Diagnosis Of ST Segment Elevation Research Articles

Comparative diagnostic and prognostic implications of right versus left bundle branch block in patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Current ESC guidelines on management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) recommend emergent invasive management in patients with ischemic symptoms and bundle branch block (BBB). While left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a well-known high-risk feature in patients with acute myocardial infarction, data on the diagnostic and prognostic impact of right bundle branch block (RBBB) in comparison to LBBB in the context of STEMI are scarce. Methods A prospective cohort of 2,139 patients with suspected STEMI were triaged by the on-call cardiologist to acute coronary angiography based on a prehospital, tele-transmitted digital 12-lead electrocardiogram. All discharge diagnoses were independently adjudicated. The diagnostic accuracy of RBBB or LBBB was calculated. 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality were from a central national registry and compared for LBBB, RBBB and patients without BBB using the Kaplan Meier method. Unadjusted and adjusted (age, sex, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, smoking status and history of coronary artery disease) hazard ratios for 1-year mortality were calculated for both BBB-types. Results The final diagnosis of STEMI was adjudicated in 1,832/2,139 (85.6%) of patients. RBBB was present in 117 (5.5%), LBBB in 61 (2.9%) patients, respectively. Patients with BBB were older than non-BBB patients: Median age was 69.7 years in RBBB, 68.9 years in LBBB and 62.6 years in non-BBB patients. Comparing both BBB types, LBBB patients more often had prior heart failure (6.3% in RBBB vs 11.5% in LBBB), while RBBB patients more often developed cardiac arrest before angiography (15.3% vs 3.7% in RBBB and LBBB patients respectively) and more frequently revealed Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade flow of 0 (61.0% vs 47.2%, respectively). Specificity for the final diagnosis of STEMI was not significantly different in both BBB-types: 95.1% (95% CI 92.1–97.0) in RBBB versus 92.8% (95% CI 89.4–95.2) in LBBB patients (p=0.25). Patients with RBBB had significantly higher 30-day and 1-year mortality (Figure 1), while LBBB and non-BBB patients showed similar outcome. Unadjusted hazard ratio for 1-year mortality comparing RBBB to non-BBB patients was 3.35 (95% CI 2.11–5.34, p<0.001) and 1.4 (95% CI 0.57–3.44, p=0.46) when comparing LBBB to non-BBB patients. After adjustment hazard ratio for RBBB patients was 2.3 (95% CI 1.25–4.21, p=0.007). Conclusion In the context of suspected STEMI, RBBB is an ominous sign associated with adverse clinical features like cardiac arrest prior to PCI, TIMI grade 0 flow, compared to LBBB or non-BBB presenters. Consequently, RBBB patients had poorer outcome after 12 months. Our data therefore reinforce current guidelines in designating RBBB-patients as very high-risk, demanding immediate management and triage. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Regional Research Foundation in Region Sjaelland, Denmark

The relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and acute coronary syndrome severity: is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease a risk marker of coronary atherosclerotic disease?

