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Patients who use both erythromycin and CYP3A inhibitors, particularly calcium channel blockers, had an increased risk of sudden death from cardiac causes.
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Patients with painless acute aortic dissection are more likely to present with syncope, congestive heart failure or stroke, and have a higher mortality, especially with type B dissection.
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Merck announced on September 30th that it is voluntarily withdrawing rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the worldwide market.
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During the last few years, chronic kidney disease has been increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. An American Heart Association Scientific Statement reviewing this subject was published last fall.
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Focal left atrial tachycardias are an important complication after pulmonary vein isolation.
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Doppler echocardiography can estimate SVR, and is particularly accurate at identifying a low SVR.
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Tissue Doppler echocardiography can distinguish between constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
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Mitral Doppler E/Ea correlates better with PCWP than BNP and is more specific for predicting PCWP > 15 mm Hg.
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At this time, BNP seems to be a useful initial test that should not be repeated during short hospital stays.
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Reflex tachycardia, during a Valsalva maneuver, is a sign of normal LV filling.