Changes in serum malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein in patients with acute myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris treated by coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVES: Serum malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein(MDA-LDL) was measured as a marker of oxidative stress, and the changes in serum MDA-LDL compared in patients with acute myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris treated by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). METHODS: Forty-one patients with acute myocardial infarction or stable angina pectoris were admitted to our hospitals between January 2000 and June 2000. Direct PTCA was performed in 17 patients(MI group) and elective PTCA in 24 patients(AP group). Coronary angiography was performed in nine control subjects(control group). Serum MDA-LDL was measured in the peripheral venous blood before and immediately after procedures in each group(normal range 20-80 U/l). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics, except age, between the MI group and AP group. Serum MDA-LDL was elevated above the normal range before the procedure in both groups(MI group 104.7 +/- 52.0 U/l, AP group 99.7 +/- 42.8 U/l), and significantly decreased immediately after the procedure(MI group 61.3 +/- 25.6 U/l, AP group 62.0 +/- 29.6 U/l), but there were no significant differences between the two groups. Serum MDA-LDL was elevated before the procedure (99.3 +/- 48.9 U/l) in the control group and significantly decreased immediately after the procedure(61.7 +/- 26.2 U/l). However, these values did not differ from the values before and immediately after the procedure in the MI group and the AP group. The percentage changes in serum MDA-LDL before and immediately after the procedure were -38 +/- 16% in the MI group, -37 +/- 17% in the AP group and -36 +/- 20% in the control group, and there were no significant differences between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in the changes in serum MDA-LDL was observed between patients with acute myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris treated by PTCA. However, anticoagulants may affect the MDA-LDL measurements directly, because similar changes in serum MDA-LDL were observed in control subjects after only coronary angiography.     

Assessment of the results of serum enzyme studies in different forms of myocardial infarction

An examination of 400 coronary patients demonstrated a relationship between increased serum CPK, AST, LDH and LDH-1, and the spread and severity of myocardial infarction (MI). In transmural and large-focal MI, CPK activity peak observed on Day 1-2 of the disease was increased 4-12-fold, and that of AST, 5-fold, as compared to the upper limit of the normal range. In small-focal and subendocardial MIs, the increase was 1.5-8-fold and 3-fold, respectively. In angina pectoris, serum CPK activity also showed an increase, although a less manifest one. A CPK activity level of 175 IU is proposed as a discriminative level to be used in the diagnosis of large-focal myocardial infarctions.     

血浆总同型半胱氨酸在心肌梗死患者中的水平

目的 :研究心肌梗死 (MI)患者血浆总同型半胱氨酸 (t HCA )的水平及其临床意义。方法 :利用荧光偏正免疫分析法测定 30例 MI患者和 2 0例正常人血浆 t HCA的浓度 ,同时分析 t HCA浓度与吸烟史、糖尿病、高血压以及各血脂指标之间的关系。结果 :MI患者血浆 t HCA的浓度较正常人明显增高 ;冠状动脉病变的支数越多 ,t HCA的浓度越高 ;吸烟、糖尿病、高血压及其血脂各指标与 t HCA之间均无明显的相关关系。结论 :高血浆t HCA血症可能是致 MI的一个重要危险因素。     

同型半胱氨酸与冠心病关系的探讨

目的　探讨同型半胱氨酸 (Hcy)水平与冠心病 (CHD)的关系。方法　 187例住院患者 ,分为CHD组 93例及对照组 94例 ,测定Hcy水平与吸烟史、糖尿病、高血压、年龄、性别、脑梗死史、心肌梗死史、血脂各指标之间的关系。已行冠状动脉造影者按前降支、回旋支、右冠状动脉中任 1支血管狭窄≥ 5 0 %者诊为单支病变组 ,2支以上为多支病变组。任 1支血管狭窄 <5 0 %者诊为冠状动脉造影阴性组。冠心病的多个易患因素进行logistic回归分析。结果　Hcy水平 :(1)CHD组显著高于对照组 ;(2 )有心肌梗死史者高于无心肌梗死史者 ;(3)与吸烟史、高血压、糖尿病、脑梗死史、年龄、性别、血脂各指标之间无明显相关关系 ;(4 )多支病变组显著高于冠状动脉造影阴性组 ,单支病变组略高于冠状动脉造影阴性组 ;(5 )logistic回归分析示Hcy水平、吸烟、高血压是冠心病发病的危险因素。结论　Hcy水平升高与CHD密切相关 ,有心肌梗死史者Hcy水平增高明显 ;冠状动脉病变支数越多 ,血浆Hcy水平越高。     