Abstract Background/Introduction Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been significantly associated with atherosclerotic disease independent of classical risk factors. However, the role of NAFLD in this context remains unclear. The systemic inflammation described in NAFLD related to liver disease progression may be one factor that can influence the progression and instability of atherosclerotic disease and, consequently, in the clinical characteristics of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Purpose To assess the potential relationship between NAFLD and ACS severity. Methods We performed a retrospective study in adult patients with ACS who presented to the emergency room of a quaternary care medical centre between March 2015 and March 2016 and selected 99 patients without previously known coronary artery disease or liver disease, without a history of significant alcohol consumption, terminal disease, other acute illness, use of statins, amiodarone, or other steatogenic drugs. The diagnostic criteria for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) were ST elevation ≥1mm in ≥2 contiguous leads (2mm for leads V1 to V3). The acute myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI) diagnostic was established in patients who did not meet the criteria for STEMI and who had elevated necrosis markers (creatine kinase-MB isoform and troponin I). Unstable angina (UA) diagnostic was established in patients who did not meet the criteria for STEMI and NSTEMI but had more than three cardiovascular risk factors and typical thoracic pain. The presence of steatosis and its degrees was assessed using ultrasound, and the diagnosis of NAFLD was based on the presence of steatosis and clinical history. Results The diagnosis of UA, NSTEMI and STEMI was established in 40, 33 and 26 patients, respectively, and NAFLD was observed in 30%, 66.6% and 76.9% of these patients. NAFLD patients were 5.8 times more likely to have a diagnosis of AMI than UA (p<0.001), were 7.88 times more likely to have a diagnosis of STEMI than UA (p<0.001) and were 4.7 times more likely to have a diagnosis of NSTEMI than UA (p<0.01). Patients with grades 2 and 3 liver steatosis were 4.2 times more likely to have a diagnosis of AMI than UA (p<0.01) and were 8.2 times more likely to have a diagnosis of STEMI than UA (p<0.01). There was no significant relationship between other variables evaluated and the clinical presentation of ACS. Conclusion(s) In this study, the frequency of AMI presentation in NAFLD patients with ACS was significantly higher than the frequency of UA, suggesting a significant relationship between NAFLD and the severity of ACS, independent of the classic risk factors assessed. The results also suggest that the steatosis degree can proportionally influence this context. Therefore, NAFLD could be considered a potential risk marker for coronary atherosclerotic disease progression and instability. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Chest Pain Severity Rating Is a Poor Predictive Tool in the Diagnosis of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Current ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) guidelines require persistent electrocardiogram ST-segment elevation, cardiac enzyme changes, and symptoms of myocardial ischemia. Chest pain is the determinant symptom, often measured using an 11-point scale (0-10). Greater severity of chest pain is presumed to be associated with a stronger likelihood of a true positive STEMI diagnosis. This retrospective observational cohort study considered consecutive STEMI patients from May 02, 2009 to December 31, 2018. Analysis of standard STEMI metrics included positive electrocardiogram-to-device and first medical contact-to-device times, presence of comorbidities, false-positive diagnosis, 30-day and 1-year mortality, and 30-day readmission. Chest pain severity was assessed upon admission to the primary percutaneous coronary intervention hospital. We analyzed 1409 STEMI activations (69% male, 66.3 years old ± 13.7 years). Of these, 251 (17.8%) had no obstructive lesion, consistent with false-positive STEMI. Four hundred sixty-six (33.1%) reported chest pain rating of 0 on admission, 378 (26.8%) reported mild pain (1-3), 300 (21.3%) moderate (4-6), and 265 (18.8%) severe (7-10). Patients presenting without chest pain had a significantly higher rate of false-positive STEMI diagnosis. Increasing chest pain severity was associated with decreased time from first medical contact to device, and decreased in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality. Severity of chest pain on admission did not correlate to the likelihood of a true-positive STEMI diagnosis, although it was associated with improved patient prognosis, in the form of improved outcomes, and shorter times to reperfusion.

The Significance of Dynamics of ST Segment Changes When Assessing the Effectiveness of Mechanical Reperfusion of the Myocardium in Hyperglycaemic Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction with Persistent ST-Segment Elevation

Background: The coexistence of coronary heart disease and consequently, acute myocardial infarction with persistent ST-segment elevation (STEMI) and glucose metabolism disorders is well known. Still, glucose metabolism disorders in the STEMI population are not fully understood. We know that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a factor disabling the function of microcirculation, which in turn may affect the outcome of coronary intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of ST-segment changes in ECG (electrocardiogram) in STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) patients with co-existing hyperglycaemia compared to those with normoglycaemia treated with a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as well as to determine this parameter in the assessment of reperfusion effectiveness. Methods: The study included 92 patients with the diagnosis of STEMI enrolled in the PCI treatment and was divided into groups based on the glucose levels on admission (reactive hyperglycaemia): a group with higher glucose levels on admission (Glc ≥ 7.8 mmol/L, n = 46), a group with lower glucose levels on admission (Glc < 7.8 mmol/L, n = 46) and into groups based on the concentration of HbA1c: a group with a lower HbA1c level (<6.5% (48 mmol/mol), n=71) and a group with a higher level (≥6.5%, n=21). Results: On admission, there were no significant differences in terms of clinical characteristics between the groups of patients with normoglycemia and reactive hyperglycaemia. After PCI, the patients with normoglycemia had significantly higher (p = 0.021) dynamics of changes in the resolution of ST-segment elevation in ECG expressed in an indicator of sum STR (resolution of ST-elevation). A degree of resolution of ST elevation in ECG was significantly (p = 0.021) dependent on the level of blood glucose – higher the blood glucose level, weaker the resolution. The patients with glucose levels ≥7.8 mmol/L had significantly higher levels of CK and CK-MB during the first 48 hours of hospitalization. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean length of hospitalization between individuals from the group with lower and higher blood glucose levels on admission (p = 0.028). A 4-month follow-up revealed no significant difference in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in the study groups (p = 0.063). A 4-year follow-up of patients with higher levels of blood glucose on admission showed a higher incidence of MACE (p = 0.01). The patients with HbA1c ≥ 6.5% were older (p = 0.004), had a greater BMI > 30kg/m2 (p=0.019) and the lower ejection fraction of the left ventricle (p = 0.003) compared to those with the HbA1c levels <6.5%. The incidence of MACE in 4-month and 4-year follow-up was comparable in the study population.

