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Antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics for iron–sulphur cluster deficiency myopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Iron–sulphur cluster deficiency myopathy is caused by a deep intronic mutation in ISCU resulting in inclusion of a cryptic exon in the mature mRNA. ISCU encodes the iron–sulphur cluster assembly protein IscU. Iron–sulphur clusters are essential for most basic redox transformations including the respiratory-chain function. Most patients are homozygous for the mutation with a phenotype characterized by a non-progressive myopathy with childhood onset of early fatigue, dyspnoea and palpitation on trivial exercise. A more severe phenotype with early onset of a slowly progressive severe muscle weakness, severe ex...
Source: Neuromuscular Disorders - November 20, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Gittan Kollberg, Elisabeth Holme Tags: Research papers Source Type: journals

Late enhancement and myocardial perfusion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (comparison betw een groups)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CONCLUSION: The thickest ventricular segments are the septal ones. The hypertrophic regions are associated to a greater extension of late enhancement. There was a positive correlation between the areas of ventricular hypertrophy and altered myocardial perfusion and these findings were more evident in the obstructive group. (Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia)
Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia - November 20, 2009 Category: Cardiology Source Type: journals

One-Size-Fits-All Approach Doesn't Work for Cardiac ResynchronizationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, the left ventricular (LV) pacing site is a key determinant of the hemodynamic response to resynchronization - but contrary to common belief, the lateral LV wall and the coronary sinus are rarely the best sites, an international team of cardiologists has found. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - November 19, 2009 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cardiology Source Type: news

Increased plasma retinol binding protein 4 levels in patients with inflammatory cardiomyopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion Elevated RBP 4 plasma concentrations, induced by IL-8, might be one mechanism leading to a higher incidence of diabetes in patients with DCMi. (Source: European Journal of Heart Failure)
Source: European Journal of Heart Failure - November 19, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Bobbert, P., Weithauser, A., Andres, J., Bobbert, T., Kuhl, U., Schultheiss, H. P., Rauch, U., Skurk, C. Tags: BIOMARKERS Source Type: journals

Right atrial size and deformation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion Right atrial area index was increased and RA myocardial deformation was impaired in patients with DCM who were non-responders to CRT. (Source: European Journal of Heart Failure)
Source: European Journal of Heart Failure - November 19, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: D'Andrea, A., Scarafile, R., Riegler, L., Salerno, G., Gravino, R., Cocchia, R., Castaldo, F., Allocca, F., Limongelli, G., Di Salvo, G., Cuomo, S., Pacileo, G., Caso, P., Russo, M. G., Calabro, R. Tags: ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY Source Type: journals

Stem Cells Improve Heart Function In Patients With CardiomyopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A Florida cardiologist is using stem cell therapy to treat patients who suffer from a range of heart, lung and vascular illnesses. The results have been extraordinary. Zannos Grekos, M.D. uses the patients' own stem cells to treat the diseases. "One's own stem cells offer great potential for the treatment of serious heart, lung and vascular diseases," Dr. Grekos said. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - November 18, 2009 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Stem Cell Research Source Type: news

Stem Cells Improve Heart Function In Patients With CardiomyopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A Florida cardiologist is using stem cell therapy to treat patients who suffer from a range of heart, lung and vascular illnesses. The results have been extraordinary. Zannos Grekos, M.D. uses the patients' own stem cells to treat the diseases. "One's own stem cells offer great potential for the treatment of serious heart, lung and vascular diseases," Dr. Grekos said. "We are seeing remarkable outcomes through this treatment. (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)
Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today - November 18, 2009 Category: Cardiology Tags: Stem Cell Research Source Type: news

Tissue characterization in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; a valuable approach?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Editorial CommentDOI 10.1007/s10554-009-9534-2Authors E. E. van der Wall, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands Journal The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging (formerly Cardiac Imaging)Online ISSN 1573-0743Print ISSN 1569-5794 (Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging)
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - November 18, 2009 Category: Radiology Tags: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging (formerly Cardiac Imaging) Source Type: journals

