Guia Moschi

Relation between ST-segment changes and myocardial perfusion evaluated by myocardial contrast echocardiography in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with direct angioplasty

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between myocardial perfusion and ST-segment changes in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with successful direct angioplasty. Thirty-seven patients, successfully treated with direct angioplasty, underwent myocardial contrast echocardiography before and after angioplasty. The sum of ST-segment elevation divided by the number of the leads involved (ST-segment elevation index) was calculated at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after restoration of a Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction trial grade 3 flow. After recanalization, myocardial reperfusion within the risk area was observed in 26 patients, whereas a no-reflow phenomenon occurred in 11. In patients with myocardial reperfusion, the ST-segment elevation index progressively declined, whereas in patients with no reflow, no significant change was observed. Reduction of > or = 50% in the ST-segment elevation index occurred in 20 of the 26 patients with reflow and in 1 of the 11 with no reflow (p = 0.0002). An additional increase of > or = 30% in the ST-segment elevation index occurred in 3 patients with reflow and in 7 with no reflow (p = 0.003). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of the reduction in the ST-segment elevation index for predicting microvascular reflow were 77%, 91%, 95%, 62%, and 81%, respectively. The corresponding values of the increase in ST-segment elevation index for predicting no reflow were 64%, 88%, 70%, 85%, and 81%, respectively. In conclusion, after successful angioplasty, different patterns of myocardial perfusion are associated with different ST-segment changes. Analysis of ST-segment changes predicts the degree of myocardial reperfusion.

Systematic direct angioplasty and stent-supported direct angioplasty therapy for cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction : In-hospital and long-term survival

OBJECTIVES This prospective observational study was conducted to examine the apparent impact of a systematic direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) strategy on mortality in a series of 66 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock, and to analyze the predictors of outcome after successful direct PTCA. BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported encouraging results with PTCA in patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock, but a biased case selection for PTCA may have heavily influenced the observed outcomes. METHODS All patients admitted with AMI were considered eligible for direct PTCA, including those with the most profound shock, and no upper age limit was used. The treatment protocol also included stenting of the infarct-related artery for a poor or suboptimal angiographic result after conventional PTCA. RESULTS Between January 1995 and March 1997, 364 consecutive patients underwent direct PTCA, and in 66 patients AMI was complicated by cardiogenic shock. In patients with cardiogenic shock, direct PTCA had a success rate of 94%; an optimal angiographic result was achieved in 85%; primary stenting of the infarct-related artery was accomplished in 47%; and the in-hospital mortality rate was 26%. Univariate analysis showed that patient age, chronic coronary occlusion and completeness of revascularization were significantly related to in-hospital mortality. The mean follow-up period was 16 +/- 8 months. Survival rate at 6 months was 71%. Comparison of event-free survival in patients with a stented or nonstented infarct-related artery suggests an initial and long-term benefit of primary stenting. CONCLUSIONS Systematic direct PTCA, including stent-supported PTCA, can establish a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow in the great majority of patients presenting with AMI and early cardiogenic shock. High performance criteria, including new devices such as coronary stents, should be considered in randomized trials where mechanical revascularization therapy is being tested.

Doppler-Derived Mitral Deceleration Time An Early Strong Predictor of Left Ventricular Remodeling After Reperfused Anterior Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND The relation between remodeling and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function has not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether early assessment of Doppler-derived mitral deceleration time (DT), a measure of LV compliance and filling, may predict progressive LV dilation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-one patients (aged 61+/-11 years; 6 women) with anterior AMI successfully treated with direct coronary angioplasty underwent 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations within 24 hours of admission, at days 3, 7, and 30 and 6 months after the index infarction. Mitral flow velocities were obtained from the apical 4-chamber view with pulsed Doppler. End-diastolic volume index (EDVI) and end-systolic volume index (ESVI) were calculated with the Simpsons rule algorithm. Patients were divided according to the DT duration assessed at day 3 in 2 groups: group 1 (n=33) with DT >130 ms and group 2 (n=18) with DT </=130 ms. Patency and restenosis rate at 6 months were similar between the 2 groups (94% group 1 vs 89% group 2; P=0.52; 27% group 1 vs 33% group 2; P=0.64, respectively). LV volume indexes were similar in both groups at baseline (EDVI: 71+/-3 group 1 vs 70+/-3 mL/m2 group 2, P=0.42; ESVI: 43+/-3 group 1 vs 48+/-3 mL/m2 group 2, P=0.13, respectively). From day 3 on, LV volume indexes progressively increased in group 2 and were significantly larger than those of group 1 at 6 months (LVEDVI 61+/-3 group 1 vs 104+/-6 mL/m2 group 2, P=0.00001; LVESVI 31+/-3 group 1 vs 73+/-6 mL/m2 group 2, P=0.00001, respectively). A significant inverse correlation was found between DT and changes in EDVI at 6 months (r=-0.68; P<0.0000001). By stepwise multiple regression analysis among several clinical, demographic, angiographic, and echocardiographic variables, DT was the most powerful predictor of EDVI changes at 6 months (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that early estimation (day 3) of Doppler-derived mitral DT provides a simple and accurate mean to predict late LV dilation after reperfused AMI.

