Q-wave Myocardial Infarction Research Articles

Intraprocedural Thrombotic Events During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes Are Associated With Adverse Outcomes: Analysis From the ACUITY (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy) Trial

The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of intraprocedural thrombotic events (IPTE) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Ischemic complications of PCI are infrequent but prognostically important. How often these events are a consequence of intraprocedural complications is unknown, with only limited data assessing the occurrence and importance of IPTE. A total of 3,428 patients who underwent PCI for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in the ACUITY (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy) trial underwent detailed frame-by-frame core laboratory angiographic analysis. An IPTE, defined as the development of new or increasing thrombus, abrupt vessel closure, no reflow, slow reflow, or distal embolization at any time during the procedure, occurred in 121 patients (3.5%). Patients with IPTE had higher in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year major adverse cardiac event rates than patients without IPTE (25.6% vs. 6.3% in-hospital, 30.6% vs. 9.3% at 30 days, and 37.0% vs. 20.5% at 1 year; p < 0.0001 for each). An IPTE was strongly associated with Q-wave myocardial infarction and out-of-laboratory definite/probable stent thrombosis (in-hospital 3.3% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.006; 30 days 5.8% vs. 1.3%, p < 0.0001; and 1 year 6.7% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.0002). Unplanned revascularization, target vessel revascularization, and major bleeding not associated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery were also increased among patients with IPTE, as was overall 30-day mortality (3.3% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.002). Moreover, IPTE was an independent predictor of 30-day and 1-year composite death/myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and major adverse cardiac events. Although infrequent among patients undergoing early PCI for moderate and high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, IPTE was strongly associated with subsequent adverse outcomes including death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis.

Circulating levels of soluble Fas ligand and left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (from the REVE-2 study)

Apoptosis-related molecules may contribute to left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). To validate this hypothesis, we evaluated the relation between circulating plasma levels of soluble Fas ligand (sFas-L) and LV remodeling in patients post-MI. This prospective multicenter study included 246 patients with a first anterior Q-wave MI. Serial echocardiographic studies were performed at hospital discharge and 3 and 12 months after MI; quantitative analysis was performed at a core echocardiography laboratory. Clinical follow-up was performed at 3 years post-MI. Blood samples to measure sFas-L were obtained at 1 month after MI. Median sFas-L level was 50.2 pg/mL. During the 1 year follow-up, LV remodeling was documented by a significant increase in LV volumes. LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after MI did not differ according to sFas-L levels; changes in LV volumes were not associated with sFas-L levels. By multivariate analysis, 2 variables were independently associated with LV remodeling: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) (p=0.008) and baseline ejection fraction (p=0.02). sFas-L levels were not associated with cardiovascular death or rehospitalization for heart failure at 3 years; conversely, high levels of BNP were associated with worse clinical outcome. Soluble Fas-L levels are not associated with LV remodeling after MI. Further research is needed to identify apoptotic markers that may be associated with outcome post-MI.

Mildronate effectiveness in post-hospital rehabilitation of patients with myocardial infarction

Aim. To study the effects of mildronate, as a component of complex therapy, on left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and exercise capacity (EC) in myocardial infarction (MI) patients undergoing post-hospital rehabilitation. Material and methods. This open, randomized study included 2 groups (50 men in each group; mean age 53,8±2,7 years): the control group (CG) and the main group (MG), which suffered MI in 4 weeks prior to the study inclusion (70% with Q-wave MI and 30% with transmural MI), and had stable post-infarction angina, Functional Class (FC) II, and ejection fraction (EF) &gt;35%. In both groups, pharmaceutical therapy included metoprolol (75-150 mg/d), isosorbide mononitrate (40 mg/d), aspirin (100 mg/d), clopidogrel (75 mg/d), atorvastatin (20-40 mg/d), and enalapril (2,5-5 mg/d). The MG patients additionally received mildronate (1,5 g/d) for 3 months. The follow-up period was 1 year. EC was assessed using veloergometry (VEM) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT). LV systolic and diastolic function was assessed with the use of Doppler echocardiography. The following parameters were calculated: EF, DTE, LV isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), and enddiastolic pressure (EDP). Two types of diastolic dysfunction (DD) were defined: Type I (E/A &lt;1; DTE &gt;0,220 ms) and Type II (E/A &gt;1,5; DTE &lt;0,150 ms). Results. Mildronate therapy facilitated EC recovery, improved VEM threshold capacity, and increased 6MWT velocity and distance. In addition, mildronate improved LV systolic and diastolic function in both types of DD, by increasing EF and reducing EDP. In type I DD, E/A and IVRT increased, while DTE decreased. In Type II DD, the changes were also positive, but different: E/A decreased, while IVRT increased. Conclusion. Adding mildronate to the complex therapy of MI patients at the post-hospital rehabilitation stage facilitates EC improvement and benefits LV systolic and diastolic function.

