Diagnostic errors in the new millennium: a follow-up autopsy study.

A systematic review of the second half of the last century suggested that diagnostic errors have decreased over time. Our previous study covering the years 1972-1992 was then the only time series showing a significant reduction of diagnostic errors from a single institution. We report here the results of a follow-up study a decade later.

Interaction of vitamin K antagonists with heparin affect monitoring by activated clotting times.

Background: Unfractionated heparin is recommended during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation to achieve activated clotting time (ACT) above 250-300 s to prevent clot. Many patients on therapeutic international normalised ratio (INR) undergo AF ablation procedures; however, it is unknown whether they require less heparin to achieve similar ACT levels.

Methods: During AF ablation, the ACT was measured before and 10 min after administration of i.

Diagnostic performance in a primary referral hospital assessed by autopsy: evolution over a ten-year period.

Background: Despite remarkable progress in modern laboratory testing and imaging technology in recent years, diagnostic errors still occur. To assess whether diagnostic performance in a primary referral hospital improves with new diagnostic tools and algorithms, autopsy reports were analyzed over a ten-year period to monitor diagnostic errors.

Methods: Medical reports from 1997 to 2006 were compared retrospectively with autopsy reports.

The c.-292C>T promoter polymorphism increases reticulocyte-type 15-lipoxygenase-1 activity and could be atheroprotective.

Background: Reticulocyte-type 15-lipoxygenase-1 (ALOX15) has anti-inflammatory and inflammatory effects and is implicated in the development of asthma, arthritis and atherosclerosis. Previously, we screened the human ALOX15 gene for variations because genetic variability in ALOX15 might influence these diseases. We found a C>T substitution at position c.

Ethnicity-dependent genetic association of ABCA2 with sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

A recent study demonstrated a significant genetic association between the ATP-binding cassette transporter A2 (ABCA2) and the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a large Caucasian sample. The rare T allele of the synonymous exonic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs908832 was overrepresented in early-onset AD patients as compared to cognitively healthy controls. Here we confirm the association of rs908832 with AD in a Western European population (n = 291, P = 0.

Admission glucose concentrations independently predict early and late mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated by primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), increased plasma glucose levels at hospital admission are associated with worse outcome. We aimed to assess the predictive value of admission glucose concentrations on short- and long-term mortality in patients with acute MI undergoing primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We analyzed the 30-day and long-term (mean follow-up 3.

Effects of aggressive versus conventional lipid-lowering therapy by simvastatin on human atherosclerotic lesions: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives: This study sought to compare the effects of aggressive and conventional lipid lowering by two different dosages of the same statin on early human atherosclerotic lesions using serial noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Background: Regression of atherosclerotic lesions by lipid-lowering therapy has been reported.

Methods: Using a double-blind design, newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemic patients (n = 51) with asymptomatic aortic and/or carotid atherosclerotic plaques were randomized to 20 mg/day (n = 29) or 80 mg/day (n = 22) simvastatin.

The CAG repeat polymorphism in the androgen receptor gene is associated with HDL-cholesterol but not with coronary atherosclerosis or myocardial infarction.

Background: Age-adjusted morbidity and mortality rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) are higher in men than in women. Androgens are suspected to be responsible for the male disadvantage. The genomic effect of androgens is mediated by the androgen receptor (AR), which has a polymorphic CAG repeat in exon 1.

Rate-dependent AV delay optimization in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: During cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), cardiac performance is dependent on an optimized atrioventricular delay (AVD). However, the optimal AVD at different heart rates has not been defined yet during CRT.

Method: The effects of an increase in heart rate by pacing or physical exercise on optimal AVD were studied in 36 patients with biventricular pacemakers/defibrillators.

Texture analysis in digitally-acquired echocardiographic images: the effect of JPEG compression and video storage.

The analysis of texture in video-stored echocardiographic images is an established method to characterize myocardial pathologies. We investigated whether or not texture parameters calculated from video-stored images and those derived from the joint photographic expert group (JPEG) format compressed data are equivalent to those calculated from uncompressed digital images. Texture parameters were calculated using uncompressed digital data, images stored on videotape, and three forms of compressed digital data (baseline JPEG, JPEG 2000 and lossless JPEG 2000).

Folic Acid improves baroreceptor sensitivity in hypertension.

In hypertension baroreceptor-mediated modulation of heart rate is impaired, resulting in a decreased vagal control. Reactive oxygen species produced locally in the vasculature decrease baroreceptor sensitivity. Folic acid has antioxidant properties.

Relation of sex, age and concomitant diseases to drug prescription for heart failure in primary care in Europe.

Aim: To study the role of sex, age and concomitant diseases for prescription of cardiovascular drugs among patients with heart failure cared for in the community.

Methods And Results: In 15 European countries, a survey was conducted during 1999 and 2000 among 1363 primary care physicians who included 8256 patients with symptoms of heart failure. Predictors of drug prescription were assessed with multivariate logistic regression.

National survey on prescription of cardiovascular drugs among outpatients with coronary artery disease in Switzerland.

Background: Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease markedly reduces cardiovascular mortality and non-fatal endpoints. Outpatient care of subjects with coronary artery disease has been assessed in several European countries, but no current data is available for Switzerland.

Methods: A random sample of office-based physicians across Switzerland recorded current drug prescription of outpatients with coronary artery disease in the years 2000/2001 by means of a mail questionnaire.

Gender and noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease in women and men.

Objectives: The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the impact of the gender of physicians and patients on the accuracy of diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) based on the patient history only.

Methods: Screening involved 1082 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected CAD. Known CAD was an exclusion criterion.

Validity of self-reported exercise-induced sweating as a measure of physical activity among patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: In several epidemiological studies, self-reported exercise-induced sweating has been used as a measure of physical activity (PA). Among healthy subjects it is moderately well associated with other measures of PA and physical fitness, but its validity among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has not yet been established.

Methods: In a self-administered questionnaire, 233 patients undergoing coronary angiography replied to the question 'In the past 4 weeks, how often have you exercised vigorously enough to work up a sweat?" Patients also gave the frequency and duration of different PA.

Vitamin supplement use in a low-risk population of US male physicians and subsequent cardiovascular mortality.

Background: Although basic research suggests that vitamins may have an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the data from cohort studies and clinical trials are inconclusive.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted among 83 639 male physicians residing in the United States who had no history of CVD or cancer. At baseline, data on use of vitamin E, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and multivitamin supplements were provided by a self-administered questionnaire.