Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction Research Articles

ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction Indirectly Induced by Trauma

Myocardial infarction (MI) can be provoked by various conditions including blunt chest trauma or stress. We herein report a case of traumatic pneumothorax of the right side in which ST-segment elevation MI developed later, probably due to stress after trauma. A 63-year-old man presented with chest pain after trauma. Pneumothorax of the right chest accompanied by an 8th right rib fracture was confirmed on chest computed tomography. Although electrocardiography was considered nonspecific on presentation, at 40 minutes after presentation, prominent ST-segment elevation in the precordial and lateral leads were noted. A diagnosis of anterior acute MI was made. Emergency coronary angiography, performed after the insertion of a chest tube into the right chest cavity, revealed total occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Coronary recanalization was obtained by thrombus aspiration and stent implantation. The clinical course was uneventful. The present case highlights the importance of recognizing trauma not only as a direct trigger but also as an indirect trigger of acute MI.

A Case of Wellens Syndrome Combined with De Winter Syndrome

This paper reports a typical case of Wellens syndrome combined with De Winter syndrome. The male patient was admitted with "one day chest pain". He is 64 years old. He had chest pain without obvious inducement. Preliminary diagnosis: coronary heart disease unstable angina pectoris. The Electrocardiogram of this case is typical of Wellens syndrome. The patient's Electrocardiogram pseudonormalized during the onset of chest pain, and no significant ST-T changes were observed. After being admitted to hospital, chest pain was relieved. In the case of this case, when the chest pain occurred again, the electrocardiogram of the patient showed a 1-3mm depression of J point in lead V2-V6, followed by symmetrical high tip of T wave and normal ECG changes in QRS wave. Which was in line with the characteristics of electrocardiogram changes in De Winter syndrome. Coronary angiography results: right dominant type, no stenosis in LM, LCX and RCA, and 90%-95% stenosis in the middle part of LAD. The Electrocardiogram of the patient showed dynamic evolution of ST-T. Wellens syndrome and De Winter syndrome successively appeared. It suggests that severe proximal stenosis of the anterior descending artery is accompanied by coronary spasm and the possibility of spontaneous remission. Which will lead to changes of electrocardiograph in ST-T. For these patients, it is necessary to observe the changes of the condition closely and monitor the changes of electrocardiogram dynamically. It is likely to progress to acute extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction without further treatment. So it is necessary perform coronary intervention in time.

The Relationship between Hypoglycaemic Episodes and Arrhythmias in Type 2 Diabetes Subjects after Acute Myocardial Infarction with ST-Segment Elevation—A Case Series

Background and Aims: Several studies have shown that hypoglycaemia, especially a severe episode is associated with an increased mortality rate in diabetes mellitus subjects with previous cardiovascular disease or acute coronary syndrome. One of the presumed mechanisms is the proarrhythmic effect of hypoglycaemia related to the prolongation of the action potential, or the catecholamine surge that follows an episode. The aim of this case series analysis was to investigate the relationship between hypoglycaemia and glucose variability with arrhythmic events in type 2 diabetes patients who suffered an acute myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: We selected patients admitted consecutively to the cardiology department of Clinical Emergency Hospital in Bucharest for a period of three months with acute myocardial infarction and previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes. For each patient, a retrospective continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) or glucose sensor (Medtronic&#174 Enlite, USA) and a dual electrocardiograph and blood pressure monitor for 24 hours were available. Also, patients had an oscillometric device (Arteriograph&#174 TensioMed Ltd) for 24 hours or non-invasive monitoring of central blood pressure, pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. The data were analysed using Medtech&#174, TensioWin&#174 and Carelink iPro&#174 softwares. We used SPSS&#174 version 20.0 (IBM) for the statistical analysis. The results are presented as median and interquartile range (IQR). Results and Discussion: Ten type 2 diabetes patients (4 males, 6 females) with anterior (4/10) and inferior acute myocardial infarction (6/10) were included. They were treated with insulin (3/10), sulphonylurea (Gliclazide) plus Metformin (4/10), Metformin monotherapy (2/10), or all three (1/10). The patients had a median age of 67.5 (3.25) years with a median disease duration of 8 (7.75) years. The median body mass index was 29.54 (5.65) kg/m2. The median HbA1c was 7.9% (3.15) % and C-peptide 3.3 (2.66) ng/ml. There were no significant differences regarding the number of atrial or ventricular premature beats, ventricular or atrial tachycardia or fibrillation, the duration of QT interval, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, aortic pressure, augmentation index, pulse wave velocity between subjects with hypoglycaemia and those without. There was a negative correlation between QTc and glucose values in patients with hypoglycaemia (Spearman coefficient correlation r = -0.232; p Conclusion: Mild hypoglycaemia in type 2 diabetes patients with systolic dysfunction after ST-elevated myocardial infarction did not increase the number of supraventricular premature beats and QTc duration. We suggest that non-severe hypoglycaemia does not increase the risk of arrhythmias in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Recurrent Stroke after Percutaneous Placement of Post-Infarct Septal Occluder Device

