Diagnostic role of aortic valve calcium scoring in various etiologies of aortic stenosis.

Most of the studies about aortic valve calcium (AVC) score in aortic stenosis (AS) were based on degenerative or bicuspid AS but not rheumatic AS. We aimed to study the diagnostic accuracy of AVC score to determine severe AS in various etiologies. Adult patients diagnosed with mild to severe AS were enrolled. AVC score were identified from multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan. The AVC score was highest in bicuspid AS (3211.9 (IQR (1100.0-4562.4) AU) compared to degenerative AS (1803.7 (IQR (1073.6-2550.6) AU)), and rheumatic AS (875.6 (IQR 453.3-1594.0) AU), p < 0.001. For the ROC curve to identify severe AS, the AVC score performed well in degenerative and bicuspid AS with the area under the ROC curve (AuROC) 0.834 (95% CI, 0.730, 0.938) in degenerative group; and 0.820 (95% CI, 0.687, 0.953) in bicuspid AS. Whereas AVC score had non-significant diagnostic accuracy with AuROC 0.667 (95% CI, 0.357, 0.976) for male and 0.60(95% CI, 0.243, 0.957) for female in rheumatic AS. The cut-off AVC score values to identify severe AS were AVCS > 2028.9AU (male) and > 1082.5AU (female) for degenerative AS, and > 2431.8AU (male) and > 1293.5AU (female) for bicuspid AS. In conclusions, AVC score is the accurate test for assessing severity in patients with degenerative and bicuspid AS but performs poorly in rheumatic AS group.

Prediction Of Serum Digoxin Concentration Using Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate In Thai Population.

PURPOSE: Serum digoxin concentration (SDC) monitoring may be unavailable in some healthcare settings. Predicted SDC comes into play in the efficacy and toxicity monitoring of digoxin. Renal function is the important parameter for predicting SDC. This study was conducted to compare measured and predicted SDC when using creatinine clearance (CrCl) from Cockcroft-Gault (CG) equation and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated from CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), re-expressed Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (Re-MDRD4), Thai-MDRD4, and Thai-eGFR equations in Sheiner's and Konishi's pharmacokinetic models. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients with cardiovascular disease with a steady-state of SDC within 0.5-2.0 mcg/L were enrolled. CrCl and studied eGFR adjusted for body surface area (BSA) were used in the models to determine the predicted SDC. The discrepancies of the measured and the predicted SDC were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four patients ranging in age from 22 to 88 years (median 60 years, IQR 50.2, 69.2) were studied. Their serum creatinine ranged from 0.40 to 1.80 mg/dL (median 0.90 mg/dL, IQR 0.79, 1.10). The mean±SD of measured SDC was 1.12±0.34 mcg/L. In the Sheiner's model, the mean predicted SDC was calculated by using the CG and the BSA adjusted CKD-EPI equations and was not different when compared with the measured levels (1.10±0.36 mcg/L (p=0.669) and 1.08±0.42 mcg/L (p=0.374), respectively). The CG, CKD-EPI, and Re-MDRD4 equations were a better fit for patients with creatinine ≥0.9 mg/dL for prediction with minimal errors. In the Konishi's model, the predicted SDC using the CG and the studied eGFR equation was lower than the measured SDC (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In Sheiner's model, the CG and the BSA adjusted CKD-EPI equations should be used for predicting SDC, especially in patients with serum creatinine ≥0.9 mg/dL. The other studied eGFRs underestimated SDC in both Sheiner's and Konishi's model.

Enhancing Knowledge and Self-Care Behavior of Heart Failure Patients by Interactive Educational Board Game.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an educational board game on heart failure (HF) patients' knowledge and self-care behavior. Methods: In this randomized controlled study with a follow-up of 3 months, 76 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, who had been enrolled in our multidisciplinary HF program, were divided into two groups. During their follow-up appointment at the HF clinic usually 2 weeks after discharge, the interventional group participated in an HF educational board game conducted in Thai language, while the control group received the usual care including standard education. The primary outcome was the change of score achieved in the specialized HF knowledge and self-care behavior assessment. Results: In the intervention group, the knowledge and self-care behavior significantly improved (all P < 0.001), whereas both scores were unchanged in the control group (P = 0.09 and P = 0.21). Mean score change for knowledge and self-care behavior showed greater improvement in the intervention group when compared with the control group (P < 0.002 and P < 0.006). Conclusion: Participation in an interactive educational board game resulted in an increase in the HF patients' knowledge and self-care behavior. Practice Implications: An interactive educational board game may be used as an alternative educational tool in HF patients.

Clinical tolerability of generic versus brand beta blockers in heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: a retrospective cohort from heart failure clinic.

Background: Beta-blockers have been shown to decrease mortality and morbidity in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. However, the side effects are also dose-related, leading to the underdosing. Cost constraint may be one of the limitations of appropriate beta-blocker use; this can be improved with generic drugs. However, the effects in real life practice have not been investigated. Methods and results: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of generic and brand beta-blockers in HFrEF patients. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis in HFrEF patients who received either generic or brand beta-blocker in Chiang Mai Heart Failure Clinic. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who received at least 50% target dose of beta-blocker between generic and brand beta-blockers. Adverse events were secondary endpoints. 217 patients (119 and 98 patients received generic and brand beta-blocker, respectively) were enrolled. There were no differences between groups regarding age, gender, etiology of heart failure, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), rate of receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), angiotensin recepter blocker (ARB), or spironolactone. Patients receiving brand beta-blockers had lower resting heart rate at baseline (74.9 and 84.2 bpm, p = .001). Rate of achieved 50% target dose and target daily dose did not differ between groups (40.4 versus 44.5% and 48.0 versus 55.0%, p > .05, respectively). Rate of side effects was not different between groups (32.3 versus 29.5%, p > .05) and the most common side effect was hypotension. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that beta-blocker tolerability was comparable between brand and generic formulations. Generic or brand beta-blockers should be prescribed to HFrEF patients who have no contraindications.

Huge cardiac myxoma in pregnancy.

A 28-year-old pregnant woman presented at 28 weeks of gestation. She was diagnosed to have a left atrial myxoma 2 years earlier, but was lost to follow-up. During this pregnancy, the transthoracic echocardiography showed a 9 cm mass in the left atrium obstructing mitral valve inflow, interfering with mitral valve closure, causing severe mitral regurgitation and severe pulmonary hypertension. However, there were no clinical signs of pulmonary and systemic congestion or obstruction. Based on the clinical symptoms of the patient, the echocardiographic findings and the term of her pregnancy, the patient decided to schedule for a vaginal delivery with surgical correction after delivery. She gave birth at 32 weeks of gestation. During labour, pulmonary oedema developed but was detected early and it responded to therapy. Two weeks after delivery, a right anterior thoracotomy was performed to facilitate the removal of the left atrial myxoma and repair of the mitral valve.

Left Atrial Myxoma in Pregnancy: Management Strategy Using Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach.

This case report concerns a young woman who, during her pregnancy, suffered severe mitral regurgitation. It was discovered at the same time that she had a left atrial myxoma. During the early postpartum period she successfully underwent an anterior minithoracotomy to remove the left atrial myxoma in conjunction with repair of the mitral valve. The thoracotomy approach in this specific patient was chosen as it would give a better chance of successful mother-child bonding because the patient would be able to avoid the precautions which would have been necessary following a sternotomy, especially the limitation of her ability to hold her child during the first 4-6 weeks postoperatively.

The mirror image of Gerbode defect: acquired right ventricular-to-left atrial communication.

: Left ventricular-to-right atrial communication, known as Gerbode defect, is rare. However, right ventricular-to-left atrial communication is much rarer. We present a case of a middle-aged woman with a past history of primum atrial septal defect surgery who presented with dyspnea on exertion. Echocardiographic studies showed dehiscence of the pericardial atrial patch from atrioventricular junction, causing a right ventricular-to-left atrial communication with bidirectional shunt. A three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic reconstruction revealed a defect of septal tricuspid valve leaflet. In atrioventricular septal defect, the apical displacement of mitral valve insertion, together with a congenital defect of septal tricuspid valve leaflet, contributes to predisposing conditions for this communication.

