The American journal of cardiology
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Nicorandil is a new compound that has shown potent vasodilator activities on venous and arterial beds in experimental pharmacology. This study was designed to evaluate the magnitude and the time course of hemodynamic effects of different doses of nicorandil in congestive heart failure. Eleven patients with severe congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV), with a cardiac index less than 3 liters/min/m2 and a pulmonary wedge pressure greater than 15 mm Hg were enrolled in the study. ⋯ Calculated systemic vascular resistances decreased by 36 +/- 6% and heart rate did not significantly change. Nicorandil was well tolerated. Thus, the results of this first study of nicorandil in congestive heart failure demonstrated the unloading action of this compound on the failing heart, leading to an improvement in cardiac function; further investigation of nicorandil in this therapeutic area is needed.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Clinical characteristics and natural history of survivors of pulmonary congestion during acute myocardial infarction. The Multicenter Postinfarction Research Group.
Although pulmonary congestion during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is recognized as an important adverse event, the detailed clinical features, natural history and predictive value of standard diagnostic tests in such patients have not been well characterized. As part of a multicenter prospective postinfarction trial, 123 patients with pulmonary congestion during AMI, who survived and were discharged from the coronary care unit, were studied. These patients were compared with similar patients who did not develop pulmonary congestion. ⋯ In patients with pulmonary congestion, ejection fraction (dichotomized at 30%) and exercise testing were the most discriminating tests in risk stratification. An ejection fraction greater than 30% and completion of the exercise test was associated with a 7% mortality while an ejection fraction less than 30% and inability to take or complete the exercise test was associated with a 44% 1-year mortality. A greater incidence of reinfarction, ischemia during exercise and ischemic events at the time of death in the pulmonary congestion group suggests that ischemia may be an important factor in this high risk category.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy and safety of intravenous diltiazem for treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. The Diltiazem-Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Study Group.
This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of intravenous diltiazem for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. A double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled protocol was used, and 6 large, urban hospitals, both university-affiliated and private, participated. The study involved 113 patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter, a ventricular rate greater than or equal to 120 beats/min and systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg without severe heart failure. ⋯ Thus, intravenous diltiazem was rapidly effective for slowing the ventricular response in most patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Blood pressure decreased slightly. Side effects were mild.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Evaluation by exercise Doppler echocardiography of maintenance of cardiac output during ventricular pacing with or without chronotropic response.
To examine the effectiveness of activity-initiated rate-responsive pacing, this study assessed the increases in stroke volume and cardiac output during randomized treadmill exercise in rate-responsive and fixed-rate ventricular (VVI) pacing in 10 patients. Stroke volume index and cardiac index were determined by suprasternal Doppler measurements. ⋯ These findings indicate that VVI pacing increased stroke volume more than did rate-responsive pacing, especially in younger patients, but the increase in cardiac output was less than that seen with rate-responsive pacing due to the absence of chronotropic response. Accordingly, an activity-sensing, rate-responsive pacemaker can effectively increase the heart rate, significantly augment cardiac output and extend the duration of exercise.