Primary Primary Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Research Articles

Prognostic Value of T peak-T end Interval on Surface ECG in Patients Undergoing Reperfusion Therapy for ST Segment Myocardial Infarction

Background: In post-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, the indices of repolarization on electrocardiogram (ECG) have shown promise for the prediction of death and malignant arrhythmias. In our study, we analyzed prospectively, in patients with STEMI undergoing reperfusion therapy, the acute effects of the reperfusion on the Tpeak-Tend (TpTe) and its predictive value for 30-day mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and heart failure. Materials and Methods: We studied 75 STEMI patients aged 18–80 years admitted to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, over 6 months. ECGs were taken before and 90 min after reperfusion. TpTe interval was measured before (pre-TpTe) and after reperfusion (post-TpTe). 24-h Holter monitoring was recorded within 72 h of reperfusion to look for any arrhythmias. Patients were followed up for a period of 30 days, and all the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) if any, were noted. Results: In the primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) group, the mean change in TpTe after intervention was 19.7 ± 16.7 ms, whereas in thrombolysis group, it was 10.7 ± 13.8; and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), suggesting the superiority of primary PTCA compared to thrombolysis. When pre-TpTe interval was compared between who survived (69) and who succumbed (09), higher values were seen in patients who succumbed to death (115 ± 5.48) versus (88 ± 16.5) (P < 0.05). Pre-TpTe value of 105 had 100% sensitivity and 83% specificity in predicting mortality. Conclusion: Primary PTCA was superior to thrombolysis in reducing the TpTe interval and MACE events. The pre-TpTe interval could predict 30-day mortality and ventricular arrhythmias in the immediate and late period after revascularization in STEMI.

Prophylactic use of intracoronary sodium nitroprusside decreases incidence of no reflow after primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction

Background: Intracoronary vasodilators are used in various stages of primary angioplasty, either to treat no reflow or prophylactically to prevent no reflow. Vasodilators were ineffective during primary angioplasty to treat no reflow likely because the drug was used after plaque modification. We evaluated the intracoronary use of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) before plaque modification and microembolization. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective case–control study of all primary angioplasty cases done at Lourdes Hospital, Kerala, India, from March 2016 to May 2018 by two operators at the hospital. We retrospectively collected the data for primary angioplasty at the hospital and analyzed the data into two groups: one operator routinely used prophylactic intracoronary SNP in stable primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients, whereas the other used it only if there was no reflow. The drug was delivered prophylactically through guiding catheter once at least TIMI I flow was present. We compared the effect of prophylactic vs. therapeutic use of intracoronary SNP on no reflow during primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Results: Incidence of no reflow was significantly less in the group in which SNP was used at the onset of primary PTCA when compared with those patients in whom it was not used at the onset (6.5% vs. 28.4%, P &lt; 0.001). The TIMI frame count (21.7 vs. 24, P = 0.22) and low TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (&lt;2) (14% vs. 20%, P = 0.272) did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Prophylactic intracoronary use of SNP, before plaque modification, reduces the incidence of no reflow phenomenon after primary angioplasty. Brief Summary Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has been used during various stages of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), with intention to treat or prevent no reflow with variable results. Use of the drug, after no flow has set in, may not allow the drug to reach the microvasculature in all cases, making the drug not very effective in the treatment of no flow. So we compared the effect of prophylactic SNP before plaque modification in preventing no reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Study of primary angioplasty in hospital not having onsite cardiac catheterization facility

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the appropriateness of use and quality as well as outcomes of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (MI) in a single center without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capability. Background: Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) increases the rates of patency of the infarcted artery, improves survival rates, and reduces the rates of reinfarction and strokes as compared to thrombolysis. Methods: This is a hospital-based prospective study involving 77 patients. Primary PTCA was done by emergency transfer to PCI center at earliest. Results: Male patients outnumbered females (77% vs. 22%). Patients in the age group of 45–69 years constituted around 70.0% of the total ST-elevation MI patients. Majority of the patients (90%) presented with chest pain. During coronary angiography, it was found that the major culprit coronary was the right coronary (42.85%) followed by the left anterior descending artery (36.36%). A majority of the patients in the study group were found to have single-vessel disease (57.14%), and only five of the patients had triple-vessel disease (06.49%). Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were given to 41 patients (53.24%) as an adjuvant therapy. Conclusion: Primary angioplasty is very appropriate and feasible with a good outcome for the management of patients with acute ST-elevation MI even in a center where the facility of cardiac catheterization is not available. Our patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction who were shifted to a center having cardiac catheterization laboratory and subsequently managed with primary angioplasty showed good response and outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity over a follow-up of 1 year.

