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Aims To define a benchmark target for an invasive strategy (IS) rate appropriate for performance assessment in intermediate-to-high risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Methods and results During the BLITZ-4 campaign, which aimed at improving the quality of care in 163 Italian coronary care units, 4923/5786 (85.1%) of consecutive patients admitted with NSTE-ACS with troponin elevation and/or dynamic ST-T changes on the electrocardiogram were managed with IS. The reasons driving the choice (RDC) for a conservative strategy (CS) in the remaining 863 patients were prospectively recorded. In 33.8%, CS was mandatory because of patients refusal, known coronary anatomy or death before coronary angiography; in 52.8% it was clinically justified because of active stroke, bleeding, advanced frailty, severe comorbidities, contraindication to antiplatelet therapy or because they were considered to be at low risk; only in 13.4% the reasons, such as renal failure, advanced age or other, were less stringent. As compared to patients undergoing IS, those in the CS were 12years older and had significantly more severe comorbidities. The in-hospital and 6-month all-cause mortality were 9.0% vs 0.9% and 22.0% vs 3.9% in CS and IS groups respectively (p Conclusion As the RDC for CS were clinically correct in vast majority of cases the observed 85% invasive strategy rate may be considered as the desirable benchmark target in patients with NSTE-ACS. For the same reason, it remains questionable if the higher rate of IS could have improved the prognosis in CS patients, despite their highly unfavorable prognosis.

Background Several concerns have emerged about the higher risk of very late stent thrombosis (ST) with first generation drug-eluting stent (DES), especially in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). New generation DES have demonstrated reduction in ST at mid-term follow-up, however no data are available on long-term follow-up. Therefore, the aim of this study was to report long-term results of the RACES-MI trial conducted to compare Everolimus-Eluting Stent (EES) vs Sirolimus-Eluting Stent (SES) in patients undergoing primary PCI. Methods The RACES-MI trial enrolled consecutive STEMI patients admitted within 12h of symptom onset, undergoing primary PCI with stent implantation at a tertiary center with 24-hour primary PCI capability, who were randomly assigned to SES or EES. Primary endpoint of this analysis is major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at long-term follow-up. Secondary endpoints are 1) death; 2) reinfarction; 3) definite or probable ST; 4) target-vessel revascularization (TVR) at long-term follow-up. Results From April 2007 to May 2009 500 patients with STEMI were randomized to EES (n=250) or SES (n=250). No difference was observed between the groups either in baseline clinical characteristics, in the number of implanted stent or total stent length per patient. However, a larger reference diameter was observed with SES (3.35±0.51mm vs 3.25±0.51mm, p=0.001), whereas patients randomized to EES received Gp IIb–IIIa inhibitors more often (54.4% vs 42.4%, p=0.006). At long-term follow-up (2132±528days), EES was associated with a significant reduction in MACE (23.8 vs 34.1%, adjusted p=0.028), ST (2.5% vs 7.7%, adjusted p=0.009), without any difference in death (8.7% vs 11.4%, adjusted p=0.47), reMI (9.3% vs 13.1%; adjusted p=0.18) and TVR (8.6% vs 12.3%, adjusted p=0.31). Conclusions This study shows that among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI EES, as compared to SES, is associated with significant reduction in MACE and ST at long-term follow-up.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is a cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Mounting evidences have opened the debate about the optimal DAPT duration. Considering the ACS-pathophysiology, the most recent guidelines recommend DAPT in all ACS patients for at least 12 months unless there are contraindications such as excessive risk of bleeding. Thus, it can be considered acceptable earlier discontinuation if the risk of morbidity from bleeding outweighs the anticipated benefit. On the other hand, several studies have clearly indicated that a significant burden of platelet related-events, such as stroke and new ACS might occur after this period, suggesting that potential benefits might derive by prolonging DAPT beyond 12 months (Long DAPT). Indeed, although current guidelines give some indications about patients eligible for Long DAPT, they do not embrace several real-life clinical scenarios. Thus, in such scenarios, how to decide whether a patient is eligible for Long DAPT or not might be still challenging for clinicians. This position paper presents and discusses various “real-life” clinical scenarios in ACS patients, in order to propose several possible recommendations to overcome guidelines potential limitations.

