Correlation of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio to severity of coronary artery disease and in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A prospective observational study

Objective:To explore correlation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)to severity of coronary artery disease(CAD)and in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Methods:In this prospective and observational study,we recruited 500 patients with ACS.For all the eligible patients,demographic details were collected,and laboratory parameters were evaluated.The CAD severity was evaluated in terms of the number of involved vessels.The NLR was calculated based on neutrophils and lymphocytes and the correlation of various risk factors and severity and outcome of CAD was performed.Results:77.2%of Patients was male,and 52%of the patients aged between 55-70 years.Based on the type of ACS,396 out of 500 patients had ST-elevation myocardial infarction.An ascending trend in the white blood cell levels and NLR value was noted as the severity of the ACS increased and the highest white blood cell levels and NLR was noted among classⅣpatients.The mean NLR value among the non-survivors were higher compared to the survivors(9.52±5.72 vs.4.76±2.36;P<0.01).Receiver operating curve showed that the cut-off NLR value was 5.76 with a sensitivity of 75.0%and a specificity of 77.3%.Conclusions:The NLR can be used as an independent prognostic marker in ACS.An elevated NLR value serves as a reliable predictor for short-term complications,notably in-hospital mortality.

Relationship between coronary artery ectasia, cocaine abuse and acute coronary syndromes

Coronary artery ectasia(CAE)often represents a coronary angiography finding casually detected or following the occurrence of an acute coronary syndrome.The pathogenetic role of cocaine abuse in the genesis of CAE is still little known and very few data are available in literature.We describe a case of a 31-year-old male cocaine user admitted to our department for typical acute chest pain.Coronary angiography showed diffuse coronary ectasia with slow flows and without hemodynamically significant stenosis.An increasing of matrix metalloproteinases values and a reduction of their tissue inhibitors was showed both during hospitalization and at one month after discharge.This case report emphasizes the close relationship between cocaine abuse,CAE and acute coronary syndromes in patients without hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis.As reported by Satran et al,cocaine abuse should be considered an important risk factor for CAE and these patients appear to be at increased risk of angina and acute myocardial infarct.Further studies that can strengthen this hypothesis would be useful to deepen and better analyze this interesting association.

Role of fibrinogen,albumin and fibrinogen to albumin ratio in determining angiographic severity and outcomes in acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic unmasked the huge deficit in healthcare resources worldwide.It highlighted the need for efficient risk stratification in management of cardiovascular emergencies.AIM To study the applicability of the old,available and affordable nonconventional biomarkers:albumin and fibrinogen in their ability to predict angiographic severity and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).METHODS In this prospective,observational study,166 consecutive patients with ACS were enrolled.Fibrinogen,albumin and their ratio were determined from serum.Patients with underlying chronic liver disease,active malignancy,autoimmune disease,active COVID-19 infection and undergoing thrombolysis were excluded.RESULTS Mean age of the population was 60.5±1.5 years,74.1%being males.ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)was most common presentation of ACS seen in 57%patients.Fibrinogen albumin ratio(FAR)≥19.2,had a sensitivity of 76.9%and specificity of 78.9%[area under the receiver operating characteristic curves(AUROC)=0.8,P=0.001]to predict≤thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)1 flow in culprit artery in STEMI patients.Even in non-STEMI patients,FAR≥18.85 predicted the same with 80%sensitivity and 63%specificity(AUROC=0.715,P=0.006).CONCLUSION Novel biomarkers,with their high cost,lack of availability and long turn over time are impractical for real-world use.Identifying≤TIMI 1 flow in the culprit artery has significant impact of management and outcome.Our study has shown that readily available biomarkers like fibrinogen and albumin can help identify these high-risk patients with good accuracy.This allows risk-stratification and individualization of treatment in ACS.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide but not high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is related to severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objective Biochemical indicators such as N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide（NT pro-BNP）and high-sensitivity Creactive protein（hsCRP）predict mortality in acute coronary syndrome（ACS）.However,little is known about the relationship of these factors with severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with.Methods Three hundred and thirty-one subjects including 246 unstable angina pectoris patients and 85 myocardial infarction patients were recruited and classified into two groups：single-vessel disease group（1-vessel disease,n=93）and multiple-vessel disease group（≥2-vessels disease,n=238）according to selective coronary angiography.Plasma levels of NT pro-BNP and hsCRP were measured and severity of coronary stenosis was determined by Gensini score.Results NT pro-BNP but not hsCRP level was higher in patients with myocardial infarction than in patients with unstable angina pectoris.The patients with multiple-vessel disease had significantly higher NT pro-BNP level but not hsCRP compared with those with single-vessel disease.NT pro-BNP levels increased significantly as left ventricle（LV）function decreased,and only NT proBNP but not hsCRP level was related to Gensini score of severity of coronary stenosis in ACS.Conclusion NT proBNP but not hsCRP level is related to severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients in ACS.

ECG after near-drowning mimicking acute coronary syndrome with left main coronary artery involvement

We present the case of a 74-year-old man with diabetes and hypertension who had to be rescued owing to a near-drowning syndrome at sea.When he was rescued,he complained of dyspnea and chest pain.An electrocardiogram(ECG)suggested acute coronary syndrome(ACS)affecting the left main coronary artery.Therefore,he was referred to our hospital for urgent coronary angiography.

OUTCOMES OF INVASIVE STRATEGY TO PATIENTS WITH NON-ST-ELEVATION ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES

Objective To compare the outcomes of an invasive with a conservative strategy in the manage-ment of patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. Methods From January 2000 to June 2001, 505 patients presenting with unstable angina or non-Q wave myocardial infarction were divided into two groups (conservative vs. invasive) according to management strategy. Patients assigned to an early invasive strategy underwent coronary angiography within 7d of enrollment after intensive antiplatelet, antithrombotic and antiangina therapy and revascularization as appropriate. All patients were followed up at least 6 months. The primary endpoints were cardiac death and acute myocardial infarction. Recurrence angina and readmission were the secondary end-point. Results There were 194 patients in conservative group and311 patients in invasive group. Overall, coronary angiography was performed in 100% and 56% , and revascularization in 93% and 52% in the invasive and conservative groups, respectively. During a mean of 11±5.7 months (range 6 ~ 24 months) of follow-up, the occurrence of primary endpoint was significantly lower in the invasive group than that in the conservative group (3.9% vs 8. 2% , P =0. 036). The rate of recurrent angina (48% vs 17% , P =0. 001) , readmission (41% vs 13% , P = 0. 001) and revascularization (12% vs 35% , P =0. 001) was also significantly lower in patients assigned to invasive strategy. Conclusion The study indicates that the early invasive approach may be the preferred strategy in patients with unstable angina or non-Q wave myocardial infarction.

Churg-Strauss Syndrome Revealed by Acute Coronary Artery Disease: A Case Report

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a very rare small-vessel vasculitis. Clinical features include asthma, rhinitis and/or sinusitis, and peripheral eosinophilia. Although cardiac findings are observed in 50% of cases, coronary artery disease is rarely reported and even more rarely suggestive. The value of cardiac MRI for these patients is discussed here. A 52-year-old non-smoker male without family antecedents of cardiovascular disease presented with worsening of atypical asthma that developed 10 months earlier. A month before, he had been admitted to the ICU because of respiratory distress and cardiogenic shock with chest pain. The angiogram revealed stenosis of the three main coronary arteries requiring the placement of several stents. Follow-up cardiac assessments showed good results. General impairment, unstable asthma associated with rhinitis, and eosinophilia suggested a systemic disease. The diagnosis of CSS was established considering that five criteria of the American College of Rheumatology were found. Prednisolone was prescribed at 1 mg/kg/day, which completely suppressed all symptoms and eosinophilia. Cardiac MRI was performed two months later and revealed a good control of myocardial lesions characterized by fibrosis beneath the anterior endocardium and the median septum. Immunosuppressive treatment was then administered together with corticosteroid therapy. These results suggest that acute coronary artery disease can reveal CSS in some cases. Here, the patient’s cardiac assessment was normal apart from the acute episode, and cardiac MRI helped detect signs of myocarditis and establish a prognosis of CSS.

Acute coronary syndrome in the older adults

Coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the developed world. Advanced age is the single strongest risk factor for coronary artery disease （CAD） and independent predictor for poor outcomes following an acute coronary syndrome （ACS）. ACS refers to a spectrum of conditions compatible with acute myocardial ischemia and/or infarction due to various degrees of reduction in co- ronary blood flow as a result of plaque rupture/erosion and thrombosis formation or supply and demand mismatch.

Impact of gout on in-hospital outcomes of acute coronary syndrome-related hospitalizations and revascularizations: Insights from the national inpatient sample

BACKGROUND Previous studies have established a role of gout in predicting risk and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. However, large-scale data on the impact of gout on inpatient outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-related hospitalizations and post-revascularization is inadequate. AIM To evaluate the impact of gout on in-hospital outcomes of ACS hospitalizations, subsequent healthcare burden and predictors of post-revascularization inpatient mortality. METHODS We used the national inpatient sample (2010-2014) to identify the ACS and goutrelated hospitalizations, relevant comorbidities, revascularization and postrevascularization outcomes using the ICD-9 CM codes. A multivariable analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors of post-revascularization in-hospital mortality. RESULTS We identified 3144744 ACS-related hospitalizations, of which 105198 (3.35%) also had gout. The ACS-gout cohort were more often older white males with a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Coronary artery bypass grafting was required more often in the ACS-gout cohort. Post-revascularization complications including cardiac (3.2% vs 2.9%), respiratory (3.5% vs 2.9%), and hemorrhage (3.1% vs 2.7%) were higher whereas all-cause mortality was lower (2.2% vs 3.0%) in the ACSgout cohort (P < 0.001). An older age (OR 15.63, CI: 5.51-44.39), non-elective admissions (OR 2.00, CI: 1.44-2.79), lower household income (OR 1.44, CI: 1.17- 1.78), and comorbid conditions predicted higher mortality in ACS-gout cohort undergoing revascularization (P < 0.001). Odds of post-revascularization inhospital mortality were lower in Hispanics (OR 0.45, CI: 0.31-0.67) and Asians (OR 0.65, CI: 0.45-0.94) as compared to white (P < 0.001). However, postoperative complications significantly raised mortality odds. Mean length of stay, transfer to other facilities, and hospital charges were higher in the ACS-gout cohort. CONCLUSION Although gout was not independently associated with an increased risk of postrevascularization in-hospital mortality in ACS, it did increase postrevascularization complications.

Effects of metabolic syndrome on onset age and long-term outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: We aim to investigate effects of metabolic syndrome on onset age and long-termoutcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).METHODS: Patients with ACS (n=6,431) who underwent percutaneous coronary interventionfrom January to December 2013 were enrolled. After excluding patients with previous coronary arterydisease, 1,558 patients were diagnosed with early-onset ACS (men aged ≤50 years;women aged≤60 years) and 3,044 patients with late-onset ACS. Baseline characteristics and five-year clinicaloutcomes were measured.RESULTS: Body mass index, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and uric acidconcentrations were significantly higher, while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)concentration was lower in the early-onset ACS group (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealedobesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.590, 95% confi dence interval [CI] 1.345–1.881), hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.403,95% CI 1.185–1.660), and low HDL-C (OR 1.464, 95% CI 1.231–1.742) as independent risk factorsfor early-onset ACS (all P<0.001). The fi ve-year follow-up showed that the incidences of all cause death(1.5% vs. 3.8%, P<0.001), cardiac death (1.1% vs. 2.0%, P=0.023), and recurrent stroke (2.2% vs. 4.2%,P<0.001) were lower, while bleeding events were more frequent in the early-onset ACS group. A subgroupanalysis showed higher incidences of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) and revascularization in patientswith early-onset ACS and metabolic syndrome.CONCLUSIONS: Obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and lower HDL-C level are independent riskfactors for early-onset ACS, recurrent MI, and revascularization. The control of metabolic syndromemay reduce the incidence of early-onset ACS and improve the long-term prognosis.

