Plasma noradrenaline and neuropeptide-Y may not be of primary importance in the pathophysiology of cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: The present study was performed to measure concentrations of plasma noradrenaline and neuropeptide-Y-like immunoreactivity in relation to cardiac function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Plasma noradrenaline was measured by high performance liquid chromatography and neuropeptide-Y by radioimmunoassay in 30 consecutive patients with SSc and 48 sex and age matched controls. Left ventricular (LV) function was evaluated by Echocardiography.

Influence of aortic valve replacement, prosthesis type, and size on functional outcome and ventricular mass in patients with aortic stenosis.

Objectives: Two years after surgery for severe aortic stenosis, we prospectively evaluated the influence of aortic valve replacement, as well as valve type (mechanical or stented biologic) and size, on functional status, left ventricular function, and regression of mass.

Methods: Patients who received either a mechanical (n = 95) or a biologic valve (n = 42) were studied by echocardiography before the operation and after 2 years.

Results: The percentage of patients with severe dyspnea decreased from 53% to 13% (P =.

Improvement in quality of life differs between women and men after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: To study improvement in quality of life (QoL) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to gender.

Background: Women generally report worse QoL after CABG than men. However, women are older and more symptomatic prior to surgery, which should be considered in comparative analyses.

Determinants of an impaired quality of life five years after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Objective: To identify determinants of an inferior quality of life (QoL) five years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Setting: University hospital.

Participants: Patients from western Sweden who underwent CABG between 1988 and 1991.

Gender differences in patients with severe aortic stenosis: impact on preoperative left ventricular geometry and function, as well as early postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Objective: In patients with severe aortic stenosis, we studied the impact of gender on preoperative left ventricular geometry and function, as well as on early postoperative mortality and morbidity.

Methods: Prospective Doppler echocardiographic evaluation was performed in 99 female patients and 96 males.

Results: The patients had severe aortic stenosis and the mean pressure gradients were similar in females and males.

A placebo-controlled study of growth hormone in patients with congestive heart failure.

Aim: Experimental data in heart failure models and an open trial of seven patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy have suggested beneficial effects of growth hormone on cardiac function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate growth hormone effects on cardiac function in a placebo-controlled study.

Methods: Twenty two patients with congestive heart failure of different aetiologies in NYHA II and III and an echocardiographic ejection fraction <0.

[Study and treatment of heart failure require new approaches. Natriuretic peptides can be safe and simple diagnostic and outcome measures].

Analysis of plasma natriuretic peptides and related propeptide fragments may be a cost-effective aid to diagnostic evaluation and treatment follow-up in cases of heart failure. In diagnostic potential such variables may constitute first-line measures of high negative predictive value, allowing further examination, e.g.

Improvement in quality of life during 5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: To describe the changes in various aspects of quality of life (QOL) from before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to 5 years after the procedure.

Patients And Methods: Patients who underwent CABG in the western region of Sweden in 1988-1991 were approached with questionnaires evaluating their QOL prior to and 3 months and 1, 2, and 5 years after the operation. Three different instruments were used: the Nottingham Health Profile, the Psychological General Well-Being Index, and the Physical Activity Score.

New concept in echocardiography: harmonic imaging of tissue without use of contrast agent.

Background: Endocardial border detection is important for echocardiographic assessment of left-ventricular function. Second harmonic imaging of contrast agents enhances this border detection. We discovered that harmonic imaging improves tissue visualisation even before contrast injection.

Preoperative left-ventricular ejection fraction does not influence the improvement in quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an established treatment for angina pectoris which conveys relief of chest pain and improved physical performance. However, increased survival has only been observed in selected subgroups of patients with advanced coronary artery disease, particularly in the presence of depressed left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). It is therefore of interest to study whether the outcome in terms of quality of life (QoL) is also more favorable in candidates with depressed LVEF.

Physical activity, dyspnea, and chest pain before and after coronary artery bypass grafting in relation to a history of diabetes.

Objective: To describe the limitation of physical activity and symptoms of chest pain and dyspnea before and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to a history of diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: All patients in western Sweden in whom CABG was performed between 1988 and 1991 were asked to complete a questionnaire before 3 months and 2 years after the operation. The questionnaire evaluated limitation of physical activity and symptoms of chest pain and dyspnea.

Long-term Doppler echocardiographic results of aortic or mitral valve replacement with Biocor porcine bioprosthesis.

Objectives: Our objectives were to evaluate the long-term bioprosthetic and cardiac functional outcome after insertion (over a 10-year period) of a new-generation porcine zero pressure-fixed Biocor bioprosthesis, as well as to determine the echocardiographic accuracy for selection of patients requiring reoperation. The long-term systematic Doppler echocardiographic assessment after valve replacement with this bioprosthesis is lacking.

Methods: Between January 1983 and January 1993, we inserted 756 Biocor prostheses in the aortic (619) or mitral (137) positions.

The feeling of loneliness prior to coronary artery bypass grafting might be a predictor of short-and long-term postoperative mortality.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of different aspects of quality of life (QL) upon mortality during short-and long-term follow-up after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Design: Prospective evaluation.

Materials: Consecutive patients from western Sweden who during 3 years underwent CABG.

Diastolic and systolic function as predictors of exercise capacity after myocardial infarction in young Men.

