Low platelet reactivity in patients with myocardial infarction treated with aspirin plus ticagrelor.

Objective: Low platelet reactivity levels are associated with higher risk of bleeding in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy relative to patients with optimal platelet blockade. This study set out to evaluate the prevalence of low platelet reactivity in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with ticagrelor and aspirin.

Methods: Patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction who were already undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticagrelor were enrolled.

Intensive support recommendations for critically-ill patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.

In December 2019, a series of patients with severe pneumonia were identified in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, who progressed to severe acute respiratory syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Subsequently, COVID-19 was attributed to a new betacoronavirus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Approximately 20% of patients diagnosed as COVID-19 develop severe forms of the disease, including acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute renal failure and require intensive care.

Acute management of unstable angina and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Non-ST segment elevation coronary syndrome usually results from instability of an atherosclerotic plaque, with subsequent activation of platelets and several coagulation factors. Its treatment aims to reduce the ischemic pain, limiting myocardial damage and decreasing mortality. Several antiplatelet and anticoagulation agents have been proven useful, and new drugs have been added to the therapeutic armamentarium in the search for higher anti-ischemic efficacy and lower bleeding rates.

Heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: The prevalence and clinical outcomes of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction after acute myocardial infarction have not been well elucidated.

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in acute myocardial infarction and its association with mortality.

Methods: Patients with acute myocardial infarction (n = 1,474) were prospectively included.

Vascular calcification: pathophysiology and clinical implications.

Vascular calcification in coronary artery disease is gaining importance, both in scientific research and in clinical and imaging applications. The calcified plaque is considered the most relevant form of atherosclerosis within the coronary artery tree and is frequently a challenge for percutaneous intervention. Recent studies showed that plaque calcification is dynamic and is strictly related to the degree of vascular inflammation.

Effect of implementing an acute myocardial infarction guideline on quality indicators.

Objective: To evaluate the compliance rates to quality of care indicators along the implementation of an acute myocardial infarction clinical practice guideline.

Methods: A clinical guideline for acute myocardial infarction was introduced on March 1st, 2005. Patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction from March 1st, 2005 to December 31st, 2012 (n=1,431) were compared to patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction before the implementation of the protocol (n=306).

Natriuretic peptides and long-term mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The natriuretic peptides, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal prohormone (NT-proBNP), can be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers for aortic stenosis (AS). However, the association between BNP, NT-proBNP, and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with severe AS remains uncertain.

Methods: A total of 64 patients with severe AS was prospectively enrolled into the study, and underwent clinical and echocardiographic assessments at baseline.

Acute coronary syndromes: treatment and risk stratification.

Background And Objectives: Acute coronary syndromes result from a disruption of a vulnerable coronary plaque complicated by intraluminal thrombus formation, embolisation, and variable degrees of coronary obstruction. Patients with total occlusion may present with acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Partial vessel obstruction may result in Non-ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina (UA).

[Acute myocardial infarction -- acute coronary syndrome with ST-segment elevation].

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the first cause of death in Brazil -- responsible for almost 32% of all deaths. In addition, they are the third major cause of admission in the country. Among them, acute myocardial infarction is still one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality.