[Results of coronary stenting in acute myocardial infarction]

[Analysis of mortality in myocardial infarction patients treated with primary angioplasty]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Primary angioplasty is an effective method to achieve myocardial reperfusion in ST-elevated myocardial infarction (MI). The objective of this study was to determine the independent factors that could predict mortality in MI patients treated with primary angioplasty and to analyze the prognostic value of tissue reperfusion parameters in those patients.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A prospective observational study was performed in 380 consecutive patients with ST-elevated MI treated with primary angioplasty at a single hospital.

RESULTS

Early mortality was 8.9%. Upon univariate analysis, the following variables were associated with significantly higher mortality: age, ejection fraction (EF), multivascular disease, anterior location of MI, lack of resolution of ST segment, flow 0-1 of TIMI, grade 0-1 of blush index and delay time above 4 hours. Multivariate analysis yielded the following independent variables as predictors of mortality: age, degree of heart failure (Killip index) and degree of myocardial perfusion (blush index).

CONCLUSIONS

The independent predictive factors of mortality in patients with ST-elevated MI and treated with primary angioplasty are: age, degree of heart failure (Killip index) and degree of myocardial reperfusion (blush index). The resolution of ST segment and blush index represent additional prognostic variables in patients with good epicardial reperfusion.

An Internet-based registry examining the efficacy of heparin coating in patients undergoing coronary stent implantation

BACKGROUND

Heparin coating is an attractive alternative to counterbalance intrinsic stent thrombogenicity and to decrease the incidence of stent thrombosis.

METHODS

We compared, based on the data of an international multicenter prospective registry, the rates of stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary interventions in native coronary arteries using a Bx VELOCITY heparin-coated stent versus a bare metal stent of the same design in a total of 3098 patients at high risk for stent thrombosis. Most patients in both groups underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for unstable angina (48.4% vs 47.5%, respectively) with > 25% of the patients treated for acute myocardial infarction (30.8% and 28.1%, respectively).

RESULTS

Procedural success was high and very similar in patients with heparin-coated and bare metal stents (99.3% vs 98.8%, respectively, P = .11). The primary end point, a 30-day stent thrombosis, occurred in 0.6% of the 1417 patients treated with the heparin-coated stent and 0.9% of the 1681 patients treated with the bare metal stent (relative risk reduction 33%, P = .41). The rates of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization did not differ significantly between the groups. By multivariate analysis, variables independently associated with 30-day stent thrombosis included the evidence of thrombus at baseline (odds ratio [OR] 3.0, 95% CI 1.29-7.0, P = .01), small vessel stenting (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.01-5.74, P = .05), and target left anterior descending artery (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.00-5.38, P = .05).

CONCLUSION

This large-scale registry comparing the use of heparin-coated stent versus bare metal stent in the reality of daily practice showed no significant difference in stent thrombosis in patients with a high-risk profile for thrombotic complications.

[Coronary artery surgery in the first 24 hours after myocardial infarction]

BACKGROUND

Thrombolysis and angioplasty in the first hours after myocardial infarction minimize necrosis, leading to better early and late survival, but these therapies have limited effect in patients with three-vessel disease and cardiogenic shock. Emergency coronary surgery is an alternative treatment in some cases.

AIM

To assess perioperative complications, mortality and long-term survival in patients undergoing coronary surgery within 24 h of myocardial infarction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 57 patients undergoing surgery within 24 h of the onset of symptoms of myocardial infarction between 1982 and 1998. Multiple vessel disease was present in 31 patients (54%), shock or cardiac arrest in 19 (33%) and coronary angiography complications in 7 (12%). The mean time between onset of symptoms and surgery was 6.32 h. At the beginning of surgery 32 patients (56%) were hemodynamically stable, 15 (26%) were in shock and 10 (17%) were in cardiac arrest.

RESULTS

The operative mortality was 0% for those who were hemodynamically stable at the start of surgery and 44% (11 of 25 patients) for those in shock or cardiac arrest. Shock or prior cardiac arrest were associated with higher rates of sternal infection and heart failure and longer hospital stays.Follow-up (mean 67 months) was possible for all remaining patients. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 89 and 82%, respectively, for patients who were hemodynamically stable at the time of surgery. Five-year survival was 55%, however, for those who underwent surgery in shock or cardiac arrest. The overall rate of freedom from myocardial infarction, angioplasty or reoperation was over 95% at 5 years and over 85% at 10 years of follow-up. Age and shock or cardiac arrest were risk factors for a poor long-term outcome.

CONCLUSION

The early and long-term outcome of coronary surgery within 24 h of myocardial infarction is good for patients who are hemodynamically stable when surgery begins. Shock and cardiac arrest are important risk factors for complication and death. Coronary artery bypass grafting is a good treatment option in the first hours after myocardial infarction.

[Hemarthrosis as a hemorrhagic complication after thrombolytic treatment]

Hemorrhage of variable severity is the main complication of thrombolytic treatment. We present the case of a rare hemorrhagic location after the use of this treatment for acute myocardial infarction, as ankle hemarthrosis. In the first twelve hours the patient had a joint hemorrhagic effusion with refractory pain and arthrocentesis was required. Recurrence occurred while receiving heparin and after discontinuation of heparin perfusion stopped the patient developed occlusion of the coronary artery related to the infarct requiring emergency angioplasty. We discuss the severity and possible treatment of this situation.

[One-year clinical and angiographic follow-up after primary stenting]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The late reocclusion or restenosis rate of the infarct related artery is frequent after primary angioplasty. An implanted stent may be able to improve the coronary angioplasty results and long-term outcome of these patients. We present the clinical and angiographic outcome of a cohort of patients treated with primary stenting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A group of 74 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty and stenting were followed for one year. An angiographic control was performed at the 6th month of follow-up in 91% of patients to assess the restenosis and reocclusion rates of the infarct-related artery.

RESULTS

There were eight in-hospital deaths and three during follow-up (mortality rate 14.8%) and one non-fatal reinfarction (1.5%). The cumulative rate of recurrent ischemia was 6% at 3 months and 15% at 6 months, without any further increment at one-year follow-up. A new angioplasty was performed in 7 patients and three patients underwent surgical revascularization. Thus 80% of patients after discharge were free of events. The angiographic control showed only one reocclusion of the infarct related artery and a restenosis rate of 27%.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that primary stenting is an effective procedure in treating non-selected patients with acute myocardial infarction with a low long-term incidence of adverse events and a low restenosis rate.