Effect of obesity on atrial size in older women with non-valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Background And Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) typically prevails on male sex in all decades of life. Thus, prevalence rate of AF in older women is elevated, mainly due to their longer survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect that obesity has on atria dimensions of older women with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

The prognostic significance of serum glucose levels after the onset of ventricular arrhythmia on in-hospital mortality of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Several studies have illustrated the role played by serum glucose levels in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in general and, more particularly, after an acute coronary event.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of serum potassium and glucose levels on in-hospital mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease, who exhibited severe ventricular arrhythmia.

Methods: We enrolled 162 consecutive patients who were referred to our institution for an acute coronary event and presented with sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation during the first 24 hours of hospitalization.

The clinical value of mitral A-wave deceleration time in the prediction of a long-term adverse outcome in patients with myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Mitral A-wave deceleration time (Adt) is a promising Doppler parameter for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term prognostic value of Adt in relation to the development of heart failure and cardiac death in the setting of the first acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Conventional Doppler echocardiographic study and Adt measurements were performed in 105 patients (age 60 +/- 10 years, 77 men) 8.

Impact of the metabolic syndrome on atrial size in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, and it is strongly related to atrial enlargement. Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbility and mortality. However, the impact of the MetSyn on cardiac arrhythmias is poorly elucidated.

The influence of thrombolytic therapy on C-reactive protein in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Inflammation plays a crucial role in atherosclerotic processes and in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Strong evidence of this is the elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels during an ACS and its short- and long-term prognostic potency. The present study aimed to assess the relation between CRP serum levels and the elevation of cardiac markers in patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) as well as the effect of intravenous thrombolysis on a time series of CRP values.