Ascertaining the Ideality of Photometric Stereo Datasets under Unknown Lighting

The standard photometric stereo model makes several assumptions that are rarely verified in experimental datasets. In particular, the observed object should behave as a Lambertian reflector, and the light sources should be positioned at an infinite distance from it, along a known direction. Even when Lambert’s law is approximately fulfilled, an accurate assessment of the relative position between the light source and the target is often unavailable in real situations. The Hayakawa procedure is a computational method for estimating such information directly from data images. It occasionally breaks down when some of the available images excessively deviate from ideality. This is generally due to observing a non-Lambertian surface, or illuminating it from a close distance, or both. Indeed, in narrow shooting scenarios, typical, e.g., of archaeological excavation sites, it is impossible to position a flashlight at a sufficient distance from the observed surface. It is then necessary to understand if a given dataset is reliable and which images should be selected to better reconstruct the target. In this paper, we propose some algorithms to perform this task and explore their effectiveness

Bottom-up Infrastructures: Aligning Politics and Technology in building a Wireless Community Network

Contemporary innovation in infrastructures is increasingly characterized by a close relationship between experts and lay people. This phenomenon has attracted the attention from a wide range of disciplines, including computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), science and technology studies (S&TS), organization studies and participatory design (PD). Connecting to this broad area of research, the article presents a qualitative case study concerning the building and maintenance of a grassroots, bottom-up information infrastructure in Italy, defined as wireless community network (WCN). Methodologically, the research is based on qualitative interviews with participants to the WCN, ethnographic observations and document analysis. The aim of the article is to understand the alignment between the technical work implied in building this bottom-up infrastructure and the political and cultural frameworks that move people to participate to this project. Relying on the field of science & technology studies, and in particular on the notions of ‘inverse infrastructure’ and ‘research in the wild’, we disclose the WCN’s peculiar innovation trajectory, localized outside conventional spaces of research and development. Overall, the presentation of the qualitative and ethnographic data allows to point out a more general reflection on bottom-up infrastructures and to enrich the academic debate concerning bottom-up infrastructuring work and other similar typologies of collaborative design projects in the domain of infrastructures

PREAMI: Perindopril and remodelling in elderly with acute myocardial infarction: Study rationale and design

