Wellens Syndrome: A Review Article

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
Tamaray Sahitra ◽  
Fuadi Haizil

Wellens syndrome is a pre-infarct stage of coronary syndrome and a clinical condition associated with left descending proximal anterior artery stenosis. Diagnostic criteria for Wellens syndrome include clinical history, ECG changes, and laboratory results. The pathognomonic ECG of Wellens syndrome is anterior inverted T-wave in precordial leads, which can be seen during pain-free period, accompanied by isoelectric or minimally elevated ST segment (<1 mm), no precordial Q waves, and normal or slightly elevated cardiac serum markers. Early diagnosis leads to early management and a better prognosis. Early management of Wellens syndrome involves maintaining an airway, breathing, circulation, monitoring vital signs, and medical management. Still, the only definitive management is urgent cardiac angiography to prevent further myocardial ischemia. The combination of early diagnostic and appropriate management will reduce complications and mortality rates. Keywords: Wellens Syndrome, Acute Coronary Syndromes, pre-Infarct MI.

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (06) ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
Giorgi Javakhishvili ◽  
Rusudan Sujashvili

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a group of conditions which often present with similar signs and symptoms while having different outcomes and complications. Therefore it is essential to differentiate between them as soon as possible and provide appropriate management. Acute coronary syndromes are classified into two categories: STE-ACS (ST segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome) and NSTE-ACS (Non ST segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome). STE-ACS stands for ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome all of which demonstrate significant ST elevations on ECG due to complete blockage of artery by thrombus, while NSTE-ACS is due to partial occlusion of artery which exhibit ST segment depression and/or T wave inversions. Patients with NSTE-ACS who do not develop infarction are diagnosed with unstable angina, which itself is a precursor of myocardial infarction. Acute coronary syndromes are considered multifactorial and risk factors most commonly associated with development of acute coronary syndromes include: hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, sedentary life-style, hereditary conditions etc. Chronic stress to the coronary endothelium eventually leads to inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque formation. Plaque at some point with additional stress will rupture and trigger thrombus formation. Probability of plaque rupture depends on its composition: stable plaques contain small fatty core and thick fibrous cap, unstable plaque have larger fatty cores and thin fibrous cap. Patients with acute coronary syndromes present with chest pain and/or discomfort and may experience tightness and pressure sensation; pain may radiate to left or both arms, jaw, back or stomach, sweating, dyspnea and dizziness are also common complaints. Whenever we suspect ACS first diagnostic tests is always ECG (Electrocardiography). If ST segment is persistently elevated STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) can be diagnosed and reperfusion therapy is indicated; but if ST segment is depressed and/or T wave inversion is present laboratory tests are necessary for diagnosis. Cardiac biomarkers mainly used in the clinic are Troponins and CK-MB (Creatine Kinase MB), yet LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), B-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein can be used additionally. Several studies have been conducted in hopes to find other myocardial markers useful for diagnosis of ACS, one of which tested candidate biomarkers such as hFABP (Heart-type fatty acid binding protein), GPBB (Glycogen Phosphorylase Isoenzyme BB), S100, PAPP-A (Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A), TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor), IL6 (Interleukin 6), IL18 (Interleukin 18), CD40 (Cluster of differentiation 40) ligand, MPO (Myeloperoxidase), MMP9 (Matrix metallopeptidase 9), cell-adhesion molecules, oxidized LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein), glutathione, homocysteine, fibrinogen, and D-dimer, procalcitonin. The idea of this study was to estimate usefulness of combining enzymatic markers with nonenzymatic ones in the clinical settings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Elhusseini

