Similar success rates with bivalirudin and unfractionated heparin in bare-metal stent implantation.

Background: Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the traditional agent utilized during percutaneous peripheral interventions (PPIs) despite its well-known limitations. Bivalirudin, a thrombin-specific anticoagulant, overcomes many of the limitations of UFH and has consistently demonstrated comparable efficacy with significantly fewer bleeding complications. The purpose of this study was to compare procedural success in patients undergoing bare-metal stent implantation for atherosclerotic blockage of the renal, iliac, and femoral arteries and receiving either bivalirudin (0.

The use of the D-STAT dry bandage for the control of vascular access site bleeding: a multicenter experience in 376 patients.

Multiple topical hemostats have been approved for control of surface bleeding from vascular access sites. The majority of these devices, however, have few clinical data supporting their use. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of the new commercially available D-Stat Dry hemostatic bandage compared to standard care manual compression.

Subendocardial ischemia without coronary artery disease: is elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure the culprit?

Background: The aim was to investigate the association between elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and subendocardial ischemia.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of 1846 consecutive patients admitted between January and September 2002 who had chest pain, stress testing and coronary angiography.

Results: 1592 patients were excluded due to a positive coronary angiogram for coronary artery disease (CAD), 254 patients had an angiogram compatible with non-significant CAD and an ejection fraction > 45%; of whom 210 (82.