Low rates of exercise in patients with metabolic syndrome after an acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) has reached epidemic proportions; however, regular exercise can prevent its progression to type 2 diabetes. HYPOTHESIS: The study was undertaken to determine both the rate and predictors of routine exercise 1 year after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with MetSyn. METHODS: In a registry of 1,199 patients presenting with ACS, those with MetSyn were identified using the modified NCEP-ATP III criteria. Baseline and 1-year exercise patterns were examined in these patients, and the characteristics of those who were exercising were then compared with those who were not. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was subsequently conducted to identify independent predictors of exercise at 1 year. RESULTS: Of 273 patients with MetSyn, baseline and 1-year data about patients' exercise patterns were available for 170, of whom only 92 (54.2%) were exercising at 1 year. Characteristics that differed between those who were and those who were not exercising at 1 year included exercise at baseline (40 vs. 16.7%, p<0.001), Caucasian race (92.4 vs. 79.5%, p = 0.01), and body mass index (BMI) (30.4 +/- 4.3 vs. 32.1 +/- 5.0, p = 0.02). In a multivariable analysis, significant independent predictors of exercise were routine exercise at the time of admission for ACS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.6,95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-6.4), younger age (OR = 0.67 per 10-year increase [95% CI = 0.45-0.99]), and lower BMI (OR = 0.4 per 10-unit increase [95% CI = 0.17-0.911). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of patients with MetSyn did not participate in routine exercise 1 year after their admission for ACS. Innovative strategies are needed to increase exercise participation in such patients, particularly those not exercising at baseline as well as obese and older patients.     

Aspirin dose and six-month outcome after an acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the efficacy of low and intermediate aspirin doses in acute coronary syndromes. BACKGROUND: Little is known of the comparative efficacy of low and intermediate aspirin doses in this setting. METHODS: We compared six-month death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke in patients with unstable angina or acute MI discharged while receiving low (<150 mg) or intermediate (> or =150 mg) aspirin therapy in the GUSTO IIb and PURSUIT trials (n = 20,521). We used multivariable analysis and performed a propensity analysis in order to adjust for baseline imbalances between the groups. RESULTS: Aspirin doses <150 mg were prescribed to 29.9% (6,128) of patients. By six months, 6.4% of the patients (1,310 of 20,521) had a primary event, 6.2% of the patients receiving <150 mg and 6.6% of the patients receiving aspirin doses > or =150 mg (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94 to 1.19], p = 0.35). After adjusting for baseline imbalances and the propensity score for discharge aspirin dose, there was no effect of aspirin dose on the composite end point at six months (HR 0.92 [95% CI 0.79 to 1.07], p = 0.28). However, the higher aspirin dose was associated with a reduction in six-month MI (HR 0.79 [95% CI 0.64 to 0.98], p = 0.03). The outcome was similar when patients were matched on the basis of the propensity score for aspirin dose (HR for death/MI/stroke 0.94 [95% CI 0.80 to 1.12], p = 0.51), although stroke occurred significantly more frequently among patients receiving the higher aspirin dose (HR 1.74 [95% CI 1.01 to 3.02] p = 0.05) and the effect on MI was no longer apparent. CONCLUSIONS: Although these data are non-randomized, they suggest that the aspirin dose upon discharge may influence the clinical course after unstable angina or acute MI.     

