Impact of hypertension on postreperfusion left ventricular recovery in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of admission systolic blood pressure (ASBP) and left ventricular (LV) mass on the postreperfusion LV recovery in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and concomitant coronary multivessel disease (MVD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 12-month postreperfusion LV recovery was performed in 104 patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Patients with elevated ASBP (>140mmHg) were assigned to the first group (n=58); with normal ASBP (<140mmHg), to the second group (n=46); with increased myocardial mass index (MMI) (>100g/m(2)), to the third group (n=70); and with normal MMI (<100g/m(2)), to the fourth group (n=34). Severity of MVD was evaluated by the Syntax score. The LV recovery was assessed by evolution of quantitative characteristics of electrocardiography (QRS score, ST score, ECG STEMI stage) and echocardiography (LV ejection fraction, volume and mass indices) registered before and after PPCI, at discharge, and after 1, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the baseline QRS and ST scores, ECG STEMI stage, LVEF, MMI, and Syntax score comparing all the patients' groups. The serial ECG criteria showed only a very small impact of ASBP on postreperfusion LV recovery. Only ECG STEMI stage progression was slower in the patients with elevated ASBP. In patients with different MMI, the QRS and ST scores were higher and ECG STEMI stage was lower in patients with increased MMI. LVEF after 1 year was significantly lower in the third group as compared to the fourth group (42.58%±8.25% vs. 46.8%±7.13%, P=0.018). CONCLUSION: Postreperfusion LV recovery was more related not to ASBP but to the increased LV mass assessed by echocardiography in patients with STEMI and MVD.

Identification of predictors of inhospital postreperfusion mode of death in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of the postreperfusion mode of death using the distinctions in clinical characteristics of patients who died and survived after reperfusion therapy, treated due to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS. This consecutive study has involved 36 patients: 18 patients who died from progressive heart failure (PHF) (group 1, n=13) or from cardiac rupture (CR) (group 2, n=5) after primary coronary intervention. The control group consisted of 18 randomly selected patients who survived in-hospital period (group 3). The initial and postreperfusion heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic arterial pressures (SAP and DAP), maximal ST elevation (max ST upward arrow) and depression (max ST downward arrow), ST score, TIMI flow grade, coronary score (CS), and their perireperfusion changes were assessed for each patient. The complex prognostic predictors--TIMI Risk Score and TIMI Risk Index--were also assessed. The data analysis was performed by standard statistical and machine learning approach methods. RESULTS. The comparison of three patients' groups according to simple ECG or circulatory characteristics showed that more significant differences were seen in postreperfusion characteristics or their perireperfusion changes. Herewith, the major part of significantly different characteristics (baseline SAP, DAP, and HR, postreperfusion SAP, DAP, ST score, and TIMI flow grade, resolution of ST score) was observed comparing both the groups of dead patients with survivors (control group). The differences in the complex predictors (TIMI Risk Score and TIMI Risk Index) were similar. However, the smallest number of significantly different characteristics was seen comparing both the groups of dead patients. The baseline DAP (P=0.045), postreperfusion SAP (P=0.04) and DAP (P=0.03), and ST score (P=0.0025) were higher in the patients who died from CR. The postreperfusion ST score and SAP were also identified as necessary components in the assessment of informative prognostic sets according to feature selection methods used in data mining field. CONCLUSION. The postreperfusion ST score, SAP, and DAP could be useful for the prediction of in-hospital postreperfusion mode of death in patients with STEMI; evidently more clinical predictors could be useful for the prediction of general occurrence of postreperfusion deaths.

The value of 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion imaging in differentiation of heart failure conditioned by global left ventricular systolic impairment.

