Symptoms Of Acute Myocardial Infarction Research Articles

Recognition of Early Cardiovascular Disease Symptoms in Hypertensive and Dyslipidemic Individuals of Icheon, Korea: Insights into Educational Levels and Health Literacy.

The study aimed to explore the relationship between the presence of hypertension or dyslipidemia and the recognition of early symptoms of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke. It is crucial for individuals with hypertension or dyslipidemia to recognize early symptoms of AMI and stroke, as timely and appropriate intervention can lead to favorable health outcomes. The study enrolled 104 participants aged 19 and above who are current residents of the Icheon region, Gyeonggi, Korea. The assessment of early symptoms of AMI and stroke utilized adapted items from the Korea Community Health Survey. In consideration of health literacy and education attainment, logistic regression analyses were conducted. While there was no significant association between hypertension and awareness of AMI or stoke symptoms, individuals with dyslipidemia demonstrated enhanced recognition of specific AMI symptoms, such as 'sudden chest pain or pressure' and 'sudden feeling of breathlessness'. No significant associations were observed between hypertension or dyslipidemia and awareness of stroke symptoms. The study emphasized the significance of targeted health education programs for individuals with chronic conditions to enhance their awareness of early symptoms of AMI and stroke.

Association Between Acute Myocardial Infarction Symptoms and Short- and Long-term Mortality After the Event

BackgroundIn this study, we investigated various acute myocardial infarction (AMI) symptoms and their associations with short-term (28 day) and long-term mortality. MethodsThe analysis was based on 5900 patients, aged 25 to 84 years, with first-time AMI recorded by the population-based Myocardial Infarction Registry Augsburg between 2010 and 2017. Median follow-up time was 3.8 years (interquartile range: 1.1-6.3). As part of a face-to-face interview, the presence (yes/no) of 11 most common AMI symptoms at the acute event was assessed. Using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression and Cox regression models, the association between various symptoms and all-cause mortality was investigated. P values of the regression models were false discovery rate adjusted. ResultsPain in various body parts (chest pain, left and right shoulder/arm/hand, between shoulder blades), sweating, nausea/vomiting, dizziness and fear of death/feeling of annihilation were significantly associated with a decreased 28-day mortality after AMI. The pain symptoms and sweating were also significantly associated with a decreased long-term mortality. Shortness of breath was significantly associated with a higher long-term mortality. ConclusionsThe absence of several symptoms, including typical chest discomfort (chest pain or retrosternal pressure/tightness), is associated with unfavourable outcomes after AMI. This finding has implications for patient management and public health measures designed to encourage appropriate and prompt medical consultation of patients with atypical AMI symptoms.

Public Awareness of Early Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Arar, Saudi Arabia

Background: A significant factor in patient delays is a lack of understanding of MI symptoms. Denial, fear, and an undue reliance on self-management could be the causes of more delays. This study aimed to assess the level of public awareness concerning the early symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and the appropriate actions to be taken when these symptoms manifest in the population of Arar, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional design employing a quantitative approach was used. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire distributed to 390 participants using convenience sampling. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study revealed mixed awareness levels among participants. While 63.6% correctly recognized chest pain as a symptom of MI, only 61.8% identified radiating pain to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, and jaw as an alarming symptom. Additionally, 74.9% recognized shortness of breath, and 64.6% identified fatigue as potential MI symptoms. Other symptoms, such as cold sweats (57.2%) and nausea (40.3%), were less well-known. Among the recognized risk factors, smoking (86.7%), diabetes (64.1%), and hypertension (79%) were relatively well-acknowledged, while obesity (84.4%) and sedentary lifestyles (86.9%) were recognized to a lesser extent. Age, education, income, city of residence, personal or family history of MI, history of MI among acquaintances, and exposure to AMI information in media and books significantly influenced awareness scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of tailored public health interventions to enhance MI awareness, especially among younger individuals, those with higher education, and those with lower incomes. It highlights the need for addressing lesser-known risk factors, such as obesity and sedentary lifestyles, to comprehensively prevent MI.

