Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Alterations in left ventricular structure and function in young healthy obese women: assessment by echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging.
This study was designed to determine the effects of obesity on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in young obese women. ⋯ Obesity in young otherwise-healthy women is associated with concentric LV remodeling and decreased systolic and diastolic function. These early abnormalities in LV structure and function may have important implications for explaining the myocardial dysfunction that is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality caused by obesity.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Constrictive pericarditis: etiology and cause-specific survival after pericardiectomy.
We sought to determine the association of etiology of constrictive pericarditis (CP), pericardial calcification (CA), and other clinical variables with long-term survival after pericardiectomy. ⋯ Long-term survival after pericardiectomy for CP is related to underlying etiology, LV systolic function, renal function, serum sodium, and PAP. The relatively good survival with idiopathic CP emphasizes the safety of pericardiectomy in this subgroup.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialClinical efficacy of sildenafil in primary pulmonary hypertension: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study.
In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, we compared the efficacy of sildenafil with placebo in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). The primary end point was the change in exercise time on treadmill using the Naughton protocol. Secondary end points were change in cardiac index and pulmonary artery systolic pressure as assessed by Doppler echocardiography and quality of life (QOL) as assessed by a questionnaire. ⋯ Sildenafil significantly improves exercise tolerance, cardiac index, and QOL in patients with PPH.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Comparative StudyThe prognostic significance of exercise-induced atrial arrhythmias.
The purpose of the study was to determine if atrial ectopy (AE) or atrial arrhythmias during exercise are predictive of an increased risk of cardiac events and death. ⋯ In this large cohort of patients, the occurrence of AE was predictive of an increased risk of MI. However, the association did not persist after adjustment for clinical and exercise variables known to predict adverse long-term cardiovascular outcomes. The rate of long-term cardiac death or revascularization was not influenced by the development of stress-induced atrial arrhythmias.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study: approaches to control rate in atrial fibrillation.
We sought to evaluate approaches used to control rate, the effectiveness of rate control, and switches from one drug class to another in the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study. ⋯ Rate control in AF is possible in the majority of patients with AF. Beta-blockers were the most effective drugs. To achieve the goal of adequate rate control in all patients, frequent medication changes and drug combinations were needed.