Benefit of coronary reperfusion before intervention on outcomes after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has become the preferred reperfusion strategy for acute myocardial infarction in most institutions with interventional facilities and experienced operators. The benefit of establishing coronary reperfusion, with or without pharmacologic therapy, before primary angioplasty has not been established. Consecutive patients (n = 1,490) with acute myocardial infarction treated with aspirin and heparin followed by primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were followed for 13 years. Follow-up angiography was obtained in 737 patients at 7.7 months. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 2 to 3 flow in the infarct artery at initial angiography was present in 18.3% of patients, and TIMI 0 to 1 flow in 81.7% of patients. Baseline variables were similar between the 2 groups, except patients with initial TIMI 2 to 3 flow had significantly less cardiogenic shock (1.7% vs 9.4%, p <0.0001) and a lower incidence of depressed ejection fraction <40% (12.6% vs 19.9%, p = 0.007). Procedural success was better in patients with initial TIMI 2 to 3 flow (97.4% vs 93.8%, p = 0.02), and catheterization laboratory events were less frequent. Patients with initial TIMI 2 to 3 flow had lower peak creatine kinase values (1,328 vs 2,790 IU/L, p <0.0001), higher acute ejection fraction (54.3% vs 51.6%, p = 0.05), higher late ejection fraction (59.2% vs 54.9%, p = 0.004), and lower 30-day mortality (4.8% vs 8.9%, p = 0.02). These data indicate that when reperfusion occurs before primary angioplasty, outcomes are strikingly better with less cardiogenic shock, improved procedural outcomes, smaller infarct size, better preservation of left ventricular function, and reduced mortality. This should encourage new strategies to establish reperfusion before "primary" angioplasty with "catheterization laboratory friendly" platelet inhibitors and/or low-dose thrombolytic drugs.     

Primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty: a protagonist's view

The wide variety of reperfusion strategies now available has led to confusion regarding the optimal therapy of patients with acute myocardial infarction. In assessing the comparative efficacy of reperfusion strategies, safety factors, recanalization rates, reocclusion rates, myocardial salvage and improvement in survival must be compared. In this analysis, primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) compares favorably to intravenous thrombolytic therapy or combination PTCA and thrombolytic therapy as a reperfusion strategy. Primary PTCA has not been reported to cause intracerebral hemorrhage, whereas thrombolytic strategies are associated with an incidence of a 0.2 to 1.4% rate of intracerebral bleeding. Strategies using PTCA have recanalization rates of only 33 to 75%. Disappointingly, a major failure of all reperfusion strategies (including primary PTCA) is a high rate of reocclusion and reinfarction. Primary PTCA is associated with a 7 to 16% increase in global ejection fraction. Similar improvement in ejection fraction has not been demonstrated in patients treated with thrombolytic therapy alone. Although in-hospital mortality is improved, a substantial 1-year mortality persists for intravenous thrombolytic therapy. Long-term survival is greater when PTCA therapy is used. In addition, PTCA does favorably improve survival in high-risk patients with cardiogenic shock. Although it is unlikely that most patients with acute myocardial infarction will have primary PTCA as a treatment option, this therapy remains extremely attractive for centers where primary PTCA is readily available.     

The use of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation was implemented in 11 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 1 patient with unstable angina. All patients had severe multivessel coronary artery disease. In 9 patients counterpulsation was used in conjunction with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, in 3 - with thrombolytic therapy. During hospitalization 2 patients died of progressing heart failure, while significant improvement of hemodynamic parameters occurred in other patients. Thus intraaortic balloon counterpulsation used in combination with angioplasty and thrombolytic therapy is an easily accessible highly effective method of treatment of cardiogenic shock in patients with acute myocardial infarction     

