Synergistic platelet inhibition between Omega-3 and acetylsalicylic acid dose titration; an observational study.

Background: Omega-3 and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are two widely used "over-the-counter" drugs. Previous research has shown multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) can detect ASA and varying Omega-3 platelet inhibiting effects. Synergistic platelet inhibiting effects of ASA and Omega-3 have been found using other methods than MEA.

A comparative analysis of heterogeneity in commercially available recombinant factor VIII products.

Introduction: Advances in analytical technologies enable investigation of possible correlations between molecular structure, aggregation and subvisible particle content. Regulatory agencies place increasing attention on potential risks associated with protein aggregates in the micron range in biological therapeutics.

Aim: Assess the heterogeneity, high-molecular-weight protein (HMWP) species, subvisible particle content and posttranslational modifications in six commercially available recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) products.

Solute effects on the irreversible aggregation of serum albumin.

Thermal stress on bovine serum albumin (BSA) promotes protein aggregation through the formation of intermolecular beta-sheets. We have used light scattering and chromatography to study effects of (<1 M) Na(2)SO(4), NaSCN, sucrose, sorbitol and urea on the rate of the thermal aggregation. Both salts were strong inhibitors of BSA aggregation and they reduced both the size and number (concentration) of aggregate particles compared to non-ionic solutes (or pure buffer).

Glycoprotein-surfactant interactions: a calorimetric and spectroscopic investigation of the phytase-SDS system.

The interactions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and two glyco-variants of the enzyme phytase from Peniophora lycii were investigated. One variant (Phy) was heavily glycosylated while the other (dgPhy) was enzymatically deglycosylated. Effects at 24 degrees C of titrating SDS to Phy and dgPhy were studied by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) and Synchrotron Radiation Circular Dichroism (SRCD) spectroscopy.

Hydration of a glycoprotein: relative water affinity of peptide and glycan moieties.

Glycosylation, the most prevalent post-translational modification of proteins, affects a number of physical properties including the interactions with the surrounding aqueous solvent. Such glycan-water interactions have been discussed with respect to the increased solubility generally observed for glycoproteins, but experimental support of this correlation remains sparse. We have applied a two-channel calorimetric method to measure the free energy and enthalpy of hydration at 25 degrees C for the glycoprotein phytase (Phy) and a deglycosylated form (dgPhy) of the same protein.

Increased risk of sudden and non-sudden cardiovascular death in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter following acute myocardial infarction.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication in patients with acute myocardial infarction and is associated with an increase in the risk of death. The excess mortality associated with AF complicating acute myocardial infarction has not been studied in detail. Observations indicate that AF facilitates induction of ventricular arrhythmias, which may increase the risk of sudden cardiovascular death (SCD).

Routine transradial coronary angiography in unselected patients.

Objectives: To measure and compare the results of changing from routine transfemoral to routine transradial coronary angiography performed by a single operator.

Design: A learning period of 3 months for the transradial procedure with 43 selected patients was followed by a 12-month routine period with 243 unselected patients. The success and complication rates, contrast volumes, catheter and X-ray times were measured and compared to results of a preceding period where the transfemoral approach was used.

Impact of congestive heart failure and left ventricular systolic function on the prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter following acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Reports on the prognostic importance of atrial fibrillation following myocardial infarction have provided considerable variation in results. Thus, this study examined the impact of left ventricular systolic function and congestive heart failure on the prognostic importance of atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction patients that might explain previous discrepancies.

Methods: The study population was 6676 patients consecutively admitted to hospital with acute myocardial infarction.

Preferential binding of two compatible solutes to the glycan moieties of Peniophora lycii phytase.

Regulation of hydration behavior, and the concomitant effects on solubility and other properties, has been suggested as a main function of protein glycosylation. In this work, we have studied the hydration of the heavily glycosylated Peniophora lycii phytase in solutions (0.15-1.

Long genuine coronary artery lesions treated with stiff tubular or flexible coiled stents. A randomized angiographic follow-up study.

Objective: To investigate effects of stent flexibility on 6 months' clinical and angiographic outcome in long stented lesions.

Design: A total of 44 genuine coronary artery lesions (lesion length >20 mm and < or =30 mm) were randomized to implantation with a 30 mm long flexible coiled stainless steel stent (Freedom Force, Global Therapeutics) (n = 23) or a 30 mm long stiff tubular stainless steel stent (Crown, Johnson & Johnson) (n = 21).

Results: Target vessel revascularization was performed in 10 patients (45%) in the Freedom Force stent group, and in 7 patients (33%) in the Crown stent group (ns).

Efficacy of dofetilide in the treatment of atrial fibrillation-flutter in patients with reduced left ventricular function: a Danish investigations of arrhythmia and mortality on dofetilide (diamond) substudy.

