AIMS The optimal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to select patients early post myocardial infarction (MI) for risk stratification for prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Consecutive patients (n = 1722) treated with PPCI for ST-elevation MI underwent early (median 4 days) LVEF assessm...

BACKGROUND Recently, the deleterious effects of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on left ventricular systolic function have been taken into consideration. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to identify underlying factors that predict left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) deterioration in patients suffered from complete LBBB. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a retrospective case-control study, the...

I read the article by Consuegra-Sánchez et al with great interest. In their study, the authors report an inverse and independent relationship between educational level and longterm mortality in post-myocardial infarction patients. I would like to make a few points about the methodology and results of the article. In their study, the authors report the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LV...

BACKGROUND Patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome complicated by left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF) are a poor prognosis group. The aim of our study was to assess the short and long term LEVF prognostic value in a cohort of NSTE-ACS patients undergoing surgical revascularization. METHODS We performed elective and isolated CABG on a cohort of 206 consecutive patients with LVEF...

First-pass radionuclide angiocardiography was used to assess the left ventricular response to submaximal exercise in 150 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). To test the hypothesis that resting systolic left ventricular function as determined by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was a predictor of the hemodynamic response to exercise, the study group included patients with a wid...

OBJECTIVES We tested whether an assessment of myocardial scarring by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would improve risk stratification in patients evaluated for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation. BACKGROUND Current sudden cardiac death risk stratification emphasizes left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); however, most patients suffering sudden cardiac deat...

BACKGROUND Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is an important indicator of left ventricular function and of the severity and prognosis of ischaemic heart disease. Assessment of regional function using the wall motion score index (WMSI) is an alternative means of evaluating left ventricular function. AIM We attempted to evaluate LVEF by a method using the WMSI with cardiac magnetic reso...

BACKGROUND The morbidity and mortality from heart failure (HF) differ between patients with reduced (< 50%) and with preserved ( >or= 50%) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on account of many factors, including abnormalities detected in the electrocardiogram (ECG). The aim of this study was to determine and compare the ECG abnormalities between HF patients with reduced and with preserve...