Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
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Observational Study
Effect of myocardial revascularisation on left ventricular systolic function in patients with and without viable myocardium: should non-viable segments be revascularised?
To assess the effect of surgical revascularisation on left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with viable and non-viable dysfunctional LV segments determined by low dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). ⋯ It appears that patients with LV dysfunction, but without viable myocardium, may also benefit from myocardial revascularisation. Functional recovery continuously occurs throughout the first year after surgical treatment.
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Comparative Study
Temporal variation and morphologic characteristics of J-waves in patients with early repolarisation syndrome.
Electrocardiographic markers identifying malignant forms of early repolarisation (ER) from ER of normal variants are of prime clinical importance. We compared the ECG parameters of ER patterns in patients with early repolarisation syndrome (ERS) proximate to the ventricular fibrillation (VF) episodes, remote from the events and those with normal controls with ER. ⋯ Although the extent of and amplitude of J-wave or ST segment elevation (STE) increased significantly around VF episodes, the electrocardiographic parameters of ER remote from VF episodes were not significantly different from those of normal controls. The narrow time window of these ECG changes limits early detection of ER patients at risk of developing VF or sudden cardiac death.
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Comparative Study
Ischaemic heart disease, influenza and influenza vaccination: a prospective case control study.
Abundant, indirect epidemiological evidence indicates that influenza contributes to all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalisations with studies showing increases in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and death during the influenza season. ⋯ Recent influenza infection was an unrecognised comorbidity in almost 10% of hospital patients. Influenza did not predict AMI, but vaccination was significantly protective but underused. The potential population health impact of influenza vaccination, particularly in the age group 50-64 years, who are at risk for AMI but not targeted for vaccination, should be further explored. Our data should inform vaccination policy and cardiologists should be aware of missed opportunities to vaccinate individuals with ischaemic heart disease against influenza.