Background and Objectives: The outcome benefits of β-blockers in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been fully assessed. We evaluated the prognostic impact of β-blockers on patients with chronic CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 3,075 patients with chronic CAD were included from the Grand DrugEluting Stent registry. We analyzed β-blocker prescriptions, including doses and types, in each patient at 3-month intervals from discharge. After propensity score matching, 1,170 pairs of patients (β-blockers vs. no β-blockers) were derived. Primary outcome was defined as a composite endpoint of all-cause death and myocardial infarction (MI). We further analyzed the outcome benefits of different doses (low-, medium-, and high-dose) and types (conventional or vasodilating) of β-blockers. Results: During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.1 (3.0–3.1) years, 134 (5.7%) patients experienced primary outcome. Overall, β-blockers demonstrated no significant benefit in primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–1.24), all-cause death (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.60–1.25), and MI (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.49–3.15). In subgroup analysis, β-blockers were associated with a lower risk of all-cause death in patients with previous MI and/ or revascularization (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14–0.99) (p for interaction=0.045). No significant associations were found for the clinical outcomes with different doses and types of β-blockers. Conclusions Overall, β-blocker therapy was not associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with chronic CAD undergoing PCI. Limited mortality benefit of β-blockers may exist for patients with previous MI and/or revascularization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) has emerged as an alternative to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) for the treatment of heart failure. This study aimed at comparing the effectiveness and safety of valsartan with ramipril in patients with heart failure, and these patients were hospitalized at Chonnam National University Hospital, Wonkwang University Hospital, Gunsan Medical Center, Presbyterian Medical Center, Seonam University Hospital and Gwangju Christian Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between March 2005 and March 2007, 82 patients (60.5+/-12.4 years, 59 males) who complained of class II to IV dyspnea, according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, and who had low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50% were randomly allocated to valsartan or ramipril. After 6 months, the clinical symptoms, vital signs, biochemical tests and echocardiography were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The NYHA class was improved in both groups (the valsartan group: 2.31+/-0.51 vs. 1.46+/-0.58, p<0.001; the ramipril group: 2.21+/-0.55 vs. 1.61+/-0.50, p<0.001). The incidence of cough, as measured by the cough index, was significantly lower in the valsartan group than in the ramipril group (p=0.045). The LVEF was improved in both groups (the valsartan group: 36.4+/-8.5% vs. 46.9+/-12.9%, p<0.001; the ramipril group: 35.1+/-8.5% vs. 45.3+/-11.2%, p<0.001). The improvements of the left ventricular end-systolic dimension (p=0.754) and end-diastolic dimension (p=0.998) were not different between the two groups. N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level was improved in both groups (the valsartan group: 2619.6+/-4213.5 vs. 995.4+/-2186.0 pg/mL, p=0.012; the ramipril group: 3267.9+/-4320.0 vs. 828.1+/-1232.8 pg/mL, p=0.009), and there was no difference between the groups (p=0.877). CONCLUSION: Both valsartan and ramipril were effective treatments, with relatively low adverse events, in patients with heart failure.
Angiotensins ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Incidence ; New York ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Protestantism ; Ramipril ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; Stroke Volume ; Tetrazoles ; Valine ; Ventricular Remodeling ; Vital Signs ; Valsartan

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that intracoronary radiation therapy (ICRT) using a Ho-166 coated balloon inhibits restenosis of porcine coronary arteries. However, the consequences of ICRT on coronary artery endothelial function are unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ICRT using a Ho-166 balloon on coronary artery endothelial function and vasomotor reactivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female pigs (25-35 kg) were orally premedicated daily with aspirin (100 mg) and ticlopidine (250 mg) for the duration of the study. Under sterile conditions with local anesthesia of the skin provided by 2% lidocaine, an arteriotomy of the left carotid artery was performed, an 8 Fr sheath was inserted, and intraarterial heparin sodium (10,000 IU) was injected. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the coronary artery main branch was selected through an 8 Fr guiding catheter for coronary artery overdilation injury (balloon to artery ratio, 1.3:1) and ICRT. A Ho-166 coated balloon prepared to deliver 20 Gy at a depth of 2 mm from the balloon surface was used for ICRT. The coronary artery main branch in each pig was randomly assigned to either balloon injury (Group I) or balloon injury plus ICRT (Group II). Coronary artery segments were taken from the animals at 0 week (n=8), 4 weeks (n=6) and 8 weeks (n=8) after the intervention. Data in each group denote the relative ratio compared to non-injured coronary artery and are expressed as mean +/- standard error of mean. RESULTS: The degree of KCl-induced contractile response (g) was not different between the two groups at 0 and 4 weeks, but was significantly decreased in group II compared to group I at 8 weeks (I:1.04+/-0.06, II:0.79+/-0.07, p=0.014). In rings precontracted with prostaglandin F 2alpha (PGF 2alpha), the degree of NO-dependent relaxation (%) induced with substance P was significantly decreased in group II compared to group I at 0 week (I:0.93+/-0.33, II:0.47+/-0.31, p=0.03), but the difference between the two groups was not significant at 4 and 8 weeks. In rings precontracted with PGF 2alpha and LAME in the presence of indomethacin, the degree of EDHF-induced relaxation (%) using substance P was not different between the two groups at 0, 4 and 8 weeks; nor was the degree of sodium nitroprusside-induced endothelium independent relaxation (%) in depolarized conditions with PGF 2alpha. CONCLUSION: Endothelial function of the porcine coronary artery is only transiently impaired after ICRT using a Ho-166 coated balloon. Therefore this therapy can be used as an effective method to prevent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention.
Anesthesia, Local ; Angioplasty ; Animals ; Arteries ; Aspirin ; Carotid Arteries ; Catheters ; Coronary Restenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Endothelium ; Female ; Heparin ; Humans ; Indomethacin ; Lidocaine ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prostaglandins F ; Relaxation ; Skin ; Sodium ; Substance P ; Swine ; Ticlopidine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor is known to be effective in the prevention of left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction. However, little data is available concerning the clinical effects of angiotensin (AT) receptor blocker in ischemic cardiomyopathy. This study evaluated the clinical effects of the concomitant use of losartan with low doses of hydrochlorthiazide in cases of ischemic cardiomyopathy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A combined agent of 50 mg of losartan potassium with 12.5 mg of hydrochlorthiazide (HCTZ) was administrated once daily over a 12-week period to 29 patients (M:F=26:3, 61.4+/-8.7 years) who were diagnosed with ischemic heart failure (ejection fraction lower than 50% by echocardiography) at Chonnam National University Hospital. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms of dyspnea in the 29 patients improved from 2.08+/-0.49 to 1.15+/-0.38 as measured by New York Heart Association class. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly following treatment (116.5+/-18.0/77.0+/-11.9 mmHg vs. 118.7+/-15.1/78.1+/-11.1 mmHg). The ejection fraction following administration of Losartan/HCTZ increased from 40.3+/-8.1% to 46.7+/-10.8% (p=0.001). Losartan/HCTZ was well tolerated in all patients without significant adverse effects or laboratory changes. CONCLUSION: A fixed combination of losartan and low dose hydrochlorthiazide is effective in patients with ischemic heart failure.
Angiotensins ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiomyopathies ; Diuretics ; Dyspnea ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Losartan* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Ventricular Remodeling

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Brachytherapy is a promising method in the prevention and treatment of coronary stent restenosis. We sought to observe the therapeutic effects of a radioactive balloon loaded with Holmium-166 (166Ho) in a porcine coronary stent restenosis model. Materials and Methods: A radioisotope of (166Ho) was coated on the balloon surface using a polyurethane coating (20 Gy in 0.5 mm depth). Stent overdilation injuries were performed in two coronary arteries in 8 pigs. Four weeks after the stent overdilation injury, radiation therapies were performed using a control balloon dilation in one coronary artery (Group I:n = 8) and a 166Ho-coated balloon in the other coronary artery in each pig (Group II:n = 8). Follow-up coronary angiogram and histopathologic assessment were performed at 4 weeks after the therepy was administered. RESULTS: Laboratory findings did not differ significantly between the pre-treatment baseline and the measurements taken after radiation. On quantitative coronary angiogram, the coronary artery diameters were not significantly different between the two groups before stenting or at 4 and 8 weeks after stenting. On histopathologic analysis, injury score, internal elastic lamina area and lumen area did not differ significantly between the two groups. The neointimal area was 1.78 +/- 0.11 mm2 in group I and 1.36 +/- 0.12 mm2 in group II (p=0.017), and the histopathologic area of stenosis was 35.1 +/- 1.6% in Group I, 27.6 +/- 1.9% in Group II (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: A treatment of beta-radiation in a stented porcine coronary artery using radioactive Ho-166 coated balloon inhibits stent restenosis without any side effects.
