Impact of symptom presentation on in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Do patients with diabetes with new onset acute myocardial infarction present with different symptoms than non-diabetic patients?

Background

The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in presenting symptoms between patients with and without diabetes being diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

A total of 5,900 patients with a first-time AMI were included into the analysis. All patients aged between 25 and 84 years were recorded by the population-based Myocardial Infarction Registry in Augsburg, Germany, between 2010 and 2017. The presence (yes/no) of 12 AMI typical symptoms during the acute event was assessed within the scope of a face-to-face interview. Multivariable adjusted logistic regression models were calculated to analyze the associations between presenting symptoms and diabetes mellitus in AMI patients.

Results

Patients with diabetes had significantly less frequent typical pain symptoms, including typical chest pain. Also, other symptoms like sweating, vomiting/nausea, dizziness/vertigo and fear of death/feeling of annihilation occurred significantly more likely in non-diabetic patients. The only exception was the symptom of shortness of breath, which was found significantly more often in patients with diabetes. In multivariable-adjusted regression models, however, the observed effects were attenuated. In patients younger than 55 years, the associations between diabetes and various symptoms were mainly missing.

Conclusions

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor not only for the development of AMI, but is also associated with an adverse outcome after AMI. Atypical clinical presentation additionally complicates the diagnostic process. It is therefore essential for physicians to be aware of the more often atypical symptoms that diabetic AMI patients report.

Time to presentation and mortality outcomes among patients with diabetes and acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Due to limited real-world evidence on the association between time to presentation (T2P) and outcomes following acute myocardial infarction and diabetes (AMI-DM), we investigated the characteristics of patients with AMI-DM and their outcomes based on their T2P.

METHODS

4,455 patients with AMI-DM from a Korean nationwide observational cohort (2011-2015) were divided into early and late presenters according to symptom-to-door time. The effects of T2P on three-year all-cause mortality were estimated using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and survival analysis.

RESULTS

The incidence of all-cause mortality was consistently higher in late presenters than in early presenters (11.4 vs. 17.2%; p < 0.001). In the IPTW-adjusted dataset, the incidence of all-cause mortality was numerically higher in late presenters than in early presenters (9.1 vs. 12.4%; p = 0.072). In the survival analysis, the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in late presenters than in early presenters before and after IPTW. In the subgroup with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, late presenters had a higher incidence of cardiac death than early presenters before (4.8 vs. 10.5%; p < 0.001) and after IPTW (4.2 vs. 9.7%; p = 0.034). In the initial glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)-stratified analysis, these effects were attenuated in patients with HbA1c ≥ 9.0% before (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-2.64) and after IPTW (adjusted HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.40-1.67).

CONCLUSION

Late presentation was associated with higher mortality in patients with AMI-DM; therefore, multifaceted and systematic interventions are needed to decrease pre-hospital delays.

Chest pain symptoms during myocardial infarction in patients with and without diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Chest pain (CP) is key in diagnosing myocardial infarction (MI). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk of an MI but may experience less CP, leading to delayed treatment and worse outcomes. We compared the prevalence of CP in those with and without DM who had an MI.

METHODS

The study population was people with MI presenting to healthcare services. The outcome measure was the absence of CP during MI, comparing those with and without DM. Medline and Embase databases were searched to 18 October 2021, identifying 9272 records. After initial independent screening, 87 reports were assessed for eligibility against the inclusion criteria, quality and risk of bias assessment (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and Newcastle-Ottawa criteria), leaving 22 studies. The meta-analysis followed Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology criteria and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Pooled ORs, weights and 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included 232 519 participants from 22 studies and showed an increased likelihood of no CP during an MI for those with DM, compared with those without. This was 43% higher in patients with DM in the cohort and cross-sectional studies (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.26 to 1.62), and 44% higher in case-control studies (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.87).

CONCLUSION

In patients with an MI, patients with DM are less likely than those without to have presentations with CP recorded. Clinicians should consider an MI diagnosis when patients with DM present with atypical symptoms and treatment protocols should reflect this, alongside an increased patient awareness on this issue.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42017058223.

