Correlation of the Tei index with left ventricular dilatation and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction

The Tei index is an echocardiographic index of combined systolic and diastolic function, calculated as isovolumetric relaxation time plus isovolumetric contraction time divided by ejection time. The aim of this study was to define the correlation of the Tei index with left ventricular dilatation and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

Kounis syndrome: myocardial infarction secondary to an allergic insult - a rare clinical entity

The association of an acute coronary syndrome with mast cell activation secondary to allergen exposure is known as the Kounis syndrome. We present two cases of the Kounis syndrome: (i) one was misdiagnosed as acute ST elevation myocardial infarction and treated with thrombolytics; (ii) the second diagnosis was made after a recurrence two months after the first incident

Chronic Kidney Disease as a Predictor of Coronary Lesion Morphology

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated whether CKD stage affected coronary lesion morphology in patients with established CAD. Coronary angiograms of 264 patients were evaluated. Chronic kidney disease was staged using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from the serum creatinine prior to coronary angiography. Patients were divided into 3 groups: dialysis or severe decrease in GFR <30 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) (group 1; n = 60), patients with moderate kidney failure (group 2; n = 116), and patients with normal renal function or mild decrease in GFR (group 3; n = 88). The likelihood of CAD and lesion complexity increased with decreasing eGFR (P = .001). Patients with CKD also had more significant CAD. The risk of significant coronary obstruction and lesion complexity increased progressively with decreasing eGFR. The eGFR may predict lesion complexity among patients with CKD undergoing coronary angiography