Permanent pacemaker implantation after alcoholic septal ablation induced complete heart block: Long-term impact

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) that remain symptomatic despite optimized medical therapy often undergo alcohol septal ablation (ASA). One of the most frequent complications is complete heart block (CHB), requiring a permanent pacemaker (PPM) in variable rates of up to 20% of patients. The long-term impact of PPM implantation in these patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes in patients who implant PPM after ASA.

METHODS

Patients who underwent ASA at a tertiary center were consecutively and prospectively enrolled. Patients with previous PPM or implantable cardio-defibrillator were excluded from this analysis. Patients with and without PPM implantation after ASA were compared based on their baseline characteristics, procedure data and three-year primary endpoint of composite of all-cause mortality and hospitalization and secondary endpoint of composite of all-cause mortality and cardiac cause hospitalization.

RESULTS

Between 2009 and 2019, 109 patients underwent ASA, 97 of whom were included in this analysis (68% female, mean age 65.2 years old). 16 patients (16.5%) required PPM implantation for CHB. In these patients, no vascular access, pacemaker pocket or pulmonary parenchyma complications were noted. The baseline characteristics of comorbidities, symptoms, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings were identical in the two groups, with higher mean age (70.6±10.0 years vs. 64.1±11.9 years) and lower beta-blocker therapy rate (56% vs. 84%) in the PPM group. Procedure-related data showed higher creatine kinase (CK) peaks in the PPM group (1692 U/L vs. 1243 U/L), with no significant difference in the alcohol dose. At three years after ASA procedure, there were no differences in the primary and secondary endpoints between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Permanent pacemaker after ASA induced CHB do not affect long term prognosis in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients.

Non-VKA Oral Anticoagulants in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: a Single-Center Study

PURPOSE

Non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) prescription is increasing in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). However, data on efficacy and safety in ACHD is unclear, particularly in severe CHD. The study aimed to review the safety and efficacy of NOACs in ACHD.

METHODS

Retrospective evaluation of ACHD patients started on NOACs from 2014 to 2020, with the primary endpoints of bleeding or thromboembolic events (TE). CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were calculated, mortality was assessed, and risk factors for bleeding were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 93 patients were included, the mean age was 52 ± 15 years, 58% were female, 55.9% had moderate CHD, and 23.7% had severe CHD (3.2% Fontan). Most (66%) had a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2 and 82% HAS-BLED ≤ 2. In a median follow-up of 41 (IQR 21) months (400.4 patient-years), there were TE in two patients. The annual risk for TE was 0.49%/patient/year. The cardiovascular mortality was 2% and all-cause mortality 5%; there were no fatal TE or bleeding events. Minor (n = 6, 6.5%) and major (n = 3, 3.2%) bleeding events were observed, a median of 12 (IQR 15) months after starting NOAC therapy. The annual risk for bleeding was 2.2%/patient/year. Renal disease (HR 14.6 [95% CI 1.23-73.6], p = 0.033) and the HAS-BLED score were predictors of major (adjusted HR 6.97 [95% CI 1.69-28.78], p = 0.007) and minor (adjusted HR 3.80 [95% CI 1.48-9.78], p = 0.006) bleeding complications.

CONCLUSION

In this real-life cohort of selected ACHD, the use of NOACs was safe and effective, with a low incidence of bleeding events.

Intracardiac echocardiography-guided left atrial appendage occlusion: The path to independence

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been the standard method for guiding left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures. Recently, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has emerged as an alternative to TEE due to several advantages, particularly the avoidance of general anesthesia. This analysis aims to assess the safety, feasibility and efficacy of ICE-guided LAAO procedures.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of ICE-guided LAAO procedures, including a comparison of embolic and bleeding events with the predicted standard scores and a comparison with TEE-guided procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 88 patients underwent echocardiography-guided percutaneous LAAO (43 patients with TEE and 45 with ICE), mean age 74.9 years, 68.2% male. In the ICE-guided population, the technical success rate was 93% and the major complication rate was 8.8%. During follow-up, yearly stroke and major bleeding rates were 1.4% and 8.4%, respectively, compared to the 4.0% and 8.7% predicted by the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. In the TEE versus ICE analysis (similar baseline characteristics), no statistically significant differences were seen regarding technical success (95.3% vs. 93.3%), procedure-related complications (14.0% vs. 8.9%), device thrombus (2.3% vs. 0%), residual minor peridevice leaks (14.0% vs. 24.4%), one-year all-cause mortality (9.3% vs. 4.4%), stroke (9.3% vs. 2.2%) or major bleeding events (9.3% vs. 11.1%).

CONCLUSION

ICE-guided LAAO was a safe and effective therapeutic strategy in a high embolic and bleeding risk population, compared to the event rates predicted by the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. The ICE-guided procedure compared well to TEE-guided procedures regarding procedure feasibility, safety, and efficacy.

Short- and long-term outcome after alcohol septal ablation in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Experience of a reference center

INTRODUCTION

In obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), alcohol septal ablation (ASA) can lead to gradient reduction and symptom improvement. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ASA in a long-term outcome study.

METHODS

We analyzed patients who underwent ASA over a seven-year period in a tertiary center. The primary echocardiographic endpoint was >50% reduction in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient within a year of the procedure. The primary clinical endpoints were improvement in functional capacity and a combined endpoint of cardiac death and rehospitalization for cardiac cause. The follow-up period was 4.17±2.13 years.

RESULTS

A total of 80 patients, mean age 63.9±12.3 years, 30.0% male, were analyzed. Baseline LVOT gradient was 96.3±34.6 mmHg and interventricular septal thickness was 21.6±3.1 mm. Minor complications were observed in 6.3% and major complications in 2.5%, and 8.8% received a permanent pacemaker. The primary echocardiographic endpoint was achieved by 85.7%. At three-month follow-up, LVOT gradient was 25.8±26.0 mmHg in the successful procedure group, compared to 69.2±35.6 mmHg in the other patients (p=0.001). At six months, LVOT gradient was 27.1±27.4 vs. 58.2±16.6 mmHg (p=0.024). Among 74 patients in NYHA class III/IV before the procedure, 57 (77%) improved to NHYA class I/II. The combined primary clinical endpoint (cardiac death and rehospitalization for cardiac cause) was observed in 27.5% (n=22). In the unsuccessful group, the combined endpoint was observed in 54.5%, compared to only 22.7% in the successful group. Only two patients died of cardiac causes.

CONCLUSION

ASA is a safe procedure with a high success rate. Patients who achieved significant reductions in LVOT gradient suffered less cardiac death and rehospitalization for cardiac cause.

Long-term follow-up of adult patients with congenital heart disease and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

OBJECTIVE

Sudden cardiac death is common in the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population. Knowledge and experience about the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) in ACHD patients is very limited. We aimed to characterize a cohort of patients with ACHD and ICDs.

DESIGN

Thirty consecutive ACHD patients submitted to an ICD implantation in a single tertiary center were evaluated. Data on baseline clinical features, heart defect, indication for ICD, type of device, appropriate therapies, ICD-related complication, and mortality during follow-up were collected.

RESULTS

Of the 30 patients, 56.7% received appropriate therapies due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). The rate of inappropriate therapies and device-related complications was 33.3%. Secondary prevention and primary prevention patients with class I indications for ICD had more appropriate therapies than complication, but this relationship was reversed for patients with class II indications. Remote monitoring played an important role in diagnosing new atrial arrhythmias before scheduled visits in 46.2% of patients, leading to a change in medication. VT/VF episodes were associated with a composite of death, cardiac transplantation, and hospital admission (OR 13.0; 95% CI: 2.1-81.5).

CONCLUSION

ICDs are not only useful in preventing SCD, but also have a major role in diagnosing atrial tachyarrhythmias ahead of scheduled visits. Although improvements in ICD technology might reduce complications and inappropriate therapies, adequate selection of candidates for primary prevention still remains difficult because of the lack of clear indications.

Apresentação de Feocromocitoma como Crise Adrenérgica Associada a Choque Cardiogénico no Peri-Operatório de uma Cirurgia Eletiva Não Suprarrenal

O feocromocitoma é um tumor de células cromafins secretor de catecolaminas tipicamente localizado na medula suprarrenal. Apresentamos o caso de uma doente previamente assintomática do ponto de vista cardiovascular em que um feocromocitoma silencioso se apresentou como crise adrenérgica associada a choque cardiogénico noperi-operatório de uma cirurgia eletiva não suprarrenal. Discute-se o tratamento agudo em ambiente de cuidados intensivos, bem como os desafios diagnósticos clínicos e bioquímicos. Recebido: 26/09/2016 - Aceite: 17/05/2017

Uma Apresentação Rara de Coartação da Aorta

Doente do sexo masculino, 38 anos, raça caucasiana, mecânico, praticante de meia-maratona. Hipertensão arterial (HTA) diagnosticada aos 35 anos, medicado com ramipril com aparente controle. Recebido: 20/08/2015 – Aceite: 17/12/2015

