Non-Q Wave Myocardial Infarction

Non-Q wave myocardial infarction is a distinct and changing clinical entity characterized by lower initial mortality and a higher rate of reinfarction compared to Q wave infarction. Clinical and pathologic data suggest that the syndrome results from transient or incomplete coronary occlusion resulting in an infarct which is smaller than when Q waves are present. High-risk patients can be identified during hospitalization, allowing for aggressive therapy aimed at revascularization. Relatively few clinical trials have examined initial therapy or secondary prevention in this group of patients. These studies are reviewed and management guidelines suggested

Practical Value of Echo Doppler Evaluation of Aortic and Mitral Stenosis: A Comparative Study with Cardiac Catheterization

This retrospective analysis compares data derived by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in the evaluation of aortic and mitral valve stenosis. Sixty-seven patients, aged 69 ± 12 years, underwent 76 catheterization procedures. In all studies the Doppler recording was technically adequate. In 64 studies of patients with aortic stenosis, correlation was good between the gradient obtained at catheterization (peak 51 ± 28 mm Hg, mean 48 ± 24 mm Hg) and the Doppler gradient (peak 73 ± 29 mm Hg, mean 41 ±17 mm Hg) (R = 0.78 peak, 0.77 mean). In 15 studies the aortic valve area, 0.8 ± 0.2 cm2, calculated by the simplified continuity equation, correlated well with the catheterization valve area, 0.7 + 0.3 cm2, calculated by the Gorlin equation (R = 0.80). In 14 studies in mitral stenosis patients, the mean gradient at catheterization was 11 ±5 mmHg compared to the Doppler gradient of 8 ±4 mmHg (R = 0.58). The mitral valve area was 1.1 ± 0.3 cm2 by the Gorlin equation and 1.2 ± 0.3 cm2 by echo Doppler, using pressure half-time. When cardiac rhythm, the presence and severity of regurgitation, and the cardiac index were analyzed, none was shown to have demonstrable influence cm the accuracy of the Doppler study. Doppler echocardiography can be used reliably to assess valvular stenosis in a clinical, noninvasive laboratory where routine tests are performed and interpreted by more than one individual

Relationship Between Carotid Disease on Ultrasound and Coronary Disease on CT Angiography

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between carotid artery disease by ultrasound and coronary artery disease by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and to identify carotid ultrasound parameters predictive of coronary artery disease.BackgroundCarotid ultrasound and CTA are noninvasive modalities used to image atherosclerosis. Studies examining the relationship between the 2 tests, however, are lacking.MethodsWe performed carotid ultrasound on predominantly nondiabetic subjects referred for CTA. Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque were assessed and compared with coronary artery calcification and the number of coronary arteries with any evidence of atherosclerosis on CTA.ResultsA total of 150 subjects underwent both CTA and carotid ultrasound on the same day. Carotid plaque was present in 71.3% (n = 107), whereas the presence of at least 1 coronary artery with disease on CTA was present in 57.1% (n = 84). Carotid plaque was present in 47.6% (30 of 63) of subjects with a calcium score of 0 and 88.5% (77 of 87) of subjects with a calcium score >0 (p = 0.0001). Similarly carotid plaque was present in 52.4% (33 of 63) of subjects with no CTA evidence of atherosclerosis versus 85.7% (72 of 84) of subjects with any CTA evidence of atherosclerosis (p < 0.0001). Carotid plaque, IMT ≥1.5 mm, or averaged mean IMT >0.75 mm were associated with a calcium score >0 (odds ratio: 5.4, p < 0.0001, 2.7, p < 0.001; 2.9, p = 0.011, respectively) and disease in at least 1 vessel on CTA (odds ratio: 2.8, p = 0.03, 2.19, p = 0.073; 2.22, p = 0.058, respectively) independent of age and sex.ConclusionsCarotid plaque and increased carotid IMT are associated with the presence and severity of coronary calcification and disease on CTA in ambulatory subjects

Association of Operator and Hospital Experience With Procedural Success Rates and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Chronic Total Occlusions: Insights From the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium

BACKGROUND: An inverse relationship has been described between procedural success and outcomes of all major cardiovascular procedures. However, this relationship has not been studied for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO). METHODS: We analyzed the data on patients enrolled in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium registry in Michigan (January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2018) to evaluate the association of operator and hospital experience with procedural success and outcomes of patients undergoing CTO-PCI. CTO-PCI was defined as intervention of a 100% occluded coronary artery presumed to be ≥3 months old. RESULTS: Among 210 172 patients enrolled in the registry, 7389 (3.5%) CTO-PCIs were attempted with a success rate of 53%. CTO-PCI success increased with operator experience (45% and 65% in the lowest and highest experience tertiles) and was the highest for highly experienced operators at higher experience centers and the lowest for inexperienced operators at low experience hospitals. Multivariable logistic regression models (with spline transformed prior operator and institutional experience) demonstrated a positive relationship between prior operator and site experience and procedural success rates (likelihood ratio test=141.12, df=15, P\u3c0.001) but no relationship between operator and site experience and major adverse cardiac event (likelihood ratio test=19.12, df=15, P=0.208). CONCLUSIONS: Operator and hospital CTO-PCI experiences were directly related to procedural success but were not related to major adverse cardiac event among patients undergoing CTO-PCIs. Inexperienced operators at high experience centers had significantly higher success but not major adverse cardiac event rates compared with inexperienced operators at low experience centers. These data suggested that CTO-PCI safety and success could potentially be improved by selective referral of these procedures to experienced operators working at highly experienced centers

