Acute Myocardial Infarction    Archive 2000-2001

PowerPoint slides on Clinical Trial Results
Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.D.
http://www.clinicaltrialresults.org/
www.timi.org , www.timi.tv ,  & www.perfuse.org 
The access to this Website is free and unrestricted. The primary target audience is cardiologists, allied healthcare professionals (such as nurses and lab technicians), internests, family practitioners and primary care physicians. Clinical Trial Results . org is an organization of clinical trial researchers whose goal is to rapidly disseminate emerging clinical trial results to physicians & other health care professionals so that they in turn can educate their colleagues and patients with the ultimate goal of accelerating the delivery of newer treatments. PowerPoint slides can be donwloaded for free.   www.timi.org  and www.timi.tv  strives to have the most up to date and accurate data.

AHA 2002 Metting Coverage

ASSENT III Plus: Assessment of the Safety and Efficacy of New Thrombolytic Regimens III Plus
Prehospital administration of thrombolysis in acute MI is safe, effective, and reduces time-to-treatment, and thrombolysis with tenecteplase plus enoxaparin reduces in-hospital ischemic events, although at some increased risk of bleeding and ICH, particularly in elderly women.

CARDINAL: Complement and Reduction of Infarct Size After Angioplasty or Lytics
The CARDINAL study (COMPLY and COMMA) found no significant difference in infarct size between patients randomized to pexelizumab or placebo. However, the mortality rate was significantly decreased among AMI patients treated with the drug and PCI.

Emergency PCI safe and effective without surgical backup
with slide / New data from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction show that performing emergency PCI in hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery is safe and effective. In fact, the results suggest the "little guys" are doing better than the big hospitals. 
American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2002. [ Nov 17, 2002 ]

TETAMI: Treatment of Enoxaparin and Tirofiban in Acute Myocardial Infarction
The use of enoxaparin or tirofiban does not affect clinical outcomes of STEMI patients who are ineligible for reperfusion.

Clinical Implications of Post-PCI Sustained Hypotension in the Acute Myocardial Infarction Setting
A pooled analysis of the PAMI trial results reveals that sustained hypotension following intervention causes a higher risk of MACE and mortality.

INTEGRITI Substudy: Combination Therapy With GP IIb/IIIa Inhibition and Thrombolytic Therapy in STEMI Patients
Combination therapy with eptifibatide and TNK is associated with an improved "blush score" in STEMI patients.

Prognostic Implications of Left Ventricular Remodeling Patterns Following Mechanical Reperfusion
Study finds that left ventricular remodeling can be predicted by clinical and echocardiographic variables and is associated with poor long-term outcomes.

Predicting Outcomes in STEMI Patients Following PCI in the Age of Modernized Techniques
New data from the American College of Cardiology-National Cardiovascular Data Registry reveal that age, gender, multivessel disease, and location of infarct are predictors of MACE in STEMI patients following PCI.

Beta-Blocker vs Calcium Antagonist Therapy in Japanese AMI Patients
Calcium antagonists may be more useful than beta-blockers in Japanese AMI patients, possibly by preventing heart failure.

TCT 2002 Abstracts

TCT 2002 Meeting Coverage

The PRAGUE-2 Trial P. Widimsky
ACE Trial D. Antoniucci

PRAGUE-2: Comparison of PCI to Thrombolysis for the Treatment of AMI
As presented at the ESC, and subsequently at TCT, the PRAGUE-2 trial found that transportation from a primary center to an interventional facility for PCI intervention is more effective in improving outcomes in AMI patients vs thrombolytic therapy.

TCT 2002 Expert Presentations

Current Status of Reperfusion Therapy in ST Segment Elevation MI B. j. Gersh  
Direct Stenting Without Predilatation in AMI: Results of a Randomized Trial T. Lefevre  
Direct Stenting in AMI: New Insights D. Antoniucci  
Facilitated PCI in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Pharmacologic Regimens, Timing Issues, and Risk-Benefit Considerations E. Ohman  
Novel Strategies to Enhance Myocardial Salvage by Ameliorating Reperfusion Injury, Promoting Myocyte Recovery and Protecting the Distal Myocardium W. W. O'Neill  
ST Segment Resolution Methodology and Clinical Trial Results M. W. Krucoff  
Blush I: CRF/Zwolle Methodology and Data A. J. Lansky  
Serum Biomarkers R. Christenson  
PRAGUE-2 Trial P. Widimsky  
Myocardial Contrast Echo R. Hoffmann  
Abciximab Carbostent Evaluation Trial - ACE D. Antoniucci  

Coronary State of the Art

ACE: Abciximab cuts 30-day event rate after MI intervention with carbon-coated stent
with slides / Using abciximab in MI intervention with a carbon-coated stent significantly cut the 1-month rate of clinical events in a randomized study. The ACE trial's broad patient population was said to reflect the real world more than did those of prior trials of abciximab in the same clinical setting. 
Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2002. [ Sep 30, 2002 ]

ESC 2002 Meeting Coverage

In-Depth Late-Breaking Clinical Trials I: GRACIA, PRAGUE-2, MAGIC, GIPS, RITA-3
Luis Gruberg, MD

In-Depth Late-Breaking Clinical Trials II: BEST, PRAGUE-4, Euro-SPAH, OPTIMAAL, ACE
Luis Gruberg, MD

GRACIA: Early intervention may be superior to medical therapy in AMI
with slides / Combined pharmacological and interventional therapy in AMI patients reduces hospital stay and cardiac events after discharge and does not increase adverse events at 30 days, the GRACIA trial shows. 
European Society of Cardiology Congress 2002 [ Sep 02, 2002 ]

Transfer for PCI again shown better than local thrombolysis for MI patients: PRAGUE-2
with slides / The PRAGUE-2 results mirror those of the DANAMI-2 and Air-PAMI studies, reported earlier this year, and a widespread change of strategy is now justified, the lead investigator says. 
European Society of Cardiology Congress 2002. [ Sep 01, 2002 ]

DANAMI-2: Intermediate results confirm benefit of transfer for primary PCI over thrombolytics for MI
with slides / Intermediate results of the DANAMI-2 trial, comparing thrombolysis to referral for primary PCI for patients with ST-elevation MI, continue to support an advantage for the transfer strategy in the reduction of the composite endpoint of death, reinfarction, or stroke. 
XIVth World Congress of Cardiology. [ May 08, 2002 ]

ACC 2002 Meeting Coverage

Adenosine to Reduce Infarct Size and Assist In Reperfusion Therapy - Results of AMISTAD II A. M. Ross
DANAMI-2 Supports Primary PTCA Even With 3 Hours Transport Time H. R. Andersen

AMISTAD II: Adenosine promising in reperfusion injury
Giving adenosine looks like a promising approach to reducing reperfusion injury in patients with anterior MI, according to results of the Acute Myocardial Infarction Study of Adenosine II trial. Although the overall analysis did not show significant improvements with adenosine versus placebo, the higher-dose group did show a significant reduction in infarct size and a stronger trend in event reduction. 
American College of Cardiology 51st Annual Scientific Session. [ Mar 17, 2002 ]

DANAMI-2: even with 3 hours of hospital transfer time, AMI patients still fare better with PCI
Patients reporting to hospital with acute ST-elevation MI are better off being transferred to a center that performs PTCA rather than receiving lytic therapy at their local hospital, even if the transfer takes up to 3 hours, according to DANAMI-2 trial investigators. 
American College of Cardiology 51st Annual Scientific Session. [ Mar 20, 2002 ]