Alcohol septal ablation in obstructive acromegalic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a first case report

Acromegaly is a rare disease, mostly caused by a growth hormone (GH)-secreting benign pituitary tumor, with an increased production of GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Cardiovascular complications are common and are associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and concentric cardiac hypertrophy. Suppression of GH and IGF-1 appears to improve cardiac function only in the short term, with little or no decrease in left ventricular mass or improvement in cardiac function after prolonged treatment. Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to septal myectomy, with significant improvement in symptoms, gradients and left ventricular remodeling. In this report, we describe the case of a 73-year-old woman with acromegaly due to a pituitary adenoma diagnosed and treated surgically at the age of 38 but with recurrence and reoperation at the age of 50. She was referred to our cardiology department due to a three-month history of progressively worsening exercise-induced dyspnea and orthopnea under optimal medical therapy. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe basal hypertrophy of the interventricular septum (19 mm), dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with a gradient of 70 mmHg at rest and 120 mmHg with Valsalva maneuver, and systolic anterior movement (SAM). Genetic testing excluded the most frequent forms of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. ASA was performed with injection of 2 cc of alcohol in the first septal branch of the left coronary artery, without complications. At one-year reassessment, significant clinical and echocardiographic improvement was noted, with disappearance of SAM. To our knowledge, there have been no previously reported cases of ASA in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to acromegaly. We report a case of successful ASA in acromegalic cardiomyopathy.

Percutaneous closure of a giant left ventricular wall pseudoaneurysm: Anterograde approach with a double snare technique

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, trauma or infection. Since surgical repair is associated with high morbidity and mortality, percutaneous closure has been described as an alternative. In this regard, we present a case in which a symptomatic large left ventricular pseudoaneurysm was treated by percutaneous closure due to the patient's high surgical risk, using a double snare technique. Despite the technical difficulties, this procedure had a good final result followed by clinical success, confirming that this procedure is an effective alternative to surgery in high-risk patients.

New-Onset Hemolytic Anemia after Percutaneous Paravalvular Leak Closure

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

Despite being usually clinically silent, paravalvular leak can present with congestive heart failure (CHF) or haemolytic anemia. Here, the case is reported of a paravalvular leak presenting with CHF, complicated by new-onset severe hemolytic anemia after percutaneous closure with a large ventricular septal duct (VSD) occlude device.

METHODS

A 57-year-old patient presented with infectious endocarditis of a native mitral valve with major mitral regurgitation and was submitted for mitral valvuloplasty. However, one month later failure of the valvuloplasty forced the need for mechanical prosthetic valve implantation. Early endocarditis of the mechanical valve with CHF was noted two months later and led to mechanical valve substitution. One year later the patient presented with a major paravalvular leak and CHF recurrence. Hence, percutaneous paravalvular leak closure was proposed.

RESULTS

A 16-mm VSD occluder was used, and clinical and echocardiography success was noticed. However, new-onset hemolytic anemia with acute kidney injury forced surgical re-intervention, with the successful implantation of a third mechanical valve.

CONCLUSIONS

Usually, percutaneous paravalvular leak closure is a safe and successful method to treat high-risk surgical patients. However, hemolytic anemia may develop after a technically successful procedure, forcing surgical intervention. Dedicated devices are needed to overcome this important safety issue. Video 1: Periprocedural acquisition of 3-D transesophageal echocardiography showing two AVP II in the left atrium after unsuccessful deployment. Video 2: Periprocedural imaging of a muscular ventricular septal duct (mVSD) occluder (16 mm), with successful closure of the paravalvular leak.

Percutaneous closure of a large ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare complication, usually after thoracic surgery or trauma. Since surgical repair is associated with very high morbidity and mortality, percutaneous closure has been described as an alternative. In this regard, we present a case in which a symptomatic large pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta was treated percutaneously due to the high surgical risk. Despite the technical difficulties, this procedure had a good final result followed by clinical success.

[Primary angioplasty in women: Data from the Portuguese Registry of Interventional Cardiology]

AIMS

Although mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is higher in women than in men, there is disagreement as to whether gender is an independent risk factor for mortality in ST- elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our aim was to assess how gender influenced short-term prognosis in patients undergoing PPCI in the Portuguese Registry of Interventional Cardiology.

