Clinical cardiology
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Clinical cardiology · Oct 2020
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyBioprosthetic vs mechanical mitral valve replacement for infective endocarditis in patients aged 50 to 69 years.
The optimal choice of the valve prosthesis in mitral valve replacement (MVR) for infective endocarditis (IE) is controversial and challenging, particularly for younger patients. ⋯ Mechanical valve prostheses were associated with better survival, lower rates of reoperation compared with bioprostheses within 15 years after MVR in IE patients aged 50 to 69. These findings suggest mechanical valve prostheses may be a more reasonable alternative to bioprostheses in this patient group.
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Clinical cardiology · Oct 2020
Canakinumab to reduce deterioration of cardiac and respiratory function in SARS-CoV-2 associated myocardial injury with heightened inflammation (canakinumab in Covid-19 cardiac injury: The three C study).
In patients with Covid-19, myocardial injury and increased inflammation are associated with morbidity and mortality. We designed a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether treatment with canakinumab prevents progressive respiratory failure and worsening cardiac dysfunction in patients with SARS-CoV2 infection, myocardial injury, and high levels of inflammation. ⋯ The three C study will provide insights regarding whether IL-1β inhibition may improve outcomes in patients with SARS-CoV2 associated myocardial injury and increased inflammation.
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Clinical cardiology · Oct 2020
Multicenter Study Observational Study"Missing" acute coronary syndrome hospitalizations during the COVID-19 era in Greece: Medical care avoidance combined with a true reduction in incidence?
Reports from countries severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic suggest a decline in acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-related hospitalizations. The generalizability of this observation on ACS admissions and possible related causes in countries with low COVID-19 incidence are not known. ⋯ We observed a reduction in ACS hospitalizations during the COVID-19 outbreak in a country with strict social measures, low community transmission, and no excess in mortality. Medical care avoidance behavior is an important factor for these observations, while a true reduction of the ACS incidence due to self-isolation/quarantining may have also played a role.