Clinical outcomes comparing eptifibatide and abciximab in ST elevation acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background: Randomized clinical trials comparing glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors have largely excluded patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We conducted an open-label, sequential comparison of in-hospital and 6-month clinical outcomes in STEMI patients receiving eptifibatide or abciximab as adjunctive therapy during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Registry data were collected and compared for STEMI patients undergoing PCI and receiving eptifibatide or abciximab over a 3.

Effects of valsartan and valeryl 4-hydroxy valsartan on human platelets: a possible additional mechanism for clinical benefits.

Valsartan selectively blocks angiotensin II binding to the AT1 receptor. ince platelet activation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease, and because AT1 receptors are present on the platelet surface, we assessed the in vitro effects of valsartan and its metabolite, valeryl 4-hydroxy valsartan (V4HV), on platelets in 30 subjects with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Platelet characteristics in blood samples pretreated and incubated with 10 nmol to 100 micromol concentrations of valsartan and V4HV were assessed by aggregometry, rapid platelet analyzers, and by flow cytometry.

Effects of valsartan on morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure not receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Objectives: A subgroup analysis of the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT) was performed to evaluate the effects of the angiotensin II receptor blocker, valsartan, in the patients with chronic heart failure (HF) not receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Background: The ACE inhibitors reduce mortality and morbidity in patients with HF. Nonetheless, nearly 20% of potentially eligible patients may not be prescribed ACE inhibitors.

Valsartan benefits left ventricular structure and function in heart failure: Val-HeFT echocardiographic study.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of an angiotensin receptor blocker on left ventricular (LV) structure and function when added to prescribed heart failure therapy.

Background: The clinical benefit derived from heart failure therapy is attributed to the regression of LV remodeling.

Methods: At 302 multinational sites, 5,010 patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification II to IV heart failure taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and/or beta-blocker (BB) were randomized into valsartan and placebo groups and followed for a mean of 22.

Regional intracoronary analgesia during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

The ischemic pain associated with balloon inflation during coronary angioplasty remains a significant source of procedural discomfort and sets a limit on the duration of percutaneous transluminal intravascular interventions. The present study examined whether intracoronary lidocaine reduced the pain of coronary angioplasty. Sixteen patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty underwent three 90 sec balloon inflations: the first with administration of no intracoronary agent, and the second and third with administration of one or the other of placebo or an equal volume of lidocaine (10-16 mg).