[Mortality following elective surgery for abdominal aorta aneurysm].

Objective: Assessment of postoperative mortality in patients undergoing elective surgery for asymptomatic abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) in the Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This is compared with national statistical information and data in the literature.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

The Impella 2.5 and 5.0 devices for ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting with severe and profound cardiogenic shock: the Academic Medical Center intensive care unit experience.

Objective: Cardiogenic shock remains an important therapeutic challenge, with high in-hospital mortality rates. Mechanical circulatory support may be beneficial in these patients. Since the efficacy of the intra-aortic balloon pump seems limited, new percutaneously placed mechanical left ventricular support devices, such as the Impella system, have been developed for this purpose.

Simulation of therapy in a model of a nonhydropic and hydropic recipient in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Objective: This study was undertaken to model the sequence of events that occurs after amnioreduction, laser therapy, and digoxin administration in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) with and without a hydropic recipient twin.

Study Design: We added amnioreduction, laser therapy, and digoxin administration to our mathematical TTTS model and simulated combinations of these therapies.

Results: With a nonhydropic recipient, simulated amnioreduction delays the onset of hydrops.

LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in subjects with cardiovascular disease and a low HDL-C: results of the RADAR (Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin in different Dosages And Reverse cholesterol transport) study.

Background: The ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C) is a reliable predictor of cardiovascular risk. Low HDL-C levels in patients with coronary artery disease are associated with a high risk for cardiovascular events.

Objectives: This study compared the effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on the LDL-C/HDL-C.

Transmyocardial revascularization using an XeCl excimer laser: results of a randomized trial.

Background: CO2 and holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) are used to treat patients with refractory angina. A randomized trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of XeCl excimer TMLR was performed.

Methods: Thirty patients with refractory angina were randomized in pairs to excimer TMLR or maximal medication.

Cardiac denervation after clinical transmyocardial laser revascularization: short-term and long-term iodine 123-labeled meta-iodobenzylguanide scintigraphic evidence.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate whether transmyocardial laser revascularization induces myocardial denervation and to correlate this with myocardial perfusion and clinical status.

Methods: Transmyocardial laser revascularization was performed with a Holmium:YAG (n = 3) or xenon chloride excimer laser (n = 5). Preoperative and postoperative iodine 123-labeled meta-iodobenzylguanide SPECT scintigraphy to assess cardiac innervation and perfusion scintigraphy were also performed.

Improved quality of life after XeCl excimer transmyocardial laser revascularization: results of a randomized trial.

Background And Objectives: We assessed quality of life (QOL) after XeCl transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR).

Study Design/materials And Methods: Thirty patients were randomized to receive XeCl excimer TMLR or optimal cardiac medication (controls). QOL was assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months using three different questionnaires: The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-24 (MOS SF-24), the EuroQol Standardized Questionnaire, and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ).

35 years of experimental research in transmyocardial revascularization: what have we learned?

In the past 35 years many experimental studies have been performed to investigate the revascularization potential of transmyocardial revascularization and the possible working mechanisms underlying the observed clinical improvement in angina pectoris after this treatment. In this review of the experimental literature, the various methods that have been used to create transmyocardial channels and the most supported hypotheses on the working mechanism (channel patency, angiogenesis and myocardial denervation) are discussed and evaluated.