Document 6424621
Transcription
Document 6424621
\\\ I ^> The New England 0031"'^^^' Journal of Medicine '°1120 tCoftri'te IW*. b; ibeMMHiSiuKiu MeSal Snrittj JUNE 6, 1974 Volume 290 PREDICTION OF CLINICAL CORONARY HEART DISEASE BY A TEST FOR THE CORONARY-PRONE BEHAVIOR. PATTERN C DAVID JESKIS*. PJIJX, RjtvH. Rosuaux, &&D., .«o STEPHEN J. ZYZANSKI, PH.D. Abstract Prosp»ct.w<i stud/ of 2750 employed men who competed a computer-scored last questionnaire measuring tha coronary-prone TypoADctiavlor pattern showed that high scorers had twice the incidence ol new coronary hsart disease as tow scorers over a fouryear pBriod. sub]tcts with dirfarant Initial clinical manlfostalions Of coronary dlstas* did not differ from one another In their Typ» A last scores. Th» double-blind design ol there studies and Ihe orderly relation ol Typ» A scores 10 coronary-disMso risk suggest thai th» coronary-prone benavior pattern is prospectively linked to 1(19 pathogenesis ot coronary heart disease. Tha find, ings also indicate that the test questionnaire used Is a valid means of measuring some of the ways in which behavior contributes lo coronary risk. (N Engl J Mad 280:1271-1275, 1974) S there a pattern or stvUsof behavior that, lite other Ipersons risk factors, permits prospective identification of at higherriskof development of clinical coro- urgency, acceleration of common activities, restlessness, hostility, hypernlcrlnew, cxplojiveness of speech amplitude, tenseness of facial musculature and feiilngs nary heart disease? Ifsucli a pattern exists, can it be re- of struggle against the limitations of time and the inliably identified clinically or, even more valuably, for sensitivity of the environment. This, torrent of lire is research and screening purposes, measured by some usually, but not aluny?,channeled into a vocation or automated means? profession with Midi dedication that Type A persnns Scientiticracarch. particularly in the past 15 years, often nedett oilier aipccia of their life, such as family has produced evidence giving afiirmaiu-e answers to and recreation. Not all aspects of this behavior pattern both these questions, Scientists in the Ctiited .State;, must be present simultaneously for a perron to be the Netherlands, Australia and Israel have Indepen- classified as ]»ssessingii.Thc pattern is not a personaldently reported empirical studies of patients with coro- ity tmit or a stress reaction, but rather the observable nary heart disease and control groups indicating that behavior thai emerges when a person predisposed by patients with coronary disease strive more diligently his character structure is confronted by a "triggering toward achievement, arc more psrfcctianisuc, tense situation." The converse of this behavior pattern, Type and unable 10 relax, put forth more effort and commit- H, is marked by an absence of Type A characteristics. ment to job or profession and are more active and enerThere is considerable evidence that the association getic than corresponding comparison groups.1 of this behavior pattern with coronary disease is genuThe Four eategonWof traits listed above ore compat- ine and noi due to artifact or sampling peculiarity. ible with cm another and. considered as a single syn- Several independent retrospective studies and a major prospective study now support tha association of the drome, approximate the •'coronary-prone behavior pattern" {Type A) as formulated by Friedman and Ro- ccronary-prrme Type A behavior pattern with dinic.il curonary diwa«. The prospective findings are from the ssnman. These investigators add the important intrreWestern Collaborative Group Study, which found dienu of aggressiveness and timtr urgency as essential 2 Type A itirn to have HibMantinlly higher incidence pins of ihe behavior pattern. Thus, the '"coronarypi one behavfor pattern" can br defined as an overt !:«• ratvs of romnary dfcenie inilependsnt of the contribuhavicr syndrome or styli- ol living characteriitd by ex. tion Irfmiitthrr rivVfc»-iw\from iii lint Tollcw-up re. p»rt until ir> tiii.il ri-|t«n coverinij S'» years «f !oni;ivesso ol* ininpriitirttirvs. suivin'{ tor achievement. av.sjrcMKrnc-; (somrtimo •stringently reprci^cd). lime luilm.ilIMJI. All ihrliRilimj-tfitiHlaredisciivnedmore fully in j i-frnl rei-a**? jWijli-r.1 ^•".iT.tl f.:>it»r» «i«-;r,!r(l ihs value ni drvrfopiiivra mint- nubK'uictl |um.-(l:irrforttai-rciinin'i b«"ha\irjr I*.|M- *1 |i.-i:itrr\:c.w ifcjutrrrl tr tiiti-il p«-r'.rifsrv:l, ccmtiii-jin.' vif itviuun ar.d alactl 1 » mim:t«<>f «-bri!u!^I npr">inii::r-n linn- prr ir.tt-ninv. Tbi» ja-nirdnr.* -."V Ilf^tr-. fci-Llii- |i:nt,!rtn^ «b^n l^r-^r nutilhrrv ill 'L-l.- . . ;. .•l^uZiZc.^-t'A'-.i] l*.ti*ftt»« I!jj!A^aJ i.H^»'.'m suhJTi. .in- m hi- .t irrn-l. j!:niimUi Jv .1 .r/n-mn-: ••!• - • I F M V I I V - I' •i"Rt£3i .'I "$*-..... r * l ^ - J - r i i j fc:5i\%|.; L--jJflTM».\M>. iill,-*C.M:'^"«:-..i.:'.'i. E....V3 I *n\ *i%»M V.*tiEj/-oll..-*»A.»l T1E0312192 »rt5 .#?*•; ".** v*- • wwtiwn .S'S IS72 JwicO,i!i74 THENeWESOLASDJOfRXAl.CJrMEDlCISB forts are decentralized to numerous locations. These limitations stimulated the development of a sclfadminittend t pa|»r-and-pencilquutionn«iretha(can JJMM>M«U»>'computer. Hrerious pnoKcaiionshave dc* * ^ R r f e i ^ % t initial development of ihis test questionnaire (the Jenldris Activity Survey), 4 the relation of ike Survey's scores to behavioMvpe"interview judgments and the ability or the test ( o discriminate between groups or patients with coronary heart disease and healthy subjects. 