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A personal narrative is presented in which the author talks about her husband's illness and heart attack, and losing her parents during Cultural Revolution, China, 1966-1969.

Economic evaluation of the Mediterranean diet for patients following first AMI (acute myocardial infarction). A cost utility analysis was conducted, using a Markov model to describe health status, costs, quality of life and deaths to compare the Mediterranean diet to a prudent Western diet. Program effectiveness was based on the Lyon Diet Heart Study. Costs were estimated in $AU, (and converted to $US and €Euros) based on reported resource use. Performance was measured as cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Extensive one-way sensitivity analyses were performed. The Mediterranean diet was estimated to cost less and be more effective (dominant) compared with a prudent Western diet. There was a mean gain in life years of 0.56 per person and a gain in quality adjusted life years of 0.61 per person. Based on the published results from the Lyon Diet Heart Study, and conservative assumptions, the Mediterranean diet is cost saving for persons following first AMI when modeled over 10 years. Policy makers and clinicians should strongly consider application of results to their own setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease remains the most potent killer in all developed societies. Heart failure is the most common cause of hospitalization in the United States. Despite impressive improvements in the interventional and medical therapy of ischemic coronary artery disease, this disorder remains the most common cause of heart failure. Given the severe limitation on the availability of and the long-term morbidity associated with cardiac transplantation, a means of preventing or reversing the loss of functional myocardium in end-stage heart disease is an important translational target. This chapter discusses the progress of cardiac transplantation and the development of possible clinical targets, as well as clinical trials in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This book chapter will explore the area of cardiac tissue engineering and biomaterials used for cardiac cell therapy. After describing the pathology of heart disease and presenting the motivation for pursuing tissue engineering for the heart, the chapter outlines some of the current clinical treatments used to correct the loss of function resulting from heart disease. Current collection of studies is then divided broadly into two sections: cell injection and engineered heart patches. Chemical modifications and biomolecule incorporation are examined for the cell injection studies. Types of scaffolds as well as cultivation techniques are discussed for the engineered heart patches. Finally, future directions in the field including finding a suitable cell source and increasing the vascularization of the patches are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac remodelling describes the chronic response to stresses such as myocardial infarction (MI) or chronic hypertension, which generally becomes maladaptive over time, leading to deleterious structural and functional alterations and manifesting clinically as chronic heart failure (CHF). Although the underlying mechanisms are multifactorial, a significant body of evidence points to important roles for oxidative stress and redox signalling. Oxidative stress, occurring when excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) cannot be adequately countered by antioxidant defences, triggers cell dysfunction, energetic deficit or cell death. However, ROS may also have more subtle effects in the process of remodelling through specific modulation of redox-sensitive signalling pathways that alter gene and protein expression and function. ROS are generated from many sources including mitochondria, xanthine oxidase, uncoupled nitric oxide synthases, and NADPH oxidases; the last of these appear to be especially important in redox signalling. This chapter discusses recent advances in delineating the contribution of ROS to some of the principal alterations underlying the remodelling process (i.e., cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis, interstitial fibrosis, contractile dysfunction, and chamber dilatation), with a particular emphasis on the role of NADPH oxidase. A better understanding of redox signalling mechanisms may enable the development of new targeted strategies for the prevention and treatment of adverse cardiac remodelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) contributes significantly to ventricular dysfunction. Factors regulating left ventricular remodeling at different stages following MI are under investigation. There is growing recognition and experimental evidence that oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a role in the pathogeneses of myocardial repair/remodeling in various cardiac diseases. After acute MI, oxidative stress is developed in both infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that oxidative stress participates in several aspects of cardiac repair/remodeling following infarction that includes cardiomyocyte apoptosis, inflammatory/fibrogenic responses, and hypertrophy. The exact pathways of ROS-mediated myocardial remodeling are under investigation. The therapeutic potential of oxidative stress–directed drugs in myocardial remodeling following infarction has not been fully realized. This chapter will address oxidative stress, antioxidative capacity, and their effect on cardiac repair/remodeling and dysfunction following MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noninvasive cardiac electrophysiological imaging (IECG), the effort to use body surface potential measurement to estimate subject-specific electrophysiological activity of the heart, traditionally is performed on detailed heart-torso models that are completely reconstructed from a large amount of images. This geometrical modeling brings high demands of operational time and data acquisition, rendering current IECG techniques clinically impractical. In this study, we investigate the feasibility to use an alternative geometrical model that excludes local details but captures subject-specific global geometrical parameters that have been regarded essential for reliable IECG solutions. This is done by using limited images and image metadata to customize a pre-defined, generic ventricle and electrode-array representation to subject-specific ventricle size, position, orientation and electrode position on the body surface. We apply this simplified geometrical modeling in IECG studies of post myocardial infarction patients; the results of transmembrane potential imaging and infarct quantitation are compared with the gold standard and results from the same IECG approach using traditional, detailed heart-torso model. This study shows that local geometrical details do not have significant impact on IECG solutions and excluding them from geometrical modeling might be of potential to drive cardiac electrophysiological imaging closer towards clinical practicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of cardiac movement is very important subject on cardiac image analysis. Cardiologist needs an accurate motion estimation to diagnose the abnormality of cardiac. In this paper, we present the utilization of optical flow technique to estimate the myocardial motion. Then the computed motion vectors are used to provide the cardiac profile, such as its displacement and direction. The proposed implementation provides real-time movement profiles of cardiac with a precision up to 0.11 pixel / 22.50° for their displacements / motion orientations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congestive heart failure, which often occurs progressively following a myocardial infarction, is characterized by impaired myocardial perfusion, ventricular dilatation, and cardiac dysfunction. Novel treatments are required to reverse these effects – especially in older patients whose endogenous regenerative responses to currently available therapies are limited by age. This review explores the current state of research for two related approaches to cardiac regeneration: cell therapy and tissue engineering. First, to evaluate cell therapy, we review the effectiveness of various cell types for their ability to limit ventricular dilatation and promote functional recovery following implantation into a damaged heart. Next, to assess tissue engineering, we discuss the characteristics of several biomaterials for their potential to physically support the infarcted myocardium and promote implanted cell survival following cardiac injury. Finally, looking ahead, we present recent findings suggesting that hybrid constructs combining a biomaterial with stem and supporting cells may be the most effective approaches to cardiac regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter 9 of the book "The Management of Medical Emergencies: A Guide for Dental Care Professionals," by Colette Balmer and Lesley Longman is presented. It discusses two cardiac emergencies, which include angina and myocardial infarction. It states that both are the result of coronary artery disease and share common risk factors, management strategies and its population cohort is similar. It also offers information on the signs and symptoms, and how to prevent the said diseases.

