Oozing type cardiac rupture repaired with percutaneous injection of fibrin-glue into the pericardial space: case report

Two patients, a 56-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman who were admitted to hospital because of anteroseptal acute myocardial infarction, were initially treated successfully with direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. However, both patients later developed sudden cardiogenic shock due to cardiac tamponade caused by left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR). Prompt, life-saving pericardiocentesis was performed, then fibrin-glue was percutaneously injected into the pericardial space. After the procedure, there was no detectable pericardial effusion on echocardiography and the hemodynamic state became stable. The surgical treatment was the standard procedure for LVFWR, but percutaneous fibrin-glue therapy can also be considered for oozing type LVFWR.     

Oozing-type of left ventricular rupture treated under percutaneous cardiopulmonary support without surgical repair.

A 65-year-old man was admitted to the National Defense Medical College Hospital for acute anterolateral myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. Emergency coronary angiography demonstrated occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery. Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was successfully performed with the support of intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) and medical treatment to stabilize the patient's blood pressure. On the second hospital day, the patient suffered cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis showed bloody fluid and revealed that an oozing-type of left ventricular rupture had occurred after the myocardial infarction. Cardiogenic shock persisted after successful removal of the pericardial effusion. Although the heparinization required during percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) can increase pericardial effusion, PCPS was initiated to correct the systemic hypoperfusion; a surgical team was on standby in case massive pericardial effusion resulted, but fortunately that did not occur, and cardiac function recovered. The patient was weaned successfully from PCPS and IABP and has remained in a satisfactory condition for over 1 year. PCPS contributed to the patient's recovery from cardiac shock and may have decreased the effusion from the oozing-type rupture by reducing ventricular wall tension.     

Interventional therapy for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction: thrombolysis with and without angioplasty. A brief review of the literature and the experience at a community hospital

Thrombolytic therapy is a feasible, practical, and important approach to the treatment of the patient with an acute myocardial infarction. Data have conclusively demonstrated improvement in both postinfarction indices of left ventricular function and overall survival statistics. Definitive treatment for the underlying coronary lesion may be done acutely with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or the patient may undergo elective bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty at a later time, depending on the clinical circumstances. Direct intracoronary infusion of the thrombolytic agent is the most effective route of administration. However, if it is not possible for the patient to be taken to a cardiac catheterization laboratory, the intravenous route may be used. Further development of newer thrombolytic agents will undoubtedly make this mode of therapy standard and routine for the patient with acute myocardial infarction.     

Three-year follow-up of patients with silent ischemia in the subacute phase of myocardial infarction after thrombolysis and early coronary intervention

In order to assess the prognostic value of silent myocardial ischemia in acute myocardial infarction after thrombolysis and early coronary angiography (14-48 h after start of thrombolysis) including percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, if indicated, 126 patients underwent 24 h-Holter-monitoring in the early postinfarction period. The 24 h-Holter-recording was initiated directly after early coronary intervention (40+/-11 h after onset of symptoms). Of the 126 patients initially eligible for the study 29 had to be excluded from further analysis for clinical or methodical reasons. Of the remaining 97 patients, 10 (10%) had silent ischemia (group A) and 87/97 (90%) patients showed no significant ST-segment alterations. Both groups did not significantly differ from each other with regard to baseline clinical characteristics, severity of coronary artery disease and frequency of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The left ventricular ejection fraction showed a trend towards lower values in patients with than in those without silent ischemia (47+/-15% vs. 55+/-13%, p=0.07). When both silent ischemia and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were present, a subset of patients at high risk for cardiac death could be identified (specificity: 98%, positive predictive accuracy: 75%). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, significantly more cardiac deaths occurred in group A than in group B (30% vs. 6%, p<0.01) during the three-year follow-up (950+/-392 days) after acute myocardial infarction. Regarding the cardiac events during long-term follow-up (emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting, non-fatal reinfarction, and cardiac death) there was no significant difference between both groups (30% vs. 18%, NS). In conclusion, Holter monitor-detected silent ischemia in the subacute phase of myocardial infarction after thrombolysis followed by early delayed coronary intervention occurs in 10% of the patients indicating either a residual ischemia in the infarcted zone despite a combined reperfusion strategy or a remote ischemic potential in case of multivessel disease. In this small selected group of infarct patients too, silent ischemia is to be considered as an important non-invasive parameter to predict cardiac death during long-term follow-up and provides valuable complementary information to left ventricular dysfunction, a well established prognostic marker in the postinfarction period.     

Possible contribution of pericardial tamponade to coronary artery bypass graft occlusion

We report an association between pericardial tamponade and early post-surgical occlusion of a coronary bypass graft. The presented patient developed pericarditis following myocardial infarction and bypass surgery. He was readmitted with myocardial reinfarction and cardiogenic shock 1 week after surgery. Coronary angiography revealed occlusion of a saphenous-vein graft to the right coronary artery. Concomitantly, pericardial tamponade was diagnosed on the basis of typical hemodynamics and echocardiographic findings. The patient recovered following pericardiocentesis and coronary angioplasty. We suggest a possible link between the 2 pathologies, whereby post-surgical pericarditis led to tamponade which decreased cardiac preload and resulted in systemic hypotension. Decreased coronary perfusion pressure and extrinsic compression by fluid in the pericardial space may have contributed to graft occlusion. Pericarditis and pericardial tamponade may therefore be risk factors for coronary bypass graft occlusion.     

Primary angioplasty for cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.

To evaluate the role of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in cardiogenic shock, 53 patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock were studied. Thirty-five (66.0%) patients received intravenous thrombolytic therapy (streptokinase 15 lac units) and 18 (34.0%) underwent primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. There was no significant difference in the mean age, risk factor profile, presence of prior myocardial infarction, site of myocardial infarction and cardiac enzyme levels at presentation between the two groups. More male patients were present in the group undergoing primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (94.44% vs 68.57%; p = 0.04). The time delay between the onset of symptoms and presentation to the hospital did not differ significantly between the two groups (318.9 vs 320.0 minutes; p = NS). In the primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty group, 17 patients had a single infarct-related artery and one had both left anterior descending and right coronary artery occlusion. Thus in 18 patients, 19 vessels were attempted. Angiographic success (< 50% residual stenosis) was achieved in 15 (78.94%) vessels of which TIMI III flow was achieved in 10 (52.63%) vessels and TIMI II flow in five (26.31%). Intra-aortic balloon pump was needed in five (27.77%) patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. In-hospital mortality was 27.77 percent in patients undergoing primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and 57.14 percent in patients receiving intravenous thrombolytic therapy (p = 0.04). In the thrombolytic therapy group, mortality was higher (85.91%) in patients presenting six hours or later after the onset of symptoms as compared to those presenting in less than six hours of the onset of symptoms (50%). In primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty group, mortality was 21.42 percent in patients with successful and 50 percent in patients with failed angioplasty. Thus, in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, an aggressive invasive strategy with primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, as compared to intravenous thrombolytic therapy, is helpful in reducing in-hospital mortality.     

Cardiac tamponade following coronary arterial rupture during coronary angioplasty

We describe a patient in whom percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was complicated by rupture of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with pericardial tamponade. The outcome was favorable with drastic intervention which included: occlusion of the bleeding vessel with the PTCA balloon, pericardiocentesis, and ligation of the vessel without the need of aortocoronary bypass graft.     

Diagnosis,management, and clinical outcome of cardiac tamponade complicating percutaneous coronary intervention

