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Background Obesity is an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation and heart failure. However, little is known about the underlying pathophysiology. Left atrial (LA) dysfunction due to diastolic dysfunction and chronic volume overload may play a significant role in morbid obesity. Purpose To compare LA function in morbid obese and non-obese individuals, and secondly, to determine whether LA function in morbid obese patients improves one year after bariatric surgery. Methods Data of morbid obese patients without known cardiac disease included in the CARdiac Dysfunction In Obesity (CARDIOBESE) study were used. Patients and age- and gender matched non-obese controls underwent transthoracic echocardiography. In the morbid obese patients echocardiography was repeated 1 year after bariatric surgery. LA reservoir strain (LASr), LA conduit strain (LAScd), and LA contractile strain (LASct) were analyzed with speckle tracking using dedicated software (TomTecArena, integrated in Sectra IDS7). Results 64 morbid obese patients were compared with 46 non-obese controls. Obese patients had significantly decreased LA function compared with non-obese individuals (LASr 39.6±10.8% vs 31.3±8.3%, p Conclusions Morbid obese patients without known cardiac disease have impairment in all phases of LA function. This subclinical cardiac dysfunction would have remained largely unmasked with assessment of diastolic function according to current guidelines, as shown by the comparable proportion of obese and non-obese individuals with diastolic dysfunction. LA dysfunction in obesity may therefore be an early sign of cardiac disease and a predictor for developing atrial fibrillation and heart failure. LA function did not improve one year after bariatric surgery. Longer follow-up after bariatric surgery may be needed to investigate whether improvement of LA function will occur after a longer period following weight loss surgery. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): BeterKeten Outcomes of the study populationLeft atrial strain outcomes

Background Obesity doubles the lifetime risk of developing heart failure. Current knowledge on the role of obesity in causing cardiac dysfunction is insufficient for optimal risk stratification. Purpose The aim of the study was first to identify the prevalence of subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients and second to investigate the underlying pathophysiology by comparing obesity patients with and without cardiac dysfunction. Methods The CARDIOBESE-study is a cross-sectional multicentre study of 100 obesity patients (BMI ≥35 kg/m2) without known cardiovascular disease, and 50 age- and gender-matched non-obese controls (BMI ≤30 kg/m2). Echocardiography was performed, blood samples were collected and a Holter monitor was affixed. Cardiac dysfunction was defined as either reduced LV ejection fraction, decreased global longitudinal strain (GLS), diastolic dysfunction, sustained supraventricular or (non)sustained ventricular arrhythmia or an increased BNP. Results Figure 1a shows the characteristics of the obesity patients and the non-obese controls. 59 obesity patients (48 [42–50] years, 70% female) showed subclinical cardiac dysfunction: 57 patients had decreased GLS, 2 patients with normal GLS had either diastolic dysfunction or increased brain natriuretic peptide. Only 1 non-obese control had diastolic dysfunction, none had another sign of cardiac dysfunction. Figure 1b shows the characteristics of obesity patients with and without cardiac dysfunction. Multivariable logistic analysis identified male gender and SDNN-index, which is a heart rate variability parameter and thereby a measure of autonomic dysfunction, as independent significant risk factors for subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients. Conclusions There was a high prevalence (61%) of subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients without known cardiovascular disease, which appeared to be best identified by GLS. Subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity was linked to autonomic dysfunction and male gender, and not to the presence of traditional cardiac risk factors, inflammation, increased cardiac filling pressure, cardiomyocyte damage or increased left ventricular mass. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Stichting BeterKeter

