INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of intensified antiplatelet therapy guided by VerifyNow assay P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) reported values in patients undergoing neuroendovascular procedures. METHODS An observational, retrospective review was conducted at a single academic tertiary referral center and comprehensive stroke center from December 1, 2012, t...

Background: Atrial arrhythmias (AA) are common in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Although Intra-atrial Reentrant Tachycardia (IART) is well described in ACHD, Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is uncommon, but increasingly recognized. Patients with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) and congenitally corrected-TGA (CC-TGA) have a high burden of AA at a relatively young age. However, ...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine whether differences in continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may lead to differences in the von Willebrand profile and the occurrence of bleeding and thromboembolic events. BACKGROUND The HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, California) and HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) (HeartWare, Inc., Framingham, Massachu...

BACKGROUND The recurrence rate after deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is high and the risk factors for recurrent thromboembolic events have only been investigated on a small scale. OBJECTIVES To estimate the cumulative incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolic events after a first or a second DVT and to identify possible risk factors for recurrent venous thromboembolism. METHODS We prospective...

BACKGROUND Previous evaluations of the cost-effectiveness of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex, Pfizer Inc, USA) have produced conflicting results. The recent controversy over the cardiovascular (CV) risks of rofecoxib and other coxibs has renewed interest in the economic profile of celecoxib, the only coxib now available in the United States. The objective of our stu...

OBJECTIVE The experience with the St. Jude Medical (SJM) and CarboMedics (CM) bileaflet mechanical prostheses was evaluated to determine thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications and predictive risk factors. METHODS From 1989 to 1994, a total of 246 patients had multiple valve replacement (SJM, 140; CM, 106); concomitant procedures 20.3% (50) [coronary artery bypass 10.6% (26)] and 53.7% (...