Safety and tolerability of intradermal influenza vaccination in patients with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: It is well-established that influenza vaccination reduces adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), however, the vaccine coverage rate in most countries remains low. The concern about the local adverse effects of intramuscular injection, particularly in CVD patients receiving antithrombotic therapy, is one of the important impediments. This study was conducted to assess the safety, side effects and tolerability of intradermal influenza vaccine in CVD patients. METHODS: This was an observational study in adult CVD patients who had undergone vaccination against seasonal influenza by intradermal vaccination between May 16(th) and May 30(th), 2012 at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. The medical history, patients' acceptability and adverse effects were collected using a written questionnaire completed by the patient immediately following vaccination and by a telephone survey eight days later. RESULTS: Among 169 patients, 52.1% were women and the mean age was 63 ± 12 years. Coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy were present in 121 (71.6%), 40 (23.7%) and 8 (4.7%), respectively. Antithrombotics were used in 89.3%. After vaccination, the pain score was 0, 1 or 2 (out of 10) in 44.4%, 15.1%, and 27.6% of the patients, respectively. Eight days after vaccination, the common adverse reactions were itching 19 (11.9%), swelling 9 (5.7%) and fatigue (4.7%). No hematoma or bruising was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The intradermal influenza vaccination is safe and well tolerates with high rates of satisfaction in CVD patients. This technique should be useful in expanding influenza vaccine coverage.

Endovascular aortic stenting in patients with chronic traumatic aortocaval fistula.

This study aimed to present the treatment of a case of delay presenting of traumatic aortocaval fistula (ACF) and its effect on hemodynamic problem. A 59-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with heart failure due to a 41-year-old traumatic ACF. ACF closure was performed by endovascular aortic stenting. His hospital course after procedure was complicated by severe bradycardia and torsades de pointes and excessive diuresis. We concluded the endovascular technique provided an attractive alternative to open surgical methods for repair of chronic ACF. However, in chronic cases, complications such as severe bradycardia (Nicoladoni-Branham sign) and excessive diuresis must be anticipated.

Thai Registry in Acute Coronary Syndrome (TRACS)--an extension of Thai Acute Coronary Syndrome registry (TACS) group: lower in-hospital but still high mortality at one-year.

BACKGROUND: The Thai Registry of Acute Coronary Syndrome (TRACS) registry was conducted five years after the first Thai Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) registry. OBJECTIVE: To describe demographics, management practices, and in-hospital outcomes of current Thai ACS patients and to seek for any significant changes in this registry from the earlier first Thai ACS registry. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The TRACS is a multi-centers, prospective, nation-wide registration with 39 participating medical centers. Web-based data entry was used and the data were centrally managed and analyzed. RESULTS: Between October 007 and December 2008, 2,007 patients were enrolled. Fifty-five percent had ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 33% had non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and 12% had unstable angina (UA). Overall prevalence of diabetes was 50.7%. The STEMI group was younger predominantly male, with less diabetes than NSTEMI. At presentation, lower percent of cardiogenic shock (7.9%) and cardiac arrest (2.8%) were noted. Sixty seven percent of the STEMI received reperfusion therapy. Thrombolysis was given in 42.6% and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 24.7% of all STEMl patients. Median door-to-needle and door-to-balloon time were 65 and 127 minutes. The median time-to-treatment was 285 min in the thrombolysis group and 324 min in the primary PCI group. Regarding NSTE-ACS, coronary angiography was performed in 38.4% and about one-fourth received revascularization either by PCI or bypass surgery during index admission. In-hospital mortality was 5.3% for STEMI, 5.1% for NSTEMI, and 1.7% for UA. When following the patients up to 12 months, the mortality was 14.1%, 25.0%, and 13.8% respectively. CONCLUSION: The TRACS registry showed differences in demographic, management practices and in-hospital outcomes of the Thai ACS patients. Although mortality rate in this registry decreased significantly as compared to the first Thai ACS registry, the results had to be interpreted with caution because of the difference in characteristics and severity of the enrolled patients. At 12-month follow-up, the mortality rate was significantly higher in NSTEMI than STEMI or UA patients. Practice management should be considered particularly for the invasive strategy for these groups of patients.

Influenza vaccination reduces cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

AIMS: Influenza infection has been shown to accentuate the progression of atherosclerosis and precipitate the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the protective effects of the influenza vaccine on cardiovascular events are still inconclusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was a prospective randomized open with blinded endpoint (PROBE) study. The 439 patients who had been admitted due to ACS within 8 weeks were enrolled and randomly allocated to receive inactivated influenza vaccine in the vaccine group and no treatment in the control group. All patients were treated with the standard therapy including revascularization according to primary cardiologists. The primary endpoint, which was the combined major cardiovascular events, including death, hospitalization from ACS, hospitalization from heart failure, and hospitalization from stroke, occurred less frequently in the vaccine group than the control group [9.5 vs. 19.3%, unadjusted HR 0.70 (0.57-0.86), P = 0.004]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular death between the vaccine and control groups [2.3 vs. 5.5%, unadjusted HR 0.39 (0.14-1.12), P = 0.088]. CONCLUSION: The influenza vaccine reduced major cardiovascular events in patients with ACS. Therefore, it should be encouraged as a secondary prevention in this group of patients.

Complete right bundle branch block predicts mortality in Thai patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that intraventricular conduction defect is associated with increased mortality in heart failure (HF) population. However, it is conflicting whether left bundle branch block (LBBB) or right bundle branch block (RBBB) is a better predictor for mortality. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between patterns of bundle branch block (BBB) and all-cause mortality in Thai patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and to compare the prognostic values of RBBB and LBBB in this population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors retrospectively studied a cohort of 170 patients (age 58 +/- 14 years, male=117) with HFrEF requiring hospitalization and were followed-up in a heart failure clinic. Predictors of mortality were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: Wide QRS complex (duration >120 ms) was present in 26% of patients, 15% with LBBB, 11% with RBBB. During an average follow-up of 1.8 +/-1.6 years, 22 patients (13%) died. By univariate analysis, presence of chronic renal insufficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and RBBB, but not LBBB were associated with increased mortality. After multivariate adjustment, the presence of RBBB was the only strong predictor of mortality in HF patients (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.3-11.7, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of RBBB was the only independent predictor of mortality in Thai patients with HFrEE

Prognostic value of selected presenting features of acute coronary syndrome in predicting in-hospital adverse events: insight from the Thai Acute Coronary Syndrome Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of the presenting features of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to in-hospital adverse events (total and cardiac deaths, heart failure and serious dysrhythmia) and the effects of coronary intervention. BACKGROUND: Patients with ACS may present with dyspnea, shock and/or cardiac arrest with or without accompanying chest pain. METHODS: We evaluated 9,373 patients (age 65+/-12 years and 60% males) enrolled in the Thai ACS Registry. Cardiac dyspnea included shortness of breath on exertion, and/or at rest, orthopnea, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea presumed from cardiac sources. Shock was present if systolic blood pressure was <90 mmHg for >30 min with symptoms of end-organ hypoperfusion. Post cardiac arrest was identified if cardiopulmonary resuscitation was required. We calculated the frequencies of these presenting features and assessed their contribution toward in-hospital adverse events (total and cardiac deaths, heart failure and serious arrhythmias) for the whole ACS and each entity of ACS and the effects of in-hospital interventions, both coronary and medicinal. RESULTS: Cardiac dyspnea, shock and post cardiac arrest were seen in 32.7%, 9.3%, and 4.2% of patients, respectively. In-hospital adverse events occurred more frequently in patients with these presenting features than those without (p<0.05). Cardiac dyspnea and shock were independent predictors of heart failure and death, respectively, while post cardiac arrest independently identified patients at risk of arrhythmia, total and cardiac death, regardless of the subgroup of ACS. Coronary revascularization significantly reduced the risk of total and cardiac death. CONCLUSION: These 3 presenting features of ACS portend a poor prognosis, regardless of the subgroup of ACS and should be considered as important early indicators for early intervention.

Factors related to in-hospital heart failure are very different for unstable angina and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina (UA) resulted in different degrees of damage to the heart muscle, and yet, when factors related to in-hospital outcomes were examined, these two subsets were often lumped together as non-STelevation acute coronary syndrome. Therefore, we investigated predictors of in-hospital heart failure (HF) in UA and NSTEMI separately. Factors related to HF (Killip > or = 2) were analyzed for NSTEMI and UA in a Thai Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) registry conducted in 17 institutions between 2002 and 2005. The registry comprised of 9373 single admissions age 65.1 +/- 12.3 years, 40.2% women, and 45.1% with HF. There were 3548 NSTEMI and 1989 UA with HF prevalence of 56.2% and 27.4%, respectively. Heart failure patients were older, more were women, sicker (as shown by more of those with shock, postcardiac arrest, and breathless on admission), more with diabetes mellitus (DM), received less intervention and medication, and showed higher total death (19.3% vs 5.3% for NSTEMI with and without HF; and correspondingly, 5.9% and 1.9% for UA). Independent predictors (at presentation) for the development of HF following NSTEMI or UA were age (not sex), breathlessness, and less prevalence of chest pain. However, shock and DM were risks only for NSTEMI but not UA. Heart failure was found to be a factor for in-hospital death for NSTEMI only, with odds ratio of 2.84 (confidence interval 2.11-3.82) and 3.23 (2.25-4.64) for total and cardiac deaths, respectively. Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and UA showed substantial differences in factors related to predictors for in-hospital outcome such that these should be examined separately.