Reconsidering the Role for Digoxin in the Management of Acute Heart Failure Syndromes [Commentary]Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: JAMA)
Source: JAMA - November 17, 2009 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Gheorghiade, M., Braunwald, E. Tags: Cardiovascular System, Prognosis/ Outcomes, Drug Therapy, Drug Therapy, Other, Congestive Heart Failure/ cardiomyopathy Commentary Source Type: journals

Cardiomyopathy and anaesthesiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care)
Source: Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care - November 17, 2009 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Davies, M.R., Cousins, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: journals

CardiomyopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: eMedicineHealth.com)
Source: eMedicineHealth.com - November 17, 2009 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: info

Clinical and mutational spectrum of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I in 11 French patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: This study reveals inter- and intrafamilial phenotypic variability in LGMD2I, with a preponderance of myocardiopathy and restrictive respiratory insufficiency. It also demonstrates central nervous involvement, probably associated with changes in -dystroglycan expression in the brain. (Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry)
Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry - November 16, 2009 Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Bourteel, H, Vermersch, P, Cuisset, J-M, Maurage, C-A, Laforet, P, Richard, P, Stojkovic, T Tags: Genetics, Muscle disease, Neuroimaging, Neuromuscular disease, Stroke, Musculoskeletal syndromes Short reports Source Type: journals

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the elderlyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a relatively common genetic cardiac disorder with heterogeneous morphological, functional and clinical features. Although the risk of sudden death and incapacitating symptoms in young patients has been focused upon, the disease has been found with increasing frequency in elderly patients. However, there have been few studies on clinical features of HCM in the elderly. We established a cardiomyopathy registration study in Kochi Prefecture, which is one of the most aged communities in Japan, to provide detailed descriptions of the clinical features of HCM in a community-based patient coho...
Source: Geriatrics and Gerontology International - November 16, 2009 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Toru Kubo, Hiroaki Kitaoka, Makoto Okawa, Masanori Nishinaga, Yoshinori L Doi Source Type: journals

Autologous mesenchymal stem cells produce reverse remodelling in chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion Together these data demonstrate that autologous MSCs can be safely delivered in an adult heart failure model, producing substantial structural and functional reverse remodelling. These findings demonstrate the safety and efficacy of autologous MSC therapy and support clinical trials of MSC therapy in patients with chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - November 14, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Schuleri, K. H., Feigenbaum, G. S., Centola, M., Weiss, E. S., Zimmet, J. M., Turney, J., Kellner, J., Zviman, M. M., Hatzistergos, K. E., Detrick, B., Conte, J. V., McNiece, I., Steenbergen, C., Lardo, A. C., Hare, J. M. Tags: Coronary heart disease Source Type: journals

Growth differentiation factor-15 predicts mortality and morbidity after cardiac resynchronization therapyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion Pre-implant GDF-15 is a strong predictor of mortality and morbidity after CRT, independent of NT pro-BNP. The predictive value of these analytes is enhanced by combined measurement. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - November 14, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Foley, P. W.X., Stegemann, B., Ng, K., Ramachandran, S., Proudler, A., Frenneaux, M. P., Ng, L. L., Leyva, F. Tags: Heart failure/cardiomyopathy Source Type: journals

A simplified biventricular defibrillator with fixed long detection intervals reduces implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) interventions and heart failure hospitalizations in patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy implanted for primary prevention: the RELEVANT [Role of long dEtection window programming in patients with LEft VentriculAr dysfunction, Non-ischemic eTiology in primary prevention treated with a biventricular ICD] studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion A simplified CRT-D device with fixed long detection reduced overall ICD therapy burden and HF hospitalizations without entailing any additional adverse events in primary prevention non-ischaemic HF patients. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - November 14, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Gasparini, M., Menozzi, C., Proclemer, A., Landolina, M., Iacopino, S., Carboni, A., Lombardo, E., Regoli, F., Biffi, M., Burrone, V., Denaro, A., Boriani, G. Tags: Arrhythmia/electrophysiology Source Type: journals

Cardiac Isoform of Alpha 2 Macroglobulin: A Marker of Cardiac Involvement in Pediatric HIV and AIDSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract  Cardiac involvement in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is known but less often considered. Our objectives were to determine cardiac manifestations in pediatric HIV/AIDS and estimate the cardiac isoform of alpha-2 macroglobulin [CA2M] among them. We recruited 67 pediatric HIV/AIDS patients, 37 with cardiac involvement (group A) and 30 without (group B); 30 cardiac patients without HIV infection (group C); and 30 healthy control subjects without any comorbid illness (group D). Their sociodemographic and clinical information were collected alo...
Source: Pediatric Cardiology - November 14, 2009 Category: Cardiology Tags: Pediatric Cardiology Source Type: journals

Early alterations in heart gene expression profiles associated with doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in ratsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions  Genomic analysis provided further evidence that mitochondria are the primary target of doxorubicin-induced oxidative damage that leads to cardiomyopathy and the primary site of cardioprotective action by dexrazoxane. Additional strategies that prevent the formation of oxygen radicals by doxorubicin in mitochondria may provide increased cardioprotection. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00280-009-1164-9Authors Karol L. Thompson, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research LSB64 Room 2036, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Silver Spring M...
Source: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology - November 13, 2009 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology Source Type: journals

Iron metabolism and iron chelation in sickle cell disease.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This review highlights recent advances in iron metabolism that are relevant to sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is a common hemoglobinopathy that results in chronic inflammation. Improved understanding of how iron metabolism is controlled by proteins such as hepcidin, ferroportin, hypoxia-inducible factor 1, and growth differentiation factor 15 have revealed how they are involved in the organ toxicity of SCD. SCD patients have lower levels of non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) relative to other hemoglobinopathies, such as thalassemia. Care for SCD now commonly uses transfusion that results in iron overload and necessitate...
Source: Acta Haematologica - November 13, 2009 Category: Hematology Authors: Walter PB, Harmatz P, Vichinsky E Tags: Acta Haematol Source Type: journals

The natural history of untreated HFE-related hemochromatosis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Hemochromatosis has generally been considered to be a genetic disease in which progressive iron accumulation over many years can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, and arthropathy. Iron depletion by phlebotomy has been the recommended therapy although a randomized trial of phlebotomy versus no treatment has never been reported. Since the discovery of the HFE gene in 1996, it has been possible to predict the risk of developing iron overload by a simple blood test to detect C282Y homozygotes of the HFE gene. The application of the hemochromatosis genetic test in large popu...
Source: Acta Haematologica - November 13, 2009 Category: Hematology Authors: Adams PC Tags: Acta Haematol Source Type: journals

Application and subjective benefit of Crataegus extracts in patients with incipient heart failure with regard to performance and quality of life—A qualitative studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Patients with heart failure in an early stage can estimate the benefit and the absence of side effects of Crataegus extracts. In most cases they agree to bear the costs for the medicine. (Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine)
Source: European Journal of Integrative Medicine - November 13, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: P.W. Guendling, E. Mesenholl-Strehler Source Type: journals

Incorrect Total Shown for Number of Tested Offspring in: Implications of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Transmitted by Sperm Donation [Correction]Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: JAMA)
Source: JAMA - November 10, 2009 Category: Journals (General) Tags: Cardiovascular System, Transplantation, Transplantation, Other, Cardiovascular Disease/ Myocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure/ cardiomyopathy, Genetics, Genetic Counseling/ Testing/ Therapy, Genetic Disorders Correction Source Type: journals

500th Patient Receives an INCOR Ventricular Assist Device at the German Heart Institute BerlinEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
BERLIN, November 10 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- The 500th patient to receive an INCOR® ventricular assist device was implanted on 20 October 2009 at the German Heart Institute Berlin. The 39-year-old male patient was suffering from dilative cardiomyopathy,... Devices, CardiologyBerlin Heart, INCOR ventricular assist, left ventricular assist (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)
Source: HSMN NewsFeed - November 10, 2009 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news