Summaries of important articles from major peer-reviewed journals

Myocardial Salvage After Stenting + Abciximab vs. Fibrinolysis + Abciximab In Patients With AMI A. Kastrati   Lancet 2002; 359: 920-25  
Practice Variation and Missed Opportunities for Reperfusion in ST-Elevation MI (GRACE) K. Eagle   Lancet 2002; 359: 373-77  
Relationship of the TIMI Myocardial Perfusion Grades, Flow Grades, Frame Count, and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention to Long-Term Outcomes After Thrombolytic Administration in AMI C. M. Gibson   Circulation. 2002;105:1909  
Editorial: Reperfusion Therapy in AMI R. A. Lange   NEJM 2002;346: 954-955  
Comparison of Angioplasty with Stenting, with or without Abciximab, in AMI G. W. Stone   NEJM 2002; 346:957-966  
Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for All? C. P. Cannon   JAMA 2002; 287: 1987-9  
Thrombolytic vs Primary PCI for MI In Patients Presenting To Hospitals Without CABG T. Aversano   JAMA 2002; 287: 1943-51  
Hyperoxemic Reperfusion After PTCA For AMI: Results Of A Pilot Study Utilizing Intracoronary Aqueous Oxygen Therapy S. R. Dixon   JACC 2002; 39: 387-92  
Early Revascularisation And 1-Year Survival In Survivors of AMI U. Stenestrand
L. Wallentin  
Lancet 2002; 359: 1805-11  
Primary Angioplasty vs Prehospital Fibrinolysis In AMI E. Bonnefoy   Lancet 2002; 360: 825-29  

Primary angioplasty versus intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction: a quantitative review of 23 randomised trials
Keeley EC, et al.
Lancet 2003;361:13-20
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Citation&list_uids=12517460 
Primary PTCA was better than thrombolytic therapy at reducing overall short-term death (7% [n=270] vs 9% [360]; p=0.0002), death excluding the SHOCK trial data (5% [199] vs 7% [276]; p=0.0003), non-fatal reinfarction (3% [80] vs 7% [222]; p<0.0001), stroke (1% [30] vs 2% [64]; p=0.0004), and the combined endpoint of death, non-fatal reinfarction, and stroke (8% [253] vs 14% [442]; p<0.0001). The results seen with primary PTCA remained better than those seen with thrombolytic therapy during long-term follow-up, and were independent of both the type of thrombolytic agent used, and whether or not the patient was transferred for primary PTCA. 
Interpretation: Primary PTCA is more effective than thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of ST-segment elevation AMI.

GUSTO-V published: Is there now a role for the reteplase-abciximab combination?
Lincoff AM et al. 
JAMA 2002; 288: 2130-2135.[ Nov 05, 2002 ]
Although there is no improvement in mortality at 1 year with the combination of abciximab and half-dose reteplase over full-dose reteplase alone, the GUSTO-V investigators say there may still be a role for the combination in certain patients and as a bridge to angioplasty. 

Primary angioplasty "no better" than prehospital fibrinolysis: CAPTIM
Bonnefoy E et al. 
Lancet 2002; 360:825-829. [ Sep 13, 2002 ]
Updated with interview / with slide / In a finding that would appear to go against the swelling tide of support for primary angioplasty in acute MI, results of a study comparing primary angioplasty with prehospital administration of alteplase with rescue angioplasty concludes one strategy is no better than the other. The study's power to detect a difference, though, is at issue. 

Abciximab use in primary stenting debated
Herrmann HC. 
New Engl J Med 2002; 247: 367; 
Stone GW et al. 
New Engl J Med 2002; 247: 367-368. [ Jul 31, 2002 ]
Whether to use abciximab in MI patients receiving stents on the basis of the CADILLAC trial is the subject of correspondence in New England Journal of Medicine. 

Prehospital reteplase speeds time to treatment for STEMI: ER-TIMI 19
Morrow DA et al. 
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;40:71-77. [ Jul 02, 2002 ]
It's not only feasible, it also saves valuable time, even in the context of today's improved transport and door-to-drug times, according to the Early Retavase-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (ER-TIMI) 19 investigators. 

"One of the biggest debates in modern cardiology": PCI vs thrombolysis for acute MI
Grines C et al; de Boer M-J et al. 
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002; 39: 1713-9; 1723-8. [ Jun 04, 2002 ]
with slide
/ Factor in issues such as patient age, hospital transfer, and access to surgical back-up, and selecting PTCA or thrombolysis becomes what some experts call "one of the biggest debates in modern cardiology." Two studies, including the results of the Air-PAMI trial, add new information and raise new questions. 

