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G Torri

Publications and source records attributed to G Torri.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Tranexamic acid in off-pump coronary surgery: a preliminary, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the hemostatic effects of tranexamic acid, a synthetic antifibrinolytic drug, in patients undergoing beating-heart coronary surgery. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients were in a double-blind manner, prospectively randomized into two groups: 20 patients received tranexamic acid (bolus of 1 g before skin incision, followed by continuous infusion of 400 mg/hr during surgery), and 20 patients received saline. As primary outcomes, bleeding and allogeneic transfusions were considered. D-dimer and fibrinogen plasma levels were also evaluated to monitor the activation of fibrinolysis. Major postoperative thrombotic events, as a potential consequence of antifibrinolytic treatment, were recorded. RESULTS: The treatment group had significantly lower postoperative bleeding (median [25th to 75th percentiles]: 400 mL [337 to 490 mL] vs 650 ml [550 to 862 mL], p < 0.0001), lower need for allogeneic blood products (1,200 vs 5,300 mL, p < 0.001), and lower postoperative D-dimer plasma levels. No postoperative thrombotic complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In this initial series of patients undergoing off-pump coronary surgery, tranexamic acid appears to be effective in reducing postoperative bleeding and the need for allogeneic blood products.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Randomized comparison of isoflurane and sevoflurane for laparoscopic gastric banding in morbidly obese patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and recovery profile of sevoflurane and isoflurane as the main anesthetics for morbidly obese patients. DESIGN: Randomized, blinded study. SETTING: Inpatients. PATIENTS: 30 ASA physical status II and III obese patients [body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m(2)] undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity. INTERVENTIONS: After standard intravenous induction of general anesthesia and tracheal intubation, anesthesia was maintained with either sevoflurane or isoflurane as the main anesthetics. The end-tidal concentrations of the volatile drugs were adjusted to maintain systolic arterial blood pressure within +/-20% from baseline values. When the surgeon started the skin suture, the end-tidal concentration of the inhalational drug was reduced to 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration in both groups. At the last skin suture, the inhalational drug was discontinued and the vaporizator was removed to allow blinded evaluation of the emergence times. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: No differences in anesthetic exposure, hemodynamic parameters, incidence of untoward events, or postoperative pain relief were reported between the two groups. Extubation, emergence, and response times were shorter after sevoflurane [6 min (3-15 min), 8 min (5-18 min), and 12 (6-25 min)] than isoflurane [10 min (6-26 min), 14 min (6-21 min), and 21 min (14-41 min)] (p = 0.001, p = 0.03, and p = 0.0005, respectively). The median time for postanesthesia care unit discharge was 15 minutes (25th-75th percentiles: 10-18 min) after sevoflurane and 27 minutes (25th-75th percentiles: 20-30 min) after isoflurane (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane provides a safe and effective intraoperative control of cardiovascular homeostasis in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding, with the advantage of a faster recovery and earlier discharge from the postanesthesia care unit than isoflurane.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Fentanyl does not improve the nerve block characteristics of axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia performed with ropivacaine.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the effects of adding 1 microg. kg-1 fentanyl to ropivacaine 7.5 mg. ml-1 for axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia. METHODS: With Ethics Committee approval and written consent, 30 ASA physical status I-II in-patients, scheduled for orthopaedic hand procedures were randomly allocated to receive axillary brachial plexus block with 20 ml of either ropivacaine 7.5 mg. ml-1 (n=15) or ropivacaine 7.5 mg. ml-1+1 microg. ml-1 fentanyl (n=15). Nerve blocks were placed using a nerve stimulator with the multiple injection technique. A blinded observer recorded the time to onset of surgical block (loss of pinprick sensation in the innervation areas of the hand (C6-C8) with concomitant inability to flex the wrist against gravity and move the fingers when squeezing the hand) and first request for pain medication after surgery. RESULTS: No differences in demography, degree of sedation or peripheral oxygen saturation were observed between the two groups. Median (range) time required to achieve readiness for surgery was 15 min (5-36 min) with ropivacaine alone and 15 min (5-40 min) with the ropivacaine-fentanyl mixture. No differences in the intraoperative quality of nerve block were reported between the two groups. Four patients receiving ropivacaine plain and two patients receiving the ropivacaine-fentanyl mixture did not require analgesics during the first 24 h after surgery (P=0.62). The degree of pain experienced at first analgesic request in those patients asking for pain medication, as well as median consumption of postoperative analgesics, were similar in the two groups. First postoperative analgesic request was made at 11 h (25th-75th percentiles: 9.1-14 h) in patients receiving ropivacaine alone and at 11.8 h (25th-75th percentiles: 9.8-15 h) in patients receiving the ropivacaine-fentanyl mixture (P=0.99). CONCLUSION: The addition of fentanyl 1 microg. ml-1 to ropivacaine 7.5 mg. ml-1 does not improve the nerve block characteristics of axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia for orthopaedic procedures involving the hand.