European journal of heart failure
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Aug 2007
The role of plasma biomarkers in acute heart failure. Serial changes and independent prognostic value of NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin-T.
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), NT-proBNP and troponins are useful for the assessment of patients with heart failure. Few data exist about their serial changes and their prognostic value in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). ⋯ In patients with AHF, NT-proBNP levels decline 24 h after the initiation of intravenous therapy and troponin-T is detectable in 48% of cases. NT-proBNP levels at discharge, detectable troponin-T levels, NYHA class and serum sodium have independent prognostic value.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Aug 2007
Anaemia and renal dysfunction are independently associated with BNP and NT-proBNP levels in patients with heart failure.
Anaemia may affect B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) levels, but this has not been well described in heart failure (HF) patients without the exclusion of patients with renal dysfunction. ⋯ Anaemia and renal dysfunction are related to increased BNP and NT-proBNP levels, independent of the severity of HF. These results indicate that both anaemia and renal dysfunction should be taken into consideration during the interpretation of BNP and NT-proBNP levels in HF patients.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Jun 2007
Comparative StudyDirect comparison of transcardiac difference between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP in patients with chronic heart failure.
Direct comparison of transcardiac increase in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-pro-BNP has not been performed previously. ⋯ The molar level of the transcardiac increase in NT-pro-BNP is lower than that of BNP; however, the influence of renal function on plasma NT-pro-BNP is greater than that on BNP.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · May 2007
Non-invasive radial pulse wave assessment for the evaluation of left ventricular systolic performance in heart failure.
Left ventricular (LV) developed pressure (dP/dt) is a classical index of myocardial contractility related to prognosis during heart failure. We sought to assess the reproducibility and feasibility of use of the maximal first derivative of the radial pulse, Rad dP/dt, as a peripheral criterion of ventricular contractility in patients with heart failure. ⋯ The maximal dP/dt of the radial pulse appears to be a valuable and reproducible peripheral criterion of LV systolic performance.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialDuration of the haemodynamic action of a 24-h infusion of levosimendan in patients with congestive heart failure.
To determine the duration of haemodynamic and neurohormonal action of a 24-h infusion of levosimendan in heart failure. ⋯ Levosimendan infusion achieved a rapid improvement in haemodynamic parameters in patients with congestive heart failure with maximal effects occurring 1-3 days after starting the infusion, effects were sustained for up to at least a week.