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Biomedical subjects

H Mickley

Publications and source records attributed to H Mickley.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Characteristics and prognostic importance of ST-segment elevation on Holter monitoring early after acute myocardial infarction.

The correlation between episodes of ST-segment elevation on Holter monitoring, clinical characteristics, left ventricular function, exercise testing, and long-term prognosis was determined in 123 consecutive patients 55 +/- 8 years old (mean +/- SD) with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). During 36 hours of Holter recording 11 +/- 5 days after AMI, 11 patients (9%) had 91 episodes of ST-segment elevation (group 1), whereas 112 patients had no such episodes (group 2). Most episodes of ST-segment elevation occurred in leads with pathologic Q waves or small, indistinct R waves. Large, anterior Q-wave AMIs were more prevalent in group 1 than in group 2, and in-hospital heart failure also occurred more frequently in group 1 patients (82% vs 23%; p < 0.0005). Regional and global left ventricular function was reduced in group 1 compared with group 2: ejection fraction 33 +/- 11% vs 50 +/- 11% (p = 0.0001). All episodes of ST-segment elevation were asymptomatic and did not correlate with different indicators of myocardial ischemia. Indeed, exercise-induced ST-segment depression was more prevalent in group 2 than in group 1: 57 vs 18% (p < 0.035). Over a mean of 5 years (range 4 to 6) of follow-up, an association between episodes of ST-segment elevation on Holter monitoring and (1) cardiac death (Kaplan-Meier analysis; p < 0.005), and (2) cardiac death and nonfatal reinfarction (Kaplan-Meier analysis; p < 0.025) was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Echocardiography↗

[Should silent ischemia be diagnosed and treated?].

Silent ischaemia (objective signs of myocardial ischaemia without symptoms) can be diagnosed using a conventional exercise-test or ambulatory Holter monitoring. Silent ischaemia is a frequent phenomenon in patients with ischaemic heart disease, i.e. patients with angina pectoris or previous myocardial infarction. The reason why ischaemia is symptomatic in some cases, and asymptomatic in others is unknown. Different possible mechanisms are discussed. Myocardial ischaemia, symptomatic or not is accompanied by a compromised function of the left ventricle, including reduced ejection fraction during exercise. In selected groups of patients, silent ischaemia is related to an impaired prognosis, while it does not seem to carry any prognostic information in other groups of patients. Silent ischaemia can be treated/reduced using antianginal medication or revascularization, but for the time being it is not known if treatment can improve prognosis. Studies concerning the latter are under way.

Humans↗

Prognostic significance of transient myocardial ischaemia after first acute myocardial infarction: five year follow up study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the five year prognostic significance of transient myocardial ischaemia on ambulatory monitoring after a first acute myocardial infarction, and to compare the diagnostic and long term prognostic value of ambulatory ST segment monitoring, maximal exercise testing, and echocardiography in patients with documented ischaemic heart disease. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Cardiology department of a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 123 consecutive men aged under 70 who were able to perform predischarge maximal exercise testing. INTERVENTIONS: Echocardiography two days before discharge (left ventricular ejection fraction), maximal bicycle ergometric testing one day before discharge (ST segment depression, angina, blood pressure, heart rate), and ambulatory ST segment monitoring (transient myocardial ischaemia) started at hospital discharge a mean of 11 (SD 5) days after infarction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relation of ambulatory ST segment depression, exercise test variables, and left ventricular ejection fraction to subsequent objective (cardiac death or myocardial infarction) or subjective (need for coronary revascularisation) events. RESULTS: 23 of the 123 patients had episodes of transient ST segment depression, of which 98% were silent. Over a mean of 5 (range 4 to 6) years of follow up, patients with ambulatory ischaemia were no more likely to have objective end points than patients without ischaemic episodes. If, however, subjective events were included an association between transient ST segment depression and an adverse long term outcome was found (Kaplan-Meier analysis; P = 0.004). The presence of exercise induced angina identified a similar proportion of patients with a poor prognosis (Kaplan-Meier analysis; P < 0.004). Both exertional angina and ambulatory ST segment depression had high specificity but poor sensitivity. The presence of exercise induced ST segment depression was of no value in predicting combined cardiac events. Indeed, patients without exertional ST segment depression were at increased risk of future objective end points (Kaplan-Meier analysis; P < 0.0045). These findings may be explained in part by a higher prevalence of left ventricular dysfunction in patients without ischaemic changes in the exercise electrocardiogram (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There seem to be limited reasons to perform ambulatory ST segment monitoring in survivors of a first myocardial infarction who can perform exercise tests before discharge. Patients at high risk of future myocardial infarction or death from cardiac causes are not identified. Ambulatory monitoring and exertional angina distinguish a small subset of patients who will develop severe angina pectoris demanding coronary revascularisation during follow up. Patients without exercise induced ST segment depression comprise a high risk subgroup in terms of subsequent objective end points. The role of ambulatory ST segment monitoring performed in unselected patients immediately after infarction when risk is maximal remains to be clarified.

Echocardiography↗

Transient myocardial ischemia after myocardial infarction.

Ambulatory ST-segment monitoring is a relatively new device in the evaluation of myocardial ischemia. The method is unique in allowing us to continuously examine the patient over an extended period of time in a changing environmental milieu. In survivors of acute myocardial infarction the prevalence of ambulatory or transient myocardial ischemia is lower than in patients with chronic, stable coronary artery disease. A greater proportion of ischemic episodes, however, are silent than in other subgroups with ischemic heart disease. Early after the infarction, transient myocardial ischemia exhibits a circadian variation with a peak activity occurring in the late evening hours. Patients with non-Q wave infarction have more transient myocardial ischemia, whereas thrombolytic therapy seems to result in less residual ischemia. Exercise testing is more sensitive than ambulatory monitoring in the detection of postinfarction myocardial ischemia. There appears to be a poor association between transient myocardial ischemia and severe left ventricular dysfunction. Transient myocardial ischemia has been shown to provide prognostic information in different subsets of patients with previous myocardial infarction, but there is considerable disagreement about how this is expressed in terms of cardiac events. The precise role of postinfarction ST-segment monitoring in clinical practice has yet to be established.

Circadian Rhythm↗

[Ambulatory ST-segment monitoring after acute myocardial infarction].

Over the last decade the concept of silent myocardial ischaemia has received considerable attention. Without doubt, the increased use of ambulatory ST-segment monitoring is the most important reason for the growing interest in this field. The prevalence of ambulatory ischaemia after myocardial infarction seems to be lower than in other subgroups with coronary artery disease. In postinfarction patients, however, a greater proportion of ischaemic episodes are silent. At present there is substantial evidence that ambulatory ischaemia provides prognostic information in different subsets of patients with previous myocardial infarction, but there is considerable disagreement about how this is expressed in terms of cardiac events. Patient selection, small patient numbers, and different timing of ambulatory monitoring are proposed as important reasons for the inconsistent findings. The precise role of postinfarction ambulatory ST-segment monitoring in clinical practice has yet to be established.

Electrocardiography, Ambulatory↗

Cardiac troponin T and CK-MB mass release after visually successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in stable angina pectoris.

The incidence of cardiac troponin T (Tn-T) and creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme MB mass release was studied in 23 patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing visually successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Serial blood samples were drawn for measurement of serum Tn-T, CK-MB mass, total CK activity, CK-MB activity, and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme (LD-1). ST segment monitoring was carried out during PTCA and for the following 24 hours. None of the patients showed electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence of myocardial infarction. However, Tn-T was elevated in three patients (0.23 to 1.32 micrograms/L), and in these three and an additional three patients CK-MB mass was also elevated (7.0 to 27.5 micrograms/L). Total CK activity and LD-1 were only elevated in one of these six patients. None had elevated CK-MB activity. ST segment depression on ECG recording was not predictive of Tn-T or CK-MB mass release. Patients with elevated Tn-T or CK-MB mass did not differ with respect to demographic data, stenosis characteristics, or in the PTCA procedure. We conclude that CK-MB mass uncovers clinically and ambulatory electrocardiographically inapparent severe myocardial ischemia/minor myocardial damage (microembolization) in 26% (6 of 23) of patients after visually successful PTCA; 13% (3 of 23) had elevated Tn-T, indicating minor myocardial damage. The application of these markers in the future could be of considerable value for determining the efficacy of coronary angioplasty and atherectomy, as well as for drug therapy in connection with such procedures.

Adult↗

Ambulatory ST segment monitoring after myocardial infarction.

The prevalence of transient myocardial ischaemia after myocardial infarction seems to be lower than in other subgroups with coronary artery disease. In postinfarction patients, however, a greater proportion of ischaemic episodes are silent. At present there is substantial evidence that transient ischaemia provides prognostic information in different subsets of patients with previous myocardial infarction, but there is considerable disagreement about how this is expressed in terms of cardiac events. Small patient numbers, patient selection, and different timing of ambulatory monitoring are proposed as important reasons for the inconsistent findings. The precise role of ambulatory ST segment monitoring in clinical practice has yet to be established. Direct comparisons with exercise stress testing may not be appropriate for two reasons. Firstly, the main advantage of ambulatory monitoring may be that it can be performed early after infarction at the time of maximum risk. Secondly, it can be performed in most patients after infarction, including those recognised as being at high risk who are unable to perform an exercise stress test.

Electrocardiography, Ambulatory↗

Effect of thrombolytic therapy on postinfarction myocardial ischemia.

In patients with acute myocardial infarction a substantial reduction in mortality can be achieved by early intravenous thrombolytic therapy. The beneficial effect of thrombolysis on left ventricular function is relatively small, and it seems unlikely that this minor improvement alone can be responsible for the reduction in cardiac death. So far it has not been clearly established how thrombolytic therapy affects postinfarction myocardial ischemia. From studies evaluating ST segment changes on exercise testing or ambulatory monitoring it is concluded that thrombolysis probably results in a reduction of residual ischemia. The reduced ischemic burden is proposed to be one important pathophysiological mechanism underlying the frequently observed improvement in hemodynamic stress test variables following thrombolytic treatment.

Exercise Test↗

Psychosocial aspects and mental health in children after permanent pacemaker implantation.

The present study was designed to evaluate the psychosocial status and the mental health of children receiving a permanent pacemaker during childhood. Nineteen children under the age of 19 years had a permanent pacemaker implanted. Contact was established to 15 of these patients, 7 girls and 8 boys, and they were given a child-psychiatric evaluation consisting of a semi-structured and a child-psychiatric interview. The psychological interview used intelligence tests and the Draw-A-Person test as well as the Rorschach test. The patients had had their pacemakers during an average of 6.7 years (range 3-14). Generally the psychological condition was strained in 7 families, in which psychiatric and social therapy had been necessary. The children's intelligence was within normal ranges, average IQ being 110 (range 80-135). The children had abnormal body image related to the pacemaker. Adults virtually incorporate the pacemaker in their body image without disturbance, but children who are forming their body image and identity, are influenced by having a pacemaker. This may give psychosocial implication.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Transient myocardial ischemia after a first acute myocardial infarction and its relation to clinical characteristics, predischarge exercise testing and cardiac events at one-year follow-up.

The relation between early out-of-hospital ambulatory ST-segment monitoring, clinical characteristics, predischarge maximal exercise testing and cardiac events was determined in 123 consecutive men (age 55 +/- 8 years) with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). During 36 hours of ambulatory recording 11 +/- 5 days after AMI 23 patients (19%) had 123 ischemic episodes (group 1), whereas 100 patients demonstrated no ischemia (group 2). Exercise-induced ST-segment depression was more prevalent in group 1 (83%) than in group 2 (47%) (p < 0.005). Group 1 patients also had more severe ischemia as judged from a shorter exercise duration before significant ST-segment depression (5.5 +/- 2.4 vs 7.7 +/- 4.1 minutes; p < 0.03) and more pronounced ST-segment depression on exercise testing (4.1 +/- 2.6 vs 2.6 +/- 1.6 mm; p < 0.03). Furthermore, exercise test results revealed an impaired hemodynamic response in group 1 compared with group 2: systolic blood pressure at maximal work load 160 +/- 31 vs 176 +/- 28 mm Hg (p < 0.025) and systolic blood pressure increase during exercise 41 +/- 24 vs 56 +/- 22 mm Hg (p < 0.01). With-in 368 +/- 8 days of follow-up the frequency of cardiac events (cardiac death, nonfatal reinfarction, and severe angina including the need of revascularization) was 52% in group 1 compared with 22% in group 2 (p < 0.01). Exercise-induced ischemia did not predict an adverse outcome: event rate 30 vs 25% in patients without residual ischemia (p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Echocardiography↗

Residual myocardial ischaemia in first non-Q versus Q wave infarction: maximal exercise testing and ambulatory ST-segment monitoring.

In a prospective study of 123 consecutive survivors of a first myocardial infarction (43 non-Q wave, 80 Q wave), we determined the total residual ischaemic burden by use of pre-discharge maximal exercise testing and post-discharge 36 h ambulatory ST-segment monitoring initiated 11 +/- 5 days after the infarction. The prevalence of exercise-induced ischaemic manifestations in the infarct types was similar: chest pain 14% vs 16% and ST-segment depression 54% vs 54%. The ischaemic threshold did not differ either (heart rate at 1 mm of ST-segment depression 120 +/- 27 vs 119 +/- 25 beats.min-1). During early post-discharge daily activities, more patients with non-Q wave infarction demonstrated transient episodes of ST-segment depression: 28% vs 14% (ns). Furthermore, ischaemic episodes were significantly longer (42.5 +/- 50.1 vs 22.0 +/- 20.6 min; P < 0.001), and the ischaemic threshold was significantly lower in non-Q wave infarction (heart rate at onset of ST-segment depression 84 +/- 11 vs 88 +/- 9 beats.min-1; P < 0.05). During 3.5 +/- 0.9 years of follow-up the proportion of patients with > or = 1 ischaemic event (non-fatal reinfarction, angina pectoris, revascularization) was significantly higher in non-Q wave infarction (51%) as compared to Q wave infarction (31%) (P < 0.05). In both infarct types the presence of ST-segment depression on ambulatory recording and exercise testing significantly predicted the development of future angina pectoris, whereas patients at increased risk for subsequent non-fatal reinfarction or cardiac death were not identified.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Changing circadian variation of transient myocardial ischemia during the first year after a first acute myocardial infarction.

In a consecutive series of 123 men (aged 55 +/- 8 years) with a recent first acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 24-hour ambulatory ST-segment monitoring was performed early after discharge (day 11 +/- 5), 6 months (day 185 +/- 6) and 1 year (day 368 +/- 8) after AMI. No difference in the prevalence of transient myocardial ischemia was found between the 3 recordings (17, 17 and 20%), and most ischemic episodes were silent (98, 100 and 97%). In the early postinfarction period, a peak of ischemic activity was demonstrated between 6 P.M. and midnight (40 of 93 episodes [43%]). Over time, the maximal occurrence of ischemia gradually advanced toward the morning hours with a peak activity between 6 A.M. and noon at 1-year follow-up (32 of 73 episodes [44%]). Significantly more patients (16 of 21 [76%]) had ischemia from 6 P.M. to midnight at discharge compared with the findings 1 year later (9 of 23 patients [39%]) (p < 0.03). An opposite trend was found regarding patients who exhibited ischemic episodes in the hours from 6 A.M. to noon: 10 of 21 patients (48%) early after discharge versus 17 of 23 patients (74%) at 1-year follow-up (p = not significant). Results from the 6-month recording displayed characteristics between the findings from discharge and 1-year ambulatory monitoring. The pathophysiologic processes underlying the observations from this study are unknown. The change in circadian periodicity could not be explained from differences in heart rate variation patterns or medical antianginal treatment among the 3 recordings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chi-Square Distribution↗

Thrombolysis significantly reduces transient myocardial ischaemia following first acute myocardial infarction.

In order to investigate whether thrombolysis affects residual myocardial ischaemia, we prospectively performed a predischarge maximal exercise test and early out-of-hospital ambulatory ST segment monitoring in 123 consecutive men surviving a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Seventy-four patients fulfilled our criteria for thrombolysis, but only the last 35 patients included received thrombolytic therapy. As thrombolysis was not available in our Department at the start of the study, the first 39 patients included were conservatively treated (controls). No significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics were found between the two groups. In-hospital atrial fibrillation and digoxin therapy was more prevalent in controls (P less than 0.05). During exercise, thrombolysed patients reached a higher maximal work capacity compared with controls: 160 +/- 41 vs 139 +/- 34 W (P less than 0.02). Thrombolysis resulted in a non-significant reduction in exercise-induced ST segment depression: prevalence 43% vs 62% in controls. However, during ambulatory monitoring the duration of transient myocardial ischaemia was significantly reduced in thrombolysed patients: 322 min vs 1144 min in controls (P less than 0.05). Thrombolysed patients reached a higher heart rate during transient ischaemic episodes: 114 +/- 17 vs 93 +/- 11 b.min-1 in controls (P less than 0.001). In conclusion, thrombolytic therapy administered for a first AMI significantly reduces the burden of transient myocardial ischaemia. This may explain the improvement in myocardial function during physical activities, which was also observed in this study.

Coronary Circulation↗

Rapid estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction in acute myocardial infarction by echocardiographic wall motion analysis.

Echocardiographic estimates of left ventricular ejection fraction (ECHO-LVEF) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were obtained by a new approach, using visual analysis of left ventricular wall motion in a nine-segment model. The method was validated in 41 patients using radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) and contrast ventriculography measurements of LVEF for comparison. ECHO-LVEF from the 41 patients correlated well with the reference methods (y = 1.5x - 14.7, r = 0.93; linear regression analysis; 95% confidence limit for a single determination of ECHO-LVEF was 17.2). Interobserver variability by linear regression was r = 0.89, SEE = 7.1 with a mean difference between paired observations of -1.5 +/- 6.9 (SD). In a random sample of 18 patients (45 observations), ECHO-LVEF allowed separation between RNV-LVEF values greater than or equal to 40 and less than 40, representing low and high risk groups following AMI. Thus, the results showed that simple, readily available wall motion-derived estimates of LVEF were as closely associated with LVEF measured by standard reference methods as were previously published, more cumbersome, planimetric echocardiographic methods. Reporting on global LVEF function in LVEF units rather than in nonstandardized wall motion scores of index values may facilitate intra- and interhospital communication and the use of optimized echocardiographic risk stratification after AMI.

