[Clinical and therapeutic specificities of myocardial infarction in patients with peripheral arterial disease: the USIC 2000 registry]. / Particularités cliniques et thérapeutiques de l'infarctus du myocarde chez l'artéritique: etude à partir du registre USIC 2000.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies underlined the worse prognosis of myocardial infarction (MI) among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We sought to describe the presentation and management modalities of a cohort of PAD patients presenting an acute MI, compared to those without PAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The USIC 2000 registry, a nationwide database on all patients admitted to a CCU for an acute MI < 48 hours in France in November 2000 was used for this study. RESULTS: Among the 2311 patients included, PAD was reported in 215 subjects (9.3%). In multivariate analysis, the following factors were positively related to the presence of PAD (P < or = 0.05): age >75 y (OR = 2.3), diabetes (OR = 2.0), hypertension (OR = 1.4), active smoking (OR = 4.6), renal failure (OR =3.1), and treatments with antiplatelets (OR = 3.9), anti-vitamin K (OR = 1.9), statins (OR = 1.7) and low molecular weight heparins (OR = 6.8). By introducing the data concerning the arrival in CCUs in the model, the following factors were also significantly more frequent among PAD patients: male sex (OR = 1.6), past history of coronary artery disease (OR = 2.2), left bundle branch block (OR = 1.8) and late management >6 hours (OR = 1.4). Conversely, ST-segment elevation was less frequent (OR = 0.7). When the CCU stay data were introduced in the model, a lower rate of coronary stenting (OR = 0.7) and betablockers use within 48 hours of admission (OR = 0.6) were noted. CONCLUSION: Beyond the presence of PAD per se, several particularities do exist, especially the coexistence of a high number of pejorative factors and an under-utilization of treatments presenting prognostic benefits.

Management and in-hospital outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to intensive care units at the turn of the century: results from the French nationwide USIC 2000 registry.

OBJECTIVE: To assess actual practices and in-hospital outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction on a nationwide scale. METHODS: Of 443 intensive care units in France, 369 (83%) prospectively collected data on all cases of infarction (within < 48 hours of symptom onset) in November 2000. RESULTS: 2320 patients (median age 68 years, 73% men) were included, of whom 83% had ST segment elevation infarction (STEMI). Patients without STEMI were older and had a more frequent history of cardiovascular disease. Median time to admission was 5.0 hours for patients with and 6.5 hours for those without STEMI. Reperfusion therapy was used for 53% of patients with STEMI (thrombolysis 28%, primary angioplasty 25%). In-hospital mortality was 8.7% (5.5% of patients without and 9.3% of those with STEMI). Multivariate analysis found that age, Killip class, lower blood pressure, higher heart rate on admission, anterior location of infarct, STEMI, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, and no current smoking independently predicted in-hospital mortality. At hospital discharge, 95% received antiplatelet agents, 75% received beta blockers, and over 60% received statins. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed for 40% of the patients without and 52% of those with ST elevation. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide registry, including all types of centres irrespective of their size and experience, shows continued improvement in patient care and outcomes. Time from symptom onset to admission, however, has not improved in recent years and reperfusion therapy is used for just over 50% of patients with STEMI, with an increasing use of primary angioplasty.

Management and short-term outcome of diabetic patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction: results of a nationwide French survey.

OBJECTIVES: To compare management and short-term outcome of diabetic and non-diabetic patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: This was a prospective epidemiological survey. All patients admitted in coronary care units in France in November 2000 for confirmed acute myocardial infarction were eligible to enter the study. RESULTS: Of the 2320 patients recruited from 369 centers, 487 were diabetic (21%). Compared to non-diabetic patients, diabetic patients were 5 years older, more often female, obese and hypertensive; they had more often a history of cardiovascular disease; they had a lower ejection fraction and worse Killip class. Reperfusion therapy was less frequent among diabetic patients (39% versus 51%; p=0.0001), as was the use of beta-blockers (61% versus 72%; p=0.0001), aspirin (83% versus 89%; p=0.0001) and statins (52% versus 60%; p=0.001) during hospitalization. Conversely, the use of ACE-inhibitors was more frequent (54% versus 44%; p=0.0001). 58% of diabetic patients received insulin during hospitalization. Twenty-eight-day mortality was 13.1% in diabetic patients and 7.0% in non-diabetic patients (risk ratio: 1.87; p=0.001). Diabetes remained associated with increased mortality after adjustment for relevant risk factors including age and ejection fraction (risk ratio: 1.51; p=0.07). In patients treated with antidiabetic drugs (chiefly sulfonylureas) before admission, 28-day mortality was 10.4% compared with 19.9% in diabetic patients on diet alone or untreated (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Despite higher cardiovascular risk and worse prognosis, in-hospital management of diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction remains sub-optimal. Patients previously treated with antidiabetic drugs including sulfonylureas had a better prognosis than untreated diabetic patients.

