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Biomedical subjects

Eduardo de Marchena

Publications and source records attributed to Eduardo de Marchena.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Management of failed thrombolysis after acute myocardial infarction: an overview of current treatment options.

Thrombolytic therapy remains the most commonly administered revascularization strategy for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI). However, many patients fail to have patent arteries or ST-segment resolution after these therapies. Multiple strategies have been examined to treat these patients with "failed thrombolysis." We examined the existing medical literature regarding treatment of failed thrombolysis including strategies testing repeat thrombolytic therapy and rescue percutaneous coronary intervention. Additional, we reviewed the literature regarding the efficacy of transferring patient for rescue percutaneous intervention and coronary stenting. The impact of contemporary antiplatelet strategies, cardiogenic shock, and coronary bypass surgery was examined. Overall, the management of patients with acute STEMI in whom thrombolytic therapy failed remains a challenging problem. As a result, many different strategies are currently in use. Among these therapeutic interventions, rescue PCI with coronary stenting appears to be superior when it is done in a timely manner by an experienced center.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Endothelial microparticles and platelet and leukocyte activation in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Accumulating evidence has shown a strong association between the metabolic syndrome (MS) and a chronic inflammatory state predisposing to atherosclerosis. We investigated leukocyte, platelet, and endothelial activation markers and cellular interactions in 33 patients with the MS and 25 healthy controls. Using flow cytometry, we measured: (1)P-selectin expression in platelets; (2) platelet microparticles identified by CD31 expression; (3) endothelial microparticles (EMPs) identified by expression of CD31 (EMP(31)), CD62E (EMP(62E)), and CD51 (EMP(51)); (4) conjugates of leukocytes with platelet microparticles/platelets and with EMPs identified by CD54 (EMP(54)); and (5) CD11b expression in leukocytes. Patients with the MS had markedly elevated EMP(31), although EMP(62E) levels were normal, suggesting that EMP(31) levels were increased because of endothelial cell apoptosis, rather than activation. EMP(51), EMP(54)-lymphocyte conjugates, platelet expression of P-selectin, CD11b expression in leukocytes, and platelet-lymphocyte conjugates were also increased in patients with the MS. Platelet-leukocyte conjugates correlated with leukocyte activation, suggesting that platelet binding to leukocytes regulates leukocyte activation in vivo. In conclusion, our data demonstrate endothelial cell microparticle release, platelet and leukocyte activation, and increased binding of EMPs and platelets to leukocytes in patients with the MS.

Biomarkers↗

Internal mammary artery to pulmonary vasculature fistula--case series.

Internal mammary artery to pulmonary vasculature fistula is a rare condition that can be congenital or associated with coronary bypass surgery, trauma, inflammation, or neoplasia. We report six cases of symptomatic internal mammary artery to pulmonary vasculature fistula diagnosed after coronary bypass surgery using left internal mammary artery graft.

Aged↗

Left main coronary artery stenosis: factors predicting cardiac events in patients awaiting coronary surgery.

Although most patients with left main coronary artery stenosis undergo urgent coronary artery bypass grafting, limited information is available regarding the risk factors that might lead to cardiac events between angiographic diagnosis and surgery. We retrospectively reviewed 1,731 cases of coronary artery bypass grafting at our institution, 97 of which were performed in patients with significant (> or = 50%) left main coronary artery stenosis. These patients were placed in 1 of 2 groups: eventful waiting or uneventful waiting. We analyzed multiple preoperative variables, and the incidence of serious cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, left ventricular failure, and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias) during the waiting period between angiography and surgery Four patients (4.1%) experienced serious cardiac events while awaiting surgery (1 had non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction; 3 had life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias); none died. All the events occurred more than 24 hours after cardiac catheterization. Of the preoperative variables analyzed (acute coronary syndrome, age, history of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, renal failure, severity of left main stenosis, right coronary artery involvement, ejection fraction, and use of intra-aortic balloon pump), only acute coronary syndrome predicted the incidence of preoperative cardiac events (P=0.001). The occurrence of severe cardiac events while patients await coronary artery bypass grafting is rare. Carefully selected patients with severe left main coronary artery stenosis can safely await surgery. Concomitant acute coronary syndrome and severe left main coronary artery stenosis indicate a high risk for cardiac events. Therefore, in patients with these conditions, emergency coronary artery bypass may be preferable.

