Long-term angiographic follow-up of coronary balloon angioplasty in patients with diabetes mellitus: a clue to the explanation of the results of the BARI study. Balloon Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare the angiographic outcome of diabetic patients (treated with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents) after successful coronary angioplasty with that in nondiabetic patients. The analysis included the outcome of the dilated (restenosis) and nondilated narrowings (disease progression). BACKGROUND: Recent data have confirmed that diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for long-term adverse events. These adverse events are more common after balloon angioplasty than after bypass surgery (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation [BARI]). METHODS: We examined retrospectively 353 coronary angiograms of 248 patients (55 diabetic, 193 nondiabetic) who were referred for diagnostic angiography >1 month after successful angioplasty (1.4 +/- 0.6 [mean +/- SD] repeat angiograms/patient). Restenosis and disease progression/regression were compared between groups by means of quantitative angiography. RESULTS: Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar in both groups. There was a nonsignificant trend for a higher restenosis rate of dilated narrowings in diabetic patients. There were no significant changes between diabetic and nondiabetic patients in the rates of progression and regression of narrowings that were not dilated during the initial angioplasty. The main difference was in the rate of appearance of new narrowings: There was a 22% increase in the number of narrowings on the follow-up angiogram in diabetic patients (38 new, 174 preexisting narrowings) compared with 12% (86 new, 734 preexisting narrowings) in nondiabetic patients (p < 0.004). Diabetes mellitus and the performance of angioplasty in the artery had an additive risk for development of new narrowings, which were identified in 15 (16.9%) of 89 arteries with and 16 (13.2%) of 121 without angioplasty in diabetic patients and in 42 (12.7%) of 331 arteries with and 38 (7.3%) of 518 without angioplasty in nondiabetic patients (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of diabetes mellitus and an artery that was instrumented during balloon angioplasty is additive and increases the risk of formation of new narrowing in that artery. This finding may explain the high adverse event rates observed in diabetic patients in the angioplasty arm of the BARI study, most of whom had angioplasty performed in at least two arteries.

Restricted diastolic opening of the mitral leaflets in patients with left ventricular dysfunction: evidence for increased valve tethering.

OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that patients with incomplete systolic mitral leaflet closure (IMLC: apically displaced coaptation) also have restricted diastolic leaflet opening that is independent of mitral inflow volume and provides evidence supporting increased leaflet tethering. BACKGROUND: Competing hypotheses for functional mitral regurgitation (MR) with IMLC include global left ventricular (LV) dysfunction per se (reduced leaflet closing force) versus geometric distortion of the mitral apparatus by LV dilation (augmented leaflet tethering). These are inseparable in systole, but restricted leaflet motion has also been observed in diastole, and attributed to reduced mitral inflow. METHODS: Diastolic mitral leaflet excursion and orifice area were measured by two-dimensional echocardiography in 58 patients with global LV dysfunction, 36 with and 22 without IMLC, compared with 21 normal subjects. The biplane Simpson's method was used to calculate LV ejection volume, which equals mitral inflow volume in the absence of aortic regurgitation. RESULTS: The diastolic mitral leaflet excursion angle was markedly reduced in patients with IMLC compared with those without IMLC, whose ventricles were smaller, and normal subjects (17 +/- 10 degrees vs. 58 +/- 13 degrees vs. 67 +/- 8 degrees, p < 0.0001). Excursion angle was dissociated from mitral inflow volume (r2 = 0.04); excursion was reduced in patients with IMLC despite a normal inflow volume in the larger ventricles with MR (60 +/- 25 vs. 61 +/- 12 ml in normal subjects, p = NS), and excursion was nearly normal in patients without IMLC despite reduced inflow volume (40 +/- 10 ml, p < 0.001 vs. normal subjects). The anterior leaflet when maximally open coincided well with the line connecting its attachments to the anterior annulus and papillary muscle tip (angular difference = 3 +/- 7 degrees vs. 25 +/- 9 degrees vs. 32 +/- 10 degrees in patients with and without IMLC vs. normal subjects, p < 0.0001). In patients with IMLC, the leaflet tip orifice was smaller in an anteroposterior direction but wider than in the other groups, giving a normal total area (6.8 +/- 1.8 vs. 7.1 +/- 1.2 vs. 6.9 +/- 0.8 cm2, p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LV dysfunction and systolic IMLC also have restricted diastolic leaflet excursion that is independent of inflow volume, coincides with the tethering line connecting the annulus and papillary muscle and reflects limitation of anterior motion relative to the posteriorly placed papillary muscles without a decrease in total orifice area. These observations are consistent with increased tethering by displaced mitral leaflet attachments in the dilated ventricles of patients with IMLC that can restrict both diastolic opening and systolic closure.

