International journal of cardiology
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Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder in which left ventricular dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure occur in the peripartum period in previously healthy women. Incidence of PPCM ranges from 1 in 1300 to 1 in 15,000 pregnancies. The etiology of PPCM is unknown, but viral, autoimmune, and idiopathic causes may contribute. ⋯ About half the patients of PPCM recover without complications. The prognosis is poor in patients with persistent cardiomyopathy. Persistence of disease after 6 months indicates irreversible cardiomyopathy and portends worse survival.
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Comparative Study
Prospective evaluation of atrial tachyarrhythmias in patients with interatrial block.
Interatrial block (P-wave> or =110 ms) is clinically associated with left atrial enlargement and electromechanical dysfunction as well as atrial tachyarrhythmias. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of such arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation among patients with interatrial block over the course of 1 year. ⋯ Interatrial block may be associated with atrial fibrillation but in a 12-month period, does not appear to be an independent predictor of future atrial fibrillation. Continued prospective investigation of such a relationship is certainly warranted given its already known consequences.
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Antipsychotic agents are known to be associated with a long QT interval and torsade de pointes. We report a 69 year old female who suffered from a syncopal attack at a psychiatric hospital and was referred to our center. ⋯ After stopping the medication, the QT interval returned to normal (420 ms). The patients taking sulpiride should be closely monitored, especially when it is used in combination with other antidepressant agents.
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The epidemiology of heart failure is poorly understood. Australia has one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world with heart failure representing a large proportion of this group, yet there is minimal data on the incidence or prevalence. ⋯ Currently, mortality rates for heart failure are decreasing in Australia, while there does not appear to be any real increase in the numbers of patients admitted to hospital with a subsequent diagnosis of heart failure over a 10 year period.
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Letter Case Reports
The value of d-dimer in the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection.