The Italian Registry for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a nationwide survey.

Background: National registries are advocated as instrumental to the solution of rarity-related problems for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), including limited access to advanced treatment options. Thus, an Italian Registry for HCM was created to assess the clinical profile and the level of care nationwide of patients with HCM.

Methods: Cardiology centers over the national territory were recruited to provide clinical data of all patients with HCM ever seen at each institution.

Plasma galanin response to head-up tilt in normal subjects and patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope.

Neurohumoral factors may contribute to cardiovascular changes associated with vasovagal syncope (VVS). Galanin (GAL) is a neuropeptide, widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, that interacts with both sympathetic and vagal systems as well as with neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. We investigated the changes in plasma GAL and catecholamine levels during head-up tilt (HUT) test in patients with recurrent VVS.

Haemodynamic changes early in prodromal symptoms of vasovagal syncope.

Aims: Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is often preceded by prodromal symptoms. The haemodynamic changes occurring during the prodrome have not been systematically investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the behaviour of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and sympathetic activity at the beginning of the prodrome in patients with tilt-induced VVS.

Role of the serotonergic system in the genesis of vasovagal syncope.

Aims: The hypotensive reflex responsible for vasovagal syncope appears related to a reduction in sympathetic neural outflow. Several animal studies suggest that serotonin may play a role in the genesis of this reflex, through inhibition of sympathetic activity. However, the role of the serotonergic system is unknown in humans.