早发和老年急性心肌梗死发病特点的比较

目的:探讨早发急性心肌梗死(AMI)冠状动脉病变特点及其相关危险因素。方法:临床确诊为AMI的患者136例,根据年龄分为早发AMI组(男性<55岁,女性<65岁)55例,老年AMI组(男性≥55岁,女性≥65岁)81例,并进行危险因素、临床、生化及冠状动脉病变特点回顾分析,观察两组是否存在显著差异。结果:与老年AMI组相比,早发AMI组中男性、吸烟、冠心病家族史的比例显著升高(P<0.05或0.01)。临床生化检验显示,与老年AMI组比较,早发AMI组的血清总胆固醇[(4.28±1.03)mmol/L比(4.87±1.41)mmol/L]、甘油三酯[(1.22±0.66)mmol/L比(1.74±1.07)mmol/L]和载脂蛋白B[(0.80±0.18)g/L比(1.04±0.34)g/L]水平显著升高(P<0.05或0.01)。冠脉造影显示早发AMI组单支病变比例(27.3%)显著高于老年AMI组(11.1%)。早发AMI组冠脉病变程度Gensini积分显著低于老年AMI组[(58.70±27.11)分比(75.19±41.37)分,P<0.05]。结论:与老年急性心肌梗死患者比较,早发急性心肌梗死患者最常见的特征是男性,有吸烟、冠心病家族史者更多,血脂水平显著升高;且单支冠脉病变比例较高,冠脉狭窄程度显著较轻。     

血浆非对称二甲基精氨酸浓度与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度有关

目的探讨血浆非对称二甲基精氨酸(asymmetric dimethyl arginine,ADMA)浓度与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度的相关性。方法冠心病病人97例,经Judkins法行冠状动脉造影观察冠状动脉粥样硬化的程度,并参照Gensini积分系统分析冠状动脉造影结果,对照组为24例无动脉粥样硬化者;实验组为73例动脉粥样硬化者,根据Gensini积分的高低分为3个亚组。通过高效液相色谱联合质谱法方法测定血浆ADMA和L-精氨酸含量,比色法测定高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇、甘油三酯和尿酸。结果实验组ADMA浓度显著高于对照组[(5.5±1.3)μg/L与(4.4±0.9)μg/L(P<0.01)],ADMA/L-精氨酸低于对照组[(1.6±0.6)与(1.8±0.4)(P<0.05)],而两组间L-精氨酸差异无统计学意义。实验组亚组间分析显示随着Gensini积分的升高,血浆ADMA浓度上升。结论冠心病病人血浆ADMA浓度显著升高,与冠状动脉粥样硬化严重程度相关。     

冠心病患者不同类型血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白和高敏C反应蛋白水平的差异

目的比较血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白、高敏C反应蛋白水平在不同类型冠心病中的差异。方法检测了82例冠心病患者(急性冠状动脉综合征42例、稳定型心绞痛20例和陈旧性心肌梗死20例)和22例正常对照者血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白、高敏C反应蛋白、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平,并比较各指标水平在不同类型冠心病中的差异。结果血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白水平在冠心病组明显高于对照组(62.5±24.8μg/L比42.3±17.9μg/L,P<0.05),在急性冠状动脉综合征组明显高于稳定型心绞痛组和陈旧性心肌梗死组(68.9±23.4μg/L比41.5±21.3μg/L和50.5±21.6μg/L,P<0.05);血清高敏C反应蛋白水平在冠心病组明显高于对照组(15.58±4.32mg/L比6.94±1.93mg/L,P<0.05),在急性冠状动脉综合征组明显高于稳定型心绞痛组和陈旧性心肌梗死组(19.31±1.43mg/L比10.29±1.01mg/L和9.56±1.72mg/L,P<0.05);血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平在冠心病组明显高于对照组(3.46±1.11mmol/L比2.87± 0.82mmol/L,P<0.05),但在急性冠状动脉综合征组与稳定型心绞痛组和陈旧性心肌梗死组差异无显著性(3.64±0.85mmol/L比3.06±1.23mmol/L和3.40±1.35mmol/L);血清总胆固醇/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值在冠心病组明显高于对照组(3.46±1.11比2.87±0.82,P<0.05),在不同类型冠心病中亦有差异(P<0.05)。结论血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白和高敏C反应蛋白水平及总胆固醇/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值在冠心病不同类型中有差异,可能为诊断冠心病的指标。     

