Elective Coronary Angioplasty Research Articles

Assessment of Peri-Procedural Myocardial Injury by High-Sensitivity Troponin-I Levels after Successful Elective Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Assessment of Peri-Procedural Myocardial Injury by High-Sensitivity Troponin-I Levels after Successful Elective Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Ventricular injury in acute left circumflex occlusion: Exploration using precordial bipolar leads and regional VECTORCARDIOGRAMS

BackgroundPrecordial Bipolar Leads (PBLs) provide new electrocardiographic information derived from standard 12‑lead ECG recordings. ObjectivesTo explore the usefulness of PBLs in patients with acute circumflex coronary artery (CxCA) occlusion. MethodsTwelve patients undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were studied before and after acute CxCA occlusion and their data were processed with new methods based on PBLs. ResultsThe findings were: 1. In right PBL V2-V1, a strong systolic current of injury moving in the left-to-right direction coexists with a strong right-to-left current of injury displayed in left standard unipolar precordial leads (V4, V5 and V6). 2. Ischemic changes lead to a significant increase (approximately 10 ms) in the QRS duration in different leads, although changes in the QRS loop rotation and folding were absent. 3. In the transverse, sagittal, and frontal planes, superimposing two PBLs and the corresponding Regional VCG facilitates the location of the J-point. 4. In the Regional VCGs of this group of patients, J-point and ST segment shifts produced an image that reminds the Greek letter omega (Ω). 5. The currents of injury flowing in opposite directions could result in electrical cancellation that minimizes ECG changes in the standard 12‑lead recordings. ConclusionsComputerized processing of digital, standard 12‑lead ECG recordings, provides new valuable diagnostic data in patients with acute CxCA occlusion. The loops revealed important information related to systolic currents of injury. Because these methods use routine 12‑lead ECG data, the procedure is based only in software applications. Condensed abstractTwelve patients undergoing PTCA were studied before and after acute CxCA occlusion and their data were processed with the new methods based on Precordial Bipolar Leads (PBLs) to explore their usefulness.The results showed strong systolic currents of injury in different and sometimes opposite directions in the right-to-left axis and ischemic alterations in the time and amplitude of the QRS waves. The superimposition of two-dimensional coordinates planes (x-y, x-z or z-y) helped to locate the J-point and to display the Regional VCG omega sign (Ω) of myocardial injury. In conclusion, computerized processing of digital ECG data provides new diagnostic information in patients with acute CxCA occlusion.

Safety and efficacy of brachial approach for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention

BackgroundThere are many percutaneous coronary approaches. The most commonly used one is the radial artery because of its lowest risk of adverse vascular events. However, it could not be an option in some situations as congenital radial artery hypoplasia and spasm. In these cases, the second most common access is the femoral artery. The current literature over the brachial artery access is controversial. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the brachial artery approach's effectiveness and safety.ResultsWe studied 300 patients who underwent elective coronary angiography and angioplasty in our institution with failed radial access between August 2022 and February 2023. They were classified into two groups; 150 patients with brachial access and 150 with femoral access. Access, procedural and fluoroscopy times were recorded. All patients were examined carefully immediately after the procedure and before discharge to assess any complications. Left brachial access was used more frequently than left femoral access (32.7% vs. 22.7%, P = 0.05), but no significant difference noted regarding right sided or bilateral access. Procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and contrast volume did not significantly differ (P = 0.19, 0.06 and 0.1 respectively). However, brachial group had shorter access time (2.6 ± 1.1 vs. 3.4 ± 0.7 min, P = 0.05) and hospital stay (3.5 ± 1.1 vs. 5.9 ± 1.3 days, P < 0.001). Regarding major and minor complications (especially hematomas), they were significantly less in the brachial arm (P = 0.04 and P = 0.05, respectively).ConclusionsBrachial access is a safe, efficient and non-inferior to the femoral route for coronary intervention whenever radial access is not an option.

Right ventricle injury in RCA occlusion: Exploration using precordial bipolar leads and surrogate vectorcardiograms.

Precordial Bipolar Leads (PBL) provide new electrocardiographic information derived from standard 12‑lead ECG recordings. To explore the usefulness of PBL in patients with acute right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion. Sixteen patients undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were studied before and after RCA occlusion and their data were processed with new methods based on PBL. The findings were: 1. In PBL V2-V1, strong systolic currents of injury moving in the left to right direction coexist with those directed towards leads II, III and aVF. 2. Changes in the time of the peaks of the QRS waves do not alter the duration of the QRS. 3. The QRS loops of the surrogate VCG generated show that, during ischemia, the time changes in the peak of the QRS waves displayed in one axis are the consequence of an increase in the amplitude of the waves observed in the perpendicular axis. 4. The use of two simultaneous dimensions (transverse and frontal planes) facilitates the location of the J-point. 5. In the surrogate VCGs of this group of patients, J-point and ST segment shifts produced an image that reminded the Greek letter omega (Ω). 6. The QRS wave changes, in time and amplitude, explained the rotational changes and the ischemic distortions of the surrogate VCG loops. Computerized processing of ECG data appears to provide new and valuable diagnostic data in patients with acute RCA occlusion. The loops revealed important information related to systolic currents of injury. Because these methods use routine 12‑lead ECG data, the procedure is based only in software applications.

Immediate recruitment of dormant coronary collaterals can provide more than half of normal resting perfusion during coronary occlusion in patients with coronary artery disease

BackgroundDormant coronary collaterals are highly prevalent and clinically beneficial in cases of coronary occlusion. However, the magnitude of myocardial perfusion provided by immediate coronary collateral recruitment during acute occlusion is unknown. We aimed to quantify collateral myocardial perfusion during balloon occlusion in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsPatients without angiographically visible collaterals undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to a single epicardial vessel underwent two scans with 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). All subjects underwent at least three minutes of angiographically verified complete balloon occlusion, at which time an intravenous injection of the radiotracer was administered, followed by SPECT imaging. A second radiotracer injection followed by SPECT imaging was performed 24 h after PTCA.ResultsThe study included 22 patients (median [interquartile range] age 68 [54-72] years. The perfusion defect extent was 19 [11-38] % of the LV, and the collateral perfusion at rest was 64 [58-67]% of normal.ConclusionThis is the first study to describe the magnitude of short-term changes in coronary microvascular collateral perfusion in patients with CAD. On average, despite coronary occlusion and an absence of angiographically visible collateral vessels, collaterals provided more than half of the normal perfusion.

Complications after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and associated factors

This study aimed to analyze the incidence of vascular complications and associated factors in patients undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. This study is observational, quantitative, and longitudinal, and followed 50 patients undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. An instrument for the sociodemographic, clinical, procedure, and vascular complications characterization was used for data collection. And descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multiple binomial logistic regression were used for data analysis. The level of statistical significance considered was 95%. It was detected the prevalence of male patients (70%), elderly (54%), and diagnosed with systemic arterial hypertension (72%). As for the percutaneous access route prevailed the radial approach (64%). Age and body mass index were identified as possible risk factors for vascular complications. In the 50 procedures performed, there was a prevalence of hematomas (20%) and bleeding (10%). Among the complications prevailed radial Early Discharge After Transradial Stenting of Coronary (60%), large femoral hematoma (20%), small femoral hematoma (20%), and bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2) (100%). The results concluded an elevated incidence of vascular complications in the first 24 hours after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. This study contributes to research, assistance, and training in health and nursing by identifying post-PTCA vascular complications, minimizing their progression, handling their management, and developing health care safety protocols.

