Decrease in NTproBNP plasma levels indicates clinical improvement of acute decompensated heart failure.

Thirty-seven consecutive patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) admitted to emergency departments for acute dyspnea were investigated. Ten patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 10 patients with hypertension crisis were also included as controls. For each patient, a plasma amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) concentration measurement was performed at admission, 4, 12, and 24 hours later, and on the day of discharge.

Celiac disease associated with autoimmune myocarditis.

Background: Both celiac disease (CD) and myocarditis can be associated with systemic autoimmune disorders; however, the coexistence of the 2 entities has never been investigated, although its identification may have a clinical impact.

Methods And Results: We screened the serum of 187 consecutive patients with myocarditis (118 males and 69 females, mean age 41.7+/-14.