Secular trends and sociodemographic, biological, and behavioural factors associated with handgrip strength in adolescents in southern Brazil: An allometric approach.

The purpose of this study was to analyse secular trend in handgrip strength (HGS) in adolescents using an allometric approach and identify the factors associated. The sample comprised 657 and 1004 adolescents (14 to 19 years) in 2007 and 2017/2018, respectively, of public schools in Florianópolis, Brazil. The dependent variable was HGS normalised to body mass and height. Covariance analysis was used to examine secular trends in HGS, and multiple linear regression was used to identify associated factors. The independent variables were sociodemographic, biological, and behavioural factors. Comparison of HGS between surveys indicated a negative secular trend in both sexes (p < 0.001). In boys, there was a positive association of HGS with age and FFM in both surveys. In 2017/18, there was a positive association with sexual maturation and a negative association with sitting time and fat percentage. In girls, FFM was positively associated with HGS in both surveys. In 2007, there were positive associations of HGS with age and vigorous physical activity, whereas, in 2017/18, negative associations were observed with economic level and sitting time. The findings of the present study show a decline in adolescent HGS. And behavioural changes appear to be contributing to declines in HGS.

Use and outcome of thrombus aspiration in patients with primary PCI for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: results from the multinational Euro Heart Survey PCI Registry.

The clinical benefit of thrombus aspiration (TA) in patients presenting with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not well defined. Furthermore, there is a large variation in the use of TA in real-world registries. Between 2005 and 2008, a total of 7146 consecutive patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI were prospectively enrolled into the PCI Registry of the Euro Heart Survey Programme. For the present analysis, patients treated additionally with TA (n = 897, 12.6 %) were compared with those without TA (n = 6249, 87.4 %). Patients with hemodynamic instability at initial presentation (15.1 vs. 11.0 %; p < 0.001) and resuscitation prior to PCI (10.4 vs. 7.4 %; p = 0.002) were more frequently treated with TA. TIMI flow grade 0/1 before PCI was more often found among those with TA (73.5 vs. 58.6 %; p < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors in the propensity score analysis, TA was not associated with improved in-hospital survival (risk difference -1.1 %, 95 % confidence interval -2.7 to 0.6 %). In this European real-world registry, the rate of TA use was low. Hemodynamically unstable patients were more likely to be treated with TA. Consistent with the results of the TASTE study and the TOTAL trial, TA was not associated with a significant reduction in short-term mortality.

The rationale for Heart Team decision-making for patients with stable, complex coronary artery disease.

Stable complex coronary artery disease can be treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or medical therapy. Multidisciplinary decision-making has gained more emphasis over the recent years to select the most optimal treatment strategy for individual patients with stable complex coronary artery disease. However, the so-called 'Heart Team' concept has not been widely implemented. Yet, decision-making has shown to remain suboptimal; there is large variability in PCI-to-CABG ratios, which may predominantly be the consequence of physician-related factors that have raised concerns regarding overuse, underuse, and inappropriate selection of revascularization. In this review, we summarize these and additional data to support the statement that a multidisciplinary Heart Team consisting of at least a clinical/non-invasive cardiologist, interventional cardiologist, and cardiac surgeon, can together better analyse and interpret the available diagnostic evidence, put into context the clinical condition of the patient as well as consider individual preference and local expertise, and through shared decision-making with the patient can arrive at a most optimal joint treatment strategy recommendation for patients with stable complex coronary artery disease. In addition, other aspects of Heart Team decision-making are discussed: the organization and logistics, involvement of physicians, patients, and assisting personnel, the need for validation, and its limitations.

Isolated and combined association of excessive screen time and physical inactivity with negative self-rated health in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze isolated and combined associations of physical inactivity excessive screen time with negative self-rated health, according to sex, among school adolescents. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted with 2,517 adolescents in Amazonas State, participants were asked about their self-rated health with the following question: How do you rate your health? Responses were dichotomized into positive (excellent and good) and negative (regular, bad, and terrible). Information on sex, age group, family income, physical activity, and screen time (watching TV, using a computer, or playing video games) was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Adolescents simultaneously classified as physically inactive (<60 min/day) and having excessive screen time (>2 h/day) were considered to have two risk factors. Data was analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of every 10 adolescents, 2 had a negative self-rated health. After adjusting for age and family income, there were no isolated or combined associations between physical inactivity or excessive screen time and negative self-rated health in girls. In boys, negative self-rated health was associated with insufficient levels of physical activity (odds ratio [OR]: 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-5.59) and with the accumulation of two risk factors (OR: 1.61; 95%CI 1.10-2.34). CONCLUSIONS: Being insufficiently active and the combination of physical inactivity and excessive screen time become exposure factors to the negative self-rated health of adolescent boys.

