European journal of preventive cardiology
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Trials of weight-loss drugs indicate some benefits on lipids, blood glucose, or blood pressure levels. Since obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) medication use and pharmaceutical costs, weight-loss drug use could beneficially impact CV medication use. ⋯ Our data suggest a potential cost-effectiveness of orlistat, with a reduction in any cardiovascular comedication use over time. By potentially reducing costs of other medications use, orlistat remains as a unique option for tackling the obesity epidemic.
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In 2004, a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) prognosticating algorithm for heart failure (HF) patients was proposed. The algorithm employed a stepwise assessment of peak oxygen consumption (VO2), slope of regression relating minute ventilation to carbon dioxide output (VE/VCO2) and peak respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and was proposed as an alternative to the traditional strategy of using a single CPET parameter to describe prognosis. ⋯ The algorithm comprises four CPET parameters: peak RER, exertional oscillatory ventilation (EOV), peak VO2 and peak systolic blood pressure (SBP). Compared to previous proposals, the present preliminary attempt includes EOV instead of VE/VCO2 slope as ventilatory CPET parameter, and peak SBP as hemodynamic-derived index.
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Professional skills, education and accreditation, along with clinical outcome assessment, are considered important factors to achieve comprehensive delivery and quality of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). This study assessed professional educational programmes, accreditation and use of databases in CR across the European countries. ⋯ More than half of the European countries had developed formal CR educational programmes. Furthermore, many ad-hoc CR-related meetings and conference activities take place across Europe. Although only a quarter of countries had developed accreditation systems aimed at professionals, programme accreditation was somewhat more widespread with over a third having programme accreditation systems. Clinical databases were underdeveloped. A greater focus on education, accreditation and database implementation is needed to promote CR availability and the quality of CR services for the benefit of cardiac patients across Europe.
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The study aims were to validate the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters recommended by the European Society of Cardiology 2008 Guidelines for risk assessment in heart failure (HF) (ESC-predictors) and to verify the predictive role of 11 supplementary CPET (S-predictors) parameters. ⋯ We evaluated the longest list of CPET prognostic parameters yet studied in HF: ESC-predictors were independent predictors of cardiovascular events, and the ESC prototype showed a convincing predictive capacity, whereas none of 11 S-predictors enhanced the prognostic performance, except peak SBP.