The utility of SYNTAX score predictability by electrocardiogram parameters in patients with unstable angina

Background SYNTAX score is one of the risk assessment systems to predict cardiac events in acute coronary syndrome patients. Despite the large number of SYNTAX score benefits, invasive methods such as coronary angiography are necessary to perform the scoring. We hypothesized that ECG parameters could predict the SYNTAX score in unstable angina patients. Methods During the retrospective cohort study, a total number of 876 patients were diagnosed with unstable angina. After applying the exclusion criteria, 600 patients were divided into tertiles based on the SYNTAX scores as low (0–22), intermediate (23–32), and high (≥ 33). The association between ECG parameters and SYNTAX score was investigated. Results The study included 65% men and 35% women with a mean age of 62.4 ± 9.97 years. The delayed transition zone of QRS complex, ST-depression in inferior-lateral territories or/and in all three territories, and T-wave inversion in lateral territory were significant (p < 0.05) independent predictors of intermediate SYNTAX score. High SYNTAX score was predicted by the presence of prolonged P wave duration, ST-depression in lateral territory or/and anterior-lateral territories, ST-elevation in aVR–III leads or/and aVR–III–V1 leads. Among those, all three territories ST-depression (AUC: 0.611, sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 51%) and aVR + III ST-elevation (AUC: 0.672, sensitivity: 50.12%, specificity: 80.50%) were the most accurate parameters to predict intermediate and high SYNTAX scores, respectively. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that accompanying the STE in the right side leads (aVR, III, V1) with ST-depression in other leads indicates the patients with high SYNTAX score; meanwhile, diffuse ST-depression without ST-elevation is a marker for intermediate SYNTAX score in unstable angina patients and can be applied for early risk stratification and intervention.

What are the prognostic implications and factors relating to exercise induced electrocardiographic ST segment changes in the setting of a non-ischaemic stress echocardiogram?

Background. Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes during stress testing are a common and perplexing finding during non-ischaemic stress echocardiography (SE). Research has provided conflicting results regarding the implications. Methods. SE was performed after maximal Bruce protocol treadmill exercise. Results. 3020 consecutive patients, mean age 58±12 years, 36% female, were followed-up for up to 9 years (mean 36±21 months) post SE. Time to first cardiac event (composite of heart failure admission, worsening New York Heart Association class, worsening ejection fraction, acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, angina or cardiovascular death) was analyzed and adjusted using Cox proportional hazards regression. Prognostic significance was found with 1.5mm of downsloping or horizontal ST depression. Adjusting for baseline differences, increased risk of composite major adverse cardiac events was shown with at least 1.5mm of exercise induced ST depression (Hazard ratio [HR] of 2.47, 95% Confidence ratio [CI] 1.67-3.72, p<0.0001). Patients achieving high level exercise capacity (≥13 metabolic equivalents or METs) with ST depression lower risk of cardiac events during follow-up Conclusion. Patients with ST segment depression but non-ischaemic stress imaging have poorer prognosis compared to patients with non-ischaemic stress echocardiograms with normal stress ECGs. ST depression of 1.5mm or more was established as a prognostically significance value. High exercise capacity improves prognosis, and ECG changes in that setting can be regarded as false positives. Overall, however, ST depression during non-ischaemic stress imaging is not a benign finding.

A Study of the ST Changes in the aVR Lead on 12-Lead ECG to Identify Infarct - Related Artery (IRA) in Patients With Acute Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Lead avR is a valuable but mostly ignored lead in clinical electrocardiography. Recently, ST-segment depression in lead aVR during an inferior wall myocardial infarction has been suggested as a predictor of LCX artery involvement. METHODS: This study was a single centre cross sectional observational study done in BPKIHS, Dharan from February 2018 to January 2020. Patients presenting to the OPD or emergency room of BPKIHS diagnosed as acute inferior wall myocardial infarction based on clinical symptoms, ECG and/or Cardiac tropinin I levels, and planned for coronary angiography, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criterias were included. RESULTS: Among 134 cases, male:female ratio was 1.3:1. Overall, 38 patients (28.4%) were found to have aVR depression and 96 patients (71.6%) were without aVR depression. The culprit artery was found to be the right coronary artery in 95 patients (70.9%), the LCx in 39 patients (29.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of ST-segment depression in lead aVR for LCx as the culprit artery were 92.3% and 97.9% respectively. Positive predictive and Negative predictive value for LCx as the culprit arteries were 94.74% and 96.87%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for RCA as the culprit artery were 97.89%, 92.3%, 96.89% and 94.73% respectively. CONCLUSION: Significant ST depression in aVR is associated with a higher specificity and good sensitivity for LCX lesions, the ST changes in this lead should be carefully examined in all patients who are suspected of having inferior wall myocardial infarction.

