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OBJETIVO: Evaluar la utilidad de la copeptina para descartar de forma rápida y segura el infarto agudo de miocardio sin elevación del segmento ST (IAMNST) en pacientes atendidos en un Servicio de Urgencias por dolor torácico agudo con electrocardiograma normal o no diagnóstico y primera determinación de troponina I (cTnI) negativa. DISEÑO: Estudio prospectivo y observacional. ÁMBITO: Servicio de Urgencias de un hospital universitario. PACIENTES: Un total de 97 pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Urgencias por dolor torácico sugestivo de síndrome coronario agudo de menos de 12 h de evolución, con electrocardiograma no diagnóstico y primera cTnI negativa. INTERVENCIONES: Ninguna. VARIABLES DE INTERÉS: Datos demográficos y características basales, copeptina en admisión, cTnI en admisión y a las 6 h, diagnóstico final. RESULTADOS: El diagnóstico final fue de IAMNST en 14 pacientes (14,4%), no observándose diferencias significativas en las concentraciones de copeptina entre ambos grupos, aunque se observó una tendencia a valores superiores en aquellos con IAMNST (mediana: 24,6 pmol/L [amplitud intercuartil: 42,0] vs. 12,0 pmol/L [16,1]; p = 0,06). El AUC ROC para la medida al ingreso de copeptina fue de 0,657 (IC 95%: 0,504-0,810), con un valor predictivo negativo del 92% para un punto de corte de 14 pmol/L. CONCLUSIONES: La determinación de copeptina al ingreso en el Servicio de Urgencias en pacientes con dolor torácico ≤ 12 h sugestivo de síndrome coronario agudo, electrocardiograma no diagnóstico y primera TnI negativa no permite descartar de forma rápida y segura la presencia de IAMNST, siendo necesaria la realización de medidas seriadas de cTn

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of copeptin as a rapid and reliable marker for discarding non- ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in patients attended in an Emergency Care Department due to acute chest pain with a normal or non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and a negative first troponin I result. Design: A prospective observational study was carried out. Setting: The Emergency Care Department of a university hospital. The study comprised a total of 97 patients attended in the Emergency Care Department due to chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome with an evolution of under 12 h, a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and a negative first troponin I result. Interventions: None. Variables of interest: Patient demographic data and baseline characteristics, copeptin upon admission, troponin I upon admission and after 6 h, and final diagnosis. Results: The final diagnosis was NSTEMI in 14 patients (14.4%) ---no significant differences in copeptin concentration being observed between the 2 groups, though a tendency towards higher values was recorded in the NSTEMI group (median: 24.6 pmol/l [interquartile range: 42.0] vs. 12.0 pmol/l [16.1]; P=.06). The AUC ROC for copeptin upon admission was 0.657 (95%CI: 0.504- 0.810), with a negative predictive value of 92% for a cutoff point of 14 pmol/l. Conclusions: Copeptin determination upon admission to the Emergency Care Department in patients with chest pain for ≤12 h, suggestive of acute coronary syndrome, with a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and a negative first troponin I determination does not allow rapid and reliable exclusion of the presence of NSTEMI. Serial troponin I measurements are needed in this respect

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AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of copeptin as a rapid and reliable marker for discarding non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in patients attended in an Emergency Care Department due to acute chest pain with a normal or non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and a negative first troponin I result. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was carried out. SETTING: The Emergency Care Department of a university hospital. PATIENTS: The study comprised a total of 97 patients attended in the Emergency Care Department due to chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome with an evolution of under 12h, a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and a negative first troponin I result. INTERVENTIONS: None. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Patient demographic data and baseline characteristics, copeptin upon admission, troponin I upon admission and after 6h, and final diagnosis. RESULTS: The final diagnosis was NSTEMI in 14 patients (14.4%) -no significant differences in copeptin concentration being observed between the 2 groups, though a tendency towards higher values was recorded in the NSTEMI group (median: 24.6pmol/l [interquartile range: 42.0] vs. 12.0pmol/l [16.1]; P=.06). The AUC ROC for copeptin upon admission was 0.657 (95%CI: 0.504-0.810), with a negative predictive value of 92% for a cutoff point of 14pmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: Copeptin determination upon admission to the Emergency Care Department in patients with chest pain for ≤12h, suggestive of acute coronary syndrome, with a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and a negative first troponin I determination does not allow rapid and reliable exclusion of the presence of NSTEMI. Serial troponin I measurements are needed in this respect.