Abstract Objectives We aimed to assess the value of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk scores (RSs) for predicting coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and prognosis in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Background Patients with NSTE-ACS are at varying risks of death and recurrent cardiac events, early risk stratification plays a central role, different scores are now available based on initial clinical history, ECG, and laboratory tests that enable early risk stratification on admission. Methods A prospective study was conducted including 100 patients (age, 45–68 years) with NSTE-ACS who were admitted at our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019. The two RSs (TIMI& GRACE) were calculated from the initial clinical history, electrocardiogram, and laboratory values collected and recorded on admission. All patients were subjected to conventional coronary angiography during admission, Patients were divided into two groups: 1) patients with syntax score ≤32 (test group, 80 patients) and 2) patients with syntax score &gt;32 (comparative group, 20 patients). Median follow-up duration was 6 (4–9) days. Results Regarding correlation between coronary angiographic severity based on syntax score and the clinical profile based on the two RSs (TIMI&GRACE) in NSTE-ACS patients, statistically significant correlation were found between GRACE score and syntax score (r=0.789; P=0.001) with GRACE score accuracy: 94% and negative predictive value (NPV): 98.7%, whereas no statistically significant correlation were found between TIMI score and syntax score (r=0.087; P=0.388) with TIMI score accuracy: 32% and NPV: 73.1%. Conclusions In conclusion the GRACE score provides a quick and reliable prediction of CAD severity in NSTE-ACS patients, It allows accurate risk estimation, categorizes patients and consequently can help in making accurate therapeutic decisions either with the use of invasive strategies in high risk selected patients or the use of conservative strategies in low risk patients in presence of limited resources. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. A2.1-A2
Author(s):  
Tom Quinn ◽  
Timothy Driscoll ◽  
Lucia Gavalova ◽  
Mary Halter ◽  
Chris P Gale ◽  
...  

BackgroundUse of the Pre-Hospital 12-lead Electrocardiogram (PHECG) is recommended in patients presenting to emergency medical services (EMS) with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS).ObjectivesTo investigate differences in mortality between those who did/did not receive PHECG.MethodsPopulation-based, linked cohort study using Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) data from 2010-2017.ResultsOf 330,713 patients, 263,420 (79.6%) had PHECG, 67,293 (20.3%) did not. 30-day mortality was 7.8% overall, 7.1% with PHECG vs 10.9% without PHECG (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 0.772, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.748-0.795, p<0.001). 1 year mortality was 16.1% overall, 14.2% with PHECG vs 23.2% without (aOR 0.692, 95% CI 0.676-0.708, p<0.001). 144,254 patients had ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); 130,240 (90.2%) had PHECG, 30 day mortality 8.8% overall, 8.0% with PHECG vs 15.9% without (aOR 0.588, 95% CI 0.557-0.622, p<0.001), 1 year mortality 13.1% overall, 12.1% with PHECG vs 22.8% without (aOR 0.585, 95% CI 0.557-0.614, p<0.001). 186,459 patients had non-STEMI; 133,180 (71.4%) had PHECG. 30-day mortality 7.1% overall, 6.1% with PHECG vs 9.6% without (aOR 0.677, 95%CI 0.652-0.704, p<0.001), 1 year mortality 18.3% overall, 16.3% with PHECG vs 23.3% without (aOR 0.694, 95% CI 0.676-0.713, p<0.001). 110,571 STEMI patients received primary PCI, 103,741 (93.8%) had PHECG. 30 day mortality 5.4% overall, 5.3% with PHECG vs 7.0% without (aOR 0.739, 95% CI 0.667-0.829, p<0.001). 1 year mortality 8.5% overall, 8.4% with PHECG vs 9.8% without (aOR 0.833, 95% CI 0.762-0.911, p<0.001). 26,127 (18.1%) STEMI patients received no reperfusion; 19,873 (76%) had PHECG. Mortality at 30 days 22.1% overall, 21.3% with PHECG vs 24.7% without (aOR 0.911, 95% CI 0.847-0.980, p=0.013), 1 year mortality 32.2% overall, 30.9% with PHECG, 36.4% without (aOR 0.865, 95% CI 0.810-0.925, p<0.001).ConclusionPHECG was associated with lower mortality at 30 days and 1 year in both STEMI and non-STEMI patients.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Chang ◽  
Jennifer A Dickerson ◽  
David Verhaert ◽  
Orlando P Simonetti ◽  
Giuseppe Ambrosio ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Increased myocardial injury visualized by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) portends worse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Although non ST-segment acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) comprise 70% of all ACS and 1-year mortality rates are similar to the more readily-diagnosed and uniformly-treated ST-elevation myocardial infarction, ischemic changes and treatment strategies in NSTE-ACS are not well-defined, Studies have shown that T2-weighted (T2W) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may be a marker of acute myocardial injury in ACS. We hypothesized that the presence of at-risk myocardium, identified by T2W CMR at presentation, predicts increased subsequent myocardial injury by LGE beyond traditional risk predictors in NSTE-ACS. METHODS & RESULTS: 48 patients enrolled in a prospective study of NSTE-ACS underwent CMR with short tau inversion recovery (T2W STIR) imaging and LGE prior to intervention and repeat CMR 61 ± 27 days later. Baseline presence/absence of increased myocardial signal intensity by T2W STIR was determined by consensus of two expert reviewers blinded to other data. In 13 patients (27%), follow-up LGE images showed more extensive injury compared to baseline. Peak troponin at time of event, baseline TIMI risk score and baseline LGE score did not predict subsequent LGE score increase (p=0.13, p=0.48, p=0.55, respectively). Conversely, a much higher proportion of patients with vs. without increased T2W STIR SI at baseline demonstrated increased myocardial injury by LGE at follow-up (12/31 vs. 1/17, p<0.01; Figure). CONCLUSION: Myocardium at-risk by T2-weighted STIR CMR in patients with NSTE-ACS predicts subsequent myocardial injury, more so than clinical predictors or extent of baseline myocardial damage. Prospective studies that intensify care for patients with at-risk myocardium may help identify strategies to improve myocardial salvage and reduce mortality in NSTE-ACS.


