Obstructive and nonobstructive coronary artery disease in long-lasting type 1 diabetes: a 7-year prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION It is widely believed that patients with diabetes are at increased risk of severe and premature coronary artery disease (CAD) when compared with nondiabetic individuals. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence, 7­year incidence, predictors, and outcomes of obstructive and nonobstructive CAD in patients with long­lasting type 1 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS We enrolled 2330 patients at a median age of 50 years and a median diabetes duration of 32 years. All participants underwent diagnostic workup for CAD with an exercise treadmill test (ETT), single­photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), or both. Coronary angiography was performed in patients with abnormal ETT/SPECT results and repeated during the study if clinically indicated. RESULTS The prevalence of obstructive and nonobstructive CAD was 6.9% and 42%, respectively, while the 7­year incidence, 1.9% and 7.4%, respectively. Of the 160 revascularized patients, 38% underwent complete revascularization. Acute coronary syndromes were reported in 3.6% of patients (54% with nonobstructive CAD). Cardiac deaths were reported in 1.07% of the population, and only in patients with obstructive CAD. Age, diabetes duration, hypertension, and renal failure were predictors of obstructive CAD, while type 1 diabetes duration, glycated hemoglobin A1c levels, frequent severe hypoglycemia, hypertension, triglyceride levels, renal failure, and cardiac autonomic neuropathy predicted nonobstructive CAD. CONCLUSIONS Nonobstructive CAD was the most frequent coronary complication in patients with type 1 diabetes. Both obstructive and nonobstructive CAD showed a similar incidence of nonfatal outcomes and selected predictors. Positive ETT/SPECT results were related to glycemic control only in patients with nonobstructive CAD.

[Association of common cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene polymorphisms with clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients with coronary artery disease]. / Ocena zwiazku czestych polimorfizmów genu cyklooksygenazy-2 (COX-2) z obrazem klinicznym choroby niedokrwiennej serca i zaawansowaniem zmian miazdzycowych w tetnicach wiencowych.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation of the arterial wall plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of proinflammatory prostanoids. At least two of the common genetic polymorphisms of the COX-2 gene have phenotypic effects: G-765C (rs20417) and T8473C (rs5275). AIM: To assess the relation of G-765C and T8473C COX-2 polymorphisms to clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 186 consecutive patients with angiographically defined CAD (> or =70% stenosis of > or =1 coronary artery). The study population were divided into two groups: A-123 patients with stable angina (mean age, 62.6 +/- 11.2 years; 30.1% women), and B-63 patients with unstable angina (mean age, 64.0 +/- 10.8 years; 19.0% women). The controls comprised 70 individuals without symptoms of CAD (mean age, 37.6 +/- 9.9 years; 57.1% women). Results: No significant differences were observed in -765C and 8473C allele frequencies between the patients with CAD and control subjects. In CAD patients, the studied COX-2 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with the age of the onset of symptoms and clinical presentation of CAD. In the B group, a difference was observed within the frequency of significant (>50%) left main coronary artery stenosis (LMCAS) and/or three-vessel CAD (3-CAD) between the -765C allele carriers and 765G 765G homozygotes (14.3% vs. 49.0%; p=0.044). In the CAD patients (group A and group B) the prevalence of LMCAS and/or 3-CAD was significantly lower among 365C allele carriers (22.8% vs. 40.3%: CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in -765C and 8473C allele frequencies between patients with CAD and subjects without symptoms of CAD; In patients with CAD, COX-2 G-765C and T8473C polymorphisms had no significant association with the age of the onset of symptoms and clinical presentation of ischaemic heart disease; The G-765C COX-2 polymorphism is associated with less frequent occurrence of multivessel CAD in the studied population. p=0.021

Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids improve responsiveness to clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with cytochrome P450 2C19 loss-of-function polymorphism.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet properties of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been demonstrated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). It is unknown whether omega-3 PUFA can enhance platelet inhibition on standard aspirin and clopidogrel treatment in the setting of CYP2C19 loss-of-function polymorphism. AIM: To investigate whether omega-3 PUFA are able to modify platelet responsiveness to clopidogrel therapy in patients with CYP2C19 loss-of-function polymorphism undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: 63 patients with stable CAD undergoing PCI (48 males, mean age 63.2 ± 9.6 years) were enrolled into an investigator- initiated, prospective, single-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study. Patients on standard dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin 75 mg daily and clopidogrel 600 mg loading dose followed by 75 mg daily) were assigned to receive the addition of 1 g of omega-3 ethyl esters (n = 33) or placebo (n = 30) for 1 month. Platelet function was measured serially by light transmittance aggregometry in response to 5 and 20 µmol/L ADP at baseline, 12 h, 3-5 days and 30 days after randomisation. CYP2C19*2 was genotyped at baseline. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in baseline variables, including the frequency of CYP2C19 genetic variants. At least one loss-of-function variant of CYP2C19*2 was found in 19 (30.2%) patients. In patients with CYP2C19*1/*2 and *2/*2 variants, maximal platelet aggregation induced by 5 and 20 µmol/L ADP was reduced by 21.4% (p = 0.006) and 14.3% (p = 0.041), respectively, after 1 month of treatment with omega-3 PUFA as compared to placebo. The beneficial effect of omega-3 PUFA was demonstrated in carriers of CYP2C19 loss-of-function polymorphism, whereas no differences in platelet aggregation between the omega-3 PUFA and placebo groups were found in patients with the 1*/1* variant. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of omega-3 ethyl esters significantly potentiates platelet response to clopidogrel after PCI mostly in patients with CYP2C19 loss-of-function polymorphism.

The prevalence rate of overweight and obesity among adult patient population in Poland, according to the LIPIDOGRAM2004 and LIPIDOGRAM2006 studies, in context of previous Polish national screening surveys.

An increase of the body mass often aggravates cardiovascular risk factors. In Poland, over the past 25 years, some epidemiological studies, focused on body mass disorders were conducted. Their results suggest an increase of the prevalence rate of overweight and obesity. The goal of the studies LIPIDOGRAM2004 and LIPIDOGRAM2006 was to assess the prevalence rate of abnormal body mass among adult patients remaining under the care of family physicians in Poland. 17.065 patients in 2004 and 17.152 in 2006, older than 30 years, recruited by 675 study physicians in 444 sites across Poland, were involved into these studies. It was found that approximately 3/4 of the patients included into these studies had BMI > or = 25 kg/m2. Overweight rate was much more prevalent among men than women (48,0% vs. 39,2% in 2004, p<0,0001; 47,4% vs. 39,7% in 2006, p<0,0001). In 2004, obesity was present in above 30% of the participants, including small, but statistically significant difference in the population of men (32,8% vs. 31,2%, p<0,05). In 2006, an increase in the prevalence of obesity in men, compared to women was reported (34,7% vs. 31,6%, p<0,001). Health care actions aimed at decreasing these phenomena would require targeted efforts of family physicians, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

Reduced thrombin formation and altered fibrin clot properties induced by polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids on top of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (OMEGA-PCI clot).

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are able to alter plasma fibrin clot properties and reduce thrombin formation in stable coronary artery disease patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: In an investigator-initiated, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, patients undergoing PCI who received standard pharmacotherapy were assigned to the treatment with 1 g/day n-3 PUFA (n = 30) or placebo (n = 24) for 1 month. Plasma fibrin clot permeability (K(s)); lysis time (t(50%)); prothrombin fragment 1.2; and peak thrombin generation from automated thrombogram, 8-isoprostaglandin F(2α) (8-iso-PGF(2α), an oxidative stress marker), and C-reactive protein were determined at baseline, 3 to 5 days after randomization, and 30 days after randomization. At baseline, both treatment groups did not differ significantly. A 1-month treatment with n-3 PUFA compared with placebo was associated with 15.3% higher K(s), indicating larger pores in the fibrin network (P = 0.0005); 14.3% shorter t(50%), indicating increased susceptibility to fibrinolysis (P<0.0001); 33.8% lower prothrombin fragment 1.2 (P = 0.0013); 13.4% lower peak thrombin generation (P = 0.04); and 13.1% lower 8-iso-PGF(2α) (P = 0.009). Treatment with n-3 PUFA had no effect on fibrinogen and C-reactive protein. After 1 month of treatment, fibrinogen (r = -0.53, P<0.0001), treatment assignment (r = 0.29, P = 0.006) and 8-iso-PGF(2α) (r = -0.27, P = 0.015) were independently associated with clot permeability (P<0.0001, R(2) = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Adding n-3 PUFA to standard therapy in stable patients undergoing PCI significantly decreases thrombin formation and oxidative stress and favorably alters fibrin clot properties. These findings indicate novel antithrombotic effects induced by n-3 PUFA in humans.

