The de Winter electrocardiographic pattern: A systematic review of case reports.

Background: It has been established that concurrent ST-T alterations in limb leads can assist in identifying the location of left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion. The de Winter pattern is an atypical electrocardiographic manifestation characterized by ST-segment depression associated with LAD artery occlusion. We hypothesized that this atypical pattern could potentially interfere with the accurate localization of the LAD occlusion site on the electrocardiogram.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Everolimus-Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold.

Background:: Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) were developed to improve the long-term results of percutaneous coronary intervention, restoring vasomotion.

Objectives:: To report very late follow-up of everolimus-eluting Absorb BVS (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, USA) in our center.

Methods:: Observational retrospective study, in a single Brazilian center, from August 2011 to October 2013, including 49 patients submitted to Absorb BVS implantation.

Correlation between plaque composition as assessed by virtual histology and C-reactive protein.

Background: Previous studies have shown that coronary plaque composition plays a pivotal role in plaque instability, and imaging modalities and serum biomarkers have been investigated to identify vulnerable plaque. Virtual histology IVUS (VH-IVUS) characterizes plaque components as calcified, fibrotic, fibrofatty, or necrotic core. C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is an independent risk factor and a powerful predictor of future coronary events.

Stent thrombosis: an overview.

Stent thrombosis is a challenging problem following percutaneous coronary intervention that can lead to serious clinical consequences, such as death and acute myocardial infarction. Its pathophysiology is not yet completely known, and there are several causes suggested, such as incomplete stent endothelization, presence of polymers and late incomplete stent apposition. One of the main predictors is the early discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy.

[Coronary aneurysm after drug-eluting stent implantation].

The use of drug-eluting stents aiming at by-pass the disadvantage of stainless steel stents have been associated to late thrombosis after withdrawal of anti-platelet agents. We report a case with another complication, the development of a coronary aneurysm in the stent area more than three years after index procedure. Late chronic local inflammatory responses may be responsible for the weakening, erosion and aneusrysm formation.

Unstable angina patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention in the new millennium: what characterizes them?

Objective: To identify clinical and angiographic profiles of patients with unstable angina seen at a tertiary hospital and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Study of a consecutive series of 1413 patients, selected from a computerized database, who underwent percutaneous revascularization in the three-year period of 2002-2004. There were no inclusion/exclusion criteria.