1 * T h e present report addresses itself to two fundamental issues regarding the adequacy of the self-administered, computer-scored test: whether the Survey is a reliable measure over lime, and whether it can identify prospectively persons at higher riskoTincurringan initial episode of clinical coronary disease. !iiisiti;(." lfciailrd dacriptru» «if tlte cTrveleptneiii cf tfte «.ulci hx\t been uublUlKd.1-* ScotitiR norms s«ie deris rd front all subjects in the Western CollitxitativrfSniipSipdyschacomptnedtlie l965Xunr\'.Euehcmn. putcnt icalr V4> standudicci] iv haic mean oTatJand a suttdatd dcsiaiiM of llLOin the aban population.Scores lit the potitise i\rcctiontgmnerihan 0>lndtcclcllieTvpeA dlrecUonjandKorcsIn the nc;aiiie direction ific Ttpe B direction. Otagnoa** al Carotusry Dluaaa Dr. Herman X UhTcy, chief of the Dcpartaiuil of Elecsrscar. diojwphy, Muunt Zion rftapital and Medical Center. Sjn r'ranch> 4.viM«ia^Kd«ltclcuUvU4ldiuyraru>riuiitca(iiiiJUtH]ofcaaQiiitatioin of (he Western Coltahoraure Group Study. AB the tracin» thai IK considered dennitelv or probably Indiutisvofrnyocardiiilinfarction vere referred ID Dr. Harold Ktrtenb'.um. then chief of HKdidne at Mount 2ion Hojpitil and Medical Center, whu served as indepen. drot nieiUcal rclcrce. The medical refexee judged die ptetence vt rnyocacdial hfatccion on the baits cf classic Q u a « pattern v Abnwmafitic* cT the ST scgwerri or T waics (or both} vere nut cuuidcred adequate RK diagnosb of dcSnile infarction. Mm with METHODS deftnitc anomalies ofehese types uere conddcrcd to be isaspect Study Population casoi*' iicrwever! and nxic excluded both front the group of new Tlsedata-oteprt^nledare derived trcmiVeWestrMCMIaocra* cases and from the control group free of coronary dixt-e. Attjina p>ctivitwasdarnr><edb>-nT-jnsofihfcriitriaofHebcr<te,l.Al<ach tlre Croup audi, which In I9604I Initialed nbmvailHi cf 313» tVcstera CcUa&craiK'c Group Study re^\»mlnailfln. subfeeu »<«e employ*!* faua 11 rfirpnrarinnl in California Subjem M « ytl ma tea between 3d and Si/years of age at the time of ihcirmdls-idual ad:ed abosit interim iHnrssct. pain, or diicnrnfrms in llic chest and utcof nieslicJl «cr%ices. Rcplkssugeesimspos*ibtcc*rducpfoblerns tfltry into the study. At'(ho IStt annual it-esamimuni r.l the croup, 3946. completed and ntltraed ill* IS© form of she Jenbbu mre referred 10 Dr. RMenbium.uf.neitli-r dirccdyor ihroucji the Activity Survey. aicspumcRte of 02 per cent. Of time, N»Jiad * ttudy Half obtainecj fiinhcr cttoical intbnraiion on each easr. This chnical intbrmation iaclucled dcuiltd contacts with the subject') record of clinical coronary divjase btfoic ratty into the ColLabora. penonal physician, hotpilal records, electronrdioeramt feoni phvsi. live Croup Study, and SI additional men Mi'tailied their First cpitode of corcrutr disease after inuVe bm brfxs campleiiiif lite Jen- etuis* cHiccs arid [rvspilals. the tile ul previous electrr^aidiosraois i3keniniheStudy.ajid.parrtcuIaiiyincat<soranF^rapcaoris;acU. am* Activity Sunay. (An additional tevtn IMA incvrrcdaeitte myocardial infarction in 1965 but after the datcol the annual examina- r«l interview ivith the patient u-hen rtecMsaryforclan!ieatuin.Xej. tion and die compietfanof the Survey.! a a prrvidui napfci hpic men Ihcr the phyticiatt lmoilcaion at the Siodj-r.o.- the independent ttl* were included stius all cthcrcases of coronary tttart disrate occurring ajnosticiatu at iheMou.it ZionHrxpiul and Medial Center Ine" the Jenkins Activity butvey xnrc> uf anr subjects dutina; the years after imaVebal before Dectmlxrjl. l9to."7he seven ax lurejivea thtsr mom prrctie>dciienit»ii a*ir.eidence eases sinre the 1965 Sur. that die diagnoses were made. ny).AiMalGf2f^subJeniricvorcornnarydneaseaithriimeo(taS;r'inal diagnosis of coronary disease u»s done In-dcpendtntly of th2thel9K3Suc\«yrnRncdtnKe70uprolInwrdtHrfiMtriean.ihrot>gli both the stiff of the Harold Brunn Institute (R.1I.K-) sod the t.'nithe end of 196). A more coraptru drxnptb.lorihc characteristics oT veni^' of l^uorth Carolina-Eostcn Univenlsy leans (Ci>J. and the stvdr papulation is $hw la an earlier itparlr SJ.Z.). Data ss'ere izat rvchanr^sd until nne or more' sears had cbr>scd. afterdLifriMes seere raade. ThK u-asa ''doabte.rjujid*' study in the full 3enie. Mvasurttmnl c! VarlAblti TheJenldntAciMiySuivtytiaiJediimn) it a Gl-jtemmultiple, choice quest isnaaire. preceded Tor cue and accuracy id keypunch. inf. The forms Here fitted out by lb* studs- vjbjects at ssurl; or at tome and rruitM directV so sWrern Ccllibocarive tlreup Kiudy wafT. Forms utre bet punched, serilfed and then pnxened directly cnan IBX( 3d) computer. Both die decks ulcaidi rmMinuig item responses and tr.nc containing scores tv shefo'jrSurscs states »»ere stored at the Schot] id Public Hejtih at IhrL'nuenin 0l>r.;th Carolina. Z\*o results u«rc ccmnwrucatfd to stiidt -ubpvis Respmsse* to the Survey HerefirststciQhKi] and lliea -cored acmrrlinrjinshefinir-rparalr trrstes. llp-TspeA \rutr ssas«!esii;iird r>slcldknottr.d! mcvureof llico-rwsors.jirunr bshaipv {Altera It was denied IV nirjiw «]fa di\trinsinArtt.fii.Vii!o vqMi'Jtti tuo-d on the items ib.-.l be»l <li*cnnrinai<.i men jm'^ed tn !:•* *l» pe \ Imr.i these fjiiffd aiTspr II b; nica'is.iif tlKC&xrat i»irnim It luv, brcnshtMMT.id'ipheati' tlirj3>rne*. |wl~ue:sloJ'h'''s.lsi«' tvjiei«i t'*e\Sri:emOiEw:t»*fr,m"rl''liMiJ»*.'.;3!* m7Sz«-iCci:l*«t'p'*Mt-l> III ?f!dlt:i::i to the l'ii:f.\ hij!.*. ll.i/r Ji.i.ir-^:uKti.«!^ t>mi*1di ir*e iM.ii.<i^M(,ri.t lb.*! furt- fj^rii t...iiult»fji.frl^it«^!k w i V f - m ^ n t rsirajtMn^nlfc'* the 'i'l-Ii. A |Mi»i>».i'ilk 1'Ii^ a ; « i.i3!iii..L^nt i!rrfl«i.ii'itl>r ti^.1* in £*"-.% .r:*l C r - . 1 ^ t.l t.^ I'liL^aTits lr\i*.« ( Ml* t |V*!*!»••»! V > » - " i . J tirj.itiesar 1 '•<" t !- \ v •••» IK.I.%*^-! "It^.M.i-jI.M^j*^-.1 . ^ ^ M : J..'» Ti •*P'^1..M1 i.tiri.i»f». t \ RHSU*LTS Relli&iHly A measure designed to predict a future outenms cnit achiev/j vs-orthwhile predictiv* itrength only if its reliability is Irish. I'trr ottr purpose, a test l o predict future coronary disease must fjive stabb readings o\er lime and results thai are ecjuintient hetsyeen different raters ordilfercnt formiof tlieitat.'J'ite 1965, ISM and l?G9 ctiiiiontcftlifjentiitis Activity Sunev-cojitaitiedacoie" nficlrntical ileitis', but caih uihsequeni edctiun alvo ei;ntnined i'ex'isitniHorc^rlierspicstioiis and itvstly prejsarrrj itcrrrs. t'ttrllicrmnr*:. the *.ci!r< for r;y-li lot sscri* itidepeiKlemly cteris'ed. This prccedstre re&ulted irr su]i:eu}i;u difKrenl itcmc and sits'ally (lilhTctit siaiisii{.sl nri!;hn tnr thr saint* itrrtft m5:ti» inrn cavlt »rj!e I'JI c.:i h \r;sr. Tin- tfNt-«-!r<i .