Various clinical scenarios leading to development of the string sign of the internal thoracic artery after coronary bypass surgery: the role of competitive flow, a case series.

Background: The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is the choice for grafting of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). One possible mechanism of the rare graft failure involve the presence of competitive flow.

Method: 105 patients who had undergone coronary bypass grafting between 1998 and 2000 were included in this observational study.

The management of patients on oral anticoagulation undergoing coronary stent implantation: a survey among interventional cardiologists from eight European countries.

Purpose: To evaluate the current management, and adherence to recommendations, of patients on oral anticoagulation (OAC) undergoing coronary stent implantation (PCI-S).

Methods: By means of a contact person who had been previously identified in 8 European countries, a questionnaire was electronically forwarded between April and July 2010 to the national institutions where PCI-S is performed.

Results: A total of 202 questionnaires (median response rate: 50%, range 33-78%) was received.

Apoptosis and angiogenesis are induced in the unstable coronary atherosclerotic plaque.

Objective: Apoptosis and angiogenesis may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and plaque destabilization. In this study, we investigated if apoptosis and angiogenesis were induced in the unstable human coronary atherosclerotic plaque compared to stable atherosclerotic plaque.

Methods: Atherosclerotic plaques from patients with stable (n = 9) and unstable angina (n = 13) were obtained by directional coronary atherectomy performed during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and its regulators in the unstable coronary atherosclerotic plaque.

Unstable coronary syndromes, initiated by rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, may involve the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The regulation of MMP activity is complex and involves three steps. First, an inactive pro-MMP is transcriptionally regulated, a process that is likely to involve the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB).

Validation of coronary flow reserve measurements by thermodilution in clinical practice.

Background: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) provide complementary information on the coronary circulation. Using a pressure wire, it is possible to calculate CFR by thermodilution (CFR(thermo)), so that FFR and CFR can be measured with a single guide wire. The present multicentric study was performed to compare the feasibility of CFR(thermo)obtained with an improved algorithm and a standardized injection technique and its agreement with Doppler-derived CFR (CFR(Doppler)).