前白蛋白在急性心肌梗死患者中的变化及与预后的关系

目的探讨血清前白蛋白水平在急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者中的变化及与病变严重程度的关系,为该病的诊治及病情监测提供依据。方法选取AMI患者103例(AMI组),根据冠状动脉造影结果分为单支病变34例、2支病变36例和3支病变33例;同时根据是否发生心血管事件分为发生心血管事件31例和未发生心血管事件72例;另随机选取同期健康体检者40例为对照组。应用免疫投射比浊法检测2组血清前白蛋白水平。结果与对照组比较,AMI组血清前白蛋白水平明显降低,差异有统计学意义[(0.22±0.06)g/L vs(0.28±0.06)g/L,P<0.05];对照组无前白蛋白异常,AMI组为33.01%(P<0.05);随病变支数增加,单支病变、2支病变和3支病变患者前白蛋白水平逐渐下降,差异有统计学意义[(0.24±0.06)g/L vs(0.22±0.06)g/L vs(0.19±0.05)g/L,P<0.05];Spearman相关分析显示,前白蛋白水平与冠状动脉病变程度呈负相关(r=-0.206,P<0.05)。结论 AMI患者前白蛋白水平明显降低,且病变越严重前白蛋白水平越低,其病变严重程度可能与其预后有关,可作为AMI患者病情监测及预后判断的指标。     

心绞痛与心肌梗死患者的心率变异性分析

目的 :探讨心绞痛及心肌梗死 (MI)患者的自主神经活动特点。方法 :对 30例健康者 ,2 5例心绞痛 ,2 0例陈旧性心肌梗死 (OMI) ,30例急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者的心率变异性进行了对比研究。结果 :心绞痛以及 MI患者的心率变异性明显低于正常人 ,AMI者低于心绞痛以及 OMI患者。结论 :冠心病患者的自主神经活动受损 ,AMI患者更加明显 ,其迷走神经张力降低 ,而交感神经紧张性相对增强 ,发生恶性室性心律失常的危险性增加。     

血清瘦素水平与冠状动脉病变程度的关系

目的:探讨血清瘦素水平与冠状动脉病变程度的关系。方法:用放射免疫法检测冠状动脉造影确诊的冠心病患者101例(男59例,女42例)及与其年龄,性别及体质指数相匹配的健康体检者96例(男50例,女46例)的血清瘦素水平。用改良的Gensini评分系统对冠状动脉病变程度进行评分。结果:冠心病组无论男女,血清瘦素水平均显著高于对照组[(8.43±4.29)∶(4.34±2.15)μg/L、(15.87±8.07)∶(8.36±3.81)μg/L](P<0.01)。随着冠状动脉病变程度的加重,冠心病患者血清瘦素水平逐渐升高。Gensini积分为11的患者与积分为5的患者之间血清瘦素水平差异有统计学意义[(12.90±0.92)∶(8.44±0.57)μg/L,P<0.05]。结论:冠心病患者的血清瘦素水平明显高于健康者,并随着冠脉病变程度的增加而升高。     

