The measurement of circulating matrix metalloproteinase-8 and its tissue inhibitor and their association with inflammatory mediators in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate differences of matrix metalloproteinase-8 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in the peripheral blood of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its correlation with the widely accepted markers of inflammatory activity, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and white blood cell number. METHODS: 315 patients with ACS (165 unstable angina pectoris/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, 150 ST elevation myocardial infarction), 111 stable angina (SA) patients, and 296 control subjects were enrolled in the study. All biochemical analyses were carried out using a Hitachi 912 analyzer (Roche). Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels were determined in citrate plasma by ELISA methods. White blood cells (WBC) and fibrinogen were also determined. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-8, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and WBCs in patients with acute coronary syndrome were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). Strong positive associations were observed between MMP-8 and TIMP-1 (r = 0.328, p < 0.001), MMP-8 and CRP (r = 0.171, p < 0.001), MMP-8 and Fibrinogen (r = 0.267, p < 0.001), MMP-8 and WBC (r = 0.163, p < 0.01), TIMP-1 and CRP (r = 0.219, p < 0.01), TIMP-1 and fibrinogen (r = 0.226, p < 0.01), TIMP-1 and WBC (r = 0.094, p < 0.1). Other positive correlations were observed between CRP and fibrinogen, CRP and WBC and fibrinogen and WBC in the patients with ACS. CONCLUSIONS: Observations suggest that ACS show an increase in both remodeling and inflammation markers. In addition, the strong relationship with MMP-8 and inflammatory mediators such as CRP, fibrinogen and WBC in ACS patients suggests that MMP-8 might be an additional marker and/or consequence of inflammatory components in ACS.

Peripheral blood levels of matrix and inflammatory mediators are elevated in Tunisian patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate differences of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in the peripheral blood of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in correlation with the widely accepted markers of inflammatory activity, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and white blood cell number. METHODS: 315 patients with ACS (165 unstable angina pectoris/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, 150 ST-elevation myocardial infarction), 111 stable angina (SA) patients, and 296 control subjects were enrolled in the study. All biochemical analyses were carried out using a Hitachi 912 analyzer (Roche). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels were determined in citrate plasma by ELISA methods. White blood cells (WBC) and fibrinogen were also determined. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and white blood cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome were significantly elevated compared to the control group (p < 0.001). MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was significantly higher in SA and ACS patients (p < 0.001) than controls. Strong positive associations were observed between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 (r = 0.213, p < 0.01), MMP-9 and CRP (r = 0.103, p < 0.01), MMP-9 and fibrinogen (r = 0.299, p < 0.01), MMP-9 and WBC (r = 0.135, p < 0.01), TIMP-1 and CRP (r = 0.219, p < 0.01), TIMP-1 and Fibrinogen (r = 0.226, p < 0.01), TIMP-1 and WBC (r = 0.094, p < 0.1), CRP and fibrinogen (r = 0.158, p < 0.01), CRP and WBC (r = 0.156, p < 0.01, and finally between fibrinogen and WBC (r = 0.234, p < 0.01) in the patients with ACS. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our observations suggest that ACS shows an increase in both remodeling and inflammation markers. In addition, the strong relationship with MMP-9 and inflammatory mediators such as CRP, fibrinogen, and WBC in ACS patients suggests that MMP-9 might be an additional marker and/or consequence of inflammatory components in ACS.

[Late stent thrombosis in a young patient who had ulcerative colitis]. / Thrombose Tardive de Stent chez un sujet de 35 ans porteur d'une Rectocolite Hémorragique.

BACKGROUND: Arterial and venous thrombosis are well recognized systemic complications of inflammatory bowel disease predominantly in patients with crohn's colitis and in those with ulcerative colitis (UC). Aim : report a new case. CASE: We describe the case of a 35 years old man presenting previously an anterior infarct with a tighten stenosis in the middle part of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The stenosis was treated percutaneously with a bare stent deployment. During an acute exacerbation of UC, the patient developed an acute coronary syndrome with ST elevation secondary to a late stent thrombosis, needing a primary coronary angioplasty. Following course is favorable. CONCLUSION: Based on this case, we'll discuss the relationship between UC and thrombosis, and therapeutic considerations inherent to thrombotic and bleeding risks.

[Immediate and 12-month outcomes of an interventional reperfusion strategy in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Report of 208 successive patients]. / Pronostics immédiat et à 12 mois après une stratégie de revascularisation interventionnelle a la phase aigue d'un infarctus du myocarde avec sus décalage ST a propos de 208 patients consécutifs.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been proven to be the gold standard of reperfusion therapies in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the western world. Highly trained teams and good logistical management of cathlabs may be limiting factors in developing countries and data about outcomes following PCI in such areas is scarce. AIM: The objectives of this study were to describe the procedural and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing PCI for STEMI at a university hospital in Tunisia and make a comparison with outcomes from the West. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care university hospital in Tunis, Tunisia. A total of 208 consecutive patients undergoing PCI between January 2005 and June 2007 were reviewed. Univariate, multivariate and Kaplan meier analyses were constructed. The primary outcome was mortality: in-hospital, 30 days, and 12 months later. RESULTS: Cardiovascular risk factors were mainly smoking (63%) and diabetes (35.1%). The mean patient's TIMI score was 3.8+0.2 (10% were in cardiogenic shok). Procedural success was 75.5%. In-hospital, 30 days and 12-month mortality were respectively 5.3%, 6.7% and 8.2%, comparing favorably with TIMI's score predicted mortality and the published registries from developed countries. Multivariate predictors of in-hospital death included age >70 years, mutivessel disease and PCI failure. Multivariate predictors of 12-month death were killip score >2 at admission (odds ratio = 2.1) and PCI failure (odds ratio = 2.9). CONCLUSION: We conclude that, despite the logistical difficulties, excellent outcomes for acute interventional reperfusion strategy in STEMI can be achieved in a developing country, possibly similar to those seen in the West. There is a strong need for making the practice of PCI in STEMI more widespread in developing regions.

[Assessment of endothelial function reliably predicts the existence and the severity of coronary disease]. / L'étude de la fonction endothéliale permet de prédire l'existence et la sévérité de la maladie coronaire.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction has been proven to be a cornerstone of atherosclerosis occurrence, development and progression. However, its use in clinical practice is still unclearly defined. AIM: To prospectively assess how accurately endothelial function assessment predicts the existence and the extensiveness of significant coronary artery disease. METHODS: Fifty adults (37 men and 13 women, mean age of 59.9 +/- 12.6 years) were randomly included among candidates for a coronary angiography. They previously underwent endothelial function assessment by the Flow-mediated dilation technique (FMD) according to ACC guidelines. The FMD% was expressed as maximal percent change in brachial artery diameter from baseline and the test was considered positive when FMD% was below 5%. RESULTS: Endothelial function impairment has been diagnosed in 36 patients and at least one significant coronary artery stenosis (>50%) in 38 patients. Endothelial dysfunction predicted significant coronary stenosis with a sensibility and a specificity of 89.5% and 83% respectively; positive predictive and negative predictive values were 94.4% and 71.4% respectively. Statistical correlation has been found between FMD% and the number of significantly diseased coronary vessels (rs = -0.44; p = 0.001). An FMD% less than 8% reliably predicted all multivessel coronary-diseased patients. In multivariate analysis, endothelial dysfunction was the only independent predictive factor of coronary disease (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Endothelial dysfunction has been proven to be highly correlated to the existence of significant coronary stenosis at coronary angiography (PPV = -94.4%). The severity of endothelial dysfunction assessed by the FMD% has also been significantly correlated to the extensiveness of coronary disease.

Radial access for concomitant coronary, subclavian and renal artery angioplasty: one case report.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant coronary and peripheral angioplasty is a more frequently reported situation. Patient's outcome is significantly conditioned by access site complications especially in femoral and brachial approaches. The radial artery access is a safe and a well established alternative in coronary interventions and could be suitable for many peripheral angioplasty cases, thanks to devices enhancement. AIM: Report a new case. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with multivessel coronary artery disease, significant left subclavian (SCA) and bilateral renal arteries stenoses. Because of a severe resistant hypertension and prior to scheduled coronary bypass surgery a triple angioplasty of left renal artery, SCA, and left anterior descending (LAD) was attempted. Stenting of the three sites was successful in the same procedure through the left radial artery route. CONCLUSION: Radial artery access in peripheral, combined and complex percutaneous transluminal angioplasty seems to be suitable and safe. However, prospective clinical trials are still lacking.

[Anomalous origin of coronary arteries from the aorta]. / Naissance anormale des arteres coronaires a partir de l'aorte.

The authors report the series of 9 patients (6 male and 3 female, aged from 32 to 64 years) with anomalous origin of coronary arteries from the aorta discovered at coronary arteriography. In 4 cases, the circumflex, artery aries from the right coronary sinus and in 5 cases, the right coronary artery arises from the left coronary sinus. Severe atherosclerotic coronary disease was discovered in 5 cases. We conclude that aberrant coronary origin from the aorta is a rare congenital anomalous discovered usually at coronary angiography and certain patients with this anomalous can develop severe myocardial ischemia especially when a vessel runs between the aorta and pulmonary artery.

[Multiple coronary artery-left ventricular fistulae. A case report]. / Fistules coronaires multiples dans la cavite ventriculaire gauche. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report the case of a patient with multiple coronary artery-left ventricular fistulae discovered in coronary angiography for exertional angina.

[Twenty years result of a corrective surgery of tetralogy of Fallot in a 50 years old woman]. / Resultat a 20 ans d'une reparation complete d'une tetralogie de Fallot chez une femme de 50 ans.

The authors report the case of a woman operated at a 50 years of age for a tetralogy of Fallot with a good late result.

Is direct coronary stenting the best strategy for long-term outcome? Results of the multicentric randomized benefit evaluation of direct coronary stenting (BET) study.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary trials of direct coronary stenting have demonstrated the benefits of this approach. It lowers procedural cost, time, and radiation exposure compared with predilatation. Nevertheless, the long-term outcome after direct stenting remains less well known. METHODS: Between January and September 1999, 338 patients were randomly assigned to either direct stent implantation (DS+, n = 173) or standard stent implantation with balloon predilatation (DS-, n = 165). Clinical follow-up was performed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. Procedural success was achieved in 98.3% of patients assigned to DS+ and 97.5% of patients assigned to DS- (not significant). Clinical follow-up was obtained in 99% of patients (mean 16.4 +/- 4.6 months). Major adverse cardiac events--defined as whichever of the following occurred first; cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, new revascularization--were observed at a higher rate in the DS+ group than in the DS-, but this difference was not significant (11.3% vs 18.2%, P = not significant). The difference in target lesion revascularization rate in the DS+ group (7%) and DS- group (5.2%) was also not significant. Multivariate analysis showed that direct stenting had no influence on long-term major adverse cardiac events rate. Independent relationships were found between long-term major adverse cardiac events rate and final minimal lumen diameter <2.48 mm (relative risk [RR] 0.449, CI 0.239-0.845, P =.013), prior myocardial infarction (RR 2.028, CI 1.114-3.69, P =.02), and hypertension (RR 1.859, CI 1.022-3.383, P =.042). CONCLUSION: The main finding that emerges from this randomized study is that the influence of direct stenting on long-term need for new target lesion revascularization does not differ from that of stenting with balloon predilatation.

[The immediate effect of Rashkind's atrioseptostomy on systemic saturation in transposition of the great arteries]. / L'effet immédiat de l'atrioseptostomie de Rashkind sur la saturation systémique dans la transposition des gros vaisseaux.

The purpose of this prospective study is to analyse the immediate effect of Rashkind's atrioseptostomy on systemic saturation in transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Thirteen neonates and infants (10 males and 3 females) with TCiA underwent balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) at a median age of 20 days (range 2 and 60 days). The mean atrial septal defect diameter after BAS was 6.5 +/- 1.1 mm. The right ventricular saturation increased from 37 +/- 17% to 67 +/- 13% (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between the atrial septal defect diameter and the increase of systemic saturation after BAS.

[Stratification of cardiac risk in unstable angina: value of troponin measurements]. / Stratification du risque cardiaque dans l'angor instable intérêt du dosage de la troponine.

Recent studies have identified patients with unstable angina and increased troponin I or T as a high risk population gaining benefit from adjunctive treatment with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists and early reperfusion by coronary interventions.

[Coronary-pulmonary arterial fistula in the adult: report of 6 cases and review of the literature]. / Les fistules coronaro-pulmonaires de l'adulte: a propos de 6 observations et revue de la littérature.

Six new patients and 33 previously reported with coronary-to-pulmonary artery fistula were reviewed. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 51 years. A male predominance was found (65%). Angina was the most common symptom. The artery mostly involved was the left anterior descending coronary artery and the fistula drained more often to the main pulmonary artery. The left-to-right shunt is small in the majority of patients and the associated significant coronary artery disease was detected in 18% of cases. Good results of surgical closure of the fistula are usually obtained. An alternative to surgical treatment is percutaneous transcatheter embolization of coronary artery fistulas.

[Cardiac retrograde arterial catheterization in children under 2 years of age. Indications, techniques and complications]. / Le catheterisme cardiaque par voie arterielle retrograde chez le nourrisson de moins de 2 ans. Indications, techniques et complications.

Thirty children (15 males and 15 females) under 2 years of age (mean age 14 +/- 6 months, range 1 to 24 months, mean weight was 8.3 +/- 2.5 kg) underwent diagnostic cardiac percutaneous femoral arterial and venous catheterization for congenital heart disease. The anticoagulation with heparin was not given in any patient. Appropriate arterial sheath varying from 4F to 5F were used for catheterization. The mean duration of the exploration was 38 +/- 16 mn. The mean duration of the left heart exploration was 9.5 +/- 2.5 mn. There were no hemorrhagic or ischemic complications in this series.