Brachytherapy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Restenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hyperplasia* ; Polyurethanes ; Radiation Injuries ; Radioisotopes ; Stents* ; Swine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been used to treat the patients after failed thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction. However, short- and long-term benefits of rescue PCI has not been known exactly. The goal of this study was to examine the clinical and angiographic outcomes, success rate of the procedure, and long-term survival rate after rescue PCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and angiographic outcomes of 31 patients (Group I; 59.7+/-11.4 years, 80.6% male), who underwent rescue PCI were compared with those of 177 patients (Group II; 59.7+/-9.7 years, 79.7% male), primary PCI at Chonnam National University Hospital between January 1997 and December 1999. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the risk factors for coronary artery diseases except for smoking (Group I; 24/31, 77.4% vs. Group II; 76/177, 42.9%, P<0.05). The incidence of cardiogenic shock was higher in Group I than in Group II (Group I; 7/31, 22.6% vs. Group II; 11/177, 6.2%, P<0.05). The coronary angiographic findings were not different between two groups. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow of Group I was lower than in Group II (Group I; 1.14+/-0.93 vs. Group II; 1.61+/-1.14, P<0.05). Primary success rate was 93.6% (29/31) in Group I and 94.9% (168/177) in Group II (P<0.05). Baseline ejection fraction was lower in Group I than in Group II (Group I; 44.2+/-8.9% vs. Group II; 50.8+/-11.7, P<0.05), which improved in both groups (Group I; 51.7+/-7.9% vs. Group II; 60.7+/-13.4%, P<0.05) at six months after the procedures. The survival rate of Group I was 93.5%, 93.5% and 90.3% and that of Group II was 94.5%, 93.7% and 91% at 1 month, 6 and 12 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Rescue PCI was associated with the risk factor of smoking and the high incidence of cardiogenic shock. The success rate of rescue PCI was comparable with primary PCI and left ventricular function was improved after rescue PCI on long-term clinical follow-up with relatively high survival rate.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jeollanam-do ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* ; Risk Factors ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Survival Rate ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There has been few study on the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in Korea, although their determination is crucial to the management of VT. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of VT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital medical records were reviewed on clinical characteristics including demographic feature, underlying disease, and clinical presentation in 66 patients who visited emergency room or out-patient clinic with VT as a primary medical problem from April 1996 to March 1999. The diagnosis of VT was made based on physical signs and ECG recording during the VT and confirmed with electrophysiology study in some cases. RESULTS: There were 42 men and 24 women (mean age: 50.218.9 years). The most common presenting symptom was palpitation (n=30), which was followed by dyspnea (n=18), syncope (n=11), sudden death (n=5). Five patients had no specific symptom. Underlying disease was coronary artery disease in 18 (27.3%) patients, dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 11 (16.7%), valvular heart disease in 7 (10.6%), myocarditis in 3 (4.5%), but absent in 20 (30.3%). Idiopathic VT (n=16) usually originated from either right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT, 56.3%) or left ventricular septum (LVS, 31.3%). One-year cardiac mortality rate was 43.8% in coronary artery disease (n=16), 20.0% in cardiomyopathy (n=10), 33.3% in valvular heart disease (n=6), but zero in idiopathic VT (n=19). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that idiopathic VT may be the most common type of VT in Korea and usually originates from either RVOT or LVS. The response to medical therapy is poor in VT with underlying heart disease but excellent in idiopathic VT.
Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Electrocardiography ; Electrophysiology ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Myocarditis ; Outpatients ; Syncope ; Tachycardia, Ventricular* ; Ventricular Septum

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: With the prolonged life expectancy and changes in dietary habits in Korea, the number and percentage of elderly patients with ischemic heart disease(IHD) has been increased. Primary success rate and long-term clinical outcomes of elderly patients were compared with younger patients, who underwent coronary artery stent(CAS). MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 379 patients, who underwent CAS at Chonnam National University Hospital from January 1993 to June 1998, was performed. Clinical characteristics, lipid profiles, coronary angiographic findings, success rates and in-hospital mortality rates and follow-up coronary angiographic findings of elderly patients older than 70 years (Group I; n=1, 73+/-4 years) were compared with the patients under the age of 70 years (Group II; n=88, 56+/-11 years). RESULTS: Female was more prevalent in Group I than Group II (41/91, 45.1% vs. 57/288, 19.9%, P < 0.001). Ejection fraction was lower in Group I than in Group II (56.9+/-6.4 vs. 63.8+/-15.3 %, P < 0.05) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was higher in Group I (17.9+/-7.9 vs. 14.0+/-7.7 mmHg, respectively P < 0.05) than in Group II. There were no significant differences in the distribution of the risk factor except for smoking (Group I; 26/91, 28.6% vs Group II; 130/288, 45.3%, P < 0.05). Lesion and procedural characteristics were not different between two groups. Primary success rate of Group I was 94.5%(86/91) and 96.5%(278/288), which were not different between two groups. On follow-up coronary angiogram, restenosis rate was not different between two groups (Group I: 9/37, 24.37% vs. Group II 50/154, 32.5%, P=S). CONCLUSION: The initial success rate and restenosis rate of coronary stenting in the elderly patients are not different from those of younger group. Thus coronary stent can be performed effectively in elderly patients.
