ST segment shift in unstable angina: pathophysiology and association with coronary anatomy and hospital outcome

The significance of ST segment shift with respect to coronary anatomy and hospital outcome was evaluated in 135 patients with unstable angina. ST shift was evident in 44% of patients on admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and in 66% on Holter monitor ECG. During hospitalization, 7% of patients had myocardial infarction, 4% died and 34% had urgent coronary revascularization. By comparing patients with and without ST shift on admission ECG, an unfavorable outcome was found in 55% versus 25% (p less than 0.005), multivessel disease in 77% versus 63% (p less than 0.05) and left main coronary artery stenosis in 22% versus 7% (p less than 0.025). When patients with and without ST shift on Holter monitor ECG were compared, an unfavorable outcome was found in 48% versus 20% (p less than 0.005), multivessel disease in 76% versus 54% (p less than 0.01) and left main coronary stenosis in 18% versus 4% (p less than 0.05). The duration of ST shift was also greater in patients with 1) unfavorable outcome (129 +/- 136 versus 52 +/- 111 min, p less than 0.01); 2) multivessel disease (98 +/- 129 versus 36 +/- 90 min, p less than 0.01); and 3) left main stenosis (150 +/- 147 versus 67 +/- 114 min, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty performed for acute myocardial infarction in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

A 72-year-old female with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) complained of severe chest pain. Electrocardiography showed ST-segment depression and negative T wave in I, aVL and V4-6. Following a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), urgent coronary angiography revealed 99% organic stenosis with delayed flow in the proximal segment and 50% in the middle segment of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Subsequently, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for the stenosis in the proximal LAD was performed. In the coronary care unit, her blood pressure dropped. Hematomas around the puncture sites were observed and the platelet count was 28,000/mm3. After transfusion, electrocardiography revealed ST-segment elevation in I, aVL and V1-6. Urgent recatheterization disclosed total occlusion in the middle segment of the LAD. Subsequently, PTCA was performed successfully. Then, intravenous immunoglobulin increased the platelet count and the bleeding tendency disappeared. A case of AMI with ITP is rare. The present case suggests that primary PTCA can be a useful therapeutic strategy, but careful attention must be paid to hemostasis and to managing the platelet count.     

Ruptured saphenous venous graft pseudoaneurysm presenting as a pulsatile chest mass

A 72‐year‐old man with prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting and sternal wire infection presented with non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction. His coronary angiogram revealed stenosis of the distal left main coronary artery (LMCA) and a pseudoaneurysm of saphenous venous graft (SVG) to right posterior descending artery. Patient developed ventricular fibrillation during admission, and postcardiopulmonary resuscitation, a pulsatile chest mass was observed which was diagnosed with computed tomography as a chest wall collection resulting from rupture of the pseudo‐aneurysm. He underwent percutaneous coronary intervention of the LMCA with drug‐eluting stents followed by successful coil embolization of the SVG pseudoaneurysm. Patient had an uneventful recovery postprocedure.     

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and percutaneous coronary stenting: a dangerous duo?

Dual antiplatelet therapy is a mainstay in the management of patients undergoing coronary stenting. Whether this is also appropriate in patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is unclear. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with ITP admitted for an acute coronary syndrome. On admission platelets were 110 × 10⁹/L without petechiae or purpura, and coronary angiography revealed multivessel disease with significant left main involvement. Given the unfeasibility of surgical revascularization with cardiopulmonary bypass because of ITP, a staged percutaneous revascularization strategy was chosen. Both left circumflex and right coronary arteries were treated with bare-metal stenting during the index admission. After 4 weeks of strict clinical monitoring and evidence of a stable total platelet count on oral prednisone, percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stenting was performed in the left main and left anterior descending arteries. He was then discharged on lifelong aspirin and a 6-month clopidogrel regimen without thrombotic or bleeding complications. Given the paucity of data on ITP and stenting, no strict recommendations can be proposed and treatment should be individualized to minimize both bleeding and thrombosis risks. Nonetheless, this case suggests the feasibility of percutaneous revascularization in selected patients with multivessel coronary disease and ITP.     

