This Article Free upon publication Full Text Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by SoRelle, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by SoRelle, R.

(Circulation. 2002;106:e9047.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cardiovascular News

Ruth SoRelle, MPH

Circulation Newswriter

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

Treating Chlamydia pneumoniae in Patients With Early Atherosclerosis

Treating patients for Chlamydia pneumoniae infections appeared to reduce the progression of early atherosclerosis, according to a study in this week’s issue of Circulation (Circulation. 2002;106:2428–2433). In this study led by Dirk Sander, MD, from the Department of Neurology at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, researchers evaluated the use of roxithromycin therapy in the treatment of patients aged 55 years with ischemic stroke by measuring the progression of intima-media thickness of the common carotid in a prospective, randomized trial.

Researchers found Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies in 123 patients and IgA antibodies in 119. In the 3 years before they received antibiotic therapy, patients who were considered to have evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection were more likely to show a progression of the intima-media thickness measurement even after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors. However, the 62 patients who received the antibiotic therapy demonstrated a decreased intima-media thickness after two years when compared with patients with evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection who did not receive antibiotics. In patients who had no evidence of infection, the antibiotic had no effect.

The authors concluded: "Treatment with roxithromycin seems effective in reducing the bacterial burden of Cp [Chlamydia pneumoniae] within carotid atherosclerotic plaques and prevents the progression of peripheral arterial occlusive disease in Cp-positive men."

Low Ejection Fraction and Inducible Tachyarrhythmias as MUSTT
An ejection fraction <30% and inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias appeared to identify patients with coronary disease at an increased risk of dying, according to researchers involved in the Multicenter Unsustained Tachycardia Trial (MUSTT) in a report . . . [Full Text of this Article]