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P Presbitero

Publications and source records attributed to P Presbitero.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Drug-eluting stents: towards new endpoints.

Drug-eluting stents (DES) have significantly reduced the rates of in-stent restenosis (ISR). As previously observed with bare-metal stents (BMS), either patient's clinical characteristics and lesion morphology may influence the risk of recurrence even with DES. In this review we will focus on the most recent available data on clinical settings where DES efficacy on long-term outcomes are largely unknown. In particular, we report on very complex lesions (bifurcations, small vessels, chronic total occlusions, in-stent restenosis) myocardial infarction, multivessel disease, treatment of bypass graft and of unprotected left main disease. Several issues are still open on DES routinary use for these indications, mainly as far as stent thrombosis is concerned. Recent pathological studies show that DES are characterized by chronic inflammatory infiltrates and delayed endothelialization. Therefore, this effect could translate in a ''vulnerable period'' for thromboses longer than with BMS. Even though large meta-analysis have excluded higher rates of stent thrombosis with DES rather than with BMS, few cases of unusual very late stent thrombosis have been described, pointing out that this problem seems to be still unsolved. Although DES provide better angiographic outcomes in each clinical setting, further randomized studies are running to assess their safety and efficacy on currently off-label indications.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed2005

Clinical utility of IVUS in 2005.

Intravascular ultrasounds (IVUS) allowed an innovative visualization of coronary artery disease. This technique developed first in the research field and, then, it was introduced in clinical practice as a supplement to coronary angiography in diagnosis of the severity of ischemic heart disease. The characteristic tomographic view of coronary plaque supplied by IVUS allowed to overcome the limitations of coronary angiography and to add important supplemental information in understanding the mechanism of action of several interventional devices. In this review we analyze current indications of use of IVUS in clinical practice and the future applications of IVUS-related techniques for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Drug eluting stents in acute myocardial infarction.

Routine stent-implantation in primary coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been shown to have a better clinical outcome than balloon angioplasty mainly because of reduction in restenosis rate and reocclusion. Drug eluting stents (DES) have recently been proven to further reduce restenosis and revascularization rate in comparison to bare metal stent (BMS) in elective procedures. Delayed endothelialization of these stents raises concern about a possible increase of thrombotic complications in the setting of AMI. Randomized studies with DES in the treatment of elective patients have shown at 9-12 months follow-up a thrombosis rate of 0-2% comparable to the one of BMS. Sirolimus eluting stents (SES) in AMI have been used in small series of consecutive pts not randomized or in registries with very high successful rate and a stent thrombosis varying between 0 and 4.7%. Paclitaxel eluting stent (PES) have also shown in small series a good immediate performance with a thrombosis rate between 0 and 4.8%. Predictors of acute and subacute stent thrombosis are the same than for BMS: residual dissection, long or overlapping stents, biforcation lesions and discontinuation of antiplatelets treatment. Providing effective mechanical reperfusion with similar results to the current therapeutic standard and decreasing the incidence of late complications, DES appear as an attractive approach for patients admitted with AMI.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed2004

Procedural and long-term results of sirolimus-eluting stent in patients at high risk for restenosis.

AIM: In-stent restenosis still affects 10-50% of long-term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Large clinical trials have shown that sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) have reduced restenosis rate to 0-9% in lesions at low-moderate risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical and angiographic outcome of SES in a real world population, at very high risk of restenosis. METHODS: Ninety lesions at high risk of restenosis (lesion length >20 mm, target vessel diameter <2.5 mm, in-stent diffuse restenosis, total occlusions and complex lesions on bypass grafts and bifurcations) were treated in 75 patients. A follow-up was scheduled at 6 months. RESULTS: Restenosis rate was 16.6% with a focal pattern of presentation in most cases. Subacute in-stent thrombosis occurred in 2.2%. Resteno-sis occurred mainly in small vessels, diabetic patients and in vessels previously treated with brachytherapy. CONCLUSION: The treatment of lesions at high risk of restenosis with SES is safe with a low restenosis rate at follow-up. An aggressive and prolonged antiplatelet regimen is mandatory because of high subacute in-stent thrombosis rates.

