Inhibition of apoptosis by the intrinsic but not the extrinsic apoptotic pathway in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

Summary: The detailed molecular mechanisms following activation of apoptosis in ischemia-reperfusion injury are unknown. This study using different transgenic mouse models provided first evidence that apoptosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is rather linked to the mitochondrial pathway than to death receptor pathway.

Introduction: There is a wealth of evidence for activation of apoptosis in ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Depression increasingly predicts mortality in the course of congestive heart failure.

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is frequently associated with depression. However, the impact of depression on prognosis has not yet been sufficiently established.

Aims: To prospectively investigate the influence of depression on mortality in patients with CHF.

Impact of beta-blocker treatment on the prognostic value of currently used risk predictors in congestive heart failure.

Objectives: This prospective study tested the impact of beta-blocker treatment on currently used risk predictors in congestive heart failure (CHF).

Background: Given the survival benefit obtained by beta-blockade, risk stratification by factors established in the "pre-beta-blocker era" may be questioned.

Methods: The study included 408 patients who had CHF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45%, all treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist, who were classified into those receiving a beta-blocker (n = 165) and those who were not (n = 243).

Differential effects of acidosis, high potassium concentrations, and metabolic inhibition on noradrenaline release and its presynaptic muscarinic regulation.

It was the aim of the present study to characterize the effect of single components of ischaemia, such as inhibition of aerobic and anaerobic energy production by combined anoxic and glucose-free perfusion (metabolic inhibition), high extracellular potassium concentrations (hyperkalaemia), and acidosis, on (1). the stimulated release of noradrenaline from the in situ perfused guinea-pig heart and (2). its presynaptic modulation by the muscarinic agonist carbachol.

Health related quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure: comparison with other chronic diseases and relation to functional variables.

Objective: To assess health related quality of life of patients with congestive heart failure; to compare their quality of life with the previously characterised general population and in those with other chronic diseases; and to correlate the different aspects of quality of life with relevant somatic variables.

Setting: University hospital.

Patients And Design: A German version of the generic quality of life measure (SF-36) containing eight dimensions was administered to 205 patients with congestive heart failure and systolic dysfunction.