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An important publication by Zile and colleagues that have been long interested in diastolic properties of the heart, confirms that diastolic heart failure (DHF) is a real entity and is associated with significant abnormalities of active relaxation and passive stiffness in the left ventricle (LV).
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Ernst and colleagues from St. George Hospital in Hamburg, Germany describe a new technique for positioning and manipulating ablation catheters during electrophysiologic studies. The system is a remote magnetic navigation system, which uses 2 permanent magnets to move a specially designed catheter.
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The diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) remains a challenge. Thus, these investigators from Basel, Switzerland hypothesized that a marker of systemic bacterial infection such as procalcitonin may help. In 67 consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of IE, a multidisciplinary team applied the Duke criteria to make the diagnosis of IE in 21 patients.
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Tight glycemic control during surgery and 12 hours after CABG in diabetic patients improves perioperative outcomes and survival, and decreases wound infections and episodes of recurrent ischemia.
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Breast Cancer and the Use of Statins; Warnings Issued for IBS Drugs; FDA Actions
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The AFFIRM study was a randomized comparison of 2 strategies for management of patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation requiring therapy, who also had one or more risk factors for stroke or death, were randomized to either a rate control strategy of cardioversion and treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs or a rate control strategy using atrioventricular (AV) nodal blocking agents to control ventricular response. Results of this study suggest that if an effective method for maintaining sinus rhythm with fewer adverse effects were available, it might improve survival.
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Annual, or less frequent, surveillance intervals are effective for aneurysms < 45 mm in diameter.
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The benefit of ICD therapy, compared to amiodarone therapy in patients with life-threatening arrhythmia, continues to increase over time, and long-term data support the use of an ICD as first line therapy for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death.
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The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), a product of a collaboration of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutes, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association, has updated its clinical practice guideline on cholesterol management.