Prediction of coronary events with electron beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the prognostic accuracy of electron beam computed tomographic (EBCT) scanning of the coronary arteries at three to four years. BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcium scores determined by EBCT correlate with the severity of coronary artery disease. However, previous reports of the prognostic accuracy of EBCT scanning for coronary events in asymptomatic individuals are conflicting. METHODS: Asymptomatic men and women undergoing coronary EBCT completed initial and follow-up evaluations, which included past medical history, the Rose angina questionnaire and interim cardiovascular events. Reported coronary events (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI] and revascularization procedures) were confirmed without knowledge of the scan results. RESULTS: Information was obtained in 1,172 (99.6%) of 1,177 eligible subjects (baseline age 53 +/- 11 years, 71% men). During an average follow-up of 3.6 years, 39 subjects sustained coronary events: three coronary deaths, 15 nonfatal MIs and 21 coronary artery revascularization procedures. The mean coronary artery calcium score was 764 +/- 935 among subjects with events as compared with 135 +/- 432 among those without events (p < 0.0001). For the prediction of all coronary events and of nonfatal MIs and deaths, the areas under the receiver-operator characteristics curve were 0.84 and 0.86, respectively, and a coronary calcium score > or =160 was associated with odds ratios of 15.8 and 22.2, respectively. The odds ratios for all events remained high (14.3 to 20.2) after adjustment for self-reported cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic adults, EBCT of the coronary arteries predicts coronary death and nonfatal MI and the need for revascularization procedures.     

Patients with large myocardial infarction gain a greater improvement in exercise capacity after exercise training than those with small to medium infarction

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether patients with large-size myocardial infarction (MI) achieve the same benefit from exercise training as do those with small- to medium-size MI. HYPOTHESIS: This study was designed to determine the magnitude and mechanisms underlying improvement in exercise capacity in patients with large-size MI after cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: In all, 296 patients who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program after acute MI were divided into two groups according to the peak serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level: the group with large infarction (Group 1) (> or = 5000 U/l peak CPK, 64 patients) and the group with less extensive infarction (Group 2) (< 5000 U/I, 232 patients). Exercise capacity was assessed before and after a 3-month cardiac rehabilitation program that included exercise training. RESULTS: Before exercise training, both the peak work rate (p < 0.05) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2) (p < 0.01) were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2. After exercise training, the changes in peak work rate and peak VO2 were significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 (both p < 0.01). The infarction size measured by the peak CPK level correlated significantly with both the baseline exercise capacity and its improvement after exercise training, although these correlations were insignificant in a multivariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, the improvement in exercise capacity is determined by age and baseline exercise capacity, which is determined by the duration of inactivity, minute ventilation (VE)/VCO2 slope and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients with small- to medium-size myocardial infarction, patients with large infarction gain a greater improvement in exercise capacity after exercise training due to reversal of physical deconditioning and improvement in congestive heart failure.     

Coronary angiography and left ventriculography in survivors of transmural and nontransmural myocardial infarction