Prospective study one-year clinical outcomes of the Calypso coronary stent in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the stent use Calypso Angiolain Russia with primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).Methods. The study prospectively included 150 patients who underwent PTCA in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) for the period from January to December 2015. During the one-year follow-up period were evaluated indicators insolvency target lesion (cardiac death, myocardial infarction in the pool target artery, target lesion revascularization when clinically indicated), major adverse cardiac events (death from any cause, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization as clinically indicated). Results. In one year, the incidence of target lesion failure was 6.66% for cardiac death rate of 1.33%, myocardial infarction in the target artery 3.33% and target lesion revascularization at 5.3%. The frequency of cardiac major adverse cardiac events was 12% at mortality 2.66%, myocardial infarction 4% and revascularization when clinically indicated 8.66%. Conclusion. The use of stents in primary PTCA Calypso is possible, the percentage of cardiovascular complications is comparable with the data of clinical trials.Received 31 January 2017. Accepted 17 March 2017.Financing: The study did not have sponsorship.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in a patient with situs inversus dextrocardia

Situs inversus with dextrocardia is a rare congenital anomaly of development characterized by a mirror-image position of the heart and abdominal viscera. It occurs rarely in the general population, with an estimated incidence of 1:8000 to 1:10,000. Very few case reports exist of successful primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting in such patients. Here we report a case with dextrocardia and coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent Primary PTCA and successful stenting of the culprit lesion.

FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH PRIMARY ANGIOPLASTY WITHIN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is the treatment of choice in treating acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and shorter door-to-balloon time is associated with lower mortality. The question remains: will performing primary PTCA within the Emergency

English

High dose statin medication in acute coronary syndrome cases is a therapy which lowers mortality and morbidity rates. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced in higher amounts in acute myocardial infarction (MI) and facilitates myocardial damage. However, secretion of nitric oxide (NO) is depleted. We aimed to compare the effects of conventional dose (10-40 mg/day) and aggressive dose (80 mg/day) atorvastatin medications on IL-6 and NO levels in patients with primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) intervention after acute MI. 50 patients (8 females, 42 males) with the diagnosis of acute MI with ST segment elevation enrolled to the study. Primary PTCA intervention was performed on these patients and consequently either conventional dose (10&nbsp;to&nbsp;40 mg/day) or aggressive dose (80 mg/day) atorvastatin medications were given to the patients. Three months later, plasma IL-6 and NO levels were determined and alterations in the groups were evaluated. IL-6 levels decreased from 24.34 &plusmn; 12.04 to 11.40 &plusmn; 5.79 pg/ml and&nbsp; from 29.62 &plusmn; 17.38 to 12.51&nbsp; &plusmn;&nbsp; 8.95 pg/ ml in conventional dose and aggressive dose regimens respectively (p&lt;0.001). However, NO concentrations increased from 22.90 &plusmn; 8.24 to 31.70 &plusmn; 7.56 &micro;M in conventional dose and from 19.37 &plusmn; 5.60 &micro;M to 34.15 &plusmn; 9.60 &micro;M in aggressive dose groups (p &lt; 0.001).&nbsp;&nbsp; The effects of aggressive dose atorvastatin medication on IL-6 and NO levels were similar to conventional dose application in cases with ST segment elevation acute MI.&nbsp; &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Atorvastatin, interleukin-6, nitric oxide, myocardial infarction.