A Study of the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Profile in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome with Particular Reference to Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives: Cardiovascular risk factors for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are on rise in people of Indian origin. Moreover, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is higher in populations with ACS than in the general population. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factor profile of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome and to study the prevalence and impact of metabolic syndrome in patients with acute coronary syndrome by using South Asian modified National cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Methods: This study was conducted between October, 2010 and March, 2011 at Government General Hospital, Kurnool, India. A total of 100 patients with ST or non-ST segment elevation ACS and who had clinical, electrocardiographic and biochemical diagnosis within the first 24 hrs of clinical onset were enrolled in the study. The enrolled subjects were divided into two groups: those with MS and those without MS. Cardiovascular risk factors defined by components of MS were evaluated. Analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Sixty patients had MS along with ACS and 40 patients had ACS without MS. The most prevalent component of MS was increased waist circumference (83.3%), followed by increased triglycerides (78.3%) and increased fasting blood sugar (76.7%). Majority of patients (58.3%) had presence of three components of MS. Conclusion: The MS is a highly prevalent condition among the patients with ACS and is associated with severe coronary artery disease. The identification of MS imparts a high risk status to the patient in developing cardiovascular disease but at the same time provides abundant opportunities for intervention. Hence it is of paramount importance to aim for stricter goals and lower cut offs for intervention at all levels of prevention: primordial, primary and secondary.

Plasma levels of Elabela are associated with coronary angiographic severity in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background Elabela(ELA) was newly discovered as a novel endogenous ligand of the apelin receptor(APJ) which has demonstrated to be crucial for cardiovascular disease such as myocardial infarction, hypertension and heart failure. Previous experiments have revealed that ELA reduced arterial pressure and exerted positive inotropic effects on the heart. However, the role of plasma ELA levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS) and its relationship with severity of coronary arteries have not been investigated. Methods Two hundred and one subjects who were hospitalized for chest pain and underwent coronary angiography were recruited in this study. One hundred and seventy five patients were diagnosed with ACS and twenty-six subjects with negative coronary angiography were included in the control group. Plasma ELA levels, routine blood test, blood lipid, liver and kidney functions were measured. The number of coronary arteries and SYNTAX(Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score of coronary lesions were used to evaluate the extent of coronary artery stenosis. Results ELA in patients with ACS was significantly higher than that in the control group(P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in plasma ELA levels among patients with single-, double-and triple-vessel diseases. However, in the generalized additive model(GAM), there was a threshold nonlinear correlation between the ELA levels and Syntax I score(P < 0.001). Plasma ELA levels were positively correlated with the Syntax I score when the ELA levels ranged from 63.47 to 85.49 ng/m L. There was no significant association between the plasma ELA levels and the extent of coronary artery stenosis when the ELA levels were less than 63.47 ng/m L or higher than 85.49 ng/m L. Conclusion The present study demonstrates for the first time that plasma ELA levels are increased in patients with ACS. The rise in endogenous ELA levels was associated with severity of coronary stenosis and may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACS.

Accuracy of gestalt perception of acute chest pain in predicting coronary artery disease

AIM To test accuracy and reproducibility of gestalt to predict obstructive coronary artery disease(CAD)in patients with acute chest pain.METHODS We studied individuals who were consecutively admitted to our Chest Pain Unit.At admission,investigators performed a standardized interview and recorded14 chest pain features.Based on these features,a cardiologist who was blind to other clinical characteristics made unstructured judgment of CAD probability,both numerically and categorically.As the reference standard for testing the accuracy of gestalt,angiography was required to rule-in CAD,while either angiography or non-invasive test could be used to rule-out.In order to assess reproducibility,a second cardiologist did the same procedure.RESULTS In a sample of 330 patients,the prevalence of obstructive CAD was 48%.Gestalt’s numerical probability was associated with CAD,but the area under the curve of0.61(95%CI:0.55-0.67)indicated low level of accuracy.Accordingly,categorical definition of typical chest pain had a sensitivity of 48%(95%CI:40%-55%)and specificity of 66%(95%CI:59%-73%),yielding a negligible positive likelihood ratio of 1.4(95%CI:0.65-2.0)and negative likelihood ratio of 0.79(95%CI:0.62-1.02).Agreement between the two cardiologists was poor in the numerical classification(95%limits of agreement=-71%to 51%)and categorical definition of typical pain(Kappa=0.29;95%CI:0.21-0.37).CONCLUSION Clinical judgment based on a combination of chest pain features is neither accurate nor reproducible in predicting obstructive CAD in the acute setting.

