Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries: A comprehensive review and future research directions

Acute coronary syndromes constitute a variety of myocardial injury presentations that include a subset of patients presenting with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries(MINOCA).This acute coronary syndrome differs from type 1 myocardial infarction(MI)regarding patient characteristics,presentation,physiopathology,management,treatment,and prognosis.Two-thirds of MINOCA subjects present ST-segment elevation;MINOCA patients are younger,are more often female and tend to have fewer cardiovascular risk factors.Moreover,MINOCA is a working diagnosis,and defining the aetiologic mechanism is relevant because it affects patient care and prognosis.In the absence of relevant coronary artery disease,myocardial ischaemia might be triggered by an acute event in epicardial coronary arteries,coronary microcirculation,or both.Epicardial causes of MINOCA include coronary plaque disruption,coronary dissection,and coronary spasm.Microvascular MINOCA mechanisms involve microvascular coronary spasm,takotsubo syndrome(TTS),myocarditis,and coronary thromboembolism.Coronary angiography with non-significant coronary stenosis and left ventriculography are first-line tests in the differential study of MINOCA patients.The diagnostic arsenal includes invasive and non-invasive techniques.Medical history and echocardiography can help indicate vasospasm or thrombosis,if one finite coronary territory is affected,or specify TTS if apical ballooning is present.Intravascular ultrasound,optical coherence tomography,and provocative testing are encouraged.Cardiac magnetic resonance is a cornerstone in myocarditis diagnosis.MINOCA is not a benign diagnosis,and its polymorphic forms differ in prognosis.MINOCA care varies across centres,and future multi-centre clinical trials with standardized criteria may have a positive impact on defining optimal cardiovascular care for MINOCA patients.

Challenging situation of coronary artery anomaly associated with ischemia and/or risk of sudden death

Coronary artery anomaly is known as one of the causes of angina pectoris and sudden death and is an important clinical entity that cannot be overlooked.The incidence of coronary artery anomalies is as low as 1%-2%of the general population,even when the various types are combined.Coronary anomalies are practically challenging when the left and right coronary ostium are not found around their normal positions during coronary angiography with a catheter.If there is atherosclerotic stenosis of the coronary artery with an anomaly and percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)is required,the suitability of the guiding catheter at the entrance and the adequate back up force of the guiding catheter are issues.The level of PCI risk itself should also be considered on a caseby-case basis.In this case,emission computed tomography in the R-1 subtype single coronary artery proved that ischemia occurred in an area where the coronary artery was not visible to the naked eye.Meticulous follow-up would be crucial,because sudden death may occur in single coronary arteries.To prevent atherosclerosis with full efforts is also important,as the authors indicated admirably.

Non-obstructive coronary artery disease and cardiovascular events in patients with angina-like chest pain detected by coronary angiography:a Chinese cohort study

Objective The utility of non-obstructive coronary artery diseases(NOCAD) in cardiovascular events (CVE) among Chinese patients has less been evaluated. Our objective was to investigate the prognostic value of NOCAD in patients with angina-like chest pain detected by coronary angiography (CAG) in a large Chinese cohort study.

Presentation and outcome of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries in coronavirus disease 2019

Among the cardiac complications of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),one increasingly reported in the literature is myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronaries(MINOCA).We reviewed all reported cases of MINOCA in COVID-19 patients to summarize its clinical features,evaluation,and treatment.We performed a literature search in Pubmed using the search terms‘COVID-19’and‘MINOCA’or‘non-obstructive coronaries’.Among the reported cases,the mean age was 61.5 years(SD±13.4),and 50%were men.Chest pain was the presenting symptom in five patients(62.5%),and hypertension was the most common comorbidity(62.5%).ST-elevation was seen in most patients(87.5%),and the overall mortality rate was 37.5%.MINOCA in COVID-19 is an entity with a broad differential diagnosis.Therefore,a uniform algorithm is needed in its evaluation to ensure timely diagnosis and management.