Costs of payment in Thai acute coronary syndrome patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a major health care syndrome that can financially burden patients throughout the world, including Thailand. Few studies purposed estimating the costs of treatment. The data from the ACS registry database represented the costs of hospital charges paid by ACS patients. Although these were not the actual treatment costs, the authors can approximately estimate the total expenditure for the first admission. OBJECTIVES: First, calculate the cost of ACS to the patients, including diagnostic, demographic data, treatment modalities, type of payers, hospital profile, and outcomes. Second, find the appropriate model to identify the independent factors for predicting the treatment costs. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study collected data from the second and third phase of a national multicenter prospective registry of ACS in Thailand, Thai ACS registry (TACSR). 3,552 patients with new onset of ACS were analyzed. RESULTS: Median age was 67 years (range 26.5-105.5) with predominately male and median length of stay (LOS) was 7 days (range, 1-184). 42% referred from other hospitals. The median cost of the total population was 47,908 baht (range, 633-1,279,679). When classified into those of STEMI, NSTEMI, and UA, the costs were 82,848.5, 40,531 and 26,116 baht respectively, p < 0.0001. Patients in the government hospital had to pay the total cost with PCI and CABG, 152,081-161,374 baht and 203,139-223,747 baht respectively, while the private hospital charged almost twice as much. For the types of payers, private insurance including private employee security fund paid significantly more than others. Costs in patients paid by "30 baht na tional health scheme and social security fund" were significantly less than those of others. For modality of treatment in STEMI, primary PCI was significantly more costly than thrombolytics and no reperfusion therapy, 161,096.5 vs. 60,043.0 and 33,335.0 baht respectively p < 0.0001. Early invasive groups in NSTEMI/UA had much higher median costs 145,794.0 baht when compared to those of the conservative group, 47,908 baht, p < 0.0001. Two multiple linear regression models according to the diagnostic group identified the independent factors for predicting cost. PCI, LOS, CABG, admission in a private hospital, Death, GPIIb/IlIa inhibitors use, major bleeding, coronary angiogram, thrombolytics use, age and diabetes were independent predictors for the cost in STEMI patients, R2 = 0.58. For those of NSTEMI/UA, the independent predictors for the cost were PCI, LOS, CABG, admission in a private hospital, death, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors use, major bleeding, coronary angiogram, age, ventricular arrhythmia, CHF and referred patients, R2 =0.62. CONCLUSION: Costs in ACS patients were markedly different among diagnostic groups. The clinical risk factors were hospital type, type of payers, referred system, treatment procedures, drugs used and complications including outcome. Some of these factors could independently predict the costs.

Demographic, management practices and in-hospital outcomes of Thai Acute Coronary Syndrome Registry (TACSR): the difference from the Western world.

BACKGROUND: To establish a national registration of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) registry in Thailand by networking health service institutions to determine the demographic, management practices, and in-hospital outcomes of patients with ACS. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The Thai ACS registry is a multi-center prospective project of nationwide registration in Thailand. Institutions were invited to participate in the registry through members of the Heart Association of Thailand. A series of workshops were organized to ensure standardization and quality control of the data and conduct of the present study. Web-based double data entry was used and the data were centrally managed and analyzed. RESULTS: The enrollment of the patients started in August 2002. After three years, records of 9,373 patients were collected from 17 hospitals. The patients were classified as ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (40.9.%), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (37.9%) and unstable angina (UA) (21.2%). The STEMI group was younger predominantly male, with a fewer number of diabetes than NSTEMI or UA. About half of the STEMI patients (52.6%) received reperfusion therapy. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 22.2% of STEMI. The median door to needle and door to balloon time were 85.0 and 122 minutes respectively. The median times to treatment were 240 minutes in the thrombolysis group and 359 minutes in the primary PCI group. Nearly half of NSTEMI and UA went to coronary angiography and about one-fourth of them received revascularization either PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting in the same admission. The total mortality rate was high in STEMI (17.0%) followed by NSTEMI (13.1%) and UA (3.0%). CONCLUSION: Thai ACS registry provides a detail of demographic, management practices, and in-hospital outcomes of patients with ACS. Time from onset to admission, door to needle time and door to balloon time were considered as suboptimal. Overall, in-hospital mortality is higher than reports from Western countries. The raising awareness among the general population about urgency of seeking medical attention for chest pain and concerted effect to improve in-hospital time delay is warranted. These data may have an impact on our health care system and alert the government to adopt an appropriate policy to solve these problems.

Renal dysfunction as an independent predictor of total mortality after acute coronary syndrome: the Thai ACS Registry.

BACKGROUND: Renal insufficiency in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with poor cardiac outcome. In Asian populations, there are no data available for these associations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data was from the Thai ACS registry, only a new case of ACS. Clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality were compared for patients with normal or mild renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]> 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2, n = 809 [44.5%]), moderate renal dysfunction (eGFR 30-60 ml/minute/1.73 m2, n = 706 [38.9%]), and severe renal dysfunction (eGFR < 30 ml/minute/1.73 m2, n = 301 [16.6%]). RESULTS: Of the 1,816patients with mean follow-up 10.8 months, the mean age was 65 years, and 59.2 percent of the groups were male. Patients with severe renal dysfunction were significantly older, less likely to be male (45.2%, p < 0.001) and had a greater prevalence of diabetes (63.1%, p < 0.001) and hypertension (85.4%, p < 0.001). In-hospital and 1-year mortality were 13.5% and 22.5% respectively. According to discharge diagnosis, unadjusted hazard ratios for overall in-hospital mortality was statistically significant only in ST elevation MI subgroup, hazard ratio was 2.73 (95% CI, 1.72 to 4.34) and 6.27 (95% CI, 3.78 to 10.4) for moderate and severe renal dysfunction group, respectively. The risk of death for all types of ACS at 1-year follow up increased when eGFR decreased below 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2, the adjusted hazard ratio was 1.66 (95% CI,1.22 to 2.23) and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.34 to 2.72) for moderate and severe renal dysfunction group, respectively. CONCLUSION: From Thai ACS registry, renal dysfunction at presentation is an independent predictor for the overall 1-year mortality and appeared to associate with an increase in hospital mortality in the subsets with STEMI

Benefit of electrocardiography during front-line combination paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the patterns of electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac risk factors and its clinical consequence in women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who received paclitaxel and carboplatin (PC) as front line chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records and electrocardiographic data of women with EOC who received paclitaxel (175 mg/min2) and carboplatin (AUC=5) every 3 weeks at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2004 were reviewed for cardiac risk factors and clinical consequence. RESULTS: Among 79 women receiving PC for EOC, 43 (54.4%) had cardiac risk factors. Seventy (88.6%) women had normal ECG, the remaining nine had sinus tachycardia (5), bundle branch block (2), mild T inversion (1), and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (1) before the first course of chemotherapy. Among 70 women with normal initial ECG 8 (11.4%) had sinus tachycardia, one (1.4%) had early depolarization, two (2.9%) had sinus bradycardia and three (4.3%) had sinus arrhythmia in subsequent ECG All these cardiac disturbances were asymptomatic and needed no intervention, indicating grade I toxicity. The odds ratio of developing abnormal ECG in women with cardiac risk factor was 1.24 (95% CI = 0.33 to 4.64, p = 0.77). Among nine patients with abnormal ECG before the first course of PC, six (66.7%) had subsequent abnormal ECG but all were asymptomatic and no worsening of abnormal ECG pattern was noted. CONCLUSION: Although paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy could induce abnormal ECG in women with either normal or abnormal prior ECG, its consequence was of no clinical significance. Therefore, the benefit of ECG before each treatment course was theoretically limited.

A predictive model for distinguishing ischemic from non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a predictive model to distinguish ischemic from non-ischemic cardiomyopathy MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors randomly assigned 137 patients with LV systolic dysfunction into two subsets--one to derive a predictive model and the other to validate it. Clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data were interpreted by blinded investigators to the subsequent coronary angiogram results. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed by the presence of significant coronary artery disease from the coronary angiogram. The final model had been derived from the clinical data and was validated using the validating set. The receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves and the diagnostic performances of the model were estimated. RESULTS: The authors developed the following model: Predictive score = (3 x presence of diabetes mellitus) + number of ECG leads with abnormal Q waves--(5 x presence of echocardiographic characteristic of nonischemic cardiomyopathy). The model was well discriminated (area under ROC curve = 0.94). Performance in the validating sample was equally good (area under ROC curve = 0.89). When a cut-off point > or = 0 was used to predict the presence of significant coronary artery disease, the model had a sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of 100%, 57%, 74% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: With the high negative value of this model, it would be useful for use as a screening tool to exclude non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in heart failure patients and may avoid unnecessary coronary angiograms.