NT-proBNP is associated with mortality and adverse cardiac events in patients with atrial fibrillation presenting to the emergency department.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the emergency department. The CHA DS -VASc score helps to predict thromboembolic risk; however, the rate of other adverse cardiac events is more difficult to predict.

Hypothesis: The biomarker N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has prognostic value in patients presenting to the emergency department with AF.

High T2-weighted signal intensity is associated with elevated troponin T in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Areas of high signal intensity (HighT2) on T2-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging have been demonstrated in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It has been hypothesised that HighT2 may indicate active tissue injury in HCM. In this context, we studied HighT2 in relation to cardiac troponin.

Rationale and design of the ARCUS: Effects of trAnsRadial perCUtaneouS coronary intervention on upper extremity function.

Objective: The aim of this study is to provide a complete insight in the access-site morbidity and upper extremity function after Transradial Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (TR-PCI).

Background: In percutaneous coronary intervention the Transradial Approach (TRA) is gaining popularity as a default technique. It is a very promising technique with respect to post-procedure complications, but the exact effects of TRA on upper extremity function are unknown.

Long-term benefit of myectomy and anterior mitral leaflet extension in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Severely symptomatic patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) may benefit from surgical myectomy. In patients with enlarged mitral leaflets and mitral regurgitation, myectomy can be combined with anterior mitral leaflet extension (AMLE) to stiffen the midsegment of the leaflet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of myectomy combined with AMLE in patients with obstructive HC.

Echocardiographic features of an atypical presentation of rapidly progressive cardiac amyloidosis.

We present the case of a 66 year old male who presented with dyspnea and reduced exercise tolerance. Echocardiography demonstrated impaired left ventricular (LV) function and restrictive diastolic function with pronounced concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) without a history of hypertension and no aortic valve stenosis. Differential diagnostics of concentric LVH are discussed in detail.

Obstructive giant cardiac tumour in a patient with chest pain and acute respiratory insufficiency.

A 77-year-old woman presented with dyspnoea and respiratory-related thoracic pain, which was accompanied by dizziness and fatigue but no syncopal attacks. Auscultation of the heart disclosed an opening snap with mid-diastolic murmur. Laboratory assessment revealed no abnormalities but an elevated D-dimer level (1.

The predictive value of cardiac biomarkers in prognosis and risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Purpose Of Review: Atrial fibrillation is a significant public health issue considering its high prevalence in the general population, and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and thrombo-embolic complications.Asymptomatic paroxysms of atrial fibrillation occur frequently in the first stages of the disease but patients present to the doctor at a relatively late stage when the associated complications have already taken place. It is crucial to identify such patients as early as possible in order to start preventive therapy.

Minor elevations in troponin I are associated with mortality and adverse cardiac events in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aims: In patients with atrial fibrillation, minor troponin I elevation is regularly detected; however, the prognostic significance of this finding is unknown. We therefore sought to examine the prognostic value of elevated troponin I in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods And Results: A prospective study was conducted analysing all consecutive patients admitted with atrial fibrillation in a 2-year period.

Disease penetrance and risk stratification for sudden cardiac death in asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutation carriers.

Aims: To investigate the outcome of cardiac evaluation and the risk stratification for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) mutation carriers.

Methods And Results: Seventy-six HCM mutation carriers from 32 families identified by predictive DNA testing underwent cardiac evaluation including history, examination, electrocardiography, Doppler echocardiography, exercise testing, and 24 h Holter monitoring. The published diagnostic criteria for HCM in adult members of affected families were used to diagnose HCM.

Computed tomography unmasks a phantom tumour.

We describe a patient with left sided congestive heart failure and a round-shaped mass on the chest X-ray. Using computed tomography, the mass is diagnosed as a phantom tumour consisting of loculated effusion in the interlobular fissure that vanishes after treatment for heart failure is initiated.

Diastolic abnormalities as the first feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Dutch myosin-binding protein C founder mutations.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that carriers of Dutch founder mutations in cardiac myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3), without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or electrocardiographic abnormalities, have diastolic dysfunction on tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), which can be used for the screening of family members in the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) population.

Background: TDI is a more sensitive technique for the assessment of left ventricular contraction and relaxation abnormalities than is conventional echocardiography.

Methods: Echocardiographic studies including TDI were performed in genotyped hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients (genotype-positive, G+/LVH+; n = 27), mutation carriers without LVH (G+/LVH-; n = 27), and healthy controls (n = 55).

Percutaneous versus surgical treatment for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and enlarged anterior mitral valve leaflets.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) and septal myectomy combined with mitral leaflet extension (MLE) in symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients with an enlarged anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL). Both PTSMA and myectomy reduce septal thickness and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient; however, an uncorrected enlarged AMVL may predispose to residual systolic anterior motion (SAM) after successful standard myectomy or PTSMA. Myectomy with MLE previously demonstrated superior hemodynamic results compared with standard myectomy, but its value relative to PTSMA is unknown.

Sustained improvement after combined anterior mitral leaflet extension and myectomy in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Background: Mitral leaflet extension (MLE) combined with septal myectomy is a new surgical approach to treat hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and an enlarged mitral leaflet area. The study presents the long-term clinical results and outcome of this technique.

Methods And Results: MLE entails grafting a glutaraldehyde-preserved autologous pericardial patch onto the center portion of the anterior mitral valve leaflet.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a large community-based population: clinical outcome and identification of risk factors for sudden cardiac death and clinical deterioration.

Objectives: This study evaluates the clinical course and identifies risk factors for sudden cardiac death (SCD) and clinical deterioration in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in a large community-based population. Comparison was made with data from six tertiary referral and six nonreferral institutions.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease with marked heterogeneity in clinical presentation and prognosis.