Infarct size and left ventricular function in the PRoximal Embolic Protection in Acute myocardial infarction and Resolution of ST-segment Elevation (PREPARE) trial: ancillary cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with combined proximal embolic protection and thrombus aspiration results in smaller final infarct size and improved left ventricular function assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients compared with primary PCI alone. Background Primary PCI with the Proxis system improves immediate microvascular flow post-procedure as measured by ST-segment resolution, which could result in better outcomes.

Methods: The ancillary CMR study included 206 STEMI patients who were enrolled in the PRoximal Embolic Protection in Acute myocardial infarction and Resolution of ST-Elevation (PREPARE) trial.

Liquid crystal phase transitions in systems of colloidal platelets with bimodal shape distribution.

We have studied a system of polydisperse, charged colloidal gibbsite platelets with a bimodal distribution in the particle aspect ratio. We observe a density inversion of the coexisting isotropic and nematic phases as well as a three-phase equilibrium involving a lower density nematic phase, an isotropic phase of intermediate density, and a higher density columnar phase. To relate these phenomena to the bimodality of the shape distribution, we have calculated the liquid crystal phase behavior of binary mixtures of thick and thin hard platelets for various thickness ratios.

Distinguishing the right coronary artery from the left circumflex coronary artery as the infarct-related artery in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute inferior myocardial infarction.

Aims: Aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the conventional electrocardiogram (ECG) algorithm [ST-segment elevation (STE) in lead III exceeding that in lead II combined with ST-segment depression in lead I or aVL] for identification of the infarct-related artery (IRA) in a large cohort of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for inferior wall STE myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods And Results: We included 1131 patients with inferior STEMI, who underwent primary PCI between 2000 and 2007 and of whom a pre-procedural 12-lead ECG was available, recorded immediately prior to PCI. The IRA was determined during emergency angiography.

Persistent precordial "hyperacute" T-waves signify proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion.

Objective: To describe patients with a distinct electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern without ST-segment elevation in the presence of an acute occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery.

Design: Single-centre observational study.

Patients: Patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction who were referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1998 and 2008.

Comparison of long-term mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients treated for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction versus those with unstable and stable angina pectoris.

Data remain limited regarding the comparative long-term mortality across the spectrum of patients with different indications for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated early and late mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary PCI compared with early and late mortality in patients undergoing PCI for unstable angina (UA) or non-STEMI (NSTEMI) and stable angina. A total of 10,549 consecutive patients undergoing PCI from 1997 to 2005 at a single institution were followed up prospectively (median 3.

Treatment with intravenous pamidronate is a good alternative in case of gastrointestinal side effects or contraindications for oral bisphosphonates.

Background: In case of contraindications or intolerance during treatment with oral bisphosphonates (OB), administration of pamidronate intravenously is a widely used alternative. In this study we compared the effect on change in bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and hip during long term treatment with pamidronate iv in comparison to OB.

Methods: We studied 61 patients receiving treatment for at least two years.

Histopathological features of aspirated thrombi after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Plaque disruption with superimposed thrombus is the predominant mechanism responsible for the onset of acute coronary syndromes. Studies have shown that plaque disruption and thrombotic occlusion are frequently separated in time. We established the histopathological characteristics of material aspirated during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large consecutive ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) population.

Local cytokine concentrations and oxygen pressure are related to maturation of the collateral circulation in humans.

Objectives: Our aim was to determine cytokine and oxygen gradients over the collateral circulation in humans.

Background: The molecular background of the maturation of the collateral circulation in response to coronary narrowing is poorly understood in humans, partly because of difficulties in obtaining local samples from the human collateral circulation.

Methods: Coronary collateral blood was sampled in 60 patients with nontotal (n = 25) or total coronary occlusions (n = 35) using a special wide-lumen catheter.

SYSTEMATICS OF THE BATRACHOSPERMALES (RHODOPHYTA)-A SYNTHESIS(1).

Recent molecular and morphological data necessitate a major taxonomic revision of the Batrachospermales, an order of red algae, distributed in freshwater habitats throughout the world. This article is a synthesis of available information with some targeted additional sequence data, resulting in a few relatively conservative taxonomic changes to begin the process of creating a natural taxonomy for the Batrachospermales. To increase the information content of our taxonomic categories, and in particular to reduce paraphyly, we describe one new genus (Kumanoa) and a new section in Batrachospermum (section Macrospora), and we amend the circumscriptions of the family Batrachospermaceae (to include Lemaneaceae and Psilosiphonaceae), the genus Batrachospermum (to exclude the sections Contorta and Hybrida, raised to genus level as Kumanoa), and the sections Aristata, Helminthoidea, and Batrachospermum of Batrachospermum.

Creatinine clearance is independently associated with one year mortality in a primary PCI cohort with cardiogenic shock.

Background: Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated with cardiogenic shock (CS) has still the highest in hospital mortality. Patients with STEMI and increasing creatinine levels within 24 h after admission have a poor prognosis. Data about STEMI complicated with CS and kidney function are sparse.

Acute left ventricular dynamic effects of primary percutaneous coronary intervention from occlusion to reperfusion.

Objectives: We studied the left ventricular (LV) dynamic effects of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by directly obtaining pressure-volume (PV) loops during the procedure.

Background: An acute myocardial infarction causes a decrease in LV compliance. The instantaneous effects of primary PCI on LV compliance are unknown.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of intra-aortic balloon pump therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: should we change the guidelines?

Aims Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with cardiogenic shock is strongly recommended (class IB) in the current guidelines. We performed meta-analyses to evaluate the evidence for IABP in STEMI with and without cardiogenic shock. Methods and results Medical literature databases were scrutinized to identify randomized trials comparing IABP with no IABP in STEMI.

Presence of older thrombus is an independent predictor of long-term mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Routine thrombus aspiration is frequently used during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction to prevent distal embolization. Recently, evidence of clinical benefit was published. In 50% of the ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with an onset of symptoms <12 hours before, thrombi were shown to be >1 day old.

PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF BATRACHOSPERMUM MACROSPORUM (BATRACHOSPERMALES, RHODOPHYTA) FROM NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA(1).

Phylogeographic trends in Batrachospermum macrosporum Mont. were investigated using the mitochondrial intergenic spacer between the cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 and 3 genes (cox2-3). A total of 11 stream segments were sampled with seven in the coastal plain of North America and four in tropical areas of South America.

Preferential decrease in IgG4 anti-citrullinated protein antibodies during treatment with tumour necrosis factor blocking agents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the dynamics of IgG1 and IgG4 anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) subclasses during anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 ACPA levels were determined by ELISA on anti-citrullinated fibrinogen (ACF) and IgG1 : IgG4 ACPA ratios were calculated. A pilot study was performed in 28 ACF-positive patients treated with infliximab for one year.

Interferon-beta signaling is enhanced in patients with insufficient coronary collateral artery development and inhibits arteriogenesis in mice.

Stimulation of collateral artery growth in patients has been hitherto unsuccessful, despite promising experimental approaches. Circulating monocytes are involved in the growth of collateral arteries, a process also referred to as arteriogenesis. Patients show a large heterogeneity in their natural arteriogenic response on arterial obstruction.

IgM-rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, and anti-citrullinated human fibrinogen antibodies decrease during treatment with the tumor necrosis factor blocker infliximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of treatment with infliximab on serum levels of rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF), antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and antibodies against deiminated human fibrinogen, a specific citrullinated peptide (ACF), and their association with disease activity and disease duration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The study sample included 62 consecutive patients who were treated with infliximab for at least one year. IgM-RF, anti-CCP, and ACF were measured at 0, 14, 30, and 46 weeks.

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, admission glucose level is a strong independent predictor for 1-year mortality in patients without a prior diagnosis of diabetes.

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Despite PCI, mortality in CS is still approximately 50%. Admission glucose concentration is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with STEMI and is associated with the occurrence of CS.

Effects of left ventricular unloading by Impella recover LP2.5 on coronary hemodynamics.

Objectives: We studied the effects of LV unloading by the Impella on coronary hemodynamics by simultaneously measuring intracoronary pressure and flow and the derived parameters fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), and coronary microvascular resistance (MR).

Background: Patients with compromised left ventricular (LV) function undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may benefit from LV unloading. Limited information is available on the effects of LV unloading on coronary hemodynamics.

Prognostic value of admission hemoglobin levels in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting with cardiogenic shock.

Even in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS), mortality remains high. Whether admission hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is a predictor of mortality in patients with CS treated with primary PCI is unexplored. We assessed the relation between admission Hb concentration and 1-year mortality in patients with STEMI and CS who were treated with PCI at admission.