6 research outputs found
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: A Case Series of 9 Patients With Literature Review.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an increasingly recognized nonatherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndrome. Reports regarding the prognosis and natural history of this disease are limited. In addition to the diagnostic difficulty, this condition poses a significant therapeutic challenge due to the lack of specific management guidelines. We present here a case series of 9 patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Additionally, this article reviews the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, therapeutic approaches, and patterns of recurrence in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection
Focal ST-segment elevation without coronary occlusion: myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary atherosclerosis associated with COVID-19-a case report
Background: While it is understood that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily complicated by respiratory failure, more data are emerging on the cardiovascular complications of this disease. A subset of COVID-19 patients present with ST-elevations on electrocardiogram (ECG) yet normal coronary angiography, a presentation that can fit criteria for myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary atherosclerosis (MINOCA). There is little known about non-coronary myocardial injury observed in patients with COVID-19, and we present a case that should encourage further conversation and study of this clinical challenge.
Case summary: An 86-year-old man presented to our institution with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and an ECG showing anteroseptal ST-segment elevation concerning for myocardial infarction. Mechanic ventilation was initiated prior to presentation, and emergent transthoracic echocardiography reported an ejection fraction of 50-55%, with no significant regional wall motion abnormalities. Next, emergent coronary angiography was performed, and no significant coronary artery disease was detected. The patient tested positive for COVID-19. Despite supportive management in the intensive care unit, the patient passed away.
Discussion: We present a case of COVID-19 that is likely associated with MINOCA. It is crucial to understand that in COVID-19 patients with signs of myocardial infarction, not all myocardial injury is due to obstructive coronary artery disease. In the case of COVID-19 pathophysiology, it is important to consider the cardiovascular effects of hypoxic respiratory failure, potential myocarditis, and significant systemic inflammation. Continued surveillance and research on the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 is essential to further elucidate management and prognosis
Thrombin-receptor antagonist vorapaxar in acute coronary syndromes
BACKGROUND
Vorapaxar is a new oral protease-activated–receptor 1 (PAR-1) antagonist that inhibits
thrombin-induced platelet activation.
METHODS
In this multinational, double-blind, randomized trial, we compared vorapaxar with
placebo in 12,944 patients who had acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment
elevation. The primary end point was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes,
myocardial infarction, stroke, recurrent ischemia with rehospitalization, or urgent
coronary revascularization.
RESULTS
Follow-up in the trial was terminated early after a safety review. After a median follow-up
of 502 days (interquartile range, 349 to 667), the primary end point occurred in 1031
of 6473 patients receiving vorapaxar versus 1102 of 6471 patients receiving placebo
(Kaplan–Meier 2-year rate, 18.5% vs. 19.9%; hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval
[CI], 0.85 to 1.01; P = 0.07). A composite of death from cardiovascular causes,
myocardial infarction, or stroke occurred in 822 patients in the vorapaxar group
versus 910 in the placebo group (14.7% and 16.4%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.89;
95% CI, 0.81 to 0.98; P = 0.02). Rates of moderate and severe bleeding were 7.2% in the
vorapaxar group and 5.2% in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.58;
P<0.001). Intracranial hemorrhage rates were 1.1% and 0.2%, respectively (hazard
ratio, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.78 to 6.45; P<0.001). Rates of nonhemorrhagic adverse events
were similar in the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with acute coronary syndromes, the addition of vorapaxar to standard
therapy did not significantly reduce the primary composite end point but significantly
increased the risk of major bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage