Type 1 or Type 2 Myocardial Infarction in Patients with a History of Coronary Artery Disease: Data from the Emergency Department

Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Elderly Patients: A Narrative Review through Decisional Crossroads

Diagnosis and treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) pose particular challenges in elderly patients. When high troponin levels are detected, the distinction between non-ischemic myocardial injury (NIMI), type 1, and type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) is the necessary first step to guide further care. However, the assessment of signs of ischemia is hindered in older patients, and no simple clinical or laboratory tool proved useful in this discrimination task. Current evidence suggests a benefit of an invasive vs. conservative approach in terms of recurrence of MI, with no significant impact on mortality. In patients with multivessel disease in which the culprit lesion has been treated, a physiology-guided complete percutaneous revascularization significantly reduced major events. The management of ACS in elderly patients is an example of the actual need for a multimodal, thorough clinical approach, coupled with shared decision-making, in order to ensure the best treatment and avoid futility. Such a need will likely grow throughout the next decades, with the aging of the world population. In this narrative review, we address pivotal yet common questions arising in clinical practice while caring for elderly patients with ACS.

Type 2 Myocardial Infarction in a Sub-Saharan Africa Population: Challenging the Current Concepts-Data From REACTIV

BACKGROUND

From a large observational acute coronary syndrome registry in Côte d'Ivoire, we aimed to assess incidence, clinical presentation, management, and in-hospital outcomes for type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) compared with type 1 MI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a cross-sectional monocentric study using data from REACTIV (Registre des Infarctus de Côte d'Ivoire) at the Abidjan Heart Institute. All patients hospitalized with MI between 2018 and 2022 who underwent coronary angiography were included. For each patient, sociodemographic data, cardiovascular risk factors and history, and clinical and paraclinical presentation were collected at admission. In-hospital outcomes, including major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality, were reported. Among 541 consecutive patients hospitalized with MI, 441 met the definition of type 1 MI or T2MI. T2MI accounted for 14.1% of cases. Patients with T2MI showed a trend toward slightly younger age (54 versus 58 years, P=0.09). Patients with T2MI seemed to have less severe coronary artery disease, with less frequent multivessel disease (P<0.001). Main triggering factors for T2MI were coronary embolism (24.2%), severe hypertension with or without left ventricular hypertrophy (22.6%), and tachyarrhythmia (16.1%). In-hospital event rates were low in both MI types. Although the difference was nonsignificant, death rates for patients with type 1 MI tended to be higher than for patients with T2MI, as well as occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed disparities in clinical characteristics, angiographic features, cause, and in-hospital outcomes in T2MI in our population compared with Western populations. These results suggest the heterogeneity of T2MI and the potential causative and demographic variability depending on geographical area.

Diagnostic and prognostic impact of new pathophysiology-based categorization of type 1 and type 2 myocardial infarction: data from the French RICO survey

BACKGROUND

A new classification of type 1 and 2 myocardial infarction (MI) derived from the fourth universal definition of MI (UDMI) has been recently proposed, based on pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). We assessed the impact of this new MI categorization on epidemiology and outcomes, considering type 1 MI (T1MI) and type 2 MI (T2MI), with and without CAD.

METHODS

Retrospective study including all consecutive patients hospitalized for an acute MI in a multicenter database (RICO). MI was defined according to current UDMI. Rates and outcomes of T1MI and T2MI were addressed according to the new classification.

RESULTS

Among the 4,573 patients included in our study, 3,710 patients (81.1%) were initially diagnosed with T1M1 and 863 (18.9%) with T2MI. After reclassification, 96 T2MI patients were moved into the T1MI category. Out of the remaining 767 patients with T2MI, 567 underwent coronary angiography, and were adjudicated as type 2A MI (68.6%) with obstructive CAD, and type 2B MI (31.4%) without obstructive CAD. When compared with T1MI and T2BMI, T2AMI patients had worse in-hospital outcomes, including severe heart failure (P < .001), atrial fibrillation or flutter (P < .001) and severe bleeding (P < .001). Kaplan-Meier 1-year survival curves showed higher all-cause and CV causes mortality in T2AMI patients compared to T1MI and T2BMI (P < .001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, type of MI was independent predictor of death.

CONCLUSION

Our large observational multicenter study shows major disparities in mortality according to type of MI and support the relevance of the new MI classification to improve risk classification, taking into account CAD in T2MI. Our findings may help identifying specific phenotypes and considering personalized diagnostic and management strategies.

Coronary Artery Disease: A Key Issue in Type 2 Myocardial Infarction: Systematic Review and Recent Findings

Underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasingly considered to be a key issue in the pathophysiology of type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI). In T2MI, which is attributable to a mismatch between oxygen supply/demand, CAD is common and appears to be more severe than in type 1 myocardial infarction (T1MI). Little is known about the heterogeneous mechanisms that cause supply/demand imbalance and non-coronary triggers leading to myocardial ischemia or about how they are potentially modulated by the presence and severity of CAD. CAD seems to be underrecognized and undertreated in T2MI, even though previous studies have demonstrated both the short and long-term prognostic value of CAD in T2MI. In this literature review, we attempt to address the prevalence and severity of CAD, challenges in the discrimination between T2MI and T1MI in the presence of CAD, and the prognostic value of CAD among patients with T2MI.

L'infarctus du myocarde type 2

Type 2 MI is a category of myocardial infarction according to the UDMI, frequently encountered in routine practice but still poorly understood in terms of prevalence, diagnostic and therapeutic approach, it affects a heterogeneous population at high risk of major cardiovascular events and non-cardiac death. It is due to an inadequacy between oxygen supply and demand in the absence of a primary coronary event, e.g. coronary artery spasm, coronary embolism, anemia, arrhythmias, hypertension or hypotension. Diagnosis has traditionally required an integrated history assessment, with some combination of indirect evidence of myocardial necrosis based on biochemical, electrocardiographic, and imaging modalities. Differentiation between type 1 and type 2 MI is more complicated than it appears. Treatment of the underlying pathology is the primary goal of treatment.

The potential role of SARS-CoV-2 infection in acute coronary syndrome and type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI): Intertwining spread

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has been shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced inflammatory and oxidative stress and associated endothelial dysfunction may lead to the development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Therefore, this review aimed to ascertain the link between severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and ACS. ACS is a spectrum of acute myocardial ischemia due to a sudden decrease in coronary blood flow, ranging from unstable angina to myocardial infarction (MI). Primary or type 1 MI (T1MI) is mainly caused by coronary plaque rupture and/or erosion with subsequent occlusive thrombosis. Secondary or type 2 MI (T2MI) is due to cardiac and systemic disorders without acute coronary atherothrombotic disruption. Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked with the development of nonobstructive coronary disorders such as coronary vasospasm, dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial fibrosis, and myocarditis. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with systemic inflammation that might affect coronary atherosclerotic plaque stability through augmentation of cardiac preload and afterload. Nevertheless, major coronary vessels with atherosclerotic plaques develop minor inflammation during COVID-19 since coronary arteries are not initially and primarily targeted by SARS-CoV-2 due to low expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in coronary vessels. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 infection through hypercytokinemia, direct cardiomyocyte injury, and dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system may aggravate underlying ACS or cause new-onset T2MI. As well, arrhythmias induced by anti-COVID-19 medications could worsen underlying ACS.

New horizons in Type 2 myocardial infarction: pathogenesis, assessment and management of an emerging geriatric disease

Type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) is characterised by a functional imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand in the absence of a thrombotic process, leading to myocardial necrosis. This type of MI was relatively unknown among clinicians until the third universal definition of MI was published in 2017, differentiating Type 2 from Type 1 MI, which follows an acute atherothrombotic event. The pathogenesis, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of Type 2 MI are described in the present review. Type 2 MI is a condition that is strongly linked to age because of vascular ageing concerning both epicardic vessels and microcirculation, age-related atherosclerosis and stress maladaptation. This condition predominantly affects multimorbid individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease. However, the conditions that lead to the functional imbalance between oxygen supply and demand are frequently extra-cardiac (e.g. pneumonia or anaemia). The great heterogeneity of the underlying etiological factors requires a comprehensive approach that is tailored to each case. In the absence of evidence for the benefit of invasive reperfusion strategies, the treatment of Type 2 MI remains to date essentially based on the restoration of the balance between oxygen supply and demand. For older co-morbid patients with Type 2 MI, geriatricians and cardiologists need to work together to optimise etiological investigations, treatment and prevention of predisposing conditions and precipitating factors.

Diagnostic features, management and prognosis of type 2 myocardial infarction compared to type 1 myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

Distinguishing type 2 (T2MI) from type 1 myocardial infarction (T1MI) in clinical practice can be difficult, and the management and prognosis for T2MI remain uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To compare precipitating factors, risk factors, investigations, management and outcomes for T2MI and T1MI.

DATA SOURCES

Medline and Embase databases as well as reference list of recent articles were searched January 2009 to December 2020 for term 'type 2 myocardial infarction'.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were included if they used a universal definition of MI and reported quantitative data on at least one variable of interest.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Data were pooled using random-effect meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment tool. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were followed. All review stages were conducted by two reviewers.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Risk factors, presenting symptoms, cardiac investigations such as troponin and angiogram, management and outcomes such as mortality.

RESULTS

40 cohort studies comprising 98 930 patients with T1MI and 13 803 patients with T2MI were included. Compared with T1MI, patients with T2MI were: more likely to have pre-existing chronic kidney disease (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.53 to 2.28) and chronic heart failure (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.82 to 3.03), less likely to present with typical cardiac symptoms of chest pain (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.26) and more likely to present with dyspnoea (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.86 to 3.74); more likely to demonstrate non-specific ST-T wave changes on ECG (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.81 to 3.79) and less likely to show ST elevation (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.28); less likely to undergo coronary angiography (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.12) and percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 0.06; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.10) or receive cardioprotective medications, such as statins (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.38) and beta-blockers (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.63). T2MI had greater risk of all cause 1-year mortality (OR 3.11; 95% CI 1.91 to 5.08), with no differences in short-term mortality (OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.63 to 2.85).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

This review has identified clinical, management and survival differences between T2MI and T1MI with greater precision and scope than previously reported. Differential use of coronary revascularisation and cardioprotective medications highlight ongoing uncertainty of their utility in T2MI compared with T1MI.

Myocardial infarction during giant cell arteritis: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular risk is increased in giant cell arteritis (GCA). We aimed to characterize myocardial infarction (MI) in a GCA cohort, and to compare the GCA and non-GCA population affected by MI.

METHODS

In patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of GCA between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2016 in Côte D'Or (France), we identified patients with MI by crossing data from the territorial myocardial infarction registry (Observatoire des Infarctus de Côte d'Or) database. Five controls (non-GCA + MI) were paired with one case (GCA + MI) after matching for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors and prior cardiovascular disease. MI were characterized as type 1 MI (T1MI), resulting from thrombus formation due to atherothrombotic disease, or type 2 MI (T2MI), due to a myocardial supply/demand mismatch. GCA-related MI was defined as MI occurring within 3 months of a GCA flare (before or after).

RESULTS

Among 251 biopsy-proven GCA patients, 13 MI cases were identified and paired with 65 controls. MI was GCA-related in 6/13 cases, accounting for 2.4% (6/251) of our cohort. T2MI was more frequently GCA-related than GCA-unrelated (80% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.080), and GCA diagnosis was the only identified triggering factor in 75% of GCA-related T2MI. GCA-unrelated MI were more frequently T1MI and occurred in patients who had received a higher cumulative dose of prednisone (p = 0.032). GCA was not associated with poorer one-year survival.

CONCLUSIONS

GCA-related MI are mainly T2MI probably caused by systemic inflammation rather than coronaritis. GCA-unrelated MI are predominantly T1MI associated with atherothrombotic coronary artery disease.

Type 2 Myocardial Infarction: Evolving Approaches to Diagnosis and Risk-Stratification

BACKGROUND

Type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) is frequently encountered in clinical practice and associated with adverse outcomes.

CONTENT

T2MI occurs most frequently due to noncoronary etiologies that alter myocardial oxygen supply and/or demand. The diagnosis of T2MI is often confused with acute nonischemic myocardial injury, in part because of difficulties in delineating the nature of symptoms and misunderstandings about disease categorization. The use of objective features of myocardial ischemia using electrocardiographic (ECG) or imaging abnormalities may facilitate more precise T2MI diagnosis. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays allow rapid MI diagnosis and risk stratification, yet neither maximum nor delta values facilitate differentiation of T2MI from T1MI. Several investigational biomarkers have been evaluated for T2MI, but none have robust data. There is interest in evaluating risk profiles among patients with T2MI. Clinically, the magnitude of maximum and delta cTn values as well as the presence and magnitude of ischemia on ECG or imaging is used to indicate disease severity. Scoring systems such as GRACE, TIMI, and TARRACO have been evaluated, but all have limited to modest performance, with substantial variation in time intervals used for risk-assessment and endpoints used.

