Search

Hyponatremia in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a well-known predictor of poor prognosis. However, little is known about the clinical implication of sodium levels at discharge in hospital survivors after AMI. The study included 1290 consecutive patients (64 ± 12 years; 877 men) who survived the index hospitalization after AMI. We determined the 12-month mortality rates of these patients. Patients who died during the 12-month follow-up had lower sodium levels at discharge than those who had survived (137 ± 6 vs. 139 ± 4 mmol/L; P < 0.014). Hyponatremia at discharge, defined as a serum sodium level ≤135 mmol/L, was present in 210 patients (16.3 %). In the Cox-proportional hazard model, hyponatremia at discharge (hazard ratio, 2.264; 95 % confidence interval, 1.119-4.579; P = 0.023) was an independent predictor of 12-month mortality. Moreover, hyponatremia at discharge had an incremental prognostic value over conventional risk factors ( χ = 7, P = 0.007), and conventional risk factors and log N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide combined ( χ = 5, P = 0.021). In the subgroup analysis, the 12-month mortality of patients with hyponatremia at discharge was significantly higher than in those without, irrespective of age, Killip class, left ventricular ejection fraction, percutaneous coronary intervention at index hospitalization, and prescription of diuretics at discharge. Hyponatremia at discharge is an independent predictor of 12-month mortality in hospital survivors after AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Some patients with suspected ST-segment elevation (STE) myocardial infarction (STEMI) show STE that does not fulfill the current criteria for STEMI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and prognoses of patients with minimal STEMI. Methods: Between November 2007 and December 2011, 546 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI were enrolled. Results: The minimal STE group had a higher proportion of women (30.2 vs. 21.0%, p = 0.031), better pre-PCI antegrade flow (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow 2-3, 30.2 vs. 18.8%, p = 0.006) and better collateralization (Rentrop score 2-3, 27.4 vs. 18.1%, p = 0.024) compared to the definite STE group. Multivariate analysis showed that each of them were independent predictors for minimal STE. However, 1-year mortality of the minimal STE group did not differ from that of the definite STE group (7.1 vs. 9.3%, log-rank p = 0.315). Conclusions: Female gender, good collateral flow and good pre-PCI antegrade flow were independent predictors for minimal STE in patients with STEMI. However, minimal STE was not related to a good prognosis in patients with STEMI. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: It is still controversial whether carotid plaque is associated with cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of carotid plaque on long term clinical outcomes especially in patients with CAD. Methods: The study population consisted of 1390 consecutive patients with angiographically proven CAD. All subjects underwent carotid scanning 1day before or after coronary angiogram and were followed up for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; death, myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization, restenosis and hospitalization for heart failure) during a mean of 54.2±23.9months. Results: Patients with carotid plaque (n=433) were older, had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and acute coronary syndrome (34.2% vs. 24.6%, p<0.001) than those without carotid plaque (n=957). On univariate analysis, the presence of carotid plaque was a predictor of cardiac death, hard MACE (death, myocardial infarction and stroke) and total MACE, whereas carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was a predictor of total MACE. Multivariate analysis revealed that carotid plaque was associated with cardiac death (HR 6.99, 95% CI 1.88–25.95, p=0.004), hard MACE (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.18–3.04, p=0.008) and total MACE (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13–1.90, p=0.004), whereas CIMT was associated only with total MACE (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06–1.81, p=0.017). Conclusions: Carotid plaque is a strong predictor of future cardiac death and MACE in patients with CAD. This study suggests that carotid plaque has additional value for secondary prevention and more important prognostic factor than CIMT in patients with CAD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Little is known about risk factors for 6-month major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in 30-day survivors after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We investigated predictors of 6-month MACE in 30-day survivors after MI from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR). From November 2005 to January 2008, 9,706 patients (6,983 men, mean age 64.0 ± 12.4 years) who survived >30 days after AMI were analyzed. The primary end point was 6-month MACEs including death, MI, and revascularization. During 6-month follow-up, 317 patients (3.2%) had MACEs including 66 (0.6%) deaths, 23 (0.2%) recurrent MIs, and 218 (2.2%) revascularizations. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors reflecting demographics (body mass index), severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (Killip class >I, in-hospital cardiogenic shock, use of intra-aortic balloon pump), residual myocardial ischemia (previous coronary heart disease, multivessel disease), and electrical instability (ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation on admission) were independent predictors of 6-month MACEs after adjustment for clinical, angiographic, and procedural data. Plasma level of N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide provided an additional prognostic value predicting 6-month MACEs. In conclusion, this study provides useful prognostic information for clinicians to advise patients who have survived the acute phase of MI. More intensive management is needed in survivors after MI with these high-risk features. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]