Objective To investigate 1‑year outcomes with routine prasugrel treatment after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a large-scale registry. Methods The Rijnmond Collective Cardiology Research registry is a prospective, observational study that enrolled 4,258 consecutive ACS patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with 1‑year follow-up. Patients received prasugrel as first-choice antiplatelet agent, except for increased bleeding risk patients in which clopidogrel was recommended. Events were validated by an independent clinical endpoint committee. Results A total number of 2,677 patients received prasugrel at discharge after the index event. Eighty-one percent of the target population was on prasugrel treatment at hospital discharge. At 1 year, the primary endpoint, a composite of all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction, occurred in 2.4% of patients receiving prasugrel. All-cause mortality occurred in 1.0%, myocardial infarction in 1.5%, target-vessel revascularisation in 3.1%, stent thrombosis in 0.6%, and stroke in 0.5% of the patients treated with prasugrel. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction defined major bleeding episodes not related to coronary artery bypass grafting were observed in 1.4% of patients receiving prasugrel. Conclusions In routine practice, a tailored approach of prasugrel prescription in ACS patients undergoing PCI, resulted in low ischaemic and low bleeding rates up to 1 year post PCI. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s12471-018-1126-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction Obesity is becoming a global epidemic. Current knowledge on early signs of cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients is insufficient. The onset of heart failure in obesity patients cannot be fully explained by the presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Purpose To detect early signs of cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients without known cardiovascular disease. Methods The CARDIOBESE-study is a cross-sectional multicentre study of 100 obesity patients scheduled for bariatric surgery (body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m2) without known cardiovascular disease, and 50 age-matched and gender-matched non-obese controls (BMI ≤30 kg/m2). Speckle tracking echocardiography, biomarkers and Holter monitoring were used to identify parameters that are able to show cardiac dysfunction at a very early stage in obesity patients. Results Obesity patients had impaired left ventricular ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and diastolic function parameters (e.g. septal e" velocity, lateral e" velocity, E/e’ and E/A-ratio) as compared to the non-obese controls (Table). C-reactive protein (CRP) and heart rate were increased, whereas heart rate variability (Standard deviation of NN intervals, SDNN) was decreased. Obesity patients were subdivided in patients with impaired (< -17%, n = 56) or normal GLS (n = 36). Comparison between these patients revealed no differences regarding BMI, prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors or CRP value. Nevertheless, patients with abnormal GLS had a higher waist circumference and lower SDNN. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of subclinical cardiac dysfunction as measured by GLS in obesity patients (56%), which appears to be related to abdominal fat and decreased heart rate variability and not to BMI, traditional cardiovascular risk factors or CRP. Non-obese controls (n = 50) Obesity patients (n = 100) p-value Obesity patients with normal GLS (n = 36) Obesity patients with impaired GLS (n = 56) p-value Age (years) 49.2 ± 9.5 47.9 ± 7.6 0.36 47.6 ± 7.1 48.3 ± 7.6 0.68 BMI (kg/m2) 24.9 ± 3.2 42.9 ± 4.1

Background The Endothelial Progenitor Cell (EPC) stent was designed to capture circulating EPCs and promote early stent re-endothelization. Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates mobilization of EPC from the bone marrow. Combination of EPO and the EPC stent in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has never been investigated. Methods STEMI patients enrolled in the HEBE-III trial were randomized to a single bolus of EPO or No-EPO after implantation of the EPC capture stent. Late lumen loss (LLL) was determined at 9-month angiographic follow-up. Clinical data was collected at 30 days and 12 months. Results 196 patients were randomized to EPO (n=100) or No-EPO (n=96). No significant difference in baseline characteristics was observed between the two groups. A significant reduction in angiographic LLL was observed with EPO (0.43±0.57mm) as compared to No-EPO (0.74±0.63mm) (p=0.011). At 12 months follow up, no difference with regard to death or re- infarction was observed in both groups, whereas significant reduction in the need for target vessel revacularization for the EPO versus No-EPO was observed with rates of 7.1% and 19.1% respectively (p=0.013). Angiographic and clinical results EPO (n=39) No-EPO (n=45) P-value Angiography Lume late loss 0.43±0.57 0.74±0.63 0.011 12 months clinical Death 0 0 ns Re infarction 0 1 (2.2%) ns Additional PCI 4 (10.3%) 17 (37.8%) 0.004 CABG 2 (5.1%) 2 (4.4%) ns CVA 0 0 ns Bleeding 3 (7.7%) 4 (8.9%) ns ns = not significant; CVA = cerebrovascular accident; CABG = coronary bypass graft; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention. Conclusion In STEMI patients treated with EPC capture stent, additional EPO can further improve angiographic LLL

