Impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown in Austria on laboratory and mental parameters in diabetic patients: a retrospective analysis highlighting the importance of regular medical consultations in a patient cohort.

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first lockdown was implemented in Austria for almost 7 weeks. In contrast to many other countries, medical consultations were permitted, either by telemedicine or at doctors' offices. Nevertheless, restrictions related to this lockdown could possibly cause an increased risk of deterioration in health, especially in diabetes.

Speckle Tracking-Derived Longitudinal Strain: Validation and Influence of Scanner Settings.

Speckle tracking-based strain analysis is an evolving technique for the assessment of left ventricular function. We evaluated the influence of machine settings on global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLPSS) values in an everyday patient population (n = 35). In each patient, the four-chamber view was recorded multiple times with different machine parameters.

Multimarker Approach to Identify Patients with Coronary Artery Disease at High Risk for Subsequent Cardiac Adverse Events: The Multi-Biomarker Study.

In our prospective non-randomized, single-center cohort study ( = 161), we have evaluated a multimarker approach including S100 calcium binding protein A12 (S100A1), interleukin 1 like-receptor-4 (IL1R4), adrenomedullin, copeptin, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in prediction of subsequent cardiac adverse events (AE) during 1-year follow-up in patients with coronary artery disease. The primary endpoint was to assess the combined discriminatory predictive value of the selected 7 biomarkers in prediction of AE (myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, death, stroke, and hospitalization) by canonical discriminant function analysis. The main secondary endpoints were the levels of the 7 biomarkers in the groups with/without AE; comparison of the calculated discriminant score of the biomarkers with traditional logistic regression and C-statistics.

Long-Term Outcome of Combined (Percutaneous Intramyocardial and Intracoronary) Application of Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Post Myocardial Infarction: The 5-Year MYSTAR Study.

Objective: The long-term (5-year) outcome of early (3-6 weeks after acute myocardial infarction [AMI], BM-MNC Early group) and late (3-4 months after AMI, BM-MNC Late group) combined (percutaneous intramyocardial and intracoronary) delivery of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) was evaluated in patients with ejection fractions (EF) between 30-45% post-AMI.

Methods: Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and hospitalization were recorded. Left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular function were measured by transthoracic echocardiography.

Preclinical randomised safety, efficacy and physiologic study of the silicon dioxide inert-coated Axetis and bare metal stent: short-, mid- and long-term outcome.

Aims: To evaluate the short-, mid- and long-term safety, efficacy and vascular physiology of Axetis silicon dioxide (SiO2, abrading the micropores) inert-coated stent implantation in a randomised preclinical setting.

Methods And Results: Coronary arteries of domestic pigs were randomised to receive either Axetis or BMS (same design) stents with one-, three- and six-month follow-up (FUP), controlled by coronary angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and histology (n=32). The time-dependent vasomotor reaction of coronary arteries to stenting was measured using modified myography (n=12).

Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in heart transplant patients: three-year follow-up of deformation parameters and ejection fraction derived from transthoracic echocardiography.

Aims: Non-invasive diagnosis of allograft dysfunction is a major objective in the management of heart transplant (HTX) recipients. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) permits comprehensive assessment of myocardial function. It is well established that deformation indices are reduced in HTXs when compared with control subjects.

Ivabradine versus metoprolol for heart rate reduction before coronary computed tomography angiography.

Several studies have demonstrated the correlation of heart rate (HR) and image quality in coronary computed tomography angiography. Beta-blocker administration is critical because of its negative inotropic effect. Ivabradine is a selective HR-lowering agent that exclusively inhibits the I(f) current in sinoatrial node cells without having any effect on cardiac contractility or atrioventricular conduction.

Two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain echocardiography in long-term heart transplant patients: a study comparing deformation parameters and ejection fraction derived from echocardiography and multislice computed tomography.

Aims: Longitudinal strain determined by speckle tracking is a sensitive parameter to detect systolic left ventricular dysfunction. In this study, we assessed regional and global longitudinal strain values in long-term heart transplants and compared deformation indices with ejection fraction as determined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and multislice computed tomographic coronary angiography (MSCTA).

Methods And Results: TTE and MSCTA were prospectively performed in 31 transplant patients (10.

