Effect of Low-Frame Invasive Coronary Angiography on Radiation and Image Quality.

Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) uses harmful x-ray energy. To date, there are no studies evaluating the effect of performing ICA at lower than the standard 15 frames per second (f/s) on radiation dose and image quality. In this study, we investigated the effect of performing ICAs at 7.

Low lifetime recreational activity is a risk factor for peripheral arterial disease.

Background: The relationship between lifetime physical activity and the risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is not known.

Methods: We studied 1381 patients referred for elective coronary angiography in a point prevalence analysis. PAD was defined as ankle-brachial index (ABI) <0.

Sex differences in the prevalence of peripheral artery disease in patients undergoing coronary catheterization.

To determine whether there are sex differences in the prevalence of peripheral artery disease, we performed an observational study of 1014 men and 547 women, aged ≥ 40 years, referred for elective coronary angiography. Women were slightly older, more obese, had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and systolic blood pressure (BP), and were more likely to be African American. Women had higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, lower diastolic BP, and were less likely to smoke or to have a history of cardiovascular disease.

Age and double product (systolic blood pressure x heart rate) reserve-adjusted modification of the Duke Treadmill Score nomogram in men.

The Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) is an established clinical tool for risk stratification. Our aim was to determine if other variables could improve the prognostic power of the DTS and if so, to modify the DTS nomogram. From a total of 1,959 patients referred for exercise testing at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center from 1997 to 2006 (a mean follow-up of 5.

Prognostic value of double product reserve.

Background: Although the prognostic power of exercise capacity has been demonstrated, the relative prognostic potential of other hemodynamic responses has not been thoroughly investigated. We aimed to assess the prognostic power of double product (DP) parameters in patients referred for standard exercise testing.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Age-adjusted modification of the Duke Treadmill Score nomogram.

Background: The Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) is an established clinical tool for risk stratification of patients referred for exercise testing, but it does not consider age. We aimed to determine if age could improve the prognostic power of the DTS and if so, to modify the DTS nomogram to include age.

Methods: Of 1,959 patients referred for exercise testing from 1997 to 2006, 1,759 male veterans (age range 23-86 years) remained after exclusion of female and patients with heart failure.

In vivo imaging and evaluation of different biomatrices for improvement of stem cell survival.

Therapeutic effects from injection of stem cells are often hampered by acute donor cell death as well as migration away from damaged areas. This is likely due to the fact that injected cells do not have the physical and biochemical cues for ordered engrafment. Here we evaluate 3 common biomatrices (Matrigel, Collagen I, Purmatrix) that has the potential of providing suitable scaffolds needed to enhance stem cell survival.