Peri-interventional coronary vasomotion.

A percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a unique condition to study the effects of ischemia and reperfusion in patients with severe coronary atherosclerosis when coronary vasomotor function is compromised by loss of endothelial and autoregulatory vasodilation. We studied the effects of intracoronary non-selective α-, as well as selective α(1)- and α(2)-blockade in counteracting the observed vasoconstriction in patients with stable and unstable angina and in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Coronary vasoconstriction in our studies was a diffuse phenomenon and involved not only the culprit lesion but also vessels with angiographically not visible plaques. Post-PCI vasoconstriction was reflected by increased coronary vascular resistance and associated with decreased LV-function. α (1)-Blockade with urapidil dilated epicardial coronary arteries, improved coronary flow reserve and counteracted LV dysfunction. Non-selective α-blockade with phentolamine induced epicardial and microvascular dilation, while selective α(2)-blockade with yohimbine had only minor vasodilator and functional effects. Intracoronary α-blockade also attenuated the no-reflow phenomenon following primary PCI. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Coronary Blood Flow".

Virtual reality simulation training in a high-fidelity procedure suite: operator appraisal.

PURPOSE: To assess the face and content validity of a novel, full physics, full procedural, virtual reality simulation housed in a hybrid procedure suite. METHODS AND MATERIALS: After completing 60 minutes of hands-on training in uterine artery embolization and coronary angioplasty, 24 radiologists and 18 cardiologists with mean 10 years of endovascular experience assessed the functionality of a comprehensive hybrid procedure suite simulation (Orcamp; Orzone, Gothenburg, Sweden). RESULTS: C-arm and operating table functionality and realism were reliably (α = 0.0.89-0.92) rated highly (80/100). Performance realism of the catheter, guide wire, fluoroscopy image, electrocardiogram, and vital signs readout also reliably and statistically significantly predicted subjects' overall positive assessment (mean = 87/100) of the simulation experience in a multiple regression model (α = .83; r = 0.85 and r(2) = 0.67; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a quantitative evaluation of a comprehensive simulation of an authentic procedure suite for image-guided intravascular procedures. This new facility affords the opportunity for trainers to provide higher fidelity training of operative technical, procedural, and management skills in the realistic context of a complete procedure suite with all its complexities and potential distractions.

Multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable angina: a common approach? Lessons learned from the EHS PCI registry.

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics, procedural details, and outcomes of patients undergoing elective multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (MV-PCI) in Europe. A total of 7113 patients with stable coronary artery disease and at least two major epicardial vessels with ≥ 70% stenosis were included in this analysis of the contemporary Euro Heart Survey PCI registry. Patients undergoing MV-PCI (n = 3376, 47.5%) were compared with those with single-vessel PCI (SV-PCI) (n = 3737, 52.5%). Patients with MV-PCI were more likely to have congestive heart failure, whereas those with SV-PCI more often suffered from noncardiac comorbidities. Hospital mortality (0.1% vs 0.3%) and the incidence of nonfatal postprocedural myocardial infarction (1.0% vs 0.7%) were low in patients with MV-PCI and SV-PCI. In the multivariate analysis, no significant difference in the incidence of hospital death (odds ratio (OR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15-1.27) could be observed between the two groups. However, the risk for postprocedural myocardial infarction (OR 1.57, 95% CI 0.93-2.67) tended to be higher among patients undergoing MV-PCI. Independent determinants for performing MV-PCI were age, comorbidities, and coronary anatomy. In Europe almost half of all patients with multivessel disease were treated with MV-PCI. Hospital complications were low, but a trend toward a higher rate of postprocedural myocardial infarctions was seen in patients with MV-PCI.

Impact of diabetes mellitus status on coronary pathoanatomy and interventional treatment: insights from the Euro heart survey PCI registry.

