Dyslipidemia as a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction in postmenopausal women: An observational study

Objective: This study has evaluated risk factors, especially dyslipidemia, for an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based, observational, single-center study among 100 postmenopausal women admitted to the medicine ward with AMI. They were categorized based on lipid profile groups, viz., dyslipidemic group and non-dyslipidemic group. All clinical parameters were studied between the groups. Results: Among anthropometric profiles, in the comparison of mean height (cm), weight (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2 ), and waist circumference (WC) (cm) for the dyslipidemic group and non-dyslipidemic group, only WC was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Most patients were hospitalized between 6 and 12 h after the onset of symptoms. At the time of hospitalization, most patients from both groups were observed to have diabetes and hypertension with poor control of postprandial blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P < 0.05). The dyslipidemic group’s mean C-reactive protein was higher (P < 0.05). The comparison of mean total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol in mg/dL, and TG: high density lipoprotein was significantly increased (P < 0.001), while high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (mg/ dL) was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in the dyslipidemic group. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is standard in both groups. The maximum patient has regional wall motion abnormality in echocardiography after day 3 of admission. Among the dyslipidemic group, ejection fraction was on the lower side, and the predominant complication was in the left ventricular failure (LVF) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: WC has a positive association with patients with AMI who have dyslipidemia and can be used as an indicator of the risk of AMI when BMI is normal. WC is a surrogate marker of abdominal fat mass (subcutaneous and intra-abdominal); increased WC is a significant component marker of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance related to cardiovascular mortality. There was poor glycemic control and blood pressure (mainly DBP) among the dyslipidemic patients. Hypertriglyceridemia is the most common lipid abnormality, followed by hypercholesterolemia among the dyslipidemic group. LVF is the most common complication in dyslipidemic patients.

Estudo Comparativo da Doença Coronariana Microvascular Causada por Doença de Chagas e por Outras Etiologias / Chagas Cardiomyopathy as the Etiology of Suspected Coronary Microvascular Disease. A Comparison Study with Suspected Coronary Microvascular Disease of Other Etiologies

Resumo Fundamento A doença de Chagas (DC) constitui uma causa potencial negligenciada de doença microvascular coronariana (DMC). Objetivos Comparar pacientes com DMC relacionada à DC (DMC-DC) com pacientes com DMC ligada a outras etiologias (DMC-OE). Métodos De 1292 pacientes estáveis, encaminhados para angiografia coronária invasiva para elucidar o padrão hemodinâmico e a causa de angina, 247 apresentaram coronárias subepicárdicas normais, e 101 foram incluídos após aplicação dos critérios de exclusão. Desses, 15 compuseram o grupo de DMC-DC e suas características clínicas, hemodinâmicas, angiográficas, e cintilográficas foram comparadas às do grupo de 86 pacientes com DMC-OE. O nível de significância estatística para todas as comparações adotado foi de 0,05. Resultados Pacientes com suspeita de DMC-DC apresentaram características antropométricas, clínicas e angiográficas, além de alterações hemodinâmicas e de perfusão miocárdica estatisticamente comparáveis às detectadas nos 86 pacientes com DMC-OE. Disfunção ventricular diastólica, expressa por elevada pressão telediastólica do ventrículo esquerdo, foi igualmente encontrada nos dois grupos. Entretanto, em comparação a esse grupo com DMC-OE, o grupo com DMC-DC exibiu fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda mais baixa (61,1 ± 11,9 vs 54,8 ± 15,9; p= 0,049) e mais elevado escore de mobilidade da parede ventricular (1,77 ± 0,35 vs 1,18 ± 0,26; p= 0,02). Conclusão A cardiomiopatia crônica da doença de Chagas esteve associada à etiologia de possível doença microvascular coronariana em 15% de amostra de 101 pacientes estáveis, cujo sintoma principal era angina requerendo elucidação por angiografia invasiva. Embora os grupos DMC-DC e DMC-OE apresentassem características clínicas, hemodinâmicas, e de perfusão miocárdica em comum, a disfunção global e segmentar do ventrículo esquerdo foi mais grave nos pacientes com DMC associada à DC em comparação à DMC por outras etiologias. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1094-1101)