Aged* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Food Habits ; Heart ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Life Expectancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stents*

BACKGROUND: Coronary stenting is one of the most effective methods of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in the treatment of intimal dissection and prevention of restenosis after balloon angioplasty. However, coronary stent restenosis still remains a major clinical limitation. METHODS: Three hundreds seventy three patients who underwent coronary stent implantations and follow-up coronary aniograms at Chonnam National University Hospital between June 1996 and December 1999, were divided into two groups: 123 patients with restenosis (Group A: 98 male, 25 female, 58.5+/-9.4 year-old) and 240 patients without restenosis (Group B: 193 male, 47 female). RESULTS: The prevalence of clinical diagnosis and risk factors for the atherosclerosis were not different between two groups. The indications for stenting and stent types, reference vessel diameter and minimal luminal diameter before stenting were not different. However, stent length was 23.4+/-7.57 mm in Group A and 20.8+/-6.58 mm in Group B, which were longer in Group A than in Group B (p=001). By multiple logistic regression analysis for the independent predictive factors for stent restenosis, the long stent more than 25mm in length was the only significant predictive factor after correction according to age, sex, risk factor, lipid profiles (OR=2.590, 95% C.I.=1.40-4.78). CONCLUSION: The long coronary stent more than 25 mm in length is a predictive factor of restenosis after coronary stenting.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Phenobarbital ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stents*

BACKGROUND: Vasovagal syncope has been believed to account for the majority of syncope of unknown origin (SUO). Head-up tilt test (HUT) has been well recognized as a useful test in the evaluation of SUO. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of HUT to develop a less time-consuming test protocol and get an information on the pathophysiology of vasovagal syncope. METHODS: Eighty five patients (mean age, 43+/-18 years: 47 men, 38 women) underwent a 80 degree HUT without or with isoproterenol infusion (2 migcrogram/min and 5 migcrogram/min, each for 6 minutes) for unexplained syncope or pre-syncope. Positive HUT was defined as symptomatic hypotension (systolic blood pressure < or = 80 mm Hg) and/or symptomatic bradycardia (< or = 45/min for > or = 10 seconds) or asystole > or = 3 seconds. The patients were divided into two groups according to the result of the HUT: Group I included 47 patients (M:F=25:22) with positive result, Group II, 38 patients (M:F=22:16) with negative result. RESULTS: Group I patients had more episodes of syncope than Group II (3.1+/-2.5/year vs. 2.0+/-2.1/year, p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) at the baseline supine position. BP after tilt was not significantly different between 2 groups except for systolic BP at 6 minutes after tilt, which was significantly lower in Group I than Group II (109.5+/-17.5 mm Hg vs. 118.1+/-18.2 mm Hg, p<0.05).However, HR after tilt was significantly faster in Group I than Group II (81.1+/-15.1/min vs. 74.2+/-14.9/min, p<0.05 at 2 minutes after tilt; 83.7+/-14.4/min vs. 74.6+/-14.7/min, p<0.01 at 4 minutes after tilt). The increase in HR was greater in Group I than Group II (19.9+/-12.6/min vs. 12.8+/-10.6/min, p<0.001). In the prediction of positive HUT with HR rise above 14/min during the early 6 minute of baseline head-up tilting, the specificity, sensitivity, and positive predictive value were 63.2%, 70.2%, and 70.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with SUO, positive HUT can be predicted with the early HR response during head-up tilt. This result shows that vasovagal syncope is triggered by exaggerated HR response to the decreased venous return and allow us to develop a less time-consuming HUT protocol.
Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Isoproterenol ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Supine Position ; Syncope* ; Syncope, Vasovagal