The Influence of Cardiac Pacemaker Programming Modes on Exercise Capacity.

Background/aim: The cardiac pacing mode influences the atrioventricular synchronicity and the response of the heart rate to physical exercise. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of the most common pacemaker programming modes on exercise capacity.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-two pacemaker-wearing patients were clinically evaluated and submitted to an exercise stress test.

NT-proBNP values in elderly heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes.

Aim: To evaluate N-terminal pro-BNP-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasmatic levels in heart failure patients with/without atrial fibrillation (AFib) and with/without diabetes (DM).

Methods: The study enrolled 120 patients with heart failure, age 71.26±9.

NT-pro-BNP during isotonic and isometric exercise in heart failure patients with preserved LV ejection fraction.

Background: NT-pro-BNP level is increased in both systolic and diastolic heart failure (HF) and furthermore increases more during exercise. In diastolic HF, NT-pro-BNP might increase more during isometric exercise than during isotonic exercises because of increased afterload. We studied NT-pro-BNP values during isometric (hand-grip) and isotonic (cycloergometer) exercise in HF patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and different degrees of diastolic dysfunction.

Evolution of cardiovascular risk factors and ischemic heart disease in an elderly urban Romanian population over the course of 1 year.

Background: Romania has some of the highest mortality figures in the world attributable to ischemic heart disease and stroke among both men and women.

Objectives: To assess the changes in cardiovascular risk factors and ischemic heart disease in a group of subjects over 65 years of age during 1 year in an urban community of Romania.

Materials And Methods: We studied 515 subjects (264 women and 251 men) with a mean age of 73.

Comparative heart failure profile over a 3-year period in a Romanian general hospital.

Background: Heart failure (HF) has become an increasingly significant public health problem, associated with repeated hospitalizations, high costs, low quality of life, and decreased survival rate. The progress of the disease may be slowed if treatment is administered in accordance with current guidelines.

Objectives: To compare the clinical profile of HF patients in a Romanian general hospital over a 3-year period.