Cardiac tamponade is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The purpose of the present study was to characterize the incidence, management, and clinical outcome associated with this complication. We analyzed a prospective database of 25,697 PCIs performed at William Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak, Michigan) between October 1993 and December 2000. Cardiac tamponade was observed in 31 of 25,697 PCI procedures (0.12%). Cardiac tamponade was diagnosed in the catheterization laboratory in 17 of 31 patients (55%), and 14 patients (45%) had a delayed presentation (mean time from PCI 4.4 hours). Cardiac tamponade was twice as frequent after use of atheroablative devices compared with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting (0.26% vs 0.11%, p <0.05). All patients with immediate cardiac tamponade had coronary artery perforation. In 11 of 14 patients with delayed tamponade (79%), no actual site of perforation could be identified. A moderate or large pericardial effusion was observed in 20 patients, and 9 had small effusions without typical echocardiographic features of tamponade. Pericardiocentesis was performed in 30 patients; 19 patients (61%) were treated successfully with aspiration alone, but 12 patients (39%) required further emergency surgical intervention. In-hospital complications included death (42%), emergency surgery (39%), myocardial infarction (29%), and transfusion (65%). Cardiac tamponade is an uncommon but important complication of PCI and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Most cases are recognized in the catheterization laboratory, but delayed cardiac tamponade may occur and must be considered as a cause of late hypotension after PCI.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in octogenarians

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and short- and long-term outcomes of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in octogenarians. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of clinical series. SETTING: Referral-based university medical center. PATIENTS: Consecutive series of 54 octogenarian patients (mean age, 82.4 years) who had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty between March 1980 and December 1988. Of these patients, 91% presented with severe angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society Class III or IV); 59% had unstable angina. Twenty-six patients (48%) had had a previous myocardial infarction and 15 (28%) had had previous coronary artery bypass surgery. Multivessel disease was present in 44 patients (81%). Follow-up ranged from 1 to 50 months (mean, 19 months). INTERVENTION: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. MEASUREMENTS and MAIN RESULTS: The angiographic success rate was 50 of 54 (93%; 95% CI, 81% to 98%) and the clinical success rate was 49 of 54 (91%; CI, 79% to 97%). Two patients had procedure-related myocardial infarction. Two patients died in the hospital, 1 from cardiac tamponade because of pacemaker perforation and 1 from cardiogenic shock after a myocardial infarction despite successful angioplasty. During the follow-up period 4 patients required bypass surgery, 2 had myocardial infarction, and 7 died (4 deaths were cardiac). Eleven patients (20%) had re-stenosis, 7 of whom were managed with repeat angioplasty, including 1 patient who had four procedures. At follow-up, 42 of 45 survivors (93%) were asymptomatic or had class II angina. The Kaplan-Meier survival for all patients, including those who died in the hospital, was 87% at 1 year and 80% at 3 years. Cumulative freedom from major cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, or coronary bypass surgery) was 81% at 1 year and 78% at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty can be done in octogenarians with a high rate of angiographic and clinical success, low complication rate, and a favorable long-term (3-year) outcome. As such, it is a treatment option in managing advanced coronary artery disease in this fragile group of patients.     

Electrical and mechanical alternans during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in a patient with acute myocardial infarction--a case report

The authors report a rare type of cardiac alternans during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in a patient with acute myocardial infarction. Not only ST segment but also QRS alternans were observed on electrocardiogram and were accompanied by mechanical alternans. The mechanism of these unusual findings is briefly discussed.     

Contraindications for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in treatment of unstable angina pectoris

In recent years, the indications for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty have expanded to include multivessel disease, unstable angina pectoris, stenosis of coronary bypass grafts, and recent total coronary occlusion. To evaluate our experience in using percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty to treat unstable angina, we reviewed the records of the patients who underwent this procedure at our hospital between January 1983 and December 1986. Of the 689 patients who underwent balloon angioplasty during the study period, 454 had stable angina and 235 had unstable angina; of the latter group, 34 (14.5%) required emergency coronary artery bypass grafting after balloon angioplasty failed. This outcome was associated with 2 risk factors: previous myocardial infarction and triple-vessel disease. Our data suggest that, in cases of unstable angina pectoris, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty should be reserved for patients with single-vessel disease and no evidence of previous myocardial infarction. They also lend credence to the conclusion that the disease process in unstable angina is different from that in stable angina, and that therapy should be directed towards reducing platelet aggregation and correcting global ischemia, rather than towards balloon angioplasty of "culprit lesions."     

