European journal of heart failure
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Jun 2003
ReviewThe non-invasive assessment of hibernating myocardium in ischaemic cardiomyopathy--a myriad of techniques.
Heart failure is placing an ever-increasing burden on society. Many subjects with heart failure and underlying coronary artery disease have a significant amount of akinetic but viable myocardium that is able to contract should myocardial perfusion improve (hibernating myocardium). ⋯ Several non-invasive techniques have been developed to assess the presence or absence of hibernating myocardium. This review will examine the epidemiology and underlying pathogenesis of hibernating myocardium; evaluate the non-invasive techniques for diagnosing hibernating myocardium, and look at therapeutic intervention in subjects with hibernating myocardium.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Mar 2003
Comparative StudyBedside B-type natriuretic peptide and functional capacity in chronic heart failure.
To determine if B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement could be useful in determination of functional capacity in patients suffering from chronic heart failure. ⋯ The measurement of BNP levels thus usefully supplements the clinical examination. The existence of bedside BNP testing methods facilitates its use in routine clinical practice. It also permits easier follow-up of patients with chronic heart failure.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Jan 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialIntravenous levosimendan treatment is cost-effective compared with dobutamine in severe low-output heart failure: an analysis based on the international LIDO trial.
Levosimendan, a novel calcium sensitiser, improves cardiac performance and symptoms without increasing oxygen consumption, and decreases the mortality of patients with low-output heart failure. ⋯ Although the patients in the levosimendan group were alive for more days and thus at risk of hospitalisation for longer, there was no increase in hospitalisation or hospitalisation costs with levosimendan treatment. The cost per LYS using levosimendan compares favourably with other cost-effectiveness analyses in cardiology.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Jan 2003
Comparative StudyPrognosis of patients with chronic coronary artery disease and severe left ventricular dysfunction. The importance of myocardial viability.
The choice of optimal treatment strategy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is often difficult. The aim of this study was to compare long-term results of patients with chronic CAD, severe heart failure and a defined scope of myocardial viability treated with coronary revascularization, heart transplantation, or kept on medical therapy. ⋯ In patients with CAD, severe LV dysfunction, and the evidence of viability in dysfunctional myocardium, coronary revascularization improves survival. At least 3-years follow-up is necessary to objectively assess the prognostic effect of coronary revascularization.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Dec 2002
Comparative StudyAcute haemodynamic effects of oestrogen administration in male patients with chronic heart failure.
Although there are many studies concerning the effects of long-term oestrogen administration on systemic haemodynamics in postmenopausal women, the effects of oestrogen in patients with chronic heart failure are not defined. ⋯ In male patients with chronic heart failure, acute oestrogen administration improves the indices of cardiac systolic performance and decreases pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance. These findings imply a beneficial effect of oestrogen in selected patients with chronic heart failure.