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Background: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an important predictor of outcomes in patients with heart failure but the prognostic value of BNP elevation in patients with myocardial infarction is not MI in completely defined. This study aims to identify the prognostic value of BNP in patients with MI. Materials and Methods: We studied patients with MI who were hospitalized in the Coronary Care Unit of Imam Hossein Hospital. Patients' demographic data, past medical and drug history besides echocardiography report and BNP levels were documented during the hospital stay and echocardiography was repeated after 3 months. Results: This prospective observational cross-section study was done between January 2018 through January 2019. During the study period, 124 patients were recruited. There was significant negative correlation between BNP levels and ejection fraction (P=0.001), systolic blood pressure (P=0.012), diastolic blood pressure (P=0.003) and ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e') (P=0.03) and EF in follow up (P=0.001). The correlation between BNP levels with infarction location (P=0.40), arterial involvement in the left main coronary artery (P=0.15), left anterior descending artery (P=0.53), left circumflex artery (P= 0.97), right coronary artery (P=0.50) and hospital stay (P=0.66) were not significant. Conclusion: BNP is a valuable marker for predicting prognosis in patients with the acute coronary syndrome. Also, it could be considered as a prognostic long-term marker for predicting the EF of patients with AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methamphetamine (meth) is a stimulant used illegally around the world, including in Iran. Cardiomyopathy and cardiac failure may occur following chronic meth use and may cause the patients referred to the emergency department. Case reports: A 28-year old man and two women, ages 29 and 31-year-old, with a history of meth use, were admitted to the emergency department with severe dyspnea at rest. Each had sinus tachycardia with tachypnea and an echocardiogram that showed severe systolic dysfunction consistent with heart failure. Additional evaluation in the hospital revealed cardiomyopathy with no other etiology other than the meth use. Conclusion: There are several reports that show an increase in frequency of meth use, suggesting that cardiomyopathy and acute heart failure may be a new medical concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical and economic importance of heart failure is widely recognized. The incidence of heart failure is on the increase, particularly with the aging of the population around the world. It is time for a paradigm shift in heart failure management. Alternative non-pharmacological strategies to remodel the failing ventricle will shape a major portion of heart failure therapy in the decade ahead. Exposure to heat is widely used as a traditional therapy in many cultures. In this paper, we will review recent data that suggest thermal therapy may be helpful as an adjunctive non-pharmacological treatment for heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]