Prognostic Value of Coronary CT Angiography in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Background: Severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by invasive coronary angiography (ICA) guide treatment and may predict clinical outcome in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS).

Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) is equivalent to ICA for risk assessment in patients with NSTEACS.

Methods: The VERDICT (Very Early Versus Deferred Invasive Evaluation Using Computerized Tomography in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes) trial evaluated timing of treatment in relation to outcome in patients with NSTEACS and included a clinically blinded coronary CTA conducted prior to ICA.

Coronary CT Angiography in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: In patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS), coronary pathology may range from structurally normal vessels to severe coronary artery disease.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test if coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) may be used to exclude coronary artery stenosis ≥50% in patients with NSTEACS.

Methods: The VERDICT (Very Early Versus Deferred Invasive Evaluation Using Computerized Tomography in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes) trial (NCT02061891) evaluated the outcome of patients with confirmed NSTEACS randomized 1:1 to very early (within 12 h) or standard (48 to 72 h) invasive coronary angiography (ICA).

Early Versus Standard Care Invasive Examination and Treatment of Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: The optimal timing of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and revascularization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome is not well defined. We tested the hypothesis that a strategy of very early ICA and possible revascularization within 12 hours of diagnosis is superior to an invasive strategy performed within 48 to 72 hours in terms of clinical outcomes.

Methods: Patients admitted with clinical suspicion of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in the Capital Region of Copenhagen, Denmark, were screened for inclusion in the VERDICT trial (Very Early Versus Deferred Invasive Evaluation Using Computerized Tomography) ( ClinicalTrials.

Relationship between patient presentation and morphology of coronary atherosclerosis by quantitative multidetector computed tomography.

Aims: Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) allows assessment of morphological features of coronary atherosclerosis. We aimed to test the hypothesis that clinical patient presentation is associated with distinct morphological features of coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods And Results: A total of 1652 participants, representing a spectrum of clinical risk profiles [787 asymptomatic individuals from the general population, 468 patients with acute chest pain without acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and 397 patients with acute chest pain and ACS], underwent multidetector computed tomography.

Patent foramen ovale and atrial fibrillation as causes of cryptogenic stroke: is treatment with surgery superior to device closure and anticoagulation? A review of the literature.

Closure of persistent foramen ovale (PFO) to avoid cryptogenic strokes is performed globally with enthusiasm but lacks prove of efficacy. We present a 79-year-old man who had had a PFO device introduced nine years previously because of cryptogenic strokes presenting as syncopes. The patient was referred from his general practitioner with two new syncopes.

Value of Myocardial Perfusion Assessment With Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients With Recent Acute-Onset Chest Pain.

Objectives: The authors sought to perform a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy of combined examination with coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and computed tomography perfusion imaging (CTP) compared to coronary CTA alone.

Background: Stress myocardial CTP may increase diagnostic specificity when added to coronary CTA in patients suspected of having ischemic heart disease.

Methods: Patients recently hospitalized for acute-onset chest pain, who had acute coronary syndrome had been ruled out by normal electrocardiograms, normal troponin levels, and relief of symptoms, and who had a clinical indication for outpatient noninvasive testing, were screened for inclusion in the CATCH-2 (CArdiac cT in the treatment of acute CHest pain 2) trial (NCT02014311).

Right atrial and ventricular function evaluated with speckle tracking in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Aims: Assessment of right ventricular (RV) function in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) has prognostic significance. The aim of this study was to evaluate right atrium (RA) and RV myocardial damage with 2-dimensional speckle-tracking in patients with an acute central vs an acute peripheral PE.

Methods And Results: Twenty-six patients with acute PE and 10 controls were retrospectively enrolled.

The efficacy of Femal in women with premenstrual syndrome: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicentre study.

Introduction: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, parallel-group, multicentre study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a pollen-based herbal medicinal product, Femal (Sea-Band Ltd, Leicestershire, UK), on premenstrual sleep disturbances (PSD) in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Methods: Femal, 160 mg twice-daily, was given for four menstrual cycles to 50 women, and placebo to 51 women. PSD were evaluated on a visual analogue scale prior to and after the four cycles.