Effects of statins on restenosis after coronary stent implantation.

Experimental data and preliminary clinical studies suggest that lipid-lowering drugs might have a beneficial effect on restenosis after coronary angioplasty. Recently, statins have been focused on prevention of restenosis after coronary stent implantation. However, their benefit has not yet been established. The authors studied the effects of statins on stent restenosis. We compared retrospectively the quantitative coronary angiographic (QCA) variables between 62 dyslipidemic patients treated with statins (pravastatin or fluvastatin) and 62 normolipidemic patients, as a control, treated without statins after undergoing successful coronary stent implantation with 6-month follow-up angiography from May 1999 to December 2002. Major cardiac events were about the same in both groups. Each of the QCA variables before and immediately after coronary stenting was similar in the 2 groups. At follow-up angiography, however, minimal lumen diameter (MLD) (2.12 -/+ 0.73 vs 1.78 -/+ 0.7; p < 0.01) was larger in the statin group than in the normolipidemia group. Both restenosis rate (15% vs 31%; p = 0.05) and target lesion revascularization rate (10% vs 24%; p = 0.05) were lower in the statin group than in the normolipidemia group. Statin reduced restenosis rate. The efficacy of statins appears to be dependent on their pleiotropic effects on vascular wall rather than on lipid-lowering effects.

Isolated noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium in an elderly patient.

Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (NVM) is a rare disorder of endomyocardial morphogenesis characterized by numerous, prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses. It is commonly associated with congenital heart disease, but the isolated form (INVM) is not associated with other structural heart diseases. Clinical reports of INVM have been limited to a few case reports and small series of pediatric patients. INVM is considered to be a form of congenital abnormal endomyocardial morphogenesis caused by abnormal cessation of the embryonic development of the ventricular myocardium; most reported cases have been pediatric patients, and autopsy cases of elderly patients have been quite rare. In the present case, an elderly female had INVM associated with severely disturbed left ventricular (LV) function and an enlarged left ventricle similar to dilated cardiomyopathy. The echocardiogram showed prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses of the LV walls, especially in the posterior and apical areas. LV contrast echocardiography revealed markedly protruberant trabeculations, which were also observed with computed tomography. Five years later, the patient died of refractory heart failure and ventricular fibrillation. The autopsy revealed numerous excessively prominent trabeculations in the LV myocardium, with deep intertrabecular recesses containing thrombi.

[Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma temporarily reduced by radiation therapy: a case report].

A 47-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of cardiomegaly and pericardial effusion. She complained of a cough. Computed tomography, echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass on the pericardium. Exploratory surgery revealed a solid tumor invading the pericardium over the aortic arch and main pulmonary artery. Histological examination indicated primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma. After 58 Gy radiation, the size of the tumor was temporarily reduced and the patient's symptoms disappeared. However, the tumor enlarged and her symptoms reappeared 7 months after temporary improvement. Eighteen months after the development of cough, the patient died suddenly.

Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 in patients with an acute coronary syndrome.

To elucidate the diagnostic value of serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels, we measured MMP-1 and MMP-3 by a 1-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The transcardiac gradients of both MMPs were greater in patients with unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction than in patients with stable effort angina or control patients. Serum MMP levels appear to be a marker of plaque instability in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Prediction of short-term progression or regression of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease by lipoprotein (a): a quantitative coronary angiographic study.

This study assessed whether progression of coronary artery atherosclerotic lesions could be predicted in the short term using various lipid profiles. In 37 patients (61.9 +/- 9.5 years) undergoing coronary angioplasty and with 6-month follow-up angiography, quantitative coronary angiography of a new or changed lesion was performed in the follow-up examination, except for intervention vessels. The progression-regression score of the assessed lesion was calculated as the baseline minus the follow-up minimal lumen diameter. The serum lipoprotein (a) level was higher in the progression group (progression-regression score > 0.15 mm), than in the regression group (< or = -0.15 mm; p < 0.01) and the no change group (within +/- 0.15 mm; p < 0.05). Remnant-like lipoprotein particle-cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B levels were also higher in the progression group. However, multiple regression analysis of the progression showed that the progression-regression score was independently correlated with lipoprotein (a) alone (R = 0.50, p < 0.05). This shows that lipoprotein (a) is an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerotic lesion progression over the short term.

