Clinical worsening during long-term follow-up in inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary endarterectomy is the treatment of choice in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Modern pulmonary vasoactive medication (like endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, and prostacyclins) is used in patients with an inoperable disease and improved prognosis. We evaluate mortality and time to clinical worsening (TtCW) in inoperable CTEPH patients during long-term follow-up. METHODS: All 32 patients with inoperable CTEPH were enrolled between June 2002 and January 2009. TtCW was defined as the combination of death, need for intravenous pulmonary arterial hypertension medication, or 15% decrease in 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD) without improvement in functional class. The Cox proportional hazard regression was used to identify predictors. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 3.4 years (range = 0.2-10.2 years), 11 patients died (34%). The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 87 and 77%, respectively. Baseline functional class, 6-MWD, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance were predictors for survival. Clinical worsening occurred in 16 patients (50%). The 1- and 3-year rates of freedom from clinical worsening were 74 and 60%, respectively. The only predictor for clinical worsening was the baseline 6-MWD. CONCLUSION: Despite the improvement in medical treatment of inoperable CTEPH, the mortality rate is still high, and clinical worsening occurred in a substantial number of patients during a follow-up of more than 3 years.

Haemodynamic effects of patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect closure: a comparison during percutaneous shunt closure.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: We investigated the haemodynamic effect of percutaneous closure of an intra-atrial shunt, using non-invasive finger pressure measurements. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous closure of both patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) is widely practised. Currently no data are available on short-term haemodynamic changes induced by closure. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients (mean age 49 +/- 17 years, 10 men) who underwent a percutaneous closure of a PFO (n = 15) or ASD (n = 10) were included in this study. During the procedure blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were monitored continuously with a Finometer. Changes in systolic, mean, and diastolic pressure, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were computed from the pressure registrations using Modelflow methodology. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar for the PFO and ASD patients. After PFO closure none of the haemodynamic parameters changed significantly. After ASD closure the systolic, mean, and diastolic pressures increased 7.1 +/- 5.4 (P = 0.003), 3.8 +/- 3.5 (P = 0.007) and 2.0 +/- 3.0 mmHg (P = ns) respectively. HR decreased 5.1 +/- 5.3 beats per minute (P = 0.01). SV, CO and TPR increased 8.5 +/- 6.4 ml (13.5%; P = 0.002), 0.21 +/- 0.45 l min(-1) (5.6%; P = ns) and 0.02 +/- 0.14 dynes (4.1%; P = ns) respectively. The changes in SV differ between the PFO and ASD patients (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Using non-invasive finger pressure measurements, we found that SV, mean and systolic blood pressure increased immediately after percutaneous closure of an ASD in adults, whereas the percutaneous PFO closure had no effect on haemodynamic characteristics.

Staphylococcus aureus infection complicating percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to determine the incidence, risk factors, and characteristics of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus infections complicating percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). METHODS: Between January 1999 and December 2002, 7640 PCI's were evaluated from 1 to 16 days post-PCI for the occurrence of a documented S. aureus infection. A case-control study was used to identify risk factors for the development of S. aureus infection in patients undergoing PCI. RESULTS: In total 21 S. aureus infections (0.27%) were documented at 1 to 16 days after the index PCI. The overall incidence of PCI-related infection was 0.14% (11 cases), 0.13% (10 cases) were intravascular line related. All 21 cases with S. aureus infections were matched with 63 controls randomly selected among patients who underwent a PCI but did not have S. aureus infections. Among the patients with S. aureus infections, the duration of hospital stay was significantly increased (24 vs 5 days). The overall mortality rate in the 21 patients with S. aureus infections was 4/21 [19%] (controls 2/42 [3%]). Congestive heart failure, alcohol abuse, emergency PCI, more than 1 PCI in three months and the presence of a sheath in the femoral artery and/or vein for the duration of more than 1 day after the procedure were independent risk factors for S. aureus infection after PCI. CONCLUSIONS: S. aureus infection is a rare but potentially serious complication of PCI. Additional precautions should be considered in patients with these risk factors.

Predictors of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced reduction of urinary albumin excretion in nondiabetic patients.

Urinary albumin excretion is a predictor for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We investigated which parameters determine baseline urinary albumin excretion in nondiabetic subjects, without renal disease. In addition, we evaluated the parameters that predict the albuminuria-lowering efficacy of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. In this substudy of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular Endstage Disease Intervention Trial, 384 microalbuminuric patients were included. Patient and biochemical characteristics were obtained at baseline and after 3 months of double-blinded, randomized treatment (fosinopril 20 mg or placebo). Mean age was 51.1+/-11.5 years, and 65.6% were male. Median urinary albumin excretion was 22.2 mg per 24 hours. At baseline, mean arterial pressure (beta(standardized)=0.161; P=0.006), urinary sodium excretion (beta(standardized)=0.154; P=0.011), and estimated renal function were independently associated with albumin excretion. In these predominantly normotensive to prehypertensive subjects, fosinopril reduced albumin excretion by 18.5% versus a 6.1% increase on placebo after 3 months (P<0.001). Fosinopril use and blood pressure reduction independently predicted the change in urinary albumin excretion. Baseline urinary albumin excretion independently predicted the antialbuminuric effect of fosinopril (beta(standardized)=-0.303; P<0.001). In conclusion, at baseline, sodium intake and blood pressure were positively associated with urinary albumin excretion. Fosinopril reduced albuminuria more than might be expected from its blood pressure-lowering effect alone, and this effect was more outspoken in subjects with higher baseline albumin excretion. Based on our data, we hypothesize that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition may result in superior cardiovascular protection when compared with other blood pressure-lowering agents in subjects with higher baseline levels of albuminuria.

Pretreatment with oral anticoagulants decreases platelet activation in patients before and after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Platelet activation plays a major role in acute vessel closure after coronary angioplasty. In the randomized Balloon Angioplasty and Anticoagulation Study (BAAS), pretreatment with oral anticoagulants in addition to aspirin resulted in a 47% reduction of acute complications as compared with aspirin alone. This result may suggest a direct effect of oral anticoagulants on platelet activation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were randomized to aspirin alone (group A, n = 26) or to aspirin plus oral anticoagulants started one week before angioplasty (group B, n = 26). Platelet response tests were performed 1 hour before (baseline) and 1 hour after intervention and on day 1. Platelet activation was measured by flow cytometry, as the number of antibody-positive platelets per 10,000 counted. Platelet function was evaluated with use of the PFA-100 analyzer. In group B, the median number of P-selectin-positive platelets was lower before (28 vs. 54, P = 0.018) and after (13 vs. 24, P = 0.377) angioplasty than in group A. Also the median decrease in the number of P-selectin-positive platelets during angioplasty was lower in group B (delta = 4) than in group A (delta = 30, P = 0.022). No further significant change was observed in platelet activation on day 1 in the two groups. The ability of platelets to become stimulated as measured with the PFA-100 analyzer was not affected by oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with oral anticoagulants resulted in less activated platelets before and after coronary angioplasty, which is in agreement with its clinical effect of reducing procedural complications. Platelet function was not affected by oral anticoagulants.

Influence of planned six-month follow-up angiography on late outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this research was to study the effect of planned angiography on late clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention. BACKGROUND: It is still largely unknown whether planned follow-up angiography after coronary angioplasty influences late outcome. METHODS: Randomization assigned 527 patients to clinical follow-up alone and 531 to clinical and six-month angiographic follow-up. The effect of planned angiography on clinical outcome at one and three years after coronary angioplasty was studied. RESULTS: The two groups were well matched. At one year, more events occurred in the angiographic group than in the clinical group: 122 (23.2%) versus 88 (16.7%) (p = 0.01). While the incidence of death or myocardial infarction (MI) was similar at one year, the revascularization rate was higher in the angiographic group: 113 (21.3%) versus 67 (12.7%) (relative risk = 1.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 2.3, p = 0.0003). At three years, still more events had occurred in the angiographic group (146 [34.5%] vs. 114 [26.3%], p = 0.03). More reinterventions did not improve late survival. However, there was a nonsignificant reduction in MI (7 [1.3%] vs. 13 [2.5%], p = NS) and a significant improvement in functional class at the end of follow-up (freedom from angina 81% vs. 74%, p = 0.03). The effect of follow-up angiography on the reintervention rate was similar for stented and nonstented patients. CONCLUSIONS: Planned follow-up angiography to evaluate the late results of coronary intervention led to a 1.7 times higher reintervention rate. This effect was similar for stented and nonstented patients. More reinterventions did not improve survival but tended to reduce the incidence of MI and led to a significantly better functional class at follow-up.

