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J Sanchis

Publications and source records attributed to J Sanchis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

ST-segment elevation on Q-leads during exercise in patients with ST-segment elevation at rest after myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: ST-segment elevation on Q-leads after an acute myocardial infarction is related to a greater infarct size. The meaning of a further exercise-induced ST-segment elevation in these patients has not been analyzed. METHOD: Thirty-six patients with ST-segment elevation on Q-leads were studied after a first acute myocardial infarction. Exercise testing and cardiac catheterization were performed at the first week. Left ventricular volumes (ml/m(2)); the extent of abnormal wall motion (AWM: chords); contractile reserve (AWM improvement with low dose dobutamine) and coronary patency in the culprit artery were analyzed. Cardiac catheterization was repeated at the sixth month in 20 patients; systolic recovery (AWM improvement), left ventricular volumes and coronary patency were again evaluated. RESULTS: Patients with exercise-induced ST-segment elevation in two or more Q-leads (n=21) showed lesser contractile reserve (6+/-6 vs. 12+/-7 chords, P=0.01) than patients without exercise-induced ST-segment elevation (n=13). AWM (F=8.1) and absence of exercise-induced ST-segment elevation (F=9.5; positive predictive value: 80%; negative predictive value: 68%) were the only independent predictors of contractile reserve. Nevertheless, this electrocardiographic sign was not related to left ventricular volumes, coronary patency or systolic function and it did not predicted late systolic recovery. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with baseline ST-segment elevation on Q-leads an exercise-induced ST-segment elevation is independently related to a lesser contractile reserve but not to the evolution of volumes or regional dysfunction during the first 6 months post-infarction. Therefore, the clinical value of this sign seems to be limited to the non-invasive detection of myocardial viability during the early post-infarction phase.

Aged↗

QT dispersion within the first 6 months after an acute myocardial infarction: relationship with systolic function, left ventricular volumes, infarct related artery status and clinical outcome.

INTRODUCTION: We analysed QT dispersion within the first 6 months postinfarction, its relationship with the main established risk stratifiers and its clinical value. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 55 patients with a first Q-wave myocardial infarction the 12-lead electrocardiogram was scanned and digitised for analysis of QT dispersion (QT maximum-QT minimum) at first day (72 [61-96] ms), first week (69 [47-90] ms), first month (67 [46-88] ms) and sixth month (47 [40-74] ms; P<0.0001 vs. first day). Cardiac catheterization was performed at first week and at sixth month; QT dispersion was not related to ejection fraction, left ventricular volumes, infarct related artery status or contractile reserve (improvement of the infarcted area with low-dose dobutamine); no relation was found between QT dispersion decrease from first week to sixth month with regional systolic function improvement. Finally, during a mean follow-up period of 35+/-22 months QT dispersion was not independently related to clinical events. CONCLUSION: QT dispersion decreases progressively during the first months after myocardial infarction. These changes should be taken into account to define cut-off values of clinical interest in this phase. This variable does not seem related to the classic prognosis predictors. In a nonselected postinfarction population it has a low clinical value.

Coronary Vessels↗

[The effect of nocturnal oxygen therapy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and chronic airflow limitation].

Oxygen therapy for patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) usually causes significant side effects. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of short-term nocturnal oxygen therapy in patients with SAHS and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ten patients with diagnoses of SAHS were enrolled. The patients' mean age was 63 (10) years, mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 58 +/- 17, mean FVC was 59 +/- 8% of reference and mean FEV1 was 40 +/- 14% of reference. Using a random, single blind design, two polysomnographic studies were performed on two consecutive nights. Oxygen was administered on one night at a mean flow rate of 1.3 +/- 04 l/min and on the other night air was administered at the same rate. Arterial blood gases were analyzed at the end of each study. Oxygen administration improved nocturnal hypoxia and reduced the AHI, which was 40 +/- 20 with oxygen and 58 +/- 17 with air (p < 0.005). Improvement was achieved at the expense of a reduction in the number of hypopneic episodes. No significant differences were observed in apneic episodes and only a slight increase in the duration of hypopneic episodes was observed (21 +/- 7 s with air and 27 +/- 8 s with oxygen [p < 0.01]). Neither quality of sleep nor heart rate changed. Slight respiratory acidosis was observed in 50% of the patients. In conclusion, nocturnal oxygen administration in patients with SAHS and COPD improved nocturnal hypoxia and reduced the total number of respiratory events. However, in these patients oxygen should be administered with care, even when the rate of flow is low, given the tendency for pCO2 and respiratory acidosis to increase.