Background: Drug-eluting stent has been shown to reduce the risk of repeated revascularization. However, as shown for first-generation drug-eluting stent, they may be counterbalanced by a potential higher risk of stent thrombosis, especially among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients. In addition, diabetes has been shown to be an independent predictor of poor survival and repeated target vessel revascularization. No data have been reported so far on the long-term benefits and safety of new-generation drug-eluting stent in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction according to diabetes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether diabetes may impact on the benefits from everolimus-eluting stent versus first-generation drug-eluting stent in patients undergoing primary angioplasty. Methods: We combined data from two randomized trials (PaclitAxel or Sirolimus-Eluting Stent vs Bare-Metal Stent in Primary Angioplasty and randomized comparison of everolimus-eluting stents and sirolimus-eluting stents in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction) including consecutive ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients admitted within 12 h of symptom onset undergoing primary angioplasty and stent implantation at a tertiary centre with 24-h primary percutaneous coronary intervention capability. Primary endpoint of this study was major adverse cardiac events at 3-year follow-up. Secondary endpoints were as follows: (1) death, (2) reinfarction, (3) definite or probable ST and (4) target vessel revascularization at 3-year follow-up. No patient was lost to follow-up. Results: Our population is represented by 680 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with drug-eluting stent (180 enrolled in the PaclitAxel or Sirolimus-Eluting Stent vs Bare-Metal Stent in Primary Angioplasty trial, treated with first-generation drug-eluting stent, and 500 patients in the randomized comparison of everolimus-eluting stents and sirolimus-eluting stents in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction, randomized to everolimus-eluting stent or sirolimus-eluting stent). Diabetes was observed in a total of 178 patients (26.1%) and associated with higher major adverse cardiac events, mortality, reinfarction, stent thrombosis and target vessel revascularization. Similar outcome was observed in terms of overall major adverse cardiac events, mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, with everolimus-eluting stent as compared to first-generation drug-eluting stent in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, whereas everolimus-eluting stent was associated with a significantly lower rate of stent thrombosis only in diabetic patients (1.6% vs 9.6%, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.15 (0.02−0.98), p = 0.04) whereas no difference was observed in non-diabetic patients. Conclusion: This study shows that among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary angioplasty, diabetes is associated with a significantly worse outcome at 3-year follow-up. A similar outcome was observed between everolimus-eluting stent and first-generation drug-eluting stent in non-diabetic patients, whereas among diabetic patients everolimus-eluting stent was associated with a significant reduction in stent thrombosis.

The incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has significantly decreased. Conversely, the rate of non-STEMI (NSTEMI) has increased. Patients with NSTEMI have lower short-term mortality compared to patients with STEMI, whereas at long-term follow-up, the mortality becomes comparable. This might be due to the differences in baseline characteristics, including older age and a greater prevalence of comorbidities in the NSTEMI population. Although antithrombotic strategies used in patients with NSTEMI have been well studied in clinical trials and updated guidelines are available, patterns of use and outcomes in clinical practice are less well described. Thus, a panel of Italian cardiology experts assembled under the auspices of the "Campania NSTEMI Study Group" for comprehensive discussion and consensus development to provide practical recommendations, for both clinical and interventional cardiologists, regarding optimal management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with NSTEMI. This position article presents and discusses various clinical scenarios in patients with NSTEMI or unstable angina, including special subsets (eg, patients aged ≥85 years, patients with chronic renal disease or previous cerebrovascular events, and patients requiring triple therapy or long-term antithrombotic therapy), with the panel recommendations being provided for each scenario. The incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has significantly decreased. Conversely, the rate of non-STEMI (NSTEMI) has increased. Patients with NSTEMI have lower short-term mortality compared to patients with STEMI, whereas at long-term follow-up, the mortality becomes comparable. This might be due to the differences in baseline characteristics, including older age and a greater prevalence of comorbidities in the NSTEMI population. Although antithrombotic strategies used in patients with NSTEMI have been well studied in clinical trials and updated guidelines are available, patterns of use and outcomes in clinical practice are less well described. Thus, a panel of Italian cardiology experts assembled under the auspices of the "Campania NSTEMI Study Group" for comprehensive discussion and consensus development to provide practical recommendations, for both clinical and interventional cardiologists, regarding optimal management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with NSTEMI. This position article presents and discusses various clinical scenarios in patients with NSTEMI or unstable angina, including special subsets (eg, patients aged ≥85 years, patients with chronic renal disease or previous cerebrovascular events, and patients requiring triple therapy or long-term antithrombotic therapy), with the panel recommendations being provided for each scenario.