Altered fibrin clot properties in patients with chronic heart failure and sinus rhythm: a novel prothrombotic mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic complications occur more frequently in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) than in the general population. Formation of a compact fibrin clot resistant to lysis has been shown in arterial and venous thrombosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate fibrin clot properties in patients with CHF. METHOD: Plasma clot permeability, compaction, turbidity and fibrinolysis were assessed in 36 consecutive patients with stable CHF (30M, 6F; aged 64+/-10 years, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 34.9+/-6.7%) and 36 controls matched for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors and medication. Exclusion criteria were LVEF >40%, anticoagulant therapy, previous thromboembolic events, atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: Clots obtained from plasma of patients with CHF had 23% lower clot permeability (p<0.0001), 13% less clot compaction (p<0.001), 15% faster fibrin polymerisation (p<0.0001) and tended to have prolonged fibrinolysis time (p=0.1) compared with controls. C-reactive protein and fibrinogen were associated inversely with clot permeability (R(2)=0.84, p<0.0001 and R(2)=0.79, p<0.0001, respectively) and positively with fibrinolysis time (R(2)=0.88, p<0.0001 and R(2)=0.80, p<0.0001, respectively) in patients with CHF. Plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex concentrations were inversely correlated with clot permeability (R(2)=0.88, p<0.0001) and positively with fibrinolysis time (R(2)=0.91, p<0.0001). Left atrium diameter, but not LVEF, correlated with fibrinolysis time (R(2)=0.61, p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CHF with sinus rhythm are characterised by faster formation of compact plasma fibrin clots, which might predispose to thromboembolic complications.

Life-threatening cardiac manifestations of primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

We report a rare case of primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in a 43-year-old man presenting as recurrent acute coronary stent thrombosis and complicated by three myocardial infarctions. As illustrated in this report, in APS patients recurrent life-threatening arterial thrombotic events may occur in spite of recommended anticoagulant therapy. We conclude that the APS should be considered as a potential cause of acute coronary syndrome, particularly in young individuals with a history of recurrent thrombotic events and/or with abnormal coagulation test results. Further studies are needed to determine the best therapeutic strategy for APS patients with acute coronary syndrome.

[Type IV dual left anterior descending coronary artery - a rare congenital coronary artery anomaly. A case report]. / Podwójna lewa tetnica zstepujaca przednia typu IV - rzadko wystepujaca wrodzona anomalia tetnic wiencowych. Opis przypadku.

An extremely rare case of type IV dual left anterior descending coronary artery coexisting with myocardial bridging in a 50-year old Caucasian man with acute coronary syndrome is presented. Emergency cardiac catheterisation revealed no coronary atherosclerotic lesions. The potential causal relationship between the type IV dual left anterior descending coronary artery and myocardial ischaemia was discussed. We also summarised the current knowledge on the epidemiology and clinical significance of dual left anterior descending coronary artery in the adult population.

Effects of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids on responsiveness to dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: the OMEGA-PCI (OMEGA-3 fatty acids after pci to modify responsiveness to dual antiplatelet therapy) study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are able to modify platelet responsiveness to dual antiplatelet therapy in stable coronary artery disease patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have suggested antiplatelet properties of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, it is unknown whether they can enhance platelet inhibition on standard aspirin and clopidogrel treatment. METHODS: The OMEGA-PCI (OMEGA-3 Fatty Acids After PCI to Modify Responsiveness to Dual Antiplatelet Therapy) study was an investigator-initiated, prospective, single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Patients receiving standard dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin 75 mg/day and clopidogrel 600 mg loading dose followed by 75 mg/day) were randomly assigned to receive the addition of 1 g of omega-3 ethyl esters (n = 33) or placebo (n = 30) for 1 month. Platelet function was measured serially by light transmission aggregometry (adenosine diphosphate and arachidonic acid [AA] were used as agonists) and assessment of the phosphorylation status of the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein at baseline, 12 h, 3 to 5 days, and 30 days after randomization. RESULTS: The P2Y(12) reactivity index was significantly lower, by 22.2%, after 1 month of treatment with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with placebo when used in addition to dual antiplatelet therapy (p = 0.020). Maximal platelet aggregation induced by 5 and 20 micromol/l adenosine diphosphate was lower by 13.3% (p = 0.026) and 9.8% (p = 0.029), respectively, after 1 month of treatment with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with placebo. Platelet aggregation after AA stimulation was low and did not change significantly throughout the study. There were no cases of aspirin resistance during follow-up that was suggestive of good compliance with the medication. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of omega-3 ethyl esters to the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel significantly potentiates platelet response to clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention.

