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The article discusses research which was conducted to investigate the physical and physiological demands of elite men's rugby sevens, with special reference to the temporal patterns of fatigue during match play. Researchers evaluated nine players. They found that rugby sevens is a demanding sport that places stress on both the anaerobic glycolytic and aerobic oxidative energy systems and that players could benefit from strength and conditioning programs.

To assess the changes in electrical stability markers in patients with previous myocardial infarction after very late reopening of the infarct-related artery, we studied QT dispersion, corrected-QT dispersion, and late potentials before and 1, 3, and 6 months after an attempt at late percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 31 consecutive patients with single-vessel disease (infarct-related artery occlusion or subocclusion) diagnosed ≥4 weeks after the ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Patients underwent PCI 3.9 ± 2 months after ST-elevation myocardial infarction. PCI was successful in 24 patients (group A) and unsuccessful in 7 (group B). The 2 groups were similar in clinical and angiographic characteristics, as well as the prevalence of basal late potentials, average QT dispersion, and corrected-QT dispersion. One month after PCI, the successful reperfusion group had a significant 67% decrease in the prevalence of late potentials and average QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion (51 ± 9 vs 72 ± 11 ms, p <0.00001, and 51 ± 10 vs 76 ± 15 ms, p <0.00001, respectively). These benefits remained stable at 3 and 6 months after PCI. Conversely, the unsuccessful group did not show any improvement in electrical stability markers after PCI failed. Thus, reperfusion obtained very late after ST-elevation myocardial infarction confers significant electrical stabilization that may contribute to a better outcome in patients with patent infarct-related arteries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective. To compare the relative effectiveness of different anti‐Rx devices in terms of radiation dose absorbed by operators during percutaneous coronary procedures (diagnostic or interventional). Background. Direct comparisons among different adjunctive anti‐Rx devices during percutaneous coronary procedures to reduce operator radiation exposure are lacking. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the last 200 percutaneous procedures performed by a single operator according to the use of adjunctive protective devices (group 1) or standard anti‐Rx setting (group 2). Subsequently, the procedures in group 1 have been divided according to the protective device utilized (homemade pelvic drape with under‐table curtain, or RADPAD drape, or the STAR System device, or the Rampart shield). The primary endpoint was the operator radiation dose at the thorax. Results. Groups 1 and 2 did not show significant differences in terms of anthropometric data or cardiovascular risk factors. The use of adjunctive anti‐Rx devices was associated with a significant reduction in operator radiation exposure compared to standard radioprotection (12.8 μSv [7–21] and 22.6 μSv [11–36], respectively; p < 0.0001). Globally, the anti‐Rx devices utilized were associated with a reduced operator radiation exposure (11.7 μSv [2–19] for homemade drapes, 13.5 μSv [9–29] for RADPAD drape, 15 μSv [11–30] for STAR Board System, and 8 μSv [5–19] for Rampart; p < 0.0001) with the homemade drapes and the Rampart system showing a lower operator exposure. Conclusions. The use of anti‐Rx devices during percutaneous coronary procedures is associated with a significant lower operator radiation exposure with the greater effect obtained with pelvic drapes and the Rampart system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCB) are a well-established option for treating in-stent restenosis endorsed by European Guidelines on myocardial revascularization. However, in recent years, a strategy of "leaving nothing behind" with DCB in de novo coronary stenosis has emerged as an appealing approach. Methods: We performed a systematic review to evaluate the current literature on the use of drug-coated balloons in the treatment of de novo stenosis in large vessel disease. Results: Observational studies, as well as randomized studies, demonstrated the safety of DCB percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in large vessel disease. The rate of major adverse cardiac events is even lower compared to drug-eluting stents in stable coronary artery disease. Conclusions: DCB PCI is feasible in large vessel disease, and future large, randomized studies are ongoing to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of bleeding as predicted by the PRECISE-DAPT score can vary over time after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to compare the predictive ability of the PRECISE-DAPT score calculated at baseline and reassessed during follow-up in male and female patients undergoing PCI. The RE-SCORE was a multicenter, prospective registry including patients undergoing PCI treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 1 year. The primary endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding. The PRECISE-DAPT score was determined for each patient at the time of PCI and at 1, 4 and 8-month follow-up visits or before the occurrence of an endpoint event. A total of 480 patients undergoing PCI were included. At baseline, median PRECISE-DAPT score was similar in males (23.2 [IQR 20.1–24.2]) and females (23.4 [IQR 20.2–25.3]; p =.22). During follow-up, an increase in the PRECISE-DAPT occurred significantly more often in females (44%) than in males (23%; p <.001). The discrimination of the PRECISE-DAPT score calculated at baseline was marginal in both males (c-index = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.51–0.65) and