Emergency Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Research Articles

Single-center register of myocardial revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in the context of COVID-19 pandemic

Aim. To assess the short- and long-term outcomes of myocardial re- vascularization (MR) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Material and methods. In the period from April to August 2020, 550 patients with CAD and ACS were included in the register. Emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (n=499) and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n=51) were performed. The follow-up period lasted 6 months. The pattern of complications after MR and effects of COVID-19 were analyzed.Results. The studied cohort is represented by patients with CAD >65 years old. ST segment elevation ACS was detected in 23%, acute myocardial infarction — in 59,1%, in other cases — unstable angina. During hospitalization after MR, atrial fibrillation prevailed among cardiovascular complications (4,7%). During this period, 29 (5,3%) patients was diagnosed with COVID-19. In the short-term period after MR, 3 (0,5%) people died due to COVID-19 complications-. In the long-term period after MR, 4 (0,7%) cases of non-fatal stroke were registered, while repeated MR — in 7,1%. The all-cause mortality rate was 1,3% (n=7), of which 57,1% of patients died due to COVID-19 complications. In the subgroup of patients who underwent CABG, the greatest number of in-hospital complications was noted, where exudative pleurisy, atrial fibrillation and anemia prevailed. Of the patients with COVID-19, pneumonia in the short-and long-term posto perative periods was recorded in 48,3 and 61,3%, respectively. Pneumonia is associated with respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, and anemia. The risk of COVID-19 pneumonia during the entire follow-up period was higher in patients with ACS who underwent CABG (odds ratio, 19,4; confidence interval: 13,3-26,1; p<0,001). The overall survival rate was 98,7%.Conclusion. COVID-19 infection in patients with ACS after MR effects pattern of postoperative complications. The proportion of COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with ACS in hospital, short- and long-term postoperative periods after MR significantly exceeds that in the general population. The leading factor associated with COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with ACS is on-pump CABG.

Giant external iliac artery pseudoaneurysm following percutaneous coronary intervention: a rare case

Corresponding author: Suleyman Surer, M.D. Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Klinigi, 16330 Yildirim, Bursa, Turkey. Tel: +90 505 494 08 28 e-mail: drsuleyman1@hotmail.com Invasive cardiac interventions have an important role in development of lower extremity arterial pseudoaneurysms. A 27-year-old male patient presented with the complaint of difficulty in walking following the discharge from the hospital after a successful emergent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent implantation for acute myocardial infarction in a cardiology clinic. Arterial Doppler ultrasonography showed a 90 mm of pseudoaneurysm in the right external iliac artery. Closure of aneurysm by compression and thrombin injection under ultrasonographic guidance was planned, but failed. Aorto-femoral bypass was performed eventually.

Long Term Results of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction versus Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Propensity Score Matching Analysis

There is no consensus as to which acute myocardial infarction subtype poses a greater risk after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We compared the early and the long term results of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) between patients with STEMI (group I, n = 83), and NSTEMI (group II, n = 237). Group I had higher EuroSCORE, prevalence of emergency surgery, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump use, preoperative emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and preoperative thrombolytic use than group II. There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) between groups. Overall 8-yr survival was 93% and 87% in groups I and II, respectively. Freedom from MACCE after 8 yr was 92% and 93% in groups I and II, respectively. After propensity score matching analysis, there were no significant differences in preoperative parameters, postoperative in-hospital outcomes, and long-term clinical outcomes. Surgical results of OPCAB in patients with acute myocardial infarction show good results in terms of long-term survival and freedom from MACCE, with no significant differences in clinical outcomes between STEMI and NSTEMI groups.

Surgical treatment of spontaneous isolated middle aortic dissection

To explore the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous isolated middle aortic dissection (SIMAD). The clinical data of 7 SIMAD patients admitted into our hospital between January 2007 and June 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 males and 4 females with an average age of 53 years old. Five patients had an acute onset. According to the original tear location and flow of celiac artery, 6 patients received endovascular repair and another patient underwent abdominal aorta-bilateral-femoral artery bypass with artificial graft. All cases were successfully treated. Six patients recovered well from the procedures. One patient suffered acute coronary artery syndrome at Day 2 after endovascular treatment. After transferral into cardiology unit, emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed with a satisfactory outcome. The postoperative examinations of CTA (computed tomography angiography) of all patients demonstrated that the false lumen of dissection was basically thrombolized without endoleak or stent migration. Vascular surgeons should pay more attention to SIMAD with the potentials of rupture and aneurysm. Endovascular graft exclusion may be a first-line therapy as long as the anatomical conditions allow. However, longer follow-up and further evaluations should be performed to determine the long-term benefits.