Beyond chest pain: Incremental value of other variables to identify patients for an early ECG

BACKGROUND

Chest pain (CP) is the hallmark symptom for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but is not reported in 20-30% of patients, especially women, elderly, non-white patients, presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

We used a retrospective 5-year adult ED sample of 279,132 patients to explore using CP alone to predict ACS, then we incrementally added other ACS chief complaints, age, and sex in a series of multivariable logistic regression models. We evaluated each model's identification of ACS and STEMI.

RESULTS

Using CP alone would recommend ECGs for 8% of patients (sensitivity, 61%; specificity, 92%) but missed 28.4% of STEMIs. The model with all variables identified ECGs for 22% of patients (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 78%) but missed 14.7% of STEMIs. The model with CP and other ACS chief complaints had the highest sensitivity (93%) and specificity (55%), identified 45.1% of patients for ECG, and only missed 4.4% of STEMIs.

CONCLUSION

CP alone had highest specificity but lacked sensitivity. Adding other ACS chief complaints increased sensitivity but identified 2.2-fold more patients for ECGs. Achieving an ECG in 10 min for patients with ACS to identify all STEMIs will be challenging without introducing more complex risk calculation into clinical care.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Life-Threatening Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients Transferred to an Emergency Medical Care Center

Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) triaged as life-threatening are transferred to our emergency medical care center (EMCC). However, data on these patients remain limited. We aimed to compare the characteristics and AMI prognosis of patients transferred to our EMCC with those transferred to our cardiovascular intensive care unit (CICU) using whole and propensity-matched cohorts.We analyzed the data of 256 consecutive AMI patients transferred from the scene to our hospital by ambulance between 2014 and 2017. The EMCC and CICU groups comprised 77 and 179 patients, respectively. There were no significant between-group age or sex differences. Patients in the EMCC group had more disease severity score and had the left main trunk identified as the culprit more frequently (12% versus 0.6%, P < 0.001) than those in the CICU group; however, the number of patients with multiple culprit vessels did not differ. The EMCC group had a longer door-to-reperfusion time (75 [60, 109] minutes versus 60 [40, 86] minutes, P< 0.001) and a higher in-hospital mortality (19% versus 4.5%, P < 0.001), especially from non-cardiac causes (10% versus 0.6%, P < 0.001), than the CICU group. However, peak myocardial creatine phosphokinase did not significantly differ between the groups. The EMCC group had a significantly higher 1-year post-discharge mortality than the CICU group (log-rank, P = 0.032); this trend was maintained after propensity score matching, although the difference was not statistically significant (log-rank, P = 0.094).AMI patients transferred to the EMCC exhibited more severe disease and worse overall in-hospital and non-cardiac mortality than those transferred to the CICU.

Outcomes in Emergency Department Patients with Dyspnea versus Chest Pain: A Retrospective Consecutive Cohort Study

Dyspnea and chest pain are major and important causes of contact at the emergency department (ED). Dyspnea is associated with high morbidity and mortality, but data on characteristics and outcomes compared with chest pain in the ED are limited. This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with contact causes of dyspnea or chest pain at two Swedish EDs from 2010 to 2014. Hospital admittance, ED revisits, and mortality were analyzed using multivariable regression models, adjusted for ED and markers of disease severity (age, sex, centre, Charlson comorbidity index, c-reactive protein, troponin T, and arrival by ambulance). 29,291 patients (mean age 58.3 years; 48.9% women) with dyspnea (n = 8,812) or chest pain (n = 20,479) were included. Dyspnea patients were older than patients with chest pain (64 vs. 56 years, p < 0.001) and had more comorbidity and higher average blood troponin T and c-reactive protein levels. Dyspnea patients also had higher hospitalization rates (48% vs. 30%; adjOR (95% CI) 2.1–2.3), including the intensive care unit (1.4% vs. 0.1%; adjOR 6.9–15.9), and more ED revisits (11% vs. 7%; adjOR 1.2–1.7) in 30 days. Dyspnea patients had five-fold increased mortality compared to those with chest pain; hazard ratio (HR) 5.1 (4.8–5.4), adjusted for markers of disease severity, the mortality was two-fold higher, HR 2.2 (2.0–2.4). Compared with chest pain patients, ED dyspnea patients are older, have more comorbidity, and have worse outcomes in terms of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality.

Isolated Right Ventricular Infarction: A Case Report and Literature Review

Isolated right ventricular (RV) infarction is extremely rare and its diagnosis may be challenging, because RV infarction most often occurs simultaneously with infarction of the inferior wall of the left ventricle. A 66-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus presented with cold sweat and general malaise. Although his symptoms were atypical for myocardial infarction, he was quickly diagnosed with RV infarction and successfully underwent urgent percutaneous coronary intervention. He was definitely diagnosed with isolated RV infarction by a scintigram and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Our review showed the importance of the combined assessment in the diagnosis of isolated RV infarction.

Comparison of Door-to-Balloon Time and 30-Day Mortality According to Symptom Presentation in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: We hypothesized that symptom presentation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may affect their management and subsequent outcome.

Methods and Results: Using Rural AMI Registry data, 1,337 consecutive patients with AMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were analyzed. Typical symptoms were defined as any symptoms of chest pain or pressure due to myocardial ischemia. We considered the specific symptoms of dyspnea, nausea, or vomiting as atypical symptoms. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. There were 150 (11.2%) and 1,187 (88.8%) patients who presented with atypical and typical symptoms, respectively. Those who presented with atypical symptoms were significantly older (mean [±SD] age 74±12 vs. 68±13 years; P<0.001) and had a higher Killip class (46.7% vs. 21.8%; P<0.001) than patients presenting with typical symptoms. The prevalence of door-to-balloon time of ≤90 min was significantly lower in patients with atypical than typical symptoms (40.0% vs. 66.3%; P<0.001). At 30 days, there were 55 incidents of all-cause death. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that symptom presentation was associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio 2.33; 95% confidence interval 1.20–4.38; P<0.05).

Conclusions: Atypical symptoms in patients with AMI are less likely to lead to timely reperfusion and are associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality.

Clinical significance of prehospital 12-lead electrocardiography in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction presenting with syncope: from a multicenter observational registry (K-ACTIVE study)

Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) presenting with syncope have poor clinical outcomes partly due to a delay in the diagnosis. Although the impact of prehospital 12-lead electrocardiography (PHECG) on the reduction of first medical contact (FMC)-to-device time and subsequent adverse clinical events in patients with AMI has been demonstrated, the impact of PHECG for the patients presenting with syncope remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to explore the impact of PHECG on 30-day mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presenting with syncope. From a cohort of multi-center registry [Kanagawa-ACuTe cardIoVascular rEgistry (K-ACTIVE)], a total of 90 consecutive patients with STEMI presenting with syncope were included. The 30-day mortality were compared between patients with PHECG (PHECG group, n = 25) and those without PHECG (non-PHECG group, n = 65). There was no significant difference in the baseline clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. FMC-to-device time was significantly shorter in the PHECG group than in the non-PHECG group (122 [86, 128] vs. 131 [102, 153] min, p = 0.03) due to the shorter door-to-device time. Thirty-day mortality was significantly lower in the PHECG group than in the non-PHECG group (16.0 vs. 44.6%, p = 0.03). In conclusion, PHECG was associated with shorter FMC-to-device time and lower 30-day mortality in patients with STEMI presenting with syncope.

Impact of Age on Gender Difference in Long-term Outcome of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction (from J-MINUET)

Although gender difference in long-term outcomes after acute myocardial infarction have been shown previously, impact of age on gender difference is still controversial. This study focused on the association between age and gender difference in long-term outcome. We analyzed data from 3,283 consecutive patients who were included in a prospective, nationwide, multicenter registry (Japan Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction Diagnosed by Universal Definition) from 2012 to 2014. The primary end point was the major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), which was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and revascularization for unstable angina during 3 years. Patients were divided into 4 strata according to age: those with age <65 years (group 1: n = 1161), 65 to 74 years (group 2: n = 954), 75 to 84 years (group 3: n = 866) and 84< years (group 4: n = 302). Although the crude incidence of 3-year MACE was significantly higher in women than men (36.4% vs. 28.5%, p <0.001), there was not significant gender difference in each group (group 1, 19.6% vs 19.0%, p = 0.74; group 2, 33.1% vs 28.3%, p = 0.25; group 3, 38.9% vs 39.6%, p = 0.54; and group 4, 54.0% vs 56.8%, p = 0.24). In conclusion, although women had higher crude incidence of 3-year MACE than men, there was no gender difference in each group.