Prognosis of non Q-wave myocardial infarction in the elderly residing in Almaty

Prognosis of non Q-wave myocardial infarction in the elderly residing in Almaty

Long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting for unprotected left main coronary bifurcation disease in the drug-eluting stent era

ObjectivesThere are limited data on long-term outcomes (ie, beyond 4 years) for patients with unprotected left main bifurcation disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft...

Safety and Efficacy of the XIENCE V Everolimus-Eluting Stent Compared to First-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Contemporary Clinical Practice

Data from randomized clinical trials have shown the safety and efficacy of the XIENCE V in selected populations. However, limited data are available comparing the XIENCE V to the first-generation CYPHER sirolimus-eluting stent. This study aimed to assess the long-term safety and clinical efficacy of the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting stent compared to first-generation stents in an unselected patient population. This retrospective analysis included 6,069 patients treated with CYPHER, TAXUS, and XIENCE stents from 2003 to 2009 at our institution. The patients were followed up for ≥1 year after the index procedure. The baseline characteristics were generally comparable among the 3 groups, with the exception of a significantly greater prevalence of diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, and a history of angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery among the XIENCE patients. The XIENCE patients also had a twofold greater rate of type C lesions. One-year follow-up data were available for 82% of the patients. The 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events rate was 9.3% for the XIENCE stent versus 9.8% for the CYPHER stent and 11.5% for the TAXUS stent (p = 0.11). Mortality was lower in the XIENCE group than in the CYPHER and TAXUS groups (3.6% vs 4.9% vs 7.2%, respectively, p <0.001), and target lesion revascularization was similar (5.9% vs 5.2% vs 5.6%, respectively; p = 0.34). Stent thrombosis was lower in the XIENCE patients (0.2% vs 1.2% vs 0.7%, p = 0.007). In conclusion, in a contemporary United States clinical practice with an unselected patient population, use of the XIENCE V stent was associated with an improved safety profile and reduction of all-cause mortality and stent thrombosis compared to first-generation drug-eluting stents. The XIENCE V failed to demonstrate superiority for overall major adverse cardiovascular events, Q-wave myocardial infarction, and revascularization rates.

Comparative long‐term efficacy and safety of drug‐eluting stent versus coronary artery bypass grafting in ostial left main coronary artery disease

To date, drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation has not been compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for ostial left main coronary artery (LMCA) lesions. Of the 263 patients in the MAIN-COMPARE registry with ostial LMCA stenosis, 123 were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES and 140 with CABG. We compared their 5-year overall survival, composite outcomes of death, Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, and target vessel revascularization (TVR) rates. Unadjusted analysis showed no significant differences between CABG and DES in overall survival rates (95% confidence interval (CI) for hazard ratio (HR): 0.44 to 1.77, P = 0.71), composite outcomes (death, Q-wave MI, or stroke)-free survival rates (95% CI for HR: 0.41-1.63, P = 0.56), and TVR-free survival rates (95% CI for HR: 0.79-5.03, P = 0.14). Multivariate adjusted Cox regression analysis also showed no significant between-group differences in TVR (95% CI for HR: 0.52-3.79, P = 0.49), death (95% CI for HR: 0.79-2.82, P = 0.22) and the composite of death, Q-wave MI, or stroke (95% CI for HR: 0.65-2.57, P = 0.46). These results were sustained after propensity score adjustment and propensity score matching analysis. DES implantation for ostial LMCA lesions showed similar 5-year outcomes of death, major adverse events, and TVR compared with CABG. Although meticulous adjustments decreased baseline difference between the two treatments, the absence of statistical significance could be attributable to the size of the study sample and hidden bias.

