Real-time three-dimensional echocardiographic left ventricular systolic assessment: side-by-side comparison with 64-slice multi-detector cardiac computed tomography.

Aims: To investigate by real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT) the analysis of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and volumes.

Methods And Results: A total of 67 patients (37 males, 55 +/- 11 years) were studied prospectively by RT3DE and by 64-slice CCT. RT3DE data: LVEF ranged from 30 to 78.

[Evaluation of ischemic preconditioning on collateral circulation, ventricular function and clinical outcome in acute myocardial infarction].

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of ischemic preconditioning (IP) in collateral circulation (CC), early ventricular function and in hospital outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: We studied 97 patients with a 1st anterior MI within 6h of pain and isolated total proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, divided in 2 groups: with (GA) or without (GB) angina before MI. Coronariography and ventriculography were performed prior to reperfusion.

Ridogrel does not increase the speed and rate of coronary recanalization in patients with myocardial infarction treated with alteplase and heparin.

Ridogrel, a compound with the dual property of inhibiting the synthesis of thromboxane and blocking the receptors of thromboxane/prostaglandin/endoperoxides, has been shown to accelerate the speed of recanalization and to delay or prevent reocclusion during systemic thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator in experimental animals. Ninety patients who had not taken any antiplatelet drugs within the last 10 days were randomized to either intravenous ASA 250 mg immediately before the thrombolytic treatment and 100 mg once a day orally thereafter or ridogrel 300 mg i.v.

Long-term function in the remote region after myocardial infarction: importance of significant coronary stenoses in the non-infarct-related artery.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) function is the most important determinant of outcome after a myocardial infarction. Global LV function after a myocardial infarction is affected not only by wall motion in the infarct zone but also by regional function in the contralateral territory. It was hypothesised that the presence of significant stenoses in coronary arteries supplying the contralateral territory might influence the ability of this region to compensate for damaged myocardium after a myocardial infarction.

Beta-blocker infusion did not improve left ventricular diastolic function in myocardial infarction: a Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization study.

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function changes after myocardial infarction. It has been suggested that beta blockers may improve diastolic function in hypertensive and heart failure patients. Doppler echocardiographic filling patterns and invasive hemodynamic indices have been used to analyze LV diastolic function.