Cristina Cacace

Prognosis and first diagnostic ECG in STEMI patients referred to the emergency medical system for primary PCI

BACKGROUND Pathological Q waves (QWs) in the first ECG recorded at hospital admission has been found to correlate with myocardial damage and mortality in STEMI patients. We investigated the association between new QWs recorded in the pre-hospital setting and adverse outcome during the hospital stay. METHODS A pre-hospital ECG was recorded in 248 patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence (n = 44, QWs) or absence (n = 204, non-QWs) of new QWs. RESULTS Patients with new QWs had a higher prevalence of anterior infarct, cardiogenic shock and a lower LV ejection fraction. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with new QWs. The percentage of patients with new QWs increased progressively with increasing pain to ECG time. CONCLUSIONS New QWs provide rapid prognostic information in the pre-hospital phase of STEMI by identifying patients at risk of adverse outcome during the hospital stay.

TAKO TSUBO CARDIOMYOPATHY OR MYOCARDITIS

Background: Tako Tsubo (CTS) cardiomyopathy is characterized by an acute and generally transient left ventricular regional systolic dysfunction, often triggered by a physical or emotional stressor, which predominantly affects postmenopausal women. At presentation it mimics an AMI in the absence of

REPERFUSION DELAYS IN WOMEN WITH STEMI

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in women. There is a significant delay when treating Women with STEMI thus a higher mortality rate in females. Aim of the study: to assess the impact of gender on decision delay and system delay reperfusion therapy with primary

Feasibility, symptoms, adverse effects, and complications associated with noninvasive assessment of coronary flow velocity reserve in women with suspected or known coronary artery disease

Microvascular coronary impairment, defined as reduced coronary flow reserve, represents the predominant etiologic mechanism of ischemia in women with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a noninvasive method for assessing coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). The purpose of this investigation was to define the safety profile, feasibility, adverse events, and rate of complications of the test in women with suspected CAD.

IMPACT OF AN EMERGENCY STEMI NETWORK IN OCTOGENARIAN PATIENTS

early myocardial reperfusion is the target therapy to salvage ischemic myocardium in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this perspective, it is recommended the establishment of a STEMI network that allows an early diagnosis and early reperfusion therapy. Octogenarians

INVASIVE VERSUS CONSERVATIVE THERAPY IN OCTOGENARIANS WITH ACUTE ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

In clinical trials that compare different treatment strategies in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), elderly patients are poorly represented. Aim of this study was to investigate the cost/benefit ratio of invasive versus conservative therapy in STEMI octogenarian

INVASIVE VERSUS CONSERVATIVE THERAPY IN OCTOGENARIANS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

In clinical trials that compare different treatment strategies in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), elderly patients are poorly represented. Aim of this study was to investigate the cost/benefit ratio of invasive versus conservative therapy in ACS octogenarian patients. From April 2009

Short-term outcome of octogenarian patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background: Extreme left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been associated with a poor prognosis and a risk factor of sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM). Severe right ventricular hypertrophy(RVH) is rare and whether it also be linked to a poor outcome is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of the prevalence and long-term outcomes between patients with extreme RVH and extreme LVH in HCM. Methods: A retrospective study of 30 patients with extreme RVH (maximum RV wall thickness >10 mm)and 143 patients with extreme LVH (maximum LV wall thickness ≥30 mm) identified in a consecutive cohort consisting of 2320 patients with HCM was performed. Any other diseases capable of producing such right or left hypertrophy were excluded. The prevalence and natural history of the2 groups were compared.

Tako tsubo cardiomyopathy: socio- demographic, psychological and outcomes

Background: Extreme left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been associated with a poor prognosis and a risk factor of sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM). Severe right ventricular hypertrophy(RVH) is rare and whether it also be linked to a poor outcome is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of the prevalence and long-term outcomes between patients with extreme RVH and extreme LVH in HCM. Methods: A retrospective study of 30 patients with extreme RVH (maximum RV wall thickness >10 mm)and 143 patients with extreme LVH (maximum LV wall thickness ≥30 mm) identified in a consecutive cohort consisting of 2320 patients with HCM was performed. Any other diseases capable of producing such right or left hypertrophy were excluded. The prevalence and natural history of the2 groups were compared.