The benefit of primary percutaneous coronary intervention is limited by a 5% to 20% incidence of suboptimal epicardial coronary blood (< or = TIMI-2 flow). Recently, data has demonstrated that when administered in conjunction with primary stenting for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), abciximab improves the success rate of the stenting procedure and provides additional clinical benefits. But data on a combination of tirofiban and primary stenting for treatment of ST-segment elevated (ST-se) AMI is unknown. Between May 1999 and September 2000, primary stenting without adjunctive tirofiban therapy was performed in 136 consecutive patients (control group) with ST-se AMI. Between January 2001 and May 2002, we routinely administered tirofiban to 133 consecutive patients (study group) with ST-se AMI before they underwent primary stenting. The angiographic and clinical outcomes of both groups were compared in a chronologically consecutive manner. The overall mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with failed (< or = TIMI-2 flow) than in patients with successful (TIMI-3) reperfusion (20.0% vs 3.5%, P < 0.0001). Univariate analysis demonstrated that there were no significant differences in the successful reperfusion (85.7% vs 84.6%, P = 0.84) or 30-day combined end points - death, recurrent ischemia or reinfarction (8.3% vs 11.0%, P = 0.59) between study and control group patients. Clinical variables were used to statistically analyze potential risk factors for unsuccessful reperfusion (< or = TIMI-2 flow) in the study group patients. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the reference lumen diameter (RLD) of the infarct-related artery (IRA) > or = 3.5 mm (P = 0.0004) and the lesion length of the obstruction > or = 20.0 mm (P = 0.018) were the significant independent predictors of failed normalized coronary blood flow. There were no significant differences in the restenotic rate of IRA (29.2% vs 30.8%, P = 0.9) or mortality rate (1.6% vs 1.6%, P = 1.0) at six-month follow-up. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that primary stenting with adjunctive tirofiban therapy in ST-se AMI did not provide additional benefits in short-term and intermediate-term angiographic and clinical outcomes compared to conventional primary stenting.
Single coronary artery is a rare congenital anomaly and is commonly associated with other congenital cardiac malformations. This report describes a 42-year-old man with an isolated single coronary artery, in whom the right coronary artery did not originate from the aorta but rather from the distal left circumflex artery. This patient did not have any other cardiovascular anomaly. However, he experienced angina pectoris and evidence of myocardial ischemia. Coronary angiography revealed insignificant coronary artery stenosis. He received medical treatment and responded well. An isolated single coronary artery is extremely rare, and this case may be only the 12th case reported in the literature.
This case report describes three hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with abnormal His-Purkinje conduction and complete atrioventricular block with attacks of syncope and cardiopulmonary arrest. Although arrhythmias are common in hypertrophic cardiomyo-pathy, complete atrioventricular block is very rare. Prolonged QRS duration and abnormal His-Purkinje system conduction may result in complete atrioventricular block.
Controversy exists about the influence of patient age on the benefit of surgery in atrial septal defect (ASD). Tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) when applied to atrioventricular annuli provides variables reliably reflecting the performance of the corresponding ventricle. We sought to investigate the effect of timing of surgery on biventricular functions by comparing the conventional echocardiography variables and TDE profiles of right and left atrioventricular annuli in patients treated at various ages. Conventional echocardiography and TDE analysis of mitral and tricuspid annuli were performed in 20 controls and 61 patients who underwent surgical ASD closure 2.8 +/- 2.5 years before the study. Standard parameters included were right and left-sided dimensions, estimated pulmonary artery pressure, ejection fraction, and tricuspid annular motion amplitude. TDE variables were systolic, early and late diastolic peak velocities at tricuspid lateral-and mitral-annulus at lateral and septal corners. Two subsets of patients who underwent surgery before (group 1, n = 20) and after 25 years (group 2, n = 41) formed our subgroups. Peak systolic TDE velocity and tricuspid annular motion amplitude had the lowest value in group 2 (P < 0.01 and <0.02, respectively). Late diastolic TDE velocity was significantly lower in group 2 compared to group 1 (P < 0.05). Increased right ventricular and atrial dimensions (P < 0.001 for both) and the estimated pulmonary artery pressure (P < 0.03) were the conventional measurements discriminating group 2 from group 1. The TDE profile of the mitral annulus was similar between the groups. These results suggest that delayed ASD closure is a relatively less effective procedure to restore secondary right ventricular dysfunction, as demonstrated by significantly different TDE measurements reflecting right ventricular longitudinal contraction and relaxation.
