Strategies to detect abnormal glucose metabolism in people at high risk of cardiovascular disease from the ORIGIN (Outcome Reduction with Initial Glargine Intervention) trial population.

Background: To investigate whether the combination of HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) can be used for the diagnosis of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in people at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 2907 people at high risk of cardiovascular events but without a previous diagnosis of diabetes. Optimal cut-off points and the diagnostic potential of FPG, HbA1c, and their combination were determined.

[Reversible coronary artery spasms associated with cocaine use].

A 32-year-old man developed coronary artery spasms after using cocaine. He had no significant coronary stenoses. The reversible spasms were diagnosed during heart catheterisation which was carried out because of typical chest pain and electrocardiographic changes.

Effect of nicotine on production of prostacyclin in human umbilical artery.

The influence of nicotine on the production of prostacyclin was studied in umbilical arteries from newborn infants of mothers who were smokers and those who were non-smokers. Thirteen umbilical cords were obtained from the non-smokers and 10 from the smokers. After their ability to produce prostacyclin was shown, the arteries were perfused during a 20 minute period with nicotine 10-7 mol in Krebs-Henseleit buffer and then again during 20 minutes with pure buffer.