QRS duration and early hemodynamic instability after coronary revascularization surgery.

Introduction And Objectives: The duration of the QRS interval measured by ECG is a marker of ventricular dysfunction and indicates a poor prognosis. Its value in patients undergoing coronary revascularization surgery has not been established.

Methods: The study involved 203 consecutive patients (age 64+/-9 years, 74% male) scheduled for elective coronary surgery.

[Usefulness of incremental atrial pacing for evaluating the effectiveness of the ablation of the slow perinodal pathway].

Introduction And Objectives: To study the usefulness of incremental atrial pacing for evaluating the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on slow pathway conduction in patients with atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out in patients either with (i.e.

[Prognostic role of new biomarkers in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery].

The value of biomarkers of myocardial damage or inflammation in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery has not yet been established. In a prospective study of 51 consecutive patients scheduled for elective OPCAB surgery, preoperative levels of troponin T, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were determined. The primary endpoint was the combination of cardiac death or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within 30 days.

[Evolution of severe mitral regurgitation after optimization of pharmacological therapy in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy].

In dilated cardiomyopathy, severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with a poor prognosis. In 112 consecutive clinically stable patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, echocardiography identified 15 (14%) patients who had severe MR (age, 53+/-12 years; 80% male; left ventricular ejection fraction, 26 +/- 8%). Existing medical treatment with ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers was increased up to the maximum tolerated doses.

[Usefulness of NTproBNP in the emergency management of patients with severe dyspnea and an uncertain heart failure diagnosis].

Introduction And Objectives: Measurement of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) helps in diagnosing heart failure (HF). The test's usefulness may be greatest in patients with severe dyspnea of uncertain origin. However, NTproBNP has not been evaluated specifically in this setting.