Assessment of the left atrial volume index and plasma NT-proANP level in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction is associated with ventricular dysfunction due to ischemia-induced progressive myocardial damage. The decrease in ventricular compliance causes left atrial dilatation and stretching of the atrial myocardium, which are the main stimuli for the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide. The aim of this study was to evaluate left atrial dimensions and atrial natriuretic peptide levels in patients early after their first acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and assess the probable interaction between coronary lesions and these measurements.

Adult cyanotic congenital heart disease: an unusual cause of stroke.

A 33-year-old male patient with uncorrected tetralogy of Fallot was hospitalised for multiple peripheral arterial emboli. Bilateral above-knee amputation had been done after unsuccessful femoral embolectomy. A large thrombus was detected in the apical portion of the left ventricle which was the source of the embolus.

Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine.

Migraine is a common chronic neurological disease characterized by episodic attacks of headache and associated symptoms. The pharmacological treatment of migraine may be acute or prophylactic, and patients with frequent, severe headaches often require both approaches. Prophylactic treatment is used to reduce the frequency, duration, or severity of attacks, to enhance the benefits of acute treatments, and to improve patient's ability to function normally.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring can unmask hypertension in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Background: Psoriasis vulgaris is one of the most prevalent chronic, inflammatory skin disorders. Patients with psoriasis have excess risk of essential hypertension. Masked hypertension (MH), defined as normal office blood pressure (BP) with elevated ambulatory BP (ABPM), has been drawing attention recently due to its association with increased risk of developing sustained hypertension, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality.

Does pantoprazole protect against reperfusion injury following myocardial ischemia in rats?

Background: Myocardial ischemia is inadequate perfusion due to reduced blood flow. Sudden onset of reperfusion could result with damage to the myocytes that have not been affected during ischemia called ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Extracellular accumulation of H+ ions resulting in tissue acidosis is one of the underlying mechanisms.

Non-dipping nocturnal blood pressure in psoriasis vulgaris.

Background: Psoriasis vulgaris is one of the most prevalent chronic, inflammatory skin disorders. Patients with psoriasis carry an excess risk of hypertension and adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. Blood pressure (BP) has a circadian rhythm characterised with lower values at night.

The effect of smoking on myocardial performance index in middle-aged males after first acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Cigarette smoking is associated with increased rates of coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction (MI). Paradoxically, smokers had lower mortality after MI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic smoking on myocardial performance index (MPI) in middle-aged men after an acute MI.

Electrocardiographic P-wave characteristics in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Purpose: Psoriasis vulgaris is one of the most common skin disorders. Patients with psoriasis carry an excessive risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The differences between the maximum (Pmax) and the minimum (Pmin) P-wave duration on ECG are defined as P-wave dispersion (PWD).

An unusual presentation of lymphoma: chylotamponade.

Chylopericardium is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening clinic entity. Here we reported a case with chylopericardium causing tamponade and shock as an unusual presentation of lymphoma. The patient was managed by immediate pericardiocentesis.

Combined antithrombotic treatment with aspirin and clopidogrel for patients with capsular warning syndrome: a case report.

Capsular warning syndrome is characterized by recurrent transient ischemic attacks and is caused by microthrombosis or hypoperfusion of small-sized vessels. The pathophysiological basis of this syndrome is not well understood and currently a consensus has not been reached on its optimal treatment. In this study, we present 2 cases with favorable clinical outcomes after combined antithrombotic treatment with loading doses of clopidogrel and aspirin.