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Unlabelled: The CIS was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the effects of lipid modifications on angiographic progression and regression of CAD in patients with CAD and hypercholesterolemia. The design included a multicenter randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled comparison, with target and safety limits for adjusting the trial medication depending on the LDL cholesterol level (LDL-C) achieved, i.e., up to 40 mg of simvastatin (S) or placebo (P) daily, add-on medication (up to 3 x 4 g Colestyramin), and diet counselling. Male patients, average age 49 (< or = 56) years, were included with angiographic CAD and a screening total cholesterol of 207-350 mg/dl, who were not due to undergo coronary bypass surgery or PTCA, who did not suffer from serious other disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus), and who had not undergone coronary bypass surgery previously., Results: All baseline variables were comparable in the treatment groups, with 129 patients taking S and 125 taking P. Of these 254 patients 217 had their final study visit and 207 underwent a second angiography after an average treatment time of 2.3 years under an average daily dose of 37 mg S. 205 pairs of films were available for analysis. Vital information was obtained of all patients until closure of the data bank, half a year after the last study angiography. Five deaths occurred within the study period, 12 through March 15, 1995 (S: 1/6, P: 4/6). 37 patients (S: 18, P: 19) discontinued trial drug and protocol. Concomitant CAD medication was comparable in both groups, except lipid-lowering add-on medication which was significantly higher in the P group (38% versus 13%). Significant changes in lipid levels, on treatment, were observed in the S group amounting to a mean difference in LDL-C of -35%, in Apo-Protein B (ApoB) of -30%, in VLDL-C of -37%, and in triglycerides (TG) of -27%, and in HDL-C of +6%, in comparison to the control group; these differences were even greater in 137 fully compliant patients: -41, -36, -39, -31, and +7%, respectively. Progression in the S group was significantly less, as defined by the two primary target criteria: 1) the minimum obstruction diameter (MOD), determined by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), decreased about five times less in comparison to the control group (S: by -0.017; P: -0.0954 mm), and 2) the standardized visual global change score (GCS) deteriorated almost three times less in the S group (by +0.20) than in the P group (+0.58). Of the secondary target criteria, the mean lumen diameter (QCA) also developed a significant difference (S: -0.20; P: +0.23 mm; p = 0.0006) with a trend toward regression in the S group. The QCA-%-stenosis deteriorated three- to four-times less in the S group as compared to the control group (S: by 0.69%; P: by 2.73%; p = 0.0022), and the number of patients with angiographic progression was nearly halved (S: 30%; P: 56%; p < 0.0000). These differences were determined by intention to treat analysis (ITT), and they were obtained in spite of lipid lowering add-on medication in 38% of the P patients; they turned out to be more pronounced in 137 fully compliant patients, in an analysis "as treated". The mean decrease in LDL-C serum level caused by S was significantly correlated to the decrease in progression, and multivariate regression analysis of both treatment groups identified LDL-C (or ApoB) and TG as independent predictors of progression. Progression appeared to be most pronounced in low and medium sized lesions, and the beneficial effect of lipid intervention dominated in lesions with 12-56% QCA stenosis severity. A small fraction of patients who suffered from exercise-induced angina, with ST-segment-depression at the beginning of the study, experienced a significant improvement under S as compared to P treatment. Although the study was not designed to show differences in clinical events, the combined number of all major cardiovascular events tended to be less frequent in the S than in the C gr

In this paper, the shortterm influence of a lactovegetarian diet on selected laboratory parameters and motivation of patients in comparison to a conventional, fat-modified and cholesterol-lowered, omnivorous diet during a clinical rehabilitation treatment should be examined. During an average period of 24.2 days the total cholesterol and the LDL-cholesterol fell for a group of 151 patients who had volunteered to sustain a vegetarian diet for the duration of the clinical rehabilitation, significantly higher by a medium level of 31.1 mg/dl (12.5%) versus 16.9 mg/dl (7%) respectively 27.7 mg/dl (14.5%) versus 11.8 mg/dl (6.5%), as compared to a randomly selected control group of 151 patients. The reductions within the groups were also significant. All of the other laboratory parameters such as lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, uric acid, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol did not exhibit any diet-related changes. The weight of the adipose patients could be reduced very significantly through a reduction diet consisting of lactovegetarian food by an average of 3.2 kg versus 1.6 kg (as in the case of the normal, omnivorous diet). All of the dependent values, i.e., circumference of abdomen and hip, and "body-mass-index" (BMI) showed the same highly significant differences. Even after 1 year approximately two-thirds of the patients of the vegetarian group chose the reduction of meat and meat-products in their diet, of which merely a small part, 5.3%, were faithful to the pure lactovegetarian food. Essentially, the favorable effects on the lipid values persisted. The positive effects on the lipid values, the weight, and the motivation of the group of patients with the lactovegetarian diet allow the general recommendation of this diet for heart patients in the course of their clinical rehabilitation.

Thirty-nine male patients (average age 50.8 years +/- 8.4 years) with a large anterior myocardial infarction (average 45.6 days +/- 10.5 days ago) and with moderate to severe left-ventricular dysfunction (RNVA EF less than 50%) participated in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to either a training group or to a control group. They were also subdivided into training/control groups (EF less than 30% and EF = 30-50%). The training program consisted of three to four sessions per day, 5 days a week, at an intensity of up to 1 W/kg body wt. (approximately 4-5 METS). The following evaluations were recorded prior to and following the 4-week training program: relative heart volume (x-ray), echocardiographic data (enddiastolic diameter, ES-distance, and shortening fraction), and exercise stress test (work capacity, heart rate). Filling pressures, cardiac outpout, and stroke volume index were calculated from right-heart catheterization (Swan-Ganz) at rest and during exercise. Results indicate that there were no significant changes in relative heart volume, end-diastolic volume, ES-distance, resting heart rate, PCP at rest, and ejection fraction during exercise as a result of the training program. Shortening fraction showed a tendency to improve (not significant). Work capacity increased by 15 W (p less than 0.05) in the training group and by 28 W (1.5 METS, p less than 0.05) in the EF less than 30% training-group as compared with the control group. Cardiac output at rest decreased by 10% (p less than 0.05). Stroke-volume index increased in the EF greater than 30% training-group, while heart rate was reduced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We suspected there could be different social, psychological, and medical problems for women after a first myocardial infarction than those affecting men. 140 women (56.4 +/- 7 years) were interviewed by questionnaire 32 +/- 8.7 months after myocardial infarction; 83% (n = 119) responded (8.8% of the sample group had died), 12% suffered a reinfarction, and 11% underwent aortocoronary bypass surgery. For 84% of those responding it was harder to do their housework after myocardial infarction, but 73% did it without help. 51.5% showed a mood change that included increasing depression, anxiousness, and insecurity. In 12.5% of the women their relationship with their husband was adversely affected; in 6.6% their relationship with their children worsened. 83% (n = 89) saw their infarction as a result of stress. 45% could not relieve their stress after 32 months. A subjective feeling of stress decrease in 54% was achieved with a quieter life, in 39.5% by resigning their jobs, and in 6.5% by the death of the husband. Concerning somatic risk factors 74% of the smokers stopped smoking; oral contraceptives were discontinued in all cases. 90.5% (n = 97) of the women said they had their serum lipid values checked regularly, but these were only under control in 35%. We conclude the rehabilitation process does not end when patients leave a rehabilitation clinic. Patients should acquire household help, and their family situation should be discussed during their stay in the rehabilitation clinic. Concerning the somatic risk factors, women who survive myocardial infarction require better care and information.

