Body surface mapping vs 12-lead electrocardiography to detect ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

A prospective, multicenter trial was conducted in patients with nontraumatic chest pain in 4 hospitals to determine whether an 80-lead body surface map electrocardiogram system (80-lead BSM ECG) improves detection of ST-segment elevation in acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared with a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in an emergency department (ED) setting. A trained ED or cardiology staff member (technician or nurse) recorded a 12-lead ECG and 80-lead BSM ECG from each subject at initial presentation. Serial biomarkers (total creatine kinase [CK], CK-MB, and/or troponin) were obtained according to individual hospital practice. Of the 647 patients evaluated, 589 had available biomarkers results. Eighty-lead BSM ECG improved detection of biomarker-confirmed STEMI compared with the 12-lead ECG for CK-MB-defined STEMI (100% vs 72.7%, P = .031; n = 364) or troponin-defined STEMI (92.9% vs 60.7%, P = .022; n = 225). Specificity for STEMI was high (range, 94.9%-97.1%) with no significant difference between 80-lead BSM ECG and 12-lead ECG. Right ventricular involvement complicating inferior STEMI was detected by 80-lead BSM ECG in 2 (22%) of 9 patients with CK-MB-defined MI and in 2 (22%) of 9 patients with troponin-defined MI. The infarct location missed most commonly on 12-lead ECG but detected by 80-lead BSM ECG was inferoposterior MI. We conclude that BSM using 80-lead BSM ECG is more sensitive for detection of STEMI than 12-lead ECG, while retaining similar specificity.

Prognostic impact of right ventricular involvement in patients with acute myocardial infarction: meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between right ventricular involvement (RVI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the increase in mortality and morbidity frequently suggested in the last two decades. DESIGN: The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: This study was conducted at an academic medical center. DATA SOURCE: The authors reviewed PubMed, BioMedCentral, and the Cochrane database and conducted a manual review of article bibliographies. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Using a prespecified search strategy, 22 relevant studies involving a total of 7,136 patients with AMI at baseline, of whom 1,963 had RVI (27.5%), were included in a meta-analysis using a random effects model. Pooled relative risks of the impact of RVI on patient mortality and morbidity were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: An overall pooled relative risk mortality increase of 2.59 (95% confidence interval, 2.02-3.31) was found (Z = 7.57; p < .00001). RVI in AMI was also associated with a statistically significant increase in all secondary end points assessed, including cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmias, advanced atrioventricular block, and mechanical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the view that early recognition of RVI, namely by means of right electrocardiographic leads in acute myocardial infarction, may have prognostic value. Whether or not this recognition will permit improvement of outcomes through more aggressive percutaneous coronary intervention would need to be tested in future studies.

Diagnostic performance of 16- and 64-section spiral CT for coronary artery bypass graft assessment: meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of 16- and 64-section spiral computed tomography (CT) to help assess coronary artery bypass grafts (CABGs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MEDLINE, Cochrane library, and BioMed Central databases were searched for relevant original articles published up to May 2007. Major criteria for article inclusion were that it (a) used multisection CT as a diagnostic test for the assessment of significant lesions (occlusion or >50% stenosis) of CABG, (b) used a 16- or 64-section scanner, and (c) used coronary angiography as the reference standard. After data extraction, the analysis was performed according to a random-effects model. Between-study statistical heterogeneity was also assessed by using the Cochran Q chi(2) test. RESULTS: Of 158 screened articles, 15 fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Graft assessability (including distal anastomosis) ranged from 78%-100% among all included studies (mean, 92.4%; 90% with 16- and 96% with 64-section CT; P < .001). Statistical heterogeneity was observed for specificity and positive likelihood ratio (LR), justifying the use of the random-effects model. The analysis, pooled from 15 studies (723 patients, 2023 CABGs), provided the following results for the assessment of graft obstruction (occlusion and >50% stenosis): sensitivity, 97.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 96%, 98.6%); specificity, 96.7% (95% CI: 95.6%, 97.5%); positive predictive value, 92.7% (95% CI: 90.5%, 94.6%); negative predictive value, 98.9% (95% CI: 98.2%, 99.4%); positive LR, 23.42 (95% CI: 13.69, 40.07); negative LR, 0.045 (95% CI: 0.028, 0.071); and diagnostic odds ratio, 780.32 (95% CI: 379.12, 1606.1). CONCLUSION: Multisection CT provided high accuracy for the evaluation of CABG obstruction in assessable conduits, and might be used as a noninvasive tool for the evaluation of suspected graft dysfunction in patients who are at high risk for complications from coronary angiography.

