American heart journal
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American heart journal · Jan 2010
Comparative StudyAssociation of longitudinal measures of hemoglobin and outcomes after hospitalization for heart failure.
Cross-sectional assessments of hemoglobin (Hb) are associated with mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Our objectives were to characterize patterns of change in Hb over time in patients with HF and to evaluate the relationship between longitudinal measures of Hb and adverse outcomes. ⋯ Variability in Hb over time is common in patients with HF, and declining Hb is associated with a poor prognosis. Longitudinal characterization of Hb levels has greater prognostic significance than a single measurement. Systematic surveillance of Hb levels may help identify high-risk patients with heart failure.
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American heart journal · Jan 2010
Comparative StudyThe incidence and clinical predictors of early stent thrombosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with activation of platelets and the coagulation system which could influence the incidence of early stent thrombosis (EST). We aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of EST in patients undergoing coronary stenting during ACS. ⋯ Patients presenting with STEMI who are hemodynamically unstable and have multivessel coronary disease undergoing coronary stenting during ACS, are at increased risk of EST.
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American heart journal · Jan 2010
Comparative StudyPredictive value of B-type natriuretic peptides in detecting latent left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in beta-thalassemia major.
Beta-thalassemia major is a unique disease characterized by early diastolic dysfunction, related exclusively to iron myocardial deposition. N-terminal-proBNP(amino-terminal) (NT-proBNP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are sensitive biomarkers for the detection of asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and they have important diagnostic and prognostic implications. Using beta-thalassemia as a model disease with isolated diastolic dysfunction, we sought to investigate the predictive value of NT-proBNP and BNP levels in comparison with the conventional and new Doppler echocardiography indexes in detecting this disorder. ⋯ BNP and NT-proBNP levels are significantly increased in documented left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, while NT-proBNP seems to have better predictive value in detecting latent left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in beta-thalassemia major.