An analysis of the descriptors of acute myocardial infarction used by South Africans when calling for an ambulance from a private emergency call centre

Introduction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a time sensitive emergency. In resource limited settings, prompt identification and management of patients experiencing AMI in the pre-hospital setting may minimise the negative consequences associated with overburdened emergency medical and hospital services. Expedited care thus, in part, relies on the dispatch of appropriate pre-hospital medical providers by emergency medical dispatchers. Identification of these patients in call centres is challenging due to a highly diverse South African society, with multiple languages, cultures, and levels of education. The aim of this study was therefore, to describe the terms used by members of the South African public when calling for an ambulance for patients suffering an AMI.

Methods

In this qualitative study, we performed content analysis to identify keywords and phrases that callers used to describe patients who were experiencing an advanced life support (ALS) paramedic-diagnosed AMI. Using the unique case reference number of randomly selected AMI cases, original voice recordings between the caller and emergency medical dispatcher at the time of the emergency were extracted and transcribed verbatim. Descriptors of AMI were identified, coded and categorised using content analysis, and quantified.

Results

Of the 50 randomly selected calls analysed, 5 were not conducted in English. The descriptors used by callers were found to fall into three categories; Pain: Thorax, No pain: Thorax and Ill- health. The code that occurred most often was no pain, heart related (n = 16; 23.2%), followed by the code describing pain in the chest (n = 15; 21.7%).

Conclusion

South African callers use a consistent set of descriptors when requesting an ambulance for a patient experiencing an AMI. The most common of these are non-pain descriptors related to the heart. These descriptors may ultimately be used in developing validated algorithms to assist dispatch decisions. In this way, we hope to expedite the correct level of care to these time- critical patients and prevent the unnecessary dispatch of limitedly available ALS paramedics to inappropriate cases.

Comparison of Outcomes of Coronary Revascularization for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Men Versus Women

This study sought to examine the differences in the characteristics and outcomes between men and women who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in contemporary US practice. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify patients who underwent revascularization for AMI between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2016. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Propensity score matching was utilized to account for differences in baseline characteristics. In total, 3,603,142 patients were included, of whom only 1,180,436 (33%) were women. Compared with men, women were older and had higher prevalence of key co-morbidities including diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney and lung disease (p <0.001). In the PCI cohort, women were significantly less likely to undergo multivessel PCI, to receive mechanical circulatory support, or to undergo atherectomy. In the CABG group, women were more likely to have concomitant valve surgery. In the propensity-matched cohorts, in-hospital mortality was higher for women than men regardless of revascularization strategy: 7.6% versus 6.6% for PCI in ST-elevation myocardial infarction, 2.0% versus 1.9% for PCI in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and 5.7% versus 4.3% for CABG in any AMI (p <0.001). Women also had higher rates of major complications, longer hospitalizations, higher costs, and were less likely to be discharged home (vs nursing facility). These sex-based differences persisted over the study 14-year period. In conclusion, in a contemporary nationwide analysis of propensity score-matched patients, women who undergo revascularization for AMI have worse in-hospital outcomes than men regardless of revascularization mode.

Angiographic characteristics and in-hospital mortality among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction presenting without typical chest pain: an analysis of China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry

Background:

Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who present without typical chest pain are associated with a poor outcome. However, whether angiographic characteristics are related to a higher risk of mortality in this population is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the higher mortality risk in patients with STEMI without chest pain could be explained by their “high-risk” angiographic characteristics.

Methods:

We used data of 12,145 patients with STEMI who was registered in China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry from January 2013 to September 2014. We compared the infarct-related artery (IRA), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade in the IRA, and other angiographic characteristics between patients without and those with chest pain. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify independent risk factor of in-hospital mortality.

Results:

The 2922 (24.1%) patients with STEMI presented without typical chest pain. These patients had a higher TIMI flow grade (mean TIMI flow grade: 1.00 vs. 0.94, P = 0.02) and a lower rate of IRA disease of the left anterior descending artery (44.6% vs. 51.2%, χ² = 35.63, P < 0.01) than did those with typical chest pain. Patients without chest pain were older, more likely to have diabetes, longer time to hospital and higher Killip classification, and less likely to receive optimal medication treatment and primary percutaneous coronary intervention and higher In-hospital mortality (3.3% vs. 2.2%, χ² = 10.57, P < 0.01). After adjusting for multi-variables, presentation without chest pain was still an independent predictor of in-hospital death among patients with STEMI (adjusted odds ratio: 1.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.83).

