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Published on: June 12, 2021
Increased incidence of silent ischemia after acute myocardial infarction
G J Taylor1, R E Katholi, K Womack
1Prairie Cardiovascular Center, Springfield, Ill.
Insights
Patients receiving thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction experienced significantly less angina during induced ischemia compared to those with existing angina. This suggests silent ischemia is common after thrombolysis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Myocardial Infarction Research
Background:
- Angina pectoris is a hallmark symptom of myocardial ischemia.
- Thrombolytic therapy is a critical treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
- The presence and severity of ischemia after AMI and thrombolysis require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of angina pectoris during induced myocardial ischemia.
- To evaluate patients treated with thrombolytic therapy for AMI versus patients with pre-existing angina pectoris.
- To assess ischemic responses and myocardial viability post-thrombolysis.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study conducted at a tertiary cardiology referral center.
- Twenty-five patients with angina pectoris and 30 patients 2 days post-thrombolytic therapy for AMI underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
- Coronary artery occlusion was induced for 5 minutes using balloon dilatation during PTCA, with assessments via electrocardiograms and pulmonary artery wedge pressure.
Main Results:
- Angina developed in 64% (16/25) of patients in the angina pectoris group during balloon occlusion.
- In contrast, only 30% (9/30) of patients in the thrombolysis group reported angina during occlusion of the infarct artery (P < .01).
- Electrocardiographic responses to ischemia and changes in pulmonary wedge pressure were comparable between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Patients undergoing thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction exhibit a lower incidence of angina during induced ischemia.
- Silent myocardial ischemia appears to be prevalent in patients after thrombolytic treatment for AMI.
- These findings highlight the potential for unrecognized ischemic events in the post-thrombolysis period.
Objective:
To determine the incidence of angina pectoris during induced myocardial ischemia in patients who have had thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction in comparison with patients with angina pectoris.
Design:
During percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, both study groups had coronary artery occlusion by the balloon dilatation catheter for 5 minutes.
Setting:
A tertiary, cardiology referral center.
Patients:
Twenty-five patients with angina pectoris who were undergoing angioplasty were compared with 30 patients having angioplasty 2 days after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction.
Outcomes:
Development of angina pectoris during balloon occlusion of the coronary artery was the primary end point; the ischemic response and muscle viability were assessed using both surface and intracoronary electrocardiograms and pulmonary artery wedge pressure.
Results:
During balloon occlusion 16 (64%) of 25 patients in the angina pectoris group developed angina. In contrast, nine (30%) of 30 patients in the thrombolysis group had angina pectoris during balloon occlusion of the infarct artery (P less than .01). The electrocardiographic response to ischemia and changes in pulmonary wedge pressure were similar in the two study groups.
Conclusion:
After thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction, silent ischemia may be the rule rather than the exception.
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