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The complexity of the anatomy and physiology with which patients with congenital heart disease present in adulthood often exceed the expertise of physicians not trained specifically in congenital heart disease. In this viewpoint, Michael A Gatzoulis argues that education is the key to improving care of the growing population of adults with congenital heart disease.
The Women's Health Study seemed to contradict evidence from randomized trials of aspirin by identifying a sex-related difference in response to aspirin in cardiovascular disease. In this Viewpoint Hennekens et al. discuss the findings and argue that concluding that there are sex-related differences in response to aspirin could be premature.
Unexplained cardiac arrest (UCA) in the absence of underlying structural heart disease might be associated with a broad range of differential clinical diagnoses or genetic conditions. Correct diagnosis of the underlying etiology is important not only to determine optimal management, but also for directing genetic testing and possible prophylactic intervention in family members. Although electrocardiography alone may be useful in some patients, long-term monitoring or provocative testing might be required to diagnose latent primary electrical disease.
Disease markers for cardiovascular disease have radically altered thinking about diagnosis and monitoring of disease course. Although a substantial amount of information seems available already, new data are emerging all the time. This review provides a snapshot of the current status of biomarkers in heart failure and acute coronary syndromes.
The relationship between cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome is now well known but is not yet fully elucidated. In this review, Yuji Matsuzawa discusses the role of intra-abdominal visceral fat accumulation and the release of bioactive substances termed adipocytokines in the development of disorders contributing to the metabolic syndrome.
Several gene mutations in ryanodine receptors, affecting channel gating, have been associated with certain arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy. In this review, the authors highlight the role of the ryanodine receptor, a Ca2+-release channel, in the pathogenesis of fatal arrhythmia and heart failure. They discuss also the possibility of this receptor as a new therapeutic target.