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce mortality, the development of remodeling, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and ischemic events, both when administered alone as long-term treatment in patients with impaired LV function and/or heart failure (HF) and as short-term treatment, early after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and/or HF. The few data available on the use of ACE inhibitors in the elderly after AMI are conflicting. Nothing is known about the effects of ACE inhibitors in elderly postinfarction patients with preserved LV function: these patients have a remarkable medium- to long-term mortality and HF incidence after infarction. The aim of this study is to evaluate, in patients with AMI aged ≥65 years, the effects of Perindopril on the combined outcome of death, hospitalization for HF, and heart remodeling, considered to be a ≥8% increase in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV). Secondary objectives include the same factors listed in the primary end points hut considered separately. In addition, safety of the drug, ventricular remodeling, and adaptation are being evaluated. A total of 1100 patients with AMI (first episode or reinfarction), aged ≥65 years, and preserved or only moderately depressed LV (LV ejection fraction ≥40%), are to he enrolled and randomly assigned to treatment (8 mg for 12 months of Perindopril or placebo, in double-blind conditions). Clinical assessment is performed at fixed times, and periodic evaluations of (1) ventricular shape, dimensions, and function by quantitative 2-D echocardiography, and (2) heart rate variability and arrhythmias by ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring are anticipated. The results and conclusions will be available by 2002 year

DETERMINANTS OF 6-MONTH MORTALITY IN SURVIVORS OF MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION AFTER THROMBOLYSIS - RESULTS OF THE GISSI-2 DATA-BASE

none647Background. Current knowledge of risk assessment in survivors of myocardial infarction is largely based on data gathered before the advent of thrombolysis. It must be determined whether and to what extent available information and proposed criteria of prognostication are applicable in the thrombolytic era. Methods and Results. We reassessed risk prediction in the 10 219 survivors of myocardial infarction with follow-up data available (ie, 98% of the total) who had been enrolled in the GISSI-2 trial, relying on a set of prespecified variables. The 3.5% 6-month all-cause mortality rate of these patients compared with the higher value of 4.6% found in the corresponding GISSI-1 cohort, originally allocated to streptokinase therapy, indicates a 24% reduction in postdischarge 6-month mortality. On multivariate analysis (Cox model), the following variables were predictors of 6-month all-cause mortality: ineligibility for exercise test for both cardiac (relative risk [RR], 3.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.36-4.62) and noncardiac reasons (RR, 3.28; 95% CI, 2.23-4.72), early left ventricular failure (RR, 2.41; 95% Cl, 1.87-3.09), echocardiographic evidence of recovery phase left ventricular dysfunction (RR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.78-2.98), advanced (more than 70 years) age (RR, 1.81; 95% Cl, 1.43 -2.30), electrical instability (ie, frequent and/or complex ventricular arrhythmias) (RR, 1.70; 95% Cl, 1.32-2.19), late left ventricular failure (RR, 1.54; 95% Cl, 1.17-2.03), previous myocardial infarction (RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.14-1.89), and a history of treated hypertension (RR, 1.32; 95% Cl, 1.05-1.65). Early post-myocardial infarction angina, a positive exercise test, female sex, history of angina, history of insulin-dependent diabetes, and anterior site of myocardial infarction were not risk predictors. On further multivariate analysis, performed on 8315 patients with the echocardiographic indicator of left ventricular dysfunction available, only previous myocardial infarction was not retained as an independent risk predictor. Conclusions. A decline in 6-month mortality of myocardial infarction survivors, seen within 6 hours of symptom onset, has been observed in recent years. Ineligibility for exercise test, early left ventricular failure, and recovery-phase left ventricular dysfunction are the most powerful (RR, >2) predictors of 6-month mortality among patients recovering from myocardial infarction after thrombolysis. Qualitative variables reflecting residual myocardial ischemia do not appear to be risk predictors. The lack of an independent adverse influence of early post-myocardial infarction angina on 6-month survival represents a major difference between this study and those of the prethrombolytic era.noneVOLPI A; DEVITA C; FRANZOSI MG; GERACI E; MAGGIONI AP; MAURI F; NEGRI E; SANTORO E; TAVAZZI L; TOGNONI G; FERUGLIO GA; LOTTO A; ROVELLI F; SOLINAS P; TAVAZZI L; TOGNONI G; BRUNO M; CAPPELLO T; COPPINI A; FINCATI F; MANTOVANI G; PANGRAZZI J; POGNA M; TURAZZA FM; ANSELMI M; BARBONAGLIA L; BIGI R; CAVALLI A; FRIGERIO M; GIORDANO A; GUALTIEROTTI C; TORTA D; CAROLA R; GIORDANO F; BARLOTTI R; LOPARCO G; VIGLINO GL; RUGGERI G; GIAMUNDO L; DANESI A; PACIARONI E; GAMBINI C; URBANO G; PURCARO A; FRANCESCONI M; FIGLIOLIA S; CANNONE M; ANTOLINI R; DEVOTI G; CRISTALLINI P; PORCIELLO PI; TEONI P; BURALI A; ZUCCONELLI V; DEMATTEIS C; IERVOGLINI A; SCATASTA M; AMABILI S; CARATTI CA; ZOLA G; FERRAGUTO P; SALICI G; CENTARO A; ROTIROTI D; GENOVESE M; GINEVRINO P; DAMATO N; ALTAMURA CM; COLONNA L; CASTELLANETA G; BOVENZI F; MESSINA D; GALANTINO A; CAMPOREALE N; CUCCHINI F; CAMPOSTELLA L; MALACRIDA R; GENONI M; PELLEGRINI P; BRIDDA A; RIGGI L; ACONE L; MOSCATIELLO G; BRUNO A; INVERNIZZI G; TESPILI M; GUAGLIUMI G; CASARI A; ALBANO T; TOMASSINI B; TORTA D; DIBIASE G; SCARAMUZZINO G; RUGGERO S; BRACCHETTI D; DECASTRO U; FULVI M; BRAITO E; ERLICHER A; OBERLECHNER W; GAGLIARDI RS; BIGHIGNOLI L; BONIZZATO G; RIZZI GM; SCAZZINA L; PERRINI A; STRANEO G; STRANEO U; SCIRE A; VERRIENTI A; GUADALUPI M; STORELLI A; ZUCCA L; DABUSTI M; ALBONICO B; DEPETRA V; TABACCHI GC; SCERVINO R; MEREU D; MAXIA P; BIANCO A; CRABU E; MANGIAMELI S; CENTAMORE G; MALFITANO