First cardiological or cardiosurgical reintervention for ischemic heart disease after primary coronary artery bypass grafting

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Fluorescein angiography and histopathological findings were correlated in two patients with recurrent choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVs) in an attempt to gain insight into the possible causes of recurrent CNVs and into the healing response after CNV excision. METHODS: Two patients with recurrent CNVs underwent repeat excision, and the excised tissue was studied with light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Incomplete CNV excision probably led to the recurrences. The portion initially excised appears to have been anterior to the RPE in case 1. In both cases, recurrent CNVs contained RPE-like like cells suggesting that native RPE can repopulate the dissection bed. The tissue excised at the second operation contained areas with hyperplastic RPE and fragments of Bruch's membrane (external to the RPE basement membrane) in a matrix of fibrillar collagen and fibrocytes, suggesting that initial removal of the CNV can be followed by an abnormal anatomical arrangement of RPE and scarring of Bruch's membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal resurfacing of the dissection bed by RPE and fibroblasts may underlie, in part, the limited visual outcome often seen after surgical excision of CNVs in age related macular degeneration.     

Behavioural aspects of coronary heart disease.

Reviews research that has implicated behavior in the development of coronary heart disease. The interface between epidemiological and psychological orientations is argued to be mutually beneficial for both professions. Epidemiology has put greater emphasis on the genesis and statistical incidence of disease, whereas psychology has tended to put greater emphasis on a closer-grained analysis of behavioral processes that impact on health (e.g., Type A [coronary prone] behavior, life-event stresses, psychophysiological reactivity). It is concluded that given the progress that the interdisciplinary efforts have met with in the last decade, the prospect for continued collaborative efforts is promising. (French abstract) (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acute ischemic syndromes following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

METHODS: In 146 eyes/patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser iridotomy after glaucomatous attack or after prophylactic iridotomy, we evaluated whether the frequency of posterior synechiae depends on (1) glaucomatous attack, (2) preoperative miotic therapy, (3) postoperative antiglaucomatous therapy or (4) mode of intraoperative laser therapy. Out of 616 eyes with YAG iridotomy between 1983 and 1987, 146 eyes/patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria: observation time of minimum 3 months after iridotomy, preoperative examination without signs of preexisting synechiae, postoperative examination at discharge and a later control examination in mydriasis to exclude posterior synechiae. RESULTS: Eyes with and without glaucomatous attack and eyes with an without pre-operative long-term miotic therapy showed no significant difference in frequency of posterior synechiae. Eyes with postoperative long-term therapy with miotics or beta-blockers showed posterior synechiae significantly more often than eyes without post-operative miotic or beta-blocker therapy. Eyes that received DPE in the early post-operative period developed posterior synechiae significantly less often. The number of laser pulses and the mean total energy used were significantly higher in eyes which later developed posterior synechiae. In the group of patients with glaucomatous attack women outnumbered men by four to one, but there was no significant difference in refraction between women and men. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with glaucomatous attack are not at a higher risk of developing posterior synechiae than those without glaucomatous attack. Post-operative antiglaucomatous therapy, the number of laser pulses and the total energy alter the frequency of postoperatively developed posterior synechiae.     

Ventricular remodeling in coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: To examine knowledge and practices in relation to sexually transmissible diseases (STDs) of general practitioners (GPs) in Victoria, Australia. METHOD: A questionnaire was distributed to 520 Victorian GPs randomly selected from the Australian Medical Publishing Company (AMPCo) database of Australian medical practitioners. RESULTS: A response rate of 85% was obtained. While sexual health consultations were common for Victorian GPs, STD caseloads were generally low. Knowledge of clinical features of symptomatic STDs and of important STD epidemiology was generally good although there was a lower awareness of the asymptomatic nature of the most prevalent STDs in Victoria. Diagnostic tests were generally selected appropriately although many GPs did not perform the gold standard combination of tests required for adequate differential diagnosis. Level of STD STD knowledge was related to frequency of advising about safe sex, diagnosing STDs, and younger practitioner age. Attendance at any of a number of postgraduate courses of relevance to the management of STDs was not related to better STD knowledge overall. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and detection of STDs in general practice involve risk assessment and screening of asymptomatic patients as well as effective treatment of symptomatic patients and their contacts. Results presented here suggest that GPs have good knowledge and use appropriate investigations for patients presenting with symptoms of an STD. The low levels of awareness of the asymptomatic nature of many STDs and other particular aspects of STD knowledge and practice should be addressed in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education programmes.     

Psychologic adjustment to coronary artery disease

As improvements in therapy have extended the survival rate of patients with ischemic heart disease, increasing attention to the quality of survival has resulted in an appreciation of the profound effect of psychologic factors on the patient's life. A multidisciplinary approach, including evaluation and management of pertient psychologic factors, should be part of the treatment of all patients with coronary heart disease. Ischemic heart disease often requires both patient and family to make difficult changes in personality and life-style. As soon as the physiologic stress begins to subside, the physician should begin to provide sympathetic, specific guidelines toward acceptance of the disease and accommodation to its limits. Potential problems and their management are discussed within the framework of the three stages of chronic illness.     