OBJECTIVE: The global left ventricular systolic impairment with left ventricular dilatation can manifest due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy or ischemic heart disease and can present a similar clinical picture of severe heart failure. The aim of our investigation was to assess a differential diagnostic value of resting (99m)Tc-MIBI myocardial perfusion defects in evaluation of the etiology of heart failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 2D echocardiography, coronary angiography, and myocardial gated single photon emission computed tomography with (99m)Tc-MIBI investigation were evaluated in 43 patients with global left ventricular systolic impairment, characterized by left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of > or =65 mm and ejection fraction of < or =40%. The idiopathic dilative cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in 26 patients (Group 1) and ischemic heart failure in 17 patients (Group 2). The area and the degree (severity) of myocardial perfusion defects (AMPD and DMPD) at rest in regions supplied by three coronary arteries were evaluated in all the patients. RESULTS: The area of perfusion defects in the left anterior descending (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA) regions in dilative cardiomyopathy patients was smaller than in ischemic heart failure patients (1.43+/-0.9 vs 2.53+/-0.53, P=0.001, and 2.19+/-0.6 vs 2.82+/-0.56, P=0.02). The degree of perfusion defects was also less severe in the same circulation regions (1.39+/-0.93 vs 2.59+/-0.6, P=0.01, and 1.6+/-0.46 vs 2.71+/-0.15, P=0.001). We have designed a logistic regression model expressed by formula x=2.52AMPD(rca)+2.47AMPD(lad)+2.21DMPD(rca). Idiopathic dilative cardiomyopathy was predicted when x was < or =16 and ischemic heart failure when x was >16. The sensitivity in predicting idiopathic dilative cardiomyopathy was 94.44%, and the specificity was 88.24%. CONCLUSION: The difference in the area and degree of (99m)Tc-MIBI myocardial perfusion defects at rest in patients with heart failure caused by idiopathic dilative cardiomyopathy or ischemic heart failure is measurable and has a predictive value for differentiation of the etiology of global left ventricular systolic impairment.

Conservative treatment of cervical pregnancy with selective unilateral uterine artery embolization.

BACKGROUND: Cervical pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy, and the most effective method of its treatment is still under investigation. We would like to call attention to selective uterine artery embolization as an effective modern treatment method. CASE: A patient with suspected cervical pregnancy and 7-week amenorrhea was admitted to the hospital after unsuccessful use of emergency contraception. Transvaginal ultrasound showed gestational sack located 11 mm from the external cervical os. Crown-rump length was 11.2 cm, and the fetal heartbeat was present. The level of serum chorionic gonadotropin was 31,930 U/L. Treatment with systemic methotrexate was unsuccessful, and unilateral uterine artery embolization was performed followed by dilatation and curettage of the cervical canal. Three days after the procedure, sonographic examination showed contracted cervical canal. After a period of two months, normal uterine artery flow was registered by Doppler ultrasonography on both sides. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery embolization in case of cervical pregnancy reduces the risk of bleeding and can be the method of choice when treatment with methotrexate fails. Unilateral embolization is effective when angiography shows unequal disposition of the arterial connections supplying the embryo.

Prediction of improvement in left ventricular function during a 1-year follow-up after acute myocardial infarction by the degree of acute resolution of electrocardiographic changes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reperfusion therapy results in better left ventricle (LV) function in cases of successful myocardial reperfusion; however, insufficient reperfusion or reocclusion of the infarct-related artery is associated with LV dysfunction. This study was proposed to determine whether the rate of ECG stage dynamics, after mechanical, thrombolytic, or spontaneous recanalization, is a predictor of improvement in LV function. METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients, observed for 1 year, were divided into group A (11, change rate of > or =2 ECG stages per 2 days), group B (13, no rapid change), and cases with reocclusion (3). RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic signs of heart failure tended to decrease in group A but tended to increase in other cases. Echocardiographic dyssynergic score decreased, and LV ejection fraction increased only in group A: 4.3 +/- 1.2 vs 2.7 +/- 1.5, P = .04, and 42.0 +/- 4.8 vs 46.0 +/- 8.3, P = .049, respectively; in group B, the values were 3.4 +/- 2.4 vs 3.4 +/- 2.2 and 44.0 +/- 6.9 vs 43.8 +/- 9.3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid ECG stage changes predict follow-up improvement in LV function.

Prediction of decrease in myocardial perfusion defect size and severity during a 3-month follow-up by the degree of acute resolution of electrocardiographic changes.

Myocardial perfusion in infarct-related artery (IRA) distribution improves progressively until a few months after successful reperfusion therapy. We assessed the rate of electrocardiographic (ECG) stage dynamics to predict perfusion improvement after mechanical, thrombolytic, or spontaneous recanalization of IRA. Thirteen patients were divided into group A (n = 8, with > or = 2 ECG stages per 2-day change rate) and group B (n = 5, no rapid change of ECG stages). There were no significant technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scintigraphic differences between the groups 3 days after recanalization; however, after 3 months, perfusion deficit size (2.8 +/- 1.8 vs 4.8 +/- 1.2, P < or = .03) and severity (1.8 +/- 0.9 vs 3.0 +/- 0, P < or = .03) were smaller in group A vs group B. The prediction sensitivity of the method was 87.5% for decrease in size and 100% for decrease in severity of perfusion defect; the specificity was 80% and 100%, respectively. A change rate of 2 or more ECG stages per 2 days predicts follow-up improvement of myocardial perfusion after IRA recanalization.

