Differential effects on right ventricular function of transient right, left anterior descending and left circumflex coronary occlusions during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Right ventricular function was studied by means of a thermodilution catheter before, during and after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the proximal right (group 1, n = 8), left anterior descending (group 2, n = 8) or left circumflex (group 3, n = 8) coronary artery. All patients had evidence of myocardial ischemia, with single-vessel disease affecting the proximal segment of one of the three major coronary arteries; no patient had had a previous myocardial infarction and all had normal cardiac function at baseline study. Cardiac index decreased during balloon inflation. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was unaffected in group 1 but increased in group 2 (from 19 +/- 5 to 31 +/- 11 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) and in group 3 (from 19 +/- 2 to 22 +/- 5 mm Hg, p less than 0.05). Right ventricular ejection fraction decreased from 62 +/- 9% to 52 +/- 10% (p less than 0.01) in group 1 and from 64 +/- 7% to 44 +/- 10% (p less than 0.005) in group 2, and returned to normal within 2 min after balloon deflation in both groups. In group 3, right ventricular ejection fraction was unchanged during balloon inflation (58 +/- 5% at baseline, 58 +/- 9% at 60 s, p = NS). Therefore, brief occlusion of the proximal segments of the left anterior descending or right coronary artery results in marked alteration of right ventricular performance that is probably caused by right ventricular free wall ischemia in the right coronary group and by the concomitant effects of septal ischemia and increased right ventricular afterload in the left anterior descending artery group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assessment of myocardial viability in patients with previous myocardial infarction by using single-photon emission computed tomography with a new metabolic tracer: [123I]-16-iodo-3-methylhexadecanoic acid (MIHA). Comparison with the rest-reinjection thallium-201 technique.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the ability of rest single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with [123I]-16-iodo-3-methylhexadecanoic acid (MIHA) and the thallium-201 (Tl-201) rest-reinjection technique to detect myocardial viability after infarction. BACKGROUND: After myocardial infarction, MIHA frequently shows increased uptake in the areas with exercise Tl-201 defects (mismatch), even in patients with an irreversible Tl-201 reinjection defect. Whether such increased uptake is indicative of ischemic but viable myocardium is not known. METHODS: We studied 38 patients who 1) underwent exercise SPECT Tl-201 with rest-reinjection and rest SPECT with MIHA before undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of an infarct-related coronary artery, and 2) were found to have successful revascularization at follow-up angiography. The relation between SPECT results before PTCA and subsequent improvement in left ventricular wall motion was assessed. RESULTS: A mismatch was evident before PTCA in 51 of 76 infarct-related segments and correlated with subsequent improvement in wall motion (overall accuracy 71%), even for the 27 segments whose exercise defects remained irreversible after Tl-201 reinjection (overall accuracy 81%). The finding of a mismatch clearly enhanced the results provided by the finding of > or = 50% Tl-201 uptake as determined at redistribution (p < 0.05), but not as determined at reinjection, although there was a trend toward a better specificity for the findings of a mismatch. CONCLUSIONS: MIHA is an efficient marker of viability inside exercise-underperfused areas after infarction, even in patients with irreversible Tl-201 reinjection defects. Assessment by conventional SPECT of a mismatch between results obtained with a metabolic tracer (MIHA) and a flow tracer analyzed at exercise (Tl-201) as a marker of myocardial viability is a promising area of research.

Effects of propranolol and of verapamil on heart rate and blood pressure in hyperthyroidism.

Cardiac manifestations of hyperthyroidism have been attributed to enhanced sympathoadrenal activity, but thyroid hormones also have a direct positive chronotropic effect on sinoatrial cells, in which there are slow calcium channels. We evaluated the effects of verapamil on heart rate, PR and QT intervals, and blood pressure in eight patients with hyperthyroidism and compared them to those effects of propranolol. Three doses of propranolol (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg) and verapamil (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg) were injected intravenously after a 72-hr withdrawal period in a double-blind, crossover fashion. Propranolol increased the RR interval from 581 +/- 51 to 734 +/- 65 msec, whereas verapamil did not have any negative chronotropic effect despite prolonging the PR interval. Systolic blood pressure decreased from 134 +/- 5 to 119 +/- 8 mm Hg after verapamil and was not affected by propranolol. Diastolic blood pressure was depressed equally by both drugs. We conclude that verapamil is not a good alternative drug to propranolol in hyperthyroidism. Our data cannot confirm the possibility of an interaction between thyroid hormones and slow calcium channels in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Thallium-201 rest-reinjection and iodine-123-MIHA imaging of myocardial infarction: analysis of defect reversibility.

UNLABELLED: Rest SPECT imaging with [123I]-16-iodo-3-methylhexadecanoic acid (MIHA) frequently shows an increased level of uptake in areas with irreversible defects on exercise 201TI SPECT. Such mismatch patterns between flow (201TI) and metabolic (MIHA) tracers might correspond to areas with ischemic but viable myocardium misidentified by 201TI imaging. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with myocardial infarction underwent exercise SPECT 201TI with rest-reinjection and rest SPECT with MIHA. Defect areas on the exercise images were reversible on MIHA but not on 201TI reinjection images that were determined visually. The presence and extent of these areas were quantified from normalized uptake values for both tracers. RESULTS: In areas with irreversible 201TI reinjection defects, MIHA detected exercise defect reversibility in 59% of patients. In areas with irreversible 201TI reinjection defects, the extent of visually determined defect reversibility on MIHA scans was related to the quantified extent of areas with 201TI uptake > or = 50% of normal; the correlation, however, was weak. In 86% of patients, areas with > or = 50% 201TI uptake were larger than those that were reversible on MIHA. CONCLUSION: After myocardial infarction, rest SPECT with MIHA often enables visual detection of increased uptake in areas with irreversible 201TI reinjection defects.

Significance of spontaneous obstruction of high degree coronary artery stenoses between diagnostic angiography and later percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Among 265 patients with severe coronary artery stenoses amenable to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 13 (5%) developed new total coronary occlusion of the vessel to be dilated during the period between diagnostic coronary angiography and repeat coronary angiography at the time of the operation. Time from diagnostic to "therapeutic" angiography (76 +/- 74 vs 31 +/- 31 days, p less than 0.0001), degree of coronary stenosis on diagnostic angiography (85 +/- 7 vs 80 +/- 8%, p less than 0.05) and impaired coronary flow distal to the narrowing (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 2: 38 vs 10%, p less than 0.01) were the only variables related to the occurrence of spontaneous coronary occlusion. The clinical course of the patients who developed new total coronary occlusion was remarkably favorable. Twelve of the 13 patients had unchanged or improved anginal symptoms. The electrocardiogram at rest remained unchanged in 11 patients and there was no transmural myocardial infarction. Eight patients had 2 ventriculograms and the mean ejection fraction remained unchanged (only 2 patients had greater than 5% decrease in ejection fraction between the 2 examinations). Spontaneous occlusion of high degree coronary artery stenoses is not unusual and is usually well tolerated, presumably due to the development of collateral circulation.

Comparative effects of oral molsidomine and nifedipine on methylergometrine-induced coronary artery spasm.

Twelve consecutive patients (10 men and 2 women, mean +/- standard deviation age 49 +/- 9 years) with chest pain, angiographically normal coronary arteries and coronary artery spasm documented by methylergometrine testing received a single oral dose of molsidomine (4 mg) or nifedipine (10 mg) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover fashion at a 24-hour interval. Coronary artery spasm was documented during coronary angiography in 6 patients (left anterior descending artery, 3; right coronary artery, 2; left circumflex, 1). In the remaining 6 patients, coronary artery spasm was documented by a positive methylergometrine test performed at the bedside, which provoked ST-segment elevation in the inferior (n = 3), anterior (n = 1) or lateral (n = 2) leads. Ninety minutes after administration of the study medication, methylergometrine testing was performed at the bedside, using incremental doses of up to 0.4 mg of methylergometrine. After molsidomine, 10 patients (83%) had a negative and 2 had a positive test; after nifedipine, 9 patients (75%) had a negative and 3 a positive test. Only 1 patient had a methylergometrine test that remained positive after either molsidomine or nifedipine. Therefore, molsidomine appears as effective as nifedipine in suppressing methylergometrine-induced coronary artery spasm in patients with variant angina. In addition, patients not responding to 1 of the study medications may respond to the other.