Effect of depression on five-year mortality after an acute coronary syndrome

Previous research has established a relation between depression at the time of cardiac hospitalization and patient mortality. The objective of this study was to examine the role of depressive history and symptomatology during hospitalization on 5-year all-cause mortality after admission for an acute coronary syndrome. We recruited 750 patients who had unstable angina pectoris and myocardial infarction from 12 coronary care units between 1997 and 1999. Measurements included sociodemographic and clinic data and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were linked to an administrative database to determine 5-year all-cause mortality. Survival data were adjusted using a Cox's proportional hazards model. One hundred seventy-four participants (23.2%) self-reported a history of depressed mood for >2 weeks, 235 (31.3%) had elevated BDI scores at index hospitalization, with 105 (14.0%) reporting persistent depressive symptomatology. One hundred fifteen participants (15.3%) died by 5 years after hospitalization. After adjusting for prognostic indicators, such as cardiac disease severity, medical history, and smoking, depressive symptomatology during hospitalization was significantly predictive of mortality, but depressive history was not. Hazard ratios associated with BDI scores <10 versus those > or =10 at hospitalization ranged from 1.90 (95% confidence interval 1.12 to 3.24) at 2 years to 1.53 (95% confidence interval 1.04 to 2.24) at 5 years. In conclusion, the significance of depressive symptomatology at the time of, but not before, hospitalization underlines the need for early identification of increased distress and renews calls to identify treatments that not only improve quality of life but also decrease the risk of mortality.     

Prognostic value of aortic stenosis in patients after acute coronary syndrome

With the aim to assess prevalence of aortic stenosis (AS) and prognostic value of its detection among survivors of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) we examined 851 patients included into multicenter prospective study of risk factors of serious vascular events and death after acute coronary syndrome. The patients were enrolled into the study in stable condition on 10th day after onset of myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina (UA). Examination involved medical history, laboratory tests and echocardiography. Afterwards all cases of death and serious vascular events were registered. Severity of AS was specified by maximal aortic flow rate: 1st degree > 2.5, 2nd degree 3.0-4.0, 3rd degree > 4.0 m/s. AS was detected in 16 patients (1.9%). AS severity was 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree in 9, 4 and 3 patients, respectively. Patients with AS were significantly older (77.4 vs. 61.3 years, p < 0.001), more often had history of chronic heart failure (CHF) (81.3 vs. 53.2%, p = 0.021) and lowered renal function (66.7 vs. 34.0%, p < 0.041). At multifactorial analysis independent prognostic value in relation to development of serious events showed age > 75 years (OR 1,395 [1.023-1.902], p = 0.036), history of CHF (1.319 [1.015-1.713], p = 0.038), history of MI (1.692 [1.320-2.170], p < 0.001), left ventricular diastolic dimention (1.023 [1.005-1.041], p = 0.012), left atrial diameter (1.024 [1.001-1.047], p = 0.037) and presence of AS (3.211 [1.742-.,916], p < 0.001). Prevalence of preexisting AS among patients who have had MI/UA is 1.9% what is similar to data of European Heart Survey ACS-II (1.8%). Presence of AS of any severity in a survivor of ACS worsens prognosis independently of other known risk factors.     

Incidence and characteristics of stroke during 90-day follow-up in patients stabilized after an acute coronary syndrome

Background

Stroke is a rare but serious event that complicates the course of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The type, outcome, and risk factors of stroke occurring in stabilized patients with ACS have not been previously reported.

Methods

We evaluated stroke incidence, subtypes, and outcomes, in addition to demographics and clinical risk characteristics associated with stroke among patients enrolled in the Sibrafiban versus Aspirin to Yield Maximum Protection from Ischemic Heart Events Post-acute Coronary Syndromes (SYMPHONY) and 2nd SYMPHONY trials.

Results

Of 15,904 stabilized patients with ACS, 113 (0.71%) had a stroke over a median follow-up of 90 days. The majority of strokes occurred within 30 days of presentation, and the time course for stroke occurrence paralleled that of myocardial (re)infarction. Most strokes were ischemic (78%), and 52% resulted in moderate or severe disability or death. Patients with stroke were older and more often had hypertension, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and atrial fibrillation. Among patients with stroke who had cardiac catheterization, percutaneous coronary intervention, or coronary artery bypass grafting, stroke occurred predominantly after the procedure. No difference in occurrence or type of stroke was observed in the assigned treatment groups. In multivariable modeling age, heart failure, prior stroke, left bundle branch block, and systolic blood pressure predicted the occurrence of stroke.

Conclusions

In patients stabilized after presenting with a spectrum of ACS and treated with sibrafiban and/or aspirin, stroke occurred in fewer than 1% within 90 days but carried a significant mortality and morbidity risk.     

