Prognostic value of angiographic markers of myocardial reperfusion in patients treated with primary coronary angioplasty for anterior wall acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Modern therapy of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is aimed at rapid and persisting restoration of blood flow in an infarct-related artery (IRA). However, in some patients myocardial reperfusion is not achieved in spite of effective IRA recanalisation. Myocardial Blush Grade (MBG) is one of the angiographic markers useful for the detection of this phenomenon. AIM: To assess the prognostic value of MBG in patients with anterior AMI treated with primary angioplasty. METHODS: The study group consisted of 104 patients (74 males, 30 females, mean age 62+/-13 years) treated with primary angioplasty due to anterior ST-segment elevation AMI. MBG was assessed after the procedure. The mortality and major cardiovascular event (MACE) rates were analysed one and six months after AMI. RESULTS: Patients with preserved myocardial reperfusion following angioplasty (MBG 2-3, n=64 (61.5%)) had a trend towards lower one-month mortality and significantly reduced six-month mortality compared with 40 (38.5%) patients with an impaired (MBG 0-1) myocardial reperfusion (3% vs 12.5%, NS; and 6.25% vs 20%, p<0.05, respectively). The rate of MACE was significantly lower in patients with rather than without reperfusion both after one and six months of follow-up (9.4% vs 27.5%, p=0.027 and 12.5% vs 42.5%, p<0.001, respectively). Compared with patients with a high MBG score, patients with altered reperfusion more frequently had diabetes (30% vs 12.5%, p=0.04), hypertension (67.5% vs 45%, p=0.043), longer time from the onset of symptoms to balloon inflation (355.9+/-199 min vs 215.5+/-113 min, p<0.001) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction, measured 3 days after AMI (43.3%+/-8 vs 47.4%+/-9, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: MBG has a significant prognostic value in patients with anterior AMI treated with primary angioplasty. Diabetes, hypertension and long delay of treatment are associated with the impairment of myocardial reperfusion.     

Impact of failed mechanical reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty

Percutaneous coronary intervention is not successful in all patients whose acute myocardial infarction is controlled with primary angioplasty, and, after an initial successful procedure, reperfusion is not always sustained due to subacute (stent) thrombosis. In a studied population that had acute myocardial infarction, failed mechanical reperfusion occurred in 108 patients (6.9%). Killip's class >I at admission, a left anterior descending artery as the infarct-related vessel, or a preprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 0 or 1 flow was an independent predictor of failed reperfusion. Outcome after successful early and sustained mechanical reperfusion is excellent. Failure of the initial procedure and reocclusion of the infarct-related vessel are important determinants of adverse outcome.     

Prognostic value of noninvasive markers of coronary reperfusion compared to TIMI 3 flow in patients treated with primary angioplasty

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic value of TIMI 3 flow versus noninvasive markers of coronary artery reperfusion on the outcome of patients with a recent acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with primary angioplasty. PATIENTS AND METHOD We analyzed 172 consecutive patients with AMI and ST-segment elevation, who were treated with primary angioplasty within 12 hours of admission. Mean age was 6113 years, 77% were men, and 56% had a history of previous AMI. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 3.6%; 16.6% developed heart failure, and 11.1% had complex arrhythmias during their hospital stay. The noninvasive criterion for successful reperfusion was the presence of two or more markers of reperfusion based on ECG changes or CK levels after angioplasty. Reperfusion was successful in 87.7% of the patients, and TIMI 3 flow was achieved in 87%. There was no significant concordance between the two methods (kappa index = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that both successful reperfusion (OR=0.028; 95% CI, 0.003-0.268) and TIMI 3 flow (OR=0.104; 95% CI, 0.019-0.563) were protective for in-hospital mortality. However, in the multivariate analysis only successful reperfusion was a protective factor for heart failure and complex arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that both TIMI 3 flow and successful coronary reperfusion evaluated noninvasively show independent prognostic value in patients with AMI treated with primary angioplasty. Noninvasive markers of coronary reperfusion should be used as complementary to angiography in these patients.     

Rapid myoglobin analysis to assess coronary artery reperfusion after acute myocardial infarction

Background: Coronary artery reperfusion significantly improves outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction. A noninvasive method for assessing reperfusion in the early stage of infarction should be helpful in patient management. Hypothesis:We sought to assess whether release pattern of myoglobin is helpful in identifying patients with and without reperfusion following thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction. Methods: Myoglobin was measured before thrombolysis, half hourly for 4 h, then every 2 h for 10 h. Myoglobin was analyzed using a ward-based “rapid” and automated analyzer that yielded quantitative results within 10 min of blood collection. Results: In the 15 patients with coronary reperfusion, the time from thrombolysis to peak myoglobin levels (mean ± SD, 2.4 ± 1.5 h) was significantly lower than in nonreperfused patients (5.1 ± 2.9, p < 0.01). As an indicator for reperfusion, a doubling of myoglobin 1 h after streptokinase achieved a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 80%, and a predictive accuracy of 80%. Conclusions: The difference in myoglobin release kinetics is useful in identifying patients without coronary reperfusion and should aid in their management.     

Results of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease

The influence of multivessel coronary artery disease on the outcome of reperfusion therapy for myocardial infarction has not been fully characterized. Direct coronary angioplasty without antecedent thrombolytic therapy was performed during evolving myocardial infarction in 285 patients with multivessel coronary artery disease at 5.2 +/- 4.2 h after the onset of chest pain. Two vessel disease was present in 163 patients (57%) and three vessel disease in 122 (43%). An anterior infarct was present in 123 patients (43%), cardiogenic shock in 33 (12%) and age greater than or equal to 70 years in 59 (21%). Angioplasty of the infarct-related vessel was successful in 256 patients (90%), including 92% with two vessel and 88% with three vessel disease (p = NS). Emergency bypass surgery was needed in six patients (2%). In-hospital death occurred in 33 patients (12%), including 13 with two vessel and 20 with three vessel disease (p less than 0.05). The mortality rate was only 4% in the subgroup of 101 patients who met entry criteria for thrombolytic trials. The in-hospital mortality rate was 45% in patients in shock and 7% in patients not in shock (p less than 0.01). Logistic regression analysis identified shock and age greater than or equal to 70 years as independently associated with in-hospital death. In 135 patients who underwent predischarge left ventriculography, global ejection fraction increased from 50% to 57% (p less than 0.001) and regional wall motion in the infarct zone improved in 59% of patients. Follow-up data were available in 251 patients (99%) at a mean of 35 +/- 19 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Clinical manifestations and acute myocardial infarction in women treated with primary coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVES: The differences in presentation, complications, and outcome of acute myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary angioplasty were compared in male and female patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction who were admitted within 12 hr of onset underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention, including 120 female (31%) and 264 male (69%) patients. RESULTS: There were significantly more patients with diabetes mellitus (42% vs 31%, p = 0.03), and hyperlipidemia(56% vs 38%, p = 0.001), and fewer patients with current smoking (10% vs 60%, p < 0.0001) in the female group than in the male group (p < 0.01). The female group was significantly older (75 +/- 11 vs 67 +/- 12 years, p < 0.0001). The value of acute phase brain natriuretic peptide was significantly higher (483 +/- 543 vs 306 +/- 404 pg/ml, p = 0.001), and peak creatine kinase value was significantly lower (1,743 +/- 1,732 vs 2,855 +/- 2,997 IU/l, p = 0.0003) in the female group than in the male group. Both Killip's classification on admission (p = 0.04) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade soon after mechanical reperfusion therapy (p = 0.03) were significantly worse in the female group. There were significantly more patients with heart failure in the female group (40% vs 27%, p = 0.04). The cardiac mortality rates during 6 months was significantly higher in the female group (11% vs 5%, p = 0.02). However, multivariate analysis showed that female sex was not an independent predictor of cardiac death. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients with acute myocardial infarction seemed to have a poor prognosis, in spite of lower peak creatine kinase value and higher brain natriuretic peptide value. The reasons for poorer outcomes in women were considered to be patient background, such as higher age and diabetes mellitus, and condition of heart failure on admission.     

