Resultados clínicos tempranos tras el implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica por acceso transaxilar comparado con el acceso transfemoral. Datos del registro español de TAVI / Early clinical outcomes after transaxillary versus transfemoral TAVI. Data from the Spanish TAVI registry

Introducción y objetivos: El acceso transaxilar (ATx) se ha convertido en el acceso alternativo al transfemoral (ATF), más utilizado en pacientes sometidos a implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI). El objetivo principal de este estudio es comparar la mortalidad total hospitalaria y a los 30 días de los pacientes incluidos en el registro español de TAVI a los que se trató por acceso ATx frente a ATF. Métodos: Se analizó a todos los pacientes incluidos en el registro español de TAVI tratados por ATx o ATF. Los eventos hospitalarios y a los 30 días de seguimiento se definieron según las recomendaciones de la Valve Academic Research Consortium. Se evaluó el impacto de la vía de acceso mediante emparejamiento por puntuación de propensión según las características clínicas y ecográficas. Resultados: Se incluyó a 6.603 pacientes, 191 (2,9%) tratados por ATx y 6.412 con ATF. Después del ajuste (grupo de ATx, n=113; grupo de ATF, n=3.035), el éxito del dispositivo fue similar entre ambos grupos (el 94% en el grupo de ATx frente al 95% en el de ATF; p=0,95); sin embargo, se observó un incremento en la tasa de infarto agudo de miocardio (OR=5,3; IC95%, 2,0-13,8; p=0,001), complicaciones renales (OR=2,3; IC95%, 1,3-4,1; p=0,003) e implante de marcapasos (OR=1,6; IC95%, 1,01-2,6; p=0,03) en el grupo de ATx comparado con el de ATF. De mismo modo, la mortalidad hospitalaria y a los 30 días fueron superiores en el grupo de ATx (respectivamente, OR=2,2; IC95%, 1,04-4,6; p=0,039; y OR=2,3; IC95%, 1,2-4,5; p=0,01). Conclusiones: El ATx se asocia con un aumento en la mortalidad total tanto hospitalaria como a los 30 días frente al ATF. Ante estos resultados, el ATx debe considerarse solo en caso de que el ATF no sea posible (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Transaxillary access (TXA) has become the most widely used alternative to transfemoral access (TFA) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to compare total in-hospital and 30-day mortality in patients included in the Spanish TAVI registry who were treated by TXA or TFA access. Methods: We analyzed data from patients treated with TXA or TFA and who were included in the TAVI Spanish registry. In-hospital and 30-day events were defined according to the recommendations of the Valve Academic Research Consortium. The impact of the access route was evaluated by propensity score matching according to clinical and echocardiogram characteristics. Results: A total of 6603 patients were included; 191 (2.9%) were treated via TXA and 6412 via TFA access. After adjustment (n=113 TXA group and n=3035 TFA group) device success was similar between the 2 groups (94%, TXA vs 95%, TFA; P=.95). However, compared with the TFA group, the TXA group showed a higher rate of acute myocardial infarction (OR, 5.3; 95%CI, 2.0-13.8); P=.001), renal complications (OR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.3-4.1; P=.003), and pacemaker implantation (OR, 1.6; 95%CI, 1.01-2.6; P=.03). The TXA group also had higher in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates (OR, 2.2; 95%CI, 1.04-4.6; P=.039 and OR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.2-4.5; P=.01, respectively). Conclusions: Compared with ATF, TXA is associated with higher total mortality, both in-hospital and at 30 days. Given these results, we believe that TXA should be considered only in those patients who are not suitable candidates for TFA (AU)

Tratamiento del infarto agudo de miocardio con ECMO: más allá del balón de contrapulsación / Treatment of acute myocardial infarction with ECMO: Beyond the intraaortic balloon pump

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Resucitación cardiopulmonar mediante ECMO percutáneo: una nueva herramienta en el laboratorio de hemodinámica / Cardiopulmonary resuscitation with percutaneous ECMO: a new tool for the hemodynamics laboratory

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IVUS guidance in percutaneous closure of aortic paraprosthetic leak.