早发冠心病并发高血压病患者血浆结合珠蛋白水平与冠状动脉病变程度的相关性

目的:分析早发冠心病并发高血压病患者血浆结合珠蛋白（haptoglobin,Hp）水平的变化及其与冠状动脉病变严重程度的相关性。方法: 经冠脉造影确诊的早发冠心病患者90例,非冠心病的健康体检者90例作为对照组,据血压水平分类将90例早发冠心病患者分为3个亚组:正常血压及正常高值亚组（亚组1）、Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级高血压亚组（亚组2）、Ⅲ级高血压亚组（亚组3）。检测血浆Hp浓度,比较冠心病组与对照组血浆Hp浓度的差异;分析早发冠心病不同临床亚组间血浆Hp浓度、Gensini积分的差异及分析二者的相关性。结果: 早发冠心病组的血浆Hp浓度明显高于对照组,比较有统计学差异（P<001）。早发冠心病组3个亚组的Hp血浆浓度分别为（16±05） μg/L、（17±04） μg/L和（20±06） μg/L,3组之间差异有统计学意义（P<005）。两两比较,亚组3的Hp血浆浓度高于亚组1和亚组2,差别有统计学意义（均P<005）。3个亚组Gensini积分分别为（32±19）、（33±18）和（48±28）,3亚组之间差异有统计学意义（P<005）。两两比较,亚组3的Gensini积分高于亚组1和亚组2,差别有统计学意义（均P<005）,而亚组1与亚组2的Hp浓度和Gensini积分均无显著差异。结论: Hp水平的升高与早发冠心病的发生及冠脉狭窄的严重程度有关。     

急性心肌梗死患者血清内脏脂肪素水平的变化及其临床意义

目的观察急性心肌梗死患者血清内脏脂肪素(简称内脂素)水平变化及其与冠状动脉病变严重程度和心脏功能的关系,并探讨其临床意义。方法选择急诊行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者作为观察组(AMI组,n=30),其中男性22例,女性8例,平均年龄为54.77±10.09岁,其冠状动脉病变程度根据冠状动脉病变支数及Gensini积分进行评估;另选同期行冠状动脉造影检查正常者作为对照组(n=30),其中男性20例,女性10例,平均年龄为54.07±11.07岁。采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法检测两组术前及AMI组术后24 h血清内脂素水平;应用心脏超声测量各组左心室射血分数(LVEF)、左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)。结果 AMI组各时间点血清内脂素水平(术前:80.82±7.63μg/L,术后24 h:91.96±7.37μg/L)均显著高于对照组(19.32±4.37μg/L),且AMI组术后24 h血清内脂素水平较术前明显升高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。不同冠状动脉病变支数血清内脂素水平分别为:单支:72.85±2.56μg/L,双支:82.24±5.77μg/L,多支:88.22±6.07μg/L;不同冠状动脉狭窄程度血清内脂素水平分别为:轻度:74.58±4.40μg/L,中度:80.13±4.71μg/L,重度:87.57±6.39μg/L;组间比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,AMI组LVEF明显降低(P0.01),LVEDD无显著差异。AMI组血清内脂素水平与冠状动脉病变支数、冠状动脉病变Gensini积分呈正相关(r=0.754,r=0.672,P0.01),与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.459,P0.01)。结论血清内脂素水平可以作为推测AMI患者冠状动脉病变严重程度的指标。     

急性心肌梗死合并糖尿病患者血浆B型钠尿肽水平预测主要心脏不良事件的价值

目的探讨合并糖尿病的急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者的血浆N末端前体B型钠尿肽(NT-proBNP)水平对主要心脏不良事件(MACE)的预测价值。方法选择冠心病(AMI)患者139例,根据诊断分为AMI合并糖尿病组(合并组)73例,AMI组66例,另选择同期住院的非冠心病患者64例作为对照组,采用化学发光法检测血浆NT-proBNP水平,分析NT-proBNP判断6个月后MACE的发生率。结果合并组血浆NT-proBNP水平显著高于AMI组和对照组[(796.7±256.4)ng/L vs(642.5±231.5)ng/L和(89.6±103.3)ng/L,P<0.05,P<0.01],血浆NT-proBNP水平与冠状动脉造影Gensini评分呈正相关(r=0.726,P<0.01),合并组NT-proBNP>920ng/L的患者6个月MACE发生率较≤920ng/L者明显增高(60.0%vs 15.2%,P<0.01)。结论血浆NT-proBNP水平与AMI合并糖尿病患者的病情严重程度有一定的相关性。     

