Biomedical subjects

Nese Cam

Publications and source records attributed to Nese Cam.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Do calcium sensitizers affect right ventricular functions in patients with chronic heart failure?

Calcium sensitizers also improve cardiac function by increasing the contraction of the myocardium without significantly increasing intracellular calcium levels. Although right ventricular function is an important role for better cardiac global function, there is no study about effects of levosimendan on right ventricular function measured by tissue Doppler imaging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes of myocardial properties in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy using tissue Doppler imaging after levosimendan infusion. This tissue Doppler study shows that levosimendan also affects myocardial especially systolic waves of right ventricle and those of left ventricle.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Occult cardiac dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome revealed by tissue Doppler imaging.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has been linked to cardiovascular complications. The diagnosis of effects of sleep apnea on heart may be difficult before apparent examination findings. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes of myocardial contractile properties in patients affected by sleep apnea showing tissue Doppler imaging, in the face of quite normal myocardial contractility on standard echocardiography. Shortly, tissue Doppler imaging may represent an early stage of myocardial abnormality despite a preserved global function.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Effect of tirofiban therapy on ST segment resolution and clinical outcomes in patients with ST segment elevated acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: In our study, we assessed the effect of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition on microvascular flow after acute coronary occlusion using the early sum of ST segment resolution in electrocardiography. Platelets may play a major role in the dissociation of epicardial artery recanalization and tissue level reperfusion, referred to as the 'no-reflow phenomenon'. Therefore, GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition might improve myocardial reperfusion, distinct from its effects on epicardial patency. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients (mean age 57.7 +/- 12.2 years, 96 males, 19 females) with < or = 12-hour acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Patients were grouped according to whether they received tirofiban therapy or not. Clinical and electrocardiographic parameters were evaluated. The first sum of ST segment elevation amounts in millimeters was obtained immediately before angioplasty and the second 60 min after restoration of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction III flow. The difference between the two measurements was accepted as resolution of the sum of ST segment elevation and expressed as SigmaSTR. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors, and laboratory parameters, duration from angina onset to the emergency unit, and from door to angioplasty. SigmaSTR was higher in patients who received tirofiban than in those who did not (7.2 +/- 2.8 and 4.2 +/- 2.6 mm, respectively; p < 0.001). There was a significant and positive correlation between GP IIb/IIIa inhibition and SigmaSTR (r = 0.336, p < 0.001), as well as between ejection fraction and SigmaSTR (r = 0.310, p < 0.001). GP IIb/IIIa inhibition was the only independent determinant of SigmaSTR in a multivariate linear regression model which contains 10 variables (p < 0.001). The incidence of in-hospital post-myocardial infarction refractory angina, reinfarction, and heart failure was significantly lower in the tirofiban group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). Additionally, after 30 days, reinfarction and heart failure were lower in the tirofiban group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It is well known that SigmaSTR determines microvascular perfusion. This study shows that GP IIb/IIIa inhibition with tirofiban is of value in preserving microvascular perfusion after restoring coronary thrombolysis in myocardial infarction III flow.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Influence of weight loss on myocardial performance index.

Obese patients may have a phase of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. A combined myocardial performance index (MPI) has been demonstrated to be a useful index to estimate left ventricular function and to predict the prognosis of patients with heart failure. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of weight loss on MPI. A total of 18 obese patients (3 men, 15 women, mean age 49.6 +/- 5.5 years, body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/m(2)) were investigated in the study. All patients were treated with a multidisciplinary approach consisting of a hypocaloric diet and orlistat therapy (120 mg three times daily), and all of them underwent two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examination two times before starting the study and after a period of weight loss. Using echo-Doppler methods, ejection fraction, peak velocities of early (E) and late (A) diastolic filling, the E/A ratio, deceleration time (DT), isovolumic contraction time (IVCT), isovolumic relaxation time, ejection time, and MPI were measured. The MPI was obtained by subtraction ejection time from the interval between cessation and onset of the mitral flow. All patients lost at least 10% of their initial body weight, with a mean decrease of 10.8 +/- 3.7 kg. This was associated with significant reductions in BMI with a mean decrease 4.5 +/- 1.4 kg/m(2). Compared with baseline, after weight loss the E/A ratio of 1.01 +/- 0.22 before treatment increased to 1.17 +/- 0.26 (P = 0.012), left ventricular mass index decreased from 88 +/- 23 to 82 +/- 19 g/m(2) (P = 0.028), IVCT from 71 +/- 20 to 53 +/- 30 ms (P = 0.004), DT from 233.65 +/- 38.14 to 196.72 +/- 47.73 s (P = 0.004), and MPI from 0.63 +/- 0.13 to 0.50 +/- 0.13 (P = 0.0001). Weight loss ameliorates MPI and seems to be a clinically relevant measurement of left ventricular global function, and may prove to be a valuable tool in assessing the risk of developing heart failure.