Clinical and angiographic predictors of immediate recoil after successful coronary angioplasty and relation to late restenosis.

The effect of immediate recoil on the results of balloon angioplasty was examined in a group of 416 patients (596 lesions) who underwent successful coronary angioplasty. Immediate recoil was responsible for loss of 0.42 +/- 0.64 mm from the potentially achievable lesion diameter, and represented 23% of the actual gain in diameter. The immediate recoil was determined mainly by the degree of arterial stretch, which is best represented by the balloon to normal artery size ratio (correlation coefficient 0.49, p < 0.0001). Classic risk factors for coronary artery disease did not affect immediate recoil, except for a trend toward lower values in patients with history of hypercholesterolemia. There was a tendency for lower recoil in patients with residual coronary thrombus and in those who underwent angioplasty within 1 week of acute myocardial infarction. Recoil was larger in the left anterior descending artery than in the circumflex or the right coronary artery. Patients with more immediate recoil developed more restenosis (> 50% stenosis at follow-up). However the late loss of luminal diameter due to the restenotic process was smaller in those who had larger initial recoil. It is concluded that immediate recoil after balloon angioplasty is an elastic phenomenon that is related mainly to the degree of arterial stretch. The relative importance of immediate recoil in determining the late outcome of coronary angioplasty is at least as important as the late restenotic process.

Partial resistance to anticoagulation after streptokinase treatment for acute myocardial infarction.

This study examines the response of 3 different groups of patients to anticoagulants: 50 patients previously treated with streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (group 1), 24 patients with AMI who had received anticoagulants without prior thrombolysis (group 2) and 11 subjects who received anticoagulants for noncoronary indications (group 3). No significant differences were detected between groups 2 and 3; therefore, they were combined for analysis. After streptokinase, patients required 37,755 +/- 1,516 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) U of heparin per day to achieve the desired activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The dosage was 30,294 +/- 1,089 U/day in patients without antecedent thrombolysis (p less than 0.001). Group 1 patients required 5 +/- 0.4 days until adequate anticoagulation was achieved, compared with 3 +/- 0.2 days in the control group (p = 0.01). Despite higher heparin requirements, group 1 patients had a lower APTT value than the other subjects (87 +/- 5 vs 101 +/- 6 seconds, p = 0.08). Group 1 patients required 5 +/- 0.3 days to reach anticoagulation with warfarin versus 4 +/- 0.2 days in groups 2 + 3 (p = 0.05). Comparison of groups 1 and 2 yielded similar, although smaller, differences. Patients treated with streptokinase for AMI seem to be partially resistant to anticoagulation, which may increase the risk of reocclusion.

One-stage coronary angiography and angioplasty.

The combination of diagnostic angiography and angioplasty as a single procedure is becoming common practice in many institutions, but the feasibility and safety of this strategy have not been reported. This report describes 2,069 patients who underwent coronary angioplasty over a 3-year period at an institution where combined angiography and angioplasty is the norm. All patients were prepared before angiography for potential immediate angioplasty. In 1,719 patients, angioplasty was performed immediately after the diagnostic angiogram, while separate procedures were performed in 350 patients. Of those 350 patients, 254 were referred for angioplasty after diagnostic angiography at other hospitals. One thousand one hundred ninety-seven patients were admitted electively for treatment of stable angina pectoris, and 872 underwent procedures during hospitalization for unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction. One thousand nine hundred seven patients (92.2%) had successful angioplasties; in 130 patients (6.3%) the lesion could not be dilated, but no complication occurred, and in 32 patients (1.5%) angioplasty ended with a major complication (0.8% death, 1.0% Q-wave myocardial infarction, 0.5% emergency coronary artery bypass surgery). There was no difference between the combined and staged groups with regard to success, major and minor complication rates or in length of hospitalization after angioplasty. We conclude that routine combined strategy for angiography and angioplasty is feasible, safe, easier for the patient, and more cost-effective than 2 separate procedures.

