Effectiveness and Safety of P2Y12 Inhibitor Pretreatment for Primary PCI in STEMI: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been shown to be associated with better outcomes. Yet, there is uncertainty regarding the optimal timing for its initiation. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence on pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors in combination with aspirin in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We performed a systematic search of electronic databases PubMed, CENTRAL, and Scopus until April 2022. Studies were eligible if they compared P2Y12 inhibitor upstream administration with downstream use in patients with STEMI submitted to PCI. Studies with patients receiving fibrinolysis or medical therapy only were excluded. Outcomes were assessed at the shortest follow-up available. Of 2491 articles, 3 RCT and 16 non-RCT studies were included, with a total of 79,300 patients (66.1% pretreated, 66.0% treated with clopidogrel). Pretreatment was associated with reduction in definite stent thrombosis (odds ratio [OR] 0.61 [0.38-0.98]), all-cause death (OR 0.77 [0.60-0.97]), and cardiogenic shock (OR 0.60 [0.48-0.75]). It was also associated with a lower incidence of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow <3 pre-PCI (OR 0.78 [0.67-0.92]). However, incidence of recurrent MI was not significantly reduced (OR 0.93 [0.57-1.52]). Regarding safety, pretreatment was not associated with a higher risk of major bleeding events (OR 0.83 [0.75-0.92]). Pretreatment with dual antiplatelet therapy, including a P2Y12 inhibitor, was associated with better pre-PCI coronary perfusion, lower incidence of definite stent thrombosis, cardiogenic shock, and, possibly, all-cause mortality with no sign of potential harm encountered.

Exercise Oscillatory Ventilation Improves Heart Failure Prognostic Scores.

BACKGROUND: Several heart failure (HF) prognostic risk scores are available to guide the ideal time for listing candidates for a heart transplant (HTx). The detection of exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is associated with advanced HF and a worse prognosis, and yet it is not accounted for in these risk scores. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether EOV further adds prognostic value to HF scores. METHODS: A single-centre retrospective cohort study was undertaken of consecutive HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who underwent CPET from 1996 to 2018. The Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS), Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM), Meta-analysis Global Group In Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC), and Metabolic Exercise Cardiac Kidney Index (MECKI) were calculated. The added value of EOV on top of those scores was assessed using a Cox proportional hazard model. The added discriminative power was also assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve comparison. RESULTS: A total of 390 HF patients with a median age of 58 (IQR 50-65) years were investigated, of whom 78% were male and 54% had ischaemic heart disease. The median peak oxygen consumption was 15.7 mL/kg/min (IQR 12.8-20.1). Exercise oscillatory ventilation was detected in 153 (39.2%) patients. Over a median follow-up of 2 years, 61 patients died (49 due to a cardiovascular reason) and 54 had a HTx. Exercise oscillatory ventilation independently predicted the composite outcome of all-cause death and HTx. Furthermore, the presence of this ventilatory pattern significantly improved the prognostic performance of both HFSS and MAGGIC scores. CONCLUSION: Exercise oscillatory ventilation was often found in a cohort of HF patients with reduced LVEF who underwent CPET. It was found that EOV added further prognostic value to contemporary HF scores, suggesting that this easily obtained parameter should be included in future modified HF scores.

Pectoralis major muscle quantification by cardiac MRI is a strong predictor of major events in HF.

Clinical overt cardiac cachexia is a late ominous sign in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The main goal of this study was to assess the feasibility and prognostic significance of muscle mass quantification by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in HF with reduced LVEF. HF patients with LVEF < 40% (HFrEF) referred for CMR were retrospectively identified in a single center. Key exclusion criteria were primary muscle disease, known infiltrative myocardial disease and intracardiac devices. Pectoralis major muscles were measured on standard axial images at the level of the 3rd rib anteriorly. Time to all-cause death or HF hospitalization was the primary endpoint. A total of 298 HF patients were included (mean age 64 ± 12 years; 76% male; mean LVEF 30 ± 8%). During a median follow-up of 22 months (IQR: 12-33), 67 (22.5%) patients met the primary endpoint (33 died and 45 had at least 1 HF hospitalization). In multivariate analysis, LVEF [Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.950; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.917-0.983; p = 0.003), NYHA class I-II vs III-IV (HR: 0.480; CI: 0.272-0.842; p = 0.010), creatinine (HR: 2.653; CI: 1.548-4.545; p < 0.001) and pectoralis major area (HR: 0.873; 95% CI: 0.821-0.929; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of the primary endpoint, when adjusted for gender and NT-pro-BNP levels. Pectoralis major size measured by CMR in HFrEF was independently associated with a higher risk of death or HF hospitalization. Further studies to establish appropriate age and gender-adjusted cut-offs of muscle areas are needed to identify high-risk subgroups.

Endomyocardial biopsy: a 21st century diagnostic tool.

The question of the utility of Endomyocardial Biopsy (EMB) often and recurrently raises. It is claimed that the image techniques provide identical results without the risks of an invasive procedure. It is a fact that the impressive technico-scientific development of cardiovascular imagological methodologies covers a broad spectrum of diagnosis. It is also a fact that endomyocardial biopsy is not completely risk-free. Yet, when performed by experienced professionals in reference centres, endomyocardial biopsies my disclose a final unexpected nosologic entity, confirm or exclude a proposed diagnosis and, even when not showing specific lesions in the examined samples, EMB may point to a multifocal involvement of the heart that eventually skipped the fragments collected [1, 2, 3].

Infant sleep and the influence of a pacifier.

BACKGROUND: Divergent opinions are found in the literature regarding the use of a pacifier. During the longitudinal follow-up of children, health professionals must take a position on this issue and offer clear information regarding the pros and cons of pacifier use so that parents/caregivers can feel comfortable enough to make their own decision. AIM: Evaluate the beneficial effects of pacifier use on the sleep quality of infants. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted at public day care centres in the city of Recife, Brazil. Interviews were held with 157 mothers of infants aged five to 13 months. Data were collected on the mother's and child's profiles. Child's sleep quality was determined using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. RESULTS: The results demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the group that used a pacifier and the group that did not use a pacifier with regard to sleep variables of the child. CONCLUSIONS: When deciding whether or not to permit pacifier use, the infant's sleep quality should not be considered a critical factor.

Dabigatran reversal with idarucizumab in a patient undergoing heart transplantation: first European report.

BACKGROUND: Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor with a favorable effectiveness and safety profile when compared to vitamin K antagonists, both in randomized trials and real world registries of atrial fibrillation patients. Yet, physicians' fear of high bleeding risk scenarios in daily clinical practice still precludes a more widespread use of oral anticoagulation. We hereby report a successful case of dabigatran reversal with the novel monoclonal antibody fragment idarucizumab in a patient undergoing heart transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year old male patient on dabigatran for atrial fibrillation thromboprophylaxis was enlisted for heart transplantation due to end-stage ischemic heart failure. Upon donor availability and suitability and following the last intake of the drug 12 h previously, activated partial thromboplastin time was measured and found to be elevated. After general anesthesia and before extracorporeal circulation, idarucizumab was administered as two boluses of 2.5 g. Orthotopic heart transplantation ensued under full heparinization and cardiopulmonary bypass. Total chest tube output was 1125 mL after 3 days and 4 units of fresh frozen plasma and one platelet pool were administered in the operating room without further need for blood products. The post-operative period was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Idarucizumab was associated with an effective hemostasis in the setting of heart transplantation. Dabigatran may be considered as an alternative to vitamin K antagonists in heart transplant candidates with an indication for oral anticoagulation.

Peritoneal dialysis as a successful treatment in patients with refractory congestive heart failure: a one-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrafiltration (UF) technique is a valuable alternative to pharmacological therapy in the treatment of patients with refractory congestive heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to describe a single-center experience in the treatment of refractory HF patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: Retrospective study of 5 patients included in a single PD Unit, showing symptoms and signs of severe refractory congestive HF to optimal pharmacological therapy (NYHA class IV). Clinical and laboratory parameters, survival, hospitalization, and peritonitis rates were recorded. RESULTS: Patients were followed for 9.36 (± 6.36) months; population mean age was 62 (± 16) years and Charlson's comorbidity index was 7.2 (± 2.1). After PD therapy, functional class of NYHA significantly improved (class IV to class II in 4 patients). Doppler-echocardiography improved in terms of ejection fraction (EF) or systolic pressure of the pulmonary artery (SPPA) in 3 patients. No patient was readmitted due to HF. Hospitalization days substantially decreased in 4 patients. One patient presented with peritonitis episodes. Three patients died but the mean survival was higher than expected according to their comorbidity index. CONCLUSION: PD, applied to refractory HF in addition to optimal pharmacological therapy, improves quality of life and functional class and reduces hospitalization days due to HF.

Current practice in identifying and treating cardiovascular risk, with a focus on residual risk associated with atherogenic dyslipidaemia.

A panel of European experts on lipids and cardiovascular disease discussed clinical approaches to managing cardiovascular risk in clinical practice, including residual cardiovascular risk associated with lipid abnormalities, such as atherogenic dyslipidaemia (AD). A simplified definition of AD was proposed to enhance understanding of this condition, its prevalence, and its impact on cardiovascular risk. Atherogenic dyslipidaemia can be defined by high fasting triglyceride levels (≥2.3 mmol/L) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels (≤1.0 and ≤1.3 mmol/L in men and women, respectively) in statin-treated patients at high cardiovascular risk. The use of a single marker for the diagnosis and treatment of AD, such as non-HDL-c, was advocated. Interventions including lifestyle optimization and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering therapy with statins (±ezetimibe) are implemented by all experts. Treatment of residual AD can be performed with the addition of fenofibrate, since it can improve the complete lipoprotein profile and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with AD. Specific clinical scenarios in which fenofibrate may be prescribed are discussed, and include patients with very high triglycerides (≥5.6 mmol/L), patients who are intolerant or resistant to statins, and patients with AD and at high cardiovascular risk. The fenofibrate-statin combination was considered by the experts to benefit from a favourable benefit-risk profile. Cardiovascular experts adopt a multifaceted approach to the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with lifestyle optimization, LDL-lowering therapy, and treatment of AD with fenofibrate routinely used to help reduce a patient's overall cardiovascular risk.

A new species of Domene Fauvel, 1873 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from a granitic cavity in Serra da Estrela (Portugal).

A new species of the genus Domene Fauvel, 1873-D. viriatoi n. sp.-is described from a granitic natural cavity in Serra da Estrela, Portugal. This subterranean species is diagnosed and compared with closely related species from the Iberian endemic subgenus Lathromene Koch, 1938. The external morphology and male genitalia are illustrated and information on the species` ecology is presented. A dichotomic key to the Lathromene species based on the male genitalia is provided. The need to protect the habitat of this species from human disturbance is commented on.

Aortic coarctation repair in the adult.

Aortic coarctation can be repaired surgically or percutaneously. The decision should be made according to the anatomy and location of the coarctation, age of the patient, presence of other cardiac lesions, and other anatomic determinants (extensive collaterals or aortic calcification). This article reviews the different therapeutic options available, explaining the differences between children and adults, describing different approaches to the same disease, exemplified by three cases of nonclassic surgical approach and one percutaneous treatment.

Characterization and LDL-C management in a cohort of high and very high cardiovascular risk patients: The PORTRAIT-DYS study.

AIM: This study aims to characterize sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, use of lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) control in a population with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study that uses electronic health records of patients from one hospital and across 14 primary care health centers in the North of Portugal, spanning from 2000 to 2020 (index date). Patients presented at least (i) 1 year of clinical data before inclusion, (ii) one primary care appointment 3 years before the index date, and (iii) sufficient data for CV risk classification. Patients were divided into three cohorts: high CV risk; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk equivalents without established ASCVD; evidence of ASCVD. CV risk and LDL-C control were defined by the 2019 and 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) dyslipidemia guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 51 609 patients were included, with 23 457 patients classified as high CV risk, 19 864 with ASCVD equivalents, and 8288 with evidence of ASCVD. LDL-C control with 2016 ESC/EAS guidelines was 32%, 10%, and 18% for each group, respectively. Considering the ESC/EAS 2019 guidelines control level was even lower: 7%, 3%, and 7% for the same cohorts, respectively. Patients without any LLT prescribed ranged from 37% in the high CV risk group to 15% in patients with evidence of ASCVD. CONCLUSION: We found that LDL-C control was very low in patients at higher risk of CV events. An alarming gap between guidelines on dyslipidemia management and clinical implementation persists, even in those at very high risk or with established ASCVD.

