Enhanced Levels of Adiposity, Stretch and Fibrosis Markers in Patients with Coexistent Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation.

The coexistence of heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) worsens the prognosis of patients. We aimed to study the inflammation, metabolism, adiposity, and fibrosis markers on epicardial and subcutaneous fat and blood, and their relationship with HF and AF. Samples from 185 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were collected.

Cost Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography in Cardiology: A Case Study of a University Hospital Complex in the Euro Region.

Introduction: In recent years, several hospitals have incorporated MRI equipment managed directly by their cardiology departments. The aim of our work is to determine the total cost per test of both CT and MRI in the setting of a Cardiology Department of a tertiary hospital.

Materials And Methods: The process followed for estimating the costs of CT and MRI tests consists of three phases: (1) Identification of the phases of the testing process; (2) Identification of the resources consumed in carrying out the tests; (3) Quantification and assessment of inputs.

[Cardiac computed tomography: new applications of an evolving technique].

During the last years we have witnessed an increasing development of imaging techniques applied in Cardiology. Among them, cardiac computed tomography is an emerging and evolving technique. With the current possibility of very low radiation studies, the applications have expanded and go further coronariography In the present article we review the technical developments of cardiac computed tomography and its new applications.

Infective endocarditis and caseous calcification of the mitral annulus: the odd couple.

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus is an infrequent echocardiographic finding. The differential diagnosis includes other entities like tumors, abscess or thrombus. Both cardiac CT and cardiac MRI may be useful for its definitive diagnosis.

Left ventricle non-compaction cardiomyopathy: different clinical scenarios and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Left ventricle non-compaction cardiomyopathy is currently considered as a well-defined individual entity. However, it includes a broad spectrum of clinical, radiological and pathophysiological findings. In this review we describe 3 different scenarios of this entity: an isolated case with severe left ventricle dysfunction, an "associated" case in a patient with previous atrial septum defect and pulmonary stenosis and finally, as a finding in a patient with a transient cerebrovascular ischemic attack.

Effect of atrioventricular optimization on circulating N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide following cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aims: Following CRT, atrioventricular (AV) optimization is not routinely practised. To evaluate its clinical utility, we examined the effect of AV delay optimization on the prognostic biomarker NT-proBNP.

Methods And Results: We prospectively studied 72 patients (mean age 73 ± 12.

Rate-adaptive AV delay and exercise performance following cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Physiological shortening of the atrioventricular (AV) interval with increasing heart rate is well documented in normal human beings and is an established component of dual-chamber pacing for bradycardia.

Objectives: To assess the effect of exercise on optimal AV delay and the impact of a patient-specific rate-adaptive AV delay (RAAVD) on exercise capacity in patients with heart failure following cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Methods: Phase 1: We performed iterative AV optimization at rest and exercise in 52 cardiac resynchronization therapy patients in atrial-sensed mode (mean age 71.

Prognostic value of peak and post-exercise treadmill exercise echocardiography in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.

Aims: Although peak may have higher sensitivity than post-treadmill exercise echocardiography (EE) for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD), its prognostic value remains unknown. We sought to assess the relative values of peak and post-EE for predicting outcome in patients with known/suspected CAD.

Methods And Results: We studied 2947 patients who underwent EE.