Influence of coronary angioplasty on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

This study examines the effect of coronary angioplasty on the progression and appearance of new disease in sites of the coronary tree that were not dilated by the balloon. We examined 355 pairs of coronary angiograms from 252 patients. The study consisted of consecutive patients who were referred for catheterization > 1 month after successful angioplasty. Progression/regression and the appearance of new narrowings at sites not dilated by angioplasty were determined. The life-table method was used to determine outcome, and any event (progression, regression, and new narrowing) was analyzed according to the time of occurrence. The angioplasty artery was compared with the non-angioplasty artery and the effect of restenosis was determined by comparing arteries with and without restenosis. Progression/regression rates were not significantly different in angioplasty and non-angioplasty arteries. More new narrowings were identified in the angioplasty artery (p < 0.01). With regard to narrowings located in the angioplasty artery, progression was more common, regression less common, and the appearance of new narrowings more common in arteries with restenosis than in non-angioplasty arteries or arteries without restenosis. We believe that mechanical trauma to the artery during angioplasty could accelerate disease progression and the appearance of new narrowings in angioplasty arteries, whereas normalization of flow rate and pattern, especially in arteries without restenosis, attenuates the rate of progression and the appearance of new narrowings in these arteries. The final outcome depends on the balance between these factors.

Prolonged pyrexia and lung metastases. A rare presentation of an occult epithelioid sarcoma.

A 31-year-old patient presenting with fever of unknown origin, night sweats and weight loss, associated later with pulmonary nodules, is described. Multiple invasive diagnostic procedures, including exploratory laparotomy and open-lung biopsy, suggested a benign inflammatory granulomatous disease. Metastatic epithelioid sarcoma was ultimately diagnosed after biopsy of an enlarging groin mass. Epithelioid sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of prolonged fever, associated with granulomas of obscure etiology.

Probabilistic reasoning and clinical decision-making: do doctors overestimate diagnostic probabilities?

BACKGROUND: The "threshold approach" is based on a physician's assessment of the likelihood of a disease expressed as a probability. The use of Bayes' theorem to calculate disease probability in patients with and without a particular characteristic, may be hampered by the presence of subadditivity (i.e. the sum of probabilities concerning a single case scenario exceeding 100%). AIM: To assess the presence of subadditivity in physicians' estimations of probabilities and the degree of concordance among doctors in their probability assessments. DESIGN: Prospective questionnaire. METHODS: Residents and trained physicians in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Cardiology (n = 84) were asked to estimate the probability of each component of the differential diagnosis in a case scenario describing a patient with chest pain. RESULTS: Subadditivity was exhibited in 65% of the participants. The total sum of probabilities given by each participant ranged from 44% to 290% (mean 137%). There was wide variability in the assignment of probabilities for each diagnostic possibility (SD 16-21%). DISCUSSION: The finding of substantial subadditivity, coupled with the marked discordance in probability estimates, questions the applicability of the threshold approach. Physicians need guidance, explicit tools and formal training in probability estimation to optimize the use of this approach in clinical practice.

Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to extrinsic compression by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: importance of echocardiographic diagnosis and follow up.

Acquired right ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to extrinsic compression of the pulmonary artery is a rare manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We report a case of a 17 year old boy who was referred for evaluation of a large anterior mediastinal mass, causing dyspnea and cough and resulting in a harsh systolic murmur. Echocardiography demonstrated compression of the pulmonary artery by the mass, with a severe pressure gradient. Biopsy revealed intermediate grade, diffuse large cell NHL. Systemic chemotherapy rapidly led to a significant decrease in the size of the mass, and virtual disappearance of the pressure gradient. In this report, the use of echocardiography for diagnosis and follow up of extracardiac tumors is reviewed. It is suggested that this technique may also be useful for the routine staging of mediastinal lymphomas because of the potential consequences of clinically undetectable hemodynamic compromise.

Transesophageal echocardiographic imaging of misplaced ventricular pacing electrode.

Misplacement of pacemaker electrodes has been reported in different locations within the heart with divers clinical consequences. We present a patient in whom transesophageal echocardiography was of significant importance in imaging and understanding the electrode's course within the heart chambers.

Treatment of envenomation by Echis coloratus (mid-east saw scaled viper): a decision tree.

Envenomation by Echis coloratus causes a transient hemostatic failure. Systemic symptoms, hypotension and evident bleeding are rare, with only one reported fatality. In this paper, we examine the decision to treat victims of Echis coloratus by a specific horse antiserum. The decision model considers the mortality of treated and untreated envenomation, and the side effects of antiserum treatment: fatal anaphylaxis, serum sickness and increased risk of death after a possible repeated exposure to horse antiserum in the future. The results of the analysis are not sensitive to variations in the probability of side effects of antiserum treatment. They are sensitive to variations in the risk of bleeding after envenomation, in the degree of reduction of this risk by antiserum treatment and in the risk of dying after an event of bleeding. Prompt administration of antiserum appears to be the treatment of choice if it reduces the risk of bleeding from 23.6% to 20.3% and if 1.6% or more of the bleeding events are fatal. We conclude that presently available data support antiserum treatment of victims of Echis coloratus who present with hemostatic failure, even though the advantage imparted by this treatment appears to be small.

