The natural history of napkin-ring sign by coronary computed tomography angiography.

Introduction: Despite their significance, the prevalence and the incidence of vulnerable plaques in coronary arteries, as well as their natural history, remain poorly known.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence, incidence and evolution of napkin-ring sign (NRS), and to establish factors associated with its presence, progression, or regression, in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Material And Methods: The study is based on a single-center prospective registry.

Endogenic erythropoietin secretion in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency or inadequate EPO secretion in response to bleeding may result in profound or prolonged anaemia after cardiac surgery.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in EPO secretion in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

Methods: Blood samples from 43 patients (mean age 65.