ST-segment elevation resolution in lead aVR: a strong predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The impact of ST-segment elevation resolution in lead aVR on outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Electrocardigrams (ECGs) were recorded on admission and 6 h later in 367 patients with NSTE-ACS. ST-segment deviation >or=0.5 mm was considered significant: 92 patients had ST-segment elevation in lead aVR on admission ECG (ST upward arrowaVR), and 275 did not. Among patients with ST upward arrowaVR, 50 had ST resolution, defined as a reduction >50% in the degree of ST-segment elevation in lead aVR from admission to 6 h later, and 42 did not. ST upward arrowaVR without ST resolution was associated with older age, greater ST-segment depression in other leads on admission and 6 h later, higher rates of positive troponin T, left main and/or 3-vessel coronary disease, and adverse events such as death, (re)infarction, or urgent revascularization within 30 days after admission. Multivariate analysis showed that ST upward arrowaVR without ST resolution was the strongest independent predictor of death or (re)infarction within 30 days after admission (hazard ratio 5.62, p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: ST upward arrowaVR without ST resolution is a strong predictor of 30-day adverse outcomes and correlates with the extent and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with NSTE-ACS.     

Combined prognostic utility of ST segment in lead aVR and troponin T on admission in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Many studies have shown that ST-segment depression is a strong predictor of poor outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACSs); however, lead aVR was not considered in these studies. The present study examined the prognostic usefulness of the 12-lead electrocardiogram in combination with biochemical markers in 333 patients with NSTE-ACS. ST-segment deviation of > or =0.5 mm was considered clinically significant. Coronary angiography was performed a median of 3 days after admission in all patients. The primary end point was the composite of death, myocardial infarction, and urgent revascularization at 90 days. ST-segment elevation in lead aVR (odds ratio 13.8, 95% confidence interval 1.43 to 100.9, p = 0.03) and increased troponin T (odds ratio 7.9, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 123.8, p = 0.04) were the only independent predictors of restricted events (death or myocardial infarction) at 90 days. ST-segment elevation in lead aVR (odds ratio 12.8, 95% confidence interval 4.80 to 33.9, p < 0.0001) and increased troponin T (odds ratio 2.03, 95% confidence interval 1.20 to 4.29, p = 0.04) were also the only independent predictors of adverse events (death, myocardial infarction, or urgent revascularization) at 90 days. When ST-segment status in lead aVR was combined with troponin T, patients with ST-segment elevation in lead aVR and increased troponin T had the highest rates of left main or 3-vessel coronary disease (62%) and 90-day adverse outcomes (47%). In conclusion, our findings suggest that ST-segment status in lead aVR combined with troponin T on admission is a simple and useful clinical tool for early risk stratification in patients with NSTE-ACS.     

ST segment elevation in lead aVR and coronary artery lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Recently, the prognostic value of ST segment elevation in lead aVR in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its relationship with significant stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCAS) and three-vessel disease have been highlighted. AIM: Analysis of the relationship between ST segment elevation observed in aVR lead and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in patients with ACS. METHODS: The study involved 134 patients with ACS, including 54 subjects with ST elevation in aVR (group A) and 80 patients without elevation of ST in the same lead (group B), aged 33-78 years, mean 59.9+/-9.7 years. The severity of coronary artery disease was compared between the two groups. The logistic regression model was used for the analysis of factors affecting ST segment in aVR, as well as LMCAS and three-vessel disease probability. RESULTS: In patients with ST elevation in aVR, three-vessel disease prevalence was two times higher (61.1% vs 35.0%; p <0.01), and LMCAS - three times higher (55.6% vs 17.5%; p <0.000001) than in those without ST elevation in aVR. Factors independently associated with ST elevation in aVR were LMCAS (OR 6.1; 95% CI 2.62-14.23; p <0.00005), ST segment elevation in V1 (OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.34-6.86; p <0.01) and diabetes (OR 2.89; 95% CI 1.17-7.15; p <0.05). The predictors of LMCAS were three-vessel disease and ST elevation in aVR, while the predictors of three-vessel disease were: LMCAS, diabetes, male gender and history of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of the ST segment in aVR in the setting of acute coronary syndrome identifies patients with severe coronary artery disease. Only left main coronary artery disease, however, remains independently associated with ST segment elevation in aVR. Three-vessel disease and the left main coronary artery stenosis equivalent are not independent predictors of ST segment elevation in aVR of standard electrocardiograms recorded in patients with acute coronary syndrome.     

QRS波宽度及aVR导联ST段抬高对NSTE-ACS左主干或三支病变的预测作用

目的研究非ST段抬高型急性冠脉综合征(NSTE-ACS)患者心电图的QRS波宽度及aVR导联抬高幅度对冠状动脉左主干/三支病变的诊断价值。方法分析106例NSTE-ACS患者的体表心电图QRS波宽度及aVR导联ST段抬高幅度,通过与冠状动脉造影结果对比,研究其对诊断左主干/三支病变的敏感性、特异性和相关性。结果 QRS波宽度及aVR导联ST段抬高是左主干/三支病变的独立预测因子,OR值分别为9.04(95%CI,4.88～16.7)、7.10(95%CI,4.91～76.2);QRS间期≥90ms和aVR导联ST段抬高≥0.5mm预测左主干/三支病变的敏感性及特异性分别为88%、76%及88%、86%。结论 QRS波增宽及aVR导联ST段抬高是NSTE-ACS患者左主干/三支病变较为灵敏的预测因子。     

Utility of Lead aVR for Identifying the Culprit Lesion in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Lead aVR is a neglected, however, potentially useful tool in electrocardiography. Our aim was to evaluate its value in clinical practice, by reviewing existing literature regarding its utility for identifying the culprit lesion in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Based on a systematic search strategy, 16 studies were assessed with the intent to pool data; diagnostic test rates were calculated as key results. Results: Five studies investigated if ST‐segment elevation (STE) in aVR is valuable for the diagnosis of left main stem stenosis (LMS) in non–ST‐segment AMI (NSTEMI). The studies were too heterogeneous to pool, but the individual studies all showed that STE in aVR has a high negative predictive value (NPV) for LMS. Six studies evaluated if STE in aVR is valuable for distinguishing proximal from distal lesions in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in anterior ST‐segment elevation AMI (STEMI). Pooled data showed a sensitivity of 47%, a specificity of 96%, a positive predicative value (PPV) of 91% and a NPV of 69%. Five studies examined if ST‐segment depression (STD) in lead aVR is valuable for discerning lesions in the circumflex artery from those in the right coronary artery in inferior STEMI. Pooled data showed a sensitivity of 37%, a specificity of 86%, a PPV of 42%, and an NPV of 83%. Conclusion: The absence of aVR STE appears to exclude LMS as the underlying cause in NSTEMI; in the context of anterior STEMI, its presence indicates a culprit lesion in the proximal segment of LAD.     

Predictive value of ST-segment deviation in aVR in patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome: A retrospective cohort study

Changes in the ST-segment in aVR of electrocardiogram have been used to predict the morbidity of left main and/or 3-vessel disease (LM/3-VD) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the association with patient prognosis has rarely been reported.A total of 274 patients diagnosed with ACS were retrospectively evaluated following allocation into 1 of 3 groups: the ST-segment elevation (STE) group ≥ 0.05 mV, ST-segment depression (STD) group ≥ 0.05 mV, and the Isoelectric group in aVR. A comparison of clinical characteristics, coronary angiography results, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and GRACE risk score was made.Patients in the STE and STD groups were older and had a lower LVEF, a greater number of MACE and higher GRACE risk score, compared with patients in the isoelectric group. Patients in the STE group had significantly greater morbidity due to LM/3-VD than did the non-STE groups. In addition, as the amplitude of STE in aVR increased, the number of MACE, GRACE risk score, and the incidence of LM/3-VD increased. Furthermore, after adjusting for other clinical factors, multivariate statistical results indicated that STE ≥ 0.05 mV in aVR was the only predictor of LM/3-VD, whereas STD ≥ 0.05 mV was not. It was found that STE or STD ≥ 0.05 mV in aVR was an independent predictor of MACE.STE ≥ 0.05 mV in aVR is associated with LM/3-VD. Furthermore, ST-segment deviation in aVR may have prognostic value of MACE and associated with higher GRACE risk scores in patients with ACS.     

ST-segment depression in lead aVR predicts predischarge left ventricular dysfunction in patients with reperfused anterior acute myocardial infarction with anterolateral ST-segment elevation.