急性冠脉综合征合并恶性肿瘤患者冠脉介入术后的预后分析

目的 探讨急性冠脉综合征(ACS)合并恶性肿瘤患者经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)后的临床特点及其预后.方法 回顾性分析2011年2月至2018年7月于解放军总医院第一医学中心心内科住院治疗的67例急性冠脉综合征合并恶性肿瘤患者的临床资料,患者行PCI后根据其结局将其分为生存组(n=54)和死亡组(n=13),采用多因素Lo...     

Proteomic analysis of plasma from patients during an acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze modifications in the plasma protein map during an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using proteomics. BACKGROUND: Proteomics is a new technology that allows the detection and identification of several proteins at a given time in a sample. METHODS: Plasma from 19 patients, 11 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 8 with unstable angina (UA), was investigated. The control group included nine age-matched volunteers. RESULTS: In two-dimensional electrophoresis using a pH range of 4 to 7, constant differences were found in at least four different areas within the plasma protein map. In area 1, we identified the presence of seven alpha(1)-antitrypsin (AAT) isoforms in plasma from control subjects. alpha(1)-antitrypsin isoform 1 was undetectable in plasma from UA and AMI patients. The AAT isoforms 5, 6, and 7 were reduced in plasma from AMI patients when compared with UA patients. Three fibrinogen gamma chain isoforms were identified in area 2. Fibrinogen gamma chain isoforms 1 and 2 were increased in AMI patients with respect to UA patients. Five apolipoprotein A-I isoforms were identified in area 3. All of them were reduced in plasma from AMI patients with respect to UA patients. In area 4, the gamma-immunoglobulin heavy chains were detected and were found increased in plasma from ACS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma proteomic analysis makes it possible to develop a map of the protein isoforms that are expressed in plasma during an ACS.     

替格瑞洛和氯吡格雷治疗ACS择期PCI术后患者效果分析

目的 分析替格瑞洛和氯吡格雷对急性冠脉综合征（ACS）患者择期经皮冠状动脉介入（PCI）治疗的有效性及安全性。方法 诊断为ACS并择期行PCI术的患者1 159例随访1年,依患者服用双重抗血小板药物不同分为替格瑞洛组(n=312)和氯吡格雷组(n=847),其中3例在随访过程中排除,27例失访,最终纳入1 129例,替格瑞洛组(n=303)和氯吡格雷组(n=826)。比较两组患者基线资料的差异及主要心血管不良事件（MACE,包含心血管死亡、心肌梗死、缺血性卒中）和大出血事件（美国出血学术研究会制定的出血分级标准中Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型及Ⅴ型出血）的发生率。结果 替格瑞洛组患者肌钙蛋白I（TnI）偏高,左室射血分数（LVEF）值偏低,植入支架数多,最大狭窄率高,复杂病变比例高,桡动脉入路少,分次PCI比例高（均P<0.05）。替格瑞洛组发生MACE事件（15.2%）与氯吡格雷组（12.6%）相比〔危险比(hazard ratio,HR)=1.226,95%可信区间0.867~1.735,P=0.249〕及大出血事件替格瑞洛组（0.7%）与氯吡格雷组（0.7%）相比（HR=1.093,95%可信区间0.212~5.634,P=1）,差异均无统计学意义。单因素分析影响预后的因素包括:男性、城市来源、LVEF、分次PCI是保护性因素;高脂血症、脑梗病史、病变血管数目、安放支架数目、最大狭窄率、醛固酮受体拮抗剂是危险性因素,利用可能影响患者预后的因素作为因子多元逐步Cox比例风险回归模型模型分析结果是替格瑞洛与氯吡格雷HR=1.118,95%可信区间0.755~1.656,P>0.05。结论 替格瑞洛和氯吡格雷用于ACS择期PCI术后患者的疗效和安全性相当。     

Giant coronary aneurysm culprit of an acute coronary syndrome

A 66-year-old male ex-smoker with hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia was admitted due to a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. The catheterisation depicted an extensive and calcified disease: chronic total obstruction of the right coronary and severe disease with a giant aneurysm at the first marginal branch as the culprit vessel. After discussion, the right coronary was treated before the circumflex-giant aneurysm was closed with a stent graft and its multiple severe stenosis solved with two drug-eluting stents. We provide a multimodality approach for a complex case and briefly discuss the available options.     