Infarto agudo de miocardio. SCACEST

Concept and etiopathogenesisThe term of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) refers to a group of entities that jointly present the rupture or erosion of an atheroma plaque in the coronary arteries. Acute coronary syndrome with persistent ST segment elevation (STEMI) consists of the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque with consequent occlusion of the coronary artery that will cause abrupt reduction of the coronary flow and infarction of the myocardial territory irrigated by the artery responsible for the infarction. Clinical manifestations and diagnosisThe main symptom of STEMI is a oppresive chest pain irradiated to MSI, although there are other forms of presentation including atypical forms. The key tools for diagnosis are clinical, electrocardiogram (ECG), and determination of markers of myocardial injury (Troponin). TreatmentAfter the patient's first medical contact, initial stabilization measures are necessary, and after confirming the diagnosis of STEMI, promptly establish the revascularization strategy: primary angioplasty (preferable) or fibrinolysis. The development of care networks that connect hospitals with different levels of care and emergency medical system, minimizes delays and favors early revascularization

Effect of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on In-Hospital Mortality and Clinical Outcomes After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

There is controversy regarding in-hospital mortality, revascularization, and other adverse outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We queried the 2003 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to identify patients aged ≥18years with a primary diagnosis of STEMI. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the association of COPD with in-hospital clinical outcomes. Patients with COPD comprised 13.2% of 2,120,005 patients with STEMI. COPD was associated with older age, Medicare insurance, greater co-morbidities, and lower socioeconomic status. Compared with non-COPD patients, patients with COPD had higher inpatient mortality even after adjustment for multiple potential other factors (12.5% vs 8.6%, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.13, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.15, p <0.001). Patients with COPD were more likely to develop new-onset heart failure (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.99 to 2.03), cardiogenic shock (AOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.26), and acute respiratory failure (AOR 2.46, 95% CI 2.43 to 2.50) during their hospital stay. Patients with COPD were less likely to undergo diagnostic angiographies and any revascularization procedures. The mean length of stay (6.0 vs 4.6days; p <0.001) was greater in patients with COPD, as were hospital average hospital charges ($63,956 vs $58,536; p <0.001). In conclusion, among patients with STEMI, COPD is associated with a greater risk of in-hospital mortality, new-onset heart failure, acute respiratory failure, and cardiogenic shock.

AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF ANTERIOR ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION AFTER REMOTE HEART TRANSPLANT

Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a highly morbid diagnosis if not promptly treated. However the differential diagnosis of ST-segment elevation is not limited to MI. A 68-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 1 week history of intermittent, non-

Implementacija inicijative 'Stent for life' i četvorogodišnji rad angiosale Opšte bolnice Užice

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. Initiative 'Stent for Life' (SFL) was launched in 2009 with the objectives to: increase the treatment of patients with myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) to more than 70%, raise the rate of PPCI to more than 600 procedures per million people a year, organize a network of catheterization laboratories which will be non-stop available. Catheterization laboratory in General Hospital (GH) Užice was opened 12.12.2011. Methods: This publication included all patients from our catheterization laboratory in the period from 12.12.2011. to 01.08.2015. taking special notice on patients with diagnosis of STEMI. This was done with objective to observe implementation of SFL initiative in our everyday practice. Results: During the following period 3547 procedures were performed, of which 2270 diagnostic coronary angiography, 595 PPCI, 665 elective PCI. The number of procedures is growing by 5% a year. There were 1029 patients with diagnosis of myocardial infarction, of which 805 was STEMI and 224 NSTEMI. 732 (90.94%) patients with STEMI were treated with reperfusion therapy (mechanical or pharmacological), of which 595 (73.9%) undergoing PPCI. Overall mortality in patients with STEMI is 5.83%. Coronary angiography was performed within the same hospitalization for patients with NSTEMI in 89% of cases. Conclusion: The opening catheterization laboratory in GH Užice has achieved first of the three goals of the SFL initiative in the form of raising the percentage of patients with STEMI who were treated with PPCI to more than 70%. The remaining two objectives will be obtained by achieving non-stop availability of PPCI. All secondary objectives in terms of increasing the number of interventions, establishing cooperation with surrounding municipalities, education in prehospital treatment of STEMI patients, were achieved.

