Ischemia In High-risk Patients Research Articles

The diagnostic value of stress echocardiography with limited myocardial ischemia in high-risk patients

BackgroundThe diagnostic value of limited myocardial ischemia in DSE is not well known. ObjectivesWe investigated whether myocardial ischemia during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in 1 apical segment of any of the ventricular walls of the left ventricle relates to the anatomical and functional stenosis of the suppling coronary artery. MethodsOur observational, prospective study enrolled 212 patients, symptomatic or asymptomatic, with newly diagnosed limited myocardial ischemia on DSE. Almost 25% of them had already known CAD, while the rest were divided into low-risk and high-risk groups, integrating 1-2 and ≥3 classical cardiovascular risk factors, respectively. After DSE, all patients underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and were followed up for one year. In coronary arteries distributing ischemic area, the calculated stenosis ≥50% and FFR<0.8 were considered anatomically and functionally significant, respectively. In the latter cases, the patients underwent coronary revascularization. ResultsSignificant anatomical and functional stenosis of the supplying coronary artery was common among patients with already known CAD (62.5% and 44.5%, respectively) or those without CAD but a high-risk profile (60.2% and 25.6%, respectively). In logistic regression analysis, CAD revascularization was independently determined by an already known CAD, diabetes mellitus, and high-risk profile. During follow-up, 24 patients experienced ACS or new angina episodes, which were associated with diabetes and smoking in univariate analysis. ConclusionLimited myocardial ischemia may implicate significant anatomical and functional coronary stenosis among individuals with a history of CAD or those without known CAD but a high-risk profile. The prognostic value of our findings requires further investigation.

Association between quality of life and mental stress-induced myocardial ischaemia in high-risk patients after coronary revascularization

ObjectiveWe sought to determine the association between mental stress-induced myocardial ischaemia (MSIMI) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after coronary revascularization.MethodsThis cohort study involved patients with high-risk MSIMI who received coronary revascularization between Dec 2018 and Dec 2019. Patients who screened positive for depression/anxiety were enrolled in this study. Mental stress was induced by the Stroop Colour and Word Test 1 month after coronary revascularization. All participants underwent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans at rest and under mental stress. MSIMI was defined as the presence of four abnormal SPECT phenomena. QoL was assessed using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) prior to treatment and 1 month after coronary revascularization.ResultsOf the 1845 consecutive patients who received coronary revascularization, 590 (31.9%) had depression/anxiety, and 205 agreed to accept the mental stress test. During the average observation period of 33 days, 105 (51.2%) patients exhibited MSIMI. All SAQ subscales showed significant improvement, except for QoL, in the MSIMI group. The QoL score was lower (− 0.2 ± 32.7 vs. 13.1 ± 29.9, P = 0.005), and the proportion of deterioration in QoL was higher (50.5% vs. 31.9%, P = 0.010) in the MSIMI group than in the non-MSIMI group. Those with a deterioration in QoL had approximately twice the rate of MSIMI than those with an improvement in QoL (unadjusted OR: 2.019, 95% CI 1.122–3.634, P = 0.026; adjusted OR: 1.968, 95% CI 1.083–3.578, P = 0.017).ConclusionAmong patients with CAD who received coronary revascularization and had depression/anxiety, deterioration in QoL increased the likelihood of MSIMI. Hence, our results indicate that deterioration in QoL is a predictor of MSIMI.Trail Registration ChiCTR2200055792, retrospectively registered, 2022.1.20, www.medresman.org.cn

Comparative Study of Ultrasound Doppler and 128-Multi-Detector CT in Assessment of Upper Extremity Ischemia in High-Risk Patients

Ischemia at the upper extremity is considered one of the disabling and frequent causes of blind medical care failure. Non- invasive techniques as CTA and Doppler could effectively determine stenosis grades up to occlusion of the upper extremity, particularly if they impact the vessels proximal to the wrist also they can characterise the thrombus characters and recanalisation. The study was a prospective study carried out on 30 patients with upper extremity ischemia during the period from April 2019 to April 2020 at the Radiology department of ZagazigUniversity hospitals. All patients presented with signs of ischemia as claudication, colour changes, pulselessness and their age ranged between 45 to 70 years. All patients underwent complete history taking and clinical examination, the results were correlated to conventional angiography. Overall, in the present study, Doppler US has a sensitivity of 86.6 %, a specificity of 100%, PVP of 100% and PVN of 91.3%. CTA has a sensitivity of 93.3 %, the specificity of 100%, PVP of 100% and PVN of 95.45 %.CTA was more sensitive in milder degrees (Grades I&amp; II) of thromboembolism and stenosis but no significant difference in severe cases (Grades III &amp;IV). Segmental length assessment and collateral circulation were better noted on CT Angiography.

Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Ischemia Detection in High-Risk Asymptomatic Patients: Correlation with Coronary Calcium Score and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein.

Background:The association between myocardial ischemia in high-risk patients with coronary calcium score (CCS) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is not well established.Aims:We evaluated the correlation between hs-CRP, CCS, and myocardial ischemia in asymptomatic high-risk patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD).Materials and Methods:We prospectively assessed 68 asymptomatic high-risk outpatients without known CAD. One-day rest-stress Tc-99m single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging and multislice computed tomography were performed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed for the assessment of predictors of myocardial ischemia. Standard risk factors and hs-CRP values were analyzed.Results:CCS >0 Agatston score was observed in 26 patients (46.4%). Seven patients had CCS between 10 and 99 AU, 8 patients between 100 and 400 AU, and 11 patients had CCS >400 AU. Mild ischemia was noted in 11 patients, moderate ischemia in 10 patients, and severe ischemia in 6 patients. Hs-CRP was >1 mg/L in 39 patients, of whom 8 patients had CCS >0, 13 patients had normal SPECT results, 6 patients had mild ischemia, and 12 patients had moderate and severe ischemia. Multivariate regression analysis showed independent predictors for increased CCS: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (odds ratio [OR]: 2.891; P = 0.001); age >70 years (OR: 2.568; P = 0.001); and smoking (OR: 1.931; P = 0.001). We found hs-CRP to be an independent predictor of myocardial ischemia (OR: 4.145; 95% confidence interval: 1.398–7.471, P = 0.001).Conclusion:hs-CRP was an independent predictor of myocardial ischemia. hs-CRP might improve the selection of high-risk asymptomatic patients for myocardial SPECT imaging.

Staged endovascular repair of critical limb ischemia in high risk patients: the procedural and clinical outcomes.

The aim of this paper was to retrospectively evaluate the procedural and clinical outcomes after staged angioplasty in high-risk, chronic, critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients. Between 2013 and 2015, 29 patients (29 limbs) (mean age 77 years) were treated by staged revascularization procedures in 1) the iliac artery-DFA alone or with the femoropopliteal artery followed by 2) the femoropopliteal artery and a below-the-knee artery. All patients had long-segment iliofemoral artery and below-the-knee artery (TASCII D) occlusions with abnormal serum myoglobin and ischemic lesions. Clinical outcome was assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Clinical treatment efficacy was defined as patient survival with resolved CLI without major amputations after the last revascularization procedure. Angioplasty was performed in all limbs with a technical success rate of 100%. All the patients received 2 stage endovascular interventions. The interval time between the two stages was 19.56±6.56 days. In the second stage, the peroneal artery (PA) in 11 patients, the anterior tibial artery (ATA) in 7 patients, both the PA and ATA in 6 patients, and the posterior tibial artery (PTA) in 6 patients were recanalized. Rest pain and lesions were resolved in all patients after the second-stage revascularization. An upward shift of limb status and EQ-5D scores after the first or second revascularization indicated a significant change. No major amputations occurred, although minor amputations were required in 5 patients within 3 months after the second endovascular revascularization. The primary patency was 82.76%. Repeat TLR was necessary for 5 patients after endovascular BTK revascularization. Clinical treatment efficacy was 71% at 12 months; the cumulative rate of repeat target limb revascularization was 45.6%. Staged endovascular treatment in high-risk CLI patients can effectively relieve rest pain and symptoms of necrosis, which greatly improves the survival and quality of life of patients less suited for conventional repair.

34. Guidelines and nomenclature in critical care continuous EEG monitoring

Nomenclature is key to describing clearly the clinical events in a critical care continuous EEG recording. Uniform nomenclature facilitates multicenter studies. It allows clinicians to understand better the meaning of studies performed at another institution. Recent clearer nomenclature proposed definition of many terms, such as for rhythmic or periodic patterns, prevalence, frequency, duration, amplitude, symmetry, and other terms for critical care monitoring (Hirsch, J Clin Neurophys; 2013). A consensus guideline recommends continuous EEG recording (a) to identify nonconvulsive seizures, (b) to assess efficacy of therapy, (c) to identify ischemia in high-risk patients (d), to assess depth of coma or sedation, (e) and for prognosis after cardiac arrest (Herman, J Clin Neurophys; 2015). The consensus guideline also describes personnel qualifications, e.g. for interpreting physicians, technical specification for equipment, and how recordings should be acquired, reviewed and interpreted. These are meant to provide guidance for quality patient care services.

A Statewide Analysis of the Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia in Maryland from 2009 to 2013

Acute mesenteric ischemia is a surgical emergency that entails complex, multi-modal management, but its epidemiology and outcomes remain poorly defined. The aim of this study was to perform a population analysis of the contemporary incidence and outcomes of mesenteric ischemia. This was a retrospective analysis of acute mesenteric ischemia in the state of Maryland during 2009-2013 using a comprehensive statewide hospital admission database. Demographics, illness severity, comorbidities, and outcomes were studied. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Survivors and non-survivors were compared using univariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for mortality. During the 5-year study period, there were 3,157,499 adult hospital admissions in Maryland. A total of 2,255 patients (0.07%) had acute mesenteric ischemia, yielding an annual admission rate of 10/100,000. Increasing age, hypercoagulability, cardiac dysrhythmia, renal insufficiency, increasing illness severity, and tertiary hospital admission were associated with development of mesenteric ischemia. Inpatient mortality was high (24%). After multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for death were age >65 years, critical illness severity, mechanical ventilation, tertiary hospital admission, hypercoagulability, renal insufficiency, and dysrhythmia. Acute mesenteric ischemia occurs in approximately 1/1,000 admissions in Maryland. Patients with mesenteric ischemia have significant illness severity, substantial rates of organ dysfunction, and high mortality. Patients with chronic comorbidities and acute organ dysfunction are at increased risk of death, and recognition of these risk factors may enable prevention or earlier control of mesenteric ischemia in high-risk patients.

A study on survivors of acute myocardial infarction developing transient ischemia on Holter monitoring

Introduction: Increasing array of medical intervention available to modify the likelihood of developing recurrent episode of myocardial ischemia, it is important to identify patients of risk of provocable myocardial ischemia before discharge. Material Methods: longitudinal study carried out in a tertiary care hospital of central India, over a period of one year. During the monitoring period, the patient was once subjected for 100-meter brisk walk. Result: Out of 64 cases, 6 (9.5%) cases developed ischemia during Holter, in male it was 5(10.2%) while in female it was 1(6.67%). 6.3% of total cases suffered from sustained VT during hospitalization.42.5% of cases of anterior wall myocardial infarction were presented with sinus tachycardia, it was found to be statistically significant(x2 = 73.55, p<0.001). Conclusion: After acute myocardial infarction, pre-discharge Holter monitoring (including brisk walk) is a good non-invasive method to detect ischemia in high risk patients.

A Study of Pre-Discharge Holter Monitoring in Patients of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Increasing array of medical intervention available to modify the likelihood of developing recurrent episode of myocardial ischemia, it is important to identify patients of risk of provocable myocardial ischemia before discharge. Material Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out in a tertiary care hospital of central India, during July 2012 to October 2014. During the monitoring period, the patient was once subjected for 100-meter brisk walk. Result: Out of 64 cases, 6 (9.5%) cases developed ischemia during Holter, in male it was 5(10.2%) while in female it was 1(6.67%). 13.33% of cases with tobacco consumption developed ischemia on Holter monitoring and this was found to statistically significant (x2 = 5.36, p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: After acute myocardial infarction, pre-discharge Holter monitoring (including brisk walk) is a good non-invasive method to detect ischemia in high risk patients (like consuming tobacco in any form).

Changes in ischaemia as assessed with single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging in high-risk patients with diabetes without cardiac symptoms: relation with coronary atherosclerosis on computed tomography coronary angiography.

