Effect of Intracoronary Plus Low-Dose Intravenous Tirofiban in Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: To investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose tirofiban in elderly patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: One hundred and four patients aged 70 years and above undergoing PPCI for AMI were divided into control (n=52) and study (n=52) groups. All patients received bolus intracoronary injection of tirofiban (10μg/kg), which was followed by intravenous infusion at 0.

Effect of β3-adrenergic receptor on atrial L-type Ca(2+) current in rats with chronic heart failure.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of selective β3-adrenoreceptor agonist BRL-37344 on L-type Ca(2+) current (Ica,L) and mRNA expression of L-type Ca(2+) channel α2δ-2 (Cacna2d2) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into normal control (n=6) and CHF group (n=18), which were further divided into CHF control and BRL group (0.4nmol/kg, IV, twice weekly for four weeks).

Upregulation of β3-adrenergic receptor expression in the atrium of rats with chronic heart failure.

Objectives: To investigate the expression of β(3)-adrenergic receptor (β(3)-AR) in the atrium of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: The heart failure rat model was established by aortic constriction. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into Sham group (n = 10) and heart failure model group (n = 26), which were further divided into CHF control (CHF group) and BRL group.

Low-dose nesiritide improves renal function in heart failure patients following acute myocardial infarction.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of low-dose nesiritide on renal function and major cardiac events in patients with acute decompensated heart failure following acute myocardial infarction. Sixty patients were randomized into nesiritide (loading dose 0.5 microg/kg, maintenance dose 0.

Effect of intracoronary tirofiban in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome.

Background: To investigate the efficacy of intracoronary tirofiban during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods And Results: The 118 patients aged 70 years and above (average age 75+/-2) were divided into study (n = 58, intracoronary bolus tirofiban) and control (n = 57, intravenous tirofiban) groups. The culprit vessels were targeted with primary PCI in all patients.

Value of radiographic esophageal imaging in determining an optimal atrial septal puncture site for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Objective: To investigate the value of radiographic esophageal imaging in facilitating transseptal catheterization in patients undergoing percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 468 patients were randomized into either the study group (n = 234), in which radiographic esophageal imaging by the oral administration of a contrast media took place, or the control group (n = 234), in which the Ross technique was used. Of the 468 patients, 203 were males and 265 were females.

Effects of folic acid on cardiac myocyte apoptosis in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Background: The effect of folic acid on cardiac myocyte apoptosis secondary to diabetes is unknown.

Methods: Diabetic rats were divided into diabetic control (DC, n = 11), low-dose (LDF, 0.4 mg/kg/day, n = 12) and high-dose (HDF, 1.

Effect of beta-blockers on beta3-adrenoceptor expression in chronic heart failure.

Objectives: To investigate the expression of beta(3)-adrenoceptors in rats with chronic heart failure, and to explore the effect of beta-blockers on beta(3)-adrenoceptor expression.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into Sham (n = 10) and heart failure (n = 22) groups. The heart failure group was treated with normal saline (Heart Failure Control, n = 6), Metoprolol (n = 8) or Carvedilol (n = 8) for 3 months.

Angiographic characteristics of the coronary artery in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: To investigate the adverse effect of type 2 diabetes on coronary artery anatomy.

Patients And Methods: The coronary angiograms of 1564 consecutive patients were analyzed. The coronary lesions of patients with and without type 2 diabetes were compared.