Conclusions:

Presentation without chest pain is common and associated with a higher in-hospital mortality risk in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Our results indicate that their poor prognosis is associated with baseline patient characteristics and delayed treatment, but not angiographic lesion characteristics.

Clinical trial registration:

NCT01874691, https://clinicaltrials.gov.

Mobile Intensive Care Unit versus Hospital walk-in patients, in the treatment of first episode ST- elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of the attention given by emergency medical services teams working in mobile intensive care units (MICU) versus patients arriving at the hospital under their own means with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) event in terms of time to reperfusion (TR), mortality at 30 days and six months.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 634 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent primary a percutaneous coronary intervention from January 1st 2015 to December 31st 2018 in a single centre. Depending on the first medical contact patients were classified into two groups, MICU versus walk-in patients. We extracted data on patients' characteristics, symptoms, treatments, times to reperfusion and mortality.

RESULTS

In our study 634 patients were included, of whom 59.0% were initially attended by the MICU. Differences were seen between the two groups in time delays to the first medical contact (120.0 vs 63.0 min; p < 0.001) and TR (208.0 Vs 150.0 min; p < 0.001). Patients attended by the MICUs presented a shorter ICU and hospital stay. The lowest 30-day mortality rate was observed in MICU group: 9.0% in contrast with 4.5%, p = 0.03; remaining after 6 months. The multivariable analysis showed that the initial attention given by MICU to STEMI patients was a protective agent against mortality [OR: 0.32 (0.11-0.90); p = 0.03].

CONCLUSION

Initial attention of the patients with STEMI by doctor-on-board-MICU and available 24 h a day 7 days a week as part of a regional network (CORECAM), was associated with a decrease in the ischemia time, hospital stay and mortality of these patients in our environment.

Association between the Door-to-balloon Time and Mid-term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objective In primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the door-to-balloon time (DTBT) is known to be associated with in-hospital death in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, little is known regarding the association between the DTBT and the mid-term clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the DTBT and mid-term all-cause death. Methods The study population included 309 STEMI patients, who were divided into the short DTBT (DTBT<60 minutes, n=103), intermediate DTBT (DTBT 60-120 minutes, n=174) and long DTBT (DTBT >120 minutes, n=32) groups. The median follow-up period was 287 days (interquartile range: 182-624 days). Results The incidence of all-cause death in the long DTBT group was significantly higher in comparison to the other groups (p<0.001). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, although a short DTBT [vs. intermediate DTBT: hazard ratio (HR) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39-2.55, p=0.99] was not associated with all-cause death, a long DTBT (vs. intermediate DTBT: HR 2.80, 95% CI 1.26-6.17, p=0.011) was significantly associated with all-cause death, after controlling for confounding factors such as Killip class 4, an impaired renal function, and the number of diseased vessels. Conclusion The DTBT was significantly associated with the incidence of mid-term all-cause death. Our results support the strong adherence to the DTBT in patients with STEMI.

Prognosis and Predictors of Mortality in Patients Suffering Myocardial Infarction With Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries

Background Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries ( MINOCA ) is a heterogeneous disease entity. Its prognosis and predictor of mortality remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the prognosis between MINOCA and myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease and identify factors related to all-cause death in MINOCA using a nation-wide, multicenter, and prospective registry. Methods and Results Among 13 104 consecutive patients enrolled, patients without previous history of significant coronary artery disease who underwent coronary angiography were selected. The primary outcome was 2-year all-cause death. Secondary outcomes were cardiac death, noncardiac death, reinfarction, and repeat revascularization. Patients with MINOCA (n=396) and myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease (n=10 871) showed similar incidence of all-cause death (9.1% versus 8.8%; hazard ratio [ HR ], 1.04; 95% CI, 0.74-1.45; P=0.83). Risks of cardiac death, noncardiac death, and reinfarction were not significantly different between the 2 groups ( HR , 0.82; 95% CI , 0.53-1.28; P=0.38; HR , 1.55; 95% CI , 0.93-2.56; P=0.09; HR , 1.23; 95% CI , 0.65-2.31; P=0.38, respectively). MINOCA patients had lower incidence of repeat revascularization (1.3% versus 7.2%; HR , 0.17; 95% CI , 0.07-0.41; P<0.001). Results were consistent after multivariable regression and propensity-score matching. In a multivariate model, several significant predictors of all-cause death of MINOCA were found, including the nonuse of renin-angiotensin system blockers ( HR , 2.63; 95% CI , 1.08-6.25; P=0.033) and statins ( HR , 2.17; 95% CI , 1.04-4.54; P=0.039). Conclusions Patients with MINOCA and those with myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease had comparable clinical outcomes. Use of renin-angiotensin system blockers and statins was associated with lower mortality in patients with MINOCA .

Differences in symptoms and pre-hospital delay among acute myocardial infarction patients according to ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram: an analysis of China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) registry

Background:

Approximately 70% patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) presented without ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram. Patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) often presented with atypical symptoms, which may be related to pre-hospital delay and increased risk of mortality. However, up to date few studies reported detailed symptomatology of NSTEMI, particularly among Asian patients. The objective of this study was to describe and compare symptoms and presenting characteristics of NSTEMI vs. STEMI patients.

Methods:

We enrolled 21,994 patients diagnosed with AMI from China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) Registry between January 2013 and September 2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to ST-segment elevation: ST-segment elevation (STEMI) group and NSTEMI group. We extracted data on patients’ characteristics and detailed symptomatology and compared these variables between two groups.

Results:

Compared with patients with STEMI (N = 16,315), those with NSTEMI (N = 5679) were older, more often females and more often have comorbidities. Patients with NSTEMI were less likely to present with persistent chest pain (54.3% vs. 71.4%), diaphoresis (48.6% vs. 70.0%), radiation pain (26.4% vs. 33.8%), and more likely to have chest distress (42.4% vs. 38.3%) than STEMI patients (all P < 0.0001). Patients with NSTEMI were also had longer time to hospital. In multivariable analysis, NSTEMI was independent predictor of presentation without chest pain (odds ratio: 1.974, 95% confidence interval: 1.849–2.107).

Conclusions:

Patients with NSTEMI were more likely to present with chest distress and pre-hospital patient delay compared with patients with STEMI. It is necessary for both clinicians and patients to learn more about atypical symptoms of NSTEMI in order to rapidly recognize myocardial infarction.

Trial Registration:

www.clinicaltrials.gov (No. NCT01874691).

Trends of case-fatality rate by acute coronary syndrome in Portugal: Impact of a fast track to the coronary unit

INTRODUCTION

Efforts were made to improve management of coronary disease as the fast-track system to the Coronary Unit. We aim to analyse case-fatality rates by acute coronary syndrome in Portugal from 2000 to 2016, mainly the impact of the fast-track system and the proportion of patients that activate the fast-track system.

METHODS

We analysed monthly acute coronary syndrome case-fatality before and after the implementation of the fast-track system in 2007. Impact of the system was assessed through regression models for interrupted time-series. We calculated annual proportion of fast-track system admissions.

RESULTS

After 2007 case-fatality by acute coronary syndrome decreased (β=-1.27, p-value < 0.01). The estimates obtained for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction suggest a reduction of nearly 86 monthly deaths prevented after 2007. The highest percentage of patients admitted through the fast-track system was 35%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest fast-track system may have contributed to a decline in acute coronary syndrome case-fatality. However, more than half of patients were not admitted through the system. This should encourage health authorities to make efforts to ensure compliance.

Modifiable factors associated with prolonged door to balloon time in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Door to balloon (D2B) time was reported an important factor of the clinical outcome of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). D2B time is influenced by various factors; however, modifiable factors have not been adequately evaluated. The purpose of this study was to identify modifiable factors associated with prolonged D2B time. We historically included 239 consecutive STEMI patients who visited emergency department and underwent primary PCI between April 2013 and September 2016. We evaluated baseline characteristics, mode and timing of hospital arrival, symptoms and signs, treatment times and angiographic characteristics. Patients with D2B time > 90 min were compared with those with D2B time ≤ 90 min. Modifiable factors associated with prolonged D2B time (> 90 min) were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression model. The median D2B time for the entire cohort was 69 min (interquartile range 54-89) and 24% had a D2B time of > 90 min. Modifiable factors associated with prolonged treatment time (D2B time > 90 min) were electrocardiogram (ECG) to puncture time > 50 min [odds ratios (OR) 96.0, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 25.1-652.5, P < 0.0001), door to ECG time > 10 min (OR 49.8, 95% CI 11.8-357.5, P < 0.0001), and puncture to balloon time > 30 min (OR 48.5, 95% CI 12.0-333.8, P < 0.0001). ECG to puncture time > 50 min was the most important modifiable factor associated with prolonged D2B time in STEMI patients.

Systemic air embolism after percutaneous computed tomography-guided lung biopsy due to a kink in the coaxial biopsy system: a case report

Background

Systemic air embolism is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy. The incidence might be underestimated because of failure to diagnose this adverse event in asymptomatic patients; early recognition is difficult.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 73-year-old man with systemic air embolism, a complication of percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy, due to a kink in the coaxial biopsy system. Serial post-procedure CT scans demonstrated the causal relationship.

Conclusions

Sequential post-biopsy CT scans demonstrated a causal relationship between this systemic air embolism and percutaneous biopsy, and allowed the radiologist to track the course of the emboli and their resolution. Awareness of air entry via the introducer needle and an early post-biopsy CT scan are crucial for early detection of systemic air embolism. If air embolism occurs in an asymptomatic patient, we recommend performing a delayed chest CT scan to follow the air’s course.

Clinical outcomes according to symptom presentation in patients with acute myocardial infarction: Results from the FAST-MI 2010 registry

BACKGROUND

Atypical clinical presentation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is not uncommon; most studies suggest that it is associated with unfavorable prognosis.

HYPOTHESIS

Long-term clinical impact differs according to predominant symptom presentation (typical chest pain, atypical chest pain, syncope, cardiac arrest, or dyspnea) in AMI patients.

METHODS

FAST-MI 2010, a nationwide French registry, included 4169 patients with AMI in 213 centers at the end of 2010 (76% of active centers). Demographics, medical history, hospital management, and outcomes were compared according to predominant symptom presentation.

RESULTS

Typical chest pain with no other symptom was reported in 3020 patients (68% in STEMI patients, 76% in NSTEMI patients). Atypical chest pain, dyspnea, syncope, and cardiac arrest were reported in 11%, 11%, 5%, and 1%, respectively. Patients with atypical clinical presentation had a higher cardiovascular risk profile and received fewer medications and a less invasive strategy. Using Cox multivariate analysis, atypical chest pain was not associated with higher death rate at 3 years (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.69-1.33, P = 0.78), whereas cardiac arrest (HR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.00-5.97, P = 0.05), syncope (HR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.18-2.46, P = 0.005), and dyspnea (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.31-2.10, P < 0.001) were associated with higher long-term mortality compared with patients with typical isolated chest pain. Similar trends were observed in STEMI and NSTEMI populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Atypical clinical presentation is observed in about 20% of AMI patients. Cardiac arrest, dyspnea, and syncope represent independent predictors of long-term mortality in STEMI and NSTEMI populations.

Determinants of short and long door-to-balloon time in current primary percutaneous coronary interventions

Primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have been developed to improve clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In primary PCI, the door-to-balloon time (DTBT) is closely associated with mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to find determinants of short and long DTBT. From our hospital record, we included 214 STEMI patients, and divided into the short DTBT group (DTBT < 60 min, n = 60), the intermediate DTBT group (60 min ≤ DTBT ≤ 120 min, n = 121) and the long DTBT group (DTBT > 120 min, n = 33). In-hospital mortality was highest in the long DTBT group (24.2%), followed by the intermediate DTBT group (5.8%), and lowest in the short DTBT group (0%) (< 0.001). Transfers from local clinics or hospitals (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.72-6.83, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with short DTBT, whereas Killip class 3 or 4 (vs. Killip class 1 or 2: OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.64, P = 0.007) was inversely associated with short DTBT in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, transfer from local clinics/hospitals was associated with short DTBT. Our results may suggest the current limitation of ambulance system, which does not include pre-hospital ECG system, in Japan. The development of pre-hospital ECG system would be needed for better management in STEMI.