Coronary Angioplasty In Patients Research Articles

Comparison of major complication rates associated with four methods of arterial closure

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Effect of age on the outcome of angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction among patients treated at the Mayo Clinic

PURPOSE: Elderly patients, especially those 80 years of age and older, have been excluded from most studies of thrombolysis or primary coronary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction. We compared the outcomes of elderly patients who underwent coronary angioplasty with the outcomes of younger patients and determined whether there were any temporal trends in survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the outcomes of 1,597 consecutive patients who underwent primary coronary angioplasty between 1979 and 1997, including 127 patients who were 80 years of age or older (mean [±SD] age, 83 ± 3 years, 47% male). Their in-hospital and long-term outcomes were compared with those of 524 patients who were 70 to 79 years old, 527 patients who were 60 to 69 years old, and 419 patients who were 50 to 59 years old. The oldest group of patients was divided into two groups, based on whether they had intervention through the end of 1993 (n = 56) or between 1994 and 1997 (n = 71). The survival rate of the patients who had no complications and left the hospital was compared with expected survival based on age- and sex-adjusted data. RESULTS: Patients 80 years of age or older had more adverse baseline characteristics, including risk factors and comorbid conditions, than the younger patients. The clinical success rate of primary angioplasty in this group was lower than those in the other three groups (61% versus 74% in those aged 70 to 79 years, 73% in those aged 60 to 69 years, and 81% in those aged 50 to 59 years, P < 0.001). The in-hospital mortality rate among patients 80 years of age or older was significantly greater than among patients in the other three groups (21% in those aged 80 years or older, 13% in those aged 70 to 79 years, 9% in those aged 60 to 69 years, and 4% in those aged 50 to 59 years, P < 0.001). The clinical success rate of the angioplasty improved significantly in the more recent period (75% versus 45%, P = 0.0006) and in-hospital mortality declined (16% versus 29%, P = 0.07). During follow-up, mortality in the oldest age group in whom angioplasty was successful was significantly greater than in the three younger groups, but was similar to the expected survival in the general US population. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality associated with primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction in octogenarians remains high, although there has been significant improvement in the clinical success rate. The long-term prognosis following a successful angioplasty is not different from that in an age- and sex-adjusted U.S. white population.

Strategies for implementing lipid-lowering therapy: pharmacy-based approach

A multidisciplinary program was designed to improve patient outcomes after an acute coronary event. The primary objective of the program was that lipid-lowering therapy be prescribed at the time of discharge for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) patients. Secondary objectives for this program were (1) a baseline lipid panel within the first 24 hours of admission and (2) documentation of discharge counseling for lipid-lowering therapy in the patient medical record. Improvements were reported for all 3 objectives. For the primary indicator, lipid-lowering therapy prescribed at discharge, the baseline value increased from 40% to 72–81%. The percentage of patients with a lipid panel within 24 hours of admission improved from a baseline of 13% to 38–71%. Overall, 28–77% of patient records contained documentation of lipid-lowering medication counseling after initiation of the program. This information should provide the necessary benchmarking data to maintain competitiveness in the dynamic healthcare environment. Overall, this program provides high-quality, cost-effective health care for the patient with established coronary artery disease.

Ten-year outcome after coronary angioplasty in patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease and comparison with the results of the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS)

The 10-year results of randomized trials comparing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and medical treatment are not available yet. The aim of this evaluation was to compare our 10-year follow-up results after PTCA in patients with single-vessel CAD with the 10-year follow-up results after CABG and medical treatment in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) trial. We evaluated the clinical outcome of 509 patients with single-vessel CAD 10 years after coronary angioplasty. The data were compared with the results of 214 patients with single-vessel CAD after CABG or medical treatment from the CASS trial. End points were defined as death and myocardial infarction. Statistical evaluation was performed by life-table analysis and 2-sided Fisher’s exact test. The rate of survival was 86% 10 years after PTCA compared with 85% after CABG and 82% after medical treatment in patients from the CASS trial (p = NS). Survival free from myocardial infarction was 77% after coronary angioplasty, 70% after CABG, and 72% after medical treatment (p = NS). Thus, in patients with single-vessel CAD, infarct-free survival 10 years after coronary angioplasty compared favorably with the results after bypass surgery or medical treatment from the CASS trial.

