International journal of cardiology
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Letter Comparative Study
Aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) is associated with ascending aortic aneurysm growth rate.
Plasma levels of PIIINP a marker of extracellular matrix metabolism activity have been linked to abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate, but its relationship with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) growth has never previously been studied. ⋯ Our results suggest that it may in the future be possible to monitor TAA growth by means of PIIINP levels.
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Comparative Study
BNP at discharge in acute heart failure patients: is it all about volemia? A study using impedance cardiography to assess fluid and hemodynamic status.
Besides hemodynamic parameters, several other variables have been associated to B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. Limited knowledge on BNP determinants in acute heart failure (HF) can undermine the interpretation of BNP levels. ⋯ Discharge BNP levels in acute HF patients reflected volemia and disease severity. Persistently high BNP levels during hospitalization should raise the possibility of remaining congestion, which could negatively influence prognosis. The utility of BNP as prognostic marker in HF may reside on its ability to reflect multiple underlying pathophysiological disturbances.
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Letter Comparative Study
Accuracy of Doppler-derived pulmonary artery hypertension to predict heart failure with normal ejection fraction.
Recent advances have highlighted the clinical relevance of pulmonary artery hypertension in terms of diagnosis and prognosis in heart failure with normal ejection fraction. We addressed the usefulness of Doppler-derived pulmonary artery systolic pressure to predict heart failure with normal ejection fraction in stable patients with exertional dyspnea. 25 patients referred for clinically indicated catheterism with evidence of heart failure according to the European diagnostic flowchart on "how to diagnose heart failure with normal ejection fraction" and 12 controls referred for clinically indicated catheterism without this condition according to the diagnostic flowchart on "how to exclude heart failure with normal ejection fraction" were included. ⋯ Positive and negative predictive values were 93 and 50% for the cut-off value of 40 mmHg. Doppler-derived pulmonary artery hypertension is a landmark of heart failure with normal ejection fraction in patients without severely increased pulmonary vascular resistance and deserves further attention in upcoming international recommendations.
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The aim of this study was to investigate preoperative clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels as prognostic factors for regression of the left ventricular (LV) mass after valvular surgery in patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR). ⋯ A lower preoperative NT-proBNP level predicted the regression of LV mass after valvular surgery in patients with chronic severe MR. This measure could be used as a biomarker for predicting the postoperative course in such patients.