A 41‐year‐old man presenting with unstable angina was found to have diffuse coronary ectasia with a partially occluding thrombus in the proximal left anterior descending artery. Anticoagulation with heparin followed by warfarin resulted in relief of angina and resolution of thrombosis at follow‐up angiography 3.5 months later. The patient remains well after three years. Nonatherosclerotic ectatic coronary arteries are prone to thrombosis possibly because of spasm, intimal damage, and blood current eddies. We believe that chronic warfarin therapy may be indicated in many patients with coronary ectasia.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第21252号 / 医博第4370号 / 新制||医||1029(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 川上 浩司, 教授 中山 健夫, 教授 小池 薫 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

INTRODUÇÃO: As doenças cardiovasculares representam uma importante causa de morte mundial. Geralmente, são a primeira causa, não só em países desenvolvidos, como também em desenvolvimento. Pacientes com Síndrome Coronária Aguda (SCA) sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (SST) apresentam ampla variação do risco para ocorrência de óbito ou eventos isquêmicos recorrentes. Determinar o risco da ocorrência desses eventos adversos é importante para a triagem inicial na seção de emergência, assim como para identificar os que se beneficiam de condutas mais agressivas, dispendiosas e de maior morbidade e mortalidade. OBJETIVO: Realizar um modelo simples de estratificação de risco, facilmente aplicável no Departamento de Emergência, em uma população brasileira não selecionada de ensaios clínicos com o uso de variáveis clínicas, eletrocardiográficas, bioquímicas e biomarcadores plasmáticos. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: É um estudo prospectivo de pacientes com SCA sem SST recrutados de 1 de julho de 2004 a 31 de outubro de 2006. Foram submetidos a seguimento de 14 e 30 dias para análise do desfecho de morte por todas as causas, infarto (re-infarto) e revascularização miocárdica urgente por isquemia recorrente e de 180 dias para o desfecho de morte por todas as causas. Excluíram-se os pacientes com bloqueios de ramo, ritmo de marcapasso, ritmo de fibrilação atrial e os com episódio isquêmico secundário a causas não cardíacas. Para o modelo de desenvolvimento, optou-se pelo desfecho de morte por todas as causas ou infarto (re-infarto) em até 30 dias. Dados da história clínica, exame físico, eletrocardiograma da admissão, hemograma, bioquímica e biomarcadores plasmáticos foram selecionados para uma análise exploratória. As variáveis que apresentassem nível de significância menor que 10% na análise exploratória ou que fossem consideradas de relevância clínica, foram submetidas a um modelo de regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: A população de desenvolvimento foi de 1.027 pacientes, sendo 589 homens (57,4%) e média de idade de 61,55 anos (± 0,35). O desfecho combinado de morte ou infarto (re-infarto) em 30 dias ocorreu em 54 pacientes (5,3%). Em decorrência do fenômeno de multicolinearidade entre a depressão do segmento ST e a troponina I cardíaca, estas variáveis foram combinadas. Foram identificadas sete variáveis prognósticas: idade em anos; antecedentes pessoais de diabete melito ou acidente vascular cerebral; não uso de inibidor da enzima conversora da angiotensina; combinação de elevação da troponina I cardíaca e depressão do segmento ST; creatinina sérica. O C statistic para o modelo de desenvolvimento foi de 0,78 e para o Escore de Risco Dante Pazzanese foi de 0,74. CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes com SCA sem SST, o Escore de Risco Dante Pazzanese mostrou-se de fácil execução, com alto valor preditivo para eventos cardiovasculares em 30 dias de evolução, orientando o prognóstico e o tratamento desses pacientes. Pode ser fonte de informações à equipe médica, ao paciente e a seus familiares, englobando importante informação prognóstica. / BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are usually the leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Patients with non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at varying degrees of risk for death and recurrent ischemic events. It is important that the risk for these adverse events be determined for the initial screening at the emergency department, as well as for identifying patients who may benefit from treatment options that are more aggressive, expensive and associated with higher morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple risk-stratification model, easily performed in the Emergency Department setting, based on a non-selected Brazilian sample of clinical trials