PCI bests thrombolysis at centers with no onsite surgical back-up: C-PORT trial
Aversano T et al, Cannon C. 
JAMA 2002; 287: 1943-51, 1987-9. [ Apr 16, 2002 ]
Geography, weather, and luck should not determine whether patients with acute MI get primary angioplasty or thrombolysis, researchers say. Reviewing the newly published C-PORT trial in light of DANAMI-2 and other trials, experts agree that the time has come to rethink the status quo in terms of how and where AMI patients are treated. 

CADILLAC published: stenting superior to primary PTCA alone
Stone GW et al. 
N Engl J Med 2002; 346:957-66. [ Mar 27, 2002 ]
Results of the CADILLAC trial, showing stents to be superior to primary PTCA in acute MI (AMI) patients, with or without adjunctive abciximab, have now been published. Improvements in stent design, operator technique, and use of adjunctive pharmacotherapy likely account for the improved outcomes in CADILLAC compared to previous stent/PTCA trials. 

Aqueous oxygen delivery after primary angioplasty safe, feasible
Dixon SR, et al. 
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:387-92. [ Mar 01, 2002 ]
Researchers are investigating whether delivery of aqueous oxygen to ischemic tissues after primary angioplasty may improve outcomes for patients suffering myocardial infarction. Results of a pilot study suggest the approach is safe and feasible, and a phase II trial, recently approved by the FDA, is already underway. 

Early revascularization after MI linked to substantial reduction in 1-year mortality
Stenestrand U & Wallentin L. 
Lancet 2002; 359: 1805-11. [ May 23, 2002 ]
with slide
/ A prospective study of Swedish registry data has found that early revascularization in patients with acute MI is associated with a substantial reduction in 1-year mortality. The finding lends support to the use of early interventions in this setting, the investigators say. 

Full text journal article Sep 2002
Integrating GP IIb/IIIa Inhibition into Treatment Strategies for Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Against the background of established clinical benefit in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and elective percutaneous revascularization, recent trials examining the role of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibition in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been based on the rationale that effective platelet inhibition is fundamental to reperfusion strategies designed to restore myocardial perfusion, limit infarct size, and improve survival.

Full text journal article Sep 2002
How Long Is Too Long? Association of Time Delay to Successful Reperfusion and Ventricular Function Outcome in Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Case for Thrombolytic Therapy Before Planned Angioplasty for Acute Myocardial Infarction
The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of time delays to reperfusion on ventricular function after myocardial infarction. Background: Direct angioplasty for myocardial infarction is associated with a high rate of successful reperfusion compared with pharmacologic reperfusion. Conclusions: Delay in time to reperfusion, measured in minutes, results in significant loss of ventricular function after myocardial infarction.

Full text journal article Jun 2002
Myocardial Infarction and the Culprit Plaque: Myths, Data and Statistics
Should therapy that targets both local and systemic effects or a directed local approach be utilized to reduce ACS?

Integrated Analysis of Myocardial Blush and ST-segment Elevation Recovery After Successful Primary Angioplasty: Real-time Grading of Microvascular Reperfusion and Prediction of Early and Late Recovery of Left Ventricular Function
Poli A, Fetiveau R, Vandoni P, et al.
Circulation. 2002;106(3):313-318
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440839
Myocardial blush score and ST-segment resolution are 2 very simple tools that provide invaluable information on the viability of myocardial function. They also have profound prognostic implications in the aftermath of primary angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction. The main drawback of this study and of all previous studies based on myocardial blush score is the subjectivity of the test. Furthermore, not all physicians perform the necessary shots in the right angles and for the necessary length of time to be able to adequately assess the blush score. The small sample size was also a limitation.