Background: In patients with left ventricular dysfunction, atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF and AFl, respectively) are common arrhythmias associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The present study investigated the potential of dofetilide in AF-AFl patients with left ventricular dysfunction to restore and maintain sinus rhythm, which might reduce mortality and hospitalizations.

Methods And Results: In the Danish Investigations of Arrhythmia and Mortality ON Dofetilide (DIAMOND) studies, 506 patients were in AF-AFl at baseline.

Trandolapril reduces the incidence of atrial fibrillation after acute myocardial infarction in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Studies have suggested that ACE inhibitors have an antiarrhythmic effect on ventricular arrhythmias. Whether they have an effect on atrial fibrillation is unknown.

Methods And Results: We investigated the effect of ACE inhibition with trandolapril on the incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients with reduced left ventricular function secondary to acute myocardial infarction.

The occurrence and prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation/-flutter following acute myocardial infarction. TRACE Study group. TRAndolapril Cardiac Evalution.

Aims: To investigate the occurrence and prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation/-flutter following acute myocardial infarction.

Methods And Results: The occurrence and prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation/-flutter were studied in 6676 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction screened in 27 centres in Denmark for inclusion into the TRAndolapril Cardiac Evaluation (TRACE) study. Information about occurrence of atrial fibrillation/-flutter during hospitalization was prospectively collected for the following three periods: day 1-2, day 3-4 and from day 5 until discharge.

[The significance of trandelapril for mortality after AMI in patients with reduced left ventricular function. TRACE Study Group].

Angiotensin converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibition reduces mortality among patients surviving an acute myocardial infarction, but whether to give ACE-inhibitors to all patients or target their use to selected patients is unclear. Seven thousand and one consecutive enzyme-confirmed myocardial infarctions were screened. One thousand seven hundred and forty-nine patients with echocardiographic signs of left ventricular dysfunction were randomized to oral trandolapril (876 patients) or placebo (873 patients) starting from days three to seven following the infarction.

A clinical trial of the angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor trandolapril in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction. Trandolapril Cardiac Evaluation (TRACE) Study Group.

Background: Treatment with angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduces mortality among survivors of acute myocardial infarction, but whether to use ACE inhibitors in all patients or only in selected patients is uncertain.

Methods: We screened 6676 consecutive patients with 7001 myocardial infarctions confirmed by enzyme studies. A total of 2606 patients had echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction, < or = 35 percent).

[Transesophageal atrial stimulation is useful in supraventricular arrhythmias].

The results of transoesophageal atrial stimulation (TAS) were retrospectively evaluated in 22 patients (13 women, nine men, mean age forty-five years), in whom the method was used in the process of diagnosing or specifying supraventricular arrhythmias. The patients were tested for corrected sinus node recovery time, the response to incremental stimulation and burst pacing. TAS resulted in a pathological outcome in 11 patients (50%).

Regulation of tissue-type plasminogen activator-mediated fibrinolysis by plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in patients with ischaemic heart disease: possible unfavourable effect of diuretics.

Background: Impaired endogenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA)-mediated fibrinolysis may be involved in the evolution of myocardial infarction. t-PA-mediated fibrinolysis is believed to depend on the amount of active t-PA present in the circulation. Accordingly, we investigated the possible mechanisms responsible for impaired t-PA-mediated fibrinolysis in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

[Adenosine in the diagnosis and treatment of tachycardia].

The correct diagnosis of tachycardia is important for reasons of treatment and prognosis. Intravenous bolus injection of adenosine can be used to diagnose tachycardia as ventricular or supraventricular and to convert AV-nodal re-entry tachycardia as well as re-entry tachycardia due to an accessory pathway. The effect of adenosine on different types of tachycardia is demonstrated.

[Familial neurofibromatosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy].

Two brothers both with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, one of them also with neurofibromatosis are described. Only a few cases with this combination of diseases have been reported. The possibility of a coincidence or a causal relationship is mentioned.

[Telemetric monitoring of esophageal ECG].

Recording of the esophageal ECG is important in differentiating between different types of tachycardia. A method is described by which the Arzco pill electrode can be re-used. The electrode is introduced through the nose and connected to a telemetric monitor.

[ST elevation in a patient with a healthy heart and acute appendicitis].

A male aged 57 years with acute appendicitis was found to have ST elevations in the EGG (precordial V1-V3 leads) suggesting acute myocardial infarction. The ECG returned to normal postoperatively. The patient showed no signs of ischaemic heart disease and the exercise test and myocardial scintigraphy were found to be normal.

[The patterns of admission for patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction].

The patterns of admission to hospital for 161 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction during the period 1.2.1988-30.