using clinical, electrocardiographic, and biochemical variables, as well as plasma biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of patients with NSTE-ACS recruited from July 1 2004 to October 31 2006. Patients were followed up for 14 and 30 days to assess the endpoints of all-cause mortality, infarction (reinfarction), and urgent myocardial revascularization due to recurrent ischemia, and for 180 days to assess all-cause mortality. Patients with bundle branch blocks, pacemaker rhythm, or atrial fibrillation were excluded from the study, as were those with ischemic episodes of non-cardiac causes. For the model under development the endpoint chosen was all-cause mortality or infarction (reinfarction) up to 30 days. Data on clinical history, physical examination, admission electrocardiogram, blood cell count, biochemistry, and plasma biomarkers were selected for an exploratory analysis. Variables with a significance level of less than 10% on the exploratory analysis or considered clinically relevant were included in a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: The study population included 1027 patients, of which 589 were men (57.4%). Mean age was 61.55 (± 0.35). Fifty-four patients (5.3%) reached the endpoints of death and/or infarction (reinfarction) within 30 days. Due to the multicolinearity phenomenon between ST-segment depression and cardiac troponin I, these variables were combined. Seven prognostic variables were identified, namely, age in years, past history of diabetes mellitus or stroke, nonuse of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, increased cardiac troponin I levels combined with ST-segment depression; and serum creatinine. The C-statistic for the model was 0.78, and for the Dante Pazzanese Risk Score was 0.74. CONCLUSION: In non-ST-segment elevation ACS patients, the Dante Pazzanese Risk Score proved to be easy to perform, with a high predictive value for cardiovascular events at 30 days, guiding prognosis and treatment of these patients. It may be a source of information for the medical team, the patients and their families, including important prognostic data.

ABSTRACT The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac, has been associated with a high risk for cardiovascular events in observational studies. However, majority of studies identifying this association were conducted when diclofenac was the only NSAID that could be obtained as a combination product (i.e., formulated with misoprostol). As a result, channelling bias might have resulted if prescribers selected the combination of diclofenac/misoprostol (Diclo-Miso) in patients with poor health status frequently than other NSAID products. The main purpose of this study was to identify evidence for channelling bias in a cohort of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) prescribed NSAIDs. Three independent, retrospective analyses were carried out using Saskatchewan’s health administrative databases. Patients were eligible if they were hospitalized with CHD event between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2008. In the first analysis, a time series was conducted to examine trends in the use of NSAIDs following discharge from original hospitalization. In the second analysis, multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to identify characteristics of patients prescribed with Diclo-Miso in comparison to single-entity diclofenac. Finally, a nested case-control study was conducted to examine the risk for recurrent myocardial infarction (MI)/ Unstable Angina (UA) or death among patients prescribed with Diclo-Miso versus single-entity diclofenac. For each case, up to five controls were matched by age and sex. Between 1994 and 2008, NSAIDs were used by 20.1% (3,099/15,393) of patients in the year following discharge from their original MI/UA hospitalization. Use of these agents was relatively stable until 2004 when the COX-2 selective agent rofecoxib was withdrawn from the market. Following this date (i.e., September 30, 2004), the use of Diclo-Miso and single-entity diclofenac appeared to follow different trends. However, available patient and disease specific factors could not explain diverging utilization trends. Further, no differences were observed in the risk of experiencing recurrent MI/UA between patients receiving Diclo-Miso (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.72-1.08, p=0.22) or single-entity diclofenac (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60-1.00, p=0.06) versus patients not exposed to NSAIDs. Based on the study’s result, channelling bias does not appear to be a major threat to the analysis of cardiovascular toxicity of diclofenac products.