Objectives The aim of the current study was to compare everolimus-eluting stents (EES) with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in patients undergoing primary angioplasty. Background Drug-eluting stents may offer benefits in terms of repeat revascularization. However, as shown for first-generation drug-eluting stents, they may be counterbalanced by a potential higher risk of stent thrombosis, especially among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). No data have been reported so far on the long-term benefits and safety of the new generation of drug-eluting stents in STEMI. Methods Consecutive STEMI patients admitted within 12 h of symptom onset and undergoing primary angioplasty and stent implantation at a tertiary center with 24-h primary percutaneous coronary intervention capability were randomly assigned to SES or EES. The primary endpoint was a major adverse cardiac event at 3-year follow-up. The secondary endpoints were death, reinfarction, definite or probable stent thrombosis, and target vessel revascularization at 3-year follow-up. No patient was lost to follow-up. Results From April 2007 to May 2009, 500 patients with STEMI were randomized to EES (n = 250) or SES (n = 250). No difference was observed in terms of baseline demographic and clinical characteristics between the groups. No difference was observed between the groups in terms of number of implanted stents per patient or total stent length. However, a larger reference diameter was observed with SES (3.35 ± 0.51 mm vs. 3.25 ± 0.51 mm, p = 0.001), whereas patients randomized to EES more often received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (54.4% vs. 42.4%, p = 0.006). Follow-up data were available in all patients (1,095 ± 159 days). No significant difference was observed between EES and SES in major adverse cardiac events (16% vs. 20.8%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5 to 1.13], p = 0.17), cardiac death (4.4% vs. 5.6%, adjusted HR: 0.77 [95% CI: 0.35 to 1.71], p = 0.53), recurrent MI (6.4% vs. 10%, adjusted HR: 0.62 [95% CI: 0.33 to 1.16], p = 0.13), and target vessel revascularization (4.8% vs. 4.8%, adjusted HR: 1.00 [95% CI: 0.45 to 2.32], p = 0.99). However, EES was associated with a significant reduction in stent thrombosis (1.6% vs. 5.2%, adjusted HR: 0.3 [95% CI: 0.1 to 0.92], p = 0.035). Conclusions This study shows that among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty, EES has similar efficacy as SES, but is associated with a significant reduction in stent thrombosis. (Randomized Comparison of Everolimus Eluting Stents and Sirolimus Eluting Stent in Patients With ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction [RACES-MI]; NCT01684982 )

We report the case of a 67-year-old female with a wide QRS complex tachycardia at 180 bpm. A diagnosis of class IC atrial flutter with aberrant ventricular conduction caused by flecainide therapy was formulated. Intravenous adenosine administration resulted in adequate slowing of the ventricular rate and normalization of QRS complexes. Restoration of sinus rhythm was achieved with intravenous amiodarone. The response to adenosine confirmed the diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia with aberrant conduction, but the transition from arrhythmia onset to restoration of sinus rhythm showed interesting peculiarities.

