Gout and serum uric acid independently associate with total and cardiovascular mortality. These risks increase with rising uric acid concentrations.

Coronary artery perforation as a complication of PCI is still rare as demonstrated in our series with an incidence of 0.48%. The predominant cause of coronary perforations in the current era of PCI is wire injury.

Our study confirms that ldTRA is a feasible technique for diagnostic coronary angiography in a modern cardiac catheterization laboratory. It results in decreased post-procedure radial artery compression time without increasing procedural time or radiation dose.

Introduction-Circulating cells that express CD34 including hematopoietic progenitors and endothelial progenitor cells may have a role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is an early manifestation of atherosclerotic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between coronary endothelial dysfunction (CED) and circulating CD34+ subsets.

The study of pharmacogenomics presents the possibility of individualised optimisation of drug therapy tailored to each patients' unique physiological traits. Both antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs play a key role in the management of cardiovascular disease. Despite their importance, there is a substantial volume of literature to suggest marked person-to-person variability in their effect. Areas covered: This article reviews the data available for the genetic cause for this inter-patient variability of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs. The genetic basis for traditional antiplatelets (i.e. aspirin) is compared with the newly available antiplatelet medicines (clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor). Similarly, the pharmacogenetics of warfarin is compared with the newer direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in detail. Expert Opinion: We identify strengths and weaknesses in the research thus far; including shortcomings in trial design and a review of newer analytical techniques. The direction of this research and its real-world implications are discussed.

Background and Purpose We aimed to investigate the incidence of May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) in cryptogenic stroke patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Methods This was a retrospective study. All consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke having undergone PFO closure from January 1st 2002 to December 31st 2007 at our institute were included in this study. Pelvic magnetic resonance venography (MRV) studies of all patients were reviewed to determine if features of MTS were present. Medical records and invasive venography studies of all patients were reviewed when available. All patients with MTS features on MRV were reviewed by a vascular medicine specialist to define any previous incidence of DVT or any signs of chronic venous insufficiency. All patients also had lower limb venous duplex performed to rule out lower limb venous thrombosis. Results A total of 470 patients from January 1 2002 until Dec 31 2007 with cryptogenic stroke underwent PFO closure at our institute. Thirty patients (6.3%) had features consistent with MTS on MRV. These patients were predominantly female (80%) with a mean age of 43.6 ± 11.9 years. Twelve patients (40%) had abnormalities in their laboratory thrombophilia evaluation and 13 females (54.1%) were taking hormone related birth control pills. Only two patients had a history and signs of chronic venous insuffiency. All PFOs demonstrated right-to-left shunting on transesophageal echocardiography. Atrial septal aneurysms/hypermobile atrial septa were present in 70% of patients with MTS. Conclusion May-Thurner syndrome has an important clinical association with cryptogenic stroke and PFO.

No abstract

No abstract