INTRODUÇÃO: As doenças cardiovasculares representam uma importante causa de morte mundial. Geralmente, são a primeira causa, não só em países desenvolvidos, como também em desenvolvimento. Pacientes com Síndrome Coronária Aguda (SCA) sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (SST) apresentam ampla variação do risco para ocorrência de óbito ou eventos isquêmicos recorrentes. Determinar o risco da ocorrência desses eventos adversos é importante para a triagem inicial na seção de emergência, assim como para identificar os que se beneficiam de condutas mais agressivas, dispendiosas e de maior morbidade e mortalidade. OBJETIVO: Realizar um modelo simples de estratificação de risco, facilmente aplicável no Departamento de Emergência, em uma população brasileira não selecionada de ensaios clínicos com o uso de variáveis clínicas, eletrocardiográficas, bioquímicas e biomarcadores plasmáticos. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: É um estudo prospectivo de pacientes com SCA sem SST recrutados de 1 de julho de 2004 a 31 de outubro de 2006. Foram submetidos a seguimento de 14 e 30 dias para análise do desfecho de morte por todas as causas, infarto (re-infarto) e revascularização miocárdica urgente por isquemia recorrente e de 180 dias para o desfecho de morte por todas as causas. Excluíram-se os pacientes com bloqueios de ramo, ritmo de marcapasso, ritmo de fibrilação atrial e os com episódio isquêmico secundário a causas não cardíacas. Para o modelo de desenvolvimento, optou-se pelo desfecho de morte por todas as causas ou infarto (re-infarto) em até 30 dias. Dados da história clínica, exame físico, eletrocardiograma da admissão, hemograma, bioquímica e biomarcadores plasmáticos foram selecionados para uma análise exploratória. As variáveis que apresentassem nível de significância menor que 10% na análise exploratória ou que fossem consideradas de relevância clínica, foram submetidas a um modelo de regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: A população de desenvolvimento foi de 1.027 pacientes, sendo 589 homens (57,4%) e média de idade de 61,55 anos (± 0,35). O desfecho combinado de morte ou infarto (re-infarto) em 30 dias ocorreu em 54 pacientes (5,3%). Em decorrência do fenômeno de multicolinearidade entre a depressão do segmento ST e a troponina I cardíaca, estas variáveis foram combinadas. Foram identificadas sete variáveis prognósticas: idade em anos; antecedentes pessoais de diabete melito ou acidente vascular cerebral; não uso de inibidor da enzima conversora da angiotensina; combinação de elevação da troponina I cardíaca e depressão do segmento ST; creatinina sérica. O C statistic para o modelo de desenvolvimento foi de 0,78 e para o Escore de Risco Dante Pazzanese foi de 0,74. CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes com SCA sem SST, o Escore de Risco Dante Pazzanese mostrou-se de fácil execução, com alto valor preditivo para eventos cardiovasculares em 30 dias de evolução, orientando o prognóstico e o tratamento desses pacientes. Pode ser fonte de informações à equipe médica, ao paciente e a seus familiares, englobando importante informação prognóstica. / BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are usually the leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Patients with non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at varying degrees of risk for death and recurrent ischemic events. It is important that the risk for these adverse events be determined for the initial screening at the emergency department, as well as for identifying patients who may benefit from treatment options that are more aggressive, expensive and associated with higher morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To develop a simple risk-stratification model, easily performed in the Emergency Department setting, based on a non-selected Brazilian sample of clinical trials using clinical, electrocardiographic, and biochemical variables, as well as plasma biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of patients with NSTE-ACS recruited from July 1 2004 to October 31 2006. Patients were followed up for 14 and 30 days to assess the endpoints of all-cause mortality, infarction (reinfarction), and urgent myocardial revascularization due to recurrent ischemia, and for 180 days to assess all-cause mortality. Patients with bundle branch blocks, pacemaker