Surgical intervention for post-infarct ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a challenging procedure due to patients’ complex preoperative conditions. While percutaneous VSD closure can be considered as an alternative to surgical repair, complete closure of the defect remains difficult and is associated with various procedural complications. We report a rare case of a patient with postoperative residual shunts who experienced recurrent stroke episodes, requiring surgical intervention for repair. The patient, a 71-year-old female, developed acute anterior myocardial infarction and post-infarct VSD. Percutaneous closure with a 14-mm Amplatzer VSD occluder device was performed, yet the closure was incomplete. Following discharge, she developed multiple embolic stroke episodes, likely stemming from the residual VSD, which led to the surgical extraction of the device and VSD repair. Fibrous tissue was found to be solely attached to the core and right ventricle side of the device, whilst no fibrous tissue was observed on the side of the left ventricle. The patient has not experienced new neurological symptoms at an 18-month follow-up. Thus, it is paramount to keep in mind that an embolic stroke may occur in the setting of percutaneous post-infarct VSD closure. Surgical repair of VSD with device removal should be considered as a treatment option to such a complex case.

Factors associated with an increase in spatial and frontal QRS-T angles in patients with anterior myocardial infarction

Aim To determine existence of a relationship between any clinical, echocardiographic and coronarographic factors and increased spatial QRS-T (sQRS-T) angle and frontal QRS-T (fQRS-T) angle in patients with anterior myocardial infarction.Material and methods This study included 137 patients aged 62 [53; 72] years with anterior acute myocardial infarction managed at the A.L. Myasnikov Institute of Clinical Cardiology. fQRS-T was calculated as the module of difference between the frontal plane QRS complex axis and the T wave axis. sQRS-T was calculated as a spatial angle between QRS and T integral vectors from a synthesized vectorcardiogram.Results fQRS-T values for a group (median [25th; 75th percentile]) were 81 [37; 120]°; sQRS-T values were 114 [80; 141]°. The correlation coefficient between fQRS-T and sQRS-T values was 0.41 (p<0.001). fQRS-T weakly but statistically significantly correlated with patients' age (r=0.28; p=0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF, r= -0.22; p=0.01), and glomerular filtration rate (r=-0.32; p=0.0002). sQRS-T weakly but statistically significantly correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (r=0.24; p=0.0048), LV EF (r=-0.28; p=0.0009), and the number of affected segments according to echocardiography data (r=0.27; p=0.002). fQRS-T values were significantly higher in the presence of concurrent arterial hypertension. sQRS-T values were significantly higher in the presence of a history of chronic heart failure. Both fQRS-T and sQRS-T values increased with increasing number of affected blood vessels and Killip class of acute heart failure.Conclusion In patients after anterior acute myocardial infarction, increases in fQRS-T and sQRS-T are associated with more severe damage of the vasculature, decreased LV EF, and, thus, more severe clinical course of disease.

