Improvement of global and regional left ventricular function by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty after myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate how elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the infarct-related vessel after acute myocardial infarction affects global ejection fraction and regional wall function. BACKGROUND: The severity of the residual stenosis of the infarct-related artery after thrombolysis is an important predictor of changes in left ventricular function; however, the optimal time to restore complete perfusion in the infarct area has not been determined. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated patients with a first myocardial infarction, postinfarction ischemia and residual high grade stenosis with reduced flow in the infarct-related artery who underwent successful coronary angioplasty. The group comprised 74 patients (61 men, 13 women with a mean age +/- SD of 55.9 +/- 9.9 years). Global ejection fraction and infarct region function (expressed as area ejection fraction) were angiographically measured before coronary angioplasty (3.9 +/- 2.1 weeks after infarction) and on routine follow-up study 6 +/- 1 months after angioplasty. RESULTS: Restenosis with reduced flow occurred in 15 patients (20%). The global ejection fraction in patients with complete flow at follow-up increased significantly from 56.8% +/- 12% to 62.3% +/- 12.5% (p < 0.001). Regional wall motion of the infarct area increased from 12.1% to 22.5% (p = 0.001) in patients with anterior wall infarction and from 20.4% to 28.5% (p = 0.002) in those with inferior wall infarction. In patients with restenosis there was no difference at follow-up either in global ejection fraction (from 47.7% +/- 7.7% to 47.1% +/- 12.7%, p = 0.57) or in regional wall motion of the infarct area. CONCLUSIONS: Global and regional myocardial dysfunction due to postinfarction ischemia lessens significantly after successful coronary angioplasty of the infarct-related coronary artery with long-term sustained normal, complete flow. In contrast, restenosis with reduced flow prevents long-term improvement of left ventricular function.

Randomized comparison of J&J Crown stent versus NIR stent after routine coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery stents are used for the treatment of acute or threatening vessel occlusion complicating coronary angioplasty or for prevention of restenosis after angioplasty. The current randomized trial compared the procedural outcome and long-term patency of 2 different flexible stents in unselected lesion morphology. METHODS: The study population consisted of consecutive patients undergoing coronary angioplasty for symptomatic coronary artery disease followed by high-pressure stent implantation. The poststent treatment consisted of antiplatelet therapy. The primary hypothesis was an assumed restenosis rate of 30% in the group receiving NIR stents (Boston Scientific Europe SPRL, Parc Industriel de Petit-Rechain, Belgium) and a reduction of the restenosis rate (defined as >50% vessel diameter at follow-up) by 50% in the group undergoing J&J Crown stent (Cordis, Johnson & Johnson Interventional Systems, Warren, NJ) implantation: the restenosis rate and minimal luminal diameter at follow-up. Follow-up angiography was performed 6 months after the initial procedure. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients were randomized to receive either the J&J Crown stent (n = 103) or the NIR stent (n = 100). The procedural success was similar in both groups (96.1% vs 99% in the NIR stent group, respectively; P =.19). There were 4 cases of crossover from the J&J Crown to the NIR stent group. In one patient, stent implantation of either stent model did not succeed. One patient died from fulminant pulmonary embolism. Restenosis, defined as >50% diameter stenosis at follow-up 5.8 +/- 1.3 months after the initial procedure occurred in 19 patients (18.4%) in the J&J Crown stent group compared with 22 patients (22.0%) in the NIR stent group (P =.42). There was a significantly higher rate of crossover from the J&J Crown stent to the NIR stent (3.9% vs 0%, respectively, P =.047), whereas reverse crossover did not occur. The one lesion in which NIR stent implantation was not successful had an extremely tortuous proximal part. This patient underwent only balloon angioplasty. Clinical events were rare during 6 months of follow-up and the incidence did not differ between both groups (nonfatal myocardial infarction: J&J Crown stent 1.0% vs 0% in the NIR stent group, P =.32; all-cause mortality: J&J Crown stent 1.0% vs 0% in the NIR stent group, P =.32). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant angiographic and clinical differences between the J&J Crown and NIR stents. Both stents had a similar procedural success rate, although the implantation of NIR stents was successful even in vessels in which previous attempts at J&J Crown stent placement had failed.

Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in the elderly. ALKK-Study Group. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leitender Kardiologischer Krankenhausaerzte.

The purpose of this investigation was to define cardioversion success rates, frequency of complications of cardioversion, and current treatment practices in elderly patients (aged > or = 65 years) with atrial fibrillation (AF). The results were compared with those in younger patients (aged < 65 years). The investigation was a prospective multicenter observational study with 61 participating cardiology clinics. Consecutive patients in whom cardioversion of AF was planned had to be prospectively registered. Of 1,152 patients registered, 570 (49.5%) were < 65 years old (group 1) and 582 (50.5%) were > or = 65 years (group 2). The overall success rate of cardioversion on an intention-to-treat basis was 76.1% in group 1 and 72.7% in group 2 (p = 0.18). In multivariate analysis, left atrial size and New York Heart Association functional class before cardioversion were identified as predictors of success (p < 0.001, respectively; p = 0.025). These clinical factors were not equally distributed between the age groups: Left atrial size was larger in the elderly than in younger patients (44.0 +/- 6.4 mm vs 42.8 +/- 6.4 mm; p = 0.006) and a New York Heart Association functional class > or = II was more prevalent in group 2 than in group 1 (48.6% vs 29.6%; p < 0.001). The overall complication rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups (4.2% in group 1 vs 5.3% in group 2; p = 0.37). The frequency of patients who were adequately anticoagulated for cardioversion was 56.9% in age group 1 and 39.6% in age group 2 (p < 0.001). In chronic AF the same trend for age-dependent underuse of anticoagulation was observed. Age itself was not a predictor of cardioversion success and did not predispose to higher complication rates. Therefore, cardioversion should be considered in older patients with the same criteria and emphasis as in younger patients. Anticoagulation and antithrombotic medication is underused for cardioversion and in treating chronic AF, especially in elderly patients.

Dilatation of sinus of Valsalva with displacement and compression of the left coronary artery causing sudden death.

A 69-year-old male patient is described who presented with angina and congestive heart failure 12 years after his aortic valve had been replaced by a bioprosthesis for aortic stenosis. The aortogram showed massive dilatation of the aortic root. Coronary angiography demonstrated a displaced and narrowed left main and circumflex coronary artery. The patient died suddenly before his scheduled elective operation. At autopsy the left main and circumflex coronary artery were patent but severely compressed by extensive dilatation of the aortic root, predominantly of the left sinus of Valsalva. His sudden death was most likely due to external constriction of the left coronary artery with subsequent ischemia and ventricular fibrillation.

Prior cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae or Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

We investigated a possible correlation between the serologic status concerning Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) and the occurrence of restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for symptomatic coronary artery disease. Tests for anti-CMV IgG, anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG and IgA and HP IgG and IgA were performed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Restenosis was defined as >/=50% stenosis at follow-up angiography in a vessel with less than 50% stenosis immediately after PTCA. Of 148 patients, 112 (75.7%) were seropositive for CMV, 75 (50.7%) were seropositive for CP and 78 (52.7%) were seropositive for HP. Restenosis occured in 31.8% of patients. CMV seropositivity was established in 74.5% of patients with restenosis versus 76.2% without restenosis (P=0.82), CP seropositivity was established in 44. 7% of patients with restenosis versus 53.5% without restenosis (P=0. 32), HP seropositivity was established in 53.2% of patients with restenosis versus 52.5% without restenosis (P=0.94). In contrast to some earlier studies CMV or HP seropositivity could not be found to be associated with the risk of restenosis after coronary intervention. An association between the serological status of CP and restenosis could also not be established.

[Coronary stent implantation: a procedure for treatment of acute dissections after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty]. / Koronare Stent-Implantation: ein Verfahren zur Behandlung akuter Dissektionen nach perkutaner transluminaler Koronarangioplastie.

The development of percutaneous wire-guided endoprostheses (stents) has expanded the possibilities for treating acute vascular occlusion within the field of coronary angioplasty (PTCA). A balloon-expandable Palmaz-Schatz stent was implanted in a total of 14 patients. The coronary arteries involved were the right coronary artery (seven cases), the anterior interventricular branch (five cases), and the circumflex branch (two cases). In seven cases the stent was inserted on an emergency basis to deal with treatening occlusion during PTCA, in one case of occlusion following coronary angiography, and in three cases to recanalize the infarcted vessel. Seven of these eleven patients were submitted to a follow-up angiography three months later, when none was shown to have a restenosis of more than 50%. Stent placement was followed by anticoagulation therapy comprising coumarin combined with acetylsalicylic acid. The Palmaz-Schatz stent represents an alternative to emergency bypass surgery in the treatment of acute dissection during PTCA.