Relation between preintervention angiographic evidence of coronary collateral circulation and clinical and angiographic outcomes after primary angioplasty or stenting for acute myocardial infarction

It is unknown if collateral circulation (CC) has a beneficial effect on outcomes of patients who undergo mechanical intervention in the first hours after onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study analyzes the relation between CC and outcome in patients with AMI who underwent primary angioplasty or stenting within 6 hours of symptom onset. The analysis was performed in a series of 1,164 consecutive patients. The contribution of clinical, angiographic, and procedural variables to the angiographic and clinical outcomes was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis and the Cox proportional hazard model, respectively. Of 1,164 patients, 264 (23%) had angiographic evidence of CC. Patients with CC had a lower incidence of diabetes (11% vs 16%, p = 0.033), anterior AMI (41% vs 55%, p <0.001), cardiogenic shock (9% vs 14%, p = 0.029), anterograde TIMI grade flow >1 (10% vs 21%, p <0.001), and a greater incidence of preinfarction angina (43% vs 32%, p = 0.001), multivessel disease (59% vs 47%, p = 0.001), and total chronic occlusion (20% vs 10%, p <0.001). At 6 months, the mortality rate was lower in patients with CC compared with patients without CC (4% vs 9%, p = 0.011), whereas there were no differences in the incidence of reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and angiographic restenosis. After multivariate analysis, CC did not emerge as a significant variable in relation to 6-month clinical and angiographic outcomes. CC does not exert a protective effect in patients who undergo mechanical intervention in the first 6 hours of AMI onset.

Sex-based differences in clinical and angiographic outcomes after primary angioplasty or stenting for acute myocardial infarction.

A paucity of data exists on the importance of gender in contributing to the mortality rate after primary angioplasty, although it is has been shown that women with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are less likely than men to undergo reperfusion treatments. This study analyzes gender-related differences in 6-month clinical and angiographic outcomes in nonselected patients with AMI who underwent primary angioplasty or stenting. We compared clinical and angiographic outcomes of 230 women and 789 men who underwent primary angioplasty or stenting from January 1995 to August 1999. The women were older than the men, and had a greater incidence of diabetes and cardiogenic shock. The 6-month mortality rate was 12% in women and 7% in men (p = 0.028). Nonfatal reinfarction occurred in 3% of the women and in 1% of the men (p = 0.010). There were no differences in repeat target vessel revascularization rates. After multivariate analysis, gender did not emerge as a significant variable in relation to 6-month mortality or to the combined end point of death, reinfarction, and repeat target vessel revascularization. Both women and men with stented infarct arteries had lower restenosis rates (29% and 26%, respectively) than patients without stents (52% and 39%, repectively). The results of outcome analysis in nonselected patients suggest that sex is not an independent predictor of mortality after primary angioplasty for AMI, and that the benefit of primary stenting is similar in men and women.

Clinical and angiographic outcome after coronary arterial stenting with the Carbostent

The Carbostent is a new balloon-expandable, stainless steel, tubular stent with innovative multicellular design and unique turbastratic carbon coating (Carbofilm). This open nonrandomized 2-center study assesses the immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes after Carbostent implantation in patients with native coronary artery disease. The Carbostent was implanted in 112 patients with 132 de novo lesions. Most patients (55%) had unstable angina, and 38% of lesions were type B2-C. The mean lesion length was 12.5 +/- 7.0 mm, and 29% of lesions were > 15 mm in length. No stent deployment failure occurred, as well as acute or sub-acute stent thrombosis. The 6-month event-free survival was 84 +/- 4%. One patient with a stented right coronary artery and no restenosis at the angiographic follow-up died after 6 months of fatal infarction due to abrupt closure of a nontarget vessel. In-hospital non-Q-wave myocardial infarction occurred in 1 patient, and 11 patients had repeat target lesion revascularization (target lesion revascularization rate 10%). The 6-month angiographic follow-up was obtained in 108 patients (96%) (127 lesions). Angiographic restenosis rate was 11%. The loss index was 0.29 +/- 0.28. The results of this study indicate a potential benefit of Carbostent for the prevention of stent thrombosis and restenosis in these relatively high-risk patients. A larger trial is being planned to confirm these promising results.

