http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/1563/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/4437/ 1991-01-01T00:00:00Z To evaluate the effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase) on the clinical course, angiographic changes and the outcome of subsequent coronary angioplasty, 36 patients with angina at rest, despite bedrest and medical treatment including heparin, and with concomitant ECG changes, were studied. After diagnostic angiography, patients were randomized to receive either alteplase 100 mg in 3 h (19 patients), or placebo (17 patients). The mean interval between qualifying anginal episode and initial angiography was 10 and 9 h for the alteplase and placebo group, respectively. Angiography was repeated and angioplasty was performed within 24 hours. Between the first and the second angiogram, five patients in the alteplase and seven in the placebo group had recurrent ischaemic episodes, while four alteplase and three placebo patients showed signs of myocardial necrosis (creatine kinase (CK) rise greater than or equal to twice the upper limit for normal). Intracoronary clots were recognized in three alteplase patients and one placebo patient at the first angiogram, while two alteplase patients and one placebo patient showed total occlusion of the ischaemic-related vessel. After infusion, thrombi were present in four alteplase patients and one placebo patient, and total occlusion in three alteplase patients and one placebo patient. Quantitative coronary angiography showed no change in the percentage diameter stenosis of the ischaemia-related segment after drug infusion, (alteplase 67 +/- 16 to 69 +/- 16%; placebo 65 +/- 11 to 63 +/- 12%). Angioplasty was successful in 14 of 19 alteplase and 14 of 16 placebo patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/4272/ 1988-01-01T00:00:00Z Data from experimental, clinical, and pathologic studies have suggested that the process of restenosis begins very early after coronary angioplasty. The present study was performed to determine prospectively the incidence of restenosis with use of the four National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the 50% or greater diameter stenosis criteria, as well as a criterion based on a decrease of 0.72 mm or more in minimal luminal diameter. Patients were recatheterized at 30, 60, 90, or 120 days after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). After PTCA all patients received 10 mg nifedipine three to six times a day and aspirin once a day until repeat angiography. Of 400 consecutive patients in whom PTCA was successful (less than 50% diameter stenosis), 342 underwent quantitative angiographic follow-up (86%) by use of an automated edge-detection technique. A wide variation in the incidence of restenosis was found dependent on the criterion applied. The incidence of restenosis proved to be progressive to at least the third month for all except NHLBI criterion II. At 4 months a further increase in the incidence of restenosis was observed when defined as a decrease of 0.72 mm or more in minimal luminal diameter, whereas the criteria based on percentage diameter stenosis showed a variable response. The lack of overlap between the different restenosis criteria applied affirms the arbitrary nature of angiographic definitions currently in use. Restenosis should be assessed by repeat angiography, and preferably ascertained according to the change in absolute quantitative measurements of the luminal diameter. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/4205/ 1986-01-01T00:00:00Z This study is a retrospective analysis of the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the ischaemia-related vessel in patients with unstable angina. Forty-three patients had multivessel disease with dilatation of the ischaemia-related vessel only (group I; partial revascularization) while 111 patients had single vessel disease only (group II; total revascularization). The initial success rate in both groups was identical (88 versus 88%). The need for emergency coronary artery bypass surgery was similar in the two groups (group I 12% versus group II 9%; NS). The total post PTCA myocardial infarction rate (despite urgent CABG) was also similar in the two groups (group I 9% versus group II 10%; NS). The results of electrocardiographic exercise testing and Thallium-201 scintigraphy provide objective evidence for incomplete revascularization in group I. The maximum workload achieved was lower, and the frequency of exercise induced angina, ST-segment depression and reversible perfusion defect was higher than in group II. Moreover, at 6 months follow-up the recurrence rate of angina pectoris rate was higher in group I than in group II (29% versus 16% P less than 0.05). It is concluded that dilatation of the ischaemia related vessel only in patients with unstable angina and multivessel disease is as effective in the management of the acute phase of unstable angina as is dilatation of the ischaemia related vessel in patients with single vessel disease. However, due to only partial revascularization the recurrence rate of angina pectoris is higher.