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Unlabelled: The Atrial Fibrillation Follow-Up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study concluded that rate control with anticoagulation was equivalent overall to rhythm control with cardioversion for long-term survival and that anticoagulation reduced the risk of stroke. We compared baseline and follow-up data for three ethnic groups: Caucasians (n=3,599), African Americans (n=265) and Hispanics (n=132). Caucasians were older and more likely male, African Americans were more likely female and hypertensive, and Hispanics had higher prevalence of cardiomyopathy. Survival was better for rate control than rhythm control in Caucasians, equivalent in African Americans and better for rhythm control in Hispanics. Outcomes may be influenced by differential baseline characteristics, but low numbers of African Americans and Hispanics warrant caution in data interpretation., Background: The AFFIRM study compared a rate-control strategy to a rhythm-control strategy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients at high risk for stroke or death. It concluded that the rhythm-control strategy offered no survival advantage, and it also confirmed the value of anticoagulation to prevent complications of AF. Data have not previously been available for specific racial ethnic populations., Methods: We compared baseline and follow-up data for the patients randomized to rate-control versus rhythm-control in three population groups-Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic., Results: Among 4,060 total patients, 3,599 were Caucasian, 265 were African-American and 132 were Hispanic. At baseline, Caucasians were older and had a higher percentage of males, normal ejection fractions, AF as their only cardiac diagnosis, a prior antiarrhythmic drug failure and less congestive heart failure. African Americans were more likely to be female, had more hypertension and qualified for the study with a first episode of AF, compared to Caucasians. Hispanics had more cardiomyopathy at baseline than Caucasians. Overall survival in Caucasians at five years for the rate-control and rhythm-control groups was 78.9% vs. 76.4%, respectively (p=0.04); for African Americans, 79.0% vs. 69.4% (p=0.22); and for Hispanics, 66.5% vs. 83.9% (p=0.01). Overall, survival was not different between the three populations. However, lower rates of event-free survival were recorded for Hispanics and for African Americans (p=0.0182)., Conclusions: Different survival rates were found for rate-control versus rhythm-control in African-American and Hispanic patients, compared to Caucasian. These findings may be influenced by differences in baseline characteristics, but must be interpreted with caution because of the small sample sizes for African-American and Hispanic participants.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been well-studied in minority and underserved populations. We report a one-year inpatient experience of AF among 80,021 total ECG records in a multiethnic population of a large public hospital., Methods: ECG parameters, demographic data, discharge diagnoses, and discharge status were compiled for the first 1,999 hospitalizations associated with AF among 80,021 total ECG records and compared among the population subgroups., Results: Of 3,935 records of patients with AF, 737 matched first hospitalizations. Mean age was 62.3 years; 56% were male. Hispanics comprised 59.2%, Caucasians 16.4%, Asians 11.1%, African Americans 10.3%; unclassified 3%; 30.6% were uninsured. Compared to Caucasians, Left ventricular hypertrophy was more common in African-American [9.9% vs. 21.1%, odds ratio (OR)=2.3] and Asians (9.9% vs. 15.3%, OR=2.76). At discharge, Caucasians more frequently had coronary artery disease, compared to Hispanics (26.4% vs. 17.7%, OR=0.62), African Americans (26.4% vs. 10.5%, OR=0.36), and Asians (26.4% vs. 8.5%, OR=0.25); cardiomyopathy was less common in Caucasians as compared to African Americans (2.5% vs. 10.5%, OR=4.2), Hispanics (2.5% vs. 3.9%, OR=1.5) and Asians (2.5% vs. 4.9%, OR=1.96). Mortality was 16%; nonsurvivors compared to survivors were older, 64.9 years vs. 61.8 years, p<0.05, more frequently had myocardial infarction (20.4% vs. 6.2%, p=0.000) and stroke (16.5% vs. 5.0%, p=0.000)., Conclusions: This AF population, particularly African Americans, was younger than previously reported. ECG and discharge parameters had differential frequencies among race/ethnic subgroups. Nonsurvivors were older and more commonly had myocardial infarction and stroke. Further study is warranted of AF occurrence, management, and outcomes in lower-socioeconomic, multiethnic populations.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and accounts for more physician visits and hospital days than any other cardiac rhythm disturbance. Atrial filbrillation is incresing in frequency as the population ages, and therefore, a knowledge of the clinical spectrum and available treatment regimen is essential. Here, we review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and current status of management. Experience is being rapidly accumulated in all of the areas discussed in the management of this important clinical entity.

This article highlighted the early efforts of some individuals whose vision and dedication helped to set the stage for later progress in the fight against heart disease, who forged links to those who eagerly took up the cause of creating an appropriate place for minority participation in the specialty of cardiovascular diseases, and to contribute to efforts to establish programs for the reduction of morbidity and mortality and for prevention in African Americans. This is only one view of what was an exciting period of fitful progress and controversy. Dr Wilson reviewed the still deplorable state of affairs in regard to minorities and the medical profession in 1986, stating: A meaningful role for minorities will not exist until there is access to academic postgraduate training programs that will lead to faculty positions and research opportunities for minorities to serve as role models for future students. The Association of Academic Minority Physicians was established to foster greater progress in this regard across disciplines. Again, while much has been accomplished, including Donald Wilson's becoming the first African-American dean of a nonminority medical school, much remains to be done as we approach the end of the 20th century.

The Rose Questionnaire, developed to facilitate screening for the presence of coronary artery disease, has shown good utility for white men and more variable utility among Latino, African-American, and female subjects. This study investigated its utility for prediction of outcome in patients with suspected myocardial infarction. A total of 1428 white, Latino, and African-American subjects completed questionnaires after emergency admission, which were correlated with diagnoses at the time of discharge from a public hospital and private hospital. Results indicated that subjects with positive questionnaires were less likely to have infarction confirmed at discharge, except for those with a prior history of myocardial infarction, than those with a negative response. These data are important in evaluating the overall utility of the Rose Questionnaire and the significance of angina.

First-day thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scans and technetium-99m RBC gated scintiangiography were performed during the initial clinical and prognostic evaluation of 69 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. Patients were monitored for clinical course, diagnosis confirmation, and use of specialty services (cardiac catheterization, percutaneous balloon angioplasty, and cardiac surgery) during hospitalization. Myocardial infarction, confirmed in 20 patients, was associated with significantly more left ventricular dilatation, lower ejection fractions, lower peak left ventricular filling rates, wall motion abnormalities, and thallium-201 perfusion defects than nonmyocardial infarction patients. Among all patients, left ventricular dilatation carried a relative risk of myocardial infarction of 5.8; low ejection fraction and right ventricular dilatation were strongly associated with myocardial infarction. A logistic model for congestive heart failure included: left ventricular dilation, lower mean left ventricular filling rates and time to peak filling rates, and abnormal thallium-201 lung:heart uptakes. Among nonmyocardial infarction patients, subsequent cardiac catheterization was predicted by the presence of anterior thallium-201 perfusion defects, Killip functional class II-III, and ischemia on ECG. These findings suggest that early detection of myocardial perfusion defects and cardiac dysfunction by radionuclide scans enhances initial evaluation of suspected acute myocardial infarction patients. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Two separate episodes of severe chest pain occurred several years apart in a 25-year-old male patient with typical clinical findings of acute myocardial infarction with each episode. Cardiac catheterization following the second infarction confirmed the presence of myocardial dysfunction with apical akinesis and dyskinesis. Both coronary arteries were radiologically patent; however, there was evidence of probable recanalization of the right coronary artery. Several months later, the patient developed flank pain, hematuria, progressive renal failure, and cardiac decompensation, and died with intractable arrhythmias. At autopsy, a large apical mitral thrombosis was found and was the presumptive source of multiple systemic emboli.

Congestive heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality as the population ages. This article reviews the progress made in treating the two major causes of heart failure--mechanical and myocardial. New approaches to relieving mitral stenosis and guidelines for the treatment of congestive heart failure are reviewed. Appropriate assessment and management leads to major improvement in prognosis.