BACKGROUND: Patients with an anterolateral acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have a worse prognosis, and those with additional inferolateral wall involvement might be higher risk because of more extensive area at risk. Lead -aVR obtained by inversion of images in lead aVR has been reported to provide useful information for inferolateral lesion. METHODS: We examined the relation between ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and left ventricular function in 105 patients with an anterolateral AMI undergoing successful reperfusion < or = 6 hours after onset. Patients were classified according to ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission ECG: group A, 23 patients with ST elevation of > or = 0.5 mm; group B, 47 patients without ST deviation; and group C, 35 patients with ST depression of > or = 0.5 mm. RESULTS: There were no differences among the 3 groups in age, sex, or site of the culprit lesion. In groups A, B, and C, the peak creatine kinase level was 3661 +/- 1428, 4440 +/- 1889, and 6959 +/- 2712 mU/mL, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by predischarge left ventriculography was 54% +/- 9%, 48% +/- 7%, and 37% +/- 9%, respectively(P < .01). During hospitalization, congestive heart failure occurred more frequently in group C than in groups A or B (P < .05). ST-segment depression in lead aVR had a higher predictive accuracy than other ECG findings in identifying patients with predischarge LVEF < or = 35%. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in patients with an anterolateral AMI, ST-segment depression in lead aVR on admission ECG is useful for predicting larger infarct and left ventricular dysfunction despite successful reperfusion.     

An early and simple predictor of severe left main and/or three-vessel disease in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

Clopidogrel should be initiated as soon as possible in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) except those who urgently require coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The present study assessed the ability to predict severe left main coronary artery and/or 3-vessel disease (LM/3VD) that would most likely require urgent CABG based on only clinical factors on admission in 572 patients with NSTE-ACS undergoing coronary angiography. Severe LM/3VD was defined as ≥75% stenosis of LM and/or 3VD with ≥90% stenosis in ≥2 proximal lesions of the left anterior descending coronary artery and other major epicardial arteries. Patients were divided into the 3 groups according to angiographic findings: no LM/3VD (n = 460), LM/3VD but not severe LM/3VD (n = 57), and severe LM/3VD (n = 55). Severe LM/3VD was associated with a higher rate of urgent CABG compared to no LM/3VD and LM/3VD but not severe LM/3VD (46%, 2%, and 2%, p <0.001). On multivariate analysis, degree of ST-segment elevation in lead aVR was the strongest predictor of severe LM/3VD (odds ratio 29.1, p <0.001), followed by positive troponin T level (odds ratio 1.27, p = 0.044). ST-segment elevation ≥1.0 mm in lead aVR best identified severe LM/3VD with 80% sensitivity, 93% specificity, 56% positive predictive value, and 98% negative predictive value. In conclusion, ST-segment elevation ≥1.0 mm in lead aVR on admission electrocardiogram is highly suggestive of severe LM/3VD in patients with NSTE-ACS. Selected patients with this finding might benefit from promptly undergoing angiography, withholding clopidogrel to allow early CABG.     

Predictors of left main or three-vessel disease in patients who have acute coronary syndromes with non-ST-segment elevation

To identify an early, simple, noninvasive predictor of left main (LM) or 3-vessel disease (3-VD), we retrospectively studied clinical variables on admission in 310 patients with acute coronary syndromes with non-ST-segment elevation. Univariate analysis indicated that many factors were related to LM/3-VD. Multivariate analysis showed that ST-segment elevation in lead aVR of >/=0.5 mm was the strongest predictor of LM/3-VD, followed by positive troponin T (odds ratio 19.7, p <0.001, and odds ratio 3.08, p = 0.048, respectively). ST-segment elevation in lead aVR of >/=0.5 mm and positive troponin T identified LM/3-VD with sensitivities of 78% and 62%, specificities of 86% and 59%, positive predictive values of 57% and 26%, and negative predictive values of 95% and 87%, respectively (p <0.05). Our findings suggest that in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, ST-segment elevation in lead aVR of >/=0.5 mm and positive troponin T on admission (especially the former) are useful predictors of LM/3-VD.     