Improvement in Corrected QT Dispersion by Physical Training and Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty in Patients With Recent Myocardial Infarction

The aim of the present study was to assess whether physical training and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) improve the corrected QT (QTc) dispersion in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI). Twenty-four patients with recent MI were allocated to one of 3 groups: training (n = 8), PTCA (n = 7) or controls (n = 9). Physical training as well as PTCA decreased QTc dispersion, whereas QTc dispersion increased in the control group. Changes in QTc dispersion after physical training or PTCA were inversely correlated with exercise-induced ST depression at the baseline test. These observations suggest that physical training, as well as PTCA, could improve QTc dispersion and electrical instability in patients with recent MI, possibly due to improvement of myocardial ischemia.

Clinical and angiographic outcome of patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction.

This study sought to determine the procedural success and the in-hospital outcome after primary coronary angioplasty in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction and right ventricular involvement (RVI). RVI represents an easily detectable, highly prevalent subset of acute inferior infarction associated with poor outcome even in the era of thrombolysis. Primary PTCA may offer advantages in patients with inferior infarction involving the right ventricle. Primary coronary angioplasty with optimal stenting was performed in 87 of 88 consecutive patients presenting within 24 hours after onset of acute inferior myocardial infarction. On the basis of right precordial ST segment elevations at admission, patients were classified into those without (n=61) and those with RVI (n=27). The patients were followed prospectively for angiographic success at 10 days and for in-hospital clinical outcome. Baseline characteristics including age, severity of coronary artery disease, proportion of stent implantation, and occurrence of cardiogenic shock were comparable. Patients with RVI had larger infarct sizes (lactate dehydrogenase level: 962 vs 580 U/l, P=0.03), developed more often complete atrioventricular block (18.5 vs. 2%, p=0.0038), needed more often parasympatholytics (48.1 vs 18.8%, p<0.001), and had a substantially higher incidence of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex (29.6 vs 6.6%, p<0.01) following reperfusion. Success of recanalization therapy acutely and at 10 days, as well as in hospital mortality were similar in patients with and without RVI (88.5 vs. 85.2%, 79.3 vs. 84.7%, 7.4 vs 9.8%). However, patients with RVI revealed a greater lumen gain acutely after PTCA (2.49 vs. 2.13 mm, p=0.025) and experienced less frequently major cardiac events (14.8 vs. 36.1%, p=0.04) which included reinfarction, re-ischemia, coronary bypass grafting, stent thrombosis, and cardiac death. In addition, procedural success was established more rapidly (fluoroscopy time: 10 vs 15 min., p=0.032) and with less contrast material (242 vs 295 ml, p=0.015) in patients with RVI. This is probably due to the more proximal location (84.6 vs 6.6%, p<0.0001) and the larger reference diameter (3.17 vs. 2.79 mm, p=0.03) of the occluded right coronary artery. Primary PTCA is an appropriate reperfusion strategy in patients with RVI. Further comparative studies are required to compare the effectiveness of primary PTCA with early thrombolytic therapy in this high risk setting.

Changes of hemostasis, endogenous fibrinolysis, platelet activation and endothelins after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with stable angina

OBJECTIVESThis study investigated parameters of endogenous fibrinolysis, activation of coagulation and platelets, and endothelin levels before and after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).BACKGROUNDAbrupt vessel closure is a serious short-term complication after PTCA and is often unforeseeable. Detailed insight into the effect of PTCA on hemostasis, platelets and the release of vasoconstrictive substances, which are among the mainly discussed mechanisms of abrupt vessel closure, is needed to enhance the safety of coronary intervention.METHODSPlasma levels of markers of platelet activity, coagulation, endogenous fibrinolysis and endothelins were determined in 20 patients with stable CAD undergoing elective PTCA. The blood specimens were drawn before, immediately after, 1 h after intervention and on the next morning.RESULTSAll patients showed an initially uncomplicated PTCA. Regarding the efficacy of anticoagulation after receiving 15.000 IU heparin during PTCA, two groups were compared. In eight patients with ineffective anticoagulation production of thrombin and platelet activation directly after and 1 h after PTCA was significantly higher compared with 12 patients with effective anticoagulation. Despite the strong activation of coagulation, only a low fibrinolytic response could be observed. Endothelins rose significantly after PTCA in both groups but stayed longer on higher levels in patients with distinct thrombin generation. Three of the eight patients without sufficient heparin treatment suffered abrupt vessel closure.CONCLUSIONSInitially uncomplicated dilation of coronary arteries leads to systemically measurable activation of coagulation and platelets in patients with ineffective doses of heparin and release of endothelins in all patients. Therefore, individual adjustment of anticoagulation and platelet inhibition in combination with effective antivasospastic substances are needed in every patient before, during and after initially uncomplicated PTCA to prevent this serious complication.