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Interscalene brachial plexus anaesthesia with small volumes of ropivacaine 0.75%: effects of the injection technique on the onset time of nerve blockade.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We evaluated the effect of the injection technique on the onset time and efficacy of interscalene brachial plexus anaesthesia. METHODS: With Ethical Committee approval and written consent, 30 patients undergoing elective shoulder acromioplasty or capsuloplasty were randomly allocated to receive interscalene brachial plexus block with 20 mL of ropivacaine 0.75% by using either a single injection (Single group, n = 15) or multiple injection (Multiple group, n = 15). Nerve blocks were placed with the aid of a nerve stimulator using short bevelled, Teflon coated needles. The stimulation frequency was set at 2 Hz and the intensity of stimulating current, initially set at 1 mA, was gradually decreased to < or = 0.5 mA after each muscular twitch was observed. In the Single group, the anaesthetic solution was slowly injected after the first muscular twitch had been observed. In the Multiple group, 8 mL were injected at shoulder abduction, 6 mL were injected at arm flexion, and 6 mL at the extension of the arm. RESULTS: Placing the block required 5 min (4-8 min) in the Multiple group and 3 min (1-10 min) in the Single group (P = 0.001); however, total preoperative time (from skin disinfection to complete loss of pinprick sensation from C4 to C7 with inability to elevate the limb from the operating table) was shorter in the Multiple group (15 min; range 10-28 min) than in the Single group (23 min; range 14-60 min) (P = 0.03). Additional intravenous fentanyl supplementation was required in two patients of the Multiple group (13%) and eight patients of the Single group (53%) (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that using a multiple injection technique shortened the preparation time and improved the quality of interscalene brachial plexus anaesthesia performed with small volumes of ropivacaine 0.75%.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Small doses of remifentanil or sufentanil for blunting cardiovascular changes induced by tracheal intubation: a double-blind comparison.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects on cardiovascular changes induced by tracheal intubation when small doses of either remifentanil or sufentanil are used in the presence of midazolam. METHODS: Thirty normotensive, ASA physical status I-II patients, receiving general anaesthesia for major abdominal surgery, received an intravenous midazolam premedication (0.05 mg kg-1) 10 min before induction. They were randomly allocated to receive in a double-blind fashion an intravenous bolus of either (a) remifentanil given as a bolus dose 1 microgram kg-1 (n = 15), or else (b) sufentanil 0.1 microgram kg-1 infused over 60 s (n = 15). In each instance this loading dose was followed by a continuous intravenous infusion (0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1 or 0.01 microgram kg-1 min-1 of remifentanil or sufentanil, respectively). General anaesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg kg-1), followed by atracurium besilate (0.5 mg kg-1) to facilitate tracheal intubation. Following intubation, the lungs were mechanically ventilated with a 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen mixture and a 1% inspired sevoflurane. RESULTS: Arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction of anaesthesia (baseline), immediately before intubation, immediately after tracheal intubation and every minute for the first five minutes thereafter. No differences in systolic and diastolic arterial pressures were observed between the two groups. At the end of the study period, systolic and diastolic pressures slightly decreased from preinduction values in both groups. Four patients in the remifentanil group (26%) and five patients in sufentanil group (33%) showed at least one systolic pressure value < 90 mmHg during the study period (P = not significant); however, the observed decreases in systolic pressure were transient and did not require treatment. Heart rate values were not affected by tracheal intubation in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy normotensive patients without cardiovascular disease the use of a relatively small dose of either remifentanil or sufentanil after standard midazolam premedication results in a similar and clinically acceptable effectiveness in blunting the cardiovascular changes induced by tracheal intubation.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
PubMed2001

Preserving the original heparin structure of a novel low molecular weight heparin by gamma-irradiation.

Several preparations of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) obtained by physical depolymerisation (irradiation with gamma-rays) of pig mucosal heparin have been characterised by mono- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Integration of typical 1H- and 13C-NMR signals provided a useful quantification of their sulfation pattern. The availability of the corresponding parent heparins showed that the original structure (including that of the active site for antithrombin, as also confirmed by affinity chromatography) had not been significantly modified by the depolymerisation procedure. This process involves only a slight decrease of undersulfated sequences. A peculiarity of gamma-LMWH is the absence of the 'linkage region', commonly present in unmodified heparins and most LMWHs.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Toward a biotechnological heparin through combined chemical and enzymatic modification of the Escherichia coli K5 polysaccharide.

A process to generate glycosaminoglycans with heparin- and heparan sulfate-like sequences from the Escherichia coli K5 capsular polysaccharide is described. This polymer has the same structure as N-acetylheparosan, the precursor in heparin/ heparan sulfate biosynthesis. The process involves chemical N-deacetylation and N-sulfation, enzymatic conversion of up to 60% of the D-glucuronic acid to L-iduronic acid residues, and chemical O-sulfation. Because direct sulfation afforded unwanted 3-O-sulfated (instead of 2-O-sulfated) iduronic acid residues, a strategy involving graded solvolytic desulfation of chemically oversulfated C5-epimerized sulfaminoheparosans was assessed using persulfated heparin and heparan sulfate as model compounds. The O-desulfation process was shown to increase the anti-factor Xa activity of oversulfated heparin.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

MALDI mass spectrometry as a tool for characterizing glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides and their interaction with proteins.

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) has emerged as a powerful, sensitive technique for structural analysis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and their fractions and fragments. Whereas the molecular size of low sulfated or nonsulfated species (such as low-molecular weight [LMW] K5 polysaccharides) can be directly determined up to molecular weights (MWs) of 12 kD, polysulfated species require complexing with a basic polypeptide and at present can be characterized (in terms of both MW and end residues) up to the size of a decasaccharide, even in complex mixtures. MALDI spectra of GAG oligosaccharides in the presence of a complexing protein permit to assess binding to the protein and the presence of multimeric complexes.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Combined quantitative (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for characterization of heparin preparations.

The sulfation patterns of pig and bovine mucosal commercial heparin preparations can be characterized and distinguished from each other easily by analysis of their monodimensional proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H and (13)C-NMR) spectra. NMR spectroscopy can detect and quantify signals associated with major sequences as well as with minor residues such as the typical ones associated with the antithrombin (AT) binding sequence and the "linkage region." Contaminants arising from industrial preparation processes are also detectable.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of sulfation on antithrombin-thrombin/factor Xa interactions in semisynthetic low molecular weight heparins.

Most of the biological effects of heparin and low molecular weight (LMW) heparins are related to their ability to bind to many different proteins. To gain insight into structure-activity relationships, we investigated quantitatively the interactions of a series of sulfated LMW heparins of similar molecular weights (derived from statistical desulfation of a supersulfated heparin) with the target enzymes human antithrombin (AT) and thrombin (T). In addition, we analyzed the activation of the protease inhibitor against T and factor Xa (FXa). A nonlinear correlation between the strength of the AT-heparin complex and the degree of sulfation of the LMW heparins was observed, whereas only a modest modulation of T binding to heparin occurred. The efficiency of the heparin derivatives in activating AT toward the proteases is generally high for derivatives exhibiting a low dissociation constant. Only the supersulfated LMW heparin showed serpin activation ability higher than expected from the affinity studies. These results indicate that chemical modification of the sulfation pattern of LMW heparin can be used to efficiently modulate binding affinity and activity toward biological targets.

Antithrombins↗
PubMed2001

Minimum local anesthetic volume blocking the femoral nerve in 50% of cases: a double-blinded comparison between 0.5% ropivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine.

UNLABELLED: Recent studies demonstrated that ropivacaine was nearly 40% less potent than bupivacaine in the first stage of labor, but contrasting results have been reported. We, therefore, conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study to determine the effects of the ropivacaine/bupivacaine potency ratio on the minimum volume of local anesthetic required to produce effective block of the femoral nerve in 50% of patients. Fifty adults premedicated with IV midazolam, 0.05 mg/kg, undergoing elective knee arthroscopy received femoral nerve blocks with a multiple-injection technique with a nerve stimulator (contractions of vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and vastus lateralis were elicited with a 0.5-mA stimulating current). Patients randomly received either 0.5% ropivacaine (n = 25) or 0.5% bupivacaine (n = 25). The anesthetic volume was decided according to Dixon's up-and-down method, starting from 12 mL and being equally divided among the three elicited twitches. Successful nerve block was loss of pinprick sensation in the femoral nerve distribution with concomitant block of the quadriceps muscle within 20 min after injection, as assessed by a blinded observer. Positive or negative responses determined a 3-mL decrease or increase for the next patient, respectively. According to the up-and-down sequences, the minimum local anesthetic volume providing successful nerve block in 50% of cases was 14 +/- 2 mL in the ropivacaine group (95% CI: 12-16 mL) and 15 +/- 2 mL (95% CI: 13-17 mL) in the bupivacaine group (P: = 0.155). We conclude that the volume of 0.5% ropivacaine required to produce effective block of the femoral nerve in 50% of patients is similar to that required when using 0.5% bupivacaine. IMPLICATIONS: Considering the risk for drug-related systemic toxicity, the equipotency ratio between ropivacaine and bupivacaine is crucial for daily practice. Despite the 40% reduction in the analgesic potency of ropivacaine reported during epidural analgesia for labor pain, results of this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study demonstrated that the same volume of 0.5% ropivacaine or 0.5% bupivacaine is required to produce an effective block of the femoral nerve in 50% of cases.

Amides↗
PubMed2001

The effects of single or multiple injections on the volume of 0.5% ropivacaine required for femoral nerve blockade.

