Electrocardiographic ST-T Changes Research Articles

Dose DIBH Really Reduce the Subclinical Cardiac Acute Injury? Analysis of Clinical Real World from Our Institute

The study is aim to investigate whether Deep-inspirational breath-hold (DIBH), compared with free breathing (FB), could provide a short-term cardiac benefit in patients with early left breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery combined whole breast radiotherapy. A total of 78 patients with early stage left breast cancer treated with radiotherapy between 2021-2022 after breast-conserving surgery were enrolled. Among them, 32 cases were treated with DIBH technique and 46 cases were treated with free breathing. Patients with previous cardiac disease such as coronary artery disease were excluded. We performed myocardial enzymes, ECG, and ECHO in all patients within 2 weeks before, during, and 6 months after radiotherapy. The results of the two groups were compared using nonparametric tests and chi-square tests, and P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Where subclinical acute cardiac injury was defined as new above-normal myocardial enzymes and/or electrocardiographic ST-T or T-wave changes and/or ECHO abnormalities after the start of radiotherapy. The median follow-up of patients was 6 months and the mean age of patients was 52.3 years for FB and 44.9 years for DIBH. There were no significant differences in staging, molecular subtype, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy history. The proportion of subclinical acute cardiac injury was smaller in the DIBH group compared to the FB group (DIBH = 31/46 and FB = 28/32, p = 0.042). The most sensitive of the subclinical acute cardiac injury events were detected by myocardial enzymes rising, with cTnI (p = 0.034) and NT-proBNP (p = 0.023) appearing significantly lower in the DIBH patients during radiotherapy. The difference of cTnI between 2 groups at 6 months after radiotherapy became non-significant. In contrast, CK-MB was higher in DIBH compared with FB only 6 months after radiotherapy (p = 0.006). The differences in ECG and ECHO were not significant between the two groups. After breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy for left early breast cancer, DIBH compared to FB reduces the proportion of acute subclinical cardiac injury that occurs with the most sensitive changes in myocardial enzymes. Subsequent studies will explore the relationship between the short-term subclinical injury and irradiated dose, as well as long term cardiac injury.

Abstract 12018: Coronary Microvascular Dilatory Dysfunction According to the Types of Coronary Functional Abnormalitiescoronarymicrovascular Dilatory Dysfunction According to the Types of Coronary Functional Abnormalities

Introduction: Recently, there has been an increasing interest in coronary functional abnormalities (CFA), which include epicardial coronary spasm (ECS), microvascular spasm (MVS) and microvascular vasodilatory dysfunction (MVD). However, the frequency of MVD according to the types of CFA remains unclear. Hypothesis: Thus, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of MVD according to the types of CFA in patients with ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA). Methods: This study included 63 patients with INOCA who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and coronary function tests (CFT) to evaluate chest pain. In CFT, acetylcholine was first administered intracoronarily in a stepwise manner, followed by chest symptoms, electrocardiographic ST-T changes and CAG. ECS was defined as coronary vasoconstriction of &gt;90% on CAG accompanied by chest symptoms or electrocardiographic ST-T changes. Additionally, a focal spasm was defined as a transient vessel narrowing of &gt;90% within the borders of one isolated coronary segment (as defined by the American Heart Association), and a diffuse spasm was defined as a 90% diffuse vasoconstriction in ≥2 adjacent coronary segments of the coronary artery. Moreover, MVS was defined as the presence of both chest symptoms and ST-T changes with non-significant coronary vasoconstriction (&lt;90%) on CAG. After nitroglycerin administration, coronary flow reserve (CFR) and the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were subsequently obtained by transvenous adenosine triphosphate infusion using a pressure wire. MVD was defined as CFR of &lt;2.0 or IMR of ≥25 units. Results: CAG and CFT were performed on 91 coronary arteries in 63 patients with INOCA, the results of which are shown below. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the frequency of MVD differs according to the types of CFA. Properly evaluating the MVD and reflecting this in the therapeutic strategy in patients with INOCA is desirable in clinical settings.

