Multicentre randomized trial of sotalol vs amiodarone for chronic malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias

Sotalol was compared with amiodarone in this open randomizedmulticentre study of patients with ventricular tachycardia orfibrillation not associated with acute myocardial infarctionrefractory to or intolerant of Class I drugs. 16 of 30 patientstreated with amiodarone completed 12 months on therapy, fivewere withdrawn because of recurrent ventricular tachycardiaand nine because of presumed adverse drug reactions, complianceproblems or protocol violation. Four of those who were withdrawndied within 12 months. Sixteen of 29 patients completed 12 months on sotalol, one waswithdrawn because of ventricular tachycardia and nine becauseof presumed adverse drug reactions, poor compliance or the needfor coronary artery surgery. Three died on treatment and twoafter withdrawal but within 12 months of entering the study. When the results are analysed by intention to treat there wasno significant difference in antiarrhythmic efficacy or in theincidence of side-effects severe enough to warrant withdrawalfrom the trial. There was an increase in left ventricular ejectionfraction in those treated with sotalol, which, because of itspharmacokine-tics, is an attractive alternative to amiodaronefor patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmias who cantolerate ß-adrenergic blockade.     

Randomized controlled trial of prophylactic antiarrhythmic theraphy in patients with inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias after recent myocardial infarction

Survivors of acute myocardial infarction who had inducible sustainedventricular tachyarrhythmias at programmed stimulation 1–4weeks after infarction were recruited to a randomized pilottrial of Class 1 antiarrhythmic drugs, in an attempt to determinewhether their mortality and risk of spontaneous ventriculartachycardia and fibrillation could be reduced by treatment. Of 136 eligible patients, 96 (71%) joined the trial and 47 wererandonized to ‘no treatment’ and 49 were randomizedto ‘treatment’ (quinidine, disopyramide or mexiletinegiven to attain ‘therapeutic’ serum levels). Duringfollow-up, the two groups fared similarly. For the ‘treatment’and ‘no treatment’ groups, the respective 3-yearprobabilities of remaining incident-free were:cardiac death,0.91 vs 0.89; instantaneous death + non-fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias,0.87 vs 0.87; cardiac death+non-fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias,083 vs 0.85. The highest risk patients with inducible ventricular tachycardiafared similarly in the ‘treatment’ and ’notreatment’ groups. The respective probabilities of remainingincident-free were: cardiac death, 0.89 vs 0.88; instantaneousdeath+non-fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias, 0.79 vs 0.84 cardiacdeath+non-fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias,0.76 vs 0.77. We conclude that prophylactic Class I antiarrhythmic drug therapywith quinidine, disopyramide or mexiletine given to achievea ‘therapeutic’ serum level does not appear to alterthe prognosis with inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias aftermyocardial infarction.     

胺碘酮治疗中老年人急性心肌梗死合并快速心室率心房颤动的疗效观察

目的观察胺碘酮治疗中老年人急性心肌梗死合并快速心室率心房颤动的临床疗效。方法对2013-05~2016-05收治的60例发生心肌梗死的中老年患者,入院24 h内并发心室率120次/mim快速心室率心房颤动的中老年患者,年龄48~78岁,给予胺碘酮静脉加口服治疗,观察临床疗效。结果 60例患者中51例(85%)在48 h转复为窦性心律,4例死亡,5例未转复,疗效显著,心室率下降明显(P0.01),血压无明显变化(P0.05)。不良反应:窦性心动过缓1例,长R-R间歇3例,血压下降1例,静脉炎1例,予停药或对症处理后均好转。56例患者出院后随访30 d内无一例死亡,无其他不良反应发生。结论中老年人急性心肌梗死合并快速心室率心房颤动患者,应用胺碘酮静脉加口服治疗疗效显著、不良反应率低,值得临床推广应用。     