We report the case of a 30-year-old basketball player with asymptomatic, nocturnal ventricular pauses of >3,000 ms, the longest being ∼12,000 ms, who was misdiagnosed with Mobitz type II second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Conversely, the tracings were characteristic of a vagally mediated AV block, a phenomenon first described by Massie and called "apparent Mobitz type II AV block." Although the patient was asymptomatic with ventricular pauses occurring only at night, it was decided to implant a permanent pacemaker to prevent neurological damage or life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias resulting from repeated, abnormally prolonged ventricular pauses. The persistence of AV block after a 3-month detraining period led us to believe that our decision was reasonable.

We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa showing evidence of "tako-tsubo" cardiomyopathy complicated by several syncopes due to recurrent episodes of torsades de pointes. Prolongation of QT interval and QT dispersion have been reported both in the "tako-tsubo" cardiomyopathy and in anorexia nervosa. The QT prolongation and the QT dispersion has been linked as risk indicators for sudden cardiac death. The combination of "tako-tsubo" cardiomyopathy with a condition associated with the prolongation of QT and/or with an increase of QT dispersion, such as anorexia nervosa, makes the acute and subacute prognosis of this disease much more severe than usual.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) as compared with bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients undergoing primary angioplasty. Background Recent concerns have emerged on the potential higher risk of stent thrombosis after drug-eluting stent implantation, especially among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Methods We randomly assigned STEMI patients admitted within 12 h of symptom onset undergoing primary angioplasty and stent implantation to BMS, PES, or SES. The primary study end point was target lesion revascularization at 1-year follow-up. All patients were reviewed at our outpatient clinic or by telephone interview at 6, 12, and 24 months. Results From October 2003 to December 2005, 270 STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty were randomized to BMS (n = 90), PES (n = 90), or SES (n = 90). No patient was lost to follow-up. As compared with BMS (14.4%), both PES (4.4%, p = 0.023) and SES (3.3%, p = 0.016) were associated with a significant reduction in target lesion revascularization at 1-year follow-up. At 2-year follow-up no difference was observed in terms of death, reinfarction, and combined death and/or reinfarction, but as compared with BMS, both PES and SES were associated with significant benefits in major adverse cardiac events (PES: 16.7%, p = 0.015; SES: 15.6%, p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusions This study shows that among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty, both SES and PES are safe and associated with significant benefits in terms of target lesion revascularization up to the 2-year follow-up. Thus, until the results of further large randomized trials with long-term follow-up become available, drug-eluting stents may be considered for STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty. (PaclitAxel or Sirolimus-Eluting Stent versus Bare Metal Stent in Primary Angioplasty [PASEO] Randomized Trial; NCT00759850)

In this controlled trial, 30 elderly patients with congestive heart failure, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes II and III, were randomly assigned to treatment with captopril 25 mg three times daily or delapril 15 mg twice daily. At the end of an 8-week treatment period, clinical symptoms of heart failure were significantly relieved by both drugs, with a consistent and statistically significant improvement in patients' quality of life evaluated using a symptoms/activity scale (p0.001). None of the patients was judged NYHA class III at the end of the trial and 40% were assigned to class I (p0.01). There was a relevant, but not statistically significant, increase in exercise duration in both treatment groups (10% captopril group, 14% delapril group), but the number of patients discontinuing the exercise test for dyspnea was 50% less in the delapril group. Neither drug had evident effects on echocardiographic left ventricular parameters. Two patients treated with captopril and 3 with delapril complained of mild-to-moderate adverse reactions. The safety of both drugs was confirmed by laboratory tests.

A 50-year-old man with a history of renal cell carcinoma was admitted with ventricular tachycardia. Echocardiography showed a mass in the apex of the left ventricle. Cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed a mass infiltrating the anterior–apical wall of the left ventricle. This is the first case describing an association between ventricular tachycardia and renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the left ventricle.

