Our data show that paclitaxel inhibits haSMC proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner in monocultures and cocultures even in the presence of mitogens. Furthermore, paclitaxel prevents neointima formation in rabbits after balloon angioplasty. The long-lasting effect after just several minutes' exposure time makes this lipophilic substance a promising candidate for local antiproliferative therapy of restenosis.

Aims A clinically important interaction between the cardiac glycoside digoxin and the antibiotic clarithromycin has been suggested in earlier reports. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of the interaction and the relative contribution of different mechanisms. Methods In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over design single oral doses of 0.75 mg digoxin with oral coadministration of placebo or 250 mg clarithromycin twice daily for 3 days were administered to 12 healthy men. Additionally, three of the subjects received single intravenous doses of 0.01 mg kg -1 digoxin with oral placebo or clarithromycin. Digoxin plasma and urine concentrations were determined by a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay. Results Oral coadministration of clarithromycin resulted in a 1.7-fold increase of the area under the digoxin plasma concentration-time curve [mean AUC(0,24) ± SD 23 ± 5.2 vs. 14 ± 2.9 m g L -1 h; 95% confidence interval (CI) on the difference 7.0, 12; P = 0.002] and in a reduction of the nonglomerular renal clearance of digoxin [mean Cl Rng (0, 24) ± SD 34 ± 39 vs. 57 ± 41 mL min -1 ; 95% CI on the difference 7.2, 45; P = 0.03]. The ratios of mean digoxin plasma concentrations with and without clarithromycin were highest during the absorption period of clarithromycin. After intravenous administration digoxin AUC(0,24) increased only 1.2-fold during coadministration of clarithromycin. Conclusions Increased oral bioavailability and reduced nonglomerular renal clearance of digoxin both contribute to the interaction between digoxin and clarithromycin, probably due to inhibition of intestinal and renal P-glycoprotein.

Background: Cardiac manifestation of COVID-19 has been reported during the COVID pandemic. The role of cardiac arrhythmias in COVID-19 is insufficiently understood. This study assesses the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and their prognostic implications in hospitalized COVID-19-patients. Methods: A total of 166 patients from eight centers who were hospitalized for COVID-19 from 03/2020–06/2020 were included. Medical records were systematically analyzed for baseline characteristics, biomarkers, cardiac arrhythmias and clinical outcome parameters related to the index hospitalization. Predisposing risk factors for arrhythmias were identified. Furthermore, the influence of arrhythmia on the course of disease and related outcomes was assessed using univariate and multiple regression analyses. Results: Arrhythmias were detected in 20.5% of patients. Atrial fibrillation was the most common arrhythmia. Age and cardiovascular disease were predictors for new-onset arrhythmia. Arrhythmia was associated with a pronounced increase in cardiac biomarkers, prolonged hospitalization, and admission to intensive- or intermediate-care-units, mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality. In multiple regression analyses, incident arrhythmia was strongly associated with duration of hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. Cardiovascular disease was associated with increased mortality. Conclusions: Arrhythmia was the most common cardiac event in association with hospitalization for COVID-19. Older age and cardiovascular disease predisposed for arrhythmia during hospitalization. Whereas in-hospital mortality is affected by underlying cardiovascular conditions, arrhythmia during hospitalization for COVID-19 is independently associated with prolonged hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. Thus, incident arrhythmia may indicate a patient subgroup at risk for a severe course of disease.

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