Chapter 21 of the book "Jean Cocteau" is presented. This chapter focuses on the death of French author and artist Jean Cocteau at the age of 74 due to heart attack in Milly-la-forêt in Paris, France on October 11, 1963. Some of the alleged preparations of Cocteau for his death were the chapels he decorated and the film "The Testament of Orpheus." The last film he created was "Jean Cocteau s'adresse à l'an 2000" (Cocteau addresses the year 2000).

Chapter 14 of the book "Peerless Educator: The Life and Work of Isaac Leon Kandel," by J. Wesley Null is presented. It explores the final years of Kandel when he lived with his daughter and family, the Hyman family, at Westport, Connecticut, joining them in travels and enjoying his grandchildren. He turned 80 on January 18, 1961 and died from heart attack on June 14, 1965 in Switzerland. Two books he wrote during in his last years are "William Chandler Barley: Stalwart Educator" and "Hacia Una Profesion Docente."

Chapter 81 of the book "Advanced Therapy in Hypertension and Vascular Disease" is presented. It describes the hypertension condition of patients following a noncardiac vascular surgery. It illustrates how a patient with hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors such as myocardial infarction (MI) and S3 gallop is evaluated. Details related to medical management of the patient with hypertension, including aortic reconstructive surgery and aortic cross-clamping, are also tackled.

The article offers information on the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. A brief description of a heart attack and a stroke is provided. Both heart attacks and strokes are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or the brain. There are several risk factors associated with heart attacks and strokes including smoking and unhealthy diet.