心电图对急性下壁心肌梗塞时梗塞相关动脉的识别

对33例急性下壁心肌梗塞患者入院时心电图与3周内冠脉造影对照,以发现梗死相关动脉(IRA)识别方法.23例IRA为无左回旋支(LCX)狭窄的右冠状动脉(RCA)病变组V_(1-4)ST段压低16例(70%),7例无RCA狭窄的LCX病变组V_(1-4)ST段压低5例(71%),二组无显著差异;ST_Ⅱ抬高>ST_Ⅰ在RCA组15例(65%),而LCX组无1例(0%),二组有显著差异;ST_(avL)压低>ST_ⅠRCA组16例(70%)、LCX组3例(43%),二组无显著差异.RCA组V_(7-9)ST段抬高2例(9%),LCX组为5例(71%),二组差异显著,RCA组V_(4R)抬高9例(3%),LCX组无1例(0%),二组有显著差异.本文提示:ST_Ⅱ抬高>ST_Ⅰ、V_(7-9)和V_(4R)ST段抬高对急性下壁心梗时IRA识别有一定临床价值.     

乙酰胆碱试验诱发冠状动脉痉挛时的心电图改变

目的:探讨冠状动脉痉挛发生时的心电图变化规律。方法:64名因胸痛而接受冠状动脉造影的患者,排除具有缺血意义的病变后进行乙酰胆碱试验,术中进行包括胸前V1,3,5在内的9导联心电图记录,比较阳性组和阴性组心电图ST段、T波变化及各种心律失常情况。结果:乙酰胆碱试验阳性组(n=46)中ST段抬高者为19.60%,阴性组(n=18)无ST段抬高(P<0.05);ST段压低者分别为39.1%及11.1%(P<0.05);出现T波高尖者分别为82.6%和16.7%(P<0.001),阳性者ST段变化幅度与冠状动脉痉挛发生时的狭窄程度呈正相关(r=0.62,P=0.042),其中ST段抬高患者的冠状动脉痉挛时狭窄程度均在99% 以上;两组心律失常的发生率无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论:短暂性冠状动脉痉挛不一定伴有ST段抬高,ST段变化与冠状动脉痉挛程度有关,而T波高尖町能比缺血性ST段改变更敏感。试验中的心律失常可能与乙酰胆碱的药理作用有关而与冠状动脉痉挛无关。     

Inhibition of Rho-kinase by fasudil preventing anginal attacks associated with spastic angina: a case report

An 86-year-old woman was admitted with unstable angina pectoris. Plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) was performed for 90% stenosis at segment 7 of the left coronary artery with concomitant treatment with nitrate, calcium antagonists, and nicorandil. Five days after POBA, she again suffered chest pain at rest with ST depression by electrocardiography, despite increased doses of calcium-antagonist and nicorandil. Coronary arteriography showed no evidence of restenosis (50%) at the POBA site. The involvement of coronary artery spasm was considered and intravenous treatment with a Rho-kinase inhibitor, fasudil, was started, which resulted in disappearance of the anginal attacks. She refused to continue the fasudil treatment on day 5, which resulted in reappearance of anginal attacks. Third coronary angiography showed a 90% restenosis at POBA site and percutaneous coronary intervention was again performed. This case suggests that a Rho-kinase inhibitor is potentially effective to prevent anginal attacks in spastic angina.     

不稳定性心绞痛冠状动脉造影和血运重建的可行性探讨

目的研究不稳定性心绞痛的临床及介入心脏病学诊疗,并探讨其诊疗指引。方法分析包括初发型、恶化型、卧位型、变异型、中间综合征共63例不稳定性心绞痛患者的临床介入心脏病学诊疗资料,患者均行选择性冠状动脉造影。结果37例患者冠状动脉造影显示冠脉狭窄,占58.7％,其中70.3％狭窄程度大于50％,43.8％为多支冠脉狭窄。年龄、性别、病程、血脂在冠脉狭窄与非狭窄患者之间的差别无统计意义,但伴高血糖或高血压的患者冠脉狭窄发生率明显高于不伴高血糖或高血压患者。另冠脉狭窄中67.5％患者24小时动态心电图示ST下移≥0.2mV。26例冠脉狭窄大于50％的患者作了介入治疗后心绞痛消失。结论不稳定性心绞痛尤其伴高血压、高血糖或24小时动态心电图ST下移≥0.2mV患者多数有冠脉器质性狭窄,甚至为多支冠脉狭窄,其次不稳定性心绞痛易发生急性心肌梗死或猝死的潜在的病理解剖基础,应尽早行冠脉造影以便进一步治疗,必要时行介入治疗,三支病变拟行冠状动脉旁路移植术。     

Diagnosis of important fixed coronary stenosis in patients with variant angina by exercise tests after treatment with calcium antagonists.

A 12 lead electrocardiogram was recorded during treadmill exercise in 57 patients with variant angina in whom coronary angiography was performed. Thirty six patients performed exercise tests with and without calcium antagonists, and 21 performed them only with calcium antagonists. In 55 patients calcium antagonists had prevented spontaneous attacks of variant angina for more than two days before the test. The other two patients were given a single dose of diltiazem (90 mg) two hours before the test. Exercise testing without calcium antagonists induced ST segment elevation with chest pain in nine patients, ST segment depression in 10 (nine with chest pain), and no important shift of the ST segment in 17. Five patients had severe coronary stenosis (greater than or equal to 75%) and all of them showed positive response. Thirty one patients had no important coronary stenosis and 14 of them showed positive response. The sensitivity of the exercise test in detecting a coronary stenosis greater than or equal to 75% was 100% without calcium antagonists but the specificity was low (55%). When the exercise test was done in patients taking calcium antagonists, only two (specificity 96%) of 48 patients without severe coronary stenosis showed positive response (elevation of ST segment in one and depression in another) whereas all nine patients with severe coronary stenosis had a positive response (depression of ST segment in six and elevation in three (sensitivity 100%). It is concluded that exercise testing with calcium antagonists may be a useful method for detecting severe coronary stenosis in patients with variant angina.     

Diagnosis of important fixed coronary stenosis in patients with variant angina by exercise tests after treatment with calcium antagonists

A 12 lead electrocardiogram was recorded during treadmill exercise in 57 patients with variant angina in whom coronary angiography was performed. Thirty six patients performed exercise tests with and without calcium antagonists, and 21 performed them only with calcium antagonists. In 55 patients calcium antagonists had prevented spontaneous attacks of variant angina for more than two days before the test. The other two patients were given a single dose of diltiazem (90 mg) two hours before the test. Exercise testing without calcium antagonists induced ST segment elevation with chest pain in nine patients, ST segment depression in 10 (nine with chest pain), and no important shift of the ST segment in 17. Five patients had severe coronary stenosis (greater than or equal to 75%) and all of them showed positive response. Thirty one patients had no important coronary stenosis and 14 of them showed positive response. The sensitivity of the exercise test in detecting a coronary stenosis greater than or equal to 75% was 100% without calcium antagonists but the specificity was low (55%). When the exercise test was done in patients taking calcium antagonists, only two (specificity 96%) of 48 patients without severe coronary stenosis showed positive response (elevation of ST segment in one and depression in another) whereas all nine patients with severe coronary stenosis had a positive response (depression of ST segment in six and elevation in three (sensitivity 100%). It is concluded that exercise testing with calcium antagonists may be a useful method for detecting severe coronary stenosis in patients with variant angina.     

