Coronary artery disease
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Coronary artery disease · Aug 2009
Spectrum of electrocardiographic and angiographic coronary artery disease findings in patients with cocaine-associated myocardial infarction.
Cocaine is the most common abused drug in patients presenting to the emergency room with chest pain and frequently leads to cardiac catheterization procedure. The extent of severity underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) in this subgroup of patients has not been well defined. This study set out to define the coronary anatomy as well as the extent of CAD in patients with cocaine-associated myocardial infarction (MI) and correlate that to the presenting electrocardiogram (ECG). ⋯ The majority of patients with cocaine-associated MI have obstructive CAD with predominant single-vessel disease. Although ECG abnormalities are frequently encountered, they are of limited diagnostic value in the clinical decision making.
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Coronary artery disease · Aug 2009
Interleukin-18: an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome after 6 months of follow-up.
Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a proinflammatory cytokine, has been associated with atherogenesis and plaque rupture in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recent studies suggest that IL-18 may have a long-term prognostic value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between IL-18 levels and major adverse cardiovascular events within 6 months of follow-up in post-ACS patients. ⋯ Serum IL-18 levels in ACS patients were independent predictors of long-term cardiovascular events. These findings support the association between inflammation and prognosis of ACS patients, as well as the clinical impact of this biomarker.
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Coronary artery disease · Jun 2009
Plasma levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products are associated with endothelial function and predict cardiovascular events in nondiabetic patients.
We sought to test the hypothesis that decreased plasma soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) levels were associated with endothelial dysfunction in nondiabetic patients. ⋯ The results indicate that plasma sRAGE levels are positively associated with endothelial function and predict cardiovascular events in nondiabetic participants with suspected coronary artery disease, suggesting its pivotal role in atherothrombosis.
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Coronary artery disease · Jun 2009
Primary coronary microvascular dysfunction and poor coronary collaterals predict post-percutaneous coronary intervention cardiac necrosis.
An elevation in cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is because of cardiac necrosis and has prognostic implications. Primary microvascular dysfunction, evident before PCI, and paucity of coronary collaterals at baseline may influence cTnI. ⋯ Primary coronary microvascular dysfunction and poor collaterals at baseline are associated with post-PCI necrosis.
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Coronary artery disease · May 2009
Analysis of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
The N-terminal portion of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been identified as an indicator of prognosis in different cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of measuring plasma NT-proBNP levels in patients with acute coronary syndromes. ⋯ Measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide provides predictive information during the hospitalization in patients with acute coronary syndromes.