Incidence and impact on prognosis of impaired kidney function in Middle Eastern patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: results from the first Jordanian PCI Registry.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on prognosis of renal impairment (RI) in Middle Eastern patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: PCI patients (N=2,426) were divided into three groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, ml/min/1.73 m2): normal renal function (eGFR ≥90), mild RI (eGFR 60-89), or moderate to severe RI (eGFR <60).

Successful treatment of Brucella endocarditis with aortic root abscess.

Brucella endocarditis is a rare but fatal complication of Brucellosis, it causes destructive valvular lesions. The aortic valve is the most common affected site. We present a case of Brucella endocarditis with aortic root abscess, the patient received a prolonged combination of antibiotic therapy, and underwent aortic valve replacement.

Immunological changes in acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate troponin and lymphocyte subset changes in acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) and to correlate these changes with disease variables.

Methods: Forty-five patients with AMI admitted to the Coronary Care Unit, Jordan University Hospital and Queen Alia Heart Institute at King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan during the period November 1999 through to April 2000 were included in the study. Forty-five patients with non cardiac conditions were selected as a control group.

The therapeutic potential of ximelagatran to become the anticoagulant of choice in medicine: a review of recently completed clinical trials.

Ximelagatran (Exanta, AstraZeneca) is a novel oral direct thrombin inhibitor that inhibits the final step in the coagulation process - namely, the conversion of fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin by thrombin. Recently completed large clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of ximelagatran compared to standard anticoagulation therapy with warfarin and heparins in several thrombotic disorders including the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism following major orthopaedic surgery; stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation; and after acute myocardial infarction. This article reviews these recent clinical trials and explores the therapeutic potential of ximelagatran to become the oral anticoagulant of first choice in medicine.