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OBJETIVO: Las alteraciones del metabolismo hidrocarbonado no conocidas son frecuentes en los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio, sin que exista un consenso en que pacientes estudiar para su identificación precoz. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar qué variables al ingreso se asocian al diagnóstico posterior de una alteración de dicho metabolismo. DISEÑO: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Ámbito: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva del Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcia), España. PACIENTES: Un total de 138 pacientes ingresados en la UCI con infarto agudo de miocardio sin diabetes conocida ni de novo fueron, transcurrido un año, estudiados mediante un test de sobrecarga oral de glucosa. Variables principales: Se recogieron variables clínicas y parámetros analíticos al ingreso y trascurrido un año. Además, al año, se realizó una sobrecarga oral de glucosa y se estudió la capacidad diagnóstica para la diabetes de las variables al ingreso mediante las curvas ROC y análisis multivariable. RESULTADOS: Entre 138 pacientes estudiados, 112 (72,5%) presentaron una alteración del metabolismo hidrocarbonado, incluido un 16,7% de diabetes. La HbA1c se asoció independientemente con el diagnóstico de diabetes (RR: 7,28, IC 95%: 1,65-32,05, p = 0,009) y presentó la mejor área bajo la curva ROC para diabetes (0,81, IC 95%: 0,69-0,92, p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio, la HbA1c ayuda a identificar aquellos con alteración del metabolismo hidrocarbonado transcurrido un año. De esta forma, su determinación en este grupo de pacientes puede ser utilizada para identificar a aquellos que precisan un estudio mas detallado para establecer un diagnóstico precoz

OBJECTIVES: Undiagnosed abnormal glucose metabolism is often seen in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction, although there is no consensus on which patients should be studied with a view to establishing an early diagnosis. The present study examines the potential of certain variables obtained upon admission to diagnose abnormal glucose metabolism. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was carried out. SETTING: The Intensive Care Unit of Arrixaca University Hospital (Murcia), Spain. PATIENTS: A total of 138 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with acute myocardial infarction and without known or de novo diabetes mellitus. After one year, oral glucose tolerance testing was performed. Main outcomes: Clinical and laboratory test parameters were recorded upon admission and one year after discharge. Additionally, after one year, oral glucose tolerance tests were made, and a study was made of the capacity of the variables obtained at admission to diagnose diabetes, based on the ROC curves and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 138 patients, 112 (72.5%) had glucose metabolic alteration, including 16.7% with diabetes. HbA1c was independently associated with a diagnosis of diabetes (RR: 7.28, 95% CI 1.65 to 32.05, P = .009), and showed the largest area under the ROC curve for diabetes (0.81, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.92, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute myocardial infarction, HbA1c helps identify those individuals with abnormal glucose metabolism after one year. Thus, its determination in this group of patients could be used to identify those subjects requiring a more exhaustive study in order to establish an early diagnosis

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OBJECTIVES: Undiagnosed abnormal glucose metabolism is often seen in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction, although there is no consensus on which patients should be studied with a view to establishing an early diagnosis. The present study examines the potential of certain variables obtained upon admission to diagnose abnormal glucose metabolism. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was carried out. SETTING: The Intensive Care Unit of Arrixaca University Hospital (Murcia), Spain. PATIENTS: A total of 138 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with acute myocardial infarction and without known or de novo diabetes mellitus. After one year, oral glucose tolerance testing was performed. MAIN OUTCOMES: Clinical and laboratory test parameters were recorded upon admission and one year after discharge. Additionally, after one year, oral glucose tolerance tests were made, and a study was made of the capacity of the variables obtained at admission to diagnose diabetes, based on the ROC curves and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 138 patients, 112 (72.5%) had glucose metabolic alteration, including 16.7% with diabetes. HbA1c was independently associated with a diagnosis of diabetes (RR: 7.28, 95%CI 1.65 to 32.05, P = .009), and showed the largest area under the ROC curve for diabetes (0.81, 95%CI 0.69 to 0.92, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute myocardial infarction, HbA1c helps identify those individuals with abnormal glucose metabolism after one year. Thus, its determination in this group of patients could be used to identify those subjects requiring a more exhaustive study in order to establish an early diagnosis.

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Objetivo: Determinar si existe una asociación lineal de la edad y la administración de aspirina ,betabloque antes, inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de la angiotensina y estatinas, en qué medida los pacientes de edad avanzada reciben estos tratamientos y si la edad se asocia de forma independiente a estos tratamientos. Diseño: Estudio de cohortes prospectivo. Ámbito: Unidades Coronarias de 2 hospitales de la Región de Murcia Pacientes: Pacientes consecutivos ingresados con el diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio entre enero de 1998 y enero de 2008.Intervenciones: Ninguna. Variables principales: Las relacionadas con la administración de aspirina, betabloqueantes, inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de la angiotensina y estatinas durante la estancia en la Unidad Coronaria. Resultados: Respecto al resto de pacientes, los octogenarios recibieron en similar proporción inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de la angiotensina (70,8 vs 69,3%, p=0,41) y con menor frecuencia aspirina (90,4 vs 94,6%, p<0,001), betabloqueantes (44,4 vs 69,4%, p<0,001) y estatinas(47,6 vs 64,7%, p<0,001). Solo pudo demostrarse una disminución brusca y significativa en la administración de estatinas a partir de los 80 años. La edad se asoció independientemente con la administración de betabloqueantes (OR 0,59; IC95% 0,47 - 0,73) y estatinas (OR 0,78;IC95% 0,65 - 0,95). La menor administración de estos fármacos también se asoció a una mayor (..) (AU)

Objectives: To determine whether there is a linear association of age and aspirin, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins; the extent to which elderly patients receive these treatments; and whether age is independently associated with these treatments. Design: A prospective cohort study. Setting: Coronary Unit of two hospitals in the Region of Murcia (Spain).Patients: Consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction between January 1998 and January 2008.Interventions: None. Main outcomes: Those related to the administration of aspirin, beta-blockers, angiotens nconverting enzyme inhibitors and statins during stay in the Coronary Care Unit. Results: Regarding the remaining patients, octogenarians received a similar proportion of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (70.8% vs. 69.3%, p=0.41) and less often aspirin (90.4%vs. 94.6%, p<0.001), beta-blockers (44.4% vs. 69.4%, p<0,001) and statins (47.6% vs. 64.7%,p<0.001). We were only able to demonstrate an abrupt and significant decrease in the use of statins after 80 years of age. Patient age was independently associated with the use of beta blockers (OR 0.59; 95%CI 0.47 - 0.73) and statins (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.65 - 0.95). The lesser administration of these drugs was also associated with early mortality (OR 0.17, 95%CI 0.09 to0.33 and OR 0.14; 95%CI 0.08 to 0.23, respectively).Conclusions: Octogenarians less often receive aspirin, beta-blockers and statins, though old age was not an independent factor associated with lesser aspirin use (AU)

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OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is a linear association of age and aspirin, betablockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins; the extent to which elderly patients receive these treatments; and whether age is independently associated with these treatments. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Coronary Unit of two hospitals in the Region of Murcia (Spain). PATIENTS: Consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction between January 1998 and January 2008. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOMES: Those related to the administration of aspirin, betablockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins during stay in the Coronary Care Unit. RESULTS: Regarding the remaining patients, octogenarians received a similar proportion of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (70.8% vs. 69.3%, p=0.41) and less often aspirin (90.4% vs. 94.6%, p<0.001), betablockers (44.4% vs. 69.4%, p<0,001) and statins (47.6% vs. 64.7%, p<0.001). We were only able to demonstrate an abrupt and significant decrease in the use of statins after 80 years of age. Patient age was independently associated with the use of betablockers (OR 0.59; 95%CI 0.47 - 0.73) and statins (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.65 - 0.95). The lesser administration of these drugs was also associated with early mortality (OR 0.17, 95%CI 0.09 to 0.33 and OR 0.14; 95%CI 0.08 to 0.23, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians less often receive aspirin, betablockers and statins, though old age was not an independent factor associated with lesser aspirin use.

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OBJECTIVE: Indication of temporary pacemakers in patients during acute myocardial infarction was widely studied in the pre-thrombolytic era without having determined whether the generalization of fibrinolysis might have changed the overall incidence and significance of temporary pacemakers. Our aim was to determine the incidence and the prognostic significance of insertion of temporary pacemakers in patients with acute myocardial infarction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a study involving 1,239 patients consecutively admitted to hospital with acute myocardial infarction we studied clinical characteristics and prognosis depending on temporary pacemaker insertion or not. We performed an univariate analysis on in-hospital mortality and those selected variables were introduced in to a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A temporary pacemaker was indicated in 55 patients (4.4%), prophylactically in 22% and therapeutically in 78%. Temporary pacemakers were inserted in 55% of the patients with advanced AV block and in the 10% of the patients with bundle-branch block. Pacemaker insertion was associated with higher number of affected leads in the ECG, and higher CK peak, regardless of the association with thrombolysis. The following complications were more often observed in patients with temporary pacemakers: atrial fibrillation, heart failure, right bundle-branch block, advanced atrioventricular block and in-hospital mortality (45.4 vs 10.2%; p < 0.001). Need for a temporary pacemaker was less frequent in patients treated with thrombolytics compared with those not treated (3.0 vs 6.1%; p < 0.02). Pacemaker insertion had an independent value for predicting in-hospital mortality (OR = 5.51; 95% CI, 2.71-11.19). CONCLUSION: The insertion of a temporary pacemaker in acute myocardial infarction is less frequent nowadays than on the pre-thrombolytic era. Pacemaker insertion is associated with higher indices of infarct extension and in-hospital mortality, having independent prognostic value on the in-hospital mortality.

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BACKGROUND: The presence of bundle-branch block (BBB) is associated with high mortality rates and is considered an important predictor of poor outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of BBB in patients with AMI depending on its form of presentation. METHODS: A multicenter prospective 1-year follow-up study involving 1,239 consecutive patients diagnosed with AMI was performed. RESULTS: Bundle-branch block was present in 177 cases (14.2%), associated with worse clinical characteristics, lower rate of thrombolytic therapy, and higher mortality: in-hospital (23.8 vs. 9.7%, p < .01) and 1-year (40.9 vs. 16.9%, p < 0.01). Compared with right BBB (n = 135), left BBB (n = 42) was more often associated with female gender and higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, but had a similar 1-year mortality. In the absence of heart failure or complete atrioventricular (AV) block, there was no difference in in-hospital mortality of patients with BBB (n = 76) and without BBB (n = 786) (2.6 vs. 3.9%). Compared with existing BBB (n = 113), BBB of new appearance (n = 64) was more often accompanied by complete AV block and heart failure and higher in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates. Only BBB of new appearance was an independent predictor of mortality: in-hospital (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-4.7) and 1-year mortality (OR 3.2, 95% CI, 1.7-9.1). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AMI, the classification of BBB according not only to location but also to time of appearance is of practical interest. New BBB is an independent predictor of short- and long-term mortality.

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BACKGROUND: Advanced atrioventricular block (AB) during acute myocardial infarction (AMI), characterizes a high-risk subgroup of patients. Our aim was to determine the prognostic significance of AB and its possible peculiarities in relation to infarction localization and/or the thrombolytic therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospective study involved 1,239 patients with AMI. We studied clinical characteristics, as well as indexes of infarct size, short and long-term complications. RESULTS: AB was present in 85 (6.8%) patients and was more often associated with: previous treatment with diuretics, diabetes, inferior localisation, higher number of ECG leads with elevated ST segment, and higher peak of CK. The AB was associated with a higher mortality: in-hospital (27% vs 10.6%; p < 0.01)) and after one-year (31.7% vs 19.4%; p < 0.05). Patients with AB had a different in-hospital mortality depending on anterior or inferior infarct localization (66% vs 18.5%; p < 0.001, respectively). In patients receiving thrombolytic treatment (n = 681), the duration of AB was shorter and in-hospital mortality was lower (13.7% vs 47%, p < 0.11) than that occurred in patients without this treatment (n = 558). AB had independent value for predicting in-hospital mortality (OR: 3.56; 95% CI: 1.84-6.90) and one-year mortality (OR: 2.77; 95% CI: 1.52-5.04). CONCLUSIONS: AB is associated with larger infarcts and higher incidence of complications. The prognosis is especially poor when it is presented associated with anterior infarction and/or in patients without thrombolytic treatment. AB is a variable with independent prognostic value on the mortality.