Review
THROMBOLYSIS FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: DRUG REVIEW
Does thrombolysis after AMI improve survival rates? A review of data from The National Registry of Myocardial Infarction.
MedGenMed, January 2, 2002
http://cardiology.medscape.com/46730.rhtml?srcmp=card-010402

Editorial
Expanding the reach of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction
Cannon CP, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:1720-2.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12039481

Effect of treatment delay on outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction transferred from community hospitals for primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Brodie BR, et al.
Am J Cardiol 2002;89:1243-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12031721
Patients transferred from community hospitals for primary percutaneous coronary intervention have almost 1-hour additional treatment delay, but this does not appear to have a major adverse effect on clinical outcomes. These data should encourage further randomized trials to evaluate the role of transfer for mechanical reperfusion in patients presenting to community hospitals with acute myocardial infarction

Early experience with a helical coronary thrombectomy device in patients with acute coronary thrombosis
Constantinides S, et al.
Heart 2002;87:455-60.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11997421
http://heart.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/87/5/455
http://heart.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/87/5/455
Thrombectomy with the X-SIZER catheter system appears promising in percutaneous coronary intervention where thrombus extraction is considered necessary before stent implantation.

Relationship of the TIMI myocardial perfusion grades, flow grades, frame count, and percutaneous coronary intervention to long-term outcomes after thrombolytic administration in acute myocardial infarction
Gibson CM, et al.
Circulation 2002;105:1909-13.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11997276
http://www.circulationaha.org/cgi/content/full/105/16/1909
http://www.circulationaha.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/16/1909
Both improved epicardial flow (TFG 2/3 and low CTFCs) and tissue-level perfusion (TMPG 2/3) at 90 minutes after thrombolytic administration are independently associated with improved 2-year survival, suggesting complementary mechanisms of improved long-term survival. Although rescue PCI reduced long-term mortality, improved microvascular perfusion (TMPG 2/3) before PCI was also related to improved mortality independently of epicardial blood flow and the performance of rescue or adjunctive PCI. Further prospective trials are warranted to re-examine the benefit of early PCI with thrombolysis.

Facilitated percutaneous intervention following combination therapy with reteplase and abciximab for acute myocardial infarction
Weinstock BS.
J Invasive Cardiol 2002;14:100-4; quiz 104-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11818648

Long-term mortality benefit with the combination of stents and abciximab for cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction
Chan AW, et al.
Am J Cardiol 2002;89:132-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11792330
Treatment with the combination of stent and abciximab resulted in higher procedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow rates and a long-term mortality benefit in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.

Relation between preintervention angiographic evidence of coronary collateral circulation and clinical and angiographic outcomes after primary angioplasty or stenting for acute myocardial infarction
Antoniucci D, et al.
Am J Cardiol 2002;89:121-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11792328
By multivariate analysis, Collateral circulation (CC) did not emerge as a significant variable in relation to 6- month clinical and angiographic outcomes. CC does not exert a protective effect in patients who undergo mechanical intervention in the first 6 hours of AMI onset.

Sex-based analysis of outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated predominantly with percutaneous coronary intervention
Mehilli J, et al.
Jama 2002;287:210-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11779263
Despite their more advanced age and greater prevalence of diabetes or hypertension, women with AMI who were treated with a reperfusion strategy largely based on percutaneous coronary interventions show a similar outcome as men.

Development of a risk adjustment mortality model using the American College of Cardiology-National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC-NCDR) experience: 1998-2000
Shaw RE, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:1104-12.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11923032
A risk adjustment model for in-hospital mortality after PCI was successfully developed using a contemporary multi-center registry. This model is an important tool for valid comparison of in-hospital mortality after PCI.

Gender differences in acute myocardial infarction in the era of reperfusion (the MITRA registry)
Heer T, et al.
Am J Cardiol 2002;89:511-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11867033
Women with STEMI receive reperfusion therapy less often than men. They experience recurrent angina and congestive heart failure more often during their hospital stay. The age-adjusted long-term mortality is not different between men and women, but there is a trend for a higher short-term mortality in women

Impact of normalized myocardial perfusion after successful angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction
Stone GW, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:591-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11849856
Abnormal myocardial perfusion is present in most patients following primary or rescue PCI in AMI, despite restoration of brisk epicardial coronary flow. In high risk patients achieving TIMI-3 flow after intervention, the myocardial blush score may be used to stratify prognosis into excellent, intermediate and poor survival. Further study is warranted to examine whether adjunctive mechanical or pharmacologic strategies can further improve myocardial perfusion and survival of patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing intervention.

Initial experience with hyperoxemic reperfusion after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: results of a pilot study utilizing intracoronary aqueous oxygen therapy
Dixon SR, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:387-92.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11823074
Intracoronary hyperoxemic reperfusion is safe and well tolerated after primary PTCA. These preliminary data support the need for a randomized controlled trial to determine if hyperoxemic reperfusion enhances myocardial salvage or improves long-term outcome

Percutaneous reperfusion of left main coronary disease complicated by acute myocardial infarction
Neri R, et al.
Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2002;56:31-4.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11979530
A percutaneous mechanical intervention strategy in patients with left main disease complicated by AMI is feasible and effective, and patients discharged alive have a good mid-term prognosis.

Rheolytic thrombectomy with Angiojet in thrombus-containing lesions
Singh M, et al.
Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2002;56:1-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11979522
High procedural success can be achieved with the AngioJet thrombectomy device in lesions containing thrombus. It is effective in both native coronary arteries and vein graft interventions. However, the long-term outcome of patients with vein graft intervention was worse.

Thrombolytic therapy vs primary percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction in patients presenting to hospitals without on- site cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Aversano T, et al.
Jama 2002;287:1943-51.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11960536
Compared with thrombolytic therapy, treatment of patients with primary PCI at hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery is associated with better clinical outcomes for 6 months after index MI and a shorter hospital stay.

Early resolution of ST-segment elevation correlates with myocardial salvage assessed by Tc-99m sestamibi scintigraphy in patients with acute myocardial infarction after mechanical or thrombolytic reperfusion therapy
Dong J, et al.
Circulation 2002;105:2946-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12081985
http://www.circulationaha.org/cgi/content/full/105/25/2946
http://www.circulationaha.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/25/2946
Early resolution of ST-segment elevation in surface ECG correlates with myocardial salvage as assessed by scintigraphy in patients with AMI after reperfusion therapy. These data provide an explanation for the favorable prognostic value of the ST- segment resolution and support the use of this parameter to compare the efficacy of different reperfusion strategies.

Effects of hospital volume on long-term outcomes after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty after acute myocardial infarction
Doucet M, et al.
Am Heart J 2002;144:144-50.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12094201
http://www.mosby.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=a123571&target=
Overall adverse event rates at 6 months after PTCA do not differ between hospital volume groups. The higher rate of CABG in low-volume hospitals and the higher rate of repeat PTCA in high-volume hospitals may represent different physician preferences for the treatment of failed PTCA rather than higher complication rates.

Correlates of coronary blood flow before and after percutaneous coronary intervention and their relationship to angiographic and clinical outcomes in the RESTORE trial
Gibson CM, et al.
Am Heart J 2002;144:130-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12094199
http://www.mosby.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=a123142&target=
In addition to MLD, variables such as the presence of thrombus, left coronary artery lesion location, and dissection grade are associated with slower coronary blood flow after PTCA. In turn, post-PTCA CTFCs were an independent predictor of late lumen loss and follow-up MLDs. Furthermore, patients who die or who sustain other adverse cardiac events have slower coronary blood flow and greater thrombus burden after PTCA

Prognosis after acute myocardial infarction continues to improve in the reperfusion era in the community of Goteborg
Herlitz J, et al.
Am Heart J 2002;144:89-94.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12094193
http://www.mosby.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=a123312&target=
For consecutive patients aged <75 years who were hospitalized for AMI in the community of Goteborg, the Authors found that in the thrombolytic era, major changes in medical and nonmedical treatment still took place associated with a continuing decrease in mortality rates during 3 years of follow-up. A similar reduction of CHD mortality rates was seen in the same age group within the community of Goteborg.

Incidence and clinical significance of distal embolization during primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction
Henriques JP, et al.
Eur Heart J 2002;23:1112-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12090749
Distal embolization in patients treated with primary angioplasty is visible on the coronary angiogram in 15.2% of patients. It is related to reduced myocardial reperfusion, more extensive myocardial damage and a poor prognosis. Additional pharmacological interventions and/ or mechanical devices should be studied to prevent and/or treat distal embolization.