组织多普勒Tei指数与冠状动脉病变程度的关系

目的评价组织多普勒Tei指数(DTI-Tei指数)与冠状动脉病变严重程度的关系。方法将126例行冠状动脉造影或介入治疗的非心肌梗死患者分为冠心病组与非冠心病组,根据Gensini评分分为无病变组、轻度病变组、严重病变组,应用组织多普勒(DTI)测定所有患者的Tei指数,观察DTI-Tei指数与冠状动脉病变Gensini评分的相关性及对严重冠状动脉病变的预测价值。结果冠心病组与非冠心病组相比较DTI-Tei指数差异具有统计学意义(分别是0.41±0.06和0.46±0.09,P<0.01),比较无病变组、轻度病变组、严重病变组的SBP[(135±18)mmHg、(148±19)mmHg和(156±20)mmHg、PP[(58±12)mmHg、(68±13)mmHg和(75±17)mmHg]、HDL-C[(1.29±0.21)mmol/L、(1.25±0.31)mmol/L和(1.11±0.32)mmol/L]、DTI-Tei值(0.41±0.06、0.43±0.07和0.51±0.07)差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),观察SBP、PP值,严重病变组及轻度病变组高于无病变组(P<0.05),严重病变组与轻度病变...     

心电图Ⅱ Ⅲ、aVF导联病理性Q波对冠状动脉多支血管病变的判定价值

目的:探讨静息心电图II、III、a VF导联病理性Q波对冠状动脉多支病变的临床判定价值。方法:分析2006年3月2014年4月收治的冠心病患者1 007例,包括心肌梗死(MI)患者305例,根据心电图定位分为前壁MI组患者204例及下壁MI组患者101例,分析两组患者冠状动脉造影结果。结果:体表心电图病理性Q波评价冠状动脉多支血管病变患者的灵敏度为35.6%,特异度为83.0%,准确度为49.2%;前壁MI患者心电图病理性Q波评价冠脉多支病变的灵敏度(22.4%)高于下壁MI患者(13.2%)(P<0.01);下壁MI患者心电图病理性Q波评价冠脉多支病变的特异度(98.0%)高于前壁MI患者(85.1%)(P<0.01);在评价的准确度方面前壁(40.3%)与下壁MI患者(37.4%)无统计学差异。结论:II、III、a VF导联病理性Q波判断冠状动脉多支血管病变的灵敏度是前壁梗死高于下壁梗死,而特异度则是前壁梗死低于下壁梗死。     

Obstructive sleep apnea as a risk marker in coronary artery disease

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a range of cardiovascular sequelae and increased cardiovascular mortality. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of OSA in patients with symptomatic angina and angiographically verified coronary artery disease (CAD). In addition, we analyzed the association of OSA and other coronary risk factors with CAD and myocardial infarction. METHODS: Overnight non-laboratory-monitoring-system recordings for detection of OSA was performed in 223 male patients with angiographically verified CAD and in 66 male patients with exclusion of CAD. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess associations between risk factors and CAD and myocardial infarction. RESULTS: CAD patients were found to have OSA in 30.5%, whereas OSA was found in control subjects in 19.7%. The mean apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in CAD patients (9.9 +/- 11.8) than in control subjects (6.7 +/- 7.3). Body-mass-index (BMI) was significantly higher in patients with CAD and OSA than in patients with CAD without OSA (28. 1 vs. 26.7 kg/m(2); p < 0.001). No significant difference was found with regard to other risk factors and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between both groups. Hyperlipidemia (OR 2.3; CI 1. 3-3.9; p < 0.005) and OSA defined as AHI >/=20 (OR 2.0; CI 1.0-3.8, p < 0.05) were independently associated with myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of OSA among patients with angiographically proven CAD. OSA of moderate severity (AHI >/=20) is independently associated with myocardial infarction. Thus, in the care of patients with CAD, particular vigilance for OSA is important.     