[Coronary thrombosis imaging in humans]. / Imagerie de la thrombose coronaire chez l'homme.

The identification of coronary thrombosis in humans has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. Its recognition calls for invasive techniques: angioscopy, coronarography, and endocoronary ultrasound. Angioscopy allows visualisation of the arterial surface and the detection of thrombus with great sensitivity. Its presence is exclusive to the acute coronary syndromes: 67% in unstable angina, and 75% in myocardial infarction, although it is only present in 27% of cases of stable angina. The relative complexity of its use has led to the abandonment of this technique. Coronarography allows an indirect approach to coronary thrombosis. Certain aspects are evocative such as: intraluminal filling defect, complete occlusion with upstream convexity, ulceration and eccentric type 2 Ambrose classification plaques. As a function of the clinical presentation, the coronarographic views allow a good specificity for the diagnosis of thrombus. The sensitivity is weak, however, compared to angioscopy. Endocoronary ultrasound does not allow identification of fresh thrombus which is not echogenic and does not allow differentiation between older thrombus and lipid plaque. In the future, magnetic resonance imaging could prove interesting in the detection of recent thrombus.

Patency of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty sites at 6-month angiographic follow-up: A key determinant of survival in diabetics after coronary balloon angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Several reports have demonstrated a high mortality rate in diabetic patients treated by standard coronary balloon angioplasty. No clear explanation has been provided for this finding. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive diabetic patients successfully treated by standard coronary balloon angioplasty (n=604) were enrolled in a follow-up program including repeated angiography at 6 months and long-term clinical follow-up. Clinical follow-up was available in 603 patients (99.8%). Twelve patients died, 2 underwent bypass surgery before scheduled repeated angiography, and 76 declined angiography. Determinants of long-term mortality were analyzed in the 513 patients with angiography at 6 months and long-term clinical follow-up (mean follow-up, 6.5+/-2.4 years). On the basis of the results of repeated angiography, 3 groups of patients were defined: group 1, 162 patients without restenosis (32%); group 2, 257 patients with nonocclusive restenosis (50%); and group 3, 94 patients with coronary occlusion (18%). Overall actuarial 10-year mortality rate was 36%. Actuarial 10-year mortality was 24% in group 1, 35% in group 2, and 59% in group 3 (P:<0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that coronary occlusion was a strong and independent correlate of long-term total mortality (hazard ratio, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.43 to 3.26; P:=0.0003) and cardiac mortality (hazard ratio, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.48 to 3.85; P:=0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that restenosis, especially in its occlusive form, is a major determinant of long-term mortality in diabetic patients after coronary balloon angioplasty.

