The electromechanical window (EMW) refers to the time interval between aortic valve closure and the end of the T-wave during the same cardiac cycle. Recent studies highlight the role of EMW in assessing the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. This study examines the predictive value of the EMW for ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients with an...
Volume 36, Issue 4
Effect of resting heart rate on coronary collateral formation in patients with chronic total occlusion: resting heart rate and collaterals
In this study our aim was to determine the effect of resting heart rate (HR) on the development of coronary collateral circulation (CCC) in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO).
4,480 views
1 min read
Hypertension treatment practices and outcomes at health community centres in urban Soweto, South Africa
In this study, we explored hypertension (HT) management in urban Soweto, South Africa, involving 364 participants from primary healthcare clinics. At baseline, 40% of participants were prescribed one drug, and 53% were given two drugs.
3,607 views
2 min read
Evaluation of the effects of dapagliflozin on subclinical atherosclerosis with two non-invasive methods: pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness
Recent cardiovascular outcome trials have shown that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce cardiovascular events, but results regarding their effects on subclinical atherosclerosis are conflicting. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of dapagliflozin, a selective SGLT2 inhibitor, on subclinical atherosclerosis by monitoring pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid...
3,228 views
3 min read
Effect of metoprolol and bisoprolol on bleeding rates in patients with atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex disease with irregular ventricular response and tachycardia as a result of irregular and rapid contraction of the atria, with poor cardiovascular outcomes unless treated. Beta-blockers are commonly used agents in the treatment of AF. The effects of beta-blockers on bleeding continue to be evaluated.
3,879 views
2 min read
MiR-126 prevents hypoxic HUVEC cellular injury through targeting TRAF6 expression
This study aimed to determine the clinical impact of miR-126 in identifying the severity of atherosclerotic CAD patients and its protective molecular mechanism against hypoxic exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injury.
2,472 views
2 min read
Prevalence of occlusive myocardial infarction in patients diagnosed with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction at a single private facility in Cape Town, South Africa
ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with acute coronary occlusion, while non-ST- elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is often associated with partial occlusion. However, 25.5% of NSTEMIS involve complete occlusion, impacting mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The occlusive myocardial infarction (OMI) vs. non-occlusive myocardial infarction (NOMI)...
1,676 views
2 min read
Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients who developed adverse events following Benzathine penicillin G injection for secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic heart disease: a cross-sectional study from three university hospitals in Ethiopia
Intramuscular (IM) Benzathine penicillin G administration (BPG) is essential to prevent the progression of acute rheumatic fever (RF) to rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Fatal adverse events during BPG administration have been reported. This study aimed to characterise the clinical features and outcomes of RHD patients who developed adverse events with BPG administration for RHD prophylaxis in...
1,780 views
4 min read
A train-the-trainer curriculum to scale up artificial intelligence-supported echocardiography for rheumatic heart disease screening in a public health care system
This study aimed to test a train-the-trainer model for scaling up echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
1,677 views
3 min read
A retrospective description of acute coronary syndromes presenting to prehospital providers in the Western Cape, South Africa
The growing prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Africa remains a significant public health and socioeconomic issue. Disease manifestations include acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and, crucially, ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI), predominantly resulting in serious or long-term complications often overburdening healthcare systems.
1,705 views
3 min read