Acute myocardial infarction in young adults with Antiphospholipid syndrome: report of two cases and literature review

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is rarely associated with antiphospholipid syndrome. The treatment of these patients is a clinical challenge. We report the observations of 2 young adults (1 woman and 1 man), admitted in our acute care unit for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A coagulopathy work-up concludes the existence of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in the 2 cases. APS syndrome was considered primary in 2 cases. All patients presented an intense inflammatory syndrome (high level of CRP). Anticardiolipine was present in the 2 cases. However, anti B2 glycoprotein I antibodies were detected in only one case. Emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with direct stenting had been performed successfully only in the first case, and the follow-up was uncomplicated. Thereafter, long-term oral anticoagulant appeared to be effective. The last patient was admitted because of peripheral acute ischemia of legs. Standard electrocardiogram showed signs of previous silent anteroseptal wall myocardial infarction confirmed by echocardiography. The latter revealed an apical thrombus and a very low left ventricular ejection fraction. Amputation of the right leg was necessary because of consultation occurred too late. However, he died four weeks later. Primary antiphospholipid syndrome should be considered as a cause of acute myocardial infarction in young adults, and PTCA with anticoagulant treatment is effective for initial treatment of this complication.

E0569 Postconditioning effect on reperfusion Arrhythmia of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

ObjectiveTo study postconditioning effects during the first minutes of reperfusion in STEMI patients undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the myocardial reperfusion Arrhythmia.MethodsBetween Oct. 2006 and Jan. 2009 at...

Postsplenectomy Reactive Thrombocytosis

Thrombocytosis is frequently encountered as an incidental laboratory finding. The most common etiology is reactive (secondary) thrombocytosis due to infections, trauma, surgery, or occult malignancy. Even though thrombocytosis is benign and self-limiting in most cases, it can result in hemorrhage or thrombosis. The hypercoagulable state is characterized by episodes of thrombosis and can be due to inherited or acquired conditions. Extreme thrombocytosis may result in thrombotic events such as acute myocardial infarction, mesenteric vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. It is important for physicians to be familiar with the complications associated with thrombocytosis. Postsplenectomy reactive thrombocytosis has an incidence of about 75% to 82%. Thrombosis in association with elevated platelet count after splenectomy is well recognized, with an incidence of approximately 5%. This case report describes a 61-year-old patient who underwent emergent splenectomy and presented 1 week later with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Severe thrombocytosis, which was not present prior to splenectomy, was noted, and a diagnosis of reactive thrombocytosis was initially made. Involvement of the right coronary artery led to emergent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Essential thrombocytosis was considered when treatment with hydroxyurea failed to lower the platelet count. A review of arterial and venous thrombosis in patients with severe thrombocytosis is presented, and the approach to the management of such patients is discussed.

Very late stent thrombosis of DES implanted patient during noncardiac surgery: A case report.

Very late stent thrombosis after implantation of drug eluting stent is rare, but its consequences are potentially fatal. Stent thrombosis may be occurred in perioperative period because of interruption of anticoagulation therapy and intraoperative hypercoagulability. We report a case of very late stent thrombosis in a 49-year-old male patient during total gastrectomy. ST-segment elevation in lead II occurred during the surgery and followed by cardiac arrest. After external cardiac massage and electrocardioversion, normal sinus rhythm was restored. Postoperative 12 lead ECG showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, aVF and serum cardiac enzymes such as CPK, CK-MB, and Troponin T were markedly elevated. Postoperative coronary angiography showed complete occlusion of the right coronary artery stent. Emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed and the patient recovered uneventfully.

Left main coronary thrombosis: unusual complication after radiofrequency ablation of left accessory atrioventricular pathway

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has established itself as a first-line therapy for the curative treatment of many patients with supraventricular or atrioventricular tachycardias and has exhibited a generally low incidence of serious sequelae ( N Engl J Med. 1991;324:1612; Lancet. 1991;337:1557). Coronary artery injury is a rare complication. We present a patient with an acute thrombotic total occlusion of the left main coronary artery immediately after the end of RFA who was successfully treated with emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. This case illustrates an unusual coronary complication of RFA and serves as an exceptional example of survival with a good short-term prognosis after this unusual etiology of myocardial infarction.

Acute Myocardial Infarction during General Anesthesia Combined with Epidural Anesthesia - A case report -

The general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia have many advantages, which are including early recovery, postoperative analgesia, and less requirement of inhalation anesthetic. But the complications of epidural anesthesia such as total spinal anesthesia, respiratory depression, myocardial ischemia, and local anesthet ic toxicity can lead to cardiac arrest. We report a case of acute myocardial infarction in a 74-year-old female patient receiving general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia. The profound hypotension without bradycardia and ST-segment elevation in lead II occurred 1 hour after local anesthetic injection and cardiac arrest followed. After the injection of atropine, epinephrine and dopamine, and external cardiac massage, sinus rhythm was restored. Postoperative serial examinations of ECG showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, aVF and serum enzymes such as CPK, CK-MB, and Troponin T were elevated. Emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed and the patient recovered uneventfully. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2008; 54: 84∼7)

The protected effect of emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty to cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction patients with diabetic

目的 研究急诊PTCA治疗糖尿病并急性心肌梗死对患者心功能的保护作用.方法对45例2型糖尿病并急性心肌梗死患者施行急诊PTCA(PCTA组),并与同期48例2型糖尿病并急性心肌梗死而未行PTCA者(非PTCA组)进行比较,分别观察入院时、住院24 h及发病3个月的心功能分级(Killip分级)和发病3个月的心脏左室射血指数(LVEF)值.结果两组患者入院时的心功能分级差异无显著意义;住院24h和发病3个月的心功能分级及发病3个月的EF均PTCA组明显优于未行PTCA组.结论急诊PTCA能较好保护糖尿病并急性心肌梗死患者的心功能。

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty and Stent Placement in Pregnancy

Myocardial infarction (MI) is uncommon during pregnancy. As the average maternal age increases and assisted reproductive technology allows for very advanced maternal ages, so too may the incidence of MI during pregnancy. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent placement is an attractive option for treatment of MI in pregnancy when revascularization is required. We present a gravida with an ST elevation MI during the third trimester, who was treated with emergent PTCA, stent placement, and platelet inhibitors, and we discuss the patient's subsequent obstetric and anesthetic management. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stent placement may be used during the third trimester with successful outcome.

Combination of a high bolus dose of tirofiban with half-dose thrombolytics for the treatment of subacute stent thrombosis

Acute stent thrombosis is rare and it is usually related to complications during the procedure. Subacute thrombosis is far more common and is associated with a high incidence of acute myocardial infarction and death. Restoration of flow by thrombolysis, emergency bypass surgery or emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has had only limited success with respect to myocardial salvage. We report the case of a patient who suffered from recurrent subacute stent thrombosis, in whom administration of tirofiban at high-dose bolus in association with a half dose of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator succeeded in restoring normal myocardial flow and stable clinical condition.

Preoperative cardiology consultation.

In a 1998 survey of New York metropolitan area anesthesiologists, surgeons, and cardiologists, the three specialties were in general agreement that important purposes of a cardiology consultation are to treat an inadequately treated cardiac condition before surgery (e.g., unstable angina or congestive heart failure [CHF]), to provide data to use in anesthesia management (e.g., ischemic threshold of tachycardia on stress test or left ventricular ejection fraction), and possibly to diagnose a medical condition before surgery (e.g., the cause of a new-onset atrial fibrillation). The yield of a cardiology consultation, in terms of new therapy or significant effect on patient management strategy prior to surgery, has, however, been reported to vary widely from 10% to more than 70%. The reasons why the consultation process often falls short of ideal are probably multifold, but may often originate from vague understanding of the consultation process. The physician initiating the consultation, whether an anesthesiologist or a surgeon, may not make it clear to the cardiologist why the consultation is being sought. In a retrospective review of 202 cardiology consultations at a university hospital, it was found that 108 just asked for an “evaluation,” 79 asked for a “clearance,” and 9 did not specifically request anything. Only six posed a specific question. As a result, the consultant often makes broadly inclusive, general remarks about perioperative management of the patient and may recommend preoperative diagnostic work-up that does not influence the patient’s outcome but prolongs the hospital stay. In this review are presented (1) the indications for cardiology consultations as implied in the American College of Cardiology–American Heart Association (ACC–AHA) guidelines on preoperative cardiac evaluation, and (2) suggestions on how the ACC–AHA guidelines may be critically applied to, and improve, the consultation process. Preoperative Cardiac Consultation Based on the ACC–AHA Guidelines The ACC–AHA guidelines on preoperative cardiac evaluation were published initially in 1996 and were also endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists and the Society for Vascular Surgery. An updated version of the guidelines was published in 2002. The guidelines were based on the then-available literature as well as expert opinions from the disciplines of anesthesiology, cardiology, electrophysiology, vascular medicine, vascular surgery, and noninvasive cardiac testing. The guidelines provided an 8-step algorithm for stratifying the patient’s risks and triaging to either surgery or cardiac evaluation. The first three steps of the guidelines consider the urgency of the operation and the recency of cardiac evaluation and intervention. If the operation is not emergent and if there has not been recent cardiac evaluation and/or intervention with no significant interim changes, then the remainder of the guidelines are applied. Steps 4 through 7 deal with an assessment of the patient’s clinical predictors of cardiac risk, functional status, and the risk of the surgery proposed. Step 8, or noninvasive cardiac testing to further define the patient’s risk, is indicated (1) if the patient has a major clinical predictor, (2) if the patient has an intermediate clinical predictor and either has poor functional status or is undergoing a high-risk surgery, or (3) if the patient has poor functional status and is undergoing a high-risk surgery. As defined by the ACC–AHA, major clinical predictors are unstable coronary syndrome, decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF), significant arrhythmias, and severe valvular disease. Intermediate clinical predictors are mild angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction (MI) or CHF, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure with serum creatinine greater than 2 mg/dl. A high-risk surgery carries a greater than 5% perioperative risk of cardiac events such as MI, CHF, or death and is exemplified by emergent major operations, especially in the elderly, aortic, and other major vascular procedures, peripheral vascular bypass procedures, and anticipated prolonged surgical procedures associated with large fluid shifts and/or blood loss. An intermediate-risk surgery carries 1–5% perioperative risk of cardiac events and is exemplified by carotid endarterectomy, intraperitoneal and Director of Vascular Anesthesia, Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Associate Professor of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School.

