A simple score for predicting coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain

BACKGROUND: We have previously derived a chest pain score by comparing those with and without coronary artery disease on angiography, which was subsequently validated in patients attending coronary angiography. AIM: To test the predictive validity of the score prospectively in a more varied out-patient population, and to determine whether it had predictive validity in addition to exercise testing. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. METHODS: The score was applied to 405 out-patients with chest pain who subsequently underwent coronary angiography. Framingham risk analysis and exercise testing were performed in 155. RESULTS: The score had a sensitivity of 91.4% and specificity of 28% for coronary artery disease, which was found in 31.8%, 51%, 63%, and 82% of those with scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Gender (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), and chest pain score (p = 0.009) independently predicted coronary artery disease on multivariate Poisson regression analysis. The chest pain score had additive predictive value with Framingham risk analysis and Duke's score. DISCUSSION: This simple chest pain score can predict coronary anatomy with similar sensitivity to exercise testing, and can be used in conjunction with exercise testing and other measures. Further validation of the chest pain score in the primary care setting will be useful.     

Use of stress echocardiography to predict mortality in patients with diabetes and known or suspected coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine whether stress echocardiography using exercise (when feasible) or dobutamine echo could be used to predict mortality in patients with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Stress echo was performed in 937 patients with diabetes (aged 59 +/- 13 years, 529 men) for symptom evaluation (42%) and follow-up of known coronary artery disease (CAD) (58%). Stress echocardiography using exercise was performed in 333 patients able to exercise maximally, and dobutamine echo using a standard dobutamine stress was used in 604 patients. Patients were followed for < or = 9 years (mean 3.9 +/- 2.3) for all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Normal studies were obtained in 567 (60%) patients; 29% had resting left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and 25% had ischemia. Abnormalities were confined to one territory in 183 (20%) patients and to multiple territories in 187 (20%) patients. Death (in 275 [29%] patients) was predicted by referral for pharmacologic stress (hazard ratio [HR] 3.94, P < 0.0001), ischemia (1.77, P < 0.0001), age (1.02, P = 0.002), and heart failure (1.54, P = 0.01). The risk of death in patients with a normal scan was 4% per year, and this was associated with age and selection for pharmacologic stress testing. In stepwise models replicating the sequence of clinical evaluation, the predictive power of independent clinical predictors (age, selection for pharmacologic stress, previous infarction, and heart failure; model chi(2) = 104.8) was significantly enhanced by addition of stress echo data (model chi(2) = 122.9). CONCLUSIONS: The results of stress echo are independent predictors of death in diabetic patients with known or suspected CAD. Ischemia adds risk that is incremental to clinical risks and LV dysfunction.     

冠心病行冠状动脉内支架置入术病人的护理

总结42例冠心病行冠状动脉内支架置入术病人的护理,认为术后密切观察病情变化,术侧肢体制动,加强拔管护理和生活护理可以促进行冠状动脉内支架置入术的冠心病病人的早日康复,提高其生活质量.     

Prevalence and prognosis of myocardial scar in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease and normal wall motion

Background

Some patients may have normal wall motion after myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and prognosis of patients with myocardial scar in the absence of abnormal wall motion. We studied patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD) who were referred for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for the assessment of global and regional cardiac function and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and had normal left ventricular wall motion. Prognostic value was determined by the occurrence of hard endpoints (cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) which also included hospitalization due to unstable angina or heart failure or life threatening ventricular arrhythmia.

Results

A total 1148 patients (70.3%) were studied. LGE was detected in 104 patients (9.1%). Prevalence of LGE increased in patients with increased left ventricular mass. Average follow-up time was 955 ± 542 days. LGE was the strongest predictor for hard endpoints and MACE.

Conclusion

LGE was detected in 9.1% of patients with suspected or known CAD and normal wall motion. LGE was the strongest predictor of significant cardiac events.     

