We investigated the prognostic risk and the clinical outcome of young-adult patients with ST-segment elevation (ST-se) acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Between May 1999 and September 2007, primary PCI was performed in 1680 consecutive patients with AMI of onset < 12 hours (cardiogenic shock within 18 hours) at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Of these patients, 163 (9.7%) young-age patients (defined as male of < 45 years old and female of < 55 years old) were enrolled into this study. A comparable number (n = 175) of patients ≥ 55 years old, who presented with AMI of < 12 hours duration having undergone primary PCI between November 2004 and May 2006, were retrospectively reviewed and enrolled as control subjects. The procedural success (defined as normal blood flow achieved in the infract-related artery) was similar between the young-age and old-age patients (P = 1.0). Additionally, the incidence of an advanced Killip score (defined as ≥ score 3 upon presentation), 30-day and 6-month cumulative mortality did not differ between these two groups of patients (P > 0.1). However, the 30-day major adverse clinical outcome (MACO) (defined as New York Heart Association Functional Classification ≥ 3 or 30-day mortality) was significantly lower in the young-age than in the old-age patients (P < 0.001). Further, multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that an advanced Killip score along with the peak level of CK-MB was independently predictive of 30-day MACO (P < 0.05) in young-age patients. In conclusion, the prognostic outcome is favorable in young-adult ST-se AMI undergoing primary PCI. Traditional risk factors remain effective for stratification of young-adult AMI patients into high- or low-risk subgroups.

View full abstract

Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has high diagnostic value for detecting or excluding coronary artery stenosis. However, conventional coronary angiograms (CCA) are occasionally required in patients having persistent chest pain with normal MDCT.
We retrospectively analyzed 90 patients who underwent CCA due to persistent chest pain with normal MDCT. The patients were classified into patients having more than 50% diameter stenosis in CCA (false negative, group I: n = 14, 62.6 ± 7.5 years, 7 males) and those having less than 50% diameter stenosis (true negative, group II: n = 76, 52.1 ± 12.0 years, 42 males). Significant stenosis was observed in 9 patients at the left anterior descending artery, 4 at the right coronary artery, and 1 at the left circumflex artery in group I. Group I patients were older than group II patients (63 ± 8 versus 52 ± 12 years, P < 0.001). There were more patients with hypertension and smoking in group I (64.3% versus 7.9%, 35.7% versus 3.9%, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The levels of uric acid and homocysteine were higher in group I than in group II (5.7 ± 1.5 versus 4.6 ± 1.2 mg/dL, 9.6 ± 3.1 versus 7.4 ± 2.5 mol/L, P = 0.008, P = 0.010, respectively). There were more ST or T changes in the electrocardiograms in group I (35.7% versus 1.3%) (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, a history of hypertension, uric acid levels, and ischemic evidence in the electrocardiogram were independent factors for a false negative of MDCT (odds ratio 11.11, 4.76, 1.81, 95% confidence interval 4.67 to 10.00, 1.41 to 1.61, 1.05 to 3.33, P = 0.009, P = 0.012, P = 0.046, respectively).
In certain situations, the findings of coronary stenosis by MDCT do not always correlate with that of CCA.

View full abstract

Experimental studies have demonstrated KLOTHO gene polymorphism might be associated with vascular atherosclerosis and calcification. However, the impact of this genetic variant on human coronary arteries still remains to be elucidated. We investigated the effect of a KLOTHO gene variant on coronary artery stenosis and calcification. Four hundred and thirty-four patients referred for chest pain were enrolled. All the patients underwent coronary angiography and were investigated for polymorphism of the KLOTHO G395A gene. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as ≥ 50% diameter stenosis in at least one coronary artery. The other patients were considered to be controls. Homozygotes or heterozygotes for G395A were significantly more common in the CAD patients than in the controls (30.2% versus 21.5%, P = 0.039). In the subgroup aged < 60 years, the G395A mutant was more frequent in CAD than in control (35.3% versus 18.8%, P = 0.016), but in patients ≥ 60 years, there was no difference (28.0% versus 24.1%, P = 0.473). Using multivariate analysis, we identified the KLOTHO gene G395A mutant as an independent risk factor of CAD (OR 1.712, 95% CI [1.066-2.749], P = 0.026). The frequency of the KLOTHO gene G395A mutant was not different between the calcified and noncalcified coronary artery groups (25.7%, 26.4%, respectively, P = 0.861) and an A allele carrier state was not an independent risk factor of coronary artery calcification. In conclusion, the KLOTHO gene G395A allele carrier state may be associated with CAD but not with coronary artery calcification in this Korean population.

View full abstract

Scarce data exist on the relationship of C-reactive protein (CRP) or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) to the occurrence of heart failure (HF) or cardiogenic shock (CS) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and on the relationship between these biomarkers and mortality in CS patients. Thus, we compared high-sensitivity CRP and PAI-1 antigen plasma levels on admission among 3 age- and gender-matched AMI patients groups (consisting of 60 patients with CS, 60 with HF, and 60 without HF on admission), after determining that PAI-1 levels did not vary significantly diurnally in these groups by comparing the data among subgroups which were divided according to admission time within the groups. For CS patients, we also conducted regression analyses to examine the relations of these biomarkers to mortality. CRP levels both in CS (P < 0.001) and HF (P < 0.05) patients were significantly higher compared to those without HF, PAI-1 levels in CS patients were significantly higher compared to both those with (P < 0.05) and without HF (P > 0.01), and CRP and PAI-1 were independent predictors of in-hospital (Odds ratio [OR] = 6.12, 95% confidence intervals [95%CI] = 1.47-25.54 and OR = 5.92, 95%CI = 1.31-26.77, respectively) and 1-year mortality (OR = 5.53, 95%CI = 1.21-25.17 and OR = 5.48, 95%CI = 1.09-27.52, respectively) in CS patients. In conclusion, at admission, CRP is associated with the occurrence of CS and HF and PAI-1 is associated with the occurrence of CS after AMI, and they are of prognostic value in CS complicating AMI.

View full abstract

The Ross procedure is occasionally favoured in young adults, with the implantation of a mechanical conduit remaining a competing option when simultaneous replacement of the ascending aorta is indicated.
Eighteen patients with replacement of the ascending aorta, in addition to the Ross procedure (Ross), and 20 patients with a mechanical composite graft (composite) were compared retrospectively. The Short Form Health Survey (SF36) was used to assess quality of life (QoL).
There was one death due to ischemic heart disease (composite), and one reoperation due to progressive autograft regurgitation (Ross). Autografts had pressure gradients of 3.1 ± 1.9 mmHg (versus 10.8 ± 2.7 mmHg composite; P < 0.001), and 7 autografts showed mild regurgitation. LV mass and global LV function were comparable in both groups (mean EF, 65.5% in Ross versus 61.6 ± 10.4% in composite, P = NS). Four allografts in a pulmonary position had mild regurgitation (Ross). Two allografts had mild to moderate, and one had moderate pressure gradients (mean, 14.4 mmHg). Patients in the composite group had higher SF36 scores indicating superior QoL. No major bleeding was noted throughout the follow-up period.
Despite pre-OP diminished LV function, similar follow-up values and, surprisingly, a higher QoL outcome, favoured the implantation of mechanical conduits in our group. These results warrant further evaluation in larger patient cohorts.

View full abstract

Earlier studies have demonstrated that an impaired capacity to increase heart rate (HR) and a slowed HR recovery following exercise are both associated with cardiovascular mortality. We sought to determine whether HR profiles during exercise testing are superior to respiratory gas parameters in predicting mortality among patients with cardiac disease.
Five-hundred and fifty stable cardiac patients (63.4 ± 9.9 years) underwent a symptom-limited incremental exercise test. Measurements included peak VO₂, VE/VCO₂ slope, HR increase (HR difference from rest to peak exercise), and HR recovery (HR difference from peak to 2 minutes after exercise). Twenty-eight cardiovascular-deaths occurred during 4 years of prospective follow-up. In multivariate analysis, the CPX parameters were found to be significant predictors of cardiovascular-death; peak VO₂ (relative risk (RR), 3.44; 95% CI 1.37 to 8.62; P = 0.008), VE/VCO₂ slope (RR, 1.52; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.08; P = 0.009), while HR increase and HR recovery were determined not to be independent predictors.
Although HR profiles during exercise testing are easy to perform and useful as prognostic predictors in patients with cardiac disease, they are not superior to respiratory gas analysis.

View full abstract

Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and also an activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). We investigated whether telmisartan improves vascular endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension with the production of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) through PPAR-γ.
Telmisartan was administered to 15 patients with essential hypertension. To assess vascular function, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an eNOS inhibitor synthesized by endothelial cells, and the pulse-wave velocity (PWV) were measured. The serum levels of lipid, glucose, and glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) were also evaluated before and after treatment. Telmisartan therapy significantly decreased the blood pressure and total- and LDL-cholesterol levels. HbA1c was also significantly improved but not in fasting plasma glucose. The serum levels of ADMA were significantly decreased (0.48 ± 0.08 to 0.42 ± 0.05 nmol/mL; P = 0.01). PWV values were significantly decreased by telmisartan from 1,822.5 ± 352.3 to 1,661.5 ± 299.8 cm/second (P = 0.04*). Telmisartan decreased PWV presumably via the activation of PPAR-γ, suggesting that this agent improves vascular endothelial function via its pleiotropic effects, a mechanism that is different from its hypotensive effects.

View full abstract

Among angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), telmisartan is suggested to function as a partial agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR γ) and to improve lipid and glucose metabolism. Clinical benefits of telmisartan over other ARBs may be apparent in combination with diuretics, which have harmful influences on lipid and glucose metabolism. In the present study, 21 patients treated with mild to moderate hypertension (13 women and 8 men aged 63.1 ± 11.6 years) underwent a 24-week treatment period with telmisartan 40 mg and HCTZ 12.5 mg once daily, or a 24-week treatment period with losartan 50 mg and HCTZ 12.5 mg once daily, without a wash-out period, in a quasi-randomized cross-over manner. Their ambulatory blood pressure and metabolic parameters were measured after the 2 treatment periods. Ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not differ significantly between the 2 treatment periods during 24 hours, daytime, night-time, and early-morning hours (06:00-08:00). Serum uric acid was insignificantly higher in the treatment period with telmisartan/HCTZ than in the treatment period with losartan/HCTZ (P = 0.086). Although serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not differ significantly, serum triglycerides were slightly higher in the treatment period with telmisartan/HCTZ than in the treatment period with losartan/HCTZ (P = 0.060). Parameters of glucose metabolism did not differ significantly between the 2 treatment periods. In conclusion, antihypertensive efficacy was similar between the 2 regimens throughout 24 hours, despite different elimination half-lives of telmisartan and losartan. Although telmisartan is suggested to function as a partial agonist of PPARγ, no clinical benefit was found in combination with HCTZ with respect to lipid and glucose metabolism.

View full abstract

Music therapy (MT) has been used in geriatric nursing hospitals, but there has been no extensive research into whether it actually has beneficial effects on elderly patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and dementia. We investigated the effects of MT on the autonomic nervous system and plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels in elderly patients with CVD and dementia, since these are related to aging and chronic geriatric disease. We also investigated the effects of MT on congestive heart failure (CHF) events.
Eighty-seven patients with pre-existing CVD were enrolled in the study. We assigned patients into an MT group (n = 55) and non-MT group (n = 32). The MT group received MT at least once per week for 45 minutes over 10 times. Cardiac autonomic activity was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). We measured plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels in both the MT group and non-MT group. We compared the incidence of CHF events between these two groups. In the MT group, rMSSD, pNN50, and HF were significantly increased by MT, whereas LF/HF was slightly decreased. In the non-MT group, there were no significant changes in any HRV parameters. Among cytokines, plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the MT group was significantly lower than those in the non-MT group. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were significantly lower in the MT group than in the non-MT group. CHF events were less frequent in the MT group than in the non-MT group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that MT enhanced parasympathetic activities and decreased CHF by reducing plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels.

View full abstract

A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of an acute anterior myocardial infarction. She had a history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and smoking. Coronary angiography revealed 90% stenosis with spontaneous dissection in the proximal portion of the left anterior descending artery. At this time, heparin was initiated for the first time. Although direct stenting (Be-stent, 3.0-18 mm) was performed for the culprit lesion, coronary dissection occurred at the left main trunk and additional stenting (Multi Link ZETA stent 3.5-15mm) was performed for the left main trunk. Soon after stenting, repetitive stent thrombosis occurred. Aspiration of the thrombus using an aspiration catheter was ineffective and repetitive angioplasty and intraaortic balloon pumping were required. Although we used 17,000 units of unfractionated heparin during the intervention, the activated coagulation time (ACT) was not prolonged (157 seconds). In the coronary care unit, the ACT and activated partial prothrombin time (aPTT) were not prolonged despite the use of large amounts of heparin (69,000 units in 2 days). Protein-S, protein-C, and hepaplastin testing were within normal limits and heparin-platelet factor IV complex antibody was not detected. In the acute phase, a decrease in the antithrombin III activity (65%) was noted and with administration of argatroban, prolongation of the aPTT was achieved. In the chronic phase, the decrease in antithrombin III activity and heparin resistance had improved spontaneously. It is important to recognize the existence of transient decreases in antithrombin III activity in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

View full abstract

A retained fractured segment of an intravascular ultrasound catheter in the coronary artery during percutaneous coronary intervention is a rare occurrence. We describe our experience with successful retrieval of a fractured IVUS catheter fragment in a previously stented left anterior descending artery using a distal embolic protection device.

View full abstract

Even though drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is an effective treatment for coronary artery stenosis, there are growing concerns related to the real usefulness of DESs due to their increased incidence of thrombosis, stent fracture, and late stent malapposition in comparison to bare metal stents. We have previously reported a case of stent fractures and multiple microaneurysms in both the left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary arteries. In the present case, we demonstrate the ability of dual-source spiral computed tomography to evaluate the various complications of DESs.

View full abstract

Electromagnetic fields may interfere with normal pacemaker function. Despite new device designs and bipolar leads, electromagnetic interference (EMI) remains a concern when pacemaker recipients are exposed to various household appliances. We report the observation of EMI by an induction heating (IH) rice cooker in a patient with sick sinus syndrome who was the recipient of a bipolar dual chamber-pacing system. Stored electrograms revealed episodes of inappropriate ventricular pacing, all coinciding with the opening of an IH rice cooker. Recipients of implantable medical devices must be warned to handle IH rice cookers with caution.

View full abstract