Thrombus Aspiration during Percutaneous coronary intervention in Acute non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction Study (TAPAS II)-Study design

Background and Objective. The Thrombus Aspiration during Percutaneous coronary intervention in Acute myocardial infarction Study (TAPAS) has shown that thrombus aspiration improves myocardial perfusion and clinical outcome compared with conventional primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Impaired myocardial perfusion due to spontaneous or angioplasty-induced embolisation of atherothrombotic material also occurs in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The aim of this study is to determine whether thrombus aspiration before stent implantation will result in improved myocardial perfusion in patients with NSTEMI compared with conventional PCI. Study design. The study is a single-centre, prospective, randomised trial with blinded evaluation of endpoints. The planned inclusion is 540 patients with acute NSTEMI who are candidates for urgent PCI. Patients are randomised to treatment with manual thrombus aspiration or to conventional PCI. The primary endpoint is the incidence of myocardial blush grade 3 after PCI. Secondary endpoints are coronary angiographic, histopathological, enzymatic, electrocardiographic and clinical outcomes including major adverse events at 30 days and one year. Implications. If thrombus aspiration leads to significant improvement of myocardial perfusion in patients with acute NSTEMI it may become part of the standard interventional approach. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:409–13.)     

Proximal embolic protection in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (PREPARE): core lab adjudicated angiographic outcomes of a randomised controlled trial

Background. Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the Proxis system (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) achieved significantly better microvascular flow as measured by ST-segment resolution. However, no differences were observed in left ventricular ejection fraction or infarct size as obtained by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of combined proximal embolic protection and thrombus aspiration on core-lab adjudicated angiographic outcomes.Methods. In the PRoximal Embolic Protection in Acute myocardial infarction and Resolution of ST-Elevation (PREPARE) study, patients were randomised to primary PCI with the Proxis system (n=141) or primary PCI alone (n=143). An independent core laboratory re-evaluated all angiograms and adjudicated the angiographic outcomes and computerised quantitative blush evaluation (QuBE) value.Results. There were no significant differences in Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, myocardial blush grade, or angiographic signs of distal embolisation among the two arms. QuBE values did not significantly differ between the Proxis-treated patients and control patients (15.1±5.4 vs. 15.8±5.5, respectively, p=0.34).Conclusion. Primary PCI with combined proximal embolic protection and thrombus aspiration in STEMI patients more frequently resulted in complete immediate ST resolution compared with control patients. However, there were no significant differences in core laboratory adjudicated angiographic outcomes. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:531–6.)     

急诊PCI 治疗中应用血栓抽吸术及主动脉内球囊反搏术 与血浆脑钠肽水平、心功能参数的关系

目的:观察血栓抽吸术与主动脉内球囊反搏术(IABP)联用在急诊冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)的疗效。方法:ST段抬高型急性心肌梗塞(AMI)行急诊冠状动脉造影提示大量血栓征象、并行血栓抽吸术患者98例,随机分为实验组和对照组,实验组术前行IABP后联合血栓抽吸;对照组仅进行血栓抽吸。观察两组患者的BNP及心功能参数。结果:术后24小时两组BNP有普遍升高趋势,对照组升高更明显(P<0.01),术后2周普遍回降,实验组下降更明显(P<0.01);2周后实验组的心脏指数(CI)、每搏指数(SI)、混合静脉血氧饱和度(SvO2)均高于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:对于行急诊冠状动脉介入治疗的患者联合使用主动脉内球囊反搏术和血栓抽吸术,可以明显改善患者的心肌缺血情况,增加冠脉灌注,有利于患者心功能的恢复。     

Adjunctive Manual Thrombus Aspiration during ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

The aim of this study was to synthesize evidence by examining the effects of manual thrombus aspiration on clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods and Results

A total of 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), enrolling 11,780 patients, with 5,869 patients randomized to manual thrombus aspiration and 5,911 patients randomized to conventional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), were included in the meta-analysis. Separate clinical outcome analyses were based on different follow-up periods. There were no statistically reductions in the incidences of mortality (risk ratio [RR], 0.86 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73 to 1.02]), reinfarction (RR, 0.62 [CI, 0.31 to 1.32]) or target vessel revascularization (RR, 0.89 [CI, 0.75 to 1.05]) in the manual thrombus aspiration arm at 12 to 24 months of follow-up. The composite major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) outcomes were significantly lower in the manual thrombus aspiration arm over the long-term follow-up (RR, 0.76 [CI, 0.63 to 0.91]). A lower incidence of reinfarction was observed in the hospital to 30 days (RR, 0.59 [CI, 0.37 to 0.92]).

