International journal of cardiology
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Long-term results from the EARLY study of bosentan in WHO functional class II pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.
The double-blind phase of the EARLY study of bosentan remains the only randomized controlled trial of a PAH-targeted therapy in World Health Organization functional class (FC) II patients. We report on the efficacy, safety, disease worsening, survival and prognostic factors in mildly symptomatic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients treated with bosentan in the open-label extension phase of the EARLY study. ⋯ The majority of patients exposed to long-term bosentan maintained or improved their functional class. Approximately 20% of the patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events, which were most commonly PAH worsening and elevated liver enzymes.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Midregional proadrenomedullin and its change predicts recurrent major coronary events and heart failure in stable coronary heart disease patients: the LIPID study.
Biomarkers may contribute to risk stratification in coronary heart disease (CHD). We examined whether plasma midregional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) concentration at baseline and its change over one year predicts long-term outcomes in stable CHD patients. ⋯ Baseline and change in MR-proADM concentrations over one year are associated with risk of major clinical events, even after adjustment for BNP concentrations.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy and safety of high dose versus low dose furosemide with or without dopamine infusion: the Dopamine in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure II (DAD-HF II) trial.
The role of low-dose dopamine infusion in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) remains controversial. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high- versus low-dose furosemide with or without low-dose dopamine infusion in this patient population. ⋯ In ADHF patients, there were no significant differences in the in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes between high- vs. low-dose furosemide infusion; the addition of low-dose dopamine infusion was not associated with any beneficial effects.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation and prior coronary artery disease: insights from the ARISTOTLE trial.
A substantial portion of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) also have coronary artery disease (CAD) and are at risk for coronary events. Warfarin is known to reduce these events, but increase the risk of bleeding. We assessed the effects of apixaban compared with warfarin in AF patients with and without prior CAD. ⋯ In patients with AF, apixaban more often prevented stroke or systemic embolism and death and caused less bleeding than warfarin, regardless of the presence of prior CAD. Given the common occurrence of AF and CAD and the higher rates of cardiovascular events and death, our results indicate that apixaban may be a better treatment option than warfarin for these high-risk patients.
-
Letter Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Prasugrel versus ticagrelor in acute coronary syndrome: a randomized comparison.