The renin-angiotensin system is the major contributor to development of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and many other cardiovascular diseases. Angiotensin II, one of the main effectors of this system, contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension and plays an important role in monocyte, platelet, and endothelium interactions. The effects on platelet and endothelial function, either by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, are still not well understood. A double-blind, randomized, prospective trial of either enalapril (10-20 mg daily) or eprosartan (400-800 mg daily) over a 10-week period was conducted in 42 patients (27 males, 15 females). Platelet activation was evaluated by measuring platelet factor 4 (PF-4), beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), the ratio of platelet factor 4 to beta-thromboglobulin, and endothelial function by measuring total plasma nitrate levels, von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels, and blood flow using venous occlusive plethysmography. After a 10-week treatment with enalapril or eprosartan, the sitting blood pressure in both the enalapril group (from 152.2 +/- 18.7 mmHg to 141.9 +/- 23.5 mmHg, P < 0.05) and eprosartan group (from 151 +/- 10.0 mmHg to 142.3 +/- 12.9 mmHg, P < 0.05) was significantly reduced. Significant diastolic blood pressure (DPB) reduction (from 94 +/- 8.7 to 84.5 +/- 9.6 mmHg, P < 0.05) and a greater DBP reduction response were found in the eprosartan group (63% in eprosartan versus 25% in enalapril). Additionally, dose-dependent reductions in the indices of platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction were observed in patients administered high dose treatments of eprosartan and enalapril, and the beneficial effects of these agents were not correlated with the reduction of blood pressure using both agents. Eprosartan is effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of mid-to-moderate hypertension, and the DBP response reduction to eprosartin was better than that to enalapril. A high dose of either eprosartan or enalapril significantly decreased the indices of platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients. The benefits of both agents cannot be explained solely by their antihypertensive effects and possibly may be mediated through their unique effect on angiotensin blockade.
We report the case of a 61-year-old man with a stroke secondary to cerebral embolism resulting from inadvertent malposition of a permanent transvenous pacemaker lead in the left ventricle. An electrocardiogram and chest X-ray were suggestive of a left-sided positioned lead which was confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography. Because this malposition was complicated with a cerebrovascular event, transcatheter lead extraction was planned, however, the patient chose lifelong anticoagulation therapy.
Data on restenosis after stent implantation in myocardial bridges (MB) are very limited. Six-month angiographic results for 12 symptomatic patients who underwent stent implantation for myocardial bridges were compared retrospectively with those of 39 patients who underwent direct stent implantation for de novo atherosclerotic lesions in the left anterior descending artery. Diameter stenosis decreased from 69 +/- 8% to 4 +/- 5% in the MB group and from 79 +/- 8% to 7 +/- 6% in the control group after stent deployment. Systolic narrowing was abolished in all patients with MB. In follow-up, quantitative angiography revealed late loss of 1.8 +/- 1.3 mm in the MB group and 0.9 +/- 0.9 mm in the control group (P = 0.025). The in-stent restenosis rate was also higher in the MB group compared to the control group (67% versus 28%; P = 0.037). Despite favorable immediate results, stent implantation in MBs may not be promising because of the higher in-stent restenosis rate compared to stenting in de novo atherosclerotic lesions.
Recent studies have shown that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) activates systemic hemostatic activity, reflecting platelet activation and thrombin formation in the coronary arteries. The present study compared systemic levels of hemostatic markers induced by plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA), coronary stenting (STENT), and cutting balloon (CB) angioplasty. Sixty-one patients with stable angina pectoris, who underwent elective PCI or diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) alone, were investigated. Patients who underwent PCI were divided into the POBA group (n = 11), the STENT group (n = 27), and the CB group (n = 11). Patients who underwent CAG alone were assigned to the CAG group (n = 12). Blood samples were collected before, 24 hours after, and 3 days after PCI or CAG. Plasma concentrations of prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), fibrinopeptide A (FPA), thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were measured. In the CB group, the F1+2 (1.23 +/- 0.4 nmol/L) level 3 days after PCI was significantly smaller than that of the POBA group (2.37 +/- 0.5 nmol/L) (P < 0.05). The FPA (1.81 +/- 0.9 ng/mL), TAT (3.36 +/- 1.2 ng/mL) and PAI-1 (23.0 +/- 4.1 ng/mL) levels in the CB group 3 days after PCI were significantly smaller than those of the POBA group (P < 0.05, respectively) and STENT group (P < 0.05, respectively), but similar to the CAG group. Systemic hemostasis is activated to a greater extent after POBA and stenting than it is after CB angioplasty of the coronary arteries. This may contribute to the favorable long-term outcome of CB angioplasty.
