Usefulness of breast arterial calcium detected on mammography for predicting coronary artery disease or cardiovascular events in women with angina pectoris and/or positive stress tests.

Breast arterial calcium (BAC) has been suggested as a marker and predictor of cardiovascular risk and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, an association between BAC and these cardiovascular end points has not been fully elucidated in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Consecutive patients undergoing mammography and cardiac catheterization within a 36-month period were retrospectively evaluated through chart review.

Impact of nephropathy after percutaneous coronary intervention and a method for risk stratification.

Radiocontrast-induced nephropathy (RCIN) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with grave consequences, but risk stratification of patients has not been well elucidated. This analysis derived a time-insensitive score to predict the risk of RCIN after PCI. A derivation cohort (1993 to 1998) and a validation cohort (1999 to 2002) comprised 20,479 patients who underwent PCI.

Ximelagatran: a novel oral direct thrombin inhibitor for long-term anticoagulation.

The ideal anticoagulant agent would have a fixed oral dose without need for dose adjustment, a wider therapeutic window than that of warfarin, and acceptable bleeding risks without the need for routine coagulation monitoring. Ximelagatran is a new oral agent that, when converted to its active form, melagatran, directly inhibits thrombin, thus blocking its activity and modulating several of its key functions. For the prevention of venous thromboembolism after orthopedic surgery, treatment of venous thromboembolism, and prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, clinical trials indicate that ximelagatran meets the criteria for a superior anticoagulant.

Characteristics of cerebrovascular accidents after percutaneous coronary interventions.

Objectives: We sought to identify the incidence, predictors, and clinical implications of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs).

Background: Cerebrovascular accidents after PCI, although rare, can be devastating. Limited information exists regarding the characterization of this complication.

The incidence, predictors, and outcomes of early reinfarction after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We sought to identify the incidence, predictors, and clinical consequences of one-month reinfarction (RE-MI) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Background: One-month reinfarction after AMI significantly increases long-term mortality; however, little is known about the incidence and predictors of RE-MI in patients undergoing primary angioplasty.

Methods: We analyzed data from 3,646 patients who underwent primary PCI in the Primary Angioplasty in Acute Myocardial Infarction (PAMI) studies.