Long-term prognosis of non-interventionally followed patients with isolated myocardial bridge and severe systolic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term prognosis of non-interventionally followed patients with myocardial bridge and angiographic milking of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery.


METHODS
All of the coronary angiography records from May 2000 to November 2007 were reevaluated and patients who had more than 70% narrowing during systole on LAD were eligible for the present study. Follow-up was carried out by physical examination, echocardiography, and treadmill exercise testing. The clinical situations of the patients, medical treatment at the time of follow-up, and experienced events (death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization) were recorded.


RESULTS
There were 59 eligible patients (44 male, 74.6%). The mean age of the patients was 54 +/- 11 years. The bridges were located in the proximal, mid, and distal portion of the LAD in 17 (28.8%), 20 (33.9%), and 22 (37.3%) patients, respectively. Distributions of the narrowing degree were as follows: between 70% to 89% in 33 (56%) patients and 90% to 100% in 26 (44%) patients. Mean follow-up duration of the group was 37 +/- 13 months (range 15-65 mo). The clinical presentation during follow-up was stable angina in 9 (15.3%) cases, atypical angina in 12 (20.3%), atypical chest pain in 13 (22%), dyspnea in 3 (5.1%), and syncope in 3 (5.1%) cases. There were no experienced events and/or hospitalizations related to cardiac disease. Echocardiographic examination revealed normal systolic ventricular function. Only 17 (28.8%) patients continued to use medication. Most of them were on beta-blocker therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with myocardial bridges and angiographic milking of the LAD coronary artery have a good long-term prognosis.
Ural
Ertan
E
Kocaeli University Medical Faculty, Department of Cardiology, Umuttepe/Kocaeli, Turkey.
Bildirici
Ulas
U
Celikyurt
Umut
U
Kilic
Teoman
T
Sahin
Tayfun
T
Acar
Eser
E
Kahraman
Göksel
G
Ural
Dilek
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002932:Cineangiography; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054084:Myocardial Bridging / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013575:Syncope / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents
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