Journal of the American College of Cardiology
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialBeraprost therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the oral prostacyclin analogue beraprost sodium during a 12-month double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). ⋯ These data suggest that beneficial effects may occur during early phases of treatment with beraprost in WHO functional class II or III patients but that this effect attenuates with time.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Short-term results of substrate mapping and radiofrequency ablation of ischemic ventricular tachycardia using a saline-irrigated catheter.
We evaluated the safety and acute procedural efficacy of a combined electrophysiologic and anatomic approach to ablation of all inducible ventricular tachycardias (VT) during sinus rhythm using an irrigated radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter. ⋯ By identifying potentially arrhythmogenic tissue during sinus rhythm, substrate mapping can guide the ablation of a majority of inducible VTs using an irrigated RF ablation catheter. This emerging therapeutic paradigm may be considered in the management of patients with multiple hemodynamically unstable monomorphic VTs.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Plasma natriuretic peptide levels increase with symptoms and severity of mitral regurgitation.
This paper will describe associations between plasma natriuretic peptide levels and the severity and symptoms of mitral regurgitation (MR). ⋯ Plasma natriuretic peptides levels increase with the severity of MR and are higher in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic patients, even when LV EF is normal.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Nonsurgical transthoracic epicardial radiofrequency ablation: an alternative in incessant ventricular tachycardia.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of epicardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients with incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT). ⋯ In patients with incessant VT despite the use of drugs or standard EdA, the epicardial approach was very effective and should be considered as an alternative in this life-threatening situation.