International journal of cardiology
-
Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) occurs in some patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We evaluated the characteristics of cardiac dysfunction in patients with PAH complicated by PAA. ⋯ In PAH patients with PAA, RV was larger and RV dysfunction was more severe, and LV diastolic dysfunction appeared. It is important to investigate the appearance of PAA and the severity of RV and LV dysfunction in PAH patients with PAA.
-
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (EIPH) in consecutive subjects referred for stress echocardiography for chest pain or shortness of breath and correlate echocardiographic diagnosis of EIPH with hemodynamics at right heart catheterization (RHC). ⋯ The results demonstrate that 11.7% of patients undergoing clinically indicated stress echocardiography have EIPH. Of those who underwent RHC abnormal hemodynamics were significantly associated with a dilated left atrium or age older than 55years.
-
Editorial Review
Obstructive sleep apnea and arrhythmia: A systemic review.
There is a growing consensus in the scientific community that suggests a strong association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular (CVD) conditions and events, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, arrhythmia, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. We reviewed evidence on the relationship between OSA and arrhythmia. ⋯ Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) appears to reduce the CVD consequences of OSA. Future research is expected to clarify the benefits and optimal application of these treatment approaches.
-
The outcome of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) has improved thanks to left atrium (LA) anatomy reconstruction by cardiac computed tomography (CCT). A new model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm (MBIR) provides image noise reduction achieving effective radiation dose (ED) close to chest X-ray exposure. Aim of this study was comparing RFCA procedural characteristics, AF recurrence and radiation exposure between patients in whom RFCA was guided by CCT image integration with MBIR versus a CCT standard protocol. ⋯ CCT with MBIR allows accurate reconstruction of LA anatomy in AF patients undergoing RFCA with a sub-millisievert ED and comparable success rate of RFCA as compared to a standard CCT scan protocol.