International journal of cardiology
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Comparative Study
Decreased platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty.
This study was conducted to assess the changes in platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and sinus rhythm (SR) following percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV). ⋯ We have shown that patients with severe MS and SR have increased platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction compared with control subjects and PMBV results in decreased platelet activity and improvement of endothelial injury.
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Comparative Study
Relationship between myocardial viability and the predischarge electrocardiographic pattern in patients with first anterior wall acute myocardial infarction.
The assessment of residual viability in the infarcted area after an acute myocardial infarction is relevant to subsequent management and prognosis. ⋯ The presence of isoelectric ST segment and negative T wave indicates a high probability of myocardial viability. However, absence of these electrocardiographic patterns does not exclude the presence of viable myocardium.
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Letter Case Reports
Swyer-James syndrome with myocardial bridge: a case report.
Swyer-James syndrome is an uncommon disease with unknown aetiology. It is generally discovered on a chest radiograph as increased translucency involving one hemithorax because of diminished vascular markings. ⋯ It is a congenital anomaly of the coronary artery and may occur in 5-12% of the human population. We report a patient suffering from chest tightness and with diagnosed Swyer-James syndrome also having myocardial bridge.
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Although several randomised clinical trials have documented the efficacy of lipid-lowering therapy in improving clinical outcomes in hyperlipidemic subjects with ischaemic heart disease (IHD), such therapy is underutilized worldwide. Not much is known about the effects of the hospital setting (university vs. community) on lipid management in patients after hospitalization due to ischaemic heart disease. The combined effect of age, sex, education, risk factors, hospital as well as practice setting in the post-discharge period on lipid management in IHD patients is also unknown. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate factors influencing lipid management during and after hospitalization due to IHD. The primary outcome measure was "appropriate lipid management", defined as: (a) being discharged on lipid-lowering medication or having a documented LDL cholesterol level <3.4 microM/l within the first 24 h of hospitalization, and (b) (for patients with hypercholesterolemia) being prescribed a lipid-lowering drug at the time of the interview 6-18 months after discharge. ⋯ Proper lipid management during hospitalization is the most important factor related to lipid management in the post-discharge period. There is the potential for a further reduction of coronary risk, especially in patients hospitalized in community hospitals, not undergoing coronary interventions and those being under the care of general practitioners.