Recent studies have suggested a similar prognosis for patients with transmural myocardial infarction and nontransmural myocardial infarction despite a smaller infarct size in the latter patients estimated by creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Thirty-one patients with transmural myocardial infarction and 17 patients with nontransmural myocardial infarction as defined by electrocardiographic criteria underwent coronary angiography and left ventriculography from 10 to 24 days after they had an acute myocardial infarction. Forty-three of these 48 patients were asymptomatic following their myocardial infarction. When compared to patients with nontransmural myocardial infarction, those with transmural myocardial infarction had greater peak CPK levels, 1,090 +/- 210 versus 290 +/- 60 IU (p less than 0.01). There was no difference in prevalence of single, double or triple vessel coronary artery disease, mean number of coronary arteries 50 per cent narrowed (2.0 +/- 0.2 versus 2.0 +/- 0.2), near total or total occlusions, coronary score (Friesinger) (7.9 +/- 0.6 versus 8.2 +/- 0.7), left ventricular ejection fraction (48 +/- 2 versus 53 +/- 4), or per cent of akinetic-dyskinetic myocardial segments (66 of 242 [27 per cent] versus 32 of 132 [24 per cent]) between two groups. The similar extent of coronary artery narrowing and degree of left ventricular dysfunction may explain the similar prognosis for patients with transmural myocardial infarction and those with nontransmural myocardial infarction despite differences in enzymatically estimated acute infarct size.     

Late (> 48 hr) myocardial infarction after PTCA: clinical and angiographic characteristics of infarction related or not to the angioplasty site.

Since late myocardial infarctions after percutaneous coronary interventions have not been well characterized, we intended to evaluate the characteristics of myocardial infarctions occurring > 48 hr after balloon angioplasty of native coronary arteries or saphenous vein grafts. The Montreal Heart Institute database (1985-1996) was interrogated for all patients readmitted with a diagnosis of MI more than 48 hr after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We compared the clinical, procedural, and angiographic variables between MIs related or not to the index PTCA site. One hundred and ninety-three patients presented with late myocardial infarction (MI) following balloon angioplasty. The median time elapsed between PTCA and MI was 55 days compared to 968 days when MI was unrelated to the PTCA site. MIs related to the PTCA site were more likely non-Q-wave (76% vs. 35%, P = 0.0001) with less marked CK-MB rise. Angiography showed less complex lesions (63% vs. 90%, P = 0.001) and better thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade flow (TIMI II to III, 66% vs. 56%, P = 0.01) when the culprit lesion was at the PTCA site. Independent predictors of MI at the PTCA site were vein graft dilation, female sex, and residual stenosis post-PTCA. Myocardial infarctions occurring late after PTCA have a distinct time course and present specific characteristics according to their relationship or not to the previously dilated site.     

The new definition of myocardial infarction—Can we use it?

BACKGROUND: A joint committee of the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology (ESC/ACC) recently redefined myocardial infarction. HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to examine the outcome of diagnoses from more than 500 patients admitted to a university hospital coronary care unit (CCU), when the ESC/ACC committee cut-off levels were compared with the Swedish diagnostic criteria for acute myocardial infarction (MI), comparable with everyday practice in most countries. METHODS: Creatine kinase-MB, troponin I, and troponin T were measured in 525 patients admitted consecutively to the CCU, Huddinge University Hospital, with possible myocardial ischemia lasting <12 h before arrival. RESULTS: The ESC/ACC definition of MI increased the number of MIs by 3-32% compared with the number achieved when Swedish diagnostic criteria for acute MI were used. A significant number of patients with elevated cardiac enzymes presented with acute heart failure, tachycardia, pulmonary embolism, and sepsis as initial symptom. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of more than 500 patients with possible myocardial ischemia admitted consecutively to the CCU at a university hospital, the ESC/ACC definition of MI increased the number of MIs by 3-32% compared with the number achieved when Swedish diagnostic criteria for acute MI were used. A majority of the patients identified with ESC/ACC cut-off levels presented with myocardial ischemia as the primary symptom, whereas many of the other patients had acute heart failure and tachycardia as initial symptom. It is unclear whether patients in this latter group should be labelled as having MI; there are no clinical studies providing guidance in this situation.     

