Coronary artery disease
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Coronary artery disease · Aug 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialRanolazine improves endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
We investigated the effect of ranolazine on endothelial-dependent vasodilatation (EDV), serum markers of endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation. ⋯ Ranolazine improves endothelial function, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and C-reactive protein levels in a group of patients with stable CAD. Our results suggest a novel mechanism of action of ranolazine.
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Coronary artery disease · Aug 2009
Comparative StudySafety and efficacy of a prolonged bivalirudin infusion after urgent and complex percutaneous coronary interventions: a descriptive study.
Bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, provides similar ischemic outcomes with significantly less major bleeding compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (GPI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Although the approved labeling for bivalirudin allows for low-dose prolonged postprocedure administration, this practice is not routine. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of longer post-PCI infusion. ⋯ A prolonged bivalirudin infusion after urgent PCI seems effective in protecting myocardium without increasing bleeding rates, and represents an attractive alternative to the standard pharmacological treatment of UFH+GPI in the catheterization laboratory.
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Coronary artery disease · Jun 2009
Plasma levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products are associated with endothelial function and predict cardiovascular events in nondiabetic patients.
We sought to test the hypothesis that decreased plasma soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) levels were associated with endothelial dysfunction in nondiabetic patients. ⋯ The results indicate that plasma sRAGE levels are positively associated with endothelial function and predict cardiovascular events in nondiabetic participants with suspected coronary artery disease, suggesting its pivotal role in atherothrombosis.
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Coronary artery disease · Jun 2009
Primary coronary microvascular dysfunction and poor coronary collaterals predict post-percutaneous coronary intervention cardiac necrosis.
An elevation in cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is because of cardiac necrosis and has prognostic implications. Primary microvascular dysfunction, evident before PCI, and paucity of coronary collaterals at baseline may influence cTnI. ⋯ Primary coronary microvascular dysfunction and poor collaterals at baseline are associated with post-PCI necrosis.
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Coronary artery disease · May 2009
Analysis of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
The N-terminal portion of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been identified as an indicator of prognosis in different cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of measuring plasma NT-proBNP levels in patients with acute coronary syndromes. ⋯ Measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide provides predictive information during the hospitalization in patients with acute coronary syndromes.