Impact of Prior Digestive System Disease on In-Hospital Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVE: Patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with prior digestive system disease are more likely to suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding than those without these diseases. However, few articles reported how the different conditions of the digestive tract produced different risks of GI bleeding. METHODS: A single-center study on 7464 patients admitted for AMI from December 2010 to June 2019 in the Beijing Chaoyang Heart Center was retrospectively examined. Patients with major GI bleeding (n = 165) were compared with patients without (n = 7299). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to test the association between GI bleeding and prior diseases of the digestive tract, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, hepatic function damage, diseases of the colon and rectum, and gastroenterological tract tumors. RESULTS: Of the 7464 patients (mean age, 63.4; women, 25.6%; STEMI, 58.6%), 165 (2.2%) experienced major GI bleeding, and 1816 (24.3%) had a history of digestive system disease. The risk of GI bleeding was significantly associated with peptic ulcer (OR = 4.19, 95% CI: 1.86-9.45) and gastroenterological tumor (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.07-7.04), indicated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Preexisting peptic ulcers and gastroenterological tract tumors rather than other digestive system diseases were indicators of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with AMI who undergo standard antithrombotic treatment during hospitalization.

The long-term impact of a chronic total occlusion in a non-infarct-related artery on acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after primary coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term outcome of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-infarct-related artery (IRA) and the risk factors for mortality. METHODS: The enrolled cohort comprised 323 patients with STEMI and multivessel diseases (MVD) that received a primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2008 and November 2013. The patients were divided into two groups: the CTO group (n = 97) and the non-CTO group (n = 236). The long-term major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) experienced by each group were compared. RESULTS: The rates of all-cause mortality and MACCE were significantly higher in the CTO group than they were in the non-CTO group. Cox regression analysis showed that an age ≥ 65 years (OR = 3.94, 95% CI: 1.47-10.56, P = 0.01), a CTO in a non-IRA(OR = 5.09, 95% CI: 1.79 ~ 14.54, P < 0.01), an in-hospital Killip class ≥ 3 (OR = 4.32, 95% CI: 1.71 ~ 10.95, P < 0.01), and the presence of renal insufficiency (OR = 5.32, 95% CI: 1.49 ~ 19.01, P = 0.01), stress ulcer with gastraintestinal bleeding (SUB) (OR = 6.36, 95% CI: (1.45 ~ 28.01, P = 0.01) were significantly related the 10-year mortality of patients with STEMI and MVD; an in-hospital Killip class ≥ 3 (OR = 2.97,95% CI:1.46 ~ 6.03, P < 0.01) and the presence of renal insufficiency (OR = 5.61, 95% CI: 1.19 ~ 26.39, P = 0.03) were significantly related to the 10-year mortality of patients with STEMI and a CTO. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a CTO in a non-IRA, an age ≥ 65 years, an in-hospital Killip class ≥ 3, and the presence of renal insufficiency, and SUB were independent risk predictors for the long-term mortality of patients with STEMI and MVD; an in-hospital Killip class ≥ 3 and renal insufficiency were independent risk predictors for the long-term mortality of patients with STEMI and a CTO.

Long-term outcomes following very late stent thrombosis of drug-eluting stent.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of very late stent thrombosis (VLST) after implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES) are still unclear. The aim was to evaluate the long-term outcomes after VLST of DES, and to analyze the related factors of long-term outcomes in these patients. METHODS: From January 2006 to February 2013, patients with angiographically defined VLST were studied. The clinical characteristics, angiography and interventional data, and anti-platelet therapy protocols were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during follow-up. The clinical and interventional data between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were enrolled consisting of 55 males and 7 females with an average age of 58.6±10.2 (41-82) years. The mean time from first implantation of DES to occurrence of VLST was 38.7±18.1 (12.5-84) months. One patient died in hospital. Sixty-one patients survived to discharge, and MACE occurred in 17 patients after a median follow-up of 32.1±19.1 (median: 44, range 5-88) months. The total MACE rate was 29.0% (18/62), and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed the estimated MACE-free survival was 45.1%. The rate of implantation of an additional first-generation DES during the first VLST in the group with events was higher (44.4% vs.11.4%, respectively, p=0.007). The percentage of continuous dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) at the longest available follow-up was higher in the event-free group (27.8% vs. 75.0%, respectively, p=0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that the only independent predictors for freedom of MACE during long-term follow-up was continuous DAPT at the longest available follow-up [hazard ratio (HR)=0.30, 95% CI: 0.09-0.97, p=0.04]. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes after VLST were unfavorable. Implantation of an additional first-generation DES might be avoided, and DAPT should be continued.

