Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of oral propafenone administration before electrical cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation: a placebo-controlled study.
Our aim was to evaluate the benefits and risks of administering propafenone before electrical defibrillation for chronic atrial fibrillation. ⋯ Propafenone, given before electrical cardioversion for chronic atrial fibrillation does not affect the mean defibrillation threshold or the rate of successful arrhythmia conversion. It decreases the recurrence of atrial fibrillation early after shock, thus allowing more patients to be discharged from the hospital with sinus rhythm.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 1996
Endothelium-derived nitric oxide regulates systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance during acute hypoxia in humans.
This investigation sought to determine whether endothelium-derived nitric oxide contributes to hypoxia-induced systemic vasodilation and pulmonary vasoconstriction in humans. ⋯ Endothelium-derived nitric oxide contributes to systemic vasodilation and serves as a counterregulatory mechanism to attenuate pulmonary vasoconstriction during acute hypoxia in healthy human subjects.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 1996
Doppler evaluation of patients with constrictive pericarditis: use of tricuspid regurgitation velocity curves to determine enhanced ventricular interaction.
This study sought to examine the value of analyzing Doppler echocardiographically derived tricuspid regurgitation signals during respiration in relation to the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. ⋯ Respiratory changes in Doppler echocardiographically derived tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity and velocity duration are increased in patients with constrictive pericarditis and may be helpful in diagnosing this condition noninvasively.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 1996
Accuracy of biplane and multiplane transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis of typical acute aortic dissection and intramural hematoma.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of biplane and multiplane transesophageal echocardiography in patients with suspected aortic dissection, including intramural hematoma. ⋯ Biplane and multiplane transesophageal echocardiography are highly accurate for prospective identification of the presence and site of aortic dissection, its ancillary findings and major complications in a large series of patients with varied aortic pathology. Intramural hematoma carries a high complication rate and should be treated identically with aortic dissection.