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Clin Rheumatol 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction, which is also associated with other disorders, such as atherosclerosis. The direct role of SSc in facilitating cardiovascular events should be clarified. We compared the prevalence of established coronary artery disease (CAD) between SSc and type 2 diabetes, a well-known phenotype associated with high cardiovascular risk. Read More

Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes 2019 Jan 12. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.

Aims: This study aimed to estimate the rate of cardiovascular (CV) events in the real world in patients at high risk of recurrent CV events similar to the FOURIER trial population.

Methods And Results: A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using Swedish national registers from July 1, 2001 to December 31, 2015. Patients in the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevalent cohort met the FOURIER-like inclusion criteria, including treatment with high/moderate-intensity statins, on July 1, 2006. Read More

J Diabetes Res 2018 16;2018:1631263. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Introduction: We investigated the association of diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy with increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events in 6068 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) enrolled in the Evaluation of Lixisenatide in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ELIXA).

Methods: History of retinopathy and neuropathy as well as duration of T2DM were self-reported at screening. Proportional hazards regression models were used to assess relationships between retinopathy, neuropathy, and recurrent CV events. Read More

Kardiochir Torakochirurgia Pol 2018 Dec 31;15(4):238-240. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Department of Family Medicine, Lviv National Medical University named after Danylo Halytsky, Lviv, Ukraine.

Introduction: Estimation of cardiosurgical intervention risk according to EuroSCORE is an important aspect of cardiosurgery. EuroSCORE allows prediction of the probability of a post-operational fatal outcome.

Aim: To estimate the influence of gallbladder condition on the prognosis after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and and the interactions between metabolic background and cardiosurgical intervention risk. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185446. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

National Clinical Research Center of Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Importance: Despite a rapid increase in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures in China, little is known about patient-reported health status before and after PCI in patients without acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Objective: To describe self-perceived angina-specific health status prior to PCI and 1 year after the procedure in patients without AMI in China.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The China Patient-Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE) Prospective Study of PCI was a population-based, multicenter cohort study of a consecutive sample of 1611 patients without AMI undergoing elective PCI. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185554. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

currently with Rare Diseases, Pfizer, London, United Kingdom.

Importance: Both adherence and treatment intensity can alter the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy in routine clinical practice.

Objective: To evaluate the association of adherence and treatment intensity with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with documented cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes without CVD or chronic kidney disease (CKD), and CKD without CVD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink from January 2010 through February 2016. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Sep 7;1(5):e182320. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

Importance: Having a child with a major birth defect can be a life-changing and stressful event that may be associated with higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, yet the long-term burden of CVD for the child's mother is unknown.

Objective: To assess whether mothers of an infant born with a major congenital anomaly are at higher risk of CVD compared with a comparison cohort.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A population-based cohort study using individual-level linked registry data in Denmark included 42 943 women who gave birth to an infant with a major congenital anomaly between January 1, 1979, and December 31, 2013; and follow-up was conducted until 2015. Read More

J Invasive Cardiol 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Via Parea 4, 20138 Milan, Italy.

Background: The safety and effectiveness of the everolimus-eluting stent (EES) have been previously demonstrated.

Aims: To assess very long-term performance and outcomes of the EES in a real-world population.

Methods: This single-center registry prospectively enrolled 6893 patients (mean age, 66 ± 9. Read More

Diabetes Metab Syndr 2019 Jan - Feb;13(1):730-733. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Department of Operative Surgery and Topographic Anatomy, Moscow, Russia.

According to modern ideas, disorders in the system of hemostasis in cardiovascular diseases are mainly due to an increase in the functional activity of platelets, namely their increased ability to adhere and aggregate. Aim of the research was to evaluate morphofunctional platelets of patients with marginal periodontitis. Material and methods of the study involved 129 men aged 28-50 years (mean age 42. Read More

Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2016 Nov;36(11):1295-1299

Objective To observe the prevention of Fangshuan Capsule (FC) on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) induced myocardial damage and vascular endothelial injury in patients with un- stable angina pectoris (UAP). Methods Totally 100 UAP patients undergoing PCI were assigned to the control group and the treatment group by random digit table, 50 in each group. All patients received routine Western medicine therapy. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Jan;8(2):e010826

4 Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Beijing Anzhen Hospital Capital Medical University Beijing China.