残存SYNTAX评分对311例冠心病PCI患者长期预后评价

目的 评价残存SYNTAX评分对冠心病经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（percutanous coronary intervention,PCI）患者长期预后的预测能力。 方法 连续入选2013年1月至2014年5月于内蒙古自治区人民医院心内科一病区住院冠心病并行PCI患者311例,收集性别、年龄、临床诊断、血脂、肾功能等临床资料,进行SYNTAX评分和残存SYNYTAX评分,同时进行2~4年临床随访,随访不良心脑血管事件（MACCE）,包括全因死亡、卒中、血运重建、心力衰竭。 结果 311例患者发生MACCE 48例,其中全因死亡14例;再次血运重建23例;缺血性卒中9例;心力衰竭2例。MACCE组与无MACCE组比较年龄大（64.13±8.45岁 vs 60.79±10.12岁,P=0.03）、糖尿病患者比例高（39.58% vs 18.63%,P=0.001）、SYNTAX评分高（15.16±6.53 vs 12.94±7.44,P=0.017）和残存SYNTAX评分高（7.52±6.54 vs 4.23±5.50,P=0.000)。SYNTAX评分、残存SYNTAX 评分、目测冠状动脉病变预测终点事件的曲线下面积分别为0.608（P=0.018）、0.665(P=0.000)、0.668(P=0.000)。完全血运重建组与不完全血运重建组MACCE发生率分别为5.98%和20.42%(P=0.003),两组再次血运重建率分别为0.85%和12.37%(P=0.000)。糖尿病患者和非糖尿病患者SYNTAX评分为15.09±7.69和12.78±7.17(P=0.026),残存SYNTAX评分为6.15±6.32和4.34±5.57(P=0.016)。糖尿病患者和非糖尿病患者MACCE发生率分别为27.9%和11.8%(P=0.001),再次血运重建率分别为19.1%和4.9%(P=0.000)。 结论 ①冠心病PCI患者完全血运重建优于不完全血运重建,残存冠状动脉病变越多MACCE发生率越高。②残存SYNTAX评分、SYNTAX评分和冠状动脉病变均能预测长期预后。③糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变程度重,MACCE发生率高,主要原因是再次血运重建。     

A risk score to predict silent myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease under aspirin therapy presenting with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Background

Silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) is a relatively common complication in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) under aspirin therapy presenting with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH).

Aim

This study was conducted to develop and prospectively validate a risk prediction score to identify SMI in patients undergoing aspirin therapy for CAD presenting with UGIH in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

This was a 2-phase noninterventional study. In the derivation phase, adults with CAD under aspirin therapy (100 mg once daily) presenting to the ED with UGIH were retrospectively recruited. By multiple logistic regression analysis, we derived a risk score from 224 patients that predicts the patients' risk of SMI. In the validation phase, we prospectively validated this score using receiver operating characteristic curves with data from 110 patients. We also developed a fast-track screening procedure from this score.

Results

There were 56 patients (25.0%) and 29 patients (26.4%) with SMI in the derivation and validation sets, respectively. Independent multivariate predictors of SMI were age of older than 75 years, severity of CAD, systolic blood pressure of less than 110 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of less than 85 mm Hg, hematocrit of less than 30%, and blood urea nitrogen–creatinine ratio of more than 30. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for the rule was 0.93 in the derivation set and 0.96 in the validation set. At the cutoff value of 5 points or higher, the sensitivity and specificity of the fast-track screening procedure for SMI were 96.6% and 86.4%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 71.8% and 98.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

This simple risk prediction score is easily calculated and is based on rapidly available clinical and laboratory data in the ED. It can be used to stratify patients undergoing aspirin therapy for CAD presenting with UGIH by risk of SMI.     

Association of coronary atherosclerotic burden with clinical presentation and prognosis in patients with stable and unstable coronary artery disease

Background

The impact of coronary atherosclerotic burden on prognosis and presentation of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. We investigated the association of coronary atherosclerotic burden with clinical outcome and presentation as unstable angina in patients with CAD.

Methods

This study included 10,647 patients with stable (n?=?8,149) and unstable (n?=?2,498) CAD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Coronary atherosclerotic burden was assessed by Gensini score. The primary outcome analysis was 1-year mortality.

