Journal of cardiology
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Although its prevalence is relatively low in pregnant women, heart disease is the most important cause of maternal mortality. Problems may arise due to hemodynamic burden and the hypercoagulable state of pregnancy. Heart disease may be congenital or acquired. ⋯ Treatment options should be discussed with the future parents, as they may affect both mother and child. In general, the preferred route of delivery is vaginal. The optimal care for pregnant women with heart disease requires multidisciplinary involvement and is best concentrated in tertiary centers.
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Journal of cardiology · Dec 2012
Usefulness of cardiac biomarkers in the prediction of right ventricular dysfunction before echocardiography in acute pulmonary embolism.
The aim of this study was to investigate a useful cardiac biomarker for predicting echocardiographic right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). ⋯ NT-proBNP, cTnt, and cTni were significant serologic predictors of RV dysfunction in APE. Measurements of NT-proBNP, cTnt, and cTni are simple and useful in the risk stratification or treatment of APE.
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Journal of cardiology · Dec 2012
Impact of obstructive sleep apnea on left atrial functional and structural remodeling beyond obesity.
To evaluate the left atrial (LA) volume and function of obese patients with/without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its association with left ventricular (LV) diastolic function independent of obesity. ⋯ LA structural and functional remodeling was significantly correlated with the severity of OSA and LV diastolic filling pressure. OSA impaired LA wall compliance and passive contraction independent of obesity.
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Journal of cardiology · Dec 2012
ReviewTako-tsubo cardiomyopathy: clinical presentation and underlying mechanism.
Since Dr Sato at Hiroshima City Hospital first recognized and reported the concept of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy in 1990, this disorder has become accepted worldwide as a distinct clinical entity. Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is an important disorder as a differential diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. This disorder usually occurs in postmenopausal women of an advanced age, and is characterized by transient left ventricular apical wall motion abnormalities associated with emotional or physical stress. ⋯ The prognosis is generally favorable. However, several acute complications have been reported such as congestive heart failure, cardiac rupture, hypotension, left ventricular apical thrombosis, or Torsade de Pointes. Several possible mechanisms such as multivessel coronary artery spasm, coronary microvascular dysfunction, myocarditis, or catecholamine toxicity have been proposed to explain tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, but its pathophysiology is not well understood.