We report the case of a 30-year-old basketball player with asymptomatic, nocturnal ventricular pauses of3,000 ms, the longest being ∼12,000 ms, who was misdiagnosed with Mobitz type II second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block. Conversely, the tracings were characteristic of a vagally mediated AV block, a phenomenon first described by Massie and called "apparent Mobitz type II AV block." Although the patient was asymptomatic with ventricular pauses occurring only at night, it was decided to implant a permanent pacemaker to prevent neurological damage or life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias resulting from repeated, abnormally prolonged ventricular pauses. The persistence of AV block after a 3-month detraining period led us to believe that our decision was reasonable.

Diabetes has been shown to be associated with worse survival and repeat revascularization (TVR) after primary angioplasty. Drug-eluting stent (DES) may offer benefits in terms of TVR, that may be counterbalanced by an higher risk of stent thrombosis, especially among STEMI patients. Aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of diabetes on 5-year outcome in patients undergoing primary angioplasty with glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors in the era of DES. Our population is represented by STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty and stent implantation at a tertiary center with 24-h primary PCI capability within 12 h of symptom onset. All patients received glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors. No patient was lost to follow up. From 2003 to 2005, 270 STEMI patients were treated with DES (n = 180), or BMS (n = 90). A total of 69 patients had history of diabetes at admission (25.5%). At a follow-up of 1510 +/- 406 days, diabetes was associated with a higher rate of death (29.5 vs. 5.1%, P < 0.0001), reinfarction (24.1 vs. 9.1%, P < 0.0001), TVR (19.1 vs. 13.1%, P = 0.052), IST (17.2 vs. 6.8%, P < 0.001) and MACE (51.9 vs. 25.1%, P < 0.001). These results were confirmed in both patients receiving BMS or DES, except for TVR, where no difference was observed between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. This study shows that among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty with Gp IIb-IIIa inhibitors, diabetes is associated with worse long-term mortality, reinfarction, and IST, even with DES implantation, that, however, were able to equalize the outcome in terms of TVR as compared to non diabetic patients.

Drug-eluting stents may offer benefits in terms of repeat revascularization that may be counterbalanced by a potential higher risk of stent thrombosis, especially among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. No data have been reported so far on the long-term benefits and safety of drug-eluting stents in STEMI. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the short- and long-term benefits of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) compared with bare metal stents (BMS) in patients undergoing primary angioplasty.Consecutive STEMI patients admitted within 12 hours of symptom onset and undergoing primary angioplasty and stent implantation at a tertiary center with 24-hour primary percutaneous coronary intervention capability were randomly assigned to BMS, PES, or SES. All patients received upstream glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The primary end point was target lesion revascularization at the 1-year follow-up. Secondary end points were death and/or reinfarction, in-stent thrombosis, and major adverse cardiac events (combined death and/or reinfarction and/or target lesion revascularization) at long-term follow-up (up to 4 to 6 years). Cumulative incidence of end points was investigated. No patient was lost to follow-up. From October 1, 2003, to December 31, 2005, 270 patients with STEMI were randomized to BMS (n=90), PES (n=90), or SES (n=90). Procedural success was obtained in 93% to 95% of patients. Follow-up data were available for all patients. Compared with BMS (14.4%), both PES (4.4%; hazard ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.095 to 0.89; P=0.023) and SES (3.3%; hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.06 to 0.75; P=0.016) were associated with a significant reduction in target lesion revascularization at the 1-year follow-up (primary study end point). At the long-term follow-up (4.3 years; 25th to 75th percentile, 3.7 to 5 years), no difference was observed in terms of death, reinfarction, and combined death and/or reinfarction, but compared with BMS (22.2%), both PES (6.7%; hazard ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.11 to 0.68; P=0.005) and SES (5.6%; hazard ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.083 to 0.59; P=0.003) were associated with a significant reduction in target lesion revascularization.This study shows that among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty, both SES and PES are associated with significant benefits in terms of target lesion revascularization at the long-term follow-up compared with BMS with no excess risk of thrombotic complications. Thus, until the results of further large randomized trials with long-term follow-up become available, drug-eluting stents may be considered among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty.