Abstract 12029: The Impact of the Myocardial Bridge on Coronary Functional Test in Patients With Ischemia With Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries

Introduction: The possibility of myocardial bridge (MB) causing chest pain has been widely reported; however, the effect of MBs on coronary microvessels has not been thoroughly investigated. Hypothesis: Thus, this study evaluated the effects of MB on epicardial coronary artery and coronary microvascular function during coronary angiography (CAG) and coronary function tests (CFT) in patients with ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA). Methods: This study included 57 patients with INOCA who underwent CAG and CFT to evaluate chest pain. In CFT, acetylcholine was first administered intracoronarily in a stepwise manner, followed by chest symptoms, electrocardiographic changes [Editor1] and CAG. Positive coronary spasm was defined as coronary vasoconstriction of &gt;90% on CAG accompanied by chest symptoms or electrocardiographic ST-T changes. After nitroglycerin administration, CAG was performed to assess MB, which is defined as the systolic narrowing of the coronary artery diameter by &gt;20% compared to that in diastole. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were subsequently obtained by transvenous adenosine triphosphate infusion using a pressure wire. Coronary microvascular vasodilatory dysfunction (CMD) was defined as CFR of &lt;2.0 or IMR of ≥25 units. Results: Of the 57 patients, 13 (23%) had MB. The CAG and coronary CFT results in the MB (+) and MB (–) groups are shown below. Conclusions: These findings suggest that MB predisposes to coronary spasms in patients with INOCA. Conversely, MBs may have a limited effect on microvessels, particularly in such patients.

The Impact of Myocardial Bridging on the Coronary Functional Test in Patients with Ischaemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: The possibility of myocardial bridging (MB) causing chest pain has been widely reported; however, the effect of MB on coronary microvessels has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of MB on epicardial coronary artery and coronary microvascular function during coronary angiography (CAG) and coronary function test (CFT) in patients with ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). Methods: This study included 62 patients with INOCA who underwent CAG and CFT for the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) to evaluate chest pain. In the CFT, acetylcholine was first administered intracoronarily in a stepwise manner, followed by chest symptoms, electrocardiographic ST-T changes and CAG. Positive coronary spasm was defined as coronary vasoconstriction of >90% on CAG accompanied by chest symptoms or electrocardiographic ST-T changes. After nitroglycerin administration, CAG was performed to assess MB, which was defined as systolic narrowing of the coronary artery diameter by >20% compared with that in diastole. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were subsequently obtained via transvenous adenosine triphosphate infusion using a pressure wire. Coronary microvascular vasodilatory dysfunction (CMD) was defined as a CFR of <2.0 or an IMR of ≥25 units. Results: Of the 62 patients, 15 (24%) had MB. The patients’ characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Regarding the CAG and CFT results, the presence of coronary spasm in the LAD was higher in the MB (+) group (87%) than in the MB (−) group (53%, p = 0.02), whereas the values of CFR (MB (+): 2.7 ± 1.4, MB (−): 2.8 ± 1.1) and IMR (MB (+): 26.9 ± 1.0, MB (−): 30.0 ± 17.3) and the presence of CMD (MB (+): 53%, MB (−): 60%) were similar in the two groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that MB predisposes patients with INOCA to coronary spasms. Conversely, MBs may have a limited effect on microvessels, particularly in such patients.

High Level of Suspicion Based on Detailed Medical History and Focused Physical Examination: Important Tool to Diagnose Acute Myocarditis

The present study describes the case of a 39-year-old man who had acute retrosternal pain, history of upper tract infection and low-grade fever 3 days prior to presentation, elevated cardiac markers and electrocardiographic ST-T changes, which led to an original suspicion of acute myocarditis. The patient underwent coronary angiography after 36 hours to rule out coronary artery disease, which revealed normal coronary arteries.

Fibrinolysis of an Acute Myocarditis Mimicking an Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Acute myocarditis and acute myocardial infarction have frequently similar clinical presentations and poses an important clinical challenge in the differential diagnosis. In both cases, the electrocardiographic ST-T changes and an increase in troponins can be noted. Differential diagnosis may be very challenging and requires invasive assessment of coronary arteries and other investigations especially cardiac magnetic resonance. Case Presentation: In this report, we report a rare case of acute myocarditis misdiagnosed to an acute myocardial infarction in a patient presented to the emergency department for an acute onset of chest pain with ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram for which he received urgent fibrinolysis. The confirmation of acute myocarditis was confirmed posteriori after a normal coronary angiogram using cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging cMRI. Conclusions: Clinical signs as long with Electrocardiogram may mimick a ST elevation myocardial infarction in the presence of an authentic acute myocarditis,Hence, cardiac magnetic resonance could present an intersting tools to make the difference even in acute phase.

