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 ...

Background Thrombocytopenia is a poorly understood complication after surgical (mechanical or biological) (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The etiology of this platelet count ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Methods The nationwide study includes 22 488 intensive care patients in Uppsala, Karolinska and Lund University Hospitals, Sweden, between 2004 and 2015. Creatinine and cystatin C were analysed with ...

The term “cardiomyopathy” refers to specific diseases affecting the myocardium which generally lead to clinical manifestations of heart failure, including exercise intolerance, dyspnoea, and fluid ...

The routine use of vasodilators in patients with acute coronary syndromes or other groups undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cannot be recommended at present. However, in the event of ...

Objective In the majority of studies, the effect of physical activity (PA) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality is estimated at a single time point. The impact of long-term PA is likely to ...