Anti-Obesity Agents↗

PubMed2006

Level of Selvester QRS score is predictive of ST-segment resolution and 30-day outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The presence of Q waves at presentation with a first acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reflects a more advanced stage of the infarction. Resolution of ST-segment elevation indicating successful myocyte reperfusion may differ according to how far the infarction process has progressed. The Selvester QRS score measures infarct size. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of QRS score on ST-segment resolution and 30-day clinical outcomes in patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 112 consecutive patients (mean age 57 +/- 11 years, 94 men, 18 women) with first acute STEMI of <12-hour onset who underwent successful (TIMI-3 flow) primary PCI. The Selvester QRS score was estimated on the first electrocardiogram (ECG) after hospital admission. Sum of ST-segment elevation amount in millimeters was obtained immediately before angioplasty and 60 minutes after the restoration of TIMI-3 flow. The difference between 2 measurements was accepted as the amount of ST-segment resolution and expressed as summation sigmaSTR. summation sigmaSTR <50% was accepted as ECG sign of no-reflow phenomenon. Follow-up to 30-day was performed. RESULTS: The no-reflow phenomenon was more often observed in patients with high QRS score (> or = 4) than in those with low QRS score (34.4% and 6.3%, P < .001). Thirty-day composite major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate was 14% in patients with high QRS score versus 0% in low QRS score group (P = .007). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, high QRS score remained a strong independent predictor of no-reflow (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.5-10.7, P = .005) and MACE (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9, P = .011). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high QRS score is an independent predictor of incomplete ST recovery and 30-day MACE in STEMI treated with primary PCI.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

PubMed2006

Metabolic syndrome as a predictor of non-dipping hypertension.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) and non-dipping hypertension both increase cardiovascular mortality. Although both clinical modalities share common pathophysiologic factors in their etiologies, previous studies did not find any association between them. We aimed to investigate the association between MS and non-dipping blood pressure by comparing different definitions of MS. One-hundred-thirty-two consecutive patients (58 men) who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were analyzed. MS was evaluated according to the currently used Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III definition criteria, named MS-ATP III. In order to reveal the weights of risk contributing to MS, a new diagnostic scoring method (MS-Score) was used in comparison with MS-ATP III. Nocturnal non-dipping refers to a reduction in average systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure at night (< or = 10%) compared with daytime average values. Non-dipping pattern was found in 61.4% of patients. The frequency of MS according to MS-Score, but not MS ATP III, was significantly higher in patients with non-dipping pattern than those without it (p = 0.009). Although more prominent in the nighttime, MS-Score showed positive correlation with all systolic blood pressure results (r = 0.27, p = 0.002). Adjusted for baseline characteristics, high (> or = 27.5) MS-Score remained as an independent predictor of non-dipping pattern (OR 2.64, p = 0.038). Finally, high MS-Score, but not MS-ATP III, is a predictor of non-dipping pattern. Nighttime systolic blood pressure is higher in patients with high MS-Score. Therefore, patients with high MS-Score may be more prone to cardiovascular events than those with low MS-Score.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Effects of anxiety on QT dispersion in healthy young men.

OBJECTIVE: QT dispersion (QTd) is the maximal interlead difference in QT interval on the surface 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). An increase in QTd is found in various cardiac diseases and reflects cardiac autonomic imbalance. It has recently been associated with increased anxiety levels, thereby predisposing affected individuals to fatal heart disease. This is the biggest study to assess QTd in anxiety, as a marker of anxiety-induced cardiac dysregulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: QTd and rate-corrected QTd (QTcd) were measured in 726 physically and mentally healthy male volunteers, aged 21.23 +/- 1.25 years (range 20-26). The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was scored concomitantly. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibilities of QTd were highly correlated (r = 0.92, p < 0.001; r = 0.93, p < 0.001, respectively). QTd and QTcd significantly correlated with the STAI-I subscale (State Anxiety Scale) (r = 0.529, p < 0.001; r = 0.518, p < 0.001, respectively) and STAI-2 subscale (Trait Anxiety Scale) (r = 0.601, p < 0.001; r = 0.563, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The State Anxiety Scale and the Trait Anxiety Scale are associated with an increase in QTd. This association may result from sudden and prolonged anxiety and, in turn, a decrease in vagal modulation and/or increase in sympathetic modulation. This is the first study that shows that increased QTd can serve as a state/trait marker. But further large-scale epidemiological studies are needed to determine if increased QTd is a risk factor for sudden cardiac death in patients with anxiety.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Anxiety and P wave dispersion in a healthy young population.

BACKGROUND: P wave dispersion (P(d)), defined as the difference between the maximum (P(max)) and the minimum P wave duration (P(min)), and P(max) are electrocardiographic (ECG) markers that have been used to evaluate the discontinuous propagation of sinus impulses and the prolongation of atrial conduction time. P(d) in normal subjects has been reported to be influenced by the autonomic tone, which induces changes in atrial size and the velocity of impulse propagation. However, the association between P(d) and anxiety has not been studied in normal subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: P(max), P(min) and P(d) were measured in 726 physically and mentally healthy young male volunteers, aged 21.23 +/- 1.25 years (range 20-26). The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was scored concomitantly. Blinded intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the P wave duration and P(d) measurement were evaluated, and comparison revealed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.87 and 0.89 for the P wave duration, and 0.93 and 0.90 for P(d), respectively (p < 0.001). P(max) and P(d) were significantly correlated with the state anxiety (STAI-1) subscale (r = 0.662, p < 0.001, and r = 0.540, p < 0.001, respectively) and the trait anxiety (STAI-2) subscale (r = 0.583, p < 0.001, and r = 0.479, p < 0.001, respectively). P(min) did not show any significant correlation with anxiety. Across 3 variables included in a multiple linear regression analysis, STAI-1 and STAI-2 were the significant independent determinants of P(max) and P(d). Beta coefficients indicated that the contribution of STAI-1 to P(max) (66.3 and 33.7%) and P(d) (65 and 35%) was much greater than that of STAI-2. CONCLUSIONS: STAI-1 and STAI-2 are associated with an increase in P(max) and P(d). The association of P(d) resulted from an augmentation of P(max). This is the first study to show the relation between P(max), P(d) and anxiety.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Discrimination between physiologic and pathologic left ventricular dilatation.

The identification of certain cardiovascular disease in athletes may constitute the basis for disqualification from competition in an effort to minimize the risk of sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to assess diastolic and systolic parameters measured by tissue Doppler imaging in endurance veteran athletes who had prominent cardiac dilatation and patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in order to determine whether these variables might differentiate each other.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

