Impact of paramedic education on door-to-balloon times and appropriate use of the primary PCI pathway in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: Evidence supports improved outcomes and reduced mortality with rapid reperfusion through primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). UK national audit data (Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project [MINAP]) demonstrates minor improvements in door-to-balloon times (DTB) of <90 min but increasing call-to-balloon times (CTB). We evaluate the effect of a regional Cardiologist delivered paramedic education programme (PEP) on DTB times and appropriate use of the PPCI pathway.

The effectiveness of peroneal nerve functional electrical simulation for the reduction of bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease: A feasibility study for a randomised control trial.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of a multi-site randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of functional electrical stimulation on bradykinesia in people with Parkinson's disease.

Design: A two-arm assessor blinded randomised controlled trial with an 18 weeks intervention period and 4 weeks post-intervention follow-up.

Setting: Two UK hospitals; a therapy outpatient department in a district general hospital and a specialist neuroscience centre.

Outcome of left main stem percutaneous coronary intervention in a UK nonsurgical center: A 5-year clinical experience.

Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of unprotected left main stem (LMS) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large UK nonsurgical center.

Background: PCI on unprotected LMS is increasingly regarded as a viable alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with comparable outcome and safety profile in select groups. The safety and efficacy of unprotected LMS PCI without on-site surgical back up has not been reported.

Proton pump inhibitor associated hypomagnasaemia - a cause for concern?

Aims: In recent years, there have been a number of case reports of severe hypomagnesaemia associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, such that both the FDA and MHRA have issued drug safety warnings. They have recommended periodic serum magnesium testing in patients prescribed PPIs but provide no guidance on timing of these measurements.

Methods: To our knowledge, we are the first to perform a prospective study to explore specifically proton pump inhibitor associated hypomagnesaemia (PPIAH).

How do absorbable sutures absorb? A prospective double-blind randomized clinical study of tissue reaction to polyglactin 910 sutures in human skin.

Objective: To compare the tissue reaction produced by 2 gauges of implanted polyglactin 910(Vicryl) suture material in human skin.

Methods: A prospective, double masked, parallel randomized IRB approved clinical trial. Consecutive patients with involutional entropion and horizontal eyelid laxity were randomly allocated to 5/0 or 7/0 gauge test suture groups.