急性心肌梗塞经桡动脉腔内冠状动脉成形术

目的 近年来随着心导管器械的小型化,经桡动脉冠状动脉造影术及经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术(PTCA)已逐渐成为一种有益的替代途径.本文观察了其在急性心肌梗塞患者中的应用价值.方法和结果 对我院6例急性心肌梗塞患者行直接PT-CA,全部采用经桡动脉途径.其中男性4人,女性2人,平均年龄(62±5.8)岁.对6例梗塞相关血管行直接PTCA均获成功,其中4例各植入支架一枚.所有患者术后即拔导管鞘,局部弹性绷带固定、压迫4～6小时,无出血、假性动脉瘤、动静脉瘘等并发症发生.一例患者桡动脉搏动较术前减弱,无手缺血症状.结论 本研究初步显示,经桡动脉直接PTCA可安全有效应用于急性心肌梗塞患者.采用经桡动脉途径具有快速简便、穿刺中位出血并发症少、患者可尽早离床等优点.     

Significance of total and differential leucocyte count in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary angioplasty.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to correlate total and differential leucocyte (WBC) count with myocardial blush, peak CK levels, and left ventricular (LV) functional recovery at 6 months in 238 consecutive acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients treated with successful primary coronary angioplasty (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Total and differential WBC counts were measured on admission and every 24 h for at least 4 days after PCI. ST-segment resolution and myocardial blush were evaluated immediately after successful primary PCI. LV functional recovery (defined as improvement involving at least two segments, or at least one segment, when only two were asynergic on the basal examination) was obtained through echocardiographic evaluation of LV wall motion at the baseline and at 6 months. Basal CK (P<0.001) and increased neutrophil levels (P<0.001) were the only independent factors related to peak CK, whereas neutrophils and monocytes peaks were related to ST-segment resolution as well as to myocardial blush grade (MBG) 2-3. MBG 2-3 and monocytes number (both as continuous values as well as percentile values) were the only variables independently associated with 6-month LV functional recovery. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that neutrophils and monocytes counts on the first days after acute MI treated with primary PCI are related to markers of effective myocardial reperfusion such as MBG 2-3 and ST-segment resolution. However, only monocytes and MBG are significantly and independently associated with contractile recovery of the infarcted area at 6 months.     

Long-term follow-up of patients treated with coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Long-term follow-up data for patients treated with coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction are limited. Therefore the long-term outcome of 336 consecutive patients treated with PTCA at a median of 4.5 hours (range 0.5 to 48 hours) from symptom onset was evaluated. The in-hospital mortality was 11.1% (37 patients). Follow-up is complete for 293 of 299 (98%) hospital survivors at a median of 24 months. Of patients discharged, the mean age was 55 +/- 11 years, 49% received intravenous thrombolytic therapy, 53% had multivessel coronary artery disease, and the mean ejection fraction was 48 +/- 10%. Post-discharge survival was 96.1% at 1 year and 93.6% at 2 years by life table analysis. Post-discharge survival was independently predicted by no prior myocardial infarction (96.9% versus 87.3% 2-year survival, p less than 0.001 by log rank analysis) and infarct artery patency at hospital discharge (which had its major impact on survival early after hospital discharge: [97.4% versus 93.4% 1-year survival but 94.2% versus 93.4% 2-year survival; overall p = 0.02]). For patients with analyzable ventriculograms at hospital discharge, ejection fraction greater than or equal to 40% was also a significant independent predictor of survival (98.1% versus 85.8% 2-year survival, p = 0.01). For patients with a successful PTCA, time from symptom onset to catheterization and angioplasty less than or equal to 4 hours versus greater than 4 hours was also an independent predictor of outcome (97.1% versus 91.4% 2-year survival; p = 0.04).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The prognostic significance of early dobutamine echocardiography in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary angioplasty

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of early dobutamine echocardiography (DE) after successfully treated acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with primary coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is still unclear. Patients who respond to DE may have better left ventricular function improvement and possibly a better clinical outcome. AIM: To assess whether early DE can predict spontaneous functional recovery in patients treated successfully with primary PTCA and whether responders to DE have a better clinical outcome. METHODS: DE (5 and 10 ug/kg/min) was performed in 110 consecutive patients (61+/-10 years) 4+/-1 days after successful primary PTCA (TIMI 3, stenosis <30%). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion index (WMSI) were measured. Patients underwent clinical assessment and two-dimensional echocardiography at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: In the DE responders (76 pts), LVEF increased significantly from 41%+/-9% at baseline to 47%+/-10% at 6 months (p<0.0001), whereas the improvement found in nonresponders (34 pts) was insignificant (from 36.3%+/-9% at baseline to 38.8%+/-10% at 6 months, p=0.4). The nonresponders to DE had a higher incidence of subsequent revascularisation (4/34 (11.8%) vs 3/76 (3.9%) p=0.12), reinfarction (5/34 (14.7%) vs 2/76 (2.6%), p=0.28) and death (3/34 (9%) vs 0/76 (0%), p=0.0086). The incidence of combined end-point (revascularisation, reinfarction and death) was significantly lower in the group of responders to early DE (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Early DE can precisely predict functional recovery and the extent of irreversibly damaged myocardium in patients with AMI in whom anterograde flow is fully restored. A positive response to early DE is associated with a better clinical outcome and prognosis.     