188 Disarming the bomb in AL amyloidosis: a case report

Aims Light-chain amyloidosis (AL) is a rapidly progressive systemic disease commonly involving also the myocardium, with poor outcome if lately diagnosed and treated. Clinical presentation can be widely varied, ranging from unapparent disease with soft symptoms to acute heart failure syndromes, requiring urgent therapies and supports. Methods and results A 52-year-old women came to our outpatient cardiomyopathy clinic because of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) suspicion. Family history included a paternal cousin with diagnosis of unspecified cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrest. Her medical history was unremarkable until few months ago, when she started to complain with palpitations and asthenia. Given that both electrocardiogram and echocardiogram had previously showed signs of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, she was referred to us for HCM evaluation. Our physical examination was unremarkable, in particular there were no signs of central or peripheral venous congestion. Electrocardiogram showed a diffuse strain pattern with inferolateral ST-depression and T-wave inversion. Echocardiogram showed a thicked interventricular septum (17 mm), a pseudo-normal transmitral filling pattern with mild increase of LV filling pressure (E/E′ 11), a severely dilated left atrium (51 ml/mq). To complete the diagnostic path for HCM, we asked for a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), which two months later gave to us the diagnosis of myocardial amyloid infiltration. The diagnosis was quite surprising, because the patient was fine, 6 min walking test assessed a good functional capacity (500 m), no heart failure signs were recorded. So, we sent the patient to perform bone scintigraphy, which showed Perugini 0 uptake, and blood exam, showing, instead, rise of lambda free light chains, cardiac troponin (41.5 ng/l) and NTproBNP (5318 ng/l). Patient was urgently referred to haematologists, who using bone marrow and fat pad biopsy diagnosed a multiple myeloma with stage IV sec. Mayo AL amyloidosis. (Cy)BorD therapy was started, reaching a complete response in 4 months. Conclusions Diagnosis of AL amyloidosis is tricky due to heterogeneous clinical onset and multi-organ involvement. Cardiologist community should be aware of this condition, phenotypically mimicking HCM, but with very different management, in order to favour early diagnosis, prompt referral and treatment initiation. This case teaches that only 1. clinical awareness and 2. multidisciplinary approach can lead to disarm the bomb in AL amyloidosis.