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis suggested that there was no evidence that using manual thrombus aspiration in patients with STEMI could provide distinct benefits in long-term clinical outcomes.     

Prospective register of primary percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with acute myocardial infarction

The present study has evaluated the immediate angiographic results of primary percutaneous interventions (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction, as well as hospital and 6-month clinical outcomes. The analysis covered a total of 265 patients (females (23%) and males (77%)); their mean age was 57+/-11 years. The mean time before the first balloon dilatation during PCI was 278+/-135 minutes after the development of the pain syndrome or 109+/-94 minutes after hospital admission. PCI proved to be effective in 96% of the patients, as evidenced by angiography. TIMI 3 blood flow was achieved in 83% of cases during PCI. After primary PCI, hospital mortality was 98.9% and 95% survived 6 months. At 6-month follow-up, 22% patients had positive exercise tests, recurrent angina pectoris and/or more than 50% luminal stenosis of the infarct-related artery. Control angiography made less than 6 months later showed 11% restenosis. This prospective study has demonstrated the high immediate and long effectiveness and safety of primary interventions in acute myocardial infarction.     

Outcome and quality of life one year after percutaneous coronary interventions in octogenarians

Background. While percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is increasingly being performed in octogenarians, little is known about the quality of life (QOL) one year after PCI. We assessed the one-year outcome and QOL after PCI. MethodsOutcome and QOL at one year were assessed in patients of 80 years and older who underwent PCI at our institution. We used the RAND-36 Health Survey to assess health-related QOL at follow-up. The EuroSCORE was used for reference risk assessment. Results. Ninety-eight patients (mean age 82.7±2.9 years; 60% female) underwent PCI. Acute PCI was performed in 36% of the patients. Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class before the procedure was class III for 28% and class IV for 64%. Of the patients, 98% were in the highest-risk group (additive EuroSCORE 6+). The overall PCI success rate was 94%. Mortality at one year was 19% (38% acute vs. 12% elective PCI). At followup, general health was rated as fairly good and better then before PCI (CCS I and II: 77%). RAND-36 scores for the mental component were better than scores for the physical component. Physical functioning (41±28) and role limitations caused by physical health problems (32±37) had the worst scores. The mental component vitality had the lowest (55±20) and mental health the highest (70±21) score. Social functioning was in general good (67±26). Conclusion. Octogenarians have a high mortality risk following PCI, especially in acute PCI. In survivors QOL is acceptable with a better mental than physical score. In general, PCI in octogenarians has a positive effect on health perception, with less symptoms of angina pectoris. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:117-22.)     

PCI围术期消化道出血患者抗血小板治疗调整及近期疗效

目的:探讨经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)围术期发生消化道出血(GIB)患者抗血小板治疗的调整,评价其安全性及近期疗效。方法:回顾性分析2005年1月至2008年12月PCI围术期发生GIB的40例患者的临床资料,其中急性心肌梗死(AMI)22例(55%),不稳定型心绞痛18例(45%)。PCI围术期发生GIB的患者,除扩容、输血、抑酸、保护胃粘膜等支持疗法外,依据临床情况调整抗血小板药物。观察住院期间及术后3个月后主要不良心脑事件(MACCE:包括心绞痛、非致死性心肌梗死、心性死亡、再次血管重建、支架内血栓形成、缺血性卒中)及消化道再次出血的发生率。结果:40例患者PCI成功39例(病例成功率97.5%),1例慢性完全闭塞(CTO)病变导丝未通过,1例(2.5%)AMI患者PCI术后第5天发生支架内亚急性血栓(SAT)。出院后3月内,2例未完全血运重建的患者有心绞痛发作,无死亡,所有患者均无消化道再次出血,MACCE发生率(7.5%)。结论:PCI围术期发生GIB的患者,依据临床情况调整抗血小板药物,不增加MACCE风险及消化道再次出血发生率。     

Clinical significance, angiographic characteristics, and short-term outcomes in 30 patients with early coronary artery graft failure

BackgroundDespite technical advances in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), early postoperative myocardial ischaemia still remains a challenging problem. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, clinical features, angiographic characteristics, and management of early graft failure in the present CABG era. MethodsBetween January 1997 and December 2002, 1731 patients underwent CABG at our institution. Coronary angiography was performed in patients with clinical evidence of early postoperative ischaemia (≤3 months). Thirty of these patients with graft failure constituted the population of this study. ResultsOff-pump and on-pump CABG were almost evenly performed in these patients [n=16 (53%) and n=14 (47%) respectively]. Acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina were the leading indications for coronary angiography in the majority of patients [n=28 (93%)]. The most common cause of graft failure was occlusion / thrombosis [n=20 (67%)]. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was offered to the majority of patients [n=22 (73%)]. Of these patients, 14 underwent PCI to native coronary arteries, whereas eight underwent PCI to the culprit vessel. Three patients underwent reoperation, and five received medical management. Four patients (13%) died in hospital (two after redo CABG, one after unsuccessful PCI, and one patient managed medically). Two patients (7%) had nonfatal major complications (one non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and one stroke). ConclusionEarly graft failure generally presents as acute coronary syndrome. Graft occlusion/ thrombosis is the leading cause of ischaemia. Patients with graft failure can undergo PCI with a relatively low risk, but the need for redo CABG in associated with a high mortality. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:13-7.)     

Histopathological Features of Aspirated Thrombi after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background

Plaque disruption with superimposed thrombus is the predominant mechanism responsible for the onset of acute coronary syndromes. Studies have shown that plaque disruption and thrombotic occlusion are frequently separated in time. We established the histopathological characteristics of material aspirated during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large consecutive ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) population.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Thrombus aspiration during primary PCI was performed in 1,362 STEMI patients. Thrombus age was classified as fresh (<1 day), lytic (1–5 days), or organized (>5 day). Further, the presence of plaque was documented. The histopathological findings were related to the clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics. Material could be aspirated in 1,009 patients (74%). Components of plaque were found in 395 of these patients (39%). Fresh thrombus was found in 577 of 959 patients (60%) compared to 382 patients (40%) with lytic or organized thrombi. Distal embolization was present in 21% of patients with lytic thrombus compared to 12% and 15% of patients with fresh or organized thrombus.

Conclusions/Significance

Material could be obtained in 74% of STEMI patients treated with thrombus aspiration during primary PCI. In 40% of patients thrombus age is older than 24 h, indicating that plaque disruption and thrombus formation occur significantly earlier than the onset of symptoms in many patients.     

Emergency cardiac surgery after a failed percutaneous coronary intervention in an interventional centre without on-site cardiac surgery

Background. Based on experience from other countries, the Medical Centre Alkmaar was granted permission to start the first Dutch PCI programme without on-site cardiac surgery. The cardiology group of the Medical Centre Alkmaar started an off-site PCI programme in 2002 with only primary PCI in the first year and a full PCI programme from November 2003 onwards. We report the first Dutch experience with acute cardiac surgery following a failed PCI procedure in an off-site clinic. Patients. From October 2002 until February 2007, 2500 patients were treated by PCI in the Medical Centre Alkmaar. These patients were treated for an acute myocardial infarction (33%), acute coronary syndromes (37%) or progressive angina (30%). In this first series of off-site PCI in the Netherlands, the incidence of emergency cardiac surgery following failed PCI was 0.2% All five patients who needed emergency surgery underwent elective PCI for progressive stable coronary artery disease. No emergency surgery was needed for primary PCIs in patients with an acute myocardial infarction. All patients survived emergency surgery following failed PCI. Conclusion. Adherence to the Dutch guidelines of interventional cardiology with protocols describing a close collaboration with cardiac surgeons and an immediate availability of rapid ground transportation are mandatory when performing off-site PCI. This series extends the current expertise of emergency surgery after failed PCI to off-site clinics. With appropriate settings, off-site PCI may not be associated with an increase in the risk of adverse events. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:173-7.)     