METHODS

Of 60 158 patients prospectively included in a large registry of contemporary PCI, from 2002 to 2012, we included 7544 patients with STEMI treated by PPCI, of whom 1856 (25%) were female. The effect of gender on in-hospital mortality was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis with propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Women were older (68±14 vs. 61±13 years, p<0.001), with a higher prevalence of diabetes (30% vs. 21%, p<0.001) and hypertension (69% vs. 55%, p<0.001). Men were more frequently revascularized within six hours of symptom onset (71% vs. 63%, p<0.001). Cardiogenic shock was more frequent in women (7.1% vs. 5.7%, p=0.032). Female gender was associated with a worse short-term prognosis, with 1.7 times higher risk of in-hospital death (4.3% in women and 2.5% in men, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-2.27, p<0.001). After computed propensity score matching based on baseline clinical characteristics, in-hospital mortality was similar between women and men (odds ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.68-1.48, p=1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

In the Registry, women with STEMI treated by PPCI had a greater risk-factor burden, less timely access to treatment and a worse prognosis. However, after risk adjustment, female gender ceases to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality.

Very late coronary stent thrombosis after discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent placement is widely used to achieve myocardial revascularization in patients with symptomatic ischemic heart disease and significant coronary artery stenosis. Drug-eluting stents are used in most patients undergoing percutaneous angioplasty. Stent thrombosis is an uncommon but serious complication, manifested mostly by sudden death or acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The authors report the case of a 68-year-old patient with acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Five years previously, she had had a similar presentation and underwent primary angioplasty of the left anterior descending artery with implantation of a drug-eluting stent. The patient was discharged under antithrombotic therapy. She discontinued antiplatelet therapy and two days later suffered an acute anterior myocardial infarction. Primary angioplasty revealed stent thrombosis.

Stent fracture: case report and literature review

We report the case of a man presenting with acute myocardial infarction and a history of percutaneous coronary intervention with implantation of a drug-eluting stent, which was now fractured. This case highlights the growing recognition of stent fracture as a potential mechanism for late stent thrombosis in the drug-eluting stent era. Following the case report, we review the literature on the incidence, contributing factors and clinical impact of stent fracture.

Giant interatrial septal aneurysms mimicking quistic masses. Two cases with different therapeutic options

With the recent technical improvement in echocardiography imaging (second harmonics) the number of interatrial septum aneurysms (ASA) increased and are easily recognized. We assist to an overdiagnosing number of cases and diagnostic criteria emerged to face this problem. In the great majority of the cases ASA are small and inoffensive, but as ASA is considered a risk factor for cardioembolism when associated with persistence of foramen oval (PFO), an examination by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for exclusion of PFO makes the sense and is a common testing in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Besides these frequent ASA, other forms exist; the authors describe two cases of uncommon and huge ASA, one mimicking a right atrial tumor and the other a quistic, hipoechoic mass. The first case was associated with mitral stenosis and was submitted to surgery and the second was closed with an Amplatzer occluder device usually used in atrial septal defect (ASD).

Mensuração e características da dor perineal em primíparas submetidas à episiotomia

OBJETIVO: Mensurar e caracterizar a percepção dolorosa das puérperas primíparas submetidas à episiotomia. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem quantitativa, realizada com 40 puérperas primíparas submetidas ao parto normal com episiotomia. Para mensuração da dor foi utilizada a escala de categoria numérica e para caracterização a versão brasileira do questionário McGill - Br-MPQ. RESULTADOS: Os valores encontrados na avaliação da dor foram de média 4,2 e os descritores que melhor caracterizaram a dor foram: dolorida; que repuxa; incômoda; chata; ardida; pica como uma agulhada; latejante; em pressão. CONCLUSÃO: A intensidade da dor perineal foi considerada como moderada pelas puérperas. Na caracterização da queixa dolorosa os descritores mais citados foram da dimensão sensorial. Este estudo possibilitou observar a necessidade do reconhecimento dos aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos da dor na prática clinica obstétrica.

Enhanced dispersion of atrial refractoriness as an electrophysiological substrate for vulnerability to atrial fibrillation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Atrial electrical remodeling plays a part in recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). It has been related to an increase in heterogeneity of atrial refractoriness that facilitates the occurrence of multiple reentry wavelets and vulnerability to AF.

AIM

To examine the relationship between dispersion of atrial refractoriness (Disp_A) and vulnerability to AF induction (A_Vuln) in patients with clinical paroxysmal AF (PAF).