Risk of developing an acute myocardial infarction or sudden coronary death in patients with exercise-induced silent myocardial ischemia. A report from the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) registry

To evaluate whether patients with silent myocardial ischemia during exercise testing are at increased risk for developing a subsequent acute myocardial infarction or sudden death, the data on 424 such patients with proven coronary artery disease (CAD) from the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) registry were analyzed. These patients (group 1) were compared with 456 other patients with CAD (group 2) who had both ischemic ST depression and angina pectoris during exercise testing and with 1,019 control patients without CAD. The probability of remaining free of a subsequent acute myocardial infarction or sudden death at 7 years was 80 and 91%, respectively, for group 1, 82 and 93%, respectively, for group 2 (difference not significant, compared with group 1), and 98 and 99%, respectively, for the control patients (p less than 0.001), compared with group 1 or 2). Among patients in group 1, the probability of remaining free of myocardial infarction and sudden death at 7 years was related to the severity of CAD and presence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and ranged from 90% for patients with 1-vessel CAD and preserved LV function to 38% for patients with 3-vessel CAD and abnormal LV function (p less than 0.001). Thus, patients with either silent or symptomatic ischemia during exercise testing have a similar risk of developing an acute myocardial infarction or sudden death--except in the 3-vessel CAD subgroup, where the risk is greater in silent ischemia. The risk of patients with silent myocardial ischemia is based primarily on angiographic variables.     

The angiographic correlation between ST segment depression in noninfarcted leads and the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction: a clue for multivessel disease

BACKGROUND: Although reciprocal ST segment depression (RSTD) in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction is a common electrocardiogram finding, its significance is not yet established. In this prospective study, the relationship between RSTD and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-eight patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction who received thrombolytic therapy were enrolled in this study. The magnitude and location of ST segment depression in noninfarcted leads and the maximum ST segment elevation (STEmax) in inferior leads were measured. All patients were divided into two main groups according to the presence of RSTD and five subgroups according to the location of RSTD, the maximum RSTD and the STEmax. The coronary angiography was performed in all patients 28 +/- 4 days after acute myocardial infarction. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the proportion of coronary disease risk factors in patients with, versus those without, RSTD (P=0.6). Multivessel CAD was present in 63 of the 108 (58%) patients with RSTD and in 32 of the 80 (40%) patients with no RSTD (P=0.02). According to the location of reciprocal changes, multivessel disease was present in significantly more patients with anterior RSTD concomitant with or without lateral ST segment depression (P=0.01 and P=0.03, respectively); the proportion of single vessel disease was greater in patients with only lateral RSTD (P=0.02). In addition, the presence of anterior RSTD to a greater magnitude than the STEmax in inferior myocardial infarction increases the likelihood of multivessel disease (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of RSTD during an acute inferior myocardial infarction correlates with the presence of multivessel CAD and may not be only an electrical phenomenon.     

Homozygosity for angiotensinogen 235T variant increases the risk of myocardial infarction in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: Molecular variants of the angiotensinogen (AGT) and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (ATR) genes have been associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI), but data so far available are conflicting. The primary object of the paper is to verify this possible association by a rigorous, angiographically controlled study in a large sample of patients with or without multi-vessel CAD. DESIGN: We designed a large case-control study in Italian patients candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting, with angiographically documented multi-vessel CAD, compared to subjects with angiographically documented normal coronary arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS: AGT M235T and ATR A1166C gene polymorphisms were analysed in 699 subjects; 454 patients were candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting, having angiographically documented (mainly multi-vessel) CAD. An appropriate documentation of previous MI was obtained from 404/454 (89%, 247 with and 157 without MI). Subjects (n = 245) with angiographically documented normal coronary arteries, were included as control group (CAD-free group). CAD patients had a substantial burden of conventional risk factors as compared with controls free of coronary atherosclerosis. Age, gender, smoking habit and number of stenosed vessels were the only differences between patients with or without previous myocardial infarction, who were similarly exposed to the other conventional risk factors (including hypertension). AGT M235T and ATR A1166C allele and genotype frequencies were similar between CAD and CAD-free patients. In the CAD group, AGT 235T allele was found more frequently in subjects with a previous myocardial infarction (0.494 versus 0.414; P < or = 0.05). By logistic regression, homozygosity for AGT 235T variant appeared to confer 1.9-fold increased risk for MI in both the univariate and the multivariate (adjusted for age, gender, smoking habit and number of stenosed vessels) model. CONCLUSIONS: AGT 235 T homozygous patients with multivessel CAD have an increased risk of myocardial infarction as compared with subjects with clinically similar phenotype but different genotype.     

