European heart journal
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European heart journal · Sep 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialBeta adrenergic blockade does not improve effort tolerance in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm.
This study was designed to assess the effects of beta-blockade on cardiopulmonary exercise performance in symptomatic patients with tight mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. ⋯ Beta-blocker therapy in tight mitral stenosis appears to have no beneficial effect on aerobic capacity, nor does it improve ventilatory performance. Adequate beta-blockade may adversely effect peak oxygen consumption.
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European heart journal · Sep 1995
Use of changes in ST segment elevation for prediction of infarct artery recanalization in acute myocardial infarction.
The role of the ECG in evaluating reperfusion status after thrombolytic treatment in acute myocardial infarction is not clear. Dramatic ST segment changes have been observed during recanalization of an infarct-related artery, but ST criteria have not been definitively established for prediction of coronary artery patency. Differences in ST segment changes in relation to infarct localization have not been evaluated, and further investigation is required into reciprocal ST depression, which provides information independent from ST elevation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate how early changes in ST segment elevations and depressions predict vessel patency after fibrinolysis for patients with anterior and inferior/lateral infarcts. ⋯ We conclude that analysis of ST segments on the standard 12-lead ECG offers valuable help in the early identification of successful recanalization of infarct-related arteries after thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Use of the ratio of ST segment normalization according to the separate criteria for anterior and inferior/lateral infarcts gives the test a high sensitivity and specificity, even in the presence of interventricular conduction disturbances.