Coronary Restenosis↗
PubMed2003

Partial anomalous left pulmonary venous return.

We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with partial left anomalous pulmonary venous return who was successfully treated surgically without the use of extracorporeal circulation by diverting the anomalous left vertical vein into the left atrium through a postero-lateral thoracotomy.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2002

[Drug-eluting stents do they make the difference? ].

The main limitation to further expansion of PTCI (percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention) is restenosis that occurs in 30% of the patients within 6-months after the procedure. Coronary stenting decreases the percent of restenosis due to arterial remodeling after PTCI but proliferation of smooth muscle cells due to vascular injury still remains. A mechanical approach the only treatment up to now (further balloon expansion, plaque removal with rotablator or directional atherectomy) failed. Because the restenotic process is due to a complex series of biological events which start with platelet aggregation, grow-factors and cytochine release, the use of antiflammatory, antithrombotic and antiproliferative drugs were attempted. Cortisone and heparin showed low benefits in clinical trial. New drugs (rapamycin, taxol, actinomycin D, tacrolimus, estradiol, dexamethazone) with antiproliferative and antiflammatory activities are under evaluation. They act as inhibitors of the cell migration and of the cell cicle progression with different specific molecular mechanisms. The first pilot study performed in 45 patients with sirolimus-eluting stents has shown a sustained suppression (25% in the fast release group and 23% in the slow release group) of neointimal formation at 12 months after procedure with absence of restenosis. The Ravel study, a randomized trial, has enrolled 238 patients treated with sirolimus coated stent vs a control group: the results confirm the previous data with a complete suppression of intimal hyperproliferation and restenosis at six months follow-up. The first 400 patients treated in the Sirius trial a similar study which will randomize 1100 pts show a low, but not a complete inhibition of the restenotic process probably due to a more complexity of the lesions treated in comparison to Ravel trial (9.2% of restenosis). Another very promising drug is taxol (paclitaxel). It is an antiproliferative and antinflammatory molecule tested in a series of clinical trials called Taxus. The still unpublished data of TAXUS I and TAXUS II randomized trial show extremely low restenosis rate. Other drugs (actinomycin D, estradiol, tacrolimus, dexamethazone) show to have a potential effect on restenosis and neointimal proliferation and are under investigation. Is very important to maintain lessons learned from the past. The design, the type, the smooth surface of the stent still remains very important as it is a good expansion and a full coverage of the lesions with a "good stent" in the attempt to reduce restenosis. Drug-eluting stents will add further improvement.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
PubMed2001

"Hybrid" percutaneous and surgical coronary revascularization: selection criteria from a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The association of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of large arteries with focal lesions can be an alternative therapeutic method for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. We reviewed our experience regarding 42 patients treated at our Institute. METHODS: MIDCAB and PTCA of the circumflex or right coronary arteries > 3 mm were performed in 42 patients from September 1997 to December 1999. RESULTS: One patient died after MIDCAB in the operating room because of rupture of the left anterior descending anastomosis. Postoperative angiography confirmed patency of the internal mammary artery (IMA) graft in 92.3% of cases: 3 early IMA graft failures occurred. The success rate for PTCA was 98%: in 1 case the wire just would not cross a chronically and totally occluded right coronary artery. The in-hospital morbidity was 12.2%: 2 patients required urgent sternotomy respectively for cardiac tamponade and coronary artery bypass grafting on cardiopulmonary bypass. One patient developed atheroembolism after PTCA with recurrence of symptoms, progressive multiorgan failure and death. Two patients required PTCA on the IMA anastomosis because of early failure of the arterial graft. At a medium follow-up of 535 days, all 40 survivors are in Canadian Cardiovascular Society class I. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid revascularization appears to be an effective treatment for selected patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. The immediate success seems related to the learning curve for MIDCAB.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[The correction of pulmonary insufficiency with a cryopreserved homograft: an optimal solution to a postoperative problem not rare].

