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PubMed1990

[Site and type of acute myocardial infarct in relation to myocardial infarct size--dynamics of global ejection fraction in acute myocardial infarct].

By the ejection fraction global (EFg) statements concerning the remaining function of the myocardium in acute myocardial infarction and thus individually concerning the prognosis (classification of risk groups) become possible. For the valuation of the dynamics of the EFg in a period up to 6 months after an acute myocardial infarction the EFg was multifariously controlled. Only patients with first myocardial infarction in localization on the anterior wall and Q-wave showed a significant dynamics of the EFg between the measurements acute and third week as well as acute and 6th month (absolutely 5.2%). --In re-infarction/Q-wave this could be confirmed also for the localization of the posterior wall in the period acute till third week. For the localization on anterior and posterior wall a dynamics of the EFg could also be calculated for the period acute and 6th month. Thereby the absolute increase of the EFg was between 4.0 and 4.6%. The dynamics of the EFg in the region of the anterior wall was 5.2% for the first infarction and only 4% for the reinfarction. Thus it is below the dynamics of the EFg in an effective thrombolytic therapy.

Angina Pectoris↗

PubMed1985

Oxprenolol in myocardial infarction survivors: brief review of the European Infarction Study results in the light of other beta-blocker post infarction trials.

The European Infarction Study (EIS) was a multicentre, double-blind, randomized study comparing the effect on survival, cardiac mortality and non-fatal cardiac events of oxprenolol slow release 160 mg b.i.d. with placebo in 1,741 patients aged 35 to 69 years surviving acute myocardial infarction. During the one year follow-up there was a 30% difference in the cumulative mortality rate in favor of placebo. In the oxprenolol group the mortality was noted to be higher in patients who were 65-69 years of age. In general, there was a higher incidence of fatal reinfarctions and of sudden death in those, who discontinued study medication. 24-hour ECG recordings before randomization in 736 patients revealed a high prevalence of complex ventricular tachydysrhythmias. These patients had a significantly higher one-year mortality. Like other beta-blocking drugs oxprenolol had a weak suppressant effect on ventricular tachydysrhythmias in infarct survivors. The proportion of deaths was noted to be higher in the oxprenolol group to the same relative degree in patients with or without complex tachydysrhythmias. Reviewing the results of other beta-blocker post infarction trials it is concluded that a protective effect on sudden death in myocardial infarction survivors is related to beta-blockade. Beta-blocking drugs with significant intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, which partly counteracts beta-blockade, might be less effective. High dose oxprenolol treatment might be deleterious to some patients with more enhanced coronary heart disease.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed1997

[MR spectroscopy in acute brain infarction: differentiation of infarcted and non-infarcted areas].

Two cases of brain infarction were studied using multivoxel proton MR spectroscopy (MRS). MRS of both cases clearly demonstrated an increased level of lactate and decreased N-acetylaspartate (NAA), resulting in a high lactate/NAA ratio (LNR). Case 1 without thrombolysis therapy revealed that the area where LNR was less than 1.0 did not develop to infarction. This was also confirmed by MRS of case 2, who received an interventional reperfusion 4 hours after onset. In acute stags of brain infarction, on LNR greater than 1.0 on H-MRS may predict the margin of the infarcted region. Elevation of lactate in the non-infarcted cerebral hemisphere has not been reported before, and farther evaluation is necessary.

Aspartic Acid↗

PubMed1976

Experimental myocardial infarction: XII. Dynamic changes in segmental mechanical behavior of infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium.

