Juan Quiles

Markers of inflammation and multiple complex stenoses (pancoronary plaque vulnerability) in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Objective: To assess the relation between markers of inflammation and the presence of multiple vulnerable plaques in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. Design: Prospective cohort study of 55 patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes and angiographically documented coronary disease. Blood samples were obtained at study entry for the assessment of high sensitivity C reactive protein (CRP), neopterin, and neutrophil count. Coronary stenoses were assessed by quantitative computerised angiography and classified as “complex” (irregular borders, ulceration, or filling defects) or “smooth” (absence of complex features). Extent of disease was also assessed by a validated angiographic score. Results: Neutrophil count (r  =  0.36, p  =  0.007), CRP concentration (r  =  0.33, p  =  0.02), and neopterin concentration (r  =  0.45, p < 0.001) correlated with the number of complex stenoses. Patients with multiple (three or more) complex stenoses, but not patients with multiple smooth lesions, had a higher neutrophil count (5.9 (1.4) × 109/l v 4.8 (1.4) × 109/l, p  =  0.02), CRP concentration (log transformed) (1.08 (0.63) v 0.6 (0.6), p  =  0.03), and neopterin concentration (log transformed) (0.94 (0.18) v 0.79 (0.15), p  =  0.002). Multiple regression analysis showed that neopterin concentration (B  =  4.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9 to 7.7, p  =  0.002) and extent of coronary artery disease (B  =  0.6, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.2, p  =  0.04) were independently associated with the number of complex stenoses. Conclusions: Acute inflammatory markers such as high neutrophil count, CRP concentration, and neopterin concentration correlate with the presence of multiple angiographically complex coronary stenoses. Neopterin concentration was a stronger predictor of multiple complex plaques than were neutrophil count and CRP concentration. These findings suggest that a relation exists between inflammation and pancoronary plaque vulnerability.

Relation of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels following elective angioplasty for stable angina pectoris to duration of balloon-induced myocardial ischemia

The results in this study confirm and expand previous reports that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is an early marker of ischemia in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We observed that IMA levels are related to the number of inflations, inflation pressure, and duration of inflations. It is therefore likely that IMA reflects the magnitude and duration of ischemia induced during PCI.

Prevalence and Prognostic Influence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients ≥40 Years Old Admitted into Hospital Following an Acute Coronary Event

OBJECTIVE A significant proportion of patients with ischemic heart disease have associated peripheral arterial disease (PAD), but many are asymptomatic and this condition remains underdiagnosed. We aimed to study the prevalence of PAD in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to evaluate its influence in hospital clinical outcomes. METHODS The PAMISCA register is a prospective, multicenter study involving patients >or=40 years old with ACS admitted to selected Spanish hospitals. All patients had their ankle-brachial index (ABI) measured between days 3 and 7 after the ischemic event. RESULTS 1410 ACS patients (71.4% male) were included. PAD determined by ABI was documented in 561 patients (39.8%). Factors independently related to PAD were age (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.03-1.06; p<0.001), smoking (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.41-2.49; p<0.0001), diabetes (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.02-1.65; p<0.05), previous cardiac disease (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.22-1.95; p<0.001) and previous cerebrovascular disease (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.28-2.80; p<0.001). Following the ACS, an ABI<or=0.90 was associated with increased cardiovascular mortality (OR: 5.45; 95% CI: 1.16-25.59; p<0.05) and a higher risk of cardiovascular complications. CONCLUSION The prevalence of PAD in patients >or=40 years presenting with ACS is high and it is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Impact of Clinical and Subclinical Peripheral Arterial Disease in Mid-Term Prognosis of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Observational studies report poor prognosis of patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the presence of previous peripheral arterial disease (PAD), but data on subclinical PAD are scarce. This study was designed to assess the predictive value of clinical and subclinical PAD in the follow-up of patients after an ACS. We included 1,054 patients hospitalized for an ACS who survived the acute phase. Patients were divided into 3 groups: clinical PAD (previously diagnosed PAD or intermittent claudication), subclinical PAD (defined as ankle-brachial index <or=0.9 or >1.4), and no PAD. Clinical PAD was present in 150 patients (14.2%) and 298 cases of subclinical PAD were detected (28.3%). Patients with PAD (clinical and subclinical PAD) were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus than those without PAD. During the 1-year follow-up, 59 patients died (5.6%). Previous PAD (hazard ratio 4.38, 95% confidence interval 1.96 to 9.82, p <0.001) and subclinical PAD (hazard ratio 2.35, 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 5.23, p <0.05) were associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, patients with clinical PAD had higher rates of major cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, angina, and heart failure) than patients with subclinical PAD or without PAD. In conclusion, beyond clinical PAD, measurement of ankle-brachial index after ACS provides substantial information on intermediate-term prognosis.

