Efficacy of various "classic" echocardiographic and laboratory indices in distinguishing the "gray zone" between athlete's heart and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a pilot study.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with intraventricular septum thickness (IVST) between 1.2 and 1.5 cm in athletes represents a "gray zone" between physiologic adaptation and mild hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Carbon dioxide balneotherapy and cardiovascular disease.

Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) balneotherapy is a kind of remedy with a wide spectrum of applications which have been used since the Middle Ages. However, its potential use as an adjuvant therapeutic option in patients with cardiovascular disease is not yet fully clarified. We performed a thorough review of MEDLINE Database, EMBASE, ISI WEB of Knowledge, COCHRANE database and sites funded by balneotherapy centers across Europe in order to recognize relevant studies and aggregate evidence supporting the use of CO(2) baths in various cardiovascular diseases.

Brain natriuretic peptide and the athlete's heart: a pilot study.

Background: The role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in differentiating the athlete's heart from maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy is unclear.

Methods: To address this issue, an integrated M mode, two-dimensional B mode and Doppler echocardiographical study were performed and plasma BNP levels were measured in 25 strength athletes, 25 patients with established hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 25 healthy volunteers.

Results: Among athletes, BNP levels correlated negatively with the total training time (r = -0.

Severe exertional dyspnea as the prime manifestation of acute cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent adult.

Primary cytomegalovirus infection is rare among immunocompetent hosts. We present a case of acute cytomegalovirus infection in a young immunocompetent female with pulmonary and hepatic involvement, admitted to our department due to severe exertional dyspnea. Patient's symptoms were completely atypical.