The results of a follow-up study (mean 42 months after infarction) of 27 patients with conservatively treated left ventricular aneurysms showed: 1. 3/27 patients died of sudden death. Only one of these three could be predicted (ventricular fibrillation during exercise). 2. 3/24 remaining patients developed congestive heart failure. This could be predicted in one patient because of global hypocinesia of the left ventricle. 3. The exercise tolerance (Swan-Ganz) of the remaining 21 patients decreased from approximately 100 to 70 watts. Thus, all patients were able to lead an almost normal live. 4. Therefore conservative treatment of left ventricular aneurysms in most cases is the method of choice, since high surgical mortality, financial burdens of the society and man power has also to be considered. 5. The development of complications which would lead to aneurysmectomy (sudden death, life threatening arrhythmias, embolisation, congestive heart failure) cannot be foreseen from history, non-invasive and invasive data. 6. The close "patient to physician-contact" (risk-factors, medication) may have influenced the relatively good long-term prognosis of this group.

The long-term results of ten patients (nine male, one female) are reported, who during their initial examinations (1977) complained of the classical symptoms of a "walk-through phenomenon" (WTPH). All patients showed typical signs of coronary insufficiency in the exercise-ECG and in the wedge pressure response during exercise. Nine patients (mean age 49 years) had documented myocardial infarctions, one suffered from coronary heart disease without infarction. In seven patients coronary angiography was performed. 10 months after the beginning of the WTPH, four patients continued to show signs of ischemia during exercise after anginal symptoms had disappeared. In the other six patients the ischemia disappeared together with the loss of AP. 10 years after the first examination nine patients are still alive. One patient died in 1981 due to a subsequent infarction of the posterior wall. Three of four patients who underwent aorto-coronary bypass operation (ACB) are now without signs of ischemia during exercise. The fourth patient with ACB suffered a re-infarction in 1982. None of the other five patients are still suffering from WTPH. Exercise tolerance decreased in one and increased in three patients, all being limited by typical AP showing signs of ischemia. In the group of WTPH-patients, the low morbidity and mortality is remarkable. However, in all patients WTPH appears to be apparent only in the first few months after onset. Thereafter, WTPH changes to classical stable AP.

25 patients with latent cardiomyopathy (LCM) (filling pressure elevated during exercise) were followed. After 4.6 years 15 patients were re-examined (10 female, 5 male, mean age at first examination 47 years). 6 patients could not be reexamined, but it is certain that all 6 patients lived. 3 patients of whom 2 were foreigners could not be followed. 9 of these 15 re-examined patients showed 4.6 years after the first examination a normalization of filling pressures during exercise. Findings remained constant in 4 and became worse in 2 patients. There was a tendency for arterial blood pressure to increase during the 4.6 years. This small group of retrospectively followed patients with latent cardiomyopathy showed a favourable long-term result. The findings do not support the hypothesis that LCM is an early manifestation of dilated congestive cardiomyopathy.

Ecg (at rest and during exercise) was compared to Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging (at rest and after exercise) in 65 patients with coronary heart disease (myocardial infarction in 53 patients) and angina pectoris. These results were compared to coronary angiography and left ventricular angiography. Group I: (48 patients, comparison of Ecg at rest and Thallium-201 imaging at rest): 33 patients showed agreement of results. In comparison to angiography the 201-Thallium imaging showed less false-negative results than the Ecg as rest. Group II: (23 patients, comparison of Ecg during exercise with Thallium-201 imaging after exercise): 8 patients showed agreement, 15 patients did not. In comparison to angiography the imaging showed better agreement in 20 of 23 patients, the exercise Ecg in 14 of 23 patients. Exercise-Ecg showed false-negative results in 7 patients, Thallium-201 imaging in none. Especially in 1-vessel-disease imaging was superior. Group III: (24 patients, comparison of Ecg at rest and during exercise to 201-Thallium at rest and after exercise): In 19 patients results agreed almost. Because of background-correction imaging is inferior to the Ecg in the apical region. Imaging is superior to the Ecg in the septal and inferior-myocardial regions. Combination of both methods gives best correlations. Sensitivity of Ecg-results is 77% and in imaging 93%.

79 male post-MI patients (mean age 50 years) underwent Swan-Ganz catheterization using handgrip (1.5 min using both hands at 1/3 of the maximum voluntary capacity), bicycle ergometry and a combination of both: handgrip added after 4 min of ergometry at each level of ergometry, a mean of 3 months after MI. Our aim was to determine to which level of dynamic exercise the chosen handgrip exercise could be compared; furthermore, to examine the left ventricular reaction (PCP) under these combined conditions, because it mimics daily life situations. Using this combination of tests, it should be possible to identify patients who should avoid static work. Our findings were as follows: 48 of the 79 patients showed pathological PCPs. Comparing the same level of double product, no significant differences of PCP were found between dynamic and combined static + dynamic exercise. Our handgrip exercise can replace dynamic exercise of 40 W. 19 patients showed highly pathological PCP reactions with delta PCP greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg following handgrip exercise. This extreme PCP reaction did not correlate with the appearance of ST-segment depression in the exercise ECG, nor with either infarction scar size nor heart volume as estimated by X-ray. These findings demonstrate the importance of a staticdynamic exercise combination in evaluating PCP reactions in post-MI patients. The test allows one to select those MI patients who should avoid isometric work.

In 13 male patients (mean age 49.1 years) with chronic ischemic coronary heart disease (7 transmural and 2 intramural myocardial infarctions), angina pectoris and signs of ischemia during exercise an intravenous streptokinase therapy was performed. The treatment was installed 18.9 months after infarction or after onset of angina pectoris. Before and after intravenous streptokinase therapy the following parameters were measured: history, heart volume, exercise-ECG, Swan-Ganz pulmonary artery measurements during exercise, aortic and left ventricular pressures, coronary angiography, left ventricular angiography. 1. Angina pectoris disappeared in 1 and became better in 4 patients. In none of the patients angina pectoris became worse. 2. The parameters for ischemia were not changed overall by the therapy. But in single patients signs of exercise-induced ischemia were influenced. 3. Mean values of left ventricular function (EF, LVEDP) were not changed. 4. Angiographic changes were discrete. 5. Complications of therapy and worsening of subjective parameters did not occur. 6. The angina pectoris behaviour in 5 patients (became better) is explained by changes of blood properties. The not-appearance of coronary artery occlusions is explained by the inhibition of platelet aggregation. 7. It is suggested that the effect of intravenous streptokinase therapy should be examined in patients with short-lasting angina pectoris and subgroups, such as initial angina pectoris.

Unlabelled: Left ventricular function was examined in a control group of 8 healthy men (average age 26 +/- 6.2 years) and was compared to 40 post-MI patients (average age 50 +/- 8.2 years, 39 men, one woman). It was measured using the floating-catheter technique under isometric exercise (50% of maximal voluntary contraction using both hands) and also under dynamic exercise (progressive supine bicycle-ergometry). In the control group, there was a significant increase in heart rate, arterial blood-pressure and the average PCP from rest to isometric exercises. PCP was noted to stay within its normal range (less than 20 mm Hg) under both modes of exercise. There was no significant difference comparing the effects of dynamic and isometric exercise (isometric: PCP 13.3 +/- 3.3 mm Hg; dynamic: PCP 11.8 +/- 3.6 mm Hg). In Group I (20 post-MI-patients showing ischemia during exercise-ECG) PCP stayed normal under isometric exercise (PCP 18.8 +/- 10.2 mm Hg). Under dynamic exercise, their PCP increased up to a pathological level (PCP 24.9 +/- 10.1 mm Hg, p less than 0.01). In Group II (20 post-MI-patients with lacking proof of ischemia during exercise-ECG) there was no significant difference between the increase in PCP under isometric vs dynamic exercise (isometric: PCP 18.7 +/- 13.4 mm Hg; dynamic: PCP 18.5 +/- 10.0 mm Hg)., Conclusion: The results lead to the conclusion that isometric exercise alone (50% of maximal voluntary contraction using both hands, handgrip) can replace dynamic exercise in the diagnosis of LV malfunction in post-MI patients who do not show ischemia during exercise-ECG.

