Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and mortality in patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure.

Objectives: To investigate the prognostic value of circulating levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in patients with acute decompensation of (New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV) chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Design: Single-centre prospective observational study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centre.

Anemia and early mortality in patients with decompensation of chronic heart failure.

Objectives: The possible independent effect of mild-to-moderate anemia (hemoglobin value not <9 g/dl) on the short-term mortality of patients with decompensation of NYHA class III/IV chronic heart failure has not been investigated yet.

Methods: A total of 725 consecutive hospitalized patients were studied. All-cause mortalities during hospitalization and by day 31 were the prespecified study end points.

The impact of right ventricular involvement on the postdischarge long-term mortality in patients with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To investigate the long-term impact of right ventricular myocardial involvement (RVI) after acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: A total of 1208 consecutive patients, who survived to discharge after hospitalization for acute inferior STEMI, were studied. Patients were divided into those with (n = 459) or without (n = 749) of RVI involvement, defined as ST-segment elevation > or =1 mm in V4R.

Multimarker strategy for the prediction of 31 days cardiac death in patients with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure.

Background: To investigate the combined prognostic value of admission serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), in patients hospitalized because of acutely decompensated severe (New York Heart Association class III/IV) low-output chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods: A total of 577 consecutive patients recruited in the 5 participating centers, were studied. Cardiac mortality by 31 days was the prespecified primary study end point.

Serologic markers of persistent Chlamydia pneumonia infection and long-term prognosis after successful coronary stenting.

Background: Previous studies have shown an incremental role of inflammation in late prognosis following coronary stenting (CS). In particular, high preprocedural levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) have been related to increased hazard of late ischemic complications. Persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) infection, detected by positive IgA anti-Cp titers, may be associated with this inflammatory process and portend a high risk of late adverse prognosis after CS.