International journal of cardiology
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Myoglobin, cardiac troponin-T and creatine phosphokinase are biochemical indicators of acute coronary syndromes, however, the clinical significance in myocardial ischemia is not well established. Our aim was to elucidate their release kinetics in a well-defined short-lasting myocardial ischemia. ⋯ Severe short-lasting myocardial ischemia did not enhance troponin-T or creatine phoshokinase concentrations, whereas a transient slight cardiac release of myoglobin with a delay of 1 h and a coronary sinus peak concentration after 2 h was detected. This may be due to a rapid reperfusion effect on ischemic myocardium or minor damaged single myocardial cells.
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Comparative Study
Renin-angiotensin system and haemostasis gene polymorphisms and outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is associated with a considerable 2-year mortality rate. Gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system may be associated with the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme DD genotype has recently been identified as independent predictor of the outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Genetic factors of the clotting system may be related to the risk of myocardial infarction and restenosis after coronary interventions. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system (angiotensinogen 235 M/T, angiotensin II type 1 receptor 1166 A/C) or the clotting system (glycoprotein IIIa PlA1/PlA2 and factor V Leiden 1691 G/A) are associated with the outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ We conclude that there are interactions between the angiotensin II type 1 receptor 1166 A/C as well as the angiotensinogen 235 M/T gene polymorphism and age with respect to the outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The glycoprotein IIIa PlA1/PlA2 and the factor V Leiden 1691 G/A gene polymorphisms were not associated with mid-term mortality or cardiac morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting.
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Comparative Study
Patient descriptions of breathlessness in heart failure.
To explore patient experience of breathlessness in heart failure. ⋯ Patients' descriptions of breathlessness are distinct from medical terminology and more clearly relate to physical adaptations to breathlessness. Further research is required to identify whether heart failure patients' descriptions of breathlessness are different to those of cancer patients, and to establish whether the categories generated from this data set are applicable to other heart failure patients in other settings.
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Letter Case Reports
Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula presenting as brain abscess.
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Long-standing aortic stenosis (AS) causes significant progressive left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and may result in subendocardial ischaemia. Following aortic valve surgery, LV function may improve and this may be accompanied by reversal of ischaemia. There is debate about the differential effects of valve substitutes. ⋯ In patients with AS and severe LV dysfunction, there is a more rapid improvement in LV function following aortic valve replacement with a stentless prosthesis. Improvements in those receiving stented valves appear delayed, although there were no differences between the groups in LV function or mass at follow-up. Normalisation of LV free wall systolic behaviour, narrowing of the QRS complex and a reduction in the QT interval suggest that AS is associated with subendocardial ischaemia that reverses following valve replacement.