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Take the Investment Path Less Traveled

Amiodarone use and permanent pacing for atrial fibrillation: Are there differences between the sexes?

Among patients with atrial fibrillation, amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) is the most useful drug for the preservation of sinus rhythm.1-3 Although amiodarone carries a well-known risk of potentially serious noncardiac toxicities, perhaps less well recognized is its major cardiovascular side effect of bradycardia.

Hyponatremia: A Serious Sodium Deficiency

Dr. Verbalis, Dr. Green, and Dr. Miller explain the effects of hyponatremia and Marilyn Getty describes her experience with the condition.

Is circulating heat shock protein 60 a marker for susceptibility to cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes?

The vital cell stress protein, heat shock protein (Hsp)60, has recently been found in the circulation of healthy subjects over an extremely large concentration range. We performed an analysis of subjects with diabetes to determine whether Hsp60 is associated with biochemical markers of cardiovascular disease. Results showed that high circulating levels of Hsp60 are associated with clinically manifest cardiovascular disease. Hsp60 has cytokine-like actions, which may be responsible for this association.

Cardiology Milestones: Keeping Up With Developments

Thor: From Myth to Marvel Comics to Movies to Medical Commentary

How the movie Thor impacts the changing public image of physicians.

Low cholesterol level in midlife and quality of life in old age

We found that lower cholesterol levels in middle age predicted lower total mortality and better physical quality of life in old age after 39 years of follow-up. No difference was seen in the mental component of quality of life. These findings support current guidelines for cholesterol goals and show that a low risk-factor level in midlife can affect long-term mortality and morbidity, postpone physical disability, and improve quality of life in old age.