An active lifestyle improves outcome of primary angioplasty in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction

Regular physical activity has been shown to improve outcome of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the elderly population. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the positive role of an active lifestyle on cardiac prognosis extends to elderly patients with AMI who undergo primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We prospectively studied 180 patients with AMI aged > or = 70 years and treated with primary PTCA. In all patients, physical activity levels before AMI were quantified by a score derived from the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Cardiac deaths and nonfatal cardiac events were evaluated within 30 days and 1-year from primary PTCA. A high PASE score was significantly associated with a strong reduction of 30-day cardiac deaths (from 23.1% to 4%; P for trend = .021) and overall nonfatal events (from 21.1% to 10%; P for trend = .01). Accordingly, at 1 year of follow-up, the incidence of cardiac mortality and nonfatal events significantly decreased with increasing PASE score (from 28.8% to 8% and from 55.7% to 14.5%, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated that physical activity before AMI was an independent predictor of increased survival in those patients that showed the highest PASE scores. In addition, at 6 months of follow-up, although low ejection fraction and recurrent angina strongly predicted 1-year mortality, high PASE scores still predicted a better outcome. Our data indicate that an active lifestyle may favorably affect early and late outcomes of primary PTCA in the elderly population.

Primary angioplasty and routine utilization of thrombus aspiration devices: feasibility and results in a consecutive series of 486 patients

Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is the treatment of choice for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in high-volume centres with experienced operators, but is often limited by a suboptimal microvascular perfusion due to distal embolization and impaired myocardial perfusion. The present study investigates whether routine use of thrombus aspiration (TA) devices is feasible in daily practice, along with its safety and effectiveness. This study is based on a series of 486 consecutive STEMI patients treated at our single institution by the same three operators (from 2001 to 2005). They underwent primary PTCA with or without TA according to these angiographic features: infarct related artery (IRA) diameter>or=3 mm; thrombotic occlusion or angiographic evidence of thrombus; absence of severe proximal tortuosity or calcification. We evaluate the efficacy of TA in terms of procedural success, coronary thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow, myocardial blush grade (MBG), resolution>or=50% of ST segment elevation, and clinical events during hospital stay and at 6-month follow-up. A total of 486 primary PTCAs were performed, 217 (44.6%) with TA as a first device using RESCUE (n=65), EXPORT (n=140) and DIVER-CE (n=12) catheters. In 141 (65%) cases, macroscopic material was aspirated. The patients submitted to TA were more often males (84.7% versus 71.7%, P<0.05) and younger (age: 61.02+/-11.91 versus 64.47+/-10.59 years, P<0.01) than patients treated with traditional PTCA and the IRA was more frequently occluded at angiography (basal TIMI 0: 70.5% versus 47.9%). Application of the TA did not increase the complexity of the procedure (door-to-balloon times, minutes of fluoroscopy and amount of dye). TA alone was effective to restore TIMI 3 flow in 187 cases (86.2%) as a first device and in three other cases (1.4%) after predilatation with balloon. Direct stenting without predilatation was possible in 144 cases (66.4%) after TA. TA was not effective in 27 cases (12.4%) and this subgroup had both angiographic and clinical unfavourable results in comparison with the effective TA group (final TIMI 1 in 11.1% versus 0.5%, P<0.015; final MBG 1 in 55.5% versus 9.5%, P<0.001; lack of ST segment resolution>or=50% in 44.4% versus 7.9%, P<0.001; in-hospital mortality 14.8% versus 2.6%, P<0.05 and mortality at 6 months 18.5% versus 3.1%, P<0.05). In the whole TA population, final TIMI 3 flow was achieved in 203 cases (93.5%), final MBG 3 in 145 cases (66.8%) and ST segment resolution>or=50% in 185 cases (85.2%), in-hospital mortality was 4.1% and cumulative mortality at 6-month follow-up was 5.5%. In our case series, 486 consecutive unselected patients with STEMI were treated in a primary PTCA high-volume centre using TA devices. Our study demonstrates that, in STEMI patients treated with primary PTCA, a routine strategy with TA before angioplasty guided by angiographic selection criteria is feasible in almost 50% of cases, is safe and effective, does not increase procedural time and offers good results in terms of tissue perfusion, both epicardial (TIMI flow) and myocardial (MBG, ST regression). When successfully performed, TA identifies a population with favourable in-hospital and 6-month outcome.