Results

Patients were divided into groups according to quartiles of Gensini score:?<13 (first quartile; n?=?2,650 patients), 13 to?<25 (second quartile; n?=?2,611 patients), 25 to?<53 (third quartile; n?=?2,721 patients) and?≥53 (fourth quartile; n?=?2,665 patients). There were 295 deaths during follow-up: 41 deaths in the first quartile, 42 deaths in the second quartile, 83 deaths in the third quartile and 129 deaths in the fourth quartile of Gensini score (Kaplan–Meier estimates of 1-year mortality 1.6, 1.7, 3.1 and 5.0?%, respectively; adjusted hazards ratio [HR]?=?1.08, 95?% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.14, P?=?0.007 for each 20-point increase in Gensini score). Gensini score was an independent correlate of presentation as unstable angina (adjusted odds ratio [OR]?=?1.07, 95?% CI 1.05–1.10, P?<?0.001, for each 20-point increase in the score). Coronary stenoses with?≥75?% of lumen obstruction mediated almost all the increased risk related to the atherosclerotic burden for presentation as unstable CAD (adjusted OR?=?1.08, 95?% CI 1.05–1.12, P?<?0.001).

Conclusion

In patients with CAD, coronary atherosclerotic burden is independently associated with increased risk of 1-year mortality and presentation as unstable angina.     

冠心病合并心脏瓣膜疾病手术病人的监护

随着我国社会人口老龄化及人们生活水平的提高，冠心病的发病率呈逐年上升趋势，近年冠心病合并心脏瓣膜疾病也随之增多。由于现代手术技术不断进步，监护技术日益提高，间期施行冠状动脉旁路移植术和心脏瓣膜手术已列为常规手术．虽然同期施行冠状动脉旁路移植术和心脏瓣膜手术风险大，护理难度大，但是经过医护人员的精心治疗与护理，本组病人均手术顺利，术后恢复良好。现将监护体会报告如下。     

Prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in patients with a calcium score of zero

The absence of coronary calcification is associated with an excellent prognosis. However, a calcium score of zero does not exclude the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) or the possibility of future cardiovascular events. Our aim was to study the prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in patients with a calcium score of zero. Prospective registry consisted of 3,012 consecutive patients that underwent cardiac CT (dual source CT). Stable patients referred for evaluation of possible CAD that had a calcium score of zero (n = 864) were selected for this analysis. The variables that were statistically significant were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. From 864 patients with a calcium score of zero, 107 (12.4 %) had coronary plaques on the contrast CT (10.8 %, n = 93 with nonobstructive CAD and 1.6 %, n = 14 with obstructive CAD). By logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of CAD in this population were age >55 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.63 (1.05–2.52)], hypertension [OR 1.64 (1.05–2.56)] and dyslipidemia [OR 1.54 (1.00–2.36)]. In the presence of these 3 variables, the probability of having coronary plaques was 21 %. The absence of coronary artery calcification does not exclude the presence of coronary artery disease, but the prevalence of obstructive disease is very low. In this population, the independent predictors of CAD in the setting of a calcium score of zero were hypertension, dyslipidemia, and age above 55 years. In the presence of these 3 predictors, the probability of having CAD was almost 2 times higher than in the general population.     

冠心病合并心脏瓣膜疾病手术病人的监护

随着我国社会人口老龄化及人们生活水平的提高,冠心病的发病率呈逐年上升趋势,近年冠心病合并心脏瓣膜疾病也随之增多.由于现代手术技术不断进步,监护技术日益提高,同期施行冠状动脉旁路移植术和心脏瓣膜手术已列为常规手术.虽然同期施行冠状动脉旁路移植术和心脏瓣膜手术风险大,护理难度大,但是经过医护人员的精心治疗与护理,本组病人均手术顺利,术后恢复良好.现将监护体会报告如下.     

Prognostic value of coronary artery calcium score and coronary CT angiography in patients with intermediate risk of coronary artery disease

