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Patency of infarct-related artery. Effect of restoration of anterograde flow on vagal reflexes. ATRAMI (Automatic Tone and Reflexes After Myocardial Infarction) Investigators.

BACKGROUND: In post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients, the restoration of anterograde flow in the infarct-related artery (IRA) significantly improves survival. Limitation of infarct size and increased electrical stability of the myocardium are likely operating mechanisms for this beneficial effect. We tested the hypothesis that patency of the IRA may enhance vagal reflexes, a factor known to affect electrical stability of the infarcted myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Analysis of angiographic data was performed in 359 of 1284 post-MI patients enrolled in a multicenter prospective study within 8 weeks after the index MI. All the patients underwent baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) assessment by the phenylephrine method. The BRS of the entire population averaged 8.2+/-5.5 ms/mm Hg and was significantly related to age but not to ejection fraction (EF). One-, two-, and three-vessel disease was present in 138, 96, and 99 patients, respectively, while no coronary stenosis was observed in 26. IRA patency was documented in 234 patients (65%), while in the remaining 125 (35%), the artery remained occluded. Patients with occluded IRAs had more extensive coronary disease (2 to 3 vessels, 71% versus 46%, P<.01) and more depressed left ventricular (LV) function (LVEF, 48+/-13% versus 53+/-12%, P<.001). Patency of the IRA was associated with higher BRS values (BRS, 8.9+/-5.8 versus 7.1+/-4.7 ms/mm Hg, P<.005) and with a lower incidence (9% versus 18% P<.02) of markedly depressed BRS (<3 ms/mm Hg), a condition suggested by preliminary studies to be associated with an increased risk of post-MI mortality. The association between IRA patency and BRS was more evident in anterior than in inferior MI. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age of the patient and patency of the IRA were the major independent determinants of BRS, while LVEF was weakly related to BRS and only when analyzed as a categorized variable. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an open IRA is associated with higher baroreflex sensitivity, and this effect is largely independent of limitation of infarct size by IRA patency. These data offer new insights into the mechanisms by which coronary artery patency may affect cardiac electrical stability and survival.

Adult↗

Coronary angioscopic findings in the infarct-related vessel within 1 month of acute myocardial infarction: natural history and the effect of thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: Limited angioscopic information is available on the natural history of infarct-related plaque after myocardial infarction (MI), in particular the effect of thrombolysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied with angioscopy the morphological characteristics of the infarct-related lesion in 56 patients between 24 hours and 4 weeks after MI. Forty of these patients were initially treated with a thrombolytic agent. Most lesions were complex (complex + ulcerated shape = 54%). The predominant color of the plaque was yellow in 79% of cases; only 6% were uniformly white. Angioscopically visible thrombus was found in 77% of cases. Despite angioscopic evidence of instability, only 7% of the patients had post-MI angina. During the 1-month time window since the occurrence of MI, there was no significant difference in the angioscopic appearance of the plaque except for a slight increase in uniformly white plaques (P=.07). The use of a thrombolytic agent at the onset of MI was associated with a reduction in thrombus size and less protruding thrombi (P=.02) but not with a decreased frequency of plaque containing thrombi. Furthermore, a trend for more frequently ulcerated plaques (45% versus 16%, P=.06) was associated with the use of a thrombolytic agent. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that healing of the infarct-related lesion requires more than 1 month and that an "unstable" yellow plaque with adherent thrombus is common during that period. This finding may partly explain the unique behavior of recent infarct-related lesions, which are more prone to occlude than other lesions.

Angioscopy↗

Use of reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction in the United States: data from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction 2.

