ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by radial or femoral approach in a multicenter randomized clinical trial: the STEMI-RADIAL trial.

Objectives: This study sought to compare radial and femoral approaches in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by high-volume operators experienced in both access sites.

Background: The exact clinical benefit of the radial compared to the femoral approach remains controversial.

Methods: STEMI-RADIAL (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction treated by RADIAL or femoral approach) was a randomized, multicenter trial.

Long-term follow-up after deferral of coronary intervention based on myocardial fractional flow reserve measurement.

Objective: To assess long-term results after deferring coronary intervention (percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)) of an intermediate lesion with a value of myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) > or = 0.75 in a 'real life' patient population with no respect to results of stress tests (if performed) or coronary disease extent.

Methods: PCI of an intermediate lesion was deferred in a group of 85 consecutive patients (54 men, 61+/-10 years) on the basis of the result of FFR > or = 0.

[Deferral of coronary intervention based on measurement of myocardial fractional flow reserve].

Background: Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a useful method in assessment of functional significance of coronary stenosis. Deferral of intervention of angiographically intermediate lesion based on FFR measurement is safe in selected patient population as previously described. The aim of the study was to assess mid-term results after deferring coronary intervention of intermediate lesion in a non-selected patient population with no respect to the extent of coronary artery disease and to the results of stress tests if performed.

Tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and cytoadhesive molecules in patients with an acute coronary syndrome.

The tissue factor plays a crucial role in initiating blood coagulation after plaque rupture in patients with acute coronary syndrome. It is abundant in atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, P-selectin, some cytokines, endotoxin and immune complexes can stimulate monocytes and induce the tissue factor expression on their surface.

[Angiographically marginally significant coronary stenoses--postponement of intervention based on measurement of myocardial fractional flow reserve].

Introduction: When evaluating angiographically marginal coronary stenoses (i.e. 40-70% reduction of the diameter of the arterial lumen) it is under certain conditions difficult to decide on their actual functional impact.

Time course of endothelin-1 plasma level in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

An elevated plasma level of endothelin-1 was reported in several cardiovascular conditions including unstable angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. The present study was designed to evaluate the time course of the endothelin-1 release in unstable angina pectoris and to assess its relationship to the development of myocardial infarction and coronary vessel occlusion. The cohort studied included 32 patients with the clinical diagnosis of unstable angina pectoris who had been admitted to the coronary care unit and subsequently underwent coronary angiography (group A).