[Sirolimus-eluting stent in the prevention of restenosis in small coronary arteries].

Background: Angioplasty of coronary arteries with a small diameter (commonly defined as diameter inferior than 2.75 mm) is associated with a high rate of restenosis and revascularization. Since the use of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) and considering their good results on simple lesions compared to other techniques (balloon dilation and bare metal stents), many studies have also demonstrated the superiority of DES in reducing restenosis and revascularization of complex lesions in particular lesions on coronary arteries with small diameter.

[Overview on the management of vasovagal syncope].

Background: Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common type of syncope. Despite its benignity, quality of life may be severely affected in a significant proportion of highly symptomatic patients.

Aim: To review achral knowledgement concerning vasovagal syncope, to assess the utility of diagnostic investigation and report the updat therapeutic management.

[Chronic heart failure: role of Doppler echocardiography in the evaluation of mortality risk].

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite recent improvements in the management of this condition, the overall prognosis remains poor. Echocardiography is the most useful test in the evaluation of systolic and diastolic function and has also a prognostic value.

[Influence of sex on immediate and late results of percutaneous coronary angioplasty].

Prior studies have reported worse results after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in women than in men. However, recent data suggest that this difference is less marked. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether the procedural outcome is equal in the two genders.

[Asymptomatic cor triatriatum sinister in adulthood].

Cor triatrium sinister is a rare congenital disease (0,1% of cases of congenital heart disease). Cor triatrium is recognized by the finding of an abnormal fibromuscular membrane that subdivise the left atrium into posterosuperior and anteroinferor chambers. This anomaly creates an obstacle to the venous pulmonary flow.

[Homocysteinaemia and degenerative complications in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus].

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: NIDDM) is known to be associated with degenerative complications. Although, the pathophysiology of such complications is well known, the role of homocysteine (Hcy) is still discussed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the homocysteine levels and the NIDDM related complications in a group of NIDDM patients.

[Which place for VDD mode single electrode pacemaker?].

VDD mode single electrode pacemaker is a technique of cardiac stimulation which preserves auriculo-ventricular synchronism using a single electrode. Its importance has decreased because of the numerous satisfactions previous by the DDD mode. We describe our experience with this mode and we discuss the advantages, limits and indications of this mode of cardiac stimulation.

[Short coupled variant of torsade de pointes: our experience and review of the literature].

We present three cases of short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes with review of the literature. These women presented with syncope or presyncope due to torsade de pointes initiated by a short-coupled premature ventricular beat and without evidence of prolonged QT. There were no electrolyte disturbances in all cases, no apparent structural heart disease in two cases and a mild interventricular septum hypertrophy in the other case.

[Diagnostic and prognostic values of troponins in acute coronary syndromes].

Coronary disease is a frequent clinical entity which, in some cases, makes a difficult diagnostic problem. However, the very big revolution realised these last decades in both diagnostics and therapeutics, improved management of these patients. Troponins which are specific and sensitive biomarkers of myocardial damage were evaluated in several domains, especially in acute coronary diseases.

[Role of fibrin D-dimer in acute coronary syndrome. Prospective study of 22 cases].

Fibrin D-dimer are the consequence of an excess of fibrinolysis. The raise of their level in coronary heart disease seems to be helpful to enhance the diagnosis of coronary ischemia. Prospective study over 4 months, including 22 patients (16 male, 6 female) divided in 2 subgroups: Group I: 10 patients investigated for stable angina Group II: 12 patients investigated for ACS without ST elevation.

[GPIIB/IIIA blockade after high-risk angioplasty: new perspectives].

The treatment of acute coronary syndromes knows today revolution, with the clinical use of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The benefit of these agents as adjunctive treatment for percutaneous coronary intervention has been substantial and consistently proved among trials; however patients undergoing revascularization after drug discontinuation demonstrated a moderate event reduction. In this analysis, including the entire large-scale trial experience of intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, we try to evaluate this therapeutic class in the high risk coronary intervention, in patients with acute coronary syndromes primarily medically managed, and in combination therapy with thrombolytics in the acute myocardial infarction.

[Recurrent thrombo-embolic accident in young patients: think of lung cancer].

A case report about a young patient with acute thromboembolism, the authors. If the clinical futures or relapsing thromboembolic accidents accuring on a young patient reveal a bronchial carcinoma, the authors insist on doing a systematic investigation looking for a neoplasma specially if patient is young and without a known thromboembolic risk.

[Role of low-molecular-weight heparin in acute coronary syndromes].

Looking to their efficiency in the treatment of venous thrombosis and the problems caused by non fractioned heparins (NFH) in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes, several studies were realised to prove the interests of fractioned heparins (FH) as good alternative therapeutics in acute coronary syndromes. A fist attempt, FRISC study, showed that dalteparin was superior to the placebo given in patients receiving aspirin (75 mg daily). In the FRIC study the pursuit of dalteparin between the sixth and the fortieth day, at a low dose, don't give benefits compared to aspirin given simply.