Prognostic implications of ST‐segment elevation in lead aVR in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A meta‐analysis

BackgroundST‐segment elevation (STE) in lead aVR is a useful tool in recognizing patients with left main or left anterior descending coronary obstruction during acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The prognostic implication of STE in lead aVR on outcomes has not been established.MethodsWe performed a systematic search for clinical studies about STE in lead aVR in four databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included in‐hospital (re)infarction, in‐hospital heart failure, and 90‐day mortality.ResultsWe included 7 studies with a total of 7,700 patients. The all‐cause in‐hospital mortality of patients with STE in lead aVR during ACS was significantly higher than that of patients without STE (OR: 4.37, 95% CI 1.63 to 11.68, p = .003). Patients with greater STE (>0.1 mV) in lead aVR had a higher in‐hospital mortality when compared to lower STE (0.05–0.1 mV) (OR: 2.00, 95% CI 1.11–3.60, p = .02), However, STE in aVR was not independently associated with in‐hospital mortality in ACS patients (OR: 2.72, 95% CI 0.85–8.63, p = .09). The incidence of in‐hospital myocardial (re)infarction (OR: 2.77, 95% CI 1.30–5.94, p = .009), in‐hospital heart failure (OR: 2.62, 95% CI 1.06–6.50, p = .04), and 90‐day mortality (OR: 10.19, 95% CI 5.27–19.71, p < .00001) was also noted to be higher in patients STE in lead aVR.ConclusionsThis contemporary meta‐analysis shows STE in lead aVR is a poor prognostic marker in patients with ACS with higher in‐hospital mortality, reinfarction, heart failure and 90‐day mortality. Greater magnitude of STE portends worse prognosis. Further studies are needed to establish an independent predictive role of STE in aVR for these adverse outcomes.     

Does Proximal Location of Culprit Lesion Confer Worse Prognosis in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction?

ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from proximally located culprit lesion is associated with greater myocardium at jeopardy. In STEMI patients treated with thrombolytics, proximal culprit lesions are known to have worse prognosis. This relation has not been studied in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In 3,535 STEMI patients with native coronary artery occlusion pooled from the primary angioplasty in myocardial infarction database, we compared in-hospital and 1-year outcomes between those with proximal (n = 1,606) versus non-proximal (n = 1,929) culprit lesions. Patients with proximal culprits were more likely to die and suffer major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during the index hospital stay (3.8% vs 2.2%, P = 0.006; 8.2% vs 5.8%, P = 0.0066, respectively) as well as during 1-year follow-up (6.9% vs 4.5%, P = 0.0013; 22% vs 17%, P = 0.003, respectively) compared to those with non-proximal culprits. After adjustment for baseline differences, proximal culprit was independently predictive of in-hospital death (adjusted odds ratio% 1.58, 95% confidence intervals, CI 1.05-2.40) and MACE (OR 1.41, CI 1.06-1.86), but not 1-year death or MACE. In addition, proximal culprit was independently associated with higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and sustained hypotension during the index hospitalization. The univariate impact of proximal culprit lesion on in-hospital death and MACE was comparable to other adverse angiographic characteristics, such as multivessel disease and poor initial thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow, and greater than that of anterior wall STEMI. In conclusion, proximal location of the culprit lesion is a strong independent predictor of worse in-hospital outcomes in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.     

静息状态下心电图指标对冠心病多支病变诊断价值的比较

目的探讨静息状态下常规十二导联心电图对冠心病患者（非急性心肌梗死、无胸痛发作状态）冠状动脉（冠脉）多支病变的诊断价值。方法观察分析1999年11月至2006年1月于济南市第四人民医院心内科入院拟诊不稳定型心绞痛行冠状动脉造影（CAG）患者（104例）的造影资料及CAG前ECG资料。选择性多体位左、右冠状动脉造影,以左主干、前降支、回旋支、右冠状动脉中任一支狭窄≥50%者为阳性,将患者分为阴性组（8例）、多支病变组[30例,LAD+LCX+RCA和（或）左主干病变]和非多支病变组（66例,单支病变+双支病变）。其中,左主干病变14例（可并发单支、双支或3支病变）。计数各组病例心电图aVR导联ST段抬高病例数、异常导联数、ST段移位绝对值之和、异常导联数+ST段移位绝对值之和、ST段时间,进行统计学分析。结果异常导联数+ST移位、异常导联数、ST段时间、aVR导联ST段抬高,多支病变组与非多支病变组比较有显著差异。异常导联数+ST移位、异常导联数和ST移位的敏感性显著高于aVR导联ST抬高,异常导联数+ST移位的敏感性明显高于ST移位。aVR导联ST抬高和ST移位特异性最好,两者之间无明显差异。结论异常导联数+ST移位、异常导联数、ST移位是诊断冠心病多支病变的敏感指标,且均优于aVR导联ST抬高;异常导联数+ST移位的敏感性明显高于ST移位。     

Prognostic significance of admission heart failure in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (from the Canadian Acute Coronary Syndrome Registries)

We evaluated the in-hospital and 1-year outcomes and predictors of admission heart failure in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACSs) without previous heart failure. We analyzed 4,825 patients with NSTE-ACS without a history of congestive heart failure who were included in the multicenter Canadian ACS Registries. Patients in Killip's class II/III on admission (n = 559, 11.6%) were compared with patients in Killip's class I. Patients with heart failure on admission were older (72 [64, 79] vs 64 [54, 73] years, p < 0.0001), with higher baseline creatinine levels (96 vs 88 mmol/dl, p <0.0001), more diabetes (32.2% vs 22.8%, p < 0.0001), hypertension (58% vs 52.4%, p = 0.014), previous myocardial infarction (MI; 38.9% vs 30.3%, p < 0.0001), previous stroke (13.5% vs 7.4%, p < 0.0001), and had more ST depression on admission (27.7% vs 17.3%, p < 0.0001). In-hospital treatment was similar except for a lower rate of aspirin therapy and fewer coronary interventions. Crude event rates were significantly higher in patients with heart failure (in-hospital death 3.6% vs 1.1%, p < 0.0001; death or MI 7.9% vs 4.7%, p = 0.0011; stroke 1.1% vs 0.4%, p = 0.03). One-year event rates were also higher in patients with heart failure (death 14.6% vs 4.4%, p < 0.0001; MI 9.3% vs 6.6%, p = 0.03; death or MI 21.5% vs 10.3%, p < 0.0001). Variables independently associated with heart failure were age (odds ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.43 to 1.73), diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.89), admission ST depression (odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 1.90), previous MI, and baseline creatinine. Heart failure on admission was an independent predictor of in-hospital death, death or MI, and stroke and of 1-year death and death or MI. In conclusion, in patients with NSTE-ACS, heart failure on admission is associated with increased short- and long-term rates of death and MI.     

Electrocardiographic Criteria for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Patients with electrocardiographic (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have repolarization abnormalities of the ST segment that may be confused with an ischemic current of injury. We analyzed the ACTIVATE-SF database, a registry of consecutive emergency department ST-segment elevation (STE) myocardial infarction diagnoses from 2 medical centers. Univariate analysis was performed to identify ECG variables associated with presence of an angiographic culprit lesion. Recursive partitioning was then applied to identify a clinical decision-making rule that maximizes sensitivity and specificity for presence of an angiographic culprit lesion. Seventy-nine patients with ECG LVH underwent emergency cardiac catheterization for primary angioplasty. Patients with a culprit lesion had greater magnitude of STE (3.0 ± 1.8 vs 1.9 ± 1.0 mm, p = 0.005), more leads with STE (3.1 ± 1.6 vs 2.0 ± 1.8 leads, p = 0.002), and a greater ratio of STE to R-S-wave magnitude (median 25% vs 9.2%, p = 0.003). Univariate application of ECG criteria had limited sensitivity and a high false-positive rate for identifying patients with an angiographic culprit lesion. In patients with anterior territory STE, using a ratio of ST segment to R-S-wave magnitude ≥25% as a diagnostic criteria for STE myocardial infarction significantly improved specificity for an angiographic culprit lesion without decreasing sensitivity (c-statistic 0.82), with a net reclassification improvement of 37%. In conclusion, application of an ST segment to R-S-wave magnitude ≥25% rule may augment current criteria for determining which patients with ECG LVH should undergo primary angioplasty.     

Electrocardiographic predictors of culprit artery in acute inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background

In acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), multiple electrocardiographic algorithms have been proposed to predict the culprit artery. Our purpose is to review these and compare them to ST depression in lead aVR to predict culprit artery in inferior STEMI.

