Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
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To test the hypotheses that (1) the central conduit arteries stiffen preferentially over the peripheral conduit arteries in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (ToF); and (2) central arterial stiffening is related to aortic root dilatation. ⋯ The aorta stiffens in patients with repaired ToF, which may contribute to progressive dilatation of the aortic root in the long term.
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To investigate whether remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) can attenuate the inflammatory response and enzyme leakage that can occur after uncomplicated routine percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). ⋯ RIPC does not reduce, but exacerbates, the enzyme and TNI release from the heart after single-vessel angioplasty with stent. Furthermore, the increased circulating CRP remains raised. It seems that there is an enhanced inflammatory response after RIPC in the absence of statin treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of serial levosimendan infusions on left ventricular performance and plasma biomarkers of myocardial injury and neurohormonal and immune activation in patients with advanced heart failure.
Levosimendan is a novel inodilator that improves central haemodynamics and symptoms of patients with decompensated chronic heart failure. The role, however, of repeated levosimendan infusions in the management of these patients has not yet been properly assessed. ⋯ Serial levosimendan treatments improved left ventricular performance and modulated neurohormonal and immune activation beneficially in patients with advanced heart failure, without increasing myocardial injury.
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To evaluate the predictive value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) for assessment of cardiac risk before non-cardiac surgery. ⋯ In this population of patients evaluated before non-cardiac surgery, BNP is an independent predictor of postoperative cardiac events. BNP > 189 pg/ml identified patients at highest risk.