The DES controversy
The european society of cardiology (ESC) meeting in Barcelona caused great uproar over drug-eluting stents (DESs) and the controversy persist till today.
Professor carlo Di MArio, A professor of cardiology at the royal Brompton Hospital,London,said the following the ESC 2006 meeting,Data from randomized trials and regitries and restonosis,re-intervention,latestent trhombosis,myocardial infraction (MI) and mortalilty with bare metal stents (BMSs) were intensely scrutinized.
The Data indicated ther were some important differences between the stents types,with diverse mechanical and Pharmacological properties giving rise to different clinical outcomes. (Read more…)
Tags : DES, DESs, ESC, Health Information, medical articles, MI, myocardial infraction, Professor Carlo Di Mario, The european society of cardiology
CT Angiography not nedded for CAD screening in asymtomatic patients
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) should be abandoned as a screening tool for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic patients, says a cardiologist.
CTA may facilitate managament of symptomatic patients with low per-test likelihood of CAD,particularly by conclusively showing CAD absence, said professor Franck Arnold flachskampf of the University of erlangen, Germany.Testing for inducible ischemia,however,remains central for management, decision in both suspected and proven CAD and cannot be replaced by morphological information,he added (Read more…)
Tags : angiography, CAD, Computed tomography angiography, CTA, Franck Arnold flachskampf, medical articles
Impact of anti-inflammatory agents
The combination of inhaled steroids with long-acting beta-2-agonists (fluticasone + salmeterol;seretide)has been demonstrated to achieve a42 percent reduction in the rate of exacerbations requiring oralcorticosteroids, as compared to placebo (p<0.001) (figure 2).
in addition, combination therapy reduces several’s inflammatory cells and cytokines with a resultant decrease in the inflammation associated with COPD. (Read more…)
Tags : anti-inflammatory, COPD, cytokines in COPD patients, Impact of anti-inflammatory agents, steroid, steroid theraphy
The role of inflammation in COPD
Inflammation COPD is characterised by the presence of CD+8 T-cells and macrophages in bronchial biopsies and an abundance of neutrophils in sputum. these tissue findings are contrast to asthma,where eosinophils are the dominant cell types.
interestingly,during exacerbations of mild COPD,a change in airway inflammation has been reported with increase in sputum eosinophuls. the rise in sputum eosinophils has been attributed to an increase in the expression. the benefits of steroid therapy during COPD exacerbation can be explained by its impact on RANTES,a steroid sensitive eosinophils cytokine. (Read more…)
Tags : COPD, inflammation COPD, inflammation in COPD, The role of inflammation in COPD
Quality of life in heart failure not affected by defibrillators
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) do not decrease quality of life for patients with stable hearth failure a study from Duke University Medical Center,US , has concluded.
The randomized trial involved 2,521 patients – all receiving optimal medical therapy along with either a single lead ICD, amiodarone or a placebo.Physical functioning did not vary significantly between the groups at base line at 3, 12, or 30 months, while psychological well-being was significantly improved in ICD group at 3 and 12 months but not at 30. Receiving a shock in the month preceding assessment, however, was associated with reduced quality of life.
Tags : defibrillators, Implantable cardioverter, medical, medical therapy, Quality of life, Quality of life in heart failure not affected by defibrillators