Effects of Smoking on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Lung Cancer in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives@#Smoking is well-established as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. However, recent studies demonstrated favorable results, including reduced mortality, among smokers, which are referred to as the “smoker's paradox”. This study examined the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). @*Methods@#Patients with AMI undergoing PCI between 2004 and 2014 were enrolled and classified according to smoking status. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization. @*Results@#Among the 10,683 patients, 4,352 (40.7%) were current smokers. Smokers were 10.7 years younger and less likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and prior PCI. Smokers had less MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.594–0.698; p<0.001) and cardiac death (HR, 0.494; 95% CI, 0.443–0.551; p<0.001) compared to nonsmokers during the 5 years in an unadjusted model. However, after propensity-score matching, smokers showed higher risk of MACE (HR, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.009–1.254; p=0.034) and cardiac death (HR, 1.190; 95% CI, 1.026–1.381; p=0.022). Smoking was a strong independent predictor of lung cancer (propensityscore matched HR, 2.749; 95% CI, 1.416–5.338; p=0.003). @*Conclusions@#In contrast to the unadjusted model, smoking is associated with worse cardiovascular outcome and higher incidence of lung cancer after adjustment of various confounding factors. This result can be explained by the characteristics of smokers, which were young and had fewer comorbidities.

Effects of Smoking on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Lung Cancer in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives@#Smoking is well-established as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. However, recent studies demonstrated favorable results, including reduced mortality, among smokers, which are referred to as the “smoker's paradox”. This study examined the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). @*Methods@#Patients with AMI undergoing PCI between 2004 and 2014 were enrolled and classified according to smoking status. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization. @*Results@#Among the 10,683 patients, 4,352 (40.7%) were current smokers. Smokers were 10.7 years younger and less likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and prior PCI. Smokers had less MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.594–0.698; p<0.001) and cardiac death (HR, 0.494; 95% CI, 0.443–0.551; p<0.001) compared to nonsmokers during the 5 years in an unadjusted model. However, after propensity-score matching, smokers showed higher risk of MACE (HR, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.009–1.254; p=0.034) and cardiac death (HR, 1.190; 95% CI, 1.026–1.381; p=0.022). Smoking was a strong independent predictor of lung cancer (propensityscore matched HR, 2.749; 95% CI, 1.416–5.338; p=0.003). @*Conclusions@#In contrast to the unadjusted model, smoking is associated with worse cardiovascular outcome and higher incidence of lung cancer after adjustment of various confounding factors. This result can be explained by the characteristics of smokers, which were young and had fewer comorbidities.

Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes of the First Korean-made Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent with Abluminal Bioresorbable Polymer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of the Genoss drug-eluting coronary stent. METHODS: This study was a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial with a 1:1 ratio of Genoss drug-eluting stent (DES)™ and Promus Element™. Inclusion criteria were the presence of stable angina, unstable angina, or silent ischemia. Angiographic inclusion criteria were de novo coronary stenotic lesion with diameter stenosis >50%, reference vessel diameter of 2.5–4.0 mm, and lesion length ≤40 mm. The primary endpoint was in-stent late lumen loss at 9-month quantitative coronary angiography follow-up. Secondary endpoints were in-segment late lumen loss, binary restenosis rate, death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), and stent thrombosis during 9 months of follow-up. RESULTS: We enrolled 38 patients for the Genoss DES™ group and 39 patients for the Promus Element™ group. In-stent late lumen loss at 9 months was not significantly different between the 2 groups (0.11±0.25 vs. 0.16±0.43 mm, p=0.567). There was no MI or stent thrombosis in either group. The rates of death (2.6% vs. 0%, p=0.494), TLR (2.6% vs. 2.6%, p=1.000), and TVR (7.9% vs. 2.6%, p=0.358) at 9 months were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: This first-in-patient study of the Genoss DES™ stent showed excellent angiographic outcomes for in-stent late lumen loss and major adverse cardiac events over a 9-month follow-up.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Younger Korean Adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the clinical features, angiographic findings, and outcomes of younger Korean ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry from November 2005 to October 2010. The registered patients were divided into two groups; young age group ( or =65 years). RESULTS: The young age group included 5281 patients (age, 53+/-7.8 years), and the old age group included 4896 patients (age, 74.3+/-6.5 years). Male gender, smoking, family history, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome were more frequently observed in the young age group than in the old age group (89.5% vs. 59.3%, p<0.001; 77.3% vs. 47.2%, p<0.001; 11% vs. 4.6%, p<0.001; 11.2% vs. 7.7%, p<0.001; 67.6% vs. 62.9%, p<0.001). Most of the young Korean adults with STEMI complained of typical chest pain (89.8%), and they had a shorter symptom-to-door time (12+/-53.2 hours vs. 17.3+/-132 hours, p=0.010). The young age group showed a favorable prognosis, which was represented by the MACE, compared with the old age group at one month (1.8% vs. 2.8%, p=0.028), six months (6.8% vs. 8.2%, p<0.001), and twelve months (10.1% vs. 11.9%, p=0.025). However, there was no significant difference in the adjusted MACE rate at one month {hazard ratio (HR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-1.51, p=0.828} and twelve months (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.68-1.10, p=0.233). CONCLUSION: Younger Korean adults with STEMI have clinical outcomes similar to old aged patients, and therefore, they should be treated intensively like the elderly patients.

Positive Result in the Early Passive Phase of the Tilt-table Test: A Predictor of Neurocardiogenic Syncope in Young Men

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study elucidated the prognostic factors for neurocardiogenic syncope in males in their late teens and early twenties. METHODS: Tilt-table testing (TTT) was performed on 665 males (age range, 17 to 27 years) following the Italian protocol. The subjects were tilted head-up at a 70degrees angle on a table for 30 minutes during the passive phase. If the passive phase was negative, the subjects were given sublingual nitroglycerin and tilted to the same angle for 20 minutes during the drug-provocation phase. The subjects with positive results were followed without medication. We analyzed factors related to the recurrence rate of syncope. RESULTS: Of 305 subjects (45.8%) with positive results, 223 (age range, 18 to 26 years) were followed for 12 months. The frequency of previous syncopal episodes > or = 4 (p = 0.001) and a positive result during the passive phase (p = 0.022) were significantly related to a high recurrence rate. A positive result during the early passive phase ( 12 minutes; p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: A positive result during the early passive phase of TTT and frequent previous syncopal episodes were prognostic factors for neurocardiogenic syncope in men in their late teens and early twenties.

Impact of High-Normal Blood Pressure Measured in Emergency Room on Adverse Cardiac Events in Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prehypertension according to JNC7 is common and is associated with increased vascular mortality. The importance of management in high-normal blood pressure (BP) is underemphasized. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry in normal BP (group I) and high-normal BP (group II) patients. RESULTS: Among 14871 patients, 159 (61+/-12.3 years, 122 males) satisfied the study indication. Six-month and one-year clinical follow-up rate was 88.9% and 85.8%, respectively. Group I had 78 patients (60.9+/-12.4 years). Group II had 81 patients (61.6+/-12.5 years). Demographics of patients were not different between groups. Treatment strategy was not different. Initial Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 was less frequent in group II (n=32, 47.1%) than in group I (n=16, 21.9%) (p=0.001). Successful intervention rate was not different between group II (93.8%) and group I (97.1%) (p=0.590). Six-month MACE occurred in 3 patients in group I (4.4%) and 10 in group II (15.6%) (p=0.031). Compared with normal BP, the odds ratio for patients with high-normal BP was 1.147 (p=0.045, 95% confidence interval 1.011-1.402) for 6-month MACE. CONCLUSION: Even though high-normal BP patients had a better baseline clinical status, the prognosis was poorer than patients with normal BP. Therapeutic BP target goal for the patients with acute myocardial infarction should be <140/90 mm Hg, which is recommended in JNC7.

