N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide as prognostic marker for mortality in coronary patients without clinically manifest heart failure.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its inactive N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) are strong prognostic markers in patients with manifest heart failure and acute coronary syndromes. We aimed to establish the association between NT-proBNP and all-cause mortality in patients with stable chronic coronary heart disease. Three-hundred-eighty-five patients, 6-24 months after acute coronary syndrome or coronary revascularisation, but without history or symptoms of chronic heart failure, were included into the cohort study.

Hypothyroidism in coronary heart disease and its relation to selected risk factors.

Introduction: Hypothyroidism (HT) has been found a predictor of cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to ascertain the prevalence of HT in patients with manifest coronary heart disease (CHD), and to establish its association with conventional risk factors.

Methods: 410 patients, 6-24 months after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, and/or revascularization, were included into the cross-sectional study.

Trends in blood pressure levels, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the Czech population from 1985 to 2000/01.

Objective: To assess trends in blood pressure (BP) levels, prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension in the Czech population from 1985 to 2000/01.

Design: Five independent cross-sectional population surveys conducted in 1985, 1988, 1992, 1997/98, and 2000/01.

Setting: Six, mostly rural, districts of the Czech Republic (Praha-východ, Benesov, Pardubice, Chrudim, Cheb, and Jindrichův Hradec).