Coronary artery thrombosis and evaluated urine immunoreactive thromboxane B2

Immunoreactive thromboxane B₂ (i-TXB₂) was measured by radio-immunoassay (RIA) in urine collective over eight hours on the day of admission in 25 patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. In 16 of the patients myocardial infarction was confirmed by ECG and plasma enzymes. Another patient presented with pulmonary embolism and the remaining eight patients had angina pectoris. A further eight hour urine collection was obtained 24 hours later from eleven of the sixteen patients with myocardial infarction. In these eleven patients myocardial infarction was associated with five fold higher urine i-TXB₂ (2.72 ± 0.48 ng/ml) at the day of admission when compared to patients admitted under the same diagnosis but found to have angina only (0.51 ± 0.08 ng/ml, p < 0.001). In patients with myocardial infarction the urine i-TXB₂ values were reduced 24 hours later (1.58 ± 0.27 ng/ml, p < 0.01). One patient was followed with urine i-TXB₂ from three days prior to diagnosis of myocardial infarction and to one day prior to a second infarction. In this patient i-TXB₂ was highest three days prior to infarction. We conclude that this early elevation of urine i-TXB₂ three days prior to diagnosis of infarction and the increased i-TXB₂ in patients with myocardial infarction when compared to patients with angina suggest thromboxane is probably released from activated platelets prior to infarction. We suggest that urine i-TXB₂ may be of value in the differential diagnosis between myocardial infarction and angina.     

ST 段抬高心肌梗死靶血管长病变急诊介入治疗的安全性及疗效分析

目的:探讨ST段抬高急性心肌梗死(ST-elevation myocardial infarction,STEMI)患者靶血管长病变(病变>25 mm)急诊经皮冠状动脉介入(percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI)治疗的临床疗效及安全性。方法:回顾性收集2009年1月-2010年6月因STEMI就诊于沈阳军区总医院并急诊行PCI处理的患者442例,以靶病变长度分为两组,即≤25 mm为短病变组(n=235)和>25mm为长病变组(n=207),均急诊行PCI治疗,分析和比较两组患者术前的基线资料、术中资料及并发症的发生情况、辅助措施(临时起搏、IABP、血栓抽吸装置)应用情况,术后30天、2年电话或临床随访,记录主要不良心血管事件(major adverse cardiac events,MACE)的发生情况。结果:与短病变组比较,长病变组吸烟者更多(81.6%vs 62.6%,P=0.000);以三支病变偏多(34.8%vs 24.7%,P=0.037);多枚支架使用率更高(1.47±0.63 vs 1.04±0.28,P=0.000),平均支架总长度显著增加(29.80±7.02 mm vs 22.95±5.58mm,P=0.000),手术成功率、术中并发症及辅助措施应用情况比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),30天及2年随访MACE的发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:与急诊PCI治疗的STEMI短病变患者对比,长病变患者虽然病变复杂,多枚支架使用率高,平均支架总长度增加,但术中并发症、30天、2年内MACE与短病变患者相当,提示在以药物洗脱支架为主的介入治疗时代,急诊PCI处理STEMI靶血管长病变具有良好的疗效及安全性。     

急性下壁心肌梗死急诊PCI术中应用临时起搏器与阿托品的对比研究

目的：探讨临时起搏器与阿托品在急性下壁心肌梗死急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）中应用的疗效。方法：入选2012 年2 月至2013 年8 月我院收治的发病12 小时内,诊断为急性下壁心肌梗死并接受急诊PCI治疗的患者92 例,依据治疗方法的不同 将病例分为临时起搏组和阿托品组,并对病例进行为期一年的追踪随访,收集患者平均住院天数、平均住院费用、再灌注心律失 常、心肌梗死后心绞痛、心肌梗死后心衰发生率资料。结果：临时起搏组的平均住院天数、平均住院费用、心肌梗死后心绞痛、心肌 梗死后心衰发生率均显著低于阿托品治疗组（P 均<0.05）,阿托品治疗组的再灌注心律失常发生率则明显低于临时起搏组（P<0. 05）。结论：急性下壁心肌梗死急诊PCI中应用临时起搏器,具有治疗成本低,降低心血管事件发生率的优点,而阿托品治疗在改 善再灌注心律失常的疗效上则显著优于临时起搏治疗。     

Safety and efficacy of thrombectomy in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for Acute ST elevation MI: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Clinical trials comparing thrombectomy devices with conventional percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have produced conflicting results. The objective of our study was to systematically evaluate currently available data comparing thrombectomy followed by PCI with conventional PCI alone in patients with acute STEMI.

Methods

Seventeen randomized trials (n = 3,909 patients) of thrombectomy versus PCI were included in this meta-analysis. We calculated the summary odds ratios for mortality, stroke, post procedural myocardial blush grade (MBG), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade flow, and post procedural ST segment resolution (STR) using random-effects and fixed-effects models.