Effects of Valsalva Maneuver on Pain and Vasovagal Reaction During the Removing of Femoral Arterial Sheath After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PurposeThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the Valsalva maneuver on pain and vasovagal reactions during femoral arterial sheath removal in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. DesignThis study was a randomized controlled trial. MethodsIn this study, 60 patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. After angioplasty, the patients in the intervention group performed the Valsalva maneuver (20-30 mm Hg) for 10 seconds during the sheath removal. Conversely, in the control group, no inspiratory pressure was applied. Before and immediately after the sheath removal, the patients’ pain, vital signs, and vasovagal reactions were measured. FindingsThe primary characteristics of the patients were similar in the two groups. The patients in the intervention group had significantly lower pain scores during femoral sheath removal compared to the control group (2.33 ± 1.56 vs 5.56 ± 3.08, P < .001). The Valsalva maneuver during femoral sheath removal decreased the patients’ heart rate in the intervention group compared to the control group (78.26 ± 12.37 vs 85.46 ± 11.79, P < .001); however, blood pressure and vasovagal reactions were not significantly different. ConclusionsThis study showed that the Valsalva maneuver during femoral arterial sheath removal can reduce the pain severity score, without increasing the incidence of vasovagal reactions.

QT-dispersion and major adverse cardiovascular events prediction after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: The objective of this study investigated the relation between QT-dispersion (QTd) and both number of coronary artery disease and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) among patients with type 2 diabetes after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: One hundred ischemic heart disease patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty were included; 49 patients with diabetes (group I) and 51 patients without diabetes mellitus (group II). Based on the QTd parameter after PCI, both groups were subdivided into tertiles. Angiographic, electrocardiographic parameters, and MACE were compared. Results: Both QTd after PCI and delta QTd were correlated to the number of diseased coronary arteries and MACE in patients with diabetes compared to patients without diabetes. QTd was longer in patients with diabetes developing MACE than those without MACE (r = −0.31, P = 0.04). Conclusion: QTd after PCI and delta QTd are the independent predictors of MACE in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The role of remote ischemic preconditioning in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy following invasive coronary angiography; a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is now proposed as an effective approach for preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN); however, the results on its efficacy have already remained uncertain. Objectives: We aimed to assess the beneficial effects of RIPC in preventing CIN in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA) followed by angioplasty. Patients and Methods: One hundred patients candidate for elective CA and coronary angioplasty, moderate to high risk for CIN were randomized into two groups including the group which planned for RIPC, and the control group. The overall prevalence rate of CIN was assessed and compared across the two groups. Results: The two groups were matched for demographics, cardiovascular risk profiles and laboratory parameters. The prevalence of CIN in RIPC group was 14.0% and in the control group was 26.0% indicating no statistical difference between the two groups (P = 0.105). Requiring dialysis was also planned for 0.0% and 2.0% respectively with no difference (P = 0.500). Conclusion: RIPC may not prevent CIN in patients who are candidate for invasive CA. Trial Registration: The study was approved in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier: IRCT20171230038144N1; https://www.irct.ir/trial/28715, ethical code: IR.IUMS. FMD.REC 1396.9311171014).

Persistent/progressive subclinical contrast-induced nephropathy – predictors and effects of parenteral hydration. A prospective study in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty

Abstract Background In most cases, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) appears to be a transient event. The pathophysiology of CIN, which includes renal vasoconstriction and hypoxia, generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, and even direct tubular toxicity, suggests however that the tubular impairment typical for CIN may not be entirely transient and that persistent/progressive subclinical kidney dysfunction could actually occur. Purpose We aimed to evaluate the incidence, identify the predictors, and assess the impact of parenteral hydration on the occurrence of persistent/progressive subclinical CIN in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. Methods A total of 71 patients scheduled for elective coronary angioplasty were randomized into two groups: Control (n=36) and HYD (n=35). Patients in the HYD group received prophylactic hydration with saline solution (1 ml/kg/h; 6 h prior to and 12 h after the procedure). Plasma levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a specific marker of tubular impairment, were evaluated prior to, and 48 h and 1 month after the angioplasty procedure. Persistent/progressive subclinical CIN at 1 month post-angioplasty was defined as a significant increase in NGAL at 48 h after the procedure that persisted (i.e., did not change by more than 10%) or aggravated (i.e., increased by more than 10%) at 1 month follow-up. The ability of several factors (i.e., age, hypertension, diabetes, use of nephrotoxic drugs, baseline creatinine clearance, volume of contrast agent) to predict persistent/progressive CIN was evaluated. The ability of parenteral hydration to prevent persistent/progressive CIN was also assessed. Results According to the current criteria, CIN was present in 5 (7.0%) patients. Meanwhile, subclinical CIN was identified in 36 (50.7%) patients, of which 10 (27.7%) presented persistent and 15 (41.6%) progressive CIN at 1 month follow-up. The volume of contrast administered during angioplasty was the only factor that differed significantly between patients who developed persistent/progressive CIN and those who did not (178±17 mL vs. 130±10 mL, p=0.01). In ROC analysis, contrast volume ≥150 mL predicted persistent/progressive CIN with 77% sensitivity and 60% specificity (p&amp;lt;0.001). Prophylactic hydration was associated with a 75% lower risk of persistent/progressive CIN (RR 0.25; 95% CI 0.09–0.65; p=0.001). Conclusions Despite the relatively low incidence of CIN, subclinical CIN was identified in more than 50% of the study patients. More than 2/3 of these patients presented persistent or progressive subclinical CIN at 1 month follow-up. The clinical impact of this persistent/progressive subclinical CIN in patients undergoing multiple contrast administrations remains to be established. Our data indicate that reducing the contrast volume and/or using prophylactic parenteral hydration can significantly reduce persistent/progressive subclinical CIN. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CNCS-UEFISCDI

Sigle-center, observational, prospective study describing same-day discharge implementation for uncomplicated elective percutaneous coronary intervention by radial approach: Study protocol

Objectives: The study's primary objective will be to evaluate the safety and describe the initial experience of implementing early discharge (on the same day) of coronary patients from the Unified Health System undergoing elective, uncomplicated, transradial percutaneous coronary intervention. The secondary objective will be to assess the impact on the direct cost per patient compared to previously known data from the classic hospital stay used (hospital overnight). Methods: Observational and prospective study of patients undergoing elective uncomplicated transradial percutaneous coronary intervention with early discharge, respecting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Follow-up of patients will be carried out to prove the safety of the new strategy in the population of the Unified Health System and to compare the direct costs between overnight stays and discharge on the same day. This will be the first study dedicated to primarily evaluating the safety of early discharge after elective uncomplicated transradial coronary angioplasty, validating this protocol in the population of the Brazilian public health system.

Same-day discharge after elective coronary angioplasty: a single-center initial experience

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is usually a procedure based on patient's hospitalization. However, the increasingly widespread use of radial access, the technical evolution of the devices employed and current pharmacotherapy standards have simplified this procedure with satisfying outcomes and significantly reduced complications. It can be assumed that overnight hospitalization may not impact patient safety. The purpose of this study is to describe the experience of a single center in the same-day discharge of elective patients undergoing PCI. A retrospective analysis of the cath-lab database was carried out for the years 2016-2019. All elective PCI patients discharged on the same day were identified. All were observed in a hospital setting for at least 6 h and then, after discharge, interviewed by telephone within 24 h and at 30 days. During the time interval examined, 36 patients (mean age 66 ± 10 years) who had procedural same-day discharged were identified. From 2016 to 2019, they represented 1.69%, 1.79%, 5.78% and 5.90%, respectively, of the patients electively admitted for PCI annually. All suffered from chronic coronary syndrome, were on dual antiplatelet therapy and treated with radial approach for single-vessel (88.8%) or multivessel (12.2%) PCI. Two in-hospital access site bleedings, no adverse events in the first 24 h and a new readmission, due to gastrointestinal bleeding, at 30-day follow-up were reported. The results of this initial experience help to confirm that the same-day discharge after a PCI is possible and safe for the patient. If this strategy could be the standard of care to increase patient satisfaction, to improve hospital performance by reducing costs and to increase efficiency without adversely affecting procedural outcomes should be confirmed in larger and unselected groups of patients.