Predictors of clinical events or restenosis during follow-up after percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy.

AIMS: The purpose of this study is to define predictors of events or restenosis during follow-up after percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy was attempted in 137 patients with severe mitral valve stenosis. In 127 patients follow-up was complete with a mean of 4.2 +/- 2.6 years. Events during follow-up were defined as death, mitral valve surgery or repeat percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy. Restenosis was defined as a decrease in mitral valve area from > or = 1.5 cm2 following percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy to < 1.5 cm2. There was 80 +/- 4% event-free survival 4 years after percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy. Multivariate analysis showed chronic atrial fibrillation at baseline (P = 0.039, relative risk (RR) = 2.5) and a high residual maximal gradient after percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (P = 0.004, RR = 2.0 per 5 mmHg) to be independent predictors of an event during follow-up. The restenosis rate was 28.3% after 4 years. Chronic atrial fibrillation at baseline (P = 0.0338, RR = 2.2), a small mitral valve area after percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (P = 0.0003, RR = 0.8/0.1 cm2) and a high residual maximal transmitral gradient (P = 0.0252, RR = 1.6/5 mmHg) were all independent predictors of restenosis. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and a high maximal transmitral gradient after percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy have a higher risk for events during follow-up. Restenosis is related to the presence of chronic atrial fibrillation at baseline and a suboptimal percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy result.

Predictability and prognosis of PTCA-induced coronary artery aneurysms.

The natural history of coronary aneurysms, defined as local dilatations exceeding the diameter of the normal adjacent vessel segments by at least 1.5 times, is not significantly different from the natural history of nonaneurysmal coronary disease. However, little is known about the prognosis of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PCTA)-induced coronary aneurysms. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence and the medium long-term prognosis of such aneurysms in 728 patients who, after successful PTCA, underwent repeat coronary angiography at mean 4.5 months post-PTCA. A coronary aneurysm at the site of PTCA ws noted in 3.9% of patients (n = 28). Of the potentially predictive factors analyzed, only a coronary dissection at the time of PTCA had statistically significant influence. The long-term prognosis of PTCA-induced coronary aneurysms was excellent. One patient underwent (unrelated) cardiac surgery, all other 27 patients remained eventfree. We conclude that the same benign nature of coronary aneurysmal disease holds true for those aneurysms that develop after PTCA.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with unstable angina pectoris refractory to medical therapy: long-term clinical and angiographic results.

The purpose of this study was to assess the results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in 469 consecutive patients with unstable angina pectoris refractory to medical therapy. The primary success rate was 88%, but, since the introduction of the steerable wire system, the success rate has increased to 90%. Mortality was 1%. There were no statistically significant differences in success rates per vessel. Actuarial total 5 year survival was 94%. After 5 years, actuarially, 79% of the patients were free of events (recurrence of angina, residual myocardial infarction, re-PTCA, coronary artery bypass surgery or death). Aortocoronary bypass surgery was performed in 9% of the 469 patients. The angiographic recurrence rate was 28%, but, of the patients who were symptom-free and who had a follow-up angiogram, only 3% had an angiographic recurrence, whereas 98% of the patients who did not have a repeat angiogram were symptom-free. It is concluded that, in a selected group of patients with the clinical syndrome of unstable angina pectoris refractory to medical therapy, the long-term clinical results are good and survival is excellent.