Myocardial Infarction and Normal Coronary Arteries: The Experience of the Cardiology Department of Sfax, Tunisia

The purpose of the present study is to describe our experience with patients who have a transmural myocardial infarction (MI) in the presence of a normal coronary artery. The clinical profile, demographic characteristics and outcomes of these patients are discussed. Between January 2006 and August 2011, 21 patients who presented with a Q-wave myocardial infarction were found to have normal coronary arteries. The prevalence rate of this entity was 1.5% (21 out of 1,400 Q wave MI patients). These patients were characterized by their young age (the mean age=44.95±14.86), male dominance (90.47%), and a high prevalence of smoking (85.71%). In this study, 4 patients have an evident spontaneous spasm shown on coronary angiography which disappeared after intracoronary injection of nitrates. Coagulation Disorders, such as activated protein C resistance (APC) resistance, protein C deficiency and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome were found in 4 of 12 patients who underwent systematic examination. One patient had a history of lung cancer which may be associated with a hypercoagulable state and may explain the occurrence of myocardial infarction with a normal coronary artery. The mean left ventricle ejection was 56. 5±12. The mean follow-up was 24±10 months. Six patients developed residual chest pain which was generally easily controlled by anti-spastic therapy and no patient had a major cardiovascular event. Patients with Q-wave MI and with normal coronary arteries seem to have a good short and long-term prognosis especially when they are treated with an exclusive medical strategy.

Circulating levels of hepatocyte growth factor and left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction (from the REVE-2 study)

Aim As experimental studies suggest that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is cardioprotective after myocardial infarction (MI), this study sought to investigate relationships between circulating levels of HGF and left ventricular (LV) remodelling in patients after acute MI. This prospective multicentre study included 246 patients with a first anterior Q-wave MI. Serial echocardiographic studies were performed at hospital discharge and 3 and 12 months after MI; quantitative analysis was performed at a core echocardiography laboratory. Blood samples to measure HGF, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-reactive protein were obtained at discharge and at the 1, 3, and 12 month follow-up visits. Plasma HGF levels were high at baseline, decreased at 1 month, and remained stable thereafter. In the post-MI period (at 3 and 12 months), HGF levels were positively associated with LV volumes, wall motion systolic index, E/Ea, and BNP; and negatively with LV ejection fraction. High HGF levels were associated with higher C-reactive protein levels. Multivariate analysis showed that both BNP (P < 0.0001) and C-reactive protein (P < 0.0001) were independently associated with HGF levels at 3 and 12 months. Patients who died or were rehospitalized for heart failure during follow-up had higher HGF levels at 1 month (P = 0.0006), 3 months (P = 0.018), and 1 year (P = 0.006) after MI. Circulating HGF levels correlate with all markers of LV remodelling after MI and are associated with rehospitalization for heart failure.

Outcome of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Utilizing Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients With Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Ischemic cardiomyopathy with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is predictive of death after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but its association with stent thrombosis (ST) and the need for repeat revascularization is less clearly defined. In total 5,377 patients undergoing PCI were retrospectively evaluated. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression and competitive outcome analysis were employed. The primary end point was 1-year major adverse cardiac events (all-cause death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, ST, and target lesion revascularization [TLR]). Individual end points of ST and of TLR were also evaluated. Patients with normal LVEF (>50%) were compared to those with mild (41% to 50%), moderate (25% to 40%), and severe (<25%) decreases in LVEF. Patients with abnormal LVEF were older and more commonly diabetic and had renal insufficiency and heart failure syndrome (p <0.001 for all variables). These patients demonstrated more angiographically complex lesions and less frequently received a drug-eluting stent. The primary end point was significantly increased in patients with lower LVEF (9.7% for normal LVEF vs 20.6% for severely decreased LVEF, p <0.001). ST occurred more frequently in these patients (1.4% for normal LVEF vs 6% for severely decreased LVEF, p <0.001), but clinically driven TLR did not significantly change across LVEF categories. After adjustment, only moderate and severe LVEF decreases (i.e., LVEF ≤40%) demonstrated an association with major adverse cardiac events and with the individual outcome of ST. Subgroup analysis of patients receiving only a drug-eluting stent or a bare-metal stent demonstrated no statistically significant differences for the probability of ST. In conclusion, decreased LVEF is not associated with clinically driven TLR but does increase the risk of ST. Patients with LVEF ≤40% appear to be at significantly higher risk for ST and therefore might benefit from interventional and pharmacologic strategies aimed at minimizing this risk.

