Clinical cardiology
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Clinical cardiology · Sep 2006
Respiratory changes in the pulse-oximetry waveform associated with pericardial tamponade.
Timely identification of hemodynamic compromise in patients with acute pericardial effusion and tamponade is critical in patient management. Respiratory variability in pulse-oximetry waveforms has been correlated with pulsus paradoxus, but has not been reported with cardiac tamponade in adult patients. ⋯ Pulse-oximetry is a commonly used tool for monitoring critically ill patients. The present study suggests that increased respiratory variability in the pulse-oximetry waveform should raise suspicion for hemodynamic compromise in patients at risk for pericardial effusion.
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Clinical cardiology · Sep 2006
Prognostic value of serum biomarkers in association with TIMI risk score for acute coronary syndromes.
Markers of neurohormonal activation and inflammation play a pivotal role in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). ⋯ In NSTE-ACS, baseline levels of NT-proBNP and creatinine are independently related to cardiovascular events. Both markers combined with TIMI risk score provide a better risk stratification than either test alone.