British heart journal
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British heart journal · Apr 1984
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffect of metoprolol on chest pain in acute myocardial infarction.
A total of 1395 patients aged 40 to 74 years were included in a double blind trial with the beta 1 selective blocker metoprolol in suspected acute myocardial infarction. Metoprolol was given intravenously (15 mg) as soon as possible after admission to hospital followed by 200 mg daily for three months. A placebo was given in the same manner. ⋯ The estimated duration of pain was shorter in the metoprolol group than in the placebo group. These effects were related to the initial heart rate, the initial systolic blood pressure, and the final site of the infarct as determined electrocardiographically. Thus metoprolol given in the acute phase of suspected or definite myocardial infarction appears to reduce the severity of chest pain.
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British heart journal · Apr 1984
Comparative StudyComparison of cinefluoroscopy and M mode echocardiography for detecting aortic valve calcification. Correlation with severity of stenosis of non-rheumatic aetiology.
The density of aortic valve calcification was estimated using cinefluoroscopy and M mode echocardiography in 86 patients with pure aortic stenosis. The results were compared with the degree of outflow obstruction measured haemodynamically. ⋯ Echocardiography gave accurate information about the distribution of calcium within the cusps, but this was not of value in predicting the degree of obstruction. The amount of calcium in the aortic valve as assessed by simple cinefluoroscopy is a useful guide to the severity of aortic stenosis in patients in the middle and older age groups.