Circulation. Heart failure
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In heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), feasible surrogate end points are needed for phase II trials. The aim was to assess whether a reduction in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is associated with improved mortality/morbidity in an unselected population of HFmrEF and HFpEF patients. ⋯ In HFmrEF and HFpEF during routine care, decreases in NT-proBNP were associated with improved mortality and morbidity. Studies to determine whether NT-proBNP changes in response to therapy predict drug efficacy are needed.
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Despite the ability of left ventricular assist device as destination therapy (DT-LVAD) to prolong survival for many patients with advanced heart failure, little is known about the eventual end-of-life care that patients with DT-LVAD receive. ⋯ In contrast to the general heart failure population, most patients with DT-LVAD die in the hospital and few use hospice. Further work is needed to understand these differences and to determine whether patients with DT-LVAD are receiving optimal end-of-life care.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan in the PARADIGM-HF Trial (Prospective Comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) According to Background Therapy.
In the PARADIGM-HF trial (Prospective Comparison of ARNI with ACEI to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure), the angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan was more effective than the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorenalapril in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. We examined whether this benefit was consistent irrespective of background therapy. ⋯ URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01035255.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Hypochloremia, Diuretic Resistance, and Outcome in Patients With Acute Heart Failure.
Chloride plays a role in renal salt sensing, neurohormonal activation, and regulation of diuretic targets, and hypochloremia predicts mortality in acute heart failure (AHF). AHF therapies, such as diuretics, alter chloride homeostasis. We studied the association between (changes in) chloride levels and diuretic responsiveness, decongestion, and mortality in patients with AHF. ⋯ URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00354458.