Drug-eluting stent-supported percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total coronary occlusion.

This study sought to determine the clinical and angiographic outcomes after drug‐eluting stent (DES)‐supported percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO).

Abciximab therapy improves survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by early cardiogenic shock undergoing coronary artery stent implantation

The impact of abciximab therapy on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who are undergoing infarct-related artery (IRA) stent implantation, which is complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) due to predominant ventricular failure has not been established, whereas concluded randomized trials comparing IRA stenting plus abciximab with IRA stenting alone in patients with AMI have produced conflicting results. Moreover, these trials have excluded patients with CS from randomization. This study sought to determine whether IRA stenting plus abciximab treatment has an impact on 1-month mortality compared with IRA stenting alone in consecutive patients with AMI complicated by CS due to predominant ventricular failure. Of 77 patients with CS and IRA stenting, 44 had abciximab therapy, whereas 33 underwent primary IRA stenting alone. There were no differences between groups in major baseline characteristics except for a higher incidence of women in the stent alone group compared with the abciximab group (36% vs 14%, p = 0.020). The 1-month overall mortality rate was 18% in the abciximab group and 42% in the stent alone group (p <0.020). There were no differences between groups in reinfarction and target vessel revascularization rates. Multivariate analysis showed that abciximab therapy was the only variable that was independently related to 1-month mortality (odds ratio 0.36; 95% confidence intervals 0.15 to 0.86, p = 0.021). The results of this study support the use of abciximab in patients with AMI complicated by CS who are undergoing IRA stent implantation. The mechanism of the clinical benefit of abciximab at 1 month was not related to the patency of the IRA.

Drug-eluting stent supported percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main disease

Objectives: This study sought to determine the clinical and angiographic outcomes of unselected patients receiving drug‐eluting stents for unprotected left main disease. Background: The results of several series of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for left main disease in the pre‐drug‐eluting stent era have arisen concerns on the safety and mid‐term efficacy of PCI. Methods: Consecutive patients with unprotected left main disease were considered eligible for drug‐eluting stent supported PCI. The surgical risk score (risk of death within 1 month) of each patient was calculated according to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) model. Results: One‐hundred and one patients with unprotected left main disease underwent PCI. The mean EuroSCORE was 19 ± 23. Successfully left main stenting was performed in 98 patients (primary success rate 97%). The overall 1‐month mortality rate was 9.9%. The 1‐month mortality rate was 50% in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on presentation, and 4.5% in patients without AMI on presentation. The 1‐month mortality rate of patients with a risk score <13 was 3%, while it was 21% in patients with a risk score ≥13. At 6 months, the mortality rate of the entire cohort of patients increased to 12.8%, and the one of the non‐AMI patients to 7.8%. Survival rate was 86% ± 4% (mean follow‐up 295 ± 175 days). Target vessel revascularization was performed in 14 patients (16%). The 6‐month in‐segment restenosis rate was 16%. Conclusion: Drug‐eluting stent supported PCI may provide early and mid‐term outcomes comparable or superior to those expected from coronary artery surgery.

Comparison of bivalirudin and unfractionated heparin plus protamine in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (from the Antithrombotic Regimens aNd Outcome [ARNO] trial).

Previous studies have compared bivalirudin and unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus the routine use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. They have demonstrated that bivalirudin can decrease bleeding complications without a significant increase in ischemic complications, resulting in a better net clinical outcome, as defined by the efficacy (ischemic complications) or safety (bleeding complications) end point. The aim of the present study was to compare bivalirudin and UFH plus protamine in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention and pretreated with clopidogrel and aspirin. We randomly assigned 850 patients with stable or unstable coronary artery disease to bivalirudin or UFH followed by protamine at the end of the percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary end point was in-hospital major bleeding. The main secondary end points were the 1-month composite of death, myocardial infarction, unplanned target vessel revascularization; and the 1-month net clinical outcome. The rate of major bleeding (primary end point) was 0.5% in patients randomized to bivalirudin and 2.1% in patients randomized to UFH (p = 0.033). At 30 days, the rate of major bleeding was 0.9% in the bivalirudin arm and 2.8% in the UFH arm (p = 0.043). The composite of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization rate and the net clinical outcome rate was 2.8% and 6.4% (p = 0.014) and 3.3% and 7.8% (p = 0.004), respectively, in the bivalirudin and UFH arms. In conclusion, in percutaneous coronary intervention patients pretreated with clopidogrel and aspirin, bivalirudin was associated with less major bleeding and fewer ischemic complications and a better net clinical outcome than UFH.