Effect of mitral valve surgery on exercise capacity, ventricular ejection fraction and neurohormonal activation in patients with severe mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the effects of surgical correction of mitral regurgitation (MR) on exercise performance, cardiac function and neurohormonal activation. BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effect of surgical correction of MR on functional status or on neurohormonal activation. METHODS: Cardiopulmonary exercise test, radionuclide angiography and blood samples for assessment of neurohormonal status were obtained in 40 patients with nonischemic MR before and within one year (216+/-80 days) after surgery. Twenty-four patients underwent mitral valve repair (MVr), and 16 underwent valve replacement (VR) with anterior chordal transection. RESULTS: Despite an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class, exercise performance did not change (peak oxygen consumption: 19.3+/-6.1 to 18.5+/-5.6 ml/kg/min, percentage of maximal predicted oxygen consumption: 79.5+/-18.2% to 76.8+/-16.9%). After surgery, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) decreased (64.2+/-10.3% to 59.9+/-11.4%, p = 0.003) while right ventricular (RV) EF increased (41.4+/-9.6% to 44.7+/-9.5%, p = 0.03). Left ventricular EF did not change after MVr (64.3+/-11.5% to 61.5+/-12.2%), but RVEF improved (40.4+/-9.2% to 46.0+/-10.0%, p = 0.02). In contrast, VR was associated with an impairment of LV function in the apicolateral area and a decrease in LVEF (64.1+/-8.5% to 57.4+/-10.0%, p = 0.01), whereas RVEF did not change (42.9+/-10.3% to 42.8+/-8.6%). Moreover, there was only a slight decrease in neurohormonal activation after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an improvement in symptomatic status, exercise performance was not improved seven months after either MVr or VR for MR, and neurohormonal activation persisted. Compared with MVr, VR resulted in a significant impairment of cardiac function in this study.

The PRESTO (Prevention of restenosis with tranilast and its outcomes) protocol: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Tranilast is a unique drug in clinical development for the prevention of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary revascularization (PTCR). Tranilast interferes with proliferation and migration of vascular medial smooth muscle cells induced by platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor beta1. Collagen synthesis in vascular medial smooth muscle cells is inhibited by tranilast, which also inhibits the release or production of cyclooxygenase-2 and restores cytokine-induced nitric oxide production. These mechanisms may contribute to the reduction of angiographic restenosis after coronary intervention previously reported in clinical studies. METHODS: The primary objective of this multicenter study of 11,500 patients is to compare the composite clinical event rate of death, myocardial infarction, or the need for ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization of tranilast (300 and 450 mg twice daily) for 1 or 3 months with that of placebo in patients undergoing PTCR with or without stenting for single or multiple vessels over a 9-month period. The lesions can be de novo or restenotic. All revascularization procedures and the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa agents are permitted. The inclusion criteria are meant to allow an "all comer" approach for generalization of results to the broadest possible PTCR population. A subset population (n = 2000) will undergo 9-month follow-up angiography, 1000 of which will also undergo intravascular ultrasound (n = 1000). This study is the first tranilast trial to be conducted in a Western population to confirm the improved angiographic findings reported in Japanese patients and to determine if the clinical sequelae of restenosis are also reduced. CONCLUSION: This multicenter study is the largest restenosis trial planned to date. It will test whether tranilast, a drug with multiple actions aimed at affecting proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, can reduce clinical, angiographic, and intravascular ultrasound assessments of restenosis.

Coronary angioscopic findings in the infarct-related vessel within 1 month of acute myocardial infarction: natural history and the effect of thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: Limited angioscopic information is available on the natural history of infarct-related plaque after myocardial infarction (MI), in particular the effect of thrombolysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied with angioscopy the morphological characteristics of the infarct-related lesion in 56 patients between 24 hours and 4 weeks after MI. Forty of these patients were initially treated with a thrombolytic agent. Most lesions were complex (complex + ulcerated shape = 54%). The predominant color of the plaque was yellow in 79% of cases; only 6% were uniformly white. Angioscopically visible thrombus was found in 77% of cases. Despite angioscopic evidence of instability, only 7% of the patients had post-MI angina. During the 1-month time window since the occurrence of MI, there was no significant difference in the angioscopic appearance of the plaque except for a slight increase in uniformly white plaques (P=.07). The use of a thrombolytic agent at the onset of MI was associated with a reduction in thrombus size and less protruding thrombi (P=.02) but not with a decreased frequency of plaque containing thrombi. Furthermore, a trend for more frequently ulcerated plaques (45% versus 16%, P=.06) was associated with the use of a thrombolytic agent. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that healing of the infarct-related lesion requires more than 1 month and that an "unstable" yellow plaque with adherent thrombus is common during that period. This finding may partly explain the unique behavior of recent infarct-related lesions, which are more prone to occlude than other lesions.

Postpneumonectomy interatrial right-to-left shunt: successful percutaneous treatment.

