Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Aug 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyInvestigation on Colchicine for Acute Pericarditis: a multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating the clinical benefits of colchicine as adjunct to conventional therapy in the treatment and prevention of pericarditis; study design amd rationale.
Colchicine is safe and effective in the treatment and prevention of recurrent pericarditis after failure of conventional treatment. The recent guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology suggest that colchicine might be useful even in the treatment of the first episode. However, the use of the drug is not based on any strong evidence obtained from clinical trials, and no randomized placebo-controlled trial is available to guide the management of acute pericarditis. ⋯ The ICAP trial will be the first randomized placebo-controlled trial in this area. This trial will provide important evidence regarding the possible benefit of the early use of colchicine in the treatment of acute pericarditis and the primary prevention of recurrences, the most troublesome and commonest complication of pericarditis.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Aug 2007
Acquired pulmonary vein stenosis after radiofrequency ablation treated by angioplasty and stent implantation.
Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is a late complication of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. Although frequently asymptomatic, it can be associated with severe respiratory symptoms that cause significant morbidity. This study evaluated the role of angioplasty and stent implantation in patients affected by acquired PV stenosis. ⋯ The treatment of PV stenosis by angioplasty with stent implantation is feasible and safe. The majority of patients undergoing this procedure showed symptomatic improvement and patency of the PV.