[Comparative studies of the rate of restenosis after implantation of Palmaz-Schatz and AVE-Micro stents].

Late results of interventional procedures utilizing coronary stents are largely determined by the rate of restenosis. So far few data are available addressing the effect of stent design, implantation pressure and morphologic factors on this crucial variable. Therefore we analyzed the coronary angiograms obtained in 259 patients before, immediately after and at 3 to 6 months following stent implantation for obstructive coronary disease.

Impact of various compression rates on interpretation of digital coronary angiograms.

According to the ACC/ACR/NEMA/ESC-guidelines, digital techniques should be replaced by cinefilm for coronary angiography. The ad hoc group of experts recently chose CD-R (CD recordable) as transport media and the JPEG standard for image compression. To avoid a possible loss of image quality, the guidelines allow a maximal data compression of only 2:1.

[Waiting times and death on the waiting list for coronary artery bypass operation. Experiences in Munich with over 1,000 patients].

Short-term and long-term results are the classical parameters for quality assurance in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). In contrast, waiting times and the inherent risks of waiting lists are usually neglected. Although the problem of "death on the waiting list" is generally known, related publications are scarce.

[Cardiopulmonary risk factors in patients with sleep apnea].

Since the interaction between disorders of the respiratory coordination and cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary regulation is still largely unknown the intention of the present investigation is to point out the coincidence of cardiac arrhythmias, such as premature ventricular capture (PVC) beats and conduction blocks, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). For the first time a group of more than 300 patients with suspected OSA is examined concerning risk factors and frequent diagnoses as obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), heart insufficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and daytime hypoxaemia. Summarizing the results of lung function test, blood gas analysis, strain-ECG, Holter-ECG and inductive plethysmography with oxygen partial pressure measurement by ambulatory work-up the following statements can be made: PVC beats occurring markedly during sleep give hints for OSA being the underlying cause, especially if the patients are young and overweight.