A randomized comparison of elective high-pressure stenting with balloon angioplasty: six-month angiographic and two-year clinical follow-up. On behalf of AS (Angioplasty or Stent) trial investigators.

BACKGROUND: Previous randomized trials have shown beneficial effects of coronary stenting on restenosis and event-free survival rates. However, it has not yet been fully established if routine high-pressure stenting with an antiplatelet regimen can show similar results. METHODS: We compared the 6-month angiographic restenosis rate and 2-year event-free survival rate in 400 patients randomly assigned to stent or angioplasty. Aspirin and ticlopidine were prescribed in both groups. RESULTS: The procedural success rate did not significantly differ between the stent and angioplasty groups (97.92% vs 97.45%, P = not significant). No stent thrombosis was found. The 6-month restenosis rate was lower in the stent group (18. 18% vs 24.87%, P =.055). At 2 years target lesion revascularization rate was 17.19% in the stent group and 25.51% in the angioplasty group (P =.02, 33% reduction). No significant differences with regard to death and myocardial infarction were observed. Event-free survival rate at 6, 12, and 24 months was 86.77% vs 78.84%, 84.13% vs 76.70%, and 83.07% vs 73.54% for stent and angioplasty groups, respectively (P =.0172). CONCLUSIONS: The 6-month angiographic and 2-year clinical outcomes were better in patients who received stent than in those after balloon angioplasty. The difference in 2-year event-free survival rate was explained by a reduction in target lesion revascularization rate in the stent group.

The influence of exercise on albumin excretion rate in borderline hypertensives and in offspring of hypertensive parents.

We investigated exercise induced urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE)(ex-UAE) in patients with borderline hypertension (BH) compared to normotensives with positive-PFH and negative-NFH family history of hypertension. The study population consisted of 20 young, non-obese males with BH defined according to WHO criteria and confirmed by 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and 40 healthy matched normotensives (PFH = 20 and NFH = 20). Twenty-four hour UAE was assessed by day and night time urine collection. BH and normotensive subjects performed a 20 min ergometric graded exercise test. The relationship between 24 h UAE, 24 h ABP and 2-D-echocardiographic left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were examined. The three groups did not differ in 24 h UAE. Exercise induced a significant increase in UAE only in BH. Exercise induced UAE was greater in BH compared to normotensives: BH = 54.3(21-125), PFH = 37.6(13-62), NFH = 9.7(0-35)micrograms/min, data expressed as median (I quartile-III quartile). Pooled data from all three groups showed a positive correlation between ex-UAE and systolic BP (SBP) during night time (by multiple regression analysis). In conclusion, BH without other known cardiovascular risk factors, moderate dynamic exercise induced an excessive increase in UAE.

[Concurrent coronary artery disease and acquired rheumatic mitral valve disease]. / Wspólistnienie choroby wiencowej z nabyta, poreumatyczna wada zastawki mitralnej.

The aim of this study was to estimate coincidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and rheumatic mitral valve disease in 264 patients treated in the National Institute of Cardiology (1976-1990). Severity of stenoses on coronary angiography with respect to age, sex, symptoms and risk factors were also estimated. Stenoses over 70% of artery lumen in relation to artery diameter before lesion and over 50% for left main coronary artery were stated as severe. There were 180 (68%) females and 84 (32%) males in the studied group; mean age was 52.5 year. Patients were divided into two groups: with angina--126 pts and without CAD symptoms--138 pts. 8 females (4%) had severe stenoses and 45 (25%) non-severe. Respectively 14 males (16.7%) had severe stenoses and 14 non-severe. Severe lesions were present in a group of females older than 50 years and in a group of males older than 45 years. Both in group with or without angina prevalence of coronary artery lesions was similar. Sensitivity and specificity of CAD clinical symptoms was low (less than 50%). Significantly more risk factors were present in pts with coronary stenoses than in pts free of CAD. No correlation between high pulmonary artery pressure and angina in patients without coronary stenoses occurred.

[QT/QS2 index in patients with arterial hypertension, mitral valve prolapse and hyperthyroidism]. / Wskaznik QT/QS2 u chorych na nadcisnienie tetnicze, zespól wypadania platka zastawki mitralnej i nadczynnosc tarczycy.

QT/QS2 ratio has been assessed in 26 patients with both borderline and mild hypertension and mitral valve prolapse syndrome (19 patients), and hyperthyroidism (16 patients) in comparison with method control groups. The following polycardiographic parameters have been analyzed: QT, QTp, QS2, QT/QS2, and QTp/QS2. Higher values of QT/QS2 ratio have been noted in patients with mitral valve prolapse syndrome and hyperthyroidism than that in the control group. There has been no difference in patients with mild hypertension while the values of the analyzed parameter have been significantly lower in patients with borderline hypertension. QT has been longer than QS2 (QT)QS2 1/in 9 (56%) patients with hyperthyroidism. A positive correlation between QT/QS2 ratio and ++thyroxine levels have been noted in these patients. QT values have been higher than QS2 values only in 1 patient with mild hypertension. It seems that QT/QS2 value has limited value as an indirect index of the adrenergic activity in the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

[Analysis of remission of pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement]. / Analiza odwracalnosci nadcisnienia plucnego po leczeniu operacyjnym wady zastawki mitralnej.

In a group of 32 patients with mitral valve disease and extreme pulmonary hypertension, the efficacy of mitral valve replacement (MVR) was analysed. In all patients hemodynamic and clinical data were obtained and compared before and after operation. After surgery a statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) of the pressure was observed in right atrium and ventricle, pulmonary artery and capillaries, the pulmonary resistance was decreased, the cardiac index was increased. The improvement of hemodynamic parameters correlated well with clinical data. But it has not influenced for return to the job.

[Natural and postoperative course of coronary disease in late observations: prognostic value of clinical indicators and invasive and non-invasive studies]. / Przebieg naturalny i pooperacyjny choroby wiencowej w obserwacjach odleglych: ocena wartosci prognostycznej wskazników klinicznych, badan nieinwazyjnych i inwazyjnych.

The results of a prospective study in 301 patients (pts) with angiographically documented coronary artery disease are presented. The mean follow-up period was 30 +/- 14 months, the mean age of pts was 48 +/- 9 years. A prognostic significance of 37 indicators obtained from clinical, hemodynamical, angiographical and noninvasive studies was investigated. In the group of pts treated medically (n = 202) the natural history of disease was defined by the following indicators: history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, NYHA functional class III and IV, frequent ventricular premature depolarizations (VPD), abnormal ecg at rest, QT greater than QS2 index, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction less than 50%, elevation of LV end-diastolic pressure and LV end-diastolic volume index LV wall motion abnormalities in particular dyskinesia, left main coronary artery disease and three vessel coronary artery disease. In a multivariate Cox model analysis, the independent correlates of long-term survival were frequency of VPD (p less than 0.001), NYHA functional class III-IV (p less than 0.003), QT greater than QS2 index (p less than 0.01), LV ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50% (p less than 0.02). The combination of two indicators: LVEF less than 50% and QT greater than QS2 identify pts with high mortality rate (31%) during a two year follow-up period as compared with only 1% in the group with LVEF greater than or equal to 50% and QT less than or equal to QS2. The different clinical and hemodynamical characteristics of both the groups of pts treated medically or surgically made a reliable comparison of those two methods of treatment impossible.

[Concomitance of coronary artery disease with acquired aortic valve disease]. / Wspólistnienie choroby wiencowej z nabyta wada zastawki aortalnej.

Incidence of concomitant coronary disease and extent of coronary artery lesions were assessed in 250 patients with acquired post-rheumatic aortic valve disease treated between 1976 and 1986 in National Institute of Cardiology. Patients' age ranged from 30 to 72 years. Hemodynamic examination with selective coronarography were performed in patients with typical effort or rest angina pain, with electrographically documented myocardial infarction in the past and also in those without (CAD clinical symptoms, but older than 45 years. Patients were divided into two groups: with isolated or dominated aortic valve stenosis (139 patients) and with isolated or dominated aortic valve incompetence. Patients younger and older than 45 years were separately analyzed. Concomitant CAD was proved if at least one coronary artery stenosis was stated. Lesions degree was proportionally graded: stenosis more than 70%, between 50-70% and 20-50% of a vessel lumen in relation to its diameter before lesion. Data were analyzed using ICL ME 29 computer. Study results indicate, that symptoms of coronary failure were observed in 82.8% of patients with acquired aortic valve disease. In 37% of cases there were critical stenoses requiring simultaneous aortic valve replacement with coronary artery by-pass grafting. Severe coronary artery stenosis was stated in 45% of patients with dominated or isolated aortic valve incompetence, whereas only in 29.3% with dominated or isolated aortic valve stenosis. 88.5% of patients younger than 45 years nevertheless coronary failure symptoms had normal coronary arteries.

[Effect of coronary disease risk factors on the progression of coronary arteriosclerosis]. / Wplyw czynników ryzyka choroby wiencowej na progresje miazdzycy tetnic wiencowych.

UNLABELLED: A group of 43 patients (pts) from a larger group 451 pts with coronary artery disease (CAD) confirmed by coronary angiography were recatheterized because of deterioration of symptoms. After the first angiography patients had no indications to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or gave no consent to surgery. The group comprised 3 women and 40 men aged 27 to 62 years (mean age 45 +/- 8 years). The mean interval between coronarography was 35 +/- 22 months. Four independent reviewers evaluated 15 segments of coronary arteries according to American Heart Association. The coronary lesions were scored on the basis of reduction in luminal diameter as follows: 0 point = 0-29%, 1 = 30-49%, 2 = 50-69%, 3 = 70-98%, 4 = 90-99%, 5 = 100% occlusion. The influence of the following risk factors on the progression was evaluated: age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, lipid disturbances, smoking, hyperuricaemia, family history. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group I--no or slight progression (0 to 4 points) in two successive coronary angiographies, group II--moderate progression (5 to 9 points) and group II--significant progression (10 points or more). The number of patients in these groups was 14, 12 and 17 respectively. In such isolated groups, the clinical events were compared: unstable angina, myocardial infarctions, need for CABG, cardiac deaths within follow-up period. The ejection fraction of the left ventricle was also evaluated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: was conducted by multiple regression model.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)