Coronary blood flow in patients with cardiac syndrome X

BACKGROUND: Epicardial coronary arteries are normal in patients with cardiac syndrome X. It is, however, unclear whether there is an abnormality at the level of microvascular circulation. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the epicardial coronary blood flow and myocardial perfusion in patients with cardiac syndrome X. METHODS: Two hundred and three patients (mean age 53+/-10 years, 85 men) were included in the study. The diagnosis of cardiac syndrome X was made in patients who had a complaint of typical anginal chest pain and had ischemic findings on either myocardial perfusion scintigraphy or a treadmill exercise test, and whose coronary angiograms did not reveal any pathology. Fifty patients (mean age 54+/-11 years, 24 men) who had a complaint of typical anginal chest pain and had a normal myocardial perfusion test and normal coronary arteries were recruited as the control group. Epicardial coronary blood flow was evaluated with the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count method and myocardial perfusion was evaluated with the myocardial blush grade method. A myocardial blush grade of < or =2 in any vessel was considered abnormal. RESULTS: Although the right coronary thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count was higher in patients with syndrome X (14.9+/-7.6 vs. 11.7+/-4.4 in controls; P=0.014), there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count in the coronary arteries. Abnormal myocardial blush grade was present in 85 patients (42.3%) with syndrome X, and in 17 patients (34.7%) in the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that the epicardial coronary blood flow, as assessed by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count, and myocardial perfusion, as assessed by myocardial blush grade, were normal in patients with cardiac syndrome X.     

Myocardial infarction and patent coronary arteries--an uneventful association?

BACKGROUND: Although many studies addressed the issue of the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with angiographically patent coronary arteries, controversies exist concerning the pathophysiology and clinical outcome in this syndrome. AIM: To evaluate the clinical course of patients with MI and patent coronary arteries as well as to assess the post-infarction short-term prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with acute MI admitted to our institution over a period of 8 years (1995-2002) was performed. The study group consisted of 62 patients with MI and angiographically patent coronary arteries, examined within the first 30 days after the infarction, and the age and gender-matched control group of 62 patients with acute MI and significant coronary artery stenoses. RESULTS: Cardiovascular risk factors found in the study group versus the control group were: smoking 47 (66.1%) vs 54 (87.1%) patients (NS); dyslipidemia 18 (29.0%) vs 44 (74.2%) patients (p<0.005), and family history of coronary artery disease 16 (25.8%) vs 37 (61.3%) patients (p<0.05). The post-infarction complications were: ischaemic recurrences in 25 (40.3%) vs 46 (74.2%) patients (p<0.05); heart failure in 11 (17.7%) vs 26 (41.9%) patients (p<0.05); mechanical events in 12 (19.4%) vs 16 (25.8%) patients (NS); arrhythmias in 18 (29.0%) vs 12 (19.4%) patients (NS); peripheral thromboembolic complications in 5 (8.1%) vs 2 (3.2%) patients (NS), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the population with MI and patent coronary arteries, smoking was the only well represented risk factor. Although there was a significantly lower incidence of ischaemic events and heart failure after MI in patients with patent rather than stenotic coronary arteries, the mechanical, arrhythmic and thromboembolic complications occurred with the same frequency.     

Myocardial infarction with normal coronary angiography compared with severe coronary artery disease without myocardial infarction: the crucial role of smoking

BACKGROUND: Why do some patients suffer acute myocardial infarction (MI) despite angiographically normal coronary arteries (NL + MI) whereas others enjoy an acute MI-free life despite extensive three-vessel disease (3VD-MI)? The present study contrasts these two groups to identify some differences in the risk profile. METHODS: In 10,000 patients admitted to the cardiology service, a first MI was confirmed in 2356 patients, of whom 1609 underwent coronary angiography. In 77 patients with MI, coronary angiography was found to be entirely normal (NL + MI, 77/1609, 4.1%). These were contrasted to 123 patients with severe three-vessel coronary disease but no MI (3VD-MI). RESULTS: Patients with NL + MI were 13 years younger (42 +/- 8.3 vs 55 +/- 10.5, P < 0.05), with 33 patients (43%) under the age 40 years, in contrast to only 9 patients (7.3%) in the 3VD group being this age. Patients with NC + MI were more often current smokers (80.5% vs 29% in the 3VD group; P < 0.01). Patients with 3VD-MI were, on the other hand, more often diabetic (54% vs 9% in the NL + MI group; P < 0.01) and had a higher cholesterol level (5.6 +/- 1.1 vs 4.9 +/- 1.0 Mmol/l, P < 0.01) as well as a higher incidence of chronic stable angina (52% vs 22%; P < 0.01) and heart failure (6% compared with 0% in the NL + MI group). Sixty-one out of 77 (79%) NL + MI patients had a single risk factor, and in 87%, this was smoking alone. Diabetes mellitus was rare and never occurred alone in this group. CONCLUSION: In patients who suffer MI despite normal coronary angiography, smoking is a major risk factor: In contrast, in patients with extensive coronary artery disease on angiography but no MI, diabetes rather than smoking is the dominant risk factor. The findings of this study support the view that the risk factors for stable and unstable coronary artery disease are different, as reflected by the contrast of the above groups at the extremes of the spectrum. Smoking appears to be a major risk factor for acute MI (even with normal coronary angiography), whereas diabetes is a major risk factor for more severe but more stable coronary artery disease.     

