The severity and pattern of coronary artery disease in patients referred for investigation of the disease was compared between Asian and white patients living in Birmingham, matched for age, sex, blood pressure, and duration of symptoms, to investigate the clinical impression that Asians have worse, in particular worse distal, coronary artery disease than whites. Risk factors and outcome were also examined. The coronary angiograms of 34 Asians were compared blindly and repeatedly with those of 68 whites by two independent observers. Coronary artery disease was found to be quantitatively more severe in Asians, but the distribution of the disease was the same. Some risk factors were significantly different: fewer Asians were smokers; fasting cholesterol concentrations were higher in whites; and whites were heavier, with a larger body surface area. Follow up data showed that more Asians were refused coronary artery bypass surgery because of the severity of their disease.
SUMMARY An evaluation of factors which may influence survival and mode of death was conducted over a three year period in a consecutive series of 50 patients with severe chronic ischaemic cardiac failure for more than three months. At the initial assessment all patients were already receiving intensive medical treatment. During follow up four patients successfully underwent cardiac surgery and medical treatment was modified in most patients, with four patients receiving antiarrhythmic drugs. Twenty six patients died: 17 suddenly within one hour of onset of symptoms and nine of progressive cardiac failure. The mortality by one year was 26% and by two years it was 62%. Comparison of those who survived with those who died within one year of follow up showed that a very low left ventricular ejection fraction, severe ventricular arrhythmias, the presence of gallop rhythm, and New York Heart Association class IV were the variables that predicted mortality. By two years left ventricular ejection fraction, ventricular arrhythmias, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were the variables that were significantly different in survivors and patients who died. No differences were found in' any of the recorded variables between those who died suddenly and those who did not.Thus in patients with chronic ischaemic cardiac failure determination of the left ventricular ejection fraction and the severity of ventricular arrhythmia on the ambulatory electrocardiogram are the best ways to predict prognosis. The presence of gallop rhythm and New York Heart Association class IV status predict early death.
1. Continuous intra-arterial ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure was recorded in 46 patients with mild to moderate hypertension under standardized conditions. M-mode echocardiography was performed after recording and left ventricular mass index calculated by standard formulae. 2. Systolic blood pressure from continuous recording was significantly correlated with left ventricular mass index (mean 24 h: r = 0.543, n = 45, P less than 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure exhibited a weaker but still significant correlation with left ventricular mass index (mean 24 h: r = 0.318, n = 45, P less than 0.05). Casual systolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with left ventricular mass index (r = 0.476, n = 46, P less than 0.001) but casual diastolic blood pressure did not correlate with left ventricular mass index (r = 0.245, n = 46). Awake blood pressure variability, age, resting plasma renin activity and resting plasma noradrenaline levels did not have a significant correlation with left ventricular mass index. 3. Nine patients were treated for 16 weeks with once-daily timolol and repeat ambulatory monitoring and M-mode echocardiography was performed with the same protocol. 4. Once-daily timolol provided good 24 h control of blood pressure and repeat echocardiography showed a reduction in left ventricular mass index in that group of patients (t = 2.59, P less than 0.05).
SUMMARYThe clinical effects of the oral beta, partial agonist, prenalterol, were investigated in 37 patients (29 male, eight female; mean age 57 years) with chronic ischaemic left ventricular failure using a placebo controlled randomised double blind protocol over six months. All patients were limited by dyspnoea (New York Heart Association class III) despite treatment with digoxin and diuretics. Twenty eight patients completed the protocol. Moderate clinical improvement was seen in the prenalterol group, whereas there was little change in the placebo group. Bicycle exercise capacity increased over six months in the prenalterol and placebo groups but only achieved statistical significance for prenalterol when compared with baseline values. Maximum exercise heart rate was significantly reduced in the prenalterol group compared with placebo. Radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction at rest and during exercise and cardiothoracic ratio showed nosignificant improvement in either group over six months. Prenalterol was well tolerated and produced no increase in frequency of angina or ventricular arrhythmias.Prenalterol produced clinical benefits and improved exercise tolerance while reducing exercise heart rate. A moderate placebo response was noted. The apparent beta blocking effect of prenalterol may be as important as the beta, agonist effect in producing these benefits. Prenalterol has, however, been withdrawn because of side effects in animals.The management of patients with chronic ischaemic left ventricular failure is often difficult and unsatisfactory and usually requires multiple drug treatment.1 The prognosis is poor despite treatment.2 The conventional management is with diuretics and cardiac glycosides,l and, although the role of cardiac glycosides remains controversial,34 recent studies have confirmed that some inotropic support is maintained in patients in sinus rhythm,5-7 especially those with an audible third heart sound.8 In the past decade there has been increasing interest in both vasodilatorRequests for reprints to Dr D R Glover,
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