Comparison of Drug-Eluting Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine which drug-eluting stents are more effective in acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: This study included a total of 3,566 acute MI survivors with CKD from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry who were treated with stenting and followed up for 12 months: 1,845 patients who received sirolimus-eluting stents (SES), 1,356 who received paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), and 365 who received zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES). CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 calculated by the modification of diet in renal disease method. RESULTS: At the 12-month follow-up, patients receiving ZES demonstrated a higher incidence (14.8%) of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) compared to those receiving SES (10.1%) and PES (12%, p = 0.019). The ZES patients also had a higher incidence (3.9%) of target lesion revascularization (TLR) compared to those receiving SES (1.5%) and PES (2.4%, p = 0.011). After adjusting for confounding factors, ZES was associated with a higher incidence of MACE and TLR than SES (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.623; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.442 to 0.879; p = 0.007; adjusted HR, 0.350; 95% CI, 0.165 to 0.743; p = 0.006, respectively), and with a higher rate of TLR than PES (adjusted HR, 0.471; 95% CI, 0.223 to 0.997; p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ZES is less effective than SES and PES in terms of 12-month TLR, and has a higher incidence of MACE due to a higher TLR rate compared with SES, in acute MI patients with CKD.

Comparison of Clinical and Imaging Characteristics and Outcomes between Provoked and Unprovoked Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Koreans

This study was performed to compare clinical and imaging parameters and prognosis of unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE), provoked PE with reversible risk factors (provoked-rRF), and provoked PE with irreversible risk factors (provoked-iRF) in Koreans. Three hundred consecutive patients (mean age, 63.6 +/- 15.0 yr; 42.8% male) diagnosed with acute PE were included. The patients were classified into 3 groups; unprovoked PE, provoked-rRF, and provoked-iRF; 43.7%, 14.7%, and 41.7%, respectively. We followed up the patients for 25.4 +/- 33.7 months. Composite endpoint was all-cause mortality and recurrent PE. The provoked-iRF group had significantly higher all-cause mortality, mortality from PE and recurrent PE than the unprovoked and provoked-rRF groups (P 1.2 mg/dL; P 5 mg/L; P = 0.002; HR, 5.308; 95% CI, 1.824-15.447) and computed tomography (CT) obstruction index (P = 0.034; HR, 1.090; 95% CI, 1.006-1.181). In conclusion, provoked-iRF has a poorer prognosis than unprovoked PE and provoked-rRF. Renal insufficiency, high CRP, and CT obstruction index are poor prognostic factors in unprovoked PE.

Comparison of Clinical and Imaging Characteristics and Outcomes between Provoked and Unprovoked Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Koreans

This study was performed to compare clinical and imaging parameters and prognosis of unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE), provoked PE with reversible risk factors (provoked-rRF), and provoked PE with irreversible risk factors (provoked-iRF) in Koreans. Three hundred consecutive patients (mean age, 63.6 +/- 15.0 yr; 42.8% male) diagnosed with acute PE were included. The patients were classified into 3 groups; unprovoked PE, provoked-rRF, and provoked-iRF; 43.7%, 14.7%, and 41.7%, respectively. We followed up the patients for 25.4 +/- 33.7 months. Composite endpoint was all-cause mortality and recurrent PE. The provoked-iRF group had significantly higher all-cause mortality, mortality from PE and recurrent PE than the unprovoked and provoked-rRF groups (P 1.2 mg/dL; P 5 mg/L; P = 0.002; HR, 5.308; 95% CI, 1.824-15.447) and computed tomography (CT) obstruction index (P = 0.034; HR, 1.090; 95% CI, 1.006-1.181). In conclusion, provoked-iRF has a poorer prognosis than unprovoked PE and provoked-rRF. Renal insufficiency, high CRP, and CT obstruction index are poor prognostic factors in unprovoked PE.

An Anomalous Right Coronary Artery Originating From the Distal Left Circumflex Artery: A Case Report / 대한내과학회지

Single coronary artery (SCA) is a rare congenital anomaly and commonly associated with other congenital cardiac malformations. Some subgroups of SCA can lead to angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, or even sudden cardiac death in the absence of atherosclerosis. An anomalous origin of the right coronary artery, arising from the distal portion of the left circumflex artery, has previously been reported in a few cases. In this article, we report a case of a right coronary artery arising from the distal portion of the left circumflex artery with no other cardiac congenital anomaly.

