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BACKGROUND: The MGuard stent (a bare-metal stent wrapped externally in a polymer mesh sleeve) was introduced to reduce the risk of distal embolisation and no-reflow phenomenon during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in thrombus containing lesions, including ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, data on the long-term performance of the MGuard stent is limited. AIM: To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of MGuard stent implantation during primary PCI for STEMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this multicentre study, a total of 60 patients with STEMI ≤12 h treated with the MGuard stent were enrolled. Angiographic success of PCI was achieved in 96.7%, with the final TIMI grade 3 flow in 90.0% of patients. At six months, the overall rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; composite of cardiac death, nonfatal target vessel reinfarction, target lesion revascularisation, and stroke) was 1.7%. A long-term follow-up of the study was successfully performed in 57 patients (mean follow-up of 38.7 ± 3.1 months). The long-term cardiac mortality was 7.0%, with a MACCE rate of 8.8%. There was no decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction and no enlargement of the left ventriclebetween index and long-term follow-up echocardiogram. CONCLUSIONS: The early safety and efficacy of the MGuard stent was maintained during the long-term follow-up. However, comparative data from ongoing randomised clinical trials are still required to confirm the long-term efficacy of MGuard stent implantation in patients with STEMI.

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AIMS: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of ProNOVA XR, a new generation of polymer-free sirolimus eluting stents (SES), utilizing a pharmaceutical excipient for timed release of sirolimus from the XR platform. METHODS AND RESULTS: Safety and efficacy of ProNOVA XR coronary stent system was examined in EURONOVA prospective, single arm, multi-center registry of 50 patients with de novo native coronary lesions up to 28 mm in length in arteries between 2.25 and 4 mm. At 6-month, in-stent late lumen loss by QCA was 0.45 ± 0.41 mm and in-stent neointimal volume obstruction in the IVUS sub-study was 14 ± 11%. One-year clinical follow-up revealed a favorable safety profile, with 2% of in-hospital MACE and 6.4% of MACE from hospital discharge up to 12 months (including 1 cardiac death >30 days after stent implantation and 2 TLRs). According to the ARC definition, there was no definite or probable stent thrombosis and 1 possible stent thrombosis (2%) up to 12 months of clinical follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary evaluation, ProNOVA XR polymer-free sirolimus eluting stent system appeared safe with an early promise of adequate effectiveness in the treatment of de novo coronary lesions in up to 12 months of clinical, angiographic and IVUS follow-up.

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Wellens syndrome is characterised by negative or biphasic T waves in V2-V4 leads and critical stenosis of proximal part of the left descending coronary artery. These ECG changes without atherosclerotic changes in coronary angiography, i.e. coronary artery spasm are called pseudo-Wellens syndrome. We describe a patient with acute coronary syndrome and pseudo-Wellens syndrome as a cause of vasospastic angina. These ECG abnormalities need differentiation with acute pulmonary embolism.

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BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia on admission is a predictor of unfavorable prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Data concerning associations between elevated glucose level on admission and other in-hospital complications are still limited. METHODS: A total of 607 AMI patients with complete admission glucose data in the Krakow Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes were identified and were stratified according to glucose admission level. RESULTS: A total of 71.5% of patients were with admission glucose level <7.8 mmol/l, 17.6% of patients with 7.8-11.0 mmol/l, and 10.9% of patients with ≥11.1 mmol/l. In-hospital mortality for patients treated conservatively was higher in patients with higher admission glucose (8.0 vs. 25.0 vs. 39.1%, respectively, P < 0.0001), and significant mortality difference was confirmed both for diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Admission hyperglycemia was associated with increased risk of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, second to third atriventricular block, pulmonary oeadema, but not ischemic stroke and blood transfusion during index hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated admission glucose levels are associated with increased risk of life-threatening complications, especially arrhythmias in diabetic and non-diabetic AMI patients. This increased risk of complications is one of the possible explanations for the elevated in-hospital mortality in AMI patients presenting with hyperglycemia.

