Evaluation of N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic Peptide in patients with acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary intervention.

The aim of this research was to describe N-terminal part of the prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels over time in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). NT-proBNP, troponin I (Tn-I), creatine kinase (CK), CK MB isoenzyme (CKMB), fibrinogen, D-dimers, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 300 consecutive patients with ACS before undergoing successful reperfusion with PCI in the first 48 hours, 2 days after, and at the end of the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th month. The concentration of NT-proBNP was cross-correlated with the levels of NT-proBNP in 300 patients without ACS and was significantly increased before and after PCI and at the end of the 3rd month, contrasting with the fast conversion to normal levels of Tn-I, CK, CKMB, fibrinogen, D-dimers, and CRP.

Percutaneous transcatheter ventricular septal defect closure in adults with Amplatzer septal occluders.

Background: The interest in transcatheter ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure is continuously growing. Therefore, we report our experience in perimembranous (Pm) and postinfarction (Pi) VSD closure.

Methods: All patients, older than 16 years, were selected from a data base, in which Pm and Pi VSDs were registered.

Left ventricular (LV) geometry and dipping state are determinants of LV mass reduction with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor antihypertensive treatment.

Objectives: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a major risk predictor in hypertensive patients and its regression is beneficial in terms of prognosis. The aim of this observational, open-labeled study was to investigate the effect of left ventricular geometry and dipping pattern on left ventricular mass reduction after chronic treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, in a large population of hypertensive patients.

Methods: We evaluated untreated patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, before and 6 months after treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor monotherapy or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-low-dose thiazide combination.

Stents can jump!

Stent dislodgment or embolisation of a stent before deployment is a well known but feared problem in interventional cardiology with hazardous potential for the patient. Typically, dislodged stents are found in the treated vessel or embolise to the systemic circulation. Embolisation of an undeployed stent from one coronary artery to another has never been reported before.

The impact of third-generation beta-blocker antihypertensive treatment on endothelial function and the prothrombotic state: effects of smoking.

Background: The significance of beta-blockers in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is well established. The effect of vasodilating beta-blockers on endothelial function and prothrombotic state has not been investigated.

Methods: The study comprised 550 consecutive patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension.

Impact of abnormal nocturnal blood pressure fall on vascular function.

Background: It is well known that nondipping pattern of arterial hypertension has a harmful effect on target organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys. However, it remains uncertain whether abnormal dipping patterns of nocturnal blood pressure (BP), such as extreme and reverse dipping, influence vascular function.

Methods: This study comprised consecutive 2800 individuals (1554 men and 1246 women).