Uniform platelet activation exists before coronary stent implantation despite aspirin therapy.

BACKGROUND: Platelets play an important role in the natural history of coronary artery disease. Enhanced platelet aggregation and receptor expression unquestionably occur after coronary stent implantation; however, the functional characteristics of platelets before stenting have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: Platelets were assessed before intervention by platelet-rich plasma aggregation (PA) with 5 mmol adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and 1 mg/mL collagen; whole blood aggregation (WBA) by 1 mg/mL collagen; shear-induced closure time (CT); contractile force (CF); and expression of 9 surface receptors by flow cytometry in 126 patients undergoing elective coronary artery stent placement. All patients received aspirin for at least 7 days. The data were compared with those from 64 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Each test revealed sustained platelet activation in patients undergoing coronary stenting compared with control values. These differences were significant for collagen-induced PA (P =.031); CF (P =.0001); expression of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa (P =.0001); P-selectin (P =.0008); platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 (P =.0001); CD107a (P =.0001); CD107b (P =.0004); and CD63 (P =.009). CONCLUSION: Platelets are indeed activated before coronary stenting despite antecedent therapy with aspirin.

Rapid weight gain and benign intracranial hypertension in an AIDS patient on treatment with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)

We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with HIV/AIDS who experienced a 47 weight gain over a period of a year after commencing treatment with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and went on to develop benign intracranial hypertension (BIH). She was not on any other medication associated with BIH. Although weight gain has been reported in patients on treatment with protease inhibitors, such gains have been minimal to moderate. We are unaware of any previous report of this degree of weight gain or BIH in a patient on protease inhibitors.

Rapid weight gain and benign intracranial hypertension in an AIDS patient on treatment with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)

We present the case of a 30 year old woman with HIV/AIDS who experienced a 47 percent weight gain over a period of a year after commencing treatment with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and went on to develop benign intracranial hypertension (BIH). She was not on any other medication associated with BIH. Although weight gain has been reported in patients on treatment with protease inhibitors, such gains have been minimal to moderate. We are unaware of any previous report of this degree of weight gain or BIH in a patient on protease inhibitors.(Au)

Rapid weight gain and benign intracranial hypertension in an AIDS patient on treatment with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).

We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with HIV/AIDS who experienced a 47% weight gain over a period of a year after commencing treatment with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and went on to develop benign intracranial hypertension (BIH). She was not on any other medication associated with BIH. Although weight gain has been reported in patients on treatment with protease inhibitors, such gains have been minimal to moderate. We are unaware of any previous report of this degree of weight gain or BIH in a patient on protease inhibitors.

Clopidogrel: the future choice for preventing platelet activation during coronary stenting?

Ticlopidine has become an established therapy in patients with stroke, and during stenting in patients with coronary artery disease. Clopidogrel, another thienopyridine, is a safe and promising alternative, that irreversibly inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation, and reduces formation of both arterial and venous thrombi. In a recent, large, well-controlled trial (CAPRIE), clopidogrel has been shown to be superior to aspirin in terms of prevention of ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction and death in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease. Clopidogrel provides a safe opportunity to enhance reperfusion when administered during stent placement, by protecting platelets from excessive activation. However, the ability of clopidogrel to be superior to ticlopidine in terms of its antiplatelet properties in the clinical setting of coronary stenting, is unknown. The effects of clopidogrel versus ticlopidine on platelet and endothelial function are yet to be determined and may strongly affect the outcome, benefits, and complications following coronary stent placement. Further clinical trials, well-designed, and carefully conducted, should elucidate possible benefits of clopidogrel during coronary interventions, especially in conjunction with new and aggressive reperfusion techniques. The benefits of clopidogrel in an expanding array of clinical conditions, including myocardial infarction, may be directly related to platelet inhibition. Moreover, marginal clinical benefits, and recently reported severe bleeding events in some patients after oral platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa therapy, may advance clopidogrel as a safe, and efficient alternative during coronary interventions. This review summarises the latest, and often confusing data on the effects of thienopyridines on certain haemostatic characteristics in interventional cardiology. 1999 Academic Press.

Attracting nurses to long-term care.

1. A major issue facing nursing, and society as a whole, is the longstanding and continuing nursing shortage in long-term care. 2. The demand for RNs in nursing homes will continue to intensify into the next century as the population of older adults with complex care needs continues to grow. 3. The findings of this study suggest that RN recruitment needs in long-term care include having enough qualified and dedicated staff, supportive and competent administration; competitive salaries and benefits; functional, attractive facilities; improved professional and public image; a caring, supportive environment; realistic regulations; decreased paperwork; progressive nurse practice models; and opportunities for educational advancement and career growth.

Long-term care: retention of nurses.

1. A growing nursing shortage and a growing population of older individuals with complex needs have created an unprecedented demand for qualified nurses in long-term care. 2. Nurse retention is associated with the status of salary benefits, paperwork, staffing, and supplies; the quality of relationships with residents, families, and peers; and the extent to which nurses feel autonomous and empowered with the authority to make nursing decisions regarding their patients. 3. Nurse researchers in both clinical and educational settings must place a high priority on developing methods of making long-term care a more attractive and satisfying practice setting.

Effect of guar gum on mineral balances in NIDDM adults.

The self-selected diet of 16 subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was supplemented for 6 mo with either a granolalike bar containing 35.5 g carbohydrate and 6.6 g guar gum/bar or a placebo bar containing carbohydrate but no guar gum. Subjects consumed a mean of 4.8 bars/day. Average guar gum consumption at the end of the study was 31.7 g/day. One week before and at the end of the study, subjects were admitted to a metabolic ward and fed a controlled diet similar to their self-selected diet. Food, feces, and urine were composited for analysis of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, and manganese. Eight subjects consuming the guar gum supplement and 6 subjects consuming the placebo bar completed collections for mineral balance. Neither consumption of guar gum nor placebo bar significantly changed apparent mineral balance for iron, copper, zinc, calcium, manganese, or magnesium from prestudy levels to 6-mo levels, and no significant differences were observed between the two groups. With the exception of copper, men consumed significantly more minerals than women. We conclude that consumption of guar gum by patients with NIDDM does not adversely affect apparent mineral balance.