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Electronic pacemakers are lifesaving devices but require regular maintenance and do not readily respond to the demands of exercise and emotion. This viewpoint focuses on the rapidly evolving field of biological pacemakers, addresses the issues that need to be confronted before clinical use and discusses how far we are from a clinical reality.
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are at a high risk of developing premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms responsible for this are not fully understood. This review discusses traditional and lupus-specific risk factors that are likely to be involved, and outlines how risk assessments should be included in effective management of this disease.
Mutations inSCN5A, the gene encoding the α subunit of the cardiac sodium channel, are associated with a number of cardiac rhythm syndromes, including Brugada syndrome. This review discusses the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, cellular mechanisms, diagnosis and management of Brugada syndrome.
Revascularization is currently recommended for patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease. In this review, Chieffo and Colombo discuss the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous interventions involving drug-eluting stents as an alternative approach for treating this disease.
Shear stress plays an essential part in the maintenance of healthy vessels. If risk factors for atherosclerosis are present, low shear stress can lead to abnormalities, possibly creating predilection sites for eccentric plaque growth. The role of shear stress in the development of plaque prone to rupture is explored.
Patients who receive most types of modern prosthetic heart valve are currently also given long-term, low-intensity anticoagulation therapy to reduce the risk of thromboembolic complications. In this review, the authors discuss the current recommendations for anticoagulation therapy and the data on which these recommendations are based.