Severe aortic regurgitation due to paraprosthetic leak appears in 1-5% of patients with previous aortic valve replacement. Surgical management is the treatment of choice but has high morbidity and mortality and leak recurrence is not uncommon. Different approaches to percutaneous closure have been tried. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a key factor to measure and localize leakages. Performing TEE during the procedure implies general anesthesia and prolongs procedure and fluoroscopy times. We report the case of an aortic paraprosthetic leak percutaneous closure using intravascular ultrasound to guide the procedure.

Results of percutaneous revascularization in cardiac allograft vascular disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of transplant patients with CGD treated by PTCA in our center. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all PTCA procedures performed on heart transplant patients in our hospital. RESULTS: Among 13 patients (11 men, 52.9+/-9.7 years), 20 lesions were treated with PTCA with 95% initial angiographic success. The indications for PTCA was heart failure or ventricular systolic dysfunction (n=4), of ischemia (n=4) and angiographic criteria alone (n=5). Ten lesions were treated with balloon angioplasty. A stent was implanted in 10 lesions, including one patient with a previous atherectomy. There were no complications. Angiographic follow-up was performed on 11 patients, four of whom (36%) showed restenosis. Mean follow-up was 33 months. Four patients (30.8%) are alive without retransplantation, two (15.4%) are alive after retransplantation, and seven (53.4%) died, all from cardiac causes. Graft survival rates estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method were 62% in the first year and 46% in the second year. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PTCA represents a palliative method of treatment for heart transplant patients with CGD.

Parainfluenza virus 3 infection after stem cell transplant: relevance to outcome of rapid diagnosis and ribavirin treatment.

All 456 recipients of hemopoietic stem cell transplants (SCT) at the Hammersmith Hospital, London, from January 1990 through September 1996 were reviewed for parainfluenza virus (PIV) infections. Of the 24 (5.3%) PIV type 3 (PIV3)-infected patients, 10 had upper respiratory tract infection and all survived, but 8 of 14 with pneumonia died. A same-day immunofluorescence test diagnosed PIV3 infection in 20 (83%) of the 24 cases, but virus culture diagnosed only 10 (42%) of the 24 cases after a mean delay of 12 days. Eighteen PIV3-infected patients first received ribavirin at a median of 3 days after onset of symptoms, but, nevertheless, 2 patients shed PIV3 for 4 months. Six of 10 patients with pneumonia died despite early ribavirin therapy. The cause of death was not established by autopsy; 3 patients had concurrent infections, but in 3, only PIV3 was detected. The value of immunofluorescence testing for early diagnosis and treatment of PIV3 infection after SCT is demonstrated, but the outcome was not altered.

[Coronary angioplasty in the acute myocardial infarction: in which patients is it less likely to obtain an adequate coronary reperfusion?]. / Angioplastia coronaria en el infarto agudo de miocardio: en qué pacientes es menos probable obtener una reperfusión coronaria adecuada?

INTRODUCTION: In patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty, the inability to achieve successful coronary reperfusion is associated with higher mortality. The objective of the study was to identify which characteristics may predict a lower angiographic success rate in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with coronary angioplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population is constituted by the 790 patients with acute myocardial infarction that were treated with angioplasty within the 12 hours after the onset of symptoms from 1991 to 1999 at our institution. A successful angiographic result was considered in presence of a residual stenosis < 50% and a TIMI flow 2 or 3 after the procedure. RESULTS: A successful angiographic result and a final TIMI 3 flow were achieved in 736 (93.2%) and 652 (82.5%) patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with angiographic failure than in those with angiographic successful result (48 vs. 10%; p < 0.01). Age under 65 (91 vs. 95%; p = 0.02), non smoking (90 vs. 96%; p < 0,01), previous infarction (87 vs. 94%; p < 0.01), angioplasty after failed thrombolysis (83 vs. 94%; p = 0. 02), cardiogenic shock (80 vs. 95%; p < 0.01), undetermined location (67 vs. 93%; p < 0.01), non-inferior location (92 vs. 96%; p = 0.04), left bundle branch block (64 vs. 94%; p < 0.01), multivessel disease (91 vs. 95%; p = 0.02), left ventricular ejection fraction < 0.40 (89 vs. 97%; p < 0.01), no utilization of coronary stenting (90 vs. 96%; p < 0.01), and use of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation pump (82 vs. 95%; p < 0.01) were associated with a lower angiographic success rate. In the multivariable analysis, the following were independent predictors for angiographic failure: left bundle branch block (odds ratio [OR], 12.95; CI 95%, 3.00-53.90), cardiogenic shock (OR, 4.20; CI 95%, 1.95-8.75), no utilization of coronary stent (OR, 3.44; CI 95%, 1.71-7.37), and previous infarction (OR, 2.82; CI 95%, 1.29-5.90). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary angioplasty allows a successful coronary recanalization in most patients with acute myocardial infarction. Some basic characteristics, however, may identify some subsets in which a successful angiographic result may be more difficult to obtain.