This report describes the case of a 67-year-old man in whom atrial right-to-left shunt developed after a right pneumonectomy, leading to dyspnea with severe arterial desaturation. Transcatheter occlusion of the patent foramen ovale was successfully performed using a buttoned device. Review of literature and mechanisms of these atrial right-to-left shunts are discussed.

D allele of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme is a major risk factor for restenosis after coronary stenting.

BACKGROUND: Although intracoronary stent implantation significantly reduces restenosis compared with balloon angioplasty, a minority of patients still develop restenosis predominantly due to neointimal hyperplasia. Experimental studies suggest that the renin-angiotensin system is involved in neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury. In humans, the plasma and cellular levels of ACE are associated with an I/D genetic polymorphism in the ACE gene, DD patients having higher levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated a possible relation between the ACE I/D polymorphism and restenosis in 146 patients who underwent successful implantation of a Palmaz-Schatz stent and had 6-month follow-up angiography. The minimal lumen diameter (MLD) before and after the procedure did not differ significantly among the three groups of genotypes (DD, ID, and II). At follow-up, MLD had a significant inverse relationship to the number of D alleles present (DD, 1.65 +/- 0.71 mm; ID, 1.84 +/- 0.60 mm; II, 2.05 +/- 0.61 mm; P < .007). Late luminal loss during the follow-up period was significantly related to the number of D alleles (DD, 0.89 +/- 0.61 mm; ID, 0.60 +/- 0.52 mm; II, 0.40 +/- 0.53 mm; P < .0001). The relative risk of restenosis (defined as a > 50% diameter stenosis at follow-up) approximated by the adjusted odds ratio was 2.00 per number of D alleles (95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 3.88, P < .04). CONCLUSIONS: The ACE I/D polymorphism influences the level of late luminal loss after coronary stent implantation. These results suggest that the renin-angiotensin system may be implicated in the pathogenesis of restenosis after coronary stenting.

[Coronary angioscopy]. / Angioscopie coronaire.

Coronary angioscopy evaluates the composition of the atherosclerotic plaque by direct examination of the arterial wall. The angioscope is fitted with a balloon which prevents assessment of the proximal segment of the vessels. The fibre optic system provides and excellent view of the mid and distal segments of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries appear smooth and white on angioscopy. The atherosclerotic plaque is a white or yellowish incursion. Unstable plaques are characterised by the presence of thrombus. In unstable angina, thrombus is observed in 64% of cases and in 75% of cases during the first month after myocardial infarction. The colour of the plaque seems to be related to its fragility: the yellow plaque is much more common during myocardial infarction than in unstable angina (75% versus 47% of cases). Finally, after coronary angioplasty restenosis is more commonly white, covered by neo-intimal proliferation. Angioscopy has been shown to be feasible and safe and it is a better method of identifying thrombus. At present, it is a tool for clinical research in coronary thrombosis and interventional cardiology.

Morphological changes after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of unstable plaques. Insights from serial angioscopic follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the morphological changes occurring in the months following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of unstable plaques. BACKGROUND: Coronary angioscopy is a relatively new technique to assess plaque morphology. Previous angioscopic studies have shown that unstable coronary lesions are characterized by complex morphology, evidence of plaque rupture, and intraluminal thrombi. No serial angioscopic studies have investigated the effects of PTCA on plaque morphology at such lesions. METHODS: We studied 15 patients who underwent successful PTCA for an unstable coronary syndrome (unstable angina: n = 5; recent myocardial infarction: n = 10). Angioscopy was performed immediately before PTCA in 14 patients, immediately after PTCA in 13 patients, and at follow-up (225 +/- 62 days after PTCA) in all patients. RESULTS: Pre-PTCA, plaque morphology was defined as complex in 18%, ulcerated in 27%; the vessel was totally occluded in 18% of cases. Plaque colour was yellow in 75% of patients. A thrombus was identified at the lesion site in 71% of patients. Immediately post-PTCA, small surface disruptions and dissections were observed in 62% of patients. Plaque colour was yellow in 85% of cases. Seventy-seven percent of patients had an angioscopically visible thrombus at the PTCA site. At follow-up, however, plaque shape was almost uniformly classified as smooth concentric (93%); plaque colour was white in 93%; no thrombus was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the healing of unstable plaques in the months following PTCA. The angioscopic appearance at 6 months is that of a stable plaque (smooth concentric, white, without thrombus). Whether this stable angioscopic appearance predicts long-term clinical stability remains to be determined.