Miokardo reperfuzijos adekvatumo po pirminės perkutaninės transliuminės vainikinių arterijų angioplastikos ir stentavimo palyginimas

Edvardas Vaicekavičius, Virgilijus Grinius, Ramūnas Navickas, Ramūnas Unikas, Arnoldas JanavičiusKaunas University of Medicine, Institute of CardiologyE-mail: invlab@kmu.lt Background / objective Reperfusion may limit the amount of potentially salvageable ischemic but viable myocardium due to reperfusion damage and injury. The objective of this study was to compare primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stenting according myocardial reperfusion quality in early hospital period. Methods One hundred nineteen patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction &lt; 12 hours were treated by primary PTCA or stenting (n = 26). PTCA patients (n = 93) were divided in to 1st group (n = 75) of survived and 2nd group (n = 18) of died patients. Stented patients consisted 3rd gr. (n = 26). The main indications for stenting after angioplasty were: 1) significant (type D, E, or F) dissection of coronary arteries, 2) significant elastic recoil. Peri-procedural TIMI flow, resolution of ST elevation and evolution of ECG stages were used for assessment of reperfusion quality. QRS score and left ventricle EF were used for assessment of LV function. Results The highest TIMI flow, the most intensive resolution of ST, the evolution of ECG stages and the lowest QRS score were noticed for 3rd gr. of stented patients. The died patients (2nd gr.) had lower TIMI flow (p = 0,097472), higher ST (p = 0,0073) and lower EF (p = 0,0005) in comparing with the 1st gr. of patients. Conclusions The procedural in-hospital outcome demonstrate that coronary stenting can be used as the primary modality for patients undergoing coronary interventions for acute myocardial infarction, increasing TIMI flow myocardial, reducing reperfusion damage and infarct size. Keywords: myocardial infarct reperfusion, myocardial infarct size, primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting.

Long-Term Outcome After Primary Stenting Versus Balloon Angioplasty for Acute Myocardial Infarction Five-year Follow-up of a Case-control Study

The objective of the present prospective multicenter case-control study was to investigate the long-term clinical outcome (5 years) of primary stenting compared to primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) without stenting (POBA) in patients with acute myocardial infarction at 7 cardiovascular centers in Hokkaido, Japan. Forty-one patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with successful primary stenting (stent group: case) and paired with 41 matched control subjects with acute myocardial infarction treated by successful primary PTCA without stenting (POBA group: control) were analyzed. After 1 year, the stent group had a lower incidence of the combined clinical endpoint (death, rehospitalization due to congestive heart failure, nonfatal myocardial infarction, repeat angioplasty, CABG, or cerebrovascular events) compared to the POBA group (17.1% versus 39.0%, P = 0.049). After 5 years, the incidences of congestive heart failure and cardiac death were the same in both groups. However, compared to the POBA group, the stent group had a lower combined clinical endpoint (34.1% versus 61.0%, P = 0.027). The Kaplan-Meier event-free survival curves of the stent group showed a significantly lower occurrence of clinical events compared to the POBA group (P = 0.0116). Multiple logistic regression analysis of clinical events identified age > or = 69 years (P = 0.0092, odds ratio = 4.179) and stenting (P = 0.0158, odds ratio = 0.279) as explanatory factors. Compared with POBA, primary stenting for acute myocardial infarction results in a better long-term clinical outcome.

Clinical Factors Associated With Persistent Pericardial Effusion After Successful Primary Coronary Angioplasty

