Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine provides cardiologists with authoritative and timely interpretations of key developments in the field, translating the latest findings into clinical practice. http://www.nature.com/ncpcardio/current_issue/ Nature Publishing Group en © 2008 Nature Publishing Group Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 1743-4297 1743-4300 © 2008 Nature Publishing Group permissions@nature.com Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine http://www.nature.com/includes/rj_globnavimages/ncpcardio_logo.gif http://www.nature.com/ncpcardio/ Screening, stem cells, biomarkers and hypercholesterolemia: our first original clinical research http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1215 Screening, stem cells, biomarkers and hypercholesterolemia: our first original clinical research

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 237 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1215

Authors: Valentin Fuster & Hannah Camm

]]> Screening, stem cells, biomarkers and hypercholesterolemia: our first original clinical research Valentin Fuster Hannah Camm doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1215 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 237 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Editorial 237 237 Are diuretics overused in the treatment of chronic heart failure? http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1152 Diuretics are used for symptomatic treatment of chronic heart failure; however, no randomized trials have yet assessed the long-term effects of these agents on morbidity and mortality. In this article, Vaz Pérez and colleagues question the assumption that long-term diuretic therapy is beneficial and opine that the currently available data do not support the routine use of diuretics as a cornerstone of long-term medical treatment for patients with chronic heart failure. Are diuretics overused in the treatment of chronic heart failure?

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 238 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1152

Authors: Amalia Vaz Pérez, Stefan D Anker, Rainer Dietz & Mathias Rauchhaus

]]> Are diuretics overused in the treatment of chronic heart failure? Amalia Vaz Pérez Stefan D Anker Rainer Dietz Mathias Rauchhaus doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1152 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 238 (2008) 2008-02-12 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-02-12 5 5 Viewpoint 238 239 Statin therapy is beneficial for almost all patients with diabetes http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1167 Statin therapy is beneficial for almost all patients with diabetes

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 240 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1167

]]> Statin therapy is beneficial for almost all patients with diabetes doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1167 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 240 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 240 240 Patients with nephrotic syndrome have a high absolute risk of thromboembolic events http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1169 Patients with nephrotic syndrome have a high absolute risk of thromboembolic events

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 240 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1169

]]> Patients with nephrotic syndrome have a high absolute risk of thromboembolic events doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1169 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 240 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 240 240 Short-term withdrawal of warfarin carries low risk of thromboembolism http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1170 Short-term withdrawal of warfarin carries low risk of thromboembolism

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 240 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1170

]]> Short-term withdrawal of warfarin carries low risk of thromboembolism doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1170 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 240 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 240 241 Statin therapy reduces the risk of stroke related to inflammation following ACS http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1171 Statin therapy reduces the risk of stroke related to inflammation following ACS

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 241 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1171

]]> Statin therapy reduces the risk of stroke related to inflammation following ACS doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1171 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 241 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 241 241 Predictors of long-term outcome after tetralogy of Fallot repair http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1173 Predictors of long-term outcome after tetralogy of Fallot repair

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 241 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1173

]]> Predictors of long-term outcome after tetralogy of Fallot repair doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1173 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 241 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 241 242 Polymorphism in KIF6 associated with coronary events in two independent cohorts http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1174 Polymorphism in KIF6 associated with coronary events in two independent cohorts

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 242 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1174

]]> Polymorphism in KIF6 associated with coronary events in two independent cohorts doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1174 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 242 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 242 242 Impaired perfusion after MI is associated with ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1175 Impaired perfusion after MI is associated with ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 242 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1175

]]> Impaired perfusion after MI is associated with ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1175 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 242 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 242 242 In-hospital VTE risk—many patients do not receive appropriate prophylaxis http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1177 In-hospital VTE risk—many patients do not receive appropriate prophylaxis

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 243 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1177

]]> In-hospital VTE risk—many patients do not receive appropriate prophylaxis doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1177 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 243 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 243 243 Certain definitions of metabolic syndrome might better predict new vascular events http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1178 Certain definitions of metabolic syndrome might better predict new vascular events

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 243 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1178

]]> Certain definitions of metabolic syndrome might better predict new vascular events doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1178 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 243 (2008) Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5 5 Research Highlights 243 243 Are thiazolidinediones associated with an increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death? http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1121 Are thiazolidinediones associated with an increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death?

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 244 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1121

Authors: Paresh Dandona & Ajay Chaudhuri

]]> Are thiazolidinediones associated with an increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death? Paresh Dandona Ajay Chaudhuri doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1121 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 244 (2008) 2008-02-26 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-02-26 5 5 Practice Point 244 245 Is carotid angioplasty followed by cardiac surgery a safe and effective treatment for carotid artery stenosis? http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1162 Is carotid angioplasty followed by cardiac surgery a safe and effective treatment for carotid artery stenosis?

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 246 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1162

Author: Peter RF Bell

]]> Is carotid angioplasty followed by cardiac surgery a safe and effective treatment for carotid artery stenosis? Peter RF Bell doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1162 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 246 (2008) 2008-03-18 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-03-18 5 5 Practice Point 246 247 Ranolazine: a new antiarrhythmic agent for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes? http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1153 Ranolazine: a new antiarrhythmic agent for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes?