D; AMICO C; VANCHERI F; SANTOPUOLI G; BALDINI F; PANTALEONI A; CONTESSOTTO F; TERLIZZI R; MERIGHI A; TURCHI E; TEGLIO V; PIGNATTI F; PEZZANA A; GOZZOLINO G; GIGLIO M; PETTINATI G; IEVA M; CIRICUGNO S; CORREALE E; ROMANO S; DIFUCCIA A; CASTELLANO B; NATALE A; CERNETTI C; CELEGON L; CANDELPERGHER G; ARIENZO F; RUSSO F; DEVIVO L; MAY L; ACHILLI G; BLASI A; SORRENTINO F; DATO A; GALLONE P; PALUMBO C; DELLAMONICA R; PAGANO L; ALBERTI A; ORSELLI L; DEPONTI C; PARMIGIANI ML; FERRARI M; ACITO P; BUSI F; DELLAVITTORIA G; BELLET C; BORTOLINI F; ROSSI A; CORONA C; BONDI S; NICCOLINI D; GAMBERI G; ARCURI G; MAIOLINO P; CARROZZA A; DELIO U; CAPRETTI G; MARINONI C; GUASCONI C; SONNINO S; PAGLIEI M; FERRARI G; LOMBARDI R; AGNELLI D; DERINALDIS G; CALCAGNILE A; SIGNORELLI S; BENDINELLI S; LUSETTI L; MOLLAIOLI M; COSMI F; PLASTINA F; VENNERI N; FERACO E; CATELLI P; POLUZZI C; DISTANTE S; BIANCHI C; COPPETTI S; ZAMPAGLIONE G; GATTO C; ZURLO R; USLENGHI E; MARGARIA F; MILANESE U; LOMANTO B; ZIACCHI V; RIVA D; BERTOCCHI P; TIRELLA G; DAULERIO M; SAURO G; BINI A; MAZZONI V; POGGI P; MARESTA A; JACOPI F; PATRONCINI A; PUPITA F; GAGGI S; FRAUSINI G; ANTONIOLI GE; MALACARNE C; CODECA L; CAPPATO R; ANDREOLI L; VARACCA S; BUIO E; FAZZINI PF; PUCCI P; SARRO F; VERGASSOLA R; BARCHIELLI M; DEMATTEIS D; CARRONE M; BRUNOZZI LT; MENICONI L; LIBERATI R; RADOGNA M; TALLONE M; CONTE R; IERI A; ZIPOLI A; SANSONI M; CANZIANI R; GUIDALI P; CRISTALLO E; MARIELLO F; MUZIO L; BENVENUTO MR; BALDINI MR; VECCHIO C; CHIARELLA F; FALCIDIENO M; CECCHI A; GIULIANO G; SEU V; PERUGINI P; TOSELLI A; BASSO F; CORTI E; ROSSI P; DELFINO R; CAPONNETTO S; GNECCO G; GHIGLIOTTI G; PENNESI A; LOMBARDI G; RUGGIERI A; BERTOLO L; SLOMP L; LANZETTA T; MAZZARONE L; CRESTI A; BELLODI G; ZUARINI AM; VENERI L; PARCHI C; GIOVANELLI N; NEGRONI S; DETHOMATIS M; BARGHINI A; MARINO E; RICCI D; LEMME P; DIGIACOMO U; AQUARO G; RONZANI G; OTTELLO B; VONTI V; MORETTI S; PALERMO R; MARSILI P; SIDERI F; RAGAZZINI G; GRAMENZI S; BATTISTINI S; DIODATO T; VALERIO A; TUCCI C; DEPASQUALE B; GELFO PG; BERTULLA A; BOLLINI R; DEMARCHI E; BACCA F; DEGIORGI V; LOCATELLI V; SAVOIA MT; FERRACINI C; BARBARESI F; COTOGNI A; FRANCO G; ROMANO S; PASSONI F; DURBANO M; MORETTI G; PEROTTI S; CAPRETTI M; DELBENE P; CASCONE M; BALDINI U; ORLANDI M; ODDONE A; CAIZZI V; MASINI G; LAZZARI M; BALLERINI B; BOZZI L; MOCETTI T; BERTOLINI A; PASOTTI E; SANGUINETTI M; MANTOVANI R; TOGNOLI T; MAGGI A; TUSA M; CAMERONI E; GUERRA GP; REGGIANI A; REDAELLI S; GIUSTI S; TANTALO L; RIZZI A; DIGIOVANNI N; GUZZO V; GABRIELE M; COLOMBO G; ALBERZONI A; SALVIOLI G; GALFETTI F; DOVICO E; BELLUZZI F; GOLA E; CASELLATO F; LECCHI G; CONSOLO F; SACCA CB; CONSOLO A; PICCOLO E; GASPARINI G; DEVITA C; ALBERTI A; MASSA D; BELLI C; DOSSENA MG; CORSINI C; SANNA GP; AZZOLLINI M; TRUAZZA F; LOTTO A; NADOR F; DEMARTINI M; BOZZI G; SEREGNI R; PASTINE I; MORPURGO M; CASAZZA F; REGALIA F; MAGGIOLINI S; RIGO R; PANCALDI S; POZZETTI D; PASCOTTO P; FRANCESCHI L; DAINESE F; MELINI L; CAPPELLI C; BERNARDI C; PALMIERI M; BORGIONI L; ZILIO G; SANDRI R; ALITTO F; MASARO G; VALAGUSSA F; SCHIAVINA