Hemodynamic arterial changes in heart failure: a proposed new paradigm of "heart and vessels failure".

Background: Although heart failure (HF) is one of the most common conditions affecting the heart, little attention has been placed on the role of arteries in contributing to the progression of this disease. We sought to determine the hemodynamic change of arteries in HF patients subdivided according to left ventricular ejection fraction. The major goal was to establish the active compensatory role of arteries in HF.

Extrasystolic arrhythmia: is it an additional risk factor of atherosclerosis?

Background: Extrasystolic arrhythmia is not included in the list of risk factors of atherosclerosis. The aim of this investigation was to determine the relationship between atherosclerosis of main arteries and extrasystolic arrhythmia.

Methods: We included 286 patients in our investigation.