International journal of cardiology
-
Comparative Study
Efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel with different dosage in high-risk patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Dual antiplatelet therapy is recommended as a standard antiplatelet strategy in acute coronary syndrome. For those with reduced pharmacologic response to clopidogrel, strengthening antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel 150mg daily) may reduce adverse clinical events. Ticagrelor is a direct-acting inhibitor of the adenosine diphosphate receptor P2Y12 that has a more rapid onset and offset than clopidogrel. ⋯ In patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI, the rate of in-stent thrombosis and TVR were significantly reduced treated with ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel 75mg daily, without an increase of overall major bleeding, but with an increase of minor bleeding.
-
Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) occurs in some patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We evaluated the characteristics of cardiac dysfunction in patients with PAH complicated by PAA. ⋯ In PAH patients with PAA, RV was larger and RV dysfunction was more severe, and LV diastolic dysfunction appeared. It is important to investigate the appearance of PAA and the severity of RV and LV dysfunction in PAH patients with PAA.
-
Editorial Review
Obstructive sleep apnea and arrhythmia: A systemic review.
There is a growing consensus in the scientific community that suggests a strong association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular (CVD) conditions and events, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, arrhythmia, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. We reviewed evidence on the relationship between OSA and arrhythmia. ⋯ Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) appears to reduce the CVD consequences of OSA. Future research is expected to clarify the benefits and optimal application of these treatment approaches.
-
Comparative Study
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T levels in the emergency department in patients with chest pain but no myocardial infarction.
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) was recently introduced into clinical practice. The increased sensitivity has decreased the specificity. We aimed to determine the predictors for and prevalence of hs-cTnT levels above the 99th percentile in a stable population of patients without myocardial infarction (MI) who sought medical attention for chest pain in the emergency department. ⋯ A hs-cTnT level above the 99th percentile in patients with chest pain but no MI is common and is related to sex, age, and eGFR.
-
The outcome of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) has improved thanks to left atrium (LA) anatomy reconstruction by cardiac computed tomography (CCT). A new model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm (MBIR) provides image noise reduction achieving effective radiation dose (ED) close to chest X-ray exposure. Aim of this study was comparing RFCA procedural characteristics, AF recurrence and radiation exposure between patients in whom RFCA was guided by CCT image integration with MBIR versus a CCT standard protocol. ⋯ CCT with MBIR allows accurate reconstruction of LA anatomy in AF patients undergoing RFCA with a sub-millisievert ED and comparable success rate of RFCA as compared to a standard CCT scan protocol.