Journal of Cardiac Failure RSS feed: Current Issue. Journal of Cardiac Failure publishes original, peer-reviewed communications of scientific excellence and review articles on clinical research, basic human studies, animal studies, and bench research with potential clinical applications to heart failure -pathogenesis, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, assessment, prevention, and treatment. http://www.onlinejcf.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. Journal of Cardiac Failure1071-9164182February 2012 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411013054/abstract?rss=yesThere is generally a positive relationship between intelligence, as measured by Intelligence Quotient testing, and success in later life. This relationship tapers off as a function of time. Being smart usually means that one can figure things out by grappling with facts and numbers and by using deductive reasoning. Analytic thought allows one to come to a reasonably clear understanding of a complex problem. Lots of people are very smart. We work with them on a daily basis.On Being SmartGary S. Francis10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.12.001Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-26Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-26182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Editorial8989http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411013327/abstract?rss=yesIn 1994 Dr. Jay Cohn and other leaders in cardiovascular disease met in New York city to explore the possibility of establishing a professional society that could channel the rapidly growing interest in the nascent field of heart failure into an effective force for improving patient care. The preceding 2 decades had been marked by unprecedented insights into the underlying pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction that were paralleled by therapeutic advances that, for the first time, were shown to clearly improve outcomes in heart failure patients. At the same time, heart failure prevalence was rapidly increasing throughout the world because of the aging of the population, improved survival of patients with myocardial infarction and other cardiac conditions, and inadequate treatment of common risk factors such as hypertension. It was also apparent that a performance gap had opened between what was known to be effective treatment and the actual care that many heart failure patients were receiving. The group that convened in New York concluded that in order to improve patient outcomes, there was a critical need to promote research, disseminate knowledge, and define best practices. They also recognized that to be maximally effective, a society focused on improving outcomes in heart failure required the participation of all disciplines with an interest in this complex disease and that it needed to attract trainees as well as nurture health care professionals in the heart failure field during the formative stages of their career.The Heart Failure Society of America in 2020: A Vision for the FutureBarry H. Greenberg, Inder S. Anand, John C. Burnett, John Chin, Kathleen A. Dracup, Arthur M. Feldman, Thomas Force, Gary S. Francis, Steven R. Houser, Sharon A. Hunt, Marvin A. Konstam, JoAnn Lindenfeld, Douglas L. Mann, Mandeep R. Mehra, Sara C. Paul, Mariann R. Piano, Heather J. Ross, Hani N. Sabbah, Randall C. Starling, James E. Udelson, Clyde W. Yancy, Michael R. Zile, Barry M. Massie10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.12.008Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2012-02-01Journal of Cardiac Failure2012-02-01182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Special Communication9093http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411013224/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves survival, symptoms, quality of life, exercise capacity, and cardiac structure and function in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or ambulatory class IV heart failure (HF) with wide QRS complex. The totality of evidence supports the use of CRT in patients with less severe HF symptoms. CRT is recommended for patients in sinus rhythm with a widened QRS interval (≥150 ms) not due to right bundle branch block (RBBB) who have severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and persistent NYHA functional class II-III symptoms despite optimal medical therapy (strength of evidence A). CRT may be considered for several other patient groups for whom evidence of benefit is clinically significant but less substantial, including patients with a QRS interval of ≥120 to <150 ms and severe LV systolic dysfunction who have persistent mild to severe HF despite optimal medical therapy (strength of evidence B), some patients with atrial fibrillation, and some with ambulatory class IV HF. Several evidence gaps remain that need to be addressed, including the ideal threshold for QRS duration, QRS morphology, lead placement, degree of myocardial scarring, and the modality for evaluating dyssynchrony. Recommendations will evolve over time as additional data emerge from completed and ongoing clinical trials.Indications for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: 2011 Update From the Heart Failure Society of America Guideline CommitteeWilliam G. Stevenson, Adrian F. Hernandez, Peter E. Carson, James C. Fang, Stuart D. Katz, John A. Spertus, Nancy K. Sweitzer, W.H. Wilson Tang, Nancy M. Albert, Javed Butler, Cheryl A. Westlake Canary, Sean P. Collins, Monica Colvin-Adams, Justin A. Ezekowitz, Michael M. Givertz, Ray E. Hershberger, Joseph G. Rogers, John R. Teerlink, Mary N. Walsh, Wendy Gattis Stough, Randall C. Starling10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.12.004Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2012-02-01Journal of Cardiac Failure2012-02-01182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Heart Failure Society of America Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Guideline Update94106http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411012607/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: Despite the high number of admissions for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), there are no specific criteria for discharge readiness. A number of patients have implantable devices that might provide data to assist in determining readiness for discharge.Methods and Results: The 3D-HF (Diagnostic Data for Discharge in Heart Failure Patients) study was a prospective observational pilot study enrolling HF patients with Optivol-capable cardiac devices within 48 hours of a hospital admission characterized by worsening HF symptoms. The primary end point was the difference in times from admission to 50% improvement in impedance and to when patient was medically ready for discharge. The nonparametric sign test was used to determine if the difference was significant. A total of 20 subjects were enrolled over a 24-month period. The median ADHF length of stay was 7 days. Of the 20 subjects, 18 achieved the intrathoracic impedance improvement threshold before discharge. The time to reach the threshold for improvement was 2.5 days (interquartile range 2.0–6.0). The difference between days to 50% impedance and days to provider’s discharge decision was 3.0 (P = .0072).Conclusions: Intrathoracic impedance changes were evident over a short duration in the majority of patients admitted for ADHF and may be a potential criterion for discharge readiness.Change in Intrathoracic Impedance Measures During Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Admission: Results From the Diagnostic Data for Discharge in Heart Failure Patients (3D-HF) Pilot StudyDavid J. Whellan, Christopher J. Droogan, James Fitzpatrick, Suzanne Adams, Melissa M. Mccarey, Jocelyn Andrel, Paul Mather, Sharon Rubin, Raphael Bonita, Scott Keith10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.017Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-26Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-26182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Clinical Investigations107112http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS107191641101236X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: Adjuvant trastuzumab therapy improves survival of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive women with early breast cancer (EBC). A careful monitoring of cardiac function is needed due to potential trastuzumab cardiotoxicity (Tcardiotox). To date, the incidence, timing, and phenotype of patients with Tcardiotox in clinical practice are not well known.Methods and Results: A total of 499 consecutive HER2-positive women (mean age 55 ± 11 years) with EBC treated with trastuzumab between January 2008 and June 2009 at 10 Italian institutions were followed for 1 year. We evaluated incidence, time of occurrence, and clinical features associated with Tcardiotox. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was evaluated by echocardiography at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months during trastuzumab therapy. Tcardiotox was recognized in 133 patients (27%): 102 (20%) showed asymptomatic reduction in LVEF of >10% but ≤20% (grade 1 Tcardiotox); 15 (3%) had asymptomatic decline of LVEF of >20% or <50% (grade 2); and 16 (3%) had symptomatic heart failure (grade 3). Trastuzumab was discontinued due to cardiotoxicity in 24 patients (5%) and restarted in 13 after LVEF recovery. Forty-one percent of Tcardiotox cases occurred within the first 3 months of follow-up, most prevalently in older patients with higher creatinine levels and in patients pretreated with doxorubicin and radiotherapy.Conclusions: In clinical practice ,Tcardiotox is frequent in HER2-positive women with EBC and occurs in the first 3 months of therapy. Cardiac dysfunction is mild and asymptomatic in the majority of patients. The interruption of treatment is a rare event which occurs, however, in a significantly higher percentage than reported in randomized clinical trials.Trastuzumab Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Cardiotoxicity in Real-World Women With Breast CancerLuigi Tarantini, Giovanni Cioffi, Stefania Gori, Fausto Tuccia, Lidia Boccardi, Daniella Bovelli, Chiara Lestuzzi, Nicola Maurea, Stefano Oliva, Giulia Russo, Pompilio Faggiano, Italian Cardio-Oncologic Network10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.015Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-05Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-05182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Clinical Investigations113119http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411012334/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: Apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) are recently described, seemingly unrelated, reversible conditions. The precise pathophysiology of these syndromes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of a unique series of patients with both