METHODS

Thirty-six patients (22 male; age 55+/-13 years) with > or =1 year of history of PAF (no underlying structural heart disease--n=20, systemic hypertension--n=14, mitral valve prolapse--n=1, surgically corrected pulmonary stenosis--n=1), underwent electrophysiological study (EPS) while off medication. The atrial effective refractory period (AERP) was assessed at five different sites--high (HRA) and low (LRA) lateral right atrium, high interatrial septum (IAS), proximal (pCS) and distal (dCS) coronary sinus--during a cycle length of 600 ms. AERP was taken as the longest S1-S2 interval that failed to initiate a propagation response. Disp_A was calculated as the difference between the longest and shortest AERP. A_Vuln was defined as the ability to induce AF with 1-2 extrastimuli or with incremental atrial pacing (600-300 ms) from the HRA or dCS. The EPS included analysis of focal electrical activity based on the presence of supraventricular ectopic beats (spontaneous or with provocative maneuvers). The patients were divided into group A--AF inducible (n=25) and group B--AF not inducible (n=11). Disp_A was analyzed to determine any association with A_Vuln. Disp_A and A_Vuln were also examined in those patients with documented repetitive focal activity. Logistic regression was used to determine any association of the following variables with A_Vuln: age, systemic hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, left atrial size, left ventricular function, duration of PAF, documented atrial flutter/tachycardia and Disp_A.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to clinical characteristics and echocardiographic data. AF was inducible in 71% of the patients and noninducible in 29%. Group A had greater Disp_A compared to group B (105+/-78 ms vs. 49+/-20 ms; p=0.01). Disp_A was >40 ms in 50% of the patients without A_Vuln and in 91% of those with A_Vuln (p=0.05). Focal activity was demonstrated in 14 cases (39%), 57% of them with A_Vuln. Disp_A was 56+/-23 ms in this group and 92+/-78 ms in the others (p=0.07). Using logistic regression, the only predictor of A_Vuln was Disp_A (p=0.05).

CONCLUSION

In patients with paroxysmal AF, Disp_A is a major determinant of A_Vuln. Nevertheless, the degree of nonuniformity of AERP appears to be less important as an electrophysiological substrate for AF due to focal activation.

Drug-eluting stents in primary angioplasty long-term clinical outcomes

INTRODUCTION

The use of drug-eluting stents in the context of mechanical reperfusion following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) was initially viewed with concern. The main fear was that the drugs' action in unstable lesions could increase the risk of thrombotic stent occlusion. Furthermore, there was no evidence that the proven benefit of reduced instent restenosis could be extended to such patients, since they were excluded from the initial clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety and long-term clinical outcomes of the use of drug-eluting stents in primary angioplasty.

METHODS

The first 100 consecutive and non-selected patients admitted for MI and treated by primary angioplasty with drug-eluting stent implantation in the target lesion were analyzed retrospectively. The efficacy and safety of the procedure, in-hospital clinical evolution and the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events in the first year were assessed.

RESULTS

Patients' mean age was 58.2 +/- 11.5 years, and 78 were male. The success rate of primary angioplasty was 99%. Stents coated with sirolimus were used in 67 patients, paclitaxel in 19 and dexamethasone in 16. In-hospital mortality was 3%. The follow-up rate at 12 months was 98%. During this period, the rate of target vessel revascularization was 1% (with no patient requiring target lesion revascularization), MI 2%, and overall mortality 3.9%. Fourteen patients had clinical indication for repeat coronary angiography, which showed no significant in-stent restenosis. One event was considered to be due to acute stent thrombosis. The incidence of major adverse events was 5.9%.

CONCLUSION

The use of drug-eluting stents in MI patients undergoing primary mechanical revascularization is safe and is associated with a reduced incidence of major adverse events, thrombosis and clinical restenosis at one year.

Selective pulmonary vasodilators for severe pulmonary hypertension: comparison between endpoints

The therapeutic approach to severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), whether primary or secondary to connective tissue disorders, thromboembolic phenomena or congenital heart disease with Eisenmenger syndrome, has evolved in recent years following the introduction of selective pulmonary vasodilators, including prostacyclin analogs and endothelin receptor antagonists.

AIM

To correlate three different endpoints (6-minute walk test, Tei index and peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity by Doppler echocardiographic study) during follow-up of PAH patients under selective vasodilator therapy.

METHODS

Eleven patients (9 female, age 42 +/- 18 years) with severe PAH (> or = 65 mmHg), 64% with Eisenmenger syndrome, in NYHA class > or = II, were assessed during a follow-up of 11 +/- 8 months. Eight patients were already under therapy with iloprost or bosentan.

RESULTS

There was no correlation between the three endpoints before and after therapy as assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. There was, however, an improvement in all of them after selective vasodilatory therapy.

CONCLUSION

Therapeutic response can be accurately measured by the traditional endpoint (6-minute walk test) or by echocardiographic endpoints. However, the lack of correlation between them excludes their use as alternatives in patient follow-up.

A systematic invasive strategy in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: is age a limiting factor?

INTRODUCTION

A systematic invasive therapeutic strategy for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is currently accepted as safe and effective and evidence is growing for its superiority compared to a conservative attitude. Elderly patients, given their greater susceptibility, are frequently excluded from this approach, and this may limit the potential benefits.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of age on the characteristics and clinical evolution of patients with ACS treated by an invasive strategy and to determine whether this in itself limits its adoption.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 203 patients admitted for ACS (consecutive and non-selected). considered of medium to high risk after evaluation and treated with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors. Of these, 45 patients were aged > or =75 years and they constituted the Elderly group, the remainder constituting the Non-elderly group. Their baseline characteristics, treatment and clinical evolution were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

The Elderly group had more women, although the difference was not statistically significant. Of the other characteristics studied, family history of coronary disease and smoking presented significant differences, both being less frequent among the elderly. There was a non-significant tendency to perform less catheterization in the elderly, the two groups being similar regarding the revascularization therapy chosen. Overall, hemorrhagic complications were more frequent in the Elderly group, but the difference regarding significant hemorrhages did not reach statistical significance. In-hospital mortality was higher in the elderly, but diminished and did not reach statistical significance when only patients in whom catheterization was performed were considered.

CONCLUSION

In this population the elderly had more non-significant hemorrhagic complications but their higher in-hospital mortality was not associated with the adoption of an invasive approach. We therefore suggest that age by itself does not limit the adoption of a systematic invasive strategy.

Prognostic value of neutrophil response in the era of acute myocardial infarction mechanical reperfusion

BACKGROUND

In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary angioplasty, neutrophil response and its prognostic significance are not entirely understood.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 305 consecutive and non-selected STEMI patients. They were divided into three groups according to the maximum neutrophil percentage in the first 48 hours. We compared baseline demographic characteristics, coronary disease risk factors, cardiac history, clinical presentation, therapeutics administered and clinical evolution. We then assessed survival in the three groups and determined predictors of 30-day mortality. Group 1 (G1) had a mean age of 57 +/- 14 years and showed mean neutrophilia of 73.3%, Group 2 (G2) 61 +/- 13 years and 79.9%, and Group 3 (G3) 66 +/- 13 years and 84.2%. We compared outcomes and 30-day mortality between the groups.

RESULTS

Mean age rose with increased neutrophil response. There were no statistically significant baseline differences between the groups except for more smokers in Groups 1 and 2, and more patients presenting with Killip class > or = 2 and fewer with uncomplicated evolution in Group 3. During 30-day follow-up there were 19 deaths (G1=1, G2=3 and G3=15). In univariate analysis mortality predictors were age > or = 75 years, anterior STEMI, maximum creatinine kinase > or = 2500 UI/L, culprit lesion in proximal anterior descending artery, incomplete revascularization, Killip > or = 2 at presentation, and being in G3. After multivariate regression analysis independent predictors were age > or = 75 years, incomplete revascularization and being in G3.

CONCLUSION

In myocardial infarction patients undergoing mechanical revascularization, an intense neutrophil response (routinely, easily and inexpensively assessed) is related to worse short-term prognosis.

[Cavernoma of the lateral ventricle: case report]

Cavernous malformations are uncommon lesions that are usually present in the cerebral hemispheres. They occur rarely in the ventricular system, and even more rarely in the lateral ventricle. Only 28 cases have been previously reported in the literature.

CASE

We present one case of lateral ventricle cavernoma in a 15-years-old female patient, who suffered of mild chronic headache for 8 months, followed by two episodes of sudden intensive headache and stupor with complete recovery after 48 hours. CT scan was performed and revealed a voluminous size, hiperdense mass in the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle. The surgical access to site was through transcallosal interhemisphere approach. The patient had a good recovery without complications.

CONCLUSION

Although lateral ventricle cavernomas are rare they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intraventricular tumors. A wrong preoperative diagnosis has sometimes induced a wrong therapy, such as radiotherapy, for these surgically curable benign lesions.