International journal of cardiology
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To determine whether transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) improves (or impairs) follow-up overall survival compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), we performed a meta-analysis of observational studies with a propensity-score analysis and another meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ The arithmetic mean of 3-year survival rates was 71.3% after TAVI and 77.9% after SAVR. Compared with SAVR, TAVI appears to be associated with a significant increase in follow-up all-cause mortality.
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Chest pain patients commonly present to emergency departments (ED), and require either hospital admission and/or lengthy diagnostic protocols to rule-out myocardial infarction. We aimed to identify the best combination of add-on tests to high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnT) for predicting 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in adult chest pain patients presenting to an ED with suspected acute coronary syndrome. ⋯ Appropriate early risk-stratification of patients with chest pain and possible ACS using a combination of ECG and one-time hs-cTnT may improve efficiency of care.
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The effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) on dementia risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension remain unknown. We investigated the effects of ACEIs and ARBs on dementia risk in patients with type 2 DM and hypertension. ⋯ ACEIs and ARBs may effectively prevent all-cause dementia, particularly VD, in patients with type 2 DM and hypertension. Moreover, compared with ACEIs, ARBs appear to be more advantageous in dementia prevention.
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In cardiogenic shock (CS) the Impella CP® device provides a fast available left ventricular circulatory support of up to 4.0L/min. However, the use of the Impella CP® device was not systematically analysed yet. ⋯ Our data could demonstrate that the Impella CP® application in these severely diseased patients is feasible and safe. Compared to the estimated mortality, the 30-day survival seems to be improved.
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Right ventricular (RV) function is a major determinant of outcome in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, uncertainty persists about the optimal method of evaluation. ⋯ RV function to predict outcome in PAH is best evaluated by imaging derived SV/ESV or EF. In this study, there was no added value of invasive measurements or simplified pressure-derived estimates of RV-arterial coupling.