Risk indicators after envenomation in humans by Echis coloratus (mid-east saw scaled viper).

To determine the frequency, severity and predictors of bleeding and azotemia after envenomation in humans by Echis coloratus, a retrospective survey of 68 cases in Israel between 1970 and 1989 was carried out. We used univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical variables on admission for the outcome variables of bleeding, hemoglobin and platelet levels, and blood urea. Within hours or days after envenomation, a major bleeding episode occurred in 18% of the victims, a drop in hemoglobin to 10 g/dliter or less in 14%, and an increase in blood urea to 9 mmole/liter or more in 15%. These complications correlated with time interval between envenomation and hospital admission, and the following admission variables: degree of bleeding, hemoglobin level, platelet and white blood cell counts, blood urea and proteinuria. Complications were unlikely in patients who were presented with all of the following: a hemoglobin level of 13 g/dliter or more, a platelet count of 100,000/mm3 or more, a blood urea level of 7 mmole/liter or less, no proteinuria and no bleeding. Treatment on admission with a specific monovalent antiserum was associated with a shorter duration of hemostatic failure and a reduced incidence of anemia and thrombopenia. Infusion of fresh frozen plasma on admission did not appear to be effective in preventing complications.

A 42-year-old man with recurrent myocardial infarction and normal appearing coronary arteries.

We report the occurrence of a coronary mural thrombus and recurrent myocardial infarction in a patient with normal-appearing epicardial coronary arteries and small-vessel coronary artery disease. The current case emphasizes the importance of permanent medical treatment with anti-platelet and vasodilators in patients with small-vessel coronary artery disease.

Prevention of congestive heart failure by early, prehospital thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction: a long-term follow-up study.

The long term impact of pre-hospital thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction on the subsequent development of heart failure symptoms was investigated in 362 consecutive patients. The pre hospital strategy, used in 61 patients, allowed for very early administration of streptokinase, within 1.2+/-0.6 (mean+/-S.D.) hours from pain onset. In contrast, 294 patients treated in hospital received lytic treatment within 2.0+/-0.9 hours. The pre hospital group showed faster reperfusion, as measured by the time to peak creatine kinase and to ST segment recovery, but only a slightly better ventricular function, as compared to hospital treated patients. Heart failure symptoms were significantly reduced in the pre hospital group during hospitalization and at long term follow up: there were less dyspnea, fatigue, orthopnea, nocturnal dyspnea, nocturia, peripheral edema and episodes of pulmonary edema. Angina was reduced as well. We conclude that the initial benefit of prehospital thrombolysis translates into long term reduction of heart failure symptoms, thus improving quality of life.

Early intravenous thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction: the Jerusalem experience.

Myocardial damage in acute myocardial infarction is a time-dependent process. We examined the influence of very early thrombolytic therapy, comparing prehospital to hospital administration, in a consecutive group of patients with myocardial infarction on mortality, complications and the preservation of left ventricular function. Seven hundred sixty patients received early thrombolytic therapy: 114 at home (time delay to treatment 1.4 +/- 0.8 h) and 646 in hospital (2.1 +/- 1.0 h). Sixteen patients died in hospital and significant hemorrhage occurred in 15 (including three patients with hemorrhagic stroke). There was no difference between groups in hospital mortality or rate of complications. The duration of ischemia was shorter in patients with prehospital therapy (pain duration: 3.3 +/- 2.1 vs. 4.0 +/- 2.2; P < 0.05, and time to recovery of the ST segment in the electrocardiogram: 4.3 +/- 3.3 vs. 6.6 +/- 6.3; P < 0.002). Peak plasma creatine kinase was earlier in patients with prehospital therapy (11.2 +/- 5.0 vs. 13.0 +/- 5.8; P < 0.002), although there was no difference between groups in the absolute peak plasma level. Left ventricular function was assessed by contrast ventriculography 1 week after admission (616 patients). Ventricular function was better in patients with prehospital therapy: (ejection fraction of 58 +/- 13% vs. 54 +/- 15%; P < 0.05 and a left ventricular dysfunction index of 534 +/- 515 vs. 691 +/- 519 units; P < 0.05). We conclude that prehospital thrombolytic therapy is feasible and safe. Reperfusion is achieved earlier and more myocardium can be salvaged using this strategy without increasing the rate of complications.

