Prognostic value of low and moderately elevated C-reactive protein in acute coronary syndrome: a 2-year follow-up study.

Background: The main goal of this study was to improve diagnostic and predictive value of low and moderately elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), related to noninvasive clinical parameters, in order to improve and prolong patient life with low or no additional costs.

Material/methods: A prospective, open clinical study was conducted at the University Hospital Split, Croatia with 112 patients with ACS and low or moderately elevated CRP (<3.0 mg/L).

Free wall rupture (FWR) in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) receiving fibrinolytic therapy (FT): a 7-year prospective study.

Previous studies have shown a paradoxical increase in early mortality in older patients (>70 years) with acute STEMI treated with fibrinolytic therapy (FT), which has been attributed to the development of free wall rupture (FWR). Our aim was to assess occurrence of FWR in STEMI patients receiving FT. In this 7-year prospective study, data from 1701 consecutive patients were obtained.

Effects of atenolol and propranolol on platelet aggregation in moderate essential hypertension: randomized crossover trial.

Aim: To compare the effects of a selective beta-blocker atenolol and a nonselective beta-blocker propranolol on platelet aggregation.

Methods: Twenty successive outpatients with moderate essential hypertension (6 women and 14 men, mean age-/+standard deviation 42.6-/+8.

Triggering of ventricular tachycardia by meteorologic and emotional stress: protective effect of beta-blockers and anxiolytics in men and elderly.

A circadian pattern with a morning peak and the triggering role of emotional stress have been suggested for ventricular arrhythmias. After controlling for participant baseline characteristics and medication used, the authors studied the association of emotional upset, physical activity, and meteorologic parameters with occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 457 Croatian participants aged 11-88 years consecutively assigned to undergo continuous 24-hour Holter monitoring. In 2001, multivariate analysis of possible VT precipitators was performed separately for men, women, those aged <65 years, and those aged >64 years.