Herz
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Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a tomographic technique, which allows three-dimensional slice orientation without limitations from acoustic windows inherent to echocardiography. Further advantages of CMR are its high temporal and spatial resolution, its excellent soft tissue resolution and its high blood-to-tissue contrast. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is currently the only imaging technique, which provides a comprehensive study of both structure and function of the heart as well as myocardial perfusion and viability. ⋯ CMR may also improve the assessment and extent of interventricular and intraventricular dyssynchrony in patients to be selected for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Lastly, the LGE phenomenon may provide independent prognostic information in patients with a CRT system implanted, as well as in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Thus, CMR imaging should be implemented early in the diagnostic process of patients with heart failure to significantly improve the speed and accuracy of diagnostic procedures, to control the effect of therapeutic measures, and to select patients with a limited prognosis by assessing the degree of ventricular dysfunction and the extent of myocardial scarring.
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In November 2009 the first European guidelines were presented regarding preoperative risk assessment and perioperative management in non-cardiac surgery. They were designed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and endorsed by the European Society of Anesthesiology. ⋯ These guidelines are straightforward and feasible for cardiologists as well as specialists in internal medicine and general practicioners. Nevertheless, some points still lack evidence.
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Acute myocardial infarction and its consequences (death, chronic ischemic coronary artery disease, heart failure) are still the number 1 causes of death and of cardiovascular diseases in Germany. In this context, patients with STEMI are at the highest risk. The first-line management of STEMI patients often determines if the outcome is life or death. ⋯ There is no evidence that higher maintenance doses of clopidogrel may circumvent possible clopidogrel resistance. The usefulness of so far non-standardized in-vitro platelet aggregation measurements or the practice-oriented interpretation of genetic tests for CYP2C19 polymorphism is unknown. With the 12 months DAPT the patient is treated not the stent.
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Comparative Study
[Patient satisfaction in acute coronary syndrome. Improvement through the establishment of a chest pain unit].
Chest pain units (CPUs) were established primarily in the United States with the aim of reducing hospital admissions and costs, whilst improving quality of life and patient care. Clinical trials have shown that these units are safe and practical; however, there was a need to investigate to what extent patients are satisfied with the care in CPUs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the experiences of patients receiving CPU care and routine emergency department (ED) treatment for acute chest pain. ⋯ The establishment of a CPU at the University Medical Center of Mainz demonstrated a higher level of patient satisfaction compared to the treatment of patients with acute chest pain in the general ED.
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The intracoronary application of autologous bone marrow cells has proven hitherto to be safe but not sufficiently effective in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. The interventional application of cells injected directly into the myocardium represents one possible approach to improve effectiveness. ⋯ The currently available data support, but do not yet prove, the hypothesis that intramyocardial stem cell therapy using NOGA-guided injection into the myocardium is safe and feasible in both acute and chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy. Ongoing trials will reveal whether this approach will become the standard form for applying cell therapy to the heart.