Platelet function monitoring guided antiplatelet therapy in patients receiving high-risk coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: Large-scale clinical trials have shown that routine monitoring of the platelet function in patients after percutanous coronary intervention (PCI) is not necessary. However, it is still unclear whether patients received high-risk PCI would benefit from a therapy which is guided by a selective platelet function monitoring. This explanatory study sought to assess the benefit of a therapy guided by platelet function monitoring for these patients. METHODS: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients (n = 384) who received high-risk, complex PCI were randomized into two groups. PCI in the two types of lesions described below was defined as high-risk, complex PCI: lesions that could result in severe clinical outcomes if stent thrombosis occurred or lesions at high risk for stent thrombosis. The patients in the conventionally treated group received standard dual antiplatelet therapy. The patients in the platelet function monitoring guided group received an antiplated therapy guided by a modified thromboelastography (TEG) platelet mapping: If inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) induced by arachidonic acid (AA) was less than 50% the aspirin dosage was raised to 200 mg/d; if IPA induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was less than 30% the clopidogrel dosage was raised to 150 mg/d, for three months. The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite of myocardial infarction, emergency target vessel revascularization (eTVR), stent thrombosis, and death in six months. RESULTS: This study included 384 patients; 191 and 193 in the conventionally treated group and platelet function monitoring guided group, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the baseline clinical characteristics and interventional data between the two groups. In the platelet function monitoring guided group, the mean IPA induced by AA and ADP were (69.2 ± 24.5)% (range, 4.8% to 100.0%) and (51.4 ± 29.8)% (range, 0.2% to 100.0%), respectively. The AA-induced IPA of forty-three (22.2%) patients was less than 50% and the ADP-induced IPA of fifty-seven (29.5%) patients was less than 30%; therefore, their drug dosages were adjusted. The TEG was rechecked one to four weeks after PCI, and the results indicated that the IPAs had significantly improved (P < 0.01). However, no significant differences were found in the rates of the primary efficacy endpoint. Rates in the conventionally treated group and platelet function monitoring guided group were 4.7% and 5.2%, respectively (hazard ratio: 1.13; P = 0.79). CONCLUSION: An antiplatelet therapy guided by TEG monitored platelet function could not improve clinical efficacy even in ACS patients treated with high-risk complex PCI.

[The effects of tirofiban on acute non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients not receiving early reperfusion intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of tirofiban in patients with acute non-ST- segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) without early reperfusion intervention. METHODS: A total of 151 NSTEMI patients without early reperfusion intervention were enrolled in the study and randomized to the tirofiban group (n = 76) and the control group(n = 75). Coronary angiography was performed at day 3 and day 7, while percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed when necessary. Parameters including thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow, bleeding complications and clinic events within 30 days were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Before PCI, no increase in the percentage of patient with TIMI flow better than TIMI-2 was observed by the treatment of tirofiban (69.3% vs 78.9%, P = 0.10). While after PCI, significant increase in the percentage of patient with TIMI flow better than TIMI-2 was manifested in the tirofiban group (96.0% vs 100.0%, P = 0.04). Tirofiban treatment also significantly decreased the rate of poor myocardial perfusion after PCI (19.7% vs 34.7%, P = 0.04). There were 0 and 4 major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) within 30 days observed in the tirofiban group and the control group (0.0% vs 5.3%, P = 0.05). No difference between the two groups was found in the bleeding complications within 30 days including the mild hemorrhage (5 vs 4 cases, P = 0.75), severe hemorrhage (2 vs 1 cases, P = 0.56) or severe thrombocytopenia (2 vs 0 cases, P = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: Tirofiban treatment does not increase the bleeding complications in NSTEMI patients without early PCI. Tirofiban can improve the TIMI flow and the myocardial perfusion after PCI with less MACE within 30 days.

[Effect of intracoronary tirofiban combined with nitroprusside injection through thrombus aspiration catheter during primary percutaneous coronary intervention on acute anterior myocardial infarction patients with heavy thrombosis burden].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of intracoronary bolus administration of tirofiban combined with nitroprusside through thrombus aspiration catheter or thrombus aspiration alone on myocardial reperfusion and major adverse cardiovascular events rate in acute anterior myocardial infarction patients with heavy thrombosis burden. METHODS: Ninety consecutive acute anterior myocardial infarction patients with heavy thrombosis burden [(59.8 ± 11.5) years old] were randomly assigned to thrombus aspiration group (Group A, n = 30), thrombus aspiration and intracoronary tirofiban bolus (25 µg/kg prior to the first balloon inflation,Group B, n = 30), thrombus aspiration and intracoronary tirofiban combined with nitroprusside bolus (200 µg prior to the first balloon inflation, Group C, n = 30) with random number table. Baseline clinical data, angiographic features before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and major adverse cardiovascular events after PCI between 3 groups were compared. RESULTS: The baseline clinical data and angiographic features among 3 groups were similar (all P > 0.05) . The time of pain to balloon was (5.5 ± 3.8) hours. After primary PCI, myocardial tissue perfusion was significantly better in Group C than in Group A and Group B: TMP grade < 3 [10.0% (3/30) vs. 40.0% (12/30) and 33.3% (10/30), P < 0.01 and P < 0.05]. Left ventricular ejection fraction at 5 to 7 days after PCI also tended higher in Group C than in the other 2 groups (P = 0.05). One patient died of heart failure at 7th day after PCI in Group A, and no patient died in Group B and C. Thirty days after PCI, there was no re-myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization event among 3 groups. The bleeding complication rate during 30 days follow-up was similar among 3 groups (P > 0.05) . CONCLUSION: Intracoronary bolus application of tirofiban combined with nitroprusside through thrombus aspiration catheter after thrombus aspiration is associated with an improvement of myocardial reperfusion without increasing bleeding complication and other adverse cardiovascular events rate compared with thrombus aspiration alone in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction and heavy thrombosis burden undergoing primary PCI.

Two-year clinical outcomes of patients with overlapping second-generation drug-eluting stents for treatment of long coronary artery lesions: comparison of everolimus-eluting stents with resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the 2-year clinical outcomes of overlapping second-generation everolimus-eluting stents (EES) with those of overlapping resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents (R-ZES) in the treatment of long coronary artery lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 256 patients treated with overlapping EES (n=121) and R-ZES (n=135) for long coronary artery lesions (total stent length per lesion ≥34 mm). Study endpoints included major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization (TVR), as well as target-lesion revascularization and definite stent thrombosis separately at 2 years. RESULTS: In the two groups, the mean age was older and the average number of disease vessel was higher in the R-ZES group. The mean lesion length and total stent length per lesion were longer in the R-ZES group. EES were more frequently implanted in the left anterior descending coronary artery. No significant differences in the estimated MACE (5.8% for EES vs. 8.1% for R-ZES; P=0.548) or TVR (3.4% for EES vs. 4.0% for R-ZES; P=0.806) rates were noted between the two groups at 2-year follow-up. The incidence of definite stent thrombosis was low and similar in both groups (0.83% for EES vs. 0% for R-ZES; P=0.473). No significant differences were noted with respect to MACE or TVR between the two groups following propensity score matching. CONCLUSION: Stent overlap with second-generation EES or R-ZES was associated with low rates of MACE, TVR, and stent thrombosis at 2-year follow-up. Our results suggest that the use of overlapping EES or R-ZES in long coronary lesions is associated with good long-term clinical outcomes. These results need to be validated with randomized controlled trials.

Efficacy and safety of a biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent in primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: With long-term follow-up, whether biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (DES) is efficient and safe in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains a controversial issue. This study aims to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of DES in PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized single-blind study with 3-year follow-up was performed to compare biodegradable polymer DES with durable polymer DES in 332 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 3 years after the procedure, defined as the composite of cardiac death, recurrent infarction, and target vessel revascularization. The secondary end points included in-segment late luminal loss (LLL) and binary restenosis at 9 months and cumulative stent thrombosis (ST) event rates up to 3 years. RESULTS: The rate of the primary end points and the secondary end points including major adverse cardiac events, in-segment late luminal loss, binary restenosis, and cumulative thrombotic event rates were comparable between biodegradable polymer DES and durable polymer DES in these 332 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Biodegradable polymer DES has similar efficacy and safety profiles at 3 years compared with durable polymer DES in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI.

