Not So Benign Chest Pain in the Young: A Story of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection and Fibromuscular Dysplasia.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare clinical entity, often presenting similar to atherosclerotic acute coronary syndrome (ACS), although it is a non-atherosclerotic, non-traumatic, and non-iatrogenic coronary artery pathology. We report the case of a 36-year-old woman who presented with substernal, pressure-like chest pain without aggravating, alleviating, or associated symptoms. Initial evaluation revealed elevated troponin levels which peaked at 8.71 ng/mL. Electrocardiogram showed borderline J point elevation in the lateral leads. A transthoracic echocardiography revealed mild left ventricular dysfunction with an estimated ejection fraction of 45% to 50%, an akinetic apex with hyperdynamic basal segments, suggestive of stress cardiomyopathy. However, a left anterior descending artery (LAD) infarction could not be excluded. Emergent coronary angiography revealed SCAD of the LAD. No coronary interventions were performed. The patient was managed medically with dual antiplatelet therapy and beta-blockers. Given the high suspicion for fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the head to pelvis was performed. The CTA neck showed bilateral focal areas of mild stenosis and dilation of the distal cervical internal carotid artery, and CTA abdomen revealed multiple splenic artery aneurysms, diagnostic of FMD. Unlike atherosclerotic ACS, our patient was managed medically without percutaneous intervention. This case illustrates the rare occurrence of myocardial injury due to SCAD which results in spontaneous intramural hematoma formation rather than atherosclerotic plaque rupture typically seen in ACS. FMD remains the most commonly associated condition with SCAD.

Food for Thought or Feeding a Dogma? Diet and Coronary Artery Disease: a Clinician's Perspective.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an overview of nutrition studies evaluating the association of dietary saturated fat and meat intake with the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and discuss implications of recent data. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have led to the re-evaluation of the role of saturated fat in CAD. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) support Mediterranean diet to reduce cardiovascular risk. Recent data revealed significant association of intake of meat or poultry with increased risk, but fish consumption was associated with lower risk of incident CAD. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the studies and data that have led to the re-evaluation of the link between saturated fat and CAD. Due to conflicting data from long-term prospective cohort studies and significant heterogeneity, associations of unprocessed meat with CAD are less clear compared to the role of processed meat. Pooled data from prospective cohort studies have overcome some of these limitations and show association of both processed and unprocessed meat and poultry intake but not fish consumption with incident CAD. These findings were also validated recently in a large UK Biobank prospective study. While recognizing the limitations of these cohort studies, we discuss relevant landmark RCTs. We finally consider the challenges with RCTs in nutrition research to improve the quality of evidence and need for evidence-based dietary guidelines with respect to saturated fat intake from a clinical perspective.

Five-year follow-up of angiographic disease progression after medicine, angioplasty, or surgery.

BACKGROUND: Progression of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease is observed through consecutive angiograms. Prognosis of this progression in patients randomized to different treatments has not been established. This study compared progression of coronary artery disease in native coronary arteries in patients undergoing surgery, angioplasty, or medical treatment. METHODS: Patients (611) with stable multivessel coronary artery disease and preserved ventricular function were randomly assigned to CABG, PCI, or medical treatment alone (MT). After 5-year follow-up, 392 patients (64%) underwent new angiography. Progression was considered a new stenosis of ≥ 50% in an arterial segment previously considered normal or an increased grade of previous stenosis > 20% in nontreated vessels. RESULTS: Of the 392 patients, 136 underwent CABG, 146 PCI, and 110 MT. Baseline characteristics were similar among treatment groups, except for more smokers and statin users in the MT group, more hypertensives and lower LDL-cholesterol levels in the CABG group, and more angina in the PCI group at study entry. Analysis showed greater progression in at least one native vessel in PCI patients (84%) compared with CABG (57%) and MT (74%) patients (p < 0.001). LAD coronary territory had higher progression compared with LCX and RCA (P < 0.001). PCI treatment, hypertension, male sex, and previous MI were independent risk factors for progression. No statistical difference existed between coronary events and the development of progression. CONCLUSION: The angioplasty treatment conferred greater progression in native coronary arteries, especially in the left anterior descending territories and treated vessels. The progression was independently associated with hypertension, male sex, and previous myocardial infarction.

Quality of life after surgical myocardial revascularization, angioplasty or medical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Although the clinical benefits of coronary interventions seem to be confirmed, their effects on quality of life (QoL) are still scarcely studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess the QoL in multivessel coronary disease in patients randomly undergoing surgery, angioplasty or medical treatment. METHODS: The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was answered by 483 patients. Of these, 161 underwent surgical revascularization, 166 underwent angioplasty, and 153 were medically treated. RESULTS: At baseline, 86% of the patients referred angina, 34% referred infarction, and 32% were smokers. Medical Treatment: 12 patients (7.7%) had AMI, 24 (15.3%) underwent surgery, and 19 (12.1%) died. In addition, 5 (3.2%) had stroke, and 40 (25.6%) had angina. As regards the mental component, 64.1% and 30.8% had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. As regards the physical component, 70.5% and 27.6% had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. SURGERY: 13 patients (8.1%) had AMI, 2 (1.2%) underwent surgery, and 12(7.4%) died. Also, 9 (5.6%) had stroke and 30 (18.6%) had angina. As regards the mental component, 72.7 % and 25.5% had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. As regards the physical component, 82.6% and 16.1% had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. Angioplasty: 18 patients (10.9%) had AMI, 51 (30.7%) underwent interventions, and 18 (19.9%) died. Additionally, six (3.6%) presented stroke and 35 (21%) reported angina. As regards the mental component, 66.9% and 26.5% had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. As regards the physical component, 77.1% and 20.5% had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. CONCLUSION: Improvement was observed in all domains and in the three therapeutic modalities. Comparatively, surgery had provided a better quality of life after a four-year follow-up.

Qualidade de vida após revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio, angioplastia ou tratamento clínico / Quality of life after surgical myocardial revascularization, angioplasty or medical treatment

FUNDAMENTO: Ainda que os benefícios clínicos das intervenções coronarianas parecem confirmados, seus efeitos na qualidade de vida (QV) permanecem pouco estudados. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) na doença multiarterial coronariana em pacientes submetidos randomicamente a cirurgia, angioplastia ou tratamento clínico. MÉTODOS: Foi utilizando Short-Form Health Survey (SF36) questionnaire em 483 pacientes. Desses, 161 foram revascularizados; 166 receberam angioplastia e 153 tiveram tratamento clínico. RESULTADOS: Na internação, 86 por cento referiam angina; 34 por cento, infarto; e 32 por cento fumavam. Tratamento clínico: 12 pacientes (7,7 por cento) tiveram infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM); 24 (15,3 por cento) receberam cirurgia; e 19 (12,1 por cento) morreram. Além disso, cinco (3,2 por cento) sofreram AVC e 40 (25,6 por cento) tinham angina. No componente mental, 64,1 por cento melhoram e 30,8 por cento pioram a condição. No componente físico, 70,5 por cento melhoram e 27,6 por cento pioram a condição. Cirurgia: 13 pacientes (8,1 por cento) tiveram IAM, dois (1,2 por cento) receberam cirurgia; 12 (7,4 por cento) morreram. Em adição, nove (5,6 por cento) sofreram AVC e 30 (18,6 por cento) sofriam angina. No componente mental, 72,7 por cento melhoram e 25,5 por cento pioram a condição. No componente físico, 82,6 por cento melhoram e 16,1 por cento pioram a condição. Angioplastia: 18 pacientes (10,9 por cento) tiveram IAM, 51 (30,7 por cento) receberam intervenções e 18 (19,9 por cento) morreram. Além disso, seis (3,6 por cento) sofreram AVC e 35 (21 por cento) relatavam angina. No componente mental, 66,9 por cento melhoram e 26,5 por cento pioram a condição No componente físico, 77,1 por cento melhoram e 20,5 por cento pioram a condição. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se melhora em todos os domínios e nas três opções terapêuticas. Comparativamente, a cirurgia ofereceu melhor qualidade de vida após quatro anos de seguimento.