Abstract 20180: Erroneous Diagnosis of Brugada Syndrome: Advanced Multi-Modality Coronary Evaluation to Establish an Ischemic Etiology for Recurrent Ventricular Arrhythmia

Introduction: Rapid diagnosis of ST-segment elevation (STE) myocardial infarction is mandatory for optimal treatment, but standard coronary angiography may occasionally result in misdiagnosis. Case presentation: A 54-year-old man was referred for second opinion on treatment of recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) and chest pain. Three years prior, he suffered a cardiac arrest requiring AED shock. Initial EKG showed 5-10 mm STE in leads V2-V6. Emergent coronary angiography at another facility reportedly showed non-obstructive disease, and STE resolved spontaneously. Procainamide challenge during a subsequent electrophysiology study elicited changes diagnosed as Brugada syndrome, and an ICD was implanted. Over the next several years, he had frequent episodes of VT, often associated with chest pain and terminated with anti-tachycardia pacing. Multiple antiarrhythmic drugs were ineffective, and VT ablation was recommended. Based on the history and original EKG, we proceeded with multi-modality coronary evaluation and provocative testing for coronary vasospasm. An indistinct proximal LAD lesion was further evaluated with fractional flow reserve (FFR) testing, showing a baseline FFR of 0.90 that decreased to 0.67 after administration of intracoronary adenosine. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed 90% eccentric ostial LAD stenosis (see Figure). Given the location and severity of the lesion, he underwent successful robotic totally endoscopic beating heart LIMA-LAD bypass grafting. Post-operatively, both chest pain and episodes of VT resolved. Conclusions: The differential diagnosis of transient STE includes several non-coronary etiologies. However, in the setting of dramatic STE across the precordium and recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, a comprehensive, multi-modality coronary evaluation should be employed to identify lesions that may be otherwise equivocal via angiography or sites of significant vasospasm.

ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Patients with acute coronary syndrome fall into two groups: those with unstable angina or non—ST segment elevation (formerly non—Q wave) myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and those with acute ST segment elevation (formerly Q wave) myocardial infarction (STEMI). STEMI is the focus of this chapter. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and complications of STEMI are elaborated. Reperfusion therapy (including time to reperfusion; diagnostic coronary angiography; primary, facilitated, rescue, and late percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]; thrombolytic therapy and choice of thrombolytic agent; early invasive strategy; coronary artery bypass grafting; and therapeutic hypothermia), medical therapy (including aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, anticoagulants, nitrates, beta blockers, inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, oxygen, analgesia, lipid-lowering therapy, prophylactic antiarrhythmics, and magnesium), risk stratification, secondary prevention, and post-STEMI care are also covered. Tables delineate classifications of MI as defined by proximal cause of myocardial ischemia, Killip classification of acute MI and mortality rates, differential diagnosis of ST segment elevation, contraindications for administering thrombolytic agents, and major recommendations for antithrombotic therapy in patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI and thrombolysis. Algorithms indicate a diagnostic approach to acute coronary syndromes and corresponding pathology and reperfusion strategies. Electrocardiogram changes in STEMI and corresponding territory of myocardium are depicted. A variety of graphs are included. This review contains 11 highly rendered figures, 6 tables, and 151 references.