The mechanical behavior of ischemic myocardium was studied in anesthetized open chest dogs. In each animal, a small well localized myocardial infarction was produced by ligation of a single ventricular branch of the left circumflex coronary artery. Serial in situ measurements of segment length were made by mercury-in-Silastic gauges sutured directly to the left ventricular surface. After coronary ligation, systolic aneurysmal bulging of the ischemic segment was uniformly noted. This was quantified as follows: normalized segment length change in this region, expressed in muscle lengths (where muscle lengths = phasic segment length amplitude/end-diastolic segment length), immediately increased from 0.06 +/- 0.01 (standard error of the mean) to 0.10 +/- 0.02 muscle lengths (+67 percent, P less than 0.02). Over a 6 hour period, muscle lengths progressively declined to near control values, but retained an aneurysmal contour. End-diastolic segment length increased 5 percent above control values after coronary occlusion and remained fixed at this level for 6 hours. In contrast, noninfarcted myocardium exhibited no significant changes in muscle length or end-diastolic segment length. These studies demonstrate that the degree of systolic aneurysmal bulging in infarcted myocardium, although initially great, resolves within 6 hours but retains an aneurysmal contour. These findings are consistent with either partial return of contractility or diminished local compliance, but persistence of an aneurysmal shape favors the latter mechanism. The fixed increase in end-diastolic segment length suggests that "stress-relaxation" takes place in the infarcted region. It is possible that diminished compliance in zones of infarction, previously noted after several days, begins within a few hours after the onset of ischemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Multivariate associates of QT dispersion in patients with acute myocardial infarction: primacy of patency status of the infarct-related artery. TEAM-3 Investigators. Third trial of Thrombolysis with Eminase in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: QT dispersion (QTd; QT interval maximum minus minimum) has been shown to reflect regional variations in ventricular repolarization and is increased in patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. METHODS: To determine correlates of QTd in patients who had had myocardial infarction (MI), 207 patients (158 men, aged 57 +/- 11 years) with acute MI who were treated with alteplase or anistreplase within 2.7 +/- 0.9 hours of symptom onset were studied. Angiograms at a median of 27 hours after thrombolysis showed reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade > or =2) in 184 (88%) patients. QT was measured in 10 +/- 2 leads on discharge electrocardiograms with a computerized analysis program interfaced with a digitizer. Associations of QTd with 24 variables related to patient characteristics, acute MI, angiography, interventions, and radionuclide ventriculography were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression. RESULTS: Univariate associations with QTd (p < or = 0.10) were Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0/1 versus 2/3 (QTd = 75 +/- 33 msec vs 53 +/- 22 msec, p < 0.0001), minimal luminal diameter (p = 0.007), left ventricular ejection fraction at discharge (p = 0.007), reinfarction (p = 0.01), number of leads with ST elevation (p = 0.05), end-systolic volume at discharge (p = 0.04), time to peak creatine kinase (p = 0.06), and YST elevation (p = 0.10). Independent associates of QTd were Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 0/1 versus 2/3 (p < 0.0001), reinfarction (p = 0.005), and ejection fraction (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Successful thrombolysis is associated with less QTd in patients after acute MI. Our results support the hypothesis that QTd after MI depends on reperfusion status, reinfarction, and left ventricular function. Reduction in QTd may be an additional mechanism by which the benefit of thrombolytic therapy is realized.

Anistreplase↗

PubMed1975

Surgery for impending myocardial infarction, acute evolving myocardial infarction, and complications of myocardial infarction.

Post-infarction ventricular aneurysm, ventricular septal defect, and mitral insufficiency are all potentially amenable to surgical intervention. In each instance the results of operation and the prognosis following operation depend largely on the extent of infarction, the status of the residual myocardium, and the interval between infarction and operation. When the residual myocardium exhibits good contractility, the results are usually good. When early operation is performed in the face of a deteriorating clinical course and with poorly contracting residual myocardium, the mortality rates are extremely high. In an effort to increase the efficiency of the residual myocardium, concomitant coronary bypass surgery should be performed whenever possible. In this difficult group, more recent supportive measures such as the intra-aortic balloon pump may be particularly helpful when utilized both before and after operation. The surgical indications and results of coronary bypass surgery in impending or acute evolving myocardial infarction are not as well defined, but it is evident that myocardial revascularization may be useful in carefully selected patients.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1991

Treatment with verapamil during and after an acute myocardial infarction: a review based on the Danish Verapamil Infarction Trials I and II. The Danish Study Group on Verapamil in Myocardial Infarction.

The effect of verapamil on death and reinfarction after an acute myocardial infarction was studied in two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter trials, the Danish Verapamil Infarction Trials I and II (DAVIT I and II). The studies demonstrated that verapamil 360 mg/day from the 2nd week after an acute myocardial infarction, prevented death and reinfarction. Meta-analyses of the results of DAVITs I and II resulted in a reduction of pooled ratios of 22% (95% confidence limits 1-37, p = 0.04) for death, 21% (5-35, p = 0.02) for first major events (first reinfarction or death), and 27% (6-43, p = 0.02) for first reinfarctions. The effect of verapamil was to prevent myocardial ischemia and reduce sudden death and reinfarction. It is concluded that long-term treatment with verapamil after an acute myocardial infarction may be recommended with the object of reducing overall mortality, major events and reinfarction.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

PubMed1989

[Intravenous streptokinase treatment of acute myocardial infarction. I. Effect of the treatment on the course of infarction and the patency of the artery supplying the infarction area].

128 consecutive patients with a first myocardial infarction, admitted within 4 hours after the onset of an angina pain, were divided into two groups according to the history of the peptic ulcer. Group I (with a negative history, n = 72) received intravenously 1,000,000 units of streptokinase followed by intravenous heparin infusion for 5-7 days. Group II (with a positive history, n = 56) was the control one. In hospital mortality was 2.8% in group I and 5.3% in group II (N. S.). Coronarography performed during second or third week of hospitalization revealed the patency of a coronary artery supplying an infarcted region twice as frequent in group I than in group II (78% vs 41%, p less than 0.001). Percentage of patients with the early serum peak of CKMB activity (from 8 to 12 hours from the start of therapy) suggesting early recanalization of a coronary artery supplying an infarcted region was significantly higher in group I (44.7% and 70.1%) than in group II (7.8% and 19.5%). Both differences between groups were significant (p less than 0.001). Early serum peak of CKMB activity (from 8 to 12 hours from start of treatment) was stated respectively in 46.5% and 81.4% of patients of group I in which subsequent coronarography revealed the patency of a coronary artery supplying the infarcted region.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Acute myocardial infarct in Switzerland: results from the PIMICS Heart Infarct Register. PIMICS Project (Prospective Ischemia Myocardial Infarction Captopril Survey)].

The aim of the PIMICS project was to create, for the first time in Switzerland, a registry of data concerning epidemiology and therapy in patients hospitalised for acute myocardial infarction covering all regions of the country. During 1995/96 73 Swiss hospitals of all categories took part in the PIMICS project. The ratio between males and females in the 3877 registered patients was 2.6:1 (2791 men vs. 1086 women). Female patients were significantly older than males (70.4 +/- 12.0 years vs. 63.4 +/- 12.6 years; p < 0.0001). The prevalence of risk factors differed between men and women: significantly more women had hypertension or diabetes, whereas smoking was more prevalent in males. The median delay between onset of symptoms and arrival at the hospital was 5.5 hours. Thrombolysis and primary angioplasty were more frequently performed in men (40.4% vs. 31.2% in women, p < 0.0001, and 5.7% in men vs. 3.5% in women, p = 0.005 respectively). During the acute phase males were treated more frequently with betablockers. The overall in-hospital mortality was 9.1%. It was significantly higher in female patients (13.5% vs. 7.4% in men; p < 0.0001) and in patients with reinfarction (14.5% vs. 7.1%; p < 0.0001). The mean hospital stay was 12.6 +/- 5.3 days. Only 7.7% of all patients with acute myocardial infarction were discharged within 6 days. At discharge, 51.7% were treated with betablockers and 69.3% with aspirin; 44.8% received ACE-inhibitors and only 13.8% lipid-lowering drugs. Follow-up measures such as coronary angiography and/or angioplasty or bypass surgery were performed significantly more often in males (45.0% vs. 32.9%; p < 0.0001). Likewise, men were more frequently assigned to a rehabilitation program than women (38.2% vs. 32.9%; p = 0.0004). The pre-hospital delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction remains too long. Primary and secondary prevention should be intensified in high risk groups, particularly in females. Thrombolysis and primary angioplasty as mainstays of treatment in acute myocardial infarction are generally used too sparingly, especially in women. With such measures the hospital stay could be shortened further.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Incidence, determinants, and clinical course of reinfarction in-hospital after index acute myocardial infarction (results from the pooled data of the maximal individual therapy in acute myocardial infarction [MITRA], and the myocardial infarction registry [MIR]).

There are few data about the incidence, determinants, and clinical course of in-hospital repeat acute myocardial infarction (RE-AMI) after an index AMI. From June 1994 to June 1998, 22,613 patients with AMI as an index event were registered by the Maximal Individual Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction (MITRA) and Myocardial Infarction Registries (MIR). Of these, 1,071 (4.7%) had a RE-AMI. For the index event, 9,143 patients (40.5%) were treated with thrombolysis, 1,707 (7.5%) with primary angioplasty, and 443 (2.0%) with a combination of both. Multivariate analysis showed that previous AMI (odds ratio [OR] 1.59; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.35 to 1.86), age >70 years (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.36 to 1.81), diagnostic first electrocardiogram (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.59), and female gender (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.32) were independently associated with a higher incidence of RE-AMI. The incidence of RE-AMI was higher when patients received thrombolysis (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.61), and it was lower when they underwent primary angioplasty (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.03) or received beta blockers (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.97). Patients with RE-AMI had higher hospital mortality compared with those without RE-AMI (OR 4.35; 95% CI 3.83 to 4.95). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an independent association of RE-AMI with in-hospital death (OR 6.60; 95% CI 5.61 to 7.70), repeat revascularization (OR 2.91; 95% CI 2.42 to 3.50), low workload capacity on the bicycle ergometry test (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.71 to 2.76), and ejection fraction <40% (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.38 to 2.14) at discharge. Thus, RE-AMI occurs in 4.7% of patients after an AMI. Previous AMI, age >70 years, diagnostic first electrocardiogram, and female gender are independent determinants for RE-AMI. Thrombolysis is associated with a higher and beta blockers with a lower incidence of RE-AMI. Once a RE-AMI occurs, it is a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality and morbidity.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2005

Prevention of distal embolization and no-reflow in patients with acute myocardial infarction and total occlusion in the infarct-related vessel: a subgroup analysis of the cohort of acute revascularization in myocardial infarction with excimer laser-CARMEL multicenter study.