Background Polarization-sensitive (PS-) optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) measures polarization properties of tissue together with conventional cross-sectional OFDI images of subsurface microstructure. PS-OFDI offers refined insight into plaque morphology and composition, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Purpose This first-in-human pilot study of intravascular polarimetry aimed to investigate birefringence and depolarization features of coronary plaques in patients and to examine the relationship of these features with established structural characteristics available to conventional OFDI and with clinical presentation. Methods 30 patients undergoing PS-OFDI (acute coronary syndrome; ACS, n=12 and stable angina pectoris; SAP, n=18) participated in this study. 342 cross-sectional images evenly distributed along all imaged coronary arteries were classified into one of seven plaque categories according to conventional OFDI. Polarization features averaged over the entire intimal area of each cross-section were compared between plaque types and with structural parameters. Further, we assessed the polarization properties in the fibrous caps of ACS and SAP culprit lesions and compared them with structural features using a generalized linear model. Results The median birefringence and depolarization showed statistically significant differences among plaque types (both p Intravascular polarimetry Conclusions Intravascular polarimetry provides quantitative metrics that help to characterize coronary arterial tissues and may offer refined insight into coronary arterial atherosclerotic lesions in patients (Figure). Quantitative assessment of plaque polarization properties by intravascular polarimetry may open new avenues for studying plaque progression and detecting high-risk patients. Acknowledgement/Funding The JSPS Overseas Research Fellowship, the Uehara Memorial Foundation, and the Japan Heart Foundation and Bayer Yakuhin

Background: Sex differences in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been reported, but little is known about the situation in the Netherlands. Methods: This registry is a merge of available data on ACS patients in the electronic data capture systems of 11 centres with 24/7 interventional cardiology services. We included patients >18 years undergoing a cardiac catheterisation between 2010–2012. We evaluated sex differences in clinical and procedural characteristics and 1‑year mortality. Results: A total of 29,265 ACS patients (8,720 women and 20,545 men) were registered. Women were on average 4.5 years older (68.5 vs 63.0 years, p < 0.001) and had a higher prevalence of hypertension (62.7 vs 49.8%, p < 0.001) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (9.6 vs 6.8%, p < 0.001) than men. Women less often presented with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (43.7% vs 47.6%, p < 0.001) and appeared to have less extensive coronary artery disease than men. Women less often underwent coronary angiography by radial access (52.5 vs 55.9%, p < 0.001). One-year mortality was higher in women than in men (7.3% and 5.6%, p < 0.001). More specific, the relationship between sex and mortality was age-dependent and showed higher mortality in women ≤71 years, but lower mortality in older women compared with men (p-interaction

Aims In pre-hospital settings handled by paramedics, identification of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) remains challenging when automated electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is inconclusive. We aimed to identify those patients and to get them on the right track to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and results In the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region, automated ECG devices on all ambulances were supplemented with a modem, enabling transmission of ECGs for online expert interpretation. The diagnostic protocol for acute chest pain was modified and monitored for 1 year. Patients with an ECG that met the criteria for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were immediately transported to a PCI hospital. ECGs that did not meet the STEMI criteria, but showed total ST deviation ≥800 µv were transmitted for online interpretation by the ECG expert. Online supervision was offered as a service if ECGs showed conduction disorders, or had an otherwise ‘suspicious’ pattern according to the ambulance paramedics. We enrolled 1,076 patients with acute ischaemic chest pain who did not meet the automated STEMI criteria. Their mean age was 63 years; 64% were men. After online consultation, 735 (68%) patients were directly transported to a PCI hospital for further treatment. PCI within 90 min was performed in 115 patients. Conclusion During a 1-year evaluation of the modified pre-hospital triage protocol for patients with acute ischaemic chest pain, over 100 acute MI patients with an initially inconclusive ECG received primary PCI within 90 min. Because of these results, we decided to continue the operation of the modified protocol.

Purpose In patients with structural heart disease (SHD) or inherited primary arrhythmia syndrome (IPAS), the occurrence of unexplained syncope or palpitations can be worrisome as they are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death. An implantable loop recorder (ILR) can be a useful diagnostic tool. Our purpose was to compare the diagnostic yield, arrhythmia mechanism, and management in patients with SHD, patients with IPAS, and those without heart disease. Methods Retrospective single-center study in consecutive patients who underwent an ILR implantation. Results Between March 2013 and December 2016, a total of 94 patients received an ILR (SHD, n = 20; IPAS, n = 14; no SHD/IPAS, n = 60). The type of symptoms at the time of implantation was similar between groups. During a median follow-up of 10 months, 45% had an ILR-guided diagnosis. Patients with IPAS had a lower diagnostic yield (14%) in comparison to the other groups (no SHD/IPAS 47%, P = 0.03; SHD 60%, P = 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, patients with SHD had a higher incidence of nonsustained VT in comparison to patients without SHD/IPAS (30 versus 3%, P