Long-term clinical outcomes after rescue angioplasty are not different from those of successful thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: The long-term value of rescue percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who received thrombolytic therapy but failed to achieve early recanalization of the artery is still debated. This study aimed to compare long-term outcomes after successful thrombolysis vs. systematic attempted rescue PTCA. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 362 consecutive patients with STEMI hospitalized within 6 h of symptom onset and treated with intravenous thrombolytic therapy were studied. Of these, 345 underwent coronary angiography within 90 min. Sixty per cent of patients achieved TIMI 3 flow and were treated medically; the in-hospital death rate in this group was 4%. Nine per cent of patients had TIMI 2 flow and 31% TIMI 0-1 flow. In this latter group, rescue PTCA was attempted in 85.8% with a hospital death rate of 5.5% (20% with failed vs. 4% with successful rescue PTCA, P=0.03). Eight year actuarial survival without recurrent myocardial infarction was no different in patients who had successful thrombolytic therapy and in patients with attempted rescue PTCA [78 and 95% CI (71-85) vs. 78 and 95% CI (68-87), respectively, hazard ratio: 0.93 (0.52-1.65), P=0.80]. Total mortality, cardiac mortality, and other composite endpoints also did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Routine attempted rescue PTCA 90 min after thrombolytic therapy in patients with persistent occlusion of the infarct-related vessels achieves long-term clinical outcomes which do not differ from those obtained by successful thrombolysis.     

Management of myocardial infarction shock: current status

Major advances have occurred over the last two decades in the management of myocardial infarction shock, increasing the overall in-hospital survival rate from approximately 15% to more than 50% at the present time with aggressive methods of interventional cardiology. The widespread use of intravenous thrombolytic therapy during the early hours of myocardial infarction has resulted in a decreasing incidence of shock with first myocardial infarctions. Three mechanisms bring about cardiogenic shock: (1) extensive aggregate systolic left ventricular dysfunction, (2) extensive right ventricular infarction, and (3) mechanical defects of the left and/or right ventricles attendant to ischemic dysfunction or rupture. To permit survival in cardiogenic shock, even with maximally aggressive therapy, diagnostic evaluation must be carried out concurrently with clinical stabilization of the patient. IABC is the mainstay for supporting the patient in shock during further efforts at diagnosis and definitive therapy. Definitive therapy for cardiogenic shock may include percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, emergent bypass surgery, or repair of a mechanical defect. This report details the current status of knowledge with respect to pathogenesis, recognition, and definitive treatment of myocardial infarction shock.     

Long-term results after acute percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock

The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcome in unselected, consecutive patients after acute percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock. This involved a follow-up study from a prospectively conducted patient registry in a tertiary referral center. A total of 59 patients (10 female/49 male; median age 62 years (32-91)) with percutaneous transluminal cardiac interventions in primary cardiogenic shock were identified between January 1995 and January 2000. Twenty-two patients (37%) had been resuscitated successfully before intervention. The in-hospital mortality of shock patients was 36% (n=21, median age 68 (47-84)). The median follow-up of survivors was 18.1 (7-57.3) months, during which three further patients died (8%; two because of sudden cardiac deaths, one because of acute reinfarction). Achievement of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow III after acute PTCA (84% in survivors vs. 38% in non-survivors; P<0.001) and the absence of the left main coronary artery (3% survivors vs. 29% non-survivors; P=0.003) as culprit lesion in patients with cardiogenic shock was strongly associated with an improved survival rate. A second cardiac intervention was performed in seven patients (18%). Overall functional capacity of shock survivors was good. At final follow-up, 80% of the survivors were completely asymptomatic. One patient had angina pectoris NYHA II, five patients dyspnoea NYHA class II. Exercise stress-test was performed in 24 of the 38 surviving patients, median exercise capacity was 100% (range 55-113%) of the age adjusted predicted value. In unselected patients with cardiogenic shock due to AMI, treatment with acute PTCA resulted in an in-hospital mortality of 36%, low late mortality and good functional capacity in long-term survivors. TIMI flow grade III after acute PTCA in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock was strongly associated with an improved survival rate whereas the left main coronary artery as culprit lesion was associated with worse outcome.     

Effectiveness of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction in patients on dialysis

We sought to characterize the outcome in patients who were on long-term dialysis and who underwent primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction. Of 2,831 consecutive patients who underwent primary PTCA for acute myocardial infarction from 1993 to 2001, 15 patients on long-term dialysis were identified. This small cohort had a 40% incidence of cardiogenic shock on admission. Despite the angiographic success rate for primary PTCA of 80%, in-hospital mortality was 53%.     