rhythm, or atrial fibrillation were excluded from the study, as were those with ischemic episodes of non-cardiac causes. For the model under development the endpoint chosen was all-cause mortality or infarction (reinfarction) up to 30 days. Data on clinical history, physical examination, admission electrocardiogram, blood cell count, biochemistry, and plasma biomarkers were selected for an exploratory analysis. Variables with a significance level of less than 10% on the exploratory analysis or considered clinically relevant were included in a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: The study population included 1027 patients, of which 589 were men (57.4%). Mean age was 61.55 (± 0.35). Fifty-four patients (5.3%) reached the endpoints of death and/or infarction (reinfarction) within 30 days. Due to the multicolinearity phenomenon between ST-segment depression and cardiac troponin I, these variables were combined. Seven prognostic variables were identified, namely, age in years, past history of diabetes mellitus or stroke, nonuse of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, increased cardiac troponin I levels combined with ST-segment depression; and serum creatinine. The C-statistic for the model was 0.78, and for the Dante Pazzanese Risk Score was 0.74. CONCLUSION: In non-ST-segment elevation ACS patients, the Dante Pazzanese Risk Score proved to be easy to perform, with a high predictive value for cardiovascular events at 30 days, guiding prognosis and treatment of these patients. It may be a source of information for the medical team, the patients and their families, including important prognostic data.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A identificaÃÃo dos principais diagnÃsticos de enfermagem presentes nos pacientes com Angina InstÃvel contribui para o conhecimento do perfil de respostas humanas destes pacientes, colaborando para o planejamento de intervenÃÃes mais adequadas, viabilizando a sistematizaÃÃo da assistÃncia de enfermagem. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o perfil de diagnÃsticos de enfermagem apresentado por pessoas com Angina InstÃvel internadas em um hospital especializado em doenÃas cardÃacas. A populaÃÃo foi composta pelos clientes portadores do diagnÃstico de Angina InstÃvel, sob atendimento nesse hospital. Trata-se de estudo descritivo do tipo transversal, com abordagem de anÃlise quantitativa. Foram avaliados 57 pacientes com Angina InstÃvel, no perÃodo de janeiro a outubro de 2006. O instrumento de coleta foi um formulÃrio preenchido durante entrevista e exame fÃsico. Estes pacientes sÃo predominantemente do sexo masculino, com mÃdia de idade de 61 anos, sem companheiro, originÃrios do interior do estado do Cearà e procedentes da capital do estado. TÃm renda familiar prÃxima a 650 reais, tendo estudado por volta de quatro anos, pertencentes à religiÃo catÃlica e a maioria està aposentada. O tempo de internamento desses pacientes atà a coleta dos dados foi de, em mÃdia, cinco dias e estavam, em sua maioria, no primeiro episÃdio de Angina InstÃvel. Verificamos que as principais caracterÃsticas clÃnicas de base foram: HipertensÃo Arterial, Fumo, Cateterismo cardÃaco anterior e Menopausa. A mÃdia da RelaÃÃo Cintura-Quadril desses indivÃduos estava dentro do risco considerado alto, independente do sexo e da idade e a maior parte dos pacientes estava acima do peso ideal para a altura e a compleiÃÃo corporal. Constatamos que esses pacientes apresentavam em mÃdia, cinco diagnÃsticos de enfermagem, doze caracterÃsticas definidoras, quatro fatores relacionados, e sete fatores de risco. Examinamos que os diagnÃsticos de enfermagem mais freqÃentes eram decorrentes do quadro anginoso ou favoreciam seu surgimento, sendo o diagnÃstico de Risco de quedas o mais presente. Os fatores relacionados mais presentes eram relacionados aos diagnÃsticos de Dor aguda, IntolerÃncia à atividade, PadrÃo de sono perturbado e Estilo de vida sedentÃrio. Neste estudo tivemos a oportunidade de identificar aspectos do cuidado ao paciente anginoso possÃveis de serem aprimorados, por meio da anÃlise dos diagnÃsticos de enfermagem. Isso pode contribuir para conscientizar e incentivar a enfermagem na execuÃÃo de mais estudos cientÃficos nÃo sà com relaÃÃo à Angina InstÃvel, mas tambÃm alusivos a outras doenÃas isquÃmicas miocÃrdicas, alÃm de nortear a assistÃncia de enfermagem à populaÃÃo.

INTRODUÇÃO: A utilização de medidas diagnósticas e terapêuticas tem impacto significativo na morbidade e mortalidade associadas a síndromes miocárdicas isquêmicas instáveis (SIMI). A quantificação do uso destas medidas permite mensurar a qualidade no atendimento ao paciente por diferentes instituições de saúde, países ou regiões. Dados a respeito da utilização de medidas de desempenho no atendimento a pacientes com SIMI são escassos no Brasil, e a coleta de dados confiáveis a esse respeito é o objetivo do Registro Brasileiro de Síndromes Coronárias Agudas (BRACE). MÉTODOS: BRACE é um registo epidemiológico transversal, observacional de pacientes com SIMI. Para seleção dos hospitais foi adotada a metodologia de \"amostragem por conglomerados\", estratificada por região, característica de ensino (universitário ou não) e entidade mantenedora (público ou privado) para se obter uma imagem representativa de pacientes com SIMI no país. Escore de desempenho que varia de 0 a 100% foi desenvolvido para comparar os parâmetros estudados. As variáveis de desempenho isoladamente e as pontuações do escore foram comparados entre os tipos de instituições e a relação entre a pontuação de desempenho e os desfechos foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: 1.150 pacientes com idade média de 63 anos, 64% do sexo masculino, de 72 hospitais foram incluídos no registro. O escore desempenho médio para a população geral foi de 65,9% ± 20,1%. Instituições de ensino tiveram uma pontuação de desempenho significativamente mais elevada (71,4% ± 16,9%) em comparação com os hospitais não docentes (63,4% ± 21%; p < 0,001). A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 5,2%, e as variáveis que se correlacionaram significativamente e de forma independente com a mortalidade intra-hospitalar foram: idade - por ano (OR = 1,06, 95% IC 1,04-1,09, P < 0,001), doença renal crônica (OR = 3,59 , 95% IC 1,32-9,75, P= 0,012), angioplastia prévia (OR = 0,23, 95% IC 0,07-0,77, P= 0,017) e escore de desempenho - por ponto de aumento (OR = 0,97, 95% IC 0,96-0,98, P < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Os dados deste estudo demonstram que o uso de ferramentas de diagnóstico e abordagens terapêuticas para o tratamento das SIMI é distribuído de forma heterogênea e inferior ao ideal no Brasil, e que o escore de desempenho está associado de forma independente a mortalidade intrahospitalar / BACKGROUND: The use of diagnostic and therapeutic tools has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality associated with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Data about the utilization of ACS performance measures are scarce in Brazil, and improving its reliable collection is an objective of the Brazilian Registry in Acute Coronary syndromEs (BRACE). METHODS: BRACE is a cross-sectional, observational epidemiological registry of ACS patients. Stratified \"cluster sampling\" methodology was adopted to obtain a representative picture of ACS in the country. A performance score varying from 0 to 100 was developed to compare the studied parameters. The performance measures alone and the performance scores were compared between institutions, and the relationship between the performance score and outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: 1,150 patients median age 63 years, 64% male, from 72 hospitals were included in the registry. The mean performance score for the overall population was 65.9%±20.1%. Teaching institutions had a significantly higher performance score (71.4% ± 16.9%) compared to non-teaching hospitals (63.4% ± 21%; P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 5.2%, and the variables that correlated significantly and independently with in-hospital mortality included age - per year (OR=1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.09, P < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (OR=3.59, 95% CI 1.32-9.75, P=0.012), prior angioplasty (OR=0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.77, P=0.017) and performance score - per point increase (OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Data from this study demonstrate that use of diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for the management of ACS is heterogeneous and less than ideal in Brazil, and that performance score is independently associated with in-hospital mortality

<p>In unstable coronary artery disease (CAD) it still is a matter of debate which patients should undergo early revascularisation. In the FRISC II study (n=2457) an early invasive strategy was, compared to a primarily non-invasive strategy, associated with reduced mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) rates. However, in this heterogeneous group of patients, tools for an appropriate selection to revascularisation are needed.</p><p>From the FRISC II study we evaluated the prognosis, the angiographic extent of CAD and the effects of an early invasive strategy in relation to risk variables on admission.</p><p>The occurrence of ST depression and/or elevated levels of Troponin T were associated with a higher risk for death and MI, more severe CAD and also with a reduction of death or MI by the early invasive strategy.</p><p>Elevated levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (Il-6) were associated with a higher mortality but an unchanged MI rate. Elevated levels of Il-6, but not CRP, identified patients with a large reduction of mortality by the invasive strategy.</p><p>Age ≥ 70 years, male gender, diabetes, previous MI, ST depression and elevated levels of troponin and markers of inflammation were independently associated with an adverse outcome. The FRISC-score was constructed using these 7 variables. At FRISC-score ≥ 5 an early invasive strategy markedly reduced mortality and MI, at FRISC–score 3-4 death/MI was reduced, whereas in patients with a FRISC-score 0-2 neither mortality nor death/MI was influenced.</p><p>In unstable CAD, a non-invasive strategy seems justified only for patients at low risk, i.e. FRISC score < 2. In patients with intermediate and high risk, i.e. FRISC-score ≥ 3, an early invasive strategy is recommended.</p>

<p>This study evaluated the use of multi-lead ST-monitoring in the early assessment of patients with suspected or confirmed unstable coronary artery disease (UCAD).</p><p>At continuous 12-lead ECG (c12ECG), the definition of an ischemic episode as a transient ST-deviation ¡Ý0 for at least 1 minute resulted in a good observer agreement (kappa=0.72) and an acceptable incidence of postural ST-changes.</p><p>When c12ECG was performed from admission and for 12 hours in 630 patients with suspected UCAD, 16% had ischemic episodes. At 30 days, patients with episodes had a higher risk of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI) (10% vs. 1.5%). In a multivariate analysis, troponin T¡Ý0.10¦Ìg/l and presence of ischemic episodes were independent predictors of cardiac death or MI. When ST-monitoring and troponin T status were combined, patients could be divided into a low-, intermediate-, and high-risk group with 1%, 4% and 12% risk for cardiac death or MI at 30 days of follow up.</p><p>As a part of a multicenter trial, including patients with UCAD, 1016 patients underwent ST-monitoring with c12ECG or continuous vectorcardiography (cVCG). Ischemia was detected in 32% and 35%, respectively. When the groups with ischemia were compared, the groups were similar with respect to several clinical variables. Thus, these methods identify the same high-risk population.</p><p>Of the 629 patients treated non-invasively with extended treatment of low-molecular- weight heparin (LMWH) or placebo, 34% had ischemic episodes. In this group at 3 months, patients administered LMWH had a significantly lower risk of death, MI, or revascularization than patients treated with placebo (35.2% vs. 53.4%). In patients without transient ischemic episodes, the outcome in the LMWH and placebo group was similar.</p><p>Thus, multi-lead monitoring provides important prognostic information early after admission in this population, and seems to identify patients who benefit most from extended antithrombotic treatment.</p>

This study evaluated the use of multi-lead ST-monitoring in the early assessment of patients with suspected or confirmed unstable coronary artery disease (UCAD). At continuous 12-lead ECG (c12ECG), the definition of an ischemic episode as a transient ST-deviation ¡Ý0 for at least 1 minute resulted in a good observer agreement (kappa=0.72) and an acceptable incidence of postural ST-changes. When c12ECG was performed from admission and for 12 hours in 630 patients with suspected UCAD, 16% had ischemic episodes. At 30 days, patients with episodes had a higher risk of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI) (10% vs. 1.5%). In a multivariate analysis, troponin T¡Ý0.10¦Ìg/l and presence of ischemic episodes were independent predictors of cardiac death or MI. When ST-monitoring and troponin T status were combined, patients could be divided into a low-, intermediate-, and high-risk group with 1%, 4% and 12% risk for cardiac death or MI at 30 days of follow up. As a part of a multicenter trial, including patients with UCAD, 1016 patients underwent ST-monitoring with c12ECG or continuous vectorcardiography (cVCG). Ischemia was detected in 32% and 35%, respectively. When the groups with ischemia were compared, the groups were similar with respect to several clinical variables. Thus, these methods identify the same high-risk population. Of the 629 patients treated non-invasively with extended treatment of low-molecular- weight heparin (LMWH) or placebo, 34% had ischemic episodes. In this group at 3 months, patients administered LMWH had a significantly lower risk of death, MI, or revascularization than patients treated with placebo (35.2% vs. 53.4%). In patients without transient ischemic episodes, the outcome in the LMWH and placebo group was similar. Thus, multi-lead monitoring provides important prognostic information early after admission in this population, and seems to identify patients who benefit most from extended antithrombotic treatment.