Background Drug-eluting stent (DES) may offer benefits in terms of repeat revascularization, which may be counterbalanced by a potential higher risk of stent thrombosis, especially among patients with STEMI. No data have been reported so far on the long-term benefits and safety of DES in STEMI. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the short- and long-term benefits of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) as compared to bare-metal stent (BMS) in patients undergoing primary angioplasty. Methods Consecutive patients with STEMI admitted within 12 hours of symptom onset and undergoing primary angioplasty and stent implantation at a tertiary center with 24-hour primary percutaneous coronary intervention capability were randomly assigned to BMS, PES, and SES. All patients received upstream glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors. Primary end point was target-lesion revascularization at 1-year follow-up. Secondary end points were (1) cumulative combined incidence of death and/or reinfarction; (2) cumulative incidence of in-stent thrombosis; and (3) major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (combined death and/or reinfarction and/or target lesion revascularization [TLR]) at long-term follow-up (up to 4 years). No patient was lost to follow-up. Results From October 1, 2003, to December 2005, 270 patients with STEMI were randomized to BMS (n = 90), PES (n = 90), or SES (n = 90). Procedural success was obtained in 93% to 95% of patients. Follow-up data were available for all patients. As compared to BMS (14.4%), both PES (4.4%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.29, 95% CI 0.095-0.89, P = .023) and SES (3.3%, HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06-0.75, P = .016) were associated with a significant reduction in TLR at 1-year follow-up (primary study end point). At long-term follow-up (1,233 ± 215 days), no difference was observed in terms of death, reinfarction, and combined death and/or reinfarction, but as compared to BMS (21.1%), both PES (6.7%, HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12-0.73, P = .008) and SES (5.6%, HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.63, P = .002), respectively, were associated with a significant reduction in TLR. Conclusions This study shows that among patients with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty, both SES and PES are safe and associated with significant benefits in terms of TLR up to 4 years' follow-up, as compared to BMS. Thus, until the results of further large randomized trials with long-term follow-up become available, DES may be considered among patients with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty.

This study assesses whether administration of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) up to 8 hours after onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may result in a significant improvement in left ventricular function. Sixty patients were classified into 3 groups: group A (n = 21) received rt-PA within 4 hours from symptom onset; the remaining 39 patients, admitted between 4 and 8 hours, were randomized into 2 groups--group B (n = 19) received rt-PA, and group C (n = 21) was treated with conventional therapy. Coronary and left ventricular angiograms were recorded 8 to 10 days after rt-PA administration. The patency rate of the infarct-related artery was 76% in group A, and 63 and 35% in group B and C, respectively. The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial perfusion grade was higher in group A and B than in group C (A vs C: p less than 0.005; B vs C: p less than 0.01). Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in group A (60.2 +/- 10%) and B (54.7 +/- 12%) compared with group C (44.2 +/- 12%) (A vs C: p less than 0.01; B vs C: p less than 0.05). Regional wall motion of the entire ischemic zone was better in group A and B than in group C (A vs C: p less than 0.001; B vs C: p less than 0.01). In contrast, the kinesis of the central ischemic zone was significantly better in group A than in both group B and C (A vs B: p less than 0.05; A vs C: p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