OBJECTIVES: The present analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) status on the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and current approaches in interventional treatment. BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effect of DM treated with diet, oral agents, or insulin on lesion characteristics and anatomical pattern of CAD and their interventional treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients (n = 46,779) of the contemporary Euro Heart Survey PCI registry with known DM status were included in this analysis. Nondiabetics (n = 35,280, 75.4%) were compared with diabetics treated with diet (n = 1,533, 3.3%), oral agents (n = 7,222, 15.4%), and insulin (n = 2,744, 5.8%). Diabetic patients were older, suffered more frequently from comorbidities and presented more often with cardiogenic shock. The number of severely stenosed (≥ 70%) segments incrementally increased from nondiabetics to insulin-requiring diabetics. The location of lesions did not differ between patients with and without DM. The ratio stenosed/treated segments progressively rose among the four patient cohorts. The severity of DM negatively correlated with the extent of complete revascularization. After adjustment for confounding variables no significant differences in hospital mortality could be observed between patients without DM and diabetics treated with diet, but a significantly higher rate of death was seen in diabetic patients with oral medication and insulin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although CAD was more severe in patients with DM the percentage of treated segments with ≥ 70% stenosis was lower. Adjusted hospital mortality was increased among diabetics treated with oral medication or insulin, but not among those treated with diet.

Sevoflurane for central catheter placement in neonatal intensive care: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of sevoflurane deep sedation with glucose and nonnutritive sucking (GNNS) in reducing the duration of the procedure and in preventing pain-related effects during peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement. BACKGROUND: PICC placement in neonatal intensive care is a delicate and stressful procedure that requires pain prevention. GNNS has been recommended in this situation but remain often inefficient. METHODS: We designed a randomized controlled study in a sixteen-bed pediatric and neonatal unit in a tertiary hospital. Fifty-nine neonates at >28 weeks of gestation with continuous positive airway pressure or invasive mechanical ventilation and requiring PICC placement were included. Patients were randomized to receive inhaled sevoflurane (IS) or glucose and non-nutritive sucking (GNNS). Procedural duration and conditions, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, occurrence of movements and complications were compared (http://clinicaltrials.gov trial register no. NCT00420693). RESULTS: The two groups had similar demographics. There were no between-group differences in procedural duration (P = 0.84) despite greater immobility in IS group (P = 0.017). IS was also associated with fewer episodes of hypertension (P = 0.003), tachycardia (P < 0.001), and bradycardia (P = 0.02). Occurrences of hypotension were not different between the groups (P = 0.06). The GNNS group showed more desaturation during the 4 h after the procedure (P = 0.03). Complications during intensive care stay did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Inhaled sevoflurane does not make easier catheters placement but prevent pain-related symptoms. Because sevoflurane is responsible for hypotension, it requires careful monitoring and treatment adaptation.

Isolated and combined association of excessive screen time and physical inactivity with negative self-rated health in adolescents / Associação isolada e combinada do tempo de tela excessivo e da inatividade física com autopercepção de saúde negativa em adolescentes

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze isolated and combined associations of physical inactivity excessive screen time with negative self-rated health, according to sex, among school adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted with 2,517 adolescents in Amazonas State, participants were asked about their self-rated health with the following question: How do you rate your health? Responses were dichotomized into positive (excellent and good) and negative (regular, bad, and terrible). Information on sex, age group, family income, physical activity, and screen time (watching TV, using a computer, or playing video games) was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Adolescents simultaneously classified as physically inactive (<60 min/day) and having excessive screen time (>2 h/day) were considered to have two risk factors. Data was analyzed using binary logistic regression. Results: Out of every 10 adolescents, 2 had a negative self-rated health. After adjusting for age and family income, there were no isolated or combined associations between physical inactivity or excessive screen time and negative self-rated health in girls. In boys, negative self-rated health was associated with insufficient levels of physical activity (odds ratio [OR]: 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-5.59) and with the accumulation of two risk factors (OR: 1.61; 95%CI 1.10-2.34). Conclusions: Being insufficiently active and the combination of physical inactivity and excessive screen time become exposure factors to the negative self-rated health of adolescent boys.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a associação isolada e combinada do tempo excessivo de tela e inatividade física com a autopercepção negativa de saúde, de acordo com o sexo, em adolescentes estudantes. Métodos: Estudo transversal conduzido em 2.517 adolescentes amazonenses, os quais foram questionados sobre a autopercepção de saúde: "Como você considera a sua saúde?", dicotomizada em positiva (excelente, boa) e negativa (regular, ruim, péssima). Informações sobre sexo, faixa etária, renda familiar, atividade física e tempo excessivo de tela (assistindo TV, usando o computador ou jogando videogame) foram coletadas mediante questionário autoadministrado. Aqueles classificados, simultaneamente, como fisicamente inativos (<60 min/dia) e com tempo excessivo de tela (>2 horas/dia) foram considerados com dois fatores de risco. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se a regressão logística binária. Resultados: Dois em cada dez adolescentes apresentaram autopercepção negativa de saúde. Após o ajuste pelas variáveis idade e renda familiar, não foram observadas, no sexo feminino, associações da inatividade física e do tempo excessivo de tela, de maneira isolada ou agrupada, com a autopercepção negativa de saúde. No sexo masculino, a percepção negativa de saúde foi associada com os níveis insuficientes de atividade física (odds ratio — OR: 2,39; intervalo de confiança — IC95% 1,03-5,59) e com o acúmulo de dois fatores de risco (OR: 1,61; IC95% 1,10-2,34). Conclusões: Ser insuficientemente ativo e associar a inatividade física com tempo excessivo de tela tornam-se fatores de exposição à percepção negativa em saúde de meninos adolescentes.

Agreement and validity between body fat estimated by skinfold measurement and air displacement plethysmography in adolescents / Concordância e validade entre a gordura corporal estimada por medidas de dobras cutâneas e pletismografia por deslocamento de ar em adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective: Assess the agreement and validity between relative body fat percentages estimated using anthropometric measurements and air displacement plethysmography (ADP). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 118 adolescents (60 females) aged 10 to 14 years (x̄=12.19, sd=1.18). Adolescents were classified as eutrophic or with overweight according to body mass index (body weight/height2) (x̄=20,12, sd=3,56). Measurements of skinfold thickness (triceps and medial calf) were collected and used to estimate relative body fat by the Slaughter equation. ADP was used as a reference method for the estimation of relative body fat. Agreement between body fat measurement methods (anthropometry × ADP) was analyzed by the Bland-Altman method. The mean error (ME) was calculated by subtracting the body fat percentage estimated by the Slaughter equation from the body fat percentage estimated by ADP. Validity was tested with the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Results: There was no agreement between the methods, regardless of sex and weight status. For boys with overweight (ME = 4.52; p = 0.007), eutrophic girls (ME = 6.37; p < 0.001), and girls with overweight (ME = 5.55; p < 0.001), the Slaughter equation resulted in overestimation of body fat compared with ADP. Skinfold equations did not demonstrate validity when compared with ADP. Conclusion: Slaughter's skinfold equations did not demonstrate agreement and validity compared with ADP in either sex or weight status. Skinfold equations should be used with caution and, whenever possible, in combination with other body composition indicators.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a concordância e validade entre os percentuais de gordura corporal estimados usando medidas antropométricas e pletismografia por deslocamento de ar (PDA). Métodos: Um estudo transversal foi conduzido em 118 adolescentes (60 meninas) com idade entre 10 e 14 anos (x̄=12,19, dp=1,18). Os adolescentes foram classificados como eutróficos ou com sobrepeso de acordo com o índice de massa corporal (peso/altura2) (x̄=20,12, dp=3,56). Medidas de dobras cutâneas (tríceps e panturrilha medial) foram coletadas e utilizadas para estimar a gordura corporal relativa pela equação de Slaughter. A PDA foi utilizada como método de referência para a estimativa da gordura corporal relativa. A concordância entre os métodos de medida de gordura corporal (antropometria × PDA) foi analisada pelo método de Bland-Altman. O erro médio (EM) foi calculado subtraindo o percentual de gordura corporal estimado pela equação de Slaughter do percentual de gordura corporal estimado pela PDA. A validade foi testada com o coeficiente de correlação de concordância (CCC). Resultados: Não houve concordância entre os métodos, independente do sexo e status de peso. Para meninos com excesso de peso (EM = 4,52; p = 0,007), meninas eutróficas (EM = 6,37; p < 0,001) e meninas com excesso de peso (EM = 5,55; p < 0,001), a equação de Slaughter resultou em superestimação da gordura corporal comparada com PDA. As equações de dobras cutâneas não demonstraram validade quando comparadas ao PDA. Conclusão: As equações de dobras cutâneas de Slaughter não demonstraram concordância e validade em comparação com PDA em ambos os sexos ou status de peso. As equações de dobras cutâneas devem ser utilizadas com cautela e, sempre que possível, acompanhada de outros indicadores de composição corporal.

