A multicenter, randomized study of argatroban versus heparin as adjunct to tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) in acute myocardial infarction: myocardial infarction with novastan and TPA (MINT) study.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of a small-molecule, direct thrombin inhibitor, argatroban, on reperfusion induced by tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Thrombin plays a crucial role in thrombosis and thrombolysis. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that argatroban has advantages over heparin for the inhibition of clot-bound thrombin and for the enhancement of thrombolysis with TPA. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five patients with AMI within 6 h were randomized to heparin, low-dose argatroban or high-dose argatroban in addition to TPA. The primary end point was the rate of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow at 90 min. RESULTS: TIMI grade 3 flow was achieved in 42.1% of heparin, 56.8% of low-dose argatroban (p = 0.20 vs. heparin) and 58.7% of high-dose argatroban patients (p = 0.13 vs. heparin). In patients presenting after 3 h, TIMI grade 3 flow was significantly more frequent in high-dose argatroban versus heparin patients: 57.1% versus 20.0% (p = 0.03 vs. heparin). Major bleeding was observed in 10.0% of heparin, and in 2.6% and 4.3% of low-dose and high-dose argatroban patients, respectively. The composite of death, recurrent myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock or congestive heart failure, revascularization and recurrent ischemia at 30 days occurred in 37.5% of heparin, 32.0% of low-dose argatroban and 25.5% of high-dose argatroban patients (p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Argatroban, as compared with heparin, appears to enhance reperfusion with TPA in patients with AMI, particularly in those patients with delayed presentation. The incidences of major bleeding and adverse clinical outcome were lower in the patients receiving argatroban.

Health economic analysis of ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndromes intended for non-invasive therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cost effectiveness of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) study who were scheduled for non-invasive management. METHODS: A previously developed cost effectiveness model was used to estimate long-term costs and outcomes for patients scheduled for non-invasive management. Healthcare costs, event rates and health-related quality of life under treatment with either ticagrelor or clopidogrel over 12 months were estimated from the PLATO study. Long-term costs and health outcomes were estimated based on data from PLATO and published literature sources. To investigate the importance of different healthcare cost structures and life expectancy for the results, the analysis was carried out from the perspectives of the Swedish, UK, German and Brazilian public healthcare systems. RESULTS: Ticagrelor was associated with lifetime quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gains of 0.17 in Sweden, 0.16 in the UK, 0.17 in Germany and 0.13 in Brazil compared with generic clopidogrel, with increased healthcare costs of €467, €551, €739 and €574, respectively. The cost per QALY gained with ticagrelor was €2747, €3395, €4419 and €4471 from a Swedish, UK, German and Brazilian public healthcare system perspective, respectively. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses indicated that the cost per QALY gained with ticagrelor was below conventional threshold values of cost effectiveness with a high probability. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of patients with ACS scheduled for 12 months' non-invasive management with ticagrelor is associated with a cost per QALY gained below conventional threshold values of cost effectiveness compared with generic clopidogrel. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT000391872.

Additional reduction in blood pressure after cholesterol-lowering treatment by statins (lovastatin or pravastatin) in hypercholesterolemic patients using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (enalapril or lisinopril).

Blood pressure (BP) reduction was compared between patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors alone and patients receiving these medications plus statins after 3 months of dietary intervention. Although BP was similarly reduced at week 4, the statin-treated group had a greater reduction in BP and total cholesterol levels at week 16, suggesting a synergistic effect between cholesterol lowering with statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment for hypertensive patients.

Early infarct artery collateral flow does not improve long-term survival following thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

It is known that acutely developed collaterals can prevent the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the presence of a total coronary occlusion. However, there still is controversy concerning long-term follow-up of coronary collateral circulation to the infarct-related artery. In this study we analyze the prognostic role of collateral flow (degrees 0 to 3) as well as anterograde flow (degrees 0 to 3) in patients with AMI treated with thrombolytic therapy. Four hundred twenty-two patients (median age 57 years, 355 men) with AMI were treated with intravenous streptokinase and followed prospectively for up to 8 years. At the end of the study period, patients with collateral coronary flow 3 (n = 30) and those with flow <3 (n = 392) at in-hospital coronary arteriography had survival rates of 66% and 85%, respectively (p <0.12). Meanwhile, patients with coronary anterograde flow 3 (n = 189) and those with flow <3 (n = 233) had survival rates of 89% and 80%, respectively (p <0.04). By censored regression analysis, a negative correlation was found between coronary collateral flow degree and survival (p = 0.0498) and, inversely, a positive correlation was found between coronary anterograde flow degree and survival (p = 0.0053). By Cox multivariate analysis, the following variables showed significant correlations with long-term survival: global left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.0003), anterograde flow degree (p = 0.0006), collateral flow degree (negative correlation, p = 0.0179), and medical treatment (negative correlation, p = 0.0464). Thus, patients treated with intravenous streptokinase during AMI and with adequate coronary collateral circulation had a worse prognosis than those who developed adequate anterograde flow, probably because of residual myocardial ischemia. Such patients may benefit from coronary revascularization (angioplasty or surgery) to restore anterograde blood flow and minimize myocardium at risk.

Diltiazem improves left ventricular systolic function following acute myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase. The Calcium Antagonist in Reperfusion Study (CARES) Group.

The role of diltiazem on left ventricular systolic function was analyzed in 101 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase, being obtained, for the total of the population, higher LV global ejection fraction (p = 0.022), LV regional shortening (p = 0.046) and LV global shortening (p = 0.064) for the treated group, relative to the placebo group; the p values were, respectively, 0.005, 0.009, and 0.012, for patients that achieved TIMI-3 antegrade coronary flow. It is concluded that diltiazem is useful as adjuvant to streptokinase, especially when antegrade coronary blood flow TIMI-3 is obtained.

Surgical revascularization after fibrinolysis in acute myocardial infarction. Long-term follow-up.

One hundred twenty-eight patients with myocardial infarction who underwent operation for myocardial revascularization and 147 patients who received medical therapy were followed up for up to 6 years: all patients had received treatment with intravenous streptokinase. In the surgical group, 91.5% of the patients had the region related to the infarction revascularized, and in 82.8% of them the mammary artery was used. Statistically significant differences were not detected between the groups according to infarct size, clinical features, and left ventricular ejection fraction. However, there was a higher risk in the surgical group, as compared with that in the medical group, in terms of anatomic characteristics: 99.2% versus 77.1% of the patients showed more than 70% residual obstruction at the "culprit" coronary artery (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 14.1% to 30.1%) and 76.8% versus 40.7% showed multivessel coronary disease (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 23.7% to 48.5%). In-hospital survival was 95.3% in the surgical group and 89.1% in the medical group (p = 0.096, 95% confidence interval -0.2% to 12.6%). Significantly higher survivals were obtained for the surgical group both during the first (93% +/- 2.3% versus 80.3% +/- 3.3%, p = 0.005) and the sixth (86.4% +/- 3.4% versus 68.4% +/- 4.3%, p = 0.003) year of follow-up. Statistically significant differences were also obtained when in-hospital deaths were excluded. A Cox regression model with 13 variables showed that only age (p = 0.0422) and medical treatment (p = 0.0194) correlated independently with mortality. It is concluded that in this nonrandomized study, operation led to a significantly higher survival both on a medium- and long-term basis, when compared with that obtained for patients receiving medical therapy.

Prognosis of acute myocardial infarction in the thrombolytic era: medical evaluation is still valuable.

BACKGROUND: Modern and sophisticated technology for the management of myocardial infarction has progressively devalued medical evaluation. HYPOTHESIS: This study was undertaken to assess the importance of the findings of medical evaluation at hospital presentation, in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Data from 590 thrombolytic-treated myocardial infarction patients were analyzed. The patients were grouped according to their clinical status on arrival at hospital. A modified Forrester classification--subset II was divided according to the absence (IIa) or presence (IIb) of symptoms--was applied. Short- (14 days) and long-term (up to 10 years) survival was analyzed and 19 independent variables were included in the multivariate models. RESULTS: Short-term survival was 95.6% for subset I, 83.3% for subset IIa, 60% for subset IIb, 54.6% for subset III, and 34.8% for subset IV (P<0.001). By multiple regression analysis, lower clinical subsets (P<0.001), fewer coronary arteries with disease (P=0.006), younger age (P=0.014), absence of reinfarction (P=0.034), longer interval between streptokinase infusion and coronary arteriography (P=0.016), and higher left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.037) demonstrated significant and independent correlation with short-term survival. Long-term survival for the total population was 71+/-3.6% for subset I, 54.4+/-8.5% for subset IIa, 20.8+/-9.4% for subset IIb, 54.5+/-15% for subset III, and 0% for subset IV (P<0.001). Using Cox regression analysis, lower clinical subsets (P<0.001), younger age (P<0.001), higher global left ventricular ejection fraction (P<0.001), and fewer coronary arteries with disease (P=0.021) correlated independently and significantly with long-term survival. When excluding data from patients who died before the short-term follow-up (n=532), lower clinical subsets remained an important predictor of long-term survival (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Clinical classification at hospital presentation is a powerful predictor of short- and long-term survival post-myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction treated with intravenous streptokinase: 6-year follow-up.