[The practical clinical guidelines of the Sociedad Española de Cardiología on interventional cardiology: coronary angioplasty and other technics]. / Guías de práctica clínica de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología en cardiología intervencionista: angioplastia coronaria y otras técnicas.

Interventional cardiology has had an extraordinary expansion in last years. This clinical guideline is a review of the scientific evidence of the techniques in relation to clinical and anatomic findings. The review includes: 1. Coronary arteriography. 2. Coronary balloon angioplasty. 3. Coronary stents. 4. Other techniques: directional atherectomy, rotational atherectomy, transluminal extraction atherectomy, cutting balloon, laser angioplasty and transmyocardial laser and endovascular radiotherapy. 5. Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. 6. New diagnostic techniques: intravascular ultrasound, coronary angioscopy, Doppler and pressure wire. For the recommendations we have used the classification system: class I, IIa, IIb, III like in the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

[Results of coronary stenting in acute myocardial infarction]. / Resultados de la implantación de stent coronario en el infarto agudo de miocardio.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the angiographic results and the in-hospital clinical outcome of patients with an acute phase of myocardial infarction treated with coronary angioplasty and stent placement. METHODS: 268 patients with myocardial infarction were treated with angioplasty and coronary stenting within in our center 12 hours after the onset of symptoms from January in 1992 to March 1998. 366 stents were placed (1.4 +/- 0.7 per patient), 35% being Palmaz-Schatz, 26% Wiktor, 21% Multi-Link and 18% others. Stenting was elective in 171 patients (64%), and the majority of patients (91%) were treated with aspirin plus ticlopidine. RESULTS: A successful angiographic result was achieved in 258 patients (96%). Minimum lumen diameter was increased from 0.2 +/- 0.3 to 2.7 +/- 0.7 mm (p < 0.001), and stenosis decreased from 94 +/- 8% to 13 +/- 11% (p < 0.001). Mortality was 15.3% (3.2%, 24.4% and 67.7% in patients in Killip class I, II-III and IV, respectively). Nonfatal reinfarction and recurrent ischemia rates were 2.6% and 9%, respectively. Stent thrombosis occurred in 8 patients (3.0%), and new target vessel revascularization was needed in 12 (4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Stent placement in acute myocardial infarction is associated with high angiographic success rate, as well as a good in-hospital outcome. Mortality is localized, especially in patients with cardiac failure at the beginning of the procedure.

Frequency of left ventricular free-wall rupture in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty.

A total of 590 patients with myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty were studied, to assess the incidence and related factors of free-wall rupture in patients with acute myocardial infarction when treated with primary angioplasty. The incidence of free-wall rupture was 2.2% (13 patients); this incidence was higher in patients >65 years old, women, nonsmokers, as well as in those with anterior location and an initial TIMI grade 0 flow, but it was similar in patients with a successful or unsuccessful angiographic result.

Coronary stenting during rescue angioplasty after failed thrombolysis.

Compared with primary angioplasty [percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)], rescue PTCA is associated with lower angiographic success and higher reocclusion rates, especially after thrombolysis with tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). Although stent placement during primary PTCA has been demonstrated to be safe and even to improve the angiographic results achieved by balloon-alone PTCA, there are few data on stent placement during rescue PTCA after failed thrombolysis. This study sought to assess the feasibility and safety of stent implantation during rescue angioplasty in myocardial infarction after failed thrombolysis. The study population consisted of 20 patients with acute myocardial infarction referred for rescue PTCA after failed thrombolysis consecutively treated with coronary stenting. The thrombolytic agent was tPA in 15 patients (75%), streptokinase in 1 (5%), and anisoylated streptokinase plasminogen activator complex (APSAC) in 1 (5%); 3 patients (15%) were included in the INTIME II study (tPA vs. lanoteplase). After stenting, aspirin 200 mg daily plus ticlopidine 250 mg b.i.d. were administered. Thirty stents (1.5+/-1.0 per patient) were implanted. Angiographic success was achieved in 19 patients (95%). Two patients (10%) died, both because of severe bleeding complications. One patient (5%) suffered a reinfarction, but no patients suffered postinfarction angina or needed new target vessel revascularization. Eighteen patients (90%) were discharged alive and free of events. All these patients remained asymptomatic and free of target vessel revascularization at 6-month follow-up. Stent placement during rescue PTCA after failed thrombolysis is feasible and safe and is associated with a good angiographic result and clinical outcome. Bleeding complications seem to be, however, the main limitation of this reperfusion strategy.

[Feasibility and safety of intracoronary ultrasound. Experience of a single center]. / Viabilidad y seguridad del empleo de la ecografía intracoronaria. Experiencia de un centro.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intracoronary ultrasound provides a number of advantages in the quantification and characterization of coronary stenoses with regard to contrast angiography. However, previous studies have reported a 3.5 to 11% complication rate, and a 10-30% failure rate in performing this technique. The purpose of the study is to analyze the feasibility of performing intracoronary ultrasound and the incidence of complications associated with the use of contemporary, state of the art equipment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The feasibility of performing intracoronary ultrasound, analyzed as the percentage of successes and failures in performing the examination was reviewed, as well as the complication rate associated with the technique in all the procedures carried out between July 1, 1994 and February 29, 1996 in which intravascular ultrasound was attempted. Complications were categorized as related, non-related and uncertainly related to the ultrasound study. RESULTS: 239 vessels were studied with intravascular ultrasound in 209 procedures (74% interventional) performed on 139 patients. Ultrasound examination was feasible in all the diagnostic studies and in 96% of the interventional procedures. The major and minor procedural complication rate was 2.4 and 10.5% respectively. No major complication was related to the ultrasound examination. Three patients experienced minor complications (1.4%) related to the ultrasound study. All three complications occurred in baseline studies during interventional procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary ultrasound is feasible and safe in the vast majority of the procedures. Improvements in smaller catheter size and design and larger operator expertise have significantly reduced the complication rate, particularly the most frequent coronary spasm so far. Complications are associated with baseline studies during interventional procedures and with less operator expertise.

Efficacy of invasive strategy for the management of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

This retrospective study evaluates the influence of an invasive strategy of urgent coronary revascularization on the in-hospital mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated early by cardiogenic shock. Among 1,981 patients with AMI admitted to our institution from 1994 to 1997, 162 patients (8.2%) developed cardiogenic shock unrelated to mechanical complications. The strategy of management was considered invasive if an urgent coronary angiography was indicated within 24 hours of symptom onset. Every other strategy was considered conservative. Fifty-seven patients who developed the shock late or after a revascularization procedure, or who died on admission, were excluded. The strategy was invasive in 73 patients (70%). Five of them died before angiography could be performed and 65 underwent angioplasty (success rate 72%). By univariate analysis the invasive strategy was associated with a lower mortality than conservative strategy (71% vs 91%, p = 0.03), but this association disappeared after adjustment for baseline characteristics. Older age, nonsmoking, and previous ischemic heart disease were independent predictors of mortality. In conclusion, we have failed to demonstrate that a strategy of urgent coronary revascularization within 24 hours of symptom onset for patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock is independently associated with a lower in-hospital mortality. This strategy was limited by the high mortality within 1 hour of admission in patients with cardiogenic shock, the modest success rate of angioplasty in this setting, and the powerful influence of some adverse baseline characteristics on prognosis.

Primary angioplasty versus systemic thrombolysis in anterior myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study compares the efficacy of primary angioplasty and systemic thrombolysis with t-PA in reducing the in-hospital mortality of patients with anterior AMI. BACKGROUND: Controversy still exists about the relative benefit of primary angioplasty over thrombolysis as treatment for AMI. METHODS: Two-hundred and twenty patients with anterior AMI were randomly assigned in our institution to primary angioplasty (109 patients) or systemic thrombolysis with accelerated t-PA (111 patients) within the first five hours from the onset of symptoms. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Primary angioplasty was independently associated with a lower in-hospital mortality (2.8% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.02, adjusted odds ratio 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.85). During hospitalization, patients treated by angioplasty had a lower frequency of postinfarction angina or positive stress test (11.9% vs. 25.2%, p = 0.01) and less frequently underwent percutaneous or surgical revascularization after the initial treatment (22.0% vs. 47.7%, p < 0.001) than did patients treated by t-PA. At six month follow-up, patients treated by angioplasty had a lower cumulative rate of death (4.6% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.05) and revascularization (31.2% vs. 55.9%, p < 0.001) than those treated by t-PA. CONCLUSIONS: In centers with an experienced and readily available interventional team, primary angioplasty is superior to t-PA for the treatment of anterior AMI.

[The Sociedad Española de Cardiología on the Internet: current resources and future prospects. The Internet Committee of the Sociedad Española de Cardiología]. / La Sociedad Española de Cardiología en Internet: recursos actuales y perspéctivas de futuro. Comisión Internet de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología.

The Internet can help physicians to identify needed clinical information quickly providing continued medical education. Internet also improves medical information of the non-medical population. Researchers have quick access to library catalogs, Medline and other important databases from the most recognized research centers. Furthermore, it can put physicians in ready contact with other specialists for communication and consultation, facilitates administrative procedures of multicenter studies and accelerates editorial processes of biomedical journals. Since its creation, the website of the Spanish Society of Cardiology has evolved rapidly to the present model, providing different kinds of services to its members including faster communication, information from national and international societies and congresses, earlier access to the full content of Revista Española de Cardiología and to a variety of graphic resources and of continuing education. Nowadays, the website of the Spanish Society of Cardiology is consulted by one thousand visitors a week, even at weekends. The degree of activity increases from 3 h P.M. with a peak from 11 h P.M. to 1 h A.M. In the near future, our website will incorporate its own courses of continuing medical education with on-line evaluation and credit granting, will give support to multicenter studies and will initiate the publication and discussion of clinical cases of interest.

[Results of primary angioplasty in patients with multivessel disease]. / Resultados de la angioplastia primaria en pacientes con enfermedad multivaso.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty, multivessel disease is associated with a higher mortality. However, if higher mortality is simply due to a higher prevalence of cardiogenic shock or if multivessel disease is an independent risk factor remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To study if multivessel disease constitute an independent prognostic factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty, and to ascertain possible mechanisms contributing to the worse prognosis found in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between august 1991 and october 1996, 312 patients with acute myocardial infarction were treated with primary angioplasty in our center. Characteristics and in-hospital outcome of patients with or without multivessel disease were compared. RESULTS: Patients with multivessel disease (n = 158; 51%) were older (64 +/- 11 vs 61 +/- 13 years; p = 0.017), less often smokers (60% vs. 76%; p = 0.006) and had a higher prevalence of diabetes (35% vs. 20%; p = 0.007), hypertension (54% vs. 39%; p = 0.012), prior acute myocardial infarction (29% vs. 5%; p < 0.001), prior coronary bypass (2% vs. 0%; p = 0.042) and Killip class IV at admission (19% vs. 8%; p < 0.001). Angiographic success rate was not different in patients with or without multivessel disease (89% vs. 92%; NS). Patients with multivessel disease had a higher in-hospital mortality (21% vs. 7%; p < 0.001), need of revascularization (17% vs. 3%; p < 0.001) and incidence of severe mitral regurgitation, (5% vs. 0%; p < 0.001), second or third atrioventricular blockade (10% vs. 1%; p < 0.001) and severe bleeding (4% vs. 1%; p = 0.089). After excluding patients with Killip class III or IV at admission, mortality was also higher in patients with multivessel disease (9% vs. 2%; p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis showed the following independent risk factors for mortality: age > 65 years, Killip class IV and multivessel disease. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty, multivessel disease is associated with higher mortality. This is due not only to a higher prevalence of cardiogenic shock at admission, but also to a worse baseline profile, a higher incidence of complications and a more frequent need of revascularization.

Mechanisms of residual lumen stenosis after high-pressure stent implantation: a quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound study.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies have demonstrated that stents are frequently suboptimally expanded despite the use of high pressures for deployment. The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanisms responsible for such residual lumen stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-seven lesions from 50 patients treated with high-pressure (median+/-interquartile range, 14+/-2 atm) elective (44 de novo, 13 restenotic lesions) stenting were prospectively studied (29 Wiktor, Medtronic; 28 Palmaz-Schatz, Cordis Corp). Balloon subexpansion was calculated as the difference between maximal and minimal balloon cross-sectional areas at peak pressure measured by automatic edge detection; elastic recoil was calculated as the difference between minimal measured balloon size and IVUS-derived minimal lumen area within the stent. Angiographic residual diameter stenosis was 10+/-13% (reference diameter, 3.1+/-0.7 mm; balloon to artery ratio, 1.12+/-0.23) and IVUS-derived stent expansion was 80+/-28%. However, although balloon nominal size was 9.6+/-1.3 mm2 and maximal balloon size measured inside the coronary lumen was 12.5+/-3.2 mm2, final stent minimal lumen area was only 7.1+/-2.2 mm2. Balloon subexpansion of 4.0+/-1.8 mm2 (33%) and elastic recoil of 1.6+/-2.3 mm2 (20%) (both P<0.0001) were the two mechanisms responsible for residual luminal stenosis. Wiktor stent and peak inflation pressure correlated with balloon subexpansion, whereas Wiktor stent, de novo lesion, and minimal lumen area at baseline correlated with elastic recoil. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high-pressure deployment, lumen dimensions after stenting are only 57% of maximal achievable. Inadequate balloon expansion and elastic recoil are responsible for residual lumen stenosis, suggesting that plaque characteristics and stent resistance deserve further investigation.

Influence of collateral circulation on in-hospital death from anterior acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to study whether the in-hospital prognosis of anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is influenced by preexistent collateral circulation to the infarct-related artery. BACKGROUND: Collateral circulation exerts beneficial influences on the clinical course after AMI, but demonstration of improved survival is lacking. METHODS: We studied 238 consecutive patients with anterior AMI treated by primary angioplasty within the first 6 h of the onset of symptoms. Fifty-eight patients with basal Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow >1 in the infarct-related artery or with inadequate documentation of collateral circulation were excluded. Collateral channels to the infarct-related artery before angioplasty were angiographically assessed, establishing two groups: 115 patients (64%) without collateral vessels (group A) and 65 patients (36%) with collateral vessels (group B). RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups A and B, except for the greater prevalence of previous angina in group B (15% vs. 34%, p = 0.003). During the hospital stay, 26 patients (23%) in group A and 5 (8%) in group B died (p = 0.01). Cardiogenic shock accounted for 74% of deaths. Cardiogenic shock developed in 30 patients (26%) in group A and in 4 (6%) in group B (p = 0.001). The absence of collateral circulation appeared to be an independent predictor of in-hospital death (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 9.6, p = 0.02) and cardiogenic shock (odds ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 1.9 to 17, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Preexistent collateral circulation decreases in-hospital death from anterior AMI by reducing the incidence of cardiogenic shock.