BACKGROUND: Although the clinical benefits of coronary interventions seem to be confirmed, their effects on quality of life (QoL) are still scarcely studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess the QoL in multivessel coronary disease in patients randomly undergoing surgery, angioplasty or medical treatment. METHODS: The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was answered by 483 patients. Of these, 161 underwent surgical revascularization, 166 underwent angioplasty, and 153 were medically treated. RESULTS: At baseline, 86 percent of the patients referred angina, 34 percent referred infarction, and 32 percent were smokers. Medical Treatment: 12 patients (7.7 percent) had AMI, 24 (15.3 percent) underwent surgery, and 19 (12.1 percent) died. In addition, 5 (3.2 percent) had stroke, and 40 (25.6 percent) had angina. As regards the mental component, 64.1 percent and 30.8 percent had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. As regards the physical component, 70.5 percent and 27.6 percent had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. Surgery: 13 patients (8.1 percent) had AMI, 2 (1.2 percent) underwent surgery, and 12(7.4 percent) died. Also, 9 (5.6 percent) had stroke and 30 (18.6 percent) had angina. As regards the mental component, 72.7 percent and 25.5 percent had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. As regards the physical component, 82.6 percent and 16.1 percent had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. Angioplasty: 18 patients (10.9 percent) had AMI, 51 (30.7 percent) underwent interventions, and 18 (19.9 percent) died. Additionally, six (3.6 percent) presented stroke and 35 (21 percent) reported angina. As regards the mental component, 66.9 percent and 26.5 percent had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. As regards the physical component, 77.1 percent and 20.5 percent had their condition improved and worsened, respectively. CONCLUSION: Improvement was observed in all domains...

Progressão da aterosclerose coronária avaliada pela coronariografia, em portadores de doença multiarterial submetidos a tratamento clínico, cirúrgico ou angioplastia / The progression of atherosclerotic coronary disease assessed by coronary arteriography in patients with multivessel coronary disease undergoing medicine: angioplasty, or surgery treatments

Comparou-se a progressão da aterosclerose nos enxertos e nas artérias coronárias nativas de pacientes submetidos de maneira randomizada, aos tratamentos clínico, cirúrgico ou angioplastia. Foram incluídos 611 pacientes portadores de doença coronariana multiarterial estável DAC e função ventricular preservada. Coronariografia foi realizada após 5 anos. Considerou-se progressão surgimento de estenose ou aumento de 20 por cento. Dos 392 pacientes re-estudados, 136 eram do grupo Cirúrgico, 146 do grupo Angioplastia, e 110 do grupo Clínico. Observou-se maior progressão DAC em território de DA em relação aos territórios CX e CD no grupo Angioplastia e, mais freqüentemente, nos pacientes com HAS p=0,048...

Progression of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease (CAD) was evaluated in native coronary arteries and bypass grafts in patients undergoing surgery (CABG), angioplasty (PCI), or medical strategy (MT). Atherosclerotic lesion was assessed in 611 patients, and, after a 5-year of follow-up in 392 patients (64 per cent). Analysis of progression within the three groups showed a more significant progression of atherosclerosis in the left anterior descending (LAD) territories of the PCI group. Among the factors related to progression, there was a significant influence of hypertension (p=0.048). Higher incidence of occlusion was found in male patients (p=0.0078) and in patients with a new Myocardial Infarction. (p=0.0006). There was no statistical difference between coronary events and the development of progression in the sample studied. PCI group showed more progression, especially in the LAD territories, and occurred more frequently in hypertensive patients.