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Immunological checkpoint inhibitors have been revolutionary in the treatment of cancer. A rare but serious adverse effect is the development of heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis). The prevalence of this type of myocarditis is increasing as more cancer patients receive treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Knowledge of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis is important to enable early diagnosis and initiation of treatment. In this article we provide a clinical review of this.

Background: Secondary prophylactic drugs are important for avoiding further cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction. We have examined whether patients collect these drugs from pharmacies and whether there are differences in survival between those who collect versus do not collect the drugs., Material and Method: All patients <80 years registered in the Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Registry in 2013-16 were included in the study. The Norwegian Prescription Database was used to determine whether patients collected their prescriptions from pharmacies., Results: During the study period, 32 328 patients under the age of 80 were registered in the Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Registry, of whom 96 % were discharged alive. The proportion of patients who were prescribed acetylsalicylic acid was 95 %, two antiplatelet agents, 83 %; a statin, 90 %; beta-blockers, 76 %; and ACE inhibitors/AII receptor blockers, 55 %. The proportions of patients who collected each of these drugs from a pharmacy within six months were 94 %, 90 %, 96 %, 95 % and 94 %, respectively. The combined incidence of death, stroke and myocardial infarction during the follow-up period (median 944 days) was higher among patients who did not collect all of their prescribed drugs (adjusted HR 1.7; 95 % CI 1.6-1.8). Among patients who died, the median time to death was 509 days for those who collected all of their prescribed drugs versus 126 days for those who did not (p <0.001)., Interpretation: Most patients do collect prescribed drugs from a pharmacy after myocardial infarction. A shorter time to death among patients who do not collect the drugs may suggest a high degree of general morbidity in this group.

Background: Previous studies have shown that there are gender-related differences in the assessment and treatment of myocardial infarction, despite international guidelines that prescribe identical treatment for women and men. We investigated whether these differences occurred in Norway., Material and Method: All patients admitted to Norwegian hospitals with myocardial infarction from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014 and registered in the Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Registry were included. Data from the registry were used to analyse differences in the assessment, treatment, complications and survival of women and men in different age groups., Results: A total of 26 447 myocardial infarctions were registered in the Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Registry in the period 2013 – 2014. Fewer women than men were assessed by means of coronary angiography. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was used to virtually the same extent for both genders if coronary stenosis was found. Women were recommended secondary prophylactic medication to a lesser extent than men. There were no major differences between men and women in the incidence of complications in the course following myocardial infarction or in survival., Interpretation: Fewer women than men suffering acute myocardial infarction were assessed by means of coronary angiography, and women were recommended secondary prophylactic medication less often than men. The reason for the gender differences is not known, but comorbidity and a potentially greater risk of adverse reactions in women may be contributory factors. The different views of doctors providing treatment may also play a part.

Background: The Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Registry was established in 2012 as a national quality registry. This first report from the registry presents the number of myocardial infarctions, the treatment provided and the 30-day mortality rate for myocardial infarctions admitted to Norwegian hospitals., Material and Method: All patients with myocardial infarction admitted to Norwegian hospitals in 2013 and recorded in the Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Registry are included. The number of myocardial infarctions, patient characteristics and their treatment are indicated for myocardial infarctions with and without ST-segment elevation on ECG (STEMI and nSTEMI). The 30-day mortality is calculated for each health region., Results: In 2013, a total of 13,043 myocardial infarctions in 12,336 patients were recorded in the Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Registry. Altogether 3,658 (28%) of the infarctions were classified as STEMI and 9,188 (70%) as nSTEMI. The average age at the time of the infarction was 68.1 years for men and 75.9 years for women. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed for a total of 2,798 (77%) ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions, whereas the corresponding number for nSTEMI was 3,179 (35%). The 30-day mortality in the entire infarction population was 10% (< 60 years: 2%, 60-69 years: 4%, 70-79 years: 9%, ≥ 80 years: 20%). We found no differences in mortality between health regions or between men and women., Interpretation: This first report from the Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Registry shows that the treatment service is functioning well for most patients. Secondary prophylaxis using drug therapy and increased use of invasive examination of patients with nSTEMI appear to be areas for improvement.

