Relation between body mass index, waist circumference, and death after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: An elevated body mass index (BMI) has been reported to be associated with a lower rate of death after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, waist circumference (WC) may be a better marker of cardiovascular risk than BMI. We used data from a contemporary French population-based cohort of patients with AMI to analyze the impact of WC and BMI on death rates.

Comparison of thrombolysis followed by broad use of percutaneous coronary intervention with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment-elevation acute myocardial infarction: data from the french registry on acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (FAST-MI).

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis remains a widely used treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction; however, it carries a higher risk of reinfarction than primary PCI (PPCI). There are few data comparing PPCI with thrombolysis followed by routine angiography and PCI. The purpose of the present study was to assess contemporary outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients, with specific emphasis on comparing a pharmacoinvasive strategy (thrombolysis followed by routine angiography) with PPCI.

Prognostic value of ST-segment resolution after rescue percutaneous coronary intervention. Data from the RICO survey.

Objectives: The goal of the present study was to test the impact of ST segment resolution (STR) after rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the short-term prognosis.

Background: The prognostic value of STR after rescue PCI for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains undetermined.

Methods: From the French regional database, we analyzed 168 consecutive patients with STEMI and failed lysis, defined by <50 percent STR, who underwent rescue PCI.

Anti-hypertensive effects of Rosuvastatin are associated with decreased inflammation and oxidative stress markers in hypertensive rats.

Among their pleiotropic effects, statins exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate in normotensive (WKY) and in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) the effect of rosuvastatin (ROSU) treatment on (1) plasma inflammation markers and endogenous NO synthase inhibitor (ADMA) levels, (2) reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by circulating leukocytes and (3) vascular oxidative stress and tissue inflammation markers. Plasma cytokines were higher in SHR than in WKY, except for IL-4, which was lower in SHR than in WKY.

Impact of asymmetric dimethylarginine on mortality after acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthases. From a prospective cohort of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), we aimed to analyze the predictive value of circulating ADMA concentrations on prognosis.

Methods And Results: Blood samples from 249 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute MI <24 hours were taken on admission.

Utility of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance to assess association between admission hyperglycemia and myocardial damage in patients with reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Aims: to investigate the association between admission hyperglycemia and myocardial damage in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR).

Methods: We analyzed 113 patients with STEMI treated with successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Admission hyperglycemia was defined as a glucose level >/= 7.

High serum cholesteryl ester transfer rates and small high-density lipoproteins are associated with young age in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Our aim was to characterize cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Background: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein catalyzes the transfer of cholesteryl esters from high-density lipoprotein (HDL) donors to apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein acceptors.

Methods: The CETP concentration, lipid profiles, and the rate of cholesteryl ester transfer (CET) from a tracer dose of radiolabeled HDL toward endogenous lipoproteins were determined within 24 h after symptom onset.

Beneficial effects of statin therapy on survival in hypertensive patients with acute myocardial infarction: data from the RICO survey.

Background: Randomized studies have shown a reduction in cardiovascular events associated with low doses of statin among hypertensive patients at only moderate cardiovascular risk. The hypothesis of the present study was that statin therapy initiated during hospitalization could improve the long-term outcome after acute myocardial infarction (MI) in hypertensive patients.

Methods: From the French regional obserRvatoire des Infarctus de Côte d'Or (RICO) survey, 1076 patients with a history of hypertension, surviving acute MI were included.

Predictors and prognosis for complex coronary lesions in patients with acute myocardial infarction: data from RICO survey.

Background: We aimed to investigate the determinants and outcomes of multiple complex lesions (MCLs) on coronary angiography in patients with an acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: One thousand one hundred fifty-two consecutive nonselected myocardial infarction patients who underwent coronary angiography within 24 hours after admission were analyzed. A complex lesion was defined by the presence of thrombus, ulceration, irregular plaque, and flow impairment.

Comparison of the extent of delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with and without phase-sensitive reconstruction at 3.0 T.

Objectives: To evaluate phase-sensitive reconstructed images versus magnitude images generated by an inversion recovery pulse sequence for the determination of myocardial infarct size in delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) at 3 T.

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients were examined at 3 T and DE images were obtained 10 minutes after contrast agent administration using a phase-sensitive breath-hold segmented inversion recovery gradient echo sequence. From magnitude and phase images, the percentage of hyperenhanced myocardium was expressed.

Impact of fasting glycemia on short-term prognosis after acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: The prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), according to the new criteria for impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (FG 100-126 mg/dl), has not been evaluated.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 2353 patients with acute MI and surviving at d 5 after admission were analyzed for short-term morbidity and mortality. FG was obtained at d 4 and 5.

