Significance of tilt table testing in patients with suspected arrhythmic syncope and negative electrophysiologic study.

Background: The diagnostic significance of a tilt table test (TTT) in patients with a suspected arrhythmic etiology for syncope and negative electrophysiologic study (EPS) has not been previously assessed comparing the TTT results with the findings of prolonged monitoring using an implantable loop recorder (ILR). We sought to assess the diagnostic yielding of TTT in patients with suspected arrhythmic syncope and negative EPS.

Methods And Results: In 81 patients with suspected arrhythmic etiology for syncope and negative EPS, TTT was performed and an ILR implanted regardless the results of TTT.

[Influence of comorbidity on admission management and pharmacological treatment prescribed at discharge in acute myocardial infarction].

Background And Objective: The management of cardiac ischemic patients differs depending on their comorbidity. The Charlson Index (ChI) and its adaptations are well established and widely used tools to quantify a patient comorbidity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of comorbidity quantified by the ChI in the treatment administered at admission and in the pharmacological treatment prescribed at discharge in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction with and without ST segment elevation.

[Seasonal variations in admissions for acute myocardial infarction. The PRIMVAC study].

Introduction And Objectives: Some authors have described seasonal variations in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to determine the existence of seasonal rhythms in admissions for acute myocardial infarction to coronary care units, and in mortality, and to analyze the influence of age on environmental factors.

Patients And Method: The study included a total of 8400 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to 12 coronary care units in the PRIMVAC registry from January 1995 to December 1999.

Selective use of diagnostic tests inpatients with syncope of unknown cause.

Objective: We sought to prospectively assess the diagnostic yielding of a protocol in which electrophysiologic studies (EPS), tilt-table tests (TTTs), and loop recorder implantation are selectively used.

Background: The optimal strategy in the diagnosis of patients with syncope of unknown cause has not been defined.

Methods: A total of 184 consecutive patients with syncope of unknown cause were classified into two groups.

[Prognostic value of fibrinogen in patients admitted with suspected unstable angina and non-q-wave myocardial infarction].

Introduction And Objective: In recent years, the relation between biological markers of inflammation and prognosis in patients suffering from acute coronary syndromes has been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between baseline fibrinogen concentrations and the development of clinical events in patients admitted with suspicion of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction.

Material And Method: Levels of fibrinogen at enrollment were analyzed in 325 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndromes.