Journal of interventional cardiology
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The benefits of early abciximab administration and thrombus aspiration in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) have previously been elaborated. However, whether there is an adjunctive effect of thrombus aspiration among STEMI patients, with angiographic evidence of thrombus, receiving early prehospital abciximab remains unclear. ⋯ Among STEMI patients treated with PPCI and in-ambulance abciximab, it appears that a selective strategy of thrombus aspiration still has additive benefit.
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Postoperative pericardial effusion is frequent and can be complicated by cardiac tamponade. Although the different drainage techniques are well described in the setting of medical effusion, there is not a standard postoperative effusion treatment. The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the percutaneous pericardial drainage. ⋯ Percutaneous pericardial drainage is effective to treat postoperative pericardial effusion. When the effusion is thicker than 10 mm and accessible, it can be the initial strategy and surgical drainage can serve as an alternate strategy in case of failure and complications of this procedure.