472 research outputs found
Diagnostic and prognostic implications of exercise testing in coronary artery disease
The clinical indications for exercise testing as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in the
assessment of patients with ischemic heart disease have gradually evolved since
Master introduced the two-step exercise test in 1929 (1). New information from
correlations between electrocardiographic and angiocardiographic data, the use of
exercise test results for prognostic stratification in patient subsets and the role of
other non-invasive methods which supplement the information obtained from
exercise testing have markedly enhanced the clinical utility of the test.
Exercise testing is currently most useful in the evaluation of patients in whom the
origin of their chest pain must be elucidated, in patients with ischemic heart disease
in whom the prognosi
Diagnostic re-classification and prognostic risk stratification of patients with acute chest pain
Unstable angina and myocardial infarction
are prevalent manifestations of acute coronary artery
disease, combined in the term ‘acute coronary syndromes’. The introduction of sensitive markers for
myocardial necrosis has led to confusion regarding
the distinction between small myocardial infarctions
and ‘true’ unstable angina, and the application of
ever more sensitive markers has accelerated the pace
at which patients with unstable angina are being reclassified to non-ST-segment elevation myocardial
infarction. But in how many patients with acute chest
pain is myocardial ischaemia really the cause of their
symptoms? Numerous studies have shown that most
have <5 ng/l high-sensitivity cardiac troponin, and
that their prognosis is excellent (event rate <0.5%
per year), incompatible with ‘impending infarction’.
This marginalisation of patients with unstable angina
pectoris should lead to the demise of this diagnosis. Without unstable angina, the usefulness of the
term acute coronary syndromes may be questioned
next. It is better to abandon the term altogether and
revert to the original diagnosis of thrombus-related
acute coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction.
A national register should be the next logical step to
monitor and guide the application of effective therapeutic measures and clinical outcomes in patients
with myocardial infarction
901-97 Stroke and Long-term Anticoagulant Therapy in 3404 Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial (ASPECT) we studied 3404 post-myocardial infarction patients who suffered a stroke during long-term anticoagulant therapy. The duration of treatment ranged from 1 day to six years. Three years following randomization, 2% of the patients on anticoagulant therapy had a stroke compared to 4% in placebo.The incidence of stroke analyzed on “intention-to-treat” was 0.7 per 100 patient-years in the anticoagulant group and 1.2 per 100 patient-years in placebo, a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.60 with a 95% confidence interval (Cl) of 0.40 to 0.90, a 40% reduction in the risk of stroke in the anticoagulated group. A total of 19 intracranial bleeding was observed. The risk of hemorrhages was 8 times greater for anticoagulated patients compared to placebo. Eight of the 17 bleedings were fatal in the anticoagulant group and no fatal hemorrhages occurred in placebo. A total of 15 cerebral infarctions occurred in the anticoagulated group and 43 in placebo. Of the 14 hemorrhagic strokes, 6 were within INR 3.0–4.0 and 8 with an INR>4.0, Of the 7 non-hemorrhagic strokes, 2 were at INR<2, 3 within INR 3.0–4.0, 1 at INR>4.0, and no measurement was available in one patient. The total number of patients who died or were severely disabled as a result of cerebral stroke amounted to 13 in the anticoagulated group, compared to 18 in placebo.ConclusionThe results of the ASPECT trial indicated that long-term anticoagulant therapy substantially reduced the risk of stroke in post-myocardial infarction patients. The increased risk of bleeding complications associated with anticoagulant therapy was offset by a marked reduction in ischemic events
Changes in Clinical Profile, Treatment, and Mortality in Patients Hospitalised for Acute Myocardial Infarction between 1985 and 2008
Objectives: To quantify the impact of the implementation of treatment modalities into clinical practice since 1985, on outcome of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods: All consecutive patients admitted for STEMI or NSTEMI at the Thoraxcenter between 1985 and 2008 were included. Baseline characteristics, pharmacological and invasive treatment modalities, and survival status were collected. The study population was categorised in three groups of patients: those hospitalised between 1985-1990, 1990-2000, and 2000-2008. Results: We identified 14,434 patients hospitalised for myocardial infarction (MI). Both STEMI and NSTEMI patients were increasingly treated with the current guideline based therapy. In STEMI, at 30 days following admission, cumulative mortality rate decreased from 17% in 1985-1990 to 13% in 1990-2000, and to 6% in 2000-2008. Adjusted 30-day and three-year mortality in the last period was 80% and 68% lower than in 1985, respectively. In NSTEMI, at 30 days following admission, cumulative mortality rate decreased from 6% in 1985-1990 to 4% in 1990-2000, and to 2% in 2000-2008. Adjusted 30-day and three-year mortality in the last period was 78% and 49% lower than in 1985, respectively. For patients admitted between 2000 and 2008, 3 year survival of STEMI and NSTEMI patients was 87% and 88%, respectively. Conclusions: Our results indicate substantial improvements in acute-and long-term survival in patients hospitalised for MI, related to improved acute-as well as long-term treatment. Early medical evaluation in suspected MI and intensive early hospital treatment both remain warranted in the future
Distribution of echocardiographic parameters and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors in the Rotterdam Study
Insight into echocardiographic parameters in the general population may facilitate early recognition of ventricular dysfunction, reducing the population morbidity and mortality of heart failure. We examined the distribution of structural, systolic and diastolic echocardiographic parameters and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors in the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort study in men and women aged ≥55 years. Participants with prevalent heart failure, myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation and flutter were excluded. Echocardiographic parameters were assessed using two-dimensional, M-mode and Doppler echocardiography. Echocardiograms were available in 4,425 participants. Structural parameters were generally larger in men, and most consistently associated with age, body mass index and blood pressure in both sexes. Prevalence of moderate or poor left ventricular systolic function was 3.9% in men and 2.1% in women. Age, body mass index and blood pressure were most consistently associated with systolic function. E/A ratio was lower in women than in men. Age and diastolic blood pressure were most consistently associated with E/A ratio in both sexes. In conclusion, ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction is present in asymptomatic individuals. Selected established cardiovascular risk factors are associated with structural, systolic and diastolic parameters
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