Alcohol consumption and ambulatory blood pressure: a community-based study in an elderly cohort.

Background: Although heavy alcohol consumption is associated with hypertension, the impact of lighter consumption on blood pressure (BP) is controversial. The protective effect of light alcohol consumption on cardiovascular disease described in previous studies could be, in part, mediated by effects of alcohol on BP. However, only a few studies investigating the association between alcohol and BP included elderly subjects, despite their higher risk of hypertension sequelae.

Intra- and interobserver reproducibility of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony assessment by real time three-dimensional echocardiography.

Background: Real time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography allows the assessment of left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony and may be useful in predicting response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. However, reproducibility of 3D dyssynchrony in past reports varied widely. We evaluated intra- and interobserver reproducibility of parameters of LV mechanical dyssynchrony by 3D echocardiography and explored the impact of image quality as a possible source of variability.

Accuracy of Doppler-derived pulmonary artery hypertension to predict heart failure with normal ejection fraction.

Recent advances have highlighted the clinical relevance of pulmonary artery hypertension in terms of diagnosis and prognosis in heart failure with normal ejection fraction. We addressed the usefulness of Doppler-derived pulmonary artery systolic pressure to predict heart failure with normal ejection fraction in stable patients with exertional dyspnea. 25 patients referred for clinically indicated catheterism with evidence of heart failure according to the European diagnostic flowchart on "how to diagnose heart failure with normal ejection fraction" and 12 controls referred for clinically indicated catheterism without this condition according to the diagnostic flowchart on "how to exclude heart failure with normal ejection fraction" were included.

Predictors of B-type natriuretic peptide and left atrial volume index in patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function: an echocardiographic-catheterization study.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) are used as surrogate measures for global myocardial function and are recommended for the diagnosis of heart failure with normal ejection fraction. Little is known, however, about predictors in patients with preserved systolic function.

Aims: To identify factors that influence the relation of BNP and left atrial size to invasively determined left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in stable patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function.

Usefulness of basal B-type natriuretic peptide levels for the diagnosis of diastolic heart failure in young patients: an echocardiographic-catheterization study.

The aim of the present study was to address the diagnostic relevance of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for the diagnosis of diastolic heart failure (DHF) in young patients presenting with chronic, isolated dyspnea. We prospectively included 26 consecutive patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction >50% referred for catheterism. DHF was authenticated in 15 patients with an invasive left ventricular end-diastolic pressure >16 mmHg.

Usefulness of left atrial volume for the diagnosis of diastolic heart failure: an echocardiographic-catheterization study.

The present study attempted to determine the accuracy of left atrial volume (LAVi) by transthoracic echocardiography in the diagnosis of diastolic heart failure (DHF) in patients presenting with chronic, isolated dyspnea. We included 28 consecutive patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction >50% without prior history of heart failure. DHF was authenticated in 20 patients by invasive left ventricular end-diastolic pressure >16 mmHg.