Successful Coronary Angioplasty Research Articles

Successful high-risk coronary angioplasty in a patient with cardiogenic shock under circulatory assist with a 16F axial flow pump

We report the case of a 75-year-old patient who suffered from subacute myocardial infarction and severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (EF: 17%). Using a novel 16F left ventricular assist device we performed an angioplasty of the right coronary artery, and of the left anterior descending artery. As a result of the circulatory support the patient recovered from cardiogenic shock within 8 hr. At a pump speed of 45,000 rpm the axial flow pump generated flow rates up to 3.3 l/min. The 16F pump cannula was removed using local compression. The EF was 51% at 30-day follow-up examination.

Transthoracic coronary flow reserve and dobutamine derived myocardial function: a 6-month evaluation after successful coronary angioplasty

After percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), stress-echocardiography and gated single photon emission computerized tomography (g-SPECT) are usually performed but both tools have technical limitations. The present study evaluated results of PTCA of left anterior descending artery (LAD) six months after PTCA, by combining transthoracic Doppler coronary flow reserve (CFR) and color Tissue Doppler (C-TD) dobutamine stress.Six months after PTCA of LAD, 24 men, free of angiographic evidence of restenosis, underwent standard Doppler-echocardiography, transthoracic CFR of distal LAD (hyperemic to basal diastolic coronary flow ratio) and C-TD at rest and during dobutamine stress to quantify myocardial systolic (Sm) and diastolic (Em and Am, Em/Am ratio) peak velocities in middle posterior septum. Patients with myocardial infarction, coronary stenosis of non-LAD territory and heart failure were excluded. According to dipyridamole g-SPECT, 13 patients had normal perfusion and 11 with perfusion defects. The 2 groups were comparable for age, wall motion score index (WMSI) and C-TD at rest. However, patients with perfusion defects had lower CFR (2.11 ± 0.4 versus 2.87 ± 0.6, p < 0.002) and septal Sm at high-dose dobutamine (p < 0.01), with higher WMSI (p < 0.05) and stress-echo positivity of LAD territory in 5/11 patients. In the overall population, CFR was related negatively to high-dobutamine WMSI (r = -0.50, p < 0.01) and positively to high-dobutamine Sm of middle septum (r = 0.55, p < 0.005).In conclusion, even in absence of epicardial coronary restenosis, stress perfusion imaging reflects a physiologic impairment in coronary microcirculation function whose magnitude is associated with the degree of regional functional impairment detectable by C-TD.

Long‐term effects of intensified lifestyle modification on cardiovascular complications after successful coronary angioplasty

Long‐term effects of intensified lifestyle modification on cardiovascular complications after successful coronary angioplasty

Influence of haematological parameters before coronary angioplasty on subsequent restenosis

Objectives. — Restenosis is the major limitation of coronary interventions occurring in nearly a third of the patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with no single, definite predictor demonstrated in an individual patient. Platelets are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of subsequent restenosis.Methods and results. — In a prospective study, follow-up coronary angiographies were performed in 102 consecutive patients with stable angina who underwent a successful PTCA for single-vessel coronary artery disease. Demographics, baseline lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL- and LDLcholesterol, triglycerides) and haematological parameters (red cell, white cell and platelet counts, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrite %, mean platelet volume, platelet mass and fibrinogen levels) were compared between patients with and without restenosis. In the restenosis group, mean platelet volume (8.82 ± 0.78 fl vs. 8.13 ± 0.64 fl, p < 0.001), white cell count (8673 ± 322 ≈ 103/μl vs. 7513 ± 232 ≈ 103/μl, p < 0.01) and fibrinogen level (4.2 ± 1.4 g/l vs 3.6 ± 1.1 g/l) were significantly higher.The relative odds for developing angiographically defined restenosis were 2.49 times greater in diabetics (p = 0.11) and 2.54 times greater in men (p = 0.13). It is 1.43 times greater in patients with higher fibrinogen levels (p = 0.16). But, the relative odds for developing restenosis were 10.43 times greater in patients with larger pre-procedural mean platelet volumes (p < 0.01).Conclusions. — There was a positive correlation between mean platelets volume and loss in luminal diameter between post-angioplasty and follow-up angiographies (r = + 2.345, p = 0.01). There was no association between restenosis and haemoglobin, haematocrit, red cell count, white cell count, platelet count, platelet mass and plasma fibrinogen level.The development of restenosis after successful coronary angioplasty may be mainly influenced by the platelet size.