[Single center experience of primary percutaneous coronary intervention on left main disease complicated by acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) induced by left main artery total or subtotal occlusion. METHODS: Between January 1995 and June 2010, there were 28 AMI patients [24 males, mean age (61.5 ± 2.3) years, 15 patients complicated with cardiac shock] with left main occlusion or severe stenosis who were treated with PCI in our center. The clinical features were compared between death group and survival group. All survival cases were prospectively followed up for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS: Totally 25 patients received stent implantation, 2 received balloon dilation followed by coronary artery bypass graft, and 1 patient died during PCI. Total in-hospital mortality was 35.7% (10/28), and mortality was 53.3% (8/15) in cardiac shock patients. Compared with survival group, ratio of cardiac shock [80.0% (8/10) vs.38.9% (7/18), P < 0.05] and poor collateral circulation flow [100% (10/10) vs. 33.3% (6/18), P < 0.01] were higher in death group, and there was no significant difference in TIMI 3 grade of forward flow post procedure (P > 0.05). Hospital stay was (22.1 ± 2.6) days and the cumulative survival was 64.3% during 3 months follow up for survival group. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term clinical outcome is favorable for survived AMI patients with left main disease who underwent PCI. The ratio of cardiac shock and poor collateral circulation flow are risk factors for in-hospital death in AMI patients with left main disease who underwent PCI.

Comparison of tirofiban combined with dalteparin or unfractionated heparin in primary percutaneous coronary intervention of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the best treatment of choice for acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of tirofiban combined with the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), dalteparin, in primary PCI patients with acute STEMI. METHODS: From February 2006 to July 2006, a total of 120 patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI were randomised to 2 groups: unfractionated heparin (UFH) with tirofiban (group I: 60 patients, (61.2 ± 9.5) years), and dalteparin with tirofiban (group II: 60 patients, (60.5 ± 10.1) years). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 4 years after PCI were examined. Bleeding complications during hospitalization were also examined. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in sex, mean age, risk factors, past history, inflammatory marker, or echocardiography between the 2 groups. In terms of the target vessel and vascular complexity, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups. During the first 7 days, emergent revascularization occurred only in 1 patient (1.7%) in group I. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurred in 1 (1.7%) patient in group I and in 1 (1.7%) in group II. Three (5.0%) patients in group I and 1 (1.7%) in group II died. Total in-hospital MACE during the first 7 days was 4 (6.7%) in group I and 2 (3.3%) in group II. Bleeding complications were observed in 10 patients (16.7%) in group I and in 4 patients (6.7%) in group II, however, the difference was not statistically significant. No significant intracranial bleeding was observed in either group. Four years after PCI, death occurred in 5 (8.3%) patients in group I and in 4 (6.7%) in group II. MACE occurred in 12 (20.0%) patients in group I and in 10 (16.7%) patients in group II. CONCLUSIONS: Dalteparin was effective and safe in primary PCI of STEMI patients and combined dalteparin with tirofiban was effective and safe without significant bleeding complications compared with UFH. Although there was no statistically significant difference, LMWH decreased the bleeding complications compared with UFH.

Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with essential thrombocythemia treated with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor: a case report.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) can cause systemic vascular thrombosis but rarely cause obstruction of coronary arteries or acute myocardial infarction (MI). Treatment of acute MI in patients with ET may be a problem due to the important role of platelets in the pathogenesis of infarction. In this report, a 63-year-old man presented with acute chest pain and a greatly increased platelet count. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous tirofiban, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker. Essential thrombocythemia was diagnosed based on bone marrow findings, clinical presentation, and laboratory analysis. Thrombocythemia had been controlled with hydroxyurea.

[Efficacy comparison of primary percutaneous coronary intervention with biodegradable polymer- and durable polymer-based sirolimus-eluting stents for patients with acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: This prospective random control study was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with biodegradable polymer (Excel) and with durable polymer (Cypher Select) sirolimus-eluting stents in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Consecutive patients with STEMI underwent primary PCI were randomly divided into Cypher group (n = 113) and Excel group (n = 115). The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including death, reinfarction and target vessel revascularization) within 12 months. The second endpoints included late luminal loss and restenosis at 9 months. RESULTS: Angiographic follow-up data at 9 months were available in 43 (38%) patients in Cypher group and 48 (42%) in Excel group. The rates of in-stent restenosis and in-segment restenosis were 2.3% vs. 2.1% (P = 0.937) and 4.7% vs. 6.3% (P = 0.738), respectively. The late luminal loss of in-stent and in-segment were (0.17 ± 0.26) mm vs. (0.18 ± 0.33) mm (P = 0.483) and (0.19 ± 0.36) mm vs. (0.20 ± 0.42) mm (P = 0.419), respectively. There were no significant differences in death (3.5% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.692), reinfarction (1.8% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.658), target vessel revascularization (1.8% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.658), MACE (5.3% vs. 6.1%, P = 0.788) or stent thrombosis (4.4% vs. 3.5%, P = 0.692) at 12 months between Cyper group and Excel group. CONCLUSIONS: Excel and Cypher Select stents may have similar mid-term efficacy and safety in patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI.Further investigation is warranted to validate the long-term efficacy and safety.

[Association between post primary percutaneous coronary intervention myocardium reperfusion and prognosis in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prognostic impact of post primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reperfusion status on outcome in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 964 patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI. Electrocardiogram and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) were analyzed by reader blinded to the clinical course. Patients were divided to four groups according to ST segment resolution (STR) and TMPG: group A were patients with good STR and TMPG(425/964), group B were patients with poor STR and good TMPG (239/964), group C were patients with good STR and poor TMPG (113/964) and group D were patients with poor STR and TMPG (113/964). RESULTS: Although TIMI grade III flow was achieved after mechanical reperfusion, abnormal reperfusion was still present in about 1/3 patients as shown by poor STR or TMPG. Older age, cardiac dysfunction and diabetes, prolonged time of pain to balloon/emergency room are independent risk factors for abnormal reperfusion post PCI. Major adverse cardiac events events in hospital (RR = 64. 63, P < 0.01) and during follow up (RR = 11.69, P < 0.01) were significantly higher in group D than in group A. CONCLUSION: Poor post PCI reperfusion status is associated with higher in hospital and during follow up major adverse cardiac events event in STEMI patients.

[The clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of reperfusion therapy on the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) in reperfusion era. METHODS: 89 cases of AMI with CS were included with 57 male and 32 female. 50 cases received conservative therapy and 39 cases reperfusion therapy. 28 of the 39 cases had successful reperfusion and 11 cases failed. 18 patients had intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) within 1 hour of CS, they constituted an early group; 35 patients treated with IABP 1 hour after CS were of a late group. A group of 36 cases were not treated with IABP (no IABP group). RESULTS: The mortality of the early group with IABP was significantly lower than that of the late and no IABP group (33.3% vs. 74.2% vs. 86.1%, P < 0.01). The mortality of the group with successful reperfusion was significantly lower than that of unsuccessful reperfusion and conservative no IABP group (42.8% vs. 81.8% vs. 84.0% , P < 0.01). logistic regression analysis showed that successful reperfusion therapy (OR 4.232, 95% CI 1. 07 - 12.730, P = 0.01) and THE TIME of using IABP (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.063 - 0.764, P =0.017) were independent risk factors for death. CONCLUSION: Early successful reperfusion and early institution of IABP were the most important therapeutic measures for reducing mortality of AMI complicated by CS.

Gender differences in efficacy of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is poorer in women than that in men. This study aimed at comparing the impact of gender difference on the strategy of primary PCI in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-nine patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI within 12 hours of symptom onset were enrolled. The male group consisted of 143 men aged > 55 years, and a female group included 116 women without age limitation. Procedural success was defined as residual stenosis < 20% with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade > 2 and without death, emergency bypass surgery or disabling cerebral events during the hospitalization. The rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization during follow-up, was recorded. RESULTS: Female patients were more hypertensive and diabetic and with fewer cigarette smokers than male counterparts. The prevalence of angiographic 3-vessel disease was higher in the female group, but the procedural success rate was comparable between the two groups (94.4% vs 92.2%). The occurrence rate of MACE did not differ during the hospitalization (4.2% vs 6.0%, P = 0.50), but was significantly higher in the female group during follow-up (mean (16.0 +/- 11.2) months) than that in the male group (5.4% vs 0.7%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Despite a similar success rate of primary PCI and in-hospital outcomes in both genders, female patients with acute STEMI still have a worse prognosis during the long-term follow-up.