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Age and female gender have been associated with poor prognosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Data currently available about the prognostic significance of gender in AMI might well have led to inappropriate/incomplete conclusions. A multicenter, prospective study on 1239 patients with AMI was conducted. Clinical characteristics, complications during the acute phase and one-year follow-up were monitored. Women constituted 24.1% of all patients. Female patients were older with more prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and previous congestive heart failure. Compared with men, the following complications were more frequently found in women: heart failure, 43% vs. 22% (p < 0.001); reinfarction, 5% vs. 2% (p < 0.05); use of pacemaker, 7% vs. 4% (p < 0.05). Women had higher mortality: early, during the first 24 hours post-admission, 10.7 vs. 3.1%; in-hospital, 23% vs. 8.1%; and 1-year, 33.7% vs. 16% (p < 0.001 for all the 3 cases of mortality). In the age-groups considered (<65, 65-74, and > or =75 years), 1-year mortality increased exponentially with ageing in men: 7.8%, 21.3%, and 38.9%, whereas in women the figures were: 15.3%, 41.5%, and 38.8%. Multivariate analysis showed that, among other variables, age and female gender had independent prognostic value for in-hospital mortality whereas gender lost its prognostic significantly for 1-year mortality. Multivariate analysis restricted to those patients aged over 75 years showed that age but not gender had independent prognostic value. In conclusion, age and female sex have independent prognostic value for predicting mortality in patients with AMI. Mortality increases exponentially with ageing in men whereas it stabilises in the case of women over 65 years. Female gender loses its independent value for predicting mortality in patients over 75 years.

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OBJECTIVES: The study of incidence and prognostic significance of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study on 1,239 patients consecutively admitted because of a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Clinical characteristics, indexes of myocardial infarction and complications were analysed. RESULTS: Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias were observed in 116 (9.3%) cases: atrial fibrillation in 96 (7.7%); atrial tachycardia in 15 (1.2%); and atrial flutter in the remaining five cases (0.4%). Patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias were older, and presented higher heart rate, lower blood pressure, a higher number of affected leads in ECG, and higher Killip class. A higher creatine kinase peak and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction were associated with the presence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Predictors of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias were: age, systolic blood pressure, number of affected leads in ECG, and congestive heart failure at admission. The following complications were found more frequently in patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias: bundle-branch block, complete A-V block, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation; heart failure; stroke; and mortality, in-hospital 18.1% vs 11.1% (p < 0.05) and one-year, 38.7% vs 18.4% (p < 0.001). The logistic regression model showed that supraventricular tachyarrhythmias had no independent prognostic value on mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias during the acute phase of myocardial infarction is a relatively frequent finding, often associated with older age and larger infarctions. Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias are accompanied by higher short and long-term mortalities, although there is no independent prognostic significance.

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A prospective study of acute myocardial infarction was carried out in 1239 patients in order to assess both the prognostic significance of diabetes mellitus and the clinical characteristics associated with age and gender. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was found in 386 cases, often associated with old age, female gender, and more prevalent history of angina, heart failure, and hypertension. DM patients were admitted later and they were less likely to receive thrombolytic therapy, 47.9 vs. 58.1% (P<0.001). Complications more often associated with DM were: heart failure, 45 vs. 24.5% (P<0.01), and early, in-hospital and 1-year mortalities, 7.2 vs. 3.9% (P<0.05), 17.6 vs. 9.1% (P<0.001), and 29.2 vs. 16.2% (P<0.001), respectively. Compared with diabetic men, diabetic women were older and had a more prevalent history of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Diabetic women also had a higher rate of heart failure during hospitalisation, and of mortality, than diabetic men: early: 11.7 vs. 4.5% (P<0.01); in-hospital: 29.6 vs. 10.3% (P<0.001); and 1-year: 42.7 vs. 21.1% (P>0.001). DM was not selected by the multivariate analysis as a variable with independent prognostic value for mortality. In separate multivariate analysis for diabetic and non-diabetic patients, female gender had independent prognostic value for mortality only in the case of the diabetic population.