533 Uncommon ECG presentation in Tako-tsubo syndrome

Aims We present the case of an 80-year-old woman without prior cardiovascular history, recent instrumental diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis and ongoing oncologic diagnostic work up. Methods and results The patient was admitted to our ED for acute-onset worsening dyspnoea. On first clinical evaluation, she denied typical angina, remarkable clinical features were dyspnoea, tachycardia and hypotension. Admission ECG showed sinus rhythm with posterior and inferior ST elevation (leads DII, aVF, V5, V6) with reciprocal ST segment depression in leads V1–V2. Echocardiography confirmed infero-postero-lateral akinesia determining moderate reduction of LVEF (35–40%), normal aortic root, no pericardial effusion. Laboratory tests revealed normal WBC count, mild anaemia (HB 10.7 g/dl), normal renal function, elevated C-reactive protein (139 mg/l, n.v. &lt; 8). Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was normal on admission, with significant delta on second determination (0.012 &gt; 2.5 ng/ml, nv &lt; 0.023). ST elevation persisted after BP normalization and hypoxia treatment; so, taken into account the increased procedural risk due to patient’s age and comorbidities, however we decided to perform urgent coronary angiography. Surprisingly, coronary angiography revealed absence of any significant stenosis, with TIMI 3 flow in any coronary segment. The patient was then admitted to the ICU with diagnosis of MINOCA. The next day ECG revealed normalization of ST segment and Q wave in V2–V3. On day 2 new ECG showed new ventricular repolarization abnormalities with T wave inversion in precordial leads. Peak hs-cTnI was &gt;15 000 ng/l. Repeat echocardiography on day 2 reported complete akinesia of all the apical segments of the LV with normo-hyperkinesia of the mid-basal segments (apical ballooning pattern) and severely depressed systolic function (FE 32–35%). During the following days patient’s symptoms improved, with rapid weaning from oxygen therapy and stable haemodynamic parameters. After 10 days the patient repeated echocardiography, which revealed improvement of global LVEF and persisting mild apical hypokinesia, suggesting the diagnostic hypothesis of Tako-Tsubo Syndrome (TTS) or TTS-phenocopy (unfortunately cardiac MRI was not performed). The patient was therefore transferred to oncology department to complete the diagnostic work-up; primary mammary neoplasia was identified, moreover associated with metastasis in the liver and the brain. Unfortunately, the patient died a month later due to non-cardiac causes. This is the case report of an uncommon MINOCA, which presented mimicking inferolateral acute STEMI, but subsequent ECG and echocardiographic evolution showed the more typical TTS pattern, with apical ballooning on echo and deep negative T waves in anterior leads. Conclusions The prevalence of MINOCA is estimated to be 6% to 8% among patients diagnosed with MI, especially women, however it is more common in patients with NSTEMI compared with STEMI; moreover in cases of TTS presenting with ST elevation, usually the elevation is found in anterior leads without reciprocal ST depression; in this patient instead ST elevation was inferolateral with reciprocal anterior ST depression. Absence of obstructive CAD and clinical/echocardiographic evolution allowed us to confirm the diagnosis of MINOCA/TTS.

Angiographic Significance of ST Depression in Anterior Leads in Acute Inferior ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background and aims: Electrocardiogram of acute ST elevation inferior myocardial infarction can show concomitant ST depression in anterior leads. We aimed to see its significance on coronary angiogram. Methods: Cross sectional study conducted in Department of Cardiology of Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre from March 2021 to June 2021. Total of 64 patients of acute inferior myocardial infarction were included consecutively. Electrocardiogram were analyzed for the presence of ST depression in anterior leads (V1-V6). Coronary angiogram were obtained. Linear regression analysis was applied to see correlations. Results: Thirty-four (53.12%) participants had significant ST depression in anterior leads. Their mean age was 64.53±11.67 years. Twenty-two (64.70%) were male. Out of them, 13 (38.23%) were hypertensive, 9 (26.47%) were smoker and 7 (20.58%) were diabetic. Among 30 (46.88%) participants without ST depression, mean age was 56.73±13.31 years and 21 (70%) were male. Out of them, 11 (36.66%) were hypertensive, 12 (40%) were smoker and 11 (33.66%) were diabetic. Culprit vessel was right coronary artery in 22 (64.70%) of those with ST depression and 22 (73.33%) of those without ST depression. Significant left anterior descending artery lesion was seen in 19 (55.88%) of those with ST depression and 3 (10%) of those without depression. Anterior ST depression showed positive correlation with left anterior descending artery lesion. Conclusion: ST depression in anterior leads in acute inferior myocardial infarction can be due to presence of concomitant left anterior descending coronary artery disease.

Hospital outcome of percutaneous coronary stenting in long segment lesions

Background: Coronary heart disease is increasing at an alarming rate among elder people in Bangladesh. For long segment lesion in heart, percutaneous coronary intervention is now a common procedure with great success rate. The aim of this study was to assess immediate outcome of percutaneous coronary stenting of long segment lesions.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from January 2005 to December 2006. The sample size was 100 patients undergoing PCI of long and short coronary lesions.Results: No complications found in 82.0% and 88.0% of cases in group I and II respectively. Coronary dissection occurred in 6% and 4% cases in group I and II respectively. ST elevation and pathological Q were 46.0% in pre and 50.0% in post PCI period in group I. In group II patients 48.0% in pre and 52.0% in post PCI period showed ST elevation and pathological Q wave. ST depression and/or T inversion was 18.0% in pre and 16.0% in post PCI period in group I, in group II this value was 22.0% and 14.0% respectively. In group I patients, CK-MB increased from 24.33±7.72 U/l in baseline to 43.30±10.99 U/l 6-8 hrs after procedure and before discharge CK-MB decreased to 31.91±11.17 U/l. In the group II patients, it increased from 25.42±5.84 U/l in baseline to 39.38±6.98 U/l 6-8 hrs after procedure and before discharge CK-MB decreased to 29.64±8.21 U/l.Conclusions: This study concludes that the immediate outcome of long segment coronary stenting is safe and highly effective.