The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic value of coronary calcium scoring and coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography in assessing the cardiac risk and its temporal characteristics in patients at intermediate pre-test likelihood of coronary artery disease (CAD). Cardiac CT was performed in 326 patients at intermediate (15–85%) pre-test likelihood of CAD to evaluate calcium score and presence and severity of the disease. Patients were followed-up for the occurrence of major cardiac events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and unstable angina requiring revascularization). During follow-up (26 ± 12 months) 34 events occurred. Calcium score, extent of CAD, and plaque extent and distribution were higher (all P < 0.001) in patients with events than in those without. No patients with calcium score of 0 had events at follow-up. Calcium score (P < 0.001), number of segments with non-calcified or mixed plaque (P < 0.05), and segments-at-risk-score (P < 0.005) were independent predictors of events. Cardiac risk was greater for all time intervals and accelerated more over time with worsening of calcium score. In presence of coronary calcium, significant CAD further increased the probability of failure for all time intervals. Therefore, patients at intermediate CAD risk without coronary calcium do not need further evaluation with longer and higher-radiation-dose protocols, while in the presence of coronary calcium CT angiography is useful to further stratify patients.     

Development of a simple score to predict outcome for unresponsive wakefulness syndrome

Introduction

Accurate assessment of prognosis for patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS; formerly vegetative state) may help clinicians and families guide the type and intensity of therapy; however, there is no suitable and accurate means to predict the outcome so far. We aimed to develop a simple bedside scoring system to predict the likelihood of awareness recovery in patients with UWS.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 56 patients (age range 10 to 73 years) with UWS 3 to 12 weeks post-onset. We collected demographic data and performed neurological, serological and neurophysiological tests at study entry. Each patient received a one year follow-up, during which awareness recovery was assessed by experienced physicians on the basis of clinical criteria. Univariate and multivariable analyses were employed to assess the relationships between predictors and awareness recovery.

Results

A total of 56 participants were included in the study; of these, 24 patients recovered awareness, 3 with moderate disabilities, 8 with severe disabilities, 12 were in a minimally conscious state, and 1 died after recovery. During the study, 23 patients remained in UWS and 9 died in UWS. Motor response, type of brain injury, electroencephalogram reactivity, sleep spindles and N20 were shown to be independent predictors for awareness recovery. Based on their coefficients in the model, we assigned these predictors with 1 point each and created a 5-point score for prediction of awareness recovery. The resulting score showed good predictive accuracy in the derivation cohort. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the score was 0.918 with 87.50% sensitivity.

Conclusion

This simple bedside prognostic score can be used to predict the probability of awareness recovery in UWS, thus provide families and clinicians with useful outcome information.     

早发冠心病患者的临床和冠状动脉病变特点研究

目的 探讨早发冠心病(PCAD)患者的临床危险因素及冠状动脉病变特点.方法 收集经冠状动脉造影明确的284例早发冠心病患者(男<55岁,女<65岁)、182例晚发冠心病患者(男≥55岁,女≥65岁)和226例非冠心病对照者(男<55岁,女<65岁)的临床资料,分别对三组入选患者的传统危险因素和冠状动脉病变特点进行统计学分析.结果 (1)早发冠心病组与非冠心病对照组比较,早发冠心病组患者的传统心血管危险因素个数多[(2.01±1.22)个vs.(1.01±0.93)个,P<0.05],高血压、2型糖尿病、吸烟、饮酒、肥胖及早发冠心病家族史比例均高(P均<0.05);早发冠心病组患者的男性比例高[52.8%(150/284)vs.28.3%(64/226),P<0.05].(2)早发冠心病组与晚发冠心病组患者比较,具有以下临床特点:①传统心血管危险因素个数少[(2.01±1.22)个vs.(2.89±1.41)个,P<0.05];②早发冠心病家族史比例高[21.1%(60/284)vs.12.1%(22/182),P<0.05];③左心室射血分数值高(0.63±0.1 vs.0.61±0.12,P<0.05);④单支冠状动脉病变患者比例高[45.4%(129/284)vs.19.8%(36/182),P<0.001],两组患者均显示冠状动脉左前降支血管病变率高[83.8%(238/284)vs.90.7%(165/182),P<0.05].(3)Logistic回归分析显示:高血压、肥胖、2型糖尿病、吸烟及早发冠心病家族史是早发冠心病的独立危险因素[95% CI:高血压1.604～3.788(P<0.001),肥胖1.303～3.376(P=0.002),2型糖尿病2.040～7.771(P<0.001),吸烟1.783～5.488(P<0.001),早发冠心病家族史6.063～107.431(P<0.001)],Logistic回归分析结果提示早发冠心病家族史在早发冠心病的发病中起着重要作用[B=3.240,Exp(B)=25.522,95% CI:6.063～107.431,P<0.001].结论 与晚发冠心病组患者相比,早发冠心病组患者的血脂异常、2型糖尿病、肥胖、饮酒等危险因素较少,但早发冠心病组患者的早发冠心病家族史比例较高,单支病变患者比例较高.提示早发冠心病家族史即遗传倾向在早发冠心病发生发展过程中起重要作用.     

