Review Articles in 2005

Although a number of therapies have been able to reduce infarct size as part of reperfusion therapy in experimental studies, the clinical results after acute myocardial infarction have not been as satisfactory. Current understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of reperfusion injury and the pharmacologic options are discussed here.

Sinus tachycardia is frequently encountered in clinical practice but is often overlooked. It comprises four distinct rhythm disturbances namely normal sinus tachycardia, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and sinus node re-entry tachycardia. The important differences in clinical features, basic underlying etiologic mechanisms and treatment strategies of these arrhythmias are discussed here.

Despite the various available methods of detection and risk assessment, an unsatisfactory proportion of cardiovascular disease cases are still missed. New approaches are, therefore, constantly being sought. This review discusses the potential applications of C-reactive protein, which has emerged as a powerful predictor of heart disease risk.

Many patients who die from coronary heart disease have ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. The optimum timing and method of reperfusion therapy, however, still need clarification. This review discusses the use of fibrinolytic drugs and primary coronary angioplasty and how to achieve the goals of door-to-balloon or door-to-needle times purported in the AHA/ACC guidelines.

Cells derived from bone marrow, blood, skeletal muscle and other tissues could have regenerative capacity in the human heart and vasculature. Should clinical practice become a reality, however, the indications for which cells, which disease, and which patients are less clear. Noel Caplice and colleagues discuss how such decisions might be made.