Circadian rhythm of angina in patients with unstable angina: relationship with extent of coronary disease, coronary reserve and ECG changes during pain

A circadian distribution of ischaemic events has been identifiedin ambulatory patients with stable angina. However, whethera similar distribution occurs in patients with unstable anginawho remain at bed rest is still uncertain. Therefore, we analysedthe possible circadian presentation of episodes of angina atrest (n=1222) in 193 patients hospitalized consecutively. Theinfluence of extent of coronary disease (number of vessels with>70% stenosis, 0, 1 and 2–3), type of ECG changes duringpain on a 12-lead ECG, and coronary reserve, as assessed byischaemic threshold (atrial pacing), were also evaluated. Therewere two peaks of highest incidence: at 0700–1000h andat 1900–2200h (P<0.0001) which were unrelated to theextent of coronary disease, coronary reserve or type of ECGchange. Patients with 1 or 2-3 vessel disease with a reducedischaemic threshold (=<150 beats. min ^–1), however,had a higher incidence of midnight angina (2300–0200h)than those with a normal threshold or with no vessel disease(P<0001). It is concluded that, in spite of being at bed rest, patientswith unstable angina present a definite circadian distributionof angina, with peaks in the early morning and late evening.Patients with a low coronary reserve seem to have a higher incidenceof midnight angina than others.     

Ischaemic threshold and haemodynamic changes during angina at rest in patients with unstable angina

To examine whether increases in heart rate might be a commontrigger of angina at rest, changes in heart rate, blood pressureand rate-pressure product during pain were compared with theischaemic threshold (heart rate with ST segment shift >=1 mm), determined by atrial pacing, in 272 patients with unstableangina. During an average of 5.9±5.2 episodes of angina,heart rate was comparable to control values (77.0±14.5vs 75.2±11.5, beats. min^–1, ns) and significantlylower than the ischaemic threshold (147.9±22.9, P <0.00001).The rate-pressure product was also lower (955±183 vs2033±369, x 10, P <0.00001). Heart rate during restangina was lower than the ischaemic threshold even when we consideredonly patients with ST depression during pain (n: 71, 81.4±16.0 vs 132.8±21.4, P<0.00001), those with three-vesseldisease (n: 43, 79.9±15.9 vs 136.9±22.0, P <0.00001), or those with a low ischaemic threshold (= <130beats. min, n: 78, 77.0±14.9 vs 118.3±10.7, P<0.00001).In 154 patients in whom a second pacing test was performed theresponse was reproducible in 137 cases (89%). Thus, heart rate barely changes during angina at rest in patientswith unstable angina and is consistently much lower than theischaemic threshold. These findings support the concept thatincreases in heart rate are an unlikely trigger of ischaemiaat rest, even in patients with markedly reduced coronary reserve.     

Coronary arterial spasm in angina at rest associated with transient ST-segment changes

In order to clarify the role of coronary arterial spasm in the pathogenesis of angina at rest, coronary arteriography was performed during spontaneous chest pain or following intravenous administration of ergonovine maleate in 40 patients with angina at rest. Coronary vasospasm was demonstrated in 23 patients with ST-segment elevation during chest pain (group I), in 7 with ST-segment depression (group II), and in 4 with both ST-segment depression and elevation (group III). Complete spastic occlusion of the proximal or of the midportion of the left anterior descending artery was always associated with ST-segment elevation in anterior leads. In contrast, transient ST-segment depression in anterior leads was associated with diffuse narrowing of the left anterior descending artery with slow progression of the contrast medium, or complete occlusion of a small branch or of the distal segment of the left anterior descending artery. ST-Segment elevation in inferior leads was associated with complete spastic occlusion or with significant spastic narrowing of the right coronary artery or of the circumflex artery. We conclude that coronary spasm can be demonstrated in a selected cohort of patients with angina at rest associated with transient ST-segment changes. In some cases the site and the severity of the spasm may produce varying degrees of ischemia, thus determining the direction of the ST-segment shift.     

One-year prognosis in patients hospitalized with a history of unstable angina pectoris

The prognosis during 1 year of follow-up in 715 patients admitted to one single hospital due to suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a history of unstable angina pectoris immediately preceding hospitalization is described. AMI developed in 192 patients (27%) during the first three days and in 255 patients (38%) during the first year. The mortality during hospitalization was 7% (50 patients) and during 1 year 19% (130 patients). Of the nonsurvivors, 54% died of AMI, 28% of congestive heart failure, and 20% of cardiogenic shock. Based on simple clinical parameters on admission to the emergency room, risk indicators for death during the following year could be identified as follows, in the order of significance: high age (p < 0.001), ST-segment depression on admission (p < 0.001), and a history of diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05). At admission to the emergency room, risk indicators for development of AMI during the following year were as follows: initial degree of suspicion of AMI (p < 0.001), electrocardiographic signs of acute ischemia on admission (p < 0.001), ST-segment elevation on admission (p < 0.01), age (p < 0.05), and lack of a previous history of chronic stable angina pectoris (p < 0.05). We conclude that, among patients admitted to hospital due to suspected AMI with a history of unstable angina pectoris immediately preceding hospitalization, 38% developed a confirmed infarction and 19% died during the following year.     

Very early risk stratification by electrocardiogram at rest in men with suspected unstable coronary heart disease

Abstract. Objectives. To determine the possibility of very early prognostic stratification based on electrocardiograms (ECGs) at rest and/or cardiac enzyme levels after an episode of suspected unstable coronary heart disease. Design and setting. Men with suspected unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction were studied in the coronary care units of eight hospitals. The ECGs at rest and creatinine kinase were followed. Subjects. In total 911 men were followed for 12 months. Of 8136 consecutively admitted, 3365 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Excluded were 2454 patients, mainly because of a larger myocardial damage, signs of myocardial dysfunction, other serious cardiac or non-cardiac disease or an ECG not possible to interprete regarding ST-T-segment changes in the precordial leads. Main outcome measures. End-points at follow-up were cardiac death, myocardial infarction and severe (class III or IV) angina. Results. Compared to patients with normal a ECG who had an 8% 1-year risk of myocardial infarction or death, the risk with isolated negative T waves was 14% (P < 0.05), ST elevation 16% (P < 0.05), ST depression 18% (P < 0.01) and the combination of ST elevation and ST depression 26% (P < 0.001). The only finding related to future severe angina was ST depression. The risk of cardiac events was comparably elevated in patients with anterior or inferior site of ECG changes. Cardiac enzyme levels had no predictive value regarding future events. Conclusions. Electrocardiograms at rest obtained during the initial days of hospitalization provide very early and valuble prognostic information in men admitted with suspected unstable coronary heart disease.     

Acute and convalescent changes in plasma homocysteine concentrations in acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND—Raised plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Patients with myocardial infarction or unstable angina show greater activation of coagulation, greater troponin release, and a worse outcome.OBJECTIVE—To examine variations in plasma homocysteine concentration in relation to C reactive protein (CRP) in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes.METHODS—Consecutive patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (22) and unstable angina pectoris (12) were studied. Plasma samples were obtained on admission (before clinical intervention), on days 2, 7, and 28, and again six months after admission. Plasma homocysteine, assayed by high performance liquid chromatography, and CRP were both determined at the same time points. Changes were assessed by analysis of variance.RESULTS—CRP concentrations showed a classical rise on day 2, followed by a gradual decline to normal values taken at six months from admission in both myocardial infarction (p < 0.0001) and unstable angina (p = 0.02). Homocysteine concentrations in myocardial infarction (median, 25th to 75th interquartile range) were: 11.9 (10.7 to 12.6), 11.5 (9.1 to 13.4), 12.1 (11.4 to 14.1), 12.4 (11.1 to 14.4), and 12.1 (11.2 to 14.0) µmol/l, for days 1, 2, 7, 28, and 180, respectively (p = 0.02). Significant differences were observed only between day 2 and day 7 (p < 0.05). The final homocysteine measurement was not different from the admission level. Homocysteine concentrations in unstable angina did not differ between admission and convalescence (12.5 (9.1 to 14.5) µmol/l and 12.3 (7.7 to 14.9) µmol/l, respectively).CONCLUSIONS—Plasma homocysteine concentrations are minimally influenced by acute phase variations with reliable measurements obtained on admission in patients with myocardial infarction and unstable angina.     

Sleep apnoea in ischaemic heart disease: differences between acute and chronic coronary syndromes

OBJECTIVE—To evaluate the incidence of sleep apnoea in acute and chronic coronary syndromes.
DESIGN—Analysis of sleep and breathing characteristics in a polysomnographic study.
SETTING—Cardiology department in tertiary referral centre.
PATIENTS—23 patients were studied soon after acute myocardial infarction (group 1), 22 after clinical stabilisation of unstable angina (group 2), and 22 who had stable angina (group 3). Conditions liable to cause sleep apnoea, such as obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neurological disorders, or the use of benzodiazepines, were exclusion criteria.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—Sleep apnoea and hypopnoea, oxygen saturation, and sleep indices evaluated soon after clinical stabilisation in groups 1 and 2 and also in group 3.
RESULTS—Sleep apnoea, mainly of the central type, was equally present in groups 1 and 2 (mean (SD) apnoea-hypopnoea index: 11.10 (19.42) and 14.79 (20.52), respectively) and more severe than in group 3 (2.82 (6.43), p < 0.01). Total time spent at SaO₂ < 90%, although significantly greater in group 1 and 2 (0.89 (2.4), 1.42 (3.23) min) than in group 3 (0.01 (0.05) min, p < 0.05), was clinically irrelevant. More arousals per hour of sleep (p < 0.05) were detected in group 1 (5.15 (3.71)) and group 2 (5.31 (2.14)) than in group 3 (2.83 (1.51)).
CONCLUSIONS—Sleep apnoea, chiefly of the central type, not only characterises acute myocardial infarction, as found by others, but also unstable angina studied after recent stabilisation. Patient selection by exclusion of other causes of breathing disorders shows that coronary disease related apnoea is absent in the chronic coronary syndrome. In acute syndromes the lack of clinically significant apnoea related oxygen desaturation, together with the low associated incidence of major ischaemic and arrhythmic events, suggests that sleep apnoea is benign in these circumstances, despite a worsening of sleep quality.


Keywords: acute myocardial infarction; unstable angina; stable angina; sleep apnoea     

替格瑞洛对不稳定型心绞痛患者经皮冠状动脉介入术围手术期血小板反应性及短期预后的影响

目的探讨替格瑞洛对不稳定型心绞痛患者经皮冠状动脉介入术(PCI)围手术期血小板反应性及短期预后的影响。方法入选不稳定型心绞痛患者424例,随机分为2组:(1)替格瑞洛组(n=212):给予替格瑞洛治疗(负荷剂量180 mg,维持剂量90 mg,每天2次,口服);(2)氯吡格雷组(n=212):给予氯吡格雷治疗(负荷剂量300 mg,维持剂量75 mg,每天1次,口服)。2组均成功接受PCI术,支架均选择国产Firebird雷帕霉素药物洗脱支架。观察2组患者PCI术围手术期血小板反应性及心肌损伤标志物心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)及PCI术后90天不良事件发生情况。结果 2组患者PCI术后cTnI水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。替格瑞洛组患者花生四烯酸及二磷酸腺苷诱导的血小板聚集率均低于氯吡格雷组(P0.05);替格瑞洛组患者二磷酸腺苷诱导的血小板高反应性比例低于氯吡格雷组(P0.05)。替格瑞洛组PCI术后90天内患者再发心肌缺血发生率低于氯吡格雷组(5.19%比16.04%,P0.05)。出血事件两组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论替格瑞洛并不降低PCI术后心肌损伤的发生,但较氯吡格雷能发挥更强的抗血小板作用,减少术后再发心肌缺血事件发生率,并不增加出血风险。     

cTnT在判断急性心肌梗死及不稳定型心绞痛预后中的价值

目的 :探讨心肌肌钙蛋白 T（c Tn T）对急性心肌梗死 （AMI）诊断及评估不稳定型心绞痛 （U AP）预后的临床价值。方法 :对 76例胸痛患者进行入院即刻血浆 c Tn T半定量、同步心肌酶学定量测定 ,观察对比 c Tn T与心肌酶学在诊断 AMI及评估 U AP患者预后中的特异性和敏感性。结果 :76例胸痛患者中 AMI 34例、U AP 2 7例、稳定劳力性心绞痛 8例、其它胸痛疾患 7例。AMI34例 c Tn T全部阳性 ,而 U AP2 3例和其余病例 c Tn T均为阴性。AMI患者同步 CK,AST升高者 2 8例 ,L DH升高者 30例。c Tn T与心肌酶学差异未达显著水平 （P>0 .0 5 ） ,但发病 2～ 5 h者 10例 ,心肌酶各项均正常 ,与 c Tn T对比有高度显著性差异 （P<0 .0 1） ;发病 5～ 11d者 6例 ,仅 2例 L DH还表现出升高外 ,其余心肌酶均正常 ,与 c Tn T对比有显著性差异 （P<0 .0 5 ） ;发病 5～ 12 0 h者相差均不显著 （P>0 .0 5 ）。在 2 7例 U AP患者中 ,c Tn T阳性组 AMI和难治性心绞痛发生率显著高于 c Tn T阴性组 （P<0 .0 1） ;c Tn T阴性组药物疗效好 ,近期心脏事件发生率低 ,与 c Tn T阳性组对比亦有高度显著性差异 （P<0 .0 1）。结论 :c Tn T是反映心肌细胞损伤灵敏性、特异性均较好的生化指标 ;c Tn T对诊断早期和晚期 AMI的价值高于心肌酶学 ;c Tn T阳性     

Evidence for transient limitations in coronary blood flow during unstable angina pectoris: hemodynamic changes with spontaneous pain at rest versus exercise-induced ischemia following stabilization of angina

The pathophysiologic basis for the deterioration of patients with stable angina pectoris to unstable angina is unclear. Central to this issue is the question of whether myocardial ischemia occurs at the same or at a lower myocardial oxygen demand during unstable periods as during stable periods. Consequently, we compared myocardial oxygen demand in 12 patients at the onset of spontaneous pain during unstable angina to myocardial oxygen demand during exercise-induced ischemia after resumption of stable angina, 6–12 weeks later. Myocardial oxygen demand was estimated from values for heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (BP), and the rate-pressure product (RPP). Rate-pressure product is the heart rate × systolic blood pressure × 10^-2 (mmHg/min/10²). There was definite evidence for coronary artery spasm for only one patient. There was no difference in heart rate, blood pressure, or rate-pressure product during pain-free intervals in the hospital and just before the start of exercise testing. Mean H R (71.2± 11.1 beats/min; mean ± standard deviation) and RPP (95.8±20.0 mmHg/min/10²) just before spontaneous angina during the unstable period were significantly lower (p<0.001) than at the termination of bicycle ergometry in both the supine (HR, 96.9±10.5 beats/min; RPP, 141.8±25.0 mmHg/min/10²) and upright (HR, 98.1±13.6 beats/min; RPP, 143.0±32.2 mmHg/min/10²) positions. Blood pressure (134.5 ± 17.6 mmHg) just before spontaneous angina was significantly lower than at the conclusion of both supine (145.6±13.3 mmHg) and upright (145.1 ±18.6 mmHg) ergometry. The observation that myocardial oxygen demand was lower at the threshold of ischemia with spontaneous angina than with exercise-induced ischemia is consistent with the hypothesis that there were transient, reversible limitations in coronary blood flow during the period of unstable angina. There was also a moderate but significant rise in estimated myocardial oxygen demand just before spontaneous angina in these patients, but the nature of the data do not allow us to distinguish whether or not this rise was part of the cause or an effect of ischemia. While the results of this study did not identify the cause for the transient limitations in coronary flow, coronary artery spasm without ST-segment elevation, intracoronary platelet aggregates, and hemorrhage into atherosclerotic plaques are possibilities that are consistent with these hemodynamic observations.     

Outcome of patients with acute coronary syndromes and moderate coronary lesions undergoing deferral of revascularization based on fractional flow reserve assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the outcome of consecutive patients with and without acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in whom revascularization was deferred on the basis of fractional flow reserve (FFR). BACKGROUND: FFR < 0.75 correlates with ischemia on noninvasive tests and deferral of treatment on the basis of FFR is associated with low event rates in selected populations. Whether these low event rates apply to patients undergoing assessment of moderate stenoses in association with an ACS is not known and is an important clinical question. METHODS: Retrospective analysis and 12 month follow-up of consecutive, moderate (50-70%) de novo coronary lesions assessed with FFR. RESULTS: Revascularization was deferred in 120 lesions (111 patients) with FFR > or = 0.75. ACS was present in 35 patients (40 lesions). The clinical, angiographic and coronary hemodynamic characteristics of patients with and without ACS were similar. Among the 35 patients with ACS, there were 3 deaths, 1 MI, and 6 target vessel revascularizations (TVRs) (15% of lesions). Among the 76 patients without ACS, there were 5 deaths, 1 MI, and 7 TVR's (9% of lesions). CONCLUSIONS: Deferral of revascularization based on FFR in patients with ACS and moderate coronary stenoses is associated with acceptable and low event rates at 1 year.     

Early symptom-limited exercise test for risk stratification in post menopausal women with unstable coronary artery disease. FRISC study group. Fragmin during Instability in Coronary Artery Disease.

AIMS: The exercise test is considered less reliable in women than in men both for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. The value, however, of the exercise test might vary with the population that is examined, the way the test is performed and which exercise test variables are taken into consideration in the analysis. The aim of the study was to evaluate an early symptom-limited exercise test as a tool for risk stratification in women with unstable coronary artery disease admitted to the coronary care unit. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 543 women in the FRISC I study, 395 stabilized on medical treatment and performed a symptom-limited exercise test 5-8 days after inclusion. Sixteen patients with a cardiac event before the scheduled exercise test were excluded. During the 6 months follow-up 17% of the women who did not perform the exercise test and 9% of the 395 women who did, died or had a myocardial infarction (P<0.01). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the value of clinical variables and findings at the predischarge exercise test to predict cardiac events. Based on the exercise test results three risk groups were identified with an event rate of 19%, 9% and 1%, respectively. The exercise test was better than any of the tested clinical variables in predicting cardiac events. CONCLUSION: Women with unstable coronary artery disease who do not stabilize within a few days have a high event rate early during follow-up. For women who are medically stabilized, considering not only variables like ST depression and chest pain but also parameters reflecting the cardiac performance such as maximal workload and increase in rate-pressure product, an early symptom-limited exercise test is a good predictor of future cardiac events.     

Black-white differences in severity of coronary artery disease among individuals with acute coronary syndromes

Objective: To determine whether the extent of coronary obstructive disease is similar among black and white patients with acute coronary syndromes.
Design: Retrospective chart review.
Patients: We used administrative discharge data to identify white and black male patients, 30 years of age or older, who were discharged between October 1, 1989 and September 30, 1995 from 1 of 6 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals with a primary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or unstable angina (UnA) and who underwent coronary angiography during the admission. We excluded patients if they did not meet standard clinical criteria for AMI or UnA or if they had had prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting.
Measurements and Main Results: Physician reviewers classified the degree of coronary obstruction from blinded coronary angiography reports. Obstruction was considered significant if there was at least 50% obstruction of the left main coronary artery, or if there was 70% obstruction in 1 of the 3 major epicardial vessels or their main branches. Of the 628 eligible patients, 300 (48%) had AMI. Among patients with AMI, blacks were more likely than whites to have no significant coronary obstructions (28/145, or 19%, vs 10/155 or 7%, P = .001). Similarly, among patients with UnA, 33% (56/168) of blacks but just 17% (27/160) of whites had no significant stenoses ( P = .012). There were no racial differences in severity of coronary disease among veterans with at least 1 significant obstruction. Racial differences in coronary obstructions remained after correcting for coronary disease risk factors and characteristics of the AMI.
Conclusions: Black veterans who present with acute coronary insufficiency are less likely than whites to have significant coronary obstruction. Current understanding of coronary disease does not provide an explanation for these differences.     

Predictors and in-hospital prognosis of recurrent acute myocardial infarction

Objective To investigate the contributing factors and in-hospital prognosis of patients with or without recurrent acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods A total of 1686 consecutive AMI patients admitted to Peking University People’s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015 were recruited. Their clinical characteristics were retrospectively compared between patients with or without a recurrent AMI. Then multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the predictors of recurrent myocardial infarction. Results Recurrent AMI patients were older (69.3 ± 11.5 vs. 64.7 ± 12.8 years, P < 0.001) and had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (52.2% vs. 35.0%, P < 0.001) compared with incident AMI patients, they also had worse heart function at admission, more severe coronary disease and lower reperfusion therapy. Age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02–1.05; P < 0.001), DM (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.37–2.52; P < 0.001) and reperfusion therapy (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.52–0.89; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for recurrent AMI. Recurrent AMI patients had a higher in-hospital death rate (12.1% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.039) than incident AMI patients. Conclusions Recurrent AMI patients presented with more severe coronary artery conditions. Age, DM and reperfusion therapy were independent risk factors for recurrent AMI, and recurrent AMI was related with a high risk of in-hospital death.     