Sub-acute Thyroiditis and Myocardial Damage

Chest pain is associated with electrocardiographic ST-T changes and elevated levels of myocardial damage markers and may be induced by acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis, stress cardiomyopathy, acute pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, and cerebrocardiac syndrome. Few studies have evaluated chest pain accompanied by electrocardiographic ST-T changes and elevated myocardial damage markers during sub-acute thyroiditis. We herein describe a 19-year-old man with sub-acute thyroiditis combined with myocardial damage and explore the mechanism of this condition.

Acute myocarditis mimicking ST-elevation myocardial infarction: A case report and review of the literature.

The present study describes the case of a young man aged 22 who had acute retrosternal pain, elevated cardiac markers and electrocardiographic ST-T changes, which led to an original misdiagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. The patient underwent immediate coronary angiography, which revealed normal coronary arteries. Finally, the diagnosis of viral myocarditis was made on consideration of his fever, scattered red dots on his arms and legs and other auxiliary examination results obtained in the following days, which were supportive of the diagnosis. The patient improved on antiviral and myocardial protection therapy and was discharged 2 weeks later. Viral myocarditis is a common disease with a variable natural history. It remains challenging for doctors to differentiate between acute myocarditis and myocardial infarction, particularly in the early stages. A diagnosis of myocarditis should be made on the basis of synthetic evaluation of the evidence, including medical history, clinical presentation and results of the available auxiliary tests, in order to provide guidelines for treatment.

Prognostic value of non-specific ST-T changes and left ventricular hypertrophy electrocardiographic criteria in hypertensive patients: 16-year follow-up results from the MINACOR cohort.

BackgroundNon-specific electrocardiographic ST-T wave changes and voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of the cohort study was to evaluate the prognostic value of non-specific ST-T changes and LVH electrocardiographic criteria on cardiovascular events and mortality in hypertensive patients.MethodsA cohort study of 352 non-diabetic hypertensive patients, without associated cardiovascular disease, randomly selected from 1,780 hypertensive patients attended in a primary care center. An electrocardiogram was performed at the baseline visit (classified according to the Minnesota Code). Cardiovascular events and death from any cause during the follow-up period were evaluated. A multivariate analysis adjusted for gender, age and cardiovascular risk factors was performed.ResultsData of 273 patients were analyzed: 58.2% women, age 44.1 (7.9) years, 27.8% smokers, blood pressure at baseline 142.7 (15.3)/89.3 (9.6) mmHg. During the 197.5 (59.24) month follow-up, 62 patients (22.7%) had a cardiovascular event. On multivariate analysis, age, systolic blood pressure, incidence of diabetes, smoking and electrocardiographic LVH criteria (HR 2.66 [CI 95% 1.39 – 5.10]), were significantly associated with cardiovascular events, but the presence of non-specific ST-T abnormalities (HR 0.97 [CI 95% 0.49 -1.90]) was not significantly associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.ConclusionsHypertensive patients with LVH electrocardiographic criteria have significantly higher cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, but non-specific electrocardiographic ST-T changes are not associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Impact of Acute Kidney Injury on In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients With DeBakey Type III Acute Aortic Dissection

The relation between the incidence and severity of acute kidney injury (AKI) and clinical outcomes remains unclear in patients with DeBakey type III acute aortic dissection (AAD). We retrospectively assessed 56 patients admitted to our hospital for type III AAD within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. The presence of AKI was identified, and its severity was staged on the basis of changes in serum creatinine (SCr) levels within 7 days after admission. We investigated the relations between AKI and clinical presentations, in-hospital complications, and predischarge renal function; AKI was observed in 20 patients (36%). After adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index, the incidence of AKI was associated with a history of hypertension, electrocardiographic ST-T changes, DeBakey type IIIb, and SCr level on admission. Maximum white blood cell count and serum C-reactive protein level were higher in patients with AKI than in those without AKI. AKI was associated with a greater incidence of in-hospital complications (70% vs 39%, p = 0.03) and higher SCr levels at discharge (1.1 [range 1.0 to 2.0] vs 0.9 [range 0.7 to 1.0] mg/dl, p = 0.0001). These associations were more pronounced in patients with relatively severe AKI. Multivariate analysis revealed that SCr level on admission and DeBakey type IIIb with renal artery involvement were major predictors of AKI. In conclusion, renal function on admission and renal artery involvement were significant risk factors for AKI, which was associated with poor outcomes and enhanced inflammatory response during hospitalization in patients with type III AAD.