Methods

In 106 patients with acute inferior STEMI who underwent emergent coronary angiography, we correlated electrocardiographic and angiographic findings pertaining to the culprit artery. We then reviewed the algorithms proposed by Fiol et al and Tierala et al, and applied them and our own from Kanei et al using ST depression in aVR for predicting the left circumflex artery (LCx) as the culprit, to the population. Finally, we compared the sensitivities and specificities of the respective algorithms for predicting the culprit artery.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of ST depression in lead aVR to predict LCx as the culprit were 53% and 86%, respectively, and 86% and 55%, respectively for predicting the right coronary artery (RCA) as the culprit. When their algorithms were applied to our population, the sensitivities and specificities of Fiol et al and Tierala et al were slightly higher.

Conclusion

Compared to other proposed algorithms, ST depression in aVR is a simple method with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity to predict the culprit artery in inferior STEMI.     

Clinical significance of exercise-induced ST-segment elevation in lead aVR and V1 in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris and strongly positive exercise test results

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in lead aVR and V1 are rarely analyzed on exercise electrocardiograms. Clinical significance of exercise-induced ST-segment changes in lead aVR and V1 during strongly positive electrocardiographic exercise test (EET) in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris remains unclear. The aim of the study was to assess the value of lead aVR and V1 on the exercise electrocardiogram for the detection of left main coronary artery stenosis (LMCAS) and its equivalent (LMCASE) in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris and the strongly positive EET result. The study group consisted of 118 consecutive patients (mean age 58.8 +/- 9.5 years, range 38-77 years), including 30 (25.4%) women. Patients were divided into three groups. In group I, 31 patients with ST elevation in lead aVR and V1, in group II 66 patients with isolated ST elevation in lead aVR, and in group III 21 patients without ST elevation in lead aVR, induced with exercise, were included. Coronary arteriography results were compared among these groups. In patients with isolated exercise-induced ST elevation in lead aVR, the prevalence of LMCAS was five times more frequent than in patients without lead aVR ST elevation (25.8% vs 4.8% p<0.05). There were no differences in the prevalence of LMCASE and multi-vessel coronary disease in the studied groups. In patients with LMCAS significant ST elevation in lead aVR during strongly positive EET were observed (0.25 +/- 0,4 mm vs 1.43 +/- 0.6 mm p = 0.003), whereas there were no significant exercise-induced electrocardiographic changes in lead V1 (0.61 +/- 0.6 mm vs 0.77 +/- 0.6 mm p = 0.08). Sensitivity of isolated exercise-induced ST elevation in lead aVR in detection of LMCAS was 85.0%, specificity - 50.0%, positive predictive value - 25.8%, negative predictive value - 94.2%, and total accuracy - 55.9%. Exercise-induced ST elevation in lead aVR on the strongly positive exercise ECG may detect LMCAS in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris.     

急性心肌梗死aVR导联ST段抬高的临床意义

目的 探讨体表心电图aVR导联ST段抬高对急性心肌梗死患者梗死相关血管(IRA)诊断及临床预后的意义.方法 收集2010年10月至2012年12月因急性心肌梗死入住我院的患者共240例,根据患者入院时心电图aVR导联ST段有无抬高,分为A组(AVR导联ST段抬高)80例和B组(aVR导联ST段无抬高)160例,对两组患者临床资料、冠状动脉造影结果及主要不良心血管事件进行对比.结果 ①两组患者性别、糖尿病病史、PCI病史等一般临床资料对比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).②两组冠状动脉造影结果比较:IRA为左主干(LM),A组9例,B组3例,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);IRA左主干和(或)三支血管(LM/3VD),A组46例,B组15例,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).③aVR导联ST抬高对IRA为左主干的敏感性及特异性分别为75％和69％,对IRA为左主干和(或)三支病变的敏感度及特异度分别为73％和81％.④住院期间主要不良心血管事件(MACE),A组36例,B组25例,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).⑤在住院期间,aVR导联ST段抬高(OR=10.03,95％CI=5.36～18.77,P＜0.01)是急性心肌梗死患者发生不良心血管事件的独立危险因素.结论 aVR导联ST段抬高提示急性心肌梗死患者梗死相关血管为左主干和(或)三支血管病变及住院期间不良心血管事件发生率增高.aVR导联ST段抬高对急性心肌梗死患者梗死相关血管判断及临床预后具有一定的临床指导意义.     