Background: Coronary heart disease in women is different from that in men with respect to symptoms, clinical presentation, value of the diagnostic tests and response to treatment. The article presents a review of symptoms and diagnostics of coronary heart disease in women and discusses the diagnostic procedures that are available., Material and Methods: The review is based on literature identified through a non-systematic search of PubMed., Results: In general, myocardial infarction hits women about ten years later than men, but women with risk factors loose their sex advantage. Women with coronary disease are less likely to experience chest pain than men and may have less specific symptoms. Traditional non-invasive diagnostic investigations are less accurate than in men. Women with angina or myocardial infarction also have a lower prevalence of significant stenoses in coronary angiography, and atherosclerosis seems to be more diffuse than in men. This renders the diagnostic approach more difficult. Coronary CT angiography is a promising diagnostic technique, but few women have been included in studies of the method's accuracy, and the radiation dose is still relatively high., Interpretation: We recommend a strategy that emphasizes risk stratification of patients, and thereafter identification of patients in need of further invasive testing. New techniques are needed to identify coronary heart disease in women.

Background: Achieving reperfusion as soon as possible is essential in order to reduce myocardial infarction size and thus improve prognosis. An increasing number of patients with myocardial infarction are treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Technetium 99m-tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion tomography (SPECT) is a valid test for assessing myocardium at risk and final infarct size expressed by a hypoperfusion index (HPI) of the left ventricular mass., Material and Methods: 20 patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention within six hours of onset of symptoms. Myocardium at risk and final infarct size were assessed by Technetium 99m-tetrofosmin immediately before and a few hours, one week and six weeks after., Results: The hypoperfusion index immediately before percutaneous coronary intervention was 31%, four to six hours after PCI 25%, one week later 16% and six weeks later 12%, i.e. a relative reduction of 60% (p < 0.01). Anterior wall infarctions had a higher level of myocardium at risk before primary PCI compared to inferior wall infarctions (36% vs. 24%), but anterior wall infarctions had a higher salvage index compared to inferior wall infarctions., Interpretation: This non-controlled study shows a marked reduction in final infarction size in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary PCI.

Background: A few case reports suggest that the use of androgenic anabolic steroids may be associated with myocardial infarction., Material and Methods: Case report., Results: We report the case of a 27-year-old male body builder with acute myocardial infarction due to occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. He was treated with primary angioplasty with stent implantation and intra-aortic balloon support, but still developed a large myocardial infarction as determined by both echocardiography and myocardial perfusion tomography. The patient had been using androgenic anabolic steroids regularly for ten years. There was no family history of heart disease or lipid disorder., Interpretation: The actual frequency of myocardial infarction and even sudden death among users of anabolic steroids is presumably underreported in the medical literature. A causal relationship is not established, but a pathogenic role is plausible. Use of androgenic anabolic steroids has been associated with platelet hyperactivity, effects on vasoreactivity and changes in lipid levels. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this association and to counsel patients carefully about this and other side effects that may occur with these agents.

Background: There is little information available on long-term changes in left ventricular function and infarct size after acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty., Material and Methods: From 1996 to 1998, 100 consecutive patients were treated with primary angioplasty for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Left ventricular ejection fraction was determined by radionuclide ventriculography before discharge, after six weeks and after a mean follow-up time of 20 months (range 11-37). Infarct size was assessed by technetium 99m-tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion tomography (SPECT) at rest, performed at the same time intervals., Results: Mean ejection fraction was 56% at discharge, 55% after six weeks and 57% after 20 months of follow-up. A mean perfusion defect of 19% was measured by SPECT after one week. After six weeks and 20 months of follow-up, the mean perfusion defects were reduced to 14% (p < 0.001) and 15%, respectively., Interpretation: Left ventricular function was well preserved and infarct sizes small to moderate 20 months (range 11-37) after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction, demonstrating that the initial successful effect of the treatment was maintained.