Comparison of continuous 24-hour and 14-day ECG monitoring for the detection of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with ischemic stroke or syncope.

Background: Previous studies show that using 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) or 24-h ECG monitor for the detection of cardiac arrhythmia events in patients with stroke or syncope is ineffective.

Hypothesis: The 14-day continuous ECG patch has higher detection rates of arrhythmias compared with conventional 24-h ECG monitoring in patients with ischemic stroke or syncope.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of patients with newly diagnosed ischemic stroke or syncope received a 24-h ECG monitoring and 14-day continuous cardiac monitoring patch and the arrhythmia events were measured.

Usefulness of serial post-systolic shortening by speckle tracking echocardiography to predict major adverse cardiovascular events and segmental function improvement after acute myocardial infarction.

Purpose: The aim is to determine whether serial post-systolic shortening (PSS) using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) could predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), especially symptom-driven infarct-related artery (IRA) revascularization and improvement in segmental function in post-myocardial infarction patients.

Methods/results: Ninety-four patients (average age 61.1 ± 12.

Protein kinases are involved in the cardioprotective effects activated by platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor tirofiban at reperfusion in rats in vivo.

The thrombolytic effect of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors) in myocardial infarction has been well established. Nevertheless, data on the mechanism of the cardioprotective effect of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in ischemic-reperfusion injury (IR) are lacking. Sprague-Dawley rats received 120 min of coronary ischemia and 180 min of reperfusion.

Effects of statin therapy on cerebrovascular and renal outcomes in patients with predialysis advanced chronic kidney disease and dyslipidemia.

Background: Treatment with statin may be beneficial for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the debate over the clinical importance of statin in patients with predialysis advanced CKD remains unresolved.

Objectives: The objective of the article was to evaluate the effect of statin on mortality, cerebrovascular, and renal outcomes in patients with predialysis advanced CKD and dyslipidemia.

Predictors of Left Ventricle Remodeling: Combined Plasma B-type Natriuretic Peptide Decreasing Ratio and Peak Creatine Kinase-MB.

Previous studies reported that patients who had an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have found that measuring B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) during the subacute phase of left ventricular (LV) remodeling can predict the possible course of LV remodeling. This study assessed the use of serial BNP serum levels combined with early creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) to predict the development of significant LV remodeling in AMI patients. Nighty-seven patients with new onset AMI were assessed using serial echocardiographic studies and serial measurements of BNP levels, both performed on day-2 (BNP1), day-7 (BNP2), day-90 (BNP3), and day-180 (BNP4) after admission.

Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Predict Left Ventricular Remodeling after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Objectives: Left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction increases cardiovascular events and mortality. But few study was done in patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF > 40%). We investigate whether the strain and strain rate by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography could predict left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in this cohort.

Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor Tirofiban Ameliorates Cardiac Reperfusion Injury.

There are many published articles on the effects of the antithrombolytic function of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors) in myocardial infarction. However, few studies have explored the effects and optimal concentration of tirofibans in diminishing the extent of myocardial reperfusion injury (RI).Rats received 120 minutes of coronary ligation and 180 minutes of reperfusion.

Relationship between resistant hypertension and arterial stiffness assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in the older patient.

Background: Resistant hypertension (RH) is a common clinical condition associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in older patients. Several factors and conditions interfering with blood pressure (BP) control, such as excess sodium intake, obesity, diabetes, older age, kidney disease, and certain identifiable causes of hypertension are common in patients resistant to antihypertensive treatment. Arterial stiffness, measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic index and potential therapeutic target in hypertensive patients.

Relation of arterial stiffness assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity to complexity of coronary artery disease.

Background: The progression of atherosclerosis leads to increased arterial stiffness. The present study used brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) to evaluate the connection between arterial stiffness in patients with chest pain and the presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: On a retrospective basis, we analyzed the data of 703 consecutive patients who had undergone baPWV and an elective coronary angiogram for suspected CAD, between June 2010 and July 2012, at a single cardiovascular center.

Microvascular permeability changes might explain cardiac tamponade after alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Various sequelae of alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy have been reported. Of note, some cases of cardiac tamponade after alcohol septal ablation cannot be well explained. We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in whom cardiac tamponade developed one hour after alcohol septal ablation, probably unrelated to mechanical trauma.

The effects of gout on left atrial volume remodelling: a prospective echocardiographic study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of gout on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and left atrial volume (LAV).

Methods: A total of 173 patients were divided into four groups: control (n = 35), asymptomatic hyperuricaemia (n = 30), gouty arthritis without tophi (n = 58) and gouty tophi (n = 50). Patients underwent a comprehensive Doppler echocardiography examination to evaluate LV volume, systolic and diastolic function and LAV and function.