Balloon coronary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction

After successful thrombolysis, approximately 75% of all patients will have significant coronary stenosis, which can be dilated by means of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTCA). In a randomized control study, 95 of our patients (Group I) had thrombolysis alone, whereas 95 others (Group II) had thrombolysis and PTCA. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, infarct location, and maximal creatine kinase (CK) value. The clinical outcome during the hospital phase was better in Group II, which had a reocclusion rate of 13%, a reinfarction rate of 5%, a lethal reinfarction rate of 2%, and a cardiac death rate of 7%, compared with respective rates of 20%, 13%, 7%, and 13% in Group I. Furthermore, in Group I, residual coronary stenosis immediately after thrombolysis (75% +/- 20%) did not improve significantly until the end of the hospital phase, when it decreased to 69% +/- 21%. In Group II, stenosis (78% +/- 16%) was improved by PTCA to 33% +/- 21%, and this improvement remained constant during the hospital phase (30% +/- 26%). In Group-II patients who had an unsuccessful PTCA, stenosis was approximately the same before dilatation (83% +/- 12%), after dilatation (80% +/- 17%), and at the control study (83% +/- 17%). The end-diastolic, end-systolic, and stroke volume indices, as well as the ejection fraction, also remained unchanged. In Group I, the number of pathologic wall segments (12.2 +/- 5.0) did not improve during the hospital phase (12.2 +/- 7.9), but in Group II, the improvement was significant (14.0 +/- 5.7 vs. 10.9 +/- 8.2) (p < 0.05). PTCA seems to improve the clinical outcome, reduce the infarction and mortality rates, and enhance myocardial perfusion and performance.     

Heart rate variability in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary angioplasty

Depressed heart rate variability (HRV) has been associated with adverse outcome during and after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The effects of reperfusion in AMI on the course of HRV have not been well characterized as yet. We analyzed 123 consecutive patients with a first AMI who underwent successful reperfusion (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grades 2 and 3) by primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Time- and frequency-domain HRV was measured from 24-hour Holter monitoring, which began at hospital admission. Mean RR interval increased significantly after successful PTCA. Reperfusion immediately caused an immediate transient depression of HRV, which was followed by a significant increase of HRV. Quantitative markers of sympathetic activity and sympathovagal balance, such as SD of the averages of NN intervals in all 5-minute segments, and low- and/or high-frequency ratio continuously decreased within the observation period. Patients with anterior AMI exhibited the same pattern of temporal changes of HRV, with, however, lower absolute values for HRV and mean RR interval than patients with non-anterior AMI. Subgroup analysis in 21 patients with reperfusion > 12 hours after onset of pain showed that the biphasic profile of HRV and the marked increase of mean RR interval was absent. Furthermore, in patients with late reperfusion, HRV was significantly lower compared with those with early reperfusion. Thus, timely reperfusion in AMI leads to a biphasic effect on autonomic tone, characterized by a transient suppression, followed by a significant activation of the vagal tone, as well as an attenuation of sympathetic activity. Recovery of HRV may contribute to the benefits of early reperfusion in AMI.     

