European heart journal
-
European heart journal · Jan 1997
Comparative StudyCoronary vasodilator reserve in primary and secondary left ventricular hypertrophy. A study with positron emission tomography.
Coronary vasodilator reserve is reduced in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and secondary left ventricular hypertrophy despite angiographically normal coronaries. The aim of the present study was to assess whether quantitative differences exist between these conditions. ⋯ In both hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and secondary left ventricular hypertrophy, the computed coronary vasodilator reserve is impaired, even after correction for baseline cardiac work. However, the extent of the reduction is greater in the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients. In the blunting of vasodilator reserve of secondary left ventricular hypertrophy, the patients' greater hyperaemic response is partly offset by the higher baseline myocardial blood flow.
-
European heart journal · Oct 1996
Impact of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator on rehospitalizations.
Patients who survive out-of-hospital ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation are at risk of sudden cardiac death and often return to hospital after initial discharge. The frequency and duration of readmittance to hospital are not well known. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator on frequency and duration of hospitalizations. ⋯ This study documents that the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator not only reduces the frequency and duration of hospital stays, but reduces admissions to the more expensive units in hospital. Taking into account the reduction in hospitalizations, the payback period for the implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is 19 months.
-
The feasibility and diagnostic potential of three-dimensional echocardiography, using transoesophageal multiplane echocardiography for the assessment of thoracic aortic pathology, has not been evaluated. ⋯ We conclude that three-dimensional echocardiography of the thoracic aorta is feasible. Adequate image quality is obtained in the vast majority of patients, which adds additional qualitative and quantitative information to routine multiplane transoesophageal echocardiographic studies.