Distal myocardial protection during percutaneous coronary intervention with an intracoronary beta-blocker.

Background: Experimental studies have demonstrated that intravenous beta-blocker administration before coronary artery occlusion significantly reduces myocardial injury. Clinical studies have shown that intracoronary (IC) propranolol administration before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) delays myocardial ischemia. The present study tested the hypothesis that IC propranolol treatment protects ischemic myocardium from myocardial damage and reduces the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) and short-term adverse outcomes after PCI.

Clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission rate in patients with heart failure with preserved and decreased left ventricular systolic function.

Background: Congestive heart failure is the leading cause of hospital admissions for adults in the United States. To our knowledge, there are limited data comparing the clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission in patients with preserved and decreased left ventricular (LV) systolic function.

Hypothesis: The goal of the study was to determine whether there are differences in clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission in patients with preserved (> or = 50%) and reduced (< 50%) systolic function.