Implications of Myocardial Bridge on Coronary Atherosclerosis and Survival.

Background: In this study, we aimed to describe the impact of MBs on atherosclerosis and survival, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We retrospectively studied 1920 consecutive patients who underwent conventional coronary angiography for suspected CAD. Atherosclerotic load (AL), defined as the sum of degrees of stenosis, and general atherosclerotic load (GAL), representing the sum of AL, were compared between patients with MB and a control group without MB; patients in these groups were similar in age and sex.

Therapeutic Challenges in Patients With Noncardioembolic Acute Ischemic Stroke in Need of Double Antiplatelet Therapy for Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: The risk of ischemic stroke (IS) is significant within 6-12 months from the myocardial revascularization for an acute cardiac event. Consequently, we can expect to have patients with an acute IS occurring right in the time frame of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) imposed by the coronary heart disease (CHD).

Areas Of Uncertainty: Until present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with acute IS in need of DAPT for ischemic heart disease.

Advanced Atherosclerosis with Leriche Syndrome, in a Patient with Carney Complex.

Carney complex (CNC) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome. Spotty skin pigmentation is the major clinical manifestation of CNC, followed by cardiac myxomas, benign tumors that usually present with features from the classical triad of obstructive cardiac, embolic and non-specific constitutional symptoms (NCS). NCS are caused by the overproduction of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine which mediates the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and promotes endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

Arterial Stiffness and Hypertension - Which Comes First?

Arterial hypertension is one of the traditional risk factors involved in the development of cardiovascular events, while arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension. It seems that the risk factors involved in the pathology of uncontrolled hypertension are similar to those that contribute to the development of arterial stiffness. After evidence showed that arterial stiffness is an independent prognostic factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with arterial hypertension, the importance of assessing arterial stiffness was recognized in a document drafted by the European Society of Hypertension in 2007.

Acute Myocardial Injury in a Child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Pulse Steroid Therapy?

Heart implication in Duchenne muscular dystrophy usually is present in the form of dilated cardiomyopathy, manifested as heart failure and arrhythmias. To delay progression, including heart deterioration, prednisone is recommended as preventive treatment. We report the case of an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of seven, who was on preventive treatment with oral prednisone (0.

Predictors of in-Hospital Mortality of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Interventional Treatment. An Analysis of Data from the RO-STEMI Registry.

Background: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is the preferred therapy for STEMI if it is done within 120 min from the first medical contact, by an experienced team in a high-volume center. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics and predictors of in-hospital mortality of patients with STEMI treated by percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs).

Outcome and Predictors of Stent Thrombosis in the First Romanian Registry of Drug Eluting Stent (RODESINO EXTENSION).

Background: Stent thrombosis (ST) is a rare, but extremely severe complication of PCI. Outside clinical trials, data are limited regarding the risks and the impact of this phenomenon.

Aims: To assess prevalence, predictors, and clinical outcome of ST after implantation of drug eluting stents (DES) compared with bare metal stents (BMS), in a large case-control study in a real world scenario, as well as the relation between ST and duration of combined antiplatelet treatment.

"Supranormal" cardiac function in athletes related to better arterial and endothelial function.

Objective: Athlete's heart is associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH), and "supranormal" cardiac function, suggesting that this is a physiological process. Hypertrophy alone cannot explain increase in cardiac function, therefore, other mechanisms, such as better ventriculo-arterial coupling might be involved.

Methods: We studied 60 male (21 +/- 3 years) subjects: 27 endurance athletes, and a control group of 33 age-matched sedentary subjects.