Left atrioventricular plane displacement determined by echocardiography: a clinically useful, independent predictor of mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Echocardiographically determined left atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) is strongly related to prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure and in postmyocardial infarction patients. We aimed at exploring whether AVPD, unlike ejection fraction, is related to mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Atrioventricular plane displacement was assessed by two dimensionally guided M-mode echocardiography in the four and two chamber views, in 333 consecutive patients with stable CAD and an abnormal coronary angiogram. Patients were followed up for an average of 41 months. AVPD was lower in patients who died (n= 30, 9.0 %) compared with survivors (9.0 +/- 2.2 vs. 11.5 +/- 2.1 mm, P<0.0001). Amongst patients with prior myocardial infarction (n=184) AVPD was 8.7 +/- 2.3 mm in those who died (n=17) and 11.2 +/- 2.3 mm in the survivors (P<0.0001). In patients without prior myocardial infarction (n=149), AVPD was 9.4 +/- 2.1 (n=13) and 11.8 +/- 1.8 mm, respectively (P<0.0001). Age, AVPD and four other echocardiographical variables correlated significantly with prognosis in univariate logistic regression analysis. In multiple logistic regression analysis only AVPD (P<0.0001) correlated independently with mortality. CONCLUSION: Echocardiographically determined AVPDis a clinically useful, independent prognostic tool in patients with stable CAD. The presence of a documented previous myocardial infarction does not influence this observation.     

Detection of coronary artery disease with 13N-ammonia and high-resolution positron-emission computed tomography

In order to evaluate the detectability of coronary artery disease (CAD) with positron-emission computed tomography (PET), we performed 13N-ammonia myocardial PET scanning at rest and with exercise loading in 20 normal subjects and 40 patients with CAD, by means of a high-resolution, multi-slice, whole-body PET scanner. Myocardial PET scanning was performed 3 minutes after injection of 13N-ammonia at rest and during exercise. The circumferential profile analysis of resting PET images revealed regional hypoperfusion in 96% of CAD patients with previous myocardial infarction and in 29% of those without infarction. Exercise PET studies showed high sensitivity (93%) in detecting CAD without myocardial infarction, whereas no abnormal hypoperfusion was detected in normal subjects. Segmental analysis of regional myocardial perfusion with exercise stress identified 67 of 75 stenosed vessels (89%). We conclude that 13N-ammonia myocardial PET with exercise loading provides high-quality tomographic images of regional myocardial perfusion and is a valuable technique for detecting CAD.     

Factors of importance for prognosis in men with angina pectoris derived from a random population sample. The Multifactor Primary Prevention Trial, Gothenburg, Sweden

A random population sample of middle-aged men from the Primary Prevention Trial was followed for 11.3 years from a first screening when different factors known to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) were analyzed. Men with uncomplicated angina pectoris (AP) (n = 167) derived from this population had an incidence of fatal and nonfatal CAD events 3 times higher than that of men without AP or myocardial infarction (n = 5,774). Men with myocardial infarction with or without AP had an incidence of CAD events 7 to 8 times higher than that of men without AP or myocardial infarction. Similar differences were found for new cases of uncomplicated AP (n = 128) and myocardial infarction detected at a second screening after 4 years and followed for 7.3 years. Pooled data from this series of men with uncomplicated AP showed the following factors to be associated in multivariate analysis with nonfatal or fatal CAD endpoints during follow-up: elevated serum cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, smoking and attack score. The risk increase associated with the first 3 factors was similar to the general population. These findings indicate that the same factors affecting prognosis after a first appearance of AP affect similarly patients with myocardial infarction and clinically healthy subjects. Preventive measures against these risk factors seem to be of similar importance among patients with AP, post-infarct patients and healthy subjects.     

