TABLE OF CONTENT: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar 2002

1. Title: Perspectives on hyperhomocysteinaemia and arterial atherosclerosis : editorial
   Authors: Jacobs, P.; Wood, L.; Mansvelt, E.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.49-52
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2. Title: Dangerous and life-threatening drugs - practical lessons from the long QT syndrome : review article
   Authors: Schutte, D.; Obel, I.W.P.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.54-61
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   Abstract: The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is caused by delayed cardiac repolarisation and may be associated with ventricular arrhythmias (torsades de pointes) and sudden death. The congenital LQTS is caused by mutations in any one of many genes coding for ion channels responsible for cardiac repolarisation. The acquired LQTS is much more common and may be associated with various metabolic conditions, acquired heart disease or drugs. The apparent idiosyncratic development of QT prolongation under these circumstances may well expose a much larger population with silent genetic mutations. Attention has focused on the growing list of drugs implicated in the causation of the syndrome and this has led to the withdrawal of some drugs and new guidelines for the pre-clinical and clinical testing of new drugs. Clinicians should be aware of the drugs that may cause this syndrome and its potentially fatal arrhythmias, as well as the conditions that make patients more vulnerable. Patients should be made aware of the risk of drug interactions and precautions when prescribed these drugs. Adverse drug effects suggestive of cardiac arrhythmias should be reported to drug regulatory authorities The LQTS has vastly expanded our knowledge of the molecular and genetic basis of cardiac repolarisation and arrhythmogenesis and its clinical significance is increasing.
    
3. Title: The detection of myocardial viability and its clinical implications : review article
   Authors: Soman, P.; Naidoo, V.; Lahiri, A.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.62-67
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   Abstract: The mortality, morbidity and economic burden imposed by congestive heart failure are considerable. Despite a prevalence and prognosis comparable to the more commonly encountered cancers like breast and lung cancer, there has been relatively less emphasis in the western world on the screening, diagnosis and treatment of heart failure, at least until recently. This may be partly attributed to the fact that the complex pathophysiology of heart failure was ill understood and the heterogeneity of the syndrome not recognised, so that even among specialist cardiologists it was considered pretty much an irreversible condition amenable only to palliative therapy. However, our understanding of heart failure has grown significantly in the past decade. From the early days when all dysfunctional myocardium was considered necrosed, and revascularisation often dismissed on this basis, we have now progressed to the understanding that dysfunctional myocardium is a heterogeneous entity comprising necrotic, stunned, hibernating and myopathic myocardium, and that the therapeutic objectives in each of these categories is specific and should be addressed individually. In this article we briefly review the pathophysiology, and diagnostic and therapeutic implications of reversible ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction.
    
4. Title: Hypertension in pregnancy : round-table discussion : part 2 : cardiovascular profile
   Authors: Brink, A.; Akande, W.; Moodley, J.; Hague, W.; Hall, D.; Steyn, W.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.68-72
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5. Title: Echocardiographic features of extreme mitral valve prolapse vs mitral valve aneurysm : case report
   Authors: Goldberg, L.; Mekel, J.; Grigorov, V.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.73-77
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   Abstract: This report presents clinical observations and brings up for discussion the differential diagnosis of echocardiographic features of extreme mitral valve prolapse and inflammatory and non-inflammatory mitral valve aneurysms.
    
6. Title: The William Nelson ECG quiz
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.77, 84
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7. Title: Elderly hypertensives experience quality-of-life benefits on bisoprolol (Concor) : drug trends in cardiology
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.79
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8. Title: Aspirin and warfarin - no better than aspirin alone : drug trends in cardiology
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.79
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9. Title: Multi-centre trial of aprotinin highlights increased safety with higher dose : drug trends in cardiology
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.80
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10. Title: Low-molecular weight heparins - the mainstay of anti-coagulant therapy : drug trends in cardiology
    From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
    Published: 2002
    Pages: p.80-82
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11. Title: Cross-over study of b-blockers shows further improvements : drug trends in cardiology
    From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
    Published: 2002
    Pages: p.83
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12. Title: Carvedilol offers women with heart problems the same clinical benefits as men : drug trends in cardiology
    From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
    Published: 2002
    Pages: p.84
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13. Title: Cardio news
    From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 2, Mar
    Published: 2002
    Pages: p.86-88
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