females (c-index = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.49–0.60). The discriminative ability of the score reassessed at follow-up was excellent in females (c-index = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.77–0.91) but remained modest in males (c-index = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.55–0.70). The bleeding predictive ability of the PRECISE-DAPT score can vary over time, more commonly in females than males. The discrimination of the score calculated during follow-up appeared improved in females but remained modest in males. Clinical Trial Registration - ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03526614 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women constitute a high-risk population for bleeding, which is a major prognostic predictor after percutaneous coronary catheterization procedures. We prospectively followed 3,261 consecutive percutaneous coronary procedures performed by radial artery catheterization (RAC) or femoral artery catheterization (FAC). The primary study objective was to determine the relative incidences of in-hospital major and minor puncture-related hemorrhages. Secondary objectives were to (1) identify predictors of major bleeds and (2) estimate how often a second, alternative access site is required for catheterization. In women, no major bleeding occurred after 299 RAC procedures performed, whereas 25 major bleeding episodes occurred after 601 FAC procedures (p = 0.0008). Women who underwent RAC also had a significantly lower incidence of minor hemorrhages than women who underwent FAC (19 of 299, 6.4%, vs 237 of 601, 39.4%, respectively, p = 0.00001). On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of major bleeding were FAC (odds ratio [OR] 27.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8 to 199.9), use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.7 to 11.9), female gender (OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.2 to 9.0), age >70 years (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.8), and an acute coronary syndrome setting (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.0). Women who underwent RAC were more likely to require a second access site than men (14% vs 1.7%), but operators less selective in RAC use successfully completed the procedure by radial approach in >90% of patients. In conclusion, extensive RAC was more effective at preventing access-related bleeding complications in women than FAC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fifty patients with stable angina pectoris entered a randomized, double-blind study and were assigned to receive celecoxib (200 mg 2 times daily) or placebo 7 days before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Results showed that detection of markers of myocardial injury above the upper normal limit was significantly lower in the celecoxib than in the placebo group: 12% versus 35% for creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB; p = 0.001), 20% versus 48% for troponin I (p = 0.0004), and 22% versus 51% for myoglobin (p = 0.0005). Myocardial infarction by CK-MB determination was less commonly seen after PCI in the celecoxib than in the placebo group (5% vs 18%, p = 0.025). Postprocedural peak levels of CK-MB (2.9 ± 18 vs 7.5 ± 18 ng/ml, p = 0.0002) were also significantly lower in the celecoxib than in the placebo group. No significant side effect was reported by the 2 groups of patients. In conclusion, pretreatment with celecoxib 200 mg 2 times daily for 7 days significantly decreased procedural myocardial injury in elective PCI. These findings indicate that the antiphlogistic action of cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibition may provide a friendly protection to ischemic cardiomyocytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The epidemiology and management of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) have evolved. We aimed to describe recent demographics and therapeutic changes in the Italian ACS population. We analyzed data from 2 multicenter consecutive Italian registries (the EYESHOT [EmploYEd antithrombotic therapies in patients with acute coronary Syndromes HOspitalised in iTalian cardiac care units] and START-ANTIPLATELET registries) enrolling patients with ACS between December 2013 and June 2016. An overall population of 3756 patients with ACS was enrolled: 2585 in the EYESHOT and 1171 in the STARTANTIPLATELET. Compared with the EYESHOT, patients in the START-ANTIPLATELET registry presented more frequently with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and were more often smokers and dyslipidemic (all P < .001) and had atrial fibrillation (P = .018) but were less frequently aged ≥75 years and with a history of major bleeding (all P < .001). Analysis of treatment strategy showed a significant increase in the use of percutaneous coronary intervention, drug-eluting stents, dual antiplatelet therapy, and ticagrelor in the START-ANTIPLATELET (all P < .001), with a substantial decline in the proportion of patients conservatively managed and on clopidogrel at discharge (P < .001). A lower rate of in-hospital events was recorded in the START-ANTIPLATELET compared with the EYESHOT. The START-ANTIPLATELET and EYESHOT registries provide consecutive snapshots in the contemporary management of patients with ACS in Italy, showing important changes in both demographic characteristics and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The addition of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren is demonstrated to improve blood pressure (BP) control rate and reduce progression of organ damage in treated hypertensive patients in clinical trials with a relatively short follow-up period. Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of aliskiren as an add-on antihypertensive therapy in high-risk, treated, hypertensive patients, who were not controlled with concomitant treatment with at least two antihypertensive drugs under 'real-life' conditions, during a planned observation and treatment period of at least 12 months in Italy. Methods: Clinical data were derived from medical databases of treated, uncontrolled, hypertensive patients followed by specialized physicians operating in different clinical settings (hospital divisions or outpatient clinics) in Italy. Aliskiren was added to stable antihypertensive treatment, including at least two drug classes (independently of class or dosage) and unable to achieve BP control. Follow-up visits for measuring clinic BP levels and collecting data on drug safety and tolerability were planned at time intervals of 1, 6 and 12 months. At each predefined follow-up visit, aliskiren could be up-titrated from 150 to 300 mg daily if BP control was not achieved. Results: From May 2009 to June 2011, a total of 1186 treated, uncontrolled, hypertensive patients (46.3% female, aged 65.2 ± 11.7 years, mean duration of hypertension 13.2 ± 9.3 years, mean clinic BP levels 156.5 ± 15.9/90.3 ± 9.5mmHg) were enrolled. Systolic and diastolic BP levels were 141.1/82.4, 134.9/79.8 and 133.6/78.9 mmHg at 1-, 6- and 12-month follow-up visits, respectively (p < 0.0001 vs baseline for all comparisons). These effects were consistent in all predefined subgroups, including those with left ventricular hypertrophy, renal disease, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease. Reduced levels of microalbuminuria were also reported, without affecting other renal and electrolyte parameters. Overall, compliance to study medication was high (93.0%), with a very low proportion of patients experiencing adverse events leading to drug discontinuation (3.6%). Conclusions: In this observational, prospective, open-label, multicentre study, we reported the 12-month clinical effectiveness, safety and tolerability of adding aliskiren to treated, uncontrolled, hypertensive patients in a 'real-life' setting in Italy. This strategy leads to a significantly improved BP control rate and low incidence of drug-related side effects or discontinuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study has been to evaluate the ability of 64-slice computed tomographic angiography (CTA) to assess coronary artery stent patency, relative to selective coronary angiography (SCA). Fifty-five consecutive patients (age range 45–80 years) with 97 previously implanted coronary artery stents underwent 64-slice CTA. The 55 patients comprised 40 subjects (group A) who were referred for follow-up SCA at a mean interval of 9.6 months after stent positioning, and 15 subjects (group B) in whom SCA was clinically indicated. Stent evaluation was performed independently by two blinded readers in terms of image quality and presence of in-stent restenosis (ISR; lumen obstruction of ≥50%). SCA was performed in 41/55 patients; 14 patients refused to undergo SCA after the 64-slice CTA exam. A total of 88 stents in 74 segments were analyzed. Twenty-one of the 74 stented segments were of poor image quality and were not considered for further analysis. Sixty-four-slice CTA detected 12/16 ISR (sensitivity: 75%) and ruled out ISR in 32/37 cases (specificity: 86%). Sixty-four-slice CTA is a valuable modality for follow-up of coronary artery stent patency only in selected patients. Appropriate candidates for follow-up 64-slice CTA should be established based on stent diameter, stent material and type as well as HR and heart rhythm. However, given the number of non-assessable segments, further work would appear necessary before 64-slice CTA can be considered a suitable procedure for broad clinical application in the evaluation of coronary artery stent patency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) recording by means of transthoracic echocardiography (TTDE) in all the main distal coronary arteries is a challenge for advanced echocardiography. Validation studies of TTDE versus Doppler-wire (DW) recordings are available for Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD) and the Posterior Descending coronary artery (PD), but lacking for the more technically challenging Left Circumflex coronary artery (LCx). Aim: To evaluate the reliability of TTDE in assessing CFR in LCx when compared to the intracoronary Doppler flow-wire gold standard. Methods: we evaluated 5 patients (age = 60 ± 9 years, 5 males) on LCx by TTDE and invasive CFR assessment. TTDE recording was performed using a low-frequency probe, with a four-chamber as a guiding 2D view. The 2 tests were performed on different days and in random order within 48 hours in a blind fashion. Vasodilator stimulus was adenosine, intravenously (140 γ/kg/min × 3-6 min) for TTDE and intracoronary (40 ? bolus) for DW recordings. Results: CFR values on LCx ranged from 1.9 to 2.8 for DW, and from 2.0 to 3.0 for TTDE, with an overall correlation of R = 0,85 (p = 0,06); normal (CFR > 2.5) or abnormal (CFR < 2.5) value was concordantly identified by the 2 techniques in 4 out 5 cases (80%). Conclusion: CFR of LCx artery can be obtained noninvasively with TTDE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the effects of the nitric oxide donor nitroprusside as treatment for no reflow in 23 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. No reflow was defined as a decrease of ≥1 Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) trial flow grade occurring after successful initial coronary recanalization. Nitroprusside induced a significant improvement in coronary flow, with an increase in TIMI flow grade from 1.5 ± 0.8 to 2.9 ± 0.3 (p &#60;0.0001) and in TIMI frame count from 46 ± 25 to 16 ± 5 (p &#60;0.0001). There were no significant adverse effects apart from transient hypotension. Intracoronary nitroprusside should be considered as a treatment of no reflow occurring in acute myocardial infarction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]