Myocardial ischemia is a key factor in the management of stable coronary artery disease

Previous studies demonstrated that coronary revascularization,especially percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),does not significantly decrease the incidence of cardiac death or myocardial infarction in patients with stable coronary artery disease.Many studies using myocardial perfusion imaging(MPI) showed that,for patients with moderate to severe ischemia,revascularization is the preferred therapy for survival benefit,whereas for patients with no to mild ischemia,medical therapy is the main choice,and revascularization is associated with increased mortality.There is some evidence that revascularization in patients with no or mild ischemia is likely to result in worsened ischemia,which is associated with increased mortality.Studies using fractional flow reserve(FFR) demonstrate that ischemia-guided PCI is superior to angiography-guided PCI,and the presence of ischemia is the key to decisionmaking for PCI.Complementary use of noninvasive MPI and invasive FFR would be important to compensate for each method's limitations.Recent studies of appropriateness criteria showed that,although PCI in the acute setting and coronary bypass surgery are properly performed in most patients,PCI in the non-acute set-ting is often inappropriate,and stress testing to identify myocardial ischemia is performed in less than half of patients.Also,some studies suggested that revascularization in an inappropriate setting is not associated with improved prognosis.Taken together,the presence and the extent of myocardial ischemia is a key factor in the management of patients with stable coronary artery disease,and coronary revascularization in the absence of myocardial ischemia is associated with worsened prognosis.

A Study of Myocardial Ischemia Model Induced by Left Coronary Artery Ligation in Rats

Objective: Coronary artery was ligated to study the characteristics of myocardial ischemia in rats. Methods: The left anterior descending artery was ligated to establish the rat model of acute myocardial ischemia. All animals were divided into normal control group, sham operation group and model group. 1, 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, ECG (II lead) was recorded, the weight of whole heart and left ventricle were recorded and organ indexes were calculated;myocardial infarct size was determined by TTC;CK, CK-MB, LDH, AST contents of serum were detected;cardiac function was determined by left ventricular intubation via carotid artery and left ventricular was taken to perform pathological observation. Results: 1 week after modeling, compared with the sham operation group, the ECG and heart function index of rats model had significant change, but the myocardial enzymes did not change significantly;4 weeks after modeling, the ECG and cardiac function of animal models had a recovery trend, but the myocardial enzymes, including CK, CK-MB, LDH, AST, were significantly increased;1 week after modeling, the left ventricular indexes of model rats were increased;the infarct size was about 30%, myocardial cell necrosis and granulation tissue hyperplasia could be observed in infarction area;with the modeling time extended, from 2 to 4 weeks, the left ventricular and heart indexes of model group were significantly increased;the infarct size was relatively constant, left ventricular became thickly, and fibrous or granulation tissue was significantly proliferated in infarction area under microscope. Conclusion: The indexes of myocardial ischemia induced by coronary artery ligation in rats are different at different time points. The results suggest that the time point should be selected to observe the anti-myocardial ischemia effect of the subjects from different aspects.

Significance of inferior wall ischemia in non-dominant right coronary artery anatomy

AIM To investigate the relationship of inferior wall ischemia on myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with nondominant right coronary artery anatomy.METHODS This was a retrospective observational analysis of consecutive patients who presented to the emergency department with primary complaint of chest pain.Only patients who underwent single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)myocardial perfusion imaging(MPI)were included.Patients who showed a reversible defect on SPECT MPI and had coronary angiography during the same hospitalization was analyzed.Patients with prior history of coronary artery disease(CAD)including history of percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft surgerys were excluded.True positive and false positive results were identified on the basis of hemodynamically significant CAD on coronary angiography,in the same territory as identified on SPECT MPI.Coronary artery dominance was determined on coronary angiography.Patients were divided into group 1 and group 2.Group1 included patients with non-dominant right coronary artery(RCA)(left dominant and codominant).Group2 included patients with dominant RCA anatomy.Demographics,baseline characteristics and positive predictive value(PPV)were analyzed for the two groups.RESULTS The mean age of the study cohort was 57.6 years.Sixtyone point seven percent of the patients were males.The prevalence of self-reported diabetes mellitus,hypertension and dyslipidemia was 36%,71.9%and 53.9%respectively.A comparison of baseline characteristics between the two groups showed that patients with a non-dominant RCA were more likely to be men.For inferior wall ischemia on SPECT MPI,patients in study group 2 had a significantly higher PPV,32/42(76.1%),compared to patients in group 1,in which only 3 out of the 29 patients(10.3%)had true positive results(P value<0.001 Z test).The difference remained statistically significant even when only patients with left dominant coronary system(without co-dominant)were compared to patients with right dominant system(32/40,76.1%in right dominant group,3/19,15.8%in left dominant group,P value<0.001 Z test).There was no significant difference in mean hospital stay,re-hospitalization,and in-hospital mortality between the two groups.CONCLUSION The positive predictive value of SPECT MPI for inferior wall ischemia is affected by coronary artery dominance.More studies are needed to explain this phenomenon.

Atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease:An integrative review focusing on therapeutic implications of this relationship

The incidence of both atrial fibrillation(AF)and coronary artery disease(CAD)increases with advancing age.They share common risk factors and very often coexist.Evidence points to an intricate relationship between atrial tissue excitability and neuronal remodeling with ischemia at the microcirculatory level.In this review,we delineated this complex relationship,identified a common theme between the two,and discussed how the knowledge of this relationship translates into a positive and meaningful impact in patient management.Recent research indicates a high prevalence of CAD among AF patients undergoing coronary angiography.Further,the incidence of AF is much higher in those suffering from CAD compared to age-matched adults without CAD underlying this reciprocal relationship.CAD adversely affects AF by promoting progression via re-entry and increasing excitability of atrial tissue as a result of ischemia and electrical inhomogeneity.AF in turn accelerates atherosclerosis via endothelial dysfunctional and inflammation and together with enhanced thrombogenicity and hypercoagulability contribute to micro and macrothrombi throughout cardiovascular system.In a nutshell,the two form a vicious cycle wherein one disease promotes the other.Most AF recommendations focuses on rate/rhythm control and prevention of thromboembolism.Very few studies have discussed the importance of unmasking coexistent CAD and how the treatment of underlying ischemia will impact the burden of AF in these patients.Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction remain central to both disease processes and form a handsome therapeutic target in the management of the two diseases.The relationship between AF and CAD is complex and much more than mere coincidence.The two diseases share common risk factor and pathophysiology.Hence,it is impractical to treat them in isolation.Accordingly,we share the implications of managing underlying ischemia and inflammation to positively impact and improve quality of life among AF patients.

以急性心肌缺血为突出表现的儿童冠状动脉心肌桥2例并文献复习总结

目的报道2例以急性心肌缺血为突出表现的儿童冠状动脉心肌桥并文献复习总结。方法介绍本院收治的2例儿童冠状动脉心肌桥病例,检索1990年~2021年的关于儿童冠状动脉心肌桥等研究文献,获取相关数据。对纳入的研究数据采用SPSS 25.0及RevMan 5.0软件进行统计学分析。结果共纳入27篇文献,包括98例患儿,其中男61例,女37例,男女比例1.6∶1,发病年龄(12.2±4.9)岁。最常见的症状是胸痛42例(48%)。98例患儿中包括108段心肌桥,位置在左前降支98段,占比90.7%;统计儿童心肌桥长度(23.5±15.2)mm,厚度(8.6±6.0)mm;合并HCM 46例(52.9%);明确记载的行心肌桥松解术39例(44.8%);随访时间为3个月~10年,随访中死亡者7例,明确记载预后良好的70例(81.4%)。结论儿童冠状动脉心肌桥发病时以急性心肌缺血为突出表现,位置以左前降支中段最常见,治疗则是冠脉狭窄程度+Schwarz分型结合临床综合治疗,大多预后良好。

心脏体外震波治疗对冠心病患者心肌灌注及心电图的影响

目的探讨心脏体外震波治疗(CSWT)对冠心病患者负荷心肌灌注扫描及心电图结果的影响。方法纳入2016年12月至2022年8月因冠心病在北京医院住院诊治并行CSWT的患者。CSWT为3个月方案,共9次治疗。收集冠心病患者行CSWT前后的临床基本资料、心肌灌注扫描数据和心电图数据。比较CSWT前后心肌灌注扫描结果和心电图参数的变化。结果共有55例冠心病患者,其中男43例,平均年龄为(67.45±8.96)岁。CSWT前后12导联心电图ST段最大位移均无明显变化,心肌灌注扫描显示左心室整体负荷灌注总分(P=0.031)和整体可逆灌注总分(P=0.024)显著改善,静息左心室整体缺血面积显著缩小(P=0.034),差异均有统计学意义。靶节段负荷灌注评分(P=0.002)、靶节段可逆灌注评分(P=0.002)、靶节段负荷缺血面积(P=0.001)明显改善,差异均有统计学意义。结论CSWT对冠心病难治性心绞痛患者心电图ST段最大位移无影响,有助于改善心肌血流灌注,缩小缺血范围。