Effects of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibition with Tirofiban on Minor Myocardial Damage in Angiographically Successful Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibition on minor myocardial injury characterized by cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) and cardiac troponin T (cTn-T) elevation after elective successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: The study consisted of 119 consecutive patients scheduled for elective coronary balloon angioplasty with or without stent implantation. Sixty-three patients (mean age 58 ± 9.4 years) were randomized to receive standard therapy, including preprocedural aspirin, ticlopidine and intravenous heparin, and 56 patients (mean age 55 ± 9.6 years) were randomized to additionally receive intravenous tirofiban infusion. cTn-I, cTn-T and CK-MB were measured before and immediately after the procedure, and every 6 h for the first 24 h. A total of 128 stenoses were treated with PCI. Seventy of these lesions were in the standard therapy group and 58 in the tirofiban group. Results: The frequency of postprocedural abnormal cTn-I levels was significantly higher in the standard therapy group than that in the tirofiban group (37 vs. 16%; p = 0.017). Postprocedural cTn-T elevation occurred in 23% of patients in the standard therapy group and in 8% of patients in the tirofiban group (p = 0.037). The frequencies of CK-MB elevation higher than the upper limit of normal (ULN), and higher than 2 times the ULN were not significantly different between the standard therapy and tirofiban groups (12 vs. 4%, and 7 vs. 2%, respectively). Conclusions: GP IIb/IIIa inhibition may reduce the incidence of minor myocardial injury, which may also be a possible mechanism in reducing long-term cardiac events after PCI.

Long-term effects of quinapril with high affinity for tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme after coronary intervention in Japanese

Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been shown experimentally to prevent restenosis after balloon injury. We previously reported that quinapril reduced the 6-month restenosis (percent diameter stenosis ≥50%) rate after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it was not established whether this favorable outcome was maintained for longer periods. Methods This study was a prospective, randomized, open, and non–placebo controlled trial. Patients with coronary artery disease were enrolled after successful coronary balloon angioplasty or stenting. Two hundred and fifty-three patients were randomly assigned to the quinapril (10–20 mg per day) or control groups. The major clinical end points included death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, or revascularization (either coronary artery bypass grafting or repeat PCI). These were tabulated according to the intention-to-treat principle. Results Long-term follow-up was available with a median of 4.8 (interquartile range 4.2–5.1) years after the procedure. The incidence of combined end points of mortality and morbidity (myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident) in the quinapril group was lower than that in the control group (6.1% vs 14.8%; relative risk [RR] 0.42, 95% CI 0.18–0.96, P = .033). The overall incidence of end-point events in patients with quinapril also occurred less frequently (29.8% vs 46.7%; RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38–0.86, P = .007). Conclusions These clinical outcomes show that the benefit of quinapril in patients following PCI is maintained for 4 years.

Exercise-Induced Ischemia after Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention is Related to Distal Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction

Background As endothelial dysfunction can be responsible for myocardial ischemia even in the absence of significant coronary lesions, we aimed to assess the correlation between endothelium-dependent vasomotor function and inducible ischemia late after successful coronary angioplasty. Methods In 30 patients without angiographic restenosis or coronary disease progression, coronary endothelial function was determined by acetylcholine infusion 6 months after elective single-vessel stenting of the left coronary artery. Acetylcholine-induced diameter changes were assessed in the proximal and distal segments of both the stented and the contralateral vessels by means of quantitative coronary angiography. A maximal workload ergometric test was also performed prior to endothelial function testing. Results Acetylcholine induced significant vasoconstrictive responses in the distal but not in the proximal segments of both the stented (-11 ± 7% versus baseline; p &lt; .01) and the contralateral vessels (-11 ± 6%; p &lt; .01), which were significantly correlated ( R = .48; p &lt; .05) and were completely reverted by nitroglycerine. Inducible ischemia was the only predictive factor for distal vasoconstriction in the stented vessel ( p &lt; .01) but not in the contralateral vessel (p = .06). Patients with minor signs of ischemia at the ergometric test showed a greater vasoconstriction than those with a completely normal test (-16 ± 7% versus -7 ± 6%; p &lt; .01). Conclusions Exercise-induced ischemia late after successful percutaneous coronary intervention is related to distal coronary endothelial dysfunction.