[The diagnostic value of non-invasive tests for determining idiopathic dilated, ischemic and hypertensive cardiomyopathies]. / Neinvaziniu tyrimu svarba atskiriant idiopatine dilatacine, isemine ir hipertenzine kardiomiopatijas.

UNLABELLED: The objectives of this study were to detect regional myocardial perfusion defects performing 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion imaging and to compare the results with echocardiography for differential diagnostics of the idiopathic dilated, ischemic and hypertensive cardiomyopathies until coronary angiography will be performed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total 90 patients with cardiomegaly have been evaluated: 30 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (group I), 30 with ischemic cardiomyopathy (group II) and 30 with hypertensive cardiomyopathy (group III). All patients underwent 2D echocardiography examination and 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion imaging before coronary angiography was done. RESULTS: Informative complex findings (age, thickness of the interventricular septum, thickness of the left ventricle posterior wall, the wall motion score index in the region of the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending branch and the degree of distress of myocardial perfusion in the area of right coronary artery circulation) selected by variable logic model enabled to differentiate patients with idiopathic dilated, ischemic and hypertensive cardiomyopathies with an accuracy of 92.0%, 86.2% and 79.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Informative echocardiographic indices (thickness of the interventricular septum and left ventricle posterior wall, the mass of the myocardium, the wall motion score index in the region of the right coronary artery and left anterior descending branch, ejection fraction) selected by discriminative analysis enabled to differentiate patients with idiopathic dilated, ischemic and hypertensive cardiomyopathies with an accuracy of 62.1%, 75.2% and 80.0%, respectively.

[JT interval changes in acute myocardial infarction following coronary angioplasty]. / Ligoniu, serganciu uminiu miokardo infarktu, JT intervalo kitimai mechanines vainikiniu arteriju rekanalizacijos metu.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the influence of early reperfusion on the behavior of JT interval in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were done for 14 acute myocardial infarction patients. Measurements were performed from 12-lead surface electrocardiogram with "Kaunas-Load" equipment before percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 5 minutes and 24 hours after it. RESULTS: Immediately after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty there were shortenings of JT and JT dispersion (JTd) and after 24 hours in all the patients prolongation of JT and JTd intervals was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Changes of the repolarization during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty could be related with ischemic myocardial lesion. Early reperfusion has positive impact on the ventricular repolarization.

[Results of percutaneous coronary angioplasty in patients with stable and unstable angina]. / Serganciuju stabiliaja ir nestabiliaja krutines angina perkutanines vainikiniu arteriju angioplastikos rezultatai.

Percutaneous coronary angioplasty is very well known percutaneous revascularization procedure. Results of the percutaneous coronary angioplasty vary according to the stage of ischemic heart disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate and to compare the results of percutaneous coronary angioplasty in patients with stable and unstable angina. We analyzed data from 1148 patients in both groups. The extent of atherosclerosis was significantly higher in unstable angina group, however there was no significant difference in procedural as well in in-hospital outcomes between two groups. Success rate was 86% in unstable angina group and 83.3% in stable angina group. Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 1.48% patients with no difference in both groups. Left ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic diameter improved more in unstable angina group.

[Percutaneous revascularization of myocardium: extent, application and treatment strategy of acute coronary syndromes]. / Perkutanine miokardo revaskulizacija ligoniams, sergantiems uminiais koronariniais sindromais. Gydymo apimtys ir strategija.

UNLABELLED: The comparative value of different factors of reperfusion technique and strategy in restoring of myocardial function is underestimated. The aim of this study is to assess the value of reperfusion strategy for restoring of myocardial function in follow-up period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1999 to 2001, 4260 patients with acute coronary syndromes were analyzed. Coronarography was performed for 2990 patients and percutaneous coronary interventions - for 1257 patients. QRS score was calculated; electrocardiogram and echocardiograms were done for 248 patients with acute myocardial infarction after reperfusion therapy by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (228 patients) and by stenting (20 patients). Urgent PTCA was used for 114 patients, urgent stenting for 14 patients, delayed PTCA for 114 patients and delayed stenting for 6 patients. RESULTS: Coronarography was performed for 66% of all hospitalized patients; percutaneous coronary interventions - for 825 (45.6%) of patients with acute myocardial infarction and only for 11.7% of patients with unstable angina pectoris. In hospital period QRS score increased for all patients with the exception of patients with delayed stenting (p from 0.05 to 0.001). LVEF had tendency to increase in all groups of patients during 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Coronarography can be performed for 65-70% of hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary interventions for 45% of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Differences in reperfusion strategy do not have manifest value on restoring of left ventricle function.

