Epidemiology, reperfusion management, and outcomes of patients with myocardial infarction in Greece: The ILIAKTIS study.

Objective: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of death; however, updated data regarding clinical presentation and current management are missing in Greece. This study aimed to prospectively record the demographic and clinical characteristics of a representative sample of patients suffering from AMI, their management, and short-term outcomes.

Methods: ILIAKTIS is a national, prospective, multicenter, noninterventional study conducted under the auspices of Hellenic Society of Cardiology (HCS) and the European Initiative Stent - Save a Life.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Practical Considerations on the Choice of Agent and Dosing.

Direct or new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), including the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and the direct factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban, have recently revolutionized the field of antithrombotic therapy for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Randomized controlled trials have shown that these agents have at least comparable efficacy with vitamin K antagonists along with superior safety, at least in what concerns intracranial hemorrhage. As a result, NOACs are indicated as first-line anticoagulation therapy for NVAF patients with at least one risk factor for stroke or systemic embolism.

New-onset atrial fibrillation and clinical outcome in non-cardiac intensive care unit patients.

Background: Data regarding new onset atrial fibrillation (nAF) in general, non-cardiac, intensive care unit (ICU) patients are limited. However, it has been suggested that nAF is associated with worse clinical outcome in these patients.

Objective: The purpose of the present work was to study the prognostic impact of nAF, in this setting.

Dabigatran plasma levels, aPTT and thromboelastography in patients with AF: implications for allowing early non-elective surgical procedures.

According to current recommendations, patients on dabigatran should stop the drug 24-96 h before scheduled surgery. This may seem too long for non-elective cases. The aim of our study was to assess the number of patients on dabigatran who could theoretically undergo surgery 12 h post last drug dosing.

A Tongue Lesion as a Sign of a Systemic Disease.

Amyloidosis is the extracellular fibril deposition of a variety of proteins, many of which circulate as plasma ingredients. It is a disease difficult to identify due to its nonspecific symptoms and manifestations. Amyloidosis of the tongue, either isolated or part of the systemic disease, is rare and its features resemble those of a tumor.

Anticoagulation therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: results from the Registry of Atrial Fibrillation To Investigate the Implementation of New Guidelines (RAFTING).

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation aged 75 years or older have a CHA2DS2VASc score that dictates oral anticoagulants. We recorded physicians' anticoagulation attitudes in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation and assessed the impact of stroke and bleeding risk.

Methods: Atrial Fibrillation To Investigate the Implementation of New Guidelines , a countrywide prospective registry performed in Greece during 2010, a period when only vitamin-K antagonists (VKA) were available, enrolled 1127 patients with atrial fibrillation diagnosis during Emergency Departments visit in 31 representative hospitals; 807 patients had known atrial fibrillation and of those, 342 aged 75 years or older.

Clinical profile and therapeutic management of patients with atrial fibrillation in Greece: results from the Registry of Atrial Fibrillation to Investigate New Guidelines (RAFTING).

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia with significant morbidity, including a 5-fold increase in stroke risk. The management of AF, including antithrombotic therapy (AT), varies considerably among countries. Representative data concerning AF features and management in Greece are generally lacking.

Short-term outcome and attainment of secondary prevention goals in patients with acute coronary syndrome--results from the countrywide TARGET study.

Background/objectives: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) continue to pose a significant medical and socioeconomic burden worldwide. Optimal management strategy aims to improve short and long-term outcome. The present study aims to assess short-term outcome of real-world ACS patients and evaluate the achievement rate of secondary prevention goals.

Inadequate heart rate control is associated with worse quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The RYTHMOS study.

Introduction: Significant evidence shows that elevated heart rate (HR) is an independent risk factor in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and influences their prognosis. In addition, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have more frequent episodes of angina and their compliance with heart rate agents, such as beta blockers, is poor. The purpose of the multicenter observational RYTHMOS study was to evaluate the role of heart rate management in the prognosis and quality of life in patients with CAD and COPD.

Epidemiological characteristics and in-hospital management of acute coronary syndrome patients in Greece: results from the TARGET study.

Introduction: Conduction of national surveys is needed to depict temporal trends in the risk profile, type of implemented treatment strategy and outcome of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The TARGET study is a multicenter, observational study that aimed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, management pattern and outcome of ACS patients in Greece.

Methods: A total of 418 consecutive patients with ACS (44.

Do we reperfuse those in most need? Clinical characteristics of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients receiving reperfusion therapy in the countrywide registry HELIOS.

Introduction: we analysed the clinical profile of patients with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who arrived in hospital within 12 hrs from pain onset and either received reperfusion therapy (PCI or fibrinolytic therapy) or remained without reperfusion.

Methods: the Hellenic Infarction Observation Study (HELIOS) was a countrywide registry of acute myocardial infarction, conducted during 2005-2006. The registry enrolled 1840 patients with myocardial infarction from 31 hospitals, with a proportional representation of all types of hospitals and all geographical areas.

Cardiac magnetic resonance detection and typical appearance of microvascular obstruction following myocardial infarction.

We report the case of a 58-year-old man with a recent anterior myocardial infarction, for which he did not receive prompt reperfusion therapy. The patient underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, for the assessment of left ventricular function and myocardial viability, and coronary angiography, two weeks after the acute cardiac event. The CMR study demonstrated a moderately dilated left ventricle, with impaired systolic function and wall motion abnormalities in the anterior, apical and inferior left ventricular walls.

Outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted in hospitals with or without catheterization laboratory: results from the HELIOS registry.

Aims: To compare the treatment and outcomes of myocardial infarction patients in hospitals with and without catheterization laboratory.

Methods And Results: The Hellenic Infarction Observation Study was a countrywide registry of acute myocardial infarction, conducted during 2005-2006. The registry enrolled 1840 patients with myocardial infarction from 31 hospitals with a proportional representation of all types of hospitals and of all geographical areas.

Temporal and spatial distribution of ST-elevation myocardial infarction admissions in a countrywide registry.

Background: Current guidelines propose different reperfusion strategies for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) depending on the time delay from pain onset, the availability of a catheterization laboratory and the patient's characteristics. In order to implement national strategies to improve reperfusion rates the existing situation must be first analysed. The aim of this report is to provide a description of where and when STEMI patients present in a countrywide registry.

Overestimation and underestimation of cardiovascular risk in clinical practice: usefulness of risk estimation charts.

Introduction: Charts for the estimation of cardiovascular risk contribute greatly to clinical decision making in the management of asymptomatic individuals. However, most decisions are taken without consulting the charts. The aim of our study was to record the degree of overestimation or underestimation of cardiovascular risk in everyday clinical practice.