Pablo Loma-Osorio

Limitations of Clinical History for Evaluation of Patients With Acute Chest Pain, Non-Diagnostic Electrocardiogram, and Normal Troponin

Decision making and risk stratification for patients with acute chest pain, nondiagnostic electrocardiogram results, and normal troponin levels are challenging. The aim of this study was to optimize the clinical history for the evaluation of these patients. A total of 1,011 patients presenting to an emergency department were included. The following data were collected: clinical presentation (pain characteristics and number of pain episodes), coronary risk factors, previous ischemic heart disease, and extracardiac vascular disease (peripheral artery disease, stroke, or creatinine >1.4 mg/dl). Two different predictive models were calculated according to the end points: model 1 for 1-year major events (death or myocardial infarction) and model 2 for 30-day cardiac events (major events or revascularization). For 1-year major events, model 1 showed optimal discrimination capacity (C statistic = 0.80), which was significantly better than that of model 2 (C statistic = 0.77, p = 0.04). With respect to 30-day cardiac events, however, discrimination was lower in the 2 models, without differences between them (C statistic = 0.74 vs 0.75, p = NS). Using model 1, a large low-risk subgroup with <3 predictive variables could be defined, including 442 patients (44% of the total population) with a 1.4% rate of 1-year major events; however, the incidence of 30-day cardiac events (8%) was not negligible, mainly because of revascularizations. In conclusion, in patients with acute chest pain of uncertain coronary origin, clinical predictive models afford good risk stratification for long-term major events. Short-term outcomes, including revascularization, however, are not predicted as well. Therefore, ancillary tools, such as noninvasive stress tests, should be implemented for decision making at initial hospitalization or discharge.

Usefulness of high-sensitivity troponin T for the evaluation of patients with acute chest pain and no or minimal myocardial damage

BACKGROUND Although high-sensitivity troponins allow early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, their role for identification of acute coronary syndrome in patients with normal conventional troponin remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 446 patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain and normal troponin (common practice assays) in 2 serial samples were included. Both samples were also centrally analyzed for high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). Detection (>3 ng/L) and 99th percentile (≥ 14 ng/L) cutoffs of the maximum hs-TnT levels (hs-TnTmax) were considered. The end points were acute coronary syndrome diagnosis and the composite of in-hospital revascularization or 30-day cardiac events. RESULTS Acute coronary syndrome was adjudicated to 84 patients (19%), and 62 (14%) had the composite end point. In univariate setting, hs-TnTmax >3 ng/L exhibited high sensitivity (87% and 92%, respectively) and negative predictive value (93% and 97%) for both end points, whereas hs-TnTmax ≥ 14 ng/L provided high specificity (90% and 89%), although low positive predictive values (40% and 33%). After adjusting for clinical (pain characteristics and risk factors) and electrocardiographic data, there was a stepped increase of risk across hs-TnTmax categories (≤ 3, >3 but <14, and ≥ 14 ng/L) for both end points; however, the discriminative capacity added was marginal (integrated discrimination improvement of 2.6% and 3.5%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Clinical and electrocardiographic data remain the most important tools for the evaluation of patients with chest pain and with no or minimal myocardial damage. The main contribution of hs-TnT is the high negative predictive value of undetectable levels (≤ 3 ng/L).

Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Cocaine-Related Chest Pain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the frequency of recent cocaine use in patients attending an emergency department for acute chest pain, to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients, and to estimate the incidence of acute coronary syndrome in this population. METHODS Observational cohort study using a standard questionnaire that includes items on recent cocaine consumption. RESULTS During a 1-year period, 1240 patients aged under 55 years presented with chest pain. Of these, 63 (5%) had cocaine-related chest pain (7% of men and 1.8% of women). These patients were younger (35+/-10 years vs. 39+/-10 years; P=.002), were more frequently male (87% vs. 62%; P< .001), and were more frequently smokers (59% vs. 35%; P< .001). Patients who had used cocaine recently had a higher incidence of acute myocardial infarction (16 vs. 4%; P< .001), especially ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (11.1% vs. 1.6%; P< .01). After adjusting for coronary risk factors, history of cardiovascular disease and previous treatment, the odds ratio for myocardial infarction with recent cocaine consumption was 4.3 (95% confidence interval, 2-9.4). CONCLUSIONS Cocaine-related chest pain is often encountered in emergency departments, especially in men aged under 55 years. It is associated with a four-fold increase in the risk of acute myocardial infarction. All male patients aged under 55 years with acute chest pain should be asked about cocaine use.