再发心肌梗死的危险因素及对短期预后的影响

目的探讨再发急性心肌梗死（AMI）的危险因素及对短期预后的影响。方法连续入选2006年1月至2010年12）1在北京大学人民医院住院治疗的AMI患者1447例。根据病史分为初发AMI组（n=1268）和再发AMI组（n=179）。记录患者性别、年龄、心血管相关危险因素、人院时心功能、心肌梗死类型、冠状动脉造影结果、住院期间死亡率、入院24h内的血脂、空腹血糖、血清肌酐等,并用logisticN归模型探寻再发AMI的危险因素。结果与初发AMI患者相比,再发AMI患者年龄较大,合并糖尿病的比例高。同时患者人院时心功能差,冠状动脉病变程度重。Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄（OR1．03,95％CI：1．01～1．04,P〈0．01）、糖尿病（OR2．10,95％CI：1．51～2．91,P〈0．01）、吸烟（0R1．76,95％CI：1．20～2．57,P〈0．01）、血清肌酐水平（OR1．003,95％CI：1．001～1．004,P〈0．01）是再发AMI的独立危险因素。与初发AMI患者相比,再发AMI患者住院期间全因死亡率及心源性死亡率有升高趋势,但差异无统计学意义。结论年龄、糖尿病、吸烟、血清肌酐水平是再发AMI的独立危险因素。再发AMI患者住院期间短期死亡率并不明显增加。     

Predictors of major bleeding in acute coronary syndromes: the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE).

AIMS: There have been no large observational studies attempting to identify predictors of major bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), particularly from a multinational perspective. The objective of our study was thus to develop a prediction rule for the identification of patients with ACS at higher risk of major bleeding. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 24045 patients from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) were analysed. Factors associated with major bleeding were identified using logistic regression analysis. Predictive models were developed for the overall patient population and for subgroups of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina. The overall incidence of major bleeding was 3.9% (4.8% in patients with STEMI, 4.7% in patients with NSTEMI and 2.3% in patients with unstable angina). Advanced age, female sex, history of bleeding, and renal insufficiency were independently associated with a higher risk of bleeding (P<0.01). The association remained after adjustment for hospital therapies and performance of invasive procedures. After adjustment for a variety of potential confounders, major bleeding was significantly associated with an increased risk of hospital death (adjusted odds ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.18, 2.28). CONCLUSIONS: In routine clinical practice, major bleeding is a relatively frequent non-cardiac complication of contemporary therapy for ACS and it is associated with a poor hospital prognosis. Simple baseline demographic and clinical characteristics identify patients at increased risk of major bleeding.     

The combination of a continuous 12-lead ECG and troponin T; a valuable tool for risk stratification during the first 6 hours in patients with chest pain and a non-diagnostic ECG.

AIMS: The aim was to examine the early prognostic value of a combination of a continuous 12-lead ECG and troponin T in patients with chest pain and an ECG non-diagnostic for acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: ST monitoring was performed and samples for analysis of troponin T were collected from admission for 12 h from 598 patients. After 6 h, the peak value of troponin T in 27% was > or = 0.10 microg.l(- 1), while 15% had had ST episodes, defined as transient ST deviations of at least 0.1 mV. Both a troponin T > or = 0.10 microg. l(-1) and ST episodes predicted worsening outcome. After 30 days, there were 6.8% and 1.4% (P<0.01) cardiac deaths or myocardial infarctions in the group with and without troponin T > or = 0.10 microg.l(-1), respectively. The corresponding event rates in patients with and without ST episodes were 10% and 1.6% (P<0.001). In a multivariate analysis both troponin T and ST episodes were independent predictors of cardiac death or myocardial infarction. When ST monitoring and troponin T status were combined, patients could be divided into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of continuous 12-lead monitoring and troponin T seems to be a valuable tool for risk stratification during the first 6 h in this population.     

