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Biomedical subjects

M Facchini

Publications and source records attributed to M Facchini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Smoking and weight control behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between weight control and tobacco use in young women. METHODS: Smoking status and weight and eating related issues, endorsement of the belief "smoking helps to control weight" dieting status (DEBQ-R), current and ideal weight and current height were assessed in 144 students. RESULTS: Smoker (S) restrained eaters (RE) scored higher on dietary restraint than nonsmoker (NS) RE. In the smoking questionnaire, S-RE selected a significantly higher number of items concerning hunger, eating and weight than S unrestrained eaters (URE). S-RE had a greater level of endorsement of the belief: "smoking helps to control weight" than NS-URE. The subjects who marked those items had significantly higher scores in the DEBQ-R and were more likely to be RE than those who marked none of them. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that among young women who smoke and diet there might be a risk group that smokes as a weight control strategy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Changes of autonomic cardiac profile after a 3-week integrated body weight reduction program in severely obese patients.

The autonomic control of the heart is abnormal in obese subjects due to a prevalence of sympathetic over parasympathetic limb of the autonomic balance. We evaluated the effects of a short-term (3 weeks) integrated body weight reduction program (consisting of energy restricted diet and high-intensity exercise training) on heart rate variability (HRV) in severely obese, normotensive patients. The HRV was evaluated both in the time and frequency domain over a 18-hour Holter recording period obtained before and at the end of the third week. Three-week body weight reduction program reduced BMI (from 41.4 +/- 4.6 to 39.5 +/- 4.3 kg/m2, -4.6%, p<0.0001) and heart rate (from 77.8 +/- 8.6 to 73.6 +/- 8.7 b/min, p=0.0003). Significant changes in the autonomic profile were observed both in the time and frequency domain (SD of RR interval, SDRR: +16.1%; mean squared successive difference: (MSSD) +16.7%; percentage of RR intervals differing more than 50 msec from the preceding one, pNN50: +31.8%; low frequency oscillation, LF: +17.1%; high frequency oscillation, HF: +/- 18.2%). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a short-term, integrated body weight reduction program is able to favorably modify the autonomic profile in a population of normotensive, severely obese subjects. The reduction of heart rate and the increase in parasympathetic activity may consistently contribute to a reduction of the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and of sudden cardiac death, still high in this patients' group.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Characterization of the non-linear rate-dependency of QT interval in humans.

AIMS: Repolarization has rate-dependent and rate-independent components. A function considering such components separately was validated in canine Purkinje fibres and applied to the QT/RR relation in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS: Action potential duration (APD) was measured in Purkinje fibres during steady-state pacing at different cycle lengths (CL) and after prolonged quiescence (APD(0)). The APD/CL relationship was expressed by this function: APD=APD(max)(*)CL(S)/(CL(50)(S)+CL(S)), where APD(max) (APD extrapolated at infinite CL) is a rate-independent measure of repolarization, CL(50) (CL at which 50% of APD(max) is achieved) and S evaluates the rate dependency of APD. The same function was used to fit the QT/RR relation in 46 normal subjects (20 males, 26 females) and in 7 amiodarone-treated subjects undergoing a bicycle stress test. RR and QT (V(5)) were measured at the end of each load step; QT(c) (Bazett's formula) was obtained at rest. The APD/CL and QT/RR relations were equally well expressed by the function with high correlation coefficients (R>or=0.90). In Purkinje fibres, APD(max) was 461+/-37 ms, CL(50) was 394+/-54 ms and S was 0.98+/-0.11. APD(max) and APD(0) correlated (R=0.96) and were similar. The corresponding values in humans were: QT(max) 432+/-63 ms, RR(50) 345+/-60 ms and S 2.6+/-0.8. While QT(c) and QT(max) were longer in females, RR(50) and S were similar between genders. Amiodarone increased QT(c), QT(max) and RR(50) and decreased S. In QT(max) and QT(c) distributions generated by pooling data from treated and untreated subjects, 86% of treated subjects were correctly identified by QT(max) and 28% by QT(c). CONCLUSIONS: Canine and human repolarization showed a saturating dependency on cycle length, described by the proposed function. Gender and amiodarone independently affected QT(max), RR(50) and S: therefore they might reflect specific ionic mechanisms. Finally, QT(max) identified drug-induced repolarization abnormalities in individual subjects better than QT(c).

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2002

[Comprehensive treatment of obesity and its prevention].

Obesity is associated to chronic metabolic entities affecting the quality of life and life expectancy. An early treatment, if efficient, can overcome most of the problems. The normalisation of body composition, of energy reserves and their distribution, as well as the minimisation of weight dependent metabolic upsets and the establishment of therapeutic priorities, according to the repercussions of obesity, are important factors for the treatment of this disease. Prevention is important and its basis is teaching and the setting in healthy life style with modification of the food habits and the incorporation of physical work into everyday activities. Diet therapy, physical activity, pharmacotherapy, surgery education and psychology are the forms proposed for the treatment and prevention of obesity.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2001

Different baseline sympathovagal balance and cardiac autonomic responsiveness in ischemic and non-ischemic congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: A profound autonomic unbalance is present in heart failure: its correlation with the etiology of the disease has never been investigated. AIMS: We characterized the sympatho-vagal balance and autonomic responsiveness of 42 patients (21 with ischemic heart failure, 21 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy). Patients had comparable NYHA class, ejection fraction, exercise pVO(2), exercise ventilatory response, incidence of beta-blocking treatment. None showed periodic breathing or nocturnal arterial desaturation. METHODS: Heart rate variability was assessed in the time and frequency domain during: (1) 10 min of quiet supine resting and free breathing; (2) 10 min of regular breathing at a frequency of 20 acts/min (=parasympathetic stimulus); and (3) 10 min of active standing (=sympathetic stimulus). The ratio of the low- to high-frequency components of each autospectrum obtained in the frequency domain (LF/HF) was used as an index of sympathovagal balance. RESULTS: Patients with ischemic heart failure had a greater baseline sympathetic activation (higher LF/HF) than those with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, maintaining some parasympathetic responsiveness as well (reduced LF/HF with regular breathing). CONCLUSIONS: There is a distinct autonomic control according to the etiology of heart failure, a finding that may help understanding its pathophysiology, and could be useful in the clinical management of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Antihypertensive therapy in the elderly: results of large trials].

The aim of this review was to evaluate if antihypertensive treatment in elderly hypertensive patients is able to lower the incidence of cardiovascular events when compared to hypertensive controls who received placebo. All trials agree in that the greater blood pressure reduction in hypertensive patients randomized to active treatment is associated with a minor incidence of cerebrovascular, cardiac and all cardiovascular events in comparison to placebo-treated control groups. Therefore the chronic antihypertensive treatment makes more good than bad. All antihypertensive agents have been used for the treatment of arterial hypertension in the elderly and all have shown a good efficacy and tolerability, even if, as in the adult hypertensives, the combination of two or more agents is necessary in the great majority of hypertensive patients to reach the target blood pressure. Because life expectancy is progressively longer and the prevalence of hypertension, in particular isolated systolic hypertension, is age-dependent, it is clinically relevant to investigate if there is an upper limit for the benefit of antihypertensive therapy. The results so far available suggest a benefit up to the age of 80 years, while an ongoing study is aimed at evaluating the benefit of antihypertensive therapy in patients > 80 years. Finally, according to our personal point of view, there are sufficient data to sustain the indication of a diastolic blood pressure reduction between 80 and 90 mmHg, while the indication to a reduction in systolic blood pressure below 140 mmHg is less strong and supported.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

[Maternal cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy].