Epidemiology of Post-Infarction Ventricular Septal Rupture in Patients Undergoing Surgical Repair at Different Times from the Development of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction. The article is dedicated to the epidemiological aspects of the mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), particularly post-infarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR), problematic issues of its etiology and localization. Mortality of such patients is determined by rapid development of hemodynamic disorders and their severity, unpredictable clinical course, and the difficulty of early diagnosis. In addition, the high mortality rate of patients, especially when correcting the ventricular septal defect at the early stages after AMI, leaves open the question of the tactics of surgical treatment. The influence of certain risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) on the development of post-infarction VSR is also considered. The aim. To study the epidemic features of post-infarction VSR in patients with different terms of surgical intervention after the development of AMI. Materials and methods. This study presents a retrospective analysis of 90 patients with coronary artery disease complicated by post-infarction VSR, who underwent surgical intervention for the period 2002-2019. The ages of hospitalized patients with post-infarction VSR ranged from 29 to 81 years. All the patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the time interval from AMI to surgical intervention. Results and discussion. It was found that post-infarction VSR is more common in men in the age range of 45-74 years after the manifestation of the first transmural AMI. More than a half of post-infarction VSR cases (56.7%) are associated with anterior localization of the ruptures in consequence of anterior AMI. Since the leading role in the treatment of AMI belongs to percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), we analyzed the use of various reperfusion techniques to restore coronary blood flow in patients with post-infarction VSR. The analysis suggests that there are no statistically significant differences between the studied groups of patients with post-infarction VSR who underwent myocardial reperfusion (p = 0.103). Conclusions. The presence of chronic renal failure (CRF) in patients in the early post-infarction period can complicate the course of post-infarction VSR and affect perihospital mortality. The absence or untimeliness of myocardial reperfusion increases the risk of developing this complication of AMI. The ambiguous prognosis of treatment of post-infarction VSR makes a serious problem for clinicians.

Prognostic value of divergent pattern detection by 99mTc-sestamibi gated SPECT in patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction

PurposeIn gated myocardial perfusion SPECT, apical remodeling may be identified by the presence of a divergent pattern (DP) of the left ventricle (LV). Methods and ResultsWe examined 150 anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, all successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Perfusion gated-SPECT to measure infarct size, LV end-diastolic (ED) and end-systolic (ES) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) was acquired before hospital discharge and repeated at 6-month follow-up. DP was observed in 26 patients, who had larger infarct size (28 ± 19% vs. 15.7 ± 17%, P < 0.02), and lower EF (33 ± 7% vs. 41 ± 10%, P < 0.001) than patients without DP. At follow-up, DP patients had significantly larger EDV (156 ± 54 vs. 107 ± 44 mL, P < 0.0001), ESV (104 ± 47 vs. 59 ± 36 mL, P < 0.0001) and lower EF (35 ± 12% vs. 48 ± 13%, P < 0.0001). 54% of DP patients developed remodeling at follow-up vs. 12% of those without DP (P < 0.001). During follow up, 7 events in the DP group (27%) and 11 events in patients without DP (9%; P < 0.02) occurred. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed a worse prognosis for DP patients. ConclusionIn patients with anterior AMI, early DP detection is related to subsequent LV dysfunction, larger infarct size, and worse severity. It is helpful for predicting LV remodeling at short-term follow-up and has prognostic implications.

Influence of Smoking on The Location of Acute Myocardial Infarctions

Objective: To determine the frequency of smokers and to compare the frequency of smokers among patients with inferior and anterior acute myocardial infarction amongst patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction at a Tertiary Care Hospital. Subjects And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 226 at the Adult Cardiology Department of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Karachi for six months from 20-07-2019 till 20-01-2020. After obtaining verbal consent, researchers prospectively collected data from the participants. The study included 226 patients who were diagnosed with the appropriate conditions. Frequency and percentages were used to present qualitative data, while mean and standard deviation were used to present quantitative data. To see how to effect modifiers affected the outcome, researchers used stratification to keep track of them. For statistical significance, the post-stratification chi-square test was used. Results: A total of 226 presenting with acute myocardial infarction were included in this study. The mean age in our study was 55.92±10.49 years. Out of 226 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 130 (57.5%) and 96 (42.5) smoked and did not smoke respectively. Comparison of smoking status in patients who had anterior and inferior myocardial infarction showed that 39 (53.4%) and 51 (51%) smoked respectively. Conclusion: Smoking is a well-recognized strong modifiable risk factor and predictor of multivessel disease. Smoking cessation has been consistently associated with a mortality benefit in both stable coronary artery disease and post-acute coronary syndromes. Consequently, smoking cessation is one of the cornerstones of secondary prevention despite the improvement in the management of ACS with PCI and pharmacotherapy Keywords: Smoking, coronary vessels, territory and ST elevated myocardial infarction.