The use of adenosine as a trigger for pharmacological preconditioning to protect human myocardium during coronary bypass surgery

In former studies on ischaemic preconditioning, adenosine was found to trigger this cardioprotective process. After promising experiments in rabbit hearts and the first clinical use during emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients, we started to investigate the ability of adenosine to protect the myocardium during standard cross-clamping bypass surgery. Because adenosine is metabolized within a few seconds, no systemic effects occur.

Is inflammation related to the clinical severity of unstable angina?

The present study determined the white blood cell (WBC) count and the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level in 27 patients with coronary spastic angina, 16 with Braunwald class IB unstable angina (UA) and 13 with Braunwald class IIIB. The relationship between the clinical presentation of UA and the requirement for emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was examined, and in patients with medically refractory angina, the determining factor among the clinical manifestations of angina was also investigated. In the acute phase, the WBC count and the serum CRP level were significantly higher in patients with Braunwald class IIIB than in those with coronary spastic angina or Braunwald class IB UA (p<0.001). In the Braunwald class IIIB group, a significantly higher rate of patients required emergency PTCA than that of the coronary spastic angina group (p<0.01). Patients with medically refractory angina had a significantly higher WBC count and higher serum CRP level on admission, and the WBC count on admission was independently associated with medically refractory angina by multivariate analysis (p<0.05). Inflammation may play a major pathological role in the rapid development of acute coronary syndrome.

Three-year follow-up of patients with silent ischemia in the subacute phase of myocardial infarction after thrombolysis and early coronary intervention

In order to assess the prognostic value of silent myocardial ischemia in acute myocardial infarction after thrombolysis and early coronary angiography (14–48 h after start of thrombolysis) including percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, if indicated, 126 patients underwent 24 h-Holter-monitoring in the early postinfarction period. The 24 h-Holter-recording was initiated directly after early coronary intervention (40±11 h after onset of symptoms). Of the 126 patients initially eligible for the study 29 had to be excluded from further analysis for clinical or methodical reasons. Of the remaining 97 patients, 10 (10%) had silent ischemia (group A) and 87/97 (90%) patients showed no significant ST-segment alterations. Both groups did not significantly differ from each other with regard to baseline clinical characteristics, severity of coronary artery disease and frequency of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The left ventricular ejection fraction showed a trend towards lower values in patients with than in those without silent ischemia (47±15% vs. 55±13%, p=0.07). When both silent ischemia and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were present, a subset of patients at high risk for cardiac death could be identified (specificity: 98%, positive predictive accuracy: 75%). By Kaplan–Meier analysis, significantly more cardiac deaths occurred in group A than in group B (30% vs. 6%, p<0.01) during the three-year follow-up (950±392 days) after acute myocardial infarction. Regarding the cardiac events during long-term follow-up (emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting, non-fatal reinfarction, and cardiac death) there was no significant difference between both groups (30% vs. 18%, NS). In conclusion, Holter monitor-detected silent ischemia in the subacute phase of myocardial infarctionI after thrombolysis followed by early delayed coronary intervention occurs in 10% of the patients indicating either a residual ischemia in the infarcted zone despite a combined reperfusion strategy or a remote ischemic potential in case of multivessel disease. In this small selected group of infarct patients too, silent ischemia is to be considered as an important non-invasive parameter to predict cardiac death during long-term follow-up and provides valuable complementary information to left ventricular dysfunction, a well established prognostic marker in the postinfarction period.