To overcome the adverse complications of percutaneous coronary interventions in thrombus laden lesions (i.e., distal embolization, platelet activation, no-reflow phenomenon), mechanical removal of the thrombus or distal embolization protection devices are frequently required. Pulsed-wave ultraviolet excimer laser light at 308 nm can vaporize thrombus, suppress platelet aggregation, and, unlike other thrombectomy devices, ablate the underlying plaque. The following multicenter registry was instituted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser ablation in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by persistent thrombotic occlusions. Patients with AMI and complete thrombotic occlusion of the infarct-related vessel were included in eight participating centers. Patients with further compromising conditions (i.e., cardiogenic shock, thrombolysis failures) were also included. Primary endpoint was procedural respective laser success; secondary combined endpoints were TIMI flow and % stenosis by quantitative coronary analysis and visual assessment at 1-month follow-up. Eighty-four percent of all patients enrolled (n = 56) had a very large thrombus burden (TIMI thrombus scale > or = 3), and 49% were compromised by complex clinical presentation, i.e., cardiogenic shock (21%), degenerated saphenous vein grafts (26%), or thrombolysis failures (5%). Laser success was achieved in 89%, angiographic success in 93%, and the overall procedural success rate was 86%. The angiographic prelaser total occlusion was reduced angiographically to 58% +/- 25% after laser treatment and to 4% +/- 13% final residual stenosis after adjunctive balloon angioplasty and/or stent placement. TIMI flow increased significantly from grade 0 to 2.7 +/- 0.5 following laser ablation (P < 0.001) and 3.0 +/- 0.2 upon completion of the angioplasty procedure (P > 0.001 vs. baseline). Distal embolizations occurred in 4%, no-reflow was observed in 2%, and perforations in 0.6% of cases. Laser-associated major dissections occurred in 4% of cases, and total MACE was 13%. The safety and efficacy of excimer laser for thrombus dissolution in a cohort of high-risk patients presenting with AMI and total thrombotic occlusion in the infarct-related vessel are encouraging and should lead to further investigation.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Increased thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count in patients with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriogram: a possible link between slow coronary flow and myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count is a simple clinical tool for assessing quantitative indexes of coronary blood flow. This technique counts the number of cineangiographic frames from initial contrast opacification of the proximal coronary artery to opacification of distal arterial landmarks. We hypothesized that patients with normal coronary artery (NCA) and myocardial infarction (MI) might have impaired coronary flow. Accordingly, we assessed the TIMI frame counts of patients with NCA and MI and compared to patients with NCA and without MI. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with MI and who were found to have normal coronary angiograms performed between 1999 and 2003. Fifty patients (group I) with NCA and MI were enrolled in the study. Fifty consecutive patients with NCA and without MI were also enrolled in the study as control group (group II). Mean time interval between MI and coronary angiography was 6 +/- 2 days. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between groups I and II in respect to gender (11 females (22%) versus 22 females (44%), p = 0.003, respectively) and smoking status (62% (31/50) versus 38% (19/50), p = 0.02). Comparison of TIMI frame counts between two groups revealed that group I patients had significantly higher TIMI frame counts than group two patients for all three coronary arteries (LAD: 40 +/- 12 versus 23 +/- 7, Cx: 47 +/- 14 versus 27 +/- 7, RCA: 36 +/- 10 versus 26 +/- 10, respectively, p < 0.001 for all). Smokers were significantly younger when compared to non-smokers (44 +/- 5 years versus 51 +/- 9 years, p = 0.008, respectively). TIMI frame counts of smokers did not significantly differ from those of non-smokers in group I patients. There were statistically significant differences between smokers and non-smokers in group II patients regarding TIMI frame counts for all three coronary arteries (LAD: 29 +/- 7 versus 18 +/- 3, LCX: 34 +/- 10 versus 22 +/- 4, RCA: 34+ /- 13 versus 20 +/- 4, respectively, p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: We have shown that patients with MI and NCA have higher TIMI frame counts for all coronary arteries when compared to patients without MI and NCA. Absence of difference between smokers and non-smoker in the myocardial infarction group in respect to TIMI frame count, has suggested that smoking does not lead to further increase of TIMI frame counts. On the other hand, in patients without MI and with NCA, smokers have higher TIMI frame counts than non-smokers have.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Performance of the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk index in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction-3 and -4: a simple index that predicts mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate a simple risk index based on age and vital signs in a community sample of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). BACKGROUND: A simple risk index based on age and vital signs (heart rate x [age/10](2)/systolic blood pressure) developed from patients with STEMI accurately predicts mortality in clinical trials of fibrinolysis. The application of such a tool in an unselected population is necessary to evaluate its utility in clinical practice. METHODS: To evaluate the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk index for routine practice, we tested it in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction (NRMI)-3 and -4. The risk index was evaluated as a continuous variable in patients with STEMI from NRMI and in subgroups based on age and reperfusion status. RESULTS: A total of 153,486 patients with STEMI were eligible. As anticipated, STEMI patients in NRMI had a higher risk index profile, as compared with those in the clinical trial (median 26.9 vs. 20, p < 0.0001). Classification of NRMI patients with STEMI into risk groups revealed a significant graded relationship with mortality (0.9% to53.2%, p(trend) < 0.0001, c statistic 0.79). The discriminatory capacity of the risk index was particularly strong in the 81,679 patients receiving reperfusion therapy (0.6% to60%, p(trend) < 0.0001, c statistic 0.81). For the 71,807 patients not receiving reperfusion therapy, a strong graded relationship remained (1.9% to 52.2%, p(trend) < 0.0001, c statistic 0.71). Among the elderly, although the distribution of scores was shifted toward higher risk, the performance remained (0% to 53.1%, p(trend)< 0.0001, c statistic 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: A simple risk index from baseline clinical variables routinely obtained at the first patient encounter predicted mortality in a large unselected heterogeneous group of patients with STEMI.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Early behavior of biochemical markers in patients with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 2 flow in the infarct artery as opposed to other flow grades after intravenous thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction. PERM Study Group. Prospective Evaluation of Reperfusion Markers.

