Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2001
Metoprolol controlled release/extended release in patients with severe heart failure: analysis of the experience in the MERIT-HF study.
This study analyzed the effect of the beta(1)-selective beta-blocker metoprolol succinate controlled release/extended release (CR/XL) once daily on mortality, hospitalizations and tolerability in patients with severe heart failure. ⋯ This subgroup analysis of the MERIT-HF study shows that patients with severe heart failure receive a similar mortality benefit and a similar reduction in hospitalizations for worsening heart failure with metoprolol CR/XL treatment as those patients included in the total study.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2001
Prognostic value of serum cardiac troponin I in ambulatory patients with chronic renal failure undergoing long-term hemodialysis: a two-year outcome analysis.
We sought to evaluate the prognostic value of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in asymptomatic, ambulatory patients with chronic renal failure treated with long-term hemodialysis. ⋯ Cardiac troponin I has a limited role in predicting mortality and hospital admissions in asymptomatic patients with chronic renal failure treated with long-term hemodialysis.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2001
Pause-dependent torsade de pointes following acute myocardial infarction: a variant of the acquired long QT syndrome.
We report on a previously unrecognized form of the long QT syndrome (QT interval prolongation and pause-dependent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia [VT]) entirely related to myocardial infarction (MI). ⋯ Infarct-related torsade de pointes is uncommon but potentially lethal. An acquired long QT syndrome should be considered in patients recovering from MI who experience polymorphic VT as specific therapeutic measures are mandatory.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2001
ReviewThe evolving management of acute right-sided heart failure in cardiac transplant recipients.
Avoidance of the clinical syndrome of acute right-sided heart failure after heart transplantation is, unfortunately, not possible. Clinical experience and the literature certainly suggest that a significant factor in the successful management of right ventricular (RV) failure is recipient selection. Moreover, threshold hemodynamic values beyond which RV failure is certain to occur and heart transplantation is contraindicated do not exist. ⋯ Optimal LV function reduces RV afterload and PVR. A proactive decision regarding RV assist device implantation is made before leaving the operating room and is highly dependent upon overall hemodynamics, size and function of the ventricles as seen on transesophageal echocardiography, renal function and surgical bleeding. Only through careful preoperative planning can this life-threatening condition be managed in the postoperative period.