Incidence, consequences, and risk factors of early reocclusion after primary and/or rescue percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) achieves high patency rates. Conversely, it has been shown that after thrombolysis, early reocclusion of the infarct-related artery (IRA) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The aim of this retrospective study was to study the incidence, prognostic implications, and clinical risk factors for in-hospital reocclusion of the IRA after successful emergency PTCA for AMI. We studied 399 consecutive patients (aged 59 ± 14 years, 52% with anterior wall infarction) admitted <6 hours after AMI onset, of whom 374 (94%) were successfully treated with primary (n = 297) or rescue (n = 77) PTCA, with a stenting rate of 8%. Predischarge angiography was performed in 306 (82%). Early reocclusion of the IRA occurred in 28 patients (9%) and was silent in 6 (2%). The reocclusion rate was 10% for primary PTCA and 8% for rescue PTCA (p = NS). Twenty-two of 28 patients (6%) underwent repeat emergency coronary angiography because of early recurrent ischemia and most (n = 18) were treated with emergency PTCA. Early recurrent ischemia occurred mostly (86%) within 5 days of AMI onset. There was a higher prevalence of on-site hemorrhage (18% vs 5%, p = 0.007), blood transfusion (11% vs 2%, p = 0.01), pulmonary edema (21% vs 4%, p <0.01), and in-hospital death (21% vs 1%, p = 0.0001) in patients with predischarge reocclusion. On multivariate analysis, cardiogenic shock on admission and absence of dyslipidemia were strong and independent predictors (p = 0.01) of IRA reocclusion. In conclusion, early reocclusion after emergency PTCA occurred in 9% of the patients and was associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This warrants attempts to decrease its incidence, e.g., with more frequent use of stents.

Coronary artery stenting for suboptimal PTCA results in acute myocardial infarction in patients treated with Abciximab: early and six-month outcome.

Emergent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an effective treatment for acute myocardial infarction. However, occasionally results of angioplasty are suboptimal due to coronary dissection or elastic recoil, leading to a high chance of recurrent ischemia. Coronary stents are occasionally employed in such settings, but a high incidence of stent thrombosis was noted by early investigators when stents were placed into areas of active thrombus formation. Since coronary thrombosis and stent thrombosis are both initiated by platelets, the potent antiplatelet agent abciximab might be useful in preventing stent thrombosis. Little information is available concerning early outcome or 6-month clinical event rate when coronary artery stents are placed for suboptimal angioplasty results for acute myocardial infarction in patients given abciximab. We deployed 75 stents as part of angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction in 40 patients given abciximab. All patients had suboptimal angioplasty results leading to stent deployment. Each obtained normal flow angiographically and no stent thrombosis or acute closure was observed. Early mortality occurred in 1 patient. All patients were followed at least 6 months, and no patient died after hospital discharge. Three patients experienced recurrent ischemic events within the first 6 months. Two of these events were due to infarct vessel restenosis. We conclude the combined use of coronary artery stents and abciximab for suboptimal PTCA results during acute myocardial infarction is associated with a low incidence of culprit vessel recurrent ischemic events within 6 months of intervention.

Conservative management of patients with acute myocardial infarction and spontaneous acute patency of the infarct-related artery

The role of systematic emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with spontaneous reperfusion during myocardial infarction is debated. We retrospectively examined the inhospital outcome of 47 consecutive patients with myocardial infarction <6 hours and angiographically proven spontaneous patency of the infarct artery managed without initial PTCA. There was one death (2.1%) and no incidence of reinfarction. Predischarge angiography showed regression of the culprit coronary lesion to <50% stenosis in 23% of the patients, therefore obviating the need for PTCA. However, 17% of the patients had acute recurrent ischemia, requiring emergency intervention in 10.6%. Comparison with matched patients in whom Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 3 patency was achieved by thrombolysis or by primary PTCA showed that patients with spontaneous patency tended to have smaller infarctions, as judged from a lower peak creatine kinase level (1132 ± 1002, 2051 ± 1536, and 2715 ± 2146 IU, respectively; p = 0.001) and a higher left ventricular ejection fraction (56.4%, 47.9%, and 48.7% respectively; p = 0.02). In conclusion, these patients have an excellent inhospital outcome, with evidence of less myocardial damage than in patients in whom reperfusion therapy was required to achieve TIMI 3 patency. Initial conservative treatment appears safe.