Time-related changes in neointimal tissue coverage of a novel Sirolimus eluting stent: Serial observations with optical coherence tomography.

Background: DES has reduced rates of restenosis compared with BMS but it has been associated with delayed healing and increase of stent thrombosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the vascular time-related changes following implantation of a new SES coated with an amorphous silicon carbide that allows faster re-endothelisation (Orsiro-Biotronik).

Methods: This prospective registry enrolled STEMI-patients with multi-vessel disease, thus candidates for a two-step procedure.

Bioresorbable Scaffold vs. Second Generation Drug Eluting Stent in Long Coronary Lesions requiring Overlap: A Propensity-Matched Comparison (the UNDERDOGS study).

Background: Randomized clinical trials on bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) enrolled patients with simple coronary lesions. The present study was sought to give preliminary findings about safety of BRS implantation in overlap in long coronary lesions.

Methods: From June 2012 to January 2015, we prospectively collected data from 162 consecutive patients receiving overlapping BRS implantation in the 16 participating institutions.

Bioresorbable vascular scaffold overlap evaluation with optical coherence tomography after implantation with or without enhanced stent visualization system (WOLFIE study): a two-centre prospective comparison.

To assess if enhanced stent visualization (ESV)-guided implantation of overlapping bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) is superior to angiography alone-guided implantation in the reduction of overlap length. WOLFIE is a two-centre prospective open study enrolling 30 patients treated with implantation of at least two overlapping BVS. In the first centre (London), BVS implantation was guided by conventional angiography, while in the second centre (Ferrara), an ESV system was systematically employed.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of levetiracetam: comparison of a novel immunoassay with an HPLC method.

Background: Therapeutic drug monitoring of the anticonvulsant levetiracetam may be indicated in patients with conditions that may alter pharmacokinetic characteristics, for tailoring individual dosage regimens or to investigate patient compliance. In this study, the Bio-Rad high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method (in-use method) and the ARK immunoassay method (new method) for levetiracetam monitoring in serum were compared.

Methods: Levetiracetam concentrations were determined in 63 samples using: (1) "Levetiracetam by HPLC" kit by Bio-Rad (Hercules, CA) on the Agilent 1100 HPLC system, and (2) "ARK Levetiracetam" immunoassay by ARK Diagnostics Inc (Fremont, CA) on the CDx90 platform by ThermoFisher Scientific Inc.

Complex ovarian pregnancy.

Background: Ovarian pregnancy is a rare occurrence. Normally it ends spontaneously in the first trimester. However, it can turn into a life-threatening condition if it ruptures, leading to hemoperitoneum and hypovolemic shock.