[MINOCA and Coronary Ectasia: a rare combination of causes of infarction] / MINOCA y Ectasia Coronaria: una combinación inusual de causas de infarto

Objective: to describe a patient with myocardial ischemia with multiple causes. Clinical Case: This clinical case describes a 58-year-old man with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, COPD and previous myocardial infarction (AMI). He went to the emergency room with chest pain and dyspnea. Findings included bibasal crackles, electrocardiogram with old anterior fibrosis, elevated NT-ProBNP, and echocardiogram with septoapical akinesia. During hospitalization, he experienced tachyarrhythmia and hemodynamic deterioration, undergoing electrical cardioversion (CVE). Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) complicated with ventricular arrhythmia and acute pulmonary edema was diagnosed. Coronary angiography revealed coronary ectasias without obstructive lesions, but with mild stenosis in three vessels. The patient was successfully treated with non-invasive ventilation, diuretics, vasodilators and anticoagulation. The discharge was granted with the plan to further studies to optimize and guide treatment and finally the diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Arteries (MINOCA) and the presence of coronary ectasias was addressed. Conclusion: it is important to highlight the non-ischemic causes in MINOCA and the association between coronary ectasia and cardiovascular events, which is why we emphasize the need for more studies to better understand the relationship between these phenomena.

Objetivo: describir un paciente con isquemia miocárdica con múltiples causas. Caso Clínico: En este caso clínico se describe a un hombre de 58 años con antecedentes de hipertensión, dislipidemia, EPOC e infarto de miocardio (IAM) previo. Acudió a urgencias con dolor torácico y disnea. Los hallazgos incluyeron crepitantes bibasales, electrocardiograma con fibrosis anterior antigua, NT-ProBNP elevado y ecocardiograma con acinesia septoapical. Durante la hospitalización, experimentó taquiarritmia y deterioro hemodinámico, siendo sometido a cardioversión eléctrica (CVE). Se diagnosticó síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST (SCASEST) complicado con arritmia ventricular y edema pulmonar agudo. La angiografía coronaria reveló ectasias coronarias sin lesiones obstructivas, pero con estenosis leve en tres vasos. El paciente fue tratado con éxito mediante ventilación no invasiva, diuréticos, vasodilatadores y anticoagulación. Se otorgó el alta con el plan de profundizar estudios para optimizar y guiar tratamiento y finalmente se abordó al diagnóstico de Infarto de Miocardio con Arterias No Obstructivas (MINOCA) y la presencia de ectasias coronarias. Conclusión: es importante destacar las causas no isquémicas en MINOCA y la asociación entre ectasia coronaria y eventos cardiovasculares, por lo que subrayamos la necesidad de más estudios para comprender mejor la relación entre estos fenómenos.

Fisiopatología y algoritmo diagnóstico y terapéutico del MINOCA.

MINOCA es un síndrome que abarca varias patologías y que ocurre en el contexto clínico de un Síndrome Coronario Agudo. Su incidencia varía de acuerdo con la población estudiada, métodos de diagnósticos utilizados y si han incluido a la Miocarditis y Síndrome de Takotsubo, los cuáles, fueron excluidos recientemente de la definición de MINOCA. Por esta razón, consideramos que la novedad de esta publicación es la no inclusión de estas dos patologías y, por lo tanto, el objetivo de la presente revisión es actualizar este síndrome de forma concisa. También se aborda el manejo de los tres tipos de MINOCA, cuyo diagnóstico se basa fundamentalmente en la utilización de imágenes complementarias específicas, ya que la coronariografia tiene sus limitaciones. El tratamiento será en general farmacológico de acuerdo con el mecanismo fisiopatológico involucrado.

MINOCA Phenotypes - A Challenge for Patient-Specific Management. / Fenótipos MINOCA ­ Um Desafio para o Manejo Específico do Paciente.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a puzzling clinical phenomenon with an unclear prognosis, characterized by evidence of myocardial infarction (MI) with normal or near-normal coronary arteries on angiography1. Currently, there are no guidelines for management, and many patients are discharged without a determined etiology, often meaning that optimal treatment gets postponed.We report three MINOCA case studies with main pathophysiological cardiac causes, particularly epicardial, microvascular, and non-ischemic, prompting differential management. The patients presented with acute chest pain, troponin raise, and no angiographically significant coronary disease.In this study, we analyzed the etiology, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of MINOCA concerning the relevant literature.MINOCA is considered to be a dynamic working diagnosis, including coronary, myocardial, and non-coronary disorders. Prospective studies and registries are needed to improve patient care and outcome.

O infarto do miocárdio com artérias coronárias não obstrutivas (MINOCA) é um fenômeno clínico intrigante e de prognóstico incerto, caracterizado pela evidência de infarto do miocárdio (IM) com artérias coronárias normais ou quase normais na angiografia1. Atualmente, não há diretrizes para o manejo e muitos pacientes recebem alta sem uma etiologia determinada, significando muitas vezes que o tratamento ideal é adiado.Relatamos três estudos de caso MINOCA com as principais causas fisiopatológicas cardíacas, particularmente epicárdicas, microvasculares e não isquêmicas, levando ao tratamento diferencial. Os pacientes apresentavam dor torácica aguda, aumento da troponina e nenhuma doença coronariana angiograficamente significativa.Neste estudo, analisamos a etiologia, diagnóstico clínico e tratamento da MINOCA em relação à literatura relevante.MINOCA é considerado um diagnóstico de trabalho dinâmico, incluindo distúrbios coronários, miocárdicos e não coronários. Estudos prospectivos e registros são necessários para melhorar o atendimento e o resultado do paciente.

Práticas clínicas aplicadas a pacientes com infarto do miocárdio sem obstrução de artéria coronária (minoca) / Clinical Practices Applied To Patients With Myocardial Infarction Non-obstruction Coronary Arteries (Minoca) / Prácticas clínicas aplicadas a pacientes con infarto e miocardio sin obstruccion arteria coronaria (MINOCA)

Objetivo: Identificar práticas clínicas com resultados favoráveis aos pacientes com diagnóstico de infarto agudo do miocárdio sem obstrução de artéria coronária. Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura pela base de dados National Library of Medicine e Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde de estudos publicados entre 2018 e 2022. Resultados:87,5% dos estudos encontrados destacaram estratégias farmacológicas e destes, 62,5% citaram o uso da dupla antiagregaçãoplaquetária como mais utilizada, apesar de nenhum estudo evidenciar benefícios. Os inibidores do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona comprovaram benefícios em três estudos. 75% dos artigos apontaram que esse grupo de pacientes recebem menos medicamentos preventivos comparados aos pacientes com infarto por obstrução coronariana. Outros seis estudos, revelaram condução clínica variável desses pacientes. Conclusão: O uso de inibidores do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona deve ser considerado por ser a única medicação com redução da mortalidade evidenciada. São necessários estudos maiores para orientar com mais segurança à condução do infarto do miocárdio sem obstrução de coronária.(AU)

Objective: To identify clinical practices with favorable results for patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction without coronary artery obstruction. Method: Integrative literature review using the National Library of Medicine and Virtual Health Library databases of studies published between 2018 and 2022. Results: 87.5% of the studies found highlighted pharmacological strategies and of these, 62.5% cited the use of dual antiplatelet therapy as the most used, despite no study showing benefits. Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have shown benefits in three studies. 75% of the articles pointed out that this group of patients receive less preventive medication compared to patients with infarction due to coronary obstruction. Another six studies revealed variable clinical management of these patients. Conclusion: The use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors should be considered as it is the only medication with proven reduction in mortality. Larger studies are needed to guide with more safety the management of myocardial infarction without coronary obstruction.(AU)

Objetivo: Identificar prácticas clínicas con resultados favorables para pacientes con diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio sin obstrucción arterial coronaria. Método: revisión integrativa de la literatura utilizando las bases de datos de la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina y la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud de estudios publicados entre 2018 y 2022. Resultados: el 87,5% de los estudios encontrados destacaron estrategias farmacológicas y de estos, el 62,5% citó el uso de la terapia antiplaquetaria dual como el más utilizados, a pesar de que ningún estudio muestra beneficios. Los inhibidores del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona han mostrado beneficios en tres estudios. El 75% de los artículos señalaron que este grupo de pacientes recibe menos medicación preventiva en comparación con los pacientes con infarto por obstrucción coronaria. Otros seis estudios revelaron un manejo clínico variable de estos pacientes. Conclusión: Se debe considerar el uso de inhibidores del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona, ya que es el único medicamento con reducción comprobada de la mortalidad. Son necesarios estudios más amplios que orienten con mayor seguridad el manejo del infarto de miocardio sin obstrucción coronaria.(AU)

Pathophysiology and diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm of MINOCA / [Fisiopatología y algoritmo diagnóstico y terapéutico del MINOCA.]

MINOCA is a syndrome that encompasses several pathologies and occurs in the clinical context of an Acute Coronary Syndrome. Its incidence varies according to the population studied, the diagnostic methods used and whether they have included Myocarditis and Takotsubo Syndrome, which were recently excluded from the definition of MINOCA. For this reason, we consider that the novelty of this publication is the non-inclusion of these two pathologies and, therefore, the objective of this review is to update this syndrome concisely. The management of the three types of MINOCA is also addressed, whose diagnosis is mainly based in using specific complementary images, since coronary angiography has its limitations. Treatment will generally be pharmacological according to the pathophysiological mechanism involved.

MINOCA es un síndrome que abarca varias patologías y que ocurre en el contexto clínico de un Síndrome Coronario Agudo. Su incidencia varía de acuerdo con la población estudiada, métodos de diagnósticos utilizados y si han incluido a la Miocarditis y Síndrome de Takotsubo, los cuáles, fueron excluidos recientemente de la definición de MINOCA. Por esta razón, consideramos que la novedad de esta publicación es la no inclusión de estas dos patologías y, por lo tanto, el objetivo de la presente revisión es actualizar este síndrome de forma concisa. También se aborda el manejo de los tres tipos de MINOCA, cuyo diagnóstico se basa fundamentalmente en la utilización de imágenes complementarias específicas, ya que la coronariografia tiene sus limitaciones. El tratamiento será en general farmacológico de acuerdo con el mecanismo fisiopatológico involucrado.

[Incidence and clinical characteristics of patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary disease (MINOCA)]. / Incidencia y características clínicas de los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del ST sin enfermedad coronaria obstructiva (MINOCA).

INTRODUCTION: MINOCA is an acute myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary disease, this definition was recently incorporated into the 4th universal definition of myocardial infarction. However, since it is an unconventional ischemic coronary syndrome in clinical practice, its etiology is very complex to elucidate and requires a differential diagnosis process to rule out other causes of cardiac injury. The objective of this study is to characterize patients with acute myocardial infarction without significant obstructive lesions included in the Argentine Registry of STsegment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (ARGEN-IAM-ST). METHODS: Prospective, multicenter national study including patients with STEMI within 36 hours of symptom onset. All patients studied with coronary angiography at admission were analyzed and those without significant obstructive lesions of the culprit artery were considered MINOCA. This MINOCA patients were compared with patients with significant atherosclerotic coronary lesions. RESULTS: 30 patients with MINOCA out of 2894 patients entered in the registry (incidence: 1%). MINOCA patients were younger, had a similar proportion for gender, had fewer diabetics patients, and had a greater history of heart failure. They were admitted without heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. In-hospital mortality was 7%, with no significant difference compared to classic AMI. At discharge, they received P2Y12 inhibitors, statins, and beta-blockers in fewer proportion. DISCUSSION: There was no predominance of the female gender as in other series. In-hospital mortality is high despite not having significant coronary disease. It is worth mentioning the low use of dual antiaggregating and statins.

Introducción: MINOCA es un infarto agudo de miocardio sin enfermedad coronaria obstructiva, esta definición se ha incorporado recientemente a la 4° definición universal del infarto. Sin embargo, por tratarse de un síndrome coronario isquémico no convencional en la práctica clínica, su etiología es muy compleja de dilucidar y demanda un proceso de diagnósticos diferenciales para descartar otras causas de lesión cardíaca. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar a los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio sin lesiones obstructivas significativas incluidos en el Registro Argentino de Infarto con Elevación del segmento ST (ARGEN-IAM-ST). Métodos: estudio prospectivo, multicéntrico de carácter nacional con inclusión de pacientes con IAMCEST dentro de las 36 horas comenzado los síntomas. Se analizaron todos los pacientes estudiados con cinecoronariografía al ingreso y se consideró MINOCA a aquellos sin lesiones obstructivas significativas de la arteria responsable y se los comparó con los pacientes con lesiones coronarias ateroscleróticas significativas. Resultados: 30 pacientes con MINOCA sobre 2894 pacientes ingresados al registro (incidencia: 1%). Los pacientes con MINOCA fueron más jóvenes, proporción similar en cuanto al género, menos diabéticos y con más antecedentes de insuficiencia cardíaca. Ingresan sin falla cardíaca y fracción de eyección preservada. Mortalidad intrahospitalaria 7%, sin diferencia significativa comparado con IAM clásico. Al alta recibieron en menor proporción inhibidores P2Y12, estatinas y betabloqueantes. Discusión: No se encontró predominancia de género femenino como otras series. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria es elevada a pesar de no tener enfermedad coronaria significativa. Se destaca la baja utilización de doble antiagregación y estatinas.

Case report: an unexpected case of minoca in a 56-year-old male with myocardial bridge

INTRODUCTION: A myocardial bridge (MB) is typically asymptomatic, but sometimes can lead to a myocardial infarction with several mechanisms such as: coronary spasm, thrombosis, coronary dissection, or the development of focal atherosclerosis immediately proximal to the MB. Sometimes more than one mechanism can be present. The use of intracoronary images modalities, as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in patient with MB can accurately define the mechanism of the myocardial infarction and provide further guidance to management strategy. CASE REPORT: 56-yearold male with past medical history of systemic arterial hypertension and active tobacco use, attended the emergency department with severe oppressive chest pain after a long car trip in the heat. The initial electrocardiogram showed ST-elevation in anterior leads. Coronary angiography revealed a myocardial bridge with a systolic constriction of more than 90% in the proximal third of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), OCT demonstrate a lesion < 20% with no signs of rupture. The patient was diagnosed with MINOCA with multiple mechanisms such as supply and demand imbalance, cigarette-induced vasospasm and hypovolemia. The patient was treated with beta blockers and antiplatelet therapy and discharged 3 days later. There was no recurrence of chest pain at follow-up appointments. CONCLUSION: Myocardial bridge (MB) is a congenital anatomic anomaly whereby a length of the artery tunnels beneath a section of myocardium. It can potentially be associated with phasic arterial spasm and ischemia. About 67-98% of cases have their anatomical location in the LAD. The gold standard for diagnosis is autopsy, but angiography and OCT provides more information about MBs, such as assessment of vulnerable plaque and coronary morphology. Unlike classic atherosclerotic plaque that produces a fixed stenosis, MB produces a dynamic effect that varies with cardiac cycle, heart rate, and sympathetic tone. According to the classification by Schwarz 2009, this case is classified as type C, with altered intracoronary hemodynamics. The clinical management was maintained with pharmacological therapy, which is the mainstay treatment. Angioplasty would be suggested only for cases with refractory symptoms. The patient was conducted with medications for management of heart failure and general orientation, with no recurrence of chest pain.

Perfil contemporâneo dos pacientes portadores de minoca atendidos em hospital terciário / Contemporary profile of patients with minoca treated in a tertiary hospital

