Angiographic and intracoronary flow velocity reversal in a transplanted heart: a common etiology for an uncommon condition

A case of widely split double P waves with marked intra-atrial conduction delay

We report a 78-year-old man as the first documented case of double P waves separated by 400 msec on 12-lead ECG. These P waves had different polarities on lead V1. The first P wave represented activation of the lateral wall of the right atrium, and the latter P wave represented activation of the medial right atrium and the left atrium. Widely spaced double potentials were recorded craniocaudally along the line, presumably corresponding to the crista terminalis during sinus rhythm. For this to occur, conduction disturbance has to be present both in the upper and lower right atrium. Conduction disturbance in the upper right atrium would interrupt excitation from the sinus node to the medial wall, and conduction disturbance in the lower right atrium would interrupt excitation spreading from the lower lateral right atrium to the isthmus area where fragmented potentials were recorded. These multiple discrete lesions appear to constitute a unique electrical atriopathy in this patient.

Coronary angioplasty, atherectomy and bypass surgery in cardiac transplant recipients

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to analyze the outcomes of revascularization procedures in the treatment of allograft coronary disease.

BACKGROUND

Allograft vasculopathy is the main factor limiting survival of heart transplant recipients. Because no medical therapy prevents allograft atherosclerosis, and retransplantation is associated with suboptimal allograft survival, palliative coronary revascularization has been attempted.

METHODS

Thirteen medical centers retrospectively analyzed their complete experience with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, directional coronary atherectomy and coronary bypass graft surgery in allograft coronary disease.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients underwent coronary angioplasty. Angiographic success (< or = 50% residual stenosis) occurred in 153 (94%) of 162 lesions. Forty patients (61%) are alive without retransplantation at 19 +/- 14 (mean +/- SD) months after angioplasty. The consequences of failed revascularization were severe. Two patients sustained periprocedural myocardial infarction and died. Angiographic restenosis occurred in 42 (55%) of 76 lesions at 8 +/- 5 months after angioplasty. Angiographic distal arteriopathy adversely affected allograft survival. Eleven patients underwent directional coronary atherectomy. Angiographic success occurred in 9 (82%) of 11 lesions. Two periprocedural deaths occurred. Nine patients are alive without transplantation at 7 +/- 4 months after atherectomy. Bypass graft surgery was performed in 12 patients. Four patients died perioperatively. Seven patients are alive without retransplantation at 9 +/- 7 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary revascularization may be an effective palliative therapy in suitable cardiac transplant recipients. Angioplasty has an acceptable survival in patients without angiographic distal arteriopathy. Because few patients underwent atherectomy and coronary bypass surgery, assessment of these procedures is limited. Angiographic distal arteriopathy is associated with decreased allograft survival in patients requiring revascularization.