Antoni Curós

Reliability of electromechanical dissociation in the diagnosis of left ventricular free wall rupture in acute myocardial infarction

The reliability of electromechanical dissociation (EMD) in diagnosing acute left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) was assessed in 479 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). EMD was the mechanism of death in 193 patients, 140 without heart failure (group A, 74%), and 53 with heart failure (group B, 26%). Autopsies performed on 121 patients with EMD showed LVFWR in 81 (95%) of 85 from group A and in 7 (17%) of 36 from group B. Of the 106 patients without EMD (group C) autopsied, 5 (4.7%) had LVFWR. Excluding the eight patients with associated septal rupture, LVFWR occurred in 79 (95.2%) of 83 patients from group A, 4 (12.1%) of 33 from group B, and 2 (1.9%) of 103 from group C. Predictive accuracy of EMD for LVFWR in group A was 95% but only 17% in group B. Moreover, in 13 consecutive cases with a first AMI without heart failure and EMD, emergency surgery demonstrated LVFWR in all. Thus EMD has a highly predictive accuracy in diagnosing LVFWR in patients with a first AMI without overt heart failure.

Relevance of electrocardiographic findings, heart failure, and infarct site in assessing risk and timing of left ventricular free wall rupture during acute myocardial infarction

Clinical and electrocardiographic features of 227 patients who died of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were compared with those of 150 survivors of a first AMI. Left ventricular (LV) free wall rupture was found in 93 patients aged > 50 years, but not in 134. The incidence of healed infarct (4 [4%] vs 50 [37%], p < 0.001), heart failure (11 [12%] vs 112 [84%], p < 0.001), and bundle branch block (11 [12%] vs 54 [40%], p < 0.001) was lower in patients with than without LV rupture. In patients with anterior AMI and early rupture (1 day), admission ST elevation was higher than in those with late LV rupture (> 1 day, 6.8 +/- 4.0 vs 4.0 +/- 2.7 mm, p < 0.01). However, lateral wall AMI had minimal ST elevation and accounted for 10% of ruptures. On day 2, the decrease in ST segment in patients with late LV rupture was less than in survivors (0.5 +/- 1.6 vs 3.2 +/- 2.9 mm, p < 0.001). Admission systolic blood pressure in patients who had early rupture was higher than in survivors (155 +/- 22 vs 137 +/- 22 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and in those with late rupture (135 +/- 23 mm Hg, p < 0.001). Late rupture was associated with infarct thinning and triggered by a physical strain in 18 of 45 patients (40%); infarct thinning, however, was present only in 4 of 48 patients (8%) with early rupture (p < 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute coronary syndrome and cocaine use: 8-year prevalence and inhospital outcomes

AIMS The use of cocaine as a recreational drug has increased in recent years. The aims of this study were to analyse the prevalence and in-hospital evolution of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) associated with cocaine consumption (ACS-ACC). METHODS AND RESULTS Prospective analysis of ACS patients admitted to a coronary care unit from January 2001 to December 2008. During the study period, 2752 patients were admitted for ACS, and among these 479 were ≤50 years of age. Fifty-six (11.7%) patients had a medical history of cocaine use with an increase in prevalence from 6.8% in 2001 to 21.7% in 2008 (P = 0.035). Among patients younger than 30 years of age, 25% admitted to being users compared with 5.5% of those aged 45-50 years (P = 0.007). Similarly, the prevalence of positive urine tests for cocaine was four times higher in the younger patients (18.2 vs. 4.1%, P = 0.035). Acute coronary syndrome associated with cocaine consumption patients (n = 24; those who had a positive urine test for cocaine or who admitted to being users upon admission) had larger myocardial infarcts as indicated by troponin I levels (52.9 vs. 23.4 ng/mL, P < 0.001), lower the left ventricular ejection fraction (44.5 vs. 52.2%, P = 0.049), and increased in-hospital mortality (8.3 vs. 0.8%, P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS The association between cocaine use and ACS has increased significantly over the past few years. Young adults with ACS-ACC that require admission to the coronary care unit have greater myocardial damage and more frequent complications.

Impact of Frailty and Functional Status on Outcomes in Elderly Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Angioplasty: Rationale and Design of the IFFANIAM Study

The IFFANIAM study (Impact of frailty and functional status in elderly patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty) is an observational multicenter registry to assess the impact of frailty and functional status on outcomes of elderly patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary angioplasty. STEMI patients age 75 years or older undergoing primary angioplasty will be extensively studied during admission in 4 tertiary care Hospitals in Spain, assessing their baseline functional status (Barthel index, Lawton‐Brody index), frailty (Fried criteria, FRAIL scale [fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight]), comorbidities (Charlson index), nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form), and quality of life (Seattle Angina Questionnaire). Participants will be managed according current recommendations. The primary outcome will be the description of 1‐year mortality, its causes, and associated factors. Secondary outcomes will be functional capacity and quality of life. Results will help to better understand the impact of frailty and functional ability on outcomes in elderly STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty, thus potentially contributing to improving their clinical management. Higher life expectancy has resulted in a large segment of elderly population and an increase in myocardial infarction in these patients. This calls attention to healthcare systems to focus on promoting methods to improve the clinical management of this population.

Analisis de los tiempos de atencion en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio tratados con angioplastia primaria segun su procedencia y segun el horario de realizacion del procedimiento

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES In primary angioplasty, the interval between first medical contact (FMC) and reperfusion should be less than 120 minutes. The time to reperfusion varies depending on where FMC is established. Recent studies suggest longer times in patients presenting in off-hours. The objective is to evaluate the time intervals between the onset of symptoms and reperfusion according to where the FMC occurs and time of day of patient presentation. METHODS Prospective observational study of acute myocardial infarction patients treated with primary angioplasty (February 2007 to May 2009). Depending on the FMC, patients were classified as belonging to the hospital group (hospital with primary angioplasty), the transfer group (hospital without primary angioplasty), or the emergency medical system (EMS) group (out-of-hospital care). For each group, the prehospital delay, diagnostic delay, delay in activation and/or transfer, and procedure delay were recorded. RESULTS Primary angioplasty was performed in 457 patients: 155 in the hospital group, 228 in the transfer group and 72 in the EMS group. The median [interquartile range] door-to-reperfusion times were 80 [63-107], 148 [118-189] and 81 [66-98] minutes, respectively (P<.0001). The transfer group showed a greater delay in diagnosis (P<.0001) and delayed activation and/or transfer (P<.0001). The EMS group had the shortest total time due to a reduced prehospital delay (P=.001). No difference was found with regard to the time of presentation (P=.42). CONCLUSIONS Transfer group patients were treated later and EMS group patients much earlier. There were no differences in association with the time of presentation. The identification of inappropriate delays should enable the introduction of measures to improve the efficiency of treatment.

Clinical Characteristics and Vital and Functional Prognosis of Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors Admitted to Five Cardiac Intensive Care Units

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest constitute an increasing patient population in cardiac intensive care units. Our aim was to characterize these patients and determine their vital and functional prognosis in accordance with the latest evidence. METHODS A multicenter, prospective register was constructed with information from patients admitted to 5 cardiac intensive care units from January 2010 through January 2012 with a diagnosis of resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The information included clinical status, cardiac arrest characteristics, in-hospital course, and vital and neurologic status at discharge and at 6 months. RESULTS A total of 204 patients were included. In 64% of cases, a first shockable rhythm was identified. The time to return of spontaneous circulation was 29 (18) min. An etiologic diagnosis was made in 86% of patients; 44% were discharged with no neurologic sequelae; 40% died in the hospital. At 6 months, 79% of survivors at discharge were still alive and neurologically intact with minimal sequelae. Short resuscitation time, first recorded rhythm, pH on admission >7.1, absence of shock, and use of hypothermia were the independent variables associated with a good neurologic prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Half the patients who recovered from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest had good neurologic prognosis at discharge, and 79% of survivors were alive and neurologically intact after 6 months of follow-up.

Modelo de intervención coronaria percutánea primaria en Cataluña

Resumen El Codigo Infarto de Cataluna se inicio en junio de 2009 con el fin de implantar el tratamiento de reperfusion en red, basado en la intervencion coronaria percutanea primaria, a los pacientes con infarto de miocardio y elevacion del segmento ST, siguiendo las recomendaciones de las Guias de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiologia. El protocolo, unico para toda Cataluna, fue impulsado por la Sociedad Catalana de Cardiologia y fue desarrollado conjuntamente con el Departamento de Salud, el CatSalut y el Servicio de Emergencias Medicas (SEM). El protocolo de actuacion se basa en la sectorizacion de Cataluna alrededor de cinco centros con atencion permanente, la participacion de otros cinco centros con intervencionismo durante su horario laboral y la activa participacion del SEM, que realiza el diagnostico de infarto, decide el tipo de tratamiento en funcion de las isocronas, realiza el traslado del paciente directamente a las salas de hemodinamica y asegura su retorno a la unidad coronaria mas proxima al domicilio del paciente. Otros aspectos importantes son la obligatoriedad de aceptar a los pacientes por parte de los hospitales, tanto en el traslado primario como en el retorno, y de realizar un registro por internet de los datos de todos los pacientes atendidos. Desde el inicio del programa, el numero de intervenciones coronarias percutaneas primarias se ha duplicado, con una media de 250 al mes, y los tiempos de actuacion se han reducido entre un 20 y un 40%, especialmente entre los pacientes atendidos inicialmente por el SEM.