ABS and PRES.Methods and Results: In a retrospective study of 224 consecutive patients diagnosed with ABS between 2002 and 2010, 6 (2.7%) were also diagnosed with PRES. All were female with a mean age of 63.7 ± 12.5 years. All patients had preceding medical comorbidities and physical stress triggers that precipitated ABS and PRES. Mean peak troponin T levels and left ventricular ejection fraction at presentation were 0.47 ± 0.48 mg/dL and 31.5 ± 8.2%, respectively. Characteristic left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (regional wall motion score index 2.22 ± 0.37) were noted in all patients, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was significant for vasogenic edema, predominantly in the posterior circulation. All patients recovered left ventricular (ejection fraction at follow-up 60.2 ± 6.0%) and neurologic function with supportive management. Two patients had recurrence of ABS and 1 of PRES during follow-up.Conclusions: ABS and PRES can occur simultaneously during an acute illness. Patients with ABS who develop neurologic dysfunction should be evaluated for PRES and vice versa. Because transient sympathetic overactivity and microvascular dysfunction have been observed in both reversible syndromes, we speculate that they may represent the shared pathophysiologic mechanism.Coincidence of Apical Ballooning Syndrome (Tako-Tsubo/Stress Cardiomyopathy) and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: Potential Common Substrate and Pathophysiology?Matthew R. Summers, Malini Madhavan, Ramesh G. Chokka, Alejandro A. Rabinstein, Abhiram Prasad10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.012Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-05Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-05182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Clinical Investigations120125http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411012310/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: There are little data on the optimization of high-intensity aerobic interval exercise (HIIE) protocols in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Therefore, we compared acute cardiopulmonary responses to 4 different HIIE protocols to identify the optimal one.Methods and Results: Twenty men with stable systolic CHF performed 4 different randomly ordered single HIIE sessions with measurement of gas exchange. For all protocols (A, B, C, and D) exercise intensity was set at 100% of peak power output (PPO). Interval duration was 30 seconds (A and B) or 90 seconds (C and D), and recovery was passive (A and C) or active (50% of PPO in B and D). Time spent above 85% of VO2peak and time above the ventilatory threshold were similar across all 4 HIIE protocols. Total exercise time was significantly longer in protocols with passive recovery intervals (A: 1,651 ± 347 s; C: 1,574 ± 382 s) compared with protocols with active recovery intervals (B: 986 ± 542 s; D: 961 ± 556 s). All protocols appeared to be safe, with exercise tolerance being superior during protocol A.Conclusion: Among the 4 HIIE protocols tested, protocol A with short intervals and passive recovery appeared to be superior.High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Chronic Heart Failure: Protocol OptimizationPhilippe Meyer, Eve Normandin, Mathieu Gayda, Guillaume Billon, Thibaut Guiraud, Laurent Bosquet, Annick Fortier, Martin Juneau, Michel White, Anil Nigam10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.010Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-11-28Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-11-28182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Clinical Investigations126133http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411012619/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: We hypothesized left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony would affect postexercise accommodation of regional myocardial motion in patients with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction (HFNEF).Methods and Results: Tissue-Doppler echocardiography was studied in 100 hypertensive patients with LV ejection fraction >50%. Among them, 70 HFNEF patients were classified into the systolic dyssynchrony (Dys: >65 ms difference of electromechanical delay between septal and lateral segments) (43 patients) and nondyssynchrony (Ndys: 27 patients) groups, and the other 30 patients were as the control (Ctrl). The systolic myocardial velocities (Sm) of 6-basal LV segments at baseline and after exercise were analyzed. When compared with the Ctrl group, the baseline lower mean Sm of 6 LV segments in the Ndys group could increase to a similar postexercise level as that in the Ctrl group, whereas that in the Dys group remained lower after exercise (7.8 ± 1.3 versus Ndys: 8.6 ± 1.5 and Ctrl: 8.9 ± 1.2 cm/s, P < .05, respectively). This is mainly due to a much higher percentage increase of lateral Sm after exercise in the Ndys group (Ndys: 49 versus Dys: 29%, P < .05).Conclusions: Dyssynchrony-related regional myocardial contractile abnormality after exercise in HFNEF patients suggested the detrimental impact of electromechanical uncoupling on HF symptoms.Impact of Ventricular Dyssynchrony on Postexercise Accommodation of Systolic Myocardial Motion in Hypertensive Patients With Heart Failure and a Normal Ejection Fraction: A Tissue-Doppler Echocardiography StudyYi-Chih Wang, Chih-Chieh Yu, Fu-Chun Chiu, Ruth Klepfer, Kathryn Hilpisch, Vincent Splett, Chia-Ti