BACKGROUND: Biochemical markers have been suggested for the noninvasive diagnosis of reperfusion early after thrombolysis. Their ability to discriminate between Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 2 and 3 flow grades remains unknown. METHODS: In 97 patients with myocardial infarction < or =6 hours, myoglobin, troponin T, MBCK, and MMCK isoforms were measured before thrombolysis and after 90 minutes. A 90-minute coronary angiography ascertained the potency status of the infarct-related artery in all patients according to the TIMI grade flow (group A: TIMI 0-1 (n = 35), group B: TIMI 2 (n = 17), and group C: TIMI 3 (n = 45). For each marker the absolute rate of increase and the relative increase 90 minutes after thrombolysis were studied. RESULTS: Both absolute values and absolute rates of increase at 90 minutes of myoglobin were higher in group B than in groups A and C (p < 0.05, not significant for other markers). Relative increases were consistently higher in group C than in other groups with statistical significance for myoglobin in the subset of patients treated for >3 hours. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic indexes based on relative increases tend to discriminate between patients with TIMI 2 and 3 flow, and the best performance is obtained when the relative increase of myoglobin at 90 minutes is used in patients treated later than 3 hours after onset of symptoms.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Incomplete recanalization as an important determinant of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 2 flow after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. TEAM Investigators. Thrombolytic Trial of Eminase in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

The outcome of patients with Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) trial grade 2 flow is worse than that of patients with TIMI grade 3 flow after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. It is unclear whether TIMI grade 2 flow represents incomplete recanalization of the culprit lesion or poor distal runoff. The Thrombolytic Trial of Eminase (anistreplase) in Acute Myocardial Infarction (TEAM)-2 and TEAM-3 were randomized trials comparing anistreplase with streptokinase (TEAM-2, n = 370) or with alteplase (tissue plasminogen activator) (TEAM-3, n = 325). We compared the minimal luminal diameter of the culprit lesion in patients with TIMI grade 2 flow with that in patients with TIMI grade 3 flow both 90 minutes (TEAM-2) and 1 day (TEAM-3) after thrombolysis. Patients with TIMI grade 2 flow had a lower residual luminal diameter in the culprit lesion than patients with TIMI grade 3 flow (TEAM-2, 0.58 +/- 0.03 vs 0.79 +/- 0.02 mm, p = 0.0001; TEAM-3, 0.88 +/- 0.04 vs 1.17 +/- 0.03 mm, p = 0.0001, for patients with TIMI grades 2 and 3 flow). Residual percent stenosis was correspondingly higher in patients with TIMI grade 2 flow. At the early angiogram, 66% of patients with TIMI grade 2 flow, but only 35% of those with TIMI grade 3 flow, had a minimal luminal diameter of 0.6 mm (positive predictive value 87%, negative predictive value 35%). Incomplete recanalization of the culprit lesion may thus be an important determinant of TIMI grade 2 flow after thrombolysis. Whether more complete thrombolysis or rescue angioplasty improves outcome in these patients deserves evaluation.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of antiarrhythmic agents after myocardial infarction with special reference to the EMIAT and CAMIAT trials of amiodarone. European Myocardial Infarct Amiodarone Trial. Canadian Amiodarone Myocardial Infarction Trial.

