Application of Drug-Coated Balloons in Complex High Risk and Indicated Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

There is a growing trend of patients with significant comorbidities among those referred for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Consequently, the number of patients undergoing complex high risk indicated PCI (CHIP) is rising. CHIP patients frequently present with factors predisposing to extensive drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, such as bifurcation and/or heavily calcified coronary lesions, which exposes them to the risks associated with an increased stent burden.

The hidden secrets of a neutral pH-blood gas analysis of postoperative patients according to the Stewart approach.

Background: The superiority of either the traditional or Stewart based approach to acid-base balance has focused primarily on analyzing metabolic acidemia, with little attention given to patients with neutral pH. In this study, we evaluate metabolic disturbances in patients in the immediate postoperative period focusing on patients with neutral pH, while comparing the Stewart and traditional approach.

Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective observational cohort study.

Cell-derived microvesicles in infective endocarditis: Role in diagnosis and potential for risk stratification at hospital admission.

Objectives: To characterize the plasmatic profile of cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) at diagnosis and during the treatment of patients with infective endocarditis (IE).

Methods: Blood samples from 57 patients with IE were obtained on 3 consecutive moments: upon admission (T0), at 2 weeks (T1), and at the end of treatment (T2), and were compared with 22 patients with other bacterial infections. MPs were measured by flow cytometry and labeled for specific cell markers of CD45 (leukocytes), CD66b (neutrophils), CD14 (monocytes), CD41a (platelets), CD51 (endothelial cells), CD3 (T lymphocyte) and CD235a (erythrocytes).

Value of speckle-tracking echocardiography changes in monitoring myocardial dysfunction during treatment of sepsis: potential prognostic implications.

Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has been increasingly used for detection of sepsis-related myocardial dysfunction. However, the impact of strain changes during sepsis treatment has not been defined. This study assessed STE at admission and during the treatment of patients with sepsis to evaluate its changes as a potential factor for predicting in-hospital outcome.