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.

Acute aortic and mitral valve regurgitation following blunt chest trauma.

Traumatic rupture of intracardiac structures is an uncommon phenomenon although there are a number of reports with regards to rupture of the tricuspid, mitral and aortic valves. We report the case of a 25-year-old patient who presented with acute aortic and mitral valve regurgitation of traumatic origin. Both lesions were seen separated by 2 weeks. Pathophysiology is reviewed. The combination of both aortic and mitral lesions following blunt chest trauma is almost exceptional.

Prevalencia, características clínicas y riesgo de infarto de miocardio en pacientes con dolor torácico y consumo de cocaína

Introduccion y objetivos Analizar la prevalencia de consumo reciente de cocaina entre los pacientes atendidos en urgencias por dolor toracico, estudiar las caracteristicas clinicas de los pacientes y estimar la incidencia de sindromes coronarios agudos en esta poblacion. Metodos Estudio de cohortes observacional en el que se utilizo un cuestionario estandar que incluia el interrogatorio sobre consumo de cocaina. Resultados Durante un periodo de 1 ano, 1.240 pacientes de menos de 55 anos consultaron por dolor toracico. De ellos, 63 (5%) lo sufrieron en relacion con consumo de cocaina (el 7% de los varones y el 1,8% de las mujeres). Estos pacientes eran mas jovenes (35 ± 10 frente a 39 ± 10 anos; p = 0,002) y mas frecuentemente varones (el 87 frente al 62%; p Conclusiones El dolor toracico asociado al consumo de cocaina es un problema frecuente en los servicios de urgencias, especialmente en los varones de menos de 55 anos, y se asocia a un riesgo 4 veces mayor de infarto de miocardio. Se deberia preguntar sobre el consumo de cocaina a todos los varones de menos de 55 anos con dolor toracico.

Low Troponin-I Levels on Admission Are Associated With Worse Prognosis in Patients With Fulminant Myocarditis

BACKGROUND The clinical outcomes of patients with fulminant acute myocarditis (FAM) range from death to complete recovery. We sought to identify clinical, biological, and echocardiographic characteristics of prognostic value for this population. METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively included 185 patients with the diagnosis of acute myocarditis who were admitted to our institution between 2000 and 2007, selecting 15 who displayed FAM, namely, severe congestive heart failure or cardiogenic shock, requiring inotropic and/or mechanical circulatory support. Their mean age was 27.9 +/- 12.4 years (range, 12-52) and mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 22 +/- 8.4% (range, 10-35). Seven subjects had poor outcomes, defined as death (n = 4), urgent transplantation (x = 2), or persistent left ventricular dysfunction (n = 3). The other 6 individuals experienced complete recovery of ventricular function. Troponin-I values below 1 ng/mL on admission were significantly associated with greater in-hospital (P = .05) and mid-term poor outcomes (P = .001). Additionally, patients with poor outcomes showed significantly lower LVEF (17.6 +/- 6.2% vs 28.8 +/- 6.9%; P = .006). CONCLUSION Among patients with FAM, normal or minimal elevation of troponin-I and low LVEF on admission were associated with worse in-hospital and mid-term prognosis.

