Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction is associated with left ventricular dysfunction during follow-up after STEMI.

BACKGROUND: Coronary microvascular resistance is increased after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which may be related in part to changed left ventricular (LV) dynamics. Therefore we studied the coronary microcirculation in relation to systolic and diastolic LV function after STEMI. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 12 consecutive patients, all treated with primary PCI for a first anterior wall STEMI. At 4 months, we assessed pressure-volume loops. Subsequently, we measured intracoronary pressure and flow velocity and calculated coronary microvascular resistance. Infarct size and LV mass were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Patients with an impaired systolic LV function due to a larger myocardial infarction showed a higher baseline average peak flow velocity (APV) than the other patients (26 ± 7 versus 17 ± 5 cm/s, p = 0.003, respectively), and showed an impaired variable microvascular resistance index (2.1 ± 1.0 versus 4.1 ± 1.3 mmHg cm(-1)∙s(-1), p = 0.003, respectively). Impaired diastolic relaxation time was inversely correlated with hyperaemic APV (r = -0.56, p = 0.003) and positively correlated with hyperaemic microvascular resistance (r = 0.48, p = 0.01). LV dilatation was associated with a reduced variable microvascular resistance index (r = 0.78, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: A larger anterior myocardial infarction results in impaired LV performance associated with reduced coronary microvascular resistance variability, in particular due to higher coronary blood flow at baseline in these compromised left ventricles.

Percutaneous implantation of the CoreValve aortic valve prosthesis in patients at high risk or rejected for surgical valve replacement: Clinical evaluation and feasibility of the procedure in the first 30 patients in the AMC-UvA.

Objective. To report the feasibility, safety and efficacy of percutaneous aortic valve implantation (PAVI) with the CoreValve self-expanding aortic valve bioprosthesis in elderly patients with aortic valve stenosis who are rejected for surgery or have a high surgical risk.Methods. PAVI using the CoreValve ReValving System was performed under general anaesthesia in 30 high-risk (surgical) patients with a symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis.Results. The patients had a mean age of 80.5+/-7.7 years, a mean aortic valve area of 0.71+/-0.19 cm(2), a peak transvalvular aortic gradient of 79+/-25 mmHg, as measured with echo Doppler, a logistic EuroSCORE of 15+/-10% and a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of 5.2+/-2.9%. Device success was achieved in all patients and acute procedural success in 27 patients (90%). In the surviving patients, there was in a reduction of the peak aortic pressure gradient from 76+/-24 mmHg to 22+/-7 mmHg (n=24, p<0.00001) 30 days after successful device implantation. At 30 days, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events had occurred in seven patients (23%). This included mortality in six patients (20%), of which one death was cardiovascular. The other five non-cardiovascular deaths involved two patients who died of an exacerbation of severe pre-existent pulmonary disease and three of infectious complications.Conclusions. Percutaneous aortic valve implantation was successfully performed in our centre in highrisk patients, with a 30-day mortality of 20%. When successful, marked haemodynamic improvement and relief of symptoms was achieved. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:18-24.).

[Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) under CT guide positioning for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia with clinical reports of 63 cases]

OBJECTIVE:To Survey the therapeutic effect and complication of CT positioning with RFT in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia,further expound advantage of CT guide positioning in RFT.METHODS:63 cases of trigeminal neuralgia were unedrwent CT positioning with RFT in our department after a follow up observation of 3-24 months. RESULTS:All the patients got successful procedure with pain relief and without recurrence and failure,three cases had complications as hematoma,tinnitus and corneal palsy but cured without sequela.CONCLUSION:CT positioning improved greatly the successful rate of puncture foramen ovale and decreased complication.It overcomes the disadvantage of traditional positioning method.It has the better value of clinical application.