European Society of Cardiology (ESC) National Society Cardiovascular Journals (NSCJs) are high-quality biomedical journals focused on cardiovascular diseases. The Editors’ Network of the ESC devises editorial initiatives aimed at improving the scientific quality and diffusion of NSCJ. In this article we will discuss on the importance of the Internet, electronic editions and open access strategies on scientific publishing. Finally, we will propose a new editorial initiative based on a novel electronic tool on the ESC web-page that may further help to increase the dissemination of contents and visibility of NSCJs. © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L. All rights

This study evaluated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) release in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), absolute values as well as pattern of its release. There are two different patterns of BNP release in AMI; monophasic pattern--concentration in the first measurement is higher than in the second one, and biphasic pattern--concentration in the first measurement is lower than in the second one. We observed significance of biphasic and monophasic pattern of BNP release related to diagnostic and prognostic value. We included in this prospective observational study total of 75 AMI patients, 52 males and 23 females, average age of 62.3 +/- 10.9 years with range of 42 to 79 years. BNP was measured and pattern of its release was evaluated. In AMI group BNP levels were significantly higher than in controls (462.88 pg/mL vs. 35.36 pg/mL, p < 0.001). We found statistically significant real negative correlation (p < 0.05) between BNP concentration and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) with high correlation coefficient (r = -0.684). BNP concentrations were significantly higher among patients in Killip class II and III compared to Killip class I; Killip class I BNP = 226.18 pg/mL vs. Killip class II 622.51 pg/mL vs. Killip class III 1530.28 pg/mL, p < 0.001. BNP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with; (i) myocardial infarction vs. controls; (BNP 835.80 pg/mL vs. 243.03 pg/mL); (ii) in pts with positive major adverse cardiac events (MACE) vs. negative MACE (BNP 779.08 pg/mL vs. 242.28 pg/mL, p < 0.001); (iii) in pts with positive compared to negative left ventricle (LV) remodelling (BNP 840.77 pg/mL vs. 341.41 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Group with biphasic pattern of BNP release had significantly higher BNP concentration compared to monophasic pattern group. In biphasic pattern group we found significant presence of lower LVEF, Killip class II and III, LV remodelling and MACE. We found that BNP is strong marker of adverse cardiac events in patients presenting with a myocardial infarction. In our AMI group we found significant elevation of BNP and it is suspected that second peak secretion is not only due to systolic dysfunction and subsequent remodeling of LV but also due to impact of ischaemia. Patients with biphasic pattern probably have worse prognosis due to severe coronary heart disease. Besides its diagnostic role as a simple blood marker of systolic function, BNP is also important prognostic marker who helps making clinical decision about early invasive vs. conservative management.

Introduction: Coronary heart disease and its etiology are complex socio-medical and clinical problem in this century. World Health Organization defined coronary artery disease as acute and chronic heart ailments due to disruption of flow and myocardial blood supply. Diseases of the cardiovascular system in spite of preventable risk factors are responsible for approximately 50% of all deaths in the developed world, and this ratio is higher in developing countries. Risk factors: Coronary heart disease risk factors can be divided in those which are not preventable such as: personal and family history of cardiovascular diseases, age and gender and preventable risk factors including: high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol, smoking, reduced physical activity, elevated blood sugar, increased body weight, alcohol use, psychosocial factors and nutrition. There are also newly emerging risk factors which includes increased homocysteine, thrombogenic and inflammatory factors. Prevention of coronary heart disease risk factors: The concept of risk assessment factors, their reduction, initially begun in the Framingham Heart Study and refined in other models. Primary prevention relates to changing lifestyle and influencing preventable risk factors. Numerous studies and meta-analysis showed that lifestyle modification, risk reduction factors, particularly by changing diet, stopping smoking, increasing physical activity, blood pressure control can be effective in the prevention and reduction of coronary heart disease. Primary health care physicians i.e. family physicians need to take an active role in assessment of risk factors for coronary heart disease. Conclusion: The data in this paper, based on the findings from other studies, suggest the importance of using a modified algorithm in order to estimates the overall risk of coronary disease in high-risk groups among the patients in the primary health care settings.