During pregnancy an increased incidence of maternal cardiac arrhythmias is observed. These include a wide spectrum, from clinically irrelevant isolated premature beats to debilitating supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. In principle, management of arrhythmias during pregnancy is similar to that in non-pregnant patients. However, special consideration should be given to foetal age and potential teratogenic and haemodynamic adverse drug effects on the foetus. Therapeutic strategy should be guided by interdisciplinary consulting (i.e. cardiology, obstetrics, neonatology). Diagnostic evaluation must rule out underlying cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine or metabolic diseases. Additionally, precipitating factors such as excessive caffeine and/or alcohol ingestion and cigarette smoking should be avoided. For benign arrhythmias a conservative approach is appropriate. Antiarrhythmic drug selection depends on the specific arrhythmia being treated and the cardiac condition of the mother and the foetus. Some antiarrhythmic agents, such as propranolol, metoprolol, digoxin and quinidine, have been extensively tested during pregnancy and have proven to be safe; they should therefore, whenever possible, be used as firstline. For supraventricular tachycardia, intravenous adenosine may be used to terminate the arrhythmia if vagal manoeuvres fail. In emergency situations cardioversion may be performed with relative safety. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators as a preventive measure for life-threatening arrhythmias in pregnant patients do not seem to increase the risk of major complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Long-term lifestyle changes maintain the autonomic modulation induced by rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.

The altered autonomic balance observed after myocardial infarction is shifted toward a higher parasympathetic tone by rehabilitation. This effect persists after 1 year, however we observed a discrete variability in the long-term sympathovagal balance among patients. We postulated that such variability derives from the disparate adherence of patients to lifestyle prescriptions regarding exercise continuance and smoking avoidance. To test this hypothesis, we reviewed the data of 40 patients, who completed with a favourable autonomic modulation the initial rehabilitation phase after myocardial infarction and underwent the annual follow-up. One year after infarction, 23 patients complied to the advice about regular exercise and smoking avoidance (adherent, Group 1); 17 did not (non-adherent, Group 2). Groups were similar for age, site of infarction, left ventricular function, stress test duration and therapy. The ratio LF/HF, derived from the power spectral density of RR intervals variability, was used as an index of the sympathovagal balance. It was obtained from 15 min of ECG at rest, assessed 1 month after MI (baseline), and repeated 3 months (rehabilitation) and 1 year (follow-up) afterwards. Rehabilitation increased parasympathetic tone in all patients, reducing LF/HF by 33%. At follow-up, this potentially favourable autonomic profile persisted only in Group 1 patients. In conclusion, after a first myocardial infarction, the persistence of the potentially beneficial effect of rehabilitation on the sympathovagal balance depends on the compliance to the lifestyle changes proposed during the initial phase.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Echocardiography in the evaluation of systolic murmurs of unknown cause.

PURPOSE: Systolic murmurs are common, and it is important to know whether physical examination can reliably determine their cause. Therefore, we prospectively assessed the diagnostic accuracy of a cardiac examination in patients without previous echocardiography who were referred for evaluation of a systolic murmur. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 100 consecutive adults (mean [+/- SD] age of 58 +/- 22 years) who were referred for a systolic murmur of unknown cause, the diagnostic accuracy of the cardiac examination by cardiologists (without provision of clinical history, electrocardiogram, or chest radiograph) was compared with the results of echocardiography. RESULTS: The echocardiographic findings included a normal examination (functional murmur) in 21 patients, aortic stenosis in 29 patients, mitral regurgitation in 30 patients, left or right intraventricular pressure gradient in 11 patients, mitral valve prolapse in 11 patients, ventricular septal defect in 4 patients, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in 3 patients, and associated aortic regurgitation in 28 patients. In 28 (35%) of the 79 patients with organic heart disease, more than one abnormality was found; combined aortic and mitral valve disease was the most frequent combination (n = 22). The sensitivity of the cardiac examination was acceptable for detecting ventricular septal defect (100% [4 of 4]), isolated mitral regurgitation (88% [26 of 36]), aortic stenosis (71% [21 of 29]), and a functional murmur (67% [14 of 21]), but not for intraventricular pressure gradients (18% [2 of 11]), aortic regurgitation (21% [6 of 28]), combined aortic and mitral valve disease (55% [6 of 11]), and mitral valve prolapse (55% [12 of 22]). In 6 patients, the degree of aortic stenosis was misjudged on the clinical examination, mainly because of a severely diminished left ventricular ejection fraction. Significant heart disease was missed completely in only 2 patients. CONCLUSION: In adults with a systolic murmur of unknown cause, a functional murmur can usually be distinguished from an organic murmur. However, the ability of the cardiac examination to assess the exact cause of the murmur is limited, especially if more than one lesion is present. Thus, echocardiography should be performed in patients with systolic murmurs of unknown cause who are suspected of having significant heart disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Markers of electrical instability in hypertensive patients with and without ventricular arrhythmias. Are they useful in identifying patients with different risk profiles?