Aged↗

Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia increases circulating levels of endothelial cell microparticles.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated a possible relationship between levels of endothelial microparticles (EMPs), known to be a sensitive indicator of endothelial disturbance, and changes in postprandial lipid levels in healthy volunteers after a low- or high-fat meal. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen healthy subjects without known cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. Lipid and EMP levels were measured before and 1 and 3 hours after a single low- or high-fat isocaloric meal. The low-fat meal had no significant postprandial effect on EMPs or lipids compared with fasting levels. In contrast, a single high-fat meal significantly increased EMP levels after 1 and 3 hours, from 389+/-54 (thousands per milliliter) when fasting to 541+/-139 (P=0.0002) and 677+/-159 (P<0.0001), respectively, and correlated with a postprandial elevation in serum triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: A single high-fat meal led to a significant elevation of plasma EMP levels in healthy, normolipidemic subjects and correlated with a postprandial elevation of serum triglycerides. EMPs may be an indirect marker of endothelial dysfunction or injury induced by postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

Adult↗

Severe volume depletion leading to mitral insufficiency.

We report a patient with profound hypovolemia who developed dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and severe mitral regurgitation. Both the outflow tract obstruction and mitral regurgitation resolved with volume replacement. Unlike previous reports of dynamic left ventricular outflow obstruction and mitral regurgitation, the degree of mitral regurgitation was severe. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

Acute Disease↗

Correlation of TIMI risk score with angiographic severity and extent of coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.

The Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score predicts adverse clinical outcomes in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS). Whether this score correlates with the coronary anatomy is unknown. We sought to determine whether the TIMI risk score correlates with the angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with NSTEACS undergoing cardiac catheterization. We conducted a retrospective review of 688 consecutive medical records of patients who underwent coronary angiography secondary to NSTEACS. Patients were classified into 3 categories according to TIMI risk score: TIMI scores 0 to 2 (n = 284), 3 to 4 (n = 301), and 5 to 7 (n = 103). One-vessel disease was found in patients with TIMI score 3 to 4 as often as in patients with TIMI score 0 to 2 (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74 to 1.56; p = 0.66). However, 1-vessel disease was found more often in patients with TIMI score 3 to 4 than in patients with TIMI score 5 to 7 (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.95; p = 0.01), and in patients with TIMI score 0 to 2 than in those with TIMI score 5 to 7 (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.66; p = 0.02). Two-vessel disease was more likely found in patients with TIMI score 3 to 4 than in those with TIMI scores 0 to 2 (OR 3.96, 95% CI 2.41 to 6.53; p <0.001) and 5 to 7 (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.75; p = 0.004). Three-vessel or left main disease was more likely found in patients with TIMI score 3 to 4 than in patients with TIMI score 0 to 2 (OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.00 to 5.10; p <0.001), and in patients with TIMI score 5 to 7 than in patients with TIMI score 3 to 4 (OR 6.34, 95% CI 3.88 to 10.36; p <0.001). In patients with NSTEACS undergoing cardiac catheterization, the TIMI risk score correlated with the extent and severity of CAD.

Acute Disease↗

Noncardiac surgery following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Patient with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing major noncardiac surgery (NCS) are at increased risk of serious perioperative cardiac complications. At the same time, safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before noncardiac surgery has been questioned. This paper reviews the available literature regarding the safety of PCI before NCS. At the same time, cardiac evaluation before NCS, perioperative medical management of patients undergoing NCS, and percutaneous coronary intervention and timing of NCS is also discussed.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Development of a score to predict the need for coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Our ability to identify surgical candidates before angiography is limited. Early identification of surgical patients would improve preoperative management and ultimately postoperative outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine whether surgical candidates could be identified before coronary angiography using simple clinical variables. METHODS: The study population was comprised of 688 patients admitted to a tertiary hospital because of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of surgery. A test cohort (50.2%) was used to generate the model and a validation cohort (49.8%) was used for independent validation of the proposed score. RESULTS: Three variables independently predicted the indication for bypass surgery: the absolute thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score (odds ratio [OR] = 2.34 for each unit increase in the score, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.89-2.89, p < 0.001), the presence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (OR = 4.08, CI = 1.48-11.24, p = 0.006), and the presence of congestive heart failure (CHF) on admission (OR = 2.57, CI = 1.08-6.81, p = 0.03). A simplified score that spans from 0-10 was developed based on the logistic regression model. The score adds two points to the TIMI score if PVD is present and one point if CHF is present. The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve of the proposed score for predicting surgery was 0.80 +/- 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: The score we have proposed and validated can be used to predict the likelihood of bypass surgery before coronary angiography and may assist the clinician to tailor preoperative medical therapy.