Comparison of right ventricular systolic function in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and healed anterior wall myocardial infarction associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

A case-controlled study assessed right ventricular (RV) systolic function in 10 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) and in 10 with healed anterior wall myocardial infarction associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). Each patient was matched for sex, left ventricular ejection fraction +/- 5% and pulmonary artery mean pressure +/- 5 mm Hg. All patients had sinus rhythm and a left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%. A new, well-validated thermodilution technique was used to assess RV ejection fraction and volumes. RV ejection fraction was lower in the IDC than in the CAD group (25 +/- 14% vs 36 +/- 11%; p < 0.02). Linear correlations between RV parameters and pulmonary artery pressure were significantly present in both groups. However, the slopes of the equations were not statistically different. In comparison with healed anterior wall myocardial infarction with CAD and for similar levels of left ventricular dysfunction, RV systolic function appeared to be more altered in IDC.

Changes in immediate outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in multivessel coronary artery disease in 1990 to 1991 versus 1994 to 1995.

Coronary angioplasty has undergone major technical changes since the period of inclusion in the randomized trials, comparing it with surgery, particularly with the increased use of coronary stents. This study shows improved in-hospital outcome in terms of primary success and complication rates in patients treated with coronary angioplasty for multivessel disease from 1994 to 1995, compared with the 1990 to 1991 period.

Balloon angioplasty versus rotational angioplasty in chronic coronary occlusions (the BAROCCO study).

Chronic total coronary occlusion remains one of the limitations of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and few therapeutic devices are specifically designed to address this problem. Among such devices, low-speed rotational angioplasty could improve the primary success rate of the procedure but has never been studied in a controlled trial. One hundred consecutive patients with total coronary occlusion (duration 10 days to 1 year) and an indication for myocardial revascularization were randomized to either rotational or conventional angioplasty if the occlusion morphology was judged suitable for either technique. All baseline variables were evenly distributed among the 2 groups. The primary success rate in the rotational angioplasty groupø was 66% (33 of 50) compared with 52% (26 of 50) in the conventional angioplasty group before crossover to the rotational technique (p=NS). According to lesion morphology, the respective primary success rates were 77% (10 of 13) versus 92% (11 of 12) for tapered occlusions (p=NS), and 61% (22 of 36) versus 38% (14 of 37) for "stump-like" occlusions (p < 0.05). After taking into account the crossovers after failed conventional angioplasty, there was no benefit in performing rotational angioplasty first versus conventional angioplasty first (primary success rates 66% vs 60%, p=NS). Thus, in chronic coronary occlusions of tapered morphology, rotational angioplasty is not superior to conventional angioplasty. In stump-like occlusions, the primary success rate is higher with the rotational angioplasty technique; however ther is a disadvantage in using rotational angioplasty as a second-line device if the conventional technique is unsuccessful.

Evolution of myocardial ischemia and left ventricular function in patients with angina pectoris without myocardial infarction and total occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and collaterals from other coronary arteries.

Repeated episodes of myocardial ischemia might lead to progressive impairment of left ventricular (LV) function. This radionuclide study assessed myocardial ischemia and LV function several years after documented coronary occlusion without myocardial infarction. Over 5 years, 24 consecutive patients, who underwent cardiac catheterization for angina pectoris without myocardial infarction, had isolated total occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery with well-developed collateral vessels. Five patients were successfully treated by coronary bypass grafting and 3 by coronary angioplasty. Among the 16 medically treated patients, 1 was lost to follow-up and 1 died (extracardiac death). The mean (+/- standard deviation) follow-up (14 patients) was 48 +/- 15 months. At follow-up, 8 patients still had clinical chest pain, 11 received antianginal therapy, 4 patients had no stress ischemia and the other 10 had greater than or equal to 1 sign of stress ischemia. All patients had a normal LV ejection fraction at rest (mean 60 +/- 3%; range 55 to 65%). Collateral circulation preserves LV function at the time of occlusion and, in some cases, prevents the development of myocardial ischemia; in patients with persisting myocardial ischemia after well-collateralized coronary occlusion, LV function is not impaired at long-term follow-up.

Effect of late percutaneous angioplastic recanalization of total coronary artery occlusion on left ventricular remodeling, ejection fraction, and regional wall motion.