替罗非班对急性冠脉综合征经皮冠状动脉介入术后无复流现象的影响

目的观察盐酸替罗非班对急性冠脉综合征（ACS）患者经皮冠状动脉介入术（PCI）后无复流现象的影响。方法纳入ACS患者行PCI治疗术后无复流患者72例,随机分为替罗非班组36例和对照组36例。对照组经冠状动脉给予硝普钠0.9μg/kg,替罗非班组经冠状动脉给予盐酸替罗非班负荷剂量10μg/kg,3min内注完,随后以0.15μg/（kg·min）微量泵持续静脉泵入24h。观察两组患者冠脉给药前、给药后20min靶血管前向血流的TIMI血流分级、心电图改变及术后2周内主要不良心脏事件及药物的不良反应。结果冠状动脉内给药20min后造影显示,两组患者梗死相关动脉TIMI血流分级均较给药前有改善,替罗非班组IRA的TIMI血流0级、1级发生率显著低于对照组,TIMI血流3级发生率显著高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;冠状动脉给药2h后与给药前比较,对照组心电图改善不明显,而替罗非班组患者心电图获得显著改善,两组冠脉给药2h后ST抬高及压低程度、缺血损伤导联数差异均有显著统计学意义（P〈0.01）;术后2周内替罗非班组主要不良心脏事件显著低于对照组（P〈0.01）;术后2周内两组不良反应的发生率差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论经冠状动脉给予盐酸替罗非班治疗可有效地改善ACS患者术后无复流现象,并减少术后2周内主要不良心脏事件。     

Depressive symptoms and treatment after acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: There is limited data regarding the effects of depression treatment adequacy on the mental component of health-related quality of life in a post-acute coronary syndrome population. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with an acute coronary syndrome and discharged from a university-affiliated hospital during a 3-year period were mailed a survey that included the SF-8, EQ-5D and other self-reported measures of disease and treatment (e.g. physical functioning, comorbidity, medication compliance and perceived cardiac severity). Patients were categorized based on self-report of depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication. Adjusted mean mental health-related quality of life scores were determined by least square mean analysis controlling for independent variables. RESULTS: Of 1217 eligible patients, 490 (40.3%) responded. Respondents averaged 65.2 (+/-11.3) years of age, 71% male, 92% Caucasian, 64% with MI history, 17% had their most recent cardiac event within 6 months. No depressive symptoms and no depression treatment (without depression) were reported by 59.8%, 27.6% reported untreated depressive symptoms (untreated), 8.6% reported depressive symptoms and antidepressant medication (undertreated), and 4.1% reported no symptoms and antidepressant medication (adequately treated). Adjusted mean SF-8 Mental Component Summary scores were 52.8, 52.5, 42.8 and 40.2 for patients without depression, adequately treated, untreated and undertreated, respectively (p<0.0001 for all pairwise comparisons except for patients without depression vs. adequately treated and untreated vs. undertreated). CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are common in patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and appear to be related to lower mental health-related quality of life. These observations stress the importance of diagnosis and treatment of depression in this population.     

