Relationship between established cardiovascular risk factors and specific coronary angiographic findings in a large cohort of Greek catheterized patients.

We evaluated the relationship between coronary artery stenosis status and established cardiovascular risk factors in a large population of 1228 patients who consecutively underwent coronary angiography. Smoking proved to be the most important predictive factor for angiographically significant coronary artery disease (CAD), followed by dyslipidemia, diabetes, family history, and hypertension in a descending order of significance. Obesity rates did not differ significantly between the CAD positive and negative groups, nor changed significantly as the number of affected vessels increased.

Coexistence of atherosclerosis and fistula as a cause of angina pectoris: a case report.

Introduction: Coronary artery fistulas are abnormal communications between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or a major vessel (vena cava, pulmonary vein, pulmonary artery). They are usually diagnosed by coronary arteriography. Clinical presentations are variable depending on the type of fistula, shunt volume, site of the shunt, and presence of other cardiac conditions.

Thoracic fluid content and impedance cardiography: a novel and promising noninvasive method for assessing the hemodynamic effects of diuretics in hypertensive patients.

Introduction: Impedance cardiography (ICG) is a reliable, noninvasive method allowing the assessment of the hemodynamic profile in hypertensive patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential hemodynamic effects of diuretics with ICG and examine whether the empiric administration of diuretics actually has a substantial impact on thoracic fluid content (TFC).

Methods: The study population included 248 hypertensive and 68 healthy subjects (35-87 years old) and was divided into 4 groups: group A comprised hypertensive patients under treatment including diuretic; group B consisted of hypertensive patients under treatment without diuretic; group C included untreated hypertensive patients; and group D included healthy subjects.

Depression masked as paroxysmal hypertension episodes.

This paper describes a clinical picture frequently seen in specialty hypertension clinics, a patient with paroxysmal or intermittent hypertension not related to pheochromocytoma. A variety of diagnostic labels given to these patients is reviewed, including pseudopheochromocytoma and panic attacks. The clinical features, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of these syndromes are outlined.

Transient left ventricular dysfunction in Churg Strauss syndrome: a case report.

A 42 year old woman was admitted to our hospital for investigation of eosinophilia. There were no findings from the physical examination of the lungs and heart. The echocardiography showed a segmental hypokinesia of the interventricular septum and the apex causing left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction 45% and mild pericardial effusion.