Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Nov 2014
Interplay between arterial stiffness and diastolic function: a marker of ventricular-vascular coupling.
We evaluated the interplay between left ventricular diastolic function and large-artery stiffness in asymptomatic patients at increased risk of heart failure and no structural heart disease (Stage A). ⋯ An independent association between grade I left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness is demonstrated at the earliest stage of heart failure. Hence, assessment of vascular function, beyond cardiac function, should be included in a comprehensive clinical evaluation of these patients.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Aug 2014
ReviewPositive trend in survival to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a quantitative review of the literature.
Seven editions of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care guidelines have been published with many changes, in particular, about CPR. ⋯ Survival to hospital discharge after OHCA has significantly improved. Many aspects may influence survival, but surely, the reduction of time and an early and good quality CPR have positively influenced the outcome.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Aug 2014
ReviewSurviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: just a matter of defibrillators?
Out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death all over the world. Although the outcome of OHCA resulting from 'nonshockable' rhythms (asystole and pulseless electrical activity) is poor regardless of resuscitation efforts, 'shockable' rhythms such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation may carry a good prognosis if early defibrillation is performed. ⋯ However, success of these programs critically depends on appropriate planning and design, and on cultural predisposition of witnesses to undertake immediate measures of resuscitation in the case of OHCA. Placement of a large number of AEDs may carry high costs and little benefits if it is uncoordinated and not preceded by educational campaigns to spread widely the 'culture of resuscitation' in the population.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Aug 2014
CHA2DS2-VASc in the prediction of early atrial fibrillation relapses after electrical or pharmacological cardioversion.
In hemodynamically stable patients, mortality and morbidity related to atrial fibrillation are mainly due to cardioembolic disorder. No difference in the survival rate and incidence of embolic events has been described in patients undergoing rhythm or rate control if the latter is combined with an appropriate anticoagulant therapy. CHA2DS2-VASc is a score that allows clinicians to stratify embolic risk in patients affected by nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Each item can be involved in triggering and maintaining atrial fibrillation. Thus, we hypothesized that CHA2DS2-VASc may help to predict early recurrences after cardioversion. ⋯ Our preliminary results suggest that CHA2DS2-VASc score could be useful in evaluating the risk of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cardioversion. This information may have implications for disease monitoring and treatment strategies in clinical practice.