[Endomyocardial disease as the first manifestation of hypereosinophilic syndrome]. / Choroba endomiokardialna jako pierwsza manifestacja zespolu hipereozynofilowego.

A case of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) initially manifesting as endomyocardial disease in a 21-year-old man is presented. The diagnosis of HES was made according to the Chusid's criteria. Myeloproliferative disorders were excluded and corticosteroid therapy with prednisone at a dose of 1 mg/kg/d was started immediately. After 30 days of continuous corticotherapy the patient recovered completely. His blood eosinophil count decreased from 8740 cells/microL (48.7%) to 30 cells/microL (0.3%). Then, prednisone was discontinued gradually. During 18-month follow-up the patient was free from cardiovascular symptoms and his complete blood count was normal. We also present the current state of knowledge on the cardiovascular complications of hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Functional promoter polymorphism of cyclooxygenase-2 modulates the inflammatory response in stable coronary heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory mediators, including prostanoids produced by inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), play a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis. A regulatory region of COX-2 gene has a common -765G>C polymorphism. Functional effects of this polymorphism and its association with atherosclerosis phenotypes have not been fully understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between COX-2 -765G>C polymorphism and the inflammatory response in patients with stable CAD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied systemic prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) metabolism, the levels of soluble CD163 (sCD163) in serum (a marker of monocyte/macrophage activation), and COX-2 -765G>C polymorphism in patients with stable CAD. We also tested the patients for functional effects of COX-2 -765G>C polymorphism using cell lines, using the constructs in which red fluorescent protein expression was controlled by a large segment of COX-2 regulatory region. RESULTS: Patients with stable CAD carrying the variant allele -765C allele had increased urinary excretion of PGE2 metabolite and higher serum levels of sCD163 than patients carrying the -765G allele. In contrast to these clinical findings, in vitro functional studies demonstrated that the -765C variant allele was less responsive than -765G allele to a wide range of COX-2 inducers. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial part of total PGE2 biosynthesis is contributed by activated monocytes/macrophages in stable CAD. The exact mechanism of activation of this pathway in CAD requires further research because of the conflicting results on COX-2 -765G>C polymorphism provided by clinical studies and in vitro functional studies.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia pacemaker endocarditis in a patient with d-transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch procedure.

We report a case of pacemaker endocarditis due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in a 22-year-old Caucasian man with d-transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch procedure. S.maltophilia isolated from blood cultures was susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and amikacin, and resistant to ciprofloxacin and all tested ß-lactam antibiotics. The infected pacemaker system was completely removed by thoracotomy. Simultaneously, a new DDD pacemaker and epicardial electrodes were successfully implanted and selective antibiotic therapy consisting of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (480 mg i.v. q 6 h) and amikacin (250 mg i.v. twice daily) was continued. However, the post-operative course was complicated by septic shock and the patient died on 9th day after surgery. Importantly, S.maltophilia isolated from extracted pacemaker leads was multidrug-resistant including to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, all tested aminoglycosides, and ß-lactams, with the exception of ticarcillin-clavulanate. In conclusion, pacemaker endocarditis due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an extremely rare but serious complication of permanent pacing therapy. The susceptibility of S.maltophilia isolates to antimicrobial agents can change during the course of infection. Despite the inherent resistance of S.maltophilia to most ß-lactam antibiotics, multidrug-resistant strains may be susceptible in vitro to ticarcillin-clavulanate. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal management of patients with pacemaker endocarditis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

Preoperative right ventricular function in patients with organic mitral regurgitation.