Evaluation of coronary artery disease in women

Sepsis syndrome and septic shock remain significant causes of morbidity and mortality. To date, clinical trials of novel agents to treat sepsis have failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy despite considerable animal data to suggest a positive therapeutic benefit. This article reviews the recent major clinical trials on sepsis and discusses the hypotheses on which these therapies are based and the critical issues associated with clinical sepsis. Recommendations for future clinical trials on sepsis are made.     

Genetic heterogeneity of ischemic (coronary) heart disease

Results are presented on a study of the blood coagulation system and some indices of serum lipids and proteins in 133 normal individuals and probands with ischaemic heart disease and their 681 relatives. The examination of the relatives of probands with different types of biochemical disorders revealed a similar biochemical background in the probands and the members of their families. The disorders in blood biochemistry in the probands were most similar in the parents, the children of the probands' siblings, and less distinct in more distant relatives (cousins, nephews and nieces, etc.), biochemical disorders similar to those of the probands being found in young persons (14-16 years old) and reappearing in several generations. The author concludes on the genetic heterogeneity of ischaemic (coronary) heart disease and underlying coronary atherosclerosis.     

Secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease after coronary revascularization

This study was aimed to assess the compliance with policies for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) one year after coronary artery revascularization with special attention to the management of hyperlipidemia. One year after coronary revascularization during the year 1994, patients were contacted by letter to determine the modification of their risk factors, the treatment patterns for hypercholesterolemia and to have their plasma lipid level and blood pressure measured. Of the 245 consecutive patients contacted (110 after coronary artery bypass grafting, and 135 after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty), 186 (76%) provided the information required for further analysis. Excluding the patients older than 65 years, only 29 out of 97 patients (30%) with a total cholesterol of more than 5.2 mmol/l, and only 20 out of 52 patients (38%) with a total cholesterol of more than 6.2 mmol/l were receiving lipid lowering therapy 1 year after coronary artery revascularization. In contrast, 97% (n = 180) of the entire population studied were taking antiplatelet drugs and/or coumadine. Participation in an in-house rehabilitation program yielded a positive influence on smoking, but not on treatment of hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion, only a small proportion of patients with documented CHD and hypercholesterolemia were being treated for their lipid disorder 1 year after coronary artery revascularization. In contrast, the great majority of patients received antiplatelet and/or coumadine therapy: These results indicate that the compliance with published treatment guidelines for hyperlipidemia in patients with CHD is still highly inadequate, irrespective of the participation in a rehabilitation program.     

Hyperinsulinism in patients with coronary artery disease

AIM: To assess the clinical impact of hyperinsulinism and major coronary risk factors in patients with angiographically documented or excluded coronary artery disease (CAD), a clinical study was carried out in 268 men admitted for left heart catheterization. METHODS: Fasting immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels were correlated to all major cardiovascular risk factors and to the presence and degree of CAD. RESULTS: IRI levels were correlated significantly with the degree of CAD (one-vessel disease: mean IRI 9.45 microU/ml +/- 0.43 SEM; two-vessel disease: mean IRI 10.4 microU/ml +/- 0.71 SEM; three-vessel disease: mean IRI 11.88 microU/ml +/- 0.98 SEM) and inversely to the high-density lipoprotein level (P < 0.05). In patients with arterial hypertension, IRI levels were elevated, without a significant difference between those with and those without CAD, whereas the IRI levels of non-hypertensive men with CAD (n = 81; mean IRI 9.85 microU/ml +/- 0.51 SEM) differed significantly (P < 0.05) from those of non-hypertensive men without CAD (n = 59; mean IRI 7.76 microU/ml +/- 0.43 SEM). IRI levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in obese patients (n = 65; mean IRI 11.68 microU/ml +/- 0.70 SEM versus n = 203; mean IRI 9.32 microU/ml +/- 0.34 SEM), in patients with elevated triglycerides (n = 58 mean IRI 11.59 microU/ml +/- 0.81 SEM versus n = 210; mean IRI 9.42 microU/ml +/- 0.33 SEM), and in patients with lowered HDL cholesterol (n = 178; mean IRI 11.06 microU/ml +/- 0.63 SEM versus n = 90; mean IRI 9.29 microU/ml +/- 0.34 SEM). Diabetic patients on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy (n = 11; mean IRI 7.91 microU/ml +/- 0.91 SEM) had significantly (P < 0.05) lower IRI levels than those not treated with ACE inhibitors (n = 25; mean IRI 12.96 microU/ml +/- 1.47 SEM). IRI levels exceeding 8 microU/ml were associated with a 1.98-fold risk for CAD compared with IRI levels below 8 microU/ml. Stepwise logistic regression showed that insulin was an independent determinant of CAD. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the fasting insulin level is an important contribution to the identification of patients with, or at risk of, CAD.