Effects of nebivolol on biomarkers in elderly patients with heart failure.

Background: Heart failure activates neurohormones, and elevated levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are associated with adverse outcomes. The SENIORS trial showed that nebivolol, a highly selective beta-1 antagonist with vasodilating properties, reduced the composite outcome of all cause mortality or cardiovascular hospital admissions in older patients with heart failure. We explored the effects of nebivolol on a range of neurohormones, cytokines and markers of nitric oxide activity in heart failure.

Rates and causes of death from non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: ten year follow-up of the PRAIS-UK registry.

Background: Long term nationally representative mortality rates following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admissions are lacking beyond 5 years. We report rates and causes of mortality at approximately 10 years from PRAIS-UK.

Methods: PRAIS-UK was a prospective registry of 1046 non-ST-elevation ACS admissions to 56 UK hospitals between 1998 and 1999.

Usefulness of Q waves on ECG for the prediction of contractile reserve after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Controversy exists regarding the significance of pathological 'Q' waves on electrocardiography (ECG) following established acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in predicting non-viable myocardium.

Aim: The aim of the study was to ascertain the reliability of 'Q' waves on ECG to predict myocardial viability following AMI.

Methods: 176 patients underwent both ECG and DSE, at a mean of 4.

Antipsychotic-drug-induced dilated cardiomyopathy.

A man in his 30s presented with symptoms of shortness of breath (SOB). He was on clozapine for schizophrenic symptoms. From the initial two presentations it was thought to be and managed as a chest infection, and a perfusion ventilation scan was done to rule out pulmonary embolism.

Right coronary artery (RCA) aneurysm as a collateral circulation in sub totally occluded mid RCA stenosis.

Coronary aneurysms are rare occurrences but are known to be associated with complications. Controversies persist regarding the use of medical or surgical management, especially in the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease. This information is further lacking in cases of coronary aneurysm that appears to be working as collaterals/bypass blood across a suboccluded stenosis.

A randomized trial of exercise treadmill ECG versus stress SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging as an initial diagnostic strategy in stable patients with chest pain and suspected CAD: cost analysis.

Background: Exercise electrocardiography (ETT) is frequently used in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) improves diagnostic stratification. There are no randomized trials comparing ETT and MPI.

Mortality following non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome: 4 years follow-up of the PRAIS UK Registry (Prospective Registry of Acute Ischaemic Syndromes in the UK).

Aim: To present information on long-term prognosis and risk factors following an admission with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Methods: A cohort of 653 patients was followed for mortality and causes of death using data from the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS). Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the prognostic factors.

The pathologic basis of Q-wave and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the pathologic basis of Q-wave (QW) and non-Q-wave (NQW) myocardial infarction (MI).

Background: The QW/NQW distinction remains in wide clinical use but the meaning of the difference remains controversial. We hypothesized that measurement of total MI size and transmural extent by late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) would identify the pathologic basis of QWs.