BACKGROUND: Markers of electrical instability of the ventricular myocardium, namely abnormal repolarization and late potentials, are frequently observed in patients with hypertension when both ventricular arrhythmias and left ventricular hypertrophy are present. This information cannot be extrapolated to the population of hypertensive patients with ventricular arrhythmias but without left ventricular hypertrophy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate QT duration, QT dispersion and the incidence of ventricular late potentials in patients with essential hypertension, already on anti-hypertensive therapy, both with and without non-sustained ventricular arrhythmia. DESIGN: The study population consisted of 49 patients with essential hypertension who were compared to 89 control normotensive subjects both with and without frequent (> 30 per h) ventricular ectopic beats (VPBs). Patients were divided into four groups: (1) hypertensive patients without VPBs (H, n = 19), (2) hypertensive patients with VPBs (HA, n = 30), (3) normotensive subjects without VPBs (C, n = 28), and (4) normotensive subjects with VPBs (CA, n=61). METHODS: Echocardiographic parameters, QT interval, QT dispersion and signal-averaged ECG were evaluated without withdrawing anti-hypertensive drugs. RESULTS: In no case was left ventricular hypertrophy documented. The number of VPBs during 24 h Holter recording (median 11 343 versus 7617) and the incidence of repetitive VPBs (37 versus 46% of patients) were similar in the two groups of patients (HA versus CA). Signal-averaged ECG parameters were normal and not different between the four groups. QT interval was longer in hypertensive patients compared to controls irrespective of the presence of VPBs. QT dispersion was slightly greater in subjects with VPBs, both hypertensive and normotensive, compared to subjects without arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with hypertension well-controlled by drug therapy and without left ventricular hypertrophy, frequent VPBs are not associated with markers indicating an electrophysiological substrate for re-entrant arrhythmias. However, QT prolongation suggests the persistence of a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality that is independent of the presence of VPBs.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Relationship between baseline sympatho-vagal balance and the autonomic response to cardiac rehabilitation after a first uncomplicated myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: After a first uncomplicated myocardial infarction, cardiac rehabilitation increases the parasympathetic tone, in a direction linked to a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death. This change in sympatho-vagal balance may be related to other clinical variables. The aim of this study was to define the factors implicated in determining the autonomic response to cardiovascular rehabilitation after myocardial infarction. METHODS: In 55 patients (39-80 years) we evaluated the modulation of the autonomic profile induced by 8 weeks of rehabilitation: we analyzed the changes in pNN50 derived from time-domain analysis (deltapNN50) and in the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio derived from autoregressive power spectral analysis (deltaLF/HF). A control group of 15 patients not undergoing rehabilitation was also studied. Variables considered at 4 weeks postinfarction and related to deltapNN50 and deltaLF/HF ratio were: age, site of myocardial infarction, previous thrombolysis, ejection fraction, stress test duration, baseline LF/HF ratio. RESULTS: Patients not undergoing rehabilitation did not change their autonomic profile. On the contrary, rehabilitation induced a higher vagal tone (pNN50 from 6.5 +/- 1.5 to 16.2 +/- 3.1; LF/HF ratio from 8.3 +/- 5.2 to 5.1 +/- 2.9, p < 0.05). Eleven patients (20%) had baseline LF/HF ratio exceeding the mean value by 1.5 SD (19.4 +/- 1.4): in this subgroup, pNN50 was very low. In these patients, rehabilitation increased pNN50 and decreased LF/HF ratio. Indeed, both deltapNN50 and deltaLF/HF ratio were significantly related to their baseline values (p < 0.001), even considering thrombolysis, site of myocardial infarction, age, and beta-blocker therapy. CONCLUSIONS: After a first uncomplicated myocardial infarction, sympatho-vagal balance may be very disturbed in some patients, despite a preserved ventricular function, good exercise capability and beta-blockers. These patients should be encouraged to undergo rehabilitation, since the significant improvement in the parasympathetic tone may protect them against subsequent arrhythmic events.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Is systolic pressure a better target for antihypertensive treatment than diastolic pressure?