[Long-term efficacy of sirolimus-eluting stents (Cypher) versus bare metal stents for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the safety and long-term efficacy of Cypher stent versus bare metal stents (BMS) in patients with STEMI. METHODS: From Dec 2002 to Mar 2005, clinical and angiographic data of 407 consecutive patients with STEMI treated with Cypher stent (n = 131) or BMS (n = 276) were analyzed and followed up for a mean period of 28.7 +/- 11.7 months. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE): death, nonfatal reinfarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR) during follow up was compared between two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the BMS group, diameter of vessels were significantly smaller (3.0mm vs. 3.2mm, P = 0.00), the incidence of MACE (6.1% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.04) and total mortality (1.5% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.02) were significantly lower in the Cypher group. The relative risk for MACE in Cypher group was 0.61 (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the rate of stent thrombosis, rate of target lesion revascularization and restenosis. CONCLUSION: Utilization of Cypher in the setting of primary PCI for STEMI was safe and improved the long-term clinical outcomes compared to BMS.

[Clinical and angiographic predicting factors leading to unfavorable myocardial reperfusion in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and angiographic morphologic features leading to worse myocardial reperfusion in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data were collected and logistic regression analysis performed in 964 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that non-anterior myocardial infarction, pain to balloon time and degree of cardiac dysfunction were clinical predictive factors while fade-out type of angiographic morphology, ie, presence of accumulated thrombus proximal to the occlusion was angiographic predictive factor of worse reperfusion for STEMI patients post PCI. CONCLUSION: These predictive clinical and angiographic morphologic factors in STEMI patients for worse myocardial reperfusion post PCI could help to identify patients at high risk post PCI.

Reduction in myocardial infarct size by postconditioning in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Postconditioning has been shown to reduce infarct size during reperfusion (< 72 hours). However, it is unknown whether the infarct size reduction with postconditioning is a long-term effect after clinical percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The present study tested the hypothesis that postconditioning during primary PCI preserves global cardiac function and reduces infarct size in patients after prolonged reperfusion. METHODS: Fortyone patients undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to a control (n = 18) or postconditioning (n = 23) group within 90 minutes after admission. After predilatation, in the Control group, no intervention was applied in the first 3 minutes of reperfusion, while in the Postconditioning group, three cycles of 30-second angioplasty balloon deflation and 30-second inflation were repetitively applied. RESULTS: There was a trend toward increased ejection fraction quantified by echocardiography in the Postconditioning group compared to that in the Control group (54 +/- 12.9% vs. 44 +/- 16.7%; p > 0.05). Infarct size represented by the area under the curve of creatine-kinase activity during the first 72 hours of reperfusion was significantly less by 27% in the Postconditioning group than that in the Control group (58,002 +/- 593 vs. 79,787 +/- 681; p = 0.04). After 7 days of reperfusion, infarct size quantified by single-photon emission computed tomography was 27% smaller in the Postconditioning group than that measured in the Control group (31.3 +/- 8.6% vs. 22.8 +/- 6.7% of left ventricle; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that postconditioning following PCI significantly protects the heart against ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury. More importantly, this study indicates that protection with postconditioning is still apparent 1 week following reperfusion, suggesting long-term protection.

[Very late stent thrombosis after implantation of sirolimus eluting coronary stents].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical date of 4 patients who developed very late stent thrombosis after implantation of sirolimus eluting stents. METHODS: From Oct. 2002 to Aug. 2006, 835 sirolimus eluting stents were implanted in 612 patients. From Jan. 2006 to Aug. 2006, very late thrombosis in sirolimus eluting stents occurred in 4 patients (0.65%), and which caused acute myocardial infarction in anterior wall. Emergency percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) were performed in 4 patients immediately after re-admission. The clinical date of the 4 cases were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: These 4 patients were male with the age of 40-69 years. Very late stent thrombosis occurred 31-37 months after successful implantation of sirolimus eluting stents. Application of clopidogrel was stopped 7-12 months after first stents implantation. Aspirin was continued in 3 patients, while the other patient discontinued taking aspirin 18 moths before thrombosis occurred. Emergency coronary angiogram showed that sirolimus eluting stents in LADs were all occlude by thrombosis with TIMI 0 flow. All 4 patients survived after successfully primary PCIs. CONCLUSIONS: Our report presents evidence of very late thrombosis in sirolimus eluting coronary stents, and more careful and prolonged flow-up was required in patients after implantation of drug eluting stents.