Possible relationship between insulin resistance and remnant-like lipoprotein particles in coronary endothelial dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: High insulin resistance and elevated remnant lipoprotein levels both correlate with impaired coronary vascular endothelial function. Hyperinsulinemia induces abnormalities of lipid metabolism. However, the correlation among insulin resistance, remnant lipoproteins, and endothelial function has not been clinically elucidated. HYPOTHESIS: This study was designed to elucidate the correlation among insulin resistance, remnant lipoproteins, and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced coronary artery response. METHODS: Forty-nine patients suspected of having ischemic heart disease, but without angiographically significant atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, underwent an ACh provocation test. Fasting venous blood was taken early in the morning on the day coronary angiography was performed. The insulin resistance index (IR) was determined from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Serum levels of remnant-like lipoprotein particle cholesterol (RLP-C) were measured. RESULTS: Homeostasis model assessment IR was significantly higher (3.65 +/- 1.38 vs. 0.75 +/- 0.14, p < 0.05) and log-transformed HOMA (Log HOMA) was even more significantly higher (0.20 +/- 0.12 vs. -0.29 +/- 0.08, p < 0.001) in the ACh-positive group (n = 23) than in the ACh-negative group (n = 26). The serum RLP-C level was also higher in the ACh-positive group than in the ACh-negative group (4.37 +/- 0.63 vs. 2.52 +/- 0.18 mg/dl, p < 0.01). Log HOMA and RLP-C levels correlated with each other (R = 0.54, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that only the RLP-C level was a dependent predictor of Log HOMA in various lipid profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Both high insulin resistance and elevated remnant lipoprotein levels correlated and might have a crucial role in the impairment of coronary vascular endothelial function, even in patients without angiographically significant coronary artery disease.

Clinical significance of the antibody against oxidized low-density lipoprotein in acute myocardial infarction.

To establish the clinical significance of the antibody against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-Ox-LDL) titer in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), we measured the anti-Ox-LDL titer in 39 patients with AMI and 25 controls. In all AMI patients, the anti-Ox-LDL titer on admission was higher (p < 0.05) than the value in the controls. One month after admission, the titer decreased significantly (p < 0.001) reaching control levels. In patients who underwent thrombolytic therapy, the anti-Ox-LDL titer on admission was identical in patients with occluded infarct-related arteries (IRA) and patients with patent IRA during emergency coronary angiography. In patients who did not undergo thrombolytic therapy, the anti-Ox-LDL titer on admission was higher in patients with occluded IRA than in patients with patent IRA. An increased anti-Ox-LDL titer may be a risk factor for the onset of AMI. Spontaneous recanalization of the IRA may be associated with increased anti-Ox-LDL titers, while thrombolysis-induced recanalization may be independent of it.

Randomized comparison of cilostazol versus ticlopidine hydrochloride for antiplatelet therapy after coronary stent implantation for prevention of late restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Cilostazol is a newly developed antiplatelet drug that has been widely applied for clinical use. Its antiplatelet action appears to be mainly related to inhibition of intracellular phosphodiesterase activity. Recently, cilostazol has been used for antiplatelet therapy after coronary stent implantation. However, its evaluation has not been established yet. METHODS: This prospective randomized trial was designed to investigate the efficacy of cilostazol for the prevention of late restenosis and acute or subacute stent thrombosis in comparison with ticlopidine hydrochloride. One hundred thirty consecutive patients, scheduled for elective coronary stenting, were randomly assigned to receive oral aspirin (81 mg/day) plus ticlopidine hydrochloride therapy (200 mg/day; group I) or aspirin plus cilostazol therapy (200 mg/day; group II). These medications were started at least 2 days before coronary intervention and continued until follow-up coronary angiography was performed 6 months later. RESULTS: Subacute stent thrombosis was observed in 2 patients of group I but in no patients of group II. Major cardiac events were similarly present in both groups. Elevated transaminase levels were observed more frequently in group I than in group II (P <.05). Each of the quantitative coronary angiography variables before and immediately after coronary stenting were similar in both groups. At follow-up angiography, however, late lumen loss (0.69 +/- 0.79 mm vs 0.28 +/- 0.40 mm; P <.01) and loss index (0.42 +/- 0.56 vs 0.16 +/- 0.27; P <.01) were smaller in group II than in group I. Restenosis rate (13% vs 31%; P <.05) and target lesion revascularization rate (7% vs 21%; P <.05) were both lower in group II than in group I. CONCLUSION: Aspirin plus cilostazol therapy may be an effective regimen for prevention of not only stent thrombosis but also restenosis.

The influence of diabetes mellitus on late clinical outcomes following coronary stent implantation.

Diabetic patients have a higher restenosis rate and late morbidity following balloon angioplasty. However, the increased risk of restenosis after coronary stent implantation in diabetic patients is controversial. We compared the quantitative coronary angiographic (QCA) variables between 42 diabetic patients and 71 non-diabetic patients undergoing coronary stent implantation and for 6 months follow-up. Pre-procedural variables were identical in the diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The stent-artery ratio was lower (1.07+/-0.13 vs. 1.13+/-0.13, P=0.020), and acute gain after coronary stenting was lower (1.58+/-0.53 vs. 1.77+/-0.48, P=0.049) in the diabetic patients than in the non-diabetic patients. However, the late lumen loss (0.42+/-0.64 vs. 0.49+/-0.69), loss index (0.28+/-0.49 vs. 0.28+/-0.45), restenosis rate (19 vs. 23%) and target lesion revascularization rate (17 vs. 18%) after 6 months were identical in the diabetic and non-diabetic patients. These results suggest that diabetes itself does not increase stent restenosis.