BACKGROUND: Diastolic blood pressure has been evaluated in different prospective cohort studies and in pharmacological intervention trials, which have shown the increased risk of cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients and the benefits of antihypertensive therapy. AIMS: To show that systolic blood pressure is at least as important as, or even more important than, diastolic blood pressure as a risk factor for cardiovascular complications. METHODS: Review of medical literature. RESULTS: Large epidemiological trials such as the Multiple Risk Factors Intervention Trial (MRFIT) and the Framingham study have shown that systolic blood pressure is an independent, continuous and modifiable risk for all cardiovascular complications, and in elderly subjects isolated systolic hypertension is the most frequent form of hypertension. In elderly subjects the increased stiffness of large arteries is responsible for the early reflection of pulse wave and for the decrease in diastolic blood pressure due to reduced recoil of large arteries. This is summarized in the increase in pulse pressure, which is directly related to the risk of cardiovascular complications. Three large intervention trials in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension have shown the relevant cardiovascular benefit of pharmacological reduction of elevated systolic blood pressure and normal diastolic values: the cardiovascular benefit is similar to that found in the general hypertensive population and in elderly patients with systolic-diastolic hypertension. CONCLUSION: Systolic blood pressure represents an important risk factor for cardiovascular events which can be prevented or reduced with pharmacological treatment.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed2000

Resolution of protein-losing enteropathy with standard high molecular heparin and urokinase after Fontan repair in a patient with tricuspid atresia.

At 6 years of age, a girl with tricuspid atresia underwent a Björk modified Fontan procedure with implantation of a Carpentier Edwards bioprosthesis between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Ten years later she developed increasing edema, ascites and pleural effusions. The work-up showed severe stenosis of the bioprosthesis and protein losing enteropathy with a massive decrease of the albumin level to 14 g/l (normal 40-50 g/l). At 17 years of age, the bioprosthesis was replaced with a direct anastomosis between the cavoatrial junction and the right pulmonary artery. Within one month post-operatively, extensive thrombosis of the superior vena cava, anonymous and subclavian veins occurred. Protein-losing enteropathy persisted with an albumin level of 17 g/l. Parallel to the successful treatment of these thrombi with high molecular heparin and urokinase, protein losing enteropathy and hypoalbuminemia resolved completely as long as the antithrombotic treatment with high molecular heparin was continued. Oral anticoagulation was ineffective. Chronic antithrombotic treatment with high molecular heparin may thus be the treatment of choice in these forms of protein-losing enteropathy associated with venous thrombosis.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Increased left ventricular dimensions in patients with frequent nonsustained ventricular arrhythmia and no evidence of underlying heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: To test the hypothesis that frequent nonsustained ventricular premature beats (VPBs) in patients without underlying heart disease are the first marker of mild systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, we evaluated whether a subclinical abnormality of left ventricular function and/or an intraventricular conduction defect was present at the first clinical documentation of the arrhythmia. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared 57 patients (mean age 46 +/- 14 years) with > 30 VPBs/hour and no heart disease (A) to 32 healthy volunteers (mean age 42 +/- 12 years) without arrhythmia (B). Left ventricular echocardiographic parameters and signal-averaged ECG were evaluated. Filtered QRS duration (98 +/- 10 msec in A vs 98 +/- 7 msec in B) was similar in the two groups. End-diastolic left ventricular diameter (EDLVD) was 50 +/- 6 mm in A versus 47 +/- 3 mm in B (P < 0.005); 15 patients (26%) and none of the controls had EDLVD > or = 55 mm (P < 0.005). Filtered QRS interval was longer in the subgroup of patients (n = 15) with increased EDLVD (> or = 55 mm) compared with the subgroup (n = 42) with EDLVD < 55 mm (106 +/- 9 msec vs 95 +/- 9 msec; P < 0.001) and was related to greater left ventricular mass. CONCLUSION: We documented a subclinical but significant increase of left ventricular dimensions that suggests that frequent VPBs may be an initial marker of mild systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. However, an effect of VPBs per se in modifying left ventricular dimensions cannot be excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of cardiac rehabilitation and beta-blocker therapy on heart rate variability after first acute myocardial infarction.