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Early rapid platelet inhibition with abciximab before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is suggested as beneficial. In previous studies on early abciximab administration clopidogrel was administered in cathlab in low loading dose. We investigated the role of early abciximab administration on top of early clopidogrel 600 mg loading dose in patients with STEMI treated with PPCI. A total of 73 non-shock STEMI < 6 h patients admitted to remote hospitals with anticipated delay to PPCI < 90 min were randomly assigned to three study groups--24 pts received abciximab before transfer to cathlab (early = group EA), 27 in cathlab during PPCI (late = group LA) and in 22 abciximab administration was left to operator's discretion during PPCI (selective = SA; given in 22.7% of patients). All patients received clopidogrel (600 mg), aspirin and heparin (70 U/kg) before transfer to cathlab. Angiography revealed more frequent infarct-related artery patency (TIMI 2 + 3: EA vs LA vs SA: 45.8 vs 18.5 vs 13.6%, P = 0.024), better myocardial tissue perfusion (MBG 2 + 3: EA vs LA vs SA: 45.8 vs 14.8 vs 13.6%, P = 0.02) in EA group in baseline angiography. There was no difference in these angiographic parameters and ECG ST-segment resolution after PPCI. In multivariate analysis early abciximab administration was an independent predictor of infarct-related artery patency in baseline angiography (OR 6.5; 95% CI 1.83-23.1; P = 0.004). Early abciximab administration before transfer for PPCI in patients with STEMI pretreated with 600 mg of clopidogrel results in more frequent infarct-related artery patency and better myocardial tissue perfusion before PPCI.

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Elevated glucose level on admission is common in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and has been shown to be a strong predictor of adverse outcome in patients both with and without diabetes. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of admission glucose on in-hospital mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS treated in hospitals without on-site invasive facilities. We identified 807 patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS treated conservatively in the 29 hospitals participating in the Krakow Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes; 763 patients with complete admission glucose data were stratified according to admission glucose level. Of these, 24.2% had admission glucose level <5, 50.6% had a level 5 to 6.9, 10.9% had a level 7 to 8.9, 6.7% had a level 9 to 10.9, and 7.6% had a level > or =11 mmol/L. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with higher admission glucose (admission glucose <5, 5 to 6.9, 7 to 8.9, 9 to 10.9, and > or =11 mmol/L: 0.5%, 2.6%, 7.2%, 9.8%, and 24.1% respectively, p <0.0001). Similarly, significant mortality difference was observed in patient subgroups stratified by admission glucose level and presence of diabetes mellitus and cardiogenic shock. Independent predictors of in-hospital death were age, cardiogenic shock, admission glucose, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and renal insufficiency. In conclusion, admission glucose level is a strong predictor of in-hospital death in patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS remaining in hospitals without on-site invasive facilities. Impact of admission glucose on mortality is independent of diabetes and cardiogenic shock presence.

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A case of a 61-year-old patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and minimal ECG changes is presented. The patient was admitted to a community hospital, where non-ST-segment elevation ACS was diagnosed. He was given standard pharmacotherapy and was transferred very early to an invasive facility, where coronarography and percutaneous coronary intervention of the large diagonal branch were performed. We stress the importance of non-invasive assessment with ECG and echocardiography, in addition to coronary angiography, for diagnosis and treatment decisions in complex cases.

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INTRODUCTION: Increased adherence to guideline-recommended therapies, especially early invasive strategy introduction may improve clinical outcome in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of more aggressive pharmacological treatment and application of current guidelines in everyday clinical practice in hospitals without on-site invasive facility, with a special focus on its influence on in-hospital mortality in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes patients. METHODS: We identified 807 non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes patients treated conservatively in the 29 hospitals participating in the Malopolska Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes from February to March 2005 and from December 2005 to January 2006. For all patients, pharmacotherapy index based on the use of pharmacological treatment regimen during hospital stay was assessed. Each patient received 1 point for each of the following guideline-recommended drugs used: aspirin, clopidogrel, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, low-molecular-weight heparin, beta-blocker, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker, statin - range of points from 0 to 7. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality decreased with increase of pharmacotherapy index (0 points - 80.0%, 1 point - 36.4%, 2 points - 17.4%, 3 points - 7.6%, 4 points - 5.6%, 5 points - 1.7%, 6 points - 0.0%; P<0.0001, total mortality-5.3%). Independent predictors of in-hospital death were cardiogenic shock, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score, renal insufficiency and pharmacotherapy index. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the need for more aggressive pharmacological treatment of patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes remaining in community hospitals for conservative treatment. Broader implementation of current guidelines and more frequent invasive treatment could improve the outcomes of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes patients.

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We present a case of a 78-year-old female who was admitted to the hospital due to clinical and electrographic features of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries and severe left ventricular contractility abnormalities, detected initially by echocardiography, which resolved within 20 days from hospital admission. Because of these findings and typical echocardiographic picture, a transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome (the tako-tsubo syndrome) was diagnosed.