糖尿病合并急性心肌梗塞病人心功能的临床评价

对６７例急性心肌梗塞（ＡＭＩ）合并Ⅱ糖尿病人（ＤＭ－ＡＭＩ组），和按其一般情况及梗塞部位配对的无ＤＭ和ＡＭＩ病人６７例（ＮＤＭ－ＡＭＩ组）进行比较研究，结果显示：两组的肌酸磷酸激酶（ＣＰＫ）峰值、心电国科ＱＲＳ记分均无显著性差异，但ＤＭ－ＡＭＩ组住院期间的死亡率及严重心脏事件的发生率均高于ＮＤＭ－ＡＭＩ组，梗塞后４周和５个月时的左室舒张末容量（ＬＶＥＤＶ）及收缩末容量（ＬＶＥＳＶ）显著高于ＮＤＭ－     

Ventricular performance and prognosis after primary ventricular fibrillation complicating acute myocardial infarction

To examine the relationship between early arrhythmias, infarctsize and prognosis, we compared 22 consecutive patients survivingacute myocardial infarction (AMI) and primary ventricular fibrillation(VF) with a control population after AMI uncomplicated by primaryVF. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was measured byradionuclide ventriculography before discharge from hospital.Mean EF was significantly reduced below normal following AMIwith or without primary VF (normal 0.57±0.05, mean±SD;P<0.01). Mean EF was lower among patients who survived primaryVF than among those with infarction uncomplicated by primaryarrhythmia (0.33 ±0.12 v. 0.46 ±0.07; P<0.01).There were striking differences in EF between those patientswith anterior and those with inferior infarction. Mean EF forthose surviving primary VF after transmural anterior infarction(0.23±0.06) was lower than those who had primary VF aftertransmural inferior infarction (0.43±0.06; P<0.01J.Normal left ventricular function was seen in four individualswho developed no further complications. Recurrent primary ventriculararrhythmia was seen v only in those individuals subsequentlyshown to have reduced EF. Low EF (< 0-35) was seen in 12patients with primary VF in the context of anterior infarction,five developed breakthrough ventricular arrhythmias despitetherapy and in a limited follow-up period, three have died.     

Prognostic significance of late ventricular potentials after acute myocardial infarction

The prognostic significance of late ventricular potentials recordedfrom the body surface using high-gain amplification and signalaveraging was assessed prospectively in 160 patients (mean age56±8.3 years) after recent acute myocardial infarction(median day of study 25.5). Late potentials were recorded in 81 out of 160 patients (50.6%);a duration of less than 20 ms was observed in 33 patients (20.6%),whereas late potentials of 20 ms duration or more were presentin 48 patients (30%). The mean duration of late potentials was27 ± 16.5 ms. There was no significant correlation withthe frequency and type of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmiasduring 10–24 h Holter monitoring. The follow-up period was 7.5±3.2 months (mean ±s.D.;maximum 15.8 months). In 136 patients (85%) the course afterdischarge was uneventful. Sudden cardiac death occurred in sevenpatients (4.4%) after 3.7± 3.4 months (range 0.7–8.3months). Sustained ventricular tachycardia was documented infour cases 2.9± 1.3 months after myocardial infarction,all having late potentials. The overall incidence of ventriculartachycardia in patients with late potentials of 20 ms durationand more was four out of 48 patients (8.3%) increasing to 16.6%(three out of 18 patients) if only patients with late potentialsgreater than 40 ms were considered. Sudden cardiac death occurredin three of 79 patients (3.8%) without late potentials. In patientswith late potentials less than 40 ms duration, the incidenceof sudden death was 3.2% (two out of 63 patients), but it increasedto 11.1% (two out of 18 patients) with late potentials of 40ms duration or more. Ventricular tachycardia or sudden deathoccurred in 21.7% of patients with late potentials and anteriorwall infarction compared to 5.4% in patients with late potentialsand inferior wall infarction (P<0.05). Only one of 79 patients(1.3%) without late potentials died non-suddenly from a cardiaccause (reinfarction) compared to three of 81 patients (3.7%)with late potentials irrespective of duration. Thus, this prospective multicentre pilot study suggests thataveraging might be a promising non- invasive technique for theidentification of patients prone to ventricular tachycardiaor possibly even sudden death after recent acute myocardialinfarction.     