BACKGROUND: There is clear evidence that reperfusion therapy improves survival in selected patients with an acute myocardial infarction. However, several studies have suggested that many patients with an acute myocardial infarction do not receive this therapy. Whether this underutilization occurs in patients appropriate for such therapy remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the use of reperfusion therapy in patients with an acute myocardial infarction hospitalized at 1470 hospitals participating in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction 2. We identified 84 663 patients who were eligible for reperfusion therapy as defined by diagnostic changes on the initial 12-lead ECG, presentation to the hospital within 6 hours from symptom onset, and no contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. Twenty-four percent of these eligible patients did not receive any form of reperfusion therapy (7.5% of all patients). When multivariate analyses were used, left bundle-branch block (odds ratio [OR]=0.22; 95% CI=0.20 to 0.24), lack of chest pain at presentation (OR=0.22; 95% CI=0.21 to 0.24), age >75 years (OR=0.40, 95% CI=0.36 to 0.43), female sex (OR=0.88, 95% CI=0.83 to 0.92), and various preexisting cardiovascular conditions were independent predictors that the patient would not receive reperfusion therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Reperfusion therapy may be underutilized in the United States. Increased use of reperfusion therapy could potentially reduce the unnecessarily high mortality rates observed in women, the elderly, and other patient groups with the highest risk of death from an acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗

Angiographic assessment of myocardial reperfusion in patients treated with primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: myocardial blush grade. Zwolle Myocardial Infarction Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of reperfusion therapies for acute myocardial infarction is not only restoration of blood flow in the epicardial coronary artery but also complete and sustained reperfusion of the infarcted part of the myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 777 patients who underwent primary coronary angioplasty during a 6-year period and investigated the value of angiographic evidence of myocardial reperfusion (myocardial blush grade) in relation to the extent of ST-segment elevation resolution, enzymatic infarct size, left ventricular function, and long-term mortality. The myocardial blush immediately after the angioplasty procedure was graded by two experienced investigators, who were otherwise blinded to all clinical data: 0, no myocardial blush; 1, minimal myocardial blush; 2, moderate myocardial blush; and 3, normal myocardial blush. The myocardial blush was related to the extent of the early ST-segment elevation resolution on the 12-lead ECG. Patients with blush grades 3, 2, and 0/1 had enzymatic infarct sizes of 757, 1143, and 1623 (P<0.0001), respectively, and ejection fractions of 50%, 46%, and 39%, respectively (P<0.0001). After a mean+/-SD follow-up of 1.9+/-1.7 years, mortality rates of patients with myocardial blush grades 3, 2, and 0/1 were 3%, 6%, and 23% (P<0.0001), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the myocardial blush grade was a predictor of long-term mortality, independent of Killip class, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade flow, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and other clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: In patients after reperfusion therapy, the myocardial blush grade as seen on the coronary angiogram can be used to describe the effectiveness of myocardial reperfusion and is an independent predictor of long-term mortality.

Aged↗

Basic fibroblast growth factor increased regional myocardial blood flow and limited infarct size of acutely infarcted myocardium in dogs.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a growth factor potent in promoting angiogenesis, has been shown to reduce infarct size in experimentally induced acute myocardial infarction. However, the effect of bFGF on regional myocardial blood flow (Qm) in the acutely infarcted myocardium has not been well clarified. In 20 open-chest dogs, the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded and animals were maintained in this condition for 4 weeks. In eight of these dogs, bFGF (300 microg) was injected into the myocardium supplied by the LAD and the artery was ligated (bFGF group), and in the other 12 dogs, saline was injected (control group). Nonradioactive colored microspheres were used to measure Qm. The amount of viable myocardium as percent of visual field in the microscope and the extent of fibrosis scored histologically from 0 to 5 in the infarcted area 4 weeks after occlusion were measured. In the outer layer, the Qm values immediately after and 4 weeks after occlusion were 26 +/- 2% and 70 +/- 6%, respectively, in the control group, and 46 +/- 5% and 121 +/- 13%, respectively, in the bFGF group. The Qm at both times in the bFGF group was significantly higher than the corresponding control group values (p < 0.01). The Qm at 4 weeks in the inner and the middle layers also significantly increased in the bFGF group. There was more viable myocardium (control vs bFGF group; 41 +/- 5 vs 61 +/- 7%, p < 0.05) and less fibrosis (3.1 +/- 0.2 vs 2.0 +/- 0.4, p < 0.01) at the outer layer in the bFGF group. It was found that bFGF caused a marked increase in Qm, an increase of viable myocardium, and a decrease of fibrosis in the infarcted myocardium in dogs.

Animals↗

Significance of infarct site and methylprednisolone on survival following acute myocardial infarction.

Eight hundred and forty-nine patients with confirmed myocardial infarction were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS, Solu-Medrol Sterile Powder, The Upjohn Company) for reduction of morbidity and mortality following an acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular failure. Two study groups were prospectively defined based on time from onset of chest pain to administration of investigational therapy. Study Group 1 received investigational therapy before 6 hours had elapsed while Study Group 2 was treated 6 to 12 hours from the onset of chest pain. Both study groups were randomized to receive either a 30 mg/kg i.v. dose of MPSS (3 g maximum) or a matching placebo at the time of study admission, to be followed by an identical dose three hours later. Definitive electrocardiograms were available for 814 patients at admission. The mortality rates at 28 days and 6 months for the anterior transmural and nontransmural infarctions did not differ significantly with regard to time to treatment or investigational therapy. For the inferior/posterior transmural infarctions, however, there was a 92% relative reduction in mortality at 28 days in the MPSS treatment arm of Study Group 2 (1/83 [1.2%] for patients given MPSS versus 15/97 [15.5%] for those given placebo; p less than 0.001). This significant difference persisted at the 6 month follow-up evaluation (3/82 [3.6%] for patients on MPSS versus 17/96 [16.6%] for those on placebo, P less than 0.01). Site-specific efficacy has been reported for the anterior infarction groups of the major beta-blocker trials.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Age and cerebral infarction: a postmortem study of 77 cases of cerebral infarcts in the middle cerebral artery territory.

Adverse effect of age on ischemic stroke short-term mortality was reported in some studies and attributed either to more frequent extracerebral causes of death or to an increased severity of ischemia in the aged brain. Relationship between age, size of infarcts, and causes of death were studied in 77 consecutive patients who died from infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory. Area of infarcts was assessed by planimetry, and results were expressed as an index of infarcted area. No significant relationship was found between age and the size of infarcts, the cause of death, or the interval from stroke to death. These results do not support the hypothesis of an increased severity of ischemia in the aged brain.

Aged↗

Cross-sectional infarct edge jaggedness does not influence ventricular electrical stability in a rabbit model of late myocardial infarct healing.

Previous studies have suggested that the jaggedness of the healed or healing infarct edge influences cardiac electrical stability. However, these findings have been based on histological observations rather than quantitative measurements. The aim of this study was to assess infarct jaggedness by calculating its fractal dimension and to examine how this influences cardiac electrical stability during late infarct healing in the rabbit. Using programmed electrical stimulation, it was found that the fractal dimension did not differ significantly in 19 rabbits that had inducible ventricular tachycardia and 16 that did not. We conclude from these studies in the mature rabbit that infarct edge jaggedness does not influence the ease with which ventricular tachycardia is induced during late myocardial infarct healing.

Animals↗

Clinical features and pathogenesis of intracerebral hemorrhage after rt-PA and heparin therapy for acute myocardial infarction: the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) II Pilot and Randomized Clinical Trial combined experience.

