The study of a case of single coronary artery using stress 201thalium single photon emission computed tomogram

A 48-year-old female, who had been having episodes of chest discomfort and oppression lasting for several minutes for 15 years was diagnosed as having a single left coronary artery by coronary angiography. The electrocardiogram taken during a chest pain attack demonstrated the depression of the ST-segment in leads II, III, aVF, and V4-6. The chest pain was relieved, and the ischemic change in ECG was improved by sublingual nitroglycerine. 201Thalium single photon emission computed tomography under stress indicated poor uptake in both the anterior and infero-posterior myocardium, which was compatible with the change in ECG either during the attack or during exercise. The anterior myocardial ischemia was reduced by propranolol and the chest pain was successfully relieved by propranolol. The chest pain in this case might have partly been due to the myocardial ischemia in the anterior and infero-posterior myocardium, under stress, which could have been the steal phenomenon to lateral myocardium due to the anatomical anomaly, besides other possible mechanisms for chest pain proposed in the case of single coronary artery. Our findings suggested that 201Thalium stress single photon emission computed tomography is a useful method for detecting the myocardial ischemia in patients with single coronary artery and those suffering from chest pain without any coronary stenosis.     

A case in which coronary spasms were induced by ergonovine provocation at the sites of coronary artery ectasia

We experienced a patient in whom coronary spasms were induced by an ergonovine provocation test during coronary angiography at the sites of coronary artery ectasia. The patient was a 45-year-old male with chest pain at rest, which promptly disappeared when given sublingual nitroglycerin. Similar attacks occurred frequently even with the administration of drugs after admission, but no significant changes were observed in electrocardiography (ECG) during the attacks or by repeated Holter ECG. The results of exercise ECG and provocation tests such as Valsalva maneuver, hyperventilation, and cold pressor test were negative. Coronary angiography showed ectatic changes in the left coronary artery, and the coronary spasms were induced by ergonovine administration at the ectatic portion of the left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery with chest symptoms similar to those observed during spontaneous attacks. However, there were no significant changes in ECG. This rare case suggests an involvement of spasms in the pathogenic mechanism of myocardial ischemia in coronary artery ectasia.     

冠状动脉心肌桥的临床诊疗与分析

目的：探讨冠状动脉心肌桥的临床诊断及治疗。方法：对2012年1月-2013年12月本院接受冠脉造影的1506例患者进行回顾性分析,均采用右侧桡动脉穿刺途径行选择性冠脉造影。结果：共检出心肌桥54例,检出率为3.6%,均位于前降支。46例患者有不同程度的胸闷、胸痛,5例以心悸为首发症状就诊,2例因查体发现心电图异常就诊,25例心电图有静息状态下ST-T改变。53例患者选择药物治疗,仅1例行外科肌桥松解术,所有患者随访症状均明显缓解。结论：冠状动脉肌桥多发于前降支,可导致胸闷、心悸等临床症状,治疗上可用β受体阻滞剂和/或非二氢吡啶类钙离子拮抗剂,严重者可选用支架植入术或外科肌桥松解术。     

Coronary arteriovenous fistula with vasospastic angina

A 50-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of chest pain. Twenty-four-hour ECG recording demonstrated ST-segment depression and elevation at the time of spontaneous angina. During treadmill exercise test, the patient developed chest pain with ST-segment depression in leads V4 to V6. After the administration of nifedipine (10 mg), the patient was able to reach up to the maximum predicted heart rate without anginal symptoms and ST-T changes. Coronary arteriogram demonstrated 50% stenosis at the proximal portion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and two small fistulas originated from LAD to pulmonary artery. Spasm was induced at the proximal portion of LAD by the hyperventilation. If patients with coronary arteriovenous fistula (CAVF) have symptoms, elective CAVF ligation has been recommended. However, this case suggests that coronary spasm could be one of the cause of angina pectoris in patients with CAVF. Elective CAVF ligation must be carefully indicated in CAVF patients with angina pectoris.     

Acute coronary syndrome associated with Churg-Strauss syndrome

A 41 -year old female patient was admitted with acute onset of dyspnea and chest pain. Previous history revealed asthma, chronic sinusitis and eosinophilic proctitis. Electrocardiogram showed anterior ST-segment elevations and inferior ST-segment depression. Immediate heart catheterization revealed a distally occluded left anterior descending coronary artery, the occlusion being reversible after nitroglycerine. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was consistent with perimyocarditis. Hypereosinophilia and IgE elevation were present and Churg-strauss syndrome was diagnosed.     