Background The prognostic significance of obstructive sleep apnea ( OSA ) in patients with acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ) in the contemporary era is unclear. We performed a large, prospective cohort study and did a landmark analysis to delineate the association of OSA with subsequent cardiovascular events after ACS onset. Methods and Results Between June 2015 and May 2017, consecutive eligible patients admitted for ACS underwent cardiorespiratory polygraphy during hospitalization. Read More

PeerJ 2019 4;7:e5652. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.

Background: This study evaluated changes in interleukin (IL)-27 levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and their influence on Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells.

Methods: Serum levels of IL-27, IL-4, IL-17, and interferon (IFN)-γ in healthy subjects as well as patients with ACS, including stable angina pectoris (SA), unstable angina pectoris (UA), and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The proportions of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), were measured using flow cytometry, after incubation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 4 h. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2019 Jan;12(1):e005041

Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.M.N., M.T.R., J.A.W., Y.L., L.K.N., M.A.B.).

Background: Although cholesterol-lowering medications can reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events, premature discontinuation limits effectiveness. Discontinuation rates have not been systematically reported for lipid-lowering trials.

Methods And Results: We evaluated medication discontinuation in IMPROVE-IT (Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial), which evaluated placebo+simvastatin versus ezetimibe+simvastatin in patients hospitalized with the acute coronary syndrome and followed longitudinally postdischarge. Read More

Chin Med J (Engl) 2019 Jan;132(1):96-99

Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China.

Herz 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

, Hildesheim, Deutschland.

The timing of an invasive diagnosis and treatment strategy in patients with an acute coronary syndrome without ST-elevation (NSTE-ACS) depends on the patient's risk profile. In addition to the clinical symptoms, ST/T alterations in the resting ECG as well as an increase and kinetics of troponin are of crucial importance in this setting. For the majority of patients the highly sensitive troponin enables a rapid rule in or rule out strategy of a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with a 0/3 h algorithm. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Cardiology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Early Prediction and Intervention of Acute Myocardial Infarction, Center for Cardiovascular Translational Research, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.

Background/aims: Evidence has shown that several microRNAs (miRNAs) may be involved in coronary plaque rupture and local thrombus. However, the diagnostic ability of these miRNAs in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is less known. The aim of this study is to explore the diagnostic value of these circulating miRNAs in patients presenting with acute chest pain in the emergency department. Read More

J Res Pharm Pract 2018 Oct-Dec;7(4):210-212

Department of Clinical Toxicology, Isfahan Clinical Toxicology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Minoxidil is an antihypertensive direct vasodilator that can cause severe toxicity when sufficiently ingested. We report a case of accidental ingestion of 5 ml topical minoxidil solution 5% presented with chest pain and new-onset ST depressions. After giving IV saline and performing echocardiography/angiography, the patient fully recovered without any pharmacotherapy such as vasopressors and discharged 4 days after admission. Read More

Angiology 2019 Jan 8:3319718822638. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

1 Department of Cardiology, Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) increases in the range from patients with unstable angina to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Platelet activation has been associated with pathophysiology of nephropathy and thrombus burden in the infarct-related arteries. We investigated the impact of thrombus burden on CIN in patients with STEMI. Read More

Haemophilia 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Haematology, Leeds Comprehensive Care Haemophilia Centre, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.

Ann Transl Med 2018 Dec;6(23):454

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.

Background: Unstable angina (UA) has been one of the most common presentations of acute coronary syndrome. The numbers of admitted UA patients have been diminishing in the recent past. However, we are seeing higher costs and higher length of inpatient stay. Read More

Curr Opin Rheumatol 2018 Dec 27. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Department of Rheumatology, Hôpital Lariboisière, APHP.

