0000000000354696
AUTHOR
Renzo M. R. Lombardo
Effects of ambient temperature, humidity, and other meteorological variables on hospital admissions for angina pectoris.
Background: Seasonal peaks in cardiovascular disease incidence have been widely reported, suggesting weather has a role. Design The aim of our study was to determine the influence of climatic variables on angina pectoris hospital admissions. Methods: We correlated the daily number of angina cases admitted to a western Sicilian hospital over a period of 12 years and local weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind force and direction, precipitation, sunny hours and atmospheric pressure) on a day-to-day basis. A total of 2459 consecutive patients were admitted over the period 1987–1998 (1562 men, 867 women; M/F – 1:8). Results: A seasonal variation was found with a noticeable winter pea…
Embolic stroke, sinus rhythm and left atrial mechanical function
A 64-year-old man manifested a stroke two years after restoration of sinus rhythm through a radiofrequency catheter ablation. Transesophageal echo- cardiography demonstrated the presence of a thrombus in the left atrial appendage. Left atrial volumes and different parameters of atrial emptying showed that, de- spite the persistence of the sinus rhythm, atrial mechanical function was severely impaired. After atrial ablation procedures echocardiography can be useful to stratify pa- tients according to their risk of developing embolic events and hence be of help in deciding whether or not discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy is the appropri- ate choice.
Effects of Nebivolol versus Carvedilol on Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Reduced Left Ventricular Systolic Function
Beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (beta-blocker) therapy results in a significant improvement in left ventricular (LV) systolic function and prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure. Both carvedilol and nebivolol produce hemodynamic and clinical benefits in chronic heart failure, but it is unknown whether their peculiar pharmacologic properties produce different effects on LV function.To assess the effects on LV function of nebivolol compared with carvedilol in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced LV systolic function.Seventy patients with a LV ejection fractionor=40% and in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III were randomly assigned to receive carvedil…