Transcutaneous transcatheter use of laser recanalization of coronary arteries in patients with ischemic heart disease]

The paper discusses the potential possibility and effectiveness of X-ray endovascular laser recanalization (ELR) of the coronary arteries in order to treat coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease. The intervention was performed in 4 patients (into the anterior interventricular artery in 3 and into the right coronary artery in 1). In 3 of 4 cases, X-ray ELR proved to be successful, in one case the intervention failed due to technological reasons. Recanalization of a completely occluded segment of the coronary artery with a residual stenosis of no more than 40% was observed in two cases. Laser recanalization of profound local coronary stenosis was made in the mid-third of the vessel in one case. It can be stated that X-ray ELR of the coronary artery may extend the scope of X-ray surgical therapeutical tools of the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis. At the same time, accumulation of clinical experience and further improvement of laser and laser catheter engineering are essential in defining the value and possible scope for the application of this method.     

Intracoronary administration of nicorandil for the treatment of spontaneous microvascular spasm with ST segment elevation.

A 64-year-old man with a history of previous coronary intervention of the left anterior descending artery was admitted to hospital because of recurrent chest pain at rest. Coronary angiography revealed no significant coronary artery stenosis. During preparation for the second shot of the right coronary artery, chest pain occurred unexpectedly, represented by ST segment elevation in leads II, III and aV(F). Immediate right coronary angiography revealed no significant coronary artery stenosis, but markedly delayed contrast medium washout. Intracoronary administration of nicorandil attenuated this phenomenon, and the patient was diagnosed as having angina pectoris caused by microvascular spasm with ST segment elevation.     

运动诱发ST段抬高的意义

目的观察运动诱发心电图ST段抬高的无心肌梗死（MI）者6例,探讨其冠状动脉（冠脉）病变特点。方法对无MI而运动诱发心电图ST段抬高的患者进行静息心电图、运动试验及冠脉造影检查,运动试验采用Bruce方案。结果在3002例行运动试验检查者中,有6例未患MI而运动诱发心绞痛伴心电图ST段抬高,发生率为0．2％。相应导联ST段抬高0．1～0．6mV,停止运动后心绞痛症状消失,ST段恢复正常。6例中,1例冠状动脉正常;余5例冠脉均有严重狭窄（70％～95％）,ST段抬高导联与缺血相关血管有良好的对应关系,近期内行冠脉介入治疗效果良好,术后症状消失。多次复查运动试验,结果均阴性。结论无MI者运动诱发心电图ST段抬高多提示心肌透壁缺血,冠脉病变重,应采取积极的治疗措施。     

急性下壁心肌梗死患者心电图胸前导联ST段改变的临床意义

目的探讨急性下壁心肌梗死患者心电图胸前导联ST段改变与冠状动脉造影(CAG)所见冠状动脉病变部位的关系及其临床意义。方法 187例急性下壁心肌梗死患者,按入院时18导心电图胸前导联ST段改变分为3组,ST段无变化组(47例),ST段抬高组(16例),ST段压低组(124例);所有患者均行CAG。结果急性下壁心肌梗死伴胸前导联ST段抬高时多为右冠状动脉(RCA)近段闭塞(14例,82.3%),尤其是伴圆锥支动脉闭塞,与RCA中远端闭塞(2例,5.9%)比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01),且14例(73.7%)伴有右心功能不全和血流动力学障碍。下壁心肌梗死胸前导联ST段压低者可见于RCA、回旋支(LCX)闭塞及RCA、LCX闭塞与前降支(LAD)、对角支(D)病变的不同组合,其中LCX闭塞伴RCA病变者多表现为朐前ST V_4～V_6的压低,RCA闭塞伴LAD近端病变多有胸前ST V_1～V_6的压低,RCA伴D病变胸前ST V_1～V_3压低,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论急性下壁心肌梗死合并胸前导联ST段抬高表明为RCA近段或丌口闭塞且多伴右心室心肌梗死和心功能不全;下壁心肌梗死伴胸前导联ST段压低提示为多支病变,ST V_1～V_3压低多伴有对角支严重狭窄,STV_1～V_6压低多伴有前降支的严重狭窄。     

Diabetes Mellitus and Glucose as Predictors of Mortality in Primary Coronary Percutaneous Intervention

Background

Diabetes mellitus and admission blood glucose are important risk factors for mortality in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients, but their relative and individual role remains on debate.

Objective

To analyze the influence of diabetes mellitus and admission blood glucose on the mortality of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients submitted to primary coronary percutaneous intervention.

Methods

Prospective cohort study including every ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patient submitted to primary coronary percutaneous intervention in a tertiary cardiology center from December 2010 to May 2012. We collected clinical, angiographic and laboratory data during hospital stay, and performed a clinical follow-up 30 days after the ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. We adjusted the multivariate analysis of the studied risk factors using the variables from the GRACE score.

Results

Among the 740 patients included, reported diabetes mellitus prevalence was 18%. On the univariate analysis, both diabetes mellitus and admission blood glucose were predictors of death in 30 days. However, after adjusting for potential confounders in the multivariate analysis, the diabetes mellitus relative risk was no longer significant (relative risk: 2.41, 95% confidence interval: 0.76 - 7.59; p-value: 0.13), whereas admission blood glucose remained and independent predictor of death in 30 days (relative risk: 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.02 - 1.09; p-value ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion

In ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients submitted to primary coronary percutaneous intervention, the admission blood glucose was a more accurate and robust independent predictor of death than the previous diagnosis of diabetes. This reinforces the important role of inflammation on the outcomes of this group of patients.     

Very Late Development of Coronary Artery Aneurysm with Total Occlusion following Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation

A 41-year-old African American woman presented with chest pain and was found to have non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction with a peak cardiac troponin I of 28.5. Elective cardiac catheterization revealed a 70% ostial left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis. The patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and a sirolimus-eluting stent (Cypher, Miami, FL, 3.5 × 8 mm) was successfully deployed. Three years after stent implantation, the patient presented with recurrent angina. Repeat coronary angiography revealed a large aneurysm involving the proximal portion of the stent with a total occlusion at the mid to distal portion of the stent with collaterals to LAD from left circumflex artery. The patient underwent coronary artery bypass surgery with left internal mammary artery graft to LAD and ligation of LAD at its origin proximal to the aneurysm.     

冠状动脉心肌桥的临床意义

目的:探讨冠状动脉心肌桥的临床意义。方法:回顾分析接受选择性冠状动脉造影的756例病人中检出的82例(10.8%)有心肌桥患者的资料。结果:82例心肌桥患者临床表现为稳定型心绞痛者10例(12.2%),不稳定型心绞痛者33例(40.2%),不明原因的胸痛者34例(41.5%),急性心肌梗塞者3例(3.7%),肥厚型心肌病者2例(2.4%);心肌桥近端存在冠状动脉狭窄者23例(28.0%),心肌桥远端存在冠状动脉狭窄者3例(3.7%),孤立性心肌桥(无冠脉狭窄)者46例(56.1%)。结论:心肌桥的发生率高,可导致心肌缺血,引起心绞痛;对临床疑诊心绞痛的病人应尽早常规行冠状动脉造影检查。     

Outpatient cardiac catheterizations: analysis of patients requiring admission

The purpose of this study was to review the results of the first 1,000 outpatient cardiac catheterizations performed at our hospital with special emphasis on patients who were hospitalized. Nearly all patients had percutaneous femoral artery catheterization using #8F catheters. There were no deaths. The major complications included two myocardial infarctions and four cerebral emboli. Surgery on the femoral artery was required in 2 patients (1 occlusion and 1 pseudoaneurysm), 7 patients developed unstable angina without subsequent infarction, and 4 patients had ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Complications requiring admission were found in 39 patients. Another 59 were admitted, 51 for revascularization procedures. Of the latter 51 patients, 27 had main left coronary stenosis of 50% of greater. We have found outpatient catheterization to be a safe procedure. Complications requiring admission occurred in 3.9% of the patients. The most common reason for admission was to perform urgent bypass surgery in patients with main left coronary stenosis in excess of 50%.     