R; RAVESI D; DANIELLO L; PIANTADOSI FR; BARRA P; ROMEO D; MININNI N; SEVERINO S; MOSTACCI M; CASTELLARI M; BANDA D; ROLANDI R; VILLA WD; CARBONE V; ALLEGRI M; FASCIOLO L; PITTALIS M; MUREDDU V; SORO F; DELEDDA MG; MARRAS E; MARCHI SM; DELUCA C; MANETTA M; VOLTA SD; SPERANDEO V; DONZELLI M; VITRANO MG; GERACI E; PITROLO F; LAMONICA S; BELLANCA G; MESSINA G; MIRTO U; RAINERI A; TRAINA M; DIBENEDETTO A; RIBAUDO E; DIFRANCESCO M; RONCHITELLI R; CARONE M; DIGREGORIO D; DIPAOLO G; PASQUALE M; COREA L; COCCHIERI M; ALUNNI G; PAPI L; CHIRIATTI G; LUPETTI M; GAZZOLA U; ARRUZZOLI S; VILLANI GQ; MELLINI M; MADRUZZA L; PIAZZA R; MICHELI G; FRANCHINI C; BECHI S; MARTINES C; MARCHESE D; GABBIA G; BIGALLI A; CIUTI M; CABANI E; DELCITERNA F; ALFIERI A; CHITI M; LONGHINI J; CODELUPPI P; NEGRELLI M; ZANUTTINI D; NICOLOSI GL; MARTIN G; PETRELLA A; BARDAZZI L; BIANCO GA; CELLAMARE G; GIANNELLI F; LICITRA G; LICITRA R; LETTICA GV; TUMIOTTO G; BELLANTI G; BOSI S; CASALI G; MONDUCCI I; BARONE A; PARENTI F; HEYMAN J; COZZI E; BALDACCI G; BACCOS D; BRIGHI F; DESANCTIS A; BOCK R; PALMIERI M; ROSSI F; AMATI P; SEMPRINI P; NARDELLI A; BOTTERO G; VARTOLO C; MILAZZOTTO F; DICROCE G; DIMARIO F; ANGRISANI G; AZZOLINI P; NEJA CP; MANZOLI U; ROSSI E; TRANI C; MASINI V; SEBASTIANI F; TOPAI M; BORGIA MC; LUCIANI C; FERRI F; DEPAOLA D; CAPURSO S; TUGNOLI F; VETTA C; ALTIERI T; BORZI M; VISCOMI A; STRIANO U; SALITURI S; ZONZIN P; FIORENCIS R; BADIN A; RAVERA B; BALDI C; SILVESTRI F; ALLEMANO P; REYNAUD S; SANSON A; MILANI L; DESIMONE MV; RUSSO A; VILLELLA A; GRAZINI M; AMIDEI S; ANSELMI L; PICCANICOLINO R; MASCELLI G; TAGLIAMONTE A; MESSINA V; TEDESCHI C; BOSSI M; BISIOLI M; TACCHI G; PAGNI G; VIVALDI F; IBBA GV; SANNIA L; PEDRAZZINI F; BAGNI E; FABII S; ALVINO A; ANTONIELLI E; DORONZO B; MARTINENGO E; BECCHI G; SALMOIRAGHI A; DIGIOVANNA F; CARAMANNO G; CAPORICCI D; BRUN M; GIANI P; FERRARIO G; PECI P; RONCONI G; SKOUSE D; BIANCHI C; GIUSTINIANI S; CUCCHI GF; TAVASCI E; SILVERII A; MARCELLINI G; SPECA G; STANISCIA D; CIMINO A; SERAFINI N; DEBONIS P; CERRUTI P; BAZZUCCHI M; DALPRA F; SPEROTTO C; MOLE GD; BARBANO G; POMARI F; GASCHINO G; PARIGI A; GANDOLFO N; RONDONI F; BRUSCA A; DILEO M; GOLZIO PG; ABRATE M; SCLAVO MG; ROCCI R; POGGIO G; GIANI S; CUZZUCREA D; BRASCHI GB; SCIACCA R; SAMMARTANO A; FURLANELLO F; BRAITO G; CUZZATO V; TOTIS O; FAURETTO F; LEO F; GALATI A; PALMA P; CAMERINI F; MORGERA T; BARBIERI L; FERUGLIO GA; SLAVICK GA; FRESCO C; CUDA A; SARNICOLA P; ARZILLO P; BINAGHI G; MACCHI G; CALVERI G; DIMARCO G; LEVANTESI G; PANERAI C; CATURELLI G; FACCHIN L; SARTORE G; ZARDINI P; MARINO P; CARBONIERI E; NAVA S; MAZZINI C; NAVA R; SERRA N; SASSARA M; NICROSINI F; GANDOLFI P; BERGOGNONI G; BALLESTRA AM; VIOLO CVOLPI A; DEVITA C; FRANZOSI MG; GERACI E; MAGGIONI AP; MAURI F; NEGRI E; SANTORO E; TAVAZZI L; TOGNONI G; FERUGLIO GA; LOTTO A; ROVELLI F; SOLINAS P; TAVAZZI L; TOGNONI G; BRUNO M; CAPPELLO T; COPPINI A; FINCATI F; MANTOVANI G; PANGRAZZI J; POGNA M; TURAZZA FM; ANSELMI M; BARBONAGLIA L; BIGI R; CAVALLI A; FRIGERIO M; GIORDANO A; GUALTIEROTTI C; TORTA D; CAROLA R; GIORDANO