Molecular genetics in 1991 arrhythmia probands and 2782 relatives in Norway: Results from 17 years of genetic testing in a national laboratory.

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants and assess the diagnostic yield from genetic testing for cardiac arrhythmias in Norway since 2003. Data from 1991 probands and 2782 relatives were retrospectively collected from the laboratory information management system at Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Oslo University hospital. Of 1991 probands, 57.

Young athlete's growing heart: sex differences in cardiac adaptation to exercise training during adolescence.

Background: Athlete's heart is a condition of exercise-induced cardiac remodelling. Adult male endurance athletes more often remodel beyond reference values. The impact of sex on remodelling through adolescence remains unclear.

Mechanical dispersion as a marker of left ventricular dysfunction and prognosis in stable coronary artery disease.

Assessment of global longitudinal strain (GLS) is superior to ejection fraction (EF) in the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) function in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the role of mechanical dispersion (MD) in this context remains unresolved. We aimed to evaluate the potential role of MD as a marker of LV dysfunction and long-term prognosis in stable CAD.

Sensitive cardiac troponins and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in stable coronary artery disease: correlation with left ventricular function as assessed by myocardial strain.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponins (cTns) measured with sensitive assays provide strong prognostic information in patients with stable coronary artery disease. However, the relationship between these biomarkers and myocardial contractile function, as well as infarct size, in this patient group, remains to be defined. The study population consisted of 160 patients referred to a follow-up echocardiography scheduled 1 year after coronary revascularization.

Mitral annular displacement by Doppler tissue imaging may identify coronary occlusion and predict mortality in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Mitral annular displacement (MAD) is a simple marker of left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that MAD can distinguish patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMIs) from those with significant coronary artery disease without infarctions, identify coronary occlusion, and predict mortality in patients with NSTEMIs. MAD was compared with established indices of LV function.

Sensitive troponin assays and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in acute coronary syndrome: prediction of significant coronary lesions and long-term prognosis.

Background: Sensitive troponin assays have substantially improved early diagnosis of myocardial infarction. However, the role of sensitive cardiac troponin (cTn) assays in prediction of significant coronary lesions and long-term prognosis in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) remains unresolved.

Methods: This prospective study includes 458 consecutive patients with NSTE-ACS admitted for coronary angiography.

Duration of myocardial early systolic lengthening predicts the presence of significant coronary artery disease.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate whether the duration of left ventricular (LV) early systolic lengthening could accurately identify patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background: Ischemic myocardium with reduced active force will lengthen when LV pressure rises during early systole before onset of systolic shortening.

Methods: We included 88 patients with suspected CAD referred to elective diagnostic coronary angiography.

Detection of left ventricular dysfunction by global longitudinal systolic strain in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether global longitudinal strain measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography could detect incipient myocardial dysfunction in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). Disclosing left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is of decisive importance for optimal timing of surgery but challenging because of the altered loading conditions.

Methods: Forty-seven patients referred for aortic valve replacement because of chronic AR were studied, along with 31 healthy controls.

Mechanical dispersion assessed by myocardial strain in patients after myocardial infarction for risk prediction of ventricular arrhythmia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether myocardial strain echocardiography can predict ventricular arrhythmias in patients after myocardial infarction (MI).

Background: Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) is insufficient for selecting patients for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy after MI. Electrical dispersion in infarcted myocardium facilitates malignant arrhythmia.

[Psychological intervention after trauma--does it work?].

A Cochrane review from 1998 concluded that single-session intervention does not prevent the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder. This led to a debate about what is the best, if any, psychological treatment after traumas. In consequence, some clinicians have become doubtful about as how to deal with traumatized patients.