Increased thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count in patients with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriogram: a possible link between slow coronary flow and myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count is a simple clinical tool for assessing quantitative indexes of coronary blood flow. This technique counts the number of cineangiographic frames from initial contrast opacification of the proximal coronary artery to opacification of distal arterial landmarks. We hypothesized that patients with normal coronary artery (NCA) and myocardial infarction (MI) might have impaired coronary flow. Accordingly, we assessed the TIMI frame counts of patients with NCA and MI and compared to patients with NCA and without MI. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with MI and who were found to have normal coronary angiograms performed between 1999 and 2003. Fifty patients (group I) with NCA and MI were enrolled in the study. Fifty consecutive patients with NCA and without MI were also enrolled in the study as control group (group II). Mean time interval between MI and coronary angiography was 6 +/- 2 days. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between groups I and II in respect to gender (11 females (22%) versus 22 females (44%), p = 0.003, respectively) and smoking status (62% (31/50) versus 38% (19/50), p = 0.02). Comparison of TIMI frame counts between two groups revealed that group I patients had significantly higher TIMI frame counts than group two patients for all three coronary arteries (LAD: 40 +/- 12 versus 23 +/- 7, Cx: 47 +/- 14 versus 27 +/- 7, RCA: 36 +/- 10 versus 26 +/- 10, respectively, p < 0.001 for all). Smokers were significantly younger when compared to non-smokers (44 +/- 5 years versus 51 +/- 9 years, p = 0.008, respectively). TIMI frame counts of smokers did not significantly differ from those of non-smokers in group I patients. There were statistically significant differences between smokers and non-smokers in group II patients regarding TIMI frame counts for all three coronary arteries (LAD: 29 +/- 7 versus 18 +/- 3, LCX: 34 +/- 10 versus 22 +/- 4, RCA: 34+ /- 13 versus 20 +/- 4, respectively, p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: We have shown that patients with MI and NCA have higher TIMI frame counts for all coronary arteries when compared to patients without MI and NCA. Absence of difference between smokers and non-smoker in the myocardial infarction group in respect to TIMI frame count, has suggested that smoking does not lead to further increase of TIMI frame counts. On the other hand, in patients without MI and with NCA, smokers have higher TIMI frame counts than non-smokers have.     