AIMS: To assess the right ventricular (RV) function in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR); to find a relation between preoperative and postoperative parameters. METHODS: RV function was echocardiographically assessed by determining the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and the peak systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus (Sa) in 45 patients with severe organic MR (53.3% men, age 58 +/- 10 years). Mean NYHA class was 2.6 +/- 0.4, LVEF was 55.3 +/- 12%, RV end-diastolic diameter was 28.7 +/- 4.7, left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) was 44.6 +/- 12.6 mm, and LV end-diastolic volume (Simpson) was 160.6 +/- 50.3 ml. All patients underwent mitral valve replacement with posterior chordal sparing. RESULTS: Mean preoperative TAPSE and Sa were 19.4 +/- 4.3 mm and 10.3 +/- 3 cm/sec, respectively. RV dysfunction, defined as TAPSE < 22 mm, had 66.6% of the patients, and Sa < 11 cm/sec was found in 62.2% of the patients preoperatively. Preoperative TAPSE and Sa were significantly correlated (P < 0.00001, r = 0.61). Both TAPSE and Sa were correlated with the RV end-diastolic diameter (P < 0.01), LVESD (P < 0.05) left ventricular dp/dt (P < 0.05), and LVEF (P < 0.0001). Postoperative LVEF was 50% (P < 0.001), Sa 5.3 +/- 2 cm/sec (P < 0.001), and TAPSE 8.7 +/- 3.2mm (P < 0.001). Twenty-one patients (46.6%) reached the study end point of decrease of LVEF by more than 10%. Univariate predictors were age (P = 0.04), male gender (P = 0.01), TAPSE (P = 0.007), and Sa (P = 0.009), while a trend was found for regurgitation fraction (P = 0.058) and LV end-diastolic volume index (P = 0.09). By multivariate analysis, TAPSE (P = 0.01) and Sa (P = 0.01) were predictive for the study end point. CONCLUSION: The assessment of the RV function by echocardiography is a simple tool that provides prognostic information in patients with MR.

Assessment of left ventricle diastolic function in myocardial infarction patients treated with primary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: More than 5% of patients over the age of 65 have been found to develop heart failure, and over half of them preserve normal left ventricular systolic function. In the last few years, diastolic heart failure has become a serious clinical and epidemiological problem. METHODS: This prospective study was carried out on 99 patients. Patients were evaluated up to three months after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Evaluation was performed three times: within the first 24 hours after primary PCI, on day seven after PCI and at three months after PCI. We analyzed the relationship between the severity of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction and atherosclerosis risk factors, infarction site, maximum levels of cardiac biomarkers such as troponin I, CPK and CK-MB, CRP protein levels, angioplasty effectiveness, reperfusion time, TIMI and TMPG grade. RESULTS: Most patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary PCI demonstrated left ventricle diastolic dysfunction on the first day of myocardial infarction. Levels of cardiac biomarkers were significantly higher in patients with restrictive filling pattern. The inflammatory response (CRP levels) was found to have an important role in the development of diastolic abnormalities. There was a close relationship between diastolic and systolic function. Average values of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with restrictive filling pattern were significantly lower than in those with impaired relaxation (44.7 vs. 52.7%; p < 0.001) and normal filling (54.2%; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients with a first STEMI have left ventricle diastolic dysfunction within the first day after PCI, and these abnormalities are still present three months after PCI. Time and effectiveness of reperfusion, CRP level, troponin I, max, CPK max and CK-MB max levels as well as left ventricular ejection fraction have an important influence on the development of diastolic dysfunction. Infarct extension contributes significantly to the process.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatment versus percutaneous coronary angioplasty in patients with intermediate coronary artery lesions.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear if patients with intermediate coronary artery lesions (40-70% of diameter reduction) benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as compared with pharmacological treatment. AIM: To investigate whether PCI of intermediate coronary artery lesions may improve the outcome in this group of patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data of 232 symptomatic patients with intermediate coronary lesions. Hundred sixty five patients received only pharmacological treatment (group A) while 67 were treated with PCI with or without stent implantation (group B). Primary study endpoints were defined as follows: death (cardiac and non-cardiac), myocardial infarction, unstable angina, recurrent angina and coronary reintervention. Demographic and clinical variables were evaluated to identify predictors of the composite endpoint (exacerbation of angina, hospitalisation because of severe angina, restenosis in the intermediate coronary lesion, acute coronary syndrome and cardiac death). RESULTS: In group A, patients were treated with typical pharmacotherapy including beta-blockers, Ca-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, and antiplatelet drugs. In group B, 68 PCI procedures were performed in 67 patients and optimal pharmacotherapy was administered. The average age of patients in both groups was 58.0 +/- 9.1 years and the majority were males (76%). Preinterventional coronary angiography showed that the intermediate lesions were most frequently localised in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery; the next most frequent localisation was the right coronary artery (RCA). During the 12-month follow-up in 9 (13%) patients from the group B repeated PCI due to restenosis was performed, while in group A intervention was necessary in 7 (4%) of patients due to aggravation of symptoms (p = 0.01). The cumulative probability of restenosis after PCI in intermediate coronary lesions was 14%. Recurrent angina was more frequent in group B as compared to group A (34 vs. 19%; p = 0.005). None of the patients in any group died during 12 months of follow-up. In patients with intermediate coronary lesions, the independent predictors of the composite study endpoint were: history of previous percutaneous coronary angioplasty, type 2 diabetes, persistent ST-segment elevation in 12-lead ECG, heart rhythm disturbances, presence of the intermediate lesion in the LAD, and left ventricular dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with intermediate coronary artery stenoses could safely undergo pharmacological treatment and PCI may be postponed until aggravation of symptoms occurs. In the presence of predictors of the composite study endpoint, the use of intracoronary diagnostic methods may be considered to obtain more reliable and precise measurements of coronary stenosis severity.

