Cardiovascular Ultrasound - Latest articlesThe latest articles from Cardiovascular Ultrasound (ISSN 1476-7120) published by BioMed CentralAtrial natriuretic peptide and three-dimensional echocardiography after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect- July 7, 2008 Background: Atrial septal defect accounts for 10% of all congenital heart lesions and represent the third most congenital cardiac defect seen in adults. atrial natriuretic peptide is an important regulator of the sodium and volume homeostasis. This study was designed to investigate the changes in plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide and three-dimensional echocardiography measurements of cardiac volume in patients with atrial septal defect during transcatheter closure of...http://www.cardiovascularultrasound.com/content/6/1/35 Role of carotid duplex imaging in carotid screening programmes- an overview- July 4, 2008 Background: Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK and the largest single cause of severe disability. Each year more than 110,000 people in England suffer from a stroke which costs the National Health Service (NHS) over GBP2.8 billion. Thus, it is imperative that patients at risk be screened for underlying carotid artery atherosclerosis. Aim: To assess the role of carotid ultrasound in different carotid screening programmes. Methods: A literature overview was carried out by..http://www.cardiovascularultrasound.com/content/6/1/34 |