Parenchymatous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a serious, infrequent complication of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. We studied the clinical and radiologic features, manner of presentation, associated factors, and temporal course in 23 patients with ICH associated with 150 mg or 100 mg recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and heparin therapy for acute myocardial infarction in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) II Pilot and Randomized Clinical Trial. In TIMI II, 13 of the 23 ICH patients developed or maintained systolic blood pressure > or = 160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mm Hg during the rt-PA infusion and before the onset of neurologic symptoms. Six patients (26%) had life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, five before onset of neurologic symptoms. A decreased level of consciousness was the earliest neurologic abnormality in 15 (65%) and the most common initial physical finding (in 19, or 82%). Onset was usually gradual (70%), but time to maximal deficit was frequently (61%) within 6 hours of onset. The locations of the primary ICH sites were lobar in 16 (70%), thalamic in four (17%), and brainstem-cerebellum in three (13%), but the putamen was never the primary site. Multiple lobar hemorrhages occurred in six cases (26%). The timing and size of ICH was similar among patients treated with 150 mg rt-PA and 100 mg rt-PA. Brain CT demonstrated an arteriovenous malformation in one case. Four patients had hypofibrinogenemia, which was profound in three patients. Pathologic findings were available for five patients. Of these, three patients had cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and one had hemorrhagic transformation of an ischemic cerebral infarction found at autopsy. We conclude that ICH following rt-PA and heparin therapy for acute myocardial infarction presents as a distinctive clinical syndrome. Intracerebral bleeding after combined thrombolytic and antithrombotic therapy may be associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy and other vascular lesions. Acute or persistent hypertension before or during rt-PA infusion, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, and hypofibrinogenemia, either alone or in combination, may play roles in some cases. Care should be exercised when considering thrombolytic therapy for patients with risk factors for ICH.

Adult↗

Rationale and design of a large-scale trial using atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction: Japan-Working groups of acute myocardial infarction for the reduction of Necrotic Damage by ANP (J-WIND-ANP).

BACKGROUND: The benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are limited by reperfusion injury. In animal models, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) reduces infarct size, so the Japan-Working groups of acute myocardial Infarction for the reduction of Necrotic Damage by ANP (J-WIND-ANP) designed a prospective, randomized, multicenter study, to evaluate whether ANP as an adjunctive therapy for AMI reduces myocardial infarct size and improves regional wall motion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty hospitals in Japan will participate in the J-WIND-ANP study. Patients with AMI who are candidates for PCI are randomly allocated to receive either intravenous ANP or placebo administration. The primary end-points are (1) estimated infarct size (Sigmacreatine kinase and troponin T) and (2) left ventricular function (left ventriculograms). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may be associated with the function of ANP and susceptibility of AMI will be examined. Furthermore, a data mining method will be used to design the optimal combinational therapy for post-MI patients. CONCLUSIONS: J-WIND-ANP will provide important data on the effects of ANP as an adjunct to PCI for AMI and the SNPs information will open the field of tailor-made therapy. The optimal therapeutic drug combination will also be determined for post-MI patients.

Adult↗

Is it possible to rule out extensive anterior myocardial infarction in the absence of abnormal Q waves in lead I and aVL? Effect of infero-apical extension of infarction over apex.

To determine whether abnormal Q wave in lead I or aVL may be of use to estimate the size of an extensive anterior myocardial infarction, electrocardiographic and left ventriculographic findings were analyzed in 45 patients with old extensive anterior infarction. All 45 patients had a significant narrowing in the proximal segment of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and severe asynergy in anterolateral segment. The patients were divided into two groups; Group I consisted of 35 cases with less involvement of the inferoapical segment and Group II of 10 cases with remarkable extension of the anterolateral infarction into the inferoapical segment due to occlusion of very long LAD supplying the anterior half of posterior interventricular groove. There were no statistical differences in the extent of anterolateral asynergy, number of abnormal Q waves in precordial leads and left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups. While abnormal Q wave in lead I or aVL was present in 28 cases (80%) of Group I, it was observed in only 3 cases (30%) of Group II (p less than 0.01). Thus, we can't rule out extensive anterior myocardial infarction even if abnormal Q waves are absent in lead I or aVL, in which abnormal Q waves may be cancelled by loss of electromotive force of inferoapical segment due to extension of the anterior infarction over the apex in cases with extraordinarily long LAD.

Electrocardiography↗

Sudden disappearance of electrocardiographic pattern of anteroseptal myocardial infarction. Result of superimposed acute posterior myocardial infarction.

In a 76-year-old man an electrocardiographic pattern of acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction disappeared suudenly. At necropsy, a more recent posterior myocardial infarct was found, in addition to an acute anteroseptal infarct. "Normalization" of the electrocardiogram from the pattern of anteroseptal myocardial infarction in this case resulted from the loss of opposing electromotive forces in the posterior wall because of posterior infarction.