Safety of Push Enteroscopy After Recent Myocardial Infarction

Although the safety and efficacy of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) after myocardial infarction (MI) are fairly well characterized, the safety of enteroscopy after recent MI is unstudied and unknown. Enteroscopy could potentially be particularly valuable to evaluate recurrent obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding after MI because ongoing GI bleeding could induce recurrent myocardial ischemia. The safety of push enteroscopy is analyzed in a study of 4 cases among 8900 patients with acute MIs during an 8-year period at a tertiary care medical center. Four patients underwent enteroscopy at 1, 4, 28, and 45 days after MI, of whom three were prospectively monitored for enteroscopic complications. The patients were 82, 63, 72, and 76 years old. Three were male. The mean serum creatinine kinase level was 601 +/- 162 U/L, with an MB fraction of 15.9 +/- 13.2%. All MIs were subendocardial. Enteroscopy indications included recurrent fecal occult blood and anemia requiring multiple packed erythrocyte transfusions with no significant lesions identified by EGD and colonoscopy in two patients, maroon stools with no lesions identified by colonoscopy and only anastomotic erosions identified by EGD in one patient status post-Billroth I gastrectomy, and dark red blood per rectum in one patient with prior aortic graft revision for an aortoenteric fistula after failure to visualize the distal duodenum by EGD. The patients received a mean of 4.0 +/- 1.3 U of packed erythrocytes before enteroscopy. At enteroscopy the mean hematocrit was 32.7 +/- 1.6. The patients received a mean of 18.8 +/- 12.5 mg of meperidine and 2.6 +/- 2.2 mg of midazolam during enteroscopy. Enteroscopy was uniformly uncomplicated. Vital signs and arterial oxygen saturation remained stable during and following enteroscopy. Enteroscopy revealed no new lesions in two patients and distal duodenitis in one patient and ruled out an aortoenteric fistual in one patient at high risk for this lesion. These four cases suggest that enteroscopy is not absolutely contraindicated and might be considered after recent MI for strong indications in relatively clinically stable patients.     

冠状动脉正常的急性Q波性心肌梗死单中心回顾性分析

目的 回顾性分析冠状动脉正常的急性Q波性心肌梗死患者的临床特点.方法 选取中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院确诊为急性心肌梗死,合并心电图病理性Q波形成,并经冠状动脉造影证实冠状动脉正常的患者17例,分析其临床特点.结果 本研究中,4例患者有自发性冠状动脉痉挛,表现为冠状动脉造影时严重狭窄但冠状动脉内给予硝酸甘油后狭窄消失.1例女性患者既往有下肢动脉栓塞病史,经血液系统进一步检查证实为蛋白C缺乏症.1例患者为粒细胞增多症,3例患者为血小板增多症.另有1例患者有肺癌病史,考虑可能与肺癌相关的高凝状态有关.急性Q波性心肌梗死但罪犯冠状动脉正常的患者占同期急性心肌梗死患者比例为1.85％（17/918）.此类患者平均年龄为44.2岁,男性为主,占88.2％（15/17）,吸烟比例高达82.4％（14/17）,其中吸烟患者中男性达92.9％（13/14）,与非冠状动脉正常的急性Q波性心肌梗死患者比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.急性Q波性心肌梗死但罪犯冠状动脉正常的患者左心室射血分数显著高于冠状动脉造影异常组（54.4％±9.6％ vs.45.8％±8.8％,P＜0.01）.另外,造影正常组所有患者住院期间均未发生主要心血管事件,而造影异常组主要心血管事件发生率为6.7％（60/901）.结论 急性心肌梗死但冠状动脉正常患者以男性为主,多有吸烟史,同时合并有血液系统疾病者较多见,但大部分心功能状态良好,住院期间未见严重主要心血管事件.     

Nicardipine and adenosine “flush cocktail” to prevent no-reflow during rotational atherectomy

BackgroundRotational atherectomy (RA) has a unique mechanism of action—it utilizes plaque abrasion with microparticle embolization in order to achieve luminal enlargement. This microscopic atheroembolic debris can lead to platelet activation, with vasoconstriction and/or mechanical obstruction of distal coronary resistance vessels, leading to no-reflow and myocardial necrosis.ObjectiveWe developed a prospective registry to evaluate the efficacy of the prophylactic administration of intracoronary nicardipine and adenosine within the RA “flush cocktail” as a method of preventing no-reflow and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) in patients treated with RA in their native coronary arteries.MethodsOne hundred seventy-six consecutive patients (204 lesions; mean age, 66±12 years) were treated with a flush cocktail containing nicardipine (10 μg/ml), adenosine (5 μg/ml), nitroglycerin (10 μg/ml), and unfractionated heparin (1 IU/ml) during RA. The primary study end points were postprocedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow score and non-Q-wave MI, as determined by creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatine phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB) levels. Secondary end points included baseline and acute final minimum lumen diameters, and percent diameter stenosis.ResultsTIMI flow scores were analyzable in 155 of 176 patients (88%), and in 181 of 204 treated vessels/lesions (88.7%). As compared to baseline, the final TIMI score worsened in 4 patients (2%), was unchanged in 121 patients (78%), and improved in 30 patients (19%). One hundred fifty of 155 patients (96.7%), and 175 of 181 treated vessels (96.6%) had TIMI 3 flow at the completion of the procedure. Excluding those patients with elevated baseline CPK values of >190 IU/l (n=7), only 5 of 176 (2.8%) patients had CPK-MB values more than three times the upper limit of normal at 12–18 h postprocedure. There were no in-hospital Q-wave MIs or deaths.ConclusionsAn intracoronary flush cocktail containing a combination of two potent arteriolar vasodilators, nicardipine and adenosine, appears to be a safe and effective regimen for minimizing no-reflow events and periprocedural myonecrosis during RA.     

A new definition for myocardial infarction: what difference does it make?

AIMS: As a response to changing diagnostic tools of myocardial infarction (MI), new case definitions for acute coronary events were published in 2003 as the American Heart Association Scientific Statement. We assessed the new definition in hospitalized patients in a large population-based MI register study. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified all suspected acute coronary syndromes with data either on troponin T or on troponin I and at least one of the enzymatic markers of myocardial injury (n=6104). The 2003 definition with the use of troponins identified 83% more definite MIs than the WHO MONICA definition using cardiac enzymes. The additional patients were older, had more often diabetes, and received less often thrombolysis and revascularization than those having MI by both definitions. Adjusting for age, sex, study area, and study year, the additional patients with their first MI aged 25-74 had a higher risk of cardiovascular death within 1 year than patients having definite MI by both definitions (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2). CONCLUSION: The changing diagnostic criteria present a considerable challenge for the assessment of long-term trends in MI events in the community as well as for longitudinal studies of the natural history of MI. The 2003 definition, when applied using troponins, identified a sizable new group of MI patients, among persons with suspected acute coronary syndrome, at high risk of a recurrent event.     

Clinical characteristics, aetiological factors and long-term prognosis of myocardial infarction with an absolutely normal coronary angiogram; a 3-year follow-up study of 91 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of a large cohort of patients who suffered an acute myocardial infarction with absolutely normal epicardial coronary arteries at the post-myocardial infarction coronary angiogram. The aetiological and prognostic factors in this population were also analysed. BACKGROUND: Few data exist concerning the outcome, and aetiological and prognostic factors, of patients with myocardial infarction and angiographically absolutely normal coronary arteries. METHODS: Ninety-one patients (34 females/57 males; mean age 50+/-13 years, range 24--78 years) admitted with an acute myocardial infarction had absolutely normal coronary arteries at the angiogram performed 6.2+/-4 days (range 1--15 days) after the myocardial infarction, defined by smooth contours and no focal reduction (NC). Of the 91 NC patients, 71 were evaluated prospectively, alongside a systematic search of all aetiological factors reported in the literature. The NC patients were matched for age, sex, and the same period of myocardial infarction onset with a group of 91 patients with coronary artery stenosis (>50% diameter stenosis) at the angiogram performed 7.3+/-4 days (range 1--15 days) after the myocardial infarction (SC). RESULTS: The percent of smokers was similar between the two groups; higher prevalence rates of coronary heart disease family history, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes mellitus were found in SC (P=0.043 to 0.0001). In NC, coronary spasm was found in 15.5%, congenital coagulation disorders in 12.8%, collagen tissue disorders in 2.2%, embolization in 2.2%, and oral contraceptive use in 1.1%. Left ventricular ejection fraction at hospital discharge was higher in NC (60%+/-13%) than in SC (55%+/-13%, P=0.04). The mean follow-up was 35 months (range 1--100 months). Kaplan-Meier event-free survival, with the combined end-point defined as death, reinfarction, heart failure and stroke was 75% in NC vs 50% in SC (P<0.0001). Survival rate was 94.5% in NC compared to 92% in SC (ns). Univariate predictors of events in NC were left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.03), age (P=0.02), diabetes (P=0.01), and smoking (P=0.03). Using Cox multivariate analysis, independent predictors of long-term outcome in NC patients were left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.003) and diabetes (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Aetiological factors, predominantly coronary spasm and inherited coagulation disorder, can be detected in only one third of the patients with myocardial infarction and absolutely normal coronary angiograms despite a systematic search in a prospective population. Mortality rates are similar but morbidity is lower in myocardial infarction patients with absolutely normal coronary angiography compared with those with coronary artery stenosis. The only two independent factors predictive of poor outcome in myocardial infarction patients with normal coronary arteries are left ventricular function and diabetes.     