Abstract Background Chagas disease (CD) as neglected secondary form of suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Objectives Comparison of patients with CMD related to CD (CMD-CE) versus patients with CMD caused by other etiologies (CMD-OE). Methods Of 1292 stable patients referred for invasive coronary angiography to elucidate the hemodynamic pattern and the cause of angina as a cardinal symptom in their medical history, 247 presented normal epicardial coronary arteries and 101 were included after strict exclusion criteria. Of those, 15 had suspected CMD-CE, and their clinical, hemodynamic, angiographic and scintigraphic characteristics were compared to those of the other 86 patients with suspected CDM-OE. Level of significance for all comparisons was p < 0.05. Results Patients with suspected CMD-CE showed most anthropometric, clinical, angiographic hemodynamic and myocardial perfusion abnormalities that were statistically similar to those detected in the remaining 86 patients with suspected CMD-OE. LV diastolic dysfunction, expressed by elevated LV end-diastolic pressure was equally found in both groups. However, as compared to the group of CMD-OE the group with CMD-CE exhibited lower left ventricular ejection fraction (54.8 ± 15.9 vs 61.1 ± 11.9, p= 0.049) and a more severely impaired index of regional wall motion abnormalities (1.77 ± 0.35 vs 1.18 ± 0.26, p= 0.02) respectively for the CMD-OE and CMD-CE groups. Conclusion Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy was a secondary cause of suspected coronary microvascular disease in 15% of 101 stable patients whose cardinal symptom was anginal pain warranting coronary angiography. Although sharing several clinical, hemodynamic, and myocardial perfusion characteristics with patients whose suspected CMD was due to other etiologies, impairment of LV segmental and global systolic function was significantly more severe in the patients with suspected CMD related to Chagas cardiomyopathy. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1094-1101)

Correlation between Coronary Angiography and Impedance Cardiography

Aims and Objectives: The aims of the study were to find out the correlation between coronary angiographic findings and hemodynamic parameters derived from impedance cardiography (ICG) and echo-Doppler study. Patients, Materials and Methods: A total of 200 patients of acute myocardial infarction having chest pain, ST elevation in two or more contiguous leads of electrocardiogram (ECG), biomarker positivity, echocardiographic evidence of regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA), and coronary angiographic evidence of coronary lesions were recruited. Subjects unwilling to participate, moribund, critically ill subjects, and patients with concomitant heart failure, arrhythmia, and valvular lesions were excluded from the study. GE™ Vivid 7 Dimension machine was used for ECG-gated echo-Doppler studies. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), stroke volume (SV), RWMA, diastolic function, etc., were observed. ICG measured LVEDV, LVESV, LVEF, and other parameters particularly amplitudes of the different waves. Coronary angiography (CAG) was done in the Cath Lab having “Siemens™ Axiom Artis Zee (floor)” equipment. Results and Analysis: Results-analysis revealed there is negative correlation (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r = −0.8) between augmentation pressure and coronary angiographic stenosis percentage and P value is also significant (P = 0.034). Pulse pressure (PP) also is positively correlated (r = −0.78) with coronary angiographic stenosis percentage and P value is also significant (P = 0.027). There is a negative correlation (r = −0.259) between augmentation index (AIx) and coronary angiographic lesions and that is statistically significant (P = 0.03). Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between ICG -derived hemodynamic parameters and the percentage stenosis of coronary arteries. Rise of augmentation pressure and PP in the ICG waveform is associated with coronary artery disease severity. AIx is negatively correlated with severity of coronary arterial stenosis

Clinical value of echocardiography in differential diagnosis of segmental wall motion abnormalities in coronary heart disease / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To explore the clinical value of echocardiography in differential diagnosis of segmental wall motion abnormalities in coronary heart disease(CHD), and to provide help for clinical treatment.@*Methods@#From January 2017 to November 2018, 56 patients with segmental abnormal wall motion of CHD in Yuyao People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province were selected in the study.All patients were diagnosed by echocardiography and coronary angiography.The diagnostic coincidence rate, specificity, sensitivity, false negative rate, false positive rate and accuracy of echocardiography were evaluated.@*Results@#Coronary angiography showed abnormal segmental wall motion in 56 patients, with 100.00% anastomosis rate.Echocardiography revealed abnormal segmental wall motion in 54 patients with CHD, 2 patients showed normal segmental wall motion, anastomosis rate was 96.43%.There was no statistically significant difference between the two diagnostic methods(χ2=0.635, P=0.152), but the specificity of ultrasound diagnosis(80.36%), sensitivity(78.57%) and accuracy(80.36%) were lower than those of coronary angiography(100.00%, 98.21%, 100.00%), there were statistically significant differences (χ2=4.173, P=0.034; χ2=5.154, P=0.024; χ2=4.173, P=0.034).@*Conclusion@#Cardiac echocardiography has a high diagnostic value in differential diagnosis of segmental wall motion abnormalities in CHD.It can guide the clinical treatment of these patients to formulate a reasonable treatment plan.Moreover, it is easy to operate, with low cost and more acceptable to patients.

Clinical value of echocardiography in differential diagnosis of segmental wall motion abnormalities in coronary heart disease / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the clinical value of echocardiography in differential diagnosis of segmental wall motion abnormalities in coronary heart disease ( CHD), and to provide help for clinical treatment.Methods From January 2017 to November 2018,56 patients with segmental abnormal wall motion of CHD in Yuyao People＇s Hospital of Zhejiang Province were selected in the study.All patients were diagnosed by echocardiography and coronary angiography.The diagnostic coincidence rate ,specificity,sensitivity,false negative rate,false positive rate and accuracy of echocardiography were evaluated.Results Coronary angiography showed abnormal segmental wall motion in 56 patients, with 100.00% anastomosis rate.Echocardiography revealed abnormal segmental wall motion in 54 patients with CHD,2 patients showed normal segmental wall motion ,anastomosis rate was 96.43%.There was no statistically significant difference between the two diagnostic methods (χ2 ＝0.635,P＝0.152),but the specificity of ultrasound diagnosis (80.36%),sensitivity (78.57%) and accuracy (80.36%) were lower than those of coronary angiography(100.00%,98.21%,100.00%),there were statistically significant differences (χ2 ＝4.173,P＝0.034;χ2 ＝5.154,P＝0.024;χ2 ＝4.173,P＝0.034).Conclusion Cardiac echocardiography has a high diagnostic value in differential diagnosis of segmental wall motion abnormalities in CHD.It can guide the clinical treatment of these patients to formulate a reasonable treatment plan.Moreover,it is easy to operate,with low cost and more acceptable to patients.

Role of Quantitative Wall Motion Analysis in Patients with Acute Chest Pain at Emergency Department

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of acute chest pain in emergency department (ED), using limited resource and time, is still very difficult despite recent development of many diagnostic tools. In this study, we tried to determine the applicability of new semi-automated cardiac function analysis tool, velocity vector imaging (VVI), in the evaluation of the patients with acute chest pain in ED. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 48 patients, who visited ED with acute chest pain, and store images to analyze VVI from July 2005 to July 2007. RESULTS: In 677 of 768 segments (88%), the analysis by VVI was feasible among 48 patients. Peak systolic radial velocity (V(peak)) and strain significantly decreased according to visual regional wall motion abnormality (V(peak), 3.50 ± 1.34 cm/s for normal vs. 3.46 ± 1.52 cm/s for hypokinesia, 2.51 ± 1.26 for akinesia, p < 0.01; peak systolic radial strain -31.74 ± 9.15% fornormal, -24.33 ± 6.28% for hypokinesia, -20.30 ± 7.78% for akinesia, p < 0.01). However, the velocity vectors at the time of mitral valve opening (MVO) were directed outward in the visually normal myocardium, inward velocity vectors were revealed in the visually akinetic area (V(MVO), -0.85 ± 1.65 cm/s for normal vs. 0.10 ± 1.46 cm/s for akinesia, p < 0.001). At coronary angiography, V(MVO) clearly increased in the ischemic area (V(MVO), -0.88+1.56 cm/s for normal vs. 0.70 + 2.04 cm/s for ischemic area, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Regional wall motion assessment using VVI showed could be used to detect significant ischemia in the patient with acute chest pain at ED.

Evaluation of globle and regional left ventricular myocardial systolic function in patients with coronary stenosis by real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To explore the value of real‐time three‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging (RT‐3D‐STI) in the early detection of globle and regional left ventricular myocardial systolic function in patients of coronary stenosis without regional wall motion abnormality. Methods 64 coronary stenosis patients without regional wall motion abnormality were divided into 2 groups according to angiography (CAG):without coronary stenosis group( n = 20) and coronary stenosis group ( n = 44), and all the myocardial segments of the patients were divided into 5 groups:without coronary stenosis group normal myocardial segments ( n = 340 ), coronary stenosis group normal myocardial segments ( n = 235 ), mild coronary stenosis myocardial segments( n = 126), moderate coronary stenosis myocardial segments( n =213) and severe coronary stenosis myocardial segments( n =174). Real‐time three‐dimensional full volume of left ventricle was obtained, left ventricular global area strain (GAS)and regional area strain(AS) of 17 myocardial segments, etc, were measured by RT‐3D‐STI respectively. The parameters between the two groups and among the five sub groups were compared, the correlation between GAS and coronary artery Gensini score was also analyzed. Results GAS in coronary stenosis group significantly reduced compared with without coronary stenosis group( P 0 0.5) S.egmental AS in moderate and severe coronary stenosis myocardial segments significantly reduced ( P < 0.05 ), and that in severe coronary stenosis myocardial segments was lower than that in moderate coronary stenosis myocardial segments, the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). In addition, GAS was significantly correlated with coronary artery Gensini score( r =0.828, P <0.01). Conclusions RT‐3D‐STI can quantitatively assess the early changes of left ventricular globle and regional myocardial systolic function in patients with coronary stenosis.

The value of echocardiogram in preoperative examination for the diagnosis of silent myocardial ischemia in patients before surgery / 重庆医学

Objective To study the value of echocardiogram in preoperative examination for the diagnosis of silent myocardial is-chemia in patients before surgery .Methods 172 patients with surgical preoperative suspected diagnosis of coronary heart disease , were divided into heart valve surgery group (72 cases) and non heart valve surgery group (100 cases) .All of the patients had echo-cardiography and coronary angiography before 2 weeks of operation .We drew a series of analysis to assess the sensitivity、specialty and accuracy of diagnosis of silent myocardial ischemia with regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) and wall motion score in-dex (WMSI) .Results Coronary angiography as the gold standard of coronary heart disease diagnosis .The sensitivity of RWMA for the diagnosis of silent myocardial ischemia in patients undergoing heart valve surgery group and non heart valve surgery group was 85 .7% and 100 .0% ,while the specificity of RWMA was 100 .0% and 80 .0% ,respectively ,the differences between the two groups had no statistical significance (P>0 .05) .We also drew the ROC curve of WMSI for the diagnosis of silent myocardial ische-mia ,maximum area under the ROC curve of WMSI were 2 .20 and 2 .05 .In patients undergoing cardiac surgery and non-cardiac sur-gery ,the curves indicated that the sensitivity were 79 .7% and 75 .9% ,the specificity were 83 .0% and 67 .7% ,respectively .Area under the ROC curve was 0 .832 and 0 .702 ,but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0 .05) .Conclusion Using RW-MA and WMSI as reference indicators ,surgical preoperative echocardiography in the diagnosis of patients with silent myocardial is-chemia has good sensitivity ,specific ,and accurate ,there is no statistically significant difference between heart valve surgery and non heart valve surgery .

Application of TEE to monitor intracardiac gas embolism during hysteroscopy / 实用医学杂志

Objective To observe the incidence and the rate of embolism in patients undergoing hysteroscopy procedures by using the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), as well as the changes of respiratoric and haemodynamic variables. Methods Fourty ASA Ⅰ~Ⅱ patients undergoing hysteroscopy procedures under general anesthesia received intraoperative TEE monitoring. The systolic pulmonary artery pressure, the incidence of the venous gas embolism (VGE) and the eegmental wall motion abnormality (SWMAs) were observed. Results In the 40 patients, 38 patients received intravenous anesthesia hysteroscopic surgery, with the intraoperative TEE to monitor the intracardiac VGE. The degree of gas embolism was related with the perfusion and the usage of monopolar or bipolar diathermia (P<0.05). The systolic pulmonary artery pressure promoted and SWMAs were also observed. Conclusions The continue TEE monitor during hysteroscopy could detect the intracardiac gas embolism in time , contributing to early diagnosis and avoiding the occurrence of malignant arrhythmias or myocardial ischemic events.

The Role of Echocardiography for Evaluation of the Acute Chest Pain Patients with Nonspecific ECG Findings

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic role of echocardiography in the patients of acute chest pain with nonspecific ECG findings we have performed prospective study. SUBJECT AND METHOD: 79 out of 101 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency room with symtoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without diagnostic ECG change were studied. Presence and score of regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) were assessed according to the American Society of Echocardiography guideline (16 segment model) by two-dimensional echocardiography within 4 hours after arrival. The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was confirmed by serial myocardial enzyme assay retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 28 patients with RWMA, 13 (46%) had non-Q AMI, 8 (28%) had unstable angina, 3 (11%) had posterior AMI. Of the 51 patients with normal wall motion, 10 had gastroesophageal disease, 9 had variant angina, 3 had psychologic disease, 1 had aortic dissection and 1 had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Thus, Presence of RWMA by echocardiography had a sensitivity of 49% and a specificity of 88% for diagnosis of ACS. In 21 ACS patients with RWMA, regional wall motion score was significantly higher in AMI than in unstable angina (3.1+/-1.8 vs 1.0+/-2.2, p<0.05). As for the significant coronary artery stenosis, there was a higher incidence of multivessel disease in the patients with RWMA (64%). CONCLUSION: RWMA by two-dimensional echocardiography in the emergency room is not a sensitive but a specific technique to diagnose ACS patient with nonspecific ECG change, especially in posterior AMI and non-Q AMI.

Feasibility Study of Dobutamine Stress Transesophageal Echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) was performed during pharmacologic stress with dobutamine for evaluation of coronary artery disease in 15 patients (12 men, 3 women ; mean age, 70 years) with inadequate transthoracic echocardiographic images. In five patients, additional indications for TEE were present. Dobutamine was administered according to a standard protocol with a maximum dose of 40microg/kg per minute. Angina and an increase in simple ventricular ectopy were noted in one patient each, but no other complication or side effect was noted. Images (midesophageal four-and two-chamber views ad transgastric short-and long-axis views) were satisfactory for interpretation in 14 patients. In one patient, the apex could not be optimally visualized. Five patients (33%) had resting wall motion abnormalities. Wall motion abnormality developed in three patients(20%) and worsened in two(13%). Dobutamine stress TEE findings were normal in eight patients. Coronary angiography in two patients revealed significant stenosis corresponding to stress-induced wall motion abnormalities. Dobutamine stress TEE is a safe, feasible, well-toerated alternative to conventional stress echocardiography for detecting myocardial ischemia.

Intraoperative Management of Myocardial Ischemia with Transesophageal Echocardiography during Coronary Bypass Surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND; Regional wall motion abnormalities(RWMA) detected by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) are thought to be sensitive indicators of myocardial ischemia. The present study was undertaken to elucidate management of RWMA with an immediate regraft in the area of RWMA or conventional drug therapy. METHOD; Twenty-six patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were examined with TEE. After induction of anesthesia, TEE probe was inserted into esophagus and connected to Echo system. LV short axis views at the mid-papillary muscle level were viewed and recorded. TEE showed postbypass RWMA in 6 cases and one patient who did not have the TEE developed postbypass RWMA viewed by the epicardial echocardiography. Regraft was performed at the area of RWMA in 3 patients. The remainder was treated with intraaortic balloon pump(IABP) and/or inotropics. RESULTS; The patients with regraft showed an immediate improvement of the new RWMAs. The patients treated with IABP and/or inotropics had improvement of hemodynamics but did not show any improvement of the RWMAs. All seven patients developed hypotension and ST segment changes. All patients with the conventional treatment and two out of 3 regraft patients developed the postoperative myocardial infarctions. CONCLUSIONS; In conclusion this study demonstrated that patients experiencing persistent RWMA would be more likely to have myocardial infarction than those having only transient changes and that TEE would be an excellent tool for early detection of myocardial ischemia and might improve treatment of ischemic events.