The effects of gender and test protocol on the results of head-up tilt test in patients with vasovagal syncope.

BACKGROUND: Head-up tilt testing (HUTT) is a well-established method for the diagnosis of reflex syncope. Some controversies exist whether gender and HUTT protocol influence HUTT results. AIM: To analyse the results of HUTT in patients with syncope in relation to their gender and used protocol of HUTT. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data of 537 consecutive patients (313 women and 224 men), aged 13-79 years with history of neurally-mediated syncope referred to HUTT. The cardiogenic and neurological aetiology of syncope was excluded in all patients based on previous examination. In 375 patients standard HUTT (STD HUTT), according to the Westminster protocol, was used. In 257 patients in whom STD HUTT was negative, HUTT was continued with pharmacological provocation using isoproterenol intravenous infusion--114 patients (ISO HUTT) or sublingual nitroglycerin--143 patients (NTG HUTT). In the remaining 162 patients HUTT was performed according to the Italian protocol (ITL HUTT). The HUTT results were classified according to the VASIS scale. RESULTS: Female gender dominated, however, syncope was induced in a similar proportion of women and men (77.3 vs. 70.5%, NS). There were also no significant differences in the type of vasovagal response (VVR) to HUTT between women and men. Mixed type of VVR was the most frequent after isoproterenol provocation (ISO HUTT), whereas cardioinhibitory type of VVR was the most frequent after nitroglycerin provocation (NTG HUTT). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant relationship between gender and the result of HUTT. The type of VVR is related to HUTT protocol--cardioinhibitory response is more frequent following nitroglycerin administration in comparison to standard protocol and HUTT with isoproterenol provocation.

Evaluation of sinus and atrioventricular nodes function in patients with vasovagal syncope.

AIM: Evaluation of sinus and atrioventricular nodes function as a potential factor responsible for prolonged bradycardia, asystole, or both in patients with cardioinhibitory and non-cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope (VVS). The study included 258 patients (mean age = 47.7 +/- 17.2 years; range 18-62; 147 females) with a history of VVS. They were divided among four groups, according to results of head-up tilt test (HUTT). METHODS: All patients underwent standard HUTT, carotid sinus massage (CSM), and rapid transesophageal atrial pacing for evaluation of total sinus node recovery time (SNRT), and corrected sinus node recovery time (CNRT), resting and intrinsic heart rate (IHR), and Wenckebach point (WP). Values of SNRT > 1,500 ms, CNRT > 525 ms, WP < 130 bpm, and CSM-induced pause >3 seconds were considered abnormal. RESULTS: SNRT, CNRT, and WP before and after pharmacological blockade, resting heart rate, and IHR did not differ significantly among the study groups. The prevalence of mild sinus node dysfunction (SND), decreased value of WP, and cardioinhibitory carotid sinus hypersensitivity was similar among all study groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of mild SND, abnormal atrioventricular conduction, and carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) was similar among patients with VVS regardless of the type of vasovagal reaction. SND and CSH do not seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardioinhibitory vasovagal reaction.