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 248 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1153

Author: Charles Antzelevitch

]]> Ranolazine: a new antiarrhythmic agent for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes? Charles Antzelevitch doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1153 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 248 (2008) 2008-03-11 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-03-11 5 5 Practice Point 248 249 Palliative care for patients with acute decompensated heart failure: an underused service? http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1154 Palliative care for patients with acute decompensated heart failure: an underused service?

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 250 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1154

Authors: David B Bekelman & Edward P Havranek

]]> Palliative care for patients with acute decompensated heart failure: an underused service? David B Bekelman Edward P Havranek doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1154 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 250 (2008) 2008-02-19 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-02-19 5 5 Practice Point 250 251 Is prasugrel superior to clopidogrel for patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI? http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1164 Is prasugrel superior to clopidogrel for patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI?

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 252 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1164

Author: Deepak L Bhatt

]]> Is prasugrel superior to clopidogrel for patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI? Deepak L Bhatt doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1164 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 252 (2008) 2008-03-25 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-03-25 5 5 Practice Point 252 253 The importance of EXPRESS treatment for transient ischemic attack http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1155 The importance of EXPRESS treatment for transient ischemic attack

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 254 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1155

Author: Pierre Amarenco

]]> The importance of EXPRESS treatment for transient ischemic attack Pierre Amarenco doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1155 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 254 (2008) 2008-03-18 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-03-18 5 5 Practice Point 254 255 Does parental premature cardiovascular disease predict arterial calcification in offspring? http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1147 Does parental premature cardiovascular disease predict arterial calcification in offspring?

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 256 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1147

Author: Ulf de Faire

]]> Does parental premature cardiovascular disease predict arterial calcification in offspring? Ulf de Faire doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1147 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 256 (2008) 2008-02-19 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-02-19 5 5 Practice Point 256 257 Mechanisms of Disease: molecular genetics of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1182 Here, Mark Awad, Hugh Calkins and Daniel Judge tackle the known genetic mutations associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy, and examine the complex issues surrounding genetic analysis in the clinical assessment of individuals with this condition. Mechanisms of Disease: molecular genetics of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 258 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1182

Authors: Mark M Awad, Hugh Calkins & Daniel P Judge

]]> Mechanisms of Disease: molecular genetics of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy Mark M Awad Hugh Calkins Daniel P Judge doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1182 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 258 (2008) 2008-04-01 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-04-01 5 5 Review 258 267 Aortic regurgitation: disease progression and management http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1179 The development of aortic regurgitation is often insidious and rate of disease progression varies between individuals. As such, symptoms do not necessarily correlate with objective evidence of ventricular dysfunction and the most appropriate criteria for risk stratification and optimum medical therapy remain controversial. Here the epidemiology of AR and evolution of practice guidelines regarding diagnosis and treatment are examined. Aortic regurgitation: disease progression and management

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 269 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1179

Authors: Seth H Goldbarg & Jonathan L Halperin

]]> Aortic regurgitation: disease progression and management Seth H Goldbarg Jonathan L Halperin doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1179 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 269 (2008) 2008-03-25 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-03-25 5 5 Review 269 279 Measurement of carotid intima–media thickness to assess progression and regression of atherosclerosis http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1163 Atherosclerosis can remain below the clinical horizon for a long time. Acute vascular disease, however, can manifest clinically at almost any stage. Brightness ultrasonographic imaging of the carotid arterial walls can depict all stages of atherosclerotic arterial wall changes as a continuous variable. Here de Groot et al. describe the role of carotid IMT measurements as a tool in risk evaluation of individuals and explore how this technique could advance atherosclerosis research. Measurement of carotid intima–media thickness to assess progression and regression of atherosclerosis

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 280 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1163

Authors: Eric de Groot, Sander I van Leuven, Raphaël Duivenvoorden, Marijn C Meuwese, Fatima Akdim, Michiel L Bots & John JP Kastelein

]]> Measurement of carotid intima–media thickness to assess progression and regression of atherosclerosis Eric de Groot Sander I van Leuven Raphaël Duivenvoorden Marijn C Meuwese Fatima Akdim Michiel L Bots John JP Kastelein doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1163 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 280 (2008) 2008-03-11 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-03-11 5 5 Review 280 288 Catheter ablation of premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpcardio1180 Premature ventricular complexes are a common form of arrhythmia and are typically considered to be benign. In this month's Case Study, however, Ezzat and colleagues present a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy which was postulated to be caused by premature ventricular complexes arising from the right ventricular outflow tract. She was successfully treated by electrophysiological mapping and cryoablation of the ectopic focus. Catheter ablation of premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 289 (2008). doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1180

Authors: Vivienne A Ezzat, Reginald Liew & David E Ward

]]> Catheter ablation of premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy Vivienne A Ezzat Reginald Liew David E Ward doi:10.1038/ncpcardio1180 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 5, 289 (2008) 2008-03-25 Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine 2008-03-25 5 5 Case Study 289 293