The role of antiarrhythmic agents in the post-MI patients has been investigated for several years. Recently, clinical trials have assessed the effects of amiodarone in the post-MI population. The Basel Antiarrhythmic Study of Infarct Survival (BASIS) trial showed a reduction in total mortality, sudden death, and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias with amiodarone therapy. The European Myocardial Infarct Amiodarone Trial (EMIAT) did not show a mortality benefit, but amiodarone was associated with fewer antiarrhythmic deaths. The Canadian Amiodarone Myocardial Infarction Trial (CAMIAT) showed no significant impact on mortality, but arrhythmia deaths and resuscitated cardiac deaths were reduced. Amiodarone therapy after MI should be reserved for the treatment of symptomatic or sustained ventricular arrhythmias. The current data do not support routine use of amiodarone in all patients after MI.

Amiodarone↗

PubMed2001

Non-Q-wave myocardial infarction following thrombolytic therapy: a comparison of outcomes in patients randomized to invasive or conservative post-infarct assessment strategies in the Veterans Affairs non-Q-wave Infarction Strategies In-Hospital (VANQWISH) Trial.

OBJECTIVES: We wished to determine the effect of post-infarct management strategy on event rates (death or recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI]) in patients who evolved non-Q-wave MI (NQMI) following thrombolytic therapy. BACKGROUND: Patients who evolve NQMI following thrombolytic therapy are often considered to be at high risk and are frequently managed with routine early invasive testing despite a lack of data supporting improved outcome. METHODS: The Veterans Affairs Non-Q-Wave Infarction Strategies In-Hospital (VANQWISH) study included 115 patients who evolved NQMI following thrombolytic therapy. We compared the event rates in patients randomized to routine early coronary angiography with those in patients randomized to a conservative strategy of noninvasive functional assessment, with angiography reserved for patients with spontaneous or induced ischemia. RESULTS: During an average follow-up of 23 months, 19 of 58 patients (33%) randomized to the invasive management strategy died or suffered recurrent nonfatal MI, compared with 11 of 57 patients (19%) randomized to the conservative strategy (p = 0.152). Equivalent numbers of patients were subjected to revascularization (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft). There were more deaths in the invasive management group than in the conservative management group (11 vs. 2). Excess deaths could not be attributed to periprocedural mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Overall event rates (death or recurrent nonfatal MI) are comparable with conservative and invasive strategies in patients who evolve NQMI following thrombolytic therapy. Mortality rate in patients managed conservatively is low (3.5%), and routine invasive management may be associated with an increased risk of death.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Primary angioplasty versus intravenous thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction: can we define subgroups of patients benefiting most from primary angioplasty? Results from the pooled data of the Maximal Individual Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry and the Myocardial Infarction Registry.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the effectiveness of primary angioplasty compared with thrombolysis in clinical practice. BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, primary angioplasty for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not yet been proven more effective than intravenous thrombolysis, nor have subgroups of patients been identified who would perhaps benefit from primary angioplasty. METHODS: The pooled data of two AMI registries--the Maximal Individual TheRapy in Acute myocardial infarction (MITRA) study and the Myocardial Infarction Registry (MIR)--were analyzed. A total of 9,906 lytic-eligible patients with AMI, with a pre-hospital delay of < or =12 h, were treated with either primary angioplasty (n = 1,327) or thrombolysis (n = 8,579). RESULTS: Despite differences in the patients' characteristics and concomitant diseases between the two groups, the prevalence of adverse risk factors was balanced. Univariate analysis of hospital mortality showed a more favorable course for patients treated with primary angioplasty: 6.4% versus 11.3% (odds ratio [OR] 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43 to 0.67). This was confirmed by logistic regression analysis (multivariate OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.77). Primary angioplasty was associated with a lower mortality in all subgroups analyzed. We observed a significant correlation between mortality and absolute risk reduction (r = 0.82, p < 0.0001) in the different subgroups: as mortality increased, there was an increase in absolute benefit of primary angioplasty compared with thrombolysis. CONCLUSIONS: These large registry data showed the effect of primary angioplasty to be more favorable than thrombolysis for the treatment of patients with AMI in clinical practice. This effect was not restricted to special subgroups of patients. As mortality increased, the absolute benefit of primary angioplasty also increased.

Aged↗