F; BARLOTTI R; LOPARCO G; VIGLINO GL; RUGGERI G; GIAMUNDO L; DANESI A; PACIARONI E; GAMBINI C; URBANO G; PURCARO A; FRANCESCONI M; FIGLIOLIA S; CANNONE M; ANTOLINI R; DEVOTI G; CRISTALLINI P; PORCIELLO PI; TEONI P; BURALI A; ZUCCONELLI V; DEMATTEIS C; IERVOGLINI A; SCATASTA M; AMABILI S; CARATTI CA; ZOLA G; FERRAGUTO P; SALICI G; CENTARO A; ROTIROTI D; GENOVESE M; GINEVRINO P; DAMATO N; ALTAMURA CM; COLONNA L; CASTELLANETA G; BOVENZI F; MESSINA D; GALANTINO A; CAMPOREALE N; CUCCHINI F; CAMPOSTELLA L; MALACRIDA R; GENONI M; PELLEGRINI P; BRIDDA A; RIGGI L; ACONE L; MOSCATIELLO G; BRUNO A; INVERNIZZI G; TESPILI M; GUAGLIUMI G; CASARI A; ALBANO T; TOMASSINI B; TORTA D; DIBIASE G; SCARAMUZZINO G; RUGGERO S; BRACCHETTI D; DECASTRO U; FULVI M; BRAITO E; ERLICHER A; OBERLECHNER W; GAGLIARDI RS; BIGHIGNOLI L; BONIZZATO G; RIZZI GM; SCAZZINA L; PERRINI A; STRANEO G; STRANEO U; SCIRE A; VERRIENTI A; GUADALUPI M; STORELLI A; ZUCCA L; DABUSTI M; ALBONICO B; DEPETRA V; TABACCHI GC; SCERVINO R; MEREU D; MAXIA P; BIANCO A; CRABU E; MANGIAMELI S; CENTAMORE G; MALFITANO D; AMICO C; VANCHERI F; SANTOPUOLI G; BALDINI F; PANTALEONI A; CONTESSOTTO F; TERLIZZI R; MERIGHI A; TURCHI E; TEGLIO V; PIGNATTI F; PEZZANA A; GOZZOLINO G; GIGLIO M; PETTINATI G; IEVA M; CIRICUGNO S; CORREALE E; ROMANO S; DIFUCCIA A; CASTELLANO B; NATALE A; CERNETTI C; CELEGON L; CANDELPERGHER G; ARIENZO F; RUSSO F; DEVIVO L; MAY L; ACHILLI G; BLASI A; SORRENTINO F; DATO A; GALLONE P; PALUMBO C; DELLAMONICA R; PAGANO L; ALBERTI A; ORSELLI L; DEPONTI C; PARMIGIANI ML; FERRARI M; ACITO P; BUSI F; DELLAVITTORIA G; BELLET C; BORTOLINI F; ROSSI A; CORONA C; BONDI S; NICCOLINI D; GAMBERI G; ARCURI G; MAIOLINO P; CARROZZA A; DELIO U; CAPRETTI G; MARINONI C; GUASCONI C; SONNINO S; PAGLIEI M; FERRARI G; LOMBARDI R; AGNELLI D; DERINALDIS G; CALCAGNILE A; SIGNORELLI S; BENDINELLI S; LUSETTI L; MOLLAIOLI M; COSMI F; PLASTINA F; VENNERI N; FERACO E; CATELLI P; POLUZZI C; DISTANTE S; BIANCHI C; COPPETTI S; ZAMPAGLIONE G; GATTO C; ZURLO R; USLENGHI E; MARGARIA F; MILANESE U; LOMANTO B; ZIACCHI V; RIVA D; BERTOCCHI P; TIRELLA G; DAULERIO M; SAURO G; BINI A; MAZZONI V; POGGI P; MARESTA A; JACOPI F; PATRONCINI A; PUPITA F; GAGGI S; FRAUSINI G; ANTONIOLI GE; MALACARNE C; CODECA L; CAPPATO R; ANDREOLI L; VARACCA S; BUIO E; FAZZINI PF; PUCCI P; SARRO F; VERGASSOLA R; BARCHIELLI M; DEMATTEIS D; CARRONE M; BRUNOZZI LT; MENICONI L; LIBERATI R; RADOGNA M; TALLONE M; CONTE R; IERI A; ZIPOLI A; SANSONI M; CANZIANI R; GUIDALI P; CRISTALLO E; MARIELLO F; MUZIO L; BENVENUTO MR; BALDINI MR; VECCHIO C; CHIARELLA F; FALCIDIENO M; CECCHI A; GIULIANO G; SEU V; PERUGINI P; TOSELLI A; BASSO F; CORTI E; ROSSI P; DELFINO R; CAPONNETTO S; GNECCO G; GHIGLIOTTI G; PENNESI A; LOMBARDI G; RUGGIERI A; BERTOLO L; SLOMP L; LANZETTA T; MAZZARONE L; CRESTI A; BELLODI G; ZUARINI AM; VENERI L; PARCHI C; GIOVANELLI N; NEGRONI S; DETHOMATIS M; BARGHINI A; MARINO E; RICCI D; LEMME P; DIGIACOMO U; AQUARO G; RONZANI G; OTTELLO B; VONTI V; MORETTI S; PALERMO R; MARSILI P; SIDERI F; RAGAZZINI G; GRAMENZI S; BATTISTINI S; DIODATO T; VALERIO A; TUCCI C; DEPASQUALE