Humans↗

Mapping of atrial activation patterns after inducing contiguous radiofrequency lesions: an experimental study.

High resolution mapping techniques are used to analyze the changes in atrial activation patterns produced by contiguous RF induced lesions. In 12 Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts, left atrial activation maps were obtained before and after RF induction of epicardial lesions following a triple-phase sequential protocol: (phase 1) three separate lesions positioned vertically in the central zone of the left atrial wall; (phase 2) the addition of two lesions located between the central lesion and the upper and lower lesions; and (phase 3) the placement of four additional lesions between those induced in the previous phases. In six additional experiments a pathological analysis of the individual RF lesions was performed. In phase 1 (lesion diameter = 2.8+/-0.2 mm, gap between lesions = 3+/-0.8 mm), the activation process bordered the lesions line in two (250-ms cycles) and four experiments (100-ms cycles). In phase 2, activation bordered the lesions line in eight (250-ms cycles, P < 0.01 vs control) and nine experiments (100-ms cycles, P < 0.001), and in phase 3 this occurred in all experiments except one (both cycles, P < 0.001 vs control). In the experiments with conduction block, the increment of the interval between activation times proximal and distal to the lesions showed a significant correlation to the length of the lesions (r = 0.68, P < 0.05, 100-ms cycle). In two (17%) experiments, sustained regular tachycardias were induced with reentrant activation patterns around the lesions line. In conclusion, in this acute model, atrial RF lesions with intact tissue gaps of 3 mm between them interrupt conduction occasionally, and conduction block may be frequency dependent. Lesion overlap is required to achieve complete conduction block lines. Tachycardias with reentrant activation patterns around a lesions line may be induced.

Animals↗

Mild exacerbations and eosinophilic inflammation in patients with stable, well-controlled asthma after 1 year of follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the time to exacerbation and probability of a mild exacerbation of asthma, and the impact of eosinophilic inflammation on these parameters in patients with stable, well-controlled asthma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 31 patients with stable, well-controlled asthma receiving inhaled steroid treatment regularly were followed up for 1 year or until a mild exacerbation occurred. Mild exacerbation was defined as symptoms of asthma lasting > 48 h with a fall in peak expiratory flow > 20%. FEV(1), provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV(1), eosinophil count, and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) levels in blood and in sputum were measured at the first visit and every 2 months. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean (SD) eosinophil count was 0.39 x 10(9)/L (0.21 x 10(9)/L) in blood and 13% (14%) in sputum; ECP was 30 microg/L (28 microg/L) in blood and 75 microg/L (85 microg/L) in sputum. Thirteen subjects experienced a mild exacerbation during the 1-year follow-up period. The mean time to mild exacerbation was 293 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 248 to 337 days), and the cumulative probability of not experiencing a mild exacerbation in 1 year was 49% (95% CI, 39 to 59%). An increased risk of mild exacerbation was associated with blood eosinophil count > 0.4 x 10(9)/L (relative risk 4.5; 95% CI of relative risk, 1.8 to 38.0), blood ECP > 20 microg/L (relative risk, 2.1; 95% CI of relative risk, 1.0 to 9.2), and sputum ECP > 40 microg/L (relative risk, 2.5; 95% CI of relative risk, 1.2 to 11.2), but was unassociated with other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Patient with stable, well-controlled asthma are at risk of mild exacerbation during 1 year of follow-up despite regular inhaled steroid treatment. Eosinophilic inflammation expressed as eosinophil count and ECP is associated with higher risk of mild exacerbation.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Alteration of ventricular fibrillation by flecainide, verapamil, and sotalol: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the myocardial electrophysiological properties are useful for predicting changes in the ventricular fibrillatory pattern. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts were used to record ventricular fibrillatory activity with an epicardial multiple electrode. Under control conditions and after flecainide, verapamil, or d,l-sotalol, the dominant frequency (FrD), type of activation maps, conduction velocity, functional refractory period, and wavelength (WL) of excitation were determined during ventricular fibrillation (VF). Flecainide (1.9+/-0.3 versus 2.4+/-0.6 cm, P<0. 05) and sotalol (2.1+/-0.3 versus 2.5+/-0.5 cm, P<0.05) prolonged WL and diminished FrD during VF, whereas verapamil (2.0+/-0.2 versus 1. 7+/-0.2 cm, P<0.001) shortened WL and increased FrD. Simple linear regression revealed an inverse relation between FrD and the functional refractory period (r=0.66, P<0.0001), a direct relation with respect to conduction velocity (r=0.33, P<0.01), and an inverse relation with respect to WL estimated during VF (r=0.49, P<0.0001). By stepwise multiple regression, the functional refractory periods were the only predictors of FrD. Flecainide and sotalol increased the circuit size of the reentrant activations, whereas verapamil decreased it. The 3 drugs significantly reduced the percentages of more complex activation maps during VF. CONCLUSIONS: The activation frequency is inversely related to WL during VF, although a closer relation is observed with the functional refractory period. Despite the diverging effects of verapamil versus flecainide and sotalol on the activation frequency, WL, and size of the reentrant circuits, all 3 drugs reduce activation pattern complexity during VF.

Animals↗

[Determinants of contractile reserve in the infarction area. A quantitative study using dobutamine in contrast left ventriculography].

AIM: The aim of this study was to relate the contractile reserve in infarction segments to the dysfunction at rest and to the residual coronary stenosis. METHODS: The study group consisted of 95 patients with a first myocardial infarction. Contrast left ventricular at baseline and after dobutamine infusion at 7.5 microg/kg/min and coronary angiograms were performed. The centerline method was used to quantify the extent of dysfunction (percentage of chords with dysfunction in the territory of the infarction artery) and its maximum severity (maximum units of standard deviation [SD] below the normal wall motion reference). Reduction of dysfunction extent with dobutamine was measured. RESULTS: On increasing baseline dysfunction severity, both the magnitude of the response to dobutamine ( 2 SD 3 SD 4 SD +/- 5 SD [n = 15] = 9+/-13%, > 5 SD [n = 13] = 3+/-4%, p = 0,0001), and the number of patients with a significant (> or =15%) positive response ( 2 SD 3 SD 4 SD 5 SD = 0%, p<0,0001) decreased. There were no differences in dobutamine improvement among the subgroups with (n = 84) or without (n = 11) significant stenosis in the infarction artery (18+/-15 vs. 16 +/-18%), or between the subgroups with a patent (n = 76, 18+/-19%) or occluded (n = 19, 11+/-11%) artery. CONCLUSIONS: Dobutamine response is related to dysfunction severity in the infarction area: when the severity is 5 (high negative response prevalence), dobutamine testing does not seem indicate. The existence of residual coronary stenosis does not attenuate contractile reserve at low dobutamine doses.

Cardiotonic Agents↗

[Characteristics of atrial electrograms recorded in radiofrequency induced block lines in an experimental model].

AIM: To analyze and quantify atrial electrogram modifications following the induction of linear lesions in the atrial wall using radiofrequency ablation procedures. METHODS: An epicardial multiple electrode (221 unipolar electrodes) was used in 12 Langendorff perfused rabbit hearts to analyze atrial activation before and after radiofrequency induction of a linear lesion in the left atrial wall. After confirming the existence of conduction blockade in the lesion zone by epicardial mapping and propagation vector analysis, six electrodes each were selected in the lesioned and non-lesioned zones in all experiments, comparing the amplitude, maximum negative slope and morphology of the electrograms in both zones, before (control) and after radiofrequency delivery. RESULTS: Analysis of the reproducibility of the measurements in two consecutive cycles showed a variation of 1 +/- 5% for amplitude (NS) and 1 +/- 9% for maximum negative slope (NS). In the non-damaged zone, amplitude (105 +/- 22%) and slope (92 +/- 16%) (values normalized with respect to those recorded before radiofrequency) did not vary significantly following radiofrequency, and simple electrograms were the most frequent recordings (82 vs 83% in control; NS). Amplitude (19 +/- 7%, p < 0.001) and slope (24 +/- 11%; p < 0.001) decreased significantly in the lesion zone, as did the percentage of simple electrograms (6 vs 86% in control; p < 0,001). In this same zone the morphology could not be determined in 12% of the recordings, while multiple electrograms were obtained in 15% (vs 2% in control; p < 0.01), and the most frequent type corresponded to double electrograms (67 vs 12% in control, p < 0.001), with both components coinciding in time with atrial activation in the zones proximal and distal to the lesion line. CONCLUSIONS: Electrograms recorded directly in radiofrequency induce block lines show a significant decrease in amplitude and maximum negative slope. Double electrograms predominate in these recordings, both components of which represent activation on either side of the lesion. In a small proportion of cases simple and multiple electrograms can also be recorded in the block line.