Background Medical discharge management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains suboptimal outside randomised trials and constitutes an essential quality benchmark for ACS. We sought to evaluate the rates of key guideline-recommended pharmacological agents after ACS and characteristics associated with optimal treatment at discharge. Methods The Rijnmond Collective Cardiology Research (CCR) registry is an ongoing prospective, observational study in the Netherlands that aims to enrol 4000 patients with ACS. We examined discharge and 1-month follow-up medication use among the first 1000 patients enrolled in the CCR registry. Logistic regression was performed to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with collective guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy at hospital discharge. Results At discharge, 94 % of patients received aspirin, 100 % thienopyridines, 80 % angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-II receptor blockers, 87 % β-blockers, 96 % statins, and 65 % the combination of all 5 agents. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and enrolment in an interventional centre were positive independent predictors of 5-drug combination therapy at discharge. Negative independent predictors were unstable angina and advanced age. Conclusion Current data from the CCR registry reflect a high quality of care for ACS discharge management in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region. However, potential still remains for further optimisation.

Background Platelet inhibition is crucial in reducing both short- and long-term atherothrombotic risks in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Based on randomised trials, recent recommendations in the current guidelines include the endorsement of prasugrel as a first-choice adenosine diphosphate receptor inhibitor. Yet, there is limited experience with the use of prasugrel in routine practice. Methods The Rijnmond Collective Cardiology Research (CCR) registry is a prospective, observational study that will follow-up 4000 PCI-treated ACS patients in the larger region of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Based on recently implemented hospital protocols, all patients will receive prasugrel as first-choice antiplatelet agent, unless contraindicated, in accordance with European guidelines, and will be followed for up to 1 year post-discharge for longitudinal assessment of outcomes and bleeding events. This registry exemplifies a collaborative study design that employs a regional PCI registry platform and provides feedback to participating sites regarding their practice patterns, thereby supporting and promoting improvement of quality of care. Conclusion The CCR registry will evaluate the adoption of prasugrel into routine clinical practice and thus, will provide important evidence with regard to the benefits and risks of real-world utilisation of prasugrel as antiplatelet therapy in PCI-treated ACS patients.

Background Previous studies have suggested that women do not accrue equal therapeutic benefit from antiplatelet medication as compared with men. The physiological mechanism and clinical implications behind this gender disparity have yet to be established. Methods On-treatment platelet reactivity was determined in 717 men and 234 women on dual antiplatelet therapy, undergoing elective coronary stent implantation. Platelet function testing was performed using arachidonic acid and adenosine diphosphate-induced light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) and the VerifyNow P2Y12 and Aspirin assays. Also the incidence of all-cause death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and ischaemic stroke was evaluated. Results Women had higher baseline platelet counts than men. Women exhibited a higher magnitude of on-aspirin platelet reactivity using LTA, but not using the VerifyNow Aspirin assay. The magnitude of on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity was significantly higher in women as compared with men with both tests used. The cut-off value to identify patients at risk as well as the incidence of clinical endpoints was similar between women and men (16/234[6.8%] vs. 62/717[8.6%], p = 0.38). Conclusion Although the magnitude of platelet reactivity was higher in women, the absolute difference between genders was small and both the cut-off value to identify patients at risk and the incidence of the composite endpoint were similar between genders. Thus, it is unlikely that the difference in platelet reactivity accounts for a worse prognosis in women.

Background The TRITON-TIMI 38 study has identified three subgroups of patients with a higher risk of bleeding during treatment with the thienopyridine prasugrel: patients with a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), patients >= 75 years and patients with a body weight = 75 years and a history of stroke were independent predictors of a higher on-treatment platelet reactivity. In contrast, a body weight = 75 years and patients with previous stroke, onclopidogrel platelet reactivity is increased. In contrast, in patients with a low body weight, on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity is decreased, suggesting that a stronger response to a thienopyridine might only lead to more bleeds in patients with low body weight

