(Circulation. 2004;110:1709.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.
Issue Highlights |
"EARLY" CLASS III DRUGS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: EFFICACY AND ATRIAL SELECTIVITY OF AVE0118 IN REMODELED ATRIA OF THE GOAT, by Blaauw et al.
Antiarrhythmic drug therapy to prevent atrial fibrillation is significantly limited by the proarrhythmic effects of these drugs on the ventricle. The presence of the potassium channel IKur in atrium but not the ventricle offers a possible target for pharmacological therapy specific to the atrium. This study demonstrates that AVE0118, which blocks this channel and prolongs atrial refractoriness, has antiarrhythmic effects in a goat model of atrial fibrillation without prolonging the QT interval. This pharmacological approach offers hope for more effective and safer drugs for treatment of atrial arrhythmias. See p 1717.
BLOOD PRESSURE AND ADIPOSITY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, by Paradis et al.
It has become increasingly apparent that the obesity epidemic has extended to the pediatric population. Hence, Paradis and colleagues sought to examine the influence of overweight and obesity on blood pressure in Canadian school-aged children and adolescents. The investigators observed high levels of adiposity and blood pressure in boys and girls 9, 13, and 16 years of age. Whereas previously, elevated blood pressure in childhood was a rarity, the investigators noted that 12% to 30% of the children had high-normal or elevated systolic blood pressure. The investigators further observed that body mass index was consistently associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The present study provides more evidence that it is critical to address the childhood obesity epidemic to avoid its long-term hemodynamic consequences. See p 1838.
MARKERS OF INFLAMMATION AND RAPID CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PROGRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE ANGINA PECTORIS, by Zouridakis et al.
It is well known that some patients have rapid progression of coronary artery disease, so-called progressors, whereas others do not. Traditional risk factors often do not distinguish between these groups of patients. Zouridakis et al studied 35 progressors and compared them to 89 nonprogressors who had paired angiograms over almost 5 years. Progression was associated with evidence of inflammation (elevated hsCRP levels), as well as measures of macrophage activation (neopterin) and increased levels of cellular adhesion molecules. These findings are novel and infer inflammatory mechanisms are associated with rapid coronary artery disease progression. See p 1747.
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Images in Cardiovascular Medicine
Catheter Closure of Pseudoaneurysm of the Main Pulmonary Artery. See p e322. 
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Heart Within a Heart: Contrast 3-Dimensional Echocardiography Imaging of a Tricuspid Valve Blood Cyst. See p e324.
Book Review
Introductory Guide to Cardiac Catheterization. See p e326.
Correspondence
See p e327.
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