Prognosis in hypertensives with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: A previous history of hypertension is overrepresented among patients with ischaemic heart disease. The present study aims at describing the influence of a previous history of hypertension upon the prognosis among patients hospitalized due to acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Patients were followed for 1 year. Mortality and morbidity are described during hospitalization and after discharge from hospital. SETTING: Sahlgrenska Hospital, serving half of the area of Gothenburg in Sweden. PATIENTS: All patients admitted to Sahlgrenska Hospital during 21 months due to acute myocardial infarction regardless of age and whether they were admitted to the coronary care unit. RESULTS: Among all patients with confirmed acute myocardial infarction (n = 917) a previous history of hypertension was reported in 324 patients. Hypertensives more frequently had a previous history of acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure and diabetes mellitus. Their mortality during hospitalization was similar to that in normotensives. However, the total mortality during 1 year of follow-up was 35% in hypertensives and 25% for normotensives (P < 0.01), and a previous history of hypertension was an independent risk indicator for death after discharge from hospital. Place and mode of death appeared similar in normotensives and hypertensives. Reinfarction was twice as common in hypertensives as in normotensives, and a previous history of hypertension was an independent risk indicator for reinfarction. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with acute myocardial infarction a previous history of hypertension indicates a poor prognosis, one-third of patients dying and one-quarter developing reinfarction during the first year after onset of acute myocardial infarction.

Quantitative assessment of transient left ventricular asynergy in coronary artery disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography during transesophageal atrial pacing in assessing the presence and severity of coronary artery disease. Apical four- and two-chamber views were registered at rest and at different pacing rates. Computerized quantitative evaluation of left ventricle wall motion was performed. On the basis of left ventricle wall motion analysis data of 22 individuals with no coronary pathology, as assessed by angiography and with negative exercise ECG and transesophageal atrial pacing ECG test, nomograms for assessment of wall motion abnormalities and for calculation of asynergy area as a measure of wall motion abnormality extent were obtained. The method revealed new transient wall motion abnormalities during pacing or exacerbation of old ones present at rest in 83 of the 89 patients with angiographically proven coronary artery stenosis greater than or equal to 70% and in 3 of the 32 controls with no changes in their coronary angiograms. Thus, it showed high sensitivity (93%), specificity (91%), predictive value of positive result (96%), predictive value of negative result (83%), and efficiency of the test (93%). These values appeared to be higher than those calculated for transesophageal atrial pacing ECG, recorded simultaneously with echocardiographic images (81, 87, 95, 62, and 83%, respectively) and for exercise ECG test which was performed in 66 coronary patients and in 29 controls (68, 86, 92, 54, and 74%, respectively). The extent of pacing-induced left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities appeared to be directly correlated to the extent of coronary artery disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine echocardiography--an alternative to dynamic stress echocardiography.

Dynamic exercise echocardiography is sensitive and specific in detection and evaluation of coronary artery disease. Frequently, however, patients cannot achieve maximum exercise because of various factors. The aims of this study were to compare usefulness of adenosine infusion and dynamic exercise to induce myocardial ischemia detected with 2-D echocardiography and standard electrocardiography; to determine the sensitivity of the adenosine echo test; and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of adenosine infusion. In 31 men with clinical diagnosis of stable angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia was induced by: a) symptom-limited exercise test on a bicycle, and b) intravenous adenosine infusion. The two tests were performed with an average interval of 24 hours. Coronary angiography was performed in 29 of 31 patients and significant coronary artery disease (diameter narrowing > 50%) was documented in 26 of these (12 single, 6 two- and 8 three-vessel disease). The criterion for echo positivity was a transient impairment of contraction as compared to the baseline examination in any of 10 segments, with an increase of left ventricular score index of 0.3 or more. ECG positivity was considered as ST60 segment depression of 0.1 mV or more from the reference level in any lead. Adenosine echo test was positive in 22 out of 26 patients and exercise echo in 19 (sensitivity 85% and 73%, respectively, p = NS). Adenosine ECG test was positive in 14 of 26 patients and exercise ECG test in 21 (sensitivity 54% and 81% respectively, p = NS). In three patients with normal coronary arteriography adenosine echo was negative in all three, exercise echo, adenosine ECG and exercise ECG in two.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assessment of the influence of spinal cord stimulation on left ventricular function in patients with severe angina pectoris: an echocardiographic study.

Patients with severe, widespread coronary atherosclerosis and patients who have undergone several coronary artery bypass operations are often poor candidates for coronary bypass surgery (CABG). Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been shown to have an anti-anginal effect that is probably associated with an anti-ischaemic effect. In the present investigation, 15 patients with severe angina (mean age 64 years, range 49-71) were studied. All patients had a history of intractable angina pectoris despite optimal medical treatment and previous coronary bypass operation. The patients had multi-vessel disease and graft occlusion or graft stenosis on postoperative coronary angiograms. Left ventricular function was assessed echocardiographically at rest and during provocation with adenosine infusion in a control session without treatment and during treatment with SCS. The recovery time was at least 3 h. The decrease in the ejection fraction during adenosine infusion was more pronounced in the control situation (44 to 37%; P < 0.05) than during SCS (48 to 44%; ns), and the time to echocardiographic signs of dysfunction and to anginal pain during adenosine infusion was significantly prolonged during SCS (P < 0.001). In addition, the recovery time for these parameters was shorter during SCS (P < 0.001). It is concluded that the deterioration in left ventricular function during adenosine provocation was less pronounced with SCS than without. This possible anti-ischaemic effect is in agreement with results from earlier studies.