-i.rribti in r»—!!if5r*rr. li.r O.tiv- i,{ li^^i- M is!r-\ tl^r T*. pt* A Jif..!i\ "Sprrtl itlitl biip.l t i n s . *-*"ainI " J . ^ i i i s - c i i s fnern:"" rmr***^n1*~**r | |t ^ A »•; l^.!. ..| ^••t.<-.1. 1>*4t !• •• • .i^. .'^.. ^ .,, HIHI f l > ! t r t t f s l l . » I ' . I • J • • ' ; » • % " • • . : > • • . - " . 1 " ^ • ! - - , « • . • . . . I • • " - : iii.; l m < a a J A ? i » . - - - , » « M . - • • . . - a l l 1 . ' ^ - : i f t . r . t ! K r . n - \ s j n : ; . n l ' a c n i t - r n tl issitrili \ . . i l r . iht- *-JI.«<l t,} IJJIS . . - *>i.t!r.' 1J-»*I •l.^*tTit f-.v.rr t r i ' . . S i:.,»-i. M T r . t ; I —-*. »*i«.'-.".«rCA^.-_ TIE0312193 w BEHAVIORAL WtEDICTtONOy HEART DISEASE-JENKINS F.T AI» Vol. EM »n2J from 0-3ti tr>0.6Q. The test-retest coefficients between the 1955 and 1969 form* administered a t a four-year Interval are not appreciably-lower than those between the 13(55 and 1966 farms, g i v e n one year apart. The scores associated with the coronary-prone T y p e A paltern arc thus shown to be stable over lime, with 90 per centofpcrsonstiavinglesithan 10 prjintsdifference between (heir 1963 Surrey and t h e separately standard* ized form that ihey took in 1969. Prediction c! IMUal MinVtsUIen ol Clkdcal Coronary Hurt Oliiaaa T h e predictive validity of the Jenkins Activity Survey for identifying persuns in whom clinical coronary disease subsequently developed is shown in Table I. Among the 2750 men free of clinical coronary disease w h o rook the Survey in 1965, 120 subjects had coronary disease before the end of 1 9 6 9 . T h « e subjects are compared with a control sample selected by the following procedure. A 20 percent random satnpleof the remaining men was drawn, and those Sited as having a history of coronary disease or suspect coronary disease (by electrocardiogram) were removed. Thus, the 524 Tabla t- Meaftiof S e c t s Inft»W»»tMnCo9*bOMHv»Group Study lor F/osp»cti™ C a w OT Coconuy H»art P i u a u and lh« Control Group. S,«t t>r»A S,->{eJft:.njjil!n.« h<h in>c».ji!«ai llArdt!:mn4 ITIil 02) -0.« OS •thia'Jirtnitnit&mcmmi'l&iaxtutr cvsr i :o 6A1 -0.4) C1M30U* 15311 CIS 0.01 on IOM'H14«a«^(a^«it>tV. 'p - Ml it-ub>r"HWi*tia} control subjects shown In Table 1 v.«re known to be still free of coronary disease at the end of the 1369 follotv-up interval. Men in whom coronary disease developed after testing scored on average or +• 1.70 on ihe Type A Scab, whereas, the control group's average score was slightly less than the population mean ofO.Ofp «• 0.01. by onetailed probability test). It should be noted, however, that the absolute magnitude of the deference was not lar;;r. Xwteof the scoreson the scales derived by factcr tmalisU >ha\«d -significant differences between cases and t'/uiroli. 'Hi- viiiir rl.ua are analyzed in iircspeciFve desisjn in l'it;-U"* 1.in which Mibjrcisarc i«nnsped by thairTjpt: A MI.--, ,:1i;.nned in 1SI>> The- average annual iVifid-.-iuo-.l iphial cancan-duraw rpmxles \»34 plotted hir ruh ji'-rmip *|"w Lite ul ivw mronaiy di.rjw ».»-.!n I I - J L I E I I luvi:i{T>pi- \ vn.n*>-tn-.iii-r i!..«:i ',': :n.I!.n.-k!isin:rnwith»r/>r«,'»1li.»i> -"»!' Mm %*lt' •• .••»«-.i.~"iihiMfi.ilii!*vhjiliB"intrilfjn«iiir».• .'v ' 1 . ; •* .1:1 lilfTitl-- 'It:*" -..uisr- r-JH«-m nri-vai!rtl ;.!• i « » - • • » !•) \rar> • • ! . » ! - -in"! -•"• i h t w i>) en V) - .:• -• • . - ii •'.!*• n n i r . i i 1 «Vm< thr :'..•»» J-"nki;i, Ar<rM*j»t^.- ^--*.-' 1213 ^ AGE SQ> U Z Alt. AGES a AOE 4 0 - 4 9 tu O z H < z z < «-5,0 -5.0-S.O >S.O JAS TYPE A SCORE Figure 1. tr.cicenceol Coronary Heart Diseasa among Wtsiwn CoHaborali»»t3rou» Study Msn According to Ass and Jenkins Activity Survey <JAS) Typ» A Sccrn. tlvity Survey. T h e approximate: parallelism o f the two lines indicates that the uvoage decadesstudied showed similar degrees or association between T y p e A.scorea and the risk of new coronary disease. T h e two age decades hxd similar distribution of Survey scores, in addition to apparently similar regression Df rates of coronary kearl disease on the Type A score. T h e regression for die entire age range o r + t to 64 years (at the time of testing) is appreciably different from lero (p «• 0.0'J). Thedrparturefromalinear relation is negligible (Table i). This findin? was determined by the chisquatc tot as modified by Cochran and Armitage to test for linear trends.*" T h e questiDii was then asked whether men with different presenting sympiunis of coronary disease, such as acme myocardial infarction, "silent" and clinically unrecognized infarction or classic angina pectoris (without electrocardiographic or other evidence of infarction), would differ in their distributions of Jenkins Activity Survey scores. Table 3 shows that men with any one of thess three initiil presentations of coronary disease showed elevated scares o n the T y p e A scale. T h e three group means are not significantly different. There is more variability between the group means on the three factor scores, but in n o case did this reach statistical significance. The "Hard-Driving" score seemed to be higher in m e n with o n l y angina pectoris and rm •Si m •M Tabla 2. lncM*nc« cf Corenity Hi art Dlsiasa among Uta In lh9 Stuoy Group by Typ» A Score. JitciM vrarrv \ t a i f *l*i>tr«| - >« «nt« so ION HI 7 11} m l*lll S •' . -to \ 1 «i>-^'>i J .<w-i!JdLa T1S0312194 SSL- THE S W ENGLAND JOVKXAUOF MKDKS.NE ISM June 6,197* Tc*l« 3. u*anJ«itfein> Activity Survty Scores. c4 129 C a m o! lnows only the independent variables «ftd the other CoKMisiyOistaM According (a Typ*. only the dependent variables protects against, conM%oCAiattL Mieoxtru tvr.uKin*. l\raitjo* IW INI T)T*A S;<*1.6inp'ii«nc* fdblnvfrhrnis.il H»cS iMiSr.j 1.45 -o.« -6.il Ui» 2J.t Ml -0.16 -MB IJS» I.M l.» -I0J :si on aw U03 IK ss« xs NS NS »X.