Design and recruitment in the United States of a multicenter quantitative angiographic trial of pravastatin to limit atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries (PLAC I)

The present study was designed to test the effect of pravastatin, a new, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, on the progression of coronary artery disease in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Angiographic entry criteria included the presence of &gt;=1 stenosis &gt;=50% in a major epicardial coronary artery, and certification of film quality through the core angiography laboratory. Patients qualified for randomization if after diet stabilization their low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were &gt;=130 and &lt; 190 mg/dl, and triglycerides were &lt;= 350 mg/dl. Pravastatin (40 mg) or placebo is administered once daily at bedtime. Arteriography will be repeated at the end of 3 years of treatment. The primary end point of the study is the change in absolute mean coronary artery diameter. During a 30-month recruitment period, 44,145 patients were screened, and 408 were randomized. The most frequent reason for excluding patients during the screening and dietary lead-in periods was a low serum cholesterol level. A large proportion of patients with documented coronary artery disease have cholesterol concentrations that are considered to be normal or only modestly increased. Adherence to strict standards of quality control for digital analysis of angiograms ensures that baseline angiograms can be interpreted at the end of 3-year follow-up.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/30692/1/0000337.pd

Efficacy and safety of pravastatin in the long-term treatment of elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia

Elevated cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which remains a significant problem in patients beyond age 65 years. Because drug therapy for the control of hypercholesterolemia in elderly patients is frequently considered to be indicated, we investigated the efficacy and safety of pravastatin in the treatment of elderly subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia. In this 96-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 142 subjects (95 women, 47 men) 64 to 90 years of age with elevated cholesterol levels despite dietary intervention were randomized to receive pravastatin 20 mg at bedtime or matching placebo (2:1). Dosage could be doubled after 8 weeks, a bile acid-binding resin could be added after 16 weeks, and nicotinic acid or probucol could be added after 32 weeks, as needed, to adequately lower the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Significant reductions in the levels of LDL-C (-30.9%), total cholesterol (Total-C; -21.9%), and triglycerides (TG; -16.7%) and significant increases in the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 11.3%) were noted in the group receiving pravastatin treatment at 16 weeks (P In this study, pravastatin was well tolerated and effective in lowering LDL-C, Total-C, and TG and in raising HDL-C during long-term treatment of elderly patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/31935/1/0000888.pd

Incidence of post myocardial infarction left ventricular thrombus formation in the era of primary percutaneous intervention and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: Before the widespread use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GP IIb/IIIa) left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation had been reported to complicate up to 20% of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI). The incidence of LV thrombus formation with these treatment modalities is not well known. METHODS: 92 consecutive patients with ST-elevation AMI treated with PCI and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors underwent 2-D echocardiograms, with and without echo contrast agent, within 24–72 hours. RESULTS: Only 4/92 (4.3%) had an LV thrombus, representing a significantly lower incidence than that reported in the pre-PCI era. Use of contrast agents did not improve detection of LV thrombi in our study. CONCLUSION: The incidence of LV thrombus formation after acute MI, in the current era of rapid reperfusion, is lower than what has been historically reported

The roles and values of wild foods in agricultural systems

Almost every ecosystem has been amended so that plants and animals can be used as food, fibre, fodder, medicines, traps and weapons. Historically, wild plants and animals were sole dietary components for hunter–gatherer and forager cultures. Today, they remain key to many agricultural communities. The mean use of wild foods by agricultural and forager communities in 22 countries of Asia and Africa (36 studies) is 90–100 species per location. Aggregate country estimates can reach 300–800 species (e.g. India, Ethiopia, Kenya). The mean use of wild species is 120 per community for indigenous communities in both industrialized and developing countries. Many of these wild foods are actively managed, suggesting there is a false dichotomy around ideas of the agricultural and the wild: hunter–gatherers and foragers farm and manage their environments, and cultivators use many wild plants and animals. Yet, provision of and access to these sources of food may be declining as natural habitats come under increasing pressure from development, conservation-exclusions and agricultural expansion. Despite their value, wild foods are excluded from official statistics on economic values of natural resources. It is clear that wild plants and animals continue to form a significant proportion of the global food basket, and while a variety of social and ecological drivers are acting to reduce wild food use, their importance may be set to grow as pressures on agricultural productivity increase.</jats:p

Poor adherence to antibiotic prescribing guidelines in acute otitis media—obstacles, implications, and possible solutions

Many countries now have guidelines on the clinical management of acute otitis media. In almost all, the public health goal of containing acquired resistance in bacteria through reduced antibiotic prescribing is the main aim and basis for recommendations. Despite some partial short-term successes, clinical activity databases and opinion surveys suggest that such restrictive guidelines are not followed closely, so this aim is not achieved. Radical new solutions are needed to tackle irrationalities in healthcare systems which set the short-term physician–patient relationship against long-term public health. Resolving this opposition will require comprehensive policy appraisal and co-ordinated actions at many levels, not just dissemination of evidence and promotion of guidelines. The inappropriate clinical rationales that underpin non-compliance with guidelines can be questioned by evidence, but also need specific developments promoting alternative solutions, within a framework of whole-system thinking. Promising developments would be (a) physician training modules on age-appropriate analgesia and on detection plus referral of rare complications like mastoiditis, and (b) vaccination against the most common and serious bacterial pathogens