Association Between Plaque Thickness of the Thoracic Aorta and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation After Ablation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several predictors of recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after ablation have been identified, including age, type of AF, hypertension, left atrial diameter and impaired left ventricular ejection fraction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the atherosclerotic plaque thickness of the thoracic aorta is associated with a recurrence of AF after circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Among patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal or persistent AF, 105 consecutive (mean age 58+/-11 years, male : female=76 : 29) patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography and CPVA were studied. The relationships between the recurrence of AF and variables, including clinical characteristics, plaque thickness of the thoracic aorta, laboratory findings and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: A univariate analysis showed that the presence of diabetes {hazard ratio (HR)=3.425; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.422-8.249, p=0.006}, ischemic heart disease (HR=4.549; 95% CI, 1.679-12.322, p=0.003), duration of AF (HR=1.010; 95% CI, 1.001-1.018, p=0.025), type of AF (HR=2.412, 95% CI=1.042-5.584, p=0.040) and aortic plaque thickness with > or =4 mm (HR=9.514; 95% CI, 3.419-26.105, p or =4 mm) was an independent predictor of recurrence of AF after ablation (HR=7.250, 95% CI=1.906-27.580, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Significantly increased aortic plaque thickness can be a predictable marker of recurrence of AF after CPVA.

Relationship Between Plasma Adiponectin, Retinol-Binding Protein 4 and Uric Acid in Hypertensive Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adipokines have been suggested for their potential use in tracking the clinical progress in the subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). To investigate the relationship between the serum levels of adipokines {adiponectin and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4)} and the serum level of uric acid in hypertensive (HTN) patients with MS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this study, 38 totally untreated HTN patients were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP) were taken in the 12 HTN patients without MS and the 26 HTN patients with MS. Fasting blood samples were collected for measurement of adiponectin, RBP4, nitric oxide (NO), glucose, creatinine, uric acid, lipid profile and insulin. RESULTS: The HTN with MS group had significant higher values of body mass index, waist length, serum uric acid and triglyceride levels than the HTN without MS group. Compared to the HTN without MS group, the HTN with MS group showed significantly lower adiponectin (p=0.030), NO (p=0.003) and high density lipoprotein levels (p<0.001). Serum adiponectin levels negatively correlated with insulin level (R=-0.453, p=0.026) and uric acid level (R=-0.413, p=0.036), and serum RBP4 levels positively correlated with uric acid level (R=0.527, p=0.006) in the HTN with MS group. Multiple linear regression analysis using RBP4 and adiponectin levels as the dependent variables showed that uric acid level correlated with serum RBP4 level (p=0.046) and adiponectin level (p=0.044). CONCLUSION: The HTN with MS group showed a correlation with two types of adipokines (adiponectin, RBP4) and uric acid. Adiponectin, RBP4 and uric acid may be important components associated with MS, especially when associated with hypertension.

Pneumopericardium as a Complication of Pericardiocentesis

Pneumopericardium is a rare complication of pericardiocentesis, occurring either as a result of direct pleuro-pericardial communication or a leaky drainage system. Air-fluid level surrounding the heart shadow within the pericardium on a chest X-ray is an early observation at diagnosis. This clinical measurement and process is variable, depending on the hemodynamic status of the patient. The development of a cardiac tamponade is a serious complication, necessitating prompt recognition and treatment. We recently observed a case of pneumopericardium after a therapeutic pericardiocentesis in a 20-year-old man with tuberculous pericardial effusion.