Animals↗

Opposite effects of myocardial stretch and verapamil on the complexity of the ventricular fibrillatory pattern: an experimental study.

An experimental model is used to analyze the effects of ventricular stretching and verapamil on the activation patterns during VF. Ten Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts were used to record VF activity with an epicardial multiple electrode before, during, and after stretching with an intraventricular balloon, under both control conditions and during verapamil (Vp) infusion (0.4-0.8 mumol). The analyzed parameters were dominant frequency (FrD) spectral analysis, the median (MN) of the VF intervals, and the type of activation maps during VF (I = one wavelet without block lines, II = two simultaneous wavelets with block lines, III = three or more wavelets with block lines). Stretch accelerates VF (FrD: 22.8 +/- 6.4 vs 15.2 +/- 1.0 Hz, P < 0.01; MN: 48 +/- 13 vs 68 +/- 6 ms, P < 0.01). On fitting the FrD time changes to an exponential model after applying and suppressing stretch, the time constants (stretch: 101.2 +/- 19.6 s; stretch suppression: 97.8 +/- 33.2 s) do not differ significantly. Stretching induces a significant variation in the complexity of the VF activation maps with type III increments and type I and II decrements (control: I = 17.5%, II = 50.5%, III = 32%; stretch: I = 7%, II = 36.5%, III = 56.5%, P < 0.001). Vp accelerates VF (FrD: 20.9 +/- 1.9 Hz, P < 0.001 vs control; MN: 50 +/- 5 ms, P < 0.001 vs control) and diminishes activation maps complexity (I = 25.5%, II = 60.5%, III = 14%, P < 0.001 vs control). On applying stretch during Vp perfusion, the fibrillatory process is not accelerated to any greater degree. However, type I and II map decrements and type III increments are recorded, though reaching percentages similar to control (I = 16.5%, II = 53%, III = 30.5%, NS vs control). The following conclusions were found: (1) myocardial stretching accelerates VF and increases the complexity of the VF activation pattern; (2) time changes in the FrD of VF during and upon suppressing stretch fit an exponential model with similar time constants; and (3) although stretching and verapamil accelerate the VF process, they exert opposite effects upon the complexity of the fibrillatory pattern.

Animals↗

Changes in left ventricular filling pattern during dobutamine stress Doppler echocardiography.

AIMS: To study the left ventricular filling pattern during stress Doppler echocardiography and its utility in the detection of myocardial ischaemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography. The left ventricular filling pattern (E-wave velocity; A-wave velocity; E/A ratio; E-wave deceleration time) was analysed at baseline and at maximum heart rate reached. The percentage increase in these parameters from baseline to peak heart rate was also determined. Myocardial ischaemia (regional contractility worsening) was induced in 19 cases (ischaemic group) but not in 38 cases (non-ischaemic group). There were no differences between both groups at baseline. E-wave deceleration time decreased in the non-ischaemic group (197+/-63 vs. 167+/-65 ms, P=0.01) and increased in the ischaemic group (203+/-42 vs. 315+/-135 ms, P<0.0001). A percentage increase in E-wave deceleration time of >30% showed a positive predictive value of 93% and a negative predictive value of 86% for detecting ischaemia, and in the multivariate analysis it was the only Doppler parameter (P<0.0001) that predicted the induction of ischaemia. CONCLUSION: We conclude that myocardial ischaemia provokes an increase in E-wave deceleration time. Analysis of left ventricular filling could help in the identification of those cases which are positive for ischaemia.

Dobutamine↗

Predicting the result of noninvasive ventilation in severe acute exacerbations of patients with chronic airflow limitation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze prospectively the factors related to the success of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic airflow limitation (CAFL) and to generate a multiple regression model in order to detect which patients can be successfully treated by this method. SETTING: A respiratory medicine ward of a referral hospital. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL RESULTS: Initially, we examined 44 episodes of acute respiratory failure in 36 patients with CAFL in whom mechanical ventilation was advisable. In 34 of 44 episodes (77%), NIV was used successfully. Patients in whom NIV succeeded had a lower FEV(1) prior to admission, a higher level of consciousness (LC), and significant improvements in PaCO(2), pH, and LC after 1 h of NIV. A logistic regression model consisting of baseline FEV(1) and PaCO(2) values, initial PaCO(2), pH, and LC values on admission, and PaCO(2) values after 1 h of NIV allowed us to correctly classify > 95% of the 44 episodes in which the outcome was successful. In the second part of the study, we prospectively validated the equation in another 15 consecutive CAFL patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. NIV successfully treated 12 patients (80%), and the model correctly classified 14 patients (93%). CONCLUSION: Good LC at the beginning of NIV and improvements in pH, PaCO(2), and LC values after 1 h of NIV are associated with successful responses to NIV in COPD patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Our validated multiple regression model confirms that these variables predict the result of NIV in acute hypercapnic failure in CAFL patients.

APACHE↗

Long-term effects of outpatient rehabilitation of COPD: A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the short- and long-term effects of an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program for COPD patients on dyspnea, exercise, health-related quality of life, and hospitalization rate. SETTING: Secondary-care respiratory clinic in Barcelona. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial with blinding of outcome assessment and follow-up at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. Sixty patients with moderate to severe COPD (age 65 +/- 7 years; FEV(1) 35 +/- 14%) were recruited. Thirty patients randomized to rehabilitation received 3 months of outpatient breathing retraining and chest physiotherapy, 3 months of daily supervised exercise, and 6 months of weekly supervised breathing exercises. Thirty patients randomized to the control group received standard care. RESULTS: We found significant differences between groups in perception of dyspnea (p < 0.0001), in 6-min walking test distance (p < 0.0001), and in day-to-day dyspnea, fatigue, and emotional function measured by the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (p < 0. 01). The improvements were evident at the third month and continued with somewhat diminished magnitude in the second year of follow-up. The PR group experienced a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in exacerbations, but not the number of hospitalizations. The number of patients needed to treat to achieve significant benefit in health-related quality of life for a 2-year period was approximately three. CONCLUSION: Outpatient rehabilitation programs can achieve worthwhile benefits that persist for a period of 2 years.

Aged↗

[Use of the anesthetic cream EMLA in arterial punction].

INTRODUCTION: Arterial puncture is a painful procedure requiring prior local anesthesia. Various products are available for pain relief, among them EMLA anesthetic cream. OBJECTIVE: To compare pain from simple puncture of the radial artery performed with or without application of EMLA anesthetic cream and after infiltration of mepivacaine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, random double-blind study of 153 patients in three groups: group A, 51 patients who were applied 1 g of EMLA cream; group B, 52 patients who were applied 1 g of placebo cream; and group C, 50 patients who received infiltration of 0.2 ml of 1% mepivacaine. Pain was assessed on a 10 cm visual analog scale (0, absence of pain; 10, greatest imaginable pain). RESULTS: Pain intensity reported by the patients was 2.6 +/- 1.8 in group A, 2.9 +/- 1.8 in group B and 1.6 +/- 1.8 in group C. The results for group C were statistically different from those for groups A and B. The difference between groups A (EMLA) and B (placebo), however, was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Mepivacaine infiltration is the more effective method for minimizing pain from puncture of the radial artery. EMLA anesthetic cream is not effective against pain caused by this procedure.

Anesthesia, Local↗

Wall motion of noninfarcted myocardium. Relationship to regional and global systolic function and to early and late left ventricular dilation.

We studied the wall motion of the noninfarcted area and its role in left ventricular remodeling. The study group consisted of 43 patients with a first Q-wave acute myocardial infarction and single-vessel disease. Cardiac catheterization was performed at the first week, and was repeated six months later. Left ventricular volumes, wall motion at the infarcted and noninfarcted area, ejection fraction and infarction-related artery status were quantified. Hyperkinesia was only found at the first week in 22% of cases, and at the sixth month in 26% of cases. Wall motion at the noninfarcted area correlated with wall motion at the infarcted area (one week: r=0.53 p<0.0001; six months: r=0.52 p=0.01), ejection fraction (one week: r=0.69 p<0.0001; six months: r=0.56 p=0.006), end-diastolic volume (one week: r=-0.48 p=0.002; six months: r=-0.48 p=0.02) and end-systolic volume (one week: r=-0.70 p<0.0001; six months: r=-0.64 p=0.001). The improvement of the noninfarcted area (from the first week to the sixth month) was only related to basal (one week) wall motion in this area (r=-0.58 p=0.003). We conclude that after an intermediate-large infarction, most patients exhibit a normal or hypokinetic noninfarcted area. Patients with a more depressed infarcted area show poorer contractility at the noninfarcted area. area exhibit greater progressive improvement.

