The American journal of cardiology
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Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of data from the six primary prevention trials of cardiovascular events using aspirin.
Until recently, 5 major studies have formed the basis for the use of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) in primary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) events. Despite these data, the role of aspirin in primary prevention has not been established firmly. Six randomized trials have evaluated the benefits of aspirin for the primary prevention of CV events: the British Doctors' Trial, the Physicians' Health Study, the Thrombosis Prevention Trial, the Hypertension Optimal Treatment study, the Primary Prevention Project, and the Women's Health Study. ⋯ There was no evidence of statistical bias (p >0.05). Given the study size and cohort, aspirin decreased the risk of CV events in this large patient sample. In conclusion, primary prevention with aspirin decreased the risk of total CHD, nonfatal MI, and total CV events, but there were no significant differences in the incidences of stroke or CV mortality.
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The cost-effectiveness of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) in dyspneic patients in emergency departments (EDs) is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of NT-pro-BNP testing for the evaluation and initial management of patients with dyspnea in the ED setting. A decision model was developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic assessment and patient management guided by NT-pro-BNP, compared with standard clinical assessment. ⋯ In a sensitivity analysis considering mortality, NT-pro-BNP testing was associated with a 1.0% relative reduction in post-discharge mortality. The optimal use of NT-pro-BNP guidance could reduce the use of echocardiography by up to 58%, prevent 13% of initial hospitalizations, and reduce hospital days by 12%. In conclusion, on the basis of this model, the use of NT-pro-BNP in the diagnostic assessment and subsequent management of patients with dyspnea in the ED setting could lead to improved patient care while providing substantial cost savings to the health care system.
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Comparative Study
Role of prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pump in high-risk patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been shown to support patients who are at high risk for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) or becoming hemodynamically unstable during PCI, but the longer term outcomes of these strategies are unknown. This study investigated the outcomes of high-risk patients who received a prophylactic IABP (P-IABP) versus patients who required rescue IABP (R-IABP) because of intraprocedural complications. Clinical outcomes of 68 consecutive patients (69 procedures) who underwent high-risk PCI with P-IABP support were compared with those of 46 patients who required R-IABP. ⋯ The incidence of vascular complications was low and comparable except for more major bleeding (15% vs 3%, p = 0.03) in the R-IABP group. In conclusion, patients who undergo high-risk PCI and then receive P-IABP support have favorable outcomes compared with those who require R-IABP for intraprocedural complications. Therefore, in high-risk patients undergoing PCI, liberal use of a P-IABP should be considered.
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Combined dyslipidemia is the concurrent presence of multiple abnormalities in various lipid subfractions, including elevated concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs), as well as decreased concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines of the US National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) lowered the cut points for classification of TG levels, established non-HDL cholesterol levels as a secondary target of therapy in patients with TGs of >or=2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL), and defined the metabolic syndrome as a secondary target of therapy. Although 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are first-line therapy for most patients with elevated LDL cholesterol, statin monotherapy may not be sufficient to achieve recommended non-HDL cholesterol goals, and statins have only modest effects on reducing TG levels. ⋯ In a number of small studies, the combination of statins and omega-3 fatty acids has been consistently shown to be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for combined dyslipidemia. Patients with recent myocardial infarction may also benefit from this combination. When considering risks and benefits of adding a second agent to statins for treatment of combined dyslipidemia, omega-3 fatty acids provide additional lipid improvements without requiring additional laboratory tests and do not increase risk for adverse muscle or liver effects.