-I . W v & M W quite low in those with unrecognized myocardial infarction. This difference may deserve further attention in larger samples, la summary, then, men with these three subtype* of coronary disease did not differ systematically on the Jenkins Activity Survey. DISCUSSION •] I :J •i •1 In this study, a self-administered psychologic test based on clinical concepts and interpreted by a computer has predicted future emergence or coronary disease. The lest, thejenJdtil Activity Survey, Is based on the conceptual formulation of Ihc coronary-prone behavjorpaltem,Type A, as developed by Friedman and Rosenman since 1959. Psychologic and epidemiologic methods were used to develop the test questionnaire and to study its properties in populations. Tin.- methods «f thi» Atudy were designed to overcome many of the common weaknesses found in clinicalresearch.The study reportedsharcs many of the following mcthudolDgic feature! with the Wntern Collaborative Group Study, of which it is a pare FirstofalLthsprescntstudy Is prospective. The data reported are based on the study population of men found to bo free of coronary disease at the time or the 1955 Collaborative Group Study annual reexamination. Completing the Jenkins Activity Surrey was part of this examination. Surveillance for the development of new coronary disease was continued OVM the tiRXt four years. Ths prospective design protects the study against false inference* caused by selective survival or study subjects and reiroipcctlve bUucs known to be presentforsomekindsof variables when patients try to recall their premorbid experiences and attitudes. Secondly, this was a double-blind nudy. Ths investlryitort wh.n developer! and scored the Junkins Activity Surveyfcnr'.vonly the study subject's hlemificaiiw number and at;e, and did not participate in tlw IOIIJWUJ» imrstijatiuti «f ths? >idijscts nr in the dia^rtu^is of oiroflary d:-*Q>e. Tile in\esti>.ja!cr5 tvh»» man.ii»cd the follow-up itiitly, interpreted ths t'VmcKudiii^rnin* r.nil >ti.«!rlii!a!<!i,iJri'j.i-»l>adt:i)lvrimil«l^aLlih2S;ir \rj •• »f-% In its!i!:T'i,n.ihc3»lb;crt<li:ul mi mWra.-iliiHt ir".e.-l.n!»,hrir?>«is,T:«.-v«lt»..Mlc!nrfiii>nirni#>l -<<»r ir; »"- -:-ni» :tr»! .mrr/:m;; wl tridivltiiutl -*.JJ—» !*«•i-#:r: *V.»*»£ ifl-fur -iliv i!i:t:i:d d l U tvi-rr I'M h-i;« *<.»i IIJ- " si:.3difj" «t l!:c <n.n!c;jun «» tlia« «ri- t.uni scious or unconscious biasing or the results for or against the hypotheses being tested. The "bUndlnjf" of ihcsubjcct* protects against '•self-fulfilling prophecies" and theriskof differential reporting of symptoms by persons who may have believed that they were at higher or tower risk. Thirdly, the system for scoring the Jenkins Activity Survey uasderived a priori on the basisof the theory of the coronary-prone Type A behavior pattern and cli nicnl judgment) of the presence or absence of this puttern. The scoring system was not derived a posteriori. by finding which items empirically discriminated between cases tircotonary disease and nancases and then reapplying the scale of combined iienvt to the same series or subjects. The latter, commonly used "predictive" approach must be considered no more than tentative until cross-validated on a completely new sample. The development of measures from a conceptual framework reduces the possibilities of capitalizing on chance vagaries of the cose and control groups. It also increases the likelihood that the findings cart be generalized. Previously published studies from the Western Collaborative Group have reported that the Type A scale and the "Hard-Driving Scale" from the Activity Survey significantly discriminate between a randomly selected group of healthy men and a group in whom coronary heart disease had recently developed? A recent replication of thi» work among hospitali7«l patients in Bridgeport,Connecticut,shows that patientxivith coronary disease score appreciably higher on both these Survey scales than patients hospitalized for acute conditions not of a cardiovascular nature-." Analyses of Survey scores among men in the Western Collaborative Croup Study who suffered recurrent myocardial infarction have shown, thai these persons score even higher on the Type A Scale than men having only one episode of coronary disease. All these retrospective findings are subject to question regarding the possible influence of selectivesurvivat and retrospective bias in answering the questionnaire. The prospective association of the Type A score reported here lend* support to the earlier findings •':* based on retrospective designs and to the conclusion that the coronary-prone behavior pattern as measured by ths Jenkins Activity Survey is a genuine precursor of cornriary heart dlscate. The continuous stepwise relation bsrmesa the level or the Type A score and the rU': of tJevriopmcnt cf new coronary disease {Kiif- 1) sii.-ggeMsihat theType A scalereffccts the dimensionality of ssjtn?factor,nltoM* lilulu'jie prtiprrrietarertoi as jf t ttell ilrtin«l, that is ijrmiimly related to risk ofcer-enmy di.ra*f. It wa> tlssjppoiiitirfcf. to M*I!MI r.<m-.cl ilzrsrnlsideim-tl lis f.uttir .m.dvvKiiI \hv j.-n!ctni Artnity Stmcy iu-m jHiul provi! pr»-ili>.lk«- <.l lomajn diiKhe. St:>ce thr""Itinl-Ilrmr.itSc.ile"it»»»<I as iheT>|v Alcaic <I».lilr'm->!:«l rcrctutiy «ajr-i l;nx\ cmivAin tts t^o a- tJtt^, TIEQ3121S5 &••• •v.'-' •M^ -•• A I < Vid. :Sl> Xi>.S IXUKOCVTES AND MYOCARDIAL l*K\RCriO>i-FKIEI»i.\.\ffiT retrospective sludies mentioned, it was interred that ihv h:ird-drivin:j component of the behavior pattern WIMIHISI relevant to risk ofcoroniry disease in Typr A men. The present prospective data Tail to support this inference on the basis cf Survey scales completed by persons who had recently incurred coronary disease. 