To evaluate the effects of late thrombolysis on left ventricular volume and function in acute myocardial infarction, two-dimensional echocardiography and radionuclide angiography were performed before discharge and after 1 year of follow-up study in 34 patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction. Of these, 10 admitted to the coronary care unit within 4 h from the onset of symptoms were treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) (Group A) and 24 admitted between 4 and 8 h after onset were randomly assigned to receive either rt-PA (Group B, n = 12) or conventional therapy (Group C, n = 12). Seven to 10 days after admission, all patients underwent cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography. Patency of the infarct-related vessel was 70% in Group A, 66% in Group B and 33% in Group C and the average Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) coronary perfusion grade was 1.9 +/- 0.8 for Group A, 1.6 +/- 1.0 for Group B and 0.84 +/- 0.95 for Group C (Group A versus Group C p less than 0.01; Group B versus Group C p less than 0.05). At predischarge evaluation, mean left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes were higher in Group C than in Group B (p less than 0.001 and 0.05, respectively) and Group A (p less than 0.005 for both); mean left ventricular ejection fraction at rest was lower in Group C than in Group B and Group A (p less than 0.05 for both). At 1 year follow-up study, end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes remained higher in Group C than in Group B (p less than 0.05 for both) and Group A (p less than 0.005 for end-systolic volume and p less than 0.001 for end-diastolic volume); ejection fraction at rest was lower in Group C than in Groups A and B (p less than 0.05 for both); during exercise, it increased more in Group A than in Group C (p less than 0.01). Comparison of data obtained before discharge and at the 1 year follow-up study revealed a significant differences in end-systolic volume (p less than 0.05) in Group C patients and in end-diastolic volume in patients in Groups B (p less than 0.05) and C (p less than 0.001). The beneficial effect of late thrombolysis with rt-PA may be related to a reduction in myocardial expansion and thus to a favorable influence on postinfarction left ventricular remodeling.

Background Drug-eluting stents may offer benefits in terms of repeat revascularization that may be counterbalanced by a potential higher risk of stent thrombosis, especially among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. No data have been reported so far on the long-term benefits and safety of drug-eluting stents in STEMI. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the short- and long-term benefits of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) compared with bare metal stents (BMS) in patients undergoing primary angioplasty. Methods and results Consecutive STEMI patients admitted within 12 hours of symptom onset and undergoing primary angioplasty and stent implantation at a tertiary center with 24-hour primary percutaneous coronary intervention capability were randomly assigned to BMS, PES, or SES. All patients received upstream glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The primary end point was target lesion revascularization at the 1-year follow-up. Secondary end points were death and/or reinfarction, in-stent thrombosis, and major adverse cardiac events (combined death and/or reinfarction and/or target lesion revascularization) at long-term follow-up (up to 4 to 6 years). Cumulative incidence of end points was investigated. No patient was lost to follow-up. From October 1, 2003, to December 31, 2005, 270 patients with STEMI were randomized to BMS (n=90), PES (n=90), or SES (n=90). Procedural success was obtained in 93% to 95% of patients. Follow-up data were available for all patients. Compared with BMS (14.4%), both PES (4.4%; hazard ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.095 to 0.89; P=0.023) and SES (3.3%; hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.06 to 0.75; P=0.016) were associated with a significant reduction in target lesion revascularization at the 1-year follow-up (primary study end point). At the long-term follow-up (4.3 years; 25th to 75th percentile, 3.7 to 5 years), no difference was observed in terms of death, reinfarction, and combined death and/or reinfarction, but compared with BMS (22.2%), both PES (6.7%; hazard ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.11 to 0.68; P=0.005) and SES (5.6%; hazard ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.083 to 0.59; P=0.003) were associated with a significant reduction in target lesion revascularization. Conclusions This study shows that among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty, both SES and PES are associated with significant benefits in terms of target lesion revascularization at the long-term follow-up compared with BMS with no excess risk of thrombotic complications. Thus, until the results of further large randomized trials with long-term follow-up become available, drug-eluting stents may be considered among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty.

The incidence and prognostic significance of silent myocardial ischaemia in 165 patients who survived a first acute myocardial infarction were assessed by means of maximal exercise stress test and 24 h continuous ECG monitoring performed before discharge. During the 1 year follow-up period 10 cardiac deaths occurred; moreover seven patients suffered a fatal myocardial re-infarction and 14 developed unstable angina. Cardiac death occurred in five of 40 patients (12.5%) with ST segment depression on stress test by in only three of 117 (2.6%) without ST segment changes (P