Changes in myocardial mechanics in patients with obesity following major weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate myocardial mechanics in obese subjects using 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Design And Methods: 63 obese individuals, including 28 who underwent bariatric surgery for weight loss (BMI 51 ± 9 kg/m2) and 35 managed conservatively (BMI 43 ± 7 kg/m2 ) were included. Changes in strain (S) and strain rate (SR) measured by 2D-STE.

Role of serial quantitative assessment of right ventricular function by strain in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The aim of this study was to assess whether serial quantitative assessment of right ventricular (RV) function by speckle-based strain imaging is affected by pulmonary hypertension-specific therapies and whether there is a correlation between serial changes in RV strain and clinical status. RV longitudinal systolic function was assessed using speckle-tracking echocardiography in 50 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) before and after the initiation of therapy. The mean interval to follow-up was 6 ± 2 months.

Left and right ventricular strain and strain rate measurement in normal adults using velocity vector imaging: an assessment of reference values and intersystem agreement.

Velocity vector imaging (VVI) software permits quantitative assessment of ventricular function through measurement of myocardial strain (S) and strain rate (SR). The purpose of this study was to define a reference range of ventricular S and SR values in normal adults using VVI software, and to describe the variability among observers and systems. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed in 186 healthy adults free of cardiovascular disease or risk factors, followed by comprehensive ventricular S and SR analysis using VVI software.

Speckle tracking echocardiography in acute myocarditis.

To evaluate 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in patients with acute myocarditis. In this retrospective cohort study, 45 patients (age, 39 ± 15 years; 32 male) with suspected acute myocarditis and 83 healthy controls (age, 39 ± 13 years; 27 male) underwent 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Main outcome measures were circumferential and longitudinal strain and strain rate as prognostic and diagnostic markers.

Arterial stiffness is the independent factor of left ventricular hypertrophy determined by electrocardiogram.

Introduction: Arterial stiffness may contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This study was conducted to evaluate the independent factor of LVH and the quantification of LVH by electrocardiogram (ECG) to predict the degree of aortic stiffness using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in subjects with hypertension.

Materials And Methods: A total of 984 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having essential hypertension were entered into the study.

Right ventricular strain for prediction of survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating illness of pulmonary vascular remodeling, right-sided heart failure, and limited survival. Whether strain-based measures of right ventricular (RV) systolic function predict future right-sided heart failure and/or death is untested.

Methods: RV longitudinal systolic strain and strain rate were evaluated by echocardiography in 80 patients with World Health Organization group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH) (72% were functional class [FC] III or IV).

Vascular changes at the puncture segments of arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis access.

Objective: Repeated puncture is a mechanical injury to the hemodialysis accesses. We systemically observed the vascular changes at the puncture segments of arteriovenous fistulas.

Methods: The native arteriovenous fistulas in 104 patients on maintenance hemodialysis using the buttonhole technique for puncture were studied.

Coronary phenotypes in patients with erectile dysfunction and silent ischemic heart disease: a pilot study.

Introduction: Accumulated evidence shows that erectile dysfunction (ED) may be a precursor of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in coronary phenotypes between patients with ED and patients with angina pectoris.

Methods: The study enrolled 30 ED patients (study group) and 120 age-matched angina patients who had no ED (control group).

Scrutiny of cardiovascular risk factors by assessing arterial stiffness in erectile dysfunction patients.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an early sign of vascular dysfunction. Studies have reported a correlation between arterial stiffness and cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association among different criteria for assessing arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk factors in ED patients.

Independent determinants of coronary artery disease in erectile dysfunction patients.

Introduction: There is growing evidence of a link between erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the independent determinants of CAD in ED outpatients.

Methods: This study enrolled 243 patients, ranging in age from 21 to 81 years old, suffering from ED as diagnosed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores.

Clinical role of recurrently elevated macro creatine kinase type 1.

The typical creatine kinase (CK) isoenzymes include CK-BB, CK-MB, and CK-MM. Macro CK type 1, one of the atypical CK enzymes, has been identified in human serum, but the clinical significance still remains uncertain. In our laboratory, 105 patients who expressed serum macro CK isoenzyme type 1 were identified from March 2004 to March 2007.

Neisseria elongata endocarditis complicated by brain embolism and abscess.

We report a case of Neisseria elongata endocarditis with thalamic septic embolization and subsequent brain abscess formation, which to the best of our knowledge has never been reported in the literature. The brain abscess completely resolved after a surgical repair of the infected mitral valve and an additional 4 weeks of antimicrobial therapy. Based on a review of all previous reports of N.