European lipid guidelines: therapeutic recommendations. European Atherosclerosis Society

The European Consensus Conference has classified persons with hyperlipidemia into 5 groups on the basis of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Plasma cholesterol concentration alone is not sufficient for the assessment of myocardial infarction risk; other risk factors must be considered for a more sensitive prediction. Guidelines for risk assessment of coronary heart disease and treatment regimens for each of the 5 hyperlipidemia groups, as outlined in the Policy Statement on coronary heart disease of the European Atherosclerosis Society, are described. It is emphasized that therapeutic goals for patients with hyperlipidemia depend to some extent on the presence or absence of other risk factors; plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target levels may be lower in those with associated risk factors.     

Arrhythmogenesis--a European perspective

Arrhythmogenesis as an effect of antiarrhythmic therapy is a relatively recent concern. Satisfactory definitions are lacking, but 2 categories, clinical and technical, can be recognized. Although arrhythmogenesis is an international problem and multifactorial, its expression depends on variables that differ according to geographic location. In Europe, use of antiarrhythmic therapy is more conservative than it is in the U.S. In the U.S., many antiarrhythmic drugs commonly used in Europe are either recently released, are on limited release or are available only in investigational protocols. Mexiletine, class IC agents and sotalol are agents in routine use in Europe. All have arrhythmogenic potential, although this appears lowest with mexiletine.     

The European Association of Echocardiography - and the future of European echocardiography.

^* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 29 2074 3489; fax: +44 29 2074 3500. fraserag@cardiff.ac.uk The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. The European Association of Echocardiography is now three yearsold. In our short life we have taken great strides, but manychallenges and opportunities remain. This is a good time totake stock of our achievements and reflect on priorities forthe next stages of our development – hopefully from sturdytoddler to vigorous youth!