Medical treatment of octogenarians with chronic heart failure: data from CHECK-HF.

Background: Elderly heart failure (HF) patients are underrepresented in clinical trials, though are a large proportion of patients in real-world practice. We investigated practice-based, secondary care HF management in a large group of chronic HF patients aged ≥ 80 years (octogenarians).

Methods: We analyzed electronic health records of 3490 octogenarians with chronic HF at 34 Dutch outpatient clinics in the period between 2013 and 2016 , 49% women.

MISSION!: optimization of acute and chronic care for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Guideline implementation programs for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) enhance adherence to evidence-based medicine (EBM) and improve clinical outcome. Although undertreatment of patients with AMI is well recognized in both acute and chronic phases of care, most implementation programs focus on acute and secondary prevention strategies during the index hospitalization phase only.

Hypothesis: Implementation of an all-phase integrated AMI care program maximizes EBM in daily practice and improves the care for patients with AMI.

Assessment of right ventricular infarction with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: Evaluation of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to assess right ventricular infarction in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction.

Background: Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging has been used for assessing scar tissue after left ventricular infarction. The value of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to assess right ventricular infarction is unknown and was evaluated.

Which parameters on magnetic resonance imaging determine Q waves on the electrocardiogram?

Studies have demonstrated that patients with Q-wave infarctions on the electrocardiogram (ECG) frequently have nontransmural scar formation, whereas non-Q-wave infarctions may have transmural scars. The precise pathophysiologic substrate that underlies Q waves remains unclear. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred technique to evaluate patients who have infarction because information can be obtained on function, contractile reserve (viability), and scar tissue.

Quantification of myocardial infarct size and transmurality by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in men.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (ce-MR) imaging allows precise delineation of infarct transmurality. An issue of debate is whether data analysis should be performed visually or quantitatively. Accordingly, a head-to-head comparison was performed between visual and quantitative analyses of infarct transmurality on ce-MR imaging.

Head-to-head comparison between contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and dobutamine magnetic resonance imaging in men with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can predict functional recovery after revascularization. Segments with small, subendocardial scars have a large likelihood of recovery, and segments with transmural infarction have a small likelihood of recovery. Segments with an intermediate extent of infarction have an intermediate likelihood of recovery, and therefore, additional information is needed.