Intracoronary β-Irradiation With a Rhenium-188–Filled Balloon Catheter

Restenosis requiring reintervention is the main limitation of coronary angioplasty. Intracoronary irradiation reduces neointimal proliferation. We studied the efficacy of a self-centering liquid rhenium-188-filled balloon catheter for coronary beta-brachytherapy. After successful coronary angioplasty with or without stenting, 225 patients (71% de novo lesions) were randomly assigned to receive 22.5 Gy intravascular beta-irradiation in 0.5-mm tissue depth (n=113) or to receive no additional intervention (n=112). Clinical and procedural data did not differ between the groups except a higher rate of stenting in the control group (63%) compared with the rhenium-188 group (45%, P<0.02). After 6 months of follow-up, late loss was significantly lower in the irradiated group compared with the control group, both of the target lesion (0.11+/-0.54 versus 0.69+/-0.81 mm, P<0.0001) and of the total segment (0.22+/-0.67 versus 0.70+/-0.82 mm, P<0.0001). This was also evident in the subgroup of patients with de novo lesions and independent from stenting. Binary restenosis rates were significantly lower at the target lesion (6.3% versus 27.5%, P<0.0001) and of the total segment (12.6% versus 28.6%, P<0.007) after rhenium-188 brachytherapy compared with the control group. Target vessel revascularization rate was significantly lower in the rhenium-188 (6.3%) compared with the control group (19.8%, P=0.006). Intracoronary beta-brachytherapy with a rhenium-188 liquid-filled balloon is safe and efficiently reduces restenosis and revascularization rates after coronary angioplasty.

Effects of amlodipine on ischemia after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: Secondary results of the Coronary Angioplasty Amlodipine Restenosis (CAPARES) study

Background Despite successful coronary angioplasty (PTCA), patients may have ischemia after the procedure because of the overall coronary disease and luminal renarrowing at the lesion sites. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the calcium-channel blocker amlodipine on post-PTCA ischemia. Methods In a prospective, double-blind design, patients were randomized to receive10 mg of amlodipine or placebo 2 weeks before angioplasty. Exercise tests and 48-hour ambulatory electrocardiography recordings were performed in 405 patients, 2 weeks before and 2 and 20 weeks (early and late) after PTCA. Results There were no differences in clinical and angiographic baseline characteristics between the treatment groups. Ischemia and angina were equally distributed before PTCA, and no difference in restenosis was found between the groups at follow-up. The incidence of angina was significantly lower in the amlodipine group compared with the placebo group both early and late after PTCA ( P = .04 and .03). Exercise-induced ischemia was reduced by 40% ( P = .009) early and 34% ( P = .02) late after PTCA in the amlodipine group, and ischemia on ambulatory electrocardiography was reduced by 18% early and 28% late after PTCA compared with placebo ( P = .06 and P = .009). Conclusion Ischemia and angina occurred after successful PTCA and were significantly reduced by amlodipine.