Insulin resistance in Takotsubo syndrome.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure (AHF) syndrome mimicking the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Impaired outcome has been shown, making risk stratification and novel therapeutic concepts a necessity. We hypothesized insulin resistance with elevated plasma glucose and potentially myocardial glucose deprivation to contribute to the pathogenesis of TTS and investigated the therapeutic benefit of insulin in vivo. First, we retrospectively analysed patient data of n=265 TTS cases (85.7% female, mean age 71.1±14.1years) with documented initial plasma glucose from the Department of Cardiology of the University Hospital Heidelberg in Germany (May 2011 to May 2021). Median split of the study population according to glucose levels (≤123mg/dL vs. >123mg/dL) yielded significantly elevated mean heart rate (80.75±18.96 vs. 90.01±22.19b.p.m., P<0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP, 18.51±8.35 vs. 23.09±7.97mmHg, P<0.001), C-reactive protein (26.14±43.30 vs. 46.4±68.6mg/L, P=0.006), leukocyte count (10.12±4.29 vs. 15.05±9.83/nL, P<0.001), peak high-sensitive Troponin T (hs-TnT, 515.44±672.15 vs. 711.40±736.37pg/mL, P=0.005), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (EF, 34.92±8.94 vs. 31.35±8.06%, P<0.001), and elevated intrahospital mortality (2.3% vs. 12.1%, P=0.002) in the high-glucose group (Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or chi-squared test). Linear regression indicated a significant association of glucose with HR (P<0.001), LVEDP (P=0.014), hs-TnT kinetics from admission to the next day (P<0.001), hs-TnT the day after admission (P<0.001), as well as peak hsTnT (P<0.001). Logistic regression revealed significant association of glucose with a composite intrahospital outcome including catecholamine use, respiratory support, and resuscitation [OR 1.010 (1.004-1.015), P=0.001]. To further investigate the potential role of glucose in TTS pathophysiology experimentally, we utilized an in vivo murine model of epinephrine (EPI)-driven reversible AHF. For this, male mice underwent therapeutic injection of insulin (INS, 1IU/kg) or/and glucose (GLU, 0.5g/kg) after EPI (2.5mg/kg), both of which markedly improved mean EF (EPI 34.3% vs. EPI+INS+GLU 43.7%, P=0.025) and significantly blunted mean hs-TnT (EPI 14393pg/mL vs. EPI+INS 6864pg/mL at 24h, P=0.039). Particularly, insulin additionally ameliorated myocardial pro-inflammatory gene expression, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect of acute insulin therapy. Elevated initial plasma glucose was associated with adverse outcome-relevant parameters in TTS and may present a surrogate parameter of heightened catecholaminergic drive. In mice, insulin- and glucose injection both improved EPI-induced AHF and myocardial damage, indicating insulin resistance rather than detrimental effects of hyperglycaemia itself as the underlying cause. Future studies will investigate the role of HbA1c as a risk stratifier and of insulin-based therapy in TTS.

ROMIAE (Rule-Out Acute Myocardial Infarction Using Artificial Intelligence Electrocardiogram Analysis) trial study protocol: a prospective multicenter observational study for validation of a deep learning-based 12-lead electrocardiogram analysis model for detecting acute myocardial infarction in patients visiting the emergency department.

Based on the development of artificial intelligence (AI), an emerging number of methods have achieved outstanding performances in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using an electrocardiogram (ECG). However, AI-ECG analysis using a multicenter prospective design for detecting AMI has yet to be conducted. This prospective multicenter observational study aims to validate an AI-ECG model for detecting AMI in patients visiting the emergency department. Approximately 9,000 adult patients with chest pain and/or equivalent symptoms of AMI will be enrolled in 18 emergency medical centers in Korea. The AI-ECG analysis algorithm we developed and validated will be used in this study. The primary endpoint is the diagnosis of AMI on the day of visiting the emergency center, and the secondary endpoint is a 30-day major adverse cardiac event. From March 2022, patient registration has begun at centers approved by the institutional review board. This is the first prospective study designed to identify the efficacy of an AI-based 12-lead ECG analysis algorithm for diagnosing AMI in emergency departments across multiple centers. This study may provide insights into the utility of deep learning in detecting AMI on electrocardiograms in emergency departments. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05435391. Registered on June 28, 2022.

