Thrombolysis in patients with pulmonary embolism and elevated heart-type fatty acid-binding protein levels.

Recent studies have reported that a novel cardiac biomarker, heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (h-FABP), significantly predicts mortality inpatients with pulmonary embolism (PE) at intermediate risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thrombolytic therapy on prognosis of the intermediate risk acute PE patients with elevated levels of h-FABP. This is non-interventional, prospective, and single-center cohort study where 80 patients (mean age 62 ± 17 years, 32 men) with confirmed acute PE were included.

Right ventricular involvement in anterior myocardial infarction: a tissue Doppler-derived strain and strain rate study.

Objective: Strain and strain rate imaging is currently the most popular echocardiographic technique that reveals subclinical myocardial damage. There are currently no available data on this imaging method with regard to assessing right ventricular involvement in anterior myocardial infarction. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate right ventricular regional functions using a derived strain and strain rate imaging tissue Doppler method in patients who were successfully treated for their first anterior myocardial infarction.

Self-reported sleep quality of patients with atrial fibrillation and the effects of cardioversion on sleep quality.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance encountered in clinical practice and is associated with impaired quality of life. Data from the previous studies have shown that sleep quality (SQ), as a component of life quality, may also deteriorate in patients with AF. However, it remains unclear; we do not know whether SQ improves after sinus rhythm is maintained.

Association of pulmonary artery obstruction index with elevated heart-type fatty acid binding protein and short-term mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism at intermediate risk.

Purpose: Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) is a sensitive marker of myocardial injury and predictor of worse prognosis in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Assessment of right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI) with computed tomography (CT) has been reported as a predictor of mortality in PE. Therefore, we aimed to assess the correlation between H-FABP and CT angiographic PAOI in PE patients at intermediate risk.

The Association between Myocardial Iron Load and Ventricular Repolarization Parameters in Asymptomatic Beta-Thalassemia Patients.

Previous studies have demonstrated impaired ventricular repolarization in patients with β-TM. However, the effect of iron overload with cardiac T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on cardiac repolarization remains unclear yet. We aimed to examine relationship between repolarization parameters and iron loading using cardiac T2* MRI in asymptomatic β-TM patients.

Electrocardiographic P-wave characteristics in patients with end-stage renal disease: P-index and interatrial block.

Purpose: P-wave parameters including P-wave dispersion (P d) have been examined in general population to predict development of atrial fibrillation (AF). But data on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population are limited. P index (Pi) and interatrial block (IAB) as novel parameters may more accurately predict AF and have not been previously investigated in ESRD patients.

Electrocardiographic findings in patients with polycythemia vera.

Background: The 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) is a useful tool to predict both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias via P-wave and QT measurements and its derivatives. Polycythemia vera (PV) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder associated with cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to assess ECG findings of patients with PV.

A rare and undesirable complication of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: acute massive pulmonary embolism.

A 69-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of dyspnea. She reported bilateral total knee surgery 12 days prior for gonarthrosis. The patient was recommended low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) 0.