Brachial, radial, or femoral approach for elective Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation: a randomized comparison.

Unlabelled: From October 1994 to November 1995, 150 male eligible patients were randomly assigned to Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation through 6 French catheters using the femoral (puncture) (n = 56), radial (puncture) (n = 56), or brachial (cutdown) (n = 38) approach at 6 participating Belgian centers. Acenocoumarol was given for 1 month after stenting.

End Points: Primary-entry site complications (bleeding, haematoma, transfusion, occlusion, surgery) poststent implantation.

Basic components and patterns of acute ischemia recovery assessed from continuous ST monitoring in acute myocardial infarction treated by thrombolytic therapy.

Continuous ST monitoring of the lead showing the highest ST elevation on the admission 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed in patients with acute myocardial infarction of 6 hours or less enrolled in the OSIRIS and GUSTO trials. ST elevation measured at j + 50 ms was averaged from all normal beats every 20 seconds. ST trends were visually analyzed by two observers blinded from the thrombolytic treatment, its onset, and coronary angiograms performed 21 hours (median) after thrombolysis.

Evaluation of ketanserin in the prevention of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. A multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Ketanserin is a serotonin S2-receptor antagonist that inhibits the platelet activation and vasoconstriction induced by serotonin and also inhibits the mitogenic effect of serotonin on vascular smooth muscle cells.

Methods And Results: We conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effect of ketanserin in restenosis prevention after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Patients received either ketanserin (loading dose, 40 mg 1 hour before PTCA; maintenance dose, 40 mg bid for 6 months) or matched placebo.

[Acute pancreatitis caused by a voluminous umbilical hernia. Case report].

A 65 year old woman, who had a giant umbilical hernia since more than 30 years, was admitted for a transitory cerebrovascular ischemia. During her stay, she presented an episode of acute pancreatitis localized in the head of the pancreas. All current causes of acute pancreatitis were ruled out, especially alcoholism and gallstones.