Background The development of pulmonary hypertension at rest in patients with heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, thrombo-embolic disease, connective tissue disease, sleep apnoea disorders or cardiac…
Summary Cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, is the main cause of mortality in developed countries. Most atherosclerosis risk factors have been identified and are treated, improving patient cardiovascular status and…
Summary Background An accurate assessment of left ventricular (LV) mass is important for the detection of LV hypertrophy. Aims To assess the accuracy of four echocardiographic imaging modalities for assessing…
A 58-year-old woman presented with resistant hypertension and hypokalaemia. Biological primary hyperaldosteronism was detected: aldosterone to renin ratio, 37.5; 24-hour urine aldosterone excretion, 25 μg. Computed tomography ( Fig. 1…
An asymptomatic two-year-old boy was referred for the evaluation of a soft holosystolic murmur. The electrocardiogram was normal. Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography showed normal left ventricle dimensions and function. The number…
A full-term female newborn with prenatal diagnosis of ventricular asymmetry was referred to our department for postnatal echocardiographic evaluation. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed a coarctation of the aorta ( Fig. 1…
A healthy 21-year-old man attended the clinic complaining of palpitations. Laboratory investigation and physical examination were unremarkable. His 12-lead electrocardiogram ( Fig. 1 ) demonstrated three distinct populations of QRS…
Summary Background An ageing population and the extension of indications will in all probability result in an increasing number of cardiac device implantations. Methods Patients implanted in 2008 and 2009…
Summary Background A programme for quality assurance and prevention of infection risk during implantation of cardiac medical devices (pacemakers and defibrillators) was set up in our hospital. Aim We sought…
Summary Background Microvascular reflow is crucial for myocyte survival during ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Aims We aimed to assess if salvianolate, a highly purified aqueous extract from Radix salviae miltiorrhizae , could…
