International journal of cardiology
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Aldosterone levels are high early after admission for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) concomitantly with high risk of sudden death and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. ⋯ Early aldosterone blockade in patients presenting for primary PCI for STEMI is associated with significant reductions in rates of life-threatening arrhythmia and cardiac arrest independent of the initial risk profile, heart failure or hemodynamic status. These findings support the concept of aldosterone blockade early after STEMI, warranting further confirmation by ongoing randomized trials.
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Review Meta Analysis
Incidence, etiology and predictors of adverse outcomes in 43,315 patients presenting to the Emergency Department with syncope: an international meta-analysis.
Syncope remains challenging for Emergency Department (ED) physicians due to difficulties in assessing the risk of future adverse outcomes. The aim of this meta-analysis is to establish the incidence and etiology of adverse outcomes as well as the predictors, in patients presenting with syncope to the ED. ⋯ Syncope carries a high risk of death, mainly related to cardiovascular disease. This large study which has established the most powerful predictors of adverse outcomes, may enable care and resources to be better focused at high risk patients.
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Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI, Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is an inborn error of metabolism, with incidences at birth ranging from 1 in 1.5 million to 1 in 43,000 live births. This disorder is rarely considered when evaluating patients with common populational cardiovascular diseases. A significant number of MPS VI patients, however, do present cardiovascular disease and MPS VI should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for other cardiovascular disorders. ⋯ An early diagnosis is difficult due to joint stiffness, respiratory system involvement or skeletal malformations that limit exercise capacity and mask the underlining heart failure. This article is supposed to serve as a very practical reference for cardiologists who may come across MPS VI in their daily practices. A greater awareness of cardiovascular manifestations of MPS VI among cardiologists can help to reduce misdiagnosis and promote early detection of this inborn disorder and aid the implementation of adequate therapy at the earliest stage possible which is crucial for its efficacy.
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The usual diagnostic work-up of chest pain patients includes clinical risk profiling and exercise-ECG, possibly followed by additional tests. Recently cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has been employed. We evaluated the prognostic value of the combined use of exercise-ECG and CCTA for the development of cardiovascular endpoints. ⋯ The combined subsequent use of exercise-ECG for functional information and CCTA for anatomical information provides a high diagnostic yield in stable chest pain patients with an intermediate pre-test probability for coronary artery disease.
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Biography Historical Article
Atheroprotector role of the spleen based on the teaching of Avicenna (Ibn Sina).
Many studies have proven atherosclerosis is an inflammatory immune disease. The spleen plays an important immune role in the human body. Splenectomy is often used in several clinical disorders; but recent studies have shown that splenectomy may be effective in the development of atheroma lesions. ⋯ Therefore any disruption in the function of the spleen can lead to various diseases such as atherosclerosis. Based on his description, it is clear that Ibn Sina first described the role of spleen in prevention of atherosclerosis. In this review, we discuss the Avicenna (Ibn Sina) aspect of atheroprotector role of the spleen.