The effects of remote ischaemic preconditioning on coronary artery function in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a cardioprotective intervention invoking intermittent periods of ischaemia in a tissue or organ remote from the heart. The mechanisms of this effect are incompletely understood. We hypothesised that RIPC might enhance coronary vasodilatation by an endothelium-dependent mechanism.

Early and mid-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in Ireland.

Background: TAVI is a percutaneous approach to aortic valve replacement in high surgical risk patients deemed inoperable.

Aim: To evaluate the early and mid-term outcomes for an Irish TAVI cohort over a six-year period at St James's Hospital and Blackrock Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.

Results: In total 147 patients, 56% male with an average age of 82 underwent TAVI between December 2008 and December 2014.

Impact of genetic variation in the 5-HT transporter and receptor on platelet function in patients with stable CAD taking aspirin.

Background: Serotonin (5-HT) induces platelet aggregation by activating its 5-HT receptor. Platelet uptake is mediated by the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT). A common 5-HTT promoter (5-HTTLPR) splice variant results in long (L) and short (S) alleles.

Renal insufficiency, bleeding and prescription of discharge medication in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Dynamic Registry.

Aims: To establish the relationship between renal insufficiency, bleeding and prescription of cardiovascular medication.

Methods And Results: This was a prospective, multi-center, cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing PCI during three NHLBI Dynamic Registry recruitment waves. Major and minor bleeding, access site bleeding and rates of prescription of cardiovascular medication at discharge were determined based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).