Amino-terminal pro-B-type brain natriuretic peptide: screening for cardiovascular disease in the setting of alcoholism.

Aims: N-terminal pro-BNP (NtBNP) has attracted attention as a biomarker for heart failure. The aims of our study are (a) to characterize the role of NtBNP as a biological marker in the setting of alcoholism; (b) to describe potential gender differences with respect to NtBNP; (c) to correlate NtBNP with other clinical and haemodynamic variables.

Methods: We examined 83 alcohol-dependent patients according to International Classification of Disease 10th Revision (ICD-10) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV; 59 males and 24 females, age: 50 ± 10.

Time course of prothrombotic and proinflammatory substance release after intracoronary stent implantation.

We hypothesized that restenosis after coronary stenting is predicted by elevated levels of markers of thrombus formation and inflammation. Plasma levels of representative markers of inflammation, the thrombin and plasmin activation systems and adhesion molecules were measured in 59 patients with stable angina pectoris before, immediately after and 6 hours (h), 12 h, 24 h, one month and six months after elective stent implantation (radioactive phosphorus-32 stents/RSs/ n = 16, bare-metal stents/BMSs/ n = 43). All patients underwent clinical and angiographic follow-up (FUP) six months after stenting.

Detection of high-grade stenoses with multislice computed tomography in heart transplant patients.

Background: Post-transplant follow-up of heart transplant patients consists of repeated coronary angiography, which is associated with high costs, discomfort and risk. We sought to determine whether multislice computed tomography (MSCT) permits the exclusion or progression of coronary artery disease in heart transplant patients.

Methods: MSCT scanning (Philips CT MX 8000 IDT) and invasive coronary angiography were performed on 66 consecutive heart transplant patients.

Volumetric intravascular ultrasound imaging to illustrate the extent of coronary plaque burden in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: Although angiography is the gold standard for coronary imaging, its efficacy in outlining diffuse coronary atherosclerosis in diabetic patients remains questionable. We aimed to compare quantitative cineangiographic analysis (QCA) with three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods: IVUS runs of 104 significant coronary lesions in 88 diabetic patients were performed.

Duration of development of symptomatic in-stent restenosis correlates with the stent-to-vessel-diameter ratio: an intravascular ultrasound study.

Objective: Several predictors for in-stent restenosis (ISR) have been defined by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) assessment; however, there is a lack of data correlating IVUS parameters with the speed of development of ISR. This study aims to investigate the relation between the duration of development of symptomatic ISR and the relative stent diameter.

Methods: A total of 46 lesions in 43 consecutive patients with symptomatic ISR were investigated by IVUS with the Endosonics system (Volcano Therapeutics Inc.

Randomized comparison between intracoronary beta-radiation brachytherapy and implantation of paclitaxel-eluting stents for the treatment of diffuse in-stent restenosis.

Background And Purpose: Intracoronary brachytherapy was the primary therapeutic option for the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) during the last years. Especially for the treatment of diffuse ISR (lesions >10mm), beta-source brachytherapy was significantly superior to singular balloon angioplasty. Despite lacking clinical database, the implantation of drug eluting stents recently became a common procedure for the treatment of ISR.

Randomized blinded clinical trial of intracoronary brachytherapy with 90Sr/Y beta-radiation for the prevention of restenosis after stent implantation in native coronary arteries in diabetic patients.

Background: We report a double-blind, randomized clinical trial of intracoronary beta-radiation for prevention of restenosis after stent implantation in native coronary de novo lesions in diabetic patients.

Methods: After successful stent implantation in native coronary de novo lesions, 106 lesions in 89 diabetic patients were randomly allocated to treatment with beta-radiation with 18 Gy at 1 mm vessel depth (n = 53) or placebo treatment (n = 53).

Results: Angiographic analysis at 9 month follow-up revealed a late lumen loss of 0.

Transplant coronary artery disease: Incidence, progression and interventional revascularization.

Background: Allograft coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the main factor responsible for late graft loss. This analysis describes data on incidence and progression of allograft CAD at our institute, as well as our experience with coronary interventions in heart transplant recipients.

Methods: Angiographic results of cardiac transplant patients undergoing coronary angiography were prospectively selected and analyzed.

Basic treatment planning parameters for a 90Sr / 90Y source train used in endovascular brachytherapy.