[Ticlopidine-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Morbus Moschcowitz)]. / Ticlopidin-assoziierte thrombotisch-thrombozytopenische Purpura (Morbus Moschcowitz).

ANAMNESIS AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 75-year-old woman with a history of recurrent ischemic cerebral events was admitted with acute unspecific neurological symptoms and fever. EXAMINATION: Intracerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension and antithrombotic therapy with ticlopidine was ruled out with cranial computed tomography. Laboratory findings on admission included thrombocytopenia (12/nl), renal insufficiency (serum creatinine 1.6 mg/dl) and LDH elevation (1,218 U/l). The hemoglobin on admission was normal. THERAPY AND CLINICAL COURSE: In the presence of rapidly declining hemoglobin values and fragmentation of red cells thrombotic-thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was diagnosed and the patient received fresh frozen plasma. Shortly after the plasma infusion the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly showing clinical signs of an allergic shock. In the sequel of 24 to 48 hours the patient developed renal failure, severe anemia and the thrombocyte count fell to 5/nl. The patient was mechanically ventilated during the next 48 hours and needed intravenous catecholamines. Even after restoration of spontaneous respiration and cessation of pharmacological sedation the patient remained comatose. Cranial computed tomography on the fourth day after admission showed multiple infarction syndrome. The patient died on the ninth day after admission in status epilepticus which could not be stopped with pharmacological means. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of neurological symptoms, thrombocytopenia, fever, renal failure and hemolytic anemia in a patient taking ticlopidine points to a diagnosis of TTP. The high mortality of TTP can probably only be reduced by early plasmapheresis.

Influence of gradually increased slow balloon inflation on restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Balloon inflation during coronary angioplasty results in shear stress-induced vessel wall injury with development of restenosis. This randomized trial compared the impact of two different balloon inflation strategies (slow versus fast) on restenosis after coronary angioplasty. METHODS: Two hundred seven patients were randomized to undergo either fast or gradually increased slow inflation after successful placement of the balloon catheter inside the target lesion. One hundred six underwent fast, and 101 underwent gradually increased slow balloon inflation. Coronary angiograms were quantitatively analyzed before angioplasty, after angioplasty, and at follow-up 5.9+/-1.6 months after the initial procedure. RESULTS: Both groups had an identical primary success rate (98.1% vs 98%; p = 0.96) and a similar minimal luminal diameter before (0.49+/-0.26 mm vs 0.48+/-0.22 mm; p = 0.8) and after (2.22+/-0.97 mm vs 2.26+/-0.66 mm; p = 0.7) angioplasty. Slow balloon inflation did not reduce late luminal loss (0.58+/-0.77 mm vs 0.74+/-0.87 mm; p = 0.2), net gain (1.33+/-0.84 mm vs 1.19+/-0.81 mm; p = 0.3), or minimal luminal diameter at follow-up (1.80+/-0.97 mm vs 1.72+/-1.0 mm; p = 0.6) significantly. Restenosis, defined as >50% diameter stenosis at follow-up, occurred in 24% in the slow inflation group versus 36% in the fast inflation group (p = 0.09). Clinical events during 6-month follow-up were similar in both groups (repeat angioplasty, fast 5.6%, slow 4.8%, p = 0.8; nonfatal myocardial infarction, fast 2.2%, slow 1.2%, p = 0.6; death, fast 1.1%, slow 0%, p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: The present randomized trial of two different balloon inflation strategies shows no statistically significant difference in net gain, minimal luminal diameter, or restenosis after coronary angioplasty. The difference in net gain, minimal luminal diameter, and restenosis rate were not statistically significant, but may represent a trend toward a reduction of smooth muscle cell proliferation and intimal hyperplasia induced by careful dilation of the stenotic lesion with gradually increased slow balloon inflation and reduction of shear stress-related vessel wall injury.

Clinical and angiographic outcome after conventional angioplasty with optional stent implantation compared with direct stenting without predilatation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare in a randomised trial the procedural and clinical outcome and long term patency of conventional angioplasty with optional stent implantation versus direct stenting without predilatation. METHODS: Patients undergoing coronary intervention for symptomatic coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to conventional angioplasty with optional stenting or to direct stent implantation without predilatation. The post-stent treatment consisted of antiplatelets. Follow up angiography was performed six months after the initial procedure. RESULTS: Between December 1998 and August 1999, 181 of 190 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either optional stenting (n = 92) or direct stenting (n = 89). The procedural success was similar in both groups (87 (97.8%) in the optional v 87 (94.6%) in direct stenting group, p = 0.88). There were five cases of crossover from the direct stenting to the optional stenting group. Six patients experienced a Q wave myocardial infarction without further complications (4 in the optional v 2 in the direct stenting group, p = 0.36). One patient in whom coronary angioplasty failed underwent elective bypass surgery. No patients required urgent bypass surgery and no patients died. The reduction in late luminal loss (mean (SD) 1.19 (0.87) mm in the optional v 0.62 (0.69) mm in the direct stenting group, p = 0.004) led to a significant improvement in minimal luminal diameter at follow up (1.87 (0.93) mm in the optional v 2.56 (0.86) mm in the direct stenting group, p = 0.002), resulting in a significant reduction in restenosis rate, defined as > 50% diameter stenosis at follow up 6.5 (2.1) months after the initial procedure (28 (30.4%) in the optional v 14 (15.7%) in the direct stenting group, p = 0.019). Direct stenting significantly reduced the overall procedure and fluoroscopy times, the amount of contrast medium used, and the number of angioplasty catheters needed. The incidence of clinical events during the six month follow up did not differ significantly between the groups. No patient died during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Direct stent implantation without predilatation significantly reduced late luminal loss, giving a better improvement in minimal luminal diameter and restenosis rate than with optional stenting. There were five patients in whom direct stenting failed who needed predilatation followed by stent implantation. However, in most patients direct stent implantation without predilatation is a feasible treatment option with a favourable long term outcome and a low incidence of complication. The procedure may help to reduce the cost of coronary interventions by reducing overall procedure and fluoroscopy times, the amount of contrast medium used, and the number of angiography catheters needed.

Hemodynamic and antiischemic effects of intravenous elgodipine, a new dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, in patients with chronic stable angina.

Elgodipine is a new second-generation dihydropyridine calcium antagonist. Its hemodynamic and antiischemic properties were evaluated in a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 22 males with chronic stable angina. Coronary artery disease was angiographically confirmed. Measurements were performed with a Swan-Ganz thermodilution catheter during a 30-minute period of rest and before the end of a 4-minute bicycle exercise test at maximum individual workload, both with placebo (IV infusion of 5 ml saline over 30 minutes) and elgodipine (10 micrograms/kg/2 min bolus IV, then IV infusion of 1 micrograms/kg/min for 28 minutes. Elgodipine caused very similar hemodynamic changes at rest and during exercise. Its major hemodynamic modification was the marked decrease in systemic vascular resistance, which was accompanied by an increase in cardiac index and stroke volume. Mean arterial blood pressure was slightly reduced, whereas the opposite small increase in heart rate meant that the double product remained unchanged. Contrary to resting conditions, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary artery pressures, pulmonary vascular resistance, and mean right atrial pressure remained normal or increased to a lesser extent during exercise after elgodipine. After elgodipine ischemic ST depression during exercise was diminished, and 11 of 16 assessable patients remained free from angina pectoris. We conclude that elgodipine is an efficacious antianginal drug. Its major mechanism of action is lowering of systemic vascular resistance. Thus elgodipine improves systolic cardiac function in patients with chronic stable angina and may delay the onset of ischemic diastolic dysfunction during exercise, as indicated by a normal left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). The data also suggest an improvement in coronary blood flow during exercise.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of left main stenosis--results of the German PTCA registry.

In cases with protected left main stenosis by previous bypass surgery or as an emergency intervention in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is performed as an alternative treatment strategy to bypass surgery. A review of 262 left main angioplasties revealed a procedure-related mortality in cases without protection of the left main coronary artery of 9.1% (4/44), in cases with partially protected left main stenosis by collaterals to either left coronary artery of 4.8% (1/21) and 0.5% (1/187) in cases with nonobstructed bypass grafts to either left coronary artery. Coronary angioplasty of an unprotected left main coronary artery, had an unacceptably high procedure-related mortality rate and should therefore not be performed even in cases of emergency intervention. The risk stratification of the procedure can be evaluated by the proposed grading of left main artery protection.