Clinical outcome of coronary angioplasty in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy

Objective: To assess the clinical outcome of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with poor ventricular function. Methods: Analysis of angiographic, echocardiographic and clinical records of patients with severe LV dysfunction who underwent PTCA from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1997 was undertaken. Forty-one patients aged 63±10 years, 36 men, all with significant coronary artery disease and impaired LV function (fractional shortening, FS≤20%) were identified. Patients’ data before and after angioplasty were analyzed. Results: Post PTCA: angiographic success was 95.2%. Major complications occurred in 19.5% and hospital mortality was 2.7%. At 6 months after PTCA:LV fractional shortening (FS) increased from 15.9±3.4% to 19.6±6.6%, P=0.02 and consequently cardiac output from 4.28±0.98 to 5.34±1.77 l/min, P<0.01. Change in at least one class of angina and cardiac functional status was observed in 46% of patients, P<0.001, and this was maintained to the end of the year. After 12 months follow-up: restenosis occurred in 10.8%; mortality was 5.4%; event-free and actuarial survivals were 62.3% and 91.9%, respectively. Conclusions: In patients with severe LV dysfunction, continued symptomatic improvement can be achieved with successful coronary angioplasty. This is associated with significant recovery of LV systolic function and cardiac output. In order to minimize procedure-related complications, careful patient selection should be considered.

P2076 Exercise-induced QTc dispersion as a maker of the viability of infarct-related myocardium after successful coronary angioplasty

P2076 Exercise-induced QTc dispersion as a maker of the viability of infarct-related myocardium after successful coronary angioplasty

Duration of abnormal SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging following resolution of acute ischemia: an angioplasty model

ObjectivesThis study was designed to determine how long nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) remains abnormal following transient myocardial ischemia. BackgroundAcute rest MPI identifies myocardial ischemia with a high sensitivity when the radionuclide is injected during chest pain. However, the sensitivity of this technique is uncertain when the radionuclide is injected following the resolution of symptoms. MethodsForty patients undergoing successful coronary angioplasty were randomized into four equal groups. Tc-99m sestamibi was injected intravenously during the last balloon inflation (acute MPI) in 30 patients and then reinjected 1, 2, or 3 h later (delayed MPI). In a fourth group, the radiopharmaceutical was injected at 15 min following balloon deflation (delayed MPI). A final injection was performed at 24 to 48 h (late MPI) in 37 patients (93%). ResultsA perfusion defect was detected in all 30 acute MPI studies; in 7/10 patients (70%) injected at 15 min; in 11/30 patients (37%) injected at 1, 2, or 3 h; and in 7/37 patients (19%) injected at 24 to 48 h. Perfusion scores were 13.0 ± 9.2 on acute MPI, 5.1 ± 2.8 at 15 min (p < 0.001 vs. acute MPI); 2.6 ± 3.0 at 1, 2, and 3 h (p < 0.001 vs. acute MPI); and 1.3 ± 2.4 at 24 to 48 h (p < 0.001 vs. acute MPI; p < 0.03 vs. delayed MPI). ConclusionsMyocardial perfusion imaging may remain abnormal for several hours following transient myocardial ischemia even when normal flow is restored in the epicardial coronary artery.

Plasma homocysteine levels and late outcome after coronary angioplasty

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate a possible relationship between homocysteine levels on admission and late outcome after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that mild to moderate elevation of total plasma homocysteine is a graded and potentially modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death that appears to be largely independent of other traditional risk factors. MethodsA total of 549 patients were included after successful PCI of at least one coronary stenosis (≥50%). End points were cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The relationship between homocysteine levels and study endpoints was assessed. ResultsAfter a median (± SD) follow-up of 58 ± 20 weeks, 6 patients died of cardiac death, 14 were diagnosed with a new MI, and 71 underwent repeat TLR. A graded relationship between homocysteine levels (quartiles) and freedom from MACE was found (p = 0.01). Homocysteine levels (± SD) were associated with cardiac death (14.9 ± 1.7 μmol/l vs. 9.6 ± 4.3 μmol/l, p < 0.005), TLR (10.7 ± 4.4 μmol/l vs. 9.5 ± 4.3 μmol/l, p < 0.05), and overall MACE (11.0 ± 4.4 μmol/l vs. 9.4 ± 4.3 μmol/l, p < 0.005). These findings remained unchanged after adjustment for potential confounders. ConclusionsPlasma homocysteine is an independent predictor of mortality, nonfatal MI, TLR, and overall adverse late outcome after successful coronary angioplasty.