Abstract 13871: Portrayal of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Popular Film

Introduction: The representation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in popular media plays a pivotal role in shaping public conceptions about CV health. CVD is the leading cause of death among women and disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority populations in the United States, yet recent national surveys indicate a significant decline in public awareness. Our study sought to investigate the portrayal of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in popular film. Hypothesis: Portrayal of AMI in film will predominantly show white men exhibiting symptoms of chest pain. Women, racial/ethnic minority populations, and subtle symptoms of AMI will be underrepresented. Aims: To examine 100 full length feature film scenes depicting AMI and evaluate the representation of gender, race/ethnicity, and symptoms. Methods: The 100 most popular films with scenes depicting AMI were identified using the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Scenes and AMI symptoms were analyzed by cardiologists/cardiology fellows. Gender and race/ethnicity were acquired via movie plots/scripts or via actor self-identification if the former was unavailable. Results: Of the 100 scenes analyzed, 10% depicted women. The representation of people of color was only 6% in contrast to the 94% of scenes featuring non-Hispanic whites. Of the 10 women portrayed, 1 was non-white. The distribution of gender and race/ethnicity for all scenes is shown in Figure 1. The most prevalent presenting symptom observed in 65% of scenes was chest pain accompanied by loss of consciousness. Conclusions: Popular film depictions of AMI appear to be under representative of women and racial/ethnic minority populations. This may be a contributing factor to the inaccurate public perception that CVD does not affect these populations. Film depictions of AMI, which predominantly portray dramatic symptoms of chest pain and loss of consciousness may also perpetuate false beliefs on typical (or even atypical) symptoms of AMI.

A risk model for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a critical disease, characterized by a high fatality rate in several countries. In clinical practice, the incidence of AMI is increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the early diagnosis of AMI in the above group of patients is still poor. In the present study, a total of 829 patients with CKD, defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or 60-90 ml/min/1.73 m2 for patients with mildly reduced kidney function, who attended the Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (SPPH) between January 2018 and November 2022 were enrolled. All patients underwent coronary angiography due to the presence of typical or atypical symptoms of AMI. Patients were divided into the following two groups: The training cohort, including 255 participants with AMI and 242 without AMI; and the testing cohort, including 165 and 167 subjects with and without AMI, respectively. Furthermore, a forward stepwise regression model and a multivariable logistic regression model, named SPPH-AMI-model, were constructed to select significant predictors and assist the diagnosis of AMI in patients with CKD, respectively. The following factors were evaluated in the model: Smoking status, high sensitivity cardiac troponin I, serum creatinine and uric acid levels, history of percutaneous coronary intervention and electrocardiogram. Additionally, the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve were determined in the risk model in the training set [AUC, 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.74-0.82] vs. the testing set (AUC, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.69-0.79) vs. the combined set (AUC, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.73-0.80). Finally, the sensitivity and specificity rates were 71.12 and 71.21%, respectively, the percentage of cases correctly classified was 71.14%, while positive and negative predictive values of 71.63 and 70.70%, respectively, were also recorded. The results of the current study suggested that the SPPH-AMI-model could be currently considered as the only risk scoring system for the early diagnosis of AMI in patients with CKD. This method could help clinicians and emergency physicians to quickly and accurately diagnose AMI in patients with CKD to promote the immediate and effective treatment of these patients.

Mind the Gap: Model-Based Switching from Selatogrel to Maintenance Therapy with Oral P2Y12 Receptor Antagonists.

Background: The P2Y12 receptor antagonist selatogrel is being developed for subcutaneous self-administration with a ready-to-use autoinjector at the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) symptoms. The unique pharmacological profile of selatogrel (fast, potent, and short-acting) can bridge the time gap between the onset of AMI and first medical care. A clinical Phase 1 study showed a time-dependent pharmacodynamic interaction between selatogrel and loading doses of clopidogrel and prasugrel. As treatment switching is a common clinical practice, the assessment of subsequent switching from a clopidogrel loading dose to the first maintenance dose of oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists is highly relevant. Objectives: Model-based predictions of inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) for the drugs triggering pharmacodynamic interactions were to be derived to support clinical guidance on the transition from selatogrel to oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists. Methods: Scenarios with selatogrel 16 mg administration or placebo followed by a clopidogrel loading dose and, in turn, prasugrel or ticagrelor maintenance doses at different times of administration were studied. Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and simulations of different treatment scenarios were used to derive quantitative estimates for IPA over time. Results: Following selatogrel/placebo and a clopidogrel loading dose, maintenance treatment with ticagrelor or a prasugrel loading dose followed by maintenance treatment quickly achieved sustained IPA levels above 80%. Prior to maintenance treatment, a short time span from 18 to 24 h was identified where IPA levels were predicted to be lower with selatogrel than with placebo if clopidogrel was administered 12 h after selatogrel or placebo. Predicted IPA levels reached with placebo alone and a clopidogrel loading dose at 4 h were consistently lower than with selatogrel administration, followed by a clopidogrel loading dose at 12 h. If a clopidogrel loading dose is administered at 12 h, selatogrel maintains higher IPA levels up to 16 h. IPA levels are subsequently lower than on the placebo until the administration of the first maintenance dose. Conclusions: Model-based predictions informed the transition from selatogrel subcutaneous administration to oral P2Y12 therapy. The application of modeling techniques illustrates the value of employing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling for the simulation of various clinical scenarios of switching therapies.

