International journal of cardiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Conversion efficacy of intravenous ibutilide compared with intravenous amiodarone in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.
The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ibutilide and amiodarone (intravenously) in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (Af) to sinus rhythm (SR). ⋯ Ibutilide is more effective than amiodarone in converting recent-onset Af to SR whereas both drugs are equally effective in converting recent-onset AF to SR.
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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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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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Letter Case Reports
The value of d-dimer in the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection.