0000000000845146
AUTHOR
Antonina Cacia
Effects of Losartan and Delapril on the Fibrinolytic System in Patients with Mild to Moderate Hypertension
Background and objectives: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) probably influences the fibrinolytic system at a central point by converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which increases plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity. This effect appears to be mediated in humans via the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in patients with mild to moderate hypertension, the change in tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and PAI-1 plasma levels after treatment with an AT1-receptor blocker (losartan 50 mg/day) or an ACE inhibitor (delapril 60 mg/day). Patients and methods: 30 hypertensive patients and 15 controls were enrolled. Essential hype…
Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of the echocardiography and troponin-T test combination in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.
Introduction: Patients with a negative troponin (TnT) result showed 1.4% mortality during a mean follow-up of 9–10 weeks. Mortality was greater in patients with an evidence of ischemic ECG changes and a negative TnT test (1.6–4.4%). Few studies have examined the efficacy of echocardiography (2DE) in patients with chest pain. The purpose of the present study was to determine the clinical utility, sensitivity and specificity of the combination of TnT levels and 2DE in patients presenting with chest pain, ST-depression, T-wave negative and no diagnostic ECG. Methods: 280 consecutive patients with chest pain and presence of ST depression, T-wave inversion, and non-diagnostic ECG, acceptable 2DE…