Tsai, Ling-Ping Lai, Juey-Jen Hwang, Jiunn-Lee Lin10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.018Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-26Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-26182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Clinical Investigations134139http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411012632/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) reduce mortality in heart failure (HF). In patients requiring a ventricular assist device (VAD), the benefit from ICD therapy is not well established. The aim of this study was to define the impact of ICD on outcomes in VAD-supported patients.Methods and Results: We reviewed data for consecutive adult HF patients receiving VAD as a bridge to transplantation from 1996 to 2003. The primary outcome was survival to transplantation. A total of 144 VADs were implanted [85 left ventricular (LVAD), 59 biventricular (BIVAD), mean age 50 ± 12 years, 77% male, left ventricular ejection fraction 18 ± 9%, 54% ischemic]. Mean length of support was 119 days (range 1–670); 103 patients (72%) survived to transplantation. Forty-five patients had an ICD (33 LVAD, 12 BIVAD). More LVAD patients had an appropriate ICD shock before implantation than after (16 vs 7; P = .02). There was a trend toward higher shock frequency before LVAD implant than after (3.3 ± 5.2 vs 1.1 ± 3.8 shocks/y; P = .06). Mean time to first shock after VAD implant was 129 ± 109 days. LVAD-supported patients with an ICD were significantly more likely to survive to transplantation [1-y actuarial survival to transplantation: LVAD: 91% with ICD vs 57% without ICD (log-rank P = .01); BIVAD: 54% vs 47% (log-rank P = NS)]. An ICD was associated with significantly increased survival in a multivariate model controlling for confounding variables (odds ratio 2.54, 95% confidence interval 1.04–6.21; P = .04).Conclusions: Shock frequency decreases after VAD implantation, likely owing to ventricular unloading, but appropriate ICD shocks still occur in 21% of patients. An ICD is associated with improved survival in LVAD-supported HF patients.Survival Benefit of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Left Ventricular Assist Device–Supported Heart Failure PatientsMarwan M. Refaat, Toshikazu Tanaka, Robert L. Kormos, Dennis Mcnamara, Jeffrey Teuteberg, Steve Winowich, Barry London, Marc A. Simon10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.020Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-26Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-26182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Clinical Investigations140145http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411012346/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: Single red cell distribution width (RDW) assessment is a consistent prognostic marker of poor outcomes in heart failure as well as in other patient cohorts. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic value of sequential RDW assessment in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure.Methods and Results: We reviewed 6,159 consecutive ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure between 2001-2006 and examined changes in RDW values from baseline to 1-year follow-up. Clinical, demographic, laboratory, and ICD-9 coding data were extracted from electronic health records, and all-cause mortality was followed over a mean follow-up of 4.4 ± 2.4 years. In this study cohort, median baseline RDW was 14.9%. RDW >16% at baseline (18.5% of cohort) was associated with a higher mortality rates than RDW ≤16%. For each +1% increment of baseline RDW, the risk ratio for all-cause mortality was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–1.19; P < .0001). At 12-month follow-up (n = 1,601), a large majority of subjects (68% in first tertile, 56% in second tertile of baseline RDW) showed rising RDW and correspondingly higher risk for all-cause mortality (risk ratio for +1% increase in changes in RDW was 1.08 (95% CI 1.03–1.13; P = .001). This effect was independent of anemia status or other baseline cardiac or renal indices, and particularly strong in those with lower baseline RDW.Conclusions: In our ambulatory cohort of patients with chronic heart failure, baseline and serial increases in RDW were associated with poor long-term outcomes independently from standard cardiac, hematologic, and renal indices.Progressive Rise in Red Cell Distribution Width Is Associated With Disease Progression in Ambulatory Patients With Chronic Heart FailureClay A. Cauthen, Wilson Tong, Anil Jain, W. H. Wilson Tang10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.013Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-05Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-05182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Clinical Investigations146152http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411012358/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: Several clinical trials have confirmed that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves outcomes in well defined patient populations. It is uncertain, however, whether outcomes are similar in real-world clinical settings. This study compared outcomes after CRT with defibrillator (CRT-D) in a large real-world private-practice cardiology setting with those in the COMPANION multicenter trial.Methods and Results: A total of 429 consecutive patients who received CRT-D for standard indications (group 1) were