Cor Triatriatum Sinistrum: A Rarest Aetiology of Cardiac Chamber Thrombi Mimicking Left Atrial Mass

Background. Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, represent 0.1% of all congenital cardiac malformations and may be associated with other cardiac diseases in as many as 50% of cases. The natural history of this defect depends on the size of the communicating orifice between the upper and lower atrial chamber. Case Presentation. We reported case of cor triatriatum in a 12 years old girl with chief complaint of shortness of breath, middle chest discomfort and palpitation since 5 days prior admission. The diagnosis was based on clinical features, chest radiography, electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography. Chest radiograph showed rounded cardiac apex and double contour appearance. ECG showed sinus rhythm, 75 beat per minute, RAD, CCWR, RVH, RV strain pattern with ST depression and T-wave inversion in II, III, aVF, V1-V5. TTE revealed 2 chambers of left atrium, with restrictive supramitral membrane, dilated right atrium, right ventricle and left atrium, smallish left ventricle, proximal left atrial thrombus (5.96 x 3.44 cm), relative mitral stenosis, severe mitral regurgitation, mild aortic regurgitation and severe tricuspid regurgitation. A diagnosis of cor triatriatum sinister was made. The only treatment is surgical correction. Medical therapy, with ampicillin and heparin, was administered during admission. Conclusion. Cor triatriatum has been reported in a 12-year-old girl. The diagnosis is confirmed by clinical manifestations, chest radiography and echocardiography. The only therapy is surgical correction. From the field of cardiac surgeon, patients are advised to improve their general conditions before underwent surgical procedures.

Intrapartum Fetal Electrocardiogram in Small- and Large-for-Gestational Age Fetuses

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether intrapartum fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings with ST-elevation or depression occur more frequently in each stage of labor in small-for-gestational age (SGA) or large-for-gestational age (LGA), as compared with appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) fetuses. Study Design We conducted a secondary analysis of a large, multicenter trial in which laboring patients underwent fetal ECG waveform-analysis. We excluded participants with diabetes mellitus and major fetal anomalies. Birth weight was categorized as SGA (<10th percentile), LGA (>90th percentile), or AGA (10–90th percentile) by using a gender and race/ethnicity specific nomogram. In adjusted analyses, the frequency of ECG tracings with ST-depression or ST-elevation without depression was compared according to birthweight categories and labor stage. Results Our study included 4,971 laboring patients in the first stage and 4,074 in the second stage. During the first stage of labor, there were no differences in the frequency of ST-depression in SGA fetuses compared with AGA fetuses (6.7 vs. 5.5%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–2.13), or in ST-elevation without depression (35.8 vs. 34.1%; aOR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.94–1.46). During the second stage, there were no differences in the frequency of ST-depression in SGA fetuses compared with AGA fetuses (1.6 vs. 2.0%; aOR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.27–1.73), or in ST-elevation without depression (16.2 vs. 18.1%; aOR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.67–1.22). During the first stage of labor, there were no differences in the frequency of ST-depression in LGA fetuses compared with AGA fetuses (6.3 vs. 5.5%; aOR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.60–1.57), or in ST-elevation without depression (33.1 vs. 34.1%; aOR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.62–1.03); during the second stage of labor, the frequency of ST-depression in LGA compared with AGA fetuses (2.5 vs. 2.0%, aOR: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.61–3.03), and in ST-elevation without depression (15.5 vs. 18.1%; aOR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58–1.18) were similar as well. Conclusion The frequency of intrapartum fetal ECG tracings with ST-events is similar among SGA, AGA, and LGA fetuses. Key Points