Converging indications of aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone and eplerenone): a narrative review of safety profiles.

The converging clinical effectiveness of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) Spironolactone and Eplerenone has made their safety profiles/cost-effectiveness key determinants of "agents of choice" across a broad range of clinical indications. The clinical biology of the aldosterone molecule and its range of effects in varied organ systems have been well elucidated from recent mechanistic and systematic studies. Clinical experience with Spironolactone is well established, as is its adverse effects profile. The range of adverse effects experienced with Spironolactone subsequently led to its modification and synthesis of Eplerenone. Recent published reports have confirmed lower prevalence rates of sex-related adverse effects attributable to Eplerenone compared to Spironolactone. There is, however, not much to choose between these agents in regards to other adverse effects including hyperkalemia and kidney failure. As was the experience with Spironolactone, as more robust observational data on Eplerenone accrues, it is possible that the real-life experience of its adverse profile may be discordant with that reported by randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). In addition, its metabolism by the vulnerable and highly polymorphic cytochrome dependent pathway also makes it susceptible to various drug interactions. The potential implication of the latter (including morbidity and mortality) may take years to evolve.

Successful primary angioplasty in Hughes syndrome.

Acute myocardial infarction is a well-recognized complication of the Hughes syndrome but its optimal treatment is uncertain. We report a case of a 42-year-old man with a history of previous arterial and venous thrombosis who presented with an acute myocardial infarction that was successfully treated by primary angioplasty and stenting.

"Cutting Balloon and the Three Burrs": treatment for ostial left anterior descending artery in-stent restenosis.

A 58-year-old man re-presented with symptoms of angina 3 months after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting to his proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). Angiography revealed ostial in-stent restenosis of the LAD, which was treated with rotational atherectomy and a cutting balloon PTCA. Combining two useful technologies for treating in-stent restenosis may prove to yield better results than using either technique alone. Long-term benefit will need to be assessed by randomized studies.