In-field use of I-VED electrical impedance sensor for assessing post-dive decompression stress in humans.

Purpose: Ultrasound imaging is commonly used in decompression research to assess venous gas emboli (VGE) post-dive, with higher loads associated with increased decompression sickness risk. This work examines, for the first time in humans, the performance of a novel electrical impedance spectroscopy technology (I-VED), on possible detection of post-dive bubbles presence and arterial endothelial dysfunction that may be used as markers of decompression stress.

Methods: I-VED signals were recorded in scuba divers who performed standardized pool dives before and at set time points after their dives at 35-minute intervals for about two hours.

Highly sensitive resistance spectroscopy technique for online monitoring of biofilm growth on metallic surfaces.

Online techniques for monitoring biofilm formation and evolution are limited, especially as regards its application in flowing water systems. This is chiefly due to the absence of efficient non-destructive and non-invasive sensing methods. In this study, a sensitive electrical resistance spectroscopy technique is developed to monitor non-invasively and in real time the growth of biofilms over metallic surfaces inside water flow systems.

Cell-Derived Microparticles and Acute Coronary Syndromes: Is there a Predictive Role for Microparticles?

Background: Despite the recent advances in the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), patients with ACS are still exposed to an increased risk for adverse cardiovascular events, while their prognosis is difficult to determine. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that cell-derived Microparticles (MPs) are associated with the underlying pathophysiological processes that are responsible for atherogenesis and may be causally implicated in the induction of atherothrombosis.

Objective: In the present article, we aimed to review the available evidence regarding the predictive role of MPs in patients with ACS.

Incremental Prognostic Value of Stress Echocardiography With Carotid Ultrasound for Suspected CAD.

Objectives: This study hypothesized that ischemia and atherosclerosis assessment by ultrasound (US) may provide incremental prognostic information in patients with new-onset chest pain who do not have coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background: The clinical significance of atherosclerosis assessment by carotid US in patients undergoing stress echocardiography (SE) in such patients is unknown.

Methods: Consecutive patients with suspected angina but no history of CAD underwent simultaneous SE and US prospectively to assess myocardial ischemia and carotid plaque burden (CPB), respectively.

Novel Anti-Platelets in Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Apart from the acute thrombotic complications that lead to acute coronary syndromes (ACS), platelet activation also plays an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In addition, it is speculated that anti-platelet therapy can be beneficial for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Of note, patients on optimal anti-platelet treatment still experience thrombotic events, whereas complications, such as bleeding, cannot be ignored.

Relative clinical and economic impact of exercise echocardiography vs. exercise electrocardiography, as first line investigation in patients without known coronary artery disease and new stable angina: a randomized prospective study.

Aims: Exercise electrocardiography (ExECG) is widely used in suspected stable angina (SA) as the initial test for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). We hypothesized that exercise stress echo (ESE) would be efficacious with cost advantage over ExECG when utilized as the initial test.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients with suspected SA, without known CAD were randomized into ExECG or ESE.

The clinical impact of contemporary stress echocardiography in morbid obesity for the assessment of coronary artery disease.

Objective: Non-invasive cardiac imaging may suffer from poor image quality in morbidly obese individuals. This study aimed to determine the clinical value of contemporary stress echocardiography (SE) in morbidly obese patients referred for assessment of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: This prospective, multicentre observational study was conducted in two district hospitals and one tertiary centre in London, UK.

Relative diagnostic, prognostic and economic value of stress echocardiography versus exercise electrocardiography as initial investigation for the detection of coronary artery disease in patients with new onset suspected angina.

Objectives: We hypothesised that stress echocardiography (SE), may be superior to exercise ECG (ExECG), for predicting CAD and outcome, and cost-beneficial, when performed as initial investigation in newly suspected angina.

Methods: All patients seen in 2011, with suspected angina, no history of CAD, pre-test likelihood of CAD of > 10% and who underwent SE or ExECG as first line were identified retrospectively. Cost to diagnosis was calculated by adding the cost of all tests, up to and including coronary angiography (CA), on an intention-to-treat basis.

Role of simultaneous carotid ultrasound in patients undergoing stress echocardiography for assessment of chest pain with no previous history of coronary artery disease.

Background: We prospectively explored prevalence of carotid disease (CD), its independent association with coronary artery disease (CAD) and outcome as well as potential impact on management, in patients undergoing stress echocardiography (SE) for new onset chest pain without known CAD.

Methods: Accordingly, 591 consecutive patients referred for SE underwent carotid ultrasound. Carotid disease was defined as carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) >75th percentile for age and sex and/or presence of plaque.