Contribution of β-adrenergic receptors to exercise-induced bronchodilatation in healthy humans.

Exercise in healthy subjects is usually associated with progressive bronchodilatation. Though the decrease in vagal tone is deemed to be the main underlying mechanism, activation of bronchial β(2)-receptors may constitute an additional cause. To examine the contribution of β(2)-adrenergic receptors to bronchodilatation during exercise in healthy humans, we studied 15 healthy male volunteers during maximum exercise test at control conditions and after a non-selective β-adrenergic blocker (carvedilol 12.

Myocardial scar and insulin resistance predict cardiovascular events in severe ischaemic myocardial dysfunction: a perfusion-metabolism positron emission tomography study.

Background: Clinical outcome can be predicted by metabolism-perfusion positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with severe ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction. This study determined whether the amount of viable or non-viable myocardium detected with a PET scan or clinical-functional parameters might predict cardiovascular events.

Methods: All patients had previous myocardial infarction (>6 months previously) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%.

Management and outcomes of patients transferred for rescue coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Rescue coronary angioplasty (PTCA), though recommended by the guidelines, is not regularly performed after failed lysis in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and data from large contemporary studies are not available. The outcomes of a recent series of consecutive patients in our Center are presented.

Methods: Between August 2000 and November 2003, 270 patients with AMI < 12 hours were referred to our cath lab for emergency PTCA: 117 (43%) for rescue PTCA after failed lysis, and 153 for primary or facilitated PTCA.

Half-dose thrombolysis to begin with, when immediate coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction is not possible.

Background: Low-dose lytic drugs are sometimes administered to patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as a bridge to coronary angioplasty (facilitated PTCA). Reports are scarce. The characteristics and outcomes of a recent series of consecutive patients treated in our Center are presented.