Although the results of surgical repair for congenital pulmonary stenosis are generally good, some patients develop progressive symptoms related to pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular dilation. Pulmonary homograft implantation may have a beneficial effect on these symptoms, due to a reduction in the volume overload of the right ventricle and hemodynamic improvement. We describe our experience of one patient with severe pulmonary regurgitation following pulmonary valvotomy performed with the Brock technique during childhood because of pulmonary valve stenosis. The patient was admitted to our Institution because of dyspnea on exertion (NYHA functional class II-III) and paroxysmal episodes of supraventricular arrhythmias. Echocardiography showed severe pulmonary regurgitation, an important right ventricular dilation associated with severe tricuspid insufficiency and a patent foramen ovale without any significant shunts. Surgical repair was performed through a median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass and moderate hypothermia. The right ventricular infundibulum was opened and a cryopreserved pulmonary homograft was implanted with continuous sutures. De Vega annuloplasty was performed on the tricuspid valve and the patent foramen ovale was closed with a running suture. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day. Three months after surgery the patient is asymptomatic and echocardiographic evaluation shows no evidence of pulmonary or tricuspid regurgitation, a decrease in right ventricular dilation and a significant improvement in biventricular systolic and diastolic function. In conclusion, pulmonary regurgitation after surgical valvotomy can be treated with the implantation of a cryopreserved pulmonary homograft with satisfactory results. It would appear advisable to perform surgical repair of concomitant right heart anomalies, such as secondary tricuspid insufficiency, to obtain both a decrease in right ventricular overload and a regression of its preoperative dilation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Italian BiodivYsio open registry (BiodivYsio PC-coated stent): study of clinical outcomes of the implant of a PC-coated coronary stent.

UNLABELLED: Rapid technological developments have made new materials available for percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. The coronary stent in particular has undergone progressive structural improvements leading to the recent availability of a third generation of stents, namely, coated stents. The rapid evolution of the stent has often made its evaluation problematical, since trials are frequently confined to small groups of patients in single centers. The purpose of this registry was to verify the safety and efficacy of the BiodivYsio stent (a stent coated with phosphorylcholine polymer) in a broad population of patients who reflect the daily reality of coronary intervention in a cardiac catheterization laboratory. METHODS AND RESULTS: The registry was designed to collect the principal angiographic and clinical data of a consecutive series of Oreal worldO patients. Patients were treated with a BiodivYsio stent (Biocompatibles, Galway, United Kingdom) in 12 centers (11 Italian and 1 Swiss) between January 1998 and January 1999. Procedural, in-hospital, 30-day and six-month follow-up data were collected. The monitoring, data entry and statistical analyses were carried out by an independent center. During the study, 218 patients were enrolled; 165 (76%) male and 53 (24%) female, with an average age of 61.6 +/- 9.4 years (range, 36Eth 84 years). A total of 258 stents were implanted in 233 lesions (1.1 stents per lesion), of which 233 (90%) were the BiodivYsio PC coated stent, the remaining 25 implants were of other stent types. The percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting procedure were carried out in 109 (50%) patients with unstable angina, 65 (30%) with stable angina, 29 (13%) with acute myocardial infarction, and 15 (7%) patients with silent ischemia. Procedural success was achieved in 217/218 (99.5%) patients. Optimal results were achieved in 212 (97.7%) patients. In 34 (15.6%) cases, patients were treated with periprocedural abciximab. During the hospitalization period, one (0.4%) death occurred on day 7 due to subacute occlusion of the stent, and 3 (1.4%) myocardial infarctions were reported. At 30-day follow-up, 211 (97.2%) patients were asymptomatic, as were 189 (87%) patients at clinical follow-up at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a third-generation stent. The results demonstrate a high procedural success rate and a low incidence of major adverse cardiac events at short- and medium-term follow-up. It appears that the BiodivYsio stent should be considered safe in clinical and/or anatomical situations with a high risk of complications, confirming the hypothesis that PC may have non-thrombogenic properties. To corroborate these results, an appropriately designed study would be required to measure the stentOs efficacy in the most suitable clinical context, i.e., clinical situations that are at the highest risk of ischemic relapse.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Percutaneous transluminal coronary revascularization in women: higher risk of dissection and need for stenting.

