BACKGROUND The primary objective of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not only to restore the blood flow in the infarct-related artery, but also to save the patients' quality and duration of their life. Since left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a known predictor of clinical outcomes in STEMI pa...

BACKGROUND Microvascular obstruction (MVO) following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) contributes to infarct expansion, left ventricular (LV) remodelling, and worse clinical outcomes. The REFLO-STEMI trial tested whether intra-coronary (IC) high-dose adenosine or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) reduce infarct size and/o...

AIMS The aim of the study was to investigate whether bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) reduces infarct size (IS) for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in large acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS AND RESULTS This multicentre open-label trial randomised 78 patients undergoing PPCI for large AMI to bivalirudin or UFH. The primary endpoint was IS, assessed by...

BACKGROUND ST Segment Elevation Acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) preferred treatment is culprit artery reperfusion with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). We ought to analyze the benefit of early reperfusion vs. optimal medical therapy in STEMI before and after the set-up of a regional STEMI network that prioritizes PPCI. METHODS Between January 2002 and December 2013, 1268...

We read with interest the study by Brodie et al. (1) showing that delays in door-to-balloon time have an impact on survival in high-risk patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). We have the following concerns in relation to the reported results and conclusions in this single-center study. In the current study,...

INTRODUCTION A correct and early diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and implementation of treatment with the aim to regain patency of the infarct-related artery is crucial for prognosis and the ability to return to normal activities. OBJECTIVES The aim of the current analysis was to compare two strategies of STEMI therapy in terms of decreasing the impairment leve...

In Taiwan, colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis is considered a terminal condition. We examined the clinical outcomes of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) treatment for colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis in Taiwan.We enrolled patients with colorectal cancer and peritoneal metastasis from Taipei Medical University, Wanfang Hospi...

We aimed to save lives by assuring best practice in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) through initiating the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) methodology nationally. Following collection of a minimum dataset, annual change in indicators in the five initiating hospitals for the period Oct 2006 - Sept 2009 was assessed by analysing the percentage of patients receiving the eight...

Pathological Q waves may appear on the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) during acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and signify loss of electrical excitation. Anterior wall STEMI often results in loss of R waves in the precordial leads and subsequent appearance of pathological Q waves. Not infrequently, very early loss of R waves may be visible in patients presenting with ant...

BACKGROUND Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred treatment method for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the required equipments are not available in all hospitals. Thus, due to shortage of time, some patients receive thrombolysis therapy first. Patients with chest pain and/or persistent ST segment elevation will then undergo rescue percutaneous co...