Use of rapamycin-impregnated stents in coronary arteries

FIM STUDY: We investigated the 2-year safety and efficacy of sirolimus-eluting stents. Thirty patients had a single 18-mm sirolimus-eluting coronary stent implanted. Twenty-eight patients underwent angiographic and intravascular ultrasound follow-up at 2 years. No death occurred during the study period. No patient developed in-stent restenosis. One patient had a 52% in-lesion stenosis that required repeated revascularization and another patient underwent target vessel revascularization. Neointimal hyperplasia volume was minimal at 2 years in both groups. This study demonstrates the 2-year safety and efficacy of sirolimus-eluting stenting. The slow release formulation showed slight superiority over the fast-release formulation in preventing late lumen loss, which was minimal in both groups.

RAVEL TRIAL

This-study was a randomized, double-blind study that included 238 patients at 19 medical centers (15 in Europe, 3 in Brazil, and 1 in Mexico). Patients were eligible for the study if they were between 18 and 85 years of age, and had been given a diagnosis of stable or unstable angina or silent ischemia. Additional eligibility criteria were presence of a single primary target lesion in a native coronary artery that was 2.5 to 3.5 mm in diameter and that could be covered by an 18-mm stent stenosis of 51% to 99% of the luminal diameter and a flow rate of grade 1 or higher according to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive the sirolimus-eluting stent, and 118 were assigned to receive the standard stent. At 6 months, the degree of neointimal proliferation, manifested as the mean (+/-SD) late luminal loss, was significantly lower in the sirolimus-stent group (-0.01 +/- 0.33 mm) than in the standard-stent group (0.80 +/- 0.53 mm, P <.001). None of the patients in the sirolimus-stent group, as compared with 26.6% of those in the standard-stent group, had restenosis of >/=50% of the luminal diameter (P <.001). There were no episodes of stent thrombosis. During a follow-up period of up to 1 year, the overall rate of major cardiac events was 5.8% in the sirolimus-stent group and 28.8% in the standard-stent group (P <.001). The difference was due entirely to the higher rate of revascularization of the target vessel in the standard-stent group.

CONCLUSION

Patients with angina who received sirolimus-eluting stents for the treatment of single, primary lesions in native coronary arteries had no angiographic evidence of late luminal loss or in-stent restenosis at 6 months, no episodes of thrombosis, and a very low rate of cardiac events at 1 year.

Stent implantation in acute myocardial infarction using a heparin-coated stent: a pilot study as a preamble to a randomized trial comparing balloon angioplasty and stenting

Preliminary experience with primary stenting in myocardial infarction has suggested a greater benefit in clinical outcome than has been obtained with direct balloon angioplasty. However, subacute thrombosis (SAT) remains a limitation for this new mode of therapy. In the BENESTENT II Pilot and main trials, the incidence of SAT with the heparin-coated Palmaz-Schatz stent was only 0.15%. Therefore, as a preamble to a large randomized trial, the feasibility and safety of the use of the Heparin-Coated Palmaz-Schatz trade mark Stent in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) was tested in 101 patients enrolled between April and September 1996 in 18 clinical centres. In 101 stent-eligible AMI patients, as dictated by protocol, a heparin-coated stent was implanted. The primary objectives were to determine the in-hospital incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, MI, target lesion revascularization) and bleeding complications, while the secondary objectives were the procedural success rate and the MACE, the restenosis and reocclusion rates at 6.5 months. Stent implantation (n 3 129 stents) was successful in 97 patients of the 101 who were included in this trial. During their hospital stay, two patients died and no patient experienced re-infarction, ischaemia prompting re-PTCA or CABG. Four patients suffered a bleeding complication, three major and one minor, of whom three required surgical repair. At 210 days follow-up, 81% of the patients were event free. At 6.5 months restenosis was documented in 18% of the 88 patients who underwent follow-up angiography, including three total occlusions. The results, both with respect to QCA and the occurrence of MACE, compare favourably with studies using elective stenting in both stable and unstable angina patients. As a result of this pilot study, a large randomized trial comparing direct balloon angioplasty with direct stenting in 900 patients with AMI was initiated in December 1996.

Coronary flow velocity reserve after percutaneous interventions is predictive of periprocedural outcome

BACKGROUND

Because heterogeneous results have been reported, we assessed coronary flow velocity changes in individuals who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and examined their impact on clinical outcome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

As part of the Doppler Endpoints Balloon Angioplasty Trial Europe (DEBATE) II study, 379 patients underwent Doppler flow-guided angioplasty. All patients were evaluated according to their coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) results (> or =2.5 or < 2.5) at the end of the procedure. A CFVR < 2.5 after angioplasty was associated with an elevated baseline blood flow velocity in both the target artery and reference artery. CFVR before PTCA and CFVR in the reference artery were independent predictors of an optimal CFVR after balloon angioplasty (CFVR before PTCA: odds ratio [OR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57 to 3.24; CFVR in reference artery: OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.98; both P<0.001) and stent implantation (before PTCA: OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.47 to 4.36; reference artery: OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.07 to 3.87; both P<0.05). A low CFVR at the end of the procedure was an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days (OR, 4.71; 95% CI, 1.14 to 25.92; P=0.034) and at 1 year (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.16 to 3.66; P=0.014). After excluding MACE at 30 days, no difference in MACE at 1 year was observed between the patients with and without a CFVR < 2.5 at the end of the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

A low postprocedural CFVR was associated with a worse periprocedural outcome (which was related to microcirculatory disturbances), but there was no significant difference at late follow-up.

One-year follow-up after primary coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in diabetic patients. A substudy of the STENT PAMI trial

OBJECTIVE

This analysis was undertaken to determine the composite incidence of cumulative adverse events (death, reinfarction, disabling stroke, and target vessel revascularization) at the end of the first year after acute myocardial infarction, in diabetic patients who underwent coronary stenting or primary coronary balloon angioplasty.

METHODS

From the STENT PAMI trial, we analyzed the 6-month angiographic and 1-year clinical outcomes of 135 diabetic (112, noninsulin dependent) patients who underwent the randomization process of the trial and compared them with 758 nondiabetic patients.

RESULTS

Coronary stenting did not significantly reduce the primary composite clinical end point when compared with PTCA (20 vs. 30%, p=0.2). A significant benefit from stenting was observed in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes, with a trend toward a lesser need for new revascularization procedures (10 vs. 21%, p<.001), with a significant reduction in the primary composite clinical end point at 1 year (12 vs. 28%, p=. 04). At 6 months, the restenosis rate were significantly reduced only in nondiabetic patients (18 vs. 33%, p<. 001). Diabetic patients had the same restenosis rate (38%) either with stenting or balloon PTCA.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary Stenting in diabetics noninsulin dependent offered a significant reduction in the composite incidence of major clinical adverse events compared with balloon PTCA.