Relation of coronary angioscopic findings at coronary angioplasty to angiographic restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Discordant results have been reported regarding morphological predictors of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). These discrepancies may be related to the limitations of angiography in the study of plaque morphology. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 117 consecutive patients who underwent successful PTCA and who underwent coronary angioscopy before and immediately after the procedure. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 99 (85%) patients. We analyzed the relationship between angioscopic variables at the time of PTCA and the occurrence of restenosis assessed by quantitative coronary angiography. Plaque shape and color had no effect on late loss in luminal diameter (late loss: smooth lesions, 0.55 +/- 0.68 mm; complex lesions, 0.76 +/- 0.60 mm; white plaques, 0.51 +/- 0.56 mm; yellow plaques, 0.65 +/- 0.72 mm; P = NS). An angioscopic protruding thrombus at the PTCA site was associated with significantly greater loss in luminal diameter (late loss: no thrombus, 0.47 +/- 0.54 mm; lining thrombus, 0.59 +/- 0.67 mm; protruding thrombus, 1.07 +/- 0.77 mm; P < .05). Dissection assessed by angioscopy immediately after PTCA had no effect on late loss in luminal diameter (late loss: no dissection, 0.60 +/- 0.60 mm; simple dissection, 0.82 +/- 0.75 mm; complex dissection, 0.57 +/- 0.80 mm; P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that coronary angioscopy may be helpful in predicting the risk of restenosis after PTCA. The high rate of angiographic recurrence observed when PTCA is performed at thrombus-containing lesions supports a role for thrombus in the process of luminal renarrowing after PTCA.

[Coronary endovascular prostheses (stents) in the treatment of imminent or acute occlusion as a complication of coronary angioplasty]. / Protesis endovasculares coronarias (stents) en el tratamiento de la oclusion inminente o aguda como complicacion de angioplastia coronaria.

Acute coronary occlusion as a consequence of dissection or thrombosis occurs in 2 to 11% of patients treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and continues to be the principal cause of early morbidity and mortality. In this study the experience of one center is presented with the application of two types of stents, Wiktor (Medtronic Inc.) or Gianturco-Roubin (Cook Inc.) for bailout of acute or threatening coronary occlusion that persisted after treatment with prolonged balloon inflation. All patients received a complete anticoagulation scheme with heparin, dextran, dipyridamole, aspirin and coumadin. From January to November 1993, 26 patients with 27 prosthesis were included. There were 21 men and 5 women with mean age of 58 years (range 36 to 73). The indications for stenting were: total occlusion in five (19%) threatening occlusion in 13 (50%) and severe persistent dissection in eight (31%). Initial implantation success was 93% (25/27). Procedure related clinical complications were death in one patient, bypass surgery in two (8%) and myocardial infarction in four (15%). Acute stent thrombosis occurred in three cases and subacute in one (11 and 4% respectively). Three patients, had non-fatal bleeding complications. Final clinical success without myocardial infarction, bypass surgery or death was 77%. In conclusion, coronary stenting for bailout of acute or threatening coronary occlusion after PTCA is a good alternative to emergency surgery. New antithrombotic strategies and better anticoagulation schemes may improve further this procedure.

[Percutaneous coronary angioscopy: 200 observations in 100 candidates for angioplasty]. / Angioscopía coronaría percutánea: 200 observaciones en 100 pacientes candidatos a angioplastía.