Thrombolytic therapy is indicated for patients over 75 years of age with st-elevation acute myocardial infarction: antagonist viewpoint

From the available data, one cannot conclude whether thrombolytic therapy is beneficial or detrimental in patients older than age 75 years with acute myocardial infarction. Data favor the use of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty rather than thrombolysis in eligible patients older than age 75 years with acute myocardial infarction to reduce mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, and intracranial hemorrhage. High-risk elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction, such as those with a large anterior myocardial infarction complicated by heart failure and hypotension, those with persistent ischemic pain or marked ST-segment changes, those with hemodynamic instability, and those at high risk for stroke or bleeding complications, should, especially, be treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.     

Survival after oozing type cardiac rupture associated with subepicardial aneurysm evaluated by echocardiography: a case report

A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with acute myocardial infarction. She underwent emergent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed mild pericardial effusion on the third day. Pericarditis or cardiac rupture were suspected, so transthoracic echocardiography was repeated serially. On the sixth day, transthoracic echocardiography showed increasing pericardial effusion and abrupt interruption of the apical myocardium of the left ventricle and intact epicardial imaging with systolic expansion. The diagnosis was oozing type cardiac rupture of a subepicardial aneurysm. Surgical treatment was successful and the accuracy of the echocardiographic diagnosis was established.     

Direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction. Predictors of short-term outcome and the impact of coronary stenting

Background Direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)is widely accepted in the treatment of acute myocardial infarctionsince excellent results had been reported from several smallrandomized trials. Less favourable results were observed inlarge-scale registries. In particular, the use of stents inacute myocardial infarction has become common practice withoutdocumented evidence of clinical efficacy. Methods Data were analysed from a registry of all consecutive percutaneoustransluminal coronary angioplasty procedures from 62centresin Germany, including 2331 direct percutaneous transluminalcoronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction from July1994 to April 1997. Results The overall angiographic success rate of percutaneous transluminalcoronary angioplasty, defined as complete antegrade perfusionof the infarct vessel, was 87%. In-hospital mortality was 11·2%.The most important predictor of death was the presence of cardiogenicshock in 15% of patients, of whom 52% died. Mortality in patientswithout shock was 3·9%. Failed percutaneous transluminalcoronary angioplasty was associated with a mortality of 36%.Further independent predictors of death were older age, multivesseldisease, and anterior myocardial infarction. Stents were usedin 4·1% of the procedures in 1994, increasing to 53%in 1997. However, this was not accompanied by improved clinicaloutcome. Mortality with coronary stenting was 9·9% vs11·6% without stents (ns). Conclusions Direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a valuabletreatment strategy in acute myocardial infarction, althoughthe results are less exceptional than reported from some highlyspecialized centres. Failed percutaneous transluminal coronaryangioplasty seems to be harmful, thus outweighing much of thebenefit from successful procedures. Stents did not improve theclinical outcome significantly, despite technically successfulplacement in 98%. Mortality from cardiogenic shock continuesto be excessively high despite direct PTCA.     

Extraction of a broken intracoronary PTCA guide wire perforating the circumflex artery, using a Dotter retrieval catheter

Coronary artery perforation is a rare but potentially lethal complication during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). To avoid pericardial tamponade, it has been suggested that perforating wires or balloons should not be withdrawn and that the patient should be transferred immediately to surgery. We report a case with a perforating and broken intracoronary guide wire which was successfully extracted using a Dotter intravascular retriever catheter. The only consequence was a small pericardial effusion not requiring pericardial puncture. Thus, emergency surgery is not inevitable after coronary artery perforation caused by thin intracoronary guide wires.     

Postpericardiotomy syndrome and cardiac tamponade following transvenous pacemaker placement

This is the first reported case of cardiac tamponade presumed to be caused by postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) following endocardial pacemaker placement. An 84-year-old woman developed fever and dyspnea 3 weeks after pacemaker placement. Physical examination revealed hypotension, tachycardia, and pulsus paradoxus. Auscultation revealed clear lungs and diminished heart sounds. The sedimentation rate was 60 mm/h. Echocardiography revealed a large pericardial effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade. Surgical drainage of the pericardial space resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. The pericardial fluid was culture- and cytologically negative. PPS is a common complication of cardiothoracic surgery and chest trauma. It rarely occurs after percutaneous procedures such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and transvenous pacemaker placement. While usually having a benign, self-limited course, PPS can cause a serious complication as illustrated in this case report.     