[Early results of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: evaluation of myocardial reperfusion]. / Pirmines perkutanines vainikiniu arteriju angioplastikos ankstyvieji rezultatai. Miokardo reperfuzijos ivertinimas.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the study was to determine the prognostic value of simultaneous evaluation of angiographic (TIMI flow) and ECG (ST segment resolution) changes on hospital results in primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty patients. METHODS AND PATIENTS: The primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed in 250 patients with the first acute myocardial infarction. All the patient were divided into four groups according the restored TIMI flow and the resolution of ST segment changes. Group A (44 pts) - TIMIor=50%, group C (99 pts) - TIMI>2, ST resolution <50%, and group D (94 pts) - TIMI>2, ST resolution >or=50%. RESULTS: The study has revealed that in hospital mortality was 15.9%, 6.1% and 1.1% in group A, group C and group D, respectively. The higher proportion of patients with not adequate sufficient myocardial perfusion (less complete ST segment resolution) had myocardial infarction in left anterior descending artery region. The higher proportion of patients with adequate myocardial perfusion had no atherosclerotic injury in coronary arteries except infarct related artery. CONCLUSION: The achieving of TIMI flow grade 3 and perfect resolution of ST segment elevation after primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has beneficial effect on in - hospital mortality. The effective restoration of flow in infarct related artery not always accompanies full and rapid ST segment normalization suggesting the presence of incomplete myocardial perfusion.

[Impact of the effectiveness of myocardial reperfusion after thrombolytic and spontaneous recanalization of infarct related artery on myocardial recovery in the future]. / Miokardo reperfuzijos po trombolizines ir savaimines rekanalizacijos efektyvumo itaka poinfarktiniam miokardo normalejimui velesniu laikotarpiu.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of myocardial reperfusion after thrombolytic and spontaneous recanalization of infarct related artery (IRA) by the serial 12 lead ECG data and its impact on subsequent myocardial recovery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 25 patients with a first Q wave myocardial infarction at hospital and after 1 and 3 years from discharge (13 treated with intravenous thrombolysis, 12 treated conservatively). Four patients treated using thrombolysis and 3 patients treated conservatively were excluded from the analysis due to reocclusion or another myocardial infarction and coronary bypass surgery. The efficiency of myocardial reperfusion was assessed by our original method, based on the intensity of changes in ECG stages. The myocardial recovery was analyzed by quantitative changes in clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic and ECG (the Selvester-Wagner QRS score) data. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic signs of heart failure decreased in cases of sufficient myocardial reperfusion after thrombolytic and spontaneous recanalization, but increased--in cases of insufficient myocardial reperfusion. Echocardiographic dyssynergic score decreased after 3 years from discharge (79, 67 after 1 and 3 yrs/at discharge (%), respectively, p < 0.00005) in cases of thrombolysis with sufficient myocardial reperfusion but the tendency for increasing (113, 183 after 1 and 3 yrs/at discharge (%), respectively, p = 0.07) was shown in cases of insufficient myocardial reperfusion; although, the QRS score decreased in both subgroups of thrombolysis (89, 36 after 1 and 3 yrs/at discharge (%), respectively, p < 0.01,--with sufficient myocardial reperfusion; 73, 62 after 1 and 3 yrs/at discharge (%), respectively, p < 0.005,--with insufficient myocardial reperfusion). CONCLUSIONS: The QRS score normalization after myocardial infarction predicts myocardial functional recovery only in patients with sufficient myocardial reperfusion. Thrombolysis gives positive impact on subsequent myocardial functional recovery only in cases of sufficient myocardial reperfusion; spontaneous recanalization of IRA may give positive impact on myocardial functional recovery in cases of sufficient myocardial reperfusion. Our method of serial ECG interpretation provides the possibility to detect insufficient myocardial reperfusion after thrombolytic and spontaneous recanalization and then the additional mechanical methods of recanalization should be applied.

