Effect of thrombus aspiration on angiography and outcome in patients undergoing primary coronary angioplasty.

Thrombus exerts a major impact on the performance and outcome of primary and rescue interventions in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Although the optimal treatment of thrombotic lesions is still controversial, thrombus aspiration provides an effective method to achieve successful reperfusion during primary angioplasty. We compared clinical and angiographic outcomes in 286 patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and thrombus aspiration with those who underwent conventional PTCA without thrombus aspiration.

The clinical spectrum of acute coronary syndromes: experience from a major center in Kerala.

Background: The clinical profile and the mortality rate among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are not well studied in Kerala.

Aims: To determine the clinical characteristics, mortality rate and possible risk factors for high mortality among patients with ACS.

Settings And Design: Retrospective study conducted at Kottayam Medical College, a large teaching hospital.