Gross and microscopic findings consistent with acute (three patients) and healed (four patients) myocardial infarction were found in seven (9.7%) of 72 consecutive hearts from patients with sickle cell disease studied after autopsy between 1950 and 1982. Gross obstructive and atherosclerotic lesions were absent in all seven patients, while microthrombi were present in the arterioles of infarcted tissue in two patients. Pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the infarction are unclear, but anemia, platelet thrombi, coronary vasospasm, and abnormal rheology related to sickle cells may all be important. Chest pain occurred clinically in six of the seven patients and ECG findings typical of infarction were found in two patients. One patient died suddenly. These findings suggest that ischemic heart disease may be present in a significant number of patients with sickle cell disease and should be considered in all patients who complain of chest pain, whether or not the patient is in crisis.

To assess the potential impact of socioeconomic status (SES) factors on health-care seeking behavior for suspected acute coronary artery disease symptoms, equal numbers of black, Latino, and white patients seeking care for chest pain at two large hospital emergency rooms were studied. Differences between low and middle SES groups with respect to pre-attack health, health history, ethnicity, gender, and modes of transportation to the hospital were explored. Highly significant self-reported differences between low SES and middle SES patients were found as follows: low SES subjects were more likely to describe themselves as being in fair to poor general health (68% versus 18%), had more frequent chest pain, reported other types of heart disease, were more often current smokers, more likely to be black or Latino, and to be younger. Members of the low SES group also were less [corrected] likely to have known cholesterol levels, to have used estrogen, to have had a prior ECG or cardiac surgery, to be nonsmokers, to have had a stress test, and to have typical angina. Middle SES subjects more often described typical angina, prior use of estrogen (females), congenital, rheumatic, or family history of heart disease, prior knowledge of high cholesterol, were more likely to be of the male gender, and to be older than the low SES cohort. The data reveal that low SES subjects, with markedly less health-care resources compared with middle SES subjects, have a worse general health and cardiac risk profile despite the fact that they were significantly younger (mean age 53.4 versus 60.7, P < .001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

To determine whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) might be involved in the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease and its complications, TNF-alpha and IL-1-alpha were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 59 plasma samples from 34 adult subjects with Hb SS or Hb SC who did not have documented infections. Tumor necrosis factor was elevated on at least one occasion in 27 subjects, including 18 of 21 subjects in the steady state and 13 of 19 subjects during painful crisis. Interleukin-1 was elevated on at least one occasion in 6 subjects, including 3 subjects in the steady state and 3 subjects in crisis. All subjects with elevated IL-1 also had elevated TNF. Tumor necrosis factor and IL-1 were similarly elevated in the steady state and during painful crisis. No correlation was noted between TNF or IL-1 levels and the extent of activation of coagulation, as measured by plasma levels of the fibrin D-dimer fragment, the overall severity of vascular occlusive disease in each subject, or the presence of specific vascular occlusive complications. We conclude that plasma TNF is frequently elevated in subjects with sickle cell disease, and IL-1 is also elevated in some subjects. A direct role for these cytokines in the pathogenesis of vascular occlusion in sickle cell disease was not demonstrated, but an indirect role was not excluded.

The possibility that myocardial ischemia may be associated with chest pain during painful crises was evaluated prospectively in 20 patients (11 women and nine men) with sickle cell disease (19 SS, 1 S beta + thalassemia). Sixteen of 20 (80%) had abnormal ECGs, 7 (35%) had transient ST-T wave changes, and 3 (15%) had persistent ST-T wave changes, both consistent with ischemia; 6 (30%) had nonspecific ST-T changes, and 4 (20%) had normal tracings. Serum enzymes (CK, SGOT, LDH) were abnormal in 16 of 19 (84%); 1 had CK-MB detected, (5%) and 1 had LDH1 to LDH2 reversal. All 10 Tc-99m pyrophosphate scans performed were negative; 4 of 6 (66%) thallium-201 scans had focal defects, and 5 of 8 (63%) radionuclide angiograms (MUGAs) had focal wall motion abnormalities. Three of 8 (38%) MUGAs showed cardiac dilation, diffuse hypokinesis, and reduced ejection fractions. Thus, myocardial damage may be a potentially serious complication of patients with sickle cell anemia who present with chest pain during painful crises. Studies are indicated to define the significance and pathophysiology of these observations.