Atypical cardiac manifestation of hypereosinophilic syndrome and reversible cardiotoxicity to imatinib.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disorder characterized by persistent marked eosinophilia combined with eosinophil-mediated organ damage. Myeloproliferative variants are associated with a high prevalence of cardiac involvement, which is very unusual in lymphocytic variants. Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec(R)) is a small molecule with tyrosine kinase activity that has shown marked effects in some individuals with HES. In this case report, we present a patient with a hypereosinophilic syndrome (lymphocytic variant) that first manifested as hypereosinophilia and heart failure secondary mainly to right ventricle systolic dysfunction. A week after imatinib therapy instauration the eosinophil count was within normal range but the patient suffered a severely left ventricular dysfunction that was restablished after early drug withdrawal. Surgical removal of a new onset mass in right atrium was required because of progressively growth despite anticoagulant therapy. Clinicians should be aware of the variable heart manifestations in patients with HES and the potential cardiotoxicity of imatinib.

Shoshin Beriberi Mimicking a High-risk Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome with Cardiogenic Shock: When the Arteries are Not Guilty

BACKGROUND Cardiac acute beriberi (Shoshin syndrome) is a rare disease that may lead to a fatal outcome if not treated specifically. OBJECTIVES We report a case of Shoshin syndrome with an unusual presentation of cardiogenic shock and an electrocardiographic pattern of severe myocardial ischemia suggesting left main coronary artery obstruction. CASE REPORT A 35-year-old man presented with chest discomfort, diffuse ST-segment depression in the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) with ST-segment elevation in aVR, and rapidly evolving congestive heart failure leading to cardiogenic shock. Intensive support was required, including mechanical ventilation, high doses of inotropics and vasopressors, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, and continuous renal replacement therapy. An emergency coronary angiogram was performed that showed normal coronary arteries. Right heart catheterization showed a high-output state with elevated filling pressures suggesting high-output heart failure. The echocardiography confirmed normal left and right ventricular contraction. Thiamine deficiency was suspected as the cause of the high-output heart failure. After a single dose of intravenous thiamine (100 mg), the patients hemodynamic status improved dramatically within minutes, allowing a rapid discontinuation of hemodynamic support. Subsequent ECGs showed complete resolution of ST-segment abnormalities. Serial lactate measurements, red blood cell transketolase activity, and the thiamine pyrophosphate response test were concordant with a thiamine deficiency state. CONCLUSION Shoshin syndrome may present as cardiogenic shock with an ECG mimicking severe myocardial ischemia, and if suspected, can be rapidly and effectively treated.

Early Risk Stratification of Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction Who Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The mortality rate of patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction remains exceedingly high despite early mechanical revascularization. Early risk stratification is of great importance to identify patients who could benefit from ventricular assist devices and urgent heart transplantation (UHT). All consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction admitted from June 2001 to December 2007 were prospectively included. Clinical, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic variables were registered on admission and patients were followed for a median of 297 days. A total of 74 patients were included. One-year mortality was 55% and 7 patients (9%) underwent UHT. One-year mortality or need for UHT for patients with postprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3, 2, and 0 or 1 flows were 38%, 92%, and 90%, respectively (p <0.001). After adjustment by multivariate analysis, the most important predictors of mortality or need for UHT were age >75 years (hazard ratio [HR] 3.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07 to 11.80), left main coronary artery occlusion (HR 3.75, 95% CI 1.09 to 12.84), left ventricular ejection fraction <25% (HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.17 to 6.22), and postprocedural TIMI grade <3 flow (HR 3.37, 95% CI 1.48 to 7.72). A simple risk score constructed with these 4 variables effectively predicted 1-year survival without the need for UHT (83% for score 0, 19% for score 1, and 6% for score 2, p <0.001). In conclusion, age >75 years, left main coronary artery occlusion, left ventricular ejection fraction <25%, and postprocedural TIMI grade <3 flow were significantly associated with worse prognosis. A simple risk score rapidly available in the catheterization laboratory can efficiently estimate prognosis.