Aged↗

The effects of isosorbide dinitrate on exercise-induced ST-segment elevation at the infarcted area in old myocardial infarction.

To clarify the clinical significance and therapeutic implication of exercise-induced ST elevation at the infarcted area in old myocardial infarction (OMI), 30 patients with exercise-induced ST elevation underwent treadmill exercise testing. The patients with transient perfusion defects at the infarcted area on thallium-201 stress myocardial scintigraphy (group I: n = 12) revealed a decreased rate of ST elevation expressed as delta ST/delta HR X 10(2) after 10 mg of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), compared to the results of treadmill exercise testing under no medication (3.1 +/- 2.5 vs. 4.7 +/- 2.6, p less than 0.001). Exercise capacity and anginal threshold were improved after ISDN in group I. In contrast, the patients without transient perfusion defects (group II: n = 18) revealed an increased rate of ST elevation after ISDN (2.4 +/- 1.1 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.8, p less than 0.05). It is concluded from the above results that if exercise-induced ST elevation at the infarcted area reflects transient myocardial ischemia, ISDN can decrease it by its anti-anginal effect. Additionally, treadmill exercise testing with ISDN is a useful means of clarifying the underlying pathophysiology and management in OMI cases with this effect on exercise-induced ST elevation at the infarcted area.

Adult↗

Low incidence of hemorrhagic infarction following coronary reperfusion with nasaruplase in a canine model of acute myocardial infarction. Comparison with recombinant t-PA.

An examination was made of the coronary thrombolytic effects of nasaruplase in a canine model of acute myocardial infarction. The model was produced by selective injection of an artificial thrombus into the coronary artery stenosed by laser ablation. Intravenous nasaruplase (8 U/kg/min) showed an equivalent thrombolytic effect to a recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA, 10,000 IU/kg/min) as assessed by reperfusion rate (78.6 versus 79.2%) and reperfusion time (37.4 +/- 5.2 versus 37.0 +/- 2.5 min). Nasaruplase decreased the plasma alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2-PI) level by 28% immediately after reperfusion, but hardly altered fibrinogen or plasmin-alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC) levels. By contrast, rt-PA significantly decreased plasma alpha 2-PI and fibrinogen levels, by 84% and 92% respectively, and, increased PIC level more than 70-fold. Hemorrhagic infarction occurred in 2 of 14 animals in the nasaruplase group and in 9 of 19 animals in the rt-PA group. In these animals, significant correlations were found between the ratio of the hemorrhagic infarction area to total infarct area and the plasma alpha 2-PI (r = -0.740, p < 0.05) or fibrinogen (r = -0.798, p < 0.05) concentrations, as well as between the recovery rate of left ventricular regional wall motion and the plasma alpha 2-PI (r = 0.924, p < 0.01) or fibrinogen (r = 0.864, p < 0.01) concentrations. It is concluded that nasaruplase is a potent thrombolytic agent which preserves left ventricular function with a lesser rate of hemorrhagic infarction than rt-PA. Further, nasaruplase administration results in recovery of left ventricular regional wall motion and systolic function, such as Vmax.

Animals↗

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation combined with perindopril treatment attenuates infarction remodelling in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate whether implantation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) would reduce left ventricular remodelling from the molecular mechanisms compared with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) perindopril into ischemic myocardium after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Forty rats were divided into four groups: control, MSC, ACEI, MSC+ACEI groups. Bone marrow stem cell derived rat was injected immediately into a zone made ischemic by coronary artery ligation in MSC group and MSC+ACEI group. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was injected into control group. Perindopril was administered p.o. to ACEI group and MSC+ACEI group. Six weeks after implantation, the rats were killed and heart sample was collected. Fibrillar collagen was observed by meliorative Masson's trichome stain. Western Blotting was employed to evaluate the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in infarction zone. The transcriptional level of MMP2, MMP9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in infarction area was detected by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS: The fibrillar collagen area, the protein expression of MMP2, MMP9 and the transcriptional level of MMP2, MMP9 mRNA in infarction zone reduced in MSC group, ACEI group, and MSC+ACEI group. No significant difference was detected in the expression of TIMP1 mRNA among the 4 groups. CONCLUSION: Both MSC and ACEI could reduce infarction remodelling by altering collagen metabolism.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Electrocardiographic and enzymatic infarct size in a randomised study of intracoronary streptokinase and intravenous anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex in acute myocardial infarction.