静息心电图正常冠心病患者的冠脉病变特征

目的　了解静息心电图正常冠心病患者的冠脉病变特征。方法　分析 86例静息心电图正常冠心病患者的临床资料与冠脉病变情况 ,并与同期 330例静息心电图异常冠心病患者相比较。结果　与静息心电图异常冠心病患者相比 ,静息心电图正常冠心病患者以单支病变多见 [5 2 .3% (4 5 / 86 )对 38.79% (12 8/ 330 ) ,P =0 .0 38],多血管病变较少 [4 7.7% (4 1/ 4 5 )对 6 1.2 1% (2 0 2 / 330 ) ,P =0 .0 4 3],平均冠脉病变支数较少 [(1.6 7± 0 .80 )对 (1.95±0 .85 ) ,P =0 .0 0 6 ],Gensini积分低 [(38.1± 30 .78)对 (5 4 .4 4± 38.79) ,P <0 .0 0 1]。在 4 5例单支病变中 ,以前降支病变多见 [6 6 .6 7% (30 / 4 5 ) ];在 4 1例多血管病变中 ,有 31例 (75 .6 1% )血管狭窄部位相互对应。结论　静息心电图正常冠心病患者以单支血管病变多见 ,冠脉病变不太严重 ;在多血管病变中 ,大部分血管狭窄部位相互对应     

Use of stress testing prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable coronary artery disease

The majority of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are carried out in nonurgent situations, primarily in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Recent trials have concluded that for patients with stable coronary artery disease, treatment with optimal medical therapy versus optimal medical therapy plus PCI yields equivalent outcomes in terms of morbidity and future risk of myocardial infarction. Since PCI is a procedure with risk, it is important to identify patients for whom the benefit of the procedure outweighs the harms. PCI may be beneficial in certain subgroups, such as patients with moderate-to-severe ischemia on noninvasive testing. Although current guidelines require documentation of ischemia prior to elective PCI and this strategy is cost effective, pre-PCI stress testing appears to be underutilized, potentially leading to PCI being performed in patients who may not derive benefit from the procedure.     

Relationship between obstructive coronary artery disease and abnormal stress testing in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been linked to the presence of underlying coronary artery disease (CAD). However, whether the higher burden of CAD observed in AF patients translates into higher burden of myocardial ischemia is unknown. In 87 patients (71% male, mean age 61 ± 10 years) with paroxysmal or persistent AF and without history of CAD, MSCT coronary angiography and stress testing (exercise ECG test or myocardial perfusion imaging) were performed. CAD was classified as obstructive (≥50% luminal narrowing) or not. Stress tests were classified as normal or abnormal. A population of 122 patients without history of AF, similar to the AF group as to age, gender, symptomatic status and pre-test likelihood, served as a control group. Based on MSCT, 17% of AF patients were classified as having no CAD, whereas 43% showed non-obstructive CAD and the remaining 40% had obstructive CAD. A positive stress test was observed in 49% of AF patients with obstructive CAD. Among non-AF patients, 34% were classified as having no CAD, while 41% showed non-obstructive CAD and 25% had obstructive CAD (P = 0.013 compared to AF patients). A positive stress test was observed in 48% of non-AF patients with obstructive CAD. In conclusion, the higher burden of CAD observed in AF patients is not associated to higher burden of myocardial ischemia.     

Radioisotope techniques in the evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease

Cardiac scintigraphy provides an exciting new diagnostic modality. Currently, its two major clinical applications are the identification of patients with ischemic heart disease and the characterization of ventricular function. These techniques also appear to have utility in assessing the size of myocardial infarction, the severity of obstructive coronary disease, and the effects of medical or surgical therapy. Continued careful correlation of clinical and scintigraphic findings will make these techniques even more useful in the future.