International journal of cardiology
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In contrast to patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; HFREF) the prognostic role of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in patients with HF and preserved LVEF (HFPEF) is not well known. The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between HR and BP and outcomes in HFPEF and to compare it to HFREF. ⋯ The prognostic value of HR and BP differed substantially between HFREF and HFPEF. These data may provide a foundation for the design of novel interventions in HFPEF patients.
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Single clinical parameters are inaccurate for diagnostic and prognostic estimation in patients with syncope. The cardiac marker NT-pro-BNP has not thoroughly been evaluated for this application. ⋯ In patients hospitalized for syncope, NT-pro-BNP was a strong and independent diagnostic and prognostic marker and addition to conventional criteria of history and examination improved the discriminatory performance. Randomized trials must clarify the benefit and position of NT-pro-BNP in the management algorithm of patients with syncope.