Left Anterior Descending Artery (leave + anterior_descending_artery)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Noninvasive Assessment of Coronary Flow Reserve in the Left Anterior Descending Artery by Transthoracic Echocardiography before and after Stenting

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2007
Elie Chammas M.D., F.E.S.C.
Background: Noninvasive assessment of coronary flow reserve in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has been already validated as a new method for determining the degree of stenosis over the proximal flow. Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine, by TTDE, the feasibility and the value of the coronary flow reserve (CFR) (defined as the maximal increase in coronary blood flow above its basal pressure for a given perfusion pressure when coronary circulation is maximally dilated) in the mid-to-distal LAD before and after percutaneous angioplasty and to demonstrate the early recovery of microvascular tone immediately after stenting. Methods: The study population consisted of 36 patients with significant isolated LAD stenosis (70,90%) identified by coronary angiography. CFR was recorded in the mid-to-distal LAD at rest and during hyperemia obtained after adenosine intravenous infusion before and after stenting. Results: Adequate visualization of the LAD was obtained in 25 out of 36 patients (70%). At rest the mean CFR was 1.5132 ± 0.33 (1.1,2.58). However, after stenting the mean CFR was significantly higher: 2.18 ± 0.55 (1.3,3.8), with P <0.01. Conclusions: CFR can be easily determined by TTE in approximately 70% of patients. Noninvasive Doppler echocardiography shows impaired CFR in patients with LAD disease. After stenting CFR is restored, demonstrating early recovery of microvascular tone. These results are comparable to those published in the same conditions. Larger series with a long-term follow-up may allow identifying patients at high risk for restenosis after stenting. [source]


A Safe Technique of Exposing of a "Hidden" Left Anterior Descending Artery by Apostolakis et al.

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 6 2007
Oz M. Shapira M.D.Article first published online: 25 NOV 200
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Cutting Balloon Angioplasty for Ostial Lesions of the Left Anterior Descending Artery

JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000
TERUO INOUE M.D.
We evaluated the effectiveness of Cutting Balloon angioplasty for ostial lesions of the left anterior descending artery compared with conventional balloon angioplasty. Cutting Balloon angioplasty (n = 7) produced larger acute gain (1.70 ± 0.37 vs 0.48 ± 0.25 mm, P < 0.001) and smaller late loss index (0.54 ± 0.55 vs 1.32 ± 0.81, P < 0.05) than conventional balloon angioplasty (n = 7). As a result, late restenosis was seen in only two patients undergoing Cutting Balloon angioplasty, but in all seven patients undergoing conventional balloon angioplasty. Ostial lesions of the left anterior descending artery may be one of the suitable targets of Cutting Balloon angioplasty. (J Interven Cardiol 2000;13:7,14) [source]


Single Coronary Artery: Right Coronary Artery Originated From Middle of Left Anterior Descending Artery in a Patient With Severe Mitral Regurgitation

CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Murat Meric MD
The single coronary artery is a benign and very rare coronary artery abnormality. Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery originating from the left anterior descending artery has been reported previously in just a few cases. In this article, we presented a patient with an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the midportion of the left anterior descending artery. The anomalous coronary artery was discovered incidentally during a coronary angiography performed prior to mitral valve surgery. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Anomalous Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery, Unroofed Coronary Sinus, Patent Foramen Ovale, and a Persistent Left-sided SVC in a Single Patient: A Harmonious Quartet of Defects

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 2 2009
Andrew J. Klein MD
ABSTRACT Unroofing of the coronary sinus without complex structural heart defects is a rare congenital defect often seen in conjunction with a persistent left-sided superior vena cava. Anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the pulmonary artery with normal origin of the left circumflex coronary artery is an even rarer congenital cardiac defect. We report a case of a 54-year-old woman presenting with mild dyspnea on exertion who was found on invasive and noninvasive evaluations to have a unique combination of defects,unroofed coronary sinus, persistent left-sided superior vena cava, patent foramen ovale, and anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the pulmonary artery without evidence of previous coronary ischemia. [source]