A study of clinical profile and treatment outcomes among patients presenting with acute anterior myocardial infarction with right bundle branch block vs without right bundle branch block

A study of clinical profile and treatment outcomes among patients presenting with acute anterior myocardial infarction with right bundle branch block vs without right bundle branch block

Ventricular Double Rupture: A Rare Combination of Ventricular Septal Rupture and Concealed Post-Infarction Free Wall Rupture

A 72-year-old woman with well-controlled hypertension presented to our hospital due to worsening symptoms of heart failure. She had a history of acute anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) diagnosed 2 weeks previously, when she received clinically successful fibrinolytic therapy at another regional hospital 4 hours after symptom onset. Four (4) days after hospital discharge, she gradually developed dyspnoea on exertion and orthopnoea. No recurrent chest pain was reported. On examination, her blood pressure was 120/65 mmHg with a regular pulse rate at 90/minute.

RV Function by cardiac magnetic resonance and its relationship to RV longitudinal strain and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in patients with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous intervention

Background: Although acute inferior myocardial infarction (MI) is usually regarded as being lower risk compared with acute anterior MI, right ventricular (RV) myocardial involvement (RVMI) may show an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with inferior MI. CMR is ideal for assessing the RV because it allows comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular morphology and physiology without most limitations that hinder alternative imaging modalities. Objectives: To evaluate the sensitivity of strain and strain rate of the RV using 2D speckle tracking echo and the neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio (NLR) compared to cardiac MRI (CMR) as the gold standard among patients with inferior STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methodology: 40 Patients with inferior MI who had primary PCI were included in the study; they were divided into two groups according to the RVEF using CMR. NLR was done in comparison to RVEF. Results: out of the 40 patients, 18 (45%) patients had RV dysfunction. 2D echocardiography was done for all patients, where fractional area change (FAC) in the RV dysfunction group appeared to be significantly reduced compared to the group without RV dysfunction (p value = 0.03). In addition, RV longitudinal strain (LS) by speckle tracking echo was reduced with an average of 19.5 ± 3.9% in the RV dysfunction group. Both CMR- derived RV SV, and EF were lower among the RV dysfunction group, (26.8 ± 15.8) ml and (35.4 ± 6.9)% respectively, with large RV systolic volume, with a highly statistically significant difference in comparison to the other group (p value = 0.000). Complications, heart block was significantly higher in patients with RV dysfunction (p value = 0.008) as it occurred in 5 (27.8%) patients. N/L ratio for predicting RV dysfunction by CMR had a cut-off value of &gt; 7.7 with low sensitivity (38.8%) and high specificity (77.3 %). In contrast, LS for predicting RV dysfunction by CMR had high sensitivity (83.3%) and high specificity (63.6%) with p value = 0.005. Conclusion: Our results showed that RV dysfunction in inferior MI is better detected using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. In inferior STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI, NLR has low sensitivity but high specificity for predicting RVD when measured by cardiac MRI.

C88. Sick sinus syndrome in acute anterior myocardial infarction: when culprit strategy ended up jeopardy

Abstract Background Atrial arrhythmias occur in 10% of acute myocardial infarctions and increases incidence of death. Altered heart rhythm with brady-tachy episodes indicates sinus node dysfunction ordinarily cause by inferior myocardial infarction. Case Description A 66-year-old-man, diagnosed with 2 days onset Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction with history of syncope after chest pain, referred with sinus arrest and junctional rhythm that changed into atrial fibrillation. During hospitalization the heart rhythm changing periodically from bradycardia to tachycardia repeatedly with witnessed new ST elevation in inferior lead before an episode of cardiac arrest. After primary PCI to the RCA as the new culprit lesion, chest pain was relieved but hemodynamic condition was not stable and the rhythm remained continuously altered. Discussion Sick sinus syndrome is a cardiac conduction disorder characterized by symptomatic dysfunction of the sinoatrial node generally manifests as sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest, or sinoatrial block, and accompanied by supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (tachy-brady syndrome). This case of acute myocardial infarction with 3 vessel diseased lesion and total occlusion in RCA affected sinoatrial node causing sick sinus syndrome. Recently multi-vessels PCI strategy increasingly recommended at the time of primary PCI for patient with arrhythmia. Conclusion A man 66 years old with acute anterior MI compelling with sick sinus syndrome on presentation because apparently the culprit lesion was RCA. Unfortunately, at that time non-IRA lesion were not opened and TPM was not available, bradycardia continues and the patient ended up being jeopardy.