A man in his sixties with acute chest pain.

Chest pain is a frequent symptom of acute myocardial infarction, but the cause is not always coronary atherothrombosis. We present a case where the patient himself had made a correct non-cardiac diagnosis, but this was initially overlooked by the doctor. A man with a history of cardiac infarction was admitted with acute chest pain and troponin elevation. Electrocardiogram suggested ST elevations, echocardiography showed a possible slight hypokinesia, and we primarily suspected an acute coronary syndrome. However, invasive coronary angiography was negative and a primary acute myocardial infarction was less likely. A renewed interview revealed that the patient had worked with a propane burner indoors without adequate ventilation. The patient himself suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Arterial blood gas showed HbCO 27.4%, which was unfortunately overlooked initially. The patient had carbon monoxide poisoning with symptoms of dizziness, hand ataxia and myocardial ischaemia. He received 100% oxygen and HbCO was normalised. The imbalance between oxygen demand and supply resulted in a type 2 cardiac infarction. A thorough medical history is crucial for correct diagnosis but can unfortunately be missed on a busy shift. This case illustrates the importance of the patient's own diagnostic assumption.

Knowledge on heart disease of the person with ischemic heart disease

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Instruments that allow us to measure the users' knowledge about their health can be useful in clinical practice to allow adjusting interventions, quantifying health gains and developing cost-effective interventions. Purpose To determine knowledge about heart disease among the population with diagnosed ischemic heart disease. Methods Cross-sectional, descriptive study using a sequential sample of patients with ischemic heart disease admitted between May 2nd and July 30th, 2022 at the cardiology service of the Hospital Centre of our city. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and applied to 165 patients, encompassing several dimensions: sociodemographic characteristics, clinical history, lifestyle, number of hospitalizations due to heart disease and characterization of the current admission. An instrument was used to determine knowledge about heart disease (Questionário de Avaliação de Conhecimentos em Doença Cardíaca: QACDC - Questionnaire for the Assessment of Knowledge in Heart Disease), the Medical Term Recognition Test (METER) to assess literacy and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patients were assessed during their stay at the hospital unit where they had been admitted due to an acute illness or for elective procedures. Using, preferably, parametric tests, we studied the association between the average score obtained in the QAC-DC and the variables studied. Results Women, the less educated and those with inadequate literacy levels were the groups with the lowest levels of knowledge. Regarding the areas of knowledge, the least recognized cardiovascular risk factors were the family history of ischemic heart disease (recognized by 86%), diabetes mellitus (recognized by 73%) and gender (marked by 19% of respondents). The most frequently identified symptom of heart disease was chest discomfort (92%), followed by difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (84%), while jaw, neck or interscapular discomfort was only recognized by 54% of respondents. Symptoms of stroke and acute myocardial infarction were confused by 88% of the sample. Conclusions There are important gaps in some areas of knowledge about heart disease among patients with ischemic heart disease. These gaps are particularly important in certain patient subgroups. Health intervention strategies must be sensitive to these data. The QAC-DC knowledge assessment instrument proved to be reliable, valid and applicable in clinical practice.

Calcineurin signaling promotes takotsubo syndrome

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome that mimics the symptoms of acute myocardial infarction and is often preceded by emotional and/or physical stress. There is currently no treatment for TTS. Here we show that injection of 2.5 mg kg−1 of epinephrine (EPI) into mice recapitulates numerous features of human TTS, including increased myocardial damage and mortality in males. Gene set enrichment analysis of myocardial RNA sequencing after EPI injection revealed significant enrichment of calcineurin-dependent pro-inflammatory gene networks, which was more pronounced in male than in female mice, in agreement with observed sex discrepancies in the mouse phenotype. An increase in calcineurin activity was detected in the circulating cells of patients with TTS, suggesting a systemic nature of the syndrome. Preventive and therapeutic treatment of mice injected with EPI using calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine and tacrolimus improved heart function and reduced myocardial injury. Our findings suggest that calcineurin inhibition could be a potential therapy for TTS.

