A case of acute pleuropericarditis, which occurred after apparently successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion of the right coronary artery, is reported.

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Guidant said its first-quarter sales dropped 6 percent from last year, and it expects to record more than $120 million in charges for the quarter. Guidant has suffered sliding sales because of product recalls and news that the company withheld information about the faulty devices.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term clinical and angiographic profile of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) versus paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) in patients undergoing percutaneous intervention for left main (LM) coronary disease.

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Two-year follow-up angiography was performed in 52 patients with patent irradiated segments at 6 months after β-radiation with a rhenium 188–mercaptoacetyltriglycine–filled balloon for diffuse in-stent restenosis. We evaluated late recurrence (LR) and its predictors after β-radiation.

Abstract

Severe stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is a coronary artery-disease manifestation of critical prognostic importance. As a consequence of the survival advantage conferred by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) over medical therapy, lesions in the LMCA have been considered a standard indication for CABG for nearly 3 decades.

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Direct comparison of low–molecular-weight heparin, dalteparin, with unfractionated heparin (UFH) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is limited. This study examined the relative effects of dalteparin and UFH on coagulation and angiographic and clinical indices during PCI.

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MRI guidance of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) of aortic coarctation (CoA) would be desirable for continuous visualization of anatomy and to eliminate x-ray exposure. The aim of this study was (1) to determine the suitability of MRI-controlled PTA using the iron oxide-based contrast medium Resovist (ferucarbotran) for catheter visualization and (2) to subsequently apply this technique in a pilot study with patients with CoA.

Abstract

Surgical creation of new anastomosis has been proposed as the preferred treatment for perianastomotic stenoses of fistulae. Seventy-three consecutive patients undergoing 112 PTA procedures for the treatment of perianastomotic lesions were studied.

Abstract

Fewer than half of patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) are treated within guideline-recommended door-to-balloon times; however, little information is available about the approaches used by hospitals that have been successful in improving door-to-balloon times to meet guidelines. We sought to characterize experiences of hospitals with outstanding improvement in door-to-balloon time during 1999-2002.

Abstract