Mean platelet volume is associated with culprit lesion severity and cardiac events in acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation

We investigated the association of mean platelet volume (MPV) with culprit lesion severity and major cardiac outcomes (MCOs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with non-ST elevation (NSTE). This study included 344 patients with NSTE-ACS who had significant coronary stenosis at least 50%. They were divided into high MPV group (n = 109, upper tertile >9.9 fl) and low MPV group (n = 235, lower and mid tertile ≤ 9.9 fl) according to MPV values on admission. They were followed up for MCOs during 12 months. MCO consisted of the composite end-point of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), recurrent angina or hospitalization. High MPV was independently associated with NSTE-MI [odds ratio (OR) 4.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.52-7.15, P = 0.001] and severe culprit stenosis (≥ 80%) (OR 4.05, 95% CI 2.39-6.83, P = 0.001). MPV of 9.9 fl was predictive of severe culprit stenosis with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 77% (P < 0.001). At 12 months, MCO rate was higher in high MPV group than low MPV group (39 vs. 26%; P = 0.016). This difference resulted from death (6.4 vs. 2.1; P = 0.06) and recurrent angina (16.5 vs. 8.9%; P = 0.045). The MCO-free survival was worse in patients with high MPV than those with low MPV (61 vs. 74%; P = 0.01). In Cox regression analysis, high MPV remained an independent predictor of MCO (hazard ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.29, P = 0.04) after adjusting for baseline characteristics. Elevated MPV was independently associated with NSTE-MI presentation and severity of culprit stenosis in NSTE-ACS patients. Moreover, MPV greater than 9.9 fl was predictive of a 12-month MCO.     

ST-segment depression in lead aVR: a useful predictor of impaired myocardial reperfusion in patients with inferior acute myocardial infarction

STUDY OBJECTIVE: During inferior acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the ECG lead aVR is frequently ignored, and therefore its clinical significance remains unclear. We examined the relation between ST-segment deviation seen in lead aVR on ECGs obtained at hospital admission and myocardial reperfusion in patients who have experienced recanalized inferior AMIs. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study. PATIENTS: A total of 225 patients with inferior AMIs in whom Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 3 flow was achieved within 6 h after symptom onset. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Patients were classified as follows according to ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on an ECG obtained at hospital admission: group A, 103 patients with no ST-segment depression; group B, 80 patients with ST-segment depression of < or = 1.0 mm; and group C, 42 patients with ST-segment depression of > 1.0 mm. There were no differences in time from symptom onset to hospital admission or in the culprit lesion among the three groups. The degree of ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, aVF, V5, or V6, the degree of ST-segment depression in leads V1 to V4, and the sum of ST-segment deviation in these leads were lowest in group A and highest in group C. In groups A, B, and C, the incidence of impaired myocardial reperfusion, defined as myocardial blush grade 0/1, was 2%, 23%, and 67%, respectively (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and negative predictive values of ST-segment depression in lead aVR for impaired myocardial reperfusion were higher than those based on other ECG variables. Multivariate analysis showed that the degree of ST-segment depression in lead aVR was an independent predictor of impaired myocardial reperfusion (odds ratio 8.41; 95% confidence interval, 2.96 to 23.9; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the degree of ST-segment depression in lead aVR is a useful predictor of impaired myocardial reperfusion in patients who have experienced inferior AMIs.     

Pitfalls in diagnosing ST elevation among patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objectives: Patients with ST elevation (STE) in ≥ 2 leads or ST depression (STD) confined to V₁–V₄ are defined as potential STE myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the incidence of missed STEMI over an 11-month period. Methods: Consecutive patients with a discharge diagnosis of non STEMI were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical data, ECG and angiographic data were reviewed. Results: Of the 198 patients screened, 140 were included. Forty-nine patients (35%) met the STEMI criteria: 6 (12%) had STD confined to V₁–V₃, 20 (41%) had STD in V₁–V₆, 7 (14%) had STE in V₁–V₃, 2 (4%) had STE in I and aVL, 11 (22%) had STE in inferior leads, and 6 (12%) had STE in V₄–V₆. Conclusions: A significant percentage of patients met STEMI ECG criteria. A large number of patients with STD in V₁–V₆ had angiographic evidence compatible with inferolateral (posterior) STEMI equivalent.