BACKGROUND: Even though success rates of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) are influenced by gender, women are at higher risk for adverse procedural events. Plaque dissection has been demonstrated to cause more adverse cardiac events during PTCA in the female gender than the male, but it is not clear how much it could influence stent implantation and procedural complications in the stent era. This study sought to evaluate whether the prevalence of dissection is equal in men and women with similar vessel size, which factors are associated with the risk of this complication and whether stenting has modified the immediate outcome. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-nine lesions were studied in 100 consecutive women and 128 men with a vessel diameter < or = 3.5 mm, who underwent PTCA in our catheterization laboratory between March 1998 and March 1999. RESULTS: Procedural success rates were similar in the two groups (93.9% women vs 97.6% men). Complications were one coronary artery bypass graft and five acute myocardial infarctions. In the group of women, however, there was a significant increase in the incidence of plaque dissection during the procedure (37.9 vs 21.7%, p = 0.001), with consequent increased need for stenting (70.4 vs 52.2%, p < 0.05) to achieve adequate final results. Moreover, dissection was strongly associated (p = 0.03) with procedural complications. Multivariate analysis of the whole patient cohort showed the risk of dissection to be associated only with the female gender (p = 0.009), diabetes (p = 0.029), and type C lesion morphology (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Women are at higher risk of plaque dissection, which is associated with adverse procedural events and an increased need for stenting.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Percutaneous coronary angioplasty in the elderly: a report of 2 cases in patients over 90].

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a validated method for coronary revascularization over coronary surgery in elderly patients. We describe two cases in patients in their nineties. Case n. 1: a 95-year-old patient with post-infarction angina that was not controlled well by medical therapy. On admission to our department, the patient was in good hemodynamic condition and a transthoracic echocardiographic examination confirmed normal left ventricular systolic function. Coronary angiography showed a severe calcified stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery, which was successfully treated with coronary angioplasty and stenting. After three months, the patient was readmitted because of angina. A new coronary angiogram showed diffuse in-stent restenosis, which was successfully treated with rotational atherectomy and angioplasty. The patient was asymptomatic at follow-up after 6 months. Case n. 2: a 91-year-old patient was admitted for an unstable angina. On admission to our department the patient was in good hemodynamic condition. Coronary angiography showed a severe stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery that was successfully treated with angioplasty and stenting. The patient was asymptomatic at 6-month follow-up. These cases show that coronary revascularization can successfully be performed even in patients in their nineties when medical therapy is unsuccessful and the patients are considered at high risk for surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Relief of an early pulmonary pathway obstruction with stenting after modified Fontan operation in an adult.

The prognosis of Tricuspid Atresia, a rare congenital heart disease, has been changed by surgery. The criteria for Fontan operation have been well established in the literature and adult patients rarely fulfil these criteria; however, in very selected cases Fontan operation can be performed also in adults. A 33 year old woman with tricuspid atresia and previous palliation with classical right Glenn and with left modified Blalock-Taussing, underwent modified Fontan operation because increasing cyanosis and moderate exercise intolerance. Three weeks after operation the patient was readmitted with severe heart failure because of a tight obstruction at the anastomosis between right atrium and main-left pulmonary artery. The stenosis was treated with balloon and stenting achieving large pathway. Our experience confirms that after a modified Fontan, if cardiac failure occurs, an immediate full investigation have to be done.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

"Hybrid" and combined percutaneous and surgical intervention to treat selected cardiac patients: a new strategy.