[Neurological events in patients with atrial fibrillation: outcome and preventive practices]. / Neurologische Ereignisse bei Patienten mit Vorhofflimmern: Outcome und Präventionspraxis.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with neurologic events (transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke). The objective of the present study was to determine the outcome of patients with neurological events and atrial fibrillation (AF) in comparison with patients in sinus rhythm (SR), and to investigate the primary and secondary prevention practices in patients with neurological events and AF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, observational, single center study in a large public, university-affiliated hospital all patients admitted between 1/97 and 1/98 with acute neurologic events were registered (n = 369). The association between outcome of neurologic events as assessed by survival status, functional status (Rankin scale) and severity of event (European Stroke Scale) and heart rhythm was investigated by use of logistic regression. Antithrombotic medication on admission and at discharge was recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the 369 patients was 75.1 +/- 10.9 years; 56.1% were female. A TIA was present in 26.2% and stroke in 73.8%. 287 patients (77.8%) were in SR and 82 in AF on admission (22.2%). In-hospital mortality was 12.7% in all patients. In patients with AF, mortality was 23.2% and 9.8% in patients with SR (p = 0.0013). Patients with AF were significantly older than patients with SR (80.4 +/- 7.5 versus 73.5 +/- 11.2 years; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified heart rhythm as an independent predictor of survival (p < 0.01). Patients with AF did suffer from a more severe neurological deficit on admission and at discharge than patients with SR. In 46.3% of patients with AF severe dependency was present (Rankin 4/5), while this was the case in 28.5% of patients with SR (p < 0.01). The ESS score of patients with AF was 77.4 +/- 30.6 at discharge compared to 88.1 +/- 20.3 in patients with SR (p < 0.01). In 50 of 82 patients (61%) AF was previously known. Of these 50 patients 36% did not receive any kind of antithrombotic treatment and only 12% were receiving oral anticoagulants before the event. Of 63 surviving patients with AF 32 did not have any contraindications against anticoagulation treatment. At discharge, 14 (43.8%) of these patients were receiving oral anticoagulants, 17 aspirin or ticlopidine (53.1%) and 1 patient (3.1%) no type of antithrombotic medication. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic events in patients with AF are more severe and outcome is significantly poorer than in patients with SR. Anticoagulation as the effective therapy for primary and secondary prevention of neurologic events is seriously underused in daily practice.

Stroke prevention practices in patients with atrial fibrillation and pacemaker therapy: evidence for under-use of anticoagulation.

This study presents a survey of pacemaker patients followed in a pacemaker clinic. Three hundred and twenty-six patients of mean age 77.7 +/- 9.6 years, 52% female, 75% VVI, 25% dual chamber were analysed. One hundred and forty (43%) were in atrial fibrillation and were older, 80.5 +/- 7.1 years, compared with 75.5 +/- 11.4 years (P = 0.014) for those in sinus rhythm. Temporary pacemaker reprogramming was necessary in 86% in order to determine the abnormal rhythm. Thirty-nine (28%) of those in atrial fibrillation were anticoagulated; 37% were on aspirin; only 10.8% of those in atrial fibrillation who were not anticoagulated had contraindications to this therapy. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation increased with age, whereas that of anticoagulation decreased with age. In conclusion, the majority of pacemaker patients with atrial fibrillation, for whom anticoagulation is indicated, fails to receive it: those caring for these patients are urged to ensure its much wider use.

[Acute myocardial infarction in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries: clinical features and medium term follow-up]. / Akuter Myokardinfarkt bei Patienten mit angiographisch unauffälligen Koronararterien: Klinische Charakterisierung und Verlaufsbeobachtung.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with normal coronary arteries has been recognized for several years. In most cases its etiology is unknown. The objective of the present study was to describe clinical features and medium term follow-up of those patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 1991 and December 1996, 9860 coronary angiographies were performed in our hospital. During this period 17 patients with documented myocardial infarction and completely normal coronary arteries were identified. Acute myocardial infarction was defined as the clinical event with acute angina pectoris, ST-elevation typical for myocardial infarction, and an increase in serum creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) above 125 U/l. RESULTS: The mean peak CPK was 675 U/l (range: 129-1760 U/l). All 17 patients revealed significant ST-segment elevation. According to the ECG criteria there was no predilection for a specific location of MI (9 anterior MIs and 8 inferior MIs). Thrombolytic therapy was performed in 9 patients. In 12 patients areas of localized hypo- or akinesia were shown on left ventricular cineangiography. The mean ejection fraction was 61.5+/-10.3%. The age and sex distribution revealed a bimodel character: there was a younger age group of 9 patients, all men with a mean age of 35.9 years (31-43) and all strong cigarette smokers (mean 28 cigarettes/day) and there was an older group of 7 patients (1 man, 6 women) with a mean age of 56,4 years (47-68) and no significant association with cigarette smoking. During a mean follow-up period of 48.6 months (31-85 months) no patient died and no patient suffered from recurrent chest pain and used nitroglycerin occasionally. CONCLUSION: Patients with acute MI and angiographically normal coronary arteries show a bimodal sex and age distribution: a younger age group, all men and uniformly strong cigarette smokers and an older group predominantly women with no significant association with cigarette smoking. Both groups seem to have a favorable prognosis.

