Effects of aliskiren on blood pressure and myocardial function assessed by global longitudinal strain in patients with arterial hypertension and diastolic dysfunction.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of aliskiren on blood pressure and myocardial function assessed by global longitudinal strain in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension.

Patients And Methods: Forty-five patients were included in the study (29 males, 16 females, mean age 58.7 +/- 12.

Predictive factors for high brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide at discharge in properly treated heart failure patients.

Aim: To study differences and prognostic effect of some factors on brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels at discharge of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) treated in accord with current treatment guidelines.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-five consecutive patients hospitalized for CHF were recruited into the study. A standardized study protocol was used for them including collection of blood samples for measurement of electrolytes, creatinine at baseline and BNP at discharge.

Possibilities of signal-averaged orthogonal and vector electrocardiography for locating and size evaluation of acute myocardial infarction with ST-elevation.

Objective: The signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) is known to be a useful tool for extraction and analysis of low-amplitude signal components. We found SAECG may be useful for precise location of the site of the myocardial necrosis and assessment of the severity of impaired left ventricular systolic function of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarct (STEMI) in the acute phase.

Methods: High-resolution (1 MHz) ECG from 3 groups were collected: healthy controls (20), patients with anterior (17) and inferior STEMI (21).