Featured editorial

	Biological ageing and cardiovascular disease Nilesh J Samani and Pim van der Harst Heart 2008; 94: 537-539. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.136010 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Editorials

	Vitamin D and calcium dyshomoeostasis-associated heart failure Karl T Weber, Robert U Simpson, and Laura D Carbone Heart 2008; 94: 540-541. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.126359 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	B-type natriuretic peptide: a treatment, not a diagnostic marker Gabriel W Yip Heart 2008; 94: 542-544. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.118380 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Natriuretic peptides or psychometric tests? Prognostic markers in congestive heart failure Christoph Herrmann-Lingen and Burkert Pieske Heart 2008; 94: 545-546. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.133785 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Closure devices for femoral punctures Iqbal Malik Heart 2008; 94: 547-548. doi:10.1136/hrt.2006.108597 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	How to cost cardiovascular care Ameet Bakhai Heart 2008; 94: 549-551. [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 10 March 2008. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.136044
	A statement on ethics from the HEART Group Heart 2008; 94: 552-553. doi:10.1136/hrt.2008.144618 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Global burden of cardiovascular disease

Prospective observational study of acute coronary syndromes in China: practice patterns and outcomes R Gao, A Patel, W Gao, D Hu, D Huang, L Kong, W Qi, Y Wu, Y Yang, P Harris, C Algert, P Groenestein, F Turnbull, and on behalf of the CPACS Investigators Heart 2008; 94: 554-560. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 11 October 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.119750

JournalScan

	JournalScan Alistair Lindsay Heart 2008; 94: 676-678. [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Viewpoint

	The heart rate hypothesis: ready to be tested A S Hall and S Palmer Heart 2008; 94: 561-565. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.118760 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Obituaries

	Raphael Balcon MD FRCP (1936–2008) C Layton and J Wright Heart 2008; 94: 648. doi:10.1136/hrt.2008.145284 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Original research

	Neointimal coverage of bare-metal and sirolimus-eluting stents evaluated with optical coherence tomography B X Chen, F Y Ma, W Luo, J H Ruan, W L Xie, X Z Zhao, S H Sun, X M Guo, F Wang, T Tian, and X W Chu Heart 2008; 94: 566-570. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 8 October 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.118679
	Pre-closure of femoral venous access sites used for large-sized sheath insertion with the Perclose device in adults undergoing cardiac intervention V S Mahadevan, S Jimeno, L N Benson, P R McLaughlin, and E M Horlick Heart 2008; 94: 571-572. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 3 November 2006. doi:10.1136/hrt.2006.095935
	The Hong Kong diastolic heart failure study: a randomised controlled trial of diuretics, irbesartan and ramipril on quality of life, exercise capacity, left ventricular global and regional function in heart failure with a normal ejection fraction G W K Yip, M Wang, T Wang, S Chan, J W H Fung, L Yeung, T Yip, S-T Lau, C-P Lau, M-O Tang, C-M Yu, and J E Sanderson Heart 2008; 94: 573-580. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 20 January 2008. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.117978
	Hypocalcaemia and vitamin D deficiency: an important, but preventable, cause of life-threatening infant heart failure S Maiya, I Sullivan, J Allgrove, R Yates, M Malone, C Brain, N Archer, Q Mok, P Daubeney, R Tulloh, and M Burch Heart 2008; 94: 581-584. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 9 August 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.119792
	Clinical and prognostic implications of self-rating depression scales and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in hospitalised patients with chronic heart failure J T Parissis, M Nikolaou, D Farmakis, V Bistola, I A Paraskevaidis, S Adamopoulos, G Filippatos, and D T Kremastinos Heart 2008; 94: 585-589. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 29 August 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.117390
	Three-dimensional characteristics of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction: a real-time three-dimensional colour Doppler echocardiography study J-M Song, M-J Kim, Y-J Kim, S-H Kang, J-J Kim, D-H Kang, and J-K Song Heart 2008; 94: 590-596. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 23 July 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.119123
	Left ventricular torsion in primary chronic mitral regurgitation A N Borg, J L Harrison, R A Argyle, and S G Ray Heart 2008; 94: 597-603. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 19 September 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.126284
	Effects of stem cell therapy with G-CSF on coronary artery after drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with acute myocardial infarction H-J Kang, Y-S Kim, B-K Koo, K W Park, H-Y Lee, D-W Sohn, B-H Oh, Y-B Park, and H-S Kim Heart 2008; 94: 604-609. [Abstract] [Full text] [web only appendices] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 10 December 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.128348
	Cardiovascular events and re-stenosis following administration of G-CSF in acute myocardial infarction: systematic review and meta-analysis H Ince, M Valgimigli, M Petzsch, J Suarez de Lezo, F Kuethe, S Dunkelmann, G Biondi-Zoccai, and C A Nienaber Heart 2008; 94: 610-616. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 29 August 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2006.111385
	B-type natriuretic peptide infusions in acute myocardial infarction R J Hillock, C M Frampton, T G Yandle, R W Troughton, J G Lainchbury, and A M Richards Heart 2008; 94: 617-622. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 16 July 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2006.110239
	Do the extent and direction of arterial remodelling predict subsequent progression of coronary atherosclerosis? A serial intravascular ultrasound study I Sipahi, E M Tuzcu, K-W Moon, S J Nicholls, P Schoenhagen, J Zhitnik, T D Crowe, S Kapadia, and S E Nissen Heart 2008; 94: 623-627. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 10 December 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.129965
	Long-term outcome of low-risk patients attending a rapid-assessment chest pain clinic G L Taylor, N F Murphy, C Berry, J Christie, A Finlayson, K MacIntyre, C Morrison, and J McMurray Heart 2008; 94: 628-632. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 4 October 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.125344
	Life expectancy and death from cardiomyopathy amongst carriers of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy in Scotland S M Holloway, D E Wilcox, A Wilcox, J C S Dean, J N Berg, D R Goudie, M A Denvir, and M E M Porteous Heart 2008; 94: 633-636. [Abstract] [Full text] [web only appendix] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 11 October 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.125948
	Impact of patient-prosthesis mismatch on exercise capacity in patients after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement S Bleiziffer, W B Eichinger, I Hettich, D Ruzicka, M Wottke, R Bauernschmitt, and R Lange Heart 2008; 94: 637-641. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 8 August 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.116673

Technology and guidelines

	Ezetimibe for the treatment of primary (heterozygous-familial and non-familial) hypercholesterolaemia: NICE technology appraisal guidance Z Charles, E Pugh, and D Barnett Heart 2008; 94: 642-643. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.138263 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Commentary on NICE technology appraisal guidance on ezetimibe for the treatment of primary (heterozygous-familial and non-familial) hypercholesterolaemia J Armitage Heart 2008; 94: 643-645. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.137380 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Featured correspondence

	Antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery Graeme MacLaren, Siang Fei Yeoh, and Denis Spelman Heart 2008; 94: 646. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.139188 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	The authors’ reply Shane George, Kay Dhadwal, Sharif Al-Ruzzeh, Thanos Athanasiou, Marina Choudhury, Paris Tekkis, Pynee Vuddamalay, Haifa Lyster, and Mohamed Amrani Heart 2008; 94: 646. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.139196 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Prognostic value of LV long-axis versus short-axis systolic function in heart failure P Ballo, A Bocelli, and S Mondillo Heart 2008; 94: 647. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.139162 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	The authors’ reply B G Sveälv, E L Olofsson, and B Andersson Heart 2008; 94: 647. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.139170 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Education in Heart

	Troubleshooting implantable cardioverter-defibrillator related problems Lieselot van Erven and Martin J Schalij Heart 2008; 94: 649-660. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.122762 [Extract] [Full text] [web only references] [PDF] [Request Permissions] BMJ Learning: Take this module on BMJ Learning
	Bleeding and transfusion in acute coronary syndromes: a shift in the paradigm Jean-Pierre Bassand Heart 2008; 94: 661-666. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.125047 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] BMJ Learning: Take this module on BMJ Learning
	Radiation exposure in invasive cardiology Eberhard Kuon Heart 2008; 94: 667-674. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.125021 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions] BMJ Learning: Take this module on BMJ Learning

Summary of electronic pages

	This paper is available in full as an electronic page in this issue of Heart Heart 2008; 94: 675. [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]

Electronic pages

	Echocardiographic risk stratification for early surgery with endocarditis: a cost-effectiveness analysis L Liao, D F Kong, Z Samad, P A Pappas, J G Jollis, S S Lin, A Wang, V G Fowler, Jr, V H Chu, D J Sexton, G R Corey, and C H Cabell Heart 2008; 94: e18. [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]   Published Online First: 17 June 2007. doi:10.1136/hrt.2006.106716

Miscellanea

	Images in Cardiology: Identification of multiple plaque ruptures by optical coherence tomography in a patient with acute myocardial infarction: a three-vessel study H Kitabata, T Kubo, and T Akasaka Heart 2008; 94: 544. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.124339 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Images in Cardiology: A heartless patient M F L Meijs, M J M Cramer, and M Prokop Heart 2008; 94: 560. doi:10.1136/hrt.2006.112110 [Extract] [Full text] [web only appendices] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Images in Cardiology: Failed endothelialisation of a percutaneous atrial septal defect closure device Z Astroulakis, A El-Gamel, and J M Hill Heart 2008; 94: 580. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.135251 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Images in Cardiology: Two- and three-dimensional imaging of coarctation shelf in the human fetus F S Molina, K H Nicolaides, and J S Carvalho Heart 2008; 94: 584. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.130294 [Extract] [Full text] [web only media] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Images in Cardiology: Coil embolisation for diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous malformations S-J Chen and J-K Wang Heart 2008; 94: 596. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.129882 [Extract] [Full text] [web only media] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	WEB TOP 10 Heart 2008; 94: 616. [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]
	Images in Cardiology: Nicorandil-induced colonic ulceration R Brown, A Lee, and M Welfare Heart 2008; 94: 678. doi:10.1136/hrt.2007.134379 [Extract] [Full text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]