Functional mitral regurgitation: a link to pulmonary hypertension in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) may present with Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Whether PH is linked to the presence of functional MR has not been investigated in HFpEF patients.

Methods And Results: Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) and functional MR were assessed by 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography in 70 ambulatory HFpEF patients and 70 hypertensive control subjects free of organic mitral valve lesions, significant valve disease, and comorbid conditions associated with PH.

Phenotype-genotype correlation and follow-up in adult patients with hypokalaemia of renal origin suggesting Gitelman syndrome.

Introduction: Gitelman syndrome (GS) is a tubulopathy caused by SLC12A3 gene mutations, which lead to hypokalaemic alkalosis, secondary hyperaldosteronism, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalciuria.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of SLC12A3 gene mutations in adult hypokalaemic patients; to compare the phenotype of homozygous, heterozygous and non-mutated patients; and to determine the efficiency of treatment.

Methods: Clinical, biological and genetic data were recorded in 26 patients.

Clinical and echocardiographic correlates of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with aortic valve stenosis and normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: Several studies suggest that BNP testing may help define the timing of aortic valve surgery in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AVS) prior onset of overt LV systolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and echocardiographic correlates of plasma BNP levels in a large cohort of patients with AVS and preserved LV ejection fraction.

Method And Results: One hundred thirty-five consecutive patients were prospectively included in the present study (Mean age 73 ± 13 years old, 66 (49%) male).

Prognostic value of hemoglobin decline over the GRACE score in patients hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome.

In this work, we analyzed the prognostic significance of changes in hemoglobin during intensive care unit (ICU) stay in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We prospectively enrolled 591 patients (62 ± 14 years old, 73% male, 48% ST elevated myocardial infarction) free of blood cell transfusion or bleeding events. Changes in hemoglobin between admission and ICU discharge were obtained.

Addition of B-type natriuretic peptide to the GRACE score to predict outcome in acute coronary syndrome: a retrospective (development) and prospective (validation) cohort-based study.

Aims: The present study was designed to build and validate a composite score based on the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations to predict outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Methods: The GRACE risk score and BNP concentrations were obtained in a retrospective and a prospective cohort. A composite score including the GRACE score and BNP concentrations was first developed in a retrospective cohort of 248 patients with ACS and then validated in a prospective cohort of 575 patients.