Adult↗

Low-dose dobutamine testing using contrast left ventriculography in the same session as coronary angiography predicts the improvement of left ventricular function after coronary angioplasty in postinfarction patients.

The role of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the subacute or chronic phases of myocardial infarction remains controversial. This study investigates the usefulness of dobutamine contrast left ventriculography in a single session with coronary angiography for predicting the improvement of ventricular function after PTCA. The study group consisted of 30 patients in whom a contrast left ventricular angiogram and PTCA were performed after a first myocardial infarction. The centerline method was used to calculate dysfunction extent at baseline and its variation during dobutamine infusion at 7.5 microg/kg/min; contractile reserve was defined as a significant (> or = 15%) reduction of dysfunction extent. A second ventricular angiogram was performed 6 months later in all patients. Abnormal wall motion extent decreased at 6 months after PTCA (84+/-21% vs 70+/-29%, p = 0.0001). Wall motion improvement after PTCA correlated with the response to dobutamine (r = 0.54, p = 0.002). Ten patients showed a significant reduction (> or = 15%) of dysfunction extent at 6 months; dobutamine testing had a 80% sensitivity, 84% specificity, 67% positive predictive value, and 89% negative predictive value in detecting regional function improvement. In the subgroup of 21 patients without restenosis, both the correlation between dysfunction improvement after PTCA and response to dobutamine (r = 0.72, p = 0.0001) and the accuracy of dobutamine testing (sensitivity 88%, specificity 92%, positive predictive value 88%, and negative predictive value 92%) increased. The ejection fraction significantly increased (>5%) after PTCA in 6 patients; dobutamine testing had a 67% sensitivity, 74% specificity, 44% positive predictive value, and 88% negative predictive value in predicting the increase in the ejection fraction. In the subgroup without restenosis the improvement of the ejection fraction correlated with the response to dobutamine (r = 0.63, p = 0.007), and the sensitivity of dobutamine testing was 80%, specificity 83%, positive predictive value 67%, and negative predictive value 91%. In conclusion, dobutamine contrast left ventriculography testing in the same session as coronary angiography predicts regional function and ejection fraction improvement after PTCA in postinfarction patients, particularly when restenosis does not develop.

Aged↗

Predictors of early and late ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The determinants of the early and late stages of the ventricular remodeling process after infarction are not well defined. HYPOTHESIS: The study was undertaken to evaluate the factors that condition the time course of left ventricular dilation during the first 6 months after infarction. METHODS: The study group consisted of 74 patients with a first intermediate-large (> or = 4 Q waves) acute myocardial infarction. Contrast left ventricular and coronary angiograms were performed at 7 +/- 1 and 175 +/- 25 days after infarction. Left ventricular volumes, regional function and infarction artery status were quantified. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in the early angiogram in 31 patients. RESULTS: In the early angiogram, 13 patients showed ventricular remodeling (end-diastolic volume > 90 ml/m2). A larger extent of dysfunction was the only predictor (p < 0.002) of early remodeling. At 6 months, a smaller, early end-diastolic volume (p < 0.0001) and a poorer regional function recovery (p < 0.05) were independently related to late diastolic enlargement, and a poorer regional function recovery (p < 0.0001) and a smaller, early end-systolic volume (p < 0.009) were independently related to late systolic enlargement. One patient with compared with 20 patients without early remodeling (p < 0.04) presented with late remodeling (increment of the end-diastolic volume > 20% at 6 months). In patients with early remodeling, the end-diastolic volume did not change significantly (101 +/- 13 vs. 94 +/- 22 ml/m2, NS) at 6 months; despite this, they maintained larger diastolic volumes than patients with late remodeling (81 +/- 12 ml/m2, p < 0.04) at 6 months. Infarction artery status did not influence the evolution of ventricular volumes and regional function. CONCLUSIONS: (1) A large infarct size is the main determinant of postinfarction remodeling. (2) Such infarct size-dependent ventricular dilation occurs early and does not tend to increase in late stage; in contrast, some cases of intermediate-large size infarcts without early remodeling exhibit late remodeling associated with a poor late recovery of regional function. (3) Recovery of regional function (indicating myocardial viability) rather than infarction artery status plays a role in the late ventricular remodeling process.

Aged↗