Blood pressure and clinical course in 83 heart infarction patients with exercise hypertension were compared after 7 years with a control group of infarction patients without exercise hypertension after 8 years. 62% of the exercise hypertension patients and 23% of the control group developed manifest hypertension. 11% of the exercise hypertension patients and 56% of the control group had normal blood pressure values. The death rate after 7 years for the exercise hypertension group and 8 years for the control group was relatively equal at 12% and 17%, respectively. The exercise hypertension patients who died demonstrated the highest blood pressure values. The clinical course deteriorated in patients who developed manifest hypertension from exercise hypertension, especially in the case of patients with angina pectoris symptoms. The results of the study suggest prognostic significance for blood pressure behavior during exercise in heart infarction patients.

We examined 221 patients with postmyocardial infarctions 8 weeks after MI using radionuclide ventriculography (RNVA) at rest (EFR) and during supine submaximal exercise (delta EF). Mortality rates were evaluated 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 years later by interviewing patients and/or their homephysicians. Sixteen patients were dead (6.7%) 2 1/2 years after MI, 28 (12.7%) were dead after 3 1/2 years. Thirty percent of patients with a resting EF less than 30% had died 2 1/2 years after MI, and 40% were dead within 3 1/2 years. The mortality rate was significantly higher than in patients who had EF greater than or equal to 30% 8 weeks after MI. Patients with a decrease of delta EF (greater than or equal to 5%) showed a 2 1/2 year mortality of 10.8% and after 3 1/2 years of 18.5%. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with decreasing EF during exercise than in those who increased their EF during exercise. This prognostic value of EFR and delta EF was compared with other parameters (angina pectoris, ECG at rest and during exercise, heart volume, Holter ECG, floating catheter PCP [rest and exercise], coronary angiography). Radionuclide ventriculography at rest and during exercise showed a tendency to be the best determining factor for prognosis, and is therefore recommended to determine prognosis in post-MI patients.

In 33 patients (30 male, 3 female, mean age 48 years) 99mTc-Trend Scintigraphy (Schad) was compared with left ventricular angiography. 25 patients suffered of a chronic myocardial infarction. In 26 patients complete or partial agreement between the two methods was seen. The scintigraphy showed false negative results in the apical region and false positive results in the basal segments. The comparison of both methods shows that 99mTc-Trend Scintigraphy can be used to evaluate non-invasively the function of the left ventricle.

The "return to work"-rate of 4 groups of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) is evaluated (all coronary angiography): Group 1: 314 patients after aorto-coronary bypass operation: mean age 50.5 years. Time after infarction 28 months, after surgery 18 months. The social fate of 52% were not yet decided. 20% got pension, 25% returned to work. Group 2: 86 patients after conservative treatment of myocardial infarction: mean age 42 years. Time after MI 18 months. The social fate of 21% was not yet decided, 41% got pension, 36% returned to work. Patients with one-vessel disease returned to work in 52%, with two-vessel disease in 20% and with three-vessel disease in 12.5%. Group 3: 24 patients after aneurysmectomy: mean age 47 years. Time after infarction 28 months, time after operation 11 months. Social fate of 8 out of 24 patients was not yet decided, 7 out of 24 got pension, 5 out of 24 returned to work. Group 4: 27 patients with conservatively treated left ventricular aneurysm: mean age 43 years. Time after infarction 42 months. The social fate of 2 out of 27 patients was not yet decided, 14 out of 27 got pension, and 8 out of 27 returned to work. Exercise-tolerance is no good indicator for the work status 18 months after myocardial infarction, 18 months after aorto-coronary bypass, 18 months after aneurysmectomy and 42 months after conservative treatment of left ventricular aneurysm. Selection of patients (all were examined by coronary angiography because of limitation by angina pectoris in daily life activities) may be partly responsible for the poor long-term work status. But more important seems to be the "tied social network". Decision for "return to work" or "pension" should be made 6 months after MI or after operation.