New percutaneous techniques for perforating the pulmonary valve in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum

We report new percutaneous techniques for perforating the pulmonary valve in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, in 3 newborns who had this birth defect. There was mild to moderate hypoplastic right ventricle, a patent infundibulum, and no coronary-cavitary communications. We succeeded in all cases, and no complications related to the procedure occurred. The new coaxial radiofrequency system was easy to handle, which simplified the procedure. Two patients required an additional source of pulmonary flow (Blalock-Taussig shunt) in the first week after catheterization. All patients had a satisfactory short-term clinical evolution and will undergo recatheterization within 1 year to define the next therapeutic strategy. We conclude that this technique may be safely and efficiently performed, especially when the new coaxial radiofrequency system is used, and it may become the initial treatment of choice in select neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.

Sustained suppression of neointimal proliferation by sirolimus-eluting stents: one-year angiographic and intravascular ultrasound follow-up

BACKGROUND

We have previously reported a virtual absence of neointimal hyperplasia 4 months after implantation of sirolimus-eluting stents. The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether these results are sustained over a period of 1 year.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-five patients with de novo coronary disease were successfully treated with the implantation of a single sirolimus-eluting Bx VELOCITY stent in São Paulo, Brazil (n=30, 15 fast release [group I, GI] and 15 slow release [GII]) and Rotterdam, The Netherlands (15 slow release, GIII). Angiographic and volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) follow-up was obtained at 4 and 12 months (GI and GII) and 6 months (GIII). In-stent minimal lumen diameter and percent diameter stenosis remained essentially unchanged in all groups (at 12 months, GI and GII; at 6 months, GIII). Follow-up in-lesion minimal lumen diameter was 2.28 mm (GIII), 2.32 mm (GI), and 2.48 mm (GII). No patient approached the >/=50% diameter stenosis at 1 year by angiography or IVUS assessment, and no edge restenosis was observed. Neointimal hyperplasia, as detected by IVUS, was virtually absent at 6 months (2+/-5% obstruction volume, GIII) and at 12 months (GI=2+/-5% and GII=2+/-3%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a sustained suppression of neointimal proliferation by sirolimus-eluting Bx VELOCITY stents 1 year after implantation.

Ventricular endocardial right bifocal stimulation in the treatment of severe dilated cardiomyopathy heart failure with wide QRS

The QRS widening by ventricular conventional pacing impairs the systolic and diastolic functions and increases mitral regurgitation. The aim of this study was to compare conventional pacing to an alternative stimulation mode with a narrower QRS using two leads in the RV. Thirty-nine (25 men, 14 women; mean age 60.1 +/- 15.1 years) dilated cardiomyopathy patients (Chagas' disease [n = 17], coronariopathy [n = 9], AV ablation for tachycardiomyopathy [n = 3], and other [n = 10]) with cardiac failure (NYHA 3.1 +/- 0.8), pacemaker indication, and chronic AV block (22 AF) had endocardial pacemaker implantations (27 Biotronik, 12 Guidant). Two RV leads (one septal, one conventional [RV apex] were connected, respectively, to the atrial and ventricular pacemaker plugs. After clinical stabilization they were studied under three stimulation modes in the same session: AAI (septal), VVI (conventional), and ventricular endocardial right bifocal stimulation (VERBS) (DDT/DVI/DDD = AV interval = 15/10 ms). In comparison to conventional pacing, VERBS increased ejection fraction (0.124), cardiac output (19.5%), and peak filling rate (31.0%), and decreased QRS duration (24.7%), left atrium area (11.9%), mitral regurgitation area (32.3%), the diastolic transmitral flow (E/A relation) (19.3%), and the propagation flow time (18.0%) from the mitral valve to the left ventricular apex (tE_col), (P < 0.05). The quality-of-life showed an impressive score reduction of 50.4%. The septal stimulation alone showed a less expressive benefit. In severe dilated cardiomyopathy with classic pacemaker indication, VERBS showed significantly better performance than the septal or the conventional stimulation alone. There was a good systolic and a remarkable diastolic improvement causing an important reduction in the quality-of-life score.

Uncomplicated moderate coronary artery dissections after balloon angioplasty: good outcome without stenting

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between moderate coronary dissections, coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), and long term outcome.

METHODS

523 patients undergoing balloon angioplasty and sequential intracoronary Doppler measurements were examined as part of the DEBATE II trial (Doppler endpoints balloon angioplasty trial Europe). After successful balloon angioplasty, patients were randomised to stenting or no further treatment. Dissections were graded at the core laboratory by two observers and divided into four categories: none, mild (type A-B), moderate (type C), severe (types D to F). Patients with severe dissections (n = 128) or without available reference vessel CFVR (n = 139) were excluded. The remaining 256 patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (group A, n = 45) or absence (group B, n = 211) of moderate dissection.

RESULTS

Following balloon angioplasty, there was no difference in CFVR between the two groups. At 12 months follow up, a higher rate of major adverse cardiac events was observed overall in group A than in group B (10 (22%)v 23 (11%), p = 0.041). However, the risk of major adverse events was similar in the subgroups receiving balloon angioplasty (group A, 6 (19%) v group B, 16 (16%), NS). Among group A patients, the adverse events risk was greater in those randomised to stenting (odds ratios 6.603v 1.197, p = 0.046), whereas there was no difference in risk if the group was analysed according to whether the CFVR was < 2.5 or ⩾ 2.5 after balloon angioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate dissections left untreated result in no increased risk of major adverse cardiac events. Additional stenting does not improve the long term outcome.

Prognostic factors of the results of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a cardiology hospital

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the early and late results of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a cardiology hospital and to try to detect prognostic determinants of both short- and long-term survival.

METHODS

A series of 557 patients who suffered cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) at the Dante Pazzanese Cardiology Institute over a period of 5 years was analyzed to examine factors predicting successful resuscitation and long-term survival.

RESULTS

Ressuscitation maneuvers were tried in 536 patients; 281 patients (52.4%) died immediately, and 164 patients (30.6%) survived for than 24 hours. The 87 patients who survived for more than 1 month after CRA were compared with nonsurvivors. Coronary disease, cardiomyopathy, and valvular disease had a better prognosis. Primary arrhythmia occurred in 73.5% of the >1-month survivor group and heart failure occurred in 12.6% of this group. In those patients in whom the initial mechanism of CRA was ventricular fibrillation, 33.3% survived for more than 1 month, but of those with ventricular asystole only 4.3% survived. None of the 10 patients with electromechanical dissociation survived. There was worse prognosis in patients included in the extreme age groups (zero to 10 years and 70 years or more). The best results occurred when the cardiac arrest took place in the catheterization laboratories. The worst results occurred in the intensive care unit and the hemodialysis room.