Effects of Teasing in Physical Education Classes, Self-efficacy, and Physical Activity on Adolescents’ Self-esteem / [El efecto del hostigamiento en las clases de educación física, la autoeficacia y la actividad física en la autoestima de los adolescentes]

Objective: To investigate the differences between boys and girls in the present variables, and assess the possible associations between self-esteem and teasing in school physical education classes, self-efficacy, and physical activity among adolescents. Method: The sample included 944 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years (mean =16.52, SD = 1.12, 53.6% male), enrolled in public high schools in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Information was collected on age, body mass index, physical activity level, self-efficacy, teasing experiences in physical education classes, and self-esteem (dependent variable). Self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Results: Adolescents had a mean self-esteem score of 28.71 (out of 40), with boys having higher scores than girls (29.66 vs. 27.61, p < .001). In both sexes, adolescents who reported lower levels of teasing in physical education classes had higher self-esteem. Boys with high self-efficacy and higher levels of physical activity had higher self-esteem scores. Conclusion: Experiencing teasing in school physical education classes was a predictor of self-esteem in adolescents of both sexes, and self-efficacy and physical activity were predictors of self-esteem in boys.(AU)

Objetivo: Investigar las diferencias entre chicos y chicas en las variables de estudio, así como averiguar la posible asociación entre autoestima y el hostigamiento en las clases de educación física, autoeficacia y actividad física en adolescentes. Método: Se contó con una muestra de 944 de entre 14 y 19 años (media = 16.52, DT = 1.12, el 53.6% hombres) que estudiaban en centros escolares de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Se recogió información sobre edad, índice de masa corporal, nivel de actividad física, autoeficacia, hostigamiento en las clases de educación física y autoestima (variable dependiente). La autoestima se midió mediante la Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg. Resultados: La autoestima media de los adolescentes era 28.71 (de un máximo de 40), siendo más elevada la de los chicos que la de las chicas (29.66 vs. 27.61, p < .001). En ambos sexos la autoestima de los adolescentes que declaraban menos hostigamiento en educación física era superior. Los chicos que tenían una mayor autoeficacia y mayor actividad física tenían puntuaciones más elevadas en autoestima. Conclusión: Experimentar hostigamiento en las clases de educación física predecía la autoestima de los adolescentes de ambos sexos; la autoeficacia y la actividad física predecían la autoestima en los chicos.(AU)

Tunneled central venous catheter for neonates: A simple technique for prolonged indwelling central catheters in intensive care.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate a new technique to insert a 24-gauge Silastic catheter in a central vein with a subcutaneous tunneled catheter in newborns after peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion failure. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Twenty-nine newborns in whom a new technique was used to insert a prolonged indwelling jugular, femoral, or subclavian Silastic tunneled central catheter. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: This new technique was used in 29 newborns between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005. The mean gestational age was 34 +/- 5 wks with a mean weight of 2440 +/- 1101 g. Thirty-four insertion attempts were carried out. Access sites were internal jugular (28 of 34), femoral (three of 34) or subclavian (three of 34) vein. In five cases, catheter insertion failed. Pneumothorax occurred two times, and no other serious complication were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is an interesting alternative when PICC insertion is not possible.

Clinical efficacy of polymer-based paclitaxel-eluting stents in the treatment of complex, long coronary artery lesions from a multicenter, randomized trial: support for the use of drug-eluting stents in contemporary clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary polymer-based stent delivery of paclitaxel has been shown to be effective in reducing restenosis in simple coronary lesions, but the evidence base for contemporary use in longer, more complex coronary stenoses is lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: TAXUS VI is a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial assessing clinical and angiographic outcomes of the TAXUS Moderate Release paclitaxel-eluting stent in the treatment of long, complex coronary artery lesions. Four hundred forty-eight patients at 44 sites were randomized (1:1) between a drug-eluting TAXUS Express2 and an uncoated Express2 control stent. Per protocol, the 9-month follow-up included an angiographic reevaluation in all patients. The primary end point was the rate of target-vessel revascularization 9 months after the study procedure; secondary end points included the rate of target-lesion revascularization and binary restenosis at follow-up. Mean lesion length in the study was 20.6 mm, with a mean stent-covered length of 33.4 mm. Of all lesions, 55.6% were classified as complex lesions (type C of the AHA/ACC classification). At 9 months, target-vessel revascularization was 9.1% in the TAXUS group and 19.4% in the control group (P=0.0027; relative reduction, 53%). Target-lesion revascularization was reduced from 18.9% to 6.8%, respectively (P=0.0001). The incidence of major adverse cardiac events was similar in the 2 groups, 16.4% and 22.5% in TAXUS and control, respectively (P=0.12), including comparable rates for acute myocardial infarction. Binary restenosis in the stented area was reduced from 32.9% in the control group to 9.1% in the TAXUS patients (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that the TAXUS Moderate Release stent system is safe and effective in the treatment of long, complex coronary artery lesions provides the evidence base for the more widespread use of drug-eluting stents in contemporary clinical practice.

Effects of selective alpha1- and alpha2-adrenergic blockade on coronary flow reserve after coronary stenting.

BACKGROUND: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is not normalized shortly after coronary stenting. We hypothesized that alpha-adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction acts to limit CFR. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed flow velocity by Doppler wires and cross-sectional area by angiography in 46 patients undergoing coronary culprit lesion stenting (81+/-4% stenosis). Hyperemia was induced by adenosine (24 micro g IC or 140 micro g/kg per minute IV) before and after stenting. Finally, either the alpha(1)-antagonist urapidil (10 mg IC) or the alpha(2)-antagonist yohimbine (3 mg IC) was randomly combined with adenosine. In 8 subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries, CFR was increased from 3.21+/-0.30 to 3.74+/-0.43 by yohimbine and to 4.58+/-0.65 by urapidil, respectively (P=0.0001). Patients were divided according to the cutoff of CFR > or =3.0 (n=18) or <2.5 (n=28). Revascularization per se did not change CFR. However, 15 minutes after stenting, CFR decreased to 2.05+/-0.55 from CFR 3.64+/-0.58, whereas in patients with CFR 2.39+/-0.51, it remained unchanged. Yohimbine improved CFR to 3.26+/-0.42 and to 3.41+/-0.58 in patients with >3.0 and <2.05+/-0.55 baseline CFR, respectively. Urapidil improved CFR to 3.52+/-0.30 and 3.98+/-1.07, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Urapidil and yohimbine attenuated the CFR impairment occurring after revascularization by increasing both the epicardial vasodilator effect of adenosine and the blood flow velocity, thus suggesting that the adrenergic system plays an important role in limiting the capacity of the coronary circulation to dilate.

Actinomycin-eluting stent for coronary revascularization: a randomized feasibility and safety study: the ACTION trial.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to demonstrate the safety and performance of the actinomycin D-coated Multilink-Tetra stent(Guidant Corp., Santa Clara, California) in the treatment of patients with single de novo native coronary lesions. BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents (DES) releasing sirolimus or paclitaxel dramatically reduce restenosis. The anti-proliferative drug, actinomycin D, which is highly effective in reducing neointimal proliferation in preclinical studies, was selected for clinical evaluation. METHODS: The multi-center, single-blind, three-arm ACTinomycin-eluting stent Improves Outcomes by reducing Neointimal hyperplasia (ACTION) trial randomized 360 patients to receive a DES (2.5 or 10 microg/cm(2) of actinomycin D) or metallic stent (MS). The primary end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days, diameter stenosis by angiography, tissue effects, and neointimal volume by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at six months. When early monitoring revealed an increased rate of repeat revascularization, the protocol was amended to allow for additional follow-up for DES patients. Angiographic control of MS patients was no longer mandatory. RESULTS: The biased selection of DES patients undergoing IVUS follow-up invalidated the interpretation of the IVUS findings. The in-stent late lumen loss and that at the proximal and distal edges were higher in both DES groups than in the MS group and resulted in higher six-month and one-year MACE (34.8% and 43.1% vs. 13.5%), driven exclusively by target vessel revascularization without excess death or myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the ACTION trial indicate that all anti-proliferative drugs will not uniformly show a drug class effect in the prevention of restenosis.

Fate of Patients With Coronary Perforation Complicating Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (from the Euro Heart Survey Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Registry).