QT dispersion in sarcoidosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: QT dispersion (QTd) is the maximal interlead difference in QT interval on surface 12-lead ECG. An increase in QTd is found in various cardiac diseases. Sarcoidosis augments inhomogeneity in ventricular repolarization by sarcoid granuloma, which significantly correlates with ventricular fibrillation. Changes in QTd in the course of sarcoidosis have not been investigated previously. DESIGN: The study included 35 patients with systemic sarcoidosis. The diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis was made by biopsy. Thallium scintigraphy was performed in all patients with systemic sarcoidosis. Cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 16 patients based on abnormal thallium scintigraphy and normal coronary arteriography results. QTd, corrected QTd (cQTd), maximum QT (QTmax), maximum corrected QT (cQTmax), minimum QT, and minimum corrected QT intervals were measured. Twenty-four healthy subjects represented the control group for QT interval analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In the cardiac sarcoidosis group, mean QTd (+/- SD) was significantly greater than in the noncardiac sarcoidosis group and control group (49.50 +/- 10.86 ms, 28.14 +/- 11.02 ms, and 27.08 +/- 10.41 ms, respectively; p < 0.001). cQTd was significantly greater in the cardiac sarcoidosis group than in the noncardiac sarcoidosis group and control group (53.17 +/- 10.44 ms, 30.61 +/- 10.94 ms, and 29.01 +/- 10.52 ms, respectively; p < 0.001). QTmax (440 +/- 15.01 ms, 409 +/- 14.86 ms, and 410 +/- 13.21 ms; p < 0.001) and cQTmax (449 +/- 16.31 ms, 417 +/- 12.51 ms, and 418 +/- 11.76, respectively; p < 0.001) were also significantly greater in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. In a limited follow-up group (11 cardiac and 9 noncardiac sarcoidosis patients), the incidence of premature ventricular contraction (PVC) on ECG was greater in the cardiac sarcoidosis group than in the noncardiac sarcoidosis group (36% and 0%, respectively; p < 0.05). A medium correlation existed between QTd and PVC (r = 0.331, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: QTd, cQTd, QTmax, and cQTmax are prolonged in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis compared to the patients with noncardiac sarcoidosis and control subjects. The incidence of PVC on ECG was greater in the cardiac sarcoidosis group than in the noncardiac sarcoidosis group.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Acute alcohol intake and QT dispersion in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: QT dispersion (QTd) is the maximal interlead difference in the QT interval on the surface 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). An increase in QTd is found in patients with various cardiac diseases and reflects cardiac autonomic imbalance. Variability of QT duration among the 12 surface ECG leads expresses electrical instability and greater susceptibility to malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Electrophysiological studies have shown that heavy episodic drinking facilitates the induction of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in some heavy drinkers. However, the association between QTd and acute alcohol intake has not been studied previously in healthy subjects. METHOD: In a randomized crossover study, 10 healthy male volunteers (average [SD] age 30 [2.1] years, range: 25-33) received either alcohol (six 12-oz cans of beer) or placebo (juice). The alcohol group consumed 0.97 [0.12] g/kg body weight ethanol, and the placebo group consumed the same amount of juice in a 1-hour period. After a 48-hour washout period, the alcohol group drank juice, and the juice group drank alcohol. QTd and corrected QTd (cQTd) were measured in a baseline ECG after the alcohol period (AP) and after the juice period (JP). RESULTS: In comparison with baseline ECG (31.7 [9.4] ms), QTd values after AP (42.1 [10.8] ms) were significantly prolonged (p = .027), but this was not so after JP (33.8 [7.1] ms; p = NS). Also in comparison with baseline ECG (35.7 [11.1] ms), cQTd values after the AP (49.8 [12.7] ms) were significantly prolonged (p = .005), but again, this was not so after the JP (36.8 [7.3] ms; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Heavy episodic drinking is associated with an increase in QTd and cQTd.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Influence of angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism on long-term total graft occlusion after coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system has a very important role in coronary thrombosis and restenosis. Plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity is associated with an insertion/deletion polymorphism in the gene coding for ACE. It is known that there is a strong correlation between ACE DD and atherosclerosis. However, little has been documented about its role in venous graft failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships among the ACE gen polymorphism and long-term vein graft occlusion. METHODS: The study population consisted of 87 consecutive white patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease in the previous month, who had had aorto-coronary bypass surgery (ACBS) more than 5 years back and who underwent coronary angiography for diagnostic purposes. On the same day of angiography, 10 mL whole blood was taken for ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 64.4 +/- 8.6 years, and 71 (82%) of the patients were men. The average ACBS time was 7.9 +/- 1.9 years. The ACE genotype was II in 15 patients (17.2%), ID in 47 patients (54.0%), and DD in 25 patients (28.7%). Thus, D allele frequency was .82. There was no significant difference between the cases with regard to age, body mass index, blood pressure status, plasma glucose level, plasma lipid profile, smoking status, average of ACBS time or family history of coronary heart disease. In ACE II group 5 patients had total venous graft occlusion, in ACE ID group 27 patients had total occlusion and in ACE DD group 20 patients had at least one graft total occlusion. The frequency of the venous graft occlusion about total venous grafts is 36% in the ACE II group, 49% in the ACE ID group, and 80% in the ACE DD group (P = .01). CONCLUSION: The ACE I/D gene polymorphism is associated with long-term survival of venous conduit. The ACE DD genotype or D allele influences the angiographic outcome of patients post-ACBS. These data suggest that routine determination of the ACE genotype may help identify patients who are at higher risk of venous graft failure after ACBS.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