CONCLUSION

The results in our series may serve as a helpful guide to physicians with the difficult task of deciding when not to resuscitate or when to stop resuscitation efforts.

Uncomplicated moderate coronary artery dissections after balloon angioplasty: good outcome without stenting

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between moderate coronary dissections, coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), and long term outcome.

METHODS

523 patients undergoing balloon angioplasty and sequential intracoronary Doppler measurements were examined as part of the DEBATE II trial (Doppler endpoints balloon angioplasty trial Europe). After successful balloon angioplasty, patients were randomised to stenting or no further treatment. Dissections were graded at the core laboratory by two observers and divided into four categories: none, mild (type A-B), moderate (type C), severe (types D to F). Patients with severe dissections (n = 128) or without available reference vessel CFVR (n = 139) were excluded. The remaining 256 patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (group A, n = 45) or absence (group B, n = 211) of moderate dissection.

RESULTS

Following balloon angioplasty, there was no difference in CFVR between the two groups. At 12 months follow up, a higher rate of major adverse cardiac events was observed overall in group A than in group B (10 (22%) v 23 (11%), p = 0.041). However, the risk of major adverse events was similar in the subgroups receiving balloon angioplasty (group A, 6 (19%) v group B, 16 (16%), NS). Among group A patients, the adverse events risk was greater in those randomised to stenting (odds ratios 6.603 v 1.197, p = 0.046), whereas there was no difference in risk if the group was analysed according to whether the CFVR was < 2.5 or >/= 2.5 after balloon angioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate dissections left untreated result in no increased risk of major adverse cardiac events. Additional stenting does not improve the long term outcome.

Clinical and economic impact of diabetes mellitus on percutaneous and surgical treatment of multivessel coronary disease patients: insights from the Arterial Revascularization Therapy Study (ARTS) trial

BACKGROUND

Our aims were to compare coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and stenting for the treatment of diabetic patients with multivessel coronary disease enrolled in the Arterial Revascularization Therapy Study (ARTS) trial and to determine the costs of these 2 treatment strategies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients (n=1205) were randomly assigned to stent implantation (n=600; diabetic, 112) or CABG (n=605; diabetic, 96). Costs per patient were calculated as the product of each patient's use of resources and the corresponding unit costs. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. At 1 year, diabetic patients treated with stenting had the lowest event-free survival rate (63.4%) because of a higher incidence of repeat revascularization compared with both diabetic patients treated with CABG (84.4%, P<0.001) and nondiabetic patients treated with stents (76.2%, P=0.04). Conversely, diabetic and nondiabetic patients experienced similar 1-year event-free survival rates when treated with CABG (84.4% and 88.4%). The total 1-year costs for stenting and CABG in diabetic patients were $12 855 and $16 585 (P<0.001) and in the nondiabetic groups, $10 164 for stenting and $13 082 for surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Multivessel diabetic patients treated with stenting had a worse 1-year outcome than patients assigned to CABG or nondiabetics treated with stenting. The strategy of stenting was less costly than CABG, however, regardless of diabetic status.

Comparison of coronary-artery bypass surgery and stenting for the treatment of multivessel disease

BACKGROUND

The recent recognition that coronary-artery stenting has improved the short- and long-term outcomes of patients treated with angioplasty has made it necessary to reevaluate the relative benefits of bypass surgery and percutaneous interventions in patients with multivessel disease.

METHODS

A total of 1205 patients were randomly assigned to undergo stent implantation or bypass surgery when a cardiac surgeon and an interventional cardiologist agreed that the same extent of revascularization could be achieved by either technique. The primary clinical end point was freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at one year. The costs of hospital resources used were also determined.

RESULTS

At one year, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the rates of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction. Among patients who survived without a stroke or a myocardial infarction, 16.8 percent of those in the stenting group underwent a second revascularization, as compared with 3.5 percent of those in the surgery group. The rate of event-free survival at one year was 73.8 percent among the patients who received stents and 87.8 percent among those who underwent bypass surgery (P<0.001 by the log-rank test). The costs for the initial procedure were $4,212 less for patients assigned to stenting than for those assigned to bypass surgery, but this difference was reduced during follow-up because of the increased need for repeated revascularization; after one year, the net difference in favor of stenting was estimated to be $2,973 per patient.

CONCLUSION

As measured one year after the procedure, coronary stenting for multivessel disease is less expensive than bypass surgery and offers the same degree of protection against death, stroke, and myocardial infarction. However, stenting is associated with a greater need for repeated revascularization.

Lack of neointimal proliferation after implantation of sirolimus-coated stents in human coronary arteries: a quantitative coronary angiography and three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound study

BACKGROUND

Restenosis remains an important limitation of interventional cardiology. Therefore, we aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of sirolimus (a cell-cycle inhibitor)-coated BX Velocity stents.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty patients with angina pectoris were electively treated with 2 different formulations of sirolimus-coated stents (slow release [SR], n=15, and fast release [FR], n=15). All stents were successfully delivered, and patients were discharged without clinical complications. Independent core laboratories analyzed angiographic and 3D volumetric intravascular ultrasound data (immediately after procedure and at 4-month follow-up). Eight-month clinical follow-up was obtained for all patients. There was minimal neointimal hyperplasia in both groups (11.0+/-3.0% in the SR group and 10.4+/-3.0% in the FR group, P:=NS) by ultrasound and quantitative coronary angiography (in-stent late loss, 0.09+/-0.3 mm [SR] and -0.02+/-0.3 mm [FR]; in-lesion late loss, 0.16+/-0.3 mm [SR] and -0.1+/-0.3 mm [FR]). No in-stent or edge restenosis (diameter stenosis >or=50%) was observed. No major clinical events (stent thrombosis, repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, or death) had occurred by 8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The implantation of sirolimus-coated BX Velocity stents is feasible and safe and elicits minimal neointimal proliferation. Additional placebo-controlled trials are required to confirm these promising results.

Acute myocardial infarction in progressively elderly patients. A comparative analysis of immediate results in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of the in-hospital results, in progressively elderly patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the first 24 hours of AMI.

METHODS

The patients were divided into three different age groups (60/69, 70/79, and > or =80 years) and were treated from 7/95 until 12/99. The primary success rate and the occurrence of major clinical events were analyzed at the end of the in-hospital phase. Coronary stent implantation and abciximab use were employed at the interventionist discretion.

