ABSTRACT
Patent foramen ovale [PFO] causes a right-to-left shunt in about a quarter of normal population. Hypercoagulation may be a risk factor for embolic cerebrovascular accidents [CVA] in these patients by paradoxical emboli. In this study, we checked hypercoagulation states in the embolic CVA patients with PFO. In a cross- sectional study, 40 patients with CVA or transient ischemic attack [TIA] and PFO participated in the study. Serum level of Homocystein, lupus anticoagulant screening test, Factor V leiden, Anti Cardiolipin Antibody [ACLA] [IgG, IgM], Anti- thrombin III, protein C, protein S,Anti B2 glycoprotein1 and platelet count were checked in all patients. The data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science series [SPSS 15.0] and descriptive statistical method. The mean age was 42.4 +/- 12.1. Seventeen [42.5%] patients were females. Twenty- two [55%] cases were diagnosed as having CVA and the others as TIA. Three [7.5%] of the patients were diabetic and 8 [20%] had a history of different stages of hypertension. Hyperlipidemia was detected in 6 [15%] patients and according to the laboratory data none had any signs of hypercoagulation. According to the present study, hypercoagulation as a cofactor in CVA patients with PFO did not seem to be a direct risk factor for embolic CVA at least any higher than for normal population
ABSTRACT
Superiority of paclitaxel-eluting stents over bare metal stents in angiographic and clinical outcomes have been shown in many trials. Eucatax stents is a newly developed paclitaxel eluting stent using biodegradable polymer matrix. To our knowledge there have been no studies directly comparing Eucatax paclitaxel eluting stents with EucaSTSflex bare metal stents. The aim of this study is to evaluate short-term benefits of Eucatax in comparison with EucaSTSflex in patients undergoing denovo coronary stenting. A retrospective comparison of Eucatax versus EucaSTSflex was conducted among 89 consecutive patients [44 Eucatax, 45 EucaSTSflex] in Kowsar heart institute, with at least one successfully deployed stent in de novo lesions over a 6-month period. Outcomes included death ,nonfatal MI, CABG, late stent thrombosis at six month, as well as functional evidence of ischemia evaluated by exercise treadmill test[ETT] or cardiac scan [SPECT]. From April to July 2008, a total of 89 patients [44 Eucatax, 45 EucaSTSflex] were evaluated after PCI for de novo coronary lesions. After six month follow up no difference was observed in term of death ,MI,CABG and late stent thrombosis between Eucatax compared with EucaSTSflex. Also a non-statistically significant lower rate of positive ETT [or SPECT] was found in Eucatax group after six month. Paclitaxel eluting stents[Eucatax]are not superior to bare metal stents [EucaSTSflex] in regard to short-term clinical outcome