Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Comparative StudyTroponin as a risk factor for mortality in critically ill patients without acute coronary syndromes.
We sought to assess the mechanism and prognostic value of elevated troponins in patients without acute coronary syndromes (ACS). ⋯ Elevated troponin is a mortality risk factor for medical intensive care patients admitted for reasons other than ACS. It is associated with decreased left ventricular function and higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyContemporary utilization and outcomes of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in acute myocardial infarction: the benchmark registry.
We sought to examine contemporary utilization patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) requiring intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation. ⋯ With contemporary advances in device technology, insertion technique, and operator experience, IABP counterpulsation may be successfully employed for a wide variety of conditions in the AMI setting, providing significant hemodynamic support with rare major complications in a high-risk patient population.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Nonsurgical transthoracic epicardial radiofrequency ablation: an alternative in incessant ventricular tachycardia.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of epicardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients with incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT). ⋯ In patients with incessant VT despite the use of drugs or standard EdA, the epicardial approach was very effective and should be considered as an alternative in this life-threatening situation.