Are Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents Better in Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease? Three-Year Clinical and Intravascular Imaging Results From a Randomized Study

Recent publications have demonstrated superior outcomes in unprotected left main patients after paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) implantation. Long-term data in these patients are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate if intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PES implantation is superior to bare metal stent (BMS) implantation in unprotected left main disease after lesion pretreatment with cutting balloon during long-term follow-up. Unprotected left main patients were randomized to BMS (n=50) or PES implantation (n=53). All interventions were IVUS-guided and cutting balloon pretreatment before stenting was performed in all patients. All patients were scheduled for 6-month and 3-year follow-up. Subgroups of patients who underwend IVUS and OCT imaging at 3-year follow-up were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization. Baseline characteristics were similar in both the groups with a mean SYNTAX score of 31.4±14.5 in BMS and 32.6±11.7 in PES patients (P=0.718). At 3 years, MACEs occurred in 18 patients (36.0%) in the BMS and 7 patients (13.2%) in the PES group (P=0.011). By IVUS, percent neointimal volume obstruction at 3 years was reduced from 18.1%±8.7% with BMSs to 10.0%±5.4% with PESs (P<0.001). The total number of uncovered stent struts per OCT image and IVUS image was 0.4±0.8 and 1.2±1.5, respectively (P<0.001). The current study demonstrated that IVUS-guided PES implantation was superior to BMS implantation after cutting balloon pretreatment in unprotected left main disease at 3 years. If compared with IVUS, OCT was more precise in the assessment of stent endothelization.

Abstract P178: Echocardiographic Correlates of Persistent Q-Waves in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background Historic data suggests 65-70% prevalence of Q-waves and concurrent wall motion abnormalities in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with thrombolytics. We investigated prevalence of post-MI Q-waves and correlation between Q-waves and left ventricular wall motion abnormalities in STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Study Design A retrospective study cohort included 145 patients (24% females, 57+/-13 years old) without prior Q-wave MI who underwent successful primary PCI for STEMI at a single academic tertiary center. New York State Angioplasty Registry endpoints were utilized. Echocardiograms and ECGs (median 53 days post STEMI) were reviewed for presence or absence of segmental wall motion abnormalities (WMAs) and Q-waves. ANOVA and chi-square analyses were performed. Results Prevalence of post PCI Q-waves in STEMI patients was 69%, similar to historic 64% in TIMI 14 trial patients (p=0.258). Timing of PCI was not a significant predictor of Q-waves, but there was a trend towards higher pre- and post-PCI creatine kinase and troponin levels in patients with Q-waves. Patients with history of hypertension were less likely to develop Q-waves (62% vs. 77%, p=0.048), while age, gender, history of CHF, COPD, diabetes, renal failure, smoking, and admission hemodynamic status were not predictive of post-PCI Q-waves. WMAs were present in 38% of patients with Q-waves vs. 9% in the rest of the cohort (p=0.0003). Q-waves were equally likely to develop regardless of location of ST elevations at presentation; however, WMAs were more likely in patients with Q-waves in leads II-III-AVF (p=0.008) and V1-2-3 (p&lt;0.0001), V4-5-6 (p=0.008), but not I-AVL (p=0.07). Positive predictive value for WMAs in patients with Q waves was 38%, while negative predictive value for lack of WMAs in patients without Q waves was 91%. Conclusions Prevalence of Q waves, reflective of myocardial damage, in STEMI patients treated with primary coronary intervention is similar to such observed in thrombolysis trials. Positive predictive value of Q-waves for WMAs is low. In CAD patients without Q-waves segmental WMAs are unlikely.

Gender Difference in Albuminuria and Ischemic Heart Disease in Type 2 Diabetes

The value of urinary albumin excretion in the prediction of myocardial ischemia in men and women with type 2 diabetes is not well understood. We questioned whether gender influences the albuminuria-ischemic heart disease relationship in patients with type 2 diabetes. We designed a matched case-control study of 926 patients with albuminuria (cases) and 926 age and body mass index matched patients without albuminuria (controls). Ischemic heart disease was defined as the presence of (1) history of angina pectoris or angina equivalent symptoms and critical care unit admission, (2) myocardial infarction and/or electrocardiographic evidence of Q-wave myocardial infarction, (3) coronary revascularization and/or stenting, (4) positive myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography scan, (5) ischemic ST-segment or T-wave changes, and (6) positive stress testing. Patients with albuminuria had a lower glomerular filtration rate and a longer diabetes duration than patients without albuminuria. In the group of cases, there were a greater number of men with ischemic heart disease (120 of 370; 32.4%) compared to women (97 of 559; 17.4%) (P<0.001). The odds ratio of having ischemic heart disease according to the presence or absence of albuminuria was 1.25 [95% CI: 1.01-1.56] (P<0.05) in all studied populations, 0.79 [95% CI: 0.51-1.21] (P=0.14) in women, and 2.84 [95% CI: 1.68-4.79] (P<0.001) in men. We showed that diabetes duration, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and hemoglobin A(1c) influence albuminuria in women, while diabetes duration, fasting blood sugar, and diastolic blood pressure influence albuminuria in men. Men with albuminuria are at increased risk of ischemic heart disease compared to women. This may be related to the role of high-density lipoprotein on the albuminuria-gender relationship.

Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Long‐term Clinical Outcomes of Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is known to correlate with poor outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study examines the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the long-term outcome of patients with ESRD on chronic hemodialysis. A cohort of patients with ESRD on chronic hemodialysis, who underwent PCI with drug-eluting stents, was followed for 1 year. The clinical outcome in this population was compared retrospectively based on the presence of DM. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) as the composite of all-cause death, Q-wave myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR), as well as TLR as an individual outcome, were the main end points of the study. In the study cohort (n = 198), 48.5% had DM. Diabetic patients were more commonly female. The lesion characteristics were similar between groups except for more frequent saphenous vein graft intervention in nondiabetics. At 1-year follow-up there was no difference in the rate of MACE between diabetic and nondiabetic patients (40.4% vs. 39.3%, respectively, p = 0.89), driven primarily by a very high mortality rate (1-year overall mortality of 33.5%). After adjustment for the relevant clinical co-variables, DM was not associated with the composite end point. However, diabetic patients had a significantly higher incidence of 1-year TLR compared to nondiabetics (13.8% vs. 3.6%, respectively, p = 0.04). The prognosis of patients with ESRD after PCI is dismal with a very high overall mortality rate regardless of the presence of DM. Patients with ESRD appear to be at higher risk for the need of revascularization.

Natural History of Side Branches Jailed by Drug‐Eluting Stents

Stent deployment across side branch (SB) ostium is common in daily practice. The present study investigated the natural history of SBs jailed by drug-eluting stents (DES). The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades of 271 consecutive SBs jailed by DES in 196 patients was assessed immediately after the procedure and at 9 months of follow-up. Patients receiving any SB intervention were excluded. Of 271 jailed SBs, occlusion occurred in 6.27% and deterioration of flow occurred in 6.27% immediately after stenting. In patients with these SB changes, periprocedural myocardial infarction was more likely than in those without (10.0% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.017), while there was no increase of cardiac death or life-threatening complications such as stent thrombosis and Q-wave myocardial infarction (Q MI) during follow-up. At 9 months, angiography showed that one-third of the initially obstructed SBs were still occluded. In contrast, flow was maintained in almost all (98.6%) SBs with early TIMI flow grade 3 and there was no delayed occlusion of these branches. Multiple regression analysis showed that lesion complexity (Medina bifurcation class, calcification, and preprocedural TIMI grade 2 flow in the SB) and technical factors (jailing by overlapping stents) were related to SB occlusion or flow deterioration. Jailed SBs showing good flow after stenting had a favorable angiographic and clinical outcome after 9 months of follow-up. However, preprocedural lesion complexity and technical factors should be considered to avoid SB occlusion/flow deterioration associated with periprocedural myocardial infarction.

Unprotected left main stenting with a second-generation drug-eluting stent: one-year outcomes of the LEMAX Pilot study

We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of everolimus-eluting stents for unprotected left main disease. A total of 173 consecutive patients with de novo significant unprotected left main stenosis received an everolimus-eluting stent in four French centres. Among them, 140 (81 %) had involvement of the distal portion of left main, and 129/140 (92%) were treated with provisional side branch T-stenting, with a side branch stenting rate of 20%. Angiographic success was achieved in all cases. At 12 months, the cumulative rate of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was 26/173 (15%) including death from any cause (N=5, 2.9%), stroke (N=4, 2.3%), Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) (N=2, 1.2%), non-Q-wave MI (N=6, 3.5%) and any repeat revascularisation (N=16, 9.3%). At one year, the rate of target-lesion revascularisation (TLR) was 5/173 (2.9%), target-vessel revascularisation was 12/173 (7 %) and the rate of definite or probable left main stent thrombosis 1/173 (0.6 %). Unprotected left main stenting using everolimus-eluting stents and a strategy of provisional side branch T-stenting for distal lesions, is safe and effective in the midterm, with a relatively low rate of events and reintervention at one year.