女性胸痛患者中冠脉病变及近期预后的多因素分析

目的探讨女性胸痛患者冠脉病变及近期心血管事件与心血管危险因子、颈动脉硬化积分的关系。方法回顾分析因胸痛拟诊冠心病(CAD)入院的309例女性患者。记录年龄、高血压、糖尿病病史,进行颈动脉彩超检查、冠脉造影,记录入院时收缩压、血脂、空腹血糖水平。并对所有患者随访(14±8)月(6-22月)。分析女性胸痛患者罹患冠心病及冠脉病变范围的相关因素,胸痛患者近期心血管事件的相关性因素。结果年龄、入院时收缩压水平、动脉硬化斑块积分、入院时空腹血糖水平、甘油三脂水平,冠心病组高于非冠心病组;高密度脂蛋白水平冠心病组低于非冠心病组。冠心病组老年患者高血压病、糖尿病、空腹血糖异常比例高于非冠心病组。多支病变组老年患者糖尿病或空腹血糖异常的比例高于单支病变组。年龄、颈动脉硬化斑块积分、入院时空腹血糖水平与冠脉病变范围正相关。患者的年龄、颈动脉硬化及积分、HDL异常是近期心血管事件独立预测因子。结论女性胸痛患者中,多种心血管危险因素和颈动脉硬化积分与冠脉病变及病变范围相关。患者的年龄、颈动脉硬化及积分、HDL异常是近期心血管事件独立预测因子。     

Examination of the diastolic function of the left ventricle by Doppler echocardiography in coronary disease

The authors examined the left ventricular diastolic function at rest and in pain-free period in patients with chest pain but without previous myocardial infarction. Two patient group were formed according to the results of coronarography: 15 patients had significant coronary artery stenosis, while the coronarography was negative in case of 11 patients. Four Doppler echocardiographic parameters were taken and their sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined on the base of the result of the coronarography. The small number of patients allows only preliminary evaluation but the results suggest that the altered diastolic function enhances the probability of the presence of significant coronary artery disease, while a normal diastolic function decreases its probability.     

全胸腔镜非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术的动物实验研究

目的研究全胸腔镜非体外循环下冠状动脉旁路移植术的可行性。方法家猪8头,体重35⁴5kg,在双侧胸壁打孔,取双侧乳内动脉。将左侧乳内动脉旁路移植至前降支,右侧乳内动脉旁路移植至右冠状动脉。结果 8头实验猪全部成活,总共成功游离左侧乳内动脉8条,右侧乳内动脉8条。共行吻合口16个。左侧乳内动脉与前降支的吻合时间为2545kg,在双侧胸壁打孔,取双侧乳内动脉。将左侧乳内动脉旁路移植至前降支,右侧乳内动脉旁路移植至右冠状动脉。结果 8头实验猪全部成活,总共成功游离左侧乳内动脉8条,右侧乳内动脉8条。共行吻合口16个。左侧乳内动脉与前降支的吻合时间为25⁴2 min,平均(37±15)min。右侧乳内动脉与右冠状动脉的吻合时间为3642 min,平均(37±15)min。右侧乳内动脉与右冠状动脉的吻合时间为36⁵2 min,平均(44±9)min。术后除1例右侧乳内动脉与右冠状动脉吻合口狭窄外,其余吻合口通畅情况均良好。结论全胸腔镜非体外循环下行左右冠状动脉旁路移植术是可行的,家猪是良好的合适的动物训练模型。     

