Abnormal exercise echocardiography plus abnormal E/e' ratio at exercise portends worse outcome in patients with dyspnea.

Background: The role of exercise echocardiography (ExE) for the assessment of patients with dyspnea is promising. We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with this condition referred for ExE.

Methods: A total of 505 patients (66 ± 11 years, 57% women) referred for evaluation of dyspnea were considered.

Left ventricular torsion and circumferential strain responses to exercise in patients with ischemic coronary artery disease.

LV torsion during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well known. Circumferential strain (CS) and left ventricular (LV) torsion (Tor) have not been evaluated during ischemia in these patients. We aimed to assess the effect of ischemia during exercise echocardiography (ExE) on CS and Tor.

Outcome by Exercise Echocardiography in Patients with Low Pretest Probability of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Recommendations for testing in patients with low pretest probability of coronary artery disease differ in guidelines from no testing at all to different tests. The aim of this study was to assess the value of exercise echocardiography (ExE) to define outcome in this population.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,436 patients with low pretest probability of coronary artery disease (<15%) who underwent initial ExE.

Exercise left ventricular ejection fraction predicts events in right bundle branch block.

Objective: Interpretation of the electrocardiogram (ECG) during exercise is not easy in patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB). Also, the value of exercise echocardiography (ExE) for predicting outcome in them has not been addressed. We sought to assess its prognostic value in patients with RBBB and known/suspected coronary disease.

Predicting mortality in burn patients with bacteraemia.

Objective: To determine factors associated with mortality in burn patients with bacteraemia.

Background: Previous studies have shown the negative impact of bacteraemia on the prognosis of burn patients, but only a few of these have analysed variables intervening in the clinical progress of these patients.

Methods: A retrospective study of adult burn patients (n = 73) with bacteraemia (103 episodes) in a Burns Unit during the 2000-2013 period.

Tracheostomy in the management of patients with thermal injuries.

Objective: To assess the use and clinical impact of tracheostomy in burn patients.

Summary Background Data: The role of tracheostomy in the management of burn patients is controversial, with only a few recent studies conducted in this population.

Methods: Retrospective study of all adult burn patients who underwent a tracheostomy in a Burns Unit between 1995 and 2013.