A randomised study for optimising crossover from ticagrelor to clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The CAPITAL OPTI-CROSS Study.

Ticagrelor has been endorsed by guidelines as the P2Y inhibitor of choice in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Clinically, some patients on ticagrelor will require a switch to clopidogrel; however, the optimal strategy and pharmacodynamics effects of switching remain unknown. Patients with an indication to switch were randomly assigned to either a bolus arm (Clopidogrel 600 mg bolus followed by 75 mg daily, n=30) or a no-bolus arm (Clopidogrel 75 mg daily, n=30).

A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Conventional Stenting Versus Direct Stenting in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Direct stenting (DS) is commonly used during percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to prevent distal embolization; however, no guideline recommendations exist regarding DS. We sought to compare DS with conventional stenting (CS) in patients presenting with AMI in a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Methods: Studies were identified from EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases.

Impact of SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging on cardiac care.

Single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging is a powerful modality for the assessment of coronary artery disease. It is useful in the diagnosis of CAD, prognostication of CAD and the determination of viability. It acts as guide for therapy and has the ability to assess effectiveness of therapy.

Quality of diabetes and hyperlipidemia screening before a first myocardial infarction.

Background: There has been significant attention to the quality of care for acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, little is known about the quality of preventive care before a patient's first MI.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cohort analysis of 5688 patients admitted with their first MI to 96 acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada, from April 2004 to March 2005 using the Enhanced Feedback For Effective Cardiac Treatment clinical study database.