Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
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To determine the predictors of time between presentation and primary angioplasty and the influence of this delay time on in-hospital mortality in clinical practice. ⋯ In current clinical practice in Germany median door to angiography time is quite short (83 (122) minutes). Some patients and hospital factors are independently associated with a longer door to angiography time. Within the observed short in-hospital delays door to angiography time did not influence in-hospital mortality. However, efforts to keep them as short as possible should be continued.
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Multicenter Study
Trends in reperfusion therapy of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in Switzerland: six year results from a nationwide registry.
To document the trends in reperfusion therapy for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Switzerland. ⋯ Primary PCI has become the preferred mode of reperfusion for STEMI since 2002 in Switzerland, whereas use of intravenous thrombolysis has decreased from 1997 to 2002. Furthermore, there was a major reduction of in-hospital mortality over the same period.
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To evaluate the incidence and the clinical and echocardiographic features of infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis and to identify the prognostic factors of surgery and mortality in this disease. ⋯ S lugdunensis IE is an uncommon cause of IE, involving mainly native left sided valves, and it is characterised by an aggressive clinical course. Mortality in left sided native valve IE is high but the prognosis has improved in recent years. Surgery has improved survival in left sided IE and, therefore, early surgery should always be considered. Prosthetic valve S lugdunensis IE carries an ominous prognosis.
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Multicenter Study
Improving care for patients with acute coronary syndromes: initial results from the National Audit of Myocardial Infarction Project (MINAP).
To describe the improvements in care that have followed the introduction of an electronic data entry and analysis system providing contemporary feedback on the management of acute coronary syndromes in 230 hospitals in England and Wales. ⋯ The provision of contemporary online performance analyses has underpinned substantial improvement in the care of patients with acute coronary syndromes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Long term risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes: characteristics of troponin T testing and continuous ST segment monitoring.
To examine the long term prognostic characteristics of troponin T testing and continuous multi-lead ST segment monitoring in combination with clinical and 12 lead ECG risk indicators in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). ⋯ Both biochemical and continuous ECG markers reflect an increased risk for patients with ACS; however, the methods exhibit different temporal risk characteristics.