An early predictor of left ventricular remodeling after reperfused anterior acute myocardial infarction: ratio of peak E wave velocity/flow propagation velocity and mitral E wave deceleration time.

Several studies have demonstrated that the ratio of peak E wave velocity/flow propagation velocity (E/FPV) using color M-mode Doppler echocardiography and the mitral E wave deceleration time make it possible to estimate left ventricular filling pressure. Recent studies have indicated that deceleration time can predict left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the early assessment of deceleration time and E/FPV could predict left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction. We studied 55 patients with first anterior acute myocardial infarction who underwent successful coronary angioplasty by two-dimensional (2-D) Doppler echocardiography within 12 hours and at 1 and 6 months after reperfusion. Patients were divided into three groups according to deceleration time and E/FPV immediately after reperfusion: (1). restrictive filling (deceleration time < 140 msec and E/FPV > or= 2.0), (2). elevated filling pressure (deceleration time >or= 140 msec and E/FPV >or= 2.0), (3). and normal filling pressure (deceleration time >or= 140 msec and E/FPV < 2.0). The end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) was similar in the three groups immediately after reperfusion. EDVI in the groups with restrictive filling and elevated filling pressure was significantly greater than that in the group with normal filling pressure at 6 months (93 +/- 11 and 89 +/- 16 vs 59 +/- 11 ml/m(2), respectively; P < 0.0001). E/FPV shows a better correlation with the change in EDVI at 6 months than deceleration time (r = 0.77; P < 0.0001 and r = - 0.46; P < 0.001, respectively). The early measurement of E/FPV provides a simple and accurate means for predicting left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction.

Peptide-Retargeted Adenovirus Encoding a Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Decreases Restenosis after Intravascular Gene Transfer

In this study we have attached cyclic targeting peptides by way of a poly-lysine spacer on the surface of an adenovirus using a transglutaminase enzymatic reaction to enhance transduction efficiency and to modify tissue tropism in vivo. Nuclear targeted lacZ- and TIMP-1-encoding adenoviruses were coupled to a peptide-motif (HWGF) that can bind to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Modified viruses were used to evaluate gene transfer efficiency, biodistribution, and the effect on neointima formation following balloon denudation injury. In vitro, both rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells and human endothelial hybridoma cells demonstrated significantly increased reporter gene expression with HWGF-modified adenoviruses (AdlacZ(HWGF)) compared with control (AdlacZ) or mismatch peptide-modified (AdlacZ(MM)) adenoviruses. However, in human hepatocellular Hep-G2 cells, both AdlacZ(HWGF) and AdlacZ(MM) produced significantly lower transgene expression compared with the respective control viruses. In vivo, local intravascular catheter-mediated gene transfer of a HWGF-targeted TIMP-1-encoding adenovirus (AdTIMP-1(HWGF)) significantly reduced intimal thickening in a rabbit aortic balloon denudation model (P < 0.05) compared with the control adenovirus. X-Gal staining and biodistribution analyses with TaqMan RT-PCR revealed that the cyclic peptides altered vector tropism and, in particular, reduced transduction of the liver. We found that the HWGF peptide modification increased transduction efficiency of the adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in in vitro and enhanced gene transfer to the arterial wall in vivo; that peptide modification of adenoviruses beneficially modulated tissue tropism in vivo; and that efficient TIMP-1 gene transfer reduced intimal thickening in an established restenosis model in rabbits.