“Recognition of heart attack symptoms and treatment-seeking behaviors: a multi-center survey in Tehran, Iran”

BackgroundIn acute myocardial infarction (AMI), timely recognition of symptoms and early hospital presentation positively affect patient morbidity and mortality. Due to the high burden of ischemic heart disease in Iran, this study aimed to identify factors affecting the level of knowledge, responses at the time of AMI onset, and sources of health information among the Iranian population.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals in Tehran, Iran. An expert-validated questionnaire was used to obtain data. A total of 400 individuals were enrolled.ResultAmong the respondents, 285 people(71.3%) considered “chest pain or discomfort,” and 251 (62.7%) regarded “pain or discomfort in the arm or shoulder” as MI symptoms. Approximately 288 (72.0%) respondents had poor knowledge of the AMI symptoms. Knowledge of symptoms was higher among those with higher levels of education, those with medical-associated jobs, and those who resided in the capital areas. Major risk factors identified by the participants were: anxiety (340)(85.0%), obesity (327)(81.8%), an unhealthy diet (325)(81.3%), and the presence of high LDL levels (258)(64.5%) and Diabetes Mellitus (164)(41.0%) were less appreciated. Calling an ambulance (286)(71.5%) was the most common treatment-seeking behavior in the case of a suspected heart attack.ConclusionIt is vital to educate the general population about AMI symptoms, particularly those with comorbidities at the greatest risk for an AMI episode.

Implementation of high-sensitivity troponin with a rapid diagnostic algorithm reduces emergency department length of stay for discharged patients

IntroductionHigh sensitivity troponin (hs-cTn) and diagnostic algorithms are used to rapidly triage patients with symptoms of acute myocardial infarction in emergency departments (ED). However, few studies have evaluated the impact of simultaneously implementing hs-cTn and a rapid rule-out algorithm on length of stay (LOS). MethodsWe assessed the impact of transitioning from contemporary cTnI to hs-cTnI in 59,232 ED encounters over three years. hs-cTnI was implemented with an orderable series that included baseline, two-, four-, and six-hour specimens collected at provider discretion and operationalized with an algorithm to calculate the change in hs-cTnI from baseline and provide interpretations of “insignificant”, “significant,” or “equivocal.” Patient demographics, results, chief complaint, disposition, and ED LOS were captured from the electronic medical record. ResultscTnI was ordered for 31,875 encounters prior to hs-cTnI implementation and 27,357 after. The proportion of cTnI results above the 99th percentile upper reference limit decreased from 35.0% to 27.0% for men and increased from 27.8% to 34.8% for women. Among discharged patients, the median LOS decreased by 0.6 h (0.5–0.7). LOS among discharged patients with a chief complaint of chest pain decreased by 1.0 h (0.8–1.1) and further decreased by 1.2 h (1.0–1.3) if the initial hs-cTnI was below the limit of quantitation. The rate of acute coronary syndrome upon re-presentation within 30 days did not change post-implementation (0.10% versus 0.07%). ConclusionImplementation of an hs-cTnI assay with a rapid rule-out algorithm decreased ED LOS among discharged patients, particularly among those with a chief complaint of chest pain.

Achieving Equity in Emergency Medicine Quality Measures Requires a Sex and Gender Lens

BackgroundQuality measures within Emergency Medicine (EM) were developed to standardize and improve care. Their development has been limited by lack of consideration of sex- and gender-based differences. Research has suggested that sex and gender can impact clinical care and treatment. Inclusion of sex and gender differences is needed to create EM quality measures that are equitable to all. ObjectiveThe aim of the review is to provide a brief history of EM quality measures and the value of considering sex- and gender-based evidence in their development to ensure equity, using acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as an example. DiscussionCurrent quality measures related to AMI, such as time-to-electrocardiogram and door-to-balloon time in percutaneous coronary intervention, may have important and modifiable disparities when stratified by sex. Even when presenting with signs and symptoms of AMI, women experience delayed time to diagnosis and treatment. Few studies have considered interventions to mitigate these differences. However, the data available suggest that sex-based disparities can be minimized by implementation of strategies such as a quality control checklist. ConclusionsQuality measures were created to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and standardized care, but without the inclusion of sex and gender metrics, they may not advance care to an equitable level.

Comparing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Non-GERD Patients Based on Knowledge Level of Acute Myocardial Infarction Symptoms, Risk Factors and Immediate Action Taken in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

A major cause of death globally is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn are common symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Chest pain is also the main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Therefore, the differential diagnosis of chest pain can become more challenging when GERD and AMI coincide. This study evaluated and compared the knowledge of the signs, symptoms, and immediate action that must be taken regarding AMI among GERD and non-GERD patients. An observational cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was created and published between October and November 2022 to collect data from Saudi males and females 18 or older willing to participate in the study. Participants who were not Saudi had declined to complete the survey or had not fully completed it was excluded. The questionnaire contained three sections; after collecting informed consent, it made inquiries regarding respondents' GERD status, demographic information, and knowledge and attitudes regarding GERD. This study included 691 responses from 300 non-GERD participants and 391 GERD participants. The study showed a high level of awareness (75.5%) of GERD, with significant differences in the level of awareness according to marital status, education levels, and occupation status. There was no significant difference in the level of awareness according to gender and GERD diagnosis, where the p-value > 0.05. The most common source of information about AMI was the Internet, followed by health care professionals. The most commonly known symptoms of AMI were sudden pain or discomfort in the chest, followed by a sudden shortness of breath. Additionally, there was no significant association between the diagnosis of GERD and known risk factors. The association between GERD and other diseases (chi-square = 46.94, p-value 0.01). Obesity and smoking were the two main risk factors for heart attacks. This study demonstrated thatthere was no significant difference between GERD and non-GERD participants regarding the knowledge and awareness level of AMI. Moreover, it showed that there was a lack of general knowledge and awareness of AMI in Saudi Arabia.The authors recommend initiating more awareness programs in Saudi Arabia to inform people about AMI and cardiovascular disease. More research is required to determine whether other patients are aware of AMI.

Dual Specificity Phosphatase 3 (DUSP3) Knockdown Alleviates Acute Myocardial Infarction Damage via Inhibiting Apoptosis and Inflammation.

Dual Specificity Phosphatase 3 (DUSP3) regulates the innate immune response and is associated with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the precise function of DUSP3 in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains to be established. In this study, the AMI model in vivo was established in mice by permanent left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion, and primary neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes were treated with hypoxia for 12 hours to mimic AMI in vitro. Sh-DUSP3 and AAV9-sh-DUSP3 were used to knock down the DUSP3 expression. LVEF%, LVFS%, SOD1, and HO-1 level, and TTC staining were used to test the cardiac function. Flow cytometric analysis, Western blot, and TUNEL staining were used to investigate the effect of DUSP3 knockdown on apoptosis. Moreover, we detect inflammatory factors expression and oxidative stress by ELISA. Besides, we investigate DUSP3 expression by RT-qPCR. Our findings determined the role of DUSP3 in the progression of AMI. And demonstrated that DUSP3 knockdown alleviated oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. In addition, our results indicated that DUSP3 knockdown could regulate the expression of p-NF-κB, ICAM1, and VCAM1. Our results demonstrated that the knockdown of DUSP3 could effectively alleviate AMI symptoms and be mediated through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Acute myocardial infarction during late COVID-19 era: patient characteristics, presentation and outcomes.

COVID-19 pandemic has unquestionably influenced care of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Still, its impact on patients (pts) characteristics, presentation, treatment, and outcomes remains not well established in late pandemic times. To address this issue, we performed a prospective study of type-1 AMI pts admitted in a tertiary care hospital. Pts were enrolled during 6-months in 2019 (n=122; pre-COVID-19 (PC) group) and in 2021 (n=196; late-COVID-19 (C) group). Data was based on pts interview and review of medical records. Age and gender distribution, as well as ST/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI/NSTEMI) proportion and access to coronariography and revascularization were similar between groups. C pts presented more pre-existing established cardiovascular disease (CVD) (43% vs 30%; p=0,03); more frequent description of typical chest pain (94% vs 84%; p=0,002); higher levels of pain intensity, in a 0-10 scale (8±2 vs 7±2; p=0,02); higher frequencies of AMI complications (27% vs 15%; p=0,01) and worse Killip (K) class evolution (K≥2 in 22% C vs 13% PC pts; p=0,05). In conclusion, late pandemic AMI pts presented worse in-hospital outcomes in our study, though pre-hospital and hospital care were comparable to pre-pandemic times. Covid pts had a higher burden of pre-existing established CVD and a more typical and intense symptom presentation. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that "sicker" pts continued to look for help when presenting AMI symptoms, while "less sick" pts and the ones with less typical and intense symptoms possibly avoided contact with health care services during late pandemic period.

The Impact of COVID-19 National Lockdown on Myocardial Infarction (MI) Hospitalizations in Northern Jordan.

During COVID-19 lockdown periods, several studies reported decreased numbers of myocardial infarction (MI) admissions. The lockdown impact has not yet been determined in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact that of the lockdown measures might have had on the mean number of MI hospital admissions in Northern Jordan. A single-center study examined consecutive admissions of MI patients during COVID-19 outbreak. Participants' data was abstracted from the medical records of King Abdullah University Hospital between 2018 and 2020. Mean and percentages of monthly admissions were compared by year and by lockdown status (pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown time intervals). A total of 1380 participants were admitted with acute MI symptoms: 59.2% of which were STEMI. A decrease in number of MI admissions was observed in 2020, from 43.1 (SD: 8.017) cases per month in 2019 to 40.59 (SD: 10.763) in 2020 (P < 0.0001) while an increase in the numbers during the lockdown was observed. The mean number during the pre-lockdown period was 40.51 (SD: 8.883), the lockdown period was 44.74 (SD: 5.689) and the post-lockdown was 34.66 (SD: 6.026) (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Similar patterns were observed when percentages of admissions were used. Upon comparing the lockdown period both to the pre- and post-lockdown periods separately, we found a significant increase in MI admissions during the lockdown period. This suggests that lockdown-related stress may have increased the risk of myocardial infarction.

Identifying and Solving Gaps in Pre- and In-Hospital Acute Myocardial Infarction Care in Asia-Pacific Countries.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Asia-Pacific region, and mortality rates differ between countries in the region. Systems of care have been shown to play a major role in determining AMI outcomes, and this review aims to highlight pre-hospital and in-hospital system deficiencies and suggest possible improvements to enhance quality of care, focusing on Korea, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia as representative countries. Time to first medical contact can be shortened by improving patient awareness of AMI symptoms and the need to activate emergency medical services (EMS), as well as by developing robust, well-coordinated and centralized EMS systems. Additionally, performing and transmitting pre-hospital electrocardiograms, algorithmically identifying patients with high risk AMI and developing hospital networks that appropriately divert such patients to percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospitals have been shown to be beneficial. Within the hospital environment, developing and following clinical practice guidelines ensures that treatment plans can be standardised, whilst integrated care pathways can aid in coordinating care within the healthcare institution and can guide care even after discharge. Prescription of guideline directed medical therapy for secondary prevention and patient compliance to medications can be further optimised. Finally, the authors advocate for the establishment of more regional, national and international AMI registries for the formal collection of data to facilitate audit and clinical improvement.

Value of Heart Rate Variability, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Quality of Life of Patients with Depressive Symptoms in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction. Major depression criteria can be found in more than 20% of coronary heart patients and more than 30% acute coronary syndrome patients have significant depressive symptoms. Several studies have shown that reduction of hearth rate variability (HRV) and enhancement of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can cause enhancement of morbidity and mortality in myocardial infarction patients. On the other hand, depression can cause reduction of HRV, enhancement of NLR and reduction of quality of life. This study aimed to determine differences in HRV, NLR and quality of life between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with depressive symptoms and AMI patients without depressive symptoms. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among AMI patients who were treated during the period of March to July 2021 at the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Jakarta. Samples were taken consecutively until the amount of sample is met. Data were analyzed using unp aired T test. Results. There was a total of 46 subjects AMI patients in this study, ten subjects with depressive symptoms and 36 subjects without depressive symptoms. From the analysis, it was found that AMI patients with depressive symptoms had lower standard deviation normal to normal (SDNN) average (p=0.447), lower low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) (p=0.323), and higher NLR average (p=0.438) than AMI patients without depressive symptom, although it was not statistically significant. Analysis showed that the mean value of SF36 total scores (p<0.001), physical function domain scores (p<0.001), energy domain scores (p<0.001), mental health domain scores (p<0.001), social function domain scores (p=0.028), bodily pain domain scores (p=0.002), and general health domain scores (p=0.002) were lower in AMI patients with depressive symptoms. Conclusion. AMI patients with depressive symptoms had lower SDNN, lower LF/HF, and higher NLR than AMI patients without depressive symptoms, although it was not statistically significant. AMI patients with depressive symptoms significantly have lower quality of life than AMI patients without depressive symptoms.