Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio na Prática Clínica Diária / Myocardial Infarction in the Daily Practice

Fundamentos: As recomendações das diretrizes para o tratamento de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST) são baseados principalmente em dados de estudos clínicos randomizados. Objetivos: Procuramos avaliar as tendências temporais das características, do tratamento e da evolução de pacientes com IAMCSST que representassem a prática clínica diária. Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectivo incluindo todos os pacientes com IAMCSST que procuraram nosso serviço no período de 2010 a 2013. Foram avaliados os aspectos clínicos, angiográficos, laboratoriais e de tratamento, além dos eventos cardiovasculares maiores (ECVM) em 30 dias. Resultados: O escore de risco TIMI médio e a maioria das características clínicas e angiográficas iniciais dos 1973 pacientes incluídos se mantiveram estáveis de 2010 a 2013, com exceção de diabetes mellitus (cuja frequência aumentou de 21% para 28%; p < 0,01). Foi realizada ICP primária em 95% dos casos, e o tempo porta-balão diminuiu de 1,27 para 1,11 horas (p < 0,01). Em relação ao tratamento, houve aumento significativo do uso de clopidrogrel 600mg em bolus (de 75% em 2010 para 93% em 2013; p < 0,001), no uso de anticoagulação pré-cateterização (50% versus 91%; p<0,001), e de acesso radial na ICPp (9% versus 66%; p < 0,001); houve, ainda, um menor uso de beta-bloqueadores (72% versus 63%; p < 0,001). Houve redução de ECVM de 17,4% para 9,5% (p < 0,05). Foram fatores preditivos independentes de ECVM as características iniciais, o acesso radial, o uso de beta-bloqueadores e de anticoagulação pré-cateterização. Conclusões: As características iniciais de pacientes com IAMCSST mantiveram-se estáveis durante um período de quatro anos, com exceção de diabetes mellitus, cuja frequência aumentou significativamente. Houve mudanças significativas no tratamento clínico e intervencionista e diminuição significativa nos desfechos cardiovasculares adversos em curto prazo. Os preditores de melhor evolução foram as características iniciais, uso de betabloqueadores, de anticoagulação pré-cateterização e acesso radial

Background: Guideline recommendations for the management of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are mainly based on data from randomized clinical trials. Objectives: We sought to assess temporal trends in characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with STEMI representative of the daily practice. Methods: Prospective cohort study including all patients with STEMI who presented at our institution from 2010 to 2013. Clinical, angiographic, laboratory, treatment aspects and 30-day major cardiovascular events (MACEs) were assessed and compared over the years. Results: The mean TIMI risk score, and most baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics of the 1973 patients included remained stable from 2010 to 2013, except for diabetes mellitus (whose frequency increased from 21% to 28%; p < 0.01). Primary PCI was performed in 95% of cases, and the door-to-balloon time decreased from 1.27 to 1.11 hours (p < 0.01). Regarding treatment, there were significant increases in the use of 600 mg boluses of clopidogrel (75% in 2010 vs 93% in 2013; p < 0.001), upstream anticoagulant (50% vs 91%; p < 0.001) and the radial approach in pPCI (9% vs 66%; p < 0.001), and lower use of beta-blockers (72% vs 63%; p < 0.001). MACE decreased from 17.4% to 9.5% (p < 0.05). Independent predictors of MACE were baseline characteristics, the radial approach, and use of beta-blockers and upstream anticoagulant. Conclusions: The baseline characteristics of patients with STEMI remained stable over a four-year period, except for the incidence of diabetes mellitus, which increased significantly. Medical and interventional treatments significantly changed, and short-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes significantly decreased. Predictors of better outcomes were baseline characteristics, use of beta-blockers and upstream anticoagulant, and the radial approach

Serum bilirubin concentration in patients with an established coronary artery disease.

Bilirubin has been considered an antioxidant, with capacity to remove reactive species of oxygen. Studies have suggested that an increased bilirubin level promotes protection against atherosclerosis. The case group was composed of 100 patients with coronary artery disease and the control group 100 patients with normal coronaries. Blood samples were collected to determine bilirubin concentrations. Bivariate analysis, multiple logistic regression models, and Spearman's correlation index were performed. A P value < 0.05 was considered to be significant. The case group was predominantly composed of men and the control group of women, with a mean age of 60 +/- 8.8 versus 56 +/- 10.9 (P = 0.015). The total bilirubin average was significantly higher in the control group than in the case group (0.76 mg/dL versus 0.39 mg/dL, P < 0.001). The level of ultrasensitive C reactive protein (us-CRP) was increased in the case group (3.63 mg/L versus 0.93 mg/L, P < 0.001). Although the correlation index for this inverse association has been weak, both are independently associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, total bilirubin 3 mg/L (OR: 1.17; IC: 1.04-1.33; P = 0.009). Reduced serum levels of bilirubin were shown to be associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease emerging as a new potential risk factor marker. Additional studies are still necessary to confirm and demonstrate the association of these findings with clinical outcomes.

Safety and feasibility of transulnar cardiac catheterization.

Recently, ulnar artery cannulation has been described as an alternative to the transfemoral and radial approaches to vascular access for cardiac catheterization. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the ulnar approach.From September 2004 through September 2006, 28 patients in a cohort study underwent cardiac catheterization by the transulnar approach. Patients were eligible if they had scheduled an elective cardiac catheterization or angioplasty procedure and displayed a palpable ulnar pulse and a positive reverse Allen's test (< 10 sec). Further, we enrolled only patients who had stable angina. After cannulation, a 5F or 6F introducer was placed inside the vessel, and cardiac catheterization or angioplasty was performed. The patients underwent clinical examination when discharged from the hospital and again at the 1-week follow up.Mean age, weight, and height of the patients were 60 +/- 14 years, 78 +/- 14 kg, and 148 +/- 55 cm, respectively, and 69% were men. Successful puncture was achieved in 93% (26/28), and in all 26 of these patients the procedure could be completed by the ulnar approach. The femoral approach was used for the remaining 2 patients. No cases of arterial spasm or loss of pulse were observed. Two patients had minor hematoma at the entry site. There were no cases of pseudoaneurysm, bleeding episodes requiring transfusion, or vascular perforation.We conclude that the transulnar approach is a safe and feasible alternative for diagnostic and therapeutic coronary intervention.