'Hie present data on incidence or coronary disease imply that no single conceptual component or the coronary-prone pattern measured by the Survey is as important in predicting coronary disease as the combination of elements that makes up the global assessment or the Type A behavior pattern os originally defined. We harc preliminary indications, houever, that a more molecular level of analysis, prospective study or individual Jenkins Activity Survey items, may prove to be a more fruitful approach than the use of factor scores. Ax was true for many other technical developments in their early stages, the present findings are probably more important for their scientific implications than for their practical application. The Jenkins Anility Survey In Its present form still misclassifies too many subjects to allow its use in the usual clinical setting for evaluating coronary risk among individuals or small groups. T he Type A scale of the survey Tails to identify many persons in whom coronary disease subsequently develops and label? many others as being at high risk vho continue for years without development of dis- eaie. in this respect it issimil.ir to all other commonly used coronary risk factors. More research is needed Twin to improve the present instrument and to nnjment it with other Circes of information to reduce its rates of icisclaisilication. lUtXULNCCS I. J#l\\n* CD. P>>vtiu1^I? a*t s*cial prccdfws «T oonmuy disttM. N Eaji j MM :s»:>44.23}. JW-MZ; vm 1 rstJiaxi M: CnhiiMii&ts of Ctnxucy Ansiy DiieucXak Yorft. McOll'A-ll.tl fed! C.imiMO*. I»». rp SJ4» X Ro^niMin M l Jctikiil\Ct>. iff anil It/.« at; CoKKtiir* tKJtt dl»j.uc in 15: MV-*<r.iCVlti!ioriiiveGftfipS>!uilt; taA TutU^upctpcrienci #T > ! i.-.ri J IM\ tia pw«» J 7*i*lin*Cft.RdMnm.irtItll.l"r«JttJi)M: Cl<irtap:asa4<>rnol»^Mi«« fV.Oii<j\i££i]tt>Lfrr lb; dcfcjidiaitiOaoriblcoraftai^'ptttttfcetutief fJtftm M cnpk»v'il IHiM. J CKjnk Dh 3tt}TI-3i*.' 1907 ? Jr.*Vn>C0./«f.mAtSl.lttMEiin3ARtl' P»jfn»u»»jr<lialhlaUMof ..t6ifiniec(.t<oreJ fell ft* the IHpfAcomuct.prOMbchawrp^iUN. r-^.un>raMtJ MMW-MO.1971 6. J;'nUn>CD.ZtuntklM.RostomaRH.etJkA»o:£utMercooxunrtnr.t tduwor KOKI nib /connote at coenvuv lean dtsuai'j 7 Rc.i>:mjnRH.Fri^nujiM.StawR.«ta1:.\pr«i2kth«*luJyo?.XfOej:% *rfjn Jitttte: the WAlftn OrftaUnjutr Oiuvp SlvOv. MMA •:3s! X. ZlljnAt St. Stirtin* CO: EuieduOuiiaM »ilhiA 11M eanuuiy.proM ttS-iMjr fjiuta. J ChMiic K) 72:731-795, IWO 9. Cutbran V>0. S?HK ntcllMxU ptilrca^lliHMg ihw w n m n x * ie»u. BlCnteimv IK4I7-4SI, J9J-I [A Arn'itj« J": TM>fiifliaeir acsdsl* prapotftjiu a i 4 rrc^iMiuki. t&icuina |]j:s-)S», IJ3J It. Kcaljitx H i>. Zj/amla ST. Ja&iu CD. et Mi Tfce coa;iuiy.prai« br|i i\vil piiittn in htnpilJl!/A] pitman W4b anil uilh«vt <OHHUJ>« brut ihujcc IHjciolaEn M#(t [b| ^rat) THE LEUKOCYTE COUNT AS A PREDICTOR OK MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION G.tKV D . FR1ED1U.V. M.D.. M.S., ARTItUK U KL.U3KV. M.D.. A.NB A. B. SlECELAUB, XLS. Abstract Trio rnulttprtasIc-eitarnlnaKon findings ol 464 persons In whom a first myocardial InfarcBon lator dtvelopsd w»re compared Willi those of two Control groups, one matshad for age, sex and race {ordinary controls), and lh« other malchad In addition lor standard coronary risk (adore (risk controls). The total leukocyte count, measured, on the average, 15.a months before the myocardial infaicion, was strikingly related to envelopment ol infarclloa The mean leuio. cyte count In cases wa*signllloantly higher (p<O.Q0l) than in ailhgr control group. Ascending from lowest to highest qua/tile in tho enses and ordinary controls lh» increase in risk of myocardial Inlarctiem associated with tho iBukoayls oount was similar to thai found for cholesterol and blood pressure. Cigarette smoking, whish was strongly related ta the feukocyte count, may account lor about two thirds o(the> relation of the count lo infarction. The faultocyto count may provo valuable in the routine assessment of risk of myocardial infarction. (N Engl J Med 230:1275-1276.1974) OXSIDERABLE progress has been made tou-ard G identifying personal and environmental characteristics that predijpose to or predict the occurreiwc cf ahly.obesily, and family history oi"coronary heart disease O'her, less well established rislc factors include physical inactivity and certain psychologic traits. Assessment of combinations of these risk factors permits theidemiltcalianofpnpulatiansiibsrcups that differ by s-veral timtsin tlirtr rislt of a niyorardtai infarction.' Houevrr, there instill much to be letsmed about the prediction nr myorartlial infaretmn. <inr# al!i\";»cl!y lotv.ri.'c vibitruiips. as. drterminsd by the abf>v« fapmr,.<i!f>tjia jjcrsonsin ivhom inftuctsoni develop, and myocardial infarction. The '"risk factors" that have beencnnfinr.«im a variety of studies include increased age, male ssx, elevated serum cholesterol and other l!j)id>, cigarette smo^ins. elevated blood pressure, diAIKICS in«Ui;iu or carbohydrate intolerance and. prr,hIbi>"-fi!<piiuif«>>rfMniiutVrJwJiS««!;!iinJ V t h i w KJI. -«t IV,r- ..iir^-t v ! « ^ « €"lie Vnytin tli'.tinj < jl I ij&n. f.^tm «-•• (J*-.*,!-. !l. t|.cC"J-40 .1 5**+ i'^oirt^t) A*e t>Atinl.*j! ,;^ll. v v . -i:». *ef »»^n.ari!iiiKU.»ei»e*t^i.%^ NJI.WI. i t . . u ,-u I, '-" v . n r •»:.!!— , 1 - •_" \=lrrKJ*i -..->•.'>»• - •••: tuatsv pi*noEX i n Mippci-M-dly hit»h-r<«li »uhqrfti[ps n»•i: j u t !:«•!• nl i%v ilivntsr. T o tih-ntity m l d i r : n n j l ;ire«Krt't-.i. '.*• !i.»v.' li*vfi <i!it*l;irlh\'» a n i*\pliiratiJiy «nuU i>*::;'-\:e*ri.iiriL5«.i !• i n j n u l i i p l i a ^ t l u i i l i h v l : ? ! ! , ! ! ^ * •!ns'tiI>ii:i'i>i<n'uiii<iiitil»:ni!if.irrnitn«ih>rr|ni'niK •! • • ' • • , n i l . ! i J i.i i tn4>ill< iti.itrhrtt i . t m r n l Mibjrrt. TIEQ3121S3 SiZaViir*'"'-'*' 4sa • THE KEW ENOUND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE ^ RsnnNcxi O K . IB, 1974 K«tnl«tu-Mtoftwi1»i«»rCiHmi<w.AmkcilU)ff Dli)l:m.m. I.SBor X. rtan JM: DKrertncti In Ttaihiory cspaculet or Irish 9. F.OHlrwiil OY, Arkins IA. SchMck LO: VentHaiSiin watt i on a aid ItiUu f « nAun. A* SUv Rts£r Hi i c t w e i . ftorml BOat&liofi allte a utn-yor btuval. Aa> IK* Rttjir Cis WD 9*:74-7D.19M 1. /*W PntaUM ram of rtwnit Mn-s>Kif?ertipfritorydittu* ia 10. Rntbar CM: h t r . i cKnleat JI») (tHtsifekiiGal stades otcarwac rfrflafcten.AMRtvlttiiicOisIWSM-2U, 1974 tfMKh;iIi.Sa-K3JRnpif!Xi«.a}-»Xm7 J. tiiK fin fittliu ami wdrretanf (WWUM: M twhmSoiMie sariy. 