Anomalous origin of the circumflex coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva as a cause of ischemia at old age.

The case of a patient with an anomalous origin of the circumflex coronary artery causing myocardial ischemia and infarction is presented. Even though the anomalous artery was not located between aorta and pulmonary artery, this anomaly, which is usually considered benign, was responsible for the ischemic symptoms. Transesophageal echocardiographic study demonstrated an acute angulation at the proximal portion of this abnormal vessel, very close to its origin from the right coronary sinus, which we believe caused the abnormality in coronary flow in this patient.

Mechanisms of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a patient with right ventricular dilatation--an echocardiographic contribution.

The mechanism of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is still debated. Two different theories have been proposed: direct cardiac compression versus intrathoracic pressure. A patient with dilated right cardiac chambers, who underwent a transesophageal echocardiography study during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is reported. The direct compression mechanism was clearly demonstrated.

Importance of delaying balloon angioplasty in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

Angioplasty in patients with unstable coronary artery disease is associated with higher complication rates compared with patients with stable disease. In this report we describe our results from a group of patients with unstable disease (unstable angina pectoris and postmyocardial infarction) where a strategy of delaying angioplasty for > 5 days after admission was undertaken. Included are 2069 consecutive patients: 1197 treated for stable angina pectoris and 872 treated during admission for unstable angina or myocardial infarction. There was no difference between the two groups in angioplasty success (92.1% stable, 92.3% unstable), failure to dilate without complication (6.4% stable, 6.1% unstable), or in the rate of major complications: death (0.5% stable, 1.1% unstable), Q-wave myocardial infarction (0.9% stable, 1.1% unstable), and emergency coronary artery bypass (0.6% stable, 0.3% unstable). The duration of hospitalization following angioplasty was longer in the unstable group (5.6 +/- 8.1 days vs. 4.2 +/- 4.1 days; p < 0.001) because of longer duration of heparin infusion. There was no difference between groups in minor complications such as groin hematoma and pseudoaneurysm, renal failure, or infections. It was concluded that delaying angioplasty in unstable patients for > 5 days after admission is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for this group of patients. The need for prolonged heparin infusion after angioplasty is increased in unstable patients and thus the duration of hospitalization after the procedure is longer.

Arterial remodelling after percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty.

Atheromatous coronary artery disease progresses by atheroma accretion, plaque rupture and thrombus formation, with or without spontaneous fibrinolysis. The natural history may be altered by modifying risk factors in an attempt to induce regression, or treated by mechanical means such as balloon angioplasty, directional coronary atherectomy or drills, or flow modulated by the insertion of an aorto coronary bypass graft with or without endarterectomy. Here we discuss the natural history of the atheromatous disease in a series of 355 patients who underwent at least one PTCA procedure and then underwent a second angiographic study to determine the changes in the dilated and nondilated arteries.

Systolic pressure variation in hemodynamic monitoring after severe blast injury.

Fluid management in patients following blast injury is a major challenge. Fluid overload can exacerbate pulmonary dysfunction, whereas suboptimal resuscitation may exacerbate tissue damage. In three patients, we compared three methods of assessing volume status: central venous (CVP) and pulmonary artery occlusion (PAOP) pressures, left ventricular end-diastolic area (LVEDA) as measured by transesophageal echocardiography, and systolic pressure variation (SPV) of arterial blood pressure. All three patients were mechanically ventilated with high airway pressures (positive end-expiratory pressure 13 to 15 cm H2O, pressure control ventilation of 25 to 34 cm H2O, and I:E 2:1). Central venous pressure and PAOP were elevated in two of the patients (CVP 14 and 18 mmHg, PAOP 25 and 17 mmHg), and were within normal limits in the third (CVP 5 mmHg, PAOP 6 mmHg). Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in two patients and suggested a diagnosis of hypovolemia (LVEDA 2.3 and 2.7 cm2, shortening fraction 52% and 40%). Systolic pressure variation was elevated in all three patients (15 mmHg, 15 mmHg, and 20 mmHg), with very prominent dDown (23, 40, and 30 mmHg) and negative dUp components, thus corroborating the diagnosis of hypovolemia. Thus, in patients who are mechanically ventilated with high airway pressures, SPV may be a helpful tool in the diagnosis of hypovolemia.