fibrillation is an independent predictor of recurrent cardiovascular events after acute coronary syndrome.