SUMMARY

The diagnosis of T2MI requires biomarker evidence of acute myocardial injury and clear clinical evidence of acute myocardial ischemia without atherothrombosis. T2MIs are most often caused by noncoronary etiologies that alter myocardial oxygen supply and/or demand. They are increasingly encountered in clinical practice and associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes. Clinicians require novel biomarker or imaging approaches to facilitate diagnosis and risk-stratification.

The Multifaceted Interplay between Atrial Fibrillation and Myocardial Infarction: A Review

This review was conducted to emphasize the complex interplay between atrial fibrillation (AF) and myocardial infraction (MI). In type 1 (T1) MI, AF is frequent and associated with excess mortality. Moreover, AF after hospital discharge for T1MI is not rare, suggesting the need to improve AF screening and to develop therapeutic strategies for AF recurrence. Additionally, AF is a common trigger for type 2 MI (T2MI), and recent data have shown that tachyarrhythmia or bradyarrhythmia could be a causal factor in, respectively, 13-47% or 2-7% of T2MI. In addition, AF is involved in T2MI pathogenesis as a result of severe anemia related to anticoagulants. AF is also an underestimated and frequent cause of coronary artery embolism (CE), as a situation at risk of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries. AF-causing CE is difficult to diagnose and requires specific management. Moreover, patients with both AF and chronic coronary syndromes represent a therapeutic challenge because the treatment of AF include anticoagulation, depending on the embolic risk, and ischemic heart disease management paradoxically includes antiplatelet therapy.

[The Frequency of Type 2 Myocardial Infarction in the Structure of Hospital Mortality According to 7-Years Data of a State University Clinic]

 Aim      To evaluate the proportion of type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) in the structure of mortality at a multidisciplinary hospital; to describe major causes for MI development, and characteristics of patients with a verified diagnosis of type 2 MI by data of postmortem examination.Material and methods  1574 protocols of the autopsies performed at the Central Pathology Department of the I.I. Mechnikov North-West State Medical University from 01.01.10 through 31.12.16 were studied retrospectively by the continuous sampling method. A group with verified diagnosis of type 2 MI was isolated from the total sample of autopsies. Major causes for and the proportion of type 2 MI among the causes of death were studied. Also, major demographic parameters, hospitalization profile, and condition of coronary arteries (CA) were compared in patients with fatal type 2 MI and those who died from atherothrombotic type 1 MI.Results Analysis of 1574 fatal cases among patients of the multidisciplinary hospital showed that in 360 cases (22.87 %), the cause of death was MI, including 137 cases of fatal type 2 MI. Proportions of men and women among the patients with postmortem verification of type 2 MI were comparable. Analysis of the age structure showed the highest incidence of type 2 MI in elderly (48.2 %) and senile (34.3 %) age. Mean age of patients with type 2 MI was 71.7 years (68.2 years for men and 75.3 years for women), which was comparable with the age range of patients with fatal type 1 MI. In both groups, men with fatal MI were significantly younger than women. Analysis of causes for type 2 MI demonstrated that the most frequent ones were tachysystolic arrhythmias (59.12 %) and severe hypoxia of different origin (35.04 %). Analysis of the type of CA lesions showed that significant lesions were significantly more frequently absent in type 2 MI (32.85 %) while in type 1 MI, the proportion of patients with unchanged CA was 1.84 %. In the group of patients with fatal type 1 MI, 67.29 % had multivascular lesions, and one in two patients had an occlusive lesion. In the group with type 2 MI, multivascular lesions were half as frequent (31.38 %), and only 4.38 % of patients had a complete occlusion of a coronary vessel. Comparison of death rate in different departments of the multidisciplinary hospital showed that only 29.2 % of patients with type 2 MI originally were managed at a specialized cardiological department; 45.3 % of patients were admitted to an internal medicine department for different conditions often not related with ischemic heart disease. Furthermore, 25.5 % of patients with subsequently developed type 2 MI originally even received scheduled or emergency medical care for a leading surgical condition.Conclusion      Cardiovascular diseases predominate among causes of mortality in a multidisciplinary hospital. This study showed that almost one in four patients dies from MI, and type 2 MI accounts for more than one third of fatal MIs. Among major causes for type 2 MI, tachysystolic arrhythmias (59.12 %) and pronounced hypoxia associated with anemia and severe respiratory failure (35.04 %) should be noted. Gender and age characteristics of patients with type 2 MI were comparable with those of patients with fatal type 1 MI. Furthermore, surgical patients accounted for 25.5 % of fatal cases of type 2 MI.