Adding electrocardiography improves cardiovascular risk assessment in the elderly

Purpose: To examine whether addition of electrocardiographic ST-T changes improves risk assessment in the elderly (65 years and above). Background: Increased life-expectancy makes accurate risk prediction in the elderly increasingly relevant. Traditional risk factors are important predictors in the younger population, but have less impact in the elderly. Conversely, ST-T changes are common in the elderly and have consistently been shown to be strong predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) Methods: Participants from a prospective cardiovascular cohort study attending at an age 65 years or above were included. ST-T changes were divided into three groups of increasing severity (minor/intermediate/major) based on the Minnesota Code. The primary end-point was fatal CVD-event and the secondary was non-fatal and fatal CVD-event. Results: A total of 7,201 persons were included with a median follow-up on 11.7 years. 2,210 reached the primary and 3,821 reached the secondary end-point. ST-T changes were frequently presented (18.2%) with increasing prevalence with increasing age. For the primary end-point, c-index improved from 0.707 (0.689-0.725) to 0.720 (0.702-0.738), p<0.001, the category-free net reclassification index (cNRI) was 29.2% (21.5%–36.9%), p<0.001 and integrated discrimination index (IDI) was 1.42% (0.86%–1.98%), p<0.001. For the secondary end-point, the c-index improved from 0.652 (0.640-0.664) to 0.663 (0.651-0.675), p<0.001, cNRI was 19.4% (13.7%-25.0%), p<0.001 and IDI was 1.42% (1.01%-1.83%), p<0.001. View this table: Cox regression model, HR (95% CI) Conclusion: Simple assessment of the existence of ST-T changes in the electrocardiogram is cheap and feasible and improves risk prediction significantly in the general, elderly population.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy resembling acute high lateral myocardial infarction

A 65-year-old female patient admitted to the emergency department was diagnosed with acute high lateral myocardial infarction, but later Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) was discovered. She had squeezing chest pain that started shortly after an emotional stress. The electrocardiogram revealed a loss of R wave voltage in leads V1 to V4 and an ST-segment elevation in I and aVL. After an urgent coronary angiography and ventriculography, TC was considered, and supportive anti-ischemic treatment was started. The severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction improved and normalized during the follow-up. She was discharged without any complications. TC is a new entity of acute cardiac events, and patients usually recover completely without sequelae with proper diagnosis and management. An exact diagnosis may also prevent an inappropriate application in the setting of recurrences.

Electrocardiographic ST-T changes during acute ischemic stroke

We thank Yildiz et al. [1] for their comments and agree that some pointsmay deserve clarification.Due to the limited space available the stated prevalences were perhaps not defined clearly enough. ST-T changes were noted at least once in 59 patients (24%) during the first five days of admission [2]. Four patterns of change were observed: Presence on all six days (n=16), disappearance after a couple of days (n=10), postponed development of changes (n=25), and ST-Tchanges varying from day to day (n=8). However, the prevalence observed on each of the six study days ranged between only 13% and 16%. These numbers, and not the cumulated 24%, should be compared with the figures in the literature, since almost all previous reports were based on singe-day observations. And, as stated, the 13% to 16% do not differ fromwhat is to expect when screening an apparently healthy population [3]. This finding suggests that stroke is hardly the cause.Moreover, the dynamics of ECG changes mentioned to by Yildiz and colleagues probably relate more to the QT interval than the STT segment, and the paper they refer to [4] differs from ours in dealing with a mixture of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and, hence, its results are not comparable to ours. As commented on in our discussion, the pathophysiological mechanism of the ST-T changes may indeed represent myocardial ischemia. However, if the observed ST-T changes are myocardial ischemia we still need to know the following,