Prognostic value of low ankle–brachial index in patients with hypertension and acute coronary syndromes

Background Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, many patients are asymptomatic, and this condition frequently remains underdiagnosed. An ankle–brachial index (ABI) of less than 0.9 is a noninvasive and simple marker in the diagnosis of PAD and is also predictive of target organ damage in hypertension. The prognostic value of such measurements in hypertensive patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unknown. Methods The Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome registry is a multicentre, observational and prospective study that aims to describe the prevalence of and prognosis for PAD, diagnosed by ABI in hypertensive patients with ACS. Results One thousand one hundred and one hypertensive patients with ACS and at least 40 years of age were prospectively studied. Mean age of the population was 67.4 (11.4) years, and 67.7% were men. The prevalence of ABI less than 0.9 was 42.6% (469 patients). This subgroup was significantly older, had a higher prevalence of diabetes, previous coronary heart disease or stroke, left ventricular hypertrophy and more severe coronary lesions. Hospital mortality was higher in hypertensive patients with ABI less than 0.9 (2.3 vs. 0.2%; P < 0.01). An ABI less than 0.9 was associated with an increased risk of heart failure after ACS (odds ratio, 1.4; P = 0.04), higher hospital mortality (odds ratio, 13.0; P = 0.03) and the composite endpoint of mortality, heart failure and angina (odds ratio, 1.4; P = 0.03). Conclusion Asymptomatic PAD is highly prevalent in hypertensive patients with ACS. An ABI less than 0.9 identifies a subset of patients with more extensive target organ damage and higher risk of hospital cardiovascular complications after an ACS.

Portable spectral Doppler echocardiographic device: overcoming limitations

Background: There is evidence that new portable echocardiographic devices are useful in evaluating heart anatomy and function, but a lack of Doppler modes has up to now been an important limitation in obtaining haemodynamic data. Objectives: To report the Doppler capabilities of a new hand held echocardiographic device. Design: Blinded comparison of two types of echocardiography machine. Setting: Tertiary care centre. Patients: 98 consecutive patients were randomly imaged with the hand held device, with a standard platform as reference. Outcome measures: Pulsed wave transmitral Doppler inflow tract velocities, deceleration time, and continuous wave Doppler measurements of aortic ejection and tricuspid regurgitation peak velocities were recorded. Results: There was excellent agreement between the hand held device and standard echocardiography for the evaluation of diastolic E and A waves, E/A ratio, and deceleration time with pulsed wave Doppler (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.97, 0.93, 0.90, and 0.78, respectively). In addition, good agreement was found between continuous wave Doppler measurements of aortic ejection and tricuspid regurgitation velocities (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.96 and 0.80). However, there was a significant difference between patients with tricuspid regurgitation measured with the hand held device (25.5%) and by standard echocardiography (65.3%), resulting in misdiagnosis of eight patients with pronounced pulmonary hypertension. Conclusions: New hand held devices with Doppler capabilities overcome previous limitations in evaluating haemodynamic variables. With colour Doppler they are now suitable for the complete evaluation of valvar disease and diastolic function. However, important limitations remain in the evaluation of pulmonary pressures.

Prolongación del intervalo QT corregido: nuevo predictor de riesgo cardiovascular en el síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST

Introduccion y objetivos Recientemente hemos publicado que la prolongacion del intervalo QT corregido en la angina inestable con cambios isquemicos agudos es un marcador de riesgo independiente. Este trabajo se propone determinar el valor pronostico de esta variable en el sindrome coronario agudo sin elevacion del ST con ECG al ingreso sin cambios isquemicos agudos. Metodos Seleccionamos a 55 pacientes con este sindrome, y al ingreso se les realizo: ECG, determinacion de troponina T cardiaca y calculo del score de riesgo TIMI. El objetivo primario fue la combinacion de infarto no fatal, revascularizacion quirurgica o percutanea y muerte cardiaca hasta 30 dias despues del alta. Dos investigadores independientes realizaron la medicion manual del intervalo QT y la correccion se hizo segun formula de Bazzet. Para el analisis estadistico, se utilizaron como punto de corte: la mediana del score TIMI, 0,04 ng/ml para la troponina T y 0,458 s para el intervalo QT corregido. Resultados Veintiun pacientes (38%) alcanzaron alguno de los objetivos y en 17/21 (81%) se registro prolongacion del intervalo QT corregido. En el analisis de regression logistica binaria, la prolongacion del intervalo QT corregido fue predictor independiente del objetivo combinado. Conclusiones Este trabajo muestra que la prolongacion del intervalo QT corregido es un predictor independiente de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con syndrome coronario agudo sin elevacion del ST y sin cambios isquemicos agudos en el ECG al ingreso.

