5%) (mean PO2 64.5 +/- 1.2 mm Hg), received a standardized SHOT during RHC and hemodynamic response was assessed for its prognostic potential. Results: SHOT significantly reduced heart rate (HR: 78.9 +/- 1.5 to 74 +/- 1.5 beats/ min), cardiac output (4 +/- 0.1 to 3.8 +/- 0.1l/min), pulmonary arterial NU7441 clinical trial pressure (46.4 +/- 1.3 to 42.3 +/- 1.3 mm Hg) and pulmonary vascular resistance (10.1 +/- 0.5 to 9.6 +/- 0.5 Wood units; all p < 0.001) compared to baseline. The magnitude of this effect varied between the different PH groups. During a median follow-up of 25.1 months (range: 0.2-73.3 months), HR <72 beats/min in response to SHOT was

associated with a better prognosis in patients with PH

due to chronic thromboembolism to the lung and PH from chronic lung disease. Conclusions: SHOT leads to characteristic hemodynamic responses across different forms of PH. The preserved ML323 clinical trial capability to acutely respond to SHOT with HR reduction is of prognostic significance in patients with non PAH PH. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“The Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) has been used extensively to assess the impact of fatigue on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to estimate the minimally important difference (MID) of the FIS to facilitate the interpretation of the scale in patients with MS.

Data came from a cross-sectional study of 184 patients with MS. Anchor-based estimates of the MID were evaluated using patients’ ratings of their own health and a clinical rating of MS severity. Using the proportional odds model, estimates of the MID were evaluated by finding FIS score differences that corresponded to a 50% increase in the odds of poorer health. Convergence between distribution- and anchor-based estimates was assessed.

Nineteen items met the selection criteria for anchors. Triangulation of the anchor- and distribution-based approaches indicated that the MID of

the FIS ranged between 10 and 20 points, approximately.

A common metric of meaningful difference of FIS was defined across anchors measuring a broad range of HRQOL G418 domains. The MID estimates in the current study can be used for sample size calculation in the planning of future studies and to aid researchers and clinicians in interpreting FIS score differences in patients with MS.”
“Although clinical cardiology encompasses the full spectrum of heart disease, in order to avoid overlaps with other sections we have reviewed recent developments reported in two substantial subject areas: aortic diseases and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which are the focus of working groups in the Clinical and Outpatient Cardiology working group of the Spanish Society of Cardiology.