Time course and relation to local viability of microvascular function and volume after reperfused acute myocardial infarction

We assessed the time course of the alterations of microvascular function and myocardial perfusion, as well their relation to local inotropic reserve (IR), in 21 patients who underwent successful primary coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction and in whom local myocardial dysfunction persisted at hospital discharge. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and myocardial perfusion were assessed immediately after angioplasty, and on day 1 and day 8 by intracoronary Doppler and myocardial contrast echocardiography, respectively. Dobutamine echocardiography was performed on day 7 for assessment of local IR. After angioplasty, CFR was severely altered in patients with (n = 14) and without (n = 7) IR (1.44 ± 0.26 and 1.36 ± 0.21, respectively; p = NS). Among patients with IR, CFR increased significantly at day 1 (2.26 ± 0.62, p <0.005 vs acute stage) compared with those without IR (p = NS vs acute). In contrast, the extent of microvascular obstruction as defined by contrast echocardiography remained unchanged in all patients at day 1 compared with acute measurements. Microvascular obstruction decreased at day 8 in the sole subset of patients with local IR (p <0.05 vs acute stage). In patients treated by immediate coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction, subsequent improvement of myocardial perfusion is associated with preexistent recruitable microvascular function in the infarct-related artery. The presence of reversible microvascular dysfunction at the early stage after acute myocardial infarction is associated with local tissue viability in humans.

Fate of collateral circulation after successful coronary angioplasty of total occlusion assessed by coronary angiography and myocardial contrast echocardiography

A well-developed collateral circulation is frequently observed in patients with total coronary occlusion. However, the fate of the collateral circulation after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has not been fully characterized. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of coronary angiography and myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the evaluation of the collateral circulation after PTCA and to assess the temporal changes of the collateral circulation after successful PTCA of a totally occluded artery by using these 2 diagnostic methods. The study group was comprised of 20 consecutive patients (16 male, mean age 54 years) who underwent elective PTCA for total coronary occlusion. Coronary angiography was performed before, immediately after, and 24 hours after PTCA. MCE was also performed before, immediately after, and 24 hours after PTCA, by the intracoronary injection of sonicated radiographic contrast medium. According to the angiographic findings, the collateral circulation was graded on a scale of 0 to 3 as follows: 0 = no visible filling; 1 = collateral filling of side branches; 2 = partial collateral filling of the epicardial artery; 3 = complete filling of the epicardial artery. By MCE, myocardial perfusion by the collateral circulation was assessed by scoring the contrast pattern of collateral-dependent myocardial segments as follows: 0 = none; 0.5 = patchy or epicardial; 1 = homogeneous. The left anterior descending artery was occluded in 12 patients and the right coronary artery in 8 patients. Coronary angiographic collateral grades before PTCA were grade 2 in 5 patients and grade 3 in 15. PTCA with stenting was successfully performed in all patients without significant residual stenosis. Coronary angiography showed collateral circulation disappeared after PTCA in all patients. However, residual collateral perfusion was observed in 7 patients by MCE, performed immediately after PTCA (score 1 in 3 patients; score 0.5 in 4 patients). This residual collateral perfusion could be demonstrated even 24 hours after PTCA by MCE in 3 patients (all patients were 0.5 in myocardial perfusion score). In conclusion, successful PTCA with stenting of a totally occluded coronary artery leads to a disappearance of collateral vessels by coronary angiography in most of the patients. However, although angiographically not visible, coronary collateral circulation may persist even 24 hours after successful PTCA of a totally occluded artery demonstrated by MCE. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2002;15:389-95.)

The E-selectin SER128ARG gene polymorphism and restenosis after successful coronary angioplasty

