Use and long-term outcome of bare metal stent implantation in the drug-eluting stent era.

BACKGROUND: Although drug-eluting stents (DES) are widely used today, bare metal stents (BMS) are still frequently employed. We investigated the utilization and clinical outcomes of BMS implantation since we first began using DES. METHODS: The clinical course following percutaneous intervention with de novo implantation of BMS was studied beginning in July 2004, when sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) were first used in our hospital, to August 2006. Outcomes following BMS and SES implantation were compared. RESULTS: BMS implantation was carried out in 160 lesions and SES implantation in 242 lesions. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed for 208 lesions (78 lesions in which BMS were implanted and 130 lesions in which SES were implanted) within 1 year. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the SES and BMS groups. Regardless of the reason for BMS implantation, the rates of in-stent restenosis and target lesion revascularization were higher in the BMS group than in the SES group. However, the rate of in-stent restenosis and target lesion revascularization of BMS in lesions with a diameter of 4.0mm or greater was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: In order to reduce the risk of in-stent restenosis and target lesion revascularization, we recommend implantation of BMS with a diameter of 4.0 mm or greater or SES unless it is contraindicated.

Efficacy of nasal bi-level positive airway pressure in congestive heart failure patients with cheyne-stokes respiration and central sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Cheyne - Stokes respiration with central sleep apnea (CSR-CSA) contributes to the poor prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Bi-level positive airway pressure (bi-level PAP) may be an effective alternative for treating CSR-CSA and CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fourteen patients with CSR-CSA were divided into 2 groups, a control group that included 7 patients who decided to receive only conventional medications and a group of 7 patients that received bi-level PAP. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mitral regurgitation (MR) area, plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class were evaluated initially (baseline) and 3 months later. In the control group, there were no significant changes in cardiac function during the study period. In contrast, in the group that received bi-level PAP, there were significant improvements in LVEF (from 36.3+/-2.9% to 46.0+/-4.0%, p = 0.02), MR area (from 30.4+/-7.6% to 20.0+/-5.1%, p = 0.02), BNP (from 993.6+/-332.0 pg/ml to 474.0+/-257.6 pg/ml, p = 0.02) and NYHA functional class (from 3.1+/-0.1 to 2.1+/-0.1, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Treatment with bi-level PAP improved cardiac functions in CHF patients with CSR-CSA.

Diagnostic implications of circulating oxidized low density lipoprotein levels as a biochemical risk marker of coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the diagnostic performance of circulating oxidized low density lipoprotein levels as a biochemical risk marker of coronary heart disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: 361 patients with coronary artery disease and 710 healthy volunteers as normal controls were examined. Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis in addition to statistical analysis (univariate, multivariate) were done to determine the usefulness of the assay. RESULTS: Patients with coronary artery disease showed significantly elevated circulating oxidized low density lipoprotein levels. Males less than 70 years of age showed a significant association between oxidized low density lipoprotein levels and coronary artery disease. Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis showed superior performance (e.g., sensitivity, specificity) of oxidized low density lipoprotein as a diagnostic marker of coronary artery disease as compared against other lipid markers (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, lipoprotein (a), and total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein ratio) with optimal performance in younger males. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidized low density lipoprotein levels may be a promising biochemical risk marker of atherosclerotic disease, especially in young males.

[Influence of diabetes mellitus on the initial and long-term outcome of patients treated with coronary stenting].

OBJECTIVES: The long-term outcome of patients with diabetes who underwent stent placement has not been assessed comprehensively. METHODS: Analysis of angioplasty procedures performed between January 1994 and December 1998 identified 140 diabetics (156 lesions) and 169 non-diabetics (187 lesions) who underwent successful stent placement. Follow-up was completed in 286 patients (93%) with a mean follow-up period of 2.8 +/- 1.3 years. Cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting and repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were considered as adverse cardiac events. The primary clinical endpoint was event-free survival at 1 and 3 years. The primary angiographic endpoint was restenosis rate at follow-up angiography (follow-up rate 75% of 257 lesions). RESULTS: The diabetics were older (66 +/- 8 vs 62 +/- 11 years, p < 0.0005) with more risk factors such as hypertension (69% vs 57%, p < 0.05) and multivessel disease (69% vs 51%, p < 0.005). Final balloon size was smaller in diabetics than in non-diabetics (3.26 +/- 0.61 vs 3.39 +/- 0.53 mm, p < 0.05). Restenosis rate was significantly higher in diabetics than in non-diabetics (36% vs 24%, p < 0.05), but the target lesion revascularization in diabetics was not statistically different compared with non-diabetics (22% vs 16%). Long-term event-free survival was not significantly different between diabetics and non-diabetics (69.9% vs 74.8% at 1 year, 57.3% vs 66.0% at 3 years). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetics have an increased risk for angiographical restenosis after successful stent placement compared to non-diabetics. However, diabetics who underwent stent placement had a favorable clinical long-term outcome similar to non-diabetics.