基于幂法则校正动态CT灌注心肌血流量评价心肌缺血

目的利用幂法则原理对心肌动态CT灌注(CTP)所测得心肌血流量(MBF)进行个体化校正,并评价其诊断心肌缺血的价值。方法回顾性纳入行CTP+冠状动脉CT血管成像(CCTA)扫描的疑似或确诊的冠心病病人86例,其中男47例,女39例,平均年龄(62.17±8.99)岁。使用Frontier平台分析病人MBF并计算冠状动脉三大分支支配区域的MBF。使用3D Slicer软件,通过阈值分割来计算冠状动脉管腔容量(V)并计算校正参数(K,K=MBF/V^(3/4))。利用AI影像辅助诊断平台计算靶血管病变部位的CT血流储备分数(FFR_(CT))值,并以FFR_(CT)>0.8和FFR_(CT)≤0.8在病人水平上分为非心肌缺血组和心肌缺血组,在血管水平上将冠状动脉3大主要分支[左冠状动脉前降支(LAD)、左冠状动脉回旋支(LCX)和右冠状动脉(RCA)]分别分为非缺血性狭窄组(FFR_(CT)>0.8)和缺血性狭窄组(FFR_(CT)≤0.8)。使用独立样本t检验比较病人水平和血管水平上不同分组之间MBF和K的差异,并绘制受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线评估其诊断效能。结果心肌缺血组MBF_(病人)和K_(病人)均低于非心肌缺血组(均P<0.05);缺血性狭窄组MBF_(LAD)、K_(LAD)、K_(LCX)和K_(RCA)均低于非缺血性狭窄组(均P<0.05)。K和MBF的诊断截断值分别为1.38和116 m L/(100 m L·min^(-1))时,K_(病人)的AUC(0.831)和阳性预测值(62.3%)最高,K_(LCX)准确度最高(77.3%),K_(RCA)敏感度(100%)和阴性预测值(100%)最高MBF病人的AUC(0.795)最高,MBFLCX特异度(89.1%)最高。结论基于幂法则原理可以使用病人冠状动脉灌注床的血管容量对MBF进行校正,并显著减少个体差异,提高CTP对心肌缺血的诊断效能。

冠脉周围脂肪组织与疑诊冠状动脉狭窄所致心肌缺血的相关性研究

目的:探讨冠状动脉周围脂肪衰减指数(FAI)及心包外脂肪体积(EATV)与心肌缺血的相关性。方法:回顾性收集就诊于徐州医科大学附属医院的130例15天内行冠状动脉CT血管成像(CCTA)和心肌灌注显像(MPI)检查的患者,且CCTA提示至少一根血管存在狭窄。根据总积分差值(SDS)是否大于2分为心肌缺血组和非心肌缺血组,结合MPI结果及CCTA图像判断可能引起心肌缺血的主要责任血管,在CCTA图像上测量和计算FAI、EATV、Gensini积分及斑块长度,同时收集入组患者的基本资料[年龄、性别、体重指数(BMI)、高血脂、高血压],并进行两组间数据比较。采用单因素logistic回归分析心肌缺血和患者基本资料、EFAI、EATV、Gensini积分及斑块长度等指标的关系,并对存在显著性差异的指标行多因素回归分析。利用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线比较不同指标预测心肌缺血的效能。结果:两组间患者性别、年龄、高血脂、高血压、FAI、EATV、Gensini积分及斑块长度等指标存在统计学差异。心肌缺血组的FAI、EATV、Gensini积分、斑块长度高于非心肌缺血组[-(69.01±11.59)HU vs-(83.38.49±8.11)HU,127.51(109.87,145.46)cm^(3)vs 108.34(99.92,116.9)cm^(3),16(10,25)分vs 9(5,13)分,18(12,30)mm vs 10.33(8.00,14.50)mm;均P<0.001]。FAI预测心肌缺血的价值高于EATV(AUC分别为0.892和0.837),FAI和EATV两指标联合对心肌缺血的预测效能进一步提高,且具有显著性差异(AUC=0.919,P<0.001)。结论:FAI、EATV对预测心肌缺血均具有一定的价值,FAI对心肌缺血的预测效能高于EATV,且两指标联合可进一步提高心肌缺血的预测效能。

腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像评估川崎病心肌缺血的价值

目的 探讨腺苷负荷心肌灌注显像(MPI)评估儿童川崎病心肌缺血的安全性及临床价值。资料与方法 前瞻性收集2019年8月—2021年2月复旦大学附属儿科医院有川崎病病史且经超声心动图和冠状动脉造影明确有冠状动脉瘤者78例,行腺苷负荷MPI,分析腺苷负荷试验的安全性,并检测冠状动脉明显狭窄(≥75%)的敏感度和特异度,比较不同冠状动脉狭窄程度组腺苷负荷MPI阳性率的差异。结果 78例患儿均完成腺苷负荷试验,无严重副作用发生。其中44例负荷试验阴性者未行静息显像,减少了56.4%(44/78)的辐射暴露。腺苷负荷MPI检测冠状动脉明显狭窄的敏感度为66.7%,特异度为60.6%(40/66)。冠状动脉无狭窄组40.3%(21/52)、轻中度狭窄组35.7%、明显狭窄组66.7%的患儿负荷试验阳性,阳性率差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=3.169,P=0.205)。结论 腺苷负荷试验在儿童中安全可行,负荷优先成像策略可减少辐射暴露,腺苷负荷MPI对评估、监测川崎病患儿心肌缺血具有重要价值。

基于冠状动脉CT血管造影的斑块特征指数对稳定性冠心病患者病变特异性心肌缺血的诊断价值

目的探讨基于冠状动脉CT血管造影(coronary CT angiography,CCTA)构建的斑块特征指数对稳定性冠心病(coronary artery disease,CAD)患者病变特异性心肌缺血的预测价值。方法前瞻性地纳入2020年10月至2022年3月于复旦大学附属中山医院收治的稳定性CAD患者90例,包括狭窄程度在30%~90%的目标血管135支。所有患者2周内均接受了CCTA、侵入性冠脉造影和有创血流储备分数(fractional flow reserve,FFR)测量。根据有无血流动力学显著性狭窄,分为心肌缺血人群(FFR≤0.80,n=30)和非缺血人群(FFR>0.8,n=60),将135支目标血管分为病变特异性心肌缺血组(FFR≤0.8,n=36)和非病变特异性心肌缺血组(FFR>0.8,n=99)。采用单因素和多因素logistic回归分析诊断病变特异性心肌缺血的影响因素,并建立基于CCTA的斑块特征指数的回归模型。采用ROC曲线分析基于CCTA的斑块特征指数对稳定性CAD患者病变特异性心肌缺血的预测效能。结果心肌缺血人群与非缺血人群在年龄、体质量指数、性别、心血管危险因素、药物治疗史方面差异均无统计学意义。与非缺血组相比,心肌缺血组的斑块长度、斑块面积、面积狭窄百分比、动脉粥样硬化斑块总体积、血管体积、脂质斑块体积水平较高,点状钙化、正性重塑、餐巾环征的比例较高,而最小管腔面积较小(均P<0.05)。单因素和多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,最小管腔面积(OR=0.303,95%CI 0.178~0.517,P<0.001)和总动脉粥样硬化体积(OR=1.006,95%CI 1.002~1.010,P=0.003)为稳定性CAD患者病变特异性心肌缺血的独立预测因子。基于CCTA的斑块特征指数预测概率的回归方程为P=1/[1+e-(-1.19441×MLA+0.006058×TAV+0.600912)],其诊断病变特异性心肌缺血的AUC为0.879(95%CI 0.811~0.928),总体诊断准确度、灵敏度、特异度、PPV、NPV分别为80.0%、83.3%、78.8%、58.8%、92.9%。结论在稳定性CAD患者中,基于CCTA的斑块特征指数对病变特异性心肌缺血有较高的预测价值,具有良好的临床应用前景。

冠状动脉CT血管成像配合动态心电图检查对冠心病心肌缺血的诊断价值

目的分析冠状动脉CT血管成像配合动态心电图检查在冠心病心肌缺血中的诊断价值。方法纳入2023年1月至2023年5月我院收治的856例疑似冠心病心肌缺血患者,行冠状动脉CT血管成像及动态心电图检查,以核素心肌灌注显像为金标准,比较冠状动脉CT血管成像配合动态心电图检查在冠心病心肌缺血中的诊断价值。结果核素心肌灌注显像结果显示,856例患者中阳性526例,阴性330例。冠状动脉CT血管成像配合动态心电图的准确度、灵敏度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值均高于冠状动脉CT血管成像、动态心电图单独检查(P<0.05)。结论冠状动脉CT血管成像配合动态心电图检查在冠心病心肌缺血中的诊断效能较高,可为临床治疗提供更准确的依据。