Procedural results of coronary angioplasty but not late mortality have improved in patients with depressed left ventricular function.

Published experience with coronary angioplasty in patients with severely depressed left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction indicates that procedural complications are more frequent in such patients than in those with normal or near normal LV function. Although the immediate outcomes of transcatheter revascularization in unselected populations have improved substantially since the procedures upon which these reports were based were performed, outcomes with this subset of patients has not been recently reviewed. This study was undertaken to document the results of the application of current transcatheter technology to this patient subset. We analyzed data from 194 consecutive patients with a visually estimated LV ejection fraction < 30%, who underwent coronary angioplasty in this institution between January 1, 1995, and April 30, 1996, and compared their outcomes with those of 1,390 patients with normal LV function treated concurrently. Angiographic success in the two groups was similar. The hospital mortality of the patients with low ejection fraction was higher (2.6 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.02) than in concurrently treated patients with normal LV function. Other procedural complications were no more frequent than in such patients. Late mortality in patients with low ejection fraction was 16%, a similar value to that in older reports. Compared with older reports, current hospital outcomes of coronary angioplasty are improved in patients with severely depressed LV function. Unfortunately, late outcomes are not demonstrably better.

Changes of plasma hemostatic markers during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with chronic coronary artery disease

Changes of plasma hemostatic markers during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with chronic coronary artery disease

Changes of plasma hemostatic markers during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with chronic coronary artery disease

Changes of plasma hemostatic markers during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with chronic coronary artery disease

Value of exercise electrocardiography in the detection of restenosis after coronary angioplasty in patients with one-vessel disease

Exercise treadmill testing (ETT) is considered an unreliable method for detection of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The studies on which this belief is based have used quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) as a reference. The inherent limitations of angiography have been demonstrated by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). To determine the value of ETT for detecting restenosis when IVUS criteria are used to define restenosis, we studied 29 patients with angiographically documented 1-vessel coronary disease (<35% stenosis in all nondilated segments) who underwent angioplasty. ETT was performed ≤2 weeks before follow-up angiography and IVUS imaging. Only patients without any abnormalities precluding an accurate reading of the ST segment during ETT were included. Restenosis was defined as a ≥50% diameter stenosis by QCA criteria and as a cross-sectional area narrowing of ≥75% by IVUS. The ETT was positive in 12 patients and restenosis was documented by QCA and IVUS in 38% and 48% of cases, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of ETT when QCA was used as a reference were 55%, 67%, 50%, and 71%, respectively. This corresponded to an accuracy of 62% when compared with QCA. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 79%, 93%, 92%, and 82% when ETT was compared with IVUS, with an accuracy of 86% (p = 0.002). Thus, ETT is a reliable noninvasive method for detecting the presence of restenosis after PTCA in patients with 1-vessel coronary artery disease. The presence of ≥75% cross-sectional narrowing shown by IVUS is well correlated with ≥1-mm ST-segment depression at follow-up ETT after PTCA.

The challenge of acute coronary syndromes

I n t roduc t ion Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) pose multiple challenges to physicians, cardiologists, internists, and emergency department physicians, as well as to general practitioners. General practitioners are responsible for early recognition of ACS among patients with chest discomfort and identification of patients who require hospital admission; cardiologists and other specialists prescribe initial and subsequent medical therapy and select patients for immediate, early, or elective revascularisation by percutaneous techniques (balloon angioplasty, stent) or bypass surgery. A systematic approach may guide the physicians to meet these challenges (table). The term ACS encompasses a spectrum of patients who present with chest discomfort or other symptoms caused by myocardial ischaemia. The unification of these manifestations of coronary artery disease under a single term reflects the understanding that these are caused by a similar pathophysiology, characterised by erosion, fissuring, or rupture of a pre-existing plaque, leading to intravascular thrombosis and impaired myocardial blood supply? The presence or absence of mechanical obstruction by the plaque and its contents, the amount and extent of associated thrombus formation, and the degree of collateral circulation determine the outcome of patients, particularly whether myocardial ischaemia recovers fully or results in minor or major myocardial necrosis. The common pathophysiology of different clinical presentations of ACS logically requires a similar therapeutic approach. In the 1970s, attention focused on management of lifethreatening arrhythmias. Coronary care units were introduced to detect and treat such arrhythmias by pacemakers (A-V block) or defibrillation (ventricular fibrillation). 2-~ Defibrillators were also introduced in ambulances. Antiarrhythmic drugs were also introduced to prevent ventricular fibrillation. Subsequently, attention shifted to measures to reduce myocardial oxygen consumption with [3-blockers, nitrates, and calcium antagonists. ' These agents prevented progression to myocardial infarction in patients with unstable angina, and improved outcome in selected patients with evolving infarction." In the past 10 years, reperfusion therapy has been introduced, supported by intensive antithrombotic and anticoagulant therapy. The value of reperfusion therapy with coronary occlusion (evolving infarction) by thrombolytic therapy or direct angioplasty has been well established. 9-n However, the indications for, and opt imum timing of, percutaneous or surgical coronary intervention in the spectrum of patients with unstable angina are still debated. H

