N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Plasma Levels Are Associated with Intermediate-Term Follow-Up Cancer in Coronary Patients.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels are increased in patients with cancer. In this paper, we test whether NT-proBNP may identify patients who are going to receive a future cancer diagnosis (CD) in the intermediate-term follow-up. We studied 962 patients with stable coronary artery disease and free of cancer and heart failure at baseline.

Galectin-3 Is Associated with Cardiovascular Events in Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Type-2 Diabetes.

Introduction: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with early and severe atherosclerosis. However, few biomarkers can predict cardiovascular events in this population.

Methods: We followed 964 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), assessing plasma levels of galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at baseline.

Targeted and non-targeted metabolic time trajectory in plasma of patients after acute coronary syndrome.

Metabolite fingerprinting (metabolomics/metabonomics) is perfectly suited for assessing the biological response following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as relevant information can be identified in both the change and the absence of change in metabolite concentrations as time progresses post syndrome. During this study the metabolic pattern of plasma from patients at time points 0, four days, two months and six months after the onset of ACS were compared to controls using a non-targeted approach with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fatty acid profiles of the sample set were also analysed in a targeted way.

[Congenital atrioventricular block and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome].

We report the case of a patient followed since childhood for congenital complete atrioventricular block. At 28 years of age, atrioventricular conduction through an accessory pathway with long conduction times was detected. Periods of atrioventricular conduction alternated with periods of atrioventricular block.

[Results of long-term permanent atrial stimulation in sick sinus disease].

Introduction: AAI is the pacing mode recommended in patients with sinus node dysfunction (SND) but is the less used in our country. Progression to high grade atrioventricular block (AVB) is argued as the reason to implant VVI or DDD pacemakers. We used AAI pacemakers in patients with SND only if Wenckebach AVB appeared at atrial pacing rates > or = 120 beats/min before implantation.

Mitral valve movement: a study using an ultrasound technique.

The movement of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve has been recorded with an ultrasound echo technique. The intrinsic mobility of the valve cusps and the rate of ventricular filling are thought to influence the closure of the valve during diastole. Atrial contraction occurs at the end of ventricular diastole and reopens the valve before the mitral valve returns to the closed position before the onset of ventricular systole.