The term "hybrid revascularization" describes the combined use of minimally-invasive surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass and percutaneous coronary revascularization in selected cases. The theoretical advantage of a less invasive surgical intervention must be weighted against the need for additional percutaneous procedures, with their own risks and limitations. We describe our initial experience with hybrid revascularization at the Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Milan. From 7/97 to 10/98, twelve patients underwent hybrid revascularization or a combined percutaneous and surgical intervention. A "classic" hybrid approach, consisting of minimally-invasive direct coronary artery bypass to the left anterior descending coronary artery and angioplasty or stenting of arteries in the right coronary artery or circumflex territories, was used in nine patients. In three patients, myocardial revascularization could be completed with percutaneous procedures after bypass surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass (in two patients because of severe aortic calcification) or valve surgery in a patient with two previous bypass operations. In-hospital complications were observed in three patients. Two required urgent median sternotomy (one for impending cardiac tamponade, one for conversion to bypass on extra-corporeal circulation). One patient developed atheroembolism after percutaneous intervention: after hospital discharge, there was a recurrence of symptoms, clinical deterioration with renal failure and eventually death. At a mean follow-up of 152 +/- 91 days (range 17 to 283) after minimally-invasive surgery and 166 +/- 122 days (range 13 to 397) after angioplasty, all surviving patients are well and free of anginal symptoms. Closer collaboration between surgical and interventional operators may offer a novel approach to effective treatment of difficult patient subsets. However, our initial experience suggests that a cautious evaluation of possible risks and benefits must carefully be entertained in each patient who may be considered a candidate for hybrid revascularization or combined percutaneous and surgical intervention.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Eisenmenger syndrome. Factors relating to deterioration and death.

AIMS: To assess the natural history, risk factors for death and deterioration of patients with Eisenmenger Syndrome. METHODS: The clinical course of 188 patients from three different cardiac centres specialized in adult congenital heart defects, followed for a median period of 31 years, was retrospectively analysed. According to the diagnosis, 64 males and 124 females, mean age at last follow-up 33.02+/-12.8 years, were divided into two groups: simple (128) and complex (60) congenital heart disease. Events analysed were: time variation of Ability Index, pulmonary and cerebral complications, non-cardiac surgery, urate metabolism and renal function, arrhythmias, pregnancy and contraception, medical therapy and transplantation, death from all causes and sudden death. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of the overall population showed a satisfactory Ability Index (1 and 2) at the first attendance (median age 25 years). Patients with complex heart disease and Eisenmenger reaction had earlier clinical deterioration (18.6+/-11.3 vs 26.7+/-12.2) and shorter survival (25.8+/-7.9 vs 32.5+/-14.6 years). Thirty-eight (20.2%) patients had at least one episode of haemoptysis between 20 and 40 years of age but it did not modify overall survival; 25 (13.2%) had pulmonary thromboembolism at a mean age of 35.2+/-13.4 years. Fifteen (7.9%) had a stroke and 7 (3.7%) a cerebral abscess at a mean age of 31.4+/-15.7 and 24.1+/-4.9 years, respectively. Cerebral complications influenced the quality of life but did not modify survival. Patients who had venesection showed a 2.04 times greater hazard ratio for haemoptysis. Venesection did not reduce cerebral complications and in 20% caused anaemia and iron deficiency. Other non-cardiac surgery with general anaesthesia carried risks (23.5% of deaths). Significant maternal mortality (27%) in relation to pregnancy occurred with constant deterioration in physical status, high incidence of spontaneous abortions (35.8%) and cardiac abnormalities in offspring (20%). Sixty-one patients died during follow-up, mainly by sudden death (29.5%), heart failure (22.9%) and from haemoptysis (11.4%). Eight patients had heart and lung transplantation and five died 1 week to 4 years after transplant. Deterioration in Ability Index (worsening symptoms), age, complex defects, blood creatinine level, right ventricular dysfunction and non-cardiac surgery were variables which affected the prognosis adversely with uni- and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: patients with Eisenmenger syndrome can survive to the seventh decade with informed medical care and protection from special risks

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Differences in pharmacologic treatment after acute myocardial infarction. The role of treatment effectiveness].