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-124
Author(s):  
Susan D. Housholder-Hughes

Of the nearly 1.4 million hospitalizations for acute coronary syndromes in 2006, approximately two-thirds were for unstable angina (UA) or non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Given the high risk for in-hospital ischemic events and late mortality in patients with UA/NSTEMI, it is critical to accurately and rapidly diagnose these patients, stratify their level of risk, and provide appropriate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment that maximizes anti-ischemic benefit and minimizes risk of bleeding. Appropriate in-hospital care following intervention is critical for optimizing both short- and long-term outcomes. However, evidence suggests that up to 26% of opportunities to provide guidelines-recommended care are missed. Nurses can play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive guidelines-based care. This review examines the most recent recommendations for the diagnosis and pharmacologic management of patients with UA/NSTEMI and discusses ways in which nursing staff can contribute to minimizing patient risk and optimizing patient benefit.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus T Jensen ◽  
Marta Pereira ◽  
Carla Araujo ◽  
Anti Malmivaara ◽  
Jean Ferrieres ◽  
...  

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between heart rate at admission and in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Methods: Consecutive ACS patients admitted in 2008–2010 across 58 hospitals in six participant countries of the European Hospital Benchmarking by Outcomes in ACS Processes (EURHOBOP) project (Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Portugal and Spain). Cardiogenic shock patients were excluded. Associations between heart rate at admission in categories of 10 beats per min (bpm) and in-hospital mortality were estimated by logistic regression in crude models and adjusting for age, sex, obesity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, known heart failure, renal failure, previous stroke and ischaemic heart disease. In total 10,374 patients were included. Results: In both STEMI and NSTE-ACS patients, a U-shaped relationship between admission heart rate and in-hospital mortality was found. The lowest risk was observed for heart rates between 70–79 bpm in STEMI and 60–69 bpm in NSTE-ACS; risk of mortality progressively increased with lower or higher heart rates. In multivariable models, the relationship persisted but was significant only for heart rates >80 bpm. A similar relationship was present in both patients with or without diabetes, above or below age 75 years, and irrespective of the presence of atrial fibrillation or use of beta-blockers. Conclusion: Heart rate at admission is significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with both STEMI and NSTE-ACS. ACS patients with admission heart rate above 80 bpm are at highest risk of in-hospital mortality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-141
Author(s):  
Sambhu Kumar Mallick ◽  
Mahboob Ali ◽  
Amal Kumar Chowdhury

Background: Critical stenosis in the proximal part of the left anterior descending, severe 3 vessel disease and left main stem stenosis have all been recognized as clinical conditions complicated by a high incidence of large infarction, pump failure, arrhythmias and sudden death in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). As many effective treatment modes are available currently, early recognition of those circumstances is crucial for appropriate management.Methods: this observational study was carried out at the Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Dhaka. Patients (30 patients) with NSTEACS having ST-segment depression with T-wave inversion maximally in leads I,avL,V4-V6 were considered as cases (Group I) and those (30 patients) with ST-segment depression without T-wave inversion in lateral leads were controls (Group II). Coronary angiogram (CAG) was done during in-hospital stay.Results: In present study, it was evident that among group I patients, 43.3% had stenotic lesion in left main artery (LM) and 26.67% in LM equivalent coronary artery (LME CA), whereas had no stenotic lesion in LM and 3.33% had LME CA lesion in group II patients. Low cost, widely available ECG criteria is supposed to be useful predictor of left main or left main equivalent coronary artery obstruction (Sensitivity=95%, Specificity= 76%, Positive predictive value= 70.0% and Negative predictive value= 97.0%) and high ST–segment changes score (>18 mm (100%) &/or ³10mm (80%) was an additive predictor of LM or LMECA lesion.Conclusion: Maximum ST- segment depression with T-wave inversion in the lateral leads I, aVL, V4-V6 on admission ECG can predict the critical LM or LMECA obstruction in patients with NSTEACS. It can help to provide prompt and appropriate management earlier to reduce the mortality & morbidity.Cardiovasc. j. 2017; 9(2): 135-141