Objectives: Coronary angioplasty remains plagued by the problem of restenosis. Genetic polymorphisms may contribute to the development of restenosis by mediating exaggerated inflammatory responses of the endothelium to angioplasty-induced injury. Background: The serine (Ser)–128-arginine (Arg) gene polymorphism of E-selectin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to explore whether allelic variants relate to post-angioplasty restenosis. Methods: The 128Arg allele was analyzed by PCR in 101 (derivation study, age 54±1 years, all mean±S.E.M.) and 92 (validation study, age 62±1 years) patients with CAD who underwent successful angioplasty. Results: Restenosis, defined as >50% luminal diameter reduction at the target lesion at follow-up angiography, was found in 54/101 (53%) and 43/92 (47%) patients during follow-up. The 128Arg allele frequency in the derivation study was 10.39% and was 11.96% in the validation study. The 128Arg allele was more prevalent in the restenosis groups (14.81% and 17.44%, respectively) than in the restenosis-free groups (5.32% and 7.14%, respectively, p=0.027 and p=0.031). In multivariate logistic regression, the 128Arg allele emerged as a predictor of restenosis in both studies ( p<0.05). There were no differences in the level of soluble E-selectin according to genotype, gender, age ( p>0.20), and between patients with restenosis and those without (43.8±3.2 vs. 47.4±3.1 ng/ml, p>0.20). Conclusions: The 128Arg allele of E-selectin may be related to increased endothelial responses to injury, thereby potentially serving as a risk factor for post-angioplasty restenosis in patients with CAD. The development of restenosis remains a problem in patients with CAD. The Ser128Arg polymorphism of E-selectin was analyzed in 101 (derivation) and 92 (validation) CAD patients. Patients with restenosis (54/101 and 43/92) had a higher frequency of the 128Arg allele (14.81 and 17.44%) than those without (5.32%, p=0.027 and 7.14%, p=0.031). In logistic regression, the 128Arg allele emerged as a predictor of restenosis in both studies ( p<0.05). The E-selectin 128Arg allele may serve as a risk factor for the development of restenosis.

Optimal time for predicting left ventricular remodeling after successful primary coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction using serial myocardial contrast echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal time to assess microvascular integrity within the risk area for myocardial infarction in order to predict unfavorable left ventricular remodeling (LVR) after successful primary coronary angioplasty. Fifty-three patients who underwent myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) just before recanalization, shortly after and 1 day (Day 2) and 3 weeks after recanalization were studied. The no- and low-reflow ratio (LR ratio) was analyzed at each stage. The wall-thinning ratio within the risk area was determined using magnetic resonance imaging performed 3-4 weeks after the recanalization. Thirteen of the 53 patients showed LVR 3-8 months after recanalization. The optimal time to predict LVR was found to be Day 2 based on the receiver operating characteristic curves. The LR ratio on Day 2 (chi2=7.39, p=0.007) and the collateral circulation before recanalization (chi2=4.57, p=0.03) were chosen as independent variables for predicting LVR. Patients with greater than 0.43 in the LR ratio on Day 2 showed a lower wall-thinning ratio (58+/-19% vs 72+/-20%, p=0.05). This study shows that the optimal time to estimate the microvascular integrity for predicting LVR is 1 day after recanalization, which is neither shortly after recanalization nor during the convalescent stage.

Influencia de la diabetes mellitus en los resultados clínicos tras revascularización coronaria percutánea

Diabetes mellitus modifies the natural history of patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of diabetic patients with successful coronary angioplasty in our environment and to identify the factors predictive of complications during follow-up. A retrospective analysis was made of a series of 198 diabetics and who underwent angioplasty from September 1996 to January 2000 in our hospital. A group of 198 nondiabetic patients who subsequently underwent the same procedure was used as the control group. Death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina resulting in hospitalization and coronary revascularization were considered adverse events during a 1 year follow-up period. The overall frequency of coronary adverse events in a 1-year follow-up was higher in diabetics (37%) than in non-diabetics (24%; p = 0.03). Diabetics had a less favorable clinical and angiographic profile and more frequent incomplete revascularization (43 vs 30%). Diabetics with incomplete revascularization were older (66.5 vs 53.2 years), had previous angioplasty more often, anatomically more unfavorable lesions (70 vs 51% type B2-C), and a smaller ejection fraction (54.7 vs 59.4%). Diabetics had more complications at 1 year of follow-up (37 vs 24%; p = 0.03), mainly due to increased cardiovascular mortality in diabetics with incomplete revascularization (12 vs 2%). Multivariate analysis identified incomplete revascularization as the only correlate of clinical outcome. Diabetes per se was not predictive of complications during follow-up. Diabetics who undergo successful coronary revascularization have a less favorable clinical outcome than non-diabetic patients undergoing the same procedure at 1 year of follow up. Incomplete revascularization is associated with a less favorable outcome.