11. Htufai tTT.CS<on ic,F<rrii SO J r . * di IV-Chro/ik nwirattry Am R*V Rnrit Bis IM.-JtMM. »H <Xttu4teMMutlrbl»wanfec-rcvfoll«w-vpHtfy:fccininNy ><> Atmor D), Cowk AS: tV Dua-T«u Mm n An hiradueilcin IgcsmKp«I.A3iifbbfcHciUiJtlS67.|iM,l5«» jnterlted 10M UMa laatystl tulaf list <lU»-teM >P»m- Nc* York, 13. Morris JF. Koski A, Johmort LCi Spirwnf uic itaitdanls tar h t i i l y Fi—frc\i.\Vll S.Kit NH. But DH. Hull Cfl: SPSS: mnstial paciujtforthe Meid seine**. New York. McGrur-HUl look CMipiiy, 1570 a. SMdfcor «V. Octna WO: Sniulkal Ms lata*. si»n *J*«. Ann. Iow.I«*aSult Vnlwrsiiy Press. IM7 7. K«T * C CiMtan R. Ben* HO, el at: Tin Vtttfins A<!mI»tiriiioi». AcMycoeixrilivt study of palagovy fuaclkM. I.CttMcaSitlnMnstry En normal mtllAinlMci'J&MJ-ist.iMI t. Ferris BO St, Antersoa DO. Zkisaantd ft: Frificiw vahcs for nOHUlaiii > U l i . AaiRirRtspIr Mi IW:J7-*7.1971 IJ. MeJinl XtMafch COUKS: Vatiit of thtnofMftyU'ui and clnow tlerapy ;• esufy chronic twnchuls: a upon u 1M aMicil R n t u A COJPXU by Iter WBrfcLn jarty on trials of cktiMUKnvy in early «hnmiebro!KnWs. lrMrlJI:I3l3.ni2.19« U. Ho-AlrJfcEvoJuiJonofilatiMjmwyMiJKilyUtifMktromhWi. Br MtdJ MK-BJ. IS67 15. Sunowi B. Eade ftH: Count and prognosis s i ctironlc cfcstrwSw luni A l t a i c a prosoactrve study of TOO ratieatt. N Enal J M«4 MO: »7-tM,19*9 RELATION OF CORNEAL ARCUS TO CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AND THE " INCU1ENCE OF CORONARY DISEASE liD., RtguRBjl/BRAND, PH.D., ROBERT I. SHOLTZ, M.S. AKDrd.DAVhfErfKINS.PHj)^ Ab»tr«ct Tin relation of corntal arcus lo tba incldance or cBnical coronary (Mirt diuas* was pro spedivaly jludi»d In 3152 man, 39-59 yaars old «t intak*. During' <n>m 8 Ht^war foilow«vp p«rigd, coronary disease dsvaiopod In 25S InRUIly wall man. At entry Into th* aludy, arcus cr«valtnc« was found to be slgnlftoantly cerialaxt to agt, **rum cholesterol and smsUng habits, but w i s not rotated lo hematocrit, blood prauure, vrelaht or obesity, habitual physi- cal activity or dist, parental history of coronary heart diswasa. aarum trlglyc«f Wit or lipoprotein* or to alcohol usa. Subjects under SO years of aga with cornaal arcus had a signllioantly higher Incidence of coronary heart disease evan after adjustment for age, serum cholesterol and smoking habits. Corneal arcus at younger agaa is an Independent risk factor for coronary hear! dfeeatt. (N Engl J Med 29t;1322-J324, 1974) C was not confirmed.' lis correlation with xanthomatosis appears established." but an association with serum lip. idsremainsdi»pu(ed. , * u Thcc4dr>dieftli?t3r<u*i> correlated with coronary discase"-* is not universally accepted.** It is not correlated with generalized arteriosclerosis studied at autopsy.' The present studies were designed toclarify the clinical mean< ing of cornea] arcus. ORNEAL arcui has long intrigued clinfcunl. Atthough occurring at alrooM all agej, the term wan (eniiii indicate! iw common auoealion with aging.1 It initially aprieanas a iranilucent segment in ihe lower and upper peripheral cornea and progreoej until the tegmenu lute circumrercritiaUy tobecorwasemitrandiKcni annu'm and finally aiay become an opaqur, grayith or yellow-whin: ring, usoally separated from the Umbiutiya clear lone. HutoehemicaUyi it consitti ol cholcMcxoJ, triglyceride* and phospholipid], thut uggetting a dcrK-ation from drcutating blood by inlili ration at the limbus from scleral vrwcl*." it is 3lmow untyerally obKned in higher prevjJcr.ee in mjIej, , A * bui noteworthy difference* in raciiJ. color and geographic prevalence5 lid to (he hypothesis of a g«nei5c basis, supported by reported similar development in twins and a piltem of dominant inheritance.* Prevalence of arcus was nnl found to be related in diabetes/ viuirfn deDcienrics/t.'Ocsity/lrypertenHan** cr eccrcise.* A reported association with alcohol intake* Bca lie Haiti Hnm-i taiHJ*. Manas Zan 1!MJ:ILII ir.i Mttkil Cvntcr. S u i praMfiica, t>M S^Sodl of P V U M H O ! : K . t t m v t r » t y o l Cz^- f»Vrt3.Ilcrk«!<7.a."'iiMO<?*.-t^c:loflk'!avk>raiEpHcrtirli?iy.Eo»:an Vr^tiKiySchocicIMrO;s»«l^:'/rjirefla!lK(i«H\t>Uf K««^-io JI l i i tfiis-j} CttM lw.~£t. Vr!.---.l Zi:a lfejisitaal Mrdn.il CtHtt. VO ft.>t1«!l.3afi3n«Ki«.C\WIKi Stt;^»r:cJ by at&nrsh jssaiiliL-'it-U^ilr:™ iScNrfaua*! Itnnai^l 1 «.-i*I.r^«v«. Sjr;."."^! ti-irrjtSifl l t « : ^ MATUUAI. ANO METHOD* 1 Tie Western CottatxxaUirGroupSmdy witin'niatedin 1960* ai a fro«p«cu^v itutly tit the UKI Jcnceof clinical coronary IKM t diiease in men 3919 59 >nrs old employed in 10 companies. Cornprchentive tlala were cbtairtcd at entry inxa th« study and umualtydurtitga mean 8 H-Jwr rultoH-upperxxl. Apopuladon of 3102 healthy stibjects renjined at risic tor coronary Man discose, of »diora Tiii w«re 39 (o -19 and 9<H w«c S3 to 59 yttti of >$: at entry iniott..- study, fniiialdaia indudeilctinlcal.hixlKni. kiL dietary and behavta-st nrbhles wr^ise detailed raetbodct* <isr/haidtre^il)facenrerjfXtcd.*Comr^arcuswasde[erfclrxdby rnetIcu!ausKrt>siir.ij)«t!BnKithIlash!ii5htiIItirn!natSon.Ajiaa!l. fainl. inmlunrj ^•eK-rti-jii.!*- trginciH was noi esnudeteii an arcus tor the present pai isowi The rliei ami akakn! niakes were ofcta!::*! h) a^esendayui^ry^thaiwaiaiiiliiKtindets^farallrxirientccn:(yiri^ms isi a rej^ewn iaihr«#rijj!e <*r C^*J subjects. Uiabctn was itr:rn:JK!f d *itila M ru^crr. Vjrimt%iii!?i«**:rpiUu(j<^!itl>rV/r%zcTnt^i!t.-.V<c3fnc^eOoi!p V/jcl»luiebcci»pieieit!rtl,,t!riK«trd f:=i!:rs»Erera*e^Kpc:i «ls^itoCrtt?d^le:i!>v tnlM!ieMi:i'i Kt-itlsTsrst %igr.j!i«ai»te was jHlt.Jcitljs tl:e»t:i-\.;u.»ri'lrtt .'-;tl lir V^itcKlN |.rr»l Aj^esv i"rt;iclJii.nv<tT.::t«ii»ei^erii.tnn\a^dirMii:j.sisd]\ejir.w!!li CY-.