Lipid-Iowering efficacy and safety of varying doses of Simvastatin in patients with early stage acute coronary syndromes: one-year follow-up study

Objective To investigate whether patients, who are at risk of major acute coronary events, are safe to undergo and benefit from early intervention after using simvastatin.Methods The study was a randomized, open, two-dosage-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and benefits of simvastatin administered to 197 patients (10 mg group, n =98 and 20 mg group, n =99), within 48 hours of hospitalization for a diagnosis of unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction (Ml), with total cholesterol (TC)≥180 mg/dL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 3≥100 mg/dL. Lipid levels were measured immediately, followed by the 3rd, 6th and 12th month after admission and all adverse events were recorded during follow-up.Results TC levels fell by 10.15% and 14. 52% in the 10 mg and 20 mg groups (P<0. 05), and LDL-C levels fell 13. 87% and 19. 38% in the 10 mg and 20 mg groups, respectively (P<0. 01), 12 months after using simvastatin. The rates of achieving target TC reached 26. 3% and 36. 5% in the 10 mg and 20 mg groups (P<0. 01), and that of LDL-C reached 28. 2% and 40. 3% in the 10 mg and 20 mg groups, respectively (P<0. 01). There were higher rates of Ml and re-hospitalization resulting from angina pectoris and revascularization in the 10 mg group compared with the 20 mg group.Conclusions The results suggest that early intervention with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, simvastatin, in acute coronary syndromes is possible and safe. It also indicates that the clinical dosage of simvastatin are relatively smaller than that for satisfactory lipid control in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

A rare case of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction triggered by coronary subclavian steal syndrome

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) has been recognized lately as an unusual clinical entity,giving rise to angina but rarely causing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The prerequisites for the appearance of CSSS are both a patent left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft and severe stenosis of the left subclavian artery (LSA). However,LSA is often overlooked in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with angina,who have underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We report an unusual case of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) caused by subtotal occlusion of proximal LSA.

Clinical disease registries in acute myocardial infarction

Disease registries,containing systematic records of cases,have for nearly 100 years been valuable in exploring and understanding various aspects of cardiology. This is particularly true for myocardial infarction,where such registries have provided both epidemiological and clinical information that was not readily available from randomised controlled trials in highlyselected populations. Registries,whether mandated or voluntary,prospective or retrospective in their analysis,have at their core a common study population and common data definitions. In this review we highlight how registries have diversified to offer information on epidemiology,risk modelling,quality assurance/improvement and original research-through data mining,transnational comparisons and the facilitation of enrolment in,and follow-up during registry-based randomised clinical trials.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection as a cause of myocardial infarction

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection(SCAD) is a rare disease that is usually seen in young women in left descending coronary artery and result in events like sudden cardiac death and acute myocardial infarction. A 70-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with chest pain which started 1 h ago during a relative's funeral. The initial electrocardiography demonstrated 2 mm ST-segment depression in leads V1-V3 and the patient underwent emergent coronary angiography. SCAD simultaneously in two different coronary arteries [left anterior descending(LAD) artery and left circumflex(LCx)] artery was detected and SCAD in LCx artery was causing total occlusion which resulted in acute myocardial infarction. Successful stenting was performed thereafter for both lesions. In addition to the existence of SCAD simultaneously in two different coronary arteries, the presence of muscular bridge and SCAD together at the same site of the LAD artery was another interesting point which made us report this case.

