Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · May 2015
ReviewTherapeutic hypothermia in the intensive cardiac care unit.
Therapeutic hypothermia has demonstrated to improve both survival and neurological outcome in patients who experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, many aspects of its clinical application are still controversial. ⋯ Furthermore, different methods are available to low body temperature, but no direct comparisons are available to establish which device performs better than others, and a combination of external and endovascular cooling is usually preferred. The present review is aimed at summarizing the available evidence supporting the use in clinical practice of mild hypothermia in comatose survivors from cardiac arrest and at evaluating its adverse events and their treatment.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · May 2015
ReviewAn update on hypertensive emergencies and urgencies.
Severe acute arterial hypertension is usually defined as 'hypertensive crisis', although 'hypertensive emergencies' or 'hypertensive urgencies', as suggested by the Joint National Committee and the European Society of Hypertension, have completely different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The prevalence and demographics of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies have changed over the last four decades, but hypertensive emergencies and urgencies are still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Different scientific societies have repeatedly produced up-to-date guidelines; however, the treatment of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies is still inappropriate, with potential clinical implications. This review focuses on hypertensive emergencies and urgencies management and treatment, as suggested by recent data.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Apr 2015
The changing characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement in the transcatheter aortic valve implantation era.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is thought to change the characteristics and outcome of patients with aortic stenosis undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We investigated the difference in clinical characteristics and outcomes of SAVR patients in the TAVI era. ⋯ We show a dramatic decrease in 1-year mortality and adverse perioperative events in patients undergoing SAVR for severe aortic stenosis during recent years. This change is likely related to selection of lower-risk patients for AVR in the TAVI era.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyHigh-dose atorvastatin for preventing contrast-induced nephropathy in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
To evaluate the efficacy of high-dose atorvastatin on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) occurrence in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty. ⋯ High-dose atorvastatin pretreatment does not seem to prevent CIN in patients receiving primary angioplasty. However, it has the potential to lower CIN in patients with renal insufficiency and in the elderly.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Feb 2015
The fate at mid-term follow-up of the on-pump vs. off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.
To evaluate the fate of on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ON-pump CABG) vs. off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OP-CABG) surgery at mid-term follow-up. ⋯ Mid-term freedom from composite end-points is similar after ON-pump CABG and OP-CABG. Freedom from cardiac death appears to be better after ON-pump CABG. OP-CABG needs for more expensive surgical technique. OP-CABG performed by an experienced surgical team using 'clamp-less' techniques can be an effective strategy in reducing postoperative stroke.