Should I wait or should I go? Travelling versus waiting for better healthcare

We study patient mobility in the Italian National Health System, using patient-episode level data on elective Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty procedures over the years 2008–2011. We examine how patients' choice of the hospital is affected by changes in waiting times and clinical quality within hospitals over time. We estimate mixed-logit specifications and show the importance of jointly controlling for time-invariant and time varying clinical quality to identify the effect of waiting times. Conversely, failure to capture variations in clinical quality over time does not affect the estimate of the discouraging effect of travel distance. We provide evidence that patients are responsive to changes in waiting times and clinical quality: average demand elasticity with respect to own waiting times and mortality is estimated to be – 0.17 and – 1.38, respectively. Patients’ personal characteristics significantly influence how they trade off distance and waiting times with quality of care. We find a higher Willigness-To-Wait and Willingness-to-Travel to seek higher quality care for patients in the younger age groups and who are more severely ill. The results convey important policy implications for highly regulated healthcare markets.

Is there any association between contrast-induced nephropathy and serum uric acid levels?

Introduction: During the recent years, several studies have investigated that hyperuricemia is associated with greater incidence of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN). Most of them are in acute conditions like primary percutaneous coronary interventions. This study aimed to assess the relationship between high serum uric acid and incidence of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing elective angiography and angioplasty. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 211 patients who were admitted to hospital for elective coronary angiography or angioplasty. The researchers measured serum creatinine and uric acid on admission and repeated creatinine measurement in 48 hours and seven days after the procedure. According to serum uric acid, the patients were divided into two groups; group 1 with normal uric acid and group 2 with hyperuricemia which was defined as uric acid more than 6 mg/dL in women and 7 mg/dL in men. CIN is defined as an increased creatinine level of more than 0.5 mg/dL or 25% from the baseline in 48 hours after the intervention. Results: In total, 211 patients with mean age of 60.58 years were enrolled in the study. Of these, 87 (41.2%) patients were in the high uric acid group and 124 (58.8%) were in the normal uric acid group. CIN was occurred in 16 patients (7.5%). Seven out of 16 (8.04%) were in the high uric acid and nine (7.2%) were in the normal uric acid group. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P =0.831). Conclusion: The frequency of CIN development was not different in the patients with hyperuricemia.

Coronary collaterals provide more than half of normal perfusion in patients with coronary artery disease - quantification by myocardial perfusion SPECT during elective balloon occlusion

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. BACKGROUND The coronary collateral circulation is a preformed network of anastomotic connections acting as a "natural bypass" mechanism. Whilst the prevalence of collaterals varies between species, approximately 25% of patients have angiographically visible robust collaterals at the time of ST elevation myocardial infarction. While the presence of collaterals is associated with improved outcomes, the magnitude of myocardial perfusion which can be provided by the collateral circulation remains uncertain. PURPOSE The aim was to quantify collateral myocardial perfusion during experimental coronary balloon occlusion in patients with CAD. METHODS The study was approved by the local investigational review board, and all patients provided informed consent. Patients without prior infarction, bypass surgery, or angiographically visible collaterals undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to a single epicardial vessel, underwent two scans with 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). All subjects underwent at least three minutes of angiographically verified complete balloon occlusion, at which time an intravenous injection of the radiotracer was administered, followed by SPECT imaging. A second radiotracer injection followed by SPECT imaging was performed 24 hours after PTCA. RESULTS The study included 21 patients (median [interquartile range] age 70 [56-74] years, 52% male). The degree of diameter stenosis of treated vessels ranged from 60-99%, with successful PTCA performed with a mean 5-minute balloon occlusion time, resulting in ≤20% residual stenosis in all cases. The vessels undergoing PTCA were 6 in the LAD, 5 in the LCx, and 10 in the RCA. For the cohort, the size of the perfusion defect was 16 [8-30]% of the LV and the collateral perfusion at rest within the perfusion defect was 64 [58-68]% of normal perfusion within that region. Collateral perfusion was negatively correlated with perfusion defect size (R2 = 0.85, p &amp;lt; 0.001), but did not differ by sex (p = 0.27) or age (p = 0.58). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to describe the magnitude of microvascular collateral perfusion in CAD. On average, despite coronary occlusion and an absence of angiographically visible collateral vessels, collaterals provide approximately 60% of the perfusion that reaches the jeopardized myocardium during coronary occlusion. This magnitude of collateral perfusion is much higher than previously speculated. A previous study using microspheres in dogs found that collateral perfusion in the setting of an occluded vessel was 6% of normal. By comparison, the current study found ten times greater collateral perfusion in patients with CAD. Abstract Figure. Collateral perfusion during occlusion.