Angiographic investigation of the pathophysiology of perioperative myocardial infarction

Background: The study of the pathophysiologic mechanism of perioperative myocardial infarctions is limited to two small autopsy studies suggesting a major role for plaque rupture and thrombosis. However, the perioperative period is characterized by increased cardiac metabolic demand that may lead to infarction in patients with otherwise stable obstructive coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pathophysiology of perioperative myocardial infarctions. Methods: Hospital records and coronary angiograms from patients from 1998 to 2006 who underwent noncardiac surgery complicated by a perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) were reviewed. The culprit lesion was identified based on ECG, left ventriculography, and coronary angiography. Degree of stenosis, TIMI flow, ACC thrombus grade, calcification score, and lesion morphology were evaluated. Based on these criteria, MIs were categorized as thrombotic, demand, or nonobstructive. Results: Sixty‐six patients (average age, 71 years and 44% male), 77% of whom underwent an intermediate risk surgery with a 2% perioperative mortality, were identified. The distribution of demand, thrombotic, and nonobstructive MI was 55%, 26%, and 19%, respectively. There was neither statistical difference in the occurrence of prolonged hypotension or tachycardia between groups nor was there any difference in the use of antiplatelets, β‐blockers, or statins. Conclusion: This study identified demand ischemia as the predominant etiology of perioperative MIs in this cohort. An improved understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanism of perioperative MIs may facilitate the evaluation and management of preoperative patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Myocardial infarction in patients aged less than 40 years. Frequency of BclI polymorphism in the fibrinogen beta-chain gene and plasma fibrinogen

BACKGROUND: Several polymorphisms in the genes encoding for three separate chains of fibrinogen have been described. Some of them (Hae III and B854) are associated with elevated fibrinogen plasma level. AIM: To determine the frequency of BclI polymorphism in the fibrinogen beta-chain gene (BclI betaFb) in young survivors of myocardial infraction (MI) and to assess the relationship between allele status, plasma fibrinogen concentration and the number of affected coronary arteries. METHODS: The study group consisted of 99 male patients (mean age 43.5, range 29-49 years) with premature coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed by coronary angiography who had MI in the mean age of 37.4+/-3.2 years. The control group involved 78 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using standard methods. Fibrinogen blood concentration was determined using biuretic method. The BclI polymorphism in the fibrinogen beta-chain gene was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Obesity was found in 15%, smoking - in 89%, hypertension - in 21%, diabetes - in 14% and hyperlipidemia - in 86% of MI patients. A family history of MI was present in 50% of patients. Coronary angiography revealed single-vessel disease in 34%, two-vessel disease in 36%, and three-vessel disease in 16% of patients. In two patients coronary angiography was normal. The frequency of BclI polymorphism of the beta-fibrinogen gene was significantly higher in MI patients than in controls (40.4% vs 29.5%, p<0.01). Moreover, in MI patients carrying the mutant allele a higher concentration of blood fibrinogen was found in comparison to patients without this anomaly (3.87 vs 3.55 g/L, p=0.05). There was no evidence of an association between the number of affected coronary arteries and polymorphism of BclI betaFbg gene status. However, all patients carrying BclI polymorphism of betaFbg gene had abnormal coronary angiography, contrary to patients without any defect. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Polymorphism of BclI betaFbg gene is associated with an increased fibrinogen plasma level. 2. There is no association between BclI polymorphism of betaFbg gene and the number of affected coronary arteries. This may confirm the hypothesis of multi-factorial aetiology of CAD in young patients suffering MI.