^.i-r „, hjL* f f? Z\-\Zl. TIEQ312197 V«4. Ml No. 2 5 CORNEAL AXCUS IM COKONARV HEART DISEASE — ROSKNWAN ET AL. oriniMmeni (or amnflarnd bciora, used the Mantd—ituntul method." Rswns Aran was observed in 569 (25.3 per cent) ot 2248 younger men ausdin372(41.2p«rcent)of 904 older meii. Subject* with and without arcus shone J no dif fcrciicesin parental history of coronary heart diieue, in schooling or in job or arocaiional physical activity. Reported diabetes was associated vilh significantly higher arcus prevalence in oldtrrr.cn. CurrentcgarcUe smokers exhibited significantly higher arcus prevalence i n bothdecades. although there were no differences for light and heavy smokers. There were n o significant differences between numbers With and without arms for mean height, weight, overweight, reported weight gain since the age of 25. blood pressure, scrum triglycerides, serum lipoproteins, diet, alcohol intake or behavior pattern. Subjects with urciucxhibited significantly higher mean serum cholesterol in both age groups that was not due to differences of age or diet. In screening ot the large number of variable* studied fura possible relation with incidence of coronary heart disease o r with prevalence of arcus, chance alone might account lor significant associations. If a probability level of p <0.0I wasujed WaHcUsirniiicancecf oburved associations, the arcus prevalence in younger subjects was significantly associated only with age, serial cholesterol and current cigarette smoking. Rdatio n between arcus prcvileiice and age. serum cholesterol and smoking showed thai when subjects were divided into fiveagegroups, those variables were Independently related to prevalence of arcus. During $ K years of follow-up observation, 255 ol 3152 initially healthy subjects suffered an initial clinical coronary event. A significantly higher incidence of the disease in subjects with arcus was observed only in subjects of the younger decade and only in men whose initial manifcsUuoii was myocardial infarction. Thus, the aver* age annual incidence ol all coronary heart disease during follow-up observation was 11.4 p e r I0M subjects with as compared to6.2 per IOOOwiihoutarcuj(p>0.0001).Tne average annual Incidence o( symptomatic myocardial infauction was 6.8 per iOCO with arcus as compared (a 3.2 per 1000w'«hout(p <0.0Ol). Table 1 explore) inter-relations between arcus 2nd incidence ot the disease for subjects 3$ to 49 years Of age when adjustment was made for age. serum cholesterol and cigarette smoking. T h e odds-ratio column is equivalent to the relative risk of coronary heart disease in Subjects with and without corneal arcus. When no adjustment was made for pouiiV confounding effects- of other ^ariabies, there wasa 1,9 timsshigherrisi in younger subjects mh areas ( p < 0.001). Dilfercnccswcrc rail significant in older subjects. IiirideiKewtsth.cr.rei!Mtiedin younger subjects when iirijiisirnentwas made si.T.;h-and ui YrrintrsrreiifeinaifoKS fur the three factors. When ailjiiii ment was i:iade sc-pai.itrh :>j:d in pairs. aswrUassimttluinniKly fcr the three |jntir>.s!ibieaswijl]Kiit!vMiI]\Iitiwcil.ti!.i:ti!i!rfIysi;4ii'-'itAiuh hr4»:errelnme»ivk. 132) A review of earlier studies leaves the impression that in white subjects, corneal arcus at younger ages way be significantly associated both with higher serum lipidsand with increased prevalence of clinical coronary heart disease1-1 but that such associations are lost in older age groups. Rifkind1 found asignificanl association of corneal arcus with coronary heart disease, especially in younger Scottish men. and made the astute observation that corneal arcus and alherosdemiic lesions show striking similarities. Thus, both feaiureanaccumufaiioii of limilarlipids in relatively or totally avascular tissue, both increase with age, both are more frequent in males, the prevalence or corneal arcus is greater in younger subjects with coronary heart disease and in such younger subjects, bothare associated with higher Krum lipids. However, it might be pointed out that coronary atherosclerosis appears to result mure from the infiltration or deposition of circulatinglipid in to areas of iniimal damage, whereas corneal arcus appears to result from the infiltration ot circulating lipid intuanarea independent of primary degenerative processes.* Tibia t. Association b*tw«mCo<n«at Arcus and mcldwica ol CoronsryHtirtOlstaM Adjusted for Indicated FKtORlln SubI»cU3»to«YMrsOm,atEntrylnlolhi Study. Oa«» &tr»Ub~H4l»llL SMNMKAMCC tUrui* Cta-SqiMiiVAwr A»ji«tHi*r FACTUM ttC6e Factors n f r n t e l upaniety: ScnjmcfcoUUMot A* $m>*<IniM!u F M I K I a&uttd is (airs: A n A strum chotestcnt AjcJtiracfcins Smrittii X u t w n cboKiKn* Factors afiinltJ lost then Aye le s*nan cftoWtUrot &Mto&»e IX I3.JI »<acvl 1.7-1 1.13 I.K! 9M 10.4) 11.21 P-0.CO2 p-0.001 p<0.OM t.<l I.» 7.IS B.5J !.« 7.» T-0.OC4 p»O.0M p-0.035 I.» fJH p=» 0.015 ->KWnil*JKt>MOlttllKHI>M»MC«M<tirQB. •WIJiiawMWIiMaM—MtanKUlbfcMlIaill?'. The present findings were obtained from aprospecuVe study. The prevalence of arcus was significantly related t o age. serum cimlesterol level and smoking habits. A significantly higher incidence of myocardial infarction was observed in subjects under 50 years of age who exhibited a corneal arcus. The data show that the observed association of arcus In men under age 59 with the incidence of coronary heart disease is partly explained by its inirr-retalion with three factors, of which serum cheksterot and age are most important. Younger subjects with corneal arcus exhibited an almost twofoM higher risk of coronary heart disease. However, when adjustment was made for the three factors that significantly correlated with arcus prevKrcnrv, the relative risk in men with arcus wasdiminished. but the ys>iBcxh!h:ts:d a 1.6 times rclatirc risk t p < 0.015). RrnatNcn t JtirfcnslB'4 1Sci.r.i^KH"ec72rcrs^c^ti\,Bt»ch.i<r!KS*iriHSn«i«' k^ir!^!^nin^n.n«-:^r«I!«Yc-t Li:*.ei t 111 SILICM J W i c t t J ^ lt!*I*^rf»ntj«-^>tie-iv Art^ifJ;S;^aw-l6S*1M-Zlft. 1VC iZSXXC&5ZZ2aHttZSmZj£Z&A^^ TIE03121S3 THE SEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 1324 J. FooiJi H: Areas stsili* «XM«: in tibial tlevilepntMi tnl trie. tbiiil|> to sena lipBs. yauiu aid IfeoarouUs. Ada OcWelewJ [S^tHKHH 411-73,1954 4. McAmknr OM. 0|HM l> Amu MHlS> (• •tut**!