Objectives. This study assessed the clinical utility of mitral annulus velocity in the evaluation
of left ventricular diastolic function. Background. Mitral inflow velocity recorded by Doppler …

Background The timing and indications for surgical intervention to prevent systemic embolism
in infective endocarditis remain controversial. We conducted a trial to compare clinical …

Background Bone-marrow stem-cell transplantation has been shown to improve cardiac
function in patients with myocardial infarction. We examined the feasibility and efficacy of …

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of the physiologic assessment
of jailed side branches using fractional flow reserve (FFR) and to compare the measured …

This study assessed the clinical utility of mitral annulus velocity in the evaluation of left
ventricular diastolic function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is the most common …

Background— The efficacy of intracoronary infusion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
(G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) has not been compared between …

BACKGROUND: Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has a unique feature of angle
independence and, thus, may provide a powerful means of assessing left ventricular (LV) …

Background— We sought to identify preoperative predictors of clinical outcomes after surgery
in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Methods and Results— We prospectively …

Background: Clopidogrel is a prodrug requiring metabolism by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A)
isoenzymes, including CYP3A5, in order to be active. It is controversial whether …

BACKGROUND: Contrast media cause oxidative stress, which has been suggested as one
possible mechanism responsible for contrast-induced nephropathy. Statins appear to have …