No abstract

The present study documents for the first time that it is possible to perform coronary angioplasty with an anticoagulant other than heparin in aspirin-pretreated patients. Hirulog was associated with a rapid onset, dose-dependent anticoagulant effect, minimal bleeding complications, and at doses of 1.8-2.2 mg/kg, a rate of 3.9% for abrupt vessel closure.

Background. Experimental cardiac ischemia in some animal models results in the activation of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase and the subsequent production of leukotrienes, potent proinflammatory lipid mediators, by the affected myocardium. Furthermore, prototype antileukotriene drugs can show some beneficial effects on infarct size and cardiac function in these models.

5-HT is a mitogen for endothelial cells at concentrations likely to be present at sites of vascular injury. This effect is probably mediated via the 5-HT2 receptor. The growth-promoting effects of 5-HT on endothelial cells may facilitate the healing of intima after vascular damage.

Computed tomography (CT) has been used to quantitate acute myocardial infarct size in isolated, arrested canine hearts. Acute myocardial infarcts were produced in 20 hearts by either left anterior descending (13 dogs) or circumflex coronary artery ligation (seven dogs). Each animal was given iodinated contrast media intravenously immediately before sacrifice 24--72 hours postinfarction. All infarcts greater than 1 g and one of three infarcts 0.5 g or less were detected by CT imaging. Infarct volume determined by CT correlated with gross infarct weight (r=0.83). CT imaging, however, consistently underestimated infarct volume; underestimation was largest in a group of patchy, predominantly subendocardial infarcts. As adequate equipment and techniques for in vivo studies are developed, CT imaging of the heart may become important in clinical evaluation of myocardial infarction.