Adiponectin in Relation to Coronary Plaque Characteristics on Radiofrequency Intravascular Ultrasound and Cardiovascular Outcome.

Background: Prospective data on the associations of adiponectin with in-vivo measurements of degree, phenotype and vulnerability of coronary atherosclerosis are currently lacking.

Objective: To investigate the association of plasma adiponectin with virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS)-derived measures of atherosclerosis and with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with established coronary artery disease.

Methods: In 2008-2011, VH-IVUS of a non-culprit non-stenotic coronary segment was performed in 581 patients undergoing coronary angiography for acute coronary syndrome (ACS, n = 318) or stable angina pectoris (SAP, n = 263) from the atherosclerosis-intravascular ultrasound (ATHEROREMO-IVUS) study.

Satisfaction of Emergency Physicians with the Care Provided to Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais.

Background: The dissatisfaction of health professionals in emergency services has a negative influence on both the quality of care provided for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and the retention of those professionals.

Objective: To assess physicians' satisfaction with the structure of care and diagnosis at the emergency services in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais before the implementation of the AMI system of care.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included physicians from the emergency units of the ambulance service (SAMU) and level II, III and IV regional hospitals.

Coordinated regional care of myocardial infarction in a rural area in Brazil: Minas Telecardio Project 2.

Aims: In Brazil, there are considerable disparities in access to healthcare. The aim of this study was to assess how implementation of a coordinated regional management protocol for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) affected quality of care and outcomes in a rural and deprived Brazilian region with considerable social inequalities.

Methods And Results: The quality of care and outcomes of STEMI was evaluated in two cohorts before (n = 214) and after (n = 143) implementation of the coordinated regional management protocol.

Epidemiological Profile and Quality Indicators in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in Northern Minas Gerais - Minas Telecardio 2 Project.

Background: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of death in Brazil. In the Brazilian public health system, the in-hospital mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction is high. The Minas Telecardio 2 Project (Projeto Minas Telecardio 2) aims at implementing a myocardial infarction system of care in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais (MG) to decrease hospital morbidity and mortality.

Clinical Coronary In-Stent Restenosis Follow-Up after Treatment and Analyses of Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Clinical in-stent restenosis (CISR) is the main limitation of coronary angioplasty with stent implantation.

Objective: Describe the clinical and angiographic characteristics of CISR and the outcomes over a minimum follow-up of 12 months after its diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: We analyzed in 110 consecutive patients with CISR the clinical presentation, angiographic characteristics, treatment and combined primary outcomes (cardiovascular death, nonfatal acute myocardial infarction [AMI]) and combined secondary (unstable angina with hospitalization, target vessel revascularization and target lesion revascularization) during a minimal follow-up of one year.