Background/Objectives. We aimed to investigate the incidence and clinical outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in contemporary patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) within 30 days after presentation. Methods. All 1071 patients enrolled in the Thrombus Aspiration during Percutaneous coronary intervention in Acute myocardial infarction Study (TAPAS) were included in this analysis. CABG was indicated for both ischaemic and anatomical reasons according to the current treatment guidelines for STEMI. For all surgical as well as non-surgical patients, clinical outcome was assessed at both 30 days and one year. Results. CABG was performed within 30 days of presentation in 59/1071 (5.5%) patients, in 13 (22%) within 24 hours, in eight (14%) between one and three days, and in 38 (64%) between four and 30 days. Compared with non-surgical patients, surgical patients required more initial intra-aortic balloon pump support (33 vs. 5%, p

Background. We investigated the association between clinical characteristics, angiographic data and ventricular arrhythmia in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)Methods. In patients with STEMI (n=225), a Holter analysis was performed the first 12 hours after primary PCI.Results. A total of 151 (66%) patients had >/=1 episode of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Age

The microcirculation appears to be impaired in cold chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial investigated the effect of the nitric oxide (NO) donor isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on the peripheral blood flow in patients with chronic CRPS. Twenty-four patients received 1% ISDN in Vaseline (R) or a placebo ointment applied. to the dorsum of the affected hand four times daily for 10 weeks. The patients participated in a physical therapy program to improve activity. The Primary outcome ,measure was blood distribution in the affected extremity, which was determined by measuring the skin temperature using videothermography. Me also measured NO and endothelin-1 concentrations in blister fluid, pain using the visual analog scale, and activity limitations using an upper limb activity monitor and the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire. ISDN failed to produce a significant improvement in temperature asymmetry in chronic cold CRPS patients, and it did not result in the expected reduction. in pain and increase in activity compared with Placebo either Them may be other central or peripheral factors contributing to the disturbed vasodynamics in cold chronic CRPS that are not influenced by NO substitution. This study does not show an improvement of the regional blood distribution by ISDN in the involved extremity of patients with cold-type CRPS. J Pain Symptom Manage 2009;38:401-408. (C) 2009 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

At the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology, it is interesting to look back on the major scientific achievements in cardiovascular medicine of the last century and to pay attention to the impact of these achievements on Dutch Cardiology. It might be a nice opportunity not only to mention the ten great discoveries in Cardiology in the past century, but also to address the pioneering work in the Netherlands. When honouring and paying tribute to Dutch individuals, this special article only refers to emeriti-professors in cardiology (and some other closely-related retired experts), as this is a historical reflection rather than a cross-sectional view of current attainments. The practising pioneers of today will hopefully be remembered in 75 years from now. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:136-9.19421358)

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS1) can develop after severe trauma or surgery in the limbs, and presents with chronic, changes in temperature, edema and dysfunction. Seventy-five percent of CRPS1 patients are female. While neurological and inflammatory components have been proposed, the etiology remains unclear. No consensus on optimal management of CRPS1 exists. In traditional Chinese medicine, menstrual disorders are related to the state of women constitution and therefore identify their pain patterns. A classification by constitution might improve the pain management in CRPS1 patients. It is unknown whether associations exist between menstrual-cycle-conditions and CRPS1. Aim: To investigate whether a specified menstrual condition is associated with the risk of developing CRPS1. Methods: A population-based case-control study of CRPS1 was conducted among Dutch women aged 18-82; i.e. 34 women with CRPS1 and 147 controls. A standard questionnaire consisting of 59 menstrual-cycle-symptom-based questions was administered. From this questionnaire, 15 CRPS1-retated questions (DRQ 15) were analyzed. We used muttivariate logistic regression to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for specified menstrual disorders adjusting for age, oral contraceptives, hysterectomy and age at menarche = 17 years. Results: On the basis of the DRQ 15, women with CRPS1 were 5.3 (95%CI 2.1, 12.9) times more Likely to have menstrual disorders than comparable controls. Conclusion: Our results suggest that selected menstrual conditions are associated with the risk of developing CRPS1. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background. Identifying the risk for restenosis is of critical importance in the stent selection process of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, we sought to determine if a history of clinical recurrence (CR) after PCI increases the risk of CR after treatment of a de novo lesion in another coronary artery. Methods. We retrospectively analysed all 12,763 patients who underwent PCI between 1993 and 2004 and selected patients with two or more interventions in two different native vessels. These patients were divided into two groups: patients without CR, and patients with CR after the first PCI. Clinical recurrence was defined as revascular-isation of the target vessel by either PCI or CABG within one year. Results. A total of 1010 patients with two or more interventions in two different native vessels were identified: 727 patients without and 283 patients with CR after the first PCI. Baseline patient characteristics and conventional risk factors were comparable between the two groups. Patients with a history of CR had a higher risk of CR after a second intervention in a second vessel (OR=3.4, 95% CI=2.3 to 4.9). A total of 112 patients also had a third intervention in a third native vessel: 12 patients with two CR, 30 patients with one CR and 70 patients with no CR after the first two interventions. CR rates in these patients were 50, 17 and 3%, respectively (p

Purpose: To explore the hypothesis that stent placement decreases dilator function of various arteries outside the stented segment and that angiotensin(1-7) improves this function, and to assess the contribution of dilator signal compounds. A further objective was to test the hypothesis that on-stent delivery of Ang-(1-7) reduces neointima formation and improves endothelial function. Methods. Abdominal aortic stenting or sham operation was performed in the rat four weeks after stenting and treatment with intravenous saline or Ang-(1-7) infusion (24 ug/kg/h); vasomotor function in isolated thoracic aorta and brachial and iliac artery was measured in organ baths. Furthermore, Ang-(1-7)-eluting stents were designed and placed in rat abdominal aorta. Neointima formation and aortic function were tested after four weeks. Results: Relaxation of the thoracic aorta to metacholine was decreased after stenting compared with shams due to a decrease in nitric oxide-mediated response (67% reduction in maximal NO-dependent response). Ang-(1-7)restored the response mainly through increased prostaglandin- and possibly also endothelial-derived hyperpolarising factor-mediated relaxation. Relaxation in the brachial artery decreased after stenting (maximal response dropped by 50%), whilst contractions to phenylephrine increased. Ang-(1-7) normalised vasomotor function. Iliac artery function remained unaltered after stenting but Ang-(1-7) increased maximal relaxations by 65%. Delivery of Ang-(1-7) by means of a drug-eluting stent improved endothelial function. Conclusion: Stenting differentially affects dilator and contractile function in various arterial beds. Ang-(1-7) both improves dilator function and normalises contractile function. Delivery of protective peptides such as Ang-(1-7) from the stent is a new therapy option that merits further development and exploration.

In an earlier study, levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL-6 are higher in blisters fluid from the complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS1) side obtained at 6 and 30 months (median) after the initial event. The aim of this follow-up study is to determine the involvement of these cytokines in long lasting CRPS1. Twelve CRPS1 patients, with median disease duration of 72 months, participated. The levels of TNF-αand IL-6 were measured in blister fluid; disease activity was reevaluated by measuring pain and differences in temperature, volume, and mobility between both extremities. Differences in levels of IL-6 and TNF-αand mobility between both sides were significantly decreased. Pain and differences in temperature and volume were not significantly altered. No correlation was found between the cytokines and the disease characteristics. These results indicate that IL-6 and TNF-αare only partially responsible for the signs and symptoms of CRPS1.

Background.Primary coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction should be performed as quickly as possible, with a door-toballoon time of less then 90 minutes. However, in daily practice this cannot always be achieved. Prehospital diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is of major importance in reducing time to treatment, in particular when patients can be transported directly to a centre with interventional capacities. Objectives.The aim of the current study was to evaluate the time from prehospital diagnosis of STEMI to balloon inflation and identify factors related to treatment delay in patients directly referred to the catheterisation laboratory of the University Medical Centre of Groningen. Methods.A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to collect data on patients treated with primary PCI after prehospital diagnosis of STEMI. Results.Median prehospital diagnosis-to-balloon time was 64 minutes for patients directly admitted to the catheterisation laboratory and 75 minutes for patients initially admitted to the coronary care unit. A delay longer than 90 minutes was observed in 18 patients. Higher age was associated with longer delay times (p=0.041). Long delays were not associated with diabetes (p=0.293), time from symptom onset to prehospital diagnosis (p=0.87) or time of day (p=0.09). Initial unavailability of the catheterisation laboratory due to running procedures contributed to longer delay times in ten cases. Conclusion.Prehospital diagnosis of STEMI and direct referral to a catheterisation laboratory for primary PCI allows a prehospital diagnosis-toballoon time of less than 90 minutes in 82% of patients. Older patients are at risk of longer delays. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:5-9.)