C88. Sick sinus syndrome in acute anterior myocardial infarction: when culprit strategy ended up jeopardy

Abstract Background Atrial arrhythmias occur in 10% of acute myocardial infarctions and increases incidence of death. Altered heart rhythm with brady-tachy episodes indicates sinus node dysfunction ordinarily cause by inferior myocardial infarction. Case Description A 66-year-old-man, diagnosed with 2 days onset Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction with history of syncope after chest pain, referred with sinus arrest and junctional rhythm that changed into atrial fibrillation. During hospitalization the heart rhythm changing periodically from bradycardia to tachycardia repeatedly with witnessed new ST elevation in inferior lead before an episode of cardiac arrest. After primary PCI to the RCA as the new culprit lesion, chest pain was relieved but hemodynamic condition was not stable and the rhythm remained continuously altered. Discussion Sick sinus syndrome is a cardiac conduction disorder characterized by symptomatic dysfunction of the sinoatrial node generally manifests as sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest, or sinoatrial block, and accompanied by supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (tachy-brady syndrome). This case of acute myocardial infarction with 3 vessel diseased lesion and total occlusion in RCA affected sinoatrial node causing sick sinus syndrome. Recently multi-vessels PCI strategy increasingly recommended at the time of primary PCI for patient with arrhythmia. Conclusion A man 66 years old with acute anterior MI compelling with sick sinus syndrome on presentation because apparently the culprit lesion was RCA. Unfortunately, at that time non-IRA lesion were not opened and TPM was not available, bradycardia continues and the patient ended up being jeopardy.

C44. Electrocardiogram might failed identify acute coronary occlusion: When every minute counts

Abstract Backgrounds Prompt diagnosis of acute coronary occlusion based on electrocardiogram (ECG) are essential to decide proper treatment. However, particular ECG such as Wellens syndrome have been higlighted without obvious ST-segmen elevation which is signifies critical stenosis or occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery but unfortunately is often unrecognized by physicians. Case Illustration A 51-year old male patient referred from district hospital diagnosed as five day onset STEMI with recurrent chest pain. The first ECG in there emergency room was a deep inverted T wave in anterior and lateral lead that immediate intervention approach not choosen. The typical infarct evolution in anteroseptal lead appear one day after the onset. Troponin level was significantly increased. Urgent angiography was performed in our hospital, unfortunately it resulted critical stenosis in proximal LAD with triple vessels and left main coronary artery disease. Then we consider send to surgery due to high coronary complexity (Syntax score:62) and optimize antianginal agent. Discussion In current practice, ST-segment elevation at the J-point, ≥ 1 mm in ≥ 2 adjacent leads (other than leads V2 and V3, where elevation of ≥ 2 mm in men or ≥ 1.5 mm in women is considered significant) for STEMI diagnosis. However, these general ECG criteria fail to identify the STEMI equivalents. Wellens syndrome is one of them that suggesting severe stenosis of the proximal LAD artery, which will develop into an acute anterior wall MI within a few days to weeks in 75% of untreated patients.

C44. Electrocardiogram might failed identify acute coronary occlusion: When every minute counts

Abstract Backgrounds Prompt diagnosis of acute coronary occlusion based on electrocardiogram (ECG) are essential to decide proper treatment. However, particular ECG such as Wellens syndrome have been higlighted without obvious ST-segmen elevation which is signifies critical stenosis or occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery but unfortunately is often unrecognized by physicians. Case Illustration A 51-year old male patient referred from district hospital diagnosed as five day onset STEMI with recurrent chest pain. The first ECG in there emergency room was a deep inverted T wave in anterior and lateral lead that immediate intervention approach not choosen. The typical infarct evolution in anteroseptal lead appear one day after the onset. Troponin level was significantly increased. Urgent angiography was performed in our hospital, unfortunately it resulted critical stenosis in proximal LAD with triple vessels and left main coronary artery disease. Then we consider send to surgery due to high coronary complexity (Syntax score:62) and optimize antianginal agent. Discussion In current practice, ST-segment elevation at the J-point, ≥ 1 mm in ≥ 2 adjacent leads (other than leads V2 and V3, where elevation of ≥ 2 mm in men or ≥ 1.5 mm in women is considered significant) for STEMI diagnosis. However, these general ECG criteria fail to identify the STEMI equivalents. Wellens syndrome is one of them that suggesting severe stenosis of the proximal LAD artery, which will develop into an acute anterior wall MI within a few days to weeks in 75% of untreated patients.

