Evaluation of right ventricular functions in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy by speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Background: It is widely recognized that the right ventricle plays a significant role in the prognosis of numerous diseases. However, the assessment of right ventricular function (RV) has not been given much attention until recently. This study used speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) to assess RV functions in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients.

The use of automated sequential blood pressure in hypertension clinics compared with office and ambulatory blood pressure measurements.

Background: Office blood pressure (OBP) measurement is the most common method of blood pressure measurement. However, it is associated with several pitfalls as white coat effect and masked hypertension. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is usually used for diagnosis of hypertension and elimination of white coat effect.

Prevalence and severity of pulmonary hypertension in asymptomatic rural residents with schistosomal infection in the Nile Delta.

Objectives: Millions of people in the developing world may suffer from pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) because of preexisting infectious conditions. Schistosomiasis can cause pulmonary lesions that eventually lead to PHTN. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of PHTN together with assessment of right ventricular (RV) function in asymptomatic rural residents previously infected with schistosomiasis.