Effect of dobutamine on left ventricular functional geometry after acute myocardial infarction: experimental study.

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction causes left ventricular (LV) remodelling, which forms the substrate for its early and late complications. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the acute changes in LV functional geometry after acute myocardial infarction using echocardiography and to investigate the effect of continuous intravenous dobutamine administration on those changes.

Methods: In 22 pigs acute myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery.

Evaluation of myocardial performance index to predict mild rejection in cardiac transplantation.

Background: Early diagnosis of heart transplant rejection is mandatory, since even mild rejection can rapidly progress to more severe rejection. Noninvasive diagnosis of heart transplant rejection still remains a challenge.

Hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to determine a possible association between myocardial performance index (MPI) and biopsy score of the heart transplant.

Secondary prognosis after cardioembolic stroke of atrial origin: the role of left atrial and left atrial appendage dysfunction.

Background: Secondary prevention studies for cardioembolic strokes show a remarkable variability in stroke recurrence rates. Various reports have raised questions regarding differences in baseline clinical characteristics and in methodology to explain this wide variability.

Hypothesis: The purpose of the present study is to examine the 2-year outcome after first cardioembolic stroke of atrial origin and to correlate secondary prognosis with left atrial and left atrial appendage dysfunction.