Impact of three or more versus a single sirolimus-eluting stent on outcomes in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention.

This retrospective analysis compared clinical outcomes of patients who underwent stenting with > or =3 sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) with those who received a single SES. SES (Cypher) implantation for single vessels is proved to be effective and durable, but knowledge regarding the safety and effectiveness of multiple stenting with SESs is currently limited. In total, 929 consecutive patients who received SESs were identified; 63 received > or =3 SESs (multi group) and 866 received 1 SES (single group).

Bivalirudin versus heparin as an antithrombotic agent in patients treated with a sirolimus-eluting stent.

Bivalirudin (Angiomax) is increasingly used as a substitute for heparin in a variety of percutaneous coronary interventions. This retrospective, observational study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin compared with heparin as an antithrombotic regimen in patients treated with sirolimus-eluting stents (Cypher) and found that bivalirudin is clinically safe and feasible, with fewer vascular and ischemic complications compared with heparin.

Addition of heparin to contrast media is associated with increased bleeding and peripheral vascular complications during percutaneous coronary intervention with bivalirudin and drug-eluting stents.

Background: Nonionic radiographic contrast media (CM) is reported to be thrombogenic while performing diagnostic or interventional procedures. To avoid thrombosis, heparin is often added to the CM. Bivalirudin, used to replace heparin during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is reported to be associated with reduced bleeding complications.

Use of IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with in-stent restenosis treated with intracoronary gamma-radiation. Integrilin WRIST.

The Integrilin Washington Radiation for In-Stent Restenosis Trial (WRIST) aimed to study the impact of IIb/IIIa inhibitors as adjunct therapy to intracoronary radiation therapy (IRT) for patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). The impact of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (eptifibatide) as adjunct therapy to vascular brachytherapy using (192)Ir emitter was examined in patients with in-stent restenosis. In the study, 150 patients were assigned to eptifibatide (Integrilin) and 150 patients to heparin only.

Percutaneous interventions in radial artery grafts: clinical and angiographic outcomes.

In the modern era, radial artery graft is being used with increasing frequency to replace saphenous vein as a conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery. Several reports have shown encouraging early results of radial grafts compared to saphenous grafts. Despite these advantages, radial artery graft failure requiring revascularization does occur.