Normalization of coronary vasomotion after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty?

BACKGROUND. Coronary vasomotion was evaluated at rest and during bicycle exercise in 33 patients (age, 53 +/- 7 years) with coronary artery disease. In a first group of patients (n = 15), vasomotion was studied before and 4.3 +/- 2.3 months (early) after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), whereas in a second group (n = 18), exercise coronary arteriography was performed 30 +/- 11 months (late) after successful PTCA. Patients with restenosis (percent area stenosis greater than or equal to 75% or percent diameter stenosis greater than or equal to 50%) were excluded. METHODS AND RESULTS. Luminal areas of a normal segment and the stenotic segment were determined at rest, during supine bicycle exercise, and 5 minutes after sublingual nitrate administration by using biplane quantitative coronary arteriography. Work loads before and early after PTCA were identical in group 1 and similar late after PTCA in group 2. Percent area stenosis decreased from 86% to 36% (p less than 0.001) in group 1 and from 93% to 46% (p less than 0.001) in group 2. Normal coronary arteries showed mild vasodilation during exercise before (+3%, NS versus rest), early (+7%, NS versus rest), and late after (+10%, p less than 0.05 versus rest) PTCA. Administration of sublingual nitrate was associated with significant vasodilation of the normal vessel segment before (+27%, p less than 0.001 versus rest), early (+31%, p less than 0.001 versus rest), and late (+21%, p less than 0.001 versus rest) after PTCA. In contrast, the stenotic vessel segments showed coronary vasoconstriction during exercise before PTCA (-25%, p less than 0.001 versus rest), whereas minimal vasomotion was observed early (+2%; NS versus rest) as well as late (+5%; NS versus rest) after PTCA. Individual post-PTCA (early and late) exercise data elicited vasodilation in 19, no vasomotion in four, and vasoconstriction in 10 instances. Sublingual administration of nitrate was associated with a significant increase in minimal luminal area before (+18%, p less than 0.05 versus rest), early (+24%, p less than 0.01 versus rest), and late (+16%, p less than 0.001 versus rest) after PTCA. An inverse linear correlation was found between the percent change in minimal luminal area during peak exercise and percent area stenosis at rest (r = 0.77, p less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS. Exercise-induced stenosis narrowing is observed before PTCA but normal vasomotion is reestablished in two thirds of all patients early and late after PTCA. In one third, an abnormal reaction to exercise (i.e., vasoconstriction) persisted after PTCA, mainly in those patients with a residual area stenosis of 50% (percent diameter stenosis of 30%) or more. Thus, PTCA appears to have a salutary effect on coronary vasomotion during exercise, which, however, remains dependent on the severity of the residual stenosis.     

64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像判定冠状动脉狭窄的价值

目的: 探讨64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像（MSCTCA）判定冠状动脉狭窄的临床价值。方法: 回顾性研究在我科治疗并于2周内先后行MSCTCA和冠状动脉造影（CAG）的临床拟诊冠心病患者30(男21,女9)例;年龄49～74（62±7）岁,以CAG结果为准,计算评价指标。结果: 依节段计算的MSCTCA准确性,其灵敏度、特异度分别为50%、97%。若去除38个冠脉节段由于严重钙化而影响诊断的因素,则其灵敏度、特异度分别为74%、99%。结论: MSCTCA判断冠状动脉中、重度狭窄具有较高的准确性,对诊断冠心病尤其对筛选冠心病而言有较好的前景,但严重钙化病变影响冠状动脉狭窄程度的判断。