OBJECTIVE To assess the cost-effectiveness of abciximab therapy versus traditional practice in high-risk patients receiving percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) from a Canadian hospital perspective. DESIGN A predictive decision analytic model using published clinical and economic evaluations, as well as costs of medical care in Canada. SUBJECTS High-risk PTCA patients as de...

To test the utility and safety of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) after recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), we performed the procedure in all suitable candidates with acute myocardial infarction (MI) who had successful t-PA mediated coronary thrombolysis. Twenty consecutive patients with MI received t-PA after coronary angiographic conformation of total occlus...

BACKGROUND Coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a common treatment method in patients with coronary heart disease, but its effects on heart rate variability (HRV) have not been well established. AIM To verify whether the localisation of coronary lesion undergoing PTCA affects HRV parameters. METHODS Ninety six consecutive individuals underwent elective coronary angiography with subsequent ad hoc ...

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to compare the long-term consequences of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and continued medical treatment. BACKGROUND The long-term effects of percutaneous coronary intervention need evaluating, especially in comparison with an alternative policy of continued medical treatment. METHODS The Second Randomized Intervention Treatment of An...

Putrescine, one of the main biogenic amines associated to microbial food spoilage, can be formed by bacteria from arginine via ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), or from agmatine via agmatine deiminase (AgDI). This study aims to correlate putrescine production from agmatine to the pathway involving N-carbamoylputrescine formation via AdDI (the aguA product) and N-carbamoylputrescine amidohydrolase ...

The aim of the present study was to test for possible associations between candidate gene polymorphisms and the risk of restenosis and recurrent restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) without stenting. We followed up 511 PTCA patients, and restenosis and recurrent restenosis were defined according to angiographical criteria. Genotyping of the beta-fibrinogen -455...

BACKGROUND Several angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have antiproliferative effects in a rat model after carotid artery balloon injury. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effect of fosinopril, a novel angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in restenosis prevention after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PT...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to describe the configuration, and investigate the mechanisms, of QRS changes occurring during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). BACKGROUND QRS changes during PTCA have been attributed to both a passive ST segment shift and conduction disturbances (peri-ischemic block). The direct relation between ST segment shift and QRS changes, h...

BACKGROUND Impulse response analysis of digital coronary angiographic images calculates a parameter known as the mean transit time of the microcirculation (Tmicro). This has been shown to accurately assess the regional microcirculatory response to proximal stenosis in relation to flow. Our goal was to apply impulse response analysis to patients undergoing successful angioplasty and to quantify ...