UNLABELLED: We compared the effects of using a single- or multiple-injection technique on the volume of 0.5% ropivacaine required to block the femoral nerve, in a prospective, randomized, blinded fashion in which 50 premedicated patients received a femoral nerve block with 0.5% ropivacaine by use of a nerve stimulator and either a single- (n = 25) or multiple- (n = 25) injection technique. Muscular twitches were elicited at < or =0.5 mA before anesthetic injection. The designated volume of local anesthetic was equally divided among contraction of the vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and vastus lateralis for the multiple injections, or it was injected at the contraction of the vastus intermedius with motion of the patella for the single injection. The local anesthetic volumes were varied for consecutive patients by using an up-and-down staircase method; a blinded observer determined the adequacy of nerve blockade (loss of pinprick sensation in the medial, patellar, and lateral portions of the knee, with concomitant block of the quadriceps muscle) 20 min after injection. The mean (95% confidence interval) volume required for blocking the femoral nerve with the multiple-injection technique (14 [12-16] mL) was significantly smaller than that observed with the single injection (23 [20-26] mL) (P = 0.001). According to logistic regression analyses, the 95% effective volumes of ropivacaine required to block the femoral nerve within 20 min after injection were 29 and 21 mL with a single or multiple injection, respectively. We conclude that searching for multiple muscular twitches reduces the volume of 0.5% ropivacaine required to produce blockade of the femoral nerve. IMPLICATIONS: We evaluated the effects of using a single- or multiple-injection technique on the volume of 0.5% ropivacaine required to block the femoral nerve. The 95%effective concentration values for producing the same degree of sensory and motor blockade of the femoral nerve within 20 min after injection were 29 mL after elicitation of a patella twitch and 21 mL when the three main branches of the femoral nerve were identified, potentially leading to an important benefit for patients receiving peripheral nerve blocks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Tranexamic acid administration after cardiac surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Many different doses and administration schemes have been proposed for the use of the antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid during cardiac surgery. This study evaluated the effects of the treatment using tranexamic acid during the intraoperative period only and compared the results with the effects of the treatment continued into the postoperative period. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with use of cardiopulmonary bypass (N = 510) were treated intraoperatively with tranexamic acid and then were randomized in a double-blind fashion to one of three postoperative treatment groups: group A: 169 patients, infusion of saline for 12 h; group B: 171 patients, infusion of tranexamic acid, 1 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 12 h; group C: 170 patients, infusion of tranexamic acid, 2 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 12 h. Bleeding was considered to be a primary outcome variable. Hematologic data, allogeneic transfusions, thrombotic complications, intubation time, and intensive care unit and hospital stay duration also were evaluated. RESULTS: No differences were found among groups regarding postoperative bleeding and outcomes; however, the group treated with 1 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) tranexamic acid required more units of packed red blood cells because of a significantly lower basal value of hematocrit, as shown by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Prolongation of treatment with tranexamic acid after cardiac surgery is not advantageous with respect to intraoperative administration alone in reducing bleeding and number of allogeneic transfusions. Although the prevalence of postoperative complications was similar among groups, there is an increased risk of procoagulant response because of antifibrinolytic treatment. Therefore, the use of tranexamic acid during the postoperative period should be limited to patients with excessive bleeding as a result of primary fibrinolysis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis during coronary surgery: on-pump versus off-pump techniques.

BACKGROUND: The authors studied the changes in selected hemostatic variables in patients undergoing coronary surgery with on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) techniques. METHODS: Platelet counts and plasma concentrations of antithrombin, fibrinogen, D dimer, alpha(2) antiplasmin, and plasminogen were measured preoperatively, 5 min after administration of heparin, 10 min after arrival in the intensive care unit, and 24 h after surgery in patients scheduled to undergo OPCAB (n = 15) or CABG (n = 15). To correct for dilution, hemostatic variables and platelet counts were adjusted for the changes in immunoglobulin G plasma concentrations and hematocrit, respectively. RESULTS: Adjusting for dilution, antithrombin and fibrinogen concentrations decreased to a similar extent in patients undergoing OPCAB or CABG (pooled means and 95% confidence limits of the mean: 95.5% of baseline, 93-98%, P = 0.002, and 91.7% of baseline, 88-95%, P = 0.0001), respectively, whereas alpha(2)-antiplasmin concentrations were unchanged. Only CABG was associated with a reduction in platelet counts (76% of baseline, 66-85%, P = 0.0001), plasminogen concentrations (96% of baseline, 91-99%, P = 0.011), and increased D-dimer formation (476%, 309-741%, P = 0.004). Twenty-four hours after surgery, platelet counts were still lower in patients undergoing CABG (P = 0.049), but all the investigated variables adjusted for dilution were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary surgery causes a net consumption of antithrombin and fibrinogen. A transient decrease in platelet counts, with plasminogen activation and increased D-dimer formation, however, is only observed with CABG. Twenty-four hours after surgery, the hemostatic profiles of patients in both groups are similar.

Blood Coagulation↗
PubMed2001

Infected joint replacements in HIV-positive patients with haemophilia.