retrospectively compared with the 595 patients (group 3) in the COMPANION CRT-D cohort regarding survival and survival free of cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization. A subgroup of the group 1 patients who met the COMPANION entrance criteria (group 2) was also compared with the COMPANION cohort (group 3) both with and without propensity-matching statistical analysis. Survival and survival free of CV hospitalization was better in group 1 than in group 3. Survival in group 2 with and without propensity matching was similar to group 3. However, survival free of CV hospitalization was better in the real-world patients (group 2) even after adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics.Conclusions: Survival and CV hospitalization outcomes in a real-world clinical setting are as good as, or better than, those demonstrated in the COMPANION research trial.Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in the Real World: Comparison With the COMPANION StudyAlan J. Bank, Kevin V. Burns, Ryan M. Gage, Daniel B. Vatterott, Stuart W. Adler, Mariam Sajady, Deanna Rohde, Joshua S. Parah, Inder Anand, Patrick Yong, Milan Seth, Spencer H. Kubo10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.014Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-05Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-05182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Review Articles153158http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916411012620/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Advances in modern echocardiography for quantification of cardiac structure and function have not been translated in clinical trial or practice applications to date. Imaging endpoints are especially well-suited for early trials with investigational therapies for heart failure as most drugs and devices approved for heart failure have shown favorable effects on cardiac structure and function also. Echocardiography is versatile and can be performed in most clinical settings. The modest interobserver and test-retest reproducibility of specific structural and functional parameters with conventional echocardiography can be improved on by using contemporary modalities, including 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography for assessment of volumes and ejection fraction and speckle tracking for detailed functional assessment of the ventricles with mechanics-based parameters (strain and strain rate). The appropriate imaging endpoints (global vs. regional, systolic vs. diastolic) should be tailored to the specific research question and the mode of action of the therapy under investigation. The newer echocardiographic modalities, namely 3D echocardiography and speckle tracking, are more demanding in terms of equipment and personnel and therefore are better suited for implementation in experienced research centers with central interpretation. However, these modalities provide the best opportunity currently available to demonstrate treatment effects on the myocardium with investigational therapies and provide mechanistic insights for future directions.Echocardiographic Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function: New Modalities and Potential Applications in Clinical TrialsAndreas P. Kalogeropoulos, Vasiliki V. Georgiopoulou, Mihai Gheorghiade, Javed Butler10.1016/j.cardfail.2011.10.019Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2011-12-26Journal of Cardiac Failure2011-12-26182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Review Articles159172http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916412000334/abstract?rss=yesThe article “Flexible Diuretic Titration in Chronic Heart Failure: Where Is the Evidence?” (J Card Fail 2011;17:944-54), was published with a misspelling to an author's name in reference 5. The correct reference listing is: Metra M, Teerlink JR, Felker GM, Greenberg BH, Filippatos G, Ponikowski P, Teichman SL, Unemori E, Voors AA, Weatherley BD, Cotter G. Dyspnoea and worsening heart failure in patients with acute heart failure: results from the Pre-RELAX-AHF study. Eur J Heart Fail 2010;12:1130-9.Erratum10.1016/j.cardfail.2012.01.012Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2012-02-01Journal of Cardiac Failure2012-02-01182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2Erratum172172http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916412000140/abstract?rss=yesEditorial Board10.1016/S1071-9164(12)00014-0Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2012-02-01Journal of Cardiac Failure2012-02-01182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2FrontmatterA3A3http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916412000152/abstract?rss=yesMasthead10.1016/S1071-9164(12)00015-2Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2012-02-01Journal of Cardiac Failure2012-02-01182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2FrontmatterA4A4http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916412000164/abstract?rss=yesTable of Contents10.1016/S1071-9164(12)00016-4Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2012-02-01Journal of Cardiac Failure2012-02-01182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2FrontmatterA6A7http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/PIIS1071916412000176/abstract?rss=yesInformation for Authors10.1016/S1071-9164(12)00017-6Journal of Cardiac Failure 18, 2 (2012)2012-02-01Journal of Cardiac Failure2012-02-01182S1071-9164(12)X0002-2FrontmatterA9A10