Diagnostic accuracy of in-stent coronary restenosis detection with multislice spiral computed tomography: a meta-analysis.

This study was designed to define the current role of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) for the diagnosis of coronary in-stent restenosis using a meta-analytic process. Restenosis remains a limitation after coronary stent implantation and contributes to a substantial number of coronary re-assessments by conventional invasive coronary angiography (CA). We identified 15 studies (807 patients) evaluating in-stent restenosis by means of both MSCT (>or=16 slices) and conventional CA until February 2007. After data extraction the analysis was performed according to a random-effects model. The analysis pooled the results from 15 studies with a total of 1,175 stents. A substantial number of unassessable stents (13%) were excluded from the analysis underscoring the shortcomings of MSCT. With this major limitation the diagnostic performance of MSCT for in-stent restenosis detection can be summarized as follows: the sensitivity and specificity were 84% [95% confidence interval (CI) 77-89%] and 91% (95% CI 89-93%), respectively, with positive and negative likelihood ratios of 12.2 (95% CI 6.6-22.6) and 0.23 (95% CI 0.17-0.31), respectively, and with a diagnostic odds ratio of 67.9 (95% CI 34.4-134.1). MSCT has shortcomings difficult to overcome in daily practice for in-stent restenosis detection and continues to have moderately high sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic role of this emerging technology as an alternative to CA for in-stent restenosis detection remains limited.

Coronary arteries: diagnostic performance of 16- versus 64-section spiral CT compared with invasive coronary angiography--meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To perform a meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic performance of 16- versus 64-section computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MEDLINE database was searched for relevant original articles. Criteria for inclusion of articles were (a) use of multisection spiral CT as a diagnostic test for obstructive CAD, (b) use of the newer generation of multisection spiral CT (16 or 64 section) scanners, and (c) use of coronary angiography as the reference standard for diagnosing obstructive CAD (>50% diameter stenosis was selected as the cutoff criterion for diagnosis of CAD). After data extraction, the analysis was performed according to a random-effects model. Between-study statistical heterogeneity also was assessed by using Cochran Q chi(2) tests. RESULTS: Of 328 identified relevant articles, 37 fulfilled all inclusion criteria, with data available for a patient-based analysis in 28. The patient-based analysis included pooled data from 16 studies, corresponding to 1292 patients who underwent 16-section spiral CT, and from 12 studies, corresponding to 695 patients who underwent 64-section spiral CT. Respectively, the results for 16-section CT versus 64-section CT were 95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 93%, 96%) versus 97% (95% CI: 95%, 98%) for sensitivity (P = .03), 69% (95% CI: 66%, 73%) versus 90% (95% CI: 86%, 93%) for specificity (P < .001), 79% (95% CI: 76%, 82%) versus 93% (95% CI: 91%, 96%) for positive predictive value (PPV) (P < .001), 92% (95% CI: 88%, 94%) versus 96% (95% CI: 92%, 98%) for negative predictive value (P < .001), and 72.05 (95% CI: 31.35, 165.56) versus 181.82 (95% CI: 88.70, 372.71) for diagnostic odds ratio (P = .1). CONCLUSION: Sixty-four-section spiral CT has significantly higher specificity and PPV on a per-patient basis compared with 16-section CT for the detection of greater than 50% stenosis of coronary arteries. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/2453061899/DC1.

Prognostic impact of major bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndromes.A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: The causative relationship between major bleeding in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and the increase in mortality and morbidity has frequently been suggested in recent pharmaco-invasive trials and registries. However, the magnitude of this increased risk is the subject of debate. In order to determine the prognostic significance of major bleeding in ACS, we have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Databases were searched for articles published up to March 2007. Any study, either retrospective or prospective, assessing the impact of major bleeding in patients with ACS was included if all-cause mortality was reported as an outcome measure.Data from 10 studies involving a total of 133,597 patients with ACS at baseline, of whom 3,644 had major bleeding (2.7%) were included in a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. An overall pooled relative risk (RR) mortality increase of 7.6 (95% CI; 5.5-10.4) was found in patients with major bleeding. Although most of the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the primary studies overlapped, some heterogeneity was observed (Chi2 for heterogeneity, P <0.0001), hence the need for the random-effects meta-analysis. However, the overall effect was highly significant (Z=12.65; P <0.00001). Major bleeding in ACS was also associated with a statistically significant increase in the secondary endpoints assessed including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicates that major bleeding in patients with ACS is a strong predictor of in-hospital or 30-day death and AMI. The pooled estimates presented should alert clinicians and interventionalists to the importance of prevention of major bleeding in patients hospitalised with ACS.

To examine the effectiveness of a hospital-based nurse-led secondary prevention clinic.

Modification of cardiovascular risk factors can reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), effectively extend survival, decrease the need for interventional procedures, and improve quality of life in persons with known cardiovascular disease. Pharmacological treatments and important lifestyle changes reduce people's risks substantially (by 1/3 to 2/3) and can slow and perhaps reverse progression of established coronary disease. When used appropriately, these interventions are more cost-effective than many other treatments, currently provided by the National Health Service [Department of Health National Service Frameworks: coronary heart disease. Preventing coronary heart disease in high risk patients. 2000. HMSO.] Secondary prevention clinics are effective means by which to ensure targets are achieved and assist primary care in long-term maintenance of lifestyle change and drug optimisation. A 2-year hospital-based pilot project was established at the Royal Hospitals, April 2001-April 2003. The aim of the project was to target patients with coronary heart disease, post-MI and/or coronary artery bypass grafting and/or percutaneous coronary intervention, 6 months following their cardiac event. The plan was to assess patient risk factors and medication a minimum of 6 months following their cardiac event to ascertain if government targets were being achieved; secondly, to examine the effectiveness of a hospital-based nurse-led secondary prevention clinic on modifying risk factors and optimising drug therapies.

Prehospital 80-LAD mapping: does it add significantly to the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes?

UNLABELLED: Early detection of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is vital in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Hence we compared the diagnostic capability of the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) with the 80-lead ECG body surface map (BSM) prehospital. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 294) presenting prehospital with ischemic type chest pain were included. All had an ECG and BSM pretreatment and a baseline and 12-hour cardiac troponin-T or I (cTnT or cTnI). Acute MI was defined as cTnT > 0.09 or cTnI > 0.1 ng/mL. Acute MI on the BSM was defined as ST elevation measured at the J-point, > or = 1 mm inferior/right ventricular/high right anterior/lateral regions, > or = 2 mm anterior region, > or = 0.5 mm posterior region. RESULTS: Acute MI occurred in 182/294 (62%) based on cTnT or I. ST elevation on the standard ECG predicted acute MI in 103 (sensitivity 57%, specificity 94%; c-statistic 0.73). The optimal model for the standard ECG included ST elevation, summed ST depression and past history of MI (c-statistic 0.82; Chi-square (Wald) 120.7, 3df). The BSM predicted acute MI in 146 (sensitivity 80%, specificity 92%; c-statistic 0.86). The optimal model for the BSM included BSM criteria for acute MI and past history of MI (c-statistic 0.91; Chi-square (Wald) 180.3, 2df). CONCLUSION: The 80-lead BSM is superior to the standard 12-lead ECG in predicting acute MI prehospital.

Body surface potential mapping improves detection of ST segment alteration during percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The 12-lead electrocardiogram underestimates ST segment alteration in acute coronary syndromes compared with multi-lead body surface mapping. We assessed whether 80-lead mapping would improve detection of ST alteration during percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: Simultaneous maps and 12-lead electrocardiograms were recorded pre-procedure, during balloon inflation and post-procedure from patients undergoing elective intervention to native coronary arteries. Recordings were obtained from 39 inflations (19 patients). All arteries were successfully stented. RESULTS: Mean 'lead specific' ST alteration (the difference in ST elevation/depression between pre-procedure and inflation recordings in the lead showing maximal ST alteration) was greater on the map than on electrocardiogram, both for ST elevation (0.16+/-0.02 vs. 0.06+/-0.01 mV; p<0.001) and ST depression (0.11+/-0.017 vs. -0.03+/-0.006 mV; p<0.001). During first inflations (n=19), mean lead specific ST elevation and depression on map were greater than on electrocardiogram (0.20+/-0.034 vs. 0.07+/-0.015 mV; p<0.001 and 0.11+/-0.029 vs. 0.03+/-0.009 mV; p=0.001, respectively). Mapping detected greater summated ST elevation and depression during inflation than electrocardiogram (0.04+/-0.005 vs. 0.021+/-0.003 mV; p<0.001 and 0.026+/-0.004 vs. 0.011+/-0.002 mV; p<0.001, respectively). Qualitative analysis of maps and electrocardiograms showed that 21/39 (53.8%) maps recorded during inflation met criteria for myocardial ischaemia compared with 7/39 (17.9%) electrocardiograms (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Body surface mapping compared with the 12-lead electrocardiogram improves detection of myocardial ischaemia during intervention.