Our objective was to investigate variables which, although occurring during the acute period, could influence the medium (1st year) and long-term (6th year) survival of infarcted patients. Of a total of 332 patients treated consecutively and prospectively according to the same protocol which included intravenous streptokinase, 305 survived the hospital phase and represent the study population. Mean patient age was 55.6 +/- 10 years and mean follow-up time was 3.33 years, with 1008.59 patient-years. The clinical course of the group was analyzed according to the following variables: left ventricle ejection fraction, hypotension per/peri streptokinase infusion, CK-MB peak, previous myocardial infarction, number of obstructed coronaries, reinfarction, sex, 'definitive' treatment, residual obstruction, age, pain/streptokinase infusion interval, patency of the 'culprit' coronary and infarct location. Overall, patient survival was 93.8 +/- 1.4% during the 1st year and 83.7 +/- 2.6% at the 6th. The following groups showed significantly different (log-rank) survivals: (a) 1st year: 94.6% for absence and 82.6% for presence of reinfarction (P = 0.0451); 97.9% for inferior and 91.4% for anterior infarct location (P = 0.044); 96.4% for ejection fraction > 50% and 90.6% for ejection fraction < or = 50% (P = 0.0187); 96.5% for angioplasty/surgery and 90.1% for clinical treatment (P = 0.0028); 95.5% for absence and 80.6% for presence of previous infarct (P = 0.0001). (b) 6th year: 88.3% for ejection fraction > 50% and 73.9% for ejection fraction < or = 50% (P = 0.028); 87.4% for < or = 65 and 66.4% for > 65 years (P = 0.0114); 89.6% for aggressive and 76.8% for conservative treatment (P = 0.013); 86.6% for absence and 60.7% for presence of previous infarct (P = 0.0009).

The role of antegrade and collateral flow in relation to left ventricular function post-thrombolysis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between antegrade and collateral flow degree to the "culprit" coronary artery, and between both variables and left ventricular systolic function. We analyzed five hundred patients with acute myocardial infarction, treated prospectively and consecutively within 6 h of evolution with intravenous streptokinase. The degree of antegrade (0-3) and collateral blood flow (0-3) were correlated with 18 other variables. RESULTS: (a) By simple regression analysis, antegrade flow degree correlated positively (p < 0.0001), and collateral flow degree negatively (p = 0.0073) with left ventricular ejection fraction; (b) By multiple regression analysis, antegrade flow degree (p = 0.0032), but not collateral flow degree (p > 0.1), correlated independently with left ventricular ejection fraction; (c) In the subgroup of patients with occluded "culprit" coronary artery, the mean ejection fraction was significantly higher for those with collateral flow 3 (60.2% +/- 13.3 in relation to those with collateral flow < 3 (53.9% +/- 13.1, p = 0.032, 95% CI. 11.96 to (0.53%). In conclusion, antegrade coronary flow degree, but not collateral flow degree, correlated significantly and independently with left ventricular ejection fraction. However, in the subgroup of patients with occluded "culprit" coronary artery, collateral flow 3 led to better left ventricular systolic function, in relation to collateral flow < 3.

Sinus bradycardia as a predictor of right coronary artery occlusion in patients with inferior myocardial infarction.

Differentiation of right coronary artery (RCA) from left circumflex artery (LCxA) occlusion may be difficult since both can present an electrocardiographic pattern of inferior myocardial infarction (IMI). We studied 133 patients with IMI, 92 patients with RCA occlusion and 41 patients with LCxA occlusion. Risk factors such as previous MI, arterial hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dislipemia, were similar for RCA and LCxA occlusions. Patients with RCA occlusion had a higher incidence of isolated IMI than patients with LCxA occlusion, 50% vs. 17%, respectively (P<0.001). Arterial hypotension was more prevalent (P<0.05) among patients with RCA (18%) rather than those with LCxA occlusion (2%). RCA occlusion presented an association with sinus bradycardia, an association not observed with LCxA occlusion (15% vs. 0%, respectively; P<0.01). Total atrioventricular block was only present among patients with RCA (18%). Proximal occlusions of the RCA presented lower heart rates (sinus bradycardia) than medial and distal occlusions (13% vs. 1% and 1%, respectively; P<0.0001 and P<0.001). Therefore, regarding patients with IMI: (1) sinus bradycardia is more frequent when the infarct-related artery is the RCA; (2) proximal occlusions of the right coronary predispose low heart rates; and (3) occlusion of the LCxA rarely induces sinus bradycardia.