Effects of ivabradine in combination with metoprolol on left ventricle remodeling after Q-wave myocardial infarction with early moderate left ventricle systolic dysfunction

Effects of ivabradine in combination with metoprolol on left ventricle remodeling after Q-wave myocardial infarction with early moderate left ventricle systolic dysfunction

QT dispersion before and after coronary artery angioplasty: A case study from Iran

AimIn this study, we investigated the changes in QT dispersion (QTd) after successful coronary artery revascularization. BackgroundQTd, as a marker of regional variability of myocardial repolarization, increases following impaired myocardial perfusion and is associated with increased risk of ischemia-induced arrhythmia. MethodsIn 45 consecutive patients (mean age 54.39±11.49 years) undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), QTd was measured from a 12-lead electrocardiogram 6–12hours before and 6hours after the procedure. QTd was defined as the difference between maximum and minimum QT interval in the 12 leads. QT changes were analyzed regarding preoperative ejection fraction (EF), type and number of involved vessels, type and number of revascularized coronary arteries and history of Q-wave MI using SPSS software. ResultsQTd significantly decreased postoperatively from 55.48±20.03 to 42.00±19.96 in the study population (P=0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that QTd did not decrease significantly in patients with two-vessel disease and those with low EF (<50%); however, the reduction was significant for other subgroups. ConclusionSuccessful PCI results in improved regional heterogeneity of myocardial repolarization, evidenced as decreased QTd after the procedure.

Dilemmas of Blood Pressure Management for Heart Failure Prevention

More than 5.5 million individuals in the United States have heart failure (HF), more than a half-million individuals are diagnosed annually, and more than 1 million HF hospitalizations occur yearly.1 Outcomes remain poor, with approximately 50% of patients dying within 5 years of diagnosis.2 These trends will worsen when aging of the 78 million baby boomers will result in 1 in 5 Americans to be over the age of 65 years by the year 2050.3 HF incidence and prevalence are highest in the elderly. Incidence rate is 10 per 1000 individuals after age 65 years, and 80% of patients hospitalized with HF are over 65 years of age.1 A recent statement from the American Heart Association suggests that if the current trend continues, then by 2030 HF prevalence will increase by 25%, as opposed to 16.6% and 9.9% increase in coronary heart disease and hypertension, respectively, leading to a rise in estimated direct and indirect cost of care to 95 billion dollars annually.4 These trends underscore the importance of population-based strategies to prevent HF. Patient 1 was a 66-year-old woman with a body mass index of 24, who was examined at a routine annual visit to her primary care physician. Her blood pressure was 148/94 mm Hg after 5 minutes in sitting position. She did not have diabetes mellitus or history of cardiovascular (CV) disease, and she did not smoke. Her routine laboratory tests were unremarkable, including normal renal function. She was asymptomatic. Patient 2 was a 74-year-old man with a body mass index of 32, who was examined at a routine clinic visit to his cardiologist. His blood pressure was 148/94 mm Hg after 5 minutes in sitting position. He did not have diabetes mellitus. He had a history of non–Q-wave myocardial infarction 3 …

The Impact of Myocardial Revascularization After Acute Coronary Syndromes on One-Year Cardiovascular Mortality

The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the impact of myocardial revascularization performed after acute coronary syndromes on one-year cardiovascular mortality. The study population comprised 1226 consecutive patients who were admitted to the Clinic of Cardiology in 2005 because of acute coronary syndromes with significant (≥70%) coronary artery stenoses. The relationship between myocardial revascularization and one-year cardiovascular mortality was evaluated by applying multivariable logistic regression. Cardiovascular mortality was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Of all the patients included into the study, 540 had Q-wave myocardial infarction, 339 patients had non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, and 347 patients were treated for unstable angina pectoris. During hospitalization, 496 patients underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 373 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting within 60 days following acute coronary syndromes, and 357 patients received pharmacological treatment alone. During one-year follow-up, 105 cases of cardiovascular death were registered. The one-year cardiovascular mortality was significantly lower in patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting comparing with those patients who received only pharmacotherapy (5.4% and 7.8% vs. 14.3%, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that myocardial revascularization independently reduced one-year cardiovascular mortality (adjusted odds ratio for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 0.304; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.53; P<0.001, and coronary artery bypass grafting, 0.540; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.90; P=0.018) in patients who were admitted because of acute coronary syndromes. Myocardial revascularization performed after acute coronary syndromes was significantly associated with the reduction of cardiovascular mortality within one-year period independently of clinical variables.