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To assess the current incidence and meaning of left bundle-branch block associated with acute myocardial infarction we studied 1,239 patients consecutively admitted in three hospitals. Left bundle branch block was present in 42 cases (3.3%). Compared to the patients without left bundle-branch block, those with left bundle-branch block were older (70 +/- 8.8 versus 63.9 +/- 11.4 years; p < 0.001), and had a more prevalent history of diabetes, angina, myocardial infarction and heart failure. Left bundle-branch block was associated more frequently with female gender and poor left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients with left bundle branch block were admitted with a longer interval from the onset of the symptoms (7.8 +/- 6.3 versus 5.4 +/- 6.7 hours; p < 0.01) and received in a lesser rate thrombolytics agents (21% versus 56%; p < 0.001), than those without left bundle-branch block. Complications significatively associated with left bundle-branch block were: complete AV block; heart failure and one-year mortality (40.4% versus 19.5%, p < 0.01). Female gender, age and heart failure were independent predictors of mortality whereas left bundle-branch block was not. In conclusion, current incidence of left bundle-branch block in acute myocardial infarction is lower than that referred in the pre-thrombolytic era. Left bundle-branch block is accompanied by a low rate of thrombolysis, whereas a higher mortality rate of these patients seems to depend on their clinical characteristics.

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BACKGROUND: Whereas the significance of right bundle-branch block (RBBB) in acute myocardial infarction was extensively studied in the prethrombolytic era, a possible change in the overall incidence and meaning of RBBB as a consequence of thrombolytic therapy is not well known. METHODS AND RESULTS: A multicenter, prospective study of 1238 patients consecutively diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and admitted to three coronary care units was conducted. ECGs during the acute phase and clinical events until discharge and 1-year follow-up were monitored. In the 135 (10.9%) patients in whom RBBB was found, there were 51 (37.8%) new cases, 46 (34.1%) old cases, and 38 (28.1%) cases with an indeterminate time of origin. New RBBB was permanent in 26 and transient in 25 patients. RBBB was isolated in 76 (56%) and bifascicular in the remaining 59 (44%) patients. The following complications were more frequently associated with RBBB than non-RBBB patients: heart failure, 24% versus 46% (P<.001); use of pacemaker because of atrioventricular block, 3.6% versus 11% (P<.001); and 1-year mortality, 17.6% versus 40.7% (P<.001). Early mortality was significantly higher for new RBBB (43.1%, P<.001) than for old (15.5%) and indeterminate (15.3%) RBBB. These figures for 1-year mortality were 58.8% (P<.001), 35.5 (P<.01), and 23% (NS), respectively. Permanent and transient RBBB had different mortality rates: early mortality, 76% versus 8%, and 1-year mortality, 84% versus 32% (P<.001 for both). For isolated RBBB versus bifascicular block, early mortality was 14.4% versus 40.6%, and 1-year mortality was 30.2% versus 54.2% (P<.05 for both). Multivariate analysis showed an independent prognostic value of RBBB for early and 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The overall meaning of RBBB in acute myocardial infarction has not changed in the thrombolytic era, although a higher rate of new and transient RBBB and a lower rate of bifascicular block may represent a beneficial effect of thrombolytic therapy.

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) during inferior acute myocardial infarction (AMI), characterizes a high-risk subgroup of patients. This study was designed to determine the incidence and meaning of CAVB associated with inferior AMI and their peculiarities in relation to thrombolytic therapy. METHODS: Prospective and multicenter, involving 605 patients consecutively admitted with inferior AMI. We studied clinical characteristics and complications occurring during hospitalization and one-year follow-up were monitored. RESULTS: CAVB was found in 57 (9.4%) patients and was more frequently associated with: right ventricular involvement (35% vs 10%; p < 0.001), higher indexes of infaret size: ST elevated ECG leads (4.67 +/- 1.67 vs 4.1 +/- 1.4; p < 0.01) and peak of creatinkinase (2,219 +/- 1,543 vs 1,589 +/- 1,203; p < 0.01). Patients with CAVB had a higher incidence of cardiogenic shock (14% vs 5%; p < 0.05) and in-hospital mortality (21% vs 8.7%). CAVB had an independent value for predicting in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval, 1.3-5.5). CAVB appeared more frequently in the first hour of evolution (91% vs 41%; p < 0.01); its duration was shorter than 6 hours in a higher ratio (80% vs 5%; p < 0.01), and in- hospital mortality was lower (8.5 vs 40.9%; p < 0.05), in patients receiving thrombolytic treatment compared with patients without this treatment. CONCLUSIONS: CAVB is a relatively frequent complication of inferior AMI and is often associated with larger infarcts, high incidence of complications and mortality. Earlier appearance, shorter duration and fewer in-hospital mortalities seem to characterize those CAVBs occurring in patients treated with thrombolytics.

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