We evaluated the power of measurements of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function for predicting exercise capacity in 97 young male survivors of a myocardial infarction. The patients were evaluated with M-mode echocardiography, a symptom-limited exercise test and coronary and LV angiography. In univariate analyses, maximum exercise workload was most closely related to the atrial emptying index, an index of diastolic function (r = 0.

Long-term effects on cardiac output and peripheral resistance in patients treated with enalapril after acute myocardial infarction. CONSENSUS II Multi-Echo Study Group. Cooperative New Scandinavian Enalapril Survival Study.

In the Cooperative New Scandinavian Enalapril Survival Study (CONSENSUS II), in which enalapril treatment was initiated intravenously within 24 h after acute myocardial infarction, there was a neutral effect on 6-month mortality, whereas a beneficial effect on the progression of congestive heart failure was noted. We studied the effect of enalapril on left ventricular systolic function in terms of cardiac output and mean acceleration time measured by pulsed-wave Doppler in the left ventricular outflow tract and peripheral resistance. Early angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition after acute myocardial infarction did not result in a general improvement of cardiac output.

Reference Doppler echocardiographic values for St. Jude Medical, Omnicarbon, and Biocor prosthetic valves in the aortic position.

The objectives of the present investigation were (1) to describe Doppler echocardiographic findings for mechanical and biologic aortic valves at an early stage after operation and later in a stable phase and (2) to study the changes occurring between these investigations. Patients (n = 213) who received a mechanical (St. Jude Medical, Omnicarbon) or a biologic (Biocor) valve were studied by Doppler echocardiography within the first week (baseline, n = 203) and after 2 years (late, n = 172).

Echocardiography allows early detection and long-term survival after infarct free wall rupture.

Approximately one third of free wall infarct ruptures are subacute and theoretically accessible for surgery. Two-dimensional echocardiography is an important tool in the early diagnosis of cardiac rupture. We report the successful treatment of a 74-year-old woman with subacute free wall rupture, who is still alive 3 years after surgery.

Limitation of physical activity, dyspnea and chest pain prior to and during two years after coronary artery bypass grafting in relation to a history of hypertension.

Aim: To describe the limitation of physical activity, the cause of limitation of physical activity and symptoms of dyspnea and chest pain before and 2 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to a history of hypertension.

Methods: All patients from western Sweden who underwent CABG between 1988 and 1991 were approached with a questionnaire--prior to, 3 months and 2 years after CABG--evaluating the issues raised above.

Results: Of 2121 patients, 37% had a history of hypertension.

Impact of a history of diabetes mellitus on quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aim: To describe the improvement in various aspects of quality of life (QoL) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in relation to a previous history of diabetes mellitus.

Patients: All patients from western Sweden who underwent CABG between 1988 and 1991 without simultaneous valve surgery.

Methods: Patients were approached with three questionnaires: The Physical Activity Score, the Nottingham Health Profile and the Psychological General Well-being Index prior to surgery and 3 months, 1 and 2 years thereafter.

Mortality and morbidity among patients who undergo combined valve and coronary artery bypass surgery: early and late results.

Aim: To describe mortality and morbidity early and late after combined valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as compared with CABG alone.

Patients And Methods: All patients from western Sweden in whom CABG in combination with valve surgery or CABG alone was carried out in 1988-1991.

Results: Among 2116 patients who underwent CABG, 35 (2%) had this combined with mitral valve surgery and 134 (6%) had this combined with aortic valve surgery, whereas the remaining 92% underwent CABG alone.

Short- and long-term prognosis after coronary artery bypass grafting in relation to smoking habits.

We describe the 2- and 5-year prognoses following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to smoking habits among consecutive patients being operated on in western Sweden during a 3-year period. Among the 2,121 patients, 10.2% admitted smoking at coronary angiography as compared with 7.

Impact of coronary artery bypass grafting on various aspects of quality of life.

Objective: To prospectively study the improvement in quality of life (QoL) after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

Patients And Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 2121) who underwent CABG at Sahlgrenska University Hospital between 1988 and 1991 received 3 questionnaires for the study of QoL: the Physical Activity Score, the Nottingham Health Profile and the Psychological General Well-being Index, which were responded both before surgery and at 3 months (n = 1059), 1 year (n = 1045) and 2 years (n = 1027) postoperatively.

Results: All differences were tested against baseline.

Improvement in various estimates of quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with and without a history of hypertension.

Objective: To describe various estimates of the quality of life (QOL) prior to and for 2 years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with a history of hypertension compared with nonhypertensives.

Methods: Patients in western Sweden in whom CABG had been performed between 1988 and 1991 participated. Their QOL was estimated from the Physical Activity Score, the Nottingham Health Profile, and the Psychological General Well-being Index.

Limitation of physical activity, dyspnea and chest pain before and two years after coronary artery bypass grafting in relation to sex.

Aim: To describe the limitation of physical activity and its causes, and symptoms of dyspnea and chest pain prior to and during two years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in relation to sex.

Methods: All patients from western Sweden who underwent CABG between June 1988 and June 1991 were approached with a questionnaire prior to, three months and two years after CABG evaluating the issues raised above.

Results: In all, 2121 patients were operated on, of which 81% were males.