Differences in Medical Treatment of Chronic Coronary Heart Disease Patients According to Medical Specialities

Coronary heart disease (CHD) patients are currently attended by many different medical specialities. CHD patients must achieve the highest grade of treatment implementation and risk factors control. The aims were to describe differences in medical treatment of CHD according to the medical specialities. For this purpose we conducted an observational, cross-sectional, and multicenter study of CHD patients attended by internal medicine (IM), outpatient clinic cardiologist (OCC), hospital cardiologist (HC), and general practitioners (PC). Burden of noncardiac diseases was evaluated by the Charlson index. Joint prescription of antiplatelets, statins, beta-blockade agents and blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptors blockers (ARB) was considered optimal medical treatment (OMT). A total of 2987 patients, mean age 67.4 (11.5) years and 71.5% males, were analyzed. Patients visited by IM physicians had slightly higher mean age and higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and noncardiac diseases (median Charlson index 3.0, 1.0-5.0, vs. 2.0, 1.0-4.0, of total sample). OMT was prescribed in 25.9% (95% CI 25.6-26.2) of the patients and was statistically more frequently carried out by HC (32.1%) and OCC (29.0%) compared to IM (22.0%) and PC practitioners (21.5%). Multivariate analysis showed an independent association between OMT prescription and HC (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.08-1.87) or OCC (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.04-1.67); this association remained after including the Charlson index. Noncardiac diseases are the main clinical differences in CHD patients visited by different medical specialist although it does not explain the higher prescription of OMT by cardiologist.

C-reactive protein predicts functional status and correlates with left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with chronic stable angina

UNLABELLED C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker for cardiovascular risk but may also participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocardial injury. We sought to investigate the relationship among CRP, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF) in patients with chronic stable angina (CSA) pectoris. METHODS We studied 841 patients (63+/-10 years, 72% men) with CSA undergoing coronary angiography. Symptoms of CHF were assessed using the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. CRP measurements were performed using a high sensitivity (hs-) immunoassay at the time of diagnostic coronary angiography. RESULTS Baseline serum hs-CRP levels showed a significant correlation with LVEF (r=-0.11; P=0.004), and prevalence of moderate-to-severe CHF correlated with serum hs-CRP quartiles (P(trend)<0.0001). After adjustment, age (P=0.004), female gender (P=0.03), body mass index (P<0.0001) and hs-CRP (OR 2.2 [1.3-3.6] CI 95%; P=0.002) were independent predictors of NYHA functional classes III-IV irrespective of LVEF and angiographic severity of CAD. A CRP value of 3.2mg/L had a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 75%, and a negative predictive value of 96% for detecting an impaired functional class. INTERPRETATION Hs-CRP serum concentrations showed an inverse correlation with LVEF and were an independent predictor of NYHA functional class in patients with CSA.

Comparison of 1-Year Outcome in Patients With Severe Aorta Stenosis Treated Conservatively or by Aortic Valve Replacement or by Percutaneous Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (Data from a Multicenter Spanish Registry)

The factors that influence decision making in severe aortic stenosis (AS) are unknown. Our aim was to assess, in patients with severe AS, the determinants of management and prognosis in a multicenter registry that enrolled all consecutive adults with severe AS during a 1-month period. One-year follow-up was obtained in all patients and included vital status and aortic valve intervention (aortic valve replacement [AVR] and transcatheter aortic valve implantation [TAVI]). A total of 726 patients were included, mean age was 77.3 ± 10.6 years, and 377 were women (51.8%). The most common management was conservative therapy in 468 (64.5%) followed by AVR in 199 (27.4%) and TAVI in 59 (8.1%). The strongest association with aortic valve intervention was patient management in a tertiary hospital with cardiac surgery (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.8 to 4.1, p <0.001). The 2 main reasons to choose conservative management were the absence of significant symptoms (136% to 29.1%) and the presence of co-morbidity (128% to 27.4%). During 1-year follow-up, 132 patients died (18.2%). The main causes of death were heart failure (60% to 45.5%) and noncardiac diseases (46% to 34.9%). One-year survival for patients treated conservatively, with TAVI, and with AVR was 76.3%, 94.9%, and 92.5%, respectively, p <0.001. One-year survival of patients treated conservatively in the absence of significant symptoms was 97.1%. In conclusion, most patients with severe AS are treated conservatively. The outcome in asymptomatic patients managed conservatively was acceptable. Management in tertiary hospitals is associated with valve intervention. One-year survival was similar with both interventional strategies.