Aged↗

Endothelial microparticles correlate with high-risk angiographic lesions in acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial Microparticles (EMP) are small fragments of endothelial cell membrane shed during apoptosis or activation. Our group has previously reported elevations of EMP in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), pre-eclampsia, multiple sclerosis (MS), and severe hypertension (HTN). In the present study, we evaluate the possible relationship between EMP levels and the angiographic severity and characteristics of coronary obstructive lesions. METHODS: We studied a total of 43 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Fifteen had presented with acute myocardial infarction (MI), 20 with unstable anginas (UA), 5 with stable angina (SA) and 3 with congestive heart failure. Coronary angiography was reviewed and coronary lesions were classified using the Ambrose classification. Coronary stenoses were classified as high and low risk. High-risk included lesions with eccentric appearance (type II), presence of thrombi, or multiple irregularities. Low-risk lesions were defined as concentric or type I. Lesions were also analyzed by degree of stenosis and history of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). EMP in plasma was assayed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: EMP in eccentric type II or multiple irregular lesions (high-risk) were 2.5-fold higher than in type I or concentric (low-risk) lesions, p<0.05. Lesions with thrombi had three-fold higher EMP than those without (p=0.05). Mild stenosis (>20%-<45%) had three-fold higher EMP than more severe (>45%), and five-fold higher than those without stenosis (p<0.01). Among patients with type II lesions, those with first ACS episode had four-fold higher EMP levels than those with recurrent ACS (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: High EMP was associated with high-risk angiographic lesions including eccentric type II, multiple irregular, and lesions with thrombi. Mild to moderate stenosis was associated with higher EMP levels than severe stenosis. EMP may be a useful marker in detecting endothelial injury and risk of ACS as defined by angiography.

Acute Disease↗

Warfarin and herbal products interaction causing prosthetic aortic valve thrombosis presenting as acute myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) due to coronary artery embolization is a rare and potentially lethal complication of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis. A 58-year-old man in whom the aortic valve was replaced with a bileaflet mechanical valve presented with an acute anterior MI. Valvular dysfunction was detected by physical examination, and confirmed by two-dimensional echocardiography and cinefluoroscopy. Coronary angiography disclosed embolization of the left anterior descending artery. Thrombotic encroachment of one of the prosthetic valve leaflets was found at reoperation. Failure to achieve adequate anticoagulation was likely due to an interaction between warfarin and herbal products. These findings have significant implications regarding the diagnosis and treatment of acute MI in patients with left-sided prosthetic heart valves, and emphasizes the importance of appropriate anticoagulation in this setting.

Anticoagulants↗

High levels of circulating endothelial microparticles in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial injury plays a critical role in coronary artery disease (CAD), but the assessment of this injury has been problematical. Recently, it has been shown in vitro that endothelial cells (ECs) release endothelial microparticles (EMPs) on activation or apoptosis and that an assay of EMPs can provide useful information on EC status in patients with thrombotic disorders. This study is aimed at assessing possible correlations between EMPs, which are markers of endothelial injury, and clinical subgroups of patients with CAD. METHODS: A prospective, case-controlled study was conducted on 84 patients with CAD and 42 control subjects to investigate EMP profiles. Included were 64 patients with acute coronary syndromes ([ACS], 38 with myocardial infarction [MI] and 26 with unstable angina [UA]) and 20 patients with stable angina (SA). EMPs in platelet-poor plasma were measured flow cytometrically with combinations of fluorescent antibodies (anti-CD31, -51, -42), allowing distinction of EMPs from platelet microparticles (PMPs). Clinical subgroups of patients were correlated with EMP and PMP levels in blood. RESULTS: Two species of EMPs (CD31+ and CD51+) were evaluated. Both were significantly higher in patients with CAD than in control subjects. CD31+ EMP was higher in ACS than SA. Among patients with first MI, CD31+ EMP was higher in patients with MI than in patients with UA and was significantly higher than in patients with recurring MI. CD51+ EMP did not discriminate ACS from SA. A simultaneous assay of PMP showed correlation between EMPs and PMPs. However, PMPs did not discriminate patients with SA from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: EMP assay appears promising for assessing EC injury in CAD.

Adult↗

Clinical impact of drug-eluting stents in changing referral practices for coronary surgical revascularization in a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: The long-term benefits of angioplasty are limited by the occurrence of restenosis. Drug-eluting stents with a projected restenosis rate of close to 0% are soon to become available. The short- and long-term consequences of this advance to the cardiac surgical volume remain unclear. METHODS: A total of 196 consecutive coronary angiograms and medical records of patients referred for coronary bypass surgery were reviewed. Considering the hypothetical premise of having drug-eluting stents with a near zero restenosis rate, we reviewed each case to determine if surgical revascularization was still the preferred option for revascularization. RESULTS: The mean age was 60 (+/-10.6) years. Seventy-two percent of patients were male. Considering the availability of drug-eluting stents 154 (79%) would still have been sent to surgery, representing a 21% decrease in the number of surgical revascularizations. Angiographic characteristics predicting coronary bypass revascularization were the presence of chronic total occlusion (odds ratio [OR]: 9.1; confidence interval [CI]: 2.1 to 39), left main coronary artery stenosis (OR: 9.6; CI: 1.27 to 73), and need for valvular surgery (OR: 7.38; CI: 1.3 to 157). The most common predictors of a change in clinical management from surgical to percutaneous revascularization if drug-eluting stents were available were diffuse coronary narrowing (OR: 15.78), restenotic lesions (OR: 27.86), and small coronary arteries (OR: 26). CONCLUSIONS: Drug-eluting stents may have a significant impact on cardiac surgery volume (approximately a 21% decrease in our center). It may also direct patients with small vessels, diffuse narrowing, or restenotic lesions and diabetic patients to percutaneous therapy.