[Congenital aortic valve stenosis with left ventricular dysfunction: effect of percutaneous valvuloplasty]. / Retrecissement valvulaire aortique congenital avec dysfonction ventriculaire gauche: effet de la dilatation percutanée.

Two girls aged 6 and 15 years with severe congenital valvular aortic stenosis and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction underwent successful balloon aortic valvotomy (BAV). Both patients had severe symptoms at the time of initial evaluation. The electrocardiograms showed LV hypertrophy and cardiac enlargement (cardiothoracic ratio 0.7 and 0.65) was evident in the chest roentgenograms. Immediately after BAV, the aortic valve peak-to-peak gradients decreased from 60 to 8 mmHg and 120 to 30 mmHg respectively, the LV end-diastolic pressures decreased from 47 to 13 mmHg and 40 to 15 mmHg, the LV ejection fractions improved from 40 to 65% in the second girl. On follow-up (30 and 36 ms respectively), both patients were asymptomatic with normalization of LV function and without a change in the residual gradient a cross the aortic valve.

[Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy and left ventricular function in severe mitral stenosis]. / Commissurotomie mitrale percutanée et fonction ventriculaire gauche dans le retrecissement mitral serré.

The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effect of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) on left ventricular (LV) performance. We studied 30 patients with severe mitral stenosis undergoing successful PMC by cardiac catheterization and angiography before and 5 minutes after PMC. All patients were in sinus rhythm and no patient had hypertension or clinical coronary artery disease. We conclude that the left ventricular end-diastolic volume and the stroke volume increased significantly immediately after PMC because of and increase in LV filling after relieving the mitral mechanical obstruction.

[Pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell anemia. A case report]. / L'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire dans la drépanocytose. A propos d'une observation.

We report the case of a 33-years-girl with SCA and severe PH. She developed six month before admission, non productive cough and dyspnea. Physical examination at admission revealed shortness of breath and right heart ventricular failure. Electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm and an incomplete left bundle branch block. Chest roentgenography revealed cardiomegaly with cardiothoracic index at 0.66 and pulmonary infiltrates. Laboratory tests revealed an anemia with hemoglobin of 7.1 g/dl, white blood cell count of 12,500/mm, moderate renal failure (cretininemia = 178 mumol/l) and hypoxemia with oxygen pressure of 60 mmHg. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed on heterozygous SCA. Echocardiography revealed dilatation of right heart cavities and a systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 60 mmHg. A perfusion lung scintigraphy demonstrated multiple subsegmental perfusion defects. PH is a common complication of adult patients with SCA. Appropriate therapies and strategies for prevention of PH in SCA are unknown. Further research exploring therapies such as oxygen, nitric oxide, prostacyclin and hydroxyurea are indicated.

[Immediate and mid-term results of balloon valvuloplasty in congenital aortic stenosis. Ten case reports]. / Résultats immédiats et à moyen terme de la dilatation aortique par ballonnet dans le rétrécissement aortique valvulaire congénital. A propos de 10 observations.

From 1987 to 2000, 10 patients aged 0.5 to 20 years with congenital valvular aortic stenosis underwent percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty. In one patient, balloon valvuloplasty was unsuccessful, this patient had acute artery thrombosis requiring surgical intervention. Hemodynamically successful dilatation was achieved in 9 patients. The peak systolic pressure gradient was reduced from 76 +/- 35 to 32 +/- 16 mmHg (p < 0.001). Aortic valve regurgitation on angiography appeared or increased in 2 patients (up to grade 2 in the 2 patients). There was no deaths during the procedure. Follow-up was available in 7 patients One patient died during the follow up period. Restenose was found in only one patient 5 years after valvuloplasty and the efficacy balloon aortic valvuloplasty continued significantly in 5 patients (mean follow-up 35 +/- 18 months) with a residual aortic valvular gradient of 34 +/- 15 mmHg.

Cardiac arrhythmia induced by interferon beta-1a.

Cardiac adverse effects have never been reported with interferon (INF) beta. We report a case of left bundle branch block in a 35-year-old woman treated with INF beta-1a for multiple sclerosis. Five years after INF therapy, she presented loss of consciousness, retrosternal pains, short breath and lowered tolerance of effort. ECG and Holter 24-h ECG monitoring revealed permanent complete left bundle branch block. Nine months after stopping INF, no abnormalities were found at ECG and echocardiogram examination.