Noninvasive Assessment of Coronary Flow Reserve in the Left Anterior Descending Artery by Transthoracic Echocardiography before and after Stenting

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2007
Elie Chammas M.D., F.E.S.C.
Background: Noninvasive assessment of coronary flow reserve in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has been already validated as a new method for determining the degree of stenosis over the proximal flow. Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine, by TTDE, the feasibility and the value of the coronary flow reserve (CFR) (defined as the maximal increase in coronary blood flow above its basal pressure for a given perfusion pressure when coronary circulation is maximally dilated) in the mid-to-distal LAD before and after percutaneous angioplasty and to demonstrate the early recovery of microvascular tone immediately after stenting. Methods: The study population consisted of 36 patients with significant isolated LAD stenosis (70,90%) identified by coronary angiography. CFR was recorded in the mid-to-distal LAD at rest and during hyperemia obtained after adenosine intravenous infusion before and after stenting. Results: Adequate visualization of the LAD was obtained in 25 out of 36 patients (70%). At rest the mean CFR was 1.5132 ± 0.33 (1.1,2.58). However, after stenting the mean CFR was significantly higher: 2.18 ± 0.55 (1.3,3.8), with P <0.01. Conclusions: CFR can be easily determined by TTE in approximately 70% of patients. Noninvasive Doppler echocardiography shows impaired CFR in patients with LAD disease. After stenting CFR is restored, demonstrating early recovery of microvascular tone. These results are comparable to those published in the same conditions. Larger series with a long-term follow-up may allow identifying patients at high risk for restenosis after stenting. [source]


Noninvasive Assessment of Significant Right Coronary Artery Stenosis Based on Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve in the Right Coronary Artery by Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2003
M.D., Yoshiki Ueno
Background: Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) has been reported to be useful for the noninvasive assessment of coronary stenosis in the left anterior descending artery. However, the measurement of CFVR in the right coronary artery by TTDE has not yet been validated in a clinical study. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether CFVR by TTDE can detect significant stenosis in the right coronary artery. Methods: We studied 50 patients who underwent coronary angiography. Coronary flow velocity in the posterior descending branch of the right coronary artery (PD) was measured by TTDE both at baseline and during hyperemia induced by the intravenous infusion of adenosine triphosphate. CFVR was calculated as the hyperemia/baseline (average diastolic peak velocity). Results: Adequate spectral Doppler recordings in the PD were obtained in 36 patients including 26 patients who were given an echocardiographic contrast agent to improve Doppler spectral signals. The study population was divided into 2 groups with (Group A;n = 11) and without (Group B;n = 25) significant stenosis in the right coronary artery. CFVR in Group A was significantly smaller than that in Group B (1.6±0.3versus2.5±0.4; P < 0.0001). The sensitivity of a CFVR of <2.0 for predicting the presence of significant stenosis in the right coronary artery was 91%, and the specificity was 88%. Conclusions: The measurement of CFVR in the PD by TTDE is useful for the noninvasive assessment of significant stenosis in the right coronary artery. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, August 2003) [source]


Levosimendan cardioprotection in acutely ,-1 adrenergic receptor blocked open chest pigs

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2010
C. METZSCH
Background: Levosimendan and volatile anesthetics have myocardial pre-conditioning effects. ,-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists may inhibit the protective effect of volatile anesthetics. No information exists as to whether this also applies to the pre-conditioning effect of levosimendan. We therefore investigated whether levosimendan added to metoprolol would demonstrate a cardioprotective effect. Methods: Three groups of anesthetized open chest pigs underwent 30 min of myocardial ischemia and 90 min of reperfusion by temporary occlusion of the largest side branch from the circumflex artery or the left anterior descending artery. One group (CTRL) served as a control, in another group (BETA), a metoprolol-loading dose was intravenously injected 30 min before ischemia, and in a third group (BETA+L), a levosimendan infusion was added to metoprolol. Myocardial tissue concentrations of glucose, glycerol, and lactate/pyruvate ratio as the primary end-points were investigated with microdialysis in ischemic and non-ischemic tissues. Results: At the end of the ischemic period, statistically significant differences were only found between CTRL and BETA+L in the ischemic myocardium, with a lower lactate/pyruvate ratio, lower glycerol, and higher glucose concentrations in BETA+L as compared with CTRL. There were no differences in non-ischemic myocardium. From 10 to 90 min of reperfusion, no more differences were found between groups. Conclusion: The cardioprotective effect of levosimendan on ischemic metabolism with a reduction in the myocardial lactate/pyruvate ratio, less glycerol accumulation, and better preserved glucose concentration does not seem to be prevented by ,-1 adrenergic receptor antagonism with metoprolol. [source]


Early and Late Outcomes of Multiple Coronary Endarterectomy

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 6 2008
Minoru Tabata M.D.
However, outcomes of multiple coronary endarterectomy (MCE) have not been well investigated. We sought to examine early and late results of this technique. Methods: Between January 1992 and June 2006, 58 consecutive patients underwent coronary endarterectomy in more than one coronary artery territories, representing 6.5% of total coronary endarterectomy during the same period. Early and late outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mean age was 64 years. Forty-one patients (70.7%) had coronary endarterectomy in the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery territories; five (8.6%) in the left anterior descending artery and circumflex artery territories; eight (13.8%) in the circumflex artery and right coronary artery territories; and four (6.9%) in the left anterior descending artery, circumflex artery, and right coronary artery territories. Operative mortality was 12.1% (7/58). The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was 25.9% (15/58). The median length of hospital stay was seven days. Actuarial five- and 10-year survivals were 64% and 36%, respectively. Conclusions: MCE may be a reasonable option for revascularization of multiple diffuse coronary artery disease. However, early and late outcomes are relatively poor and the indication should be carefully considered. [source]


Midterm Results of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in 136 Patients: An Angiographic Control Study

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 1 2006
Hakki Kazaz M.D.
This study summarizes the midterm results of 136 off-pump bypass surgery patients. Methods: Between January 2000 and March 2002, out of 178 surgical myocardial revascularizations, 136 (76.4%) were off-pump bypass surgery. Complete revascularization was done and especially arterial grafts were used. All patients were followed clinically and with treadmill test for 2 years. Average control angiography was performed at the end of 2-year follow-up. Results: Of all the patients, 56.7% were male and the mean age of the patients was 63.6 ± 7.4 years. A total of 481 anastomoses were performed,136 (28.27%) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), 135 (28.07%) to the circumflex coronary artery (Cx) branches, 102 (21.20%) to the right coronary artery (RCA), 108 (22.46%) to the D,. The mean graft number was 3.46. We used 96.6% of patients' left internal mammarian artery (LITA), 29.2% radial artery (RA), 4.4% right internal thoracic artery (RITA), and 100% saphenous vein. There were ischemic changes within 12 patients. All ischemic changes came back to normal within 4 and 18 hours, postoperatively. Mean extubation time was 5.36 ± 2.23 hours, mean stay in intensive care unit was 17.53 ± 3.15 hours, mean hospital stay was 5.03 ± 1.29 days. The LITA patency was 99.25%, RA patency was 97.84%, RITA patency was 100%, and saphenous vein patency was 91.79% with control angiography. Conclusion: Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is efficient procedure with lower index of mortality, morbidity, ICU stay, hospital stay, good wound healing, early socialization, and results in lower costs. [source]


Left Ventricular Aneurysmectomy: Endoventricular Circular Patch Plasty or Septoexclusion

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 2 2003
Antonio Maria Calafiore M.D.
Its indications and midterm results are evaluated and compared to those obtained with the Dor operation. Methods: From January 1998 to April 2001, 79 patients had an exclusion of scars following myocardial infarction in left anterior descending artery (LAD) territory. Fifty of them (63.3%) had the Dor operation (Group D) and 29 (36.7%) the Guilmet operation (Group G). Dor technique was used when the involvement of the septum and the free wall was roughly similar. Guilmet technique was indicated when the septum was involved at a greater extent than the free wall. Ejection fraction (EF) was lower and end-diastolic volumes were higher in Group G. Incidence of functional mitral regurgitation was similar in both groups. Results: Thirty-day mortality was 7.6% (8.0% in Group D versus 6.9% in Group G,p = ns). After a mean of21.0 ± 8.5months, five patients (6.9%) died, two in Group D and three in Group G. Causes of death were cardiac related in four and not cardiac related in one. Mean follow-up of the 68 survivors was24.3 ± 12.0months (range: 4-38 months). Fifty patients (73.5% of the survivors) improved (28 in Group D and 22 in Group G,p = 0.026), whereas in 18, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class remained unchanged or worsened. Both groups showed an increase of EF and a volumetric reduction, whereas stroke volume remained unchanged. Fewer patients had mitral regurgitation than in the preoperative period (41.3% versus 65.8%, p = 0.013) and at a lesser extent (1.7 ± 0.7versus0.7 ± 0.6, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results show that both Dor and Guilmet techniques are effective in the surgical treatment of left ventricular dyskinetic or akinetic areas related to LAD territory. Each technique has its own indications and has to be addressed to patients with different extension of septal scars.(J Card Surg 2003;18:93-100) [source]


Sildenafil-mediated neovascularization and protection against myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury in rats: role of VEGF/angiopoietin-1

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 6b 2008
Srikanth Koneru
Abstract Sildenafil citrate (SC), a drug for erectile dysfunction, is now emerging as a cardiopulmonary drug. Our study aimed to determine a novel role of sildenafil on cardioprotection through stimulating angiogenesis during ischaemia (I) reperfusion (R) at both capillary and arteriolar levels and to examine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in this mechanistic effect. Rats were divided into: control sham (CS), sildenafil sham (SS), control + IR (CIR) and sildenafil + IR (SIR). Rats were given 0.7 mg/kg, (i.v) of SC or saline 30 min. before occlusion of left anterior descending artery followed by reperfusion (R). Sildenafil treatment increased capillary and arteriolar density followed by increased blood flow (2-fold) compared to control. Treatment with sildenafil demonstrated increased VEGF and Ang-1 mRNA after early reperfusion. PCR data were validated by Western blot analysis. Significant reduction in infarct size, cardiomyocyte and endothelial apoptosis were observed in SC-treated rats. Increased phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS and expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and thioredoxin, hemeoxygenase-1 were observed in SC-treated rats. Echocardiography demonstrated increased fractional shortening and ejection fraction following 45 days of reperfusion in the treatment group. Stress testing with dobutamine infusion and echocardiogram revealed increased contractile reserve in the treatment group. Our study demonstrated for the first time a strong additional therapeutic potential of sildenafil by up-regulating VEGF and Ang-1 system, probably by stimulating a cascade of events leading to neovascularization and conferring myocardial protection in in vivo I/R rat model. [source]


Transvenous Intramyocardial Cellular Delivery Increases Retention in Comparison to Intracoronary Delivery in a Porcine Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction

JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
JON C. GEORGE M.D.
Background: Clinical trials using intracoronary (IC) delivery of cells have addressed efficacy but the optimal delivery technique is unknown. Our study aimed to determine whether transvenous intramyocardial (TVIM) approach was advantageous for cellular retention in AMI. Methods: Domestic pigs (n = 4) underwent catheterization with coronary angiography and ventriculography prior to infarction and pre- and post-cells. Pigs underwent 90-minute balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). After one week they were prepared for IC (n = 2) or TVIM (n = 2) delivery of bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC) labeled with GFP. IC infusion used an over-the-wire catheter to engage the LAD and balloon inflation to prevent retrograde flow. Venography via the coronary sinus was used for TVIM delivery. The anterior interventricular vein was engaged with a guidewire allowing use of the TransAccessÔ catheter that is outfitted with an ultrasound tip for visualization. Animals were sacrificed one hour after delivery and tissue was analyzed. Results: Procedures were performed without complication and monitoring was uneventful. 1 × 108 MNC were isolated from each bone marrow (BM) preparation and 1 × 107 MNC delivered. Ventriculography at one week revealed wall motion abnormalities consistent with an anterior AMI. TVIM and IC delivery revealed mean 452 cells per section and 235 cells per section on average, respectively, in the infarct zone (P = 0.01). Conclusion: We have demonstrated that TVIM approach for cell delivery is feasible and safe. Moreover, this approach may provide an advantage over IC infusion in retention of the cellular product; however, larger studies will be necessary. [source]


Cutting Balloon Angioplasty for Ostial Lesions of the Left Anterior Descending Artery

JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000
TERUO INOUE M.D.
We evaluated the effectiveness of Cutting Balloon angioplasty for ostial lesions of the left anterior descending artery compared with conventional balloon angioplasty. Cutting Balloon angioplasty (n = 7) produced larger acute gain (1.70 ± 0.37 vs 0.48 ± 0.25 mm, P < 0.001) and smaller late loss index (0.54 ± 0.55 vs 1.32 ± 0.81, P < 0.05) than conventional balloon angioplasty (n = 7). As a result, late restenosis was seen in only two patients undergoing Cutting Balloon angioplasty, but in all seven patients undergoing conventional balloon angioplasty. Ostial lesions of the left anterior descending artery may be one of the suitable targets of Cutting Balloon angioplasty. (J Interven Cardiol 2000;13:7,14) [source]


Phosphate metabolite concentrations and ATP hydrolysis potential in normal and ischaemic hearts

THE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 17 2008
Fan Wu
To understand how cardiac ATP and CrP remain stable with changes in work rate , a phenomenon that has eluded mechanistic explanation for decades , data from 31phosphate-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) are analysed to estimate cytoplasmic and mitochondrial phosphate metabolite concentrations in the normal state, during high cardiac workstates, during acute ischaemia and reactive hyperaemic recovery. Analysis is based on simulating distributed heterogeneous oxygen transport in the myocardium integrated with a detailed model of cardiac energy metabolism. The model predicts that baseline myocardial free inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration in the canine myocyte cytoplasm , a variable not accessible to direct non-invasive measurement , is approximately 0.29 mm and increases to 2.3 mm near maximal cardiac oxygen consumption. During acute ischaemia (from ligation of the left anterior descending artery) Pi increases to approximately 3.1 mm and ATP consumption in the ischaemic tissue is reduced quickly to less than half its baseline value before the creatine phosphate (CrP) pool is 18% depleted. It is determined from these experiments that the maximal rate of oxygen consumption of the heart is an emergent property and is limited not simply by the maximal rate of ATP synthesis, but by the maximal rate at which ATP can be synthesized at a potential at which it can be utilized. The critical free energy of ATP hydrolysis for cardiac contraction that is consistent with these findings is approximately ,63.5 kJ mol,1. Based on theoretical findings, we hypothesize that inorganic phosphate is both the primary feedback signal for stimulating oxidative phosphorylation in vivo and also the most significant product of ATP hydrolysis in limiting the capacity of the heart to hydrolyse ATP in vivo. Due to the lack of precise quantification of Piin vivo, these hypotheses and associated model predictions remain to be carefully tested experimentally. [source]


Inferolateral ST Elevation as a First Sign of Left Anterior Descending Artery Occlusion

ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Po-Chao Hsu M.D.
Combined anterior and inferior ST elevation due to occlusion of wrapped left anterior descending artery (LAD) is well reported in the literature. However, there is rare literature mentioned about inferolateral ST elevation in this patient group. Herein, we report a case of acute proximal wrapped LAD occlusion with initial electrocardiographic sign of inferolateral ST elevation. The most likely mechanism of this electrocardiographic finding might be related to old anteroseptal myocardial infarction, combination with other coronary abnormality, such as chronic total occlusion of left circumflex artery that caused larger injury current in inferolateral than anteroseptal myocardium, and made anteroseptal leads reveal isoelectric pattern. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(1):90,93 [source]


Utility of Lead aVR for Identifying the Culprit Lesion in Acute Myocardial Infarction

ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
B.Sc., Jørgen Tobias Kühl M.A.
Background: Lead aVR is a neglected, however, potentially useful tool in electrocardiography. Our aim was to evaluate its value in clinical practice, by reviewing existing literature regarding its utility for identifying the culprit lesion in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Based on a systematic search strategy, 16 studies were assessed with the intent to pool data; diagnostic test rates were calculated as key results. Results: Five studies investigated if ST-segment elevation (STE) in aVR is valuable for the diagnosis of left main stem stenosis (LMS) in non,ST-segment AMI (NSTEMI). The studies were too heterogeneous to pool, but the individual studies all showed that STE in aVR has a high negative predictive value (NPV) for LMS. Six studies evaluated if STE in aVR is valuable for distinguishing proximal from distal lesions in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in anterior ST-segment elevation AMI (STEMI). Pooled data showed a sensitivity of 47%, a specificity of 96%, a positive predicative value (PPV) of 91% and a NPV of 69%. Five studies examined if ST-segment depression (STD) in lead aVR is valuable for discerning lesions in the circumflex artery from those in the right coronary artery in inferior STEMI. Pooled data showed a sensitivity of 37%, a specificity of 86%, a PPV of 42%, and an NPV of 83%. Conclusion: The absence of aVR STE appears to exclude LMS as the underlying cause in NSTEMI; in the context of anterior STEMI, its presence indicates a culprit lesion in the proximal segment of LAD. [source]


Altered coronary vasomotor function in young patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 6 2007
Kumiko Hirata
Objective Accelerated atherosclerosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Altered coronary microvascular function may act as a marker of changes that predispose to the development of significant coronary vascular disease. The purpose of this study was to compare coronary flow reserve (CFR) in a group of premenopausal women with SLE and a group of age-, sex-, and race-matched healthy control subjects. Methods Coronary flow velocity in 18 premenopausal women with SLE (mean ± SD age 29.4 ± 5.9 years) and 19 matched healthy controls (mean ± SD age 28.2 ± 4.3 years) was assessed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography after an overnight fast. The CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to baseline coronary blood flow velocity in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Hyperemia was induced by intravenous administration of adenosine triphosphate. Results The mean ± SD duration of SLE was 8.2 ± 7.2 years (range 0.25,25 years), and the mean ± SD score on the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index was 11.0 ± 5.3 (range 4.0,21.0). Adequate recordings of flow velocity in the left anterior descending artery under both conditions were obtained using an ultrasound procedure in all study subjects. CFR was significantly lower in SLE patients as compared with control subjects (mean ± SD 3.4 ± 0.8 versus 4.5 ± 0.5; P < 0.0001). Conclusion These findings provide evidence that coronary vasomotor function is impaired in patients with SLE and support the notion that many of these young patients have subclinical coronary artery disease. [source]


Is the left anterior descending artery really absent?,A decisive input from coronary CT angiography,

CATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 1 2010
Yalcin Hacioglu MD
Abstract This case report emphasizes the importance of coronary CT angiography (CTA) as a backup imaging modality in patients with suspected coronary anomalies and difficult canulation, during invasive coronary angiography by catheterization (Cath). In this patient, the numerous canulation attempts during Cath failed to identify a left anterior descending artery (LAD) leading to the diagnosis of absent LAD. CTA was done for further clarification, which easily visualized LAD originating from a separate ostium at the left sinus of Valsalva finalizing the diagnosis as absent left main artery with dual left coronary ostia. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Transcoronary transplantation of autologous mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial progenitors into infarcted human myocardium

CATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 3 2005
Demosthenes G. Katritsis MD PhD
Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate whether a combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) capable of differentiating into cardiac myocytes and endothelial progenitors (EPCs) that mainly promote neoangiogenesis might be able to facilitate tissue repair in myocardial scars. Previous studies have shown that intracoronary transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells results in improvement of contractility in infracted areas of human myocardium. Eleven patients with an anteroseptal myocardial infarction (MI) underwent transcoronary transplantation of bone marrow-derived MSCs and EPCs to the infarcted area through the left anterior descending artery. Eleven age- and sex-matched patients served as controls. Wall motion score index was significantly lower at follow-up in the transplantation (P = 0.04) but not in the control group. On stress echocardiography, there was improvement of myocardial contractility in one or more previously nonviable myocardial segments in 5 out of 11 patients (all with recent infarctions) and in none of the controls (P = 0.01). Restoration of uptake of Tc99m sestamibi in one or more previously nonviable myocardial scars was seen in 6 out of 11 patients subjected to transplantation and in none of the controls (P = 0.02). Cell transplantation was an independent predictor of improvement of nonviable tissue. Intracoronary transplantation of MSCs and EPCs is feasible, safe, and may contribute to regional regeneration of myocardial tissue early or late following MI. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Elective sirolimus-eluting stent implantation for multivessel disease involving significant LAD stenosis: One-year clinical outcomes of 99 consecutive patients,the Rotterdam experience

CATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 1 2004
Chourmouzios A. Arampatzis MD
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation for patients with multivessel disease, which included left anterior descending artery (LAD) treatment. Since April 2002, SES has been utilized as the device of choice for all interventions in our institution as part of the Rapamycin-Eluting Stent Evaluated at Rotterdam Hospital (RESEARCH) registry. In the first 6 months of enrolment, 99 consecutive patients (17.6% of the total population) were treated for multivessel disease involving the LAD. The impact of SES implantation on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was evaluated. All the patients received SES in the LAD. Additional stent implantation in the right coronary artery, the left circumflex, or in all three major vessels was attempted successfully in 32 (32%), 51 (52%), and 16 (16%) of the treated patients respectively. During a mean follow-up of 360 ± 59 days (range, 297,472 days), we had one death, one non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, and eight patients required subsequent intervention. The event-free survival of MACE at 1 year was 85.6%. SES implantation for multivessel disease in a consecutive series of patients is associated with low incidence of adverse events. The reported results are related predominantly to the reduction in repeat revascularization. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;63:57,60. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Single Coronary Artery: Right Coronary Artery Originated From Middle of Left Anterior Descending Artery in a Patient With Severe Mitral Regurgitation

CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Murat Meric MD
The single coronary artery is a benign and very rare coronary artery abnormality. Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery originating from the left anterior descending artery has been reported previously in just a few cases. In this article, we presented a patient with an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the midportion of the left anterior descending artery. The anomalous coronary artery was discovered incidentally during a coronary angiography performed prior to mitral valve surgery. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Transient global left ventricular dysfunction in a localized myocardial infarction related to occlusion of the distal left anterior descending artery

CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
Seong Bo Yoon M.D.
Abstract In some patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), wall motion in the noninfarcted area declines globally despite localized myocardial damage. In most, an infarct-related lesion is the proximal part of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Previous studies have reported that hypo-kinesis of remote myocardium may be related to multivessel disease, impaired coronary flow, or coronary flow reserve in nonculprit arteries. This report describes the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with severe global left ventricular (LV) dysfunction after an acute MI associated with distal LAD occlusion. Follow-up echocardiographic examination revealed nearly normalized LV function 5 days after the episode. We discuss a plausible mechanism of dysfunction of noninfarcted myocardium. [source]