A perinuclear actin cap regulates nuclear shape [Cell_Biology]Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Defects in nuclear morphology often correlate with the onset of disease, including cancer, progeria, cardiomyopathy, and muscular dystrophy. However, the... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - November 10, 2009 Category: Science Authors: Khatau, S. B., Hale, C. M., Stewart-Hutchinson, P. J., Patel, M. S., Stewart, C. L., Searson, P. C., Hodzic, D., Wirtz, D. Tags: Cell_Biology Source Type: journals

Aastrom to Initiate Second Phase II Clinical Trial for Treatment of Severe Chronic Heart FailureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 10, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTM), a leading developer of autologous cell products for the treatment of chronic cardiovascular diseases, today announced that the Company will initiate its second clinical trial for the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a severe disease associated with chronic heart failure, after a positive 30-day review of Aastrom's Investigational New Drug (IND) submission by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This second trial is a 24 patient U.S. Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the catheter delivery of Cardiac Repair Cells (C...
Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) - November 10, 2009 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ activation attenuates cardiac fibrosis in type 2 diabetic rats: the effect of rosiglitazone on myocardial expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products and of connective tissue growth factorEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study investigated the effects of the PPAR-γ agonist, rosiglitazone, on myocardial expression of RAGE and CTGF, extent of cardiac fibrosis, and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats. Twenty-week-old T2D rats were randomized to treatment with either 20 weeks of rosiglitazone (20 mg/kg) or saline (n = 10 in each group). Serial echocardiographic examinations were performed just before randomization (20 weeks) and at study completion (40 weeks). Fibrosis extent and RAGE and CTGF expression were assessed in previously imaged hearts by picrosirius red stain...
Source: Basic Research in Cardiology - November 10, 2009 Category: Cardiology Tags: Basic Research in Cardiology Source Type: journals

New Methods Found Useful For Diagnosing MyocarditisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Myocarditis is an important, and often unrecognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several new diagnostic methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are useful for diagnosing myocarditis, according to a new study. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - November 10, 2009 Category: Science Source Type: news

Impact of Tricuspid Regurgitation and Prior Coronary Bypass Surgery on the Geometry of the Coronary Sinus: A Rotational Coronary Angiography StudyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the underlying cardiac pathology on the variability of the CS anatomy, using rotational coronary venous angiography (RCVA). Methods and Results: Seventy-nine patients undergoing RCVA for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) were evaluated: age 63 ± 15 years, 43% with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Aspects of the CS anatomy which could impact cannulation were examined: the CS ostial angle, the posterior displacement of the CS away from the atrioventricular groove, a measure of CS curvature, and the presence of stenoses and aneurysmal dilatations. Th...
Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology - November 10, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: DAN BLENDEA, E. KEVIN HEIST, SAUMYA DAS, STEPHAN DANIK, CONOR BARRETT, THEOFANIE MELA, JEREMY N. RUSKIN, JAGMEET P. SINGH Source Type: journals

Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation Research Grant ProgramEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
CCF’s grant program is designed to provide seed funding to investigators for the testing of initial hypotheses and collecting of preliminary data to help secure long-term funding by the National Institutes of Health and/or other major granting institutions. Eligibility:Principal investigator must hold an MD, PhD or equivalent degree and reside in the United States or Canada. The investigator must have a faculty appointment at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution and have the proven ability to pursue independent research as evidenced by publications in peer-review journals. Funding:Funding is available in the r...
Source: ScanGrants feed - November 10, 2009 Category: Research Authors: Children's cardiomyopathy Foundation Source Type: funding

Herzmyasthenie: Myasthenia of the Heart [Editorial]Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Archives of Neurology)
Source: Archives of Neurology - November 9, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Aarli, J. A. Tags: Neurology, Myasthenia Gravis, Neuromuscular diseases, Cardiovascular System, Diagnosis, Cardiovascular Disease/ Myocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure/ cardiomyopathy, Immunology, Immunologic Disorders Editorial Source Type: journals

Autoimmune Targets of Heart and Skeletal Muscles in Myasthenia Gravis [Original Contribution]Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions  Heart and skeletal muscles are autoimmune targets in some patients with MG. This autoimmunity has a broad clinical spectrum with antistriational autoantibodies. Published online September 14, 2009 (doi:10.1001/archneurol.2009.229). (Source: Archives of Neurology)
Source: Archives of Neurology - November 9, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Suzuki, S., Utsugisawa, K., Yoshikawa, H., Motomura, M., Matsubara, S., Yokoyama, K., Nagane, Y., Maruta, T., Satoh, T., Sato, H., Kuwana, M., Suzuki, N. Tags: Neurology, Myasthenia Gravis, Neuromuscular diseases, Cardiovascular System, Cardiovascular Disease/ Myocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure/ cardiomyopathy, Immunology, Immunologic Disorders Original Contribution Source Type: journals

Are Electrocardiographic Changes in Patients with Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Associated with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Cardiology 2010;115:98-106 (DOI:10.1159/000256385) (Source: Karger Publishers)
Source: Karger Publishers - November 6, 2009 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: journals

Anaesthesia in septic patients: good preparation and making the right choice?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Septic patients may require anaesthesia for surgery or to facilitate endotracheal intubation for respiratory failure. These patients frequently start with a deranged haemodynamic state including vasodilation with hypotension, and cardiomyopathy, making induction of anaesthesia a potentially hazardous task. Anaesthetic agents are well known to decrease contractility and cause vasodilation, in part from direct effect of the drugs, and in part due to the "state of anaesthesia" which causes reduced sympathetic tone. Before induction, the physician should understand the haemodynamic state (especially using echocardiography), re...
Source: Critical Care - November 6, 2009 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Colin Royse Source Type: journals

Pancreatic iron loading predicts cardiac iron loading in thalassemia majorEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Diabetes mellitus and cardiomyopathy are common in chronically transfused thalassemia major patients, occurring in the second and third decades of life. We postulated that pancreatic iron deposition would precede cardiac iron loading, representing an environment favorable for extrahepatic iron deposition. To test this hypothesis, we examined pancreatic and cardiac iron in 131 thalassemia major patients over a 4-year period. Cardiac iron (R2* > 50 Hz) was detected in 37.7% of patients and pancreatic iron (R2* > 28 Hz) in 80.4% of patients. Pancreatic and cardiac R2* were correlated (r2 = 0.52), with significant pancre...
Source: Blood - November 5, 2009 Category: Hematology Authors: Noetzli, L. J., Papudesi, J., Coates, T. D., Wood, J. C. Tags: Free Research Articles, Red Cells, Iron, and Erythropoiesis, Clinical Trials and Observations Source Type: journals

The genetics of cardiomyopathy: Genotyping and genetic counselingEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Opinion statement  Three decades of ongoing research into the identification of genes responsible for both cardiomyopathies and ion channel diseases has facilitated a progressive understanding of the pathophysiology of inherited arrhythmogenic diseases. Recent discoveries in the area of genetics promise to significantly change the current clinical practice of cardiology, as rapid advances in technology and a coincident reduction of costs associated with sequencing have pushed the “translation“ of genomic information from bench to bedside. In turn, clinicians have at their disposal new tools for more accur...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine - November 5, 2009 Category: Cardiology Tags: Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Source Type: journals

Current variables, definitions and endpoints of the European Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance RegistryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The EuroCMR Registry offers an opportunity to provide information about the clinical utility of routine CMR in a large number of cases and a diverse population. Furthermore it has the potential to gather information about the prognostic value of CMR in specific patient populations. (Source: BioMed Central)
Source: BioMed Central - November 5, 2009 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Anja WagnerOliver BruderSteffen SchneiderDetlev NothnagelPeter BuserGuillem Pons-LadoThorsten DillVinzenz HombachMassimo LombardiAlbert van RossumJuerg SchwitterJochen SengesGeorg SabinUdo SechtemHeiko MahrholdtEike Nagel Source Type: journals