CardioPulse Articles

Patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and ST-segment elevation (STEMI) benefit from immediate revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or, if such is not readily available, from thrombolytic therapy. Furthermore, some of those without such electrocardiographic (ECG) findings benefit from early revascularization. Therefore, patients with a possible ACS should be assessed immediately to confirm the diagnosis, to initiate medical therapy, and to verify whether ECG findings and subsequent biochemical markers of myocardial necrosis (preferable troponin T or I) warrant invasive therapy. In order to provide a rapid response, different methods of working have been developed: pre-hospital diagnosis of STEMI, chest pain clinics, and fast track at the emergency unit. When an ambulance is called by the patient, his/her relatives or a physician, a complete 12-lead ECG should be taken to decide whether an ACS with ST elevation is present. This ECG may be interpreted by a physician if present on the ambulance, or by an onsite computer system, as was introduced in Rotterdam in the 1980s. Alternatively, the ECG may be transmitted to a hospital for interpretation by a physician. Patients with ST elevation can be immediately transferred to a hospital with PCI facilities or may receive immediate, pre-hospital thrombolytic therapy. A chest pain unit, adjacent to the general emergency unit, was introduced in Amsterdam in the 1980s. This principle was subsequently adopted by other hospitals in The Netherlands and abroad. Patients with chest pain and a possible ACS are assessed in this unit and can stay in the chest pain unit for a maximum of a few hours, until a final diagnosis is made, based on ECG, repeat troponin measurements, or other markers of myocardial injury or other investigations as appropriate. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is either admitted to the appropriate hospital ward or discharged. The chest pain unit is supervised by a cardiologist and managed by a cardiology resident. In many hospitals worldwide, patients are assessed at the general emergency unit in a hospital. In the emergency unit, a patient may be seen by an emergency physician, an internist, or a cardiologist. Several studies have shown that in patients with ACS, optimal treatment according to guidelines is best provided if a cardiologist is in charge. Nevertheless, other physicians can assume responsibility provided that they comply with the same guidelines, avoiding unnecessary delay of treatment in those patients with evolving myocardial infarction (STEMI). Such delay may be avoided when the nurses are instructed to record an ECG immediately upon arrival of the patient and call for attention if ST elevation or ST depression is apparent. It should be appreciated that patients with STEMI are a minority among those presenting with chest pain or similar symptoms. Accordingly, it is a challenge to differentiate those patients requiring immediate PCI from those with other diagnoses in whom, generally, a longer observation period is warranted. The protocol of the emergency department is crucial to guarantee optimal treatment of patients with chest pain. It should include registration of the admission diagnoses of all patients seen at the unit, with the time from entry to ECG recording and diagnosis. A regular review of such registry will help to optimize patient management.

Sudden Cause of Cardiac Death—Be Aware of Me: A Case Report and Short Review on Brugada Syndrome

Introduction. Brugada syndrome accounts for about 4% of sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). It is characterized by an ST-segment elevation in the right precordial electrocardiogram (EKG) leads. Case Presentation. We describe a 39-year-old healthy Caucasian man who was admitted to the intensive care unit after being cardioverted from ventricular fibrillation (VF) arrest. His past history was significant for an episode of syncope one month prior to this presentation for which he was admitted to an outlying hospital. EKG during that admission showed ST elevations in V1 and V2 leads, a pattern similar to Type 1 Brugada. A diagnosis of Brugada syndrome was missed and the patient had a cardiac arrest a month later. We discuss a short review of Brugada syndrome and emphasize the need to look for it in patients presenting with SCD and malignant arrhythmias. Conclusion. Physicians should always consider Brugada syndrome in the differential diagnosis of ST-segment elevation in anterior precordial leads of EKG and associated VT/VF. Although more than 17 years have passed since the first case was reported, increased awareness of this syndrome is needed to identify patients with EKG changes and treat them accordingly to prevent incidence of (SCD) and its deleterious complications.

Prognostic effect of renal dysfunction after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with and without heart failure

Purpose The present study was designed to assess, 1) the independent prognostic effect of renal dysfunction on all-cause mortality in the setting of acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI), and 2) to determine if such effect varies based upon the presence of heart failure (HF) on admission. Methods 549 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of STEMI were prospectively recruited in a teaching hospital in Spain. Serum creatinine (sCr) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were obtained on admission, together with other relevant information used for risk stratification. The independent effect of sCr and GFR on long-term mortality was determined by Cox regression analysis. Main outcome was all-cause mortality, with a median follow-up of 1 year. Results In a multivariate analysis the degree of renal impairment was a strong predictor of mortality in patients without clinical evidence of HF at admission (HR = 1.15; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.19 and HR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.81) for sCr (per 0.1 mg/dl) and GFR (per decreasing 10 ml/min/1.73 m 2), respectively. In the group with HF, the effect was less pronounced (HR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.04 and HR = 1.17; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.37) for sCr and GFR, respectively. Conclusions In the setting of STEMI, renal dysfunction estimates showed a differential prognostic effect depending on HF status, with a greater impact seen in patients without clinical evidence of HF.