Postsystolic thickening detected by doppler myocardial imaging: A marker of viability or ischemia in patients with myocardial infarction

CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
Jae-Kwan Song M.D.
Abstract Background: Postsystolic thickening (PST) of ischemic myocardial segments has been reported to account for the characteristic heterogeneity or regional asynchrony of myocardial wall motion during acute ischemia. Hypothesis: Postsystolic thickening detected by Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI) could be a useful clinical index of myocardial viability or peri-infarction viability in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Doppler myocardial imaging was recorded at each stage of a standard dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) in 20 patients (16 male, 60 ± 13 years) with an MI in the territory of the left anterior descending artery. Myocardial velocity data were measured in the interventricular septum and apical inferior segment of the MI territory. Postsystolic thickening was identified if the absolute velocity of PST was higher than peak systolic velocity in the presence of either a resting PST > 2.0 cm/s or if PST doubled at low-dose dobutamine infusion. Results: Doppler myocardial imaging data could be analyzed in 38 ischemic segments (95%), and PST was observed in 21 segments (55%), including 3 segments showing PST only at low-dose dobutamine infusion. There was no significant difference of baseline wall motion score index (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 2.1 ± 0.6, p = 0.77) orpeak systolic velocity (1.1 ± 1.1 vs. 1.9 ± 2.0 cm/s, p = 0.05) between segments with and without PST. Peri-infarction ischemia or viability during DSE was more frequently observed in segments with PST than in those without (86 vs. 24%, p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of P ST for prediction of peri-infarction viability or ischemia was 82 and 81%, respectively. Conclusions: Postsystolic thickening in the infarct territory detected by DMI is closely related with peri-infarction ischemia or viability at DSE. [source]


Endothelial dysfunction, subangiographic atheroma, and unstable symptoms in patients with chest pain and normal coronary arteriograms

CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 9 2000
Jonathan R. Clague M.D.
Abstract Background: Patients with chest pain and normal coronary arteriograms (CPNA) may present with unstable symptoms and other evidence of ischemia during clinical follow-up. Although repeat angiography usually proves negative, functional assessment of coronary vasomotor abnormalities may provide additional pathophysiologic information. Hypothesis: The study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and subangiographic atheroma in patients with CPNA undergoing repeat angiography because of unstable symptoms. Methods: We investigated nine patients with CPNA (8 women, mean age 57 ± 9 years) undergoing repeat angiography because of unstable anginal symptoms. After normal angiography, simultaneous coronary epicardial and microvascular vasomotor responses to intracoronary vasodilators [acetylcholine (10,6 M), adenosine (18 ,g) and nitroglycerin (300 ,g)] were investigated in the left anterior descending artery using quantitative angiography and Doppler flow measurements. The presence of subangiographic atheroma was assessed by intravascular ultrasound. Results: Three patients demonstrated proximal and distal epicardial vasoconstriction and a reduction in coronary flow in response to acetylcholine, indicating concordant epicardial and microvascular endothelial dysfunction. These changes were associated with chest pain and ischemic electrocardio-graphic changes in two patients. None of the remaining patients suffered chest pain in response to intracoronary acetylcholine. Six patients had significant subangiographic disease (intimal thickness >0.3 mm) on intravascular ultrasound imaging, and multivariate analysis indicated a significant relationship (R2 = 0.89, overall p = 0.001) between the extent of subangiographic disease and both plasma cholesterol concentration and hypertensive history. No significant relationship was demonstrated between endothelial dysfunction and the extent of subangiographic disease. Conclusion: Concordant epicardial and microvascular endothelial dysfunction may be pathophysiologically and clinically significant in unstable patients with CPNA but does not appear to be directly related to the extent of subangiographic atheroma. [source]