Characteristic analysis of clinical coronary heart disease and coronary artery disease concerning young and middle-aged male patients

BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease(CHD)is a type of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.In recent years,the incidence of CHD has been increasing annually,with an increasing number of young patients.Severe CHD may cause severe myocardial ischemia or myocardial necrosis,which in turn may cause myocardial infarction and related complications that seriously affect the life and health of the patient.AIM To examine the coronary arteries and clinical features of young and middle-aged male patients with CHD.METHODS From February 2019 to January 2020,110 male CHD patients admitted to our hospital were selected as research subjects and were divided into two groups by age:middle-aged group(n=55)and young group(n=55).The coronary arteries and clinical features of the patients were compared.RESULTS There were no significant differences in dyslipidemia,stroke history,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,or triacylglycerol(P>0.05)between the two groups.In the young group,age,diabetes,hypertension,smoking history,body mass index,family history of CHD,drinking history,fibrinogen,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,total cholesterol,and single-vessel disease were higher than those in the middle-aged group.Correspondingly,serum uric acid,hyperuricemia,myocardial infarction,Gensini score>50,collateral circulation,multivessel disease,double vessel disease,involvement of the right coronary artery,and involvement of the left main coronary artery were lower in the young group than in the middle-aged group.The middle-aged group mainly suffered from a high Gensini score,implicating multiple arteries,whereas the young group was mainly affected by single-vessel disease.The between-group difference was significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION In CHD attacks,multiple coronary arteries are implicated in middle-aged male patients and single-vessel disease in young male patients.

Comprehensive assessment of a post-coronary bypass graft patient with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and multi-detector computed tomography

Coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG) is a revascularization procedure which reduces myocardial ischemia and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in selected patients;however, up to 40% of saphanous vein grafts may degenerate over 10 years. Although coronary angiography is the gold standard to detect graft patency and native vessel disease, sometimes it is difficult to locate the grafts resulting in increased exposure to radiation and contrast administration. This case highlights the utility of cardiac computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to provide comprehensive noninvasive assessment in a patient post CABG.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2007;4:244-247.)

Role of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in coronary artery bypass grafting

Transesophapeal echocardiography （TEE） can be used as a diagnostic tool during cardiac surgery to direct the surgical procedure and diagnose unanticipated problems. TEE has also been one of the most important means of monitoring myocardial ischemia dur- ing coronary artery bypas grafting procedures. The cardiac anesthesiologist can apply intraoperative TEE in evaluating coronary artery anatomy and aorta atherosclerosis, assessing diastolic left ventricular function and preload,measuring intracardiac pressure and cardiac output,detecting ischaemic mitral regurgitation,intracardiac air and pericardial effusion.

Role of Trimetazidine in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Trimetazidine is a drug that has been used to reduce the damage of reperfusion injury, which is a mechanism of oxidative aggression that occurs in coronary syndromes, angioplasty procedures, as well as in cardiovascular surgeries. Seeking to improve myocardial protection during procedures that involve reperfusion, attention was recently turned to research on cytoprotective drugs which act on segments of cellular metabolism, used in isolation or combined to reduce or prevent damage to the cardiac cell. The aim of this review is to objectively evaluate the effects of the drug trimetazidine (TMZ) on ischemia-reperfusion injury in coronary artery bypass graft surgery by reviewing all known studies from recent years.

Inter-Coronary Communication: A Rare Anomaly in Unusual Site

Intercoronary connection is a rare variant of coronary anomalies with a direct continuity between two main coronary arteries. It may function as an alternative pathway to blood flow in compromised coronary circulation. 64 years old male presented with 4 weeks history of retro-sternal chest pain and shortness of breath;his risk factors were diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking. Physical examination was normal and he had no audible murmur;he had elevated cardiac enzymes;in echocardiography there was inferior wall hypokinesia, cardiac catheterization revealed complete occlusion of med right coronary artery and complete occlusion of the left main (LM) trunk. Blood flow to the entire myocardium came from large abnormal coronary connection between the right coronary artery ostium and the proximal left anterior descending artery. A smaller arterial communication maintained blood flow to the distal right coronary artery. Cardiac computed tomographic angiography confirmed the presence of a patent left main ostium followed by complete occlusion. This unusual anatomical variation has saved the life of the patient and allowed time for surgical revascularization. The patient underwent successful triple coronary artery bypass grafts with no postoperative difficulties or complications. On one-year follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic, fully active with no new ECG or echocardiography changes.