Increased risk of sudden and non-sudden cardiovascular death in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter following acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication in patients with acute myocardial infarction and is associated with an increase in the risk of death. The excess mortality associated with AF complicating acute myocardial infarction has not been studied in detail. Observations indicate that AF facilitates induction of ventricular arrhythmias, which may increase the risk of sudden cardiovascular death (SCD). A close examination of the mode of death could potentially provide useful knowledge to guide further investigations and treatments. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed the relation between AF/atrial flutter (AFL) and modes of death in 5983 consecutive patients discharged alive after an acute myocardial infarction screened in the TRAndolapril Cardiac Evaluation registry. This cohort of patients with an enzyme-verified acute myocardial infarction was admitted to 27 centres in 1990-92. Survival status was obtained 2 years after screening of the last patient. An independent endpoint committee assessed the modes of death. Left ventricular ejection fraction was determined in all the screened patients and information about presence or absence of AF/AFL was prospectively collected. Sustained or paroxysmal AF/AFL was observed in 1149 patients (19%) during hospitalization. During follow-up, 1659 patients (34%) died: 482 (50%) patients with AF/AFL and 1177 (30%) patients without AF/AFL, P<0.001. SCD occurred in 536, non-SCD occurred in 725, and 398 died of non-cardiovascular causes (includes 142 unclassifiable cases). The adjusted risk ratio of AF/AFL for total mortality was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.19-1.49; P<0.0001) and the risk ratio for SCD was 1.31 (95% CI: 1.07-1.60; P<0.009). The adjusted risk ratio of AF/AFL for non-SCD was 1.43 (95% CI: 1.21-1.70; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The excess mortality observed in patients with AF/AFL following acute myocardial infarction is due to a significant increase in both SCD and non-SCD.

Routine transradial coronary angiography in unselected patients.

OBJECTIVES: To measure and compare the results of changing from routine transfemoral to routine transradial coronary angiography performed by a single operator. DESIGN: A learning period of 3 months for the transradial procedure with 43 selected patients was followed by a 12-month routine period with 243 unselected patients. The success and complication rates, contrast volumes, catheter and X-ray times were measured and compared to results of a preceding period where the transfemoral approach was used. Follow-up was performed in the transradial groups 1.5-25 months after the procedure. RESULTS: Of the non-selected patients, 9% were deemed unsuitable for the radial procedure. In the remaining 91% in which the transradial route was attempted, success was achieved in 91%. The complication rate was 2.7%. Increased operator experience reduces catheter and fluoroscopy times. At follow-up, 4.7% of the radial arteries were occluded, but the patients were without clinical sequelae. The occlusion rate was significantly higher with an unsuccessful procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial coronary angiography can be performed safely and with acceptable image quality in non-selected patients after a learning period of 43 cases. Total procedure time is shorter than with the transfemoral approach. There were no bleeding complications and no procedure-related complications that required treatment.

Impact of congestive heart failure and left ventricular systolic function on the prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter following acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Reports on the prognostic importance of atrial fibrillation following myocardial infarction have provided considerable variation in results. Thus, this study examined the impact of left ventricular systolic function and congestive heart failure on the prognostic importance of atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction patients that might explain previous discrepancies. METHODS: The study population was 6676 patients consecutively admitted to hospital with acute myocardial infarction. Information on the presence of atrial fibrillation/flutter, left ventricular systolic function and congestive heart failure were prospectively collected. Mortality was followed for 5 years. RESULTS: In patients with left ventricular ejection fraction<0.25, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter was associated with an increased in-hospital mortality (OR=1.8 (1.1-3.2); p<0.05) but not an increased 30-day mortality. In patients with 0.250.35. In patients with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter was associated with an increased in-hospital mortality (OR=1.5 (1.2-1.9); p<0.001) and increased 30-day mortality (OR=1.4 (1.1-1.7); p<0.001) but not in patients without congestive heart failure. In hospital survivors, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter was associated with an increased long-term mortality in all subgroups except those with left ventricular ejection fraction<0.25. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter is primarily associated with increased in-hospital mortality in heart failure patients. Long-term mortality is increased in all subgroups except those with left ventricular ejection fraction<25%.

Long genuine coronary artery lesions treated with stiff tubular or flexible coiled stents. A randomized angiographic follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of stent flexibility on 6 months' clinical and angiographic outcome in long stented lesions. DESIGN: A total of 44 genuine coronary artery lesions (lesion length >20 mm and < or =30 mm) were randomized to implantation with a 30 mm long flexible coiled stainless steel stent (Freedom Force, Global Therapeutics) (n = 23) or a 30 mm long stiff tubular stainless steel stent (Crown, Johnson & Johnson) (n = 21). RESULTS: Target vessel revascularization was performed in 10 patients (45%) in the Freedom Force stent group, and in 7 patients (33%) in the Crown stent group (ns). No significant differences concerning minimum lumen diameter (MLD), early gain, late loss or binary restenosis rate were seen. In the Freedom Force stent group all restenoses were located within the stent. In the Crown stent group three (27%) of the restenoses were located at the edge of the stent (ns). CONCLUSION: In a limited number of patients no significant differences could be detected in clinical or angiographic parameters between patients treated with long tubular or long coiled stents.