Sex differences in long-term outcomes of coronary patients treated with drug-eluting stents at a tertiary medical center.

Background: Limited data exist on contemporary sex-related differences in long-term outcomes of coronary patients receiving drug-eluting stents. In this study we evaluate differences for males (M) and females (F) in 2-year target lesion failure (TLF) in an unselected consecutive series of patients treated with everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) at a tertiary medical center.

Methods: Data on 348 consecutive patients (M 221, F 127) stented with EES and PES were retrospectively analyzed.

Age differences in long term outcomes of coronary patients treated with drug eluting stents at a tertiary medical center.

We evaluate differences in outcomes in younger (<65 years) and older (≥65 years) patients for target lesion failure (TLF) at 2-year follow-up in an unselected consecutive series of patients treated with the everolimus- (EES) and paclitaxel-eluting (PES) stents at a tertiary medical center. 348 consecutive patients (younger 150; older 198) stented with the EES and PES were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was TLF (composite endpoint of cardiac death, non fatal myocardial infarction due to index vessel and target lesion revascularization (TLR)).

Treatment of left main coronary trifurcation lesions with the paclitaxel drug-eluting stent: mid-term outcomes from a tertiary medical center.

Background: Left main trifurcating coronary artery disease (LMTCAD) is a complex and challenging anatomy to treat percutaneously. We report on the immediate- and mid-term outcomes of 52 consecutive patients with LMTCAD treated with the Taxus(R) paclitaxel- eluting stent (PES) (Boston Scientific Corp., Natick, Mass.

Intermediate term outcomes with bifurcation coronary stenting using the paclitaxel drug-eluting stent: a single centre experience.

Background: Percutaneous treatment of bifurcation coronary artery disease (BCD) is complex and, in the era of bare metal stents (BMS), was reported to have a high rate of repeat target lesion revascularization (TLR). Paclitaxel drug-eluting stents (PES) have been used in the treatment of BCD, with better overall outcomes than BMS. Also, acute stent thrombosis (AST), with an incidence ranging from 2.

Evidence-based treatment of unprotected left main disease: a critical review of the literature.

Bypass surgery is currently the standard therapy for unprotected left main (UPLM) disease because it has been shown in randomized, long-term follow-up trials to reduce mortality compared with medical treatment. Early data in treating UPLM disease with bare metal stents has shown a high rate of restenosis and major adverse events. With the advent of drug-eluting stents (DES), stenting for treatment of UPLM disease has recently gained more acceptance among interventional cardiologists.

Interatrial septal defect closure for cerebrovascular accidents: exploring the role of various anticoagulants.

Background: The role of different anticoagulants in reducing in-hospital complications in patients undergoing closure of interatrial septal defects (IASD) is unknown. In this study, we review our own experience with IASD closure data to determine if in-hospital complications and ambulation time are influenced by the use of various anticoagulants.

Methods: Fifty-five consecutive patients with a history of unexplainable stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA), with the exception of the presence of an IASD, were included in this study.

Interatrial septal defect closure for prevention of cerebrovascular accidents: impact on recurrence and frequency of migraine headaches.

Background: Recent data suggest that percutaneous closure of interatrial septal defect (IASD) is associated with a reduction in the intensity, frequency and duration of migraine headaches. In this study we review our own data to determine if we can reproduce the relationship between IASD closure in patients with a history of a central nervous system event (stroke or a transient ischemic attack [TIA]) and migraine headaches (HA).

Methods: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with a history of unexplainable stroke or TIA with the exception of the presence of an IASD were included in this retrospective study.

Long-term outcomes in treating left main trifurcation coronary artery disease with the Paclitaxel-eluting stent.

Background: Left main trifurcation coronary artery disease stenting is a challenging and complex percutaneous procedure that has been infrequently reported. We present our own experience with left main trifurcation stenting using the Taxus paclitaxel-eluting stent (Boston Scientific).

Methods: Twenty consecutive left main trifurcation stenting procedures were performed in 2005 at our institution.