Flow resistance of individual neutrophils in coronary artery disease: decreased pore transit times in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate single neutrophil flow resistance in coronary artery disease, including myocardial infarction before initiation of reperfusion therapy. DESIGN: Neutrophil flow resistance was measured in 93 subjects in five groups: (group 1) 28 patients within 12 hours after the onset of myocardial infarction, before reperfusion therapy; (group 2) 18 with unstable angina; (group 3) 13 with stable angina; (group 4) 13 age matched patients without coronary disease, and (group 5) 21 healthy volunteers. MAIN PARAMETERS: Single neutrophil transit times through 8 microns oligopore filters determined with a modified cell transit analyser. RESULTS: Leucocyte count (10(9)/l) was increased in coronary disease, especially in myocardial infarction and unstable angina (mean and 95% confidence intervals for groups 1 to 5: 12.6 (11.0 to 14.2), 11.3 (8.5 to 14.1), 8.5 (7.4 to 9.6), 8.0 (6.0 to 10.0), 7.0 (6.1 to 7.9)). Polymorphonuclear granulocyte (PMN) flow resistance correlated negatively with white blood cell (WBC) count and was significantly decreased in coronary artery disease (CAD), especially in myocardial infarction; mean transit times (ms) for groups 1 to 5 were: 13.6 (11.8 to 15.4), 16.9 (13.9 to 19.0), 16.9 (12.8 to 21.0), 22.0 (19.6 to 24.4), and 18.6 (15.7 to 21.5). CONCLUSION: Neutrophil flow resistance was decreased in CAD, especially in myocardial infarction before reperfusion therapy. In contrast to previous findings in reperfused myocardial infarction, the present study showed that stiffened PMNs were not yet present in the circulating blood pool. Thus a pharmacological approach aimed at suppressing leucocyte activation before or during reperfusion therapy may be feasible.     

Characteristics and prognosis of myocardial infarction in patients with normal coronary arteries

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Myocardial infarction with angiographically normal coronary arteries (MINC) is a life-threatening event with many open questions for physicians and patients. There are little data concerning the prognosis for patients with MINC. DESIGN: Retrospective follow-up study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients with MINC were investigated and compared to age- and sex-matched control subjects with myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease (CAD). The patients were examined clinically using stress exercise and hyperventilation tests. Migraine and Raynaud's symptoms were determined by means of a standardized questionnaire. Serum lipoproteins; the seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus, Helicobacter pylori, and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections; and the most frequent causes of thrombophilia were assessed. Measurements and results: From > 4,300 angiographies that were performed between 1989 and 1996, 21 patients with MINC were identified. The mean +/- SD patient age at the time of myocardial infarction was 42 +/- 7.5 years. When compared to control subjects (n = 21), patients with MINC had fewer risk factors for CAD. In contrast, MINC patients had more frequent febrile reactions prior to myocardial infarction (six patients vs zero patients; p < 0.05), and the migraine score was significantly higher (7.1 +/- 6.3 vs 2.2 +/- 4.1; p < 0.01). The seroprevalence of antibodies against cytomegalovirus, C pneumoniae, and H pylori tended to be higher in patients with MINC and CAD as compared to matched healthy control subjects. Three patients with MINC vs none with CAD had coagulopathy. During follow-up (53 +/- 37 months), no major cardiac event occurred in the MINC group; no patients with MINC vs nine with CAD (p = 0.0001) underwent repeated angiography. CONCLUSION: High migraine score and prior febrile infection together with a lower cardiovascular risk profile are compatible with an inflammatory and a vasomotor component in the pathophysiology of the acute coronary event in MINC patients. The prognosis for these patients is excellent.