INTRODUCTIONPrimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery capability, despite receiving only a class IIb recommendation in the ACC/AHA practice guidelines, can be performed effectively and safely. We reviewed the fi rst 3 years of our experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a retrospective single centre review of all patients receiving primary PCI for STEMI between 2003 and 2005. Demographic, procedural and outcome data were analysed.

RESULTSThere were 259 patients who underwent primary PCI. The mean age was 55.3 +/- 12.3 years. Median door-to-balloon time was 97.5 minutes and 45.2% and 52.9% had anterior and inferior STEMI, respectively. The majority of patients presented with Killip class I (87.6%); however, 5.8% were in Killip class IV. Single vessel disease was found in 47.1%. Angiographic PCI success (defined as residual stenosis <50% with TIMI 3 fl ow) was achieved in 89.1%. Usage of stents, distal protection and aspiration devices were 97.2%, 27.8% and 34.1 %, respectively; 9.3% required intra-aortic balloon pump insertion. No patients required transfer for emergency coronary bypass surgery as a result of PCI complications. Post-PCI ST resolution >50% was achieved in 80.6%. The mean post-infarct left ventricular ejection fraction was 44.1%. In-hospital, 30-day, 6-month and 1-year mortality rates were 2%, 2.8%, 4.0% and 4.8%, respectively. Clinically driven target lesion revascularisation rate was 2.8% at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONSOur results are comparable to those from on-site surgical centres. This supports the feasibility and safety of primary PCI in cardiac centres without on-site cardiac surgery.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors

Cost of Illness ; Financial Stress ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Perception ; Self Report

Objective: Bariatric surgery effectively treats non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The glutamate-serine-glycine (GSG) index has emerged as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for NAFLD, but its ability to monitor treatment response remains unclear. This study investigates the GSG index's ability to monitor NAFLD's response to bariatric surgery. Methodology: Ten NAFLD participants were studied at baseline and 6 months post-bariatric surgery. Blood samples were collected for serum biomarkers and metabolomic profiling. Hepatic steatosis [proton density fat fraction (PDFF)] and fibroinflammation (cT1) were quantified with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and hepatic stiffness with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). Amino acids and acylcarnitines were measured with mass spectrometry. Statistical analyses included paired Student’s t-test, Wilcoxon-signed rank test, and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Eight participants provided complete data. At baseline, all had hepatic steatosis (BMI 39.3 ± 5.6 kg/m2, PDFF ≥ 5%). Post-surgery reductions in PDFF (from 12.4 ± 6.7% to 6.2 ± 2.8%, p = 0.013) and cT1 (from 823.3 ± 85.4ms to 757.5 ± 41.6ms, p = 0.039) were significant, along with the GSG index (from 0.272 ± 0.03 to 0.157 ± 0.05, p = 0.001). Conclusion The GSG index can potentially be developed as a marker for monitoring the response of patients with NAFLD to bariatric surgery.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Amino Acids ; Metabolomics