1) Balloon Angioplasty: A Reasonable Plan B for Chronic Thromboembolic Hypertension Thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is caused by pulmonary artery stenosis caused by organized thrombi. The only treatment potentially healing for this disease is surgical thrombectomy. However, patients with lesions in very peripheral branches or high surgical risk patients with comorbidities might benefit from a plan B,<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/11/27/7-articles-on-angioplasty-that-can-draw-your-attention/" title="Read more" >...</a>
FOURIER: Evolocumab Found Beneficial for Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease of Prior MI
Patients with peripheral vascular disease or prior acute myocardial infarction (especially within the first two years after the event) could find a particular benefit the PCSK9 receptor inhibitor evolocumab. Given its high cost, the drug is not yet cost/effective and when prescribed, most patients were no table to complete the treatment. Read also: “Missed Opportunities with<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/11/16/fourier-evolocumab-found-beneficial-for-patients-with-peripheral-vascular-disease-of-prior-mi/" title="Read more" >...</a>
The End of Aspirin for Anticoagulated Patients Undergoing PCI
The discussion about the best anti-thrombotic strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing PCI seemed never-ending until the RE-DUAL PCI trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). This study has arrived to simplify the tough choice between the risk of a thrombotic event vs. the risk of bleeding with a simpler scheme, without<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/11/08/the-end-of-aspirin-for-anticoagulated-patients-undergoing-pci/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Early Coronary Angiography in High-Risk Non-ST-Elevation ACS
Coronary angiography is essential for patients admitted with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, since it allows physicians to confirm the diagnosis, stratify the risk, and define the revascularization and antithrombotic management strategies. There is no doubt that these patients should be studied invasively, but the timing for that is still uncertain. Coronary catheterization within<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/10/09/early-coronary-angiography-in-high-risk-non-st-elevation-acs/" title="Read more" >...</a>
FOURIER: Efficacy of Evolocumab for Ultra-Low LDL Levels
It seems that a LDL level of 70 mg/dL is no longer low enough for high-risk secondary patients; in consequence, this study attempted to set a new target, one that appears almost impossible to reach: 40 mg/dL or lower. This study, simultaneously presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2017 and published in The Lancet, showed<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/09/13/fourier-efficacy-of-evolocumab-for-ultra-low-ldl-levels/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Are Bioresorbable-Polymer Stents More Thrombogenic than Durable-Polymer Second-Generation Stents?
Courtesy of Dr. Cristian Jesús Rodríguez. Most stents currently used in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are durable-polymer second-generation drug-eluting stents (DP-DES, with everolimus or zotarolimus). However, it has been argued that the persistence of such a polymer after complete drug elution is one of the main factors for a dangerous complication: stent thrombosis (ST). After<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/08/23/are-bioresorbable-polymer-stents-more-thrombogenic-than-durable-polymer-second-generation-stents/" title="Read more" >...</a>
MRS vs. DES: Which one is associated with better long-term quality of life?
The SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) trial, which included patients with 3-vessel or left main coronary artery lesions, showed that myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS) turned out to be superior to angioplasty with drug-eluting stents (DES), mainly due to differences in acute myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization. Up to this work, patient sensations (which can be<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/07/21/mrs-vs-des-which-one-is-associated-with-better-long-term-quality-of-life/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Glycemic control and risk of repeat revascularization
The association between glycemic control after coronary angioplasty and outcomes of the latter is controversial in many studies. We have come to think that the risk lies in suffering from diabetes, as if it was an unmodifiable factor. We have also come to believe that glycemic control can impact microvascular complications while it cannot do<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/07/12/glycemic-control-and-risk-of-repeat-revascularization/" title="Read more" >...</a>
TOPIC: Benefits of Switching Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with ACS
Newer P2Y12 blockers are the front-line treatment and dual antiplatelet therapy is indicated for 1 year after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Both prasugrel and ticagrelor offer more ischemic benefit than clopidogrel during the initial phase; however, bleeding complications could increase in the long term. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/05/23/topic-benefits-of-switching-dual-antiplatelet-therapy-in-patients-with-acs/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Proximal anterior descending artery angioplasty: what are its long-term outcomes?
Courtesy of Dr. Javier Castro. Certain coronary lesions have been historically discouraged for endovascular treatment. Among these can be found left main coronary artery lesions, multivessel disease, and proximal anterior descending artery lesions. As a matter of fact, the latter is actually considered separately as a criterion for choosing the revascularization method. Endovascular treatment of<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2017/04/20/proximal-anterior-descending-artery-angioplasty-what-are-its-long-term-outcomes/" title="Read more" >...</a>