Echocardiography↗

Circadian variation of transient myocardial ischemia in the early out-of-hospital period after first acute myocardial infarction.

Circadian rhythms have been demonstrated in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and in other clinical cardiac dysfunctions. The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether a circadian pattern of transient myocardial ischemia exists after first AMI. Prospectively, 24-hour ambulatory ST-segment monitoring was initiated at discharge on day 11 +/- 5 in 123 consecutive survivors of first AMI. A total of 93 ischemic episodes (91 asymptomatic) occurred in 21 of the 123 patients (17%) (mean duration of 30 minutes, range 4 to 292). A significant circadian rhythm of transient myocardial ischemia was found with a peak activity occurring in the evening hours (p less than 0.01). Thus, 43% of ischemic episodes and 42% of ischemic time occurred between 6 P.M. and 12 midnight. The characteristics of morning and evening episodes were similar, except for the heart rate at maximal ST-segment depression, which was significantly higher during morning episodes (p less than 0.02). Patients with transient myocardial ischemia had a diurnal distribution similar to the circadian variation displayed during ischemic activity. Thus, 16 of the 21 patients had ischemic episodes from 6 P.M. to 12 midnight versus 10 patients from 6 A.M. to 12 noon (p less than 0.01). The 24-hour mean minimal heart rate was significantly higher in patients with than without ischemic episodes (p less than 0.02). In conclusion, this study has established a significant circadian peak of transient myocardial ischemia in the evening hours in survivors of first AMI. Whether the pattern displayed is due to endogenous biologic functions or cyclic variations, or both, in the external environment needs to be clarified.

Circadian Rhythm↗

[Temporary pacemaker treatment in Denmark].

The employment of temporary pacing (TP) in Denmark in 1986 is illustrated by means of a questionnaire investigation. Seventy-four out of 77 Danish hospitals with a medical-cardiological specialist returned usable replies. Facilities for temporary pacing were available in 39 (53%) of the hospitals. The method of pacing most extensively employed was the transvenous method which was used in 33 hospitals while external transcutaneous pacing by Zoll's method was available in 13 hospitals. In transvenous pacing, the subclavian vein was employed routinely in 24 hospitals while a cubital vein was used primarily in eight hospitals. More than 85% of the pacing catheters employed were of disposable type. Only one hospital always employed a permanent pacing lead which could be utilised if permanent pacing should be required. A total of 486 patients with or without acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were submitted to temporary pacing. Employment of temporary pacing in patients with AMI was 0-8.3% (average 3.7%). In general, it was found that hospitals with cardiac laboratory facilities showed the greatest temporary pacing activity. The indications for temporary pacing are assessed on the basis of two case reports. The greatest employment of temporary pacing was found in patients with AMI with third degree atrioventricular block and ventricular escape rhythm (anterior wall 74%, posterior wall 56%). Employment of temporary pacing was least in symptomfree patients with anterior wall AMI and bifascicular block (9%).

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗

Predischarge maximal exercise test identifies risk for cardiac death in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

A maximal exercise test was performed in 54 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) before discharge and in 49 age-matched control subjects. The long-term prognosis was assessed after an average follow-up of 7.6 years in AMI patients and 5.8 years in control subjects. The maximal work capacity and systolic blood pressure increase in AMI patients was 59% that of control subjects (p less than 0.001). Seventeen AMI patients had significant ST-segment shifts, 13 with ST depression and 4 with ST elevation. In AMI patients experiencing a cardiac death during follow-up the maximal work capacity and systolic blood pressure increase were significantly lower than in survivors and those who died from noncardiac reasons (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.05), with no difference between these groups in the number of patients with ST-segment shifts. The average maximal work capacity of control subjects was 143 watts. A maximal work capacity half this (less than or equal to 72 watts) predicted long-term mortality in AMI patients (p less than 0.001). In addition a low increase in systolic blood pressure (less than 30 mm Hg) also predicted long-term mortality (p less than 0.005), whereas ST shifts were of no significant value. In this study maximal work capacity turned out to be the best single exercise variable for identifying groups of AMI patients with very low and relative high risk of cardiac death. When all 3 exercise variables were combined, the predischarge maximal exercise test was of great value in identifying AMI patients at low risk for cardiac death (predictive value of a negative test: 95%).

Aged↗