平板运动试验阳性与冠状动脉造影结果对照分析

目的探讨甲板运动试验（TET）阳性在冠心病（CAD）中的诊断价值。方法对平板运动试验阳性经冠状动脉造影（CAG）检查者148例患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。将平板运动试验阳性患者分为有胸痛组38例和无胸痛组110例,男95例,女53例,与冠状动脉造影结果进行对照分析,对冠心病的诊断进行评估。结果冠状动脉造影阳性患者共85例（57．4％）。从有无胸痛分析,平板运动试验有典型胸痛者38例,冠状动脉造影阳性33例（86．8％）;平板运动试验无典型胸痛者110例,冠状动脉造影阳性52例（47．3％）;两组阳性率比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。从性别上分析,平板运动试验阳性男性患者95例,冠状动脉造影阳性66例（69．5％）;平板运动试验阳性女性患者53例,冠状动脉造影阳性19例（35．8％）;两组阳性率比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论平板运动试验阳性并且在运动过程中有典型胸痛者比无典型胸痛者冠状动脉造影阳性率高,平板运动试验阳性男性患者比女性患者冠状动脉造影阳性牢高,对冠心病的诊断具有重要参考价值,女性患者假阳性率高。因此,对平板运动试验阳性的女件患者冠心病诊断要慎重。     

Reversible coronary artery spasms associated with cocaine use

A 32-year-old man developed coronary artery spasms after using cocaine. He had no significant coronary stenoses. The reversible spasms were diagnosed during heart catheterisation which was carried out because of typical chest pain and electrocardiographic changes. In young adults the use of cocaine increases the risk of a myocardial infarction by a factor of 6.9. Nevertheless, the number of people using cocaine has increased over the past years. The cardiovascular complications of using cocaine have a multifactorial pathogenesis. The treatment of coronary artery spasms may involve a calcium antagonist. Use of cocaine must be kept in mind as a cardiovascular risk factor in a patient presenting with chest pain.     

Angina pectoris, provocable by exercise, and silent myocardial ischemia in the light of results of coronary angiography]

Correlation between coronary anatomy and the presence or absence of chest pain was studied during bicycle exercise testing in 101 patients. All of them had significant ST segment depression during the stress test. ECG changes were accompanied by chest pain in 66 patients (group A). 35 patients were free of symptoms (group B). Coronary arteriography showed significant stenosis of one or more coronary artery branch in 50 patients of group A, and in 24 patients of group B, the difference was not significant statistically. The presence or absence of chest pain weren't valuable markers in the differential diagnosis of true and false positive ST segment depression. Frequency of three-vessel disease was significantly higher in group A (14 cases), than in the other group (1 case). In conclusion, if a significant ST segment depression occurs during exercise stress either with or without anginal pain coronary arteriography is recommended to perform.     

Coronary arteriography in severe aortic valve disease

Three hundred and twelve patients with severe aortic valve disease underwent a pre-operative haemodynamic study including coronary arteriography either as routine (age more than 50 years) or because of chest pains, previous myocardial infarction or for patients with risk factors of coronary atherosclerosis. Significant coronary artery disease was present in 9% of all cases. Coronary artery disease was more frequent in patients with angina and in patients with previous myocardial infarction but none of these factors was specific. We conclude that except young patients < 40 years old, with no chest pain and no coronary risk factors, coronary arteriography is recommended in patients with severe aortic valve disease before aortic valve replacement.     

Left ventricle hydatid cyst mimicking acute coronary syndrome

Cardiac echinococcosis rarely mimics acute coronary syndrome. The diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cyst might be difficult on account of varying clinical presentations and nonspesific symptoms.?A 75-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with typical chest pain. The patient had no history of previous cardiac symptoms or any illness leading to heart disease. Her ECG revealed ischemic changes. However, her coronary angiography revealed noncritical plaques in the left anterior descending artery. The diagnosis of cardiac echinococcosis was identified using echocardiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was referred to cardiac surgery for resection of the cyst; however, she refused surgery. Albendezol 800 mg/day was prescribed.     

A case of absent right and persistent left superior vena cava: echocardiographic diagnosis

A 49-year-old man underwent transthoracic echocardiography for atypical chest pain. A dilated coronary sinus was found and venous contrast echocardiography raised the suspicion of absent right and persistent left superior vena cava. Transesophageal echocardiography showed no presence of right superior vena cava. The echocardiographic findings were confirmed by upper venous digital subtraction cavography.     

