High N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels are associated with reduced heart rate variability in acute myocardial infarction.

Aim: We investigated the relationships between the autonomic nervous system, as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) and levels of N-terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (Nt-proBNP) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods And Results: The mean of standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN), the percentage of RR intervals with >50 ms variation (pNN50), square root of mean squared differences of successive RR intervals (rMSSD), and frequency domain parameters (total power (TP), high frequency and low frequency power ratio (LF/HF)) were assessed by 24 h Holter ECG monitoring. 1018 consecutive patients admitted <24 h for an acute MI were included.

[Cardiovascular manifestations of eosinophilia: clinical and echocardiographic presentation].

Introduction: Endomyocardial fibrosis with apical obliteration is the best known involvement among heart lesions induced by hypereosinophilia. However, hypereosinophilic heart disease may involve all three heart layers, with a polymorphic clinical and echocardiographic presentation.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of five patients highlighting the various manifestations of hypereosinophilic heart disease.

Six deaths linked to concomitant use of buprenorphine and benzodiazepines.

Aims: Buprenorphine at high dosage became available in 1996 for substitution treatment in France. This drug is considered particularly safe and has become widely available in general medical practice. We investigated the possible implication of a buprenorphine-benzodiazepine association in six deaths of known abusers.