Real-world performance and accuracy of stress echocardiography: the EVAREST observational multi-centre study.

Aims: Stress echocardiography is widely used to identify obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). High accuracy is reported in expert hands but is dependent on operator training and image quality. The EVAREST study provides UK-wide data to evaluate real-world performance and accuracy of stress echocardiography.

The assessment of mitral valve disease: a guideline from the British Society of Echocardiography.

Mitral valve disease is common. Mitral regurgitation is the second most frequent indication for valve surgery in Europe and despite the decline of rheumatic fever in Western societies, mitral stenosis of any aetiology is a regular finding in all echo departments. Mitral valve disease is, therefore, one of the most common pathologies encountered by echocardiographers, as both a primary indication for echocardiography and a secondary finding when investigating other cardiovascular disease processes.

MRI of the left atrium at 3T: evaluation of measurement reproducibility in healthy volunteers and patients with cardiovascular disease.

Background Left ventricular (LV) function has traditionally been the focus for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations, but similar methods can also be applied to the left atrium (LA). Previous studies elsewhere have almost entirely involved the use of 1.5T systems, but 3T MRI can provide faster data acquisition with thinner image slices, and may be more suitable for quantifying the structure and function of the LA.

Allopurinol reduces left ventricular mass in patients with type 2 diabetes and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Objectives: This study sought to ascertain whether high-dose allopurinol causes regression of left ventricular mass (LVM) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is common in T2DM and contributes to patients' high cardiovascular (CV) event rate. Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in LVH development, and allopurinol has been previously shown to reduce vascular OS.

High-dose allopurinol reduces left ventricular mass in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Objectives: This study sought to ascertain if high-dose allopurinol regresses left ventricular mass (LVM) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Background: LV hypertrophy (LVH) is common in patients with IHD including normotensive patients. Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, has been shown to reduce LV afterload in IHD and may therefore also regress LVH.

Improving the primary prevention of cardiovascular events by using biomarkers to identify individuals with silent heart disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether biomarkers can identify silent cardiac target organ damage (cTOD) in a primary prevention population.

Background: One possible way to improve primary prevention of cardiovascular events is to identify those patients who already harbor silent cTOD (i.e.

Left ventricular hypertrophy in COPD without hypoxemia: the elephant in the room?

Background: COPD is associated with significant cardiovascular mortality. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a pivotal cardiovascular risk factor. The prevalence of LVH in COPD is currently unknown.

Renin-angiotensin system blockers are associated with reduced mortality and heart failure hospitalization in patients paced for complete atrioventricular block.

Background: Right ventricular apical pacing can cause dyssynchronous activation of the ventricles, increase sympathetic activation, cause abnormalities in myocardial perfusion, worsen cardiac output and endothelial function, and may be associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. The use of rennin-angiotensin system blockers (RASBs) may be beneficial in counteracting these potentially harmful effects of right ventricular pacing.

Objective: To explore the impact of RASB use on the outcome in patients with right ventricular pacemakers implanted for complete atrioventricular (AV) block.

The impact of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade on heart failure outcomes and mortality in patients identified to have aortic regurgitation: a large population cohort study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of renin-angiotensin system blockade on outcomes in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR).

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have the potential to reduce afterload, blunt left ventricular wall stress, and limit left ventricular dilation and hypertrophy. However, long-term studies have yielded inconsistent results, and very few have assessed clinical outcomes.

Are either or both hyperuricemia and xanthine oxidase directly toxic to the vasculature? A critical appraisal.

Basic research and clinical studies have implicated a role for hyperuricemia and for xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), the enzyme that generates uric acid (UA), in not only gout but also vascular diseases. At present, asymptomatic hyperuricemia (i.e.