(Circulation. 2006;114:97.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.
Issue Highlights
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SECULAR TRENDS IN INCIDENCE OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN OLMSTED COUNTY, MINNESOTA, 1980 TO 2000, AND IMPLICATIONS ON THE PROJECTIONS FOR FUTURE PREVALENCE, by Miyasaka et al.
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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing public health problem
that is associated with increased risk of stroke, heart failure,
and death. The prevalence of AF in the community in the United
States has increased over the last 4 decades, but the contributing
reasons remain far from clear. In this issue of
Circulation,
Miyasaka and colleagues analyze data from the predominantly
white population of Olmsted County, Minnesota, to assess secular
trends in incidence of AF over a 20-year period (1980–2000).
The age- and sex-adjusted incidence of AF increased in both
sexes (overall 12.6% increase) over this time period. An increase
in burden of obesity during this time period in Olmsted County
likely contributed to the increase in AF incidence. Based on
these incidence trends, the authors project that the number
of individuals with prevalent AF in the United States will increase
3-fold by 2050 (exceeding 10 million), underscoring the importance
of preventing AF by controlling risk factors for the condition.
See p
119.
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GEOMETRIC DETERMINANTS OF FUNCTIONAL TRICUSPID REGURGITATION: INSIGHTS FROM 3-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, by Ton-Nu et al.
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Contemporary noninvasive imaging modalities are enabling the
in vivo study and quantitative evaluation of complex cardiovascular
anatomy and physiology. A novel example of this approach is
examined in this issue of
Circulation by Ton-Nu and colleagues.
Using real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography, the authors
examined tricuspid valve morphology in patients with functional
tricuspid regurgitation, compared with a reference group with
normal tricuspid valve function. They quantitate the complex
shape of the normal annulus and the saddle-shaped tricuspid
valve and describe the changes in the annular size and shape
as well as flattening of the valve in those with regurgitation
and the relation to the degree of regurgitation. These data
will inform future efforts to optimize tricuspid valve and annular
repair. See p
143.
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HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FACTORS IN THE PRIMARY PREVENTION OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE AMONG MEN: BENEFITS AMONG USERS AND NONUSERS OF LIPID-LOWERING AND ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICATIONS, by Chiuve et al.
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Although healthy lifestyle behaviors are recommended to improve
individual coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and reduce
CHD events, the impact of adherence to a healthy lifestyle on
the overall burden of CHD is not known. In this issue of
Circulation,
Chiuve et al present compelling, prospective, observational
data on 42 847 middle-aged men in the Health Professionals Follow-up
Study relative to their smoking, diet and alcohol intake, weight,
and participation in regular exercise. Data on men who are taking
medications to control hypertension and lipids are also analyzed.
These important findings provide strong evidence to encourage
the adoption of a healthy lifestyle as the foundation for CHD
prevention and should influence medical practice as well as
healthcare policy. See p
160.
Visit http://circ.ahajournals.org:
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Clinician Update
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Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Part I: Epidemiology and Diagnosis.
See p
e28.
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Images in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Contrast Echocardiography in Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
See p
e33.
In Vivo Imaging of the Adult Drosophila melanogaster Heart With Real-Time Optical Coherence Tomography. See p e35.
Large Cardiac Varix Associated With Stroke. See p e37.
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Book Review
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Cardiac CT, PET and MR. See p
e39.
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Correspondence
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See p
e40.
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