Aged↗

Ventriculophasic sinus arrhythmia in the orthotopic transplanted heart: mechanism of disease revisited.

BACKGROUND: Several mechanisms have been proposed for ventriculophasic sinus arrhythmia: phasic changes in baroreceptor mediated vagal input to the sinus node, mechanical effects and pressure changes caused by ventricular systole, and increased blood flow to the sinus node. We attempt to elucidate the role of SA nodal blood flow in the generation of ventriculophasic sinus arrhythmia by measuring phasic changes in PP intervals from the atrial remnants of patients who have received cardiac transplant. METHODS: A total of 16 atrial electrogram recordings were obtained from the recipient atrial remnant in 12 patients who had undergone heart transplantation at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Concomitant recordings of the donor surface ECG were also obtained. Recipient atrial PP intervals that contained a QRS were measured. The QP intervals were also measured and plotted against the associated PP interval to assess the relationship between varying QP intervals and the associated PP interval. RESULTS: A linear relationship between the PP intervals and the associated QP intervals was seen in all patients. Despite widely varying QP intervals, there was little change in the PP intervals suggesting absence of ventriculophasic arrhythmia. Our linear graphs are in contrast to the typical curves seen in ventriculophasic arrhythmia that have been described by Lepeschkin. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, there appeared to be absence of ventriculophasic arrhythmia despite intact vagal innervation to the atrial remnant suggesting that the lack of pulsatile SA node blood flow may contribute to the absence of ventriculophasic arrhythmia. We conclude that the transplanted heart, when performed by the standard technique, may provide a model to study mechanisms of ventriculophasic arrhythmia.

Arrhythmia, Sinus↗

Graves' disease and pulmonary hypertension: report of 2 cases.

A possible association between hyperthyroidism and pulmonary hypertension has been reported. We describe 2 patients who had pulmonary hypertension associated with Graves' disease, both of whom experienced prompt hemodynamic and symptomatic recovery after normal thyroid function was restored. An autoimmune mechanism associated with vascular endothelial damage appears to have played a key pathogenic role in the development of pulmonary hypertension in these patients.

Adult↗

Effects of carvedilol on heart rate dynamics in patients with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have alterations in the traditional and nonlinear indices of heart rate (HR) dynamics, which have been associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study was designed to test the effects of carvedilol, a nonselective beta-blocker with alpha-1 blocking properties, on HR dynamics in patients with CHF. METHODS: We studied 15 patients with CHF secondary to ischemic or idiopathic cardiomyopathy who met the following inclusion criteria: NYHA functional class II-III, optimal conventional medical therapy, normal sinus rhythm, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of < 40%, and resting systolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg. The 6-minute corridor walk test, estimation of LVEF, and 24-hour Holter recording were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of therapy with carvedilol. Traditional time and frequency domain measures and short-term fractal scaling exponent of HR dynamics were analyzed. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of therapy with carvedilol, the mean LVEF improved significantly (from 0.27 +/- 0.08 to 0.38 +/- 0.08, P < 0.001). The average HR decreased significantly (from 86 +/- 11 to 70 +/- 8 beats/min, P < 0.001). The mean distance traveled in the 6-minute walk test increased significantly (from 177 +/- 44 to 273 +/- 55 m, P < 0.01). The frequency-domain indices (HF and LF), the time domain indices (rMSSD and PNN5 ), and the short-term fractal scaling exponent increased significantly. The scaling exponent increased particularly among the patients with the lowest initial values (< 1.0), and the change in the fractal scaling exponent correlated with the change in ejection fraction (r = 0.63, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Carvedilol improves time and frequency domain indices of HR variability and corrects the altered scaling properties of HR dynamics in patients with CHF. It also improves LVEF and functional capacity. These specific changes in HR behavior caused by carvedilol treatment may reflect the normalization of impaired cardiovascular neural regulation of patients with CHF.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Internal mammary to pulmonary artery fistula presenting as early recurrent angina after coronary bypass.

A 50-year-old man developed recurrent angina 1 year after coronary artery bypass surgery. The patient was found to have a large fistula involving branches of the internal mammary artery graft and the left pulmonary artery. In the absence of another clear cause for the patient's symptoms, we speculated that our patient's angina and abnormal stress nuclear study were due to coronary steal. In patients with a history of coronary bypass grafting, fistula formation between graft and native vessels should be considered as a possible cause of early recurrent angina.

Angina Pectoris↗