Immunosuppression with an interleukin-2 fusion protein leads to improved LV function in experimental ischemic cardiomyopathy.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Several cytokines are activated in chronic heart failure (CHF), including interleukin-2 (IL-2). IL-2 is important for the survival of regulatory T cells, as well as for the function of activated T cells. Its role in ischemic cardiomyopathy has not yet been investigated. We therefore studied left ventricular (LV) performance and remodeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI) after treatment with an IL-2IgG2b fusion protein to stimulate IL-2 signaling. Spraque-Dawley rats (SD) were submitted to permanent ligation of the left descending artery (LAD) to induce a MI or to a sham operation. Twenty-four hours, six da...
Source: International Immunopharmacology - November 5, 2009 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Koch M, Savvatis K, Scheeler M, Dhayat S, Bonaventura K, Pohl T, Riad A, Bulfone-Paus S, Schultheiss HP, Tschöpe C Tags: Int Immunopharmacol Source Type: journals

The role of echocardiography in guiding management in dilated cardiomyopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This article therefore explores the pivotal role of echocardiography in the evaluation and management of patients with DCM. (Source: European Journal of Echocardiography)
Source: European Journal of Echocardiography - November 4, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Thomas, D. E., Wheeler, R., Yousef, Z. R., Masani, N. D. Tags: BRITISH SOCIETY OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AUTUMN SUPPLEMENT 2009 Source Type: journals

Restrictive cardiomyopathiesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
constitute a heterogenous group of heart muscle conditions that all have, in common, the symptoms of heart failure. Diastolic dysfunction with preserved systolic function is often the only echocardiographic abnormality that may be noted, although systolic dysfunction may also be an integral part of some specific pathologies, particularly in the most advanced cases such as amyloid infiltration of the heart. By far, the majority of restrictive cardiomyopathies are secondary to a systemic disorder such as amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, haemochromatosis, eosinophilic heart disease, or as a result of radiation treatmen...
Source: European Journal of Echocardiography - November 4, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Nihoyannopoulos, P., Dawson, D. Tags: BRITISH SOCIETY OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AUTUMN SUPPLEMENT 2009 Source Type: journals

Echocardiography in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosis, prognosis, and role in managementEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is diagnosed on the basis of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy for which there is insufficient explanation (e.g. mild hypertension or mild aortic stenosis with marked hypertrophy). Echocardiography is an invaluable tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with HCM. Echocardiographic assessment requires a comprehensive assessment in several imaging planes with careful attention to correct beam alignment in order to minimize errors in the measurement of LV wall thickness and appropriate identification of hypertrophy with an unusual distribution. (Source: European Journal of Echocardiography)
Source: European Journal of Echocardiography - November 4, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Williams, L.K., Frenneaux, M.P., Steeds, R.P. Tags: BRITISH SOCIETY OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AUTUMN SUPPLEMENT 2009 Source Type: journals

Influence of afterload on left ventricular radial and longitudinal systolic functions: a two-dimensional strain imaging studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion 2D-S shows a different response in longitudinal and radial functions to increased afterload. Longitudinal function is early impaired, whereas radial function remains preserved. This finding justifies the combined assessment of both radial and longitudinal regional myocardial functions to characterize myocardial dysfunction and might help to better identify the transition to heart failure in pressure-overload cardiomyopathy. (Source: European Journal of Echocardiography)
Source: European Journal of Echocardiography - November 4, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Donal, E., Bergerot, C., Thibault, H., Ernande, L., Loufoua, J., Augeul, L., Ovize, M., Derumeaux, G. Tags: CLINICAL/ORIGINAL PAPERS Source Type: journals

Late gadolinium enhancement-cardiovascular magnetic resonance identifies coronary artery disease as the aetiology of left ventricular dysfunction in acute new-onset congestive heart failureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion In patients with new-onset HF and LVSD for whom there are no clinical and exploratory data suggestive of ischaemic heart disease, CMR with LGE is an excellent means of ruling out significant CAD and is a valid alternative to angiography. (Source: European Journal of Echocardiography)
Source: European Journal of Echocardiography - November 4, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Valle-Munoz, A., Estornell-Erill, J., Soriano-Navarro, C. J., Nadal-Barange, M., Martinez-Alzamora, N., Pomar-Domingo, F., Corbi-Pascual, M., Paya-Serrano, R., Ridocci-Soriano, F. Tags: CLINICAL/ORIGINAL PAPERS Source Type: journals

