The PERFORMANCE II Trial: A Prospective Multicenter Investigation of a Novel Carotid Stent System.

Background: Several randomized clinical trials have shown that the composite endpoint of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) is equivalent between carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy. However, the risk of minor stroke has been consistently higher with carotid artery stenting.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel carotid stent system comprised of a stent, an adjustable integrated embolic filter and a postdilation balloon, in patients at elevated risk for adverse events from carotid endarterectomy.

Effect of Alcohol-Mediated Renal Denervation on Blood Pressure in the Presence of Antihypertensive Medications: Primary Results From the TARGET BP I Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Renal denervation (RDN) has demonstrated clinically relevant reductions in blood pressure (BP) among individuals with uncontrolled hypertension despite lifestyle intervention and medications. The safety and effectiveness of alcohol-mediated RDN have not been formally studied in this indication.

Methods: TARGET BP I is a prospective, international, sham-controlled, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded trial investigating the safety and efficacy of alcohol-mediated RDN.

The Supreme Biodegradable Polymer DES in Acute and Chronic Coronary Syndromes: A PIONEER III Substudy.

Background: The PIONEER III trial demonstrated noninferiority of 12-month target lesion failure (TLF) with the Supreme DES (Sinomed), a thin-strut cobalt-chromium, biodegradable polymer, sirolimus-eluting stent, compared with a durable polymer, everolimus-eluting (XIENCE/PROMUS) stent (DP-EES). The relative safety and effectiveness of the Supreme DES in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and those with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) is not known.

Methods: PIONEER III was a prospective, multicenter, international, 2:1 randomized trial stratified by clinical presentation.

Aggression in Group-Housed Male Mice: A Systematic Review.

Aggression among group-housed male mice is a major animal welfare concern often observed at animal facilities. Studies designed to understand the causes of male mice aggression have used different methodological approaches and have been heterogeneous, using different strains, environmental enrichments, housing conditions, group formations and durations. By conducting a systematic literature review based on 198 observed conclusions from 90 articles, we showed that the methodological approach used to study aggression was relevant for the outcome and suggested that home cage observations were better when studying home cage aggression than tests provoking aggression outside the home cage.

Geographic Variations on the Safety and Efficacy of the Supreme Biodegradable Polymer DES: Results From PIONEER III.

Background: The PIONEER III trial showed the 12-month safety and efficacy of the Supreme drug-eluting stent (DES) vs the durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent. We sought to assess whether the characteristics and clinical outcomes of the Supreme DES in PIONEER III were consistent among patients by enrollment location.

Methods: This subgroup analysis of the PIONEER III trial compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients recruited from North America, Europe, and Japan and the relative differences in patient outcomes according to the site recruitment volume.