Recent Studies have shown that triptolide inhibits T cell activation through mechanisms different from those of cyclosporine A and tacrolimus and we postulated that triptolide might have a synergistic effect with tacrolimus to enhance immunosuppression. Using a F344 donor-to-Lewis recipient rat combination, we investigated the immunosuppressive effects of triptolide alone or in combination with tacrolimus on the survival of cardiac allografts. Recipients were treated with placebo, triptolide, tacrolimus, and triptolide in combination with tacrolimus at different doses. The median survival time (MST) was 8 days for placebo: 9.5, 11, 14 and 19 days for triptolide monotherapy at doses of 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 mg/kg/day, respectively, and 11, 13.5, and 52 days for tacrolimus monotherapy at doses of 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg/day, respectively. Tacrolimus 0.025 mg/kg/day combined with triptolide 0.08 and 0.16 mg/kg/day prolonged the MST to 17.5 and 20 days, respectively: while tacrolimus 0.05 mg/kg/day combined with triptolide 0.04, 0.08, and 0.16 mg/kg/day prolonged the MST to 21, 23, and 23 days, respectively. These results suggest that triptolide is a moderately effective immunosuppressive agent. Triptolide combined with a subtherapeutic dose of tacrolimus produced a synergistic effect in prolonging rat cardiac allograft survival.
Although the damage in myocardial infarction has been demonstrated to be related with the magnitude and number of ST elevation, its relation with terminal distortion of QRS is unclear. The relationship between terminal QRS distortion in ECGs on admission and the results of early low dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (LDSE) performed 6 +/- 2 days later was investigated. Patients admitted to our clinic within the first six hours of their chest pain and without a prior infarction diagnosis were divided into two groups based on the admission electrocardiogram as the absence (QRS-, n = 33) or presence (QRS+, n = 29) of distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS in > or = 2 leads (QRS+; J point at > 50% of the R wave amplitude in lateral leads or presence of ST elevation without S wave in leads V1-V3). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to thrombolytic therapy or reperfusion criteria. During LDSE, the infarct zone wall motion score index (WMSI) in the QRS- group was significantly decreased relative to baseline (from 2.93 +/- 0.65 to 2.37 +/- 0.84, P = 0.02), and it was significantly different compared with WMSI in the QRS+ group (P = 0.005). Improvement of akinetic regions to hypokinetic regions in the infarct zone (IZ) was found to be 33.5% (44/131) in the QRS- group and 17.8% (27/151 P = 0.004) in the QRS+ group. Furthermore, 55.1% (10/29) of the patients in the QRS+ group and only 18.1% (6/33) of those in the QRS- group did not respond to LDSE (P < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, while there was no relationship between good left ventricular functions (WMSI < 2) and terminal QRS distortion under basal conditions (P = 0.07), an independent relation was observed to exist between them after LDSE (P = 0.03, OR 4.48, 95% CI, 1.13-17.7). Moreover, plasma CK levels were higher in the QRS+ group (P = 0.03), whereas the ejection fraction was worse (P = 0.01). In both groups, there was no correlation between the Selvester score and left ventricle WMSI at baseline, but this correlation was significantly improved with LDSE (QRS-; r = 0.39 P = 0.02 and QRS+; r = 0.44 P = 0.01) The viability in the IZ is relatively less in those patients with terminal QRS distortion observed in their ECG on admission. This simple classification would be useful in predicting left ventricular function at the time of discharge.
Undeployment of a stent which poses a potential risk for future events may become a serious problem in the catheter laboratory. Herewith, we present a case in which we successfully stented an undeployed stent in the distal right coronary artery.
A 52-year-old male with ischemic cardiomyopathy and severe ventricular dysfunction underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and left ventricular reconstruction (Dor operation). The patient developed acute onset of incessant ventricular tachycardia in the early postoperative period that was refractory to therapy with class I antiarrhythmic agents, and multiple attempts at electrical cardioversion were required. A combination of intravenous nifekalant hydrochloride and enteral amiodarone was elected as treatment for this recurrent incessant ventricular tachycardia. Nifekalant hydrochloride was administered as a loading dose (0.3 mg/kg/5 min), followed by an intravenous infusion (0.4 mg/kg/hr). Several days after initiating therapy, the patient no longer experienced episodes of ventricular tachycardia, and there was no compromise in hemodynamics. We conclude that nifekalant hydrochloride is a useful agent for suppression of ventricular tachycardia in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction, especially during the early postoperative period.
Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) is a chronic degenerative noninflammatory process. The goal of this study was to determine endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NOx) levels in patients with MAC and compare them with those in normal subjects. The study group included 39 patients [26 females (66%), age, 63 +/- 8 years] with MAC and 20 [11 females (55%), age, 61 +/- 7 years] healthy subjects. The patients were divided into two subgroups, group A with severe MAC and group B with mild MAC, according to the severity of the MAC. Plasma ET-1 levels were higher and NOx levels were lower in patients than controls [(6.5 +/- 5.6 pg/mL vs 3.7 +/- 2.9 pg/mL for ET-1 and 35.0 +/- 10.6 micromol/L vs 42.3 +/- 9.9 micromol/L for NOx; P < 0.05 for both)]. In the subgroups, ET-1 levels were higher in group A than group B (8.65 +/- 6.84 pg/mL vs 4.74 +/- 3.45 pg/mL, P < 0.05) and the control group (8.65 +/- 6.84 pg/mL vs 3.70 +/- 2.88 pg/mL, P < 0.05). There was no difference between group B and the control group. Plasma NOx levels were significantly decreased in group A compared to controls (32.22 +/- 11.88 micromol/L vs 42.25 +/- 9.99 micromol/L, P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between group B (37.38 +/- 9.06 micromol/L) and the other groups. Diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with ET-1 levels. However, this association was not observed for NOx. In conclusion, patients with MAC have increased ET-1 and decreased NOx levels. This seems to be more prominent in patients with severe MAC.
A 62-year-old female with Osler's disease was admitted to our hospital because of fever and cardiac failure. The patient had undergone a mitral valve replacement (MVR) using a Carpentier-Edwards prosthetic valve 14 years earlier. A bacterial examination of arterial blood identified Streptococcus mitis. No arteriovenous malformations were detected in visceral organs. The patient underwent MVR using the same prosthetic xenograft after conservative treatment and management of repetitive epistaxis and decayed teeth. Intra- and postoperative bleeding were typical of a mitral valve reoperation. This is the first reported experience, to the best of our knowledge, of a second MVR in a patient with Osler's disease.
Saphenous vein graft (SVG) angioplasty is associated with frequent periprocedural complications due to distal embolization and a high risk of restenosis. The purpose of this single-center, retrospective study was to determine the distal embolization incidences and outcomes of stenting for SVG lesions and percutaneous angioplasty for in-stent restenosis of these SVGs. We studied 48 consecutive patients (mean age, 62 +/- 7 years, 92% men) who had prior CABG and underwent stent deployment to SVG lesions detected at our institution over a period of 4 years. Mean lesion length was 12.4 +/- 3.2 mm. The minimal lumen diameter increased from 0.7 +/- 0.3 mm to 3.2 +/- 0.4 mm after stenting. Distal embolization as no reflow/slow flow phenomenon occurred in 5 (10%) patients. Angiographic success was achieved in 98% of the patients. Procedural success was achieved in 96% of the patients. No reflow/slow flow phenomenon was observed, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndrome. During the follow-up, 11 patients (23%) had angiographic evidence of restenosis. Lesions were treated with balloon angioplasty and the minimal lumen diameter increased from 2.6 +/- 1.1 mm to 3.1 +/- 0.3 mm. The angiographic and procedural success rates were both 100%. There were no cases of "no" reflow/slow flow. Restenosis was particularly frequent in patients with diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and acute coronary syndrome. Stent implantation in patients with de novo SVG lesions can be achieved with a high rate of angiographic and procedural success. The distal embolization risk is lower during angioplasty of in-stent restenosis lesions of SVGs compared to de novo SVG lesions.
Fabry's disease is an X-linked inborn error of glycosphingolipid catabolism, resulting from a deficiency in alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-Gal A). A 56-year-old Japanese woman was at first suspected of having hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The patient and her son had alpha-Gal A activity in leukocytes that was remarkably below the limit of controls. DNA analysis of the alpha-Gal A gene revealed a novel missense mutation at codon 19 in exon 1, resulting in leucine-to-proline substitution. As a result she was confirmed as a classic Fabry heterozygote. Recent advances in enzyme replacement therapy can reverse the storage of glycosphingolipids in Fabry's disease. Thus, in patients with cardiac hypertrophy, it is important to differentiate Fabry's disease from other causes of hypertrophy. Therefore, it is necessary to measure alpha-Gal A activity in all suspected cases and to analyze genetic abnormalities in heterozygotes.
Experience gained with administration of supranormal-therapeutic doses (90 microg/kg) of recombinant activated factor VII in 7 cardiac surgery patients is presented. The patients were given recombinant activated factor VII postoperatively for intractable bleeding, 5 of them after surgical revision. Administration of recombinant activated factor VII was associated with significant reduction in blood loss (P < 0.05) and shortening of INR and aPTT in laboratory tests. None of the patients needed reoperation. Administration of recombinant activated factor VII proved highly effective in management of massive hemorrhage in cardiac surgery.
We have reported that repeated sauna therapy improves impaired vascular endothelial function in a patient with coronary risk factors. We hypothesized that sauna therapy decreases urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) levels as a marker of oxidative stress and conducted a randomized, controlled study. Twenty-eight patients with at least one coronary risk factor were divided into a sauna group (n = 14) and non-sauna group (n = 14). Sauna therapy was performed with a 60 degrees C far infrared-ray dry sauna for 15 minutes and then bed rest with a blanket for 30 minutes once a day for two weeks. Systolic blood pressure and increased urinary 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) levels in the sauna group were significantly lower than those in the non-sauna group at two weeks after admission (110 +/- 15 mmHg vs 122 +/- 13 mmHg, P < 0.05, 230 +/- 67 pg/mg x creatinine vs 380 +/- 101 pg/mg x creatinine, P < 0.0001, respectively). These results suggest that repeated sauna therapy may protect against oxidative stress, which leads to the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed in 37 patients with mitral stenosis (MS) without significant coronary artery stenosis to evaluate factors affecting ST depression in exercise electrocardiograms. The degree of ST depression was not associated with gender or exercise tolerance. The incidence of significant ST depression was higher in the patients receiving than in those not receiving digitalis (P < 0.05). In addition, the patients with atrial fibrillation and a higher heart rate response were more likely to have a high prevalence of significant ST depression than those with sinus rhythm and a lower response (P < 0.05). We concluded that atrial fibrillation, a higher maximum heart rate, and oral digitalis administration were involved in ST depression during exercise testing in patients with mitral stenosis without coronary heart disease.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stenting on blood pressure and renal functions in azotemic patients with proximal/ostial atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. Thirteen azotemic patients (5 females, 8 males, average age, 62.7 +/- 8.3 years) who had renal artery stenosis were included in the study. Their blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR), and creatinine levels were measured at baseline and during follow-up. Stents were implanted successfully in all of the cases. The average stent diameter and stent length were 7.2 +/- 0.5 mm and 17.2 +/- 3.4 mm, respectively. Antihypertensive drug was abandoned in 1 (7.6%) patient, reduced in 10 patients (76.9%), and not changed in 2 (15.3%) patients. Significant improvement was observed in the mean serum creatinine level at the 12th month when compared with baseline (2.56 +/- 0.88; 1.83 +/- 0.62, P < 0.001). EGFR was 18.38 +/- 4.64 before the procedure and 22.67 +/- 3.81 during follow-up (P < 0.0001). According to the GFR criteria, renal function was determined to be worse in 1 (7.6%) patient, stabilized in 2 (15.3%), and improved in 10 (76.9%) patients. One patient died during the follow-up period. Angiographic restenosis was observed in 2 (15.3%) patients. Follow-up major events were observed in 3 (23%) patients. Stenting azotemic patients with renal artery stenosis is a reliable and effective procedure for achieving an improvement in renal function.
