Subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillators: indications and limitations.

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator is today an indisputable evidence-based treatment for cardiac sudden death both in primary and secondary prevention. However, trans-venous cardioverter defibrillator implantation still carries a not negligible risk of complications both acutely and during follow-up. Trans-venous endocardial lead is the weak link of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) technology being the source of most mechanical complications on vessels and heart structures and exposed to infection, malfunction and recalls.

Prognostic value of N-terminal pro-type-B natriuretic peptide and Doppler left ventricular diastolic variables in patients with chronic systolic heart failure stabilized by therapy.

Prognostication of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) stabilized by therapy may be difficult. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate whether combined assessment of plasma N-terminal pro-B natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and Doppler left ventricular (LV) diastolic variables was relevant to the prognosis of patients with stable HF. Outpatients with LV systolic HF (ejection fraction < or =45%), classified using clinical criteria as decompensated (n = 94) and stable HF (n = 219), underwent a complete Doppler echocardiographic study.

N-terminal protype-B natriuretic peptide and Doppler diastolic variables are incremental for risk stratification of patients with NYHA class I-II systolic heart failure.

Background: In systolic heart failure (HF), preventing the development of severe symptoms, before patients are in advanced NYHA functional classes, is a worthwhile target of therapy. Early recognition of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and neuroendocrine activation may have an important impact on patient's outcome.

Aim: To investigate whether N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) and mitral flow and tissue Doppler (TD) diastolic parameters are incremental for risk stratification of systolic HF patients in NYHA class I and II.

Plasma N-terminal protype-B natriuretic peptide levels in risk assessment of patients with mitral regurgitation secondary to ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is a factor affecting prognosis of patients with chronic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the evaluation of plasma N-terminal protype-B natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations is useful for prognostic assessment of patients with functional MR due to either ischemic or nonischemic chronic LV dysfunction.

Methods: Echocardiograms were obtained in 207 patients with chronic LV dysfunction (ejection fraction View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prognostic significance of tricuspid annular motion and plasma NT-proBNP in patients with heart failure and moderate-to-severe functional mitral regurgitation.

Background: The role of the right ventricle has been relatively neglected proportionate to its importance. We sought to evaluate the impact of right ventricular (RV) and NT-proBNP on the outcome of patients with heart failure (HF) and functional mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods And Patients: Outpatients with left ventricular (LV) systolic HF (ejection fraction [EF] < or =45%) and moderate-to-severe MR measured by a vena contracta width > or =0.

Right ventricular dysfunction is a major predictor of outcome in patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) by simple methods of echocardiographic measurement. Although both RV dysfunction and functional MR may affect prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF) due to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, information is lacking regarding the impact of RV dysfunction in patients with functional MR.

Methods: Among 356 consecutive patients with chronic HF due to LV dysfunction (ejection fraction < or = 45%), 107 met the entry criteria of moderate to severe MR as assessed by a vena contracta width > or = 0.