Acta cardiologica
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Comparative Study
Procalcitonin in patients with acute coronary syndrome: correlation with high-sensitive C-reactive protein, prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease.
The aim of this study is to determine the relation of high-sensitive serum C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and procalcitonin with presence and severity of coronary artery disease and early prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ⋯ In conclusion, levels of hsCRP and procalcitonin are increased in patients with ACS but failed to correlate with severity of coronary disease and early prognosis.
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The expanding demand for long-term antithrombotic therapy and the major limitations of the vitamin-K antagonists, namely their narrow therapeutic range, numerous drug interactions and need for laboratory monitoring, have stimulated the development of new antithrombotic agents. Direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors are the new classes of orally available anticoagulants that are most advanced in development. Large clinical trials evaluate several compounds both in the primary and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism and in the prevention of cardioembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation.
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Large pericardial effusions and cardiac tamponade are rare in childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aetiological factors and clinical findings of large pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in children. ⋯ Although tuberculosis is rare in industrialized countries, in developing countries it remains one of the most important causes of large pericardial effusion and should be investigated and excluded in each patient.