急性冠脉综合征患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗后心力衰竭高危因素分析

目的探讨急性冠脉综合征（ACS）患者行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）术后发生心力衰竭的高危因素。方法连续选取解放军第252医院2009年1月至2012年12月因ACS行PCI治疗的患者520例,根据患者术后是否发生心力衰竭分为心力衰竭组（n＝67）和对照组（n＝453）,分别统计患者合并高血压、糖尿病病史、吸烟史、陈旧性心肌梗死史、既往心力衰竭病史,分析患者冠状动脉造影影像结果、手术操作时间、对比剂用量及住院期间血糖、血脂、血常规等血液检查指标。结果67例患者术后发生心力衰竭。与对照组比较,心力衰竭组住院时间明显延长、死亡率明显升高（P＜0.05）。此外,心力衰竭组手术操作时间明显较长、对比剂用量明显增多、合并糖尿病比例明显升高、累及前降支病变比例明显增多、不稳定型心绞痛比例明显减少、心肌梗死比例明显增加（P＜0.05）。血液检查指标分析显示,心力衰竭组低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、肌酐、尿酸、白细胞水平明显高于对照组（P＜0.05）。多因素logistic回归分析显示,年龄、前降支病变、白细胞计数、尿酸是ACS患者PCI术后发生心力衰竭的高危因素。结论前降支病变合并入院白细胞计数、尿酸水平明显升高的老年患者为PCI术后发生心力衰竭的高危患者。     

Survival and changes in physical ability after coronary revascularization for octa-nonagenerian patients with acute coronary syndrome

Elderly populations are increasingly represented among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and advanced age has been identified as an important risk factor for death and adverse outcome in patients with ACS treated invasively. Although considerable data have demonstrated a prognostic benefit of early revascularization in ACS particularly in high-risk patients, elderly patients with ACS are treated invasively less often than younger patients because older age is thought to be an independent predictor of mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ACS. Over the past 5 years, a total of 54 ACS patients over 85 years old were treated. The 6-month survival rate was around 50% in the non-PCI group (n = 12) and around 80% in the PCI group (n = 42) (P < 0.05). Cardiac death occurred in 6 patients in the PCI group and in 6 patients in the non-PCI group. The rates of both cardiac death and all-cause death were significantly lower in the PCI group. The change in ADL score before and 6 months after the procedure was from 1.57 to 1.59 in the PCI group and from 2.25 to 2.20 in the non-PCI group. PCI for elderly patients with ACS is safe and life saving, and does not reduce the ability to perform activities of daily living. PCI should be recommended even for octo-nonagenerians with ACS.     

Ten year mortality in subsets of patients with an acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVE—To describe the mortality during the subsequent 10 years for subsets of patients hospitalised for suspected acute coronary syndrome.
PATIENTS AND METHODS—All patients who were admitted to the emergency department in one hospital during 21 months for chest pain or other symptoms raising suspicion of an acute coronary syndrome were registered. From this baseline population three subgroups were defined among those being hospitalised: patients who developed a Q wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (n = 306); patients who developed a non-Q wave AMI (n = 527); and patients who developed confirmed or possible myocardial ischaemia (unstable angina pectoris) (n = 1274). These three groups were compared in terms of 10 year mortality.
RESULTS—Patients who developed a non-Q wave AMI had the highest 10 year mortality (70.3%), significantly higher than those who developed a Q wave AMI (60.1%; p = 0.004) and those who had confirmed or possible myocardial ischaemia (50.1%; p < 0.0001). There was no difference between patients with confirmed and those with possible myocardial ischaemia (50.0% and 50.1%, respectively). After correction for dissimilarities in age, sex, and history the adjusted risk ratio for death in patients with a non-Q wave AMI compared with Q wave AMI was 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.25). The corresponding risk ratio for death in patients with a non-Q wave AMI compared with confirmed or possible myocardial ischaemia was 1.91 (95% CI 1.64 to 2.23). There was also an imbalance in drug regimens among groups.
CONCLUSION—This study shows that in a non-selected population of patients hospitalised with a suspected acute coronary syndrome, the highest risk of death is found in those with a non-Q wave AMI and the lowest in those with confirmed or possible myocardial ischaemia. Thus, patients with a Q wave AMI have a long term mortality risk intermediate between the two fractions defined as having unstable coronary artery disease. However, adjusting these results for age and history of cardiovascular disease eliminated the observed difference in mortality between non-Q wave and Q wave AMI. Furthermore, an imbalance in drug regimens might have affected the outcome.


Keywords: prognosis; acute coronary syndrome