Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockers during percutaneous coronary intervention and as the initial medical treatment of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND During percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS), the risk of acute vessel occlusion by thrombosis is high. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockers strongly inhibit platelet aggregation and may prevent mortality and myocardial infarction. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2001, and previously updated in 2007 and 2010. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety effects of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockers when administered during PCI, and as initial medical treatment in patients with NSTEACS. SEARCH METHODS We updated the searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on The …

Limitations of Clinical History for Evaluation of Patients With Acute Chest Pain, Non-Diagnostic Electrocardiogram, and Normal Troponin

Decision making and risk stratification for patients with acute chest pain, nondiagnostic electrocardiogram results, and normal troponin levels are challenging. The aim of this study was to optimize the clinical history for the evaluation of these patients. A total of 1,011 patients presenting to an emergency department were included. The following data were collected: clinical presentation (pain characteristics and number of pain episodes), coronary risk factors, previous ischemic heart disease, and extracardiac vascular disease (peripheral artery disease, stroke, or creatinine >1.4 mg/dl). Two different predictive models were calculated according to the end points: model 1 for 1-year majo…

Prognostic usefulness of white blood cell count on admission and one-year outcome in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute chest pain.

Little is known about the prognostic value of leukocyte count on admission for patients with chest pain. In total, 1,461 patients who presented to the emergency department with non–ST-segment elevation chest pain were studied by clinical history, electrocardiography, serial troponin I determination, and leukocyte count on admission. End points were 1-year mortality and major events (mortality or infarction). Overall patient distribution by quartiles of leukocyte count showed increased mortality (6%, 7%, 6%, and 17%, p = 0.0001) and major events (13%, 13%, 15%, and 24%, p = 0.0001) in the fourth quartile. After adjustment for other risk factors, the fourth quartile cut-off value (>10,000 cel…

Tratamiento de reperfusión en pacientes de más de 75 años con infarto de miocardio. ¿Necesitamos un estudio controlado y aleatorizado?

Causes of ineligibility in randomized controlled trials and long-term mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

To determine the long-term mortality of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) that are eligible versus those not eligible in randomized controlled trials (RCT), and how each exclusion criteria is associated with outcome.Common causes of exclusion in six published RCT on intravenous antithrombotic therapy were prospectively assessed in a cohort of 452 consecutive patients with NSTEACS that were followed for up to 3 years.Forty-one percent of patients had one or more exclusion criteria establishing the ineligible group. These patients were older, more likely to have coronary risk factors, ischemic ECG changes, heart failure at admission, higher creatinine l…

Usefulness of pain presentation characteristics for predicting outcome in patients presenting to the hospital with chest pain of uncertain origin

Background Decision making in chest pain of uncertain origin is challenging. Objectives To evaluate the predictive value of simple characteristics of pain presentation in patients coming to the emergency department with chest pain and without electrocardiogram ischaemia or raised troponin. Methods 789 patients were studied. The following categorical pain characteristics were collected: effort related pain, pressing character, radiation, associated symptoms, and ≥2 episodes in 24 h. Additionally, a predefined semi-quantitative pain score including seven items (Geleijnse score) was completed. Risk factors and co-morbidities were also recorded. The primary and secondary endpoints were cardiac …

Fracción aminoterminal del propéptido natriurético cerebral y troponina ultrasensible en el dolor torácico agudo de origen incierto. Un subestudio del estudio PITAGORAS

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La troponina ultrasensible ha mejorado el diagnostico del sindrome coronario agudo en los pacientes que se presentan con dolor toracico y troponina convencional normal. Nuestro objetivo es analizar si la fraccion aminoterminal del propeptido natriuretico cerebral aporta informacion adicional. Metodos Se estudio a 398 pacientes, incluidos en el estudio PITAGORAS, que acudieron a urgencias por dolor toracico con troponina convencional normal en dos muestras seriadas (a la llegada y a las 6-8 h). Se midio de forma centralizada la troponina T ultrasensible en las dos muestras y la fraccion aminoterminal del propeptido natriuretico cerebral en la segunda. Los obj…

