Is Dual-Axis Rotational Coronary Angiography Radiation Dose Reduction Achievable in a Population with 100% Suspected Coronary Artery Disease? A Randomized Trial.

Background: Previous studies have shown a reduction in radiation dose and contrast volume using dual-axis rotational coronary angiography (DARCA), but this has not been replicated in a population with 100% coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objective: To find if DARCA dose reduction is achievable in this population, we sought to compare the radiation dose, contrast volume, and procedure time between DARCA and conventional coronary angiography (CCA) techniques in a setting characterized by a prevalence of 100% suspected coronary artery disease.

Methods: An all-comer, prospective, randomized, open-label trial was conducted.

[Simple mechanical reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction: determinants, prognostic implications and relation with thrombus histology].

Simple mechanical reperfusion (SMR) is defined as reperfusion achieved after wire insertion at the occluded infarct-related artery in primary angioplasty. The determinants and prognostic implications of SMR and its relationship with the histopathology of the rescued thrombus were evaluated in 601 patients with acute myocardial infarction showing ST elevation and pre-procedural total occlusion of the infarct-related artery (TIMI flow 0). Two groups were considered according to the presence of SMR, defined as the visualization of contrast material after crossing the occlusion with the guide wire.

Vitamin D is Related to Markers of Vulnerable Plaque in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin involved in calcium and bone metabolism; recently its deficiency has been related to cardiovascular disease. In cardiac tissue, vitamin D suppresses metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression, enzymes directly associated with vulnerable plaque.

Objective: To investigate whether the association between vitamin D and leptin is related to markers of vulnerable plaque, such as MMPs in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Initial Results and Long-Term Follow-up of Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is an attractive therapeutic approach in patients with mitral stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate and long-term clinical, echocardiographic and haemodynamic outcomes of PMV in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH).

Methods: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty was performed in 157 consecutive patients; 60 patients (38.

Matrix metalloproteinases and psychosocial factors in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Unlabelled: Psychosocial factors have been linked to cardiovascular diseases independently of traditional risk factors. The impact of psychosocial factors on plaque destabilizing factors, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been proposed although scarcely studied.

Objective: To evaluate the relationships between hostility, perceived stress and social support with MMPs activity in patients after an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI).

CoreValve prosthesis causes anterior mitral leaflet perforation resulting in severe mitral regurgitation.

Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an alternative to surgical therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis and high operative risk, but it is associated with specific complications. We report the case of a 72-year-old man who underwent the procedure without complications; however, 45 days after the procedure, he was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of heart failure secondary to severe mitral regurgitation. Necropsy findings showed prosthesis malposition and perforation of the anterior mitral leaflet caused by the contact of the stent of the CoreValve prosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN).

Quality of myocardial reperfusion according to ischemic time and infarcted territory.

Background: The relationship of the ischemic time to primary angioplasty and the quality of myocardial reperfusion according to infarcted territory among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear.

Methods: This study consisted of 140 patients with STEMI within 12 h from the symptom onset and undergoing a primary angioplasty from the Protection of Distal Embolization in High-Risk Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Trial. ST-segment resolution (STR) at 60 min was analyzed by an independent corelab using continuous ST monitoring.

Mechanism involved in the paradoxical effects of active smoking following primary angioplasty: a subanalysis of the protection of distal embolization in high-risk patients with acute myocardial infarction trial.

Objective: Cigarette smokers have an unexplained low mortality following ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our aim was to determine whether the presence of active smoking has a beneficial effect on myocardial reperfusion following primary percutaneous intervention (PCI).

Methods: A total of 140 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI were included in the analysis.

Coronary cyclic flow variations following primary angioplasty is associated with poor short-term prognosis.

Aims: Recent studies have shown that coronary cyclic flow variations (CCFV) is a platelet-related phenomenon that occurred following reperfusion. Although CCFV predicts acute complications following thrombolytic therapy, its impact following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) has not been evaluated yet.

Methods And Results: One hundred and thirty-one patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) who underwent PCI were included in the analysis.

Protection of Distal Embolization in High-Risk Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (PREMIAR).

Distal embolization may decrease myocardial reperfusion after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Nonetheless, results of previous trials assessing the role of distal protection during primary PCI have been controversial. The Protection of Distal Embolization in High-Risk Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Trial (PREMIAR) was a prospective, randomized, controlled study designed to evaluate the role of filter-based distal protection during PCI in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction at high risk of embolic events (including only baseline Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 0 to 2 flow).