After acute myocardial infarction (AMI), rehabilitation with physical training increases parasympathetic tone. It is unknown whether such a favorable effect of exercise on the sympathovagal balance interacts with effects of other widespread therapies, such as beta blockers. In 53 patients after a first, uncomplicated AMI, we studied the combined short- and long-term influence on heart rate variability (HRV) of rehabilitation and beta blockade. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 19) underwent rehabilitation with physical training; group 2 (n = 20) was taking beta blockers and underwent rehabilitation; group 3 (n = 14) was taking beta blockers and did not enter the rehabilitation program for logistic reasons. Patients were similar as to age, site of infarction, ejection fraction, left ventricular diameter, and baseline stress test duration. Measures of HRV (obtained from a 15-minute resting electrocardiogram) were the standard deviation of the mean RR interval (RRSD), the mean squared successive differences (MSSD), the percent of RR intervals differing >50 ms from the preceding one (pNN50), the low-(LF) and high-(HF) frequency components of the autoregressive power spectrum of the RR intervals and their ratio (LF/HF). Four weeks after AMI, there was less sympathetic predominance in groups 2 and 3 (i.e., patients taking beta blockers [p <0.05]). Rehabilitation modified HRV in groups 1 and 2 (p <0.05), with signs of increased parasympathetic tone (group 1: MSSD +25%, pNN50 +69%, LF/HF -40%; group 2: MSSD +41%, pNN50 +48%, LF/HF -39%). These changes persisted in the long term. In group 3, HRV was unchanged over time. Hence, after AMI, the effects of rehabilitation and beta blockers on HRV are not redundant: their association induces a more favorable sympathovagal balance, accelerating the recovery of a normal autonomic profile.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1998

[Influence of various antithrombotic therapy methods on the incidence of subacute coronary stent occlusions, hemorrhagic complications and length of hospitalization].

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefit of coronary stenting is reduced by the risk of thrombotic stent occlusion as well as hemorrhagic complications of intensive antithrombotic therapy. We compared the influence of different antithrombotic therapies on the incidence of post-interventional complications and in-hospital stay duration. METHODS: After successful placement of a coronary stent, 334 consecutive patients were given different antithrombotic treatments in addition to aspirin 100 mg/d indefinitely: (1) phenprocoumon for 3 months (n = 47), (2) low molecular weight heparin 2 x 100 U/kg/d s.c. for 4 weeks (n = 90), (3) ticlopidine 2 x 250 mg/d and low molecular weight heparin 2 x 100 U/kg/d s.c. for 4 weeks (n = 72) and (4) ticlopidine 2 x 250 mg/d for 4 weeks (n = 125). RESULTS: Major events were subacute stent thrombosis in 17 patients (5%), and severe hemorrhagic complication in 20 patients (5.9%). The incidence of subacute stent thrombosis in groups 1 to 4 was 10.6%, 11%, 1.4% and 0.8% respectively. The use of ticlopidine was associated with a significant lowering of stent occlusions in univariate and multivariate analysis (p = 0.0013). Additional uni- and multivariate predictors were stent placement as a "bail-out" procedure (p = 0.033) and in patients with acute coronary syndrome (p = 0.049). Anticoagulant therapy was associated with a higher incidence of severe hemorrhagic complications (p < 0.01) and a prolonged in-hospital stay (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that anti-thrombotic therapy with aspirin and ticlopidine combines low rates of subacute stent occlusion and hemorrhagic complications. Treatment with phenprocoumon and low molecular weight heparin does not improve the rate of subacute stent occlusion but increases hemorrhagic complications. Very low rates of stent occlusion permit short in-hospital stays with concomitant reduction in cost.

Acute Disease↗