ECR - Volume 10 Issue 1 Summer 2015

Foreword

This new issue of ECR features important contributions. There are three articles that deal with different aspects of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure; two conditions that represent major clinical and public health problems. McDonagh’s paper on chemotherapy related cardiomyopathy will be of great interest to the practicing physician, together with Casu’s review on the rational use of diuretics in heart failure patients. Discussions on a form of cardiomyopathy, “stress cardiomyopathy” otherwise known as “takotsubo syndrome”, continues to puzzle physicians on both sides of the Atlantic. This is discussed and presented by Prasad and Mehta, respectively. Madden et al provides expert opinion on the diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension and propose useful diagnostic algorithms.

A paper on sudden cardiac death in athletes by Papadakis provides insight into possible mechanisms, early detection and risk stratification in subjects who engage in competitive sport. Similarly, Sharma analyses the variables that help risk stratifying individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and which may be of practical interest to practicing cardiologists.

Expert opinion on the controversial issue as to whether there is a therapeutic role for cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor agents, is provided by Cockerill and strategies for prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia are proposed by Vicario in a brief review article on this timely topic. The issue also features papers on the role of biomarkers of in heart failure risk stratification and management and the assessment of coronary blood flow reserve using Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

Bayes de Luna et al describe the diagnostic features and clinical implications of a new syndrome proposed by the authors and involving interatrial block.

In summary, this issue of ECR offers exciting material that we proudly present to our readers.