The clinical benefit of late recanalization of complete coronary occlusion is debated. Left ventricular (LV) function and volumes are major prognostic determinants in patients with coronary artery disease. We sought to assess comprehensively the evolution of global and regional LV function and LV volumes after percutaneous recanalization of chronic complete coronary artery occlusions. A consecutive series of 55 patients who underwent successful percutaneous recanalization of a chronic (> or = 10 days), total (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial flow grade 0) occlusion of the left anterior descending or dominant right coronary arteries, and in whom a complete angiographic evaluation was available before angioplasty and at follow-up was studied. At follow-up, 38 patients had a patent artery (group 1) and 17 had a reocclusion (group 2). Baseline parameters were similar in the 2 groups. In group 1, LV ejection fraction increased from 55 +/- 14% to 62 +/- 13% (p <0.001), with an increase in fractional shortening in the occluded artery territory (0.43 +/- 0.30 to 0.71 +/- 0.34, p <0.001), while LV end-diastolic volume remained unchanged. In group 2, ejection fraction and regional wall motion were unchanged, while LV end-diastolic volume index increased (86 +/- 22 ml/m2 to 99 +/- 34 ml/m2, p <0.02). The evolution in LV global and regional function was similar in patients with or without previous myocardial infarction; however, prevention of LV remodeling was observed only in patients with previous infarction. Maintained potency after successful recanalization of totally occluded coronary arteries improves global and regional LV function and, in patients with previous myocardial infarction, avoids LV remodeling.

Prognostic significance of angina pectoris > or = 30 days before acute myocardial infarction in patients > or = 75 years of age.

We compared the prognostic significance of prior angina pectoris in 151 patients > or = 75 years of age admitted for acute myocardial infarction. There was a similar in-hospital course, but the long-term outcome was poorer in patients with prior angina.

Results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of either the left anterior descending or left circumflex coronary artery in patients with chronic total occlusion of the right coronary artery.

The acute and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of the left coronary artery in 106 patients (group 1) with chronic occlusion of the right coronary artery were compared with those of 106 patients matched for sex (92 male) and age (56 +/- 10 years) undergoing left PTCA with a normal right coronary artery (group 2). Before the procedure, group 1 had more unstable angina (42 vs 29%; p < 0.05), more frequent prior myocardial infarction (80 vs 25%; p < 0.001), and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (56 +/- 10% vs 65 +/- 11%; p < 0.005). Acute results were not different in the 2 groups with respect to primary success (group 1: 93%; and group 2: 89%) and complications (group 1: 2 with emergency coronary surgery, and 4 with periprocedural myocardial infarction and no death; and group 2: 1 with emergency coronary surgery, 1 death, and 3 with periprocedural myocardial infarction). At 6 months, 79 patients in group 1 and 71 patients in group 2 had reangiography; the rate of restenosis was 35% in group 1 and 42% in group 2. In both groups, left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly in patients without restenosis (58 +/- 12% vs 63 +/- 10%, p < 0.001 [n = 44] in group 1; and 66 +/- 9% vs 70 +/- 10%, p < 0.001 [n = 29] in group 2). In group 1, improvement was significant only for patients without collaterals to the occluded right coronary artery (59 +/- 10% vs 66 +/- 7%; p < 0.003 [n = 24]).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Long-term outcome in patients treated by intracoronary stenting with ticlopidine and aspirin, and deleterious prognostic role of unstable angina pectoris.

Compared with stable clinical conditions, unstable angina carries an increased risk of immediate and delayed cardiac adverse events after balloon coronary angioplasty. The influence of stent use in reducing these differences remains unknown. We analyzed the early (30 days) and late outcome of a cohort of 459 consecutive patients who underwent stent placement with ticlopidine and aspirin as antithrombotic regimen according to the presence (group 1, n = 151) or absence (group 2, n = 308) of unstable angina at rest (Braunwald classes II and III). Group 1 patients were older and more likely to be current or former smokers. In group 2, prior myocardial infarction was more frequent. Procedural, in-hospital results, and early outcome were similar in the 2 groups. However, over the long term, the incidence of myocardial infarction (11% vs 6%, p <0.04), target lesion revascularization (19% vs 13%, p <0.04), or any revascularization (30% vs 20%, p <0.01) was significantly higher in group 1. Kaplan-Meier probabilities of survival without myocardial infarction (85% vs 91%, p <0.05), survival without revascularization of the target lesion (73% vs 83%, p <0.01), survival without any revascularization (65% vs 77%, p <0.006), and survival without any events (61% vs 73%, p <0.009) were significantly worse in group 1. In addition, Cox multivariate analysis showed that unstable angina at rest was an independent predictor of target lesion revascularization, of survival without any revascularization, and without any events. Thus, unstable angina at rest remains an adverse prognostic indicator in patients treated with intracoronary stents, particularly with regard to subsequent requirement of revascularization procedures and event-free survival.

