Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction can be assessed by positive dicrotic wave and amplitude index on resting distal coronary pressure waveform, a newly developed index.

Aims: Some lesions have high resting distal coronary pressure/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) despite low fractional flow reserve (FFR). This study aimed to assess microcirculatory dysfunction as a possible basal mechanism.

Methods And Results: Patients were grouped into two according to coffee intake (caffeine 222 mg) before coronary angiography.

Saline-induced Pd/Pa ratio predicts functional significance of coronary stenosis assessed using fractional flow reserve.

Aims: Fractional flow reserve (FFR), assessed using distal coronary pressure/aortic pressure (Pd)/(Pa) ratio, functionally evaluates coronary stenosis. An assessment method without vasodilators would be helpful. A single intracoronary bolus of saline decreases Pd because of the speculated low-viscosity effect.

Pulmonary thromboembolism associated with air travel in Japan.

Background: A link between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and air travel has been recently discussed, so the present study aimed to clarify the characteristics of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) associated with air travel in Japan.

Methods And Results: The study group comprised 36 patients with acute PTE associated with air travel. Patients' characteristics, clinical risk factors for VTE and coagulation abnormalities were investigated, and compared with a group of PTE not associated with travel.

Nonselective cation currents regulate membrane potential of rabbit coronary arterial cell: modulation by lysophosphatidylcholine.

Background: The effects of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) on electrophysiological activities and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were investigated in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMCs).

Methods And Results: The patch clamp techniques and Ca2+ measurements were applied to cultured rabbit CASMCs. The membrane potential was -46.

Angioscopic evaluation of stabilizing effects of an antilipemic agent, bezafibrate, on coronary plaques in patients with coronary artery disease: a multicenter prospective study.

To evaluate the stabilizing effects of an antilipemic agent, bezafibrate, on coronary plaques, we carried out a prospective angioscopic and angiographic open trial. From April 1997 to December 1998, 24 patients underwent coronary angioscopy of plaques in non-targeted vessels during coronary interventions and then again 6 months later. The patients were divided into control (10 patients, 14 plaques) and bezafibrate (14 patients, 21 plaques) groups.