Should I Wait or Should I Go? Travelling Versus Waiting for Better Healthcare

Abstract We study patient mobility in the Italian National Health System, using patient-episode level data on elective Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty procedures over the years 2008–2011. We examine how patients' choice of the hospital is affected by changes in waiting times and clinical quality within hospitals over time. We estimate mixed-logit specifications and show the importance of jointly controlling for time-invariant and time varying clinical quality to identify the effect of waiting times. Conversely, failure to capture variations in clinical quality over time does not affect the estimate of the discouraging effect of travel distance. We provide evidence that patients are responsive to changes in waiting times and clinical quality: average demand elasticity with respect to own waiting times and mortality is estimated to be – 0.17 and – 1.38, respectively. Patients’ personal characteristics significantly influence how they trade off distance and waiting times with quality of care. We find a higher Willigness-To-Wait and Willingness-to-Travel to seek higher quality care for patients in the younger age groups and who are more severely ill. The results convey important policy implications for highly regulated healthcare markets.

Same-day discharge after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: An instruction manual and call for increased uptake in a burdened National Health Service

Same-day discharge after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: An instruction manual and call for increased uptake in a burdened National Health Service

Same-day discharge after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: An instruction manual and call for increased uptake in a burdened National Health Service

Same-day discharge after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: An instruction manual and call for increased uptake in a burdened National Health Service

POST PCI MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION A SILENT KILLER FACT OR FICTION. DOES IT REALLY EXIST? WHERE DO WE STAND?

Objective: To determine the frequency of peri-pocedural myocardial infarction in patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing elective percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Methodology: This was a descriptive study conducted in the cardiac cath lab of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Karachi, Pakistan. Patients with stable obstructive coronary artery disease undergoing elective coronary angioplasty were included in this study. PMI was defined as a rise in troponin I above five times the upper limit of the normal range (the third universal definition of MI). Collected data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 19. Results: Among the total of 107 patients male predominance, 82.2% (88), was observed and mean ± SD age of the patients was 52.02 ± 9.10 years with a majority, 92(86.0%), of patients between 41 to 80 years of age. Peri-procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) was found in 16(15.0%) of the patients and PMI was observed to be independent of baseline risk profile and angiographic characteristics of the patients. While, based on criteria of troponin I above three times the upper limit of the normal range, PMI was observed in 22(20.6%) of the patients. Conclusion: High incidence of the post-procedural rise of troponin in our study population is alarming. Further studies are required to identify the cause and hence identifying measures to prevent PMI. Universal single definition is required worldwide in order to get uniform results. Keywords: Post PCI Myocardial Infarction, Coronary angioplasty, Third universal definition

Impact of Elective Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) on Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major public health problem in India and is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Impairment of heart rate variability (HRV) has been observed in patients with CAD. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is one of the common modalities of treatment of CAD. In this study we have studied the effect of successful elective PTCA on HRV parameters in patients with CAD. Material and Method: HRV parameters in both time and frequency domain were studied in 30 male patients before PTCA, one day and three day after PTCA. Results: - The time and frequency domain parameters between pre PTCA and 1st day post PTCA were not found to be statistically significant. Changes in the time domain parameter rMSSD and SDNN was statistically significant between pre and 3rd day post PTCA but no significant difference was observed in pNN50. A significant decrease in LF n.u and increase in HF n.u was observed between pre and 3rd day post PTCA. Conclusion: Revascularization with PTCA results in improvement of the autonomic tone. Improved autonomic modulation is seen as early as 3rd day post PTCA. It indicates that restoring the blood flow reverses to some extent the autonomic modulatory effect of coronary artery disease.