Usefulness of hospital admission risk stratification for predicting nonfatal acute myocardial infarction or death six months later in unstable angina pectoris

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical course of unstable angina and the prognostic value of clinical and electrocardiographic variables measured during admission in a prospective, multicenter cohort study with 6-month follow-up. The population corresponds to 4 general teaching hospitals in Catalonia, Spain. The clinical course was analyzed in 839 consecutive patients aged up to 80 years with primary unstable angina, without myocardial infarction or previous coronary bypass. The main outcome measures were cardiac mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Patients involved in the present analysis belonged to the Resources Used in Acute Coronary Syndromes and Delays in Treatment (RESCATE) study. Six-month overall mortality, cardiac mortality, and nonfatal myocardial infarction rates were 4.6%, 4.1%, and 3.9%, respectively. Six-month cardiac mortality or myocardial infarction rate did not differ among clinical forms of presentation. Peripheral artery disease (RR 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.88 to 6.50, p = 0.0001), ST-T-wave electrocardiographic changes on admission (RR 2.22, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.36, p = 0.0203), and age >65 years (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.91, p = 0.0356) independently predicted 6-month cardiac mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction. Their positive predictive values were 21%, 10%, and 11%, respectively, whereas their negative predictive value was > or = 93% in all cases. Prevalences were 9%, 70%, and 41%, respectively. In this prospective study, patients with unstable angina without prior myocardial infarction have a relatively low, although not negligible, 6-month severe complication rate. Stratification risk can easily be established with clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics measured during admission. Their absence almost rules out future adverse events, while their presence does not necessarily imply bad prognosis.

Impact of the “ACT NOW. SAVE A LIFE” public awareness campaign on the performance of a European STEMI network

a Cardiology Department, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain b Subdireccio de Planificacio Sanitaria, Direccion General de Planificacio i Recerca en Salut, Health Department, Autonomous Government of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain c HELIS Partners Consulting, Prague, Czech Republic d Stent for Life Initiative, Czech Republic e STEMI Code Registry Office, Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain f Master Plan of Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Department, Autonomous Government of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain

Thrombus age, clinical presentation, and reperfusion grade in myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION Autopsy studies show that dynamic coronary thrombosis leads to infarction. We studied intracoronary thrombus age in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and its relationship with clinical presentation and epicardial reperfusion grade. METHODS AND RESULTS Intracoronary thrombectomy was performed in 131 STEMI patients within 24 h after symptom onset, and material sufficient for pathological analysis was retrieved from 81 patients. Thrombus age was classified as fresh (<1day), lytic (1 to 5 days), or organized (>5days). A fresh thrombus was found in 48 patients (60%), whereas the thrombus showed lytic or organized changes in 33 patients (40%). Both thrombus and plaque material were aspirated in 40% of cases. Lytic or organized thrombi were aspirated in one third of the cases early (<12h) after symptom onset, and fresh thrombi were also aspirated in one third of STEMI of>12h evolution. In multivariable analysis, fresh thrombus was associated with both persistent ST-segment elevation (even after 12 h of onset) during percutaneous coronary intervention [odds ratio (OR) 4.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-17.42, P=.042) and a previous history of ischemic heart disease (OR 4.54, 95% CI 1.41-14.64, P=.011). There were no associations between thrombus composition and epicardial reperfusion grade or the presence of the no-reflow phenomenon. Plaque components were found in all cases of distal embolization (5%). CONCLUSION Intracoronary thrombi aspirated in STEMI frequently show more than one stage of maturation. Fresh thrombi predominate in patients with known ischemic heart disease or persistent ST-segment elevation. SUMMARY In STEMI, thromboaspiration revealed thrombi at different stages of maturation, supporting a dynamic process of rupture and repair of the atherosclerotic plaque. Fresh thrombi were present more frequently within 12 h of infarction onset but also in patients with symptoms beyond 12 h. When containing plaque material, thrombi were often associated with macroscopic distal embolization during angioplasty.