Rationale for on-site cardiac surgery for primary angioplasty: a time for reappraisal
Singh M, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:1881-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12084584
This review article focuses on the need for on-site cardiac surgery in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty at centers without on-site cardiac surgical backup. It gives an overview of the need for emergency bypass surgery in both the large trial setting and the community hospital setting. Special consideration is also given to the risks and benefits of primary angioplasty compared with thrombolytic therapy, transfer to an institution with an on-site cardiac surgical facility compared with primary PCI, the frequency and indications for emergency cardiac surgery related and unrelated to primary angioplasty and the requirements for primary angioplasty that must be met in hospitals without the capability of on-site cardiac surgery.

Time course and relation to local viability of microvascular function and volume after reperfused acute myocardial infarction
Garot P, et al.
Am J Cardiol 2002;89:1341-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12062725
The presence of reversible microvascular dysfunction at the early stage after acute myocardial infarction is associated with local tissue viability in humans.

Predictors of door-to-balloon delay in primary angioplasty
Angeja BG, et al.
Am J Cardiol 2002;89:1156-61.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=12008167
The strongest independent predictor of delay was hospital transfer, along with non-daytime presentation and low-volume centers. Older age, female sex, and non-white race were weaker predictors. Both patient and hospital factors are associated with delay in pPTCA after presentation. These findings may help design treatment algorithms to minimize delay, thus improving the survival benefit of pPTCA. These results may also help design trials of combination reperfusion strategies.

Comparison of angioplasty with stenting, with or without abciximab, in acute myocardial infarction
Stone GW, et al.
N Engl J Med 2002;346:957-66.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11919304
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/346/13/957
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/346/13/957
At experienced centers, stent implantation (with or without abciximab therapy) should be considered the routine reperfusion strategy.

Practice variation and missed opportunities for reperfusion in ST- segment-elevation myocardial infarction: findings from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE)
Eagle KA, et al.
Lancet 2002;359:373-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11844506
A substantial proportion of patients who are eligible for reperfusion therapy still do not receive this treatment. These typically high-risk patients can be identified in advance, and reasons for the underuse of these beneficial treatments need to be clarified.

Myocardial salvage after coronary stenting plus abciximab versus fibrinolysis plus abciximab in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a randomised trial
Kastrati A, et al.
Lancet 2002;359:920-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11918909
In patients with acute myocardial infarction, a reperfusion strategy based on stenting with abciximab produced more myocardial salvage than the combination of fibrinolysis plus abciximab. Larger studies are needed to assess whether these effects translate into clinical benefit

Improving quality of care for acute myocardial infarction: The Guidelines Applied in Practice (GAP) Initiative
Mehta RH, et al.
Jama 2002;287:1269-76.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11886318
Implementation of guideline-based tools for AMI may facilitate quality improvement among a variety of institutions, patients, and caregivers. This initial project provides a foundation for future initiatives aimed at quality improvement

Primary angioplasty and selection bias inpatients presenting late (>12 h) after onset of chest pain and ST elevation myocardial infarction
Elad Y, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:826-33.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11869848
Patients receiving early invasive therapy had lower risk features on presentation. Selection bias may play an important role in choosing these patients' course of treatment and their subsequent outcomes. Certain patients presenting with AMI and duration of chest pain >12 h may benefit from early invasive therapy. These patients could be characterized in a randomized trial.

Primary angioplasty reduces the risk of left ventricular free wall rupture compared with thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Moreno R, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:598-603.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11849857
In patients with AMI, primary angioplasty reduces the risk of free wall rupture in comparison with thrombolysis.

A randomized comparison of direct stenting with conventional stent implantation in selected patients with acute myocardial infarction
Loubeyre C, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:15-21.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11755281
In selected patients with AMI, direct stenting can be applied safely and effectively. This strategy may result in a significant reduction of microvascular injury, as suggested by improved ST-segment resolution after reperfusion with major potential clinical consequences.