Due to the recent technological advances, it is possible to perform percutaneous coronary angioscopy in a straightforward fashion in most patients. To know the safety and usefulness of this technique we present 200 observations in 100 patients candidates for coronary intervention. We used a coronary angioscope (Baxter, Edwards LIS Division), that can be placed using the conventional technique for percutaneous coronary angioplasty. The system incorporates a proximal occluding balloon, and distally a movable optical fiber. Case selection considered non-ostial coronary segments relatively straight. It was possible to obtain adequate images in 86 percent of cases. The technique is safe in experienced hands: there were two cases of ventricular fibrillation, and two cases of local dissection occurred, none of these associated with clinical consequences. No myocardial infarction, surgery or death, related to this procedure occurred. Valuable diagnostic information is derived from angioscopy as the method provides some histopathological correlation. Stable plaques are usually uniformly white or yellow. Unstable plaques are yellow and ulcerated. Thrombus can be easily recognized in acute coronary syndromes. Also in percutaneously treated segments, the final result and the presence of dissection or hemorrhage can be visualized. Coronary percutaneous angioscopy is safe and brings useful clinical information. Its applications in the clinical practice are still to be determined.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition prevents proto-oncogene expression in the vascular wall after injury.

OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce neointimal hyperplasia after balloon denudation, but the mechanisms are not completely understood. It has been demonstrated that nuclear oncogenes are induced in the vascular wall in the hours immediately after injury, and that the same genes are induced by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells. It has therefore been suggested that the effects of ACE inhibitors on the response of the vessel wall could be mediated by an inhibition of proto-oncogene expression. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned for histologic analysis to receive placebo (n = 9) or 1 mg/kg per day perindopril (n = 7). After treatment for 7 days balloon aortic injury was performed. The treatment was continued and the rabbits were killed 28 days after injury. In the perindopril group the neointimal cross-sectional area was significantly smaller than in the control group. Six untreated rabbits were used to assess the time course of proto-oncogene expression in the aortic wall after injury in the present model. After extraction, total aortic RNA was hybridized with myc, fos and jun probes. Based on the results, the effects of ACE inhibition on proto-oncogene expression were tested 1 h after balloon denudation. Accordingly, 24 rabbits were randomly assigned to pretreatment for 7 days with placebo or with 1 or 10 mg/kg per day perindopril (n = 8, for each group) and were killed 1 h after injury. Expression of c-myc was not altered by pretreatment. However, 1 mg/kg per day perindopril induced significant reductions of 50% in c-jun and 45% in c-fos expression compared with control. No additional effect was obtained with the higher dose. CONCLUSION: The effect of ACE inhibition on intimal hyperplasia is associated with a reduction in early cellular events such as c-fos and c-jun expression. These results suggest that potent ACE inhibition at the time of vascular injury may be required to limit the hyperplastic response of the vessel wall.

The 'Ermenonville' classification of observations at coronary angioscopy--evaluation of intra- and inter-observer agreement. European Working Group on Coronary Angioscopy.

A European coronary angioscopy working group has been established to create and evaluate a classification system for angioscopic observation. The 'Ermenonville' classification features items, graded in 3-5 categories, such as lumen diameter, shape of narrowing, colours of surface, atheroma, dissection, thrombus, etc. Inter- and intra-observer agreement on the interpretation of angioscopic images, using this classification system, was studied within the working group. Kappa values for chance-corrected intra-observer agreement of the diagnostic items were 0.51-0.67. The mean kappa values for inter-observer agreement were very low at 0.13-0.29. The important items, such as red thrombus and dissection were studied after recoding as either present or absent. These items proved to have a good intra-observer agreement, and an acceptable inter-observer agreement after recoding. Other angioscopic diagnoses should be made with caution. Multicentre angioscopy studies should make use of an angioscopy core laboratory. A set of definitions for coronary angioscopy is proposed, and this working group will re-evaluate observer agreements using these definitions.

Angiopeptin inhibits oncogene induction in rabbit aorta after balloon denudation.

