Whole body bioimpedance monitoring for outpatient chronic heart failure follow up.

Background: Although cardiac output index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI), and total systemic vascular resistance (TSVR) are important hemodynamic parameters for the prognosis of chronic heart failure (CHF), they are difficult to measure in an outpatient setting. Whole body bioimpedance monitoring using a Non-Invasive Cardiac System (NICaS) allows for easy, non-invasive estimation of these parameters. Here, whether NICaS-derived hemodynamic parameters are clinically significant was investigated by relating them to other conventional cardiovascular functional indices, and by evaluating their predictive accuracy for CHF readmission.

Catheter-based transcoronary myocardial hypothermia attenuates arrhythmia and myocardial necrosis in pigs with acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of catheter-based transcoronary myocardial hypothermia (CTMH) in pigs with acute myocardial ischemia.

Background: Although it has been suggested that hypothermia therapy can attenuate myocardial necrosis, few applications have been accepted for clinical use.

Methods: This study comprises 2 substudies.

Neointimal coverage of sirolimus-eluting stents at 6-month follow-up: evaluated by optical coherence tomography.

Aims: Since the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) cannot detect neointimal layers in the majority of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) at the chronic phase, it is still controversial to what extent SES remain uncovered. However, optical coherence tomography (OCT) with excellent resolution may be able to detect thinner neointima.

Methods And Results: A total of 34 patients (57 SES) underwent OCT and IVUS evaluations at 6-month follow-up.

Impedance cardiography for cardiac output estimation: reliability of wrist-to-ankle electrode configuration.

Background: Non-invasive measurement of cardiac output (CO) may become an important modality for the treatment of heart failure. Among the several methods proposed, impedance cardiography (ICG) has gained particular attention. There are 2 basic technologies of ICG: thoracic and whole-body ICG whereby the electrodes are applied either to the chest or to the limbs.

Myocardial stiffness is an important determinant of the plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentration in patients with both diastolic and systolic heart failure.

Aims: Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration increases in proportion to heart failure (HF) severity. Although plasma BNP decreases to a certain level by optimal treatment, there is significant heterogeneity in the baseline value among individuals. The underlying mechanism of the steady-state plasma BNP levels remains still controversial.

Beneficial effects of human atrial natriuretic peptide on renal function in a patient with repeated coronary interventions: a case report.

Among percutaneous coronary intervention post procedural complications, renal acute dysfunction due to administration of contrast agent is commonly seen in patients with pre-existing renal impairment, especially with co-existent diabetes mellitus and/or congestive heart failure. Although several strategies have been proposed to ameliorate this condition, their effects are inconsistent. A 66-year-old diabetic man at high risk for this complication underwent three distinct percutaneous coronary intervention procedures.