**' mw. Br WW JI;4U-tI7.iW 5. N*ara*| *VJ Ir,Uia*uL.S»yd<r B: Areas aols«*(*ili>. AulascmM*»«4:MHJUKI *. HlUny V. M m B, Hutaijr R: tow HWUK In nhllM u <KUtn unibuM andriik(icitti [K H a « a v M n m w y hull 4UOM. Br HoriJJ2;«WS!.lW0 T. TfMmu J V, E*ias IA. Deirositn MA: Alcohol consiimjiiMi ax) utui senilis: • i w A r»f a slinilicul ISJUMJM/. »i I AI'JKI »VdJ747S),l»7J Dec 19.1974 «. Walt CE: The KIII'IM of aressveailii toarUttaiclOTiU aiul wiief. NEneHMedJIUHJ.KM «.tov««aianRH.FrittoaaX.Sinus R.tlal: ApccikiiveUjcVofeorenur l i u l Unease: she %Mn9 CoibSsxaSu Group Seal;. MMA 10, FiMBWi M. Rosciuion XH: CkHiEariso* of (a! liulis ol Amman n « and v.omtn: fostible rcbtwaihip (a lactdeaca of atrial cor«M« m « y 41«jM.Cuc«l»dootfcMII-ti7.IM7 It. RoKMunRH.FnafounM.SInBi R.eisl: Century Ijeineliwi* In the Wetter* CdUiwvJvcGt«i>S!»Jy:» Igltm^ nptticMttHM ytia. J ChrorB Ks 13:I71-ISP. 1970 ILKaMiJN.HmiMlWiSlaliifialtorccnaftttfaailysiiorilaUlftm rcMSOielivtiluCileldiveaw.l KsdOnctr!ulUi7IM4l,Hn UDOCAINE IN T H E PREVENTION OF PRIMARY VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION A. OotibltvBllsd, RindowlTfd Study of 212 Consecutive Pailcau K.I.LIE,M.D, HEIKJ. Wruxss, M.D.,FHAMSJ. VMt CAWLLE. PH.D., AND DIKK DURKW,M.D. Abiiraot To assess th* efficacy ol lidocalna In pr«venllng primary vantrfcufarf Ibr illation in aouta myocardial Infarction a double-blind, randomized study was perform*) In 212 consecutive piU*nlJ under the. acj« of 70 year* admittedtothe hotpltal within six houw of Infarction. Group A [107 patient*) received an IntravaiMtis bolua Injection ol 100 mg ol Bdocatne followed by an Infusion of lldosalna (3 mg par mlnula} lor 4a hours. Qrcup B (106 patients) received 9 per cant glucose and watar. The group* war* comparable In age, sax. site and siza ol infarction, admission time and mor- lalityrate. Ventricular fibrillation did not occur In Group Abut dldlnntna patients ol Group B(p < 0.002). Side etlacls, Including drowsiness, numbusa, spee^dlsturbancasanildizzinoss,d«va!op«dln16pa,ti»nts(15p»rcanl). These findings indicate that lidocaine in tha dosage given was highly effective In preventing primary vantrlcularlirjriiutlon.buirioldotisarvatlonofpatlenlsard control of Infusion rates are required lo decrease tha likelihood ofsldeeHeet$.(MEnalJM6d291:1324>1326. 1374) A symptoms. Excluded from the study were patients Hitheilher congestive hean failure, cardiogenic ihock. complete atrioventricular block. penUtrnt bradycardia (rale ol less than 50 beau per tntnule), p«nutent reniricular tachycardia or vetttncular hbiilhdon an adnwlon. Paiienu y,eie iniiiiitjr admitted la the sudyon<b<ibuUDlarrpkathuiorvo(eh<slpalnv^utuup1clous eleoiixardio*jiphk<hange>.PaiieiiUircrerttiin«duitMtludy if the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction was eiuMUbcd [.THOUGH lidocaine has been shown to be an eftec• live a n d safe drug In suppressing ventricular ectopic activity and venirkular tachycardia.1-* recent investigation* hare suggested thai iu prophylactic administration did not prevent primary ventricular fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction.*' Since other studies have indicated that the antiarrhythmic effect of lidocaine might be dose related*'' we devised a double-blind, randomized study of intravenous lidccaine wilha higher dotage than thai used previously.*-' In view of the high incidence of primary ventricular fibrillation during the very first hours of acute myocardial infarction,* the present study was performed in patients admitted to the hoipital wiihinsix hours of the onset of infarction. In the light of the present controversy concerning the predictability of primary ventricular Iibrillauoa'*-11 patients withso-called warning arrhythmias were also Included in thtrswdy.Tbeseweredefined as ventricular cxtrasysioles fulfilling one of ihc fcltuvnngcrUeria: occurring with a frequency of more than 5 bents per minute: falling in the vulnerable phase of the cardiac cycle; being multifocal in origin: or being coupled or occurring in runs. MaTeajAt. ANn METHODS Tlit Mciy >«33caiticd nci hi pat kntsund^r the age *:f TO yea" ;; 'rajcrd to the hotpbsl v>!thia sh taurs of the oejei cl by ih« appearance otdtaarioufc Q waves with svnlulSsjujy S T . segaicitl or T-vave chanitn and serial rise of scrum enzymes (creatine phosphotuase, glutamic uxahcetic INnwrriniie and lacdcdehrdri^cnase}. ImmecKucly altar admiuiatt ta the coronary-care unit,anin!ravencui Intuibn vas started, andabohu irjectionof IWrngc^tictncaineorSperceniglucoieaiidYfater vas (iKi. The cbok: ol injection HU bucd on compiele randmnirailiin. Depaviingui the type of bolus injectionjiven, paiienu then received an infusion ol either lidocaine at a rate ol i ntgpcrmlnuteorSpcrceni glucotcand KM.CT.TIK intiukm tras continscd lor ASi hours at a ccmaan! raleftpute of an infusion ptunp. The patienU vere not informed whether ihej mgit or might ant receive (idocabe on the basil of rindomualion. The natureol the infusedsclution was imlLnown (oboth tt>e medical aiiathenursingstalX.Sobtequenide«eIcpnxnio(any<i(ih((Ofnplleaikiu lined above led todiscnniinuaticnof the tnfuswnfcut (etenttunin die Mudv,Oiberccnditio»for termination ot the infinkn con listed oiseerrr retplraton depression, development tJcoafiaia:iuroccurieiKecife?ittp:kseizurei.Can<iriuousetecUDcardksraphictnoaiKrinvvnis prilor media all patients during iheirswy in the tn«. wiih cainsuiMis tape recordffljtdurfojt the first IS !sfrjrsnltnfU»M]I].B!IUM1 levels oltl^ocaine treredelerratctdbyfiasclKfiniaayjjraphi." RESULTS Pi on IV D*patis*z\ c f C*zix2czj vai Cf^ucal Pt]/A:c!cvyAS]! V !.-v icnr:>aii> Can.'»Vp«l Liiii;^:e. tSmtav'r I!ii*?U»I c l Aar.'j«ii-». Vr.Uc>S'n4 HHV.'JII^ ARiiKiias. N"erh*rT=oJt ijiilrsti rcpraii ri^ie^zv b> T.r I u Ll ihc tk.MK.-s-t t l Cais'.:tY « J Ck-.:-ii W.jaiiiy. Wititlfsin* Cav^un. tcrile Kr!ni«i»-^i3l 1^1. Ar.tfer&n. Ptfjs- D-jrirsj; til? ^ittiH |seritHl InunJune. 3973. iiiSrpir>nib«-r. 1D7-I. 71t3 |U!.*n;:% hert- .sdniUti'd c«n^cci:tivclr to llsc «i:n:s).tn-tarif tir.rt uiilj ilw visjwiied isKvp-"'^ «>t .ut:irirAin.iriIv.li=L:riti-.:i. Ati<:rttii:);tailst:prrn!i*.ts1v TIE03121S3