Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Jul 2016
Care quality monitoring of a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction programme over a 5-year period.
The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term impact of a prehospital ECG programme on treatment times for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). ⋯ We report progressive improvements in times to treatment over a 5-year period in a STEMI program for patients referred by the EMS. The importance of data collection and monitoring is highlighted by our results.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Apr 2016
ReviewBLOCK HF: how far does it extend indications for cardiac resynchronization therapy?
The Biventricular versus Right Ventricular Pacing in Heart Failure Patients with Atrioventricular Block (BLOCK HF) trial, published in April 2013 [Curtis AB, Worley SJ, Adamson PB, et al; Biventricular versus Right Ventricular Pacing in Heart Failure Patients with Atrioventricular Block (BLOCK HF) Trial Investigators. Biventricular pacing for atrioventricular block and systolic dysfunction. N Engl J Med 2013; 368:1585-1593], explored whether cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was superior to conventional pacing in patients with conventional indications for pacing, left ventricular dysfunction and NYHA (New York Heart Association) class I-III. ⋯ We estimate that at least one third of patients in BLOCK HF could meet current indications for CRT. Moreover, the study did not consider the additional risks and costs of CRT versus conventional pacing, both having important implications for cost-effectiveness estimates. For these and other reasons, uncertainties arise as to how far BLOCK HF extends current recommendations for CRT and how much it should be implemented in daily clinical practice.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Jan 2016
Prolonged QT interval in ST-elevation myocardial infarction and mortality: new prognostic scale with QT, Killip and age.
To analyze the relation between prolonged QT interval and mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and complementarity with Killip, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) scales. ⋯ Hospital mortality was higher with prolonged QTc at prehospital-or-hospital admission, given equal Killip, TIMI and APACHE values. Discrimination of Killip, TIMI and APACHE values can be improved with prolonged QTc. Discrimination of a model including Killip, age and prolonged QTc is quite good. We have made a new simple prognostic scale with these variables.
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After cardiac surgery, delirium, cognitive dysfunction, depression, or anxiety disorders frequently occur, and profoundly affect patients' prognosis and quality of life. This narrative review focuses on the main clinical presentations of cognitive and psychological problems ('mind injuries') that occur postoperatively in absence of ascertainable focal neurologic deficits, exploring their pathophysiological mechanisms and possible strategies for prevention and treatment. ⋯ The net effect of these changes is neuroinflammation. These complex biochemical alterations, along with an aspecific response to stressful life events, might target the function of several brain areas, which are thought to represent a trigger factor for the onset of depression.