B; GELFO PG; BERTULLA A; BOLLINI R; DEMARCHI E; BACCA F; DEGIORGI V; LOCATELLI V; SAVOIA MT; FERRACINI C; BARBARESI F; COTOGNI A; FRANCO G; ROMANO S; PASSONI F; DURBANO M; MORETTI G; PEROTTI S; CAPRETTI M; DELBENE P; CASCONE M; BALDINI U; ORLANDI M; ODDONE A; CAIZZI V; MASINI G; LAZZARI M; BALLERINI B; BOZZI L; MOCETTI T; BERTOLINI A; PASOTTI E; SANGUINETTI M; MANTOVANI R; TOGNOLI T; MAGGI A; TUSA M; CAMERONI E; GUERRA GP; REGGIANI A; REDAELLI S; GIUSTI S; TANTALO L; RIZZI A; DIGIOVANNI N; GUZZO V; GABRIELE M; COLOMBO G; ALBERZONI A; SALVIOLI G; GALFETTI F; DOVICO E; BELLUZZI F; GOLA E; CASELLATO F; LECCHI G; CONSOLO F; SACCA CB; CONSOLO A; PICCOLO E; GASPARINI G; DEVITA C; ALBERTI A; MASSA D; BELLI C; DOSSENA MG; CORSINI C; SANNA GP; AZZOLLINI M; TRUAZZA F; LOTTO A; NADOR F; DEMARTINI M; BOZZI G; SEREGNI R; PASTINE I; MORPURGO M; CASAZZA F; REGALIA F; MAGGIOLINI S; RIGO R; PANCALDI S; POZZETTI D; PASCOTTO P; FRANCESCHI L; DAINESE F; MELINI L; CAPPELLI C; BERNARDI C; PALMIERI M; BORGIONI L; ZILIO G; SANDRI R; ALITTO F; MASARO G; VALAGUSSA F; SCHIAVINA R; RAVESI D; DANIELLO L; PIANTADOSI FR; BARRA P; ROMEO D; MININNI N; SEVERINO S; MOSTACCI M; CASTELLARI M; BANDA D; ROLANDI R; VILLA WD; CARBONE V; ALLEGRI M; FASCIOLO L; PITTALIS M; MUREDDU V; SORO F; DELEDDA MG; MARRAS E; MARCHI SM; DELUCA C; MANETTA M; VOLTA SD; SPERANDEO V; DONZELLI M; VITRANO MG; GERACI E; PITROLO F; LAMONICA S; BELLANCA G; MESSINA G; MIRTO U; RAINERI A; TRAINA M; DIBENEDETTO A; RIBAUDO E; DIFRANCESCO M; RONCHITELLI R; CARONE M; DIGREGORIO D; DIPAOLO G; PASQUALE M; COREA L; COCCHIERI M; ALUNNI G; PAPI L; CHIRIATTI G; LUPETTI M; GAZZOLA U; ARRUZZOLI S; VILLANI GQ; MELLINI M; MADRUZZA L; PIAZZA R; MICHELI G; FRANCHINI C; BECHI S; MARTINES C; MARCHESE D; GABBIA G; BIGALLI A; CIUTI M; CABANI E; DELCITERNA F; ALFIERI A; CHITI M; LONGHINI J; CODELUPPI P; NEGRELLI M; ZANUTTINI D; NICOLOSI GL; MARTIN G; PETRELLA A; BARDAZZI L; BIANCO GA; CELLAMARE G; GIANNELLI F; LICITRA G; LICITRA R; LETTICA GV; TUMIOTTO G; BELLANTI G; BOSI S; CASALI G; MONDUCCI I; BARONE A; PARENTI F; HEYMAN J; COZZI E; BALDACCI G; BACCOS D; BRIGHI F; DESANCTIS A; BOCK R; PALMIERI M; ROSSI F; AMATI P; SEMPRINI P; NARDELLI A; BOTTERO G; VARTOLO C; MILAZZOTTO F; DICROCE G; DIMARIO F; ANGRISANI G; AZZOLINI P; NEJA CP; MANZOLI U; ROSSI E; TRANI C; MASINI V; SEBASTIANI F; TOPAI M; BORGIA MC; LUCIANI C; FERRI F; DEPAOLA D; CAPURSO S; TUGNOLI F; VETTA C; ALTIERI T; BORZI M; VISCOMI A; STRIANO U; SALITURI S; ZONZIN P; FIORENCIS R; BADIN A; RAVERA B; BALDI C; SILVESTRI F; ALLEMANO P; REYNAUD S; SANSON A; MILANI L; DESIMONE MV; RUSSO A; VILLELLA A; GRAZINI M; AMIDEI S; ANSELMI L; PICCANICOLINO R; MASCELLI G; TAGLIAMONTE A; MESSINA V; TEDESCHI C; BOSSI M; BISIOLI M; TACCHI G; PAGNI G; VIVALDI F; IBBA GV; SANNIA L; PEDRAZZINI F; BAGNI E; FABII S; ALVINO A; ANTONIELLI E; DORONZO B; MARTINENGO E; BECCHI G; SALMOIRAGHI A; DIGIOVANNA F; CARAMANNO G; CAPORICCI D; BRUN M; GIANI P; FERRARIO G; PECI P; RONCONI G; SKOUSE D; BIANCHI C; GIUSTINIANI S; CUCCHI GF; TAVASCI E; SILVERII A; MARCELLINI G; SPECA G; STANISCIA D; CIMINO A; SERAFINI