Clinical cardiology
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Clinical cardiology · Aug 2009
Review Meta AnalysisImpact of timing on efficacy and safetyof intracoronary autologous bone marrow stem cells transplantation in acute myocardial infarction: a pooled subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Until now there were no clinical studies or systematic reviews to investigate the impact of timing on efficacy and safety of intracoronary bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) transfer in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ⋯ BMSC transfer at 4 to 7 days post-AMI was superior to that within 24 hours in improving LVEF, decreasing LV end-systolic dimensions, and reducing the incidence of revascularization.
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Clinical cardiology · Jul 2009
Review Meta AnalysisOmega-3 dietary supplements and the risk of cardiovascular events: a systematic review.
Epidemiologic data suggest that omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil reduce cardiovascular disease. The clinical benefit of dietary fish oil supplementation in preventing cardiovascular events in both high and low risk patients is unclear. ⋯ Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids should be considered in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.
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Clinical cardiology · Mar 2009
Review Case ReportsRegional pericarditis: a review of the pericardial manifestations of acute myocardial infarction.
Regional pericarditis has been described in several settings, but occurs most frequently after transmural myocardial infarction. While the diagnosis remains elusive, it must be considered in all patients with recurrent chest pain following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ⋯ Given the magnitude and frequency of AMI, it is imperative to be aware of the myriad of pericardial manifestations of myocardial injury. An illustrative case and a comprehensive review of the literature will be provided.
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Clinical cardiology · Jan 2009
ReviewElevated serum cardiac troponin in non-acute coronary syndrome.
Cardiac troponins (CTn) are the most sensitive and specific biochemical markers of myocardial injury and risk stratification. The assay for troponin T (cTnI) is standardized, and results obtained from different institutions are comparable. This is not the case with troponin I (cTnT), and clinicians should be aware that each institution must analyze and standardize its own results. ⋯ The cause of these elevations may involve serious medical conditions that require meticulous diagnostic evaluation and aggressive therapy. At present, there are no guidelines to treat patients with elevated troponin levels and no coronary disease. The current strategy of treatment of patients with elevated troponin and non-ACS involves treating the underlying causes.
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Clinical cardiology · May 2008
Review Case ReportsAn unusual manifestation of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy typically presents with chest pain, ST changes, and transient left ventricular apical ballooning in the absence of epicardial coronary artery disease. This process is reversible and usually benign. ⋯ Recognition of this finding is critical in patient management especially in the setting of cardiogenic shock, as inotropes are likely to aggravate and worsen the clinical condition. We provide a systematic review and an illustrative case and discuss treatment strategies.