Heart rate variability in patients hospitalized for decompensated diastolic heart failure at admission and after clinical stabilization.

Aims: We investigated heart rate variability (HRV) in patients hospitalized for decompensated diastolic heart failure and the effect of compensation course on HRV parameters. We also examined the association between the degree of diastolic dysfunction and HRV indices.

Patients & Methods: A total of 42 patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure, who had a measured ejection fraction ≥ 50%, and ten age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled.

Impact of preprocedural imaging on outcomes of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the impact of preprocedural imaging using computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with 3-D reconstruction on procedural efficiency, efficacy, complications and clinical outcome in patients who undergo radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) to eliminate atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: In this registry, a CT (n = 161) or MRI (n = 37) was obtained prior to RFA in 198 of 333 consecutive patients (age 61 ± 10 years) with paroxysmal (172) or persistent (161) AF. Antral pulmonary vein isolation was performed in all patients using an open-irrigation-tip catheter with a 3-D electroanatomical navigation system.

Exercise electrocardiographic responses and serum cystatin C levels among metabolic syndrome patients without overt diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: An impaired heart rate response during exercise (chronotropic incompetence) and an impaired heart rate recovery (HRR) after exercise are predictors of cardiovascular risk and mortality. Cystatin C is a novel marker for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate exercise electrocardiographic responses in patients with metabolic syndrome who were without overt diabetes mellitus, in addition to the association of serum cystatin C levels with the exercise electrocardiographic test results.

The role of interpolation in PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

Background: Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can cause cardiomyopathy. The mechanism is not known and may be multifactorial.

Objective: This study assessed the role of PVC interpolation in PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

The reliability of fractional flow reserve measurement in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is an invasive method to assess the functional significance of coronary stenoses. The value of FFR in diabetic patients is controversial because of microvascular dysfunction. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on FFR measurements.