Influence of Comorbid Conditions on One-Year Outcomes in Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

To investigate comorbid conditions with prognostic influence in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS).The study group consisted of a derivation cohort of 1017 patients (admitted from October 1, 2002, through October 1, 2008) and an external validation cohort of 652 patients (admitted from February 1, 2006, through September 30, 2009). Comorbid conditions, including risk factors and components of the Charlson comorbidity index (ChCI) and coronary artery disease-specific index, were recorded. The main outcome was one-year mortality.During follow-up, 103 patients died. After adjusting for variables associated with NSTEACS characteristics (base model), 5 comorbid conditions…

Reperfusion Treatment in an Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients Older Than 75 Years. Do We Need a Randomized Controlled Trial?

Fibrinolytic therapy in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) constitutes one of the most important advances in cardiology in the last 25 years and has influenced the management and evolution of patients as much as the first coronary care units did. The most important limitations of fibrinolytics are the presence of absolute or relative contraindications to their administration in ≤25% of patients, their limited capacity to restore adequate coronary flow and the risk of inducing cerebral hemorrhage. They are at their most efficient in the first 2 hours’ evolution of AMI but lose their efficacy thereafter. 1 Consequently, treatment must be initiated as early as possible and …

Identification of very low risk chest pain using clinical data in the emergency department

Abstract Background Evaluation of chest pain of uncertain origin in the emergency department is a challenge. Chest pain units, involving non-invasive stress testing, have logistic constraints. Our aim was to identify very low risk patients for early discharge using clinical data. Methods A total of 772 patients were studied. Ischemia in the electrocardiogram, troponin elevation or history of ischemic heart disease, were exclusion criteria. The primary end point was 30day cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction or revascularization). The secondary end point was 1year major events (death or myocardial infarction). Results The primary and secondary end point rates were 123 (18%) and 31 (4…

Combination of clinical risk profile, early exercise testing and circulating biomarkers for evaluation of patients with acute chest pain without ST-segment deviation or troponin elevation

Objective: To investigate the combination of clinical data, exercise testing and biomarkers for the evaluation of patients with chest pain without ST-segment deviation or troponin elevation. Design: Prospective cohort design. Settting: Two teaching hospitals in Spain. Patients: 422 patients presenting to the emergency department were studied. Leukocyte count, C-reactive protein (CRP), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) were determined. A validated clinical risk score (number of points according to pain characteristics and risk factors) was used for clinical evaluation and early exercise testing was performed. Main outcome m…

Efficacy of coronary revascularization in patients with acute chest pain managed in a chest pain unit.

To investigate the safety of discharge of patients deemed at low risk of cardiac events after evaluation in a chest pain unit and to determine the prognostic effect of revascularization of patients deemed at high risk.The study population consisted of 1088 patients presenting at the emergency department from January 15, 2001, to September 1, 2006, with chest pain but without ischemia on electrocardiography or troponin elevation. Patients were managed by a chest pain unit protocol that included early exercise testing. Three groups of patients were distinguished: (1) those discharged after exercise testing (424 [39%]); (2) those in whom unstable angina was ruled out after in-hospital evaluati…

A practical approach with outcome for the prognostic assessment of non-ST-segment elevation chest pain and normal troponin.