Role of nitrates in acute myocardial infarction

Management of patients after myocardial infarction includes several therapeutic options. Lysis of the coronary thrombosis with intravenous or intracoronary administration of streptokinase or intravenous administration of one of the newer, currently experimental agents, such as tissue plasminogen activation or prourokinase, can directly restore oxygen and substrate delivery to potentially salvageable myocardium. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty can likewise restore vessel patency with potential salvage of ischemic myocardium, if perfused sufficiently early after symptom onset. Another strategy is to administer intravenous thrombolytic therapy and then perform early angioplasty on patients with acute myocardial infarction who reach the hospital within 4 hours of symptom onset. These patients should have intravenous nitroglycerin begun before or simultaneously with beginning thrombolytic therapy. The infusion is titrated to lower systolic arterial pressure by 10% to 15%, and then maintained at a constant rate for up to 48 hours. Patients seen more than 4 hours after symptom onset, with evidence of viable myocardium (e.g., persistent R waves in those electrocardiographic leads demonstrating ST-segment elevation) may also receive intravenous nitroglycerin and thrombolytic or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty therapy. The combined results of the several clinical trials of intravenous nitroglycerin in acute myocardial infarction would support its use in patients seen 4 to 12 hours after onset of symptoms or in patients seen earlier, in whom thrombolytic or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty therapy cannot be utilized.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the common trunk during the acute phase of myocardial infarction]

The prognosis of cardiogenic shock in the acute phase of myocardial infarction has been transformed since the introduction of techniques of myocardial revascularisation. We report the case of a patient in cardiogenic shock after a large anterior myocardial infarct in whom failure of early thrombolytic therapy led to referral for emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The success of the procedure on the patient's haemodynamic condition was life-saving. The originality of this case resides in the fact that revascularisation concerned the left main coronary stem.     

Thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock

The adverse impact of the development of cardiogenic shock in the setting of acute myocardial infarction was first described by Killip and Kimball in 1967. While the inhospital mortality rate in patients with myocardial infarction and no evidence of heart failure was only 6%, the mortality rate in those patients who developed cardiogenic shock was 81%. Despite advances in cardiovascular care and therapy since that initial report, including universal institution of cardiac care units, advances in hemodynamic monitoring, new inotropic and vasodilating agents, and even increasing utilization of thrornbolytic therapy, the mortality from acute myocardial infarction, when complicated by cardiogenic shock, remains disturbingly high, and cardiogenic shock remains the leading cause of death of hospitalized patients following acute myocardial infarction.The grave prognosis associated with this condition has resulted in increased interest in potential therapeutic interventions, particularly in the area of reperfusion therapy. Several studies suggest that, in contrast to the beneficial effects of thrombolytic therapy in most patient populations suffering acute myocardial infarction, mortality rates are not decreased in those patients with cardiogenic shock at the time of lytic administration. Thrombolytic administration does, however, appear to lead to a modest reduction in the percent of patients with myocardial infarction who will subsequently develop cardiogenic shock during hospitalization.Reperfusion rates with lytic therapy in patients with cardiogenic shock are disappointingly low, in the range of 42–48%, significantly lower than those achieved in patients without cardiogenic shock. These low perfusion rates may, in part, be explained by decreased coronary blood flow and perfusion pressure in patients with left ventricular pump failure.Although promising as adjunctive therapy, it is unclear whether institution of balloon counterpulsation has any long-term benefit in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with thrombolytic therapy. Whether other or additional interventions, such as coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), decrease mortality rates in patients with cardiogenic shock remains to be determined.     

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery after thrombolytic therapy in the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction trial,Phase II (TIMI II)