The effect of thrombolytic therapy on ECG and enzymatic indices, including estimates of relative infarct size, was studied in 93 patients with acute myocardial infarction randomised to intracoronary streptokinase or intravenous anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex (APSAC) therapy within 6 hours of the onset of symptoms. 90 minutes after treatment, 49% (19/39) of the evaluable streptokinase patients and 44% (19/43) of the APSAC patients had reperfused (p = NS). The time from treatment to reperfusion was less in the streptokinase patients (30 +/- 18 minutes for streptokinase and 42 +/- 22 minutes for APSAC, p less than or equal to 0.02). Resolution of ST segment elevation, 90 minutes after treatment, was greater in the streptokinase patients (residual ST segment elevation 47 +/- 36% of initial value for streptokinase and 70 +/- 49% for APSAC, p less than or equal to 0.06) and in the patients reperfused by either agent (residual ST segment elevation 46 +/- 34% for reperfused and 68 +/- 52% for non-reperfused, p less than or equal to 0.10). ECG infarct size at discharge, determined by sum of Q waves and a 29-point QRS score, relative to the degree of initial ST segment elevation was similar in the streptokinase and APSAC patients, but smaller in reperfused than non-reperfused patients (p less than or equal to 0.01 for sigma Q). Peak serum creatine kinase and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase levels were similar in the streptokinase and APSAC, and in reperfused and non-reperfused patients. Lower peak lactic acid dehydrogenase and especially lactic acid dehydrogenase isoenzyme values (by 16% and 22%, respectively) were observed in reperfused patients, but differences did not achieve significance. However, the time to peak enzyme levels was significantly shorter in the reperfused patients. Early intracoronary streptokinase and intravenous APSAC therapy have similar effects on ECG and enzymatic infarct size. Reperfusion by either agent, given at a mean of 3 hours 25 minutes, may reduce estimates of infarct size modestly.

Adult↗

Differences in African American and white women with myocardial infarction: history, presentation, diagnostic methods, and infarction type.

BACKGROUND: Despite overall declining death rates from cardiovascular disease, the number of women dying of cardiovascular disease increases each year, with substantially higher rates in African American women than in white women. OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in presentation, diagnostic method, and type of infarction between African American and white women with myocardial infarction. METHODS: Chart review of all women with discharge diagnosis of myocardial infarction. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between African American and white women in admitting diagnosis, diagnostic methods, or type of infarction. At the time of admission, 2 medical history variables, stroke and hypertension, differed significantly between African American and white women (P = .027 and P = .002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals must be aware of possible racial differences in medical history, signs and symptoms, and prognosis when assessing patients and planning interventions. Studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings on African American and white women with myocardial infarction.

Black or African American↗

[Survival and state of patients during the 1st year after myocardial infarct (according to data of epidemiological study - myocardial infarct register)].

The results of observations conducted in accordance with the programme of myocardial infarction register are presented for 143 patients aged under 65 years, surviving beyond 28 days after the onset of the lesion. In 13.2% of those surviving an acute myocardial infarction a recurrence was found to develop within the first postinfarction year, among them in 11.5% of the cases with a fatal result. Over half (51-54%) of those surviving the infarction retain angina of effort, 16.3-23% have cardiac insufficiency. An examination conducted 3 months following the infarction revealed lipid (57.1%) and carbohydrate (54.3%) metabolism disorders in many patients, as well as disturbances in the blood coagulation and anticoagulation systems. Patients surviving myocardial infarction require differentiated and lasting secondary preventive measures.

Adult↗