International journal of cardiology
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Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder in which left ventricular dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure occur in the peripartum period in previously healthy women. Incidence of PPCM ranges from 1 in 1300 to 1 in 15,000 pregnancies. The etiology of PPCM is unknown, but viral, autoimmune, and idiopathic causes may contribute. ⋯ About half the patients of PPCM recover without complications. The prognosis is poor in patients with persistent cardiomyopathy. Persistence of disease after 6 months indicates irreversible cardiomyopathy and portends worse survival.
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Antipsychotic agents are known to be associated with a long QT interval and torsade de pointes. We report a 69 year old female who suffered from a syncopal attack at a psychiatric hospital and was referred to our center. ⋯ After stopping the medication, the QT interval returned to normal (420 ms). The patients taking sulpiride should be closely monitored, especially when it is used in combination with other antidepressant agents.
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Letter Comparative Study
Brain natriuretic peptide as marker of myocardial iron load in beta-thalassemia.
Cardiomyopathy due to iron overload represents a frequent life-limiting complication in patients with beta-thalassemia major. We have conducted a study which proved that brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels have high sensitivity and negative predictive value in detecting cardiac hemosiderosis.
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The epidemiology of heart failure is poorly understood. Australia has one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world with heart failure representing a large proportion of this group, yet there is minimal data on the incidence or prevalence. ⋯ Currently, mortality rates for heart failure are decreasing in Australia, while there does not appear to be any real increase in the numbers of patients admitted to hospital with a subsequent diagnosis of heart failure over a 10 year period.
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Letter Case Reports
The value of d-dimer in the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection.