Paclitaxel- versus sirolimus-eluting stents for treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: with analyses for diabetic and nondiabetic subpopulation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine which drug-eluting stent (DES) is preferable for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to elucidate the impact of diabetes mellitus on the outcome of each DES.

Background: Recent studies have shown the benefit of DES in patients with STEMI. Diabetes mellitus might differentially affect outcomes of each DES.

Intensive pharmacologic treatment in patients with acute non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who did not undergo percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of more aggressive pharmacological treatment on short-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who do not undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: The 924 NSTEMI patients treated with early conservative strategy (69.2+/-12.

No differences of carotid intima-media thickness between young patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy controls.

Objective: Accelerated atherosclerosis in inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) stands out among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. We assessed the correlation between subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and its related clinical parameters in AS patients.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients (23 males, 5 females) with AS and 27 sex- and age-matched controls were consecutively recruited to this study.

Do acute changes in heart rate by isoproterenol affect aortic stiffness in patients with hypertension?

Background: Increased aortic stiffness is a independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension. Acute changes of the heart rate (HR) have been reported not to affect the aortic stiffness in pacing. However, it is unknown whether acute changes in HR caused by sympathomimetics can affect the aortic stiffness in patients with hypertension.