Prediction of arterial pressure increase after fluid challenge.

Background: Mean arterial pressure above 65 mmHg is recommended for critically ill hypotensive patients whereas they do not benefit from supranormal cardiac output values. In this study we investigated if the increase of mean arterial pressure after volume expansion could be predicted by cardiovascular and renal variables. This is a relevant topic because unnecessary positive fluid balance increases mortality, organ dysfunction and Intensive Care Unit length of stay.

Chronic heart failure home-based management with a telecardiology system: a comparison between patients followed by general practitioners and by a cardiology department.

A group of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) were followed by general practitioners (GPs) with a telecardiology system, and a second group of patients were followed by a home-based telemonitoring (HBT) protocol with medical and nursing supervision. The 212 GP patients were older than the 226 HBT patients, mostly women, with CHF secondary to chronic hypertension, less self-sufficient and with a non-optimized therapy. The mean number of telephone calls was 2.

Incidence and outcome of persons with a clinical diagnosis of heart failure in a general practice population of 696,884 in the United Kingdom.

Background: There are few large population-based studies of the incidence and outcome of heart failure where the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) has been made by a General Practitioner (GP) in the community.

Methods: From the General Practice Research Database in the UK, we selected a population of 686,884 people 45 years or older. Incident cases of HF in 1991 were classified definite HF, possible HF, or a first prescription of diuretics without a diagnosis of HF.

Current perspectives. Heart failure woman: does she make any difference?

Significant differences between sexes may influence the prevalence, incidence and severity of the heart failure syndrome. These differences may also interfere with treatment and management. In this review sex differences and similarities have been analyzed focusing on epidemiology, drug therapy and psychological implications.