Extremely high-pressure dilation with a new noncompliant balloon.

Calcified nondilatable lesions remain a challenge for the interventional cardiologist, and they are becoming more frequent in the catheterization laboratory as the overall complexity of interventions increases. Stent underexpansion is the main risk factor for restenosis and thrombosis, which is the most feared complication for the interventionalist.In this report, we present our initial experience (8 patients) with a new noncompliant high-pressure balloon, the OPN NC balloon, a double-layered device.

Comparison of dual-axis rotational coronary angiography (XPERSWING) versus conventional technique in routine practice.

Introduction And Objectives: Coronary angiography is the gold standard for the study of coronary artery disease. This technique requires several orthogonal projections. Rotational angiography is a new technique which involves pre-set rotation of the X-ray tube around the patient and allows visualization of each coronary artery in different views, using a single contrast injection.

Safety and efficacy of tirofiban as adjunctive therapy for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a comparison versus placebo and abciximab.

Tirofiban is a nonpeptide tyrosine derivative that together with eptifibatide (both small molecules) and abciximam belongs to the group of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Though similar to abciximab in that it has a high affinity for the GP IIbIIIa inhibitor receptor, tirofiban dissociates from it much faster tan abciximab, what makes its action reversible in a few hours. Initially used upstream for treatment of patients with non ST-elevation acute coronary síndromes, recent evidence has shown its role as adjuntive therapy in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty when used at a higher dose.

Predictors and prognostic value of myocardial injury following stent implantation.

Background: Troponin I concentrations are frequently elevated following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) even in procedures without complications and are considered, by some, as predictive of long-term morbidity and mortality. We assessed whether post-PCI troponin I concentrations bore any relationship to clinical, angiographic and in-laboratory minor adverse events indicative of myocardial injury and evaluated, in follow-up, whether these levels are useful as a predictive markers of adverse events.

Methods: Patients (n=147) who were scheduled for PCI for stent placement were prospectively studied.