Working groups of the AAPM, DGMP, and ESTRO have published recommendations for endovascular brachytherapy, introducing concepts of relevant parameters for dose specification and treatment planning. However, the procedures for this treatment remain often mainly based on trial protocols and manufacturer instructions. Treatment planning requires the essential knowledge of the radial and longitudinal dose distribution, as well as information about geometrical uncertainties.

Intracoronary brachytherapy with beta-radiation for the treatment of long diffuse in-stent restenosis.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of intracoronary brachytherapy with beta-radiation (Sr/Y) for the treatment of long diffuse in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Methods: As recurrent ISR depends on intimal injury after coronary angioplasty, long in-stent restenotic lesions were defined as lesions with a treatment length >26 mm (lesion length >20 mm plus a treatment margin of 3 mm at each end). Seventy-eight patients with long ISR were treated at our institution with beta-brachytherapy after coronary angioplasty.

Increased dosage during intracoronary irradiation due to overlapped source stepping shows no long-term adverse changes in vessel morphology.

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate if overdosage during intracoronary irradiation due to overlapped source stepping may result in long-term morphologic changes in vessel anatomy.

Methods: Baseline angiograms of patients with in-stent restenosis undergoing coronary reintervention followed by intracoronary irradiation with source stepping were analyzed. Overlapping was considered present for the segment with overlapped reference isodose length (RIL) (RIL = segment with > or = 90% of reference dose at 1 mm vessel wall depth).

The salvage potential of coronary sinus interventions: meta-analysis and pathophysiologic consequences.

Objectives: Intermittent coronary sinus occlusion has been described to be effective in salvaging ischemic myocardium. This meta-analysis aims to review the efficacy of intermittent coronary sinus occlusion and intermittent coronary sinus occlusion in combination with retroperfusion of arterial blood as methods of myocardial salvage.

Methods: A Medline search was performed to review the published literature on intermittent coronary sinus occlusion.

Quality assurance in intracoronary brachytherapy. Recommendations for determining the planning target length to avoid geographic miss.

Background And Purpose: A new method of assessing geographic miss (GM) in endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT) is applied to evaluate the quality of intracoronary brachytherapy treatments, retrospectively. Based on the Vienna experience, recommendations for adequate safety margins are derived to avoid GM.

Patients And Methods: Evaluation is done on 136 vessels of 128 consecutive patients treated between October 1999 and July 2001.

Effects of radial stretch on target lesion revascularization after percutaneous coronary intervention: an intravascular ultrasound study.

Objective: To analyze possible associations between radial stretch during coronary angioplasty and the incidence of target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Patients And Methods: Intravascular ultrasound images were obtained before and after revascularization in 182 native coronary lesions. The quantitative intravascular ultrasound parameters (external elastic membrane cross-sectional area [EEM-A], lumen areas [LA], plaque area [PA], calculated as EEM-A-LA, and changes between pre- and postinterventional LA [DLA], EEM-A [DEEM-A] and PA [DPA]) were correlated with the incidence of TLR.

Arterial compliance: a diagnostic marker for atherosclerotic plaque burden?

Background: Previous studies have shown atherogenesis to be related with increased vessel stiffness. Measures of the arterial compliance can be performed noninvasively from pressure pulse contour analysis of arterial waveforms. In this prospective study we aimed to analyze to what extent vessel compliance can reflect the angiographic coronary artery status.

Prevention of stent thrombosis following brachytherapy and implantation of drug-eluting stents.

The implementation of coronary brachytherapy and especially the application of drug-eluting stents for the prevention of in-stent restenosis are of vital importance in the field of interventional cardiology. Despite undeniable benefits of these new methods a potential increased risk for the occurrence of stent thrombosis as a result of the mode of action of these new methods has to be taken into consideration. The prevention of stent thrombosis following coronary brachytherapy and implantation of drug-eluting stents is therefore of particular importance to assure the success of these forward-looking technologies.

Mechanism of lumen gain during coronary stent deployment in diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic patients.

Background: Diabetic patients show an increased incidence of restenosis after coronary angioplasty than non-diabetic patients. This may be because of differences in the mechanism of lumen gain during coronary revascularization in this population cohort.

Design: This study analyses the mechanism of lumen gain during coronary stent deployment in diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic patients with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).