Abstract 13758: Right Ventricular Dysfunction Contributes to Left Ventricular Thrombus Formation After Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Thromboembolic events such as stroke due to left ventricular thrombus (LVT) formation accompany acute myocardial infarction (MI). Risk factors for the development of LVT after MI have been identified based on limited data, including MI location, severe ventricular wall motion abnormalities or aneurysm, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to define additional determinants of LVT formation following acute anterior MI through comparing clinical and echocardiographic characteristics between patients with and without LVT formation during the first 3 months after MI. Methods: This case-control-study comprised acute anterior MI patients with and without LVT, who were selected from a cohort of 1327 consecutive patients with ischemic heart failure in our hospital. The cases and controls were matched for age, sex, and LVEF. LVT was detected by routine/contrast echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging during the first 3 months following MI. Results: Formation of apical aneurysm after MI was independently associated with LVT formation (72.0% vs. 43.5%, odds ratio [OR]=5.06, P=0.005). Echocardiographic risk factors associated with LVT formation included reduced mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE&lt;7mm, OR=4.69), moderate-severe diastolic dysfunction (OR=2.71), and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction [reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)&lt;17mm (OR=5.48), reduced RV factional area change (RV_FAC)&lt;0.35 (OR=3.32), and enlarged RV diameters (OR=1.62)]. Subgroup analysis showed reduced TAPSE (OR=5.12, P=0.010) associated with increased risk of LVT formation in anterior MI patients without apical aneurysm, independent of clinical and other echocardiographic covariates. Conclusions: RV dysfunction as determined by reduced TAPSE and RV_FAC is independently associated with LVT formation in acute anterior MI patients, especially in the setting of MI patients without the formation of an apical aneurysm. This suggests that besides assessment of left ventricular abnormalities, assessment of concomitant RV dysfunction is of importance in risk stratification of LVT formation in patients with acute anterior MI.

Abstract 13781: Megakaryocytes Participating in Thrombosis Under Inflammatory Stress and Sepsis: Direct Pathological Evidence in Two Cases

Introduction: Megakarycytes (MKs) produce platelets (PLTs) which enter the circulation and play its roles in hemostasis and thrombosis. However, direct pathological evidence that MKs participate in thrombosis has not been reported in clinical practice. We describe here direct observations in two cases where MKs were found in thrombosis in coronary artery and in the right atrium under open-heart surgery. Hypothesis: MKs might be mobilized into circulation and directly participate in and magnify thrombosis under sepsis, inflammatory stress and full heparinization. Methods: Case one was a 51-year-old male with ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary stenoses and severe mitral insufficiency who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral annuloplasty under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A thrombus was pulled out from the right atrium when an atrial cannula was removed under full heparinization. Case two was a 53-year-old male with known mitral endocarditis and acute anterior myocardial infarction. Acute coronary angiogram after admission showed thrombosis in the left anterior descending (LAD) branch. The patient underwent emergency thrombectomy, CABG and mitral valve replacement with CPB. The thrombus was completely removed from the LAD through a small incision. Both thrombi, valve tissue and vegetation were sent for pathological examination with HE and CD41-IHC staining on paraffin sections. Results: Large number of giant polyploidy MKs surrounded by PLTs were seen in different areas in the thrombi of MKs-PLTs-fibrin networks from the right atrium and LAD. The coronary thrombus was consisted of MKs, PLTs and red cells in fibrin networks while the infected vegetation was consisted dominantly of inflammatory cells, bacterial legions and fibrin. Conclusions: MKs may enter both venous and arterial circulation, actively participate in thrombosis under inflammatory stress and sepsis, and be capable of escaping from inhibition of full heparinization.

The relationship between CHA2DS2VASc score and left ventricular apical thrombus formation in patients with acute anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background Left ventricular apical thrombus (LVAT) formation is a well-known complication of acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). The CHA2DS2VASc is a scoring system that has been used to estimate the risk of thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. This score has also been used for other clinical conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CHA2DS2VASc score and development of LVAT in patients with AMI. Method The study population included 378 patients (mean age: 56.5 ± 12.3 years, male: 318) presenting with AMI between January 2016 and January 2020. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention procedure was performed in all patients. Initial echocardiogram was performed within 7 days of admission. All patients were evaluated with echocardiography at 3rd, 6th and 12th months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of LVAT on echocardiography. Results The incidence of the LVAT was 8.5% (n = 32) during a mean follow-up time of 233.1 ± 66.7 days. The mean CHA2DS2VASc score was notably higher in patients with LVAT compared to patients in the control group (3.1 ± 1.9 vs. 1.9 ± 1.2, p < 0.001). In Cox regression analysis, high CHA2DS2VASc score, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the presence of LV apical akinesis/aneurysm were the independent predictors for LVAT formation. All of these parameters were associated with higher cumulative incidence of LVAT formation in Kaplan-Meier analyses (p < 0.001 for all). Conclusion High CHA2DS2VASc score, low LVEF and the presence of LV apical akinesis/aneurysm may be used for LVAT risk prediction among patients presenting with AMI.

Predictive value of red cell distribution width in intrahospital mortality and postintervention thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction: Erratum.

Predictive value of red cell distribution width in intrahospital mortality and postintervention thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction: Erratum.

Efficacy and safety of local intracoronary drug delivery in the distal coronary bed as treatment of no-reflow phenomenon during percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Background No-reflow is a complication of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), which occurs in 0.6–5% of elective PCIs, but it may be observed in up to 50% of primary PCI cases, involving the treatment of thrombus-containing lesions. An optimal standard treatment of no-reflow (NR) has not yet been established. Intracoronary (IC) vasodilators are being administered for the treatment of NR via the guiding catheter, but sometimes distal flow restoration is not satisfactory especially in patients with TIMI 0 flow. Purpose To investigate the efficacy and safety of local IC drug delivery in the distal coronary bed via a microcatheter as a treatment option of NR phenomenon during PCI. Methods A retrospective analysis of 4606 PCI procedures done in our institution was conducted, to identify patients who suffered from NR during PCI (TIMI 0-I flow in the absence of mechanical obstruction). In patients with NR, local IC infusion of vasodilators (Nitroprusside 50–200 mcg, Adenosine 30–40 mcg) was infused, via a microcatheter or thrombus-aspiration catheter, distal to the angioplasty site. Repeated injections were done with both drugs at the operator's discretion, until best flow was achieved, but without exceeding the maximum recommended dose. If the patient was hypotensive and, thus, the administration of IC vasodilators for treating slow flow/NR was impeded, 100–200 mcg IV phenylephrine were administered, to increase blood pressure. Afterwards, IC vasodilators were infused. Results In 4606 conducted PCIs, 83 patients suffered from NR (1.8%). The age of patients with NR was 65.17±11.69 years. As for the sex, there were 10 female (12.1%) and 73 male (87.9%) patients. The mode of presentation was: 1) STEMI in 28 patients (33.7%), 2) NSTEMI-Unstable Angina in 21 patients (25.3%) and 3) stable angina in 34 patients (41%). NR was observed in 57 patients (68.7%) at post-stenting and in 26 patients (31,3%) at post-dilation. The affected vessel was LAD in 35 patients (42.2%), LCx artery in 16 patients (19.3%), RCA in 28 patients (33.7%) and SVG in 4 patients (4.8%). The IC-infused drug was adenosine in 21 patients and nitroprusside in 62 patients. The total number of infusions was 4.05±1.88. TIMI III flow was achieved in 90.3% of patients and MBG II/III was achieved in 89.1%. The combination of TIMI III flow with MBG II/III was achieved in 87.9% of the patients. In the subgroup of patients with STEMI, the combination of TIMI III flow with MBG II/III was achieved in 85,7% of the patients. As for the complications, a transient systolic pressure drop below 90 mmHg occurred in 4 patients, while there was one death, due to cardiogenic shock complicating acute anterior MI. Conclusion Local IC delivery of vasodilator drugs in the distal coronary bed via microcatheter during PCI is a safe and effective treatment of NR phenomenon, and it can enhance the myocardial perfusion, in addition to reducing infarct's size. Also, it may improve the post-PCI prognosis. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.