Role of previous angina pectoris and collateral flow to preserve left ventricular function in the presence or absence of myocardial infarction in isolated total occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

The aim of this study was to determine whether previous angina pectoris and collateral circulation influenced myocardial function after isolated coronary occlusion. In 58 consecutive patients, coronary angiography showed a complete isolated occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery; 43 patients (74%) had previous myocardial infarction. Duration of previous angina pectoris was defined as the time from the first ischemic symptom to the date of myocardial infarction or of coronary angiography in the absence of myocardial infarction. Left ventricular ejection fraction was measured on the 30 degrees right anterior oblique projection of the left ventricular angiogram. Collateral circulation was graded as follows: none or filling limited to side branches (group 1) and partial or complete filling of the epicardial arterial segment (group 2). Group 2 (40 patients) had higher ejection fraction (57 vs 38%; p less than 0.0001) and longer duration of previous angina pectoris (11 vs 0.1 months; p less than 0.002) than group 1 (18 patients). A longer duration of previous angina pectoris probably allows collateral development before coronary occlusion in 1-vessel coronary artery disease, thereby limiting myocardial damage.

Comparison of long term outcome in patients with or without aortic ring abscess treated surgically for aortic valve infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long term prognostic significance of aortic valve ring abscess in patients with aortic endocarditis. PATIENTS: A consecutive series of 75 patients who had surgery for aortic infective endocarditis between 1981 and 1989; 35 had aortic ring abscesses (group 1) and 40 did not (group 2). Mean age did not differ between the two groups. Prosthetic valve endocarditis was present in 17% of group 1 and 5% of group 2. Pneumococcal or beta haemolytic streptococcal endocarditis was more common in patients with native valve endocarditis who had aortic ring abscesses (20% v 5%). DESIGN: Cohort analysis. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality (11.4% v 7.5%) and 10 year survival (56% v 66%) were not significantly different between groups 1 and 2. In patients with native valve endocarditis, 10 year survival was 62% and 66%, respectively for patients with or without ring abscess, and 10 year reintervention-free survival was 38% v 58% (p = 0.11). In these patients, the presence of an intercurrent illness, severe congestive heart failure before surgery, and use of valved conduits for surgical treatment were predictors of poorer long term survival. At follow up residual aortic regurgitation was documented in 72% of patients in group 1 and 26% in group 2 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve ring abscess is not an independent marker of poor long term outcome in patients with infective endocarditis. However, as residual aortic regurgitation appears frequent at follow up, specific surgical techniques should be considered in patients with paravalvar abscesses.

Clinical and bacteriological characteristics of infective endocarditis in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and bacteriological features of infective endocarditis in the elderly. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: A university hospital that is both a referral and a primary care centre. PATIENTS: 114 consecutive patients treated for infective endocarditis from November 1990 to December 1993: 25 were > 70 years of age (group 1) and 89 were < 70 years old (group 2). RESULTS: Location of infective endocarditis, clinical signs, and symptoms were similar in the two groups, except for a lower occurrence of embolic episodes in the elderly (group 1:8%, group 2: 28%; P < 0.04). A higher rate of infective endocarditis on intracardiac prosthetic devices was noted in group 1 (group 1: 52%, group 2: 25%; P < 0.05). The distribution of causative micro-organisms showed a higher proportion of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract in the elderly (group D streptococci and enterococci: 48% in group 1 v 20% in group 2) and the presumed portal of entry was more often digestive (group 1: 50%, group 2: 17%; P = 0.01). Elderly patients were less often operated on (group 1: 24%, group 2: 43%; P = 0.07) and their mortality rate was higher (group 1: 28%, group 2: 13%; P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Infective endocarditis in patients over 70 often occurs in those with intracardiac prosthetic devices and is more often due to bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract. Its prognosis appears to be worse than in younger subjects.

Beneficial cumulative role of both nitroglycerin and dobutamine on right ventricular systolic function in congestive heart failure patients awaiting heart transplantation.

End-stage idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy or ischemic heart disease usually present with very low cardiac output and severe ventricular dysfunction which may require pharmacological support before heart transplantation. Right ventricular ejection fraction might be an important factor of functional capacity and survival in congestive heart failure. In order to test the immediate response of right ventricular hemodynamic parameters to nitroglycerin and dobutamine usually used to treat severe left ventricular dysfunction, we studied 17 congestive heart failure patients (15 men, two women; mean age 55 +/- 13 years) with end-stage idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 10) or end-stage ischemic heart disease (n = 7), left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% (mean 22 +/- 8%), and sinus rhythm. A well validated thermodilution technique using a dedicated catheter with a fast catheter-computer response, permitting instantaneous measurements of right ventricular ejection fraction, was used. Right ventricular hemodynamic parameters were recorded at baseline, after an intravenous bolus injection of 3 mg nitroglycerin and after an intravenous infusion of dobutamine administered after nitroglycerin until normalization of cardiac index or a maximal dose of 15 micrograms/kg/min. Pulmonary artery mean pressure significantly decreased after nitroglycerin (43 +/- 9 mmHg at baseline vs. 31 +/- 10 mmHg after nitroglycerin, P < 0.0001) and did not subsequently change after dobutamine (32 +/- 10 mmHg after dobutamine, ns). Cardiac index was not affected by nitroglycerin (1.7 +/- 0. l/min/m2 at baseline vs. 2.0 +/- 0.3 l/min/m2 after nitroglycerin, ns), but dramatically increased after dobutamine (3.0 +/- 1.0 l/min/m2 after dobutamine, P < 0.0001). Concomitantly to the changes of these two parameters, right ventricular ejection fraction progressively increased (14 +/- 8% at baseline vs. 20 +/- 10% after nitroglycerin (P < 0.0006) vs. 28 +/- 13% after dobutamine (P < 0.0001)). Progressive increase of right ventricular ejection fraction after administration of nitroglycerin followed by administration of dobutamine suggests the beneficial cumulative role of both medications on right ventricular systolic function in severe congestive heart failure.

Serial evaluation of dilated cardiomyopathy with exercise thallium-201 tomography: correlation with the evolution of left ventricular parameters.

The purpose of this prospective study was to correlate (1) the initial findings of exercise thallium-201 tomography with the evolution of left ventricular parameters at long term follow-up in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and (2) the changes of exercise thallium-201 tomography repeated 1 year later. We studied 19 men with dilated cardiomyopathy and normal coronary angiogram. Two patients died and three patients had heart transplantation during follow-up. The other 14 patients were assessed at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Thallium-201 tomograms were divided into 20 segments for each patient. Two groups were defined according to the evolution of left ventricular ejection fraction: group 1 (n = 7) had unchanged or decreased ejection fraction at follow-up (24 +/- 11% at baseline versus 22 +/- 11% at follow-up, ns) and group 2 (n = 7) had improved ejection fraction at follow-up (25 +/- 9% at baseline versus 49 +/- 8% at follow-up, P < 0.03). The number of total abnormal segments at stress were not statistically different at baseline between groups 1 and 2, and in group 1 between baseline and follow-up. Group 2 at follow-up had a reduced number of total abnormal segments (P < 0.03). The percentage of reversibility was similar in both groups at baseline and follow-up. On exercise thallium-201 tomography, neither the presence nor the reversibility of stress myocardial perfusion abnormalities can predict improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction in dilated cardiomyopathy. However, regression of dilated cardiomyopathy is accompanied by a reduction of stress myocardial perfusion abnormalities.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients more than 75 years old: early and long-term results.

Over 4 yr, 102 consecutive patients more than 75 yr old (56 men, 46 women; mean age 78 +/- 3 years, range: 76-89 years) underwent 120 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures. At baseline, 86% had severe anginal symptoms (Canadian class III or IV), 43% had a history of prior myocardial infarction; 61% had multivessel coronary artery disease, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 60 +/- 11%. Calcifications were observed on 66% of the dilated arteries. A total of 158 vessels (1.3 vessel per procedure) were attempted: 1 vessel in 89 procedures (74%), 2 vessels in 24 (20%) and 3 vessels in 7 (6%). The primary success rate was 80% per lesion (126/158) and 77% per procedure (92/120). Complications included 3 deaths (3%), 9 Q-wave infarctions (7.5%) and there was no emergency coronary bypass surgery. The primary success rate was significantly related to the absence of coronary calcifications on the dilated segment (88% versus 75%, p < 0.05) and to the initial patency of the dilated artery (subtotal stenosis: 83% versus total occlusion: 53%, p < 0.05). Follow-up data were obtained in the 79 consecutive patients with a duration of follow-up exceeding 8 months. The mean duration of follow-up was 23 +/- 13 months (range 8 to 61 months). No patient was lost to follow-up; 11 patients died (cardiac causes: 7), 2 had a non-fatal infarction, 7 had aortocoronary bypass surgery and 18 had repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)