To evaluate the incidence and clinical factors related to the persistence of infarct-associated pericardial effusion (PE) after primary angioplasty. Consecutive case-series analysis. Coronary care unit in a university hospital. Three hundred ninety-one consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who underwent successful primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) at hospital admission. Coronary angiography and primary PTCA on hospital admission and serial echocardiography. The status of coronary flow before and after primary PTCA was evaluated by coronary angiography at hospital admission, while PE was studied by echocardiography within 24 h of admission and 1 month after the onset of AMI. PE was present in the acute phase in 76 patients (19%), and patients with PE had a significantly higher incidence of in-hospital death than those without PE (11% vs 2%, p < 0.001). Among 68 patients who had PE in the acute phase and underwent echocardiography 1 month later, PE persisted to 1 month after the onset of AMI (persistent PE) in 26 patients (38%). Patients with persistent PE had a significantly higher incidence of pericardial rub (p = 0.010), Killip class > 1 (p = 0.025), no reflow after PTCA (p = 0.026), lower incidence of collaterals (p = 0.024), and tended to have higher peak creatine kinase (CK) [p = 0.05] levels than those with transient PE. When five variables (peak CK, collaterals, no reflow, pericardial rub, and Killip class > 1) were used in the multivariate analysis, pericardial rub (p = 0.023; odds ratio [OR], 5.45), absence of collaterals (p = 0.011; OR, 0.16), and Killip class > 1 (p = 0.027; OR, 3.80) were the significant variables related to persistent PE. PE remains a relatively common complication of AMI even in the era of reperfusion therapy and is associated with increased mortality. Furthermore, the presence of a pericardial rub, Killip class > 1, and absence of collateral flow in the early phase of the infarct are associated with persistence of the PE to 1 month after the onset of AMI.

Identification of Stunned Myocardium With Parametric Imaging-Based, Quantitative Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Microvascular integrity demonstrated by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) predicts functional recovery after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Recently, parametric imaging-based quantitative MCE has been developed. Our aim was to assess the usefulness of parametric imaging-based quantitative MCE parameters to predict the functional recovery of akinetic segments after primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Fifty-three consecutive patients with a first AMI were enrolled. They underwent primary PTCA. Standard echocardiography and real-time MCE were performed. Qualitative analysis and parametric imaging-based quantitative parameters were measured offline by different blinded investigators. Dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed 1 month later. A new standard echocardiogram to assess the functional status of the akinetic segments and coronary angiography to evaluate the presence of restenosis at the level of the culprit lesion were performed 6 months later. The mean patient age was 62.9 +/- 14 years, and 42 were men (79%); 170 segments were akinetic. Of these, 105 (62%) recovered their function. The best parameter to predict functional recovery was the myocardial blood flow velocity (beta). These results were better than those obtained using dobutamine stress echocardiography and qualitative MCE to predict functional recovery. In conclusion, parametric imaging-based quantitative MCE is an accurate diagnostic tool to detect stunned myocardium after AMI. Its diagnostic accuracy in predicting the functional recovery of akinetic segments after primary PTCA is better than the accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography and qualitative MCE.

Right Bundle Branch Block in Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting

Patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have a significantly higher mortality rate even with the advent of thrombolytic therapy. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting on the outcome of patients with RBBB in AMI. A total of 600 patients with AMI who underwent primary PTCA and stenting (rate: 61%) < 12 hours of onset were studied. A 12-lead ECG was obtained at least every 6 hours. Serial creatine kinase was measured, and left ventricular ejection fraction was obtained during the hospital stay. Among 600 patients with AMI, 94 patients (15.7%) had RBBB; it was persistent in 31 (33%) and transient in 63 (67%). In-hospital mortality rate was 7.3% in patients without RBBB, 7.9% in transient RBBB, and 25.8% in persistent RBBB (p < 0.02). The incidence of heart failure was 26.5% in those without RBBB, 34.9% in transient RBBB, and 58.1% in persistent RBBB (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference among these 3 groups in ventricular arrhythmias and complete atrioventricular block. Peak creatine kinase was 3,214+/-2,293 U/L in those without RBBB, 4,558+/-3,316 U/L in transient RBBB (p < 0.001), and 5,635+/-3,920 U/L in persistent RBBB (p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction was 50+/-11% in those without RBBB, 47+/-11% in transient RBBB (p < 0.05), and 42+/-13% in persistent RBBB (p < 0.001). Patients with AMI treated by primary PTCA and stenting had an increased incidence of transient RBBB, especially following reperfusion therapy, although the clinical outcome was similar to that of those without RBBB. In contrast, there was no satisfactory improvement in clinical outcomes in those with persistent RBBB.

Primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction: Hypothetical estimate of superiority over aspirin or untreated controls

Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the setting of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction has been compared with intravenous thrombolysis, but its effects versus no treatment are not known. Knowledge of the effects of PTCA in this setting is useful as a substantial minority of patients do not receive thrombolysis because of contraindications. A hypothetical primary PTCA versus placebo/control odds ratio was computed using a recently described statistical technique that employed the logarithm of the odds ratios of the pooled results of meta-analyses of PTCA versus thrombolysis and thrombolysis versus placebo or controlled trials. Using data from 30 trials, the synthesized odds ratio for mortality for primary PTCA versus placebo/untreated controls is 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46 to 0.68; P <0.00001), consistent with a 44% reduction. Primary PTCA and aspirin reduces mortality by 69% versus no aspirin (OR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.45; P <0.00001). In a high-risk group of otherwise eligible patients with thrombolysis contraindications, the absolute benefit is estimated as 93 per 1000 treated (95% CI: 53 to 132 per 1000 treated). The risk of stroke is reduced with primary PTCA (OR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.71; P = 0.0004). In this setting, primary PTCA would hypothetically reduce the short-term risk of death by 44%. Despite the use of aggressive antithrombotic regimens, the risk of stroke would also be reduced substantially with primary PTCA.

Prognostic implication of ST-segment resolution following primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.

ST-segment changes have been shown to correlate with myocardial tissue perfusion. Complete ST-segment resolution after thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction is associated with lower mortality and better left ventricular function. Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction restores better epicardial coronary flow to the infarct-related artery than thrombolysis. However, ST changes may persist and flow can remain poor despite a patent vessel. To examine the prognostic implication of ST-segment resolution immediately following primary and rescue PTCA for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). Records of 201 consecutive primary and rescue PTCA performed at Westmead Hospital for STEMI from January 2000 to December 2001 were reviewed. ST-segment elevation (taken 20 ms after the end of the QRS complex) was measured immediately before and after the procedure. ST-segment resolution of greater than 70% after the procedure was considered as -'complete' ST-segment resolution, whereas ST-segment resolution of less than 70% was considered as 'incomplete' ST-segment resolution. Of the 201 patients, 117 (58%) had complete ST-elevation resolution and 84 (42%) did not. There was a significant difference in survival free of major adverse cardiovascular events; 60% of those with complete ST-segment resolution were event-free at 2 years compared with 35% of those patients without complete ST-segment resolution. ST-segment resolution after primary and rescue PTCA for STEMI is associated with significantly higher event-free survival. The goal of primary angio-plasty should be the restoration of normal epicardial flow with normalization of ST-segments.

Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty accelerates early myocardial reperfusion compared to thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background Successful early reperfusion of the infarcted myocardium as indicated by complete resolution of ST-segment elevations has been shown to be associated with an improved outcome in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to compare early ST resolution in patients treated with primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or thrombolytic therapy for AMI. Methods A total of 1379 patients with AMI whose symptoms began <6 hours previously were enrolled in the Evaluation of the Safety and Cardioprotective effects of eniporide in Acute Myocardial Infarction (ESCAMI) trial and treated with primary PTCA (n = 528) or thrombolytic therapy (n = 851). Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were obtained at baseline, directly after PTCA and at 90 minutes after the initiation of thrombolytic therapy. Results There were no differences with respect to clinical or ECG baseline variables between the 2 groups. The time intervals between hospital admission and ECG 2 (obtained 0-30 min after PTCA and 90 min after start of thrombolysis) were 121 ± 62 minutes in the PTCA group and 137 ± 57 minutes in the thrombolysis group, respectively. In ECG 2, complete (≥70%) ST resolution was observed more often in the PTCA treated patients (35 vs 27%, P = .003). The incidence of congestive heart failure until 6 weeks was lower in the PTCA group (11.2% vs 17.6, P = .001). Mortality after 6 weeks (3.4% vs 5.6%, P = .07) and after 6 months (4.5% vs 7.1%, P = .06) tended to be lower in the PTCA group. Conclusion Primary PTCA compared to thrombolytic therapy is associated with an accelerated myocardial reperfusion within 90 minutes after the start of reperfusion therapy. This early advantage in myocardial reperfusion is associated with an improved clinical outcome.