N; DEBONIS P; CERRUTI P; BAZZUCCHI M; DALPRA F; SPEROTTO C; MOLE GD; BARBANO G; POMARI F; GASCHINO G; PARIGI A; GANDOLFO N; RONDONI F; BRUSCA A; DILEO M; GOLZIO PG; ABRATE M; SCLAVO MG; ROCCI R; POGGIO G; GIANI S; CUZZUCREA D; BRASCHI GB; SCIACCA R; SAMMARTANO A; FURLANELLO F; BRAITO G; CUZZATO V; TOTIS O; FAURETTO F; LEO F; GALATI A; PALMA P; CAMERINI F; MORGERA T; BARBIERI L; FERUGLIO GA; SLAVICK GA; FRESCO C; CUDA A; SARNICOLA P; ARZILLO P; BINAGHI G; MACCHI G; CALVERI G; DIMARCO G; LEVANTESI G; PANERAI C; CATURELLI G; FACCHIN L; SARTORE G; ZARDINI P; MARINO P; CARBONIERI E; NAVA S; MAZZINI C; NAVA R; SERRA N; SASSARA M; NICROSINI F; GANDOLFI P; BERGOGNONI G; BALLESTRA AM; VIOLO

MEDICAL SCIENCE. GISSI-2: A factorial randomised trial of alteplase versus streptokinase and heparin versus no heparin among 12 490 patients with acute myocardial infarction

A multicentre, randomised, open trial with a 2 x 2 factorial design was conducted to compare the benefits and risks of two thrombolytic agents, streptokinase (SK, 1\ub75 MU infused intravenously over 30-60 min) and alteplase (tPA, 100 mg infused intravenously over 3 h) in patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to coronary care units within 6 h from onset of symptoms. The patients were also randomised to receive heparin (12 500 U subcutaneously twice daily until discharge from hospital, starting 12 h after beginning the tPA or SK infusion) or usual therapy. All patients without specific contraindications were given atenolol (5-10 mg iv) and aspirin (300-325 mg a day). The end-point of the study was the combined estimate of death plus severe left ventricular damage. 12 490 patients were randomised to four treatment groups (SK alone, SK plus heparin, tPA alone, tPA plus heparin). No specific differences between the two thrombolytic agents were detected as regards the combined end-point (tPA 23\ub71%; SK 22\ub75%; relative risk 1\ub704, 95% Cl 0\ub795-1\ub713), nor after the addition of heparin to the aspirin treatment (hep 22\ub77%, no hep 22\ub79%; RR 0\ub799, 95% Cl 0\ub791-1\ub708). The outcome of patients allocated to the four treatment groups was similar with respect to baseline risk factors such as age, Killip class, hours from onset of symptoms, and site and type of infarct. The rates of major in-hospital cardiac complications (reinfarction, post-infarction angina) were also similar. The incidence of major bleeds was significantly higher in SK and heparin treated patients (respectively, tPA 0\ub75%, SK 1\ub70%, RR 0\ub757, 95% Cl 0\ub738-0\ub785; hep 1\ub70%, no hep 0\ub76%, RR 1\ub764, 95% Cl 1\ub709-2\ub745), whereas the overall incidence of stroke was similar in all groups. SK and tPA appear equally effective and safe for use in routine conditions of care, in all infarct patients who have no contraindications, with or without post-thrombolytic heparin treatment. The 8\ub78% hospital mortality of the study population (compared with approximately 13% in the control cohort of the GISSI-1 trial) indicates the beneficial impact of the proven acute treatments for AMI. \ua9 1990