Unintentional guideline deviations in hospitalized patients with two or more antithrombotic agents: an intervention study.

Purpose: Treatment schedules for antithrombotic therapy are complex, and there is a risk of inappropriate prescribing or continuation of antithrombotic therapy beyond the intended period of time. The primary aim of this study was to determine the frequency of unintentional guideline deviations in hospitalized patients. Secondary aims were to determine whether the frequency of unintentional guideline deviations decreased after intervention by a pharmacist, to determine the acceptance rate of the interventions and to determine the type of interventions.

Guidelines for mono, double and triple antithrombotic therapy.

Guidelines for antithrombotic therapy are complex, especially if a patient has several indications that require antithrombotic therapy. In general, no patient should receive lifelong double or triple antithrombotic therapy. In this overview, we outline the most common indications for mono, double and triple antithrombotic therapy; the preferred antithrombotic therapy and the recommended duration of therapy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy "variations on a theme".

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a fairly new diagnosis in the cardiologist's repertoire. It can present itself in multiple different forms. We describe three cases of TTC with different etiologies illustrating the broad spectrum of presentations.

Is subendocardial ischaemia present in patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiograms? A cardiovascular MR study.

Aims: On the basis of an MRI study it has been suggested that subendocardial hypoperfusion is present in patients with cardiac syndrome X. However, further work is required to test whether these findings can be generalized.

Methods And Results: MRI was used to visually and semi-quantitatively assess subendocardial and subepicardial perfusion, at rest and during an infusion of adenosine, in 20 patients with angina pectoris and normal coronary angiograms.