Lipoprotein(a) in children and adolescents with genetically confirmed familial hypercholesterolemia followed up at a specialized lipid clinic.

Background And Aim: Many children with an FH mutation also exhibit elevated lipoprotein(a) levels, which is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Studies have reported higher levels of lipoprotein(a) in adult and middle-aged women than men. There is limited knowledge on the concentration and change of lipoprotein(a) levels in children with genetic FH, and therefore we investigated sex-differences in lipoprotein(a) level and change in lipoprotein(a) in girls and boys with genetically confirmed FH.

High levels of lipoprotein(a) - assessment and treatment.

Approximately 5 % of the population have highly elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), which is a genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Measuring lipoprotein(a) can improve cardiovascular risk stratification and have consequences for preventive measures. Treatment is targeted at reducing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, but Lp(a)-lowering drugs are being trialled.

Loss of statin treatment years during pregnancy and breastfeeding periods in women with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background And Aims: Women with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are recommended to initiate statin treatment at the same age as men (from 8 to 10 years of age). However, statins are contraindicated when pregnancy is planned, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The aim of the study was to determine the duration of pregnancy-related off-statin periods and breastfeeding in FH women.

Long-term arterial complications of chemotherapy in patients with cancer.

The number of cancer survivors has gradually increased in recent decades. However, the cancer survivors are at risk for conditions related to their initial disease and its treatment, i.e.

Postradiotherapy plasma lutein, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene are positively associated with survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of our study was to compare plasma carotenoids (i.e., biomarkers of fruits and vegetables intake) and tocopherols in 29 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients with 51 healthy controls and to explore the possibility whether these plasma antioxidants could be related to outcome among patients.

A comparison of 2 thrombus aspiration devices with histopathological analysis of retrieved material in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare 2 manual thrombus aspiration catheters in unselected patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Distal embolization is common during percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and can induce impaired myocardial perfusion. Several aspiration thrombectomy devices have been introduced to prevent distal embolization, however, with conflicting clinical results.

Predictive value of Q waves on the 12-lead electrocardiogram after reperfusion therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Design: The data used for the present study were obtained as part of a clinical trial evaluating the effect of thrombus aspiration after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary referral facility for primary PCI at a University Medical Center Groningen in The Netherlands.

Background: Prognosis after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is strongly related to infarct size.

Incidence and clinical consequences of distal embolization on the coronary angiogram after percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Aims: We investigated the incidence and sequelae of angiographically visible distal embolization (AVDE) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with aspirin, heparin, clopidogrel, and glycoprotein-IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

Methods And Results: As part of TAPAS, AVDE was a predefined secondary endpoint. We compared angiographic and clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients with and without AVDE after PCI.

Computer-assisted myocardial blush quantification after percutaneous coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: a substudy from the TAPAS trial.

Aims: Myocardial reperfusion after acute myocardial infarction can be angiographically assessed by the myocardial blush grade (MBG) or TIMI Perfusion Grade. These scores are based on subjective human judgement and lead to a score of four categories. A more operator-independent way of scoring myocardial perfusion may facilitate research in this area.

The feasibility and safety of routine thrombus aspiration in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility and safety of manual thrombus aspiration in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Background: Myocardial necrosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes may be a sign of microvascular obstruction, owing to spontaneous or PCI-induced embolization of atherothrombotic material. Manual thrombus aspiration results in improved myocardial reperfusion in patients undergoing PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Impact of pretreatment with clopidogrel on initial patency and outcome in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review.

Background: The main goal of the initial treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is prompt reperfusion of the infarct-related artery. The value of pretreatment with clopidogrel before primary percutaneous coronary intervention is currently unclear.

Methods And Results: Studies were retrieved through MEDLINE and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register searches over the past 20 years.

Cardiac death and reinfarction after 1 year in the Thrombus Aspiration during Percutaneous coronary intervention in Acute myocardial infarction Study (TAPAS): a 1-year follow-up study.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction can be complicated by spontaneous or angioplasty-induced embolisation of atherothrombotic material. Distal blockage induces microvascular obstruction and can result in less than optimum reperfusion of viable myocardium. The Thrombus Aspiration during Percutaneous coronary intervention in Acute myocardial infarction Study (TAPAS) found that thrombus aspiration resulted in improved myocardial reperfusion compared with conventional PCI, but whether this benefit improves clinical outcome is unknown.

Thrombus aspiration as definitive mechanical intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a report of five cases.

Thrombus aspiration is an effective adjunctive therapy to prevent distal embolization during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In some patients, thrombus aspiration results in complete restoration of flow without significant residual stenosis or plaque rupture at the site of occlusion. It is currently unclear if additional angioplasty with balloon or stenting is necessary in these patients.

Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is effective in opening the infarct-related artery in patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation. However, the embolization of atherothrombotic debris induces microvascular obstruction and diminishes myocardial reperfusion.

Methods: We performed a randomized trial assessing whether manual aspiration was superior to conventional treatment during primary PCI.

Impact of electrical neurostimulation on persistent ST elevation after successful reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aims: To study the effect of electrical neurostimulation on the ST segment shift in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with residual ST elevation after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: After primary PCI, 38 patients with STEMI were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 received 15 minutes of active neurostimulation after the baseline electrocardiogram (ECG); group 2 received 15 minutes of active neurostimulation after 15 minutes of nonactive neurostimulation.

A quantitative estimate of bare-metal stenting compared with balloon angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction: angiographic measures in relation to clinical outcome.

We performed a systematic review of all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from the pre-drug-eluting-stent era comparing bare-metal stenting (BMS) with balloon angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) to examine coronary angiographic parameters of infarct-related vessel patency and to relate the angiographic measures to clinical outcome. The search was restricted to published RCTs in humans. 10 RCTs, (6192 patients) were analysed.

One year outcomes after glucose-insulin-potassium in ST elevation myocardial infarction. The Glucose-insulin-potassium study II.

Background: There are conflicting data concerning the effect of treatment with glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Early studies showed beneficial effects of GIK, however, recent large sample size trials did not confirm this, or suggested only benefits in patients without heart failure. We aimed to evaluate long-term effects of GIK in patients with STEMI without signs of heart failure, all treated with reperfusion therapy.

Thrombus Aspiration during Percutaneous coronary intervention in Acute myocardial infarction Study (TAPAS)--study design.

Background And Objective: Embolization of atherothrombotic material is common during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (MI). This may lead to distal vessel occlusion resulting in impaired myocardial perfusion, which is associated with larger infarct size and increased mortality. Adjunctive devices for PCI to protect the microcirculation have been developed.

Glucose-insulin-potassium infusion in acute myocardial infarction: a hemodynamic study.

Background: In this study, we investigated whether adjunction of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) infusion to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) affects hemodynamics in patients with an acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Hemodynamic measurements were performed in a subset of patients (n = 81) in the GIPS 2, starting immediately after PCI and continued for 12 hours.

Results: Cardiac index values were stable in both groups.

Post-radiotherapy plasma total glutathione is associated to outcome in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

We have studied the role of systemic oxidative stress for survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Patients with lowest plasma total GSH levels had the lowest 36 months survival. In patients with post-radiotherapy concentrations of plasma total GSH less than median value, about 73% died during the 36 months follow-up compared to about 21% of patients with GSH values above median.

Intakes of antioxidants in coffee, wine, and vegetables are correlated with plasma carotenoids in humans.

The consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of major chronic degenerative diseases. The active compounds and the mechanisms involved in this protective effect have not been well defined. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of various food groups to total antioxidant intake, and to assess the correlations of the total antioxidant intake from various food groups with plasma antioxidants.