Purpose Of The Review: Concerns about the cardiovascular safety of febuxostat lead to reconsideration of the place of febuxostat in the management of gout.

Recent Findings: The CARES trial is a randomized controlled trial mandated by the FDA to compare the cardiovascular safety of febuxostat and allopurinol in the management of gout. About 6190 patients with gout and major cardiovascular disease, randomly assigned to allopurinol or febuxostat, were prospectively followed up for a median of 32 months. Read More

Thromb Haemost 2019 Jan 31;119(1):163-174. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Data on anti-platelet therapy (APT) for prevention of atherothrombotic events in thrombocytopaenic cancer patients is lacking. We aimed to identify patient and physician characteristics associated with APT management in thrombocytopaenic patients with haematological malignancy. A clinical vignette-based experiment was designed. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(52):e13965

The Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.

Background: Unstable angina (UA) is a clinically common coronary heart disease. Zhishi xiebai guizhi decoction (ZXGD) has been widely used in the management of UA, although its effective evidence is not clear and there is no systematic review regarding its efficacy and safety. Therefore, we conduct this systematic review protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ZXGD in the treatment of UA. Read More

Egypt Heart J 2018 Dec 14;70(4):237-241. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Critical Care Medicine department, Kasr Alainy Hospitals, Cairo University, Egypt.

Background: Coronary artery disease is one of the main causes of death in diabetes mellitus (DM). Egypt was listed among the world top 10 countries regarding the number of diabetic patients by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Aim Of Work: Assessment of the extent of coronary atherosclerotic disease and lesion tissue characterization among diabetic compared to non-diabetic Egyptian patients. Read More

Adv Gerontol 2018 ;31(3):394-399

I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 2/4, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya str., Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation; e-mail:

Our study presented the long-term outcomes of coronary stenting and predictors of two-year outcomes in octogenarian patients with acute coronary syndrome. A total of 366 patients with STEMI, NSTEMI and unstable angina undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Results were assessed at a median follow up of 20 months. Read More

Cardiovasc Revasc Med 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Cardiology, Kyoto First Red Cross Hospital, Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0981, Japan.

Background: Even in the drug-eluting stent era, ostial lesion of the right coronary artery (RCA) still remains therapeutic challenge for interventional cardiologists. Case Series Case 1 (76 y.o. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Dec 19;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Internal Medicine, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Wellens' syndrome is described as characteristic biphasic or symmetrical T-wave inversion with normal precordial R-wave progression and the absence of Q waves in the right precordial leads. It is seen during chest pain-free interval in a subset of patients with unstable angina. Wellens' syndrome is associated with critical stenosis of proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Read More

JACC Cardiovasc Interv 2018 Dec;11(24):2523-2533

Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address:

Objectives: The authors sought to assess the incidence, predictors, management, and prognosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) following TAVR.

Background: About one-half of the patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have concurrent coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the occurrence and clinical impact of coronary events following TAVR remain largely unknown. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(51):e13613

Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Rationale: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) combined with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is rarely reported.

Patient Concerns: One male patient with APS was admitted to our hospital, who had recent unstable angina (UA).

Diagnosis: The preliminary diagnosis of ACS and UA (BraunwaldiB) was then made. Read More

Am Heart J 2018 Nov 7;208:65-73. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Department of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: Clinical Endpoint Classification (CEC) in clinical trials allows FOR standardized, systematic, blinded, and unbiased adjudication of investigator-reported events. We quantified the agreement rates in the STABILITY trial on 15,828 patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Methods: Investigators were instructed to report all potential events. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2018 Nov;11(11):e004724

Department of Cardiology, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, CA (D.D.W.).

Background: Some studies have shown that body weight variability is a risk factor for cardiovascular events, but this has not been studied in subjects with diabetes mellitus.

