Presence of retained calcified fibrin sheath after central venous catheter removal: A systematic literature review.

Central venous catheters (CVC) are used in many clinical settings for a variety of indications. We performed a systematic literature review concerning case reports of retained calcified fibrin sheaths after dialysis CVC removal. The aim of our study was to systematize the knowledge regarding clinical management of this phenomenon, placing special emphasis on diagnostic radiological features in different imaging modalities, including chest radiography, echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

A clinical evaluation of the ProNOVA XR polymer-free sirolimus eluting coronary stent system in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions (EURONOVA XR I study).

Aims: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of ProNOVA XR, a new generation of polymer-free sirolimus eluting stents (SES), utilizing a pharmaceutical excipient for timed release of sirolimus from the XR platform.

Methods And Results: Safety and efficacy of ProNOVA XR coronary stent system was examined in EURONOVA prospective, single arm, multi-center registry of 50 patients with de novo native coronary lesions up to 28 mm in length in arteries between 2.25 and 4 mm.

Design and rationale for the Myocardial Stem Cell Administration After Acute Myocardial Infarction (MYSTAR) Study: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, single-blind trial comparing early and late intracoronary or combined (percutaneous intramyocardial and intracoronary) administration of nonselected autologous bone marrow cells to patients after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Previous data suggest that bone marrow-derived stem cells (BM-SCs) decrease the infarct size and beneficially affect the postinfarction remodeling.

Methods: The Myocardial Stem Cell Administration After Acute Myocardial Infarction Study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial designed to compare the early and late intracoronary or combined (percutaneous intramyocardial and intracoronary) administration of BM-SCs to patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with reopened infarct-related artery. The primary end points are the changes in resting myocardial perfusion defect size and left ventricular ejection fraction (gated single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] scintigraphy) 3 months after BM-SCs therapy.

Stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery in patients with low preoperative risk of coronary artery bypass grafting.

Introduction: Available data indicate that stenting of the left main coronary artery (LMN) is safe and effective. Restenosis remains the main factor limiting the effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aim: To evaluate immediate and long-term results of treatment of patients with LMN disease and low preoperative risk of coronary artery bypass grafting.

Assessment of culprit plaque temperature by intracoronary thermography appears inconclusive in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Objective: Safety and feasibility evaluation of intracoronary temperature measurements in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) using a catheter based thermography system.

Methods And Results: Thermography was performed in 40 patients with ACS. A 3.

Effect of early statin and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor therapy on C-reactive protein level after percutaneous coronary angioplasty in unstable angina.

Aims: We evaluated the effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor rofecoxib added to atorvastatin, initiated immediately after percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI), on C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with unstable angina (UA).

Methods And Results: Sixty patients were prospectively randomized to receive: (A) 10 mg atorvastatin or (B) 40mg atorvastatin or (C) atorvastatin 40 mg plus rofecoxib 12.5 mg.

[Safety and effectiveness of pharmacologic versus mechanical stabilization of borderline coronary lesions in patients with acute coronary syndromes].

Introduction: Borderline coronary lesions are responsible for about 80% of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Statins have been found to improve long-term prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease due to plaque stabilization. There are no reports on the frequency of new events caused by progression of borderline lesions in patients with (ACS).

[The effects of intracoronary brachytherapy on long-term patency of previously chronically occluded bypass graft--a case report].

A case of a 70-year-old female who underwent CABG (four grafts) 12 years earlier, is presented. Following surgery, the patient suffered from two reinfarctions. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of the graft implanted to the right coronary artery which was treated by coronary angioplasty.

Inter-individual variability in response to clopidogrel in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Clopidogrel, especially when combined with aspirin, reduces the rate of ischaemic events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). There are scare data in literature on the inter-individual variability in response to clopidogrel.

Aim: To assess the incidence of clopidogrel resistance using rapid whole blood platelet function assessment, and to examine the possibility of early identification of non-responders.

High-dose statin and COX-2 inhibitor therapy rapidly decreases C-reactive protein level in patients with unstable angina.

Background And Aim: Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with an increased risk of coronary events. The levels of CRP and other inflammatory markers are significantly elevated in patients with unstable angina. We hypothesised that a high-dose statin therapy alone or with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, administered before coronary diagnostic or invasive procedures, can attenuate CRP elevation after the procedure and, consequently, more effectively reduce the rate of coronary events.

[Primary percutaneous coronary interventions in acute myocardial infraction with ST-segment elevation. Experience in a heart catheterization unit without surgical backup].

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients (pts) with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is regarded as treatment superior to thrombolysis. Coronary stents and GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors improved safety and clinical outcome of interventional procedures. Safety of primary PCI procedure in catheterisation laboratories which do not have on-site surgical backup is still under evaluation.

Transthoracic, harmonic mode, contrast enhanced color Doppler echocardiography in detection of restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions. Prospective evaluation verified by coronary angiography.

Aims: To test the feasibility and accuracy of transthoracic, harmonic mode, contrast enhanced Doppler echocardiographic assessment of lesion severity after PCI treatment in native coronary arteries--the LAD, Cx and RCA.

Methods And Results: Prospective evaluation of 59 patients (66 arteries). Restenosis was diagnosed whenever maximal flow velocity at least doubled in comparison to the segment immediately proximal to the PCI site or when local velocity was at least 2 m/s.

L-arginine supplementation does not inhibit neointimal formation after coronary stenting in human beings: an intravascular ultrasound study.

Background: In-stent restenosis results from neointimal tissue proliferation. L-arginine supplementation improves endothelial function and reduces neointimal formation after arterial injury in animals. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of L-arginine administration on neointimal proliferation after coronary stenting in human beings.

Effects of L-arginine supplementation on endothelial function after stent implantation.

Background: In-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is due to the proliferation of intima. Supplementation with L-arginine has been shown to improve endothelial function and decrease neointima proliferation in experimental animal model of restenosis.

Aim: To assess the effects of L-arginine supplementation on neointima proliferation and endothelial markers as well as growth factor levels in patients after stent implantation.