CANG and preoperative use of beta-blockers in patients with stable angina are associated with better cardiovascular survival

Abstract Objective: In contrast to unstable angina, optimal therapy in patients with stable angina is debated. Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with stable angina scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafts and the effect of preoperative use of beta-blockers. Overall and cardiovascular survivals were our primary outcome. Operative mortality and postoperative complications along with subgroup analysis of diabetic patients were our secondary outcomes. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of patients with stable angina scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass grafts was included. Pre- and postoperative variables were extracted from the institution database. Survival was obtained from the National Registry. Results: We included 282 patients with stable angina, with a mean age of 65.6±9.5 years. 26.6% were female and 38.7% had diabetes. Three-vessel disease was present in 76.6% of patients. Previous beta-blocker treatment was evident in 69.9% of patients. 10-year overall survival in the whole population was 60.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 50.3-70.7%). Operative mortality during the study period was 3.5%. Patients with preoperative use of beta-blocker therapy had better overall survival (9.0 years, 95%CI: 8.6-9.5) than those without treatment (7.9 years, 95%CI: 7.1-8.8 years; P=0.048). Predictors for overall survival were: hypertension, diabetes, and age. Predictors for cardiovascular survival in diabetic patients were: beta-blocker use, gender, and age. Conclusion: Coronary artery bypass grafts surgery in patients with stable angina carries low operative mortality, postoperative complications, and excellent long-term cardiovascular survival. The preoperative use of beta-blockers in diabetic patients is associated with better cardiovascular survival after coronary artery bypass grafts.

Severity of erectile dysfunction is highly correlated with the syntax score in patients undergoing coronariography

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the association between the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in men undergoing coronary angiography for angina or acute myocardial infarct (AMI). Material and Methods We studied 132 males who underwent coronary angiography for first time between January and November 2010. ED severity was assessed by the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) and CAD severity was assessed by the Syntax score. Patients with CAD (cases) and without CAD (controls) had their IIEF-5 compared. In the group with CAD, their IIEF-5 scores were compared to their Syntax score results. Results We identified 86 patients with and 46 without CAD. The IIEF-5 score of the group without CAD (22.6±0.8) was significantly higher than the group with CAD (12.5±0.5; p<0.0001). In patients without ED, the Syntax score average was 6.3±3.5, while those with moderate or severe ED had a mean Syntax score of 39.0±11.1. After adjustment, ED was independently associated to CAD, with an odds ratio of 40.6 (CI 95%, 14.3-115.3, p<0.0001). The accuracy of the logistic model to correctly identify presence or absence of CAD was 87%, with 92% sensitivity and 78% specificity. The average time that ED was present in patients with CAD was 38.8±2.3 months before coronary symptoms, about twice as high as patients without CAD (18.0±5.1 months). Conclusions ED severity is strongly and independently correlated with CAD complexity, as assessed by the Syntax score in patients undergoing coronariography for evaluation of new onset coronary symptoms.

Adequação das indicações da intervenção percutânea na doença coronariana estável e preditores do seu emprego inapropriado em um hospital de ensino / Appropriateness of percutaneous intervention indications in stble coronary disease and inappropriate use predictors at a teaching hospital

Fundamentos: A intervenção coronariana percutânea(ICP) promove melhora sintomática e menor necessidade de antianginosos na doença coronariana estável, masnão reduz a incidência de infarto do miocárdio e morte. Objetivo: Avaliar a adequação das indicações de ICPem pacientes com doença coronariana estável em um hospital universitário.Métodos: Foram estudados 102 pacientes com doença coronariana estável submetidos consecutivamentea ICP em um hospital universitário, com média de idade de 65,9±10,7 anos, sendo 67,3 % homens. Coletaram-se informações referentes ao paciente(dados clínico-epidemiológicos, resultados de testes provocativos de isquemia e uso de antianginosos) e aomédico solicitante (tempo de formação e especialidade). Considerou-se adequada a indicação de ICP a pacientes com angina do peito refratária ao tratamento clínico ou a pacientes assintomáticos apresentando grande área de isquemia miocárdica em testes provocativos.Resultados: A indicação de ICP foi considerada adequada em 34 (33,3 %) pacientes, inadequada em 2 e incerta nos 66 restantes. À análise univariada,mostraram-se significativamente associadas à indicação de ICP inadequada/incerta as variáveis: idade mais elevada (p=0,001), aposentadoria (p=0,006) e ausência de tabagismo (p=0,041) e de dislipidemia(p=0,039), observando-se tendência à significância em relação a sedentarismo (p=0,094), renda mais baixa(p=0,013) e tempo de formação do médico solicitante ≥10 anos (p=0,094). Após análise de regressão logística,apenas idade mais elevada (OR=1,10 [1,06-11,1]; p=0,048), renda mais baixa (OR=2,84 [1,5-7,6]; p=0,039)e maior tempo de formação do médico solicitante...

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) results in improved symptoms and less need forantianginal medications for stable coronary artery disease, but does not reduce myocardial infarction and death rates. Objective: To assess the appropriateness of PCIindications in patients with stable coronary artery disease at a university hospital. Methods: The study involved 102 patients with stable coronary artery disease consecutively undergoing PCIat a university hospital, with a mean age of 65.9 ± 10.7 years and 67.3% male. Information was collected on the patient (clinical and epidemiological data,ischemia provocation test results and antianginal drug use) and the requesting physician (time since graduation and speciality). PCI indications wereconsidered appropriate for patients with angina pectoris to clinical treatment, or for asymptomatic patients presenting large areas of myocardial ischemia in provocation tests. Results: PCI indications were consideredappropriate for 34 (33.3%) patients, inappropriate for two others, and uncertain for the remaining 66.In the univariate analysis, the following variables were significantly associated with inappropriate/uncertain ICP indications: older (p=0.001), retired(p=0.006), non-smoker (p=0.041) and dyslipidemia (p=0.039), noting a trend towards sedentary lifestyles (p=0.094), lower income (p=0.013) and≥10 years time since graduation (p=0.094). After the logistic regression analysis, only the older (OR=1.10 [1.06-11.1]; p=0.048), lower income(OR=2.84[1.5-7.6]; p=0.039) and longer time since...