Time-dependent effects of unfractionated heparin in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction transferred for primary angioplasty.

AIMS: Initial thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow and mortality are related in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary angioplasty (PPCI). It is unclear whether early adjunctive treatment with unfractionated heparin (UFH) is beneficial for coronary patency. We investigated the effect of UFH administered before transfer versus in the catheterization laboratory (CathLab) on initial patency of the infarct related artery (IRA) in transferred STEMI patients treated with PPCI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive STEMI patients (n=1326, February 2007-December 2013) were allocated in two groups relative to UFH administration: pre-transfer group - administration by ambulance crew or physician-in-charge at the non-PPCI centre, 758 patients (57%); post-transfer group - administration in the CathLab, 568 patients (43%). The time range between symptom onset (SO) and UFH administration (SO-UFH) was assessed and the 1-year mortality prediction was analysed by logistic regression. Initial IRA TIMI 2-3 flow was 30.3% in pre-transfer group vs. 21.2% in post-transfer group (p<0.001). A time-dependent association was found between SO-UFH and initial TIMI 2-3 in pre- vs. post-transfer groups [<120 min: 33.2% vs. 18%, p<0.001; 120-240 min: 29.2% vs. 22.8%, p=0.18; >240 min: 25% vs. 28%, p=0.57]. No differences in major bleeding were found between groups. UFH administration before transfer remained an independent predictor for initial TIMI 2-3 flow (OR 1.60 CI 95% 1.22-2.11, p=0.01) and for 1-year mortality (OR 0.51 CI 95% 0.29-0.91, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Early UFH administration in STEMI patients transferred for PPCI results in higher IRA initial patency in a time-dependent manner and improves clinical outcomes.

Relevancia de la hiperglucemia en el síndrome coronario agudo / The significance of hyperglycemia in acute coronary syndrome

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[Duration of complete atrioventricular block complicating inferior wall infarction treated with fibrinolysis]. / Duración del bloqueo auriculoventricular completo en el infarto inferior tratado con fibrinólisis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the duration of complete atrioventricular block complicating inferior wall acute myocardial infarction after the administration of fibrinolytic therapy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1 January 1992 to 31 January 2002 a total of 449 patients were admitted directly to our hospital with inferior wall acute myocardial infarction in the first 6 hours; 282 of them (64%) received fibrinolytic therapy. Complete atrioventricular block appeared in 39 of these 282 patients (13.8%, group A). Of the 167 patients who did not receive thrombolytic therapy, complete atrioventricular block appeared in 13 (8%, control group). We compared the two groups by analyzing the duration of heart block, time to appearance, hemodynamic repercussion, and treatment required. RESULTS: On admission, 38% of the patients in group A and 61% (P=NS) of those in the control group had complete atrioventricular block. Median duration of the block was 75 minutes (10 minutes to 48 hours) in group A and 24 hours (15 minutes to 9 days) in the control group (P=.004). After fibrinolytic therapy was administered, median duration of the block was 45 minutes (5 minutes to 48 hours). A temporary pacemaker was implanted in 43% of the group A patients and 84.6% of the control group patients (P=.01). CONCLUSION: Complete atrioventricular block appears as a complication of inferior myocardial infarction within the first hours after the event. Duration of the block seems to be shorter in patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy.

Duración del bloqueo auriculoventricular completo en el infarto inferior tratado con fibrinólisis / Duration of complete atrioventricular block complicating inferior wall infarction treated with fibrinolysis