Race-gender differences in creatine kinase values were studied in 647 consecutive patients admitted for suspected myocardial infarction. The lowest value in a serial set for each patient was used for group comparisons. Significant differences were found between Hispanic females and black males, using standard values. Using log creatine kinase values, significant differences were found among blacks, Caucasians, and Hispanics. Males had higher log creatine kinase values than females, but no differences were found between sexes within racial groups. Body surface area differences (significant between males and females) did not explain all of the racial-gender differences found. Reexamination of ranges of normality, taking into account race-gender differences, is strongly supported by these data.

Long-term prognosis was studied in 72 patients with an ejection fraction (EF) of less than 50 percent after medically treated myocardial infarction. The patients ranged in age from 22 to 67 years. Eighteen deaths (25 percent mortality) occurred during the mean follow-up period of three years. The mortality for patients with EF ≥ 30 percent was 43 percent compared with 14 percent for EF ≥ 40 percent and 18 percent for EF ≥ 50 percent. Nonsurvivors had significantly higher left ventricular end diastolic (LVED) pressure (23.4 ± 7 mmHg vs 17.5 ± 8 mmHg, P < .006), higher LVED volume (264 ± 76 vs 225 ± 76, P < .05), and lower EF (27.12 vs 36 ± 10, P < .01). A higher percentage of nonsurvivors had complications during acute myocardial infarction (83 ± 8 percent vs 48.5 percent, P < .001). Overall survival rates were better than previously reported for patients with poor left ventricular function (LVF); complications during myocardial infarction and severity of LVF as measured by EF, LVED pressure, and LVED volume were powerful prognostic indicators.

An automated technique for EEG frequency analysis was employed in the study of nine children with sickle cell disease. Quotients, Q(1) (delta+theta/alpha+beta) and Q(2) (theta/alpha+8), were calculated from the computed power in each frequency range. Recordings from occipital-parietal and temporal-frontal areas resulted in a higher Q(1) for sickle cell disease patients than for reported normals (p<.002 and p<.05 respectively). Q(2) value from the occipital-parietal sites were also higher for the sickle cell group (p<.05).The technique reported here lends itself to serial studies in appropriate patient groups and suggests the possibility of an organic basis for some of the results found.

Fifty patients with prior transmural myocardial infarction were studied with cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, and thallium 201 exercise perfusion scintigraphy.Obstructive coronary disease involved two or three vessels in 37 patients. The sensitivity of a positive electrocardiographic test during exercise for detecting multivessel coronary disease was only 40 percent (15/37), and the sensitivity of a reversible defect on (201)Tl perfusion scintigraphy was 48 percent (18/37). The combination of exercise testing and (201)Tl scintigraphy detected multivessel coronary disease in 75 percent (28/37) (P < .05).New perfusion defects occurred in 61 percent (13/21) of patients with inferior myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary disease whereas it occurred in only 35 percent (5/14) of patients with prior anterior infarction and multivessel coronary disease (P < .05).(201)Tl exercise perfusion scintigraphy appears to be more sensitive for detecting significant multivessel coronary disease in the presence of previous inferior infarction compared with previous anterior infarction.Combined graded exercise testing and (201)Tl perfusion scintigraphy can reliably detect the presence of significant multivessel coronary disease after transmural myocardial infarction.