Attainment of LDL-Cholesterol Goals in Patients with Previous Myocardial Infarction: A Real-World Cross-Sectional Analysis. / Atingimento das Metas de Colesterol LDL em Pacientes com Histórico de Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio: Estudo Transversal do Mundo Real.

BACKGROUND: The European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend an LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) < 55 mg/dL for patients with established cardiovascular disease. While the Friedewald equation to estimate LDL-C is still widely used, the newer Martin-Hopkins equation has shown greater accuracy. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess: A) the proportion of patients reaching LDL-C goal and the therapies used in a tertiary center; B) the impact of using the Martin-Hopkins method instead of Friedewald's on the proportion of controlled patients. METHODS: A single-center cross-sectional study including consecutive post-myocardial infarction patients followed by 20 cardiologists in a tertiary hospital. Data was collected retrospectively from clinical appointments that took place after April 2022. For each patient, the LDL-C levels and attainment of goals were estimated from an ambulatory lipid profile using both Friedewald and Martin-Hopkins equations. A two-tailed p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests. RESULTS: Overall, 400 patients were included (aged 67 ± 13 years, 77% male). Using Friedewald's equation, the median LDL-C under therapy was 64 (50-81) mg/dL, and 31% had LDL-C within goals. High-intensity statins were used in 64% of patients, 37% were on ezetimibe, and 0.5% were under PCSK9 inhibitors. Combination therapy of high-intensity statin + ezetimibe was used in 102 patients (26%). Applying the Martin-Hopkins method would reclassify a total of 31 patients (7.8%). Among those deemed controlled by Friedewald's equation, 27 (21.6%) would have a Martin-Hopkins' LDL-C above goals. CONCLUSIONS: Less than one-third of post-myocardial infarction patients had LDL-C within the goal. Applying the Martin-Hopkins equation would reclassify one-fifth of presumably controlled patients into the non-controlled group.

FUNDAMENTO: As diretrizes da Sociedade Europeia de Cardiologia recomendam um nível de colesterol LDL (LDL-C) < 55 mg/dL para pacientes com doença cardiovascular estabelecida. Embora a fórmula de Friedewald ainda seja amplamente utilizada para estimar o LDL-C, a fórmula mais recente de Martin-Hopkins mostrou maior precisão. OBJETIVOS: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar: A) a proporção de pacientes que atingiram a meta de LDL-C e as terapias utilizadas em um centro terciário; B) o impacto da utilização do método de Martin-Hopkins em vez do método de Friedewald na proporção de pacientes controlados. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal monocêntrico, incluindo pacientes consecutivos pós-infarto do miocárdio, acompanhados por 20 cardiologistas, em um hospital terciário. Os dados foram coletados retrospectivamente de consultas clínicas realizadas após abril de 2022. Para cada paciente, os níveis de LDL-C e o atingimento das metas foram estimados a partir de um perfil lipídico ambulatorial, utilizando as fórmulas de Friedewald e Martin-Hopkins. Um valor-p bicaudal < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo para todos os testes. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 400 pacientes (com 67 ± 13 anos, 77% do sexo masculino). Utilizando a fórmula de Friedewald, a mediana de LDL-C sob terapia foi de 64 (50-81) mg/dL, e 31% tinham LDL-C dentro da meta. Estatinas de alta intensidade foram usadas em 64% dos pacientes, 37% estavam em uso de ezetimiba e 0,5% estavam em uso de inibidores de PCSK9. A terapia combinada de estatina de alta intensidade + ezetimiba foi utilizada em 102 pacientes (26%). A aplicação do método de Martin-Hopkins reclassificaria um total de 31 pacientes (7,8%). Entre aqueles considerados controlados pela fórmula de Friedewald, 27 (21,6%) teriam LDL-C estimado por Martin-Hopkins acima da meta. CONCLUSÕES: Menos de um terço dos pacientes pós-infarto do miocárdio apresentaram LDL-C dentro da meta. A aplicação da fórmula de Martin-Hopkins reclassificaria um quinto dos pacientes presumivelmente controlados no grupo de pacientes não controlados.

Use of combination therapy is associated with improved LDL-cholesterol management: 1-year follow-up results from the European observational SANTORINI study.

AIM: To assess whether implementation of the 2019 ESC/EAS dyslipidaemia guidelines observed between 2020-2021 improved between 2021-2022 in the SANTORINI study. METHODS: High- or very-high cardiovascular (CV) risk patients were recruited across 14 European countries from March 2020-February 2021, with 1-year prospective follow-up until May 2022. Lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) and 2019 ESC/EAS risk-based low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment (defined as <1.4 mmol/L for patients at very high CV risk and <1.8 mmol/L for patients at high CV risk) at 1-year follow-up were compared with baseline. . RESULTS: Of 9559 patients enrolled, 9136 (2626 high risk, 6504 very high risk) had any follow-up data, and 7210 (2033 high risk, 5173 very high risk) had baseline and follow-up LDL-C data. LLT was escalated in one-third of patients and unchanged in two-thirds. Monotherapy and combination therapy usage rose from 53.6% and 25.6% to 57.1% and 37.9%, respectively. Mean LDL-C levels decreased from 2.4 mmol/L to 2.0 mmol/L. Goal attainment improved from 21.2% to 30.9%, largely driven by LLT use among those not on LLT at baseline. Goal attainment was greater with combination therapy compared with monotherapy at follow-up (39.4 vs 25.5%). CONCLUSIONS: LLT use and achievement of risk-based lipid goals increased over 1-year follow-up particularly when combination LLT was used. Nonetheless, most patients remained above goal, hence strategies are needed to improve implementation of combination LLT.

Cardiovascular diseases, a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, are the most common cause of death worldwide. Lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the bloodstream reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. Guidelines recommend that those at highest risk of cardiovascular disease should achieve the lowest levels of LDL cholesterol. Several medications are available that help lower LDL cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular events, however, recent studies have shown that the majority of patients continue to have LDL cholesterol levels above optimal value in part due to suboptimal use of these medications. Here we report the results after 1 year of follow-up of the SANTORINI study (started in 2020) which aimed to document the management of LDL cholesterol in clinical practice across 14 countries in Europe. We found that better control of LDL cholesterol occurred when more than one drug was used (combination therapy). Use of combination therapy was low at the start of the study 25.6% but increased over 1 year to 37.9%, resulting in better control of LDL cholesterol at 1 year than observed at the start of the study. Nonetheless, only 31% of patients achieved their LDL cholesterol target levels based on the European guidelines. Greater use of combination therapies is needed in order to improve the overall population level control of LDL cholesterol.

Effects of agomelatine on oxidative stress in the brain of mice after chemically induced seizures.

Agomelatine is a novel antidepressant drug with melatonin receptor agonist and 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist properties. We analyzed whether agomelatine has antioxidant properties. Antioxidant activity of agomelatine (25, 50, or 75 mg/kg, i.p.) or melatonin (50 mg/kg) was investigated by measuring lipid peroxidation levels, nitrite content, and catalase activities in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus of Swiss mice pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) (85 mg/kg, i.p.), pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p.), picrotoxin (PTX) (7 mg/kg, i.p.), or strychnine (75 mg/kg, i.p.) induced seizure models. In the pilocarpine-induced seizure model, all dosages of agomelatine or melatonin showed a significant decrease in TBARS levels and nitrite content in all brain areas when compared to controls. In the strychnine-induced seizure model, all dosages of agomelatine and melatonin decreased TBARS levels in all brain areas, and agomelatine at low doses (25 or 50 mg/kg) and melatonin decreased nitrite contents, but only agomelatine at 25 or 50 mg/kg showed a significant increase in catalase activity in three brain areas when compared to controls. Neither melatonin nor agomelatine at any dose have shown no antioxidant effects on parameters of oxidative stress produced by PTX- or PTZ-induced seizure models when compared to controls. Our results suggest that agomelatine has antioxidant activity as shown in strychnine- or pilocarpine-induced seizure models.