The study aims (i) to evaluate changes in myocardial ischaemia on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) after 2 years in a cohort of high-risk patients with diabetes without cardiac symptoms or known coronary artery disease (CAD) and (ii) to assess the value of baseline computed tomography coronary angiography (CTA)-derived coronary atherosclerosis parameters to predict changes in myocardial ischaemia. The population consisted of 100 high-risk patients with diabetes without cardiac symptoms referred for cardiovascular risk stratification. All patients underwent coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, CTA, and SPECT MPI. After 2 years of follow-up, SPECT MPI was repeated to evaluate potential progression of ischaemia.In total, 20% of patients presented with ischaemia at baseline. Of these 20 patients, 7 (35%) still had ischaemia at follow-up, whereas 13 (65%) showed resolution and 4 (20%) showed progression of ischaemia at follow-up. Of the 80 patients without ischaemia at baseline, 65 (81%) had a normal MPI at follow-up and 15 patients (19%) presented with new ischaemia. There were no significant differences in the CAC score or the extent, severity, and composition of CAD on CTA between patients with and without ischaemia at baseline. Similarly, no differences could be demonstrated between patients with and without ischaemia at follow-up or between patients with and without progression of ischaemia. The rate of progression of ischaemia in high-risk patients with diabetes without cardiac symptoms is limited. Few patients presented with new ischaemia, whereas some patients showed resolution of ischaemia. Atherosclerosis parameters on CTA were not predictive of new-onset ischaemia or progression of ischaemia.

English

Background: Increasing array of medical intervention available to modify the likelihood of developing recurrent episode of myocardial ischemia, it is important to identify patients of risk of provocable myocardial ischemia before discharge. Material Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out in a tertiary care hospital of central India, during July 2012 to October 2014. During the monitoring period, the patient was once subjected for 100-meter brisk walk. Result: Out of 64 cases, 6 (9.5%) cases developed ischemia during Holter, in male it was 5(10.2%) while in female it was 1(6.67%). 13.33% of cases with tobacco consumption developed ischemia on Holter monitoring and this was found to statistically significant ( x 2 = 5.36, p<0.05). Conclusion: After acute myocardial infarction, pre-discharge Holter monitoring (including brisk walk) is a good non-invasive method to detect ischemia in high risk patients (like consuming tobacco in any form).

How to prevent spinal cord injury during endovascular repair of thoracic aortic disease

The incidence of spinal cord injury in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been 3-5 % from recent major papers where sacrifice of the critical intercostal arteries is inevitable by a stent graft. Hemodynamic stability, which depends on a network of blood vessels around the cord is most important not only during but also after stent-graft deployment. High risk factors of spinal cord injury during endovascular aortic repair are (1) coverage of the left subclavian artery, (2) extensive coverage of long segments of the thoracic aorta, (3) prior downstream aortic repair, (4) compromising important intercostal (T8-L1), vertebral, pelvic and hypogastric collaterals, and (5) shaggy aorta. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative managements have been required to prevent spinal cord injury with TEVAR. For imaging assessment of blood supply to spinal cord including Adamkiewicz artery, prophylactic cerebrospinal fluid drainage is mandatory, and monitoring motor-evoked potential is recommended for high risk factors of spinal cord injury. Mean arterial pressure should be maintained over 90 mmHg after stent-graft placement for a while to prevent delayed spinal cord ischemia in high-risk patients of spinal cord ischemia. Finally, because spinal cord injury during TEVAR is not rare and negligible, perioperative care during TEVAR should be strictly performed according to the protocol proposed by each cardiovascular team.

Changes of cerebrospinal fluid pressure after thoracic endovascular aortic repair

Background Decreasing the intracranial pressure has been advocated as one of the major protective strategies to prevent spinal cord ischemia after endovascular aortic repair. However, the actual changes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and its relation with spinal cord ischemia have been poorly understood. We performed CSF pressure measurements and provisional CSF withdrawal after thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and compared the changes of CSF pressure in high risk patients and in patients with new onset paraplegia and paraparesis. Methods Four hundred and nineteen patients were evaluated for the risk of spinal cord ischemia after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Patients with identified risk factors before the procedure constituted group H and received prophylactic sequential CSF pressure measurement and CSF withdrawal. Patients who actually developed spinal cord ischemia constituted group P and received rescue CSF pressure measurements and CSF withdrawal. Results Among the 419 patients evaluated, 17 were graded as high risk. Four patients actually developed spinal cord ischemia after endovascular repair. The incidence of spinal cord ischemia in this investigation was 0.9%. The patients who actually developed spinal cord ischemia had no identified risk factors and had elevated CSF pressure, ranging from 15.4 to 30.0 mmHg. Six of the 17 patients graded as high risk had elevated CSF pressure: &gt;20 mmHg in two patients and &gt;15 mmHg in four patients. Sequential CSF pressure measurements and provisional withdrawal successfully decrease CSF pressure and prevented symptomatic spinal cord ischemia in high-risk patients. However, these measurements could only successfully reverse the neurologic deficit in two of the patients who actually developed spinal cord ischemia. Conclusions Cerebrospinal fluid pressure was elevated in patients with spinal cord ischemia after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Sequential measurements of CSF pressure and provisional withdrawal of CSF decreased CSF pressure effectively in high risk patients and provided effective prevention of spinal cord ischemia. Risk factor identification and prophylactic measurements play the key role in prevention of spinal cord ischemia after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Left atrial volume index is a predictor of silent myocardial ischemia in high-risk patients with end-stage renal disease

