György Bárczi

Outcome Comparison of 600- and 300-mg Loading Doses of Clopidogrel in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Results From the ARMYDA-6 MI (Antiplatelet therapy for Reduction of MYocardial Damage during Angioplasty-Myocardial Infarction) Randomized Study

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to compare 600- and 300-mg clopidogrel loading doses in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). BACKGROUND Given the high thrombotic risk of patients with STEMI, greater platelet inhibition may improve outcome in those patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Although observational data suggest that pretreatment with a 600-mg clopidogrel loading dose may be more effective than the 300-mg regimen in primary PCI, this hypothesis has never been tested in a randomized study. METHODS A total of 201 patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI randomly received a 600-mg (n = 103) or 300-mg (n = 98) clopidogrel loading dose before the procedure. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of the infarct size, defined as the area under the curve of cardiac markers. RESULTS Infarct size was significantly lower in the high-dose regimen: median creatine kinase-myocardial band 2,070 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR]: 815 to 2,847 ng/ml) versus 3,049 ng/ml (IQR: 1,050 to 7,031 ng/ml) in the 300-mg group, p = 0.0001; troponin-I 255 ng/ml (IQR: 130 to 461 ng/ml) versus 380 ng/ml (IQR: 134 to 1,406 ng/ml), p < 0.0001. In the 600-mg arm, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade <3 after PCI was less frequent (5.8% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.031), left ventricular ejection fraction at discharge was improved (52.1 ± 9.5% vs. 48.8 ± 11.3%, p = 0.026), 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events were fewer (5.8% vs. 15%, p = 0.049), and bleeding/entry site complications were not increased (secondary endpoints). CONCLUSIONS In STEMI patients, pre-treatment with a 600-mg clopidogrel loading dose before primary PCI was associated with a reduction of the infarct size compared with a 300-mg loading dose, as well as with improvement of angiographic results, residual cardiac function, and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events; further studies are warranted to evaluate impact of such strategy on survival.

A terápiás hypothermia szerepe a postresuscitatiós ellátásban – irodalmi áttekintés és saját tapasztalatok

In the last fifteen years mild therapeutic hypothermia became an accepted and widespread therapeutic method in the treatment of successfully resuscitated patients due to sudden cardiac death. Based on the available evidence therapeutic hypothermia is part of the resuscitation guidelines, however, many aspects of its therapeutic use are based on empirical facts. In particular, the subjects of intense debate are the ideal target temperature and the benefit of hypothermia in patients found with non-shockable rhythm. Hypothermia affects almost all organ systems and, therefore, early detection and treatment of side effects are essential. The aim of the authors is to summarize the clinical role and pathophysiologic effects of therapeutic hypothermia in the treatment of resuscitated patients based on current evidence and their practical experience.

Long-term clinical follow-up after drug-eluting stent implantation for bare metal in-stent restenosis.

OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in the treatment of diffuse bare metal stent (BMS) restenosis as compared to the treatment of de novo coronary lesions in high restenosis risk patient population. BACKGROUND To date limited long-term data are available about the treatment of BMS restenosis with DES. METHODS Five hundred and fourteen consecutive patients who underwent DES implantation between January 2003 and October 2006 at our institute were studied: 201 patients received DES for treatment of BMS restenosis and 313 patients received DES for high restenosis risk de novo lesions. Outcomes were calculated using propensity score adjustment. Mean follow-up length was 45.6 ± 21.5 months. RESULTS The rates of acute coronary syndrome, three-vessel disease, and diabetes were high in both restenosis and de novo groups: 44.8% versus 46.3%, 20.9% versus 28.7%, and 34.3% versus 38.9%, respectively. The incidence of ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) yielded similar results in the restenosis group and de novo group at 4 years (10.4% vs 12.4%, P = 0.490). All-cause mortality was lower in the restenosis group at 4 years (7.4% vs 14.7%, P = 0.032); however, the incidence of definite and probable stent thrombosis did not differ (1.9% vs 1.6%, P = 0.708) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS DESs are safe in the treatment of diffuse BMS restenosis and the rate of additional TLR is acceptable as compared to the use of DES in de novo lesions.

Metallic taste after coronary artery stent implantation

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation has become the first choice of treatment for acute myocardial infarction [1]. The most often used metals and metallic alloys for manufacturing stents have a net positive electrical charge on their surface [2]. Dental procedures that use amalgam are the most frequent restoration techniques worldwide. In contrast with the alloys used for stent manufacturing, most alloys used in dental fillings tend to be electronegative. Oral galvanic currents and the elucidated metallic vapor release have long been recognized as a potential source of oral discomfort [3]. The phenomenon of oral galvanism results from the difference in electrical potential between dissimilar restorative metals located in the mouth. Whether electrical potential difference between coronary stents and metals located in the mouth has any clinical implication is uncertain. A 54-year-old male, with 2-hour chest pain and ST elevation in anterior ECG leads has been admitted to our invasive cardiology center for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A diagnosis of anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was made and the subsequent coronary angiography described an occlusion of a left anterior descendent coronary artery. A successful revascularization was performed with implantation of an endothelial progenitor cell capture 3.0×23 mm stent (Genous Bio-engineered R stentTM, OrbusNeich Medical Technologies, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA). Three days after the PCI, the patient was discharged without symptoms. One month after the PCI a progressive severe disturbance in sense of taste with metallic taste and inability to distinguish between

Ventricular septal rupture caused by myocardial bridge, solved by interventional closure device

Myocardial bridging is a common coronary anomaly, which is generally described as a benign phenomenon. However, a growing number of studies consider this anomaly a relevant pathophysiological phenomenon with serious pathological consequences. Here we report on the case of an 88-year-old woman suffering from myocardial infarction and ventricular septal rupture, lacking any recognizable coronary disease except for a myocardial bridge causing the systolic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery. A wide range of diagnostic procedures, including coronarography, echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging were used. The septal rupture was finally closed by using a percutaneous closure device. This event indicates that myocardial bridges – at least in some cases – may have notable clinical relevance.