The article presents guidelines from the World Health Organization on the risk management package for cardiovascular diseases. According to the author, the proper assessment and management of cardiovascular risk is important to prevent heart attacks and to improve outcomes to those who are at risk of cardiovascular events. The package consists of clinical protocols which can be applied in different events with hierarchical resource levels.

The article sheds light on the correlation between diabetes and physical activity. It is now widely accepted that increasing physical activity leads to great health benefits whether or not people have diabetes. Increased physical activity has been associated with physical, mental and social benefits including reduction in all-cause mortality, reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) that includes coronary heart disease, stroke and heart attack. These benefits apply to all people whether they have diabetes or not, but the benefits of improved glycaemic control are especially appropriate to people with diabetes.

Chapter 2 of the report regarding integrated management of cardiovascular risk is presented. It outlines the importance of prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke. The groundwork studies in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean indicate that case fatality rates from stroke are 2 to 3 fold higher than those developed countries. A chart showing the contribution of health risks to global mortality in a year 1990 is provided.

A section from Part I of the book "Airwaves," is presented. It recalls the moment when the author received news that U.S. Vice President Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller had died from a massive heart attack on January 27, 1979 at 70 years of age. The author focused on events in Rockefeller's life such as his term as New York State governor, his resignation from this post and his campaigns and eventual victory for the position of vice president of the United States.

Forty families of patients who had suffered from their first heart attack were studied during the hospitalization and after discharge. Areas of family functioning examined were maintenance of the emotional health of family members, financial management, household management, and dealing with children and their needs. Impacts of this family crisis varied among these areas as well as over time. Families employed different sets of coping strategies in different areas of their life. Implications of these findings for social work intervention in such crises are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chapter XLII of the book "Howards End" is presented. It mentions the conversation between Henry and Charles Wilcox concerning the whereabouts of Margaret and cites how Charles pondered about Margaret and Helen's bad attitudes. It also highlights the death of Leonard Bast due to heart attack at Wickham Place and states how the characters of the story investigated the event.

An encyclopedia entry for Hans Van Meegeren, a forger who perfected the physical technicalities of forging Old Masters while in Roquebrune in the South of France, is presented. He forged the work of Jan Vermeer of Delft, including "Christ and the Disciples at Emmaus" which was sold to Rotterdam's Boyman's Museum. Details of his life in the Netherlands including his sentencing to death for betrayal for selling Vermeers, until his death of a heart attack in 1947 are included.

Chapter 13 of the book "The Atlas of Heart Disease & Stroke" is presented. It discusses the global burden of coronary heart disease. Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) indicate the total burden of a disease and cardiovascular disease is responsible for 10 to 18 percent DALY loss. Topics discussed include heart attacks in developed and developing nations, and effect of migration.

Chapter 6 of the report regarding integrated management of cardiovascular risk is presented. It underlines barriers to comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment and management. Some studies have demonstrated that conventional management of hypertension leaves patients at an unacceptably high risk of cardiovascular and other complications including myocardial infarctions, strokes and cardiac failure.

This article provides information on myocardial infarction. It refers to a type of heart attack which is caused by loss of blood supply to the heart due to complete occlusion of a coronary artery, which leads to death of heart muscle as a result of lack of oxygen.

As the prevalence of blogs, discussion forums, and online news services continues to grow, so too does the portion of this Web content that relates to health and medicine. We propose that everyday, medically-oriented Web content is a valuable and viable data source for medical hypothesis generation and testing, despite its being noisy. In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept system supporting this notion. We construct a corpus comprising news articles relating to the drugs Vioxx, Naproxen and Ibuprofen, that were published between 1998-2002. Using this corpus, we show that there was a significant link between Vioxx and the concept “Myocardial Infarction” well before the drug was withdrawn from the market in 2004. Indeed, within the Vioxx-related content, the concept ranks amongst the top 3.3% in terms of importance. When compared with the Naproxen and Ibuprofen control literatures, the term occurs significantly more frequently in the Vioxx-related content., Engineering and Applied Sciences