Trends in the incidence of transient ischemic attacks, premorbid risk factors and the use of preventive treatments in the population of Dijon, France from 1985 to 2004.

Background: We describe the epidemiological trends of transient ischemic attack (TIA) in a 20-year population-based pilot study.

Methods: Trends in the incidence, risk factors and pre-TIA use of preventive treatments for TIA were observed from 1985 to 2004 according to the classic definition in the population of the city of Dijon, France (150,000 inhabitants).

Results: The raw and standardized incidence of TIA were stable over time.

[Air pollution and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Pathophysiologic basis and groups at risk].

The pathophysiologic basis of the harmful action of air pollutants rests principally on their proinflammatory and prothrombotic effects. The principal pollutants currently identified as responsible for these effects are fine suspended particles (PM2.5) and ozone.

[Air pollution and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease: Epidemiologic data].

Recent convergent data suggest that air pollution affects the risk of acute atherothrombotic events including both myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. The principal epidemiologic studies begun in the 1990s first examined the respiratory effects of atmospheric pollution and then focused on how pollution peaks affected cardiovascular risk. These studies used data from large metropolitan areas in North America and Asia as well as several large European cities to demonstrate the clear existence of a relation between air pollution and cardio- and cerebrovascular mortality.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the association between increased levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and total plasma homocysteinemia (tHcy) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Design And Methods: In 138 patients hospitalized for AMI <24 h on admission, serum levels of ADMA, its symmetric stereoisomer (SDMA) and tHcy were measured.

Results: ADMA was positively associated with SDMA (p<0.

Increased superoxide anion production is associated with early atherosclerosis and cardiovascular dysfunctions in a rabbit model.

Objective: Hypercholesterolemia (HC) has been associated with impairment of vascular and myocardial functions. As HC could generate an alteration in the oxidative status, we studied the effects of a 1-month cholesterol diet on cardiovascular oxidative stress.

Methods And Results: New Zealand rabbits received cholesterol (1%) or normal chow for 1 month.

Relation of hyperglycemia to ST-segment resolution after reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction (from Observatoire des Infarctus de Côte-d'Or Survey [RICO]).

Hyperglycemia has been shown to be a powerful predictor of worse outcome after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which could be related to impaired myocardial reperfusion. This study investigated the association between hyperglycemia and ST-segment resolution (STR) after thrombolysis. From the French regional Observatoire des Infarctus de Côte-d'Or survey, admission glucose in 371 patients with STEMIs who were treated by lysis<12 hours was analyzed.

Short-term atorvastatin treatment does not modify neointimal morphology but reduces MMP-2 expression in normocholesterolemic rabbit stented arteries.

The aim of our study was to explore some potential pleïotropic effects of atorvastatin, after stenting in the iliac arteries of normocholesterolemic rabbits. On day 0, 27 rabbits underwent stent implantation and were randomized into either the control group (standard chow, CTRL, n = 15) or the atorvastatin group (10 mg/kg/d per os, Ator, n = 12). On day 30, the stented arteries were harvested for histomorphometry and neointimal analysis [macrophages, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, vascular smooth muscle cells, and collagen].

Large tube section is the key to successful coronary thrombus aspiration: findings of a standardized bench test.

Thrombus removal by aspiration is one of the adjunctive techniques used to avoid embolization during PCI for acute myocardial infarction. Numerous devices are now available, but little is known about the mechanical rationale used in comparing them. The aim of the present study was to determine parameters to obtain optimal thrombus aspiration (TA).

Factors affecting the management of outcome in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction particularly with regard to reperfusion. Data from the French regional RICO survey.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in elderly patients is often unrecognized and associated with poor prognosis.

Objectives: To investigate management and efficacy of reperfusion therapy to the elderly patients with AMI.

Methods: From the January 1, 2001 to October 31, 2002, 964 patients with AMI were included in the French regional RICO survey.

Postconditioning the human heart.

Background: In animal models, brief periods of ischemia performed just at the time of reperfusion can reduce infarct size, a phenomenon called postconditioning. In this prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study, we investigated whether postconditioning may protect the human heart during coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

Methods And Results: Thirty patients, submitted to coronary angioplasty for ongoing acute myocardial infarction, contributed to the study.

Automatic fuzzy classification of the washout curves from magnetic resonance first-pass perfusion imaging after myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the diagnostic ability of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion in acute reperfused myocardial infarction. The study used fuzzy logic to automatically classify signal intensity-time curves from myocardial segments into 3 categories: normal, hypointense, and Hyperintense.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-eight patients with myocardial infarction underwent short-axis cine-MRI and contrast-enhanced MRI to provide data on wall thickening and the transmural extent of infarction.