Early coronary revascularization diminishes the risk of ischemic stroke with acute myocardial infarction.

Background And Purpose: Ischemic stroke is an uncommon but devastating complication of myocardial infarction (MI). It is possible that delay in the acute revascularization of these patients influences the risk of peri-MI ischemic stroke independent of size of infarction or residual ventricular function. The influence of the timing and type of revascularization on risk of ischemic stroke in the patient with MI has not previously been assessed.

Point-of-care determination of baseline platelet function as a predictor of clinical outcomes in patients who present to the emergency department with chest pain.

Background: Increased platelet reactivity can identify patients at high risk for thrombotic events, but its clinical use has been impractical due to technical limitations. The purpose of the present study is to determine if a point-of-care measurement of platelet function in patients presenting to an emergency room with chest pain can identify those at high risk of adverse cardiac events.

Methods: Platelet function was measured using the Ultegra-RPFA in 201 patients presenting to the emergency department with the primary complaint of chest pain and either known coronary disease or at least one cardiac risk factor.