New-onset atrial fibrillation and clinical outcome in non-cardiac intensive care unit patients.

Background: Data regarding new onset atrial fibrillation (nAF) in general, non-cardiac, intensive care unit (ICU) patients are limited. However, it has been suggested that nAF is associated with worse clinical outcome in these patients.

Objective: The purpose of the present work was to study the prognostic impact of nAF, in this setting.

Incidence and predictors of new-onset atrial fibrillation in noncardiac intensive care unit patients.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is thought to be a relatively common arrhythmia in the setting of noncardiac intensive care unit (ICU). However, data concerning AF deriving from such populations are scarce. In addition, it is unclear which of the wide spectrum of AF predictors are relevant to the ICU setting.

Prognostic usefulness of serial C-reactive protein measurements in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.

It has been reported that increased levels of C-reactive protein are related to adverse long-term prognosis in the setting of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (MI). In previous studies, the timing of C-reactive protein determination has varied widely. In the present study, serial high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) measurements were performed to investigate if any of the measurements is superior regarding long-term prognosis.

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.

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.

The impact of aspirin resistance on the long-term cardiovascular mortality in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Aspirin resistance has been associated with an adverse long-term outcome in patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, but more studies are needed.

Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of aspirin resistance, assessed by the Platelet Function Analyzer-100 (PFA-100) (Dade Behring Inc., Deerfield, Ill.

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.

The impact of oral antiplatelet responsiveness on the long-term prognosis after coronary stenting.

Background: Decreased responsiveness to oral antiplatelet drug therapy has been associated with an adverse outcome after coronary stenting (CS), but more studies are needed. The purpose of the present study was to prospectively evaluate this issue.

Methods: A total of 612 consecutive patients with stable or unstable coronary artery disease who underwent CS after at least 12 hours of aspirin and clopidogrel loading were studied.

The impact of circulating total homocysteine levels on long-term cardiovascular mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Background: To evaluate the possible independent impact of circulating total homocysteine (tHcy) levels on long-term cardiovascular mortality, in patients with either ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), or non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS).

Methods: A total of 458 STEMI and 476 NSTE-ACS patients who presented consecutively, within the first 12 and 24 h of index pain respectively were studied. Each cohort was divided according to tertiles of circulating tHcy levels upon presentation.

Continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic ST monitoring and long-term prognosis after successful coronary stenting.

Background: The possible long-term prognostic value of transient ST ischemic episodes detected by continuous multilead electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring after successful coronary stenting (CS) has not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods: A total of 739 consecutive patients, who underwent a 24-hour, continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) ST monitoring in the first day after successful CS, were studied. An ST ischemic episode was defined as a transient ST shift (depression or elevation) in any lead of > or = 0.

Association of inflammatory biomarkers and cardiac troponin I with multifocal activation of coronary artery tree in the setting of non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.

We evaluated the possible association of the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), fibrinogen, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with the presence of complex angiographic characteristics throughout the coronary artery tree in 519 consecutive patients with non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Blood samples were obtained in the first 12h of NSTEMI invasion and all patients underwent in-hospital coronary angiography. Coronary lesions were classified as complex lesion (CL) or non-CL according to Ambrose criteria.

Continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic ST monitoring adds prognostic information to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk score in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) ST monitoring and the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Risk Score (TIMI-RS), both have been shown to be useful for early risk stratification in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS).

Hypothesis: Transient ST ischemic events, detected by continuous 12-lead ECG ST monitoring, early in the course of NSTACS, may add prognostic information to the TIMI-RS.

Methods: In all, 567 consecutive patients with a NSTACS underwent 24-h continuous 12-lead ECG ST monitoring.

Preprocedural plasma C-reactive protein levels, postprocedural creatine kinase-MB release, and long-term prognosis after successful coronary stenting (four-year results from the GENERATION study).

Increased creatine kinase-MB isoenzymes after coronary stenting are common, and many studies have suggested an association of this increase with an adverse long-term prognosis. How such postprocedural creatine kinase-MB release affects long-term prognosis remains unclear. Whether any actual causal relation exists remains unanswered.

Type 2 diabetes and intravenous thrombolysis outcome in the setting of ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: There are conflicting results regarding the impact of type 2 diabetes on intravenous thrombolysis effectiveness during ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The present study, using a continuous 12-lead electrocardiogram, examined the possible association of type 2 diabetes with both acute intravenous thrombolysis effectiveness and long-term prognosis in this setting.

Research Design And Methods: The study included 726 consecutive subjects (214 type 2 diabetic subjects) with STEMI who received intravenous thrombolysis in the first 6 h from index pain and were followed up for 3.

Medical personnel and patient dosimetry during coronary angiography and intervention.

Percutaneous coronary interventions are associated with increased radiation exposure compared to most radiological examinations. This prospective study aimed at (1) measuring entrance doses for all in-room personnel, (2) performing an assessment of patient effective dose and intracoronary doses, (3) investigating the contribution of each projection to kerma-area product (KAP) and irradiation time, (4) comparing results with established DRL values in this clinical setting and (5) estimating the risk for fatal cancer to patients and operators. Measurements were performed during 40 consecutive procedures of coronary angiography (CA), half of which were followed by ad hoc coronary angioplasty (PTCA).