Time course of restenosis during the first year after emergency coronary stenting.

Background: Prevention of abrupt vessel closure after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) represents one of the current indications for intracoronary stent implantation. After the procedure, the stented segment undergoes luminal changes that may lead to late restenosis. This study was undertaken to assess the time course of luminal changes during the first year after emergency placement of coronary stents.

[New intervention procedures: lasers, atherectomy, stents].

New coronary devices--atherectomy, laser angioplasty, and stents--have been designed to overcome main limitations of conventional balloon angioplasty (PTCA). So far, none of the new devices has clearly demonstrated a general superiority regarding acute complications. Late outcome and restenosis are not affected by the type of intervention, but mainly determined by the primary success, i.

Comparative evaluation of verapamil, flecainide and propafenone for the acute conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.

In 69 consecutive patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation, we compared the usefulness of verapamil, flecainide and propafenone for the acute conversion to sinus rhythm within 1 hour of the start of intravenous infusion. The patients were randomized to receive verapamil, 10 mg in 5 minutes (n = 29), flecainide, 2 mg/kg in 10 minutes (n = 20) or propafenone, 2 mg/kg in 10 minutes (n = 20). The 3 treatment groups did not differ significantly regarding patient baseline characteristics.

Optimal value of filling pressure in the right side of the heart in acute right ventricular infarction.

Haemodynamic monitoring was performed within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms in basal conditions, during volume loading, and during infusion of glyceryl trinitrate in 41 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic electrocardiographic and haemodynamic criteria of right ventricular infarction. In most patients an increase of mean right atrial pressure up to 10-14 mm Hg was followed by an increase in right ventricular stroke work index. But raising the mean right atrial pressure above 14 mm Hg was almost always accompanied by a reduction in right ventricular stroke work index.

Acute haemodynamic effects of nifedipine in patients with ventricular septal defect.

The haemodynamic effects of nifedipine were studied in 14 patients (aged 8-14 years, seven male and seven female) with ventricular septal defect with and without pulmonary hypertension. All underwent left and right heart catheterisation. In each patient the pressures and heart rate were measured and blood samples were taken for oximetry before and after sublingual administration of 10 mg nifedipine.