Optimizing pacemaker longevity with pacing mode and settings programming: results from a pacemaker multicenter registry.

Background: This study aimed to describe the influence on dual-chamber devices' expected longevity of devices' settings.

Methods: Data from patients implanted with dual chamber devices (Symphony™, SORIN CRM SAS, Clamart, France) from 2003 to 2006 were collected in registries. Programmer files were retrieved: device-estimated longevity, assessed through algorithm prediction, was analyzed according to device settings.

Etiology and prevention of pulmonary complications following beta-mimetic mediated tocolysis.

Objectives: This study documents biological (haematocrit variations) and therapeutic parameters (salbutamol doses, volumes perfused) in two groups tocolysed with salbutamol, one with and the other without APO in order to define the risk factors linked to APO and to establish a standard protocol of management.

Study Design: This retrospective study includes data from 68 intravenous salbutamol tocolysis with four resulting APOs, carried out between January 1st, 1993 and December 31st, 1995.

Results: There was an excessive level of salbutamol administered over 48 h in the complicated APO-group (122.

[Natural estrogens and the cardiovascular system].

The significant relationship between hormone substitution therapy during menopause and reduced cardiovascular risk has been demonstrated in many studies. The beneficial effect of natural estrogens on plasma lipids has been questioned, accounting for no more than 25% of the vascular effect. Natural estrogens act on the vascular wall by favoring the penetration of potassium into the cell and stimulating synthesis of prostacycline synthetase and prostaglandin cyclooxygenase.

Prognostic factors of chronic heart failure in NYHA class II or III: value of invasive exercise haemodynamic data.

Unlabelled: Various parameters have been found useful for establishing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, in particular haemodynamic parameters measured at rest. However, few studies deal with the prognostic value of invasive exercise haemodynamic parameters in such patients. Our aim was to test the value of such parameters to assess the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure in functional class II or III of the New York Heart Association.

[4-year mortality of heart failure with intact systolic function: a retrospective studies].

Heart failure with normal systolic function has been recognised in 30-40% of patients investigated for congestive heart failure. The authors undertook a retrospective study of global and cardiovascular mortality at 4 years in two groups of patients with a history of congestive heart failure documented by equilibrium angioscintigraphy: group I (n = 109) with poor left ventricular systolic function (EF = 26 +/- 9%) and group II (n = 40) with normal systolic function (EF = 58 +/- 8%). The 4 year cardiovascular mortality was less in group II (21.