Angiographic characteristics of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients compared with matched non-diabetic subjects

The aim of this study was to assess the extent and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients. Angiographic findings were retrospectively analysed in 50 diabetic and in 50 non-diabetic patients, matched for age and sex, undergoing coronary angiography for evaluation of clinically CAD or silent ischaemia. Baseline characteristics did not show any increase of cardiovascular risk in diabetics compared to the non-diabetic group. Diabetic patients present less chest pain and more electric abnormalities, reflecting CAD specificity for diabetic patients. Angiograms of the coronary tree were divided into 13 segments and two experienced angiographers have developed a methodic analysis of selected coronary segment stenosis. The number of significant coronary artery stenosis (> or = 50%) per patient was higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic subjects (5.06+/-2.16 vs 2.40+/-1.97, p < 0.05). Diabetics had also more left main CAD (7/50 vs 1/50,p < 0.05). Though we did not find at any time statistical difference for multivessel, distal or diffuse CAD between the two groups, nevertheless there are more diffuse and distal lesions of the diabetic coronary artery trees. This debate is not closed, there is always controversy concerning whether the angiographic findings in diabetic or non-diabetic patients are different. But these results corroborate the hypothesis of a greater severity of angiographic proven CAD in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients, especially in the left main coronary artery.     

Coronary atherosclerosis in anorexia nervosa

BACKGROUND: Chest pain is a common complaint in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Of those who experience chest pain, about 20% meet the diagnostic criteria for typical or atypical angina. METHODS: We compared the intima-medial thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery measured by ultrasound in AN with controls and found no difference. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Although clinically relevant atherosclerosis can occur in patients with a normal IMT, there is a strong correlation between carotid IMT and coronary atherosclerosis. This suggests that an atherosclerotic origin of chest pain in AN patients is unlikely.     

Acute myocardial infarction triggered by salbutamol in asthma bronchiale

The authors report the case of an 77-year-old woman with no evidence of previous cardiac disease who developed a non-Q-wave myocardial infarction after beta2-mimetic treatment for the exacerbation of her chronic bronchial asthma. After the five dose of salbutamol spray she developed chest pain. The electrogram showed ST segment elevation in leads I-aVL-V4-6. Urgent coronary angiography showed only non significant left anterior coronary artery stenosis (20%). A subsequent echocardiogram also revealed anterolateral hypokinesia and acute reversible left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF:30%). Both troponin T concentration and creatine kinase rose. Next day in the lateral leads negative T-waves developed with QT-prolongation and without pathologic Q-waves. Although myocardial infarction and acute reversible left ventricular dysfunction is a rare complication following beta2 mimetic treatment one should use high-dose beta2-agonists with caution.     

The role of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis in 3 patients with ischaemic heart complaints

Multidetector CT (MDCT) can provide important information before or after coronary angiography (CAG). This is illustrated by three cases. In a 21-year-old female with ventricle fibrillation CAG demonstrated an anomalous right coronary artery, the exact course of which could not be evaluated. MDCT demonstrated a course between the aorta and pulmonary trunk with vessel compression during systole. After a bypass operation and subsequent pacemaker implantation, she was asymptomatic at follow-up six weeks after hospital discharge. In a 46-year-old male with chest pain, MDCT showed triple vessel disease after which percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation of the three main branches was performed. Two months after discharge, the patient did not report any complaints. In a 51-year-old male scheduled for PCI of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), MDCT detected a LAD thrombus with 90% occlusion prior to PCI. The occlusion was confirmed during CAG and treated with angioplasty. The next day he was discharged. MDCT offers a practical solution for different cardiac problems through its high diagnostic value.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a 38-year-old: stenting and/or surgery?

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare but important differential diagnosis in fit young women presenting with chest pain.     

平板运动试验可疑阳性患者的冠状动脉CT及冠状动脉造影结果的相关性研究

目的 探讨平板运动试验(TET)可疑阳性患者的冠状动脉造影(CAG)结果的特点.方法 2006年1月至2007年12月因胸痛住院的36例患者在人院行TET后均诊断为可疑阳性,同时在2周内行CAG检查和冠状动脉CT成像(CTA),并将斑块分为非钙化和钙化斑块.结果 36例患者中,23例经CAG证实为冠心病(阳性),13例冠状动脉无病变(阴性).23例冠心病患者中单支病变9例,双支病变5例,三支病变9例.23例TET可疑阳性冠心病患者CTA共检测52个斑块,其中非钙化斑块29个,钙化斑块23个.结论 TET在冠心病的诊断中因其方法简单、经济、无创,目前仍不失为一项重要检查方法.同时冠心病患者的斑块性质与TET可疑阳性具有相关性.