Association between breastfeeding and the development of breathing patterns in children.

UNLABELLED: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and breathing development and to investigate associations between breastfeeding duration and the breathing patterns in children. A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Institute of Integrative Medicine Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Brazil, with a random sample of 732 children aged between 6 and 9 years. Breastfeeding and breathing patterns were identified using a questionnaire that was filled out by mothers or guardians, and a clinical examination of the children. Data were analyzed statistically by Pearson's chi-square test at 5 % significance level. The prevalence of mouth breathing was 48 %, whereas 52 % of the children were nasal breathers. Six hundred-forty children were breastfed; 46.2 % of them were mouth breathers and 53.8 % were nasal breathers. Ninety-two children were not breastfed; 59.8 % of them were mouth breathers and 40.2 % were nasal breathers. Breastfeeding for 24 months or more, as well as exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months, was associated with the development of nasal breathing. CONCLUSIONS: Extended breastfeeding was associated with correct development of the breathing pattern.

Impact of ESC/ACCF/AHA/WHF universal definition of myocardial infarction on mortality at 10 years.

AIMS: Redefinition of myocardial infarction (MI) based on specific cardiac troponins (cTn) was universally accepted in 2007. The new definition has been widely discussed for including a large spectrum of quantitative myocardial necrosis and their clinical implications remain under debate. Our aim was to assess the impact of the universal definition of MI on mortality at 10 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 676 consecutive patients (Pts) admitted to our intensive cardiac care unit for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) between January 1999 and December 2000. We calculated the relative risk of the total death at 10 years adjusted with the Cox proportional hazards model, between the presence and absence of MI following different definitions: (1), typical symptoms and persistent ST-segment elevation or left bundle branch block (ST-segment elevation definition); (2), typical symptoms and CK-MB activity rise and/or fall >ULN (old definition); and (3), typical symptoms and cTn I rise and/or fall >99th percentile (universal definition). The total mortality at 10 years was 23.8%. The proportion of Pts with AMI was 33.6% for ST-segment elevation definition, 55.8% for old definition, and 70.1% for universal definition. The adjusted hazard ratio of death at 10 years between the presence and absence of AMI was 0.71 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46-1.08; P = 0.11) for ST-segment elevation definition, 0.84 (95% CI: 0.55-1.27; P = 0.40) for old definition, and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.07-2.40; P = 0.03) for universal definition. Patients submitted to myocardial revascularization during the initial hospital stay (72%) presented a significantly lower mortality at 10 years, compared with patients not revascularized (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44-0.91; P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: In a population with the entire spectrum of ACSs, the universal definition of MI increased this diagnosis by one-quarter and was an independent predictor of mortality at 10 years. Furthermore, myocardial revascularization was associated with a significantly lower mortality at 10 years.

Horizontal root fracture in a maxillary central incisor: a case report.

Horizontal root fractures usually are characterized by a fracture line that is perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth's root. Root fractures are diagnosed through clinical and radiographic examination. Treatment depends on the position of the fracture and the extent of root involvement. Successful treatment depends on correct diagnosis, clinical management, and radiographic follow-up. This article describes the successful treatment (with a 3-year follow-up period) of a permanent maxillary central incisor with horizontal root fracture treated with calcium hydroxide, in which the coronal segment was necrotic and the apical segment remained vital.

Noma in an immunocompromised patient.

Noma (also known as cancrum oris) is classified by the World Health Organization as a necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis, an invasive acute infection which affects the orofacial tissues. Patients who are subject to such risk factors as severe malnutrition or alteration of the immune system are predominantly affected. This article presents a case of noma in a 62-year-old immunocompromised patient with pain and tooth mobility in the mandibular region, ulceration, bleeding, gingival inflammatory secretion, and oral malodor. The signs and symptoms were controlled only after the intravenous administration of 500 mg tid of imipenem/cilastatin sodium and 2 g qd of vancomycin. After infection control was maintained, the patient was directed to surgery for removal of bone sequestration and curettage of the maxillary sinus. The patient was prescribed 1 g qd of oral clindamycin for 3 months postsurgery.