Objectives. We examined the results of coronary artery bypass graft surgery after thrombolytic therapy in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial, Phase II (TIMI II) with particular emphasis on patient characteristics, the impact of antecedent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and morbidity and mortality in certain subgroups.Background. Coronary bypass surgery is frequently used after thrombolytic therapy, but there is relatively little information with regard to early and late outcomes.Methods. We analyzed 3,339 patients enrolled in the TIMI II trial. Bypass surgery was performed in 390 patients (11.7%): 54 (14%) within 24 h after entry into the trial or within 24 h of coronary angioplasty and 336 (86%) between 24 h and 42 days after entry.Results. Perioperative mortality rates were, respectively, 16.7% and 3.9% (p < 0.001); perioperative myocardial infarction rates were 5.6% and 6.2%, respectively; and major hemorrhagic events occurred in 74% and 50.9%, respectively (p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, the only independent predictor of perioperative mortal was bypass surgery within 24 h after entry or after coronary angioplasty. Among patients undergoing bypass surgery within 24 h of entry or after coronary angioplasty, the prevalence of multivessel disease (59.1% vs. 77.8%) and use of the internal thoracic artery (18.5% vs. 62.5%) were lower than in the remaining surgical patients. Among the 322 perioperative survivors, the 1-year mortality rate after discharge was only 2.2% and 1.9%, respectively, in the two groups. Only one patient had a documented recurrent myocardial infarction during the first year.Conclusions. The increased mortality rate with bypass surgery after thrombolytic therapy, particularly in patients undergoing operation within 24 h of coronary angioplasty or during the involving phase of infarction, must be balanced against the excellent 1-year prognosis and perioperative survivors, who are in general a group at higher risk of death or recurrent infarction. These data provide a basis for comparison for future studies.     

Results of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty plus abciximab with or without stenting for acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

This study examines the effects of abciximab as adjunctive therapy in primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock. Abciximab improves the outcome of primary PTCA for AMI, but its efficacy in cardiogenic shock remains unknown. Case report forms were completed in-hospital and follow-up was obtained by telephone, outpatient visit, and review of hospital readmission records. A total of 113 patients with cardiogenic shock from AMI were included. All underwent emergency PTCA during which abciximab was administered to 54 patients (48%). The 2 groups of patients who received and did not receive abciximab were similar at baseline. Coronary stents were implanted slightly more often in the abciximab group (59% vs 42%; p = 0.1). A significantly improved final TIMI flow, less no-reflow, and a decrease in vessel residual diameter stenosis occurred in the abciximab group. At 30-day follow-up, the composite event rate of death, myocardial reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization was better in the abciximab group (31% vs 63%; p = 0.002). The combination of abciximab and stents was synergistic and resulted in improvement of all components of the composite end point beyond that seen with each therapy alone. Thus, abciximab therapy improves the 30-day outcome of primary PTCA in cardiogenic shock, especially when combined with coronary stenting.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with cardiogenic shock.

In cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been reported to significantly improve the modest survival benefits afforded by emergency surgical revascularization and thrombolytic therapy. The records of all patients who underwent angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock were retrospectively reviewed to determine whether coronary angioplasty improves survival. Of the 45 patients, 28 (group 1, 62%) had successful dilation of the infarct-related artery and 17 (group 2, 38%) had unsuccessful angioplasty. The groups were similar in extent of coronary artery disease, infarct location, incidence of multivessel disease and hemodynamic variables. The overall hospital survival rate was 56% (71% in group 1 and 29% in group 2). Group 1 patients had more left main coronary artery disease, and group 2 patients were older and had a higher incidence of prior myocardial infarction. Multivariate analysis showed that the survival advantage in patients with successful angioplasty was statistically significant (p = 0.014) when these factors were taken into account. At a mean follow-up interval of 2.3 years (range 1 month to 5.6 years), there were five deaths (four cardiac and one noncardiac), for a 2.3-year survival rate of 80% in patients surviving to hospital discharge. During the follow-up period, 36% of hospital survivors had repeat hospitalization for cardiac evaluation, 8% had myocardial infarction, 8% had coronary artery bypass surgery and 24% had angina.     

Immediate coronary angioplasty versus intravenous streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction: Left ventricular ejection fraction,hospital mortality and reinfarction

Objectives. The purpose of the present study was to compare intravenous Streptokinase therapy with immediate coronary angioplasty without antecedent thrombolytic therapy with regard to left ventricular function and hospital mortality and reinfarction.Background. Despite the widespread use of intravenous thrombolytic therapy and immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, these two strategies to treat patients with an acute myocardial infarction have only recently been compared in randomized trials. Coronary angioplasty has been shown to result In a higher patency rate of the Infant-related coronary artery, with a less severe residual stenotic lesion, compared with streptokinase therapy, but whether this more favorable coronary anatomy results in clinical benefit remair to be established.Methods. We studied 301 patients with acute myocardial infarction randomly assigned to undergo immediate coronary angioplasty without antecedent thrombolytic therapy or to receive intravenous streptokinase therapy. Before discharge left ventricular ejection fraction was measured by radionuclide scanning.Results. The in-hospital mortality rate in the streptokinase group was 7% (11 of 149 patients) compared with 2% (3 of 152 patients) in the angioplasty group (p = 0.024). In the streptokinase group recurrent myocardial infarction occurred in 15 patients (10%) versus in 2 (1%) in the angioplasty group (p < 0.001). Either death or nonfatal reinfarction occurred in 23 patients (15%) in the streptokinase group and in 5 patients (3%) in the angioplasty group (p = 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction was 44 ± 11% (mean ± SD) in the streptokinase group versus 50 ± 11% in the angioplasty group (p < 0.001).Conclusions. These findings indicate that immediate coronary angioplasty without antecedent thrombolytic therapy results in better left ventricular function and lower risk of death and recurrent myocardial infarction than treatment with intravenous streptokinase.     

Thrombolytic therapy is indicated for patients over 75 years of age with st-elevation acute myocardial infarction: antagonist viewpoint

From the available data, one cannot conclude whether thrombolytic therapy is beneficial or detrimental in patients older than age 75 years with acute myocardial infarction. Data favor the use of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty rather than thrombolysis in eligible patients older than age 75 years with acute myocardial infarction to reduce mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, and intracranial hemorrhage. High-risk elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction, such as those with a large anterior myocardial infarction complicated by heart failure and hypotension, those with persistent ischemic pain or marked ST-segment changes, those with hemodynamic instability, and those at high risk for stroke or bleeding complications, should, especially, be treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.     

急性心肌梗死患者的直接经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术与溶栓治疗疗效比较

为探讨急性心肌梗死直接经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术的安全性及临床疗效 ,选择 6 2例未经静脉和冠状动脉内溶栓治疗的急性心肌梗死患者 ,在紧急冠状动脉造影后即行直接经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术 ;另外选择 5 9例急性心肌梗死患者 ,采用溶栓治疗 ,溶栓治疗后不再接受介入治疗和外科冠状动脉搭桥 ,然后比较直接经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术和溶栓治疗的疗效、安全性及预后。结果发现 ,直接经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术组 6 0例再灌注成功 ,成功率为 96 .7% ,其中 4例合并心源性休克的患者均再灌注成功 ,血压回升 ,急性上消化道出血 1例 ,死亡率为 0 ;溶栓治疗组 38例再灌注成功 ,成功率为 6 4 .4 % ,住院期间死亡 5例 ,出院 6月内死亡 2例 ,急性上消化道出血 1例 ,血尿 1例 ,溶栓治疗后心源性休克 5例 ,死亡率为 1 1 .9%。直接经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术再灌注成功率明显高于溶栓治疗 ,死亡率和主要心脏事件的发生率明显低于溶栓治疗 (P <0 .0 1 )。结果提示 ,急性心肌梗死的直接经皮腔内冠状动脉成形术治疗安全有效 ,再灌注成功率明显高于溶栓治疗 ,疗效及预后优于溶栓治疗     

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in 1333 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); Results of the primary PCI registry of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leitende Kardiologische Krankenhaus?rzte (ALKK).

Aims Acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock is associated with an exceedingly high mortality, even if patients are treated with early reperfusion therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of in-hospital mortality of a large cohort of consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and results Between July 1994 and March 2001 all interventions performed in 80 centres in Germany were prospectively entered into the primary PCI registry of the ALKK. A total of 9422 procedures were registered, of these 1333 (14.2%) were performed in patients with cardiogenic shock. Total in-hospital mortality was 46.1% and was dependent on TIMI flow grade after PCI, with mortality rates of 78.2%, 66.1% and 37.4% in patients with TIMI 0/1, TIMI 2 and TIMI 3 flow, respectively. In a multivariate analysis left main disease, TIMI <3 flow after PCI, older age, three-vessel disease and longer time-intervals between symptom onset and PCI were significant independent predictors of mortality. The relative number of PCIs performed in patients with cardiogenic shock did not change significantly from 1995-2000. There was a significant decrease in mortality over the years (P for trend 0.02). Conclusions In-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock remains high, even with early interventional therapy. However, our data demonstrate that the PCI in these high-risk patients is feasible in a wide spectrum of community hospitals with acceptable success rates. Our results seen in connection with the results of the randomized SHOCK study advocate an early invasive approach in younger patients with cardiogenic shock, while the best strategy in elderly patients is still a matter of debate.     

Management comparison for acute myocardial infarction: direct angioplasty versus sequential thrombolysis-angioplasty

To compare the results and outcome of different management approaches for acute myocardial infarction, we analyzed our experience with early (i.e., within 6 hours of infarct onset) direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (group A) versus initial treatment with thrombolytic therapy (group B) followed by angioplasty. From 1982 to 1989 a total of 214 patients underwent primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. During this time 157 patients underwent initial thrombolytic therapy, 104 with intravenous streptokinase and 53 with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator followed by angioplasty. Other than age (group A, 61.7 +/- 11.5 years; group B, 57.3 +/- 11.6 years; p = 0.0002), the clinical characteristics of the groups were similar. In group A, 197 (92.1%) had successful results, and 17 (7.9%) were failures. Of the group treated with thrombolytic therapy, there was an overall 81.5% patency rate for patients treated with streptokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activator with no significant difference between the agents. Angioplasty success after thrombolytic therapy was 94.3%. In-hospital and 1-year survival was significantly better in group B patients (95.5% and 95.5%, respectively) than in group A patients (92.1% and 89.3%, respectively). We conclude that both direct angioplasty and thrombolytic therapy followed by angioplasty provide high recanalization rates but that short- and long-term survival is improved when thrombolytic therapy precedes angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction patients.     

Cardiogenic shock: single center experience with and without on-site catheterization facilities

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effect of on-site catheterization facilities on the survival of all patients with myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock has been questioned. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of the availability of on-site catheterization facilities on the outcome of unselected patients with cardiogenic shock. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the hospital records of 70 consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock admitted to our intensive coronary care unit during 1990-1996, and compared two groups of patients: those admitted before (n = 34) and after (n = 36) the opening of our catheterization laboratory. Patients admitted when the catheterization laboratory was available were of similar age, but included fewer males and fewer patients with prior myocardial infarction. Following the activation of the catheterization laboratory, utilization rates of coronary angiography, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and intra-aortic balloon pump increased, compared with the previous period. However, there was no improvement in in-hospital (88 vs. 83%; p = 0.7) and 30-day mortality (91 vs. 86%; p = 0.7) before versus after the activation of our catheterization laboratory. Twelve patients selected to cardiac catheterization (9 underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) experienced lower in-hospital and 30-day mortality compared with patients who were not selected (58 vs. 96, and 67 vs. 96%, respectively; p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Following the activation of the catheterization laboratory, the mortality of the entire population of cardiogenic shock patients remained relatively unchanged. Still, a small subgroup of these patients selected for urgent cardiac catheterization had a lower mortality compared with patients who were not selected.     

Survival and cardiac event rates in the first year after emergency coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

One year survival and event-free survival rates were analyzed in 342 patients with acute myocardial infarction who were consecutively enrolled in a treatment protocol of early intravenous thrombolytic therapy followed by emergency coronary angioplasty. Ninety-four percent of the patients achieved successful reperfusion, including 4% with failed angioplasty whose perfusion was maintained by means of a reperfusion catheter before emergency bypass surgery. The procedural mortality rate was 1.2% and the total in-hospital mortality rate was 11%. Ninety-two percent of surviving nonsurgical patients who underwent repeat cardiac catheterization were discharged from the hospital with an open infarct-related artery. The related cumulative 1 year survival rate for all patients managed with this treatment strategy was 87%, and the cardiac event-free survival rate was 84%. The 1 year survival for hospital survivors was 98% and the infarct-free survival rate was 94%. Multivariable analysis identified the following factors as independent predictors of subsequent cardiovascular death: cardiogenic shock, greater age, lower ejection fraction, female gender and a closed infarct-related vessel on the initial coronary angiogram. Among patients with cardiogenic shock, despite a 42% in-hospital mortality rate, only 4% died during the first year after hospital discharge. Similarly, the in-hospital and 1 year postdischarge mortality rates were 19 and 4%, respectively, for patients with an initial ejection fraction less than 40, and 25 and 3%, respectively, for patients greater than 65 years. An aggressive treatment strategy including early thrombolytic therapy, emergency cardiac catheterization, coronary angioplasty and, when necessary, bypass surgery resulted in a high rate of infarct vessel patency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)