Silent myocardial ischemia is highly prevalent in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. However, the criteria for coronary artery disease screening remain unclear in asymptomatic patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether baseline echocardiographic parameters can predict myocardial ischemia in asymptomatic patients with ESRD. We investigated 259 high-risk asymptomatic patients with ESRD who underwent both echocardiography and myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography at the initiation of dialysis. We defined the presence of myocardial ischemia as a reversible or fixed perfusion defect. Silent myocardial ischemia was found in 99 (38.2 %) high-risk asymptomatic patients with ESRD at the initiation of dialysis. In patients with myocardial ischemia, left ventricular (LV) end systolic volume index, LV mass index, left atrial volume index (LAVI), and the ratio of early mitral inflow velocity to peak mitral annulus velocity were significantly higher, and LV ejection fraction was significantly lower, than those without myocardial ischemia. Multivariate analysis showed that LAVI, LV ejection fraction, and regional wall motion abnormalities were independently associated with the presence of silent myocardial ischemia. Severe (LA) enlargement was independently associated with the presence of silent myocardial ischemia (odds ratio 1.97; 95 % confidence interval 1.08-3.57; p = 0.026). LA enlargement is a potential marker for identifying patients with ESRD at high risk of silent myocardial ischemia.

Randomized Comparison of Sevoflurane Versus Propofol to Reduce Perioperative Myocardial Ischemia in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery

Volatile anesthetics provide myocardial preconditioning in coronary surgery patients. We hypothesized that sevoflurane compared with propofol reduces the incidence of myocardial ischemia in patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery. We enrolled 385 patients at cardiovascular risk in 3 centers. Patients were randomized to maintenance of anesthesia with sevoflurane or propofol. We recorded continuous ECG for 48 hours perioperatively, measured troponin T and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on postoperative days 1 and 2, and evaluated postoperative delirium by the Confusion Assessment Method. At 6 and 12 months, we contacted patients by telephone to assess major adverse cardiac events. The primary end point was a composite of myocardial ischemia detected by continuous ECG and/or troponin elevation. Additional end points were postoperative NT-proBNP concentrations, major adverse cardiac events, and delirium. Patients and outcome assessors were blinded. We tested dichotomous end points by χ(2) test and NT-proBNP by Mann-Whitney test on an intention-to-treat basis. Myocardial ischemia occurred in 75 patients (40.8%) in the sevoflurane and 81 (40.3%) in the propofol group (relative risk, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-1.30). NT-proBNP release did not differ across allocation on postoperative day 1 or 2. Within 12 months, 14 patients (7.6%) suffered a major adverse cardiac event after sevoflurane and 17 (8.5%) after propofol (relative risk, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-1.83). The incidence of delirium did not differ (11.4% versus 14.4%; P=0.379). Compared with propofol, sevoflurane did not reduce the incidence of myocardial ischemia in high-risk patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery. The sevoflurane and propofol groups did not differ in postoperative NT-proBNP release, major adverse cardiac events at 1 year, or delirium.

Limits of Infrainguinal Bypass Surgery for Critical Leg Ischemia in High-Risk Patients (Finnvasc Score 3-4)