BACKGROUND: Angiopeptin, a synthetic cyclic octapeptide analogue of somatostatin, reduces neointimal hyperplasia after balloon denudation of rabbit aorta if administered before injury. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of angiopeptin pretreatment on the level of expression of the c-fos and c-jun protooncogenes, early markers of smooth muscle cell proliferation, after balloon denudation of rabbit aorta. METHODS AND RESULTS: For histological analysis of the effect of angiopeptin on neointimal thickening after aortic balloon denudation, rabbits were randomized into three groups: group 1 (controls), twice-daily injections of saline begun 24 hours before balloon denudation (n = 9); group 2, twice-daily injections of angiopeptin 10 micrograms/kg begun 24 hours before balloon denudation (n = 9); and group 3, twice-daily injections of angiopeptin 10 micrograms/kg begun 1 hour after balloon denudation (n = 7). The degree of neointimal thickening 28 days after balloon denudation was significantly less in group 2 than in group 1 (neointimal area: group 1, 0.59 +/- 0.11 mm2; group 2, 0.22 +/- 0.05 mm2; P < .05. Neointima/media: group 1, 0.85 +/- 0.17; group 2, 0.23 +/- 0.05; P < .05). When angiopeptin was started 1 hour after denudation (group 3), however, the neointimal area (0.52 +/- 0.09 mm2) and the neointima/media ratio (0.76 +/- 0.10) were not statistically different from the control group. For analysis of protooncogene induction, rabbits received twice-daily subcutaneous injections of saline (n = 7), angiopeptin 10 micrograms/kg (n = 8), or angiopeptin 100 micrograms/kg (n = 4) begun 24 hours before balloon denudation. The animals were killed 30 minutes after balloon denudation, and total aortic RNA was hybridized with fos and jun probes. Expression of c-fos and c-jun was detected 30 minutes after injury; angiopeptin pretreatment at 20 micrograms.kg-1.d-1 induced a 41% reduction in c-fos expression and a 42% reduction in c-jun expression compared with control animals. The inhibitory effect at the higher dose of angiopeptin was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the inhibitory effect of angiopeptin on neointimal thickening is related to events that occur very early after injury and suggest that the inhibition of smooth muscle cell activation may be responsible, at least in part, for this effect.

[Evaluation of the anesthetic risk in patients with coronary disease prior to non-cardiac surgery]. / Evaluation du risque anesthésique chez un coronarien avant intervention pour chirurgie non cardiaque.

Evaluation of operative risk in coronary artery disease patients before non-cardiac surgery is a frequent problem concerning 100,000 patients each year in France. Perioperative cardiac morbidity is the first cause of death associated with non-cardiac surgery, with infarction rates of the order of 1 to 2% in coronary disease patients. These infarcts are followed by the death of the patient in 25 to 50% of cases. Evaluation of anesthetic risk is based upon three points: type of surgery, clinical findings and results of investigations. The risk is markedly increased in emergency surgery, and in thoracic, intraperitoneal and above all vascular surgery, in particular when clamping of the aorta is involved. From a clinical standpoint, only a history of infarction and signs of peripheral cardiac failure are independent predictive factors of postoperative complications. Other criteria, e.g. age, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes and above all the severity of angina are also associated with the onset of perioperative-complications. This evaluation can be refined by electrocardiogram (Q wave, ST segment anomalies, ventricular hypertrophy and left bundle branch block) and chest X-ray. The usefulness and predictive value of exercise tests, when possible in a preoperative context, are particularly precious when the result is positive at low work-load. Many publications have studied the value of myocardial isotope scan, in particular before vascular surgery. They report the excellent negative predictive value (95 to 100%) of this investigation. Furthermore, the predictive value of isotope scan is all the greater when the clinical risk factors seen in the patients and the number of areas with ischemia are taken into account.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relative prognostic value of clinical, exercise, and angiographic data after a first myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Studies examining the relative value of clinical, exercise test, and angiographic data in the prediction of further clinical events after a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have produced conflicting results. METHODS: We examined the relative value of clinical, exercise test, and angiographic data as predictors of death, recurrent infarction, and the subsequent development of angina or dyspnea in 303 consecutive patients who underwent exercise testing and coronary angiography within 2 months of an uncomplicated first acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and who were followed for 48 (+/- 22) months. RESULTS: A combination of two clinical and two exercise variables correctly identified 79% of subsequent deaths. No variables had a predictive value for re-infarction. A combination of two exercise variables correctly identified 75% of patients who developed angina during follow up. A combination of two clinical variables and one exercise variable correctly identified 76% of patients who developed dyspnea during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise testing provided useful prognostic information independent of clinical data. Combining clinical and exercise data identified a group of patients at low risk of future events. In this low-risk group of patients, the addition of angiographic data did not provide additional prognostic information.