Methods And Results: We measured intraindividual variations in body weight from baseline and follow-up visits in 6408 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus from 3 clinical trials. The primary end point, any coronary event, was a composite of coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, coronary revascularization, and unstable or new-onset angina. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2018 Dec 5;162. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Universiteit Utrecht, UMC Utrecht, divisie Julius Centrum voor Gezondheidswetenschappen en Eerstelijns Geneeskunde, afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde.

In patients presenting with acute chest pain, acute myocardial infarction should first be ruled out as a cause as these patients will often need coronary revascularisation. In the remaining patients, those with normal high-sensitivity cardiac troponin levels should undergo additional cardiac investigations to discriminate patients with an episode of unstable angina pectoris from those who have a non-cardiac cause of the chest pain. In the large majority (86%), the medical history does not raise suspicion of angina pectoris and an exercise test will show normal results; in these patients, further cardiac imaging does not seem to be indicated. Read More

Eur Heart J 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Aims: We hypothesized that the modified Diamond-Forrester (D-F) prediction model overestimates probability of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to update the prediction model based on pre-test information and assess the model's performance in predicting prognosis in an unselected, contemporary population suspected of angina.

Methods And Results: We included 3903 consecutive patients free of CAD and heart failure and suspected of angina, who were referred to a single centre for assessment in 2012-15. Read More

EuroIntervention 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Clinical Trials Center, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, NY, USA.

Aims: Residual SYNTAX score (rSS) is known to be associated with cardiac events. We sought to investigate the association between rSS and grayscale and virtual histology (VH)-intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) plaque morphology, and the association between rSS and non-culprit-related major adverse cardiac events (MACE) using data from the PROSPECT study.

Methods And Results: A total of 697 patients with acute coronary syndromes were enrolled in the PROSPECT study. Read More

J Heart Valve Dis 2018 Jan;27(1):1-8

Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.

Background: Previous studies have reported an association between aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and coronary atherosclerosis. However, the threshold of sclerosis used to identify high-risk patients has not yet been determined.

Methods: A total of 225 patients admitted with non- ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina was studied. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2019 Mar 8;22:39-45. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Interventional Cardiology, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano and Infermi Hospital, Rivoli, Turin, Italy.

Introduction: The efficacy and safety of switching P2Y receptor antagonists in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain unclear. We assessed the short-term clinical outcomes (in-hospital and within 30 days) of switching P2Y inhibitor (P2YI) drugs versus maintaining the same regimen by performing a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of available data.

Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed/SCOPUS/Cochrane databases were screened for studies regarding switching of P2YI in patients with ACS that reported 30 days follow-up. Read More

JAMA Intern Med 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.

JAMA Intern Med 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Richard and Susan Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology, Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Dalio Institute of Cardiovascular Imaging, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study compared the safety and diagnostic yield of a selective referral strategy using coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) compared with a direct referral strategy using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as the index procedure.

Background: Among patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease (CAD), a sizeable proportion who are referred to ICA do not have a significant, obstructive stenosis.

Methods: In a multinational, randomized clinical trial of patients referred to ICA for nonemergent indications, a selective referral strategy was compared with a direct referral strategy. Read More

Cardiovasc Diabetol 2018 Dec 13;17(1):157. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Cardiology Division, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas Medicine School, Rua Engenheiro Carlos Stevenson 560, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13092-132, Brazil.

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have a substantial risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The strong connection between the severity of hyperglycaemia, metabolic changes secondary to T2DM and vascular damage increases the risk of macrovascular complications. There is a challenging demand for the development of drugs that control hyperglycaemia and influence other metabolic risk factors to improve cardiovascular outcomes such as cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina and heart failure (major adverse cardiovascular events). Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Interv 2018 Dec;11(12):e006837

Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea (S.-C.Y.).

