In patients with acute coronary syndromes, subclinical urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common than in a group of patients awaiting bypass surgery, results of this retrospective, case-control study suggest. Subclinical infection may be a trigger for ACS, perhaps via activation of systemic inflammation.

Hypothermic Techniques: When and Where
Presented by Stephan A. Mayer, MD

There is probably no clinical condition in medicine today which engenders a more overwhelming sense of clinical nihilism than hypoxic-ischemic coma. The role of the clinician in managing these patients has, until very recently, been restricted to prognostication, and little else. Fortunately, with the advent of early induced hypothermia, which is now feasible in the critical care environment, this is changing.

The Interleukin-174G/C Polymorphism is a Powerful Predictor for Restenosis After Coronary Stent Implantation
Presented by Tanja Kottman, MD

The aim of this study was to investigate which polymorphisms are significant predictors for restenosis after ST and which mechanisms can be identified to increase restenosis.

The Multicenter Evaluation of the Everolimus Eluting Stent for Inhibition Neointimal Hyperplasia: Results of the Pooled FUTURE 1 and II Trials
Presented by Ricardo A. Costa, MD

This summary looks at a pooled analysis of the FUTURE I and II data, with angiographic endpoints of in-stent late loss and binary restenosis assessed at 6 months follow-up.

Supersaturated Oxygen: Therapeutic Potential of Hyperoxemic Perfusion Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Presented by Antonio L. Bartorelli, MD

Hyperoxemic coronary perfusion therapy using an aqueous oxygen (AO) solution appears to be safe and well tolerated in ST-elevation AMI after primary percutaneous intervention. It is associated with substantial improvement in left ventricular (LV) function. An overview of the technology and European data and preliminary phase II data were presented here at ACC ‘04.

Intervention in unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Presented by Dean Kereiakes, MD, FACC

The approach to the management of non-ST-segment elevation ACS has evolved over the past several years to favor an aggressive strategy, at least for the highest risk patients. The results of a few recent large clinical trials have been responsible for the shift to an invasive approach.

Hypothermia During Acute Myocardial Infarction
Presented by Simon R. Dixon, MBChB, FRACP

Observations from the recent COOL-MI trial suggest the heart needs to be cooled optimally before reperfusion to provide optimal myocyte and microvascular protection.

The Superior Yield of the New Strategy of Enoxaparin, Revascularization and Glycoprotein IIb/Iia Inhibitors (SYNERGY) Trial: Primary Results
Presented by Kenneth W. Mahaffey, M.D., F.A.C.C.
James J. Ferguson, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Robert M. Califf, MD, F.A.C.C.

The purpose of the Superior Yield of the New Strategy of Enoxaparin, Revascularization, and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors (SYNERGY) trial was to compare enoxaparin to unfractionated heparin as primary antithrombotic therapy in high-risk non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) ACS patients managed with an early invasive treatment strategy and to determine the role of enoxaparin in this population.

Similar Outcomes Between Patients with Native coronary and Bypass Graft Disease Treated with Sirolimus-Eluting Stents in the SECURE Trial
Presented by Costa Marco, MD

As part of the compassionate-use SECURE trial, the long-term results using sirolimus-eluting stents were compared in patients with native coronary disease vs. those with bypass graft disease.

Severe Concomitant Conditions, Physician Volumes and Outcomes in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Presented by Judith H. Lichtman, PhD

The objective of the present study was to determine whether risk adjustment for the acute presentation of life-threatening cardiac and noncardiac conditions influences the relationship between low provider volume and adverse mortality outcomes.