Recurrent cardiovascular events with paclitaxel-eluting versus bare-metal stents in saphenous vein graft lesions: insights from the SOS (Stenting of Saphenous Vein Grafts) trial.

Unlabelled: The Stenting of Saphenous Vein Grafts (SOS) trial demonstrated a reduction in clinical and angiographic adverse events with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) compared to bare-metal stents (BMS) in saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions, but the rate of recurrent adverse events has not been described.

Methods: We performed a post hoc, landmark analysis to evaluate the risk of event recurrence following a non-fatal initial event among the SOS trial patients (pts).

Results: During a median follow-up of 35 months, the 80 pts enrolled in SOS experienced a total of 78 major cardiovascular events (MACE): 51 in the BMS group and 27 in PES group.

Relation between the presence and extent of coronary lipid core plaques detected by near-infrared spectroscopy with postpercutaneous coronary intervention myocardial infarction.

We aimed to examine whether an association exists between the presence and extent of coronary lipid core plaques (LCPs) detected by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) performed before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with postprocedural myocardial infarction (MI). NIRS was performed in the native coronary arteries of 30 patients before PCI. Angular extent of LCP, lesion segment lipid core burden index, and block chemogram were evaluated.

Continued benefit from paclitaxel-eluting compared with bare-metal stent implantation in saphenous vein graft lesions during long-term follow-up of the SOS (Stenting of Saphenous Vein Grafts) trial.

Objectives: This study sought to report the long-term outcomes after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions in the SOS (Stenting of Saphenous Vein Grafts) trial.

Background: The long-term outcomes after DES implantation in SVGs are poorly studied. Apart from the SOS trial, the only other randomized trial comparing DES with bare-metal stents (BMS) in SVGs reported higher mortality in the DES group at 32 months.

Intercatheter reproducibility of near-infrared spectroscopy for the in vivo detection of coronary lipid core plaques.

Objectives: To evaluate the intercatheter reproducibility of catheter-based intracoronary near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the detection of coronary lipid core plaques (LCPs).

Background: The intercatheter in vivo reproducibility of coronary NIRS findings has not been evaluated.

Methods: NIRS assessment using an automated pullback catheter was performed in triplicates in 10 patients using two different NIRS catheters to evaluate the reproducibility of the lipid core burden index (LCBI).

Use of drug-eluting stents for chronic total occlusions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting outcomes after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Methods: A review of publications and online databases in January 2010 retrieved 17 published studies that reported outcomes after DES implantation in CTOs: eight uncontrolled studies, seven nonrandomized comparative studies with bare-metal stents (BMS), one post-hoc analysis of a randomized trial, and one randomized trial. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis models.

Use of the venture wire control catheter for the treatment of coronary artery chronic total occlusions.

Background: The Venture catheter (St Jude, Minneapolis, MN) has a deflectable tip for facilitating wire steering and a stiff body. Both properties can be useful in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Methods: We reviewed 26 consecutive patients in whom the Venture catheter was utilized during coronary CTO PCI at our institution between May 2008 and September 2009.

Association of periodontitis with rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.

Background: Similarities exist in the epidemiology and immunopathogenesis of periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the associations between their respective disease activities and severities are less well documented. We evaluated the prevalence and severity of periodontitis in United States (U.S.

Role delineation of rheumatology physician assistants.

Background: Demand for rheumatology services is rising at the same time the number of rheumatologists is predicted to decline. Concurrently, the utilization of rheumatology physician assistants (PAs) is growing, although little is known about this role.

Objective: A role delineation study of rheumatology PAs was undertaken to learn how they provide care.