Twenty-one patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction had precordial ST segment mapping, using a system of 42 leads, at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours (control group). Eleven patients (treatment group) had maps on admission and after 30-45 minutes; then serial maps were performed at similar intervals after 5-10 mg of isosorbide dinitrate (ISD). There were no significant differences in age, sex, functional class, mean time elapsed between onset of chest pain and admission, and inhospital mortality between the groups. Controls had a higher incidence of recurrent MI (6 patients vs 2) compared with the ISD group (P less than 0.05).The sum of ST segment elevations in all leads (ΣST) was similar in both groups on admission and remained at the same level in controls for 48 hours. One hour after ISD the blood pressure decreased significantly; ΣST and the number of leads with more than 1 mm ST elevation (NST) decreased significantly (62±10 to 31±4 / 26±1 to 19±2) (P less than 0.01). In the ISD group serial ST maps showed significant decreases (52±5 vs 28±4; 44±4 vs 26±2; 45±4 vs 29±3; 51±5 vs 28±3, 52±8 vs 28±2, respectively at 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours), suggesting reduction of ischemic injury by ISD.Estimation of infarct size (in units from R wave height and Q and S wave depths in leads I, AVL and V(1)-V(6)) indicated a reduction in the ISD group on days one, two and seven. Total CPK, SGOT and LDH levels were similar on admission; at 24 and 48 hours after admission CPK values were not significantly different but SGOT and LDH were lower in the treated group.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical significance of ventricular tachycardia as a complication of acute myocardial infarction in a large public hospital. An analysis of the clinical, electrocardiographic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications of this large patient group is presented and several unique features emphasized.

Apexcardiograms and hemodynamic studies were performed in 32 postmyocardial infarction patients. Group 1 patients (5) had markedly elevated left ventricular end diastolic (LVED) pressures but normal LVED volumes; apexcardiograms included tall A waves (31 percent of the E to O points), prolonged A-wave durations of 134 msec or greater, short rapid filling wave durations (55 msec) and slow-filling waves replaced by plateaus in three patients. Group 2 patients (10) had markedly elevated LVED pressures and elevated LVED volumes, and had similar apexcardiographic findings: A-wave heights had a mean of 23.4 percent of E to O points, A-wave durations were 113 msec or more, rapid filling wave (RFW) durations were 93 msec and diastolic plateaus occurred in five patients. Group 3 patients (11) had intermediate hemodynamic findings and the apexcardiograms were varied; three patients with mild congestive heart failure (CHF) had apexcardiograms similar to Group 1 and five without CHF had apexcardiograms similar to those in Group 4. Group 4 patients (6) had normal hemodynamic findings; the mean A-wave height was 6 percent of the E to O point height, A-wave durations 90 msec or less RFW durations were 117.5 msec or more and the slow-filling wave duration (SFW) was normal in the configuration. Fourteen of 15 patients in Groups 1 and 2 developed CHF and six died on follow-up. Group 4 patients showed no evidence of CHF on follow-up and there were no deaths. Group differences were significantly different for A-wave height and duration, and for RFW duration at 0.05 or 0.01.Tall prolonged A waves and short RFWs were associated with poor left ventricular (LV) compliance and dysfunction, and diastolic plateau immediately following the RFW when present were confirmatory. Thus, the apexcardiogram is a reproducible useful noninvasive tool for clinical assessment, and predicting prognosis in postmyocardial infarction patients.

The incidence of procainamide-induced drug reactions was studied prospectively in 55 patients receiving long-term therapy with a mean duration of 23 months. New symptoms that occurred in 13 patients after the drug was started were similar to complaints presented by 25 patients before the medication was started. Duration of therapy was positively correlated with new symptom occurrence (P < .05) but not with age, sex, dose, or dose interval. Other concomitant drugs did not influence the results. Antideoxyribonucleoprotein antibodies were positive in 27 patients (55 percent) and in seven of 13 with new symptoms; female sex (P < .05) and increasing age (P < .05) favored a positive test. Anti-DNA antibodies were not found in any patients. Procainamide, at a mean dose of 1.5 g/day, was judged to be therapeutically effective by the clinic staff independent of this study; the drug was not discontinued in any patient because of the severity of symptoms.