Imatinib Mesylate Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive myocardial fibrosis promotes abnormalities of cardiac function that may adversely affect the clinical outcome of hypertensive patients. Imatinib mesylate blocks receptor tyrosine kinase and is clinically used to treat leukemia. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a downstream target of receptor tyrosine kinases. Cardiac fibroblasts can be activated by PDGF. Thus we evaluated whether imatinib attenuate myocardial fibrosis and prevents diastolic dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: 8 weeks old male SHRs were subjected to treatment with 8 weeks of low dose imatinib (SHR-10; 10 mg/kg), high dose imatinib (SHR-30; 30 mg/kg) or saline (SHR-C; n = 6 in each group). At the age of 16 weeks, all rats underwent hemodynamic studies and Doppler echocardiography, and were sacrificed. Their hearts were extracted for histopathological, immunoblotting and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses. RESULTS: While imatinib did not affect blood pressure (BP), it markedly reduced perivascular and interstitial fibrosis in the hearts of SHR. Echocardigram showed that high-dose imatinib significantly reduced left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (septal/posterior wall; SHR-C vs. SHR-30: 18 +/- 2/19 +/- 2 mm vs. 15 +/- 1/14 +/- 1 mm; p < 0.05) and improved the parameters of LV diastolic function such as E/A ratio (SHR-C vs. SHR-30: 1.60 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.86 +/- 0.20; p < 0.05). Imatinib also significantly reduced mRNA expression of collagen III and PDGF beta-receptor tyrosine phosphorylation in the hearts of SHR. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that imatinib, especially high dose, could attenuate myocardial fibrosis and prevent LV diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive rat model by decreased activity of PDGF. Imatinib may provide a potential therapeutic approach for hypertensive heart disease.

Culprit-Lesion-Only Versus Multivessel Revascularization Using Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease, complete revascularization (CR) for non-culprit lesions is not routinely recommended. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of multivessel compared with infarct-related artery (IRA)-only revascularization in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR) database, 1,094 STEMI patients with multivessel disease who underwent primary PCI with drug-eluting stents were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: culprit-vessel-only revascularization (COR, n=827) group; multivessel revascularization, including non-IRA (MVR, n=267) group. The primary endpoint of this study included major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), such as death, myocardial infarction, or target or nontarget lesion revascularization at one year. RESULTS: There was no difference in clinical characteristics between the two groups. During the one-year follow-up, 102 (15.2%) patients in the COR group and 32 (14.2%) in the MVR group experienced at least one MACE (p=0.330). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of rates of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization (2.1% vs. 2.0%, 0.7% vs. 0.8%, and 11.7% vs. 10.1%, respectively; p=0.822, 0.910, and 0.301, respectively). The MACE rate was higher in the incompletely revascularized patients than in the completely revascularized patients (15% vs. 9.5%, p=0.039), and the difference was attributable to a higher rate of nontarget vessel revascularization (8.6% vs. 1.8%, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Although multivessel angioplasty during primary PCI for STEMI did not reduce the MACE rate compared with culprit-vessel-only PCI, CR was associated with a lower rate of repeat revascularization after multivessel PCI.

Two Cases of Percutaneous Intervention for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Anastomoses With Paclitaxel-Eluting Balloon Catheters

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) intervention, particularly anastomosis site intervention, is challenging for interventional cardiologists. A paclitaxel-eluting balloon catheter (SeQuent Please) is a recently-introduced device capable of delivering paclitaxel homogeneously into the targeted vessel wall. We herein report our experience with two cases. In the first case, coronary angiography showed significant stenosis at the site of anastomosis between the saphenous vein graft and the left anterior descending artery (LAD). In the second case, coronary angiography showed significant stenosis at the site of anastomosis between the left internal mammary artery and the LAD. We performed percutaneous intervention of these CABG anastomoses using paclitaxel-eluting balloon catheters, and obtained favorable angiographic and clinical outcomes.

Optimal Antithrombotic Strategy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Stent Implantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little evidence is available on the optimal antithrombotic therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the outcomes of antithrombotic treatment strategies in AF patients who underwent PCI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred sixty-two patients (68.0% men, mean age: 68.3+/-7.8 years) with AF and who had undergone PCI with stent implantation between 2005 and 2007 were enrolled. The clinical, demographic and procedural characteristics were reviewed and the stroke risk factors as well as antithrombotic regimens were analyzed. RESULTS: The accompanying comorbidities were as follows: hypertension (59.4%), diabetes (37.3%) and congestive heart failure (16.6%). The average number of stroke risk factors was 1.6. At the time of discharge after PCI, warfarin was prescribed for 84 patients (23.2%). Cilostazol was used in addition to dual antiplatelet therapy in 35% of the patients who did not receive warfarin. The mean follow-up period was 615+/-385 days. The incidences of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), stroke and major bleeding were 11.3%, 3.6% and 4.1%, respectively. By Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, warfarin treatment was not associated with a lower risk of MACE (p=0.886), but it was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Oral anticoagulation therapy after PCI may increase hemorrhagic events in Korean AF patients.

The Relationship Between Serum Pentraxin 3 and Central Obesity in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As shown in previous studies, pentraxin 3 (PTX3) can be a useful inflammatory marker for metabolic syndrome and central obesity. Serum PTX3 levels are also an independent factor associated with visceral fat area. The aim of this study was to assess the role of PTX3 as an inflammatory maker in patients with central obesity undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From December 2007 to June 2008, 40 subjects (mean age: 61+/-11 years, M : F=34 : 6) with STEMI who underwent primary PCI were enrolled. We determined waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, body mass index (BMI), and visceral and total fat area via fat computed tomography (FAT-CT), and compared them with serum PTX3 concentrations. RESULTS: The serum PTX3 concentration was closely related to FAT-CT-estimated visceral fat area (r=0.41, p<0.01) and total fat area (r=0.38, p=0.01), respectively. The serum PTX3 concentration was not related to waist circumference (r=0.27, p=0.20), waist circumference/hip ratio (r=0.25, p=0.16), BMI (r=0.04, p=0.80) and lipid profiles, respectively. Among the parameters determining metabolic syndrome, an increasing visceral fat area had the strongest association with PTX3 concentrations. CONCLUSION: In patients with STEMI, PTX3 is associated with central obesity and it is significantly and independently correlated with visceral fat area. FAT-CT-estimated visceral fat area is the most reliable factor associated with serum PTX3 levels in patients with STEMI and central obesity.

A Transthoracic Echocardiographic Follow-Up Study After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Can We Detect Pulmonary Vein Stenosis by Transthoracic Echocardiography?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective curative procedure for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is a potential complication which may lead to symptoms that are often unrecognized. The aim of this study was to compare differences between ablation sites in pulmonary venous flow (PVF) measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE) before and after PVI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred five patients (M : F=64 : 41; mean age 56+/-10 years) with paroxysmal AF (n=78) or chronic, persistent AF (n=27) were enrolled. PVI strategies consisted of ostial ablation (n=75; OA group) and antral ablation using an electroanatomic mapping system (n=30; AA group). The ostial diameter was estimated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with PVF > or =110 cm/sec by TTE after PVI. RESULTS: No patient complained of PV stenosis-related symptoms. Changes in mean peak right PV systolic (-6.7+/-28.1 vs. 10.9+/-25.9 cm/sec, p=0.038) and diastolic (-4.1+/-17.0 vs. 9.9+/-25.9 cm/sec, p=0.021) flow velocities were lower in the AA group than in the OA group. Although the change in mean peak systolic flow velocity of the left PV before and after PVI in the AA group was significantly lower than the change in the OA group (-13.4+/-25.1 vs. 9.2+/-22.3 cm/sec, p=0.016), there was no difference in peak diastolic flow velocity. Two patients in the OA group had high PVF velocities (118 cm/sec and 133 cm/sec) on TTE, and their maximum PV stenoses measured by MRI were 62.5% and 50.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PV stenosis after PVI could be detected by TTE, and PVI by antral ablation using an electroanatomic mapping system might be safer and more useful for the prevention of PV stenosis.

Erratum to "Long-Term Clinical Outcomes according to Initial Management and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Risk Score in Patients with Acute Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction" by Jeong HC, et al. (Yonsei Med J 2010;51:58-68)

No abstract available.