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INTRODUCTION: Early reperfusion therapy significantly reduces mortality and improves outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Primary percutaneous intervention has been proven to be a better therapeutic option than fibrinolysis when it can be performed by an experienced team of interventional cardiologists, within 90 minutes from the first medical contact. Despite the publication of guidelines of the European and American Scientific Societies (ESC and ACC/AHA), treatment of patients with STEMI is far from the optimum. The registry is an effective and reliable method to estimate the quality of treatment and demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of the population of a given region. AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic strategies of treatment of STEMI in district hospitals without a catheterisation laboratory in Malopolska. METHODS: 29 district hospitals from Cracow and Malopolska province participated in the Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Malopolska. Finally, 2382 patients with an initial diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were included. In 867 of them, STEMI was finally diagnosed. RESULTS: In district hospitals, most patients with STEMI (63%) did not receive any reperfusion therapy (25% of them were >75 years old, in 20% chest pain lasted longer than 12 hours, in 7% cardiogenic shock was diagnosed and 12% had contraindications for thrombolysis or were at increased risk of haemorrhagic complications). Fifteen percent of all 867 patients were transferred to the interventional cardiology centre (63% for primary PCI, 20% for facilitated PCI and the remaining 17% for rescue PCI). Fibrinolysis was applied in 21% of all patients with STEMI. In-hospital mortality rate was 14.3% in patients treated with fibrinolysis as compared to 15.9% in those treated conservatively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that younger age (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.91-0.95; p <0.0001), lack of diabetes (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.30-0.98; p=0.04) and higher systolic blood pressure (OR 0.93; 95% CI 1.00-1.02; p=0.006) were independent factors predicting the referral of patients with STEMI for PCI. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in 5% of all patients and in 30% of those referred for PCI. CONCLUSIONS: Only one in every 7 patients with STEMI is qualified for PCI. Patients transferred to the centre with PCI facilities are younger, have no diabetes or hypotension. The use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors is limited. There is a need to establish local networks of hospitals with 24-hour catheterisation laboratory availability to increase frequency and efficacy of reperfusion therapy, especially in regions far from centres of interventional cardiology.

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INTRODUCTION: Available data indicate that stenting of the left main coronary artery (LMN) is safe and effective. Restenosis remains the main factor limiting the effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). AIM: To evaluate immediate and long-term results of treatment of patients with LMN disease and low preoperative risk of coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Coronary stents were implanted into LMN in 64 patients. The following strategy was applied: drug eluting stent (DES) for LMN diameter < or =3.5 mm (28 subjects) and bare metal stent (BMS) for LMN diameter >3.5 mm (36 subjects). Patients enrolled in the study underwent clinical evaluation and coronary angiography. Immediate effect of the procedure and main adverse cardiac events were assessed: death, myocardial infarction and additional target lesion or non-target lesion revascularization. RESULTS: Angiographic and clinical effectiveness of the interventions was 100%. Full revascularisation of ischaemic regions of the myocardium was performed. Mean clinical follow-up period was 9.4+/-4.0 months. Neither death nor myocardial infarction occurred. Additional PCIs were performed in 11 (17.2%) patients; however, target vessel revascularisation (TVR) rate within LMN was 9.4% (i.e. 6 subjects with BMS), and non-TVR rate was 7.8% (5 subjects). CONCLUSIONS: LMN stenting is associated with high effectiveness of PCI in patients with low operative risk. Long-term follow-up revealed low incidence of major adverse cardiac events. Strategy of selective use of DESs in the study group produced good clinical outcome. Multivessel disease with LMN stenosis was associated with high rate of additional revascularisation of other vessels. Further improvement of treatment results may be obtained by more common use of DES for multivessel disease and LMN diameters larger than 4.0 mm.

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BACKGROUND: Intarcoronary brachytherapy with radioactive source is the method of choice to treat in stent restenosis. Currently, we have data available from randomized clinical trials, yet every day practice and routine results of barchytherapy are not completely defined. METHODS: We studied 50 patients treated due to in stent restenosis. Procedures were performed by means of beta radiation, and the delivered dose was equal to 2000 cGy. RESULTS: All patient were observed during hospitalization and long term follow-up (from 4 to 21 months). Diffuse and proliferative in stent restenosis (22.02 +/- 21.41 mm) was the most common type of lesions which were treated. Procedure success was 100%, and barchytherapy success was 98%. Median time of hospitalization was one day. Frequency of geographical miss was 7.8%. During in hospital period there were no cases of death, myocardial infarction nor need for revascularization. In long term follow-up 2 myocardial infarctions (4%), 1 bypass grafting (2%) and 9 target vessel revascularizations took place. The cumulative survival without event was 76%. Long term follow-up showed that adverse events occurred in the later period of observation, i.e., up to 6 months after brachytherpy. Median event free survival was 246.5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Routine intracoronary brachytherapy due to in stent restenosis is safe and characterized by a high percentage of procedure success in long term follow-up.

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