急性下壁心肌梗死伴右室梗死的临床表现和预后分析

目的探讨急性下壁心肌梗死(心梗)不伴或伴右室心梗患者的临床特征、治疗和预后。方法回顾既往6年住我院的103例急性下壁心梗患者,比较下壁心梗不伴右室心梗(65例)和伴右室心梗(38例)两组患者的临床特征和院内死亡率。结果发生低血压、心源性休克、快速心律失常(阵发性心房颤动,非持续性室性心动过速)、缓慢心律失常(包括窦性心动过缓,Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞)在下壁伴右室心梗组高于下壁心梗组,两组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。两组左心室射血分数(LVEF)及经皮冠脉介入(PCI)治疗患者的院内病死率比较无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论血流动力学障碍和心律失常是右室心梗住院并发症高的主要因素,右室心梗是独立于左室功能损害的危险因素,早期介入治疗能改善住院死亡率。     

Predictors of ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction

A community-wide study of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction in metropolitan Baltimore was conducted to examine socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in association with ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest (VF/CA). Multivariate analyses revealed that variables significantly associated with occurrence of VF/CA included older age (60 years or older), male sex, and a history of cigarette smoking. These factors allow the identification of subgroups of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction at high risk for the subsequent development of VF/CA, in whom prophylactic therapy and close surveillance are especially recommended.     

Assessment of markers of thrombin generation in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular fibrillation

BACKGROUND: In most cases, sudden cardiac death is triggered by ischemia-related ventricular tachyarrhythmias and accounts for 50% of deaths from cardiovascular disease in developed countries. Chronic elevation of indicators of coagulation activation has been found in patients with coronary heart disease, but a role of coagulation activation as a potential risk factor for ventricular fibrillation (VF) during acute myocardial infarction (MI) has not been investigated. METHODS: We enrolled 50 patients with a history of MI, of whom 26 presented with VF in the acute phase of myocardial ischemia; 24 patients had an acute MI without ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 (F1 + 2), fibrinopeptide A (FPA), plasmin-antiplasmin complexes (PAP), protein C, antithrombin, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thromboplastin time, D-Dimer, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in plasma samples of all patients. Blood collection was obtained sequentially in two separate settings. Patients were studied at a median of 351 days after the acute coronary event. RESULTS: Higher levels of TAT complexes (13.4 +/- 22.2 vs. 3.03 +/- 4.3 microg/l; p = 0.02), FPA (79.7 +/- 132.3 vs. 24.04 +/- 41.3 ng/ml; p = 0.04), and F1+2 (1.89 +/- 1.3 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.5 nmol/l; p = 0.01) were observed in patients with VF compared with patients without ventricular tachyarrhythmias during the acute phase of MI. D-Dimer levels displayed a trend without reaching statistical significance (0.69 +/- 0.48 vs. 0.48 +/- 0.24 mg/l; p = 0.06). No differences were found in hs-CRP (3.25 +/- 4.5 vs. 4.4 +/- 8.8 mg/l; p = 0.5) and fibrinogen (2.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.9 g/l; p = 0.6) measurements. Repeat assessment of markers of coagulation activation at a median of 847 days revealed a highly significant decrease in patients with VF. CONCLUSIONS: Markers of thrombin generation are transiently increased in patients with VF during the acute phase of MI. These findings have implications for risk assessment and genetic screening of patients prone to VF during acute myocardial ischemia.     

Distribution of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone in a patient with acute myocardial infarction after intravenous administration

The autopsy tissues concentration of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone of a man with acute myocardial infarction treated acutely with intravenous amiodarone is reported. Our data indicate that amiodarone is quickly distributed into all highly perfused tissues after intravenous administration with a high amiodarone/desethylamiodarone ratio. We also report here the autopsy case of a woman who died after 30 days of oral therapy with amiodarone. The increase in heart/plasma ratio of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone concentrations and the decrease in amiodarone/desethylamiodarone ratio after one month of therapy could explain the latency in the antiarrhythmic action of the drug.     

Clinical significance of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction

160 survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were evaluatedto assess the clinical significance of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias(SVTA) occurring at discharge from the hospital after the acuteevent. the variables considered for the study were estimatedbefore hospital discharge; arrhythmias were quantified witha 24 h Hotter ECG monitoring system. SVTA occurred in 88 patients(55%). Single or repetitive supraventricular premature beatswere found in 65 (41%), paroxysmal atrial orjunctional tachycardiasin 20 (12%), bouts of atrial flutter or fibrillation in 3 (2%).Bivariate statistical analysis showed no relationship betweensex, previous cardiovascular history, type, and location ofAMI and SVTA occurrence. A close positive relationship was foundbetween age, left atrial dimension (LAD), cardio-thoracic ratio(CTR) and SVTA occurrence; an inverse relationship was foundfor left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The presenceof SVTA appeared significantly related to age above 55 years,to LAD greater than 40 mm, to LVEF less than 45%, to serum creatinekinase peak levels over 1400 U l–¹ and to CTR over 0.49.Multivariate statistical analysis showed that five variablesare important in discriminating patients suffering from SVTA:age, LAD, LVEF, left ventricular fractional shortening, andCTR. SVTA occurring at discharge from hospital after AMI areindicative of impaired left ventricular pump function.     

Q—T离散度对急性心肌梗死的意义

为了解Q-T离散度对急性心肌梗死的应用价值,测定146例急性心肌梗死患者入院3h内标准12导联ECG心率校正Q-T离散度(Q-T_(cd))。结果显示:(1)心源性死亡组与未死亡组,二尖瓣A峰速度与E峰速度比值(A/E)≥1组与A/E<1组或左心室射血分数(EF)≤45％组与EF>45％组的Q-T_(cd)差异均无显著意义(P>0.05);(2)持续性室性心动过速或心室颤动阳性组的Q-T_(cd)显著高于阴性组(82.6±26.6ms与66.8±33.5ms,P<0.05)。提示:(1)Q-T离散度与心源性死亡、心脏收缩和舒张功能无关,(2)Q-T离散度与持续性室性心动过速、心室颤动的发生有关,可以作为急性心肌梗死患者严重室性心律失常的预测指标。     

Usefulness of ckmb and troponin t determinations in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular fibrillation

The usefulness of creatine kinase (CK) time activity curves for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in patients who have been defibrillated for ventricular fibrillation is limited due to the release of the enzyme as a result of the countershock. The present study of four patients with acute infarction complicated by primary ventricular fibrillation indicates that analysis of CKMB and even more so of troponin T, a specific cardiac antigen, permits reliable diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in this particular setting. Furthermore, the data indicate that noninvasive assessment of coronary artery patency may be also possible in these patients by means of these two serum markers.     

Pacemaker-induced ventricular tachycardia in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction

We analysed a group of 35 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction—23 of the inferior, 12 of the anterior wall—who needed temporary pacing for bradycardiac arrhythmias. We observed in three patients ventricular tachycardias induced by pacemaker stimuli falling onto the vulnerable part of the cardiac cycle due to improper sensing. All three had an inferior myocardial infarction involving the right ventricle. Because the pacemaker electrode in this condition lies in the vicinity of the infarcted myocardium sensing problems occur more frequently and re-entry tachy-cardias can be triggered more easily. It represents a possible risk of pacemaker treatment in this group of patients who, on the other hand, often need cardiac pacing in the acute phase following the development of transient AV-block.     