不同指标诊断心肌梗死后心包炎的差异

目的　观察不同指标对诊断梗死后心包炎发生率的差异以及溶栓与 PTCA对梗死后心包炎发生率的影响。方法　 1 60例急性心肌梗死病人分为常规药物治疗组 75例、溶栓组 5 2例、 PTCA组 3 3例。于梗死后一周内每日常规检查病人且每 1 -2日记录心电图一次 ,部分常规药物治疗及溶栓的病人于梗死后 5 -7天行心脏超声检查。结果　以心包摩擦音、胸膜炎样胸痛、典型心包炎心电图、心电图不典型 T波演变、心包积液作为诊断标准 :梗塞后心包炎发生率在常规组分别为 8%、 2 9.3 %、 1 .3 %、 3 2 %、 2 0 % ;在溶栓组分别为 3 .8%、 1 5 .3 %、 0 %、 2 3 %、 1 7% ;在 PTCA组分别为 0 %、 6.7%、 0 %、 1 0 %。结论　不同指标诊断梗死后心包炎的发生率明显不同 ,其中以心电图不典型 T波改变最高。溶栓与 PTCA治疗可明显降低梗死后心包炎的发生率。     

Delayed and recurrent cardiac tamponade following distal coronary perforation of hydrphilic guidewires during coronary intervention

Coronary artery perforation is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention, but can result in cardiac tamponade and is thus potentially life-threatening. It is well recognized that the use of hydrophilic wires during interventional procedures increases the risk of coronary perforation. We report two cases in which a particular looping configuration was suspected of causing vessel laceration with subsequent development of pericardial effusion and tamponade. In one case, tamponade occurred several days after the index procedure, mimicking acute myocardial infarction. In the second case, tamponade was successfully treated with immediate pericardial drainage, but tamponade recurred several days later.     

硫氮酮治疗经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术中冠状动脉痉挛的效果

目的探讨急性心肌梗死患者经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术中冠脉内注射硫氮艹卓酮治疗冠脉痉挛的效果。方法39例术中发生冠脉痉挛病例,分别注射硫氮艹卓酮和硝酸甘油并进行比较。结果硫氮艹卓酮组20 s、40 s痉挛缓解率分别为85%、15%,总缓解率100%;硝酸甘油组20 s、40 s缓解率79%、11%,总缓解率89%,两组比较无显著差异。冠状动脉内应用硫氮艹卓酮1、3、5和10 m in心率、动脉血压无显著变化。结论冠脉内注射硫氮艹卓酮和硝酸甘油能同样有效地缓解AM I患者行PTCA中发生的冠脉痉挛,并且无严重的负性变时和降压作用。     

Effect of mechanical coronary reperfusion on QT dispersion in acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: The time for cardiac repolarization and homogeneity of repolarization on surface electrocardiogram is denoted by QT interval and QT dispersion, respectively. Numerous studies suggest an association between an increased dispersion of the QT interval obtained from the 12-lead electrocardiogram and increased risk for serious cardiac events. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated the effect of thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on QT dispersion in acute coronary syndrome in 45 patients (age: 55 +/- 6 years). QT dispersion was calculated on admission and immediately after the procedure (thrombolysis and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty). There was a significant decrease in QT dispersion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (75 +/- 21 ms to 38 +/- 20 ms, p < 0.0001). In a subset of these patients with acute myocardial infarction (n = 29) who underwent thrombolysis, QT dispersion decreased only marginally (78 +/- 19 ms to 67 +/- 22 ms, p < 0.05). Even in this subgroup, there was a significant decrease in QT dispersion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (to 37 +/- 22 ms, p < 0.0001). In patients with unstable angina (n = 16), there were similar significant changes after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a highly significant decrease in QT dispersion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty compared to a less significant decrease after thrombolysis, which may have clinical implications.