The role of angiotensin converting enzyme genotype in coronary artery ectasia.

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is characterised by irregular, diffuse, saccular, or fusiform dilatation of the coronary arteries. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, CAE is considered to be an original form of vascular remodelling in response to atherosclerosis. However, it is not clear why some patients develop CAE while most do not. Experimental data suggest that activation of the renin angiotensin system may lead to an increased inflammatory response in the vessel wall or to an activation of matrix metalloproteinases. In addition, an insertion/deletion (ID) polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) has been associated with coronary vascular tone and the development of aneurysms. Accordingly, we hypothesised that the gene polymorphism of ACE may be a potential factor influencing the genesis of CAE. We retrospectively evaluated 112 patients who underwent coronary angiography. ACE ID genotype was determined in two groups of patients. Group 1 consisted of 56 patients who were found to have CAE. Group 2 consisted of 56 patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD) (> 50% stenosis in any of the major epicardial coronary arteries or their branches) but without any evidence of coronary ectasia. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to detect ACE genotype. The ratio of DD genotype was found to be greater in group 1 than group in 2 (39% versus 18%, respectively, P < 0.05). When assessed according to the presence of the I allele, it was greater was greater in group 2 than in group 1 (82.1% versus 60.7%, respectively, P < 0.05). The results indicate that an ACE DD genotype may be a risk factor for CAE.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2005

Acute migraine attack, angina-like chest pain with documented ST-segment elevation and slow coronary flow.

Slow flow of dye in epicardial coronary arteries is not an infrequent finding in patients during routine coronary angiography. The coronary slow flow phenomenon is an angiographic finding characterized by delayed distal vessel opacification in the absence of significant epicardial coronary artery disease. It is speculated that coronary slow flow is a new disease characterized by acute but recurrent perturbations of microvascular function. There are many theories concerning the pathogenesis of migraine. The clinical effectiveness of vasoactive drugs and many investigations on the cerebral blood flow in patients with migraine, strongly support a vascular theory. The relationship between migraine and cardiopathy has not been sufficiently established and controversy exists concerning its favouring role in coronary artery disease. We report a case of an acute migraine attack in a patient who uses triptans (5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonists). The attack was accompanied by angina-like chest pain with documented ST-segment elevation and slow coronary flow in the absence of any significant obstructive coronary artery disease and no evidence of any major epicardial coronary arterial spasm.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Correlations between cardiac troponin I, cardiac troponin T, and creatine phosphokinase MB elevation following successful percutaneous coronary intervention and prognostic value of each marker.