Massive intraventricular thrombi in a previously healthy 43-year-old maleEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report a case of 43-year-old previously healthy male admitted to our hospital with symptoms of heart failure. Two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated a previously undiagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy and massive left intraventricular thrombi. Because patient did not give consent for surgical thrombectomy, thrombolytic treatment with streptokinase was introduced. In the further course of hospitalization, ischaemic stroke was diagnosed despite the resolution of intracardiac thrombi observed on serial control echocardiography. (Source: European Journal of Echocardiography)
Source: European Journal of Echocardiography - November 4, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Szymczyk, E., Lipiec, P., Kasprzak, J. Tags: CASE REPORTS Source Type: journals

Mayo Clinic Proceedings: New Methods Found Useful For Diagnosing MyocarditisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Myocarditis is an important, and often unrecognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several new diagnostic methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are useful for diagnosing myocarditis, according to a study published in the November 2009 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. "The use of MRI is particularly significant in the diagnosis of patients with myocarditis because it is a standard, noninvasive method," says Leslie Cooper Jr., M.D. (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)
Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today - November 4, 2009 Category: Cardiology Tags: Heart Disease Source Type: news

Two novel HADHB gene mutations in a Korean patient with mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) is a heterocomplex composed of 4 alpha-subunits containing LCEH (long-chain 2,3-enoyl-CoA hydratase) and LCHAD (long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase) activity, and 4 beta-subunits that harbor LCKT (long-chain 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase) activity. MTP deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder that causes a clinical spectrum of diseases ranging from severe infantile cardiomyopathy to mild chronic progressive polyneuropathy. Here, we report the case of a Korean male newborn who presented with severe lactic acidosis, seizures, and heart failure. A newborn screening test and ...
Source: Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science - November 3, 2009 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Park HD, Kim SR, Ki CS, Lee SY, Chang YS, Jin DK, Park WS Tags: Ann Clin Lab Sci Source Type: journals

New methods found useful for diagnosing myocarditisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Mayo Clinic) Myocarditis is an important, and often unrecognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several new diagnostic methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are useful for diagnosing myocarditis, according to a study published in the November 2009 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - November 3, 2009 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Sudden cardiac death risk in hypertrophic cardiomyopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - November 1, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ommen, S. R., Gersh, B. J. Tags: EDITORIALS Source Type: journals

Disease penetrance and risk stratification for sudden cardiac death in asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutation carriersEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in 41% of carriers. Disease penetrance was age dependent, warranting repeated cardiologic evaluation. The MYBPC3 mutation carriers were affected at higher age than MYH7 mutation carriers. Risk factors for SCD were present in carriers with and without HCM. Follow-up studies are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of risk stratification for SCD in this population. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - November 1, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Michels, M., Soliman, O. I.I., Phefferkorn, J., Hoedemaekers, Y. M., Kofflard, M. J., Dooijes, D., Majoor-Krakauer, D., Ten Cate, F. J. Tags: Heart failure/cardiomyopathy Source Type: journals

Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion Ventricular arrhythmia during symptom limited exercise is rare in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - November 1, 2009 Category: Cardiology Authors: Gimeno, J. R., Tome-Esteban, M., Lofiego, C., Hurtado, J., Pantazis, A., Mist, B., Lambiase, P., McKenna, W. J., Elliott, P. M. Tags: Heart failure/cardiomyopathy Source Type: journals

Case report: takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a recently widowed woman.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
PMID: 19873955 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Family Physician)
Source: American Family Physician - November 1, 2009 Category: Primary Care Authors: Mittal M, Needham E Tags: Am Fam Physician Source Type: journals