Acute and long-term cost implications of coronary stenting

OBJECTIVESWe compared the acute and one year medical costs and outcomes of coronary stenting with those for balloon angioplasty (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) in contemporary clinical practice.BACKGROUNDWhile coronary stent implantation reduces the need for repeat revascularization, it has been associated with significantly higher acute costs compared with coronary angioplasty.METHODSWe studied patients treated at Duke University between September 1995 and June 1996 who received either coronary stent (n = 384) or coronary angioplasty (n = 159) and met eligibility criteria. Detailed cost data were collected initially and up to one year following the procedure. Our primary analyses compared six and 12 month cumulative costs for coronary angioplasty- and stent-treated cohorts. We also compared treatment costs after excluding nontarget vessel interventions; after limiting analysis to those without prior revascularization; and after risk-adjusting cumulative cost estimates.RESULTSBaseline clinical characteristics were generally similar between the two treatment groups. The mean in-hospital cost for stent patients was $3,268 higher than for those receiving coronary angioplasty ($14,802 vs. $11,534, p < 0.001). However, stent patients were less likely to be rehospitalized (22% vs. 34%, p = 0.002) or to undergo repeat revascularization (9% vs. 26%, p = 0.001) than coronary angioplasty patients within six months of the procedure. As such, mean cumulative costs at 6 months ($19,598 vs. $19,820, p = 0.18) and one year ($22,140 vs. $22,571, p = 0.26) were similar for the two treatments. Adjusting for baseline predictors of cost and selectively examining target vessel revascularization, or those without prior coronary intervention yielded similar conclusions.CONCLUSIONSIn contemporary practice, coronary stenting provides equivalent or better one-year patient outcomes without increasing cumulative health care costs.

Combined use of orgaran and reopro during coronary angioplasty in patients unable to receive heparin

Combined use of orgaran and reopro during coronary angioplasty in patients unable to receive heparin

Continuous vectorcardiographic monitoring of ischemia during coronary angioplasty in patients with bundle-branch block.

Patients with the combination of bundle-branch block and ischemic heart disease have a poor outcome. There is no established criterion for detection of transient ischemia when bundle-branch block is present. To elucidate vectorcardiographic changes during coronary angioplasty of patients with bundle-branch block. The QRS complex and ST-segment changes of 29 patients with bundle-branch block were studied during elective coronary angioplasty using continuous vectorcardiography. Data for the patients with bundle-branch block were compared with data for narrow-QRS-complex controls, matched for the vessel dilated, sex, and age. Patients with bundle-branch block were found to have more pronounced changes in the QRS-vector difference as a response to coronary occlusion than did controls. ST-vector magnitude responded in a similar way during coronary occlusion of patients with and without bundle-branch block but from different baselines. ST change-vector magnitude was found to be the most sensitive parameter for detection of ischemia in patients with bundle-branch block as well as for controls. Monitoring of transient ischemia during coronary angioplasty for patients with bundle-branch block is feasible using continuous vectorcardiography. A change in ST vector magnitude > 100 microV is suggested to indicate significant ischemia in the presence of bundle-branch block.

Effects of dopamine and aminophylline on contrast-induced acute renal failure after coronary angioplasty in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency

In phase 1 of this study, 60 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty were randomized to receive saline, dopamine, or aminophylline; the overall incidence of contrast-induced renal failure was 38%, without difference among the 3 groups. In phase 2 of this study, 72 patients with established contrast-induced renal failure were randomized to receive saline or dopamine; dopamine had a deleterious effect on the severity of renal failure, prolonging the course.

Significance of eNOS Gene Polymorphism for the Prediction of Restenosis after Coronary Angioplasty in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

Background:The restenosis after coronary angioplasty is the unresolved problem even if the improvement of interventional skills and pharmacological therapies. Nitric oxide, known as endothelial derived relaxing factor (EDRF, regulates the vascular tone and inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and platelet adhesions and endothelium-leukocyte interactions. Nitric oxide is produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS. We studied the significance of eNOS gene polymorphism for the prediction of restenosis after coronary angioplasty in Koreans with ischemic heart disease. Methods:We analyzed the two eNOS poly-morphisms using PCR (eNOS A/B polymorphism is the VNTR in intron 4 and eNOS T/G polymorphism is a missense mutation in exon 7 in 199 Korean patients who had 257 lesions undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty (ballooning=152, stenting=105. The angiography was repeated 6 months later to assess the relation between the rate of restenosis and types of eNOS gene polymorphism. Results:We found no significant differences of restenosis rate in eNOS A/B and T/G polymorphism in those with balloon angioplasty or with stent (restenosis rate of A/A, A/B, B/B, respectively (n=257: 25% (1/4, 26% (14/53, 31% (62/200 (p= not significant, and T//T, T/G, G/G (n=249: 0% (0/3, 36% (16/44, 29% (58/202 (p=not significant Patients with A allele (non BB or GG phenotype had lower restenosis rate, so we analyzed protective effect of non BB and GG phenotype on restenosis, but there was no significant statistical difference (restenosis rate of non BB and GG, BB and non GG respectively:20% (15/57, 34% (16/47 (p=not significant. Conclusion:

Coronary flow reserve in the contralateral artery increases after successful coronary angioplasty in patients with spontaneously visible collateral vessels

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that coronary flow reserve could increase in the angiographically normal contralateral artery after successful coronary angioplasty of an ipsilateral coronary artery.DesignCoronary flow reserve was estimated using...

Enhanced secretion of insulin plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis of coronary arteries: elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with effort angina.

We investigated the relation between insulin and coronary atherosclerosis and restenosis of the coronary arteries, by performing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Insulin is known to promote atherosclerosis of the arteries and has been implicated in the development of restenosis after PTCA. Of 210 angina patients who underwent PTCA, newly detected lesions in 35 consecutive nondiabetic subjects without previous intervention on the same main coronary arteries were analyzed after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and follow-up coronary angiography. Atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated by pattern, severity and extent. Restenosis was defined as loss of gain, the percentage of loss of the initial gain in the coronary diameter achieved by PTCA > or = 50%. Patients with restenosis had a significantly higher extent index (a marker of atherosclerosis), insulin area, ratio of insulin area to glucose area, insulinogenic index and minimal lumen diameter after PTCA than those without restenosis (p=0.001, 0.011, 0.002, 0.016 and 0.041, respectively). Simple regression analysis revealed that only the ratio of insulin area to glucose area (a relative marker of enhanced insulin secretion) significantly correlated with the extent index (p=0.035). Extent index, insulin area, the ratio of insulin area to glucose area and insulinogenic index significantly correlated with loss of gain (p=0.001, 0.010, 0.002 and 0.032, respectively). Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that extent index and the ratio of insulin area to glucose area significantly correlated with loss of gain. Enhanced secretion of insulin during the OGTT might be useful as a predictor of coronary atherosclerosis and of restenosis after elective PTCA in nondiabetic patients with effort angina.

A comparison of coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients on hemodialysis

The hospital records of 22 patients on hemodialysis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, and 19 others undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were reviewed to compare the outcomes of these procedures in this population. Evidence of previous myocardial infarction or triple vessel or left main coronary artery disease was more common in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft than those undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Perioperative mortality and complication rates following coronary artery bypass graft (4.5% and 41%, respectively) were similar to those following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (5.3% and 42%). Cardiac event-free rates at 18 months by life-table analysis following coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were 87±16% and 40±14%, respectively. Survival at 18 months were 67±17% following coronary artery bypass graft and 69±14% following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Cardiac events were observed to occur in three patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft at a median of 10 months, and in nine patients following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty at a median of 6 months. One patient required percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty after the initial coronary artery bypass graft. Seven patients required repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and two patients underwent coronary artery bypass graft after initial percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Although these conclusions are limited by the retrospective nature of the study, it is concluded that coronary artery bypass graft can be performed with morbidity and mortality equivalent to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and provides better cardiac event-free rates than percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients on hemodialysis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty does not appear to be justified in this population because of its unacceptably high restenosis and cardiac event rates.