Newer drug therapy for congestive heart failure.

Background: The management of congestive heart failure has undergone a number of modifications over the past 5 to 10 years.

Methods: These include assaying the role of inotropic drugs, evaluating the role of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, considering the role of intermittent inotropic infusion in ambulatory patients, and recognizing the importance of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Very recently, the important role of angiotensin II receptor blocking agents and the use of beta blockade have provided additional modalities for the control of congestive heart failure.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis as an assessment of diuresis in congestive heart failure.

Objective: To compare changes in bioimpedance parameters and calculated total body water (TBW) with conventional measurements used to assess the efficacy of diuretic therapy in the treatment of heart failure.

Setting: A Veterans Affairs tertiary care, teaching hospital.

Subjects: Twelve patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III congestive heart failure (CHF).

Pleural effusion as the major manifestation of actinomycosis.

Pleural effusion represents an unusual but significant manifestation of actinomycosis, as illustrated in this case presentation. The diagnosis was made after bronchoscopy and examination of bronchoalveolar fluid and culture. No parenchymal abnormality was noted on the chest film.

Comparison of silent and symptomatic ischemia during exercise testing in men.

Objective: To compare angina and ST-segment depression during exercise testing, as markers for coronary artery disease.

Design: Retrospective analysis of exercise test responses and cardiac catheterization results.

Setting: A U.