Primary angioplasty versus intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction: a quantitative review of 23 randomised trials

Many trials have been done to compare primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with thrombolytic therapy for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (AMI). Our aim was to look at the combined results of these trials and to ascertain which reperfusion therapy is most effective. We did a search of published work and identified 23 trials, which together randomly assigned 7739 thrombolytic-eligible patients with ST-segment elevation AMI to primary PTCA (n=3872) or thrombolytic therapy (n=3867). Streptokinase was used in eight trials (n=1837), and fibrin-specific agents in 15 (n=5902). Most patients who received thrombolytic therapy (76%, n=2939) received a fibrin-specific agent. Stents were used in 12 trials, and platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in eight. We identified short-term and long-term clinical outcomes of death, non-fatal reinfarction, and stroke, and did subgroup analyses to assess the effect of type of thrombolytic agent used and the strategy of emergent hospital transfer for primary PTCA. All analyses were done with and without inclusion of the SHOCK trial data. Primary PTCA was better than thrombolytic therapy at reducing overall short-term death (7% [n=270] vs 9% [360]; p=0.0002), death excluding the SHOCK trial data (5% [199] vs 7% [276]; p=0.0003), non-fatal reinfarction (3% [80] vs 7% [222]; p<0.0001), stroke (1% [30] vs 2% [64]; p=0.0004), and the combined endpoint of death, non-fatal reinfarction, and stroke (8% [253] vs 14% [442]; p<0.0001). The results seen with primary PTCA remained better than those seen with thrombolytic therapy during long-term follow-up, and were independent of both the type of thrombolytic agent used, and whether or not the patient was transferred for primary PTCA. Primary PTCA is more effective than thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of ST-segment elevation AMI.

Impacto de la angioplastia primaria en la indicación de desfibrilador implantable en pacientes con infarto de miocardio

Implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) have been shown to improve survival in patients with myocardial infarctionand LVEF < 0.30 or LVEF < 0.40 + nonsustained ventricular tachycardia + inducible sustained arrhythmias. However, these risk stratification criteria have not been evaluated in patients who are candidates for primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The objective of this study was to assess the impact of both strategies on the indication for ICD in a consecutive series of post-infarction patients treated with primary PTCA. One hundred and two consecutive patients with myocardial infarction (80 men, mean age 63.6 11.5 years) included in a single-center-based regional program of primary PTCA were included in the study. A 24-h continuous ECG recording was obtained 2 to 6 weeks after the acute event, and LVEF was determined by 2D-echocardiography one month after the infarct. Patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and LVEF < 0.40 underwent programmed ventricular stimulation using a standard protocol. Twenty-two patients (21.6%; 95% CI, 13.6-29.6) showed at least one episode of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in the 24 h recording. Six of them had LVEF < or = 0.40, and sustained ventricular arrhythmia was induced in 2 out of 5. LVEF < or = 0.30 was found in 3 patients, none of whom had nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Thus, 5 patients had an indication for ICD according to either of the two risk stratification criteria. The prevalence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in post-infarction patients treated with primary PTCA is high. However, because most of them have preserved ventricular function, primary prevention with an ICD is indicated in approximately 5% of the population.

Predictors of adverse long-term outcome in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: with special reference to the admission concentration of lipoprotein (a).

The predictive values for long-term outcome in 127 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after successful primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were prospectively investigated in the present study. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal AMI, and recurrent angina. Follow-up angiography was performed in 120 patients to assess restenosis. The primary endpoint occurred in 21 patients during a follow-up period of 35+/-24 months. These patients had a higher lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration (p=0.0105) and more prevalence of multivessel disease (p=0.0028) than the other patients. The subjects were divided into 2 groups at the 75th percentile Lp(a) value: group A had an Lp(a) concentration >or=47 mg/dl and group B <47 mg/dl. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a lower cardiac event-free survival rate in group A (p=0.0007) and in patients with multivessel disease (p=0.001). In Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, an Lp(a) level >or=47 mg/dl (relative risk[RR] 5.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0-15.0, p=0.0007) and multivessel disease (RR 5.3, 95% CI 2.0-13.7, p=0.0006) were independent predictors of the primary endpoint. An elevated Lp(a) concentration on admission and multivessel disease are significant predictors for long-term adverse outcome in AMI patients treated by primary PTCA.