Clinical and laboratory signs of reperfusion: are they reliable?

We studied 101 patients (88 men and 13 women, mean age 54.5 +/- 10 years) who arrived at the hospital during the first 6 hours of acute myocardial infarction evolution. Our objective was to assess the reliability of clinical and laboratory signs of recanalization using intravenous streptokinase as a thrombolytic agent. The mean time between the beginning of infusion and coronary arteriography was 53.83 +/- 43 hours. The positive predictive values for pain, arrhythmia, ST segment and enzymes were 97.9%, 94.2%, 91.8% and 90.8%, respectively; the negative predictive values were 46.8%, 40.8%, 37.2%, and 50% in the same order. Sensitivity was 65.7%, 62.8%, 58.4% and 77.6% and specificity 95.6%, 86.9%, 82.6% and 73.9%, respectively. The positive predictive value, calculated on the basis of the presence of each variable alone or in association showed a probability of recanalization of 76.9% for one sign, 84% for two, 96.3% for three and 100% for all four. When we compared the positive predictive values of each variable according to the interval between the beginning of pain and admission to the hospital (during the first 3 hours or between 3 and 6 hours) our results were 100%/94% for pain (P = NS), 97%/88% for arrhythmia (P = NS), 100%/75% for ST segment (P = 0.004), and 97%/80% for enzymes (P = 0.019). The same analysis applied to negative predictive values showing 22%/62% (P = 0.007), 17%/55% (P = 0.008), 21%/47% (P = NS), 27%/61% (P = NS) for pain, arrhythmia, ST segment and enzymes, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pheochromocytoma with echocardiographic features of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A case report.

The authors report a case of pheochromocytoma in which the echocardiographic features suggested obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The angiographic study and the computed tomography showed the tumor and its arterial supply. One month after resection of the tumor the echocardiographic features showed a tendency to normalization. The preoperative echocardiographic aspect was probably due to excessive production of catecholamines by the tumor.

Electrocardiography in Chagas' heart disease.

Conventional ECG still plays an important role in the overall knowledge of Chagas' cardiopathy, because of its importance in longitudinal and epidemiological studies, its diagnostic value, and its utility in prognostic evaluation. The authors discuss these aspects, as well as the use of eCG in the acute phase and the significance of a normal ECG in Chagas' disease. Correlations were made between ECG and Hemodynamic/angiographic variables among 1010 patients with positive laboratory tests for Chagas' disease: a) in the group with normal ECG there was no significant differences between symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients with regard to ejection fraction and angiographic abnormalities; b) slight abnormalities on the ECG corresponded to an intermediate level of severity of the disease, that is, between normal ECG and ECG with significant abnormalities C) fibrosis on the ECG was not predictive of akinesia in the related area on the angiography; d) combined ECG abnormalities generally correlated with greater myocardial compromises compared to isolated abnormalities; e) under multiple regression analysis the ECG abnormalities that independently correlated with depressed ejection fraction were: premature ventricular beats, ventricular tachycardia, left bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation, complete AV block, and anterior and inferior fibrosis. Male sex, cardiac insufficiency and cardiomegaly on the throat radiography were also significantly related.

[Trends in cholesterol levels in the adult population of São José do Rio Preto]. / Evolução dos níveis de colesterol na população adulta de São José do Rio Preto (1991-1997).