Introducción y objetivos. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es determinar la duración del bloqueo auriculoventricular completo (BAVC) en el transcurso de un infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) de localización inferior tras la administración de tratamiento fibrinolítico. Pacientes y método. Entre el 1 de enero de 1992 y el 31 de enero de 2002 consultaron en primera instancia en nuestro centro 449 pacientes con IAM de localización inferior en las primeras 6 h de evolución. El 64% (282 pacientes) recibió fibrinólisis. En este grupo, 39 (13,8%) pacientes presentaron BAVC (grupo A). En los 167 pacientes no tratados con trombólisis, 13 (8%) casos presentaron BAVC (grupo control). Se comparan ambos grupos y se analizan la duración y presentación del bloqueo, la repercusión hemodinámica y la conducta terapéutica seguida. Resultados. En el 38% de los pacientes del grupo A había BAVC en el momento del ingreso frente al 61% de los del grupo control (p = NS). La duración mediana del bloqueo fue de 75 min (10 min-48 h) en el grupo A y de 24 h (15 min-9 días) (p = 0,004) en el grupo control. Una vez realizada la fibrinólisis, el BAVC tuvo una duración mediana de 45 min (5 min-48 h). Se implantó un marcapasos provisional en 17 pacientes del grupo A (43%) y en 11 del grupo control (84,6%) (p = 0,01). Conclusión. El BAVC en el IAM de localización inferior aparece precozmente. La duración del bloqueo parece ser menor al realizar la fibrinólisis

Introduction and objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the duration of complete atrioventricular block complicating inferior wall acute myocardial infarction after the administration of fibrinolytic therapy. Patients and method. From 1 January 1992 to 31 January 2002 a total of 449 patients were admitted directly to our hospital with inferior wall acute myocardial infarction in the first 6 hours; 282 of them (64%) received fibrinolytic therapy. Complete atrioventricular block appeared in 39 of these 282 patients (13.8%, group A). Of the 167 patients who did not receive thrombolytic therapy, complete atrioventricular block appeared in 13 (8%, control group). We compared the two groups by analyzing the duration of heart block, time to appearance, hemodynamic repercussion, and treatment required. Results. On admission, 38% of the patients in group A and 61% (P=NS) of those in the control group had complete atrioventricular block. Median duration of the block was 75 minutes (10 minutes to 48 hours) in group A and 24 hours (15 minutes to 9 days) in the control group (P=.004). After fibrinolytic therapy was administered, median duration of the block was 45 minutes (5 minutes to 48 hours). A temporary pacemaker was implanted in 43% of the group A patients and 84.6% of the control group patients (P=.01). Conclusion. Complete atrioventricular block appears as a complication of inferior myocardial infarction within the first hours after the event. Duration of the block seems to be shorter in patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy

[Temporary pacemakers: current use and complications]. / Marcapasos temporales: utilización actual y complicaciones.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Temporary pacemakers (TP) are used in the emergency treatment of patients with severe bradyarrhythmia. They are often used in emergency situations and for older patients in poor general condition who are hemodynamically unstable and uncooperative. The aim of this study was to review and analyze the indications, incidence and type of complications associated with TP implanted in our center during a 6-year period. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We analyzed significant clinical variables, indication, route of insertion, follow-up, complications, and duration of temporary pacing. RESULTS: A total of 568 TP were implanted, and 530 cases were available for review (mean age 74.8 [11] years). The main indications were symptomatic complete AV block (51%), prophylaxis for replacement with a definitive pacemaker (14.7%), blockage in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (12.6%), bradyarrhythmia due to drug intoxication (12.2%), symptomatic sick sinus syndrome (7.5%) and long QT interval or ventricular tachycardia (2.5%). The route of insertion was via the femoral vein in 99% of the cases. The duration of TP use was 4.2 days (range 1 to 31 days). A total of 369 patients (69.6%) required a permanent pacemaker. COMPLICATIONS: 34 patients died (6.4%), but only 3 deaths were attributable to TP implantation. Other severe complications were seen in 98 patients (18.5%). Malfunction of the TP occurred in 48 patients (9%) because of electrode displacement. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary pacemakers are used in older patients with extreme bradyarrhythmia and occasionally with acute myocardial infarction. Serious complications are not uncommon (22% of all patients), and can range from femoral hematoma to cardiac tamponade and even death (6%). In 9% of the patients the electrode needed to be repositioned because of failure of sensing or loss of ventricular capture.