Results

There was no difference in risk of 30-day mortality (44/1914 vs. 50/1907, OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.54-1.29, P = 0.42) among patients randomized to thrombectomy, compared with conventional PCI. Thrombectomy was associated with a significantly greater likelihood of TIMI 3 flow (1616/1826 vs. 1533/1806, OR 1.41, P = 0.007), MBG 3 (730/1526 vs. 486/1513, OR 2.42, P < 0.001), STR (923/1500 vs. 715/1494, OR 2.30, P < 0.001), and with a higher risk of stroke (14/1403 vs. 3/1413, OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.06-7.85, P = 0.04). Outcomes differed significantly between different device classes with a trend towards lower mortality with manual aspiration thrombectomy (MAT) (21/949 vs.36/953, OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-1.01, P = 0.05), whereas mechanical devices showed a trend towards higher mortality (20/416 vs.10/418, OR 2.07, 95% CI 0.95-4.48, P = 0.07).

Conclusions

Thrombectomy devices appear to improve markers of myocardial perfusion in patients undergoing primary PCI, with no difference in overall 30-day mortality but an increased likelihood of stroke. The clinical benefits of thrombectomy appear to be influenced by the device type with a trend towards survival benefit with MAT and worsening outcome with mechanical devices.     

血尿酸水平对ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后长期预后的影响

目的:探讨血尿酸(SUA)水平对行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)的ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者长期预后的影响。方法:连续纳入2012年1月至2012年12月在我院诊断为STEMI并成功行急诊PCI的患者275例,按照入院时SUA水平三分位法将患者分成A组91例(低尿酸)、B组90例(中尿酸)、C组94例(高尿酸)。收集所有患者临床基线资料,包括吸烟史、既往病史、血液学指标及冠脉造影结果等,观察三组患者急诊PCI术后住院期间及术后6年随访期间主要不良心血管事件(MACE)的发生情况,logistic回归分析SUA水平对患者近期及长期预后的危险因素。结果:C组男性和心律失常病史比例明显高于A、B组(P0.05)。同时,三组患者AIP、Scr、BUN、SUA、APTT组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。C组患者三支血管病变比例明显高于A、B组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。三组患者住院期间心力衰竭、支架内血栓形成、总MACE比例组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。三组患者术后6年心力衰竭、心绞痛、支架内再狭窄/闭塞和总MACE比例组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。Logistic回归显示年龄、吸烟史、TC、SUA、血栓抽吸术、IABP应用是住院期间MACE发生的危险因素(P0.05),AIP、SUA、APTT、IABP应用是PCI术后6年随访期间MACE发生的危险因素(P0.05)。结论:成功行急诊PCI的STEMI患者,SUA水平是其近期及长期预后的独立危险因素,SUA水平升高者长期MACE发生率增加。     

冠心病患者血清尿酸、高敏C 反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原水平变化 的临床研究

目的:观察冠心病患者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原水平的变化.方法:选取2010年11月至2011年11月于我院就诊的68例冠心病患者(稳定型心绞痛21例,不稳定型心绞痛24例,急性心肌梗死13例)作为研究对象,并选取同期于我院体检中心体检的62例健康人为对照组,检测受试者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原的水平.结果:研究组患者血清中UA、CRP和FBG水平显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).与稳定型心绞痛组比,不稳定型心绞痛的CRP水平增高(5.34±1.98 mg/L vs.11.36±2.73 mg/L,P＜0.05),急性心肌梗死组的UA (345.63±86.4 μmol/L vs.493.76±101.2 μmol/L,P＜0.05)、CRP (5.34±1.98mg/L vs.21.3±2.24 mg/L,P＜0.05)和FBG(3.86±1.34 g/L vs.6.85±2.36 g/L,P＜0.05)水平显著增高,与不稳定型心绞痛组比,急性心肌梗死组的UA(378.91±89.7 μmol/L vs.493.76±101.2 μmol/L,P＜0.05)、CRP(11.36±2.73 mg/L vs.21.3±2.24 mg/L,P＜0.05)和FBG(4.27±2.08 g/L vs.6.85±2.36 g/L,P＜0.05)水平显著增高(P＜0.05).结论:冠心病患者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白和纤维蛋白原的水平升高,3个指标可用于评估治疗效果和预后.     

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 re-classified 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.