血清胆红素与心绞痛患者冠状动脉病变程度和预后的关系

目的探讨血清胆红素与心绞痛患者冠状动脉病变程度和预后的关系。方法以2013年1月1日至2015年12月31日期间在唐山工人医院诊治并符合条件的连续的486例冠心病患者为研究对象,男性292例,女性194例,平均年龄(61.4±13. 2)岁。在出院前一天抽空腹静脉血检测总胆红素。回顾冠状动脉造影,采用SYNTAX评分系统对冠状动脉病变进行评分。本研究进行前瞻性随访,起点事件为经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI),终点事件为主要不良心血管事件(MACE),随访截止日期为2017年12月31日。应用多因素Logistic回归分析血清胆红素与SYNTAX评分之间的关系。生存率估算应用Kaplan-Meier法,两条生存曲线之间的比较采用log-rank检验,应用多变量Cox比例风险回归分析血清总胆红素与MACE之间的关系。结果多因素Logistic回归分析表明,男性、年龄、2型糖尿病、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDLC)和总胆红素为中高SYNTAX评分的独立影响因素。低胆红素组有38例发生MACE,高胆红素组有25例发生MACE。两组之间无MACE生存曲线存在显著差异(χ2=4.785,P=0.029)。多因素Cox回归分析表明,男性、年龄、总胆红素和SYNTAX评分为影响MACE发生的独立因素。结论血清胆红素是影响PCI术后心绞痛患者冠状动脉病变程度和预后的重要因素。     

稳定型心绞痛患者与不稳定心绞痛患者冠状动脉血管内超声特点的比较

目的:通过对稳定型心绞痛（SAP）与不稳定心绞痛（UAP）患者冠状动脉血管内超声（IVUS）测定,进行斑块定性及定量分析,比较不同心绞痛患者冠状动脉斑块影像学特征性改变。方法:分别对37例SAP患者与34例UAP患者行冠状动脉造影及IVUS影像学检查;分析冠状动脉斑块性质,测定最小面积处外弹力膜面积（EEMA）、管腔横截面积、斑块面积（PA）、斑块负荷、重构指数等指标,并对各指标进行统计学分析。结果:UAP患者冠状动脉病变脂质斑块数明显多于SAP患者（P＜0.05）,而钙化斑块例数在两组间未见显著性差异;定量分析显示两组患者EEMA未见显著差异,而斑块负荷（PA/EEMA）的比较中两组间有显著性差异（P＜0.01）。UAP患者病变处倾向于表现为正性重构,而SAP患者多为负性重构。结论:SAP与UAP冠状动脉病变斑块性质及血管重构存在差异,IVUS能有效反映冠状动脉病变斑块特点。     

Lipoprotein(a) as a risk predictor for cardiac mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Aims Raised lipoprotein(a) concentrations are considered to be arisk factor for atherothrombotic diseases. We examined whetherbaseline concentrations were a risk factor for an adverse outcomein patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes. Methods and Results Five hundred and nineteen patients admitted with suspected acutecoronary syndromes were studied and followed prospectively fora median of 3 years. The prognostic significance of a baselinelipoprotein(a) concentration of 30mg.dl^–1or lower forsubsequent cardiac death was assessed in patients with myocardialinfarction (266) and unstable angina (197) and compared withother variables in regression models. In patients with myocardialinfarction, a baseline lipoprotein(a) concentration of 30mg.dl^–1wasassociated with a 62% increase in subsequent cardiac death comparedto the lower concentration group (29·8% vs 18·6%,Log rankP=0·04). In a multivariate regression model abaseline lipoprotein(a) concentration of 30mg.dl^–1retainedits significance as an independent predictor of cardiac death(P=0·037). In patients with unstable angina, baselineconcentrations of 7·9mg.dl^–1were found to be significantpredictors of cardiac death in univariate (P=0·021) andmultivariate (P=0·035) regression models. Conclusion Baseline lipoprotein(a) concentrations in patients admittedwith acute coronary syndromes are associated with an increasedrisk of cardiac death. For patients with myocardial infarctiona concentration of 30mg.dl^–1appears appropriate as a riskdiscriminator; for patients admitted with unstable angina, however,much lower concentrations of lipoprotein(a) appear to be prognosticallyimportant.