Early translation of adipose-derived cell therapy for cardiovascular disease.

Over the past decade, cell therapy has emerged as a new approach to reversing myocardial ischemia. Several types of adult stem cells have been studied in both preclinical and clinical conditions for this purpose: bone marrow cells, circulating cells, and myoblasts. Nevertheless, the quest for the ideal "anti-ischemic" cell is still ongoing.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells: the friendly side of a classic cardiovascular foe.

Recently, the existence of a population of stem cells located in the adipose tissue has been observed. Adipose-derived stem cells are able to differentiate into multiple cell lineages including cardiac myocytes. Hence, adipose-derived cells are emerging as a new source of adult stem cells for cardiovascular repair.

The influence of sex on right ventricular dysfunction in patients with severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction.

Aim: To assess the influence of sex on right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Methods And Results: We studied 385 consecutive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <0.35.

Heart failure in the elderly: age-related differences in clinical profile and mortality.

Background: Age influence in the prognosis in unselected patients with heart failure has not been widely studied.

Aims: To evaluate possible differences in clinical profile and outcome of patients hospitalized with HF according to age.

Methods And Results: During 1996, a total of 1065 hospital in-patients had confirmed heart failure, with follow-up data through 2002.

Pharmacological treatment in patients with heart failure: patients knowledge and occurrence of polypharmacy, alternative medicine and immunizations.

Aims: To evaluate in patients with heart failure (HF) due to systolic dysfunction the occurrence of polypharmacy, alternative medicine, immunization against influenza, and patients' knowledge about their medication.

Methods And Results: Sixty-five patients, 49 men, mean age 60.5+/-12.

Systolic dysfunction is a predictor of long term mortality in men but not in women with heart failure.

Aims: To evaluate possible gender differences in clinical profile and outcome of patients hospitalised with heart failure.

Methods And Results: During 1996 a total of 1065 hospital in-patients had confirmed heart failure, with follow-up data through 2002. Women (58%) were significantly older, had higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and lower prevalence of ischaemic heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease and alcoholism.