静脉滴注胺碘酮治疗急性心肌梗死伴快速房颤的临床疗效及安全性

目的　观察静脉滴注胺碘酮在急性心肌梗死 (AMI)伴快速房颤患者临床疗效。方法　19例AMI患者伴新近发生快速房颤 ,静脉应用胺碘酮 ,静脉负荷量后 ,继以静点维持观察房颤转复及心室率控制及副作用。结果　 19例患者用药后 15min ,1h ,2h ,2 4h心室率分别为 (132 1± 17 4)次 分 ;(118 5± 15 0 )次 分 ;(10 8 2± 18 6 )次 分 ;(89 6± 2 3 7)次 分 ,较用药前 (149 7± 19 7)次 分明显下降。其中 14例患者 (73 6 % )在 2 4h内转为窦性心律 ,3例患者用药后出现长间歇 ,1例出现窦缓 ,经临时停药或减量后恢复。结论　静脉应用胺碘酮治疗AMI并发的快速房颤是有效及安全的     

Incidence of nonsustained and sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

INTRODUCTION: Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is a frequent phenomenon in some patients with heart disease, but its association with sustained ventricular tachycardias (ventricular tachycardia [VT]/ventricular fibrillation [VF]) is still not clear. The aim of this study was to determine whether NSVT incidence was associated with sustained VT/VF in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective data analysis was conducted in 923 ICD patients with a mean follow-up of 4 months. NSVT and sustained VT/VF were defined as device-detected tachycardias. The incidence rates of NSVT and sustained VT/VF as well as ICD therapies were determined as episodes per patient. The NSVT index was defined as the product of NSVT episodes/day times the mean number of beats per episode, i.e., total beats/day. The NSVT index peak was defined as the highest value on or prior to the day with sustained VT/VF episodes. Patients (n = 393) with NSVT experienced a higher incidence of sustained VT/VF (17.2 +/- 63.0 episodes/patient) and ICD therapies (15.2 +/- 61.4 episodes/patient) than patients (n = 530) without NSVT (sustained VT/VF: 0.5 +/- 6.6 and therapies: 0.5 +/- 5.6; P < 0.0001). Approximately 74% of NSVT index peaks occurred on the same day or <3 days prior to sustained VT/VF episodes. The index was higher for peaks < or =3 days prior to the day with sustained VT/VF (94.3 +/- 140.1 total beats/day) than for peaks >3 days prior to the day with sustained VT/VF (32.7 +/- 55.9 total beats/day; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: ICD patients with NSVT represent a population more likely to experience sustained VT/VF episodes with a temporal association between an NSVT surge and sustained VT/VF occurrence.     

冠状动脉介入治疗再灌注时间对急性前壁心肌梗死左室重构及远期预后的影响

目的评价冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)再灌注时间对急性前壁心肌梗死左室重构及远期预后的影响。方法选择113例首次急性前壁心肌梗死患者,冠状动脉造影证实梗死相关动脉(IRA)完全闭塞(TIMI0～1级)。依据PCI再灌注时间分为3组,A组35例,6h内IRA成功再灌注;B组40例,6～12h内IRA成功再灌注;C组38例,12～24h内IRA成功再灌注。分别于术后即刻和6个月行冠状动脉造影及左心室造影,对比分析3组左心室造影的心功能指标:左心室舒张末容积、左心室收缩末容积、左心室射血分数、每分输出量、心脏指数,并观察1年内主要不良心脏事件(MACE)的发生情况。结果成功再灌注即刻,3组之间各项心功能参数无显著性差异。6个月时A组和B组各项心功能参数较即刻有改善趋势;C组较前下降,但均无统计学意义。1年随访期间,A、B组无死亡及再次心肌梗死事件发生。心绞痛的发生在3组中无差别。C组心力衰竭及死亡的发生均明显高于A、B组。结论前壁心肌梗死后尽早行PCI,开通IRA,可阻抑左室重构,改善心功能,减少死亡等MACE的发生,从而改善预后。     