The aim of the present study was to compare the early- and midterm outcomes after infrainguinal bypass surgery in the treatment of low- and high-risk patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) (Finnvasc score 0-2 and 3-4, respectively), and to evaluate limits of infrainguinal bypass surgery in treatment of the latter group. Two hundred seventy-four infrainguinal bypass procedures performed in 218 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The Finnvasc score (range: 0-4) was calculated by assigning one point to each of four preoperative risk factors, that is, coronary artery disease, diabetes, urgency of the procedure, and gangrene. Major outcome end points were survival, limb salvage, and amputation-free survival. Among 274 infrainguinal bypass procedures performed for CLI, 92 procedures (33.6%) were performed in patients with Finnvasc score 3-4. They had significantly lower leg salvage (at 3-year follow-up, 53.7 vs. 70.6%; log-rank: p = 0.004), survival (at 3-year follow-up, 49.7 vs. 69.7%; log-rank: p < 0.0001), and amputation-free survival (at 3-year follow-up, 27.7 vs. 53.1%; log-rank: p < 0.0001) compared with patients with Finnvasc score 0-2. Patients with Finnvasc score 3-4 and a preoperative serum creatinine level of >150 μmol/L had 1-year amputation-free survival of 12.5%, whereas patients with lower level of creatinine had 1-year amputation-free survival of 53.1% (p = 0.028). Infrainguinal bypass revascularization in CLI patients who present with Finnvasc score 3-4 can be considered at higher risk of poor intermediate outcome in terms of survival, leg salvage, and amputation-free survival. Poor outcome is particularly expected in patients with Finnvasc score 3-4 and renal failure. In this subgroup of patients, primary amputation should be considered.

N‐Terminal Pro‐B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide and Inducible Ischemia in the Heart and Soul Study

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is predictive of inducible ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Whether N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has a comparable strength of association with ischemia is uncertain. Resting NT-proBNP levels are associated with inducible ischemia in patients with stable CHD. We performed a cross-sectional study of 901 outpatients with stable CHD. NT-proBNP was measured in all patients prior to exercise treadmill testing and stress echocardiography. In addition, plasma BNP was measured in a subset of 355 participants. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of NT-proBNP and BNP quartiles with inducible ischemia. Inducible ischemia was found in 216 (24%) patients. The proportion with inducible ischemia ranged from 42% (95/225) in the highest quartile of NT-proBNP levels (>410 pg/ml) to 9% (21/226) in the lowest quartile (0-72 pg/ml). The highest quartile had a 7-fold greater odds of inducible ischemia than the lowest quartile (odds ratio [OR]: 7.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.2-12; P < 0.0001). This association remained robust after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, left ventricular ejection fraction, and diastolic dysfunction (OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.4-9.1; P = 0.009). In the subgroup with measurements of both NT-proBNP and BNP, both natriuretic peptides were predictive of ischemia. The multivariable-adjusted c-statistics for inducible ischemia were 0.71 for NT-proBNP and 0.62 for BNP (entered as continuous variables). Resting NT-proBNP levels are independently associated with inducible ischemia in outpatients with stable CHD. Baseline elevations of natriuretic peptide may indicate subclinical inducible ischemia in high risk patients with CHD.

Forced-Air Warming Decreases Vasodilator Requirement After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Postoperative hypothermia is common and associated with adverse hemodynamic consequences, including adrenergically mediated systemic vasoconstriction and hypertension. Hypothermia is also a known predictor of dysrhythmias and myocardial ischemia in high-risk patients. We describe a prospective, randomized trial designed to test the hypothesis that forced-air warming (FAW) provides improved hemodynamic variables after coronary artery bypass graft. After institutional review board approval and written informed consent, 149 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft were randomized to receive postoperative warming with either FAW (n = 81) or a circulating water mattress (n = 68). Core temperature was measured at the tympanic membrane. A weighted mean skin temperature was calculated. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance were monitored for 22 h postoperatively. Mean arterial blood pressure was maintained by protocol between 70 and 80 mm Hg by titration of nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside. The two groups had similar demographic characteristics. Tympanic and mean skin temperatures were similar between groups on intensive care unit admission. During postoperative rewarming, tympanic temperature was similar between groups, but mean skin temperature was significantly greater in the FAW group (P < 0.05). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance were similar for the two groups. The percent of patients requiring nitroprusside to achieve the hemodynamic goals was less (P < 0.05) in the FAW group. In conclusion, aggressive cutaneous warming with FAW results in a higher mean skin temperature and a decreased requirement for vasodilator therapy in hypothermic patients after cardiac surgery. This most likely reflects attenuation of the adrenergic response or opening of cutaneous vascular beds as a result of surface warming. Implications Forced-air warming after cardiac surgery decreases the requirement for vasodilator drugs and may be beneficial in maintaining hemodynamic variables within predefined limits.

Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia and the Patient with Heart Disease

Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia and the Patient with Heart Disease

What Can We Learn from Provoking Ischemia?

What Can We Learn from Provoking Ischemia?