AIMS: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine correlation between the postprocedural absolute rise of cardiac troponin (cTn-I), cardiac troponin T (cTn-T), and creatine phosphokinase MB (CK-MB), and predictive value of each marker for the long-term cardiac events following successful percutaneous coronary interventions. METHODS: The study consisted of 111 consecutive patients who had angiographically successful coronary balloon angioplasty with or without stent implantation. cTn-I, cTn-T, and CK-MB were measured before, immediately after the procedure, and every 6 hours for the first 24 hours. Patients were followed-up for major adverse cardiac events including acute myocardial infarction, death, recurrent angina, and revascularization for a period of 21+/-8.2 months. RESULTS: Total 45 patients (40%) had postprocedural cTn-I elevation, 27 patients (24%) cTn-T elevation, and 17 patients (15%) CK-MB elevation. There were strong correlations between the absolute values of the postprocedural maximal cTn-I and cTn-T, cTn-I and CK-MB, cTn-T and CK-MB (r: 0.64, r: 0.64, and r: 0.70 respectively, p<0.0001 for all correlations). There was also a significant concordance between the post-procedural positivity (higher than upper limit of normal) of cTn-I and cTn-T (kappa: 0.59), but CK-MB did not show significant concordances with c-Tn-T (kappa: 0.42), and cTn-I (kappa: 0.38). Long-term major cardiac events were observed in 29 patients (27%). Higher than 4-fold increase in cTn-I (log rank: 5.0, p: 0.02), and cTn-T (log rank: 10.7, p<0.001), and 2- to 4-fold in CK-MB (log rank: 17.9, p<0.0001) showed marked decremental effects on the event free survival. CONCLUSION: Although the cTn-I is found to be relatively more sensitive cardiac marker, cTn-T can be used as an alternative assay with significant correlation, concordance, and prospective value. Both troponins have predictive value for long-term event free survival; particularly 4-fold increase is associated with worse event free survival.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Adrenal adenoma presenting with ventricular fibrillation.

We report the case of a 58-year-old man who presented with ventricular fibrillation. The serum potassium level was 1.8 mEq/L after successful cardioversion. Coronary angiography showed a normal heart with no structural defects, but 12-lead electrocardiography showed indications of left ventricular hypertrophy, which was confirmed by echocardiography. Laboratory examinations showed a suppressed renin level and an elevated serum aldosterone level. Computed tomography then revealed a right adrenal mass. The patient was treated with surgical resection of the adenoma. This case emphasizes the importance of meticulous search for secondary causes of hypertension, before the occurrence of serious complications.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2004

Effects of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition with tirofiban on minor myocardial damage in angiographically successful percutaneous coronary angioplasty.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibition on minor myocardial injury characterized by cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) and cardiac troponin T (cTn-T) elevation after elective successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: The study consisted of 119 consecutive patients scheduled for elective coronary balloon angioplasty with or without stent implantation. Sixty-three patients (mean age 58 +/- 9.4 years) were randomized to receive standard therapy, including preprocedural aspirin, ticlopidine and intravenous heparin, and 56 patients (mean age 55 +/- 9.6 years) were randomized to additionally receive intravenous tirofiban infusion. cTn-I, cTn-T and CK-MB were measured before and immediately after the procedure, and every 6 h for the first 24 h. A total of 128 stenoses were treated with PCI. Seventy of these lesions were in the standard therapy group and 58 in the tirofiban group. RESULTS: The frequency of postprocedural abnormal cTn-I levels was significantly higher in the standard therapy group than that in the tirofiban group (37 vs. 16%; p = 0.017). Postprocedural cTn-T elevation occurred in 23% of patients in the standard therapy group and in 8% of patients in the tirofiban group (p = 0.037). The frequencies of CK-MB elevation higher than the upper limit of normal (ULN), and higher than 2 times the ULN were not significantly different between the standard therapy and tirofiban groups (12 vs. 4%, and 7 vs. 2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: GP IIb/IIIa inhibition may reduce the incidence of minor myocardial injury, which may also be a possible mechanism in reducing long-term cardiac events after PCI.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Left main coronary artery aneurysm associated with extensive coronary arterial calcification: case report and review.

We present a 68-year-old male with left main coronary artery aneurysm and extensive coronary calcification involving the entire coronary arterial tree detected by coronary angiography and electron beam computerized tomography. With this article we also discussed the relationships between the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis, coronary calcification, and coronary aneurysm formation.

Aged↗