American heart journal
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American heart journal · Mar 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEffect of rosuvastatin therapy on carotid plaque morphology and composition in moderately hypercholesterolemic patients: a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging trial.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can noninvasively assess changes in atherosclerotic plaque morphology and composition. The ORION trial assessed the effects of rosuvastatin on carotid plaque volume and composition. ⋯ In patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia, both low- and high-dose rosuvastatin were effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Furthermore, rosuvastatin was associated with a reduction in %LRNC, whereas the overall plaque burden remained unchanged over the course of 2 years of treatment. These findings provide evidence that statin therapy may have a beneficial effect on plaque volume and composition, as assessed by noninvasive MRI.
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American heart journal · Mar 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyPrevention of radiocontrast medium-induced nephropathy using short-term high-dose simvastatin in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography (PROMISS) trial--a randomized controlled study.
Contrast media cause oxidative stress, which has been suggested as one possible mechanism responsible for contrast-induced nephropathy. Statins appear to have pleiotropic effects, including antioxidant properties. We investigated to determine whether simvastatin pretreatment reduces the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in a high-risk population of patients with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography. ⋯ Simvastatin pretreatment for short-term at high dose do not prevent renal function deterioration after administration of contrast medium in patients with baseline renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography.
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American heart journal · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAspirin and Tranexamic Acid for Coronary Artery Surgery (ATACAS) Trial: rationale and design.
Despite some concern that recent aspirin ingestion increases blood loss after coronary artery surgery, there is some evidence that this may reduce thrombotic complications. In contrast, antifibrinolytic drugs can reduce blood loss in this setting, but there is concern that they may increase thrombotic complications. Published guidelines are limited by a lack of large randomized trials addressing the risks and benefits of each of these commonly used therapies in cardiac surgery. The ATACAS Trial is a study comparing aspirin, tranexamic acid, or both, with placebo in patients undergoing on-pump or off-pump coronary artery surgery. ⋯ The ATACAS Trial will be the largest study yet conducted to ascertain the benefits and risks of aspirin and antifibrinolytic therapy in coronary artery surgery. Results of the trial will guide the routine clinical care of patients in this setting.
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American heart journal · Jan 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffects of clopidogrel and aspirin in combination versus aspirin alone on platelet activation and major receptor expression in diabetic patients: the PLavix Use for Treatment Of Diabetes (PLUTO-Diabetes) trial.
Clopidogrel is widely used in diabetic patients after vascular events; however, the ability of this thienopyridine to yield additional antiplatelet protection on top of aspirin has never been explored in a controlled study with comprehensive assessment of platelet activity. The objective of this study was to compare the antiplatelet profiles of clopidogrel + aspirin in combination (C + ASA) versus aspirin alone (ASA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ⋯ Treatment with C + ASA for 1 month provides significantly greater inhibition of platelet activity than ASA alone in diabetic patients in this small randomized trial. However, despite dual antiplatelet regimen, diabetic patients exhibit high residual activity of some platelet biomarkers, including unaffected protease-activated receptor 1 receptor expression.
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American heart journal · Jan 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of intravenous MCC-135 as an adjunct to primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: Evaluation of MCC-135 for left ventricular salvage in acute myocardial infarction (EVOLVE).
The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that intracellular calcium modulation by 5-methyl-2-[piperazin-1-yl] benzene sulfonic acid monohydrate (MCC-135 [Caldaret]; Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation, Osaka, Japan) would preserve left ventricular function and reduce infarct size in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ⋯ There were no significant benefits of MCC-135 on preservation of LVEF and reduction of infarct size on day 5 in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.