Intensive Chelation Therapy in β-Thalassemia and Possible Adverse Cardiac Effects of Desferrioxamine

Combination chelation therapy with desferrioxamine and deferiprone has recently been suggested as a more effective tissue iron-chelating treatment for transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients, although a standard dosage protocol has not yet been established. We describe a thalassemia major patient who had been treated with combination therapy with desferrioxamine and deferiprone and who was referred to us for faintness and dizziness associated with electrocardiographic ST-T changes and arrhythmia. A brief interruption of the treatment and a subsequent decrease in the drug doses caused the reversion of symptoms and findings. This response prompted us to speculate that a causal relationship existed between the observed abnormalities and the intensive chelation therapy. The possibility of this electrical instability as an adverse cardiac event occurring in the context of treatment with these chelating agents raises questions about the time of application of this therapy, the regimen dosages, and follow-up of such patients.

Prevalence of electrocardiographic ST-T changes during acute ischemic stroke in patients without known ischemic heart disease

We evaluated characteristics and prevalence of ST-segment depression and/or T-wave inversion in the resting electrocardiogram of 244 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, but without ischemic heart disease. The prevalence of ST-T changes ranged from 13% to 16% and this is what to expect in the background population.

The relation between electrocardiographic ST-T changes and NT-proBNP in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Background. ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion (ST-T changes) in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and raised levels of natriuretic peptide have been observed in acute ischemic stroke patients. It is unknown whether any relation between ST-T changes and raised levels of natriuretic peptides in patients with an acute ischemic stroke exists. Methods. Serial measurements of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and 12-lead ECGs were obtained in 192 consecutive patients with an acute ischemic stroke without ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart- or renal failure. Results. ST-T changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia were observed in the 12 lead ECG of 47 patients (24%). In uni- and multivariate regression analysis after adjustment for age, stroke severity, female sex, systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and levels of troponin T > 0.03 µg/L, ST-T changes in the ECG remained associated with increased levels of NT-proBNP (β=76.5, p=0.011). Conclusions. ST-T changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia are independently associated with the levels of NT-proBNP in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The clinical importance of this observation remains to be defined.

Low incidence of cardiac abnormalities in treated trichinosis: a prospective study of 62 patients from a single-source outbreak

PURPOSE: The reported incidence of cardiac involvement in trichinosis is highly variable, ranging from 21% to 75%. This study sought to determine the incidence and type of cardiac lesions in trichinosis using serial echocardiographic examinations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients admitted to the Banja Luka Medical Center during an outbreak of trichinosis (November to December 1996) were included in the study. Diagnosis was made by typical clinical presentation, positive epidemiologic history, serologic testing, and the detection of Trichinella larvae in contaminated meat. All patients underwent serial electrocardiograms and two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations within 20 days after the onset of symptoms. Repeated echocardiographic examinations were performed weekly during the hospital stay in all patients with electrocardiographic abnormalities or an abnormal initial echocardiogram. RESULTS: Cardiac involvement (electrocardiographic and/or echocardiographic changes) was detected in 8 (13%) of the 62 patients. Nonspecific transient electrocardiographic ST-T changes were found in 6 patients (10%); 1 patient had frequent premature ventricular complexes. Echocardiographic examinations revealed pericardial effusions in 6 patients (10%), 5 of whom had minimal effusions without impairment of global and regional left ventricular systolic function. One patient had hypokinesis of the interventricular septum with a small pericardial effusion, both of which resolved within 2 weeks. Only 2 of the patients with electrocardiographic abnormalities lacked echocardiographic evidence of cardiac involvement. At 6-month follow-up, none of the patients had electrocardiographic or echocardiographic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cardiac involvement in trichinosis appears to be lower than previously reported. Pericardial effusion is the most common manifestation of cardiac involvement, and nonspecific transient electrocardiographic changes, traditionally ascribed to myocarditis, more frequently reflect pericarditis.