BACKGROUND: Despite growing interest concerning the prescription of different drugs in different clinical settings, no explanatory variables have been determined. The aim of this study was to verify if there are any differences in drug prescription at the time of hospital release following myocardial infarction and if any of these differences can be explained by scientific evidence concerning treatment efficacy. METHODS: All drugs prescribed to 430 patients discharged from three different cardiology departments after acute myocardial infarction were analyzed. Based on current scientific evidence, it has been, ascertained that aspirin, beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors can be prescribed unless contraindicate whereas anticoagulants, nitrates and calcium antagonists should be prescribed only in specific clinical conditions. The odd ratio of prescription of each drug among the three cardiology departments was calculated and adjusted for any clinical and test result variables that can specifically affect drug prescription. RESULTS: Different clinical characteristics of the patients discharged from the three cardiology departments are the following: mean age ranges from 60 to 66 years (p < 0.001), the incidence of non-Q myocardial infarction ranges from 23 to 45% (p < 0.001), post infarction angina ranges from 6 to 15% (p = 0.016), left ventricular failure ranges from 6 to 13% (p = 0.003) and arrhythmia ranges from 5 to 18% (p = 0.007). The adjusted odd ratio for clinical and test results variables showed that prescriptions were similar for ACE-inhibitors (odd ratio 1.3; 95% confidence interval from 0.6 to 3.2), aspirin (OR 2.2; 95% confidence interval from 0.8 to 5.5), beta-blockers (OR 2.2, 95% confidence interval from 0.9 to 5.5) and oral anticoagulants (1.6; 95% confidence interval from 0.6 to 4.5). Instead, there is a statistically significant difference in the prescription of nitrates (OR 4.4; 95% confidence interval from 1.6 to 12.3) and of calcium antagonists (OR 5.4%, 95% confidence interval from 1.0 to 12.5). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence based drug efficacy after acute myocardial infarction seems to establish a uniform pattern of drug prescription in different cardiology departments.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Ultra-early risk stratification after myocardial infarction via pharmacological stress echocardiography: the relative value of resting function, viability and myocardial ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiographically recognized resting function, myocardial viability (by low-dose dobutamine) and stress-induced ischemia (by high-dose dipyridamole) are potent predictors of subsequent events, but their relative value in patients evaluated very early after acute myocardial infarction remains to be established. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the feasibility and usefulness of an integrated approach with resting and pharmacological stress echo for risk stratification in patients evaluated very early after myocardial infarction. METHODS: Sixty acute myocardial infarction patients without contraindications to stress testing, and who were being given thrombolytic therapy, underwent resting echo (16-segment model of left ventricle, each segment scored from 1 = normo-hyperkinetic to 4 = dyskinetic), high-dose dipyridamole (up to 0.84 mg/kg over 10') and low-dose dobutamine (up to 10 mcg/kg/min) echo on the third-fourth day after drug withdrawal. The response was "ischemic" with a dipyridamole-induced increase in the regional score > 1 in segments with a resting score < 3, and "viable" with a dobutamine-induced decrease in the regional score > 1 in segments with resting score > 1. All patients underwent coronary angiography on the tenth-twelfth day after the acute event, and all of them were followed up for 15 +/- 10.04 months. RESULTS: Ischemia elicited by dipyridamole appeared in 29 patients (48%) and dobutamine-induced viability was observed in 28 (47%). Ischemic events occurred in 26 patients (43.4%), five of which during the early in-hospital period. There were three deaths (5%), one re-AMI (1.7%), 7 Canadian Class III-IV angina (12%) and 15 (25%) early revascularization procedures undertaken independently of stress echo results. Events occurred in 21 patients (72%) with dipyridamole-induced ischemia and in 5 (16%) without it (p < 0.001). Likewise, events occurred in 13 patients (46.4%) with dobutamine-induced inotropic recovery and in 13 (40.6%) without it (p = ns). Event-free survival occurred in 64% of dipyridamole-positive patients, as opposed to 90% of dipyridamole-negative patients (p = 0.025). Dipyridamole echocardiographic test sensitivity and specificity for events were 81 and 74%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for events of dobutamine viability were 46 and 55%, respectively. In a multivariate logistic analysis, dipyridamole-induced myocardial ischemia was the strongest predictor of subsequent events (p = 0.01). According to Cox analysis, dipyridamole positivity had a relative risk estimate of 4. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological stress echo is feasible even very early after acute myocardial infarction via a useful approach based on low-dose dobutamine to assess myocardial viability, and high-dose dipyridamole to assess ischemia. For risk stratification purposes, stress-induced myocardial ischemia outperforms resting function and myocardial viability, and it is independent of angiographic data. Revascularization procedures do not seem to be effective when only viability is present.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