Clinical cardiology
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Clinical cardiology · Mar 2009
Use of emergency medical services in patients with acute myocardial infarction in China.
Although guidelines strongly recommend use of the Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) by patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it remains underutilized in western countries. Information about its current use in China is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the use of the EMS by patients with AMI in China, and investigate factors affecting its use. ⋯ The emergency medical services are underutilized by patients with AMI in China. Use of the EMS may be advantageous in view of greater administration of reperfusion therapy. New public health strategies should be developed to facilitate greater use of the EMS for AMI.
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Clinical cardiology · Mar 2009
Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy improves clinical outcomes in high-risk patients implanted with sirolimus-eluting stents.
Although a science advisory recommending 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stents implantation was published recently, the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy has not yet been precisely determined. ⋯ Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy may be beneficial to prevent very late stent thrombosis after sirolimus-eluting stents implantation in high-risk patients.
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Clinical cardiology · Mar 2009
Review Case ReportsRegional pericarditis: a review of the pericardial manifestations of acute myocardial infarction.
Regional pericarditis has been described in several settings, but occurs most frequently after transmural myocardial infarction. While the diagnosis remains elusive, it must be considered in all patients with recurrent chest pain following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ⋯ Given the magnitude and frequency of AMI, it is imperative to be aware of the myriad of pericardial manifestations of myocardial injury. An illustrative case and a comprehensive review of the literature will be provided.
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Clinical cardiology · Mar 2009
Clinical diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder after myocardial infarction.
Clinician-rated large-scale studies estimating the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to myocardial infarction (MI) and identifying predictors of clinical PTSD are currently lacking. ⋯ Clinical PTSD is prevalent in post-MI patients. Demographic and particularly psychological variables related to the subjective experience of the event were stronger predictors of PTSD status than were objective measures of MI severity.