Reduction of Left Ventricular Dilation Beyond the First Year After Anterior Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Reduction of left ventricular (LV) dilation (RD) beyond the first year after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unknown. We investigated its potential occurrence in comparison with stationary (SD) and progressive (PD) dilation.

Methods And Results: Perfusion gated SPECT features at 1 and 3 years were evaluated in 168 3-year survivors of a first anterior STEMI.

A New Integrated Clinical-Biohumoral Model to Predict Functionally Significant Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Chronic Chest Pain.

Background: In patients with chronic angina-like chest pain, the probability of coronary artery disease (CAD) is estimated by symptoms, age, and sex according to the Genders clinical model. We investigated the incremental value of circulating biomarkers over the Genders model to predict functionally significant CAD in patients with chronic chest pain.

Methods: In 527 patients (60.

Colonic responses to gas loads in subgroups of patients with abdominal bloating.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate colonic gas accommodation, ileocecal competence, and colonic clearance in subgroups patients with abdominal bloating.

Methods: Thirty-six patients complaining of abdominal bloating (12 constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), 12 diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and 12 functional bloating) and 18 healthy controls were studied. Abdominal perception and girth were measured during: (i) 1 h continuous infusion of gas at 24 ml/min into the rectum (accommodation period) and (ii) 30 min free rectal gas evacuation (clearance period).