Thallium 201 myocardial perfusion scanning revealed focal left ventricular defects at rest in four of 30 patients (13 percent) with systemic sarcoidosis. All the defects decreased in size during thallium stress imaging, a finding opposite of that usually seen in myocardial ischemia. Nine patients had abnormal right ventricular visualization at rest. Thus, 11 of 30 (37 percent) had abnormal resting myocardial scand. Two of the four patients with left ventricular defects were studied serially for up to 1.5 years to evaluate response to corticosteroid therapy. The myocardial defect diminished in one patient, whereas the second patient, maintained for 2 years on low doses of steroids, had no resolution. In patients suspected of focal myocardial involvement by sarcoidosis on thallium scanning dynamic changes in scan defects can occur during exercise which are the reverse of those usually seen in coronary artery disease. These defects probably represent myocardial sarcoid. Right ventricular uptake generally appears to correlate with the severity of pulmonary involvement by sarcoidosis, yet does not appear to be a specific finding.

This study is an analysis of the electrocardiograms (ECGs) of 87 adult patients taken during hospital admission for sickle cell disease (homozygous S). The age range was 18 to 55 years: 38 were men and 49 were women. Seventy-two percent of all patients had abnormal ECGs. Nonspecific ST-T (NS-ST-T) wave abnormalities (53 percent) and QT interval prolongation (12 percent) were frequent. Seventy-five percent of the normal ECGs occurred in women (P < .05); and 74 percent of those with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were men (P < .05). Fifteen of 21 (71 percent) patients with arrhythmias had NS-ST-T abnormalities. Systemic hypertension and ECG evidence for right-sided heart disease were rare, as was the incidence of LVH by ECG.

An overview of the problems and management of acute myocardial infarction is presented. Certain factors that are pertinent to the problem of differential mortality in various population subgroups have been identified. These factors include race, sex, and socioeconomic background.

A retrospective study of the work status of 45 consecutive male patients who were at least 12 months post myocardial infarction was carried out. The vast majority of patients were in the lower socioeconomic classes. Only 31 percent of those previously working returned to employment. No differences were found in mean age, physical disability, or anxiety; however, those not working were significantly more depressed (P < .05). A major factor related to failure to return to work may be that the majority of this lower socioeconomic group of patients worked as laborers and did not have the education or training to find alternative jobs.

A 38-year-old black woman with thyrotoxicosis, whose first symptom was angina pectoris, is described. Chest pain became progressively more frequent, and an unstable angina pattern developed. Angina attacks were associated with transient ischemic electrocardiographic changes and recurrent ventricular tachycardia was documented. Coronary angiography revealed no significant obstructive lesions. The patient became free of pain with antithyroid treatment and angina has not recurred.It is important to recognize that angina pectoris may be the major presenting symptom of thyrotoxicosis; unstable angina requires careful work-up and management including the performance of coronary angiography.

A review of eight cases of myocardial rupture following myocardial infarction confirmed the association of rupture with advanced age, a preponderance of females, hypertension, and physical exercise after infarction. In four patients, electrocardiograms recording the events of rupture showed further S-T elevation, supraventricular tachycardia, and conduction defects. One case of septal rupture showed increase in the amplitude of the P waves. The combination of these changes with sudden reappearance of chest pain, development or worsening of congestive cardiac failure with hypotension, and the appearance of a precordial systolic murmur should aid in the earlier diagnosis of this complication which may be amenable to surgery. Successful repair of rupture has been reported during the acute phase of infarction and after variable periods of delay.

Using agarose gel electrophoresis MB-creatine kinase (MB-CK) activity was examined in the serum of 120 patients with acute alcohol intoxication admitted to a detoxification ward. Total CK activity was increased in 67 percent of patients and MB-CK activity was increased in 8.3 percent. Alcoholic patients also were studied by Sephadex chromatography and, in seven cases, MB-CK was greater than three standard deviations from the normal. Thus, this study demonstrates that acute alcohol intoxication is associated with increased MB-CK activity. These findings raise the possibility that excessive alcohol ingestion may lead to acute myocardial injury.