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4711-4711
Author(s):  
Mahutondji Romaric Massi ◽  
Bienvenu Houssou ◽  
Marième Camara ◽  
Khoubila Nisserine ◽  
Asmaa AQ Quessar ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Prinzmetal anginais a special type ofacute coronary syndrome ST+ wich correspond to a transient occlusion of a coronary vessel secondary to spasm. This type of acute coronary syndrome is very rare and is characterized by the presence of signs of myocardial ischemia on electrocardiogram but coronary angiography and coroscaner are frequently normals. Its management in hemophilia patients is difficult because of the use of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs wich increase bleeding risk. We report the case of a major hemophilia A patient which presented Prinzmetal angina. Observation: It is a 64 years old patient, hemophilia A major, chronic smoking (40 pack-year), not diabetic, not hypertensive, which had a retro sternal constrictive pain radiating to the shoulders. At admission he was consciousness. No breath in cardiac auscultation. The electrocardiography showed a heart rate at 61bpm, the axis of the heart was normal. ST-segment elevation was noticed in DIII and AVF: ischemia in the cardiac lower area. Echocardiography was normal. The coroscaner was normal. The troponin I level was at 0.03 µg/L (Normal: 0-0.1µg/L). This patient had a variant Prinzmetal angina. Treatement: Diltiazem Hydrochloride 60 mg 1 tablet / 8 hours. Acetylsalicylic acid 160 mg IV and Clopidogrel 300 mg IV the first day; relay with acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg per day. Transfusion of factor VIII at the dose of 40UI / Kg. Simvastatin 20 mg 1 tablet per day. Perindopril 5 mg 1 tablet the day. The evolution was favorable. Discussion and conclusion: Coronary syndromes are not frequent in morocco hemophilia patients. Their management is complex and involves the presence of an hematologist. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254008
Author(s):  
Pishoy Gouda ◽  
Anamaria Savu ◽  
Kevin R. Bainey ◽  
Padma Kaul ◽  
Robert C. Welsh

Estimates of the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events (residual risk) among patients with acute coronary syndromes have largely been based on clinical trial populations. Our objective was to estimate the residual risk associated with common comorbidities in a large, unselected, population-based cohort of acute coronary syndrome patients. 31,056 ACS patients (49.5%—non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], 34.0%—ST segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] and 16.5%—unstable angina [UA]) hospitalised in Alberta between April 2010 and March 2016 were included. The primary composite outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including: death, stroke or recurrent myocardial infarction. The secondary outcome was death from any cause. Cox-proportional hazard models were used to identify the impact of ACS type and commonly observed comorbidities (heart failure, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, renal disease, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes). At 3.0 +/- 3.7 years, rates of MACE were highest in the NSTEMI population followed by STEMI and UA (3.58, 2.41 and 1.68 per 10,000 person years respectively). Mortality was also highest in the NSTEMI population followed by STEMI and UA (2.23, 1.38 and 0.95 per 10,000 person years respectively). Increased burden of comorbidities was associated with an increased risk of MACE, most prominently seen with heart failure (adjusted HR 1.83; 95% CI 1.73–1.93), renal disease (adjusted HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.40–1.65) and diabetes (adjusted HR 1.51; 95% CI 1.44–1.59). The cumulative presence of each of examined comorbidities was associated with an incremental increase in the rate of MACE ranging from 1.7 to 9.98 per 10,000 person years. Rates of secondary prevention medications at discharge were high including: statin (89.5%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (84.1%) and beta-blockers (85.9%). Residual cardiovascular risk following an acute coronary syndrome remains high despite advances in secondary prevention. A higher burden of comorbidities is associated with increased residual risk that may benefit from aggressive or novel therapies.


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