     

Plasma Urotensin II Act as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Acute Coronary Syndromes

Urotensin II (U-II), one of powerful vasoconstrictor peptides, is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction and heart failure. However, its role in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is still unknown. We performed the present study to measure plasma U-II level in patients with ACS and the healthy subjects in the Chinese Han population. Plasma U-II level in patients with unstable angina (UA 313 ± 286 pg/dl) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI 333 ± 269 pg/dl) was higher than in healthy controls (183 ± 154 pg/dl). Plasma U-II level is positively correlated with the Gensini score (r = 0.285, P = 0.003) and Apo B level (r = 0.239, P = 0.015). Moreover, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the combination of CRP and U-II was significantly higher than it for CRP (P = 0.024). We conclude that U-II, which is elevated in ACS patients, may act as a clinical non-invasive biomarker for ACS diagnosis.     

A polymorphism in the visfatin gene promoter is related to decreased plasma levels of inflammatory markers in patients with coronary artery disease

Visfatin, a newly identified proinflammatory adipokine, has been linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). The ?1535C>T polymorphism (rs61330082) located in the visfatin gene promoter is reportedly associated with proinflammatory status. However, it is unclear whether this polymorphism correlates with plasma levels of inflammatory markers including visfatin, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-?? in CAD patients. The present study was to investigate the potential association of the ?1535C>T polymorphism with plasma levels of visfatin, IL-6, C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and TNF-?? in patients with CAD. We conducted a hospital based study with 171 CAD patients to examine the association between the ?1535C>T polymorphism and plasma levels of visfatin, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-??. Plasma visfatin levels were markedly different between patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP, 11.91 ± 0.70 ng/l) and those with unstable angina pectoris (UAP, 17.49 ± 0.20 ng/l) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI, 16.63 ± 0.22 ng/l; SAP versus UAP or AMI, P < 0.05). Compared with the CC genotype, variant genotypes CT and TT correlated with significantly lower levels of visfatin, hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-?? in the SAP group (P < 0.05), with lower levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 in the UAP group (P < 0.05), and with lower levels of visfatin in the AMI group (P < 0.05) after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and medication. Our results suggest that the ?1535C>T polymorphism is associated with decreased plasma levels of inflammatory markers in CAD patients, reflecting that this polymorphism might provide a useful marker for predicting the development of CAD events.     

Tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and cytoadhesive molecules in patients with an acute coronary syndrome

The tissue factor plays a crucial role in initiating blood coagulation after plaque rupture in patients with acute coronary syndrome. It is abundant in atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, P-selectin, some cytokines, endotoxin and immune complexes can stimulate monocytes and induce the tissue factor expression on their surface. The aim of the study was to compare plasma levels of the tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, P-selectin, E-selectin and ICAM-1 in patients with acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, stable coronary artery disease and normal control subjects. In addition, plasma levels of the tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, P-selectin, E-selectin and ICAM-1 were measured in the blood withdrawn from the coronary sinus in a subgroup of patients with unstable angina pectoris and stable coronary artery disease in which the difference between concentrations in the coronary sinus and systemic blood was calculated. A significant increase in tissue factor pathway inhibitor plasma levels was detected in patients with acute myocardial infarction (373.3+/-135.1 ng/ml, p<0.01) and unstable angina pectoris (119.6+/-86.9 ng/ml, p<0.05) in contrast to the patients with stable coronary artery disease (46.3+/-37.5 ng/ml) and normal subjects (45.1+/-14.3 ng/ml). The plasma levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor were significantly increased both in the coronary sinus and systemic blood in the patients with unstable angina pectoris. There was only a non-significant trend to higher plasma levels of the tissue factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris as compared to the patients with stable coronary artery disease and normal subjects, the values being 129.1+/-30.2 pg/ml, 130.5+/-57.8 pg/ml, 120.2+/-45.1 pg/ml and 124.9+/-31.8 pg/ml, respectively. Plasma levels of soluble P-selectin was only slightly, but non-significantly higher in patients with unstable angina pectoris and stable coronary artery disease (184.2+/-85.4 ng/ml and 201.6+/-67.9 ng/ml, respectively) than in patients with the acute myocardial infarction (157.4+/-88.4 ng/ml) or normal subjects (151.4+/-47.1 ng/ml). The difference in plasma levels of soluble ICAM-1 between the blood withdrawn from the coronary sinus and systemic circulation correlated significantly with the corresponding difference in plasma levels of soluble P-selectin and E-selectin. In conclusion, the tissue factor and the tissue factor pathway inhibitor play a crucial role in the initiation of arterial thrombosis. The tissue factor pathway inhibitor levels are increased both in the systemic blood and in the coronary sinus of patients with the acute coronary syndrome.