Objective: To evaluate contractile reserve (CR) determined by exercise echocardiography in predicting clinical outcome and left ventricular (LV) function in asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation ...

Aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of an escalating energy protocol with a non-escalating energy protocol using an impedance compensated biphasic defibrillator for direct current cardioversion ...

Synthesis and release of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are increased in heart failure, and plasma concentrations provide important therapeutic and prognostic information. Recent studies have shown ...

The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) has focused on anticoagulation, rhythm control and ventricular rate control. Recently, a fourth pillar of AF management has been incorporated recognising the ...

Results The median percentage decrease in platelet count was 37.8% [IQR: 28.8–48.4], resulting in moderate (<100*109/L) and severe (<50*109/L) thrombocytopenia in 28.8% and 4.2% of patients, ...

Smoking is a complex behaviour involving physiological dependence on regular administration of nicotine, psychological dependence to cope with stress, and reinforcement in social contexts. Smoking ...

Objective Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of mortality especially in older populations. Early detection of high-risk individuals is imperative for primary prevention. The purpose of this study ...

Introduction Valve disease is a major concern in patients having non-cardiac surgery. First, it is common (table 1) 1–4 particularly in the elderly who may also have other comorbidities. The adult ...

Knowledge of the anatomy of the ‘conduction tissues’ of the heart is a 20th century phenomenon. Although controversies still continue on the topic, most could have been avoided had greater attention ...

Objective To examine whether chocolate consumption is associated with a reduced risk of ischaemic heart disease, we used data from a prospective study of Swedish adults and we performed a ...

Objectives This study evaluated the comparative effectiveness of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) and factor Xa inhibitors (FXaI) in patients with atrial fibrillation ...

Background The Buckberg index, a diastolic to systolic pressure-time integral ratio, is a resting measure of myocardial oxygen supply and demand. It compares the delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle ...