International journal of cardiology
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Use of statins and adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: An analysis from the EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) general registry pilot phase.
Despite oral anticoagulation being highly effective in reducing stroke and thromboembolism, patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) still have a significant residual excess in mortality risk. Additional management strategies are needed to reduce the mortality risk seen in AF patients. ⋯ Statin use in AF patients was associated with improved outcomes, with an independent association with a lower risk of all-cause death at 1-year follow-up.
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Evidence regarding the chemo-protective effects of aspirin has influenced expert opinion in favour of low-dose aspirin use in certain patient populations without cardiovascular disease (CVD). The effects of aspirin in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) may be a large contributor to this favourable risk-benefit profile of low-dose aspirin in primary CVD prevention. ⋯ Among most individuals without established CVD, initiation of low-dose aspirin is associated with a reduced incidence of CRC.
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Intravenous drug challenge is frequently performed to unmask Brugada syndrome (BrS). However, its true sensitivity has never been assessed. We used the obligate BrS transmitters in families affected by BrS to evaluate the true accuracy of drug challenge. ⋯ We demonstrated that Ajmaline challenge presents an excellent sensitivity that may rule out the diagnosis of BrS when negative. Conversely, a negative Flecainide challenge may not prevent from Brs inheritance and risk of SCD. This may lead to suggest systematic use of Ajmaline during drug challenge.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants compared with warfarin at different levels of INR control in atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis of randomized trials.
The efficacy and safety of warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) depend on the time in the therapeutic range (TTR) with an international normalised ratio (INR) of 2.0-3.0. This meta-analysis focused the relative efficacy and safety of non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOAC) compared with warfarin at different thresholds of centre's TTR (cTTR). ⋯ The superiority in efficacy of NOAC compared with warfarin for stroke prevention is lost above a cTTR threshold of approximately 70%, but the relative safety appears to be less modified by the centre-based quality of INR control.