Effect of statin therapy on risk of ventricular arrhythmia among patients with coronary artery disease and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors, or statins, have been shown to decrease mortality rates in patients who have coronary artery disease. It has been postulated that part of the mortality benefit conferred by statins is due to a decrease in ventricular arrhythmias. We assessed the effect of statin therapy on recurrent ventricular arrhythmias in 281 patients who developed coronary artery disease after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement.

Impact of female sex on outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Prior reports have suggested that women have increased mortality compared to men following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It remains unclear if this difference is secondary to sex or other confounding variables.

Methods: We sought to examine the characteristics and outcomes of 18039 consecutive women and men undergoing PCI at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1992-2002.

Peripheral vascular disease and one-year mortality following percutaneous coronary revascularization.

The association between peripheral vascular disease and outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention was examined in the Do Tirofiban and Reopro Give Similar Efficacy Outcome Trial (TARGET). After adjustments in a multivariate model, a history of peripheral vascular disease was found to be associated with a two- to threefold increase in mortality at 1 year after coronary stent placement.