Thrombolysis Increases the Risk of Free Wall Rupture in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Mechanical Complications of Myocardial Infarction

In this retrospective observational study, we have examined the incidence, characteristics, and treatment of serious myocardial infarction (MI) -associated mechanical complications (MCs) occurring in Japanese patients in this era of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), focusing on frailty, nutrition, and clinical implication of surgery. Included were 883 patients who, having suffered an MI, had been admitted to Nihon University Hospital between January 2013 and April 2020. Fifteen (1.70%) of these patients had suffered a potentially catastrophic MC-ventricular free wall rupture (VFWR, n = 8), ventricular septal rupture (VSR, n = 6), or papillary muscle rupture (PMR, n = 1). Factors associated with the MCs were age, poor nutritional status, a high Killip class, delayed diagnosis of MI, a high lactate concentration, a low thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade, and single-vessel disease. Thirty-day mortality among MC patients was 60% (9/15): 87.5% associated with VFWR, 33.3% associated with VSR and 0% associated with PMR. On adjusted multivariate analysis, occurrence of an MC was independently associated with 30-day mortality. Despite a high surgical risk (EuroSCORE II: 11.8 ± 4.7) with less frailty, 30-day mortality was lower among patients whose MC was treated surgically than among those whose MC was treated conservatively (40.0% versus 100.0%, respectively; P = 0.044).Our data suggest that surgical intervention can save patients with a life-threatening MI-associated MC and should be considered, if they are not particularly frail.

Cardiac Rupture Due to Reinfarction in the Early Phase of Apical Myocardial Infarction

A 72-year-old woman with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus presented to our hospital because of the sudden onset of chest pain. Emergency coronary angiography showed acute occlusion of the distal left anterior descending artery and coronary intervention with a drug-eluting stent was performed. Sudden cardiopulmonary arrest occurred on the sixth day of hospitalization, but coronary angiography showed no remarkable progression of the coronary artery diseases, including the site of stent implantation. An autopsy revealed that the cause of the sudden death was apical free wall rupture. In addition, the different timing of acute and sub-acute infarct findings were observed in the apical wall by histology, which indicated cardiac rupture was due to reinfarction at early phase of apical acute myocardial infarction. Although the rate of mechanical complications, including cardiac rupture, is decreasing in the era of primary coronary intervention, in addition to the well-known risk factors of cardiac rupture, the reinfarction of the culprit myocardial site in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction was considered as a possible risk factor of cardiac rupture.

Risk factors for cardiac rupture complicating myocardial infarction: a PRISMA meta-analysis and systematic review

Cardiac rupture (CR) is a complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) that is associated with a high mortality rate. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for CR in patients with AMI. Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant literature published through September 16, 2018. Eligible studies included patients with AMI and compared factors between patients with and without CR. Sixteen studies were identified and included in the meta-analysis. Results revealed that female gender (pooled OR=2.72, 95% CI 2.04 to 3.63, p<0.001), older age (pooled difference in means=6.91, 95% CI 4.20 to 9.62, p<0.001), infarction at left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) (pooled OR=1.85, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.32, p=0.039), and anterior wall infarction (pooled OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.68, p=0.001) were associated with increased risk of CR, whereas history of MI, smoking, and multivessel disease were associated with reduced risk of CR. Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) had reduced risk of CR, while patients who had received any thrombolysis had increased risk of CR. In conclusion, results of systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature suggest that risk factors for CR in patients with AMI include female gender, older age, new-onset MI, non-smoking status, LAD infarction, anterior wall infarction, and single-vessel disease. Furthermore, treatment with primary PCI may help reduce the risk for CR, while thrombolysis might increase the risk for CR.

Development and validation of clinical risk score to predict the cardiac rupture in patients with STEMI

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rupture (CR) is a fatal complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to develop and validate practical risk score to predict the CR after STEMI.

METHODS

A total of 11,234 STEMI patients from 7 centers in China were enrolled in our study, we firstly developed a simplified fast-track CR risk model from 7455 STEMI patients, and then prospectively validated the CR risk model using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves by the other 3779 consecutive STEMI patients. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02484326.

RESULTS

The incidence of CR was 2.12% (238/11,234), and the thirty-day mortality in CR patients was 86%. We developed a risk model which had 7 independent baseline clinical predictors (female sex, advanced age, anterior myocardial infarction, delayed admission, heart rate, elevated white blood cell count and anemia). The CR risk score system differentiated STEMI patients with incidence of CR ranging from 0.2% to 13%. The risk score system demonstrated good predictive value with area under the ROC of 0.78 (95% CI 0.73-0.84) in validation cohort. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention decreased the incidence of CR in high risk group (3.9% vs. 6.2%, p<0.05) and very high risk group (8.0% vs. 15.2%, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A simple risk score system based on 7 baseline clinical variables could identify patients with high risk of CR, for whom appropriate treatment strategies can be implemented.

Comparison of the risk of left ventricular free wall rupture in Taiwanese patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction undergoing different reperfusion strategies: A medical record review study

Ventricular free wall rupture (VFWR) is the second most common cause of death in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Nevertheless, few reports have investigated the factors, including different treatment strategies, associated with VFWR in Taiwanese patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the risk of VFWR in Taiwanese patients with acute STEMI who had received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), rescue PCI, scheduled PCI, thrombolytic therapy, and pharmacologic treatment. In this medical records review study, records of patients with acute STEMI admitted to a regional hospital in south Taiwan between March 1999 and October 2013 were screened. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the risk of VFWR and its independent factors. The overall incidence of VFWR among the 1545 patients with acute STEMI in this study was 1.6%. Compared with primary PCI, the risk of VFWR was significantly higher in patients who had received thrombolysis (adjusted odds ratio = 6.83, P = 0.003) or pharmacologic treatment alone (adjusted odds ratio = 3.68, P = 0.014). The risk of VFWR in patients receiving rescue PCI or scheduled PCI was not significantly different from that in patients receiving primary PCI. In addition, older age and Killip class >I were associated with an increased risk of VFWR in patients with acute STEMI, whereas the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was associated with a lower risk of VFWR. In conclusion, findings from this medical record review study provide support for the use of primary PCI, rescue PCI, and scheduled PCI over thrombolytic therapy and pharmacologic treatment in reducing the risk of VFWR in Taiwanese patients with acute STEMI.

Predictive factors of cardiac rupture in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Cardiac rupture (CR) is a potentially fatal mechanical complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of CR in Chinese STEMI patients. A total of 9798 consecutive STEMI patients from four centers in China were retrospectively analyzed, among which 178 patients had CR. STEMI patients without CR were chosen as a control group. Clinical characteristics were compared between STEMI patients with CR and those without CR. The incidence of CR in STEMI patients was 1.82%, and the 30-d mortality was up to 61.2%. CR patients were significantly older, more female, and associated with a longer time from onset of pain to hospital admission than their non-CR counterparts (P<0.001). More patients with anterior myocardial infarction (82.1%) were found in the CR group, and CR patients had significantly higher heart rates than the control group ((91±19) bpm vs. (71±16) bpm; P<0.001). In multiple-adjusted models, the independent risk factors of CR were advanced age, female gender, anaemia, increased heart rate, anterior myocardial infarction, increased white blood cell (WBC) count, delayed admission, and renal dysfunction. The level of hemoglobin remained a significant determinant factor of CR (OR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.75-0.89); P<0.001) after adjusting for various potential confounding factors. Counts of WBC also remained a significant determinant of the CR (OR (95% CI): 1.08 (1.04-1.12); P<0.001). A number of variables were independently related to CR. This study indicated, for the first time, that both hemoglobin and WBC levels were independently correlated with occurrence of CR.

Use of intra-aortic balloon pump support for oozing-type cardiac rupture after acute myocardial infarction

Left ventricular free wall rupture usually leads to acute hemopericardium and sudden cardiac death resulting in cardiac tamponade. Rarely, only a few patients with subacute free wall rupture such as oozing-type ventricular rupture or left ventricular false aneurysm may permit time for pericardiocentesis and surgery. We report a 63-year-old man with ST-elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention about 12 hours from the onset, and cardiac tamponade occurred on the second day. An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was immediately inserted for hemodynamic support. After 100 mL of pericardial fresh blood was drained from the percardial cavity, his hemodynamic collapse was promptly improved with IABP support. In the following 24 hours, about 600 mL of hemorrhagic pericardial fluid was drained. The most likely diagnosis was concerning for oozing-type ventricular rupture, and a conservative approach was decided. The patient survived to the acute phase under IABP support and was discharged with complete recovery.

Risk of cardiac rupture after acute myocardial infarction is related to a risk of hemorrhage

Although cardiac rupture (CR) is a fatal mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), to date no predictive model for CR has been described. CR has common pathological characteristics with major bleeding. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the risk factors of major bleeding and CR. A total of 10202 consecutive AMI patients were recruited, and mechanical complications occurred in 72 patients. AMI patients without CR were chosen as control group. Clinical characteristics including bleeding-related factors were compared between the groups. The incidences of free wall rupture (FWR), ventricular septal rupture (VSR), and papillary muscle rupture (PMR) were 0.39%, 0.21%, and 0.09%, respectively, and the hospital mortalities were 92.5%, 45.5%, and 10.0%, respectively. Female proportion and average age were significantly higher in the groups of FWR and VSR than in the control group (P<0.01); higher white blood cell count and lower hemoglobin were found in all CR groups (P<0.01). Compared to the control group, patients with CR were more likely to receive an administration of thrombolysis [26.39% vs. 13.19%, P<0.05], and were less likely to be treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) [41.67% vs. 81.60%, P<0.05]. The major bleeding scores (integer scores) of FWR, VSR, and PMR were (17.70±7.24), (21.91±8.33), and (18.60±7.88), respectively, and were significantly higher than that of the control group (11.72±7.71) (P<0.05). A regression analysis identified age, increased heart rate, anemia, higher white blood cell count, and thrombolysis as independent risk factors of CR, most of which were major bleeding-related factors. The patients with CR have a significantly higher risk of hemorrhage compared to the group without CR. Risk of CR after AMI is related to the risk of hemorrhage.

Factors related to heart rupture in acute coronary syndromes in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events

AIMS

To determine the incidence and factors associated with heart rupture (HR) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Among 60 198 patients, 273 (0.45%) had HR (free wall rupture, n = 118; ventricular septal rupture, n = 155). Incidence was 0.9% for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 0.17% for non-STEMI, and 0.25% for unstable angina. Hospital mortality was 58 vs. 4.5% in patients without HR (P < 0.001). The incidence was lower in STEMI patients with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than in those without (0.7 vs. 1.1%; P = 0.01), but primary PCI was not independently related to HR in adjusted analysis (P = 0.20). Independent variables associated with HR included: ST-segment elevation (STE)/left bundle branch block; ST-segment deviation; female sex; previous stroke; positive initial cardiac biomarkers; older age; higher heart rate; systolic blood pressure/30 mmHg decrease. Conversely, previous MI and the use of low-molecular-weight heparin and beta-blockers during first 24 h were identified as protective factors for HR.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of HR is low in patients with ACS, although its incidence is probably underestimated. Heart rupture occurs more frequently in ACS with STE and is associated with high hospital mortality. A number of variables are independently related to HR.

Causes of death in early MI survivors with persistent infarct artery occlusion: results from the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT)

AIMS

OAT randomised patients with an occluded infarct artery three to 28 days after myocardial infarction (MI). The study demonstrated that PCI did not reduce the occurrence of the primary composite endpoint of death, re-MI, and New York Heart Association class IV heart failure in comparison with patients assigned to optimal medical therapy alone (MED). In view of prior literature in similar cohorts showing fewer sudden cardiac deaths and less left ventricular (LV) remodelling, but excess re-MI with PCI, causes of death were analysed in more detail.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Stepwise Cox regression was used to examine baseline variables associated with causes of death. The immediate and primary cause of death did not differ between 1,101 PCI and 1,100 MED patients. One-year cardiovascular death rates were 3.8% for the PCI group, and 3.7% for the MED group, and 0.9% per year for the next four years in both groups. Five of six cases of cardiac rupture occurred in patients undergoing PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

In stable post-MI patients with occlusion of the infarct-related artery, PCI did not change the rate or cause of death. The observation that the majority of cardiac ruptures occurred in patients undergoing PCI deserves further investigation.

The metamorphosis of myocardial infarction following coronary recanalization

The "metamorphosis" of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in terms of pathological features and complications in the reperfusion era is herein discussed. Typically, the AMI following coronary artery recanalization is characterized by frequent subendocardial location, since a prompt coronary lumen recanalization is able to prevent the transmural progression of myocardial necrosis from the endocardium towards the epicardium. Transmural AMI may develop when recanalization occurs late (>6 hours) or is not effective (persistent coronary occlusion). Moreover, reperfused AMI frequently appears reddish because of interstitial haemorrhage, which is thought to be caused by vascular cell damage with leakage of blood out of the injured vessels. Hemorrhage occurs always within the area of necrosis and it is significantly related to the infarct size and to the coronary occlusion time. At histology, typical features of reperfused AMI consist of contraction band necrosis and interstitial hemorrhage. Moreover, a more pronounced inflammatory cellular response is visible within the necrotic area when comparing reperfused with non-reperfused AMI. Reperfusion after prolonged coronary occlusion is also associated with secondary impairment of microcirculatory flow ("no-reflow" phenomenon), that is due to endothelial swelling, luminal obstruction and external compression but may also be aggravated by distal embolization. Finally, the reperfused AMI with its typical subendocardial, non-transmural location, is characterized by a lower incidence of expansive remodelling and related complications, in terms of cardiogenic shock, myocardial rupture, aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm formation and thromboembolism. Moreover, pericardial involvement is a rare occurrence. Unfavorable mechanical consequences of intramyocardial haemorrhage could consist in increased myocardial stiffness, propensity to wall rupture and delayed healing process. However, prospective in vivo large-scale studies in patients with reperfused AMI are needed to assess the prognostic value of hemorrhagic AMI in terms of morbidity and mortality. The knowledge and correct interpretation of these findings at post-mortem by the general and forensic pathologists is of great importance, to provide useful information to the clinicians.

Serum Amyloid A Protein as a Predictor of Cardiac Rupture in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Following Primary Coronary Angioplasty

BACKGROUND

The predictors of cardiac rupture (CR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with successful primary coronary angioplasty have not been identified.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 433 consecutive AMI subjects who underwent reperfusion by primary coronary angioplasty within 24 h of onset, CR occurred in 11 (2.5%), free wall rupture in 9, and ventricular septal perforation in 2. Rates of females, diabetes mellitus and anterior infarction were higher in the group of CR patients than in the others (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of left ventricular (LV) function soon after recanalization, such as LV ejection fraction, regional wall motion, or end-diastolic volume index. Plasma levels of both high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and serum amyloid-A protein (SAA) were significantly higher in the CR patients than in the others (hsCRP: 6.7 +/- 6.7 mg/dl vs 3.3 +/- 3.8 mg/dl, p = 0.007; SAA: 699 +/- 812 microg/dl vs 208 +/- 273 microg/dl, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified SAA as an independent predictor of CR (risk ratio: 8.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.7-25.6, p < 0.05). Conclusions In patients with AMI treated with primary coronary angioplasty, inflammation may be closely related to CR, for which SAA is a useful predictor.