[Transcatheter renal arterial embolization in malignant renal neoplasms: clinical results and indications for use of the method in multi-profile hospitals]. / Perkateterinis inkstu arterijos embolizavimas sergantiesiems inkstu piktybiniais navikais: klinikiniai duomenys ir metodo panaudojimo galimybes daugiaprofilineje ligonineje.

The authors analyse the long-term and in-hospital results of treatment 29 patients with renal neoplasms, who underwent transcatheter renal arterial embolization and also discuss the benefits of transcatheter renal arterial embolization in other clinical situations. Transcatheter renal arterial embolization was performed with embosil for 23 patients (79.3%) and with concentrated alcohol for 6 patients (20.7%) before nephrectomy of advance renal tumour in 21 patients. Transcatheter renal arterial embolization was performed as palliative treatment in 8 patients. Complete embolization was achieved in 27 patients (93.1%), incomplete--in 2 patients (6.9%). Nephrectomy was performed after 22.14 +/- 9.28 days. The most evident post procedural reactions were moderately elevated temperature in 22 patients (75.9%), highly elevated temperature (> 38 degrees) in 7 patients (24.1%) and pain. Only 6 patients (20.7%) didn't feel pain. One hematoma was noticed in puncture region. After 5 years, 4 patients of 10 analysed patients are still alive (all-pT3, size of tumor 6.5-9 cm.). Two patients were not operated due to very big tumor and technical inoperability. Remaining 4 patients died during 2-3 years. As exclusion was one patient with inoperable renal tumor and lung metastases. After transcatheter renal arterial embolization he was alive 4 years. In conclusion, transcatheter renal arterial embolization was effective in diminishing the technical difficulties to remove advance tumors and in treatment of inoperable patients. It's rational to supply transcatheter renal arterial embolization with embolization and chemoembolization of primary and metastatic lesions.

[Quantitative assessment of acute myocardial infarction size. Impact of early mechanical recanalization of infarct related artery]. / Uminio infarktinio miokardo pazeidimo kiekybine diagnostika. Skubaus mechaninio infarkto arterijos rekanalizavimo poveikis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of investigation: 1) to determine the diagnostic value of QRS score and LV echocardiography in assessment of the size of myocardial infarction in acute stage, 2) to establish the impact of infarct related artery recanalization on myocardial infarction size. METHODS AND MATERIAL: In order to investigate whether infarct size could be estimated by QRS scoring system soon after reperfusion we evaluated QRS score obtained serially before and twice after reperfusion, and the echocardiographic global EF in 57 patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent successful mechanical recanalization of infarct related artery. Coronary flow in infarct related artery was evaluated by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial (TIMI) criteria. QRS scores were calculated according to the method of Wagner (37 criteria and 29 points). The electrocardiographic ejection fractions (EFECG) were calculated according to Roubin method, and the global echocardiographic ejection fractions (EFECHO) were calculated according to Simpson method. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to the quality of myocardial reperfusion expressed as intensity in change of electrocardiographic phases at the time of infarct related artery recanalization (1 gr.--the change of ECG phases > or = 2; 2 gr.--the change of ECG phases through 1; and 3 gr.--with no changes of ECG stages). All patients had an effective infarct-related artery recanalization expressed as 2 or 3 TIMI grade. RESULTS: A low and insignificant correlation was observed between EFECG and EFECHO for patients with anterior myocardial infarction (r = 0.35) and for patients with posterior myocardial infarction (r = 0.12). The EFECG had a tendency to be lower in patients with worse myocardial reperfusion (from 59.06 +/- 6.12 in 1 gr. to 50.93 +/- 10.87 in 3 gr). At this time the EFECHO was almost the same in all groups of patients. Additionally, the EFECHO was significantly lower than EFEKG in all groups of patients (p = 0.000017-0.001). The QRS score had general tendency to increase after infarct-related artery recanalization, however the most evident increase was obtained in 1 gr. of patients with rapid change of ECG stages. A significant correlation (r = 0.87 for patients with anterior myocardial infarction and r = 0.85 for patients with posterior myocardial infarction) was observed between QRS scores obtained after infarct related artery recanalization and that obtained after 10-12 days. In conclusion, QRS score and EFEKG better than EFECHO reflects the myocardial infarction size in acute stage. Increasing of the myocardial infarction size after infarct-related artery recanalization is connected with reperfusional injury more expressed in patients with more effective myocardial reperfusion.