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) helps prevent ischemic events after coronary stenting but comes with an increased risk of bleeding. Several risk scores have been proposed for the management of patients receiving DAPT, but no standardized tool exists for the purpose. We sought to compare the performance of the new PRECISE-DAPT (Predicting Bleeding Complication in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent Dual Antiplatelet Therapy), CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines), and ACUITY (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy) scores for the prediction of bleeding in Korean patients receiving DAPT. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13481

Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Lishui District People's Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Background: Dazhu Hongjingtian (DZHJT), also named Herba Rhodiolae, has been frequently introduced for patients with angina pectoris in China. However, the add-on effect of DZHJT in unstable angina pectoris (UAP) has not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of this protocol is to provide the methods used to assess the efficacy and safety of DZHJT as adjuvant therapy for management of UAP. Read More

J Diabetes Complications 2019 Feb 23;33(2):134-139. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Yenisehir Hospital Division of Cardiology, Mersin, Turkey. Electronic address:

Background: It has been shown that functional status of dendritic cells (DCs) in diabetic patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) are more mature and activated than diabetic patients without coronary artery disease (CAD) and none diabetic patients with UAP. Accordingly we aimed to assess the activation of DCs in patients with CAD with/and without Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and compare to those in subjects with normal coronary arteries (NCA).

Materials And Methods: Twenty three patients with severe CAD who were scheduled to coronary artery by-pass grafting surgery and 6 patients with angiographycally NCAs were included in the study. Read More

PLoS One 2018 12;13(12):e0207194. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Radiology, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America.

Background: The extent to which the presence and extent of subclinical atherosclerosis by coronary computed tomography angiography influences a potential mortality benefit of statin is unknown. We evaluated the relationship between statin therapy, mortality, and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods: In the CONFIRM study, patients with normal or non-obstructive plaque (<50% diameter stenosis) for whom data on baseline statin use was available were included. Read More

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2019 Feb;20(2):74-80

Cardiologia, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan.

Aims: An increased mortality risk during weekend hospital admission has been consistently observed. In the present study, we evaluated whether the current improvement in management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has reduced this phenomenon.

Methods And Results: We extracted data from the Italian National Healthcare System Databank of 80 391 ACS admissions in the region of Lombardia between 2010 and 2014. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2019 Jan 26;123(1):44-49. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Department of Pharmacy Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Potent platelet inhibition is one of the most important medical interventions to prevent ischemic complications during and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Practice has evolved with the introduction of potent oral P2Y inhibitors that provide quick, effective platelet inhibition, and the need for routine glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) has decreased. Additionally, a shorter duration of GPI infusion has been shown to be safe with adequate oral antiplatelet loading, but clinical outcome data are limited to eptifibatide. Read More

Int J Hypertens 2018 13;2018:7623639. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Jiangsu Road 16, 266000 Qingdao, Shandong, China.

Background: Risk factors of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) among young acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients remain elusive now.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 187 consecutive young (age ≤45 years) ACS patients (75 STEMI, 30 NSTEMI, and 72 unstable angina) hospitalized in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2016. Thirty-six young male patients with normal coronary angiography (CAG) findings (no-CAD), who underwent CAG due to suspected chest pain in this period, served as control group. Read More

Med Devices (Auckl) 2018 26;11:405-412. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.

Background: The safety and efficacy of drug-eluting coronary stenting have been established for various degrees of severity of coronary artery disease. The DESyne is a contemporary cobalt-chromium thin-strut stent which has been studied in low-risk patients so far.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and performance of the DESyne stent in patients with an indication for coronary stent implantation at the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH), Jordan. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland.

Objectives: The Magmaris-ACS Registry is the first assessment of the Magmaris implantation in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) population.

Background: Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BRS), the newest coronary stent technology, was developed to overcome the limitations of the metallic drug-eluting stents (DES). Current promising data of the Magmaris in patients with stable angina have encouraged to validate the second generation BRS in ACS indications. Read More

J Nucl Cardiol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Manitoba, 820 Sherbrook Street GC321, Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1R9, Canada.

Background: Determining the risk of cardiovascular events is essential to optimize patient management.

Methods And Results: 5842 individuals underwent SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with 4.4 ± 1. Read More