Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

TL;DR: Multidetector computed tomography is feasible, safe, and accurate for identification of idiopathic versus ischemic DCM, and may represent an alternative to coronary angiography.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures.

TL;DR: In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of the heart with gadolinium-based contrast agents has been performed since the mid-1980s and recently a number of studies have shown insufficient image contrast between normal and infarcted myocardium.

TL;DR: In this large series of patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and prospectively followed up, excessive alcohol intake was found in about one fourth of cases and persistent alcohol abuse correlated with a worse prognosis and function at follow-up.

TL;DR: The angiotensin-converting--enzyme inhibitor enalapril significantly reduced the incidence of heart failure and the rate of related hospitalizations, as compared with the rates in the group given placebo, among patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.

TL;DR: The different effects of the two regimens (enalapril and hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate) on mortality and physiologic end points suggest that the profile of effects might be enhanced if the regimens were used in combination.

TL;DR: The data suggest that the addition of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate to the therapeutic regimen of digoxin and diuretics in patients with chronic congestive heart failure can have a favorable effect on left ventricular function and mortality.

TL;DR: The findings indicate that despite its beneficial hemodynamic actions, long-term therapy with oral milrinone increases the morbidity and mortality of patients with severe chronic heart failure.