Two Swiss meta-analyses have found an increased rate of myocardial infarction and death with the Cypher (sirolimus-eluting) coronary stent, which is likely to put a serious chill in interventional cardiology's infatuation with drug-coated devices
Coronary collateral circulation is associated with preserved myocardial contractility; preexisting collaterals may be more important than neoangiogenesis for angina & MI patients.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Notes, an online interactive review developed by residents in cardiothoracic surgery. CTSN provides a resource for fundamental essential facts for board review and sources for additional information.
Statins have pleiotropic effects: anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antithrombotic, and vascular activity, & may improve left ventricular myocardial function & left ventricular diastolic function by increasing vascular elasticity.
We must optimize stent deployment & maintain a registry of how well (or poorly) we use drug-eluting stents. Instead of asking “Which stent?” or “How much anti-platelet therapy?” we must ask “How effectively are we deploying our stents?”
Hormone-suppressing treatments for aggressive prostate cancer may cause heart attacks to occur 2.5 years earlier in men with risk factors for heart disease.