Relative contributions of a single-admission 12-lead electrocardiogram and early 24-hour continuous electrocardiographic monitoring for early risk stratification in patients with unstable coronary artery disease

Patients with unstable coronary syndromes are a heterogeneous group with varying degrees of ischemia and prognosis. The present study compares the prognostic value of a standard electrocardiogram (ECG) obtained at admission to the hospital with the information from 24-hour continuous electrocardiographic monitoring obtained immediately after admission. The admission ECGs and 24 hours of vectorcardiographic (VCG) monitoring from 308 patients admitted with unstable coronary artery disease were analyzed centrally regarding standard electrocardiographic ST-T changes, ST-vector magnitude (ST-VM), and ST change vector magnitude episodes. End points were death, acute myocardial infarction, and refractory angina pectoris within a 30-day follow-up period. ST-VM episodes (≥50 μV for ≥1 minute) during VCG monitoring was the only independent predictor of death or acute myocardial infarction by multivariate analysis. ST-VM episodes during vectorcardiography was associated with a relative risk of 12.7 for having a cardiac event, hypertension was associated with a relative risk of 1.7, and ST depression on the admission ECG was associated with a relative risk of 5.7. Patients with ST depression at admission had an event rate (death or acute myocardial infarction) of 17% at 30-day follow-up. Patients without ST depression could further be risk stratified by 24 hours of VCG monitoring into a subgroup with ST-VM episodes at similar (8%) risk and a subgroup without ST-VM episodes at low (1%) risk (p = 0.00005). Continuous VCG monitoring provides important information for evaluating patients with unstable coronary artery disease. It is recommended that patients not initially estimated at high risk based on the admission ECG are referred for 24 hours of VCG monitoring for further risk stratification.

Ischemia detection in women: The diagnostic value of exercise QRS duration changes

Aim: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of exercise electrocardiographic (ECG) ST-T changes and QRS duration changes as a means of ischemia detection in a female population. Methods and Results: A total of 101 women from a pool of 318 referred for ECG stress testing underwent standard testing using ST-T criteria with the additional measurement of QRS duration before and at peak exercise using a new computerized optic scanner for precise QRS duration measurement. The diagnostic accuracy of the test was determined using planar thallium stress testing as a “gold standard”. For the overall population, the sensitivity of ST-T criteria was 47% with a specificity of 58%. The sensitivity of QRS duration changes was 91% with a specificity of 89%. For Group 1 (age 27–50) the sensitivity of the ST-T criteria was 40% with a specificity of 58%. The sensitivity of the QRS duration changes was 80% with a specificity of 83%. For Group 2 (age 51–83), the sensitivity of the ST-T criteria was 43% with a specificity of 56%. The sensitivity of the QRS duration changes was 94% with a specificity of 90%. Conclusion: In our female population exercise, QRS duration changes using our computerized method were better markers of ischemia than standard ST-T criteria.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in refractory unstable angina pectoris: are new devices useful?

This study was undertaken to assess if the introduction of new angioplasty devices (autoperfusion balloon catheters, stent and atherectomy) could ameliorate early and late results of prompt percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with refractory unstable angina. From January 1993 to June 1995, 59 of 278 patients (14 female, 45 male; mean age: 61 ± 10 years; range: 38–78) admitted to our Coronary Care Unit with the diagnosis of unstable angina had more than one episode of chest pain at rest with dynamic electrocardiographic ST-T changes and without signs of cardiac necrosis while on medical therapy including oxygen, aspirin, heparin, nitroglycerin and either a beta-blocker or a calcium-antagonist. Coronary angiography was performed within 48 h from the last ischemic attack and a culprit lesion technically suitable for PTCA was identified. PTCA was performed in 73 lesions. Elective stent implantation was considered for 16 type B or C lesions in 14 patients. The procedure was initially successful in 52 59 patients (88%), uncomplicated unsuccessful in 4 59 (7%) and complicated in 3 59 (5%). Elective stent insertions were all successful ( 16 16 , 100%). All successfully treated patients were followed up for a mean of 12 ± 7 months (range: 6–27): 2 52 patients (3.8%) suffered from non-transmural myocardial infarction, 14 52 (26.9%) had a recurrence of angina and 2/52 (3.8%), asymptomatic, had a positive stress test. We conclude that prompt PTCA in refractory unstable angina using 1990s ‘state of the art’ equipment compares favorably to previous study and that stent delivery might become the elective treatment of complex lesions in this subset of patients.