INTRODUÇÃO: O termo MINOCA (infarto do miocárdio sem obstrução coronária significativa), recentemente incorporado a 4ª Definição Universal de Infarto do iocárdio, tem despertado crescente interesse, pois é um diagnóstico sindrômico que inclui diversas causas, cardíacas e não cardíacas. Como a literatura nacional é escassa sobre as características desta população, optamos por expor nossa experiência inicial. OBJETIVO: Traçar o perfil clínico-epidemiológico-angiográfico dos pacientes portadores de MINOCA atendidos em nosso Serviço. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, utilizando um banco de dados de laboratório de hemodinâmica de um hospital terciário. Foram incluídos 2002 pacientes, submetidos ao cateterismo cardíaco diagnóstico entre 2018 e 2021, correspondendo a 20,8% dos 9.631 dos casos de Síndromes Coronárias Agudas (SCA) identificados nesse período, incluídos de forma sequencial. Exclusões: antecedentes de revascularização prévia. Os resultados clínicos expostos foram restritos à fase hospitalar. RESULTADOS: A maioria era do sexo masculino (51%) e idade média de 59 anos. Do total de pacientes, 77% eram hipertensos, 51% dislipidêmicos, 26% portadores de diabetes, 20% com doença renal crônica, 16% tabagistas e 2,3% apresentavam antecedente de insuficiência cardíaca. Infarto prévio foi observado em 20% dos pacientes. Na base dados, todos os pacientes foram admitidos com diagnóstico de SCA sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST, sendo que 67% foram classificados como baixo risco e apenas 6% como alto risco, de acordo com o escore de risco TIMI. Sobre a terapia medicamentosa, 90% dos pacientes foram medicados com ácido acetilsalicílico; 86% com estatinas; 71%, utilizaram betabloqueador; 78% clopidogrel; 85% inibidores da ECA/ bloqueadores dos receptores da angiotensina 2. Eventos cardíacos maiores na fase hospitalar ocorreram em 5% dos casos, sendo: mortalidade em 5% e infarto em 1.8%; não observamos casos de isquemia cerebral. CONCLUSÃO: Os casos de MINOCA à estratificação invasiva após SCA constituíram um número expressivo da população total (acima de 20%). Diferente da literatura, discreta maioria era do sexo masculino. Embora não se possa afirmar de forma categórica, nossa impressão é que estes casos apresentam menos fatores de risco clássicos para coronariopatia do que os que se apresentam com aterosclerose significativa. A mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi discretamente superior à citada na literatura.

Prognostic value of statin therapy in patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Given the complex aetiology and a limited amount of evidence, the medical treatment (including statin use) of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) remains uncertain. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of statin therapy on major cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality in MINOCA patients. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of time-to-event outcomes were performed of studies of statin therapy on MINOCA patients, reporting data from MACE or mortality, after searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases. A fixed-effects meta-analysis model was then applied. RESULTS: Six observational studies of statin therapy on MINOCA, involving a total of 11,171 patients, were identified and considered eligible for analysis (9129 subjects received statin therapy while 2042 patients were part of the respective control arms). Quantitative analysis (5 studies were included) showed that statin use was associated with lower mortality (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.56-0.75, I2: 0%). Also, the meta-analysis showed that statin therapy was associated with a lower incidence of MACE (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69-0.88, I2:27%). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that in a population with MINOCA, the use of statin therapy results in significant reduction on MACE and mortality. These results must be confirmed in future clinical trials.

Acute Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries - Stratifying the Risk of a "new" Clinical Entity using an "Old" Tool

Abstract Background Some of the patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction have non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA). Their prognosis is not always benign, making it necessary the development of tools for risk stratification of these patients. Objectives To describe the characteristics of a sample of patients admitted for suspected MINOCA and to evaluate the prognostic value of GRACE score in this population. Methods This was a retrospective, observational, single-center, cohort study involving 56 consecutive patients with MINOCA. During one-year follow-up, patients were assessed for mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) - a composite of all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, ischemic stroke, and acute limb ischemia. Statistical analysis was performed using a non-parametric approach, with the Mann-Whitney U test for quantitative variables and ROC curves for assessing the discriminatory power of the Grace score in predicting cardiovascular events. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results Of the 56 MINOCA patients included in the study (median age 67 years), 55.4% were female. During the one-year follow-up, mortality rate was 5.5% and 9.1% of patients had MACE. A higher GRACE score was associated with mortality (p = 0.019; AUC 0.907; 95%CI 0.812-1.000; cut off 138) and MACE (p =0.034; AUC 0.790; 95%CI 0.632-0.948; cutoff 114). Conclusion The definition of MINOCA includes various diagnoses and prognoses, and the GRACE score is useful for risk stratification of patients with this condition.