Joint replacement in HIV-positive patients remains uncommon, with most experience gained in patients with haemophilia. We analysed retrospectively the outcome of 102 replacement arthroplasties in 73 HIV-positive patients from eight specialist haemophilia centres. Of these, 91 were primary procedures. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 39 years, and the median follow-up was for five years. The overall rate of deep sepsis was 18.7% for primary procedures and 36.3% for revisions. This is a much higher rate of infection than that seen in normal populations. A total of 44% of infections resolved fully after medical and/or surgical treatment. The benefits of arthroplasty in haemophilic patients are well established but the rates of complications are high. As this large study has demonstrated, high rates of infection occur, but survivorship analysis strongly suggests that most patients already diagnosed with HIV infection at the time of surgery should derive many years of symptomatic relief after a successful joint replacement. Careful counselling and education of both patients and healthcare workers before operation are therefore essential.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

End tidal carbon dioxide monitoring in spontaneously breathing, nonintubated patients. A clinical comparison between conventional sidestream and microstream capnometers.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the end tidal carbon dioxide estimation in nonintubated, spontaneously breathing patients using either conventional sidestream or microstream capnometers. METHODS: Patients received a regional anesthesia technique, while the end tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (EtCO2) was sampled through a nasal cannula (Nasal FilterLine, Nellcor, Plesanton, CA, USA) and measured using either a conventional sidestream capnometer with a 200 ml.min-1 aspiration flow rate, or a microstream capnometer (NBP-75, Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Plesanton, CA, USA) with an aspiration flow rate of 30 ml.min-1. After a 20 min period with stable hemodynamic variables (systolic arterial blood pressure within +/- 20% from baseline values), the EtCO2 was randomly recorded using one of the two capnometer while arterial blood was simultaneously drawn from the radial artery and analyzed for measurement of arterial CO2 partial pressure. Afterwards the nasal cannula was connected to the other capnometer and the procedure repeated. Both the capnometer and arterial blood gas analyzer were calibrated before each studied patient according to the manufacturer instructions. The same procedure was repeated at least two times in each patient. RESULTS: A total of 120 pairs of EtCO2 and PaCO2 measurements were drawn from 30 adults (age: 69 +/- 5 years; weight: 70 +/- 10 kg; height: 160 +/- 10 cm): 60 using the conventional sidestream capnometer and 60 with the microstream one. The median arterial to end tidal CO2 tension difference was 4.4 mmHg (range: 0.28 mmHg) with the microstream capnometer and 7 mm Hg (range: 0-22 mmHg) with the conventional capnometer (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The microstream capnometer provides a more accurate end tidal CO2 partial pressure measurement in nonintubated, spontaneously breathing patients than conventional sidestream capnometers, allowing for adequate monitoring of the respiratory function in nonintubated patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Spinal cord stimulation and quality of life in patients with refractory angina].

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a treatment that exploits the antalgic and vasodilatory effects on the microcirculation produced by a stimulating electrode positioned in the peridural space. This therapy has been used for years in the treatment of refractory angina pectoris. The aim of this study was to monitor the clinical effectiveness of the technique in terms of symptomatic benefits and, above all, improved quality of life in angina patients undergoing SCS. METHODS: From November 1998 to December 2000 we used SCS to treat 17 patients with refractory angina (functional class III or IV Canadian Cardiovascular Society) with onset more than one year earlier. All patients had undergone one or more traditional revascularisation procedures and were receiving maximum drug therapy. Patients were assigned to SCS because it was not technically possible to perform other revascularisation procedures. Quality of life was measured before and after treatment using a multidimensional index (QL Spitzer's index). We also noted the mortality, acceptance and morbidity of the procedure during a follow-up lasting 10 months on average. Lastly, the number of weekly anginal pain attacks, weekly nitrate consumption and CCS functional class were recorded before treatment and 1, 3 and six months after therapy. RESULTS: SPC was effective in 13 patients out of 17 (76.47%). In responders the quality of life improved by 70%: in these patients, the number of weekly angina attacks reduced from 11.76+/-7.56 to 2.14+/-2.54, and the functional class from 3.30+/-0.75 to 1.5+/-0.53. No major periprocedural complications were reported. The annual mortality rate was 6.6%. The technique was easy to use. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that SCS is effective, safe, easy to use and well tolerated by patients with refractory angina who fail to respond to traditional revascularisation. This technique substantially improves the quality of life of patients suffering from refractory angina.

Aged↗