Coronary perforation (CP) is a life-threatening complication that can occur during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Little is known, however, about the incidence and clinical outcome of CP. We sought to investigate the occurrence of CP and its determinants and risk profile in a large-scale, prospective registry. From 2005 to 2008, unselected patients (n = 42,068) from 175 centers in 33 countries who underwent a PCI procedure were prospectively enrolled in the PCI registry of the Euro Heart Survey program. For the present analysis, patients experiencing CP during PCI (n = 124, 0.3%) were compared with those who underwent PCI without CP. Patients with CP were older, more often women, had more severe coronary disease, and underwent more complex types of coronary intervention. Independent factors associated with CP were the use of rotablation, intravascular ultrasound-guided PCI, bypass PCI, a totally occluded vessel, a type C lesion, peripheral arterial disease, and body mass index <25. More than 10% of the patients developed cardiac tamponade. In a small minority (3.3%), emergency bypass surgery had to be performed. The inhospital death rate was markedly elevated in patients with CP (7.3% vs 1.5%, p <0.001). After adjustment for the EuroHeart score, CP remained a strong predictor of hospital mortality (odds ratio 5.21, 95% confidence interval 2.34 to 11.60). In conclusion, in this real world, all-comers registry, the incidence of CP was low, occurred more often in patients who underwent more complex coronary interventions, and was associated with a fivefold higher hospital mortality.

Variation in the Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Isolates in a Pig, Within a Batch of Pigs, and Among Batches of Pigs from One Farm.

Antimicrobial resistance in bacterial porcine respiratory pathogens has been shown to exist in many countries. However, little is known about the variability in antimicrobial susceptibility within a population of a single bacterial respiratory pathogen on a pig farm. This study examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae using multiple isolates within a pig and across the pigs in three different slaughter batches. Initially, the isolates from the three batches were identified, serotyped, and subsample genotyped. All the 367 isolates were identified as A. pleuropneumoniae serovar 1, and only a single genetic profile was detected in the 74 examined isolates. The susceptibility of the 367 isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae to ampicillin, tetracycline and tilmicosin was determined by a disc diffusion technique. For tilmicosin, the three batches were found to consist of a mix of susceptible and resistant isolates. The zone diameters of the three antimicrobials varied considerably among isolates in the second sampling. In addition, the second sampling provided statistically significant evidence of bimodal populations in terms of zone diameters for both tilmicosin and ampicillin. The results support the hypothesis that the antimicrobial susceptibility of one population of a porcine respiratory pathogen can vary within a batch of pigs on a farm.

The alpha1-adrenergic blocker urapidil improves contractile function in patients 3 months after coronary stenting: a randomized, double-blinded study.

BACKGROUND: The recovery of left ventricular function (LVF) after revascularization takes time. alpha-Adrenergic blockade acutely improves coronary blood flow and LVF, whereas the effects of more prolonged alpha-adrenergic blockade on LVF recovery after stenting are unknown. METHODS: In 32 patients (age 58 +/- 12 y) with an 82% +/- 6% stenosis, ejection fraction (EF) and systolic thickening (%Th) were measured by transthoracic echocardiography before and 30 minutes to 2 hours after revascularization. In a double-blinded protocol, either 200 microg/kg urapidil or placebo was given intravenously, and LVF was measured 10 minutes later. Two hours later, oral treatment with 30 mg/d drug or placebo was started, and LVF measured again after 24 hours and 3 months. RESULTS: Before revascularization, EF was 49.4% +/- 8.5% (+/-SD) and 51.3% +/- 8.8% in the urapidil-treated and the placebo groups, respectively. Thirty minutes to 2 hours after coronary stenting, EF was unchanged. After intravenous drug administration, EF increased to 56.5% +/- 9.7%). At 24 hours and 3 months after revascularization, EF became 59.5% +/- 7.9% and 59.6% +/- 8.2% in the urapidil-treated group, respectively, whereas EF in the placebo group did not change (50.4% +/- 5.7% and 49.7% +/- 4.9%, respectively). Revascularization did not acutely improve %Th. Intravenous urapidil improved %Th from 31.4% +/- 17.6% to 44.2% +/- 11.6%, whereas there was no change in the placebo group. At 3 months, %Th was 49.5% +/- 12.9% in the urapidil-treated group and 39.7% +/- 8.9% in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that long-term alpha-adrenergic blockade might improve LVF at midterm after coronary revascularization.