PURPOSE: To develop a survey about risk factors for atherosclerosis in a > or = 20-year-old population from São José do Rio Preto, and compare the results with those obtained in a similar survey in 1991. METHODS: Quantitative survey with sample stratified by sex and age. The individuals (a total of 646, 303 men) where contacted in outpatient facilities from the Health Secretary and other populated sites, distributed by geographic zone and social class of different neighborhoods. The standard error of the survey was 4%, and the confidence interval was 95%. RESULTS: A) Mean HDL-cholesterol (only in 1997): male gender 43.7 +/- 15 mg/dL, female gender 49.6 +/- 13.5 mg/dL (p < 0.001, 95% CI 3.7 a 8.1). B) Mean total cholesterol in 1991 vs 1997: for the global population 192.5 +/- 48.9 mg/dL vs 190.5 +/- 42.5 mg/dL (p = NS); for men 187.6 +/- 53.3 mg/dL vs 190.5 +/- 42.5 mg/dL (p = NS); for women 196.8 +/- 40 mg/dL vs 187.6 +/- 37.8 mg/dL (p = 0.008, 95% CI 2.4 a 15.9). C) By regression analysis, the variables that correlated significantly with cholesterol levels, in both surveys, were: age (p < 0.001), systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p < 0.001) arterial pressure, diet (p < 0.001). Female gender showed correlation only in the 1991 survey (p = 0.011), and sedentarism only in 1997 (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The mean cholesterol levels in the adult population of São José do Rio Preto are very favorable and, in female gender, showed a significant decrease in the 1997 survey, relatively to the 1991 survey.

[Rupture of the left ventricular free wall. A lethal entity that can be surgically treated with success]. / Ruptura da parede livre do ventrículo esquerdo. Uma entidade letal que pode ser tratada cirurgicamente com sucesso.

We present three patients with left ventricular free wall rupture post acute myocardial infarction, all three treated successfully through surgery. Two of them were submitted to streptokinase IV. In all cases the diagnosis were based on clinical and echocardiographic features. The authors conclude that the diagnostic suspicion can be done easily, the echocardiogram is very useful, and the surgical treatment may led to a good short- and long-term survival.

[In-hospital survival predictors in infarction patients undergoing fibrinolytic therapy]. / Preditores da sobrevida intra-hospitalar em pacientes infartados submetidos à terapêutica fibrinolítica.

PURPOSE: To analyze the in-hospital predictors of survival in a population of infarcted patients submitted to the same therapeutic protocol that included IV streptokinase (SK) in the dose of 750,000 units. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty two patients (mean age 55.6 +/- 10 years, 82.3% men) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were studied within six hours of onset of symptoms in a prospective and consecutive protocol. Using simple and multiple regression analysis, the following variables were selected for correlation with survival: LV ejection fraction by contrast ventriculography > 50%; CK-MB peak < or = 100 UI/1; male sex; invasive treatment (surgery or angioplasty); patent "culprit" coronary on cineangiography; age < or = 65 years; time interval between the onset of pain and the beginning of SK infusion < 3 hours; residual obstruction < 70% at the "culprit" coronary; inferior AMI location on ECG; absence of hypotension per-peri SK infusion, previous AMI, multivessel coronary artery disease and reinfarction. RESULTS: By simple regression analysis, ejection fraction > 50% (p < 0.001), CK-MB peak < or = 100 UI/1 (p = 0.003), and the absence of hypotension (p < 0.001), previous AMI (p = 0.009), multivessel coronary artery disease (p = 0.02) and reinfarction (p = 0.049), correlated significantly with survival. By multiple regression analysis ejection fraction > 50% (p = 0.017) and the absence of hypotension (p < 0.01), multivessel coronary artery disease (p = 0.032) and reinfarction (p = 0.037) correlated independently with survival. CONCLUSION: The data presented strongly support the concept of preventing atherosclerosis and maintaining myocardial viability using either direct measures such as recanalization, or indirect measures such prevention of hypotension and reinfarction.

[Salvage coronary angioplasty in a young patient with Takayasu arteritis and myocardial infarction]. / Angioplastia coronária de salvamento em jovem com arterite de Takayasu e infarto do miocárdio.

A 16 year old boy with Takayasu's disease was admitted with myocardial infarction. Thrombolytic therapy with intravenous streptokinase showed no signs of reperfusion. Rescue angioplasty of the left descending coronary artery was performed with success.

[The cholesterol profile in the city of São José do Rio Preto]. / Perfil do colesterol na cidade de São José do Rio Preto.

PURPOSE: To analyze: a) the cholesterol profile in adults older than 29 years, from São José do Rio Preto (300,000 inhabitants), city located in one of the country's richest regions; b) the variables that correlated with cholesterolemia. METHODS: An specialized firm was hired, and data was obtained through quantitative research, where a survey was done, using a sample stratified by sex and age; the error limits admitted was +/- 4%, for a 95% confidence interval, and Reflotron was utilized for cholesterol measurements. It was studied 672 persons (47% men), with mean age of 47.15 +/- 12.28 years; 35% were between 30 and 39 years, 25% between 40 and 49.22% between 50 and 59, and 18% were 60 or more years old. Thirteen variables were compared with cholesterolemia through simple regression; following, six of them, selected as predictors by stepwise regression, were compared with cholesterol through multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: a) Cholesterol levels: 192.5 +/- 48.9 mg/dl on global average, with 187.6 +/- 53.3 for men and 196.8 +/- 44.2 for women (p = 0.01, 95% CI 2.3 to 17.1); 176.5 +/- 44.7 mg/dl for people > or = 30 < 40 years old, 191.3 +/- 51.7 for those > or = 40 < 50 years (p = 0.002, 95% CI 4.6 to 24.2), 206.8 +/- 44.4 for those > or = 50 < 60 years (p = 0.005, 95% CI 4.6 to 26.4), and 208.5 +/- 47.8 for those > or = 60 years (p = 0.765,95% CI 9.5 to -12.5); 62% of the population showed < or = 200 mg/dl, and 16% > or = 240; b) through simple regression analysis, significant correlations were found between cholesterolemia and: age (p < 0.001), systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p < 0.001) arterial pressures, diet (any, the great majority hypocaloric, p = 0.001), height (inverse correlation, p = 0.003), and female gender (p = 0.011); under multiple regression analysis, significant correlations were found for age (p < 0.001), educational level (p < 0.001), systolic arterial pressure (p < 0.001), weight (p = 0.004) and height (inverse correlation, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: In the population older than 29 years, from São José do Rio Preto: a) the mean cholesterolemia is 192.5 +/- 48.9 mg/dl, being significantly higher for women, in relation to men, and showing significant increases between 3rd, 4th and 5th decades of life; b) correlated significantly with cholesterolemia, through simple regression analysis: age, systolic and diastolic arterial pressures, diet, height (inverse), and female gender; under multiple regression analysis: age, educational level, systolic arterial pressure, weight and height (inverse).

[Myocarditis simulating acute myocardial infarction. A case report]. / Miocardite simulando infarto agudo do miocárdio. Relato de caso.

A six month-old infant presenting congestive heart failure and electrocardiographic features of acute myocardial infarction, including increased CK-MB levels. The echocardiographic study showed normal origin of the coronary arteries and features compatible with myocardiopathy. After good early response to conventional therapy, the patient developed severe congestive heart failure and shock, and died. In the post-mortem study, the coronary arteries were previous. Microscopic study was compatible with acute myocarditis.

[Left ventricular function in the acute phase of patients with myocardial infarction randomly treated with 750,000 or 1.5 million units of streptokinase]. / Função ventricular esquerda na fase aguda de infartados submetidos aleatoriamente a 750,000 ou 1.5 milhão de unidades de estreptoquinase.

PURPOSE: To compare the doses of 750,000 and 1.5 million units (U) of streptokinase (SK), relatively to the left ventricular (LV) systolic function analyzed through contrasted ventriculography. METHODS: We included 110 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within 6h of the onset (mean-age 60 years, 83.6% men), that were randomized to receive 750,000U of SK in 15 min (55 patients), or 1.5 million U in 30 min (55 patients). The study main goal was the comparison between the groups relatively to LV ejection fraction, global and regional shortening, obtained at the fifth day of the AMI. RESULTS: The 750,000 and 1.5 million groups were homogeneous relatively to 15 analyzed variables. Relatively to the main goal of the study, it was found respectively: a) ejection fraction analysis (median): 64% and 60.5% for the total population (p = 0.25, 95% CI -2.7 to 10), 64% and 57.5% for anterior AMI (p = 0.2, 95% CI -3.6 to 16.3), 65% and 65% for inferior AMI (p = 0.99, 95% CI -8.4 to 8.4); b) global shortening analysis: -2.53 and -2.66 for the total population (p = 0.3, 95% CI -0.47 to 0.87), -2.27 and -2.53 for anterior AMI (p = 0.18, 95% CI -0.3 to 1.4), -1.82 and 1.72 for inferior AMI (p = 0.9, 95% CI -0.82 to 0.75); c) regional shortening analysis: anterior AMI -2.6 and -2.67 (p = 0.47, 95% CI -0.7 to 1.5), inferior AMI -2.3 and -2.32 (p = 0.9, 95% CI -0.82 to 0.75). CONCLUSION: The dose of 750,000U was as efficacious as the 1.5 million relatively to LV systolic function, one of the best survival predictors of short-medium and long-term survival post AMI.