Triple rule-out computed tomography angiography:Evaluation of acute chest pain in COVID-19 patients in the emergency department

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to define clinical evidence supporting that triple ruleout computed tomography angiography(TRO CTA)is a comprehensive and feasible diagnostic tool in patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)who were admitted to the emergency department(ED)for acute chest pain.Optimizing diagnostic imaging strategies in COVID-19 related thromboembolic events,will help for rapid and noninvasive diagnoses and results will be effective for patients and healthcare systems in all aspects.AIM To define clinical evidence supporting that TRO CTA is a comprehensive and feasible diagnostic tool in COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the ED for acute chest pain,and to assess outcomes of optimizing diagnostic imaging strategies,particularly TRO CTA use,in COVID-19 related thromboembolic events.METHODS TRO CTA images were evaluated for the presence of coronary artery disease,pulmonary thromboembolism(PTE),or acute aortic syndromes.Statistical analyses were used for evaluation of significant association between the variables.A two tailed P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS Fifty-three patients were included into the study.In 31 patients(65.9%),there was not any pathology,while PTE was diagnosed in 11 patients.There was no significant relationship between the rates of pathology on CTA and history of hypertension.On the other hand,the diabetes mellitus rate was much higher in the acute coronary syndrome group,particularly in the PTE group(8/31=25.8%vs 6/16=37.5%,P=0.001).The rate of dyslipidemia was significantly higher in the group with pathology on CTA while compared to those without pathology apart from imaging findings of the pneumonia group(62.5%vs 38.7%,P<0.001).Smoking history rates were similar in the groups.Platelets,D-dimer,fibrinogen,C-reactive protein,and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values were higher in COVID-19 cases with additional pathologies.CONCLUSION TRO CTA is an effective imaging method in evaluation of all thoracic vascular systems at once and gives accurate results in COVID-19 patients.

Diffuse coronary artery vasospasm in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report

BACKGROUND Coronary artery vasospasm(CAV)is a reversible,transient form of vasoconstriction with clinical manifestations ranging from stable angina to acute coronary syndromes(ACS).Vasospasm of epicardial coronary arteries or associated micro-vasculature can lead to total or subtotal occlusion and has been demonstrated in nearly 50%of patients undergoing angiography for suspected ACS.The mechanism for CAV has been described in literature,but in a subgroup of patients presenting with intracranial hemorrhage,it appears to be multifactorial.These patients tend to have electrocardiographic changes,elevation of cardiac biomarkers of injury and neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy.CASE SUMMARY A 44-year-old woman presented with severe headaches and tonic-clonic seizures.She was found to have diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)requiring ventricular drain placement,coil embolization and induced hypertension.She subsequently developed chest pain with ST elevations in anterior precordial leads,elevated cardiac enzymes and apical ballooning with left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%on transthoracic echocardiogram.Coronary angiogram revealed severe diffuse triple vessel stenoses secondary to CAV seen distally.Subsequent cardiac MRI notable for apical non-viability and scar formation.CONCLUSION This case highlights a unique etiology of acute myocardial infarction in a patient with SAH leading to ST elevations,diffuse triple vessel CAV and apical scar.

Computed tomography coronary angiography after excluding myocardial infarction:high-sensitivity troponin versus risk score-guided approach

BACKGROUND:Patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in whom myocardial infarction has been ruled out are still at risk of having obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).This rate is higher among patients with intermediate high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) concentrations (5 ng/L to 99th percentile) than low concentrations (<5 ng/L).Therefore,an intermediate concentration has been suggested as a candidate for downstream investigation with computed tomography coronary angiography(CTCA).We tried to compare the HEART score-guided vs.hsTnI-guided approach for identifying obstructive CAD.METHODS:From a prospective cohort study of patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected ACS,433 patients without elevated hsTnI who also underwent CTCA were selected and analyzed.The performances of hsTnI concentration and HEART score were compared using sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),and negative predictive value (NPV).RESULTS:Overall,120 (27.7%) patients had obstructive CAD.Patients with intermediate hsTnI concentrations were more likely to have obstructive CAD than those with low hsTnI concentrations(40.0%vs.18.1%);patients with non-low-risk HEART scores (≥4 points) were also more likely to have obstructive CAD than those with low-risk scores (0 to 3 points)(41.0%vs.7.6%).The HEART score had higher sensitivity and NPV for detecting obstructive CAD in each classification than hsTnI concentration (sensitivity:89.2%vs.63.3%;NPV:92.4%vs.81.9%,respectively).CONCLUSION:After excluding myocardial infarction in patients with suspected ACS,adding the HEART score for selecting candidates for CTCA could improve patient risk stratification more accurately than relying on hsTnI concentration.