Patients with non-ST-elevation chest pain constitute a heterogeneous population. Our aim is to compare the outcome of patients with chest pain, non-ST-segment deviation, and normal troponin, categorized using a risk score, with that of patients with ST depression or troponin increase. A total of 1,449 patients with non-ST-elevation chest pain were evaluated. A validated risk score (using pain characteristics and risk factors) was applied to patients without ST depression or troponin increase. Accordingly, 4 risk categories were defined: group 1, no troponin increase, no ST depression, and risk score3 points (n = 633); group 2, no troponin increase, no ST depression, but risk scoreor = 3 poi…

Usefulness of high-sensitivity troponin T for the evaluation of patients with acute chest pain and no or minimal myocardial damage

Although high-sensitivity troponins allow early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, their role for identification of acute coronary syndrome in patients with normal conventional troponin remains unclear.A total of 446 patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain and normal troponin (common practice assays) in 2 serial samples were included. Both samples were also centrally analyzed for high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). Detection (3 ng/L) and 99th percentile (≥ 14 ng/L) cutoffs of the maximum hs-TnT levels (hs-TnTmax) were considered. The end points were acute coronary syndrome diagnosis and the composite of in-hospital rev…

Randomized comparison between clinical evaluation plus N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide versus exercise testing for decision making in acute chest pain of uncertain origin

Background Exercise testing constitutes the usual tool for decision making in chest pain units. This policy implies logistical constrains. Our aim was to evaluate a new strategy, combining a clinical risk score and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), in patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain, without ischemic electrocardiogram changes or troponin elevation. Methods A total of 320 patients were randomized to either usual management, involving exercise testing, or a new strategy combining a clinical risk score and NT-proBNP without exercise testing. In the usual management, discharge decision was guided by the result of exercise test. In the new str…

Metabolomic Profile of Human Myocardial Ischemia by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Peripheral Blood Serum

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolomic profile of acute myocardial ischemia (MIS) using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of peripheral blood serum of swine and patients undergoing angioplasty balloon‐induced transient coronary occlusion. Background Biochemical detection of MIS is a major challenge. The validation of novel biosignatures is of utmost importance. Methods High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to profile 32 blood serum metabolites obtained (before and after controlled ischemia) from swine (n 9) and patients (n 20) undergoing transitory MIS in the setting of planned coronary angioplasty. Additionally, blood serum of c…

N-terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide and High-sensitivity Troponin in the Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain of Uncertain Etiology. A PITAGORAS Substudy

Abstract Introduction and objectives High-sensitivity troponin assays have improved the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome in patients presenting with chest pain and normal troponin levels as measured by conventional assays. Our aim was to investigate whether N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide provides additional information to troponin determination in these patients. Methods A total of 398 patients, included in the PITAGORAS study, presenting to the emergency department with chest pain and normal troponin levels as measured by conventional assay in 2 serial samples (on arrival and 6 h to 8 h later) were studied. The samples were also analyzed in a central laboratory for high-sensi…

New Risk Score for Patients With Acute Chest Pain, Non-ST-Segment Deviation, and Normal Troponin Concentrations

Objectives The purpose of this research was to develop a risk score for patients with chest pain, non-ST-segment deviation electrocardiogram (ECG), and normal troponin levels. Background Prognosis assessment in this population remains a challenge. Methods A total of 646 consecutive patients were evaluated by clinical history (risk factors and chest pain score according to pain characteristics), ECG, and early exercise testing. ST-segment deviation and troponin elevation were exclusion criteria. The primary end point was mortality or myocardial infarction at one year. The secondary end point was mortality, myocardial infarction, or urgent revascularization at 14 days (similar to the Thrombol…

Clinical Evaluation Versus Undetectable High-Sensitivity Troponin for Assessment of Patients With Acute Chest Pain.

Decision-making in acute chest pain remains challenging despite normal (below ninety-ninth percentile) high-sensitivity troponin (hs-cTn). Some studies suggest that undetectable hs-cTn, far below the ninety-ninth percentile, might rule out acute coronary syndrome. We investigated clinical data in comparison to undetectable hs-cTnT. The study comprised 682 patients (November 2010 to September 2011) presenting at the emergency department with chest pain and normal hs-cTnT (14 ng/l). The main end point was major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, myocardial infarction, readmission for unstable angina, or revascularization) at a 4-year median follow-up; secondary end point was 30-day MACE. A …