[Paradoxical cerebral embolism during fibrinolysis therapy in deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism]. / Paradoxe zerebrale Embolie unter Fibrinolysetherapie bei tiefer Beinvenenthrombose und Lungenembolie.

A 37-year-old woman with increasing dyspnoea over several months suddenly developed severe ortho- and tachypnoea as well as cyanosis of the lips and acrocyanosis. Pulmonary angiography revealed massive bilateral pulmonary emboli with a systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 75 mm Hg. Phlebography demonstrated a thrombotic occlusion of the deep veins of the left leg extending to the distal femoral vein. Thrombolysis treatment was started via an indwelling pulmonary artery catheter (500,000 IU urokinase and 10,000 IU heparin as bolus, then 1 mill. IU urokinase and 1,000 IU heparin per hour). After two hours an incomplete left-sided paresis occurred (involving ocular and facial muscles, dysarthria, left arm and left leg) and the thrombolytic infusion was stopped. But cerebral computed tomography (CT) did not demonstrate any intracerebral haemorrhage. The heparin infusion was restarted (partial thromboplastin time between 70 and 90 s). CT examinations during the next few days showed the development of an ischaemic infarction in the distribution of the right medial cerebral artery. Angiography demonstrated occlusion of the right internal carotid artery. The diagnosis of a paradoxical embolus was supported by easy cardiac catheter passage through a patent foramen ovale. Subsequent pulmonary angiography demonstrated a thrombus-free pulmonary arterial circulation with a normal pulmonary arterial pressure. There was gradual and extensive regression of the incomplete hemiparesis.

Resolution of ST-segment elevation in acute myocardial infarction--early prognostic significance after thrombolytic therapy. Results from the COBALT trial.

In acute myocardial infarction, early identification of patients at a high mortality risk is important for planning further therapeutic strategies. Previous studies have demonstrated that the extent of early resolution of ST-segment elevation may represent a simple, quick and noninvasive assessment to identify high risk groups of patients. In a subgroup of the COBALT Study population (Continuous Infusion vs Double Bolus Administration of Alteplase), ST-segment elevation was measured before and 90 to 120 minutes after treatment with alteplase. The subgroup of n = 1,760 patients was not different from the total COBALT population of n = 7169 patients regarding most clinical parameters except Killip Class before treatment. However, the overall 30-day mortality differed significantly between the main study and the substudy (7.76% vs 3.52%; p < 0.001). Three groups of ST-segment resolution were defined: 1. complete resolution (resolution > or = 70%; 762 patients), 2. partial resolution (< 70% and > 30%; 491 patients), 3. no resolution (< 30%; 507 patients). Mortality rate at 30 days for complete, partial and no resolution of ST-segment elevation was 1.31%, 4.28% and 6.11%, respectively (p < 0.001). While this significant correlation between the extent of ST-segment resolution and mortality could be observed for inferior acute myocardial infarction, it could not be found in patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction. This in part may be due to a selection bias that leads to an extremely divergent mortality rate of anterior acute myocardial infarction in the main study and the substudy (10.1% vs 3.94%; p < 0.0001). Despite this limitation, resolution of ST-segment elevation in acute myocardial infarction after thrombolytic therapy allows to identify patients at a high mortality risk and may help to select patients for early invasive procedures such as PTCA. Patients with complete ST-segment resolution showed a particularly low mortality rate, irrespective of the alteplase regimen used (front-loaded alteplase vs double bolus alteplase).