Preinfarction angina limits myocardial infarction size in nondiabetic patients treated with primary coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate myocardial necrosis extent after myocardial infarction (MI) and reperfusion with primary coronary angioplasty in nondiabetic patients and the relationship with unstable preinfarction angina (PA). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Studies suggest PA limits infarct size. This effect is questioned in patients treated with primary coronary angioplasty. PATIENTS: Seventy-eight, nondiabetic, consecutive MI patients. INTERVENTIONS: Primary coronary angioplasty and scintigraphic study to assess the myocardial infarct size. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scintigraphic myocardial infarct size. RESULTS: There were 32 patients with PA (PA +) and 46 without PA (PA -) in the 24-h period prior to MI onset. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. The scintigraphy indicated myocardial infarct size significantly smaller in PA + patients: mean, 18.0% (SD, 14.7) vs 27.0% (SD, 20.1) [p = 0.033]. This occurs even though Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 3 flow achieved in both groups was similar (84.8% vs 84.4%, p = 1.000). We found a higher percentage of ST-segment resolution (>/= 70%) in PA + patients (65.6% vs 45.7%, p = 0.082) together with a lower incidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (3.2% vs 18.6%, p = 0.071). CONCLUSIONS: PA exerts a beneficial effect in nondiabetic patients with ST-segment elevation acute MI even when treated with primary PCI. The infarct size is limited, and left ventricular systolic function is preserved. The effects may be related to a better preservation of tissue reperfusion in patients with PA.     

Clinical outcomes and left ventricular function in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction treated by primary coronary angioplasty

The objective of the present study was to compare left ventricular (LV) function and clinical outcomes in diabetics versus nondiabetics with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated by primary coronary angioplasty. A total of 327 consecutive AMI subjects were reperfused by primary coronary angioplasty within 12 hours from onset. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was present in 104 of the 327 patients. LV function was serially determined by left ventriculograms taken in the acute and chronic phases (6 months after onset). (I) The early ST-segment resolution rate was lower in DM patients compared with non-DM patients (59% versus 83%, P < 0.0001). (II) During a 6-month follow-up, the percentages of target vessel revascularization (TVR), coronary aorta bypass grafting (CABG), and cardiac death were higher in the DM patients compared with the non-DM patients (TVR: 29% versus 19%; P < 0.05, CABG: 10% versus 5% ; P < 0.05, cardiac death: 12% versus 4%; P = 0.01). (III) The differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between two stages (delta-LVEF) were significantly lower in the DM patients than the non-DM patients (1 +/- 9% versus 7 +/- 10%, P < 0.0001). (IV) Multivariate analysis identified DM as an independent predictor of cardiac death (Odds ratio 5.5, 95% CI, 1.3-23.7, P < 0.05) and as a sole independent predictor of LVEF deterioration (Odds ratio 5.8, 95% CI, 2.8-11.8, P < 0.001). In patients with AMI treated using primary coronary angioplasty, DM is closely related to left-ventricular systolic dysfunction and a poor patient outcome, including mortality.     

Markers of myocardial reperfusion as predictors of left ventricular function recovery in acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty

BACKGROUND: Myocardial blush grade (MBG), corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC), and ST-segment reduction are indices of myocardial reperfusion. HYPOTHESIS: We evaluated their predictive value for left ventricular (LV) function recovery by gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In 40 patients with AMI, gated SPECT was performed at admission and repeated 7 and 30 days after PCI. Left ventricular function recovery was defined as an increase > or = 10 points in SPECT LV ejection fraction from baseline to 1 month. The MBG, cTFC, and ST-segment elevation index 1 h after PCI were determined to evaluate reperfusion. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (Group 1) had LV function recovery and 16 (Group 2) did not. A significant correlation was found between LV function recovery and MBG (r = 0.66; p = 0.0001), and ST-segment elevation index at 1 h (r = -0.55; p = 0.0001), but not with cTFC. Univariate predictors of LV function recovery were MBG (p = 0.0003) and ST-segment elevation index 1 h after intervention (p = 0.0026), but not cTFC. In a multivariate analysis, MBG was the only predictor of LV function recovery. Myocardial blush grade > or = 2 and ST-segment elevation index reduction had the same accuracy (88%) for predicting LV function recovery. Lower accuracy (75%) was shown by fast cTFC (< 23 frames). Myocardial blush grade > or = 2 showed the better negative likelihood ratio, and ST-segment elevation index reduction had the higher positive likelihood ratio in predicting LV function recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial blush grade was the best parameter for prediction of LV function recovery: MBG > or = 2 and ST-segment elevation index reduction showed good accuracy in predicting LV function recovery. The cTFC failed to be a significant predictor.