急性下壁梗死伴或不伴右心室心肌梗死患者临床特征的比较

目的：比较急性下壁心肌梗死（IWMI）伴或不伴右心室心肌梗死（RVMI）患者的临床特征差异。方法纳入2006年10月~2012年12月总参保健处发病12 h内入院的急性下壁心肌梗死（IWMI）患者256例,根据冠状动脉造影（CAG）结果将患者分为IWMI不合并RVMI组（n=167）和IWMI合并RVMI组（n=89）,比较两组患者冠心病发病主要危险因素（包括吸烟、高血压、糖尿病、高脂血症、冠心病家族史）、临床表现、并发症和治疗用药的差异。结果两组患者冠心病主要危险因素无差异（P＞0.05）。IWMI合并RVMI患者出现低血压（80.0% vs.19.8%,P＜0.05）、颈静脉怒张（50.6%vs.1.8%）和Kussmaul征（51.7%vs.1.2%）的比例明显增加（P均＜0.01）,需要更多地应用正性肌力药物（60.7%vs.16.2%）来维持血压,且病死率较高（77.9%vs.0.6%,P＜0.05）。结论在IWMI基础上伴RVMI多合并右心功能障碍,可导致预后不良。     

Prediction of in-hospital ventricular fibrillation from admission data in acute myocardial infarction

We studied retrospectively 26 readily obtainable clinical and electrocardiographic variables in 22 consecutive patients who experienced primary ventricular fibrillation in association with an episode of acute myocardial infarction. Twenty-eight consecutive patients who had an uncomplicated course after acute myocardial infarction served as controls. The clinical profile of the two groups was similar except that patients who had primary ventricular fibrillation smoked more and had a higher peak creatinine phosphokinase level at the time of infarction. The data was evaluated using univariate and stepwise logistic regression analysis. This analysis demonstrated that patients who developed primary ventricular fibrillation had, on admission (1) more evidence of congestive heart failure (Killip classification), (2) a lower diastolic blood pressure, (3) greater ST-segment elevation, (4) a longer QTc interval, and (5) a less distinguishable J point on the electrocardiogram. This method of logistic analysis that utilizes easily obtainable hospital admission data serves as a preliminary model for prediction of the relative risk of primary ventricular fibrillation in a patient with acute myocardial infarction. The ability to identify patients at risk has important therapeutic implications.     

QT变异性对急性心肌梗死后恶性室性心律失常预测价值的研究

目的评价QT间期变异性对急性心肌梗死后恶性室性心律失常的预测价值。方法入选我院CCU病房急性心肌梗死患者108例(男性80例,女性28例),均于入院当日(急性期)、出院前日(恢复期),使用心电图仪记录300个RR间期。两次样本采用“四点法”借助放大镜逐点测量,所测数值全部导入计算机,经Excel函数分析系统处理,取得SDNN、QTm、QTSD、QTV、QTVI、B的参数。比较室性心律失常Lown分级与上述参数变化的关系。从而评定该指标对恶性心律失常的预测能力。结果急性期组与恢复期组的比较:QTm、QTV、QTVI、B分别为(369±54ms vs423±49ms;0.020±0.008vs0.11±0.004;-0.19±0.06vs-0.40±0.08,p<0.05;1.11±0.52vs0.37±0.09,p=0.02)有显著性差异。SDNN(24.8±7ms vs25.8±8ms,p>0.05)无显著性差异,QTSD(7.7±2.5ms vs45±1.3ms p=0.05)有弱的相关性。恢复期组观察到的室性心律失常等级、数量也明显降低。急性期室性心律失常Lown0-Ⅱ级组与LownⅢ-Ⅴ级组观察指标对比分析QTVI(-0.29±0.07vs-0.13±0.05,p=0.038),B(0.78±0.18vs1.64±0.4,p=0.007)两者均有显著性差异。结论短程QT间期变异性可作为急性心肌梗死后恶性室性心律失常的预测指标,其中QTVI、B两项参数敏感性最高。