Comparison of sulfur hexafluoride microbubble (SonoVue)-enhanced myocardial contrast echocardiography with gated single-photon emission computed tomography for detection of significant coronary artery disease: a large European multicenter study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare sulfur hexafluoride microbubble (SonoVue)-enhanced myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) relative to coronary angiography (CA) for assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background: Small-scale studies have shown that myocardial perfusion assessed by SonoVue-enhanced MCE is a viable alternative to SPECT for CAD assessment. However, large multicenter studies are lacking.

Clinical events as a function of proton pump inhibitor use, clopidogrel use, and cytochrome P450 2C19 genotype in a large nationwide cohort of acute myocardial infarction: results from the French Registry of Acute ST-Elevation and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (FAST-MI) registry.

Background: Clopidogrel requires metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that inhibit CYP2C19 are commonly coadministered with clopidogrel to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. This analysis compares treatment outcomes for patients in the French Registry of Acute ST-Elevation and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (FAST-MI) who did or did not receive clopidogrel and/or PPIs.

Surgical or medical treatment for thrombus straddling the patent foramen ovale: impending paradoxical embolism? Report of four clinical cases and literature review.

Background: Thrombus straddling the patent foramen ovale (TSFO) is a rare event. It occurs in the presence of pulmonary embolism and can be responsible for paradoxical embolism. The aim of this report is to guide the optimal choice of treatment for TSFO in different clinical contexts.

Incidence of early adverse events surrounding direct current cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation. A cohort study of practices.

Aims: To establish the incidence of early adverse events surrounding direct current (DC) cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation in an unselected patient cohort and to describe and analyse these complications.

Methods: Prospective study over a three-month period (February, March and April 2000). Outcome measures included all serious adverse events during the hospitalisation for DC cardioversion.