RESULTS

We analyzed 201 patients with age ranging from 60 to 93 years, who underwent primary PCI. Patients with ages above 70 were more often female (p=.015). Those with ages above 80 were treated later with PCI (p=.054), and all of them presented with total occlusion of the infarct-related artery. Coronary stents were implanted in 30% of the patients. Procedural success was lower in > or =80 year old patients (p=.022), and the death rate was higher in > or =70 years olds (p=.019). Reinfarction and coronary bypass surgery were uncommon events. A trend occurred toward a higher combined incidence of major in-hospital events according to increased age (p=.064).

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients (> or =70 years) presented with adverse clinical and angiographic profiles and patients > or =80 years of age obtained reduced TIMI 3 flow success rates after primary PTCA, and those > or =70 years had a higher death rate.

Randomized comparison of primary stenting and provisional balloon angioplasty guided by flow velocity measurement. Doppler Endpoints Balloon Angioplasty Trial Europe (DEBATE) II Study Group

BACKGROUND

Coronary stenting improves outcomes compared with balloon angioplasty, but it is costly and may have other disadvantages. Limiting stent use to patients with a suboptimal result after angioplasty (provisional angioplasty) may be as effective and less expensive.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To analyze the cost-effectiveness of provisional angioplasty, patients scheduled for single-vessel angioplasty were first randomized to receive primary stenting (97 patients) or balloon angioplasty guided by Doppler flow velocity and angiography (523 patients). Patients in the latter group were further randomized after optimization to either additional stenting or termination of the procedure to further investigate what is "optimal." An optimal result was defined as a flow reserve >2.5 and a diameter stenosis <36%. Bailout stenting was needed in 129 patients (25%) who were randomized to balloon angioplasty, and an optimal result was obtained in 184 of the 523 patients (35%). There was no significant difference in event-free survival at 1 year between primary stenting (86.6%) and provisional angioplasty (85.6%). Costs after 1 year were significantly higher for provisional angioplasty (EUR 6573 versus EUR 5885; P:=0.014). Results after the second randomization showed that stenting was also more effective after optimal balloon angioplasty (1-year event free survival, 93.5% versus 84.1%; P:=0. 066).

CONCLUSIONS

After 1 year of follow-up, provisional angioplasty was more expensive and without clinical benefit. The beneficial value of stenting is not limited to patients with a suboptimal result after balloon angioplasty.

A comparative analysis of primary stenting and optimal balloon coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction. Six month results from the STENT PAMI trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcome of balloon PTCA with final coronary stenosis diameter (SD) < or =30 %, with elective coronary stenting.

METHODS

We performed a comparative analysis of the 6 month outcomes in patients treated with primary stenting and those who obtained an optimal balloon PTCA result treated during the first 12 hours of AMI onset included in the STENT PAMI randomized trial.

RESULTS

The results were analysed into 3 groups: primary stenting (441 patients, SD=22+/-6 %), optimal PTCA (245 patients), and non-optimal PTCA (182 patients, SD= 37+/-5 %). At the end of the 6 months primary stent group presented with the lowest restenosis(23 vs. 31 vs. 45 %, p=0.001, respectively). Ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization rate (TVR) (7 vs. 15.5 vs. 19 %, p=0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

At the 6 month follow-up, primary stenting offered the lowest restenosis and ischemia-driven TVR rates. Compared to optimal balloon PTCA. Non-optimal primary balloon PTCA pts (SD=31-50 %), had the worst late angiographic outcomes and should be treated more actively with coronary stent implantation.

Right ventricular bifocal stimulation in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy with heart failure

OBJECTIVE

To describe a new more efficient method of endocardial cardiac stimulation, which produces a narrower QRS without using the coronary sinus or cardiac veins.

METHODS

We studied 5 patients with severe dilated cardiomyopathy, chronic atrial fibrillation and AV block, who underwent definitive endocardial pacemaker implantation, with 2 leads, in the RV, one in the apex and the other in the interventricular septum (sub pulmonary), connected, respectively, to ventricular and atrial bicameral pacemaker outputs. Using Doppler echocardiography, we compared, in the same patient, conventional (VVI), high septal ("AAI") and bifocal ("DDT" with AV interval approximately 0) stimulation.

RESULTS

The RV bifocal stimulation had the best results with an increase in ejection fraction and cardiac output and reduction in QRS duration, mitral regurgitation and in the left atrium area (p </= 0.01). The conventional method of stimulation showed the worst result.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that, when left ventricular stimulation is not possible, right ventricular bifocal stimulation should be used in patients with severe cardiomyopathy where a pacemaker is indicated.

Percutaneous handling of coronary lesions >20mm through stents. Is there a first choice strategy?

OBJECTIVE - This study compared the early and late results of the use of one single stent with those of the use of multiple stents in patients with lesions longer than 20mm. METHODS - Prospective assessment of patients electively treated with stents, with optimal stent deployment and followed-up for more than 3 months. From February '94 to January '98, 215 patients with lesions >20mm were treated. These patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: Group A - 105 patients (49%) with one stent implanted; Group B - 110 patients (51%) with multiple stents implanted. RESULTS - The mean length of the lesions was 26mm in group A (21-48mm) versus 29mm in group B (21-52mm) (p=0.01). Major complications occurred in one patient (0.9%) in group A (subacute thrombosis, myocardial infarctionand death) and in 2 patients (1.8%) in group B (one emergency surgery and one myocardial infarction) (p=NS). The results of the late follow-up period (>6 months) were similar for both groups (group A = 82% vs group B = 76%; p=NS), and we observed an event-free survical in 89% of the patients in group A and in 91% of the patients in group B (p=NS). Angina (group A = 11% vs group B = 7%) and lesion revascularization (group A = 5% vs group B = 6%; p=NS) also occurred in a similar percentage. No infarction or death was observed in the late follow-up period; restenosis was identified in 33% and 29% of the patients in groups A and B, respectively (p=NS). CONCLUSION - The results obtained using one stent and using multiple stents were similar; the greater cost-effectiveness of one stent implantation, however, seems to make this strategy the first choice.

Safety and efficacy of coronary stent implantation. Acute and six month outcomes of 1,126 consecutive patients treated in 1996 and 1997

PURPOSE

The authors analyzed the 30-day and 6-month outcomes of 1,126 consecutive patients who underwent coronary stent implantation in 1996 and 1997.

METHODS

The 30-day results and 6-month angiographic follow-up were analyzed in patients treated with coronary stents in 1996 and 1997. All patients underwent coronary stenting with high-pressure implantation (> 12 atm) and antiplatelet drug regimen (aspirin plus ticlopidine).

RESULTS

During the study period, 1,390 coronary stents were implanted in 1,200 vessels of 1,126 patients; 477 patients were treated in the year 1996 and 649 in 1997. The number of percutaneous procedures performed using stents increased significantly in 1997 compared to 1996 (64% vs 48%, p = 0.0001). The 30-day results were similar in both years: the success and stent thrombosis rates were equal (97% and 0.8%, respectively). The occurrence of new Q wave MI (1.3% vs 1.1%, 1996 vs 1997, p = NS), emergency coronary bypass surgery (1% vs 0.6%, 1996 vs 1997, p = NS) and 30-day death rates (0.2% vs 0.5%, 1996 vs 1997, p = NS) were similar. The 6-month restenosis rate was 25% in 1996 and 27% in 1997 (p = NS); the target vessel revascularization rate was 15% in 1996 and 16% in 1997 (p = NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Intracoronary stenting showed a high success rate and a low incidence of 30-day occurrence of new major coronary events in both periods, despite the greater angiographic complexity of the patients treated with in 1997. These adverse variables did not have a negative influence at the 6-month clinical and angiographic follow-up, with similar rates of restenosis and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization rates.

Indications, technique, results and clinical impact of reocclusion procedures for residual shunts after transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus

PURPOSE

To assess the results of reocclusion procedures for late residual shunts after transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Nineteen patients underwent reocclusion procedures either with Rashkind technique (2 patients) or with coils. Mean age was 96.5 months and mean interval between the initial and the additional procedure was 15.7 months. In 5 patients, the duct was balloon-dilated prior to occlusion.

RESULTS

In 3 patients the procedure was unsuccessful because it was impossible to cross the duct using either a guide wire or a catheter. Immediate or late complete occlusion occurred in 13 patients. Two patients required a third procedure for complete closure. One patient developed severe intravascular hemolysis after coil implantation and was sent to surgery. The rate of final late residual shunting decreased from 17.1% to 6.6% (5/76) in the umbrella group and from 15.8% to 1.8% (1/56) in the coil group.

CONCLUSIONS

Reocclusion procedures are indicated after one year of persistent shunting following the primary procedure. They are generally effective and reduce significantly the rate of late residual shunting. In patients with tiny shunts, the duct may need to be dilated. Coils are preferred because of their low cost.

Coronary angioplasty in Brazil

In 1979, the first transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in Brazil, two years after the original contribution of Andreas Gruentzig, in Zurich. In the years which followed, the development of PTCA in the country grew and in the mid eighties several centres had already had the experience of more than 600 cases. In the beginning of the nineties, PTCA underwent an additional promotion with a large number of procedures, now subventioned by the bodies of public health. In addition to this, the introduction of new technologies such as directional atherectomy, rotablator, laser and stents. In 1991, the Brazilian Society of Interventional Cardiology created a national registry (CENIC) to gather data on the coronary procedures performed in the country. The CENIC data for the 1992/1993 and 1996/1997 bienniums were compared and it was observed that there had been a significant increase in the number of cases treated (from 16,429 in 92/93 to 22,025 in 96/97), complex lesions of the B/C type (from 71.4% to 92.3%), patients with previous revascularisation (from 22% to 28.3%), acute myocardial infarction (from 16% to 17.4%) and multiarterial lesions (from 34.4% to 38.8%). However, despite a greater clinical and angiographic complexity, the success of the procedure grew (from 89.7% to 92.8%) and complications reduced: acute occlusion (from 3.2% to 1.5%); acute myocardial infarction (from 2.5% to 1.2%) and death (from 1.8% to 1.4%). Interventional cardiology in Brazil has consequently progressed at the same rate as that of other countries. The incorporation of new technologies, particularly coronary endoprostheses has increased, guaranteeing better success rates, better results and a decrease in complications arising from acute occlusion of the target vessel.

[Overall experience with percutaneous occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the overall experience of our institution with percutaneous occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus.

METHODS

Since December/92, 150 patients underwent 178 procedures (85-Rashkind technique; 87-Gianturco coils; 6-Duct Occlud). Median age was 6.5 years (1 to 57). Mean minimum ductal diameter was 3.05 +/- 1.24 mm (1 to 8). Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed periodically.

RESULTS

Adequate implantation was achieved in 143 (95.3%) patients. Prevalence of immediate residual shunting was 52.1%, falling to 15.9% during follow-up. This figure decreased to 5.2% after new additional procedures. Umbrella and coil embolization occurred in 1 and 12 procedures, respectively. Hemolysis and mild stenosis of left pulmonary artery were observed in one patient each. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSION

This therapeutic modality is safe and efficacious with good follow-up results.

[Initial experience in percutaneous closure of interatrial communication with the amplatzer device]

PURPOSE

To evaluate our initial experience with percutaneous closure of secundum type atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder.

METHODS

Seven patients underwent occlusion by anterograde approach, under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. One child had 2 ASD and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The ASD size ranged from 8.7 to 20 mm as measured by TEE. A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed in the morning after the procedure.

RESULTS

Eight devices were successfully implanted in 7 patients and the PDA was occluded with a Gianturco coil at the same session. In this patient, there was an episode of supraventricular tachycardia during the occlusion of one ASD which was reverted with adenosin. All patients were discharged the day after, with complete occlusion of all defects.

CONCLUSION

The procedure is safe, effective and versatile. It can be applied as an initial alternative to the treatment of selected patients with ASD.

[Coronary arteriography with a very low profile catheter: efficacy and safety of the procedure and of the 60 minute hospital discharge]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of the use of 4F Judkins catheters for coronary angiography.

METHODS

From August/95 to January/96, 70 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent coronary cineangiography by the Judkins technique, with 4F catheters. Following puncture of the right femoral artery, 4F sheaths were introduced. At the end of the procedure, the sheath was removed and manual compression was applied for 15 min. Patients were oriented to walk under specialized supervision, 60 min after the procedure, and discharged after 4h.

RESULTS

Thirty nine (56%) patients were male, the age ranged from 31 to 83 (mean 57) years and weight from 43 to 101 (mean 69) kg. Optimal quality images were obtained in 62 patients (88%). It was necessary to use larger caliber catheters (6 and 8F) in 8 patients, due to femoral tortuosity or inadequate opacification of coronary arteries. There were no vascular complications nor major bleedings. In only 2 cases (3%) there was a minor bleeding, treated by new local compression. Sixty (85%) patients walked after 60 +/- 5 min and were discharged after 4h.

CONCLUSION

The use of 4F catheters for coronary angiography by femoral approach allowed early deambulation with no major bleeding. Image quality was good, with little contrast used and short hospital stay. This technique may lead to a simpler less traumatic and less invasive coronary angiography.

Flow visualization studies to improve the spiral pump design

The spiral pump (SP) uses centrifugal and axial pumping principles simultaneously, through a conical shaped impeller with threads in its surface. Flow visualization studies were performed in critical areas of the SP. A closed circuit loop was filled with glycerin-water solution (40%). Amberlite particles (80 mesh) were illuminated by a planar helium-neon laser light (7 mW). The particle velocities were recorded with Kodak (TMAX-400) black and white film, and the flow behavior was studied with a micro video camera and color video printer. The flow visualization studies showed no turbulence or stagnant areas in the inlet and outlet ports of the SP. When using the impeller with one lead, at the top of the threads some recirculation appeared when the total pressure head increased. Two new impellers were made. One of them had the same conical shape with a thread having 2 leads. The second had a thread with 2 leads, but it also had a bigger cone angle. These modifications improved the pump hydrodynamic performance, decreasing the recirculation in pumping conditions that require pressures over 200 mm Hg.

[Influence of the clinical presentation on immediate and long-term results after rotational atherectomy]

PURPOSE

To analyse the influence of unstable coronary syndromes (UCS) in the early and late prognosis after rotational atherectomy (RA).

METHODS

We treated 236 patients with RA between Aug/1992 and May/1996. Patients were divided into two groups: A) stable coronary syndromes 120 (51%) patients; B) UCS: 116 (49%) patients.

DEFINITIONS

1) procedure success (PS)--lesion success in all locations were RA use was attempted, without a major complication; 2) late coronary events (LCE)--angina, MI, additional revascularization or death.

RESULTS

There was a significant predominance of age > 70 (A = 14% x B = 24%, p = 0.03) in B and previous MI (A = 32% x B = 11%, p = 0.0001) in A. Other characteristics were similar in both groups, including complex lesions (type B2/C), which were observed in 77% A stenosis and 80% B lesions. PS was 95% in A and 92% in B (p = NS). In-hospital major complications were observed in 2.5% A and 4.3% B patients, (p = NS). One patient died in each group. A and B patients had similar time of follow-up. LCE occurred in 25% A and 39% B patients (p = 0.002). Recurrence of angina (36% x 23%; p = 0.01) and target lesion revascularization (29% x 18%; p = 0.03) were also more frequently required in B cases.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that UCS (group A) does not implicate in worse acute results after RA. However, UCS patients present greater incidence of late coronary events, particularly recurrence of angina and target-lesion revascularization.

Characteristics of a blood pump combining the centrifugal and axial pumping principles: the spiral pump

Two well-known centrifugal and axial pumping principles are used simultaneously in a new blood pump design. Inside the pump housing is a spiral impeller, a conically shaped structure with threads on the surface. The worm gears provide an axial motion of the blood column through the threads of the central cone. The rotational motion of the conical shape generates the centrifugal pumping effect and improves the efficiency of the pump without increasing hemolysis. The hydrodynamic performance of the pump was examined with a 40% glycerin-water solution at several rotation speeds. The gap between the housing and the top of the thread is a very important factor: when the gap increases, the hydrodynamic performance decreases. To determine the optimum gap, several in vitro hemolysis tests were performed with different gaps using bovine blood in a closed circuit loop under two conditions. The first simulated condition was a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with a flow rate of 5 L/min against a pressure head of 100 mm Hg, and the second was a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) simulation with a flow rate of 5 L/min against 350 mm Hg of pressure. The best hemolysis results were seen at a gap of 1.5 mm with the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) of 0.0063 +/- 0.0020 g/100 L and 0.0251 +/- 0.0124 g/100 L (mean +/- SD; n = 4) for LVAD and CPB conditions, respectively.

[The percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus with the Rashkind technic. The initial experience of the Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, Brazil]

The authors report their experience with the percutaneous closure of the patent ductus arteriosus with the Rashkind technique. They performed 42 procedures with a success of 97.6% and one embolization episode. The mean age was 8.7 +/- 6.7 years, the mean weight was 25.0 +/- 15.8 Kg and the minimum diameter of the ductus was 4.0 +/- 1.3 mm. The immediate overall prevalence of residual shunt was 48.8% falling to 21% in a mean follow-up of 17 +/- 13 months in 29 cases. Two patients underwent late reocclusion: one with a new umbrella and the other with a coil. Another patient had an immediate severe residual shunt and it was reoccluded in the same procedure with a coil. The anatomical type and minimum internal diameter of the ductus, age and weight, size of the umbrella and the rotation of the umbrella were not predictors of residual shunt. There were no deaths, hemolysis, endarteritis or fracture of the umbrella's arms. One patient remained with a slight gradient in the left pulmonary artery. The authors conclude that the Rashkind technique is safe and efficient and has good long term results. It should be considered as the first line therapeutic modality in the treatment of selected patients with persistent ductus arteriosus.

[Diagnosis using nuclear medicine of anterior descending artery stenosis in patients with left bundle branch block]

PURPOSE

To evaluate septal perfusion and contractility in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB).

METHODS

Twenty patients were submitted to myocardial scintigraphy with Tecnecium-99m isontrile after exercise and dipyridamole infusion. The septal contractility was observed during the radionuclide ventriculography. All patients were submitted to coronariography.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were studied and 17 (85%) had a normal left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Nine (53%) patients had abnormalities in septal perfusion after the exercise and 2 (12%) after dipyridamole infusion. All patients had abnormalities in septal contractility during the radionuclide ventriculography.

CONCLUSION

The myocardial scintigraphy after dipyridamole infusion showed better specificity in the diagnosis of a LAD lesion. The radionuclide ventriculography was an efficient method to evaluate the septal contraction abnormalities in patients with LBBB.

[Efficacy of repeat coronary dilatation in patients with restenosis of the anterior descending artery]

PURPOSE

To analyze the clinical characteristics, acute and long term results of repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for restenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LDA) METHODS: We studied 113 patients, 79% male, mean age 59 years, 49.5% had stable angina, with single vessel proximal LDA disease undergoing repeat PTCA for a first restenosis from January/88 to December/92. We examined the in hospital outcome (success rate and complications) and long term follow up (angina status, occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI), death and need for repeat PTCA or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) of this subgroup.

RESULTS

Primary success was 96%. Complications included: 1% MI, 1% emergency CABG and 1% procedural death. Follow up data (mean 42 months) was available in 102 (94%) out of 109 patients with successful repeat PTCA: 64 (63%) patients were asymptomatic, 5 (5%) had a MI and 28 (27%) required repeat PTCA or CABG. Actuarial 5 year freedom from death was 94%, freedom from death and MI was 91% and freedom from death, MI and repeat PTCA or CABG was 52%.

CONCLUSION

Repeat PTCA is an effective treatment for proximal LAD restenosis with a high success rate, low incidence of procedural complications and provides excellent long term cardiac survival, however repeat revascularization is frequently required.

[Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis]

PURPOSE

To analyse, retrospectively, 83 patients with infective endocarditis (IE) that were operated during the acute phase of the disease and to identify possible subgroups with distinct mortality.

METHODS

Between 1985 to 1990, 83 patients comprised the subject of this analysis. Fifty-one (61%) were male, aged between 3 months to 71 years, mean of 31.4 +/- 16.7 years.

RESULTS

We could identify two subgroups that were most frequently operated on: the left side IE and the Staphylococcus aureus; and 77 (43%) had left sided IE (p < 0.001). When discriminated accordingly to the specifically etiologic agent (Staphylococcus aureus) this difference continues to be statistically significant: of 29 left sided IE by this agent 13 (45%) were operated on, whereas from 22 right sided IE by the same agents, just 3 (14%) were operated on (p < 0.05). The two major etiologic agents did not show any statistically significant difference in the number of patients that needed to be operated on: on those 51 patients with Staphylococcus aureus IE, 16 (31%) were treated surgically, while from the 60 patients with Streptococcus viridans, 22 (37%) underwent to surgical procedure (p- NS). The mortality in the patients treated by surgery was 32%, and those with Staphylococcus aureus IE were responsible for 46% of the total surgical deaths.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment were most frequently used in the patient with left sided IE independently of the etiologic agent.

[Infective endocarditis associated with pregnancy]

PURPOSE

To report the intra-hospitalar and late follow-up of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) acquired in the pregnancy or puerperium.

METHODS

Eleven patients, between 1984-1992 according to the beginning of the IE episode (fever and other signals) were studied. Patients were divided in two groups: IE of pregnancy (7 cases), and puerperal IE (4 cases).

RESULTS

In the pregnancy IE group, mitral valve was affected in 6 (85%), and aortic valve in 1 (15%). During the course of the treatment, two patients had to be operated on, respectively, in the 24th and 28th week of the pregnancy. The 1st one had a successfully mitral valve replacement by a biological prosthesis but 48 h later she aborted, and the 2nd presented neurological complication (intracerebral hemorrhage) in the immediate post-operative period of a successfully mitral valve replacement by biological prosthesis. She was undergone to a cesarean but the fetus remained alive for 24 h only. If we look at the newborns (fetus), only 4 of them survived. Out of 3 fetal deaths, 2 had close association with mother cardiac surgeries. In the pregnant period acquired IE, 3 (47%) mothers died. In the puerperium group, 2 mitral valves and 2 aortic valves had IE. Two of them had to be operated on due to an important aortic regurgitation and cardiac failure. There were no deaths in this group.

CONCLUSION

During pregnancy, IE showed a high morbi-mortality for mother and concept. The mother's neurological complications played a major role in the poor outcome during the pregnancy period.

[Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. Valvar perforation by radiofrequency]

Six days old neonate with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum is reported in which a communication was established between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. The membraneous atresia was perforated with a special radiofrequency catheter 2F connected to a Hat 200S radiofrequency generator (Osypka). The energy necessary to perforation was 15W. After perforation of the atresia, balloon dilation was performed (balloon diameter: 2, 3, 4mm of coronary angioplasty and 5, 8mm Penta Medi-tech). The valve was completely opened giving the continuity between right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

[Chronic phase of Chagas disease. Clinical aspects and course of the disease]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical and evolutive aspects of chronic chagasic patients.

METHODS

Three hundred chronic chagasic patients, 180 females, with age ranging from 19 to 81 years (55.6 +/- 13.1) were retrospectively studied. Patients were divided according to the following clinical types: indeterminated, cardiac (with the subtypes: arrhythmogenic, dilated and mixed), digestive isolated and digestive plus cardiac involvement. The following variables were analysed: prevalence of each clinical forms, symptoms, electrocardiographic pattern and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

At the start of the study, 73 (24.3%) patients were in indetermined type, 106 (35.3%) in cardiac arrhythmogenic, 95 (31.6%) in mixed, 7 (2.3%) in dilated, 16 (5.3%) in digestive plus cardiac type and 3 (1%) in the pure digestive type. The most prevalent symptoms were dyspnea on efforts (57%), palpitations (41.33%) and chest pain (33%). The most frequent electrocardiographic pattern was right bundle branch block plus antero-superior fascicular block, in 30% of the patients. The average follow-up time was 7.8 +/- 6.1 years and the outcome was considered good in 20 patients (6.6%), stable in 214 (71.3%) and bad in 66 (23%). At the end of the follow-up, 9 patients have evaluated from the indeterminated to the cardiac and digestive types, and 19 (17.92%), from the arrhythmogenic to mixed cardiac subtype. The follow-up was lost in 79 patients (26.3%), most of them, probably dead.

CONCLUSION

With a mean time of 7.8 years, 12.3% of the patients in the indeterminated type evolved to the cardiac and/or digestive type; right brundle branch block with antero-superior fascicular block was the most prevalent electrocardiographic pattern; the outcome was stable or good in the majority of these patients.

[Infective endocarditis in children and adolescents]

PURPOSE

To assess infective endocarditis (IE) predisposing factors, etiologic agents and hospital course in infants and adolescents.

METHODS

We Studied 222 patients admitted under compatible IE diagnosis, from 1985 to 1990. The population of this study is fifty patients (23%) under 16 years of age.

RESULTS

Rheumatic valvular disease, as predisposing cardiopathy was proeminent within 9 to 16 years of age, markedly Statistical difference when compared to age range of 0 to 8 years (p < 0.05). Among congenital cardiopathies, the most frequent were: interventricular septal defect (26.0%) and tetralogy of Fallot (21.7%). Blood cultures, surgical material or emboli cultures were positive in 35 (70.0%) assessed patients. Streptococcus viridans (45.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus (42.8%) were the etiologic agents most often isolated. It was found that endocarditis by Staphylococcus aureus had mortality rate of 53.3% [(clinical (66.6%) and surgical (44.4%)], (p < 0.05) when compared to those by Streptococcus viridans; with total mortality of 6.2% (no clinical death and 16.6% in the surgical group). Total in-hospital mortality (clinical and surgical) was 26.0% (13 deaths).

CONCLUSION

IE in infants and adolescents in this studied population presented Streptococcus viridans responsible for 46.7% of patients with endocarditis and the Staphylococcus aureus for 42.8% were the etiologic agents most often found. Total, clinical and surgical mortality was greater in patients with endocarditis by Staphylococcus aureus when compared with those by Streptococcus viridans. Among the congenital cardiopathies, whether operated on or not, ventricular septal defect and of Fallot's tetralogy were the most involved ones; rheumatic cardiopathy Still remains a significant predisposing factor to infective IE in our country.

[Endocarditis due to Mycobacterium chelonei in a valvular prosthesis]

Male aged 40 year, with infective endocarditis in valvular prosthesis caused by Mycobacterium chelonei. This agent is unusual in this situation and rarely identified by the blood cultures.

[Radiologic signal of dehiscence of Starr-Edwards aortic prosthesis]

A male 54 years-old patient with infective endocarditis through Staphylococcus aureus with prosthesis of Starr-Edwards aortic with clinical and echocardiographic signs compatible with dysfunction classified as severe. The x-ray images presented double silhouette of the prosthesis, thus suggesting its partial dehiscence. This case report points out that the detailed analysis of the X-ray may supply relevant data for the diagnosis of one of this complication thus influencing on management and prognosis.

[Antihypertensive effect of urapidil in mild to moderate arterial hypertension. Randomized, double-blind versus placebo study]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of urapidil (a new central and peripheral antihypertensive agent) in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients were randomized, double-blindly, to receive either placebo (15 patients) or urapidil (16 patients) for 3 months. The initial dose of urapidil was 30mg twice daily, per oral. The dose was increased progressively till achievement of good blood pressure control or the dose of 60mg three times a day.

RESULTS

Seventy percent of the patients on urapidil group responded to therapy against 30% on the placebo group. There were 3 cases of hypertensive crises (2 on urapidil and 1 on placebo) on the early therapy. The adverse events with urapidil were unfrequent and the most common were headache and dizziness. There were no modification on blood sugar and lipids level.

CONCLUSION

Urapidil appears to be a safe antihypertensive agent in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension. It also did not demonstrate any clinical effect on the carbohydrates and lipids profile.

[Coronary angioplasty using double balloon in artery of large calibre (hugging balloons)]

In this case report the transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed in a oversized right coronary artery with a severe lesion with thrombus inside, using the Hugging balloon technique (two dilatation balloon catheters used simultaneously). This technique achieved minimal residual lesion and had a favorable clinical outcome of the patient.

[Acute occlusion after coronary angioplasty. Early management and late course]

PURPOSE

Assess the efficacy of the different strategies employed in the management of acute closure and verify the late prognosis of patients who develop this complication.

METHODS

From january 1987, through December 1990, 2315 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in our Institution. We analyzed 100 patients who had had acute closure of the dilated vessel determining the total incidence of myocardial infarction and death, the effectiveness of the different treatment strategies and clinical and angiographic predictors of poor in-hospital outcome. Late follow-up was obtained in the hospital survivors.

RESULTS

The incidence of acute myocardial infarction in the group of 100 patients was 57%; death occurred in 12% of the patients. Forty-one individuals were referred to emergency bypass surgery, 35 received clinical treatment and 24 underwent redilatation of the vessel. Those managed clinically had a higher incidence of myocardial infarction compared to the ones who underwent either redilatation or surgery (74.3% versus 50% and 48.8%). The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% (44.4%, p < 0.001) and in procedures involving the left anterior descending artery (20%, p < 0.05); patients undergoing repeat dilatation had the lower death rate (4.2% versus 8.6% in the clinical group and 17.1% in the surgical group). Late follow-up was obtained in 65 of 88 hospital survivors (mean follow-up = 17 months). Patients who underwent repeat dilatation were significantly less symptomatic in the follow-up than those who received medical therapy during the acute phase (89% versus 60.9% of patients without symptoms respectively, p < 0.05). Patients who were referred to surgery had also a tendency towards having less symptoms (87.5% of asymptomatic patients in the late follow-up) although the difference was not statistically significant (0.01 > p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Acute coronary occlusion is a serious complication of angioplasty and is associated with high rates of major complications (myocardial infarction, death). Low left ventricular ejection fraction and PTCA involving the left anterior descending are predictors of higher in-hospital mortality in patients with acute closure. Late outcome is less favourable in patients submitted to clinical treatment in the acute phase.

[Mitral double catheter-balloon valvuloplasty, hemodynamics evaluation of 52 cases one year after the procedure]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the late hemodynamic and angiographic results of 52 patients who underwent mitral valvoplasty by the double balloon technique in the treatment of the rheumatic mitral stenosis.

METHODS

The mean follow-up was of 18 months and the patients had a Doppler-echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization one year after dilatation. Of the 52 patients 84.6% were female and the mean age was 21.9% years. Eighty one percent were in NYHA class I whereas 5.7% had atrial fibrillation at the end of 18 months.

RESULTS

Immediately after valvoplasty 46 patients (88.5%) had a valvar area larger, and 6 (11.5%) smaller than 1.5 cm2. The first group had a good clinical outcome with maintenance of the clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic results in the late follow-up, including the diastolic gradient and the valvar area. Of the 6 cases with mitral area smaller than 1.5 cm2, 2 had a good clinical evolution, 2 were re-dilated, 1 was scheduled for surgery and the last one is under clinical management but with poor hemodynamic results. Three (5.7%) cases developed an atrial septal defect after the procedure, with hemodynamic repercussion in 1. Mitral regurgitation developed in 16 cases (+ in 8, +/++ in 8) without changes during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Double balloon mitral valvoplasty is a safe effective method in the treatment of the rheumatic mitral stenosis, and offers a better evolution in patients with a valvar area larger than 1.5 cm2 after the dilatation.

[Blood pressure variability and left ventricular hypertrophy in arterial hypertension]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the left ventricular hypertrophy correlation with blood pressure variability during day and night time as well as throughout the 24h period.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension underwent to bi-dimensional echocardiographic study and to 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitorization. Left ventricular mass was calculated according to previous validated formulas. The standard deviation of the mean blood pressures during day-time, night-time and 24h period was taken as blood pressure variability indices. The mean age of the group was 42 years old; 9 patients were male and all were white.

RESULTS

This study showed that only the systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability during the 24h period correlated significantly with left ventricular mass, (r = 0.53 and p < 0.05; r = 0.58 and p < 0.05 respectively). There was no significant correlation of the day-time and night-time pressures variability with left ventricular mass.

CONCLUSION

The systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability during the 24h period may be one of the many determinants of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

[Nonsurgical treatment of coronary pulmonary arteriovenous fistula]

Fifty eight year old man, with dyspnea, fatigue and progressive angina underwent cinecoronarography, which showed an arterio-venous coronary-pulmonary fistula originating from the circumflex artery to the pulmonary circulation. We decided to occlude it percutaneously, using a detachable balloon technic. The occlusion was accomplished successfully. Clinical evolution was excellent and the follow-up cinecoronarography 6 months later showed the maintainance of the initial results.