Current characteristics and management of ST elevation and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction in the Tokyo metropolitan area: from the Tokyo CCU network registered cohort.

Limited data exists on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) managed by a well-organized cardiac care network in a metropolitan area. We analyzed the Tokyo CCU network database in 2009-2010. Of 4329 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients including STEMI (n = 3202) and NSTEMI (n = 1127), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 88.8 % of STEMI and 70.4 % of NSTEMI patients. Mean onset-to-door and door-to-balloon times in STEMI patients were shorter than those in NSTEMI patients (167 vs 233 and 60 vs 145 min, respectively, p < 0.001). Coronary artery bypass graft surgery was performed in 4.2 % of STEMI and 11.4 % of NSTEMI patients. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in STEMI patients than NSTEMI patients (7.7 vs 5.1 %, p < 0.007). Independent correlates of in-hospital mortality were advanced age, low blood pressure, and high Killip classification, statin-treated dyslipidemia and PCI within 24 h were favorable predictors for STEMI. High Killip classification, high heart rate, and hemodialysis were significant predictors of in-hospital mortality, whereas statin-treated dyslipidemia was the only favorable predictor for NSTEMI. In conclusion, patients with MI received PCI frequently (83.5 %) and promptly (door-to-balloon time; 66 min), and had favorable in-hospital prognosis (in-hospital mortality; 7.0 %). In addition to traditional predictors of in-hospital death, statin-treated dyslipidemia was a favorable predictor of in-hospital mortality for STEMI and NSTEMI patients, whereas hemodialysis was the strongest predictor for NSTEMI patients.

Effect of Statin Treatment and Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol on Short-Term Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - Multicenter Registry From Tokyo CCU Network Database.

BACKGROUND: Previous trials have found that low low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) on admission was associated with increased mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There are few reports, however, on the effect of low LDL-C with or without in-hospital statin treatment on short-term prognosis in AMI patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 9,032 AMI patients underwent primary PCI in 68 centers in the Tokyo CCU Network Registry during 2009-2012, in whom LDL-C was measured in 6,486. We divided them into 4 groups: statin-treated/LDL-C <100 mg/dl (n=1,236), statin-treated/LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dl (n=3,671), statin-naïve/LDL-C <100 mg/dl (n=662), and statin-naïve/LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dl (n=917). We assessed hospital mortality within 30 days. In-hospital all-cause mortality was significantly lower in the statin-treated/LDL-C ≥ 100-mg/dl group (3.2%, P<0.001). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and other clinical factors, the combination of statin treatment and LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dl was an independent predictor of lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted HR, 0.211; 95% CI: 0.096-0.462; P<0.001). In the LDL-C <100-mg/dl patients, statin treatment also independently reduced in-hospital mortality (adjusted HR, 0.467; 95% CI: 0.223-0.976; P=0.043). Spontaneously low LDL-C was associated with increased short-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Statin treatment was associated with better short-term outcome in patients with AMI, even in patients with low LDL-C.

Relationship between left ventricular dyssynchrony and systolic dysfunction is independent of impaired left ventricular myocardial perfusion in heart failure: assessment with 99mTc-sestamibi gated myocardial scintigraphy.

BACKGROUNDS: Left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony reduces LV systolic function in patients with heart failure (HF). However, it remains unknown whether this relationship is independent of impaired LV myocardial perfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 105 patients with chronic HF (age 71 ± 13 years; 71 men) were enrolled in the present study. (99m)Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) gated myocardial scintigraphy was performed at rest to assess LV myocardial perfusion as evaluated by the total defect score of perfusion Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography images (TDS-MIBI), LV systolic function as evaluated by LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and LV systolic dyssynchrony as evaluated by the maximal difference of time to end systole (MD-TES), which is the time lag between the earliest and the latest end systole among 17 LV segments analyzed with a novel program, "cardioGRAF". The mean ± SD (minimum and maximum range) of the MD-TES was 147.8 ± 117.5 (14.0-458.3)ms. The MD-TES was significantly higher in patients with LVEF<45% (199.4 ± 117.6 ms) than in those with LVEF ≥ 45% (60.5 ± 41.2 ms, p<0.001). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the MD-TES showed an increased odds ratio for LVEF<45% (2.46 [95% CI; 1.51-4.01] per increment in decile of MD-TES rank, p<0.001), after adjusting for the TDS-MIBI, history of myocardial infarction, and other potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: LV dyssynchrony is a significant determinant of LV systolic dysfunction in patients with HF, and this relationship is independent of impaired LV myocardial perfusion and history of myocardial infarction.

Cardiac angiosarcoma diagnosed by transvenous endomyocardial biopsy with the aid of transesophageal echocardiography and intra-procedural consultation.

We report a case who had confirmed tumor cells in the biopsy specimens by transvenous endomyocardial biopsy with intra-procedural consultation and fast smear cytology. A 57-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of shortness of breath and left back pain. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated a large mass in the right atrium and multiple liver tumors thought to be due to spread of the disease. Coronary angiography showed the right coronary artery was involved in the mass. In order to confirm the histological diagnosis, we attempted transvenous endomyocardial tumor biopsy under fluoroscopic guidance. However, we failed to obtain adequate tissue material. Due to several risks associated with a surgical procedure such as an open surgical biopsy, transvenous endomyocardial tumor biopsy was again attempted with the aid of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Intra-procedural consultation and fast smear cytology enabled us to finish the procedure. Hematoxylin-eosin stained sections demonstrated spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical stains of these cells were positive for anti-factor VIII antigen, CD31, and CD34. These findings indicated a definite diagnosis of angiosarcoma. Since there was no surgical indication for this tumor, the patient underwent chemotherapy with docetaxel and radiotherapy. Three months later, CT scans showed a reduction in the size of the cardiac tumor.

Myocardial scintigraphy in a patient with transient mid-ventricular ballooning cardiomyopathy: case report.

We report a case of a 51-year-old man with transient mid-ventricular ballooning cardiomyopathy. Left ventriculography demonstrated mid-ventricular ballooning and akinesis with hypercontractile apical and basal segments. Iodine-123-beta-methyl-p-iodophenyl-penta-decanoic acid myocardial scintigraphy showed decreased uptake in the mid-ventricle, corresponding to the mid-ventricular akinetic region. This is the first report of a transient mid-ventricular ballooning cardiomyopathy observed by not only left ventriculography but myocardial scintigraphy.

Coronary perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Coronary perforation is an undesirable complication during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We reviewed the cases of overt coronary perforation in our institute and analyzed their clinical backgrounds, the characteristics of the target lesion, management, and clinical outcomes. Between 1991 and 2005, we experienced 12 cases (0.35%) of coronary perforation in a total of 3415 PCI procedures. The perforation occurred during the use of debulking devices in 3 cases, immediately after stenting in 2, immediately after postdilatation of the stent in 2, and during wiring in 3 cases. Restoration was attempted by long inflation of a balloon in 7 cases, implantation of a covered stent graft in 1, and emergency surgical repair in 1 case. Subsequent cardiac tamponade occurred in 3 patients who required pericardiocentesis, and 1 patient died due to congestive heart failure. Administration of protamine was effective in stopping the bleeding in 6 patients, whereas continuation of antiplatelet therapy resulted in no overt rebleeding. Coronary perforation during PCI is a rare complication but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Intravenous administration of protamine is effective when it is used in conjunction with nonsurgical devices for initial management of perforation.