Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2003
Comparative StudyEffect of body mass index on early outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.
This study sought to quantify the effect of body mass index (BMI) on early clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). ⋯ Underweight patients undergoing CABG have a higher risk of death or complications than normal weight patients. Obesity does not affect the risk of perioperative death and other adverse outcomes compared to normal weight, yet obese patients appear less likely to be selected for surgery than normal weight patients.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2003
Comparative StudyBrain natriuretic peptide and n-terminal brain natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with acute shortness of breath.
This study sought to compare the utility of measurement of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in patients with acute dyspnea. ⋯ Measurement of BNP or N-BNP is useful in the diagnosis of HF in acute dyspnea. Commercially available assays compare favorably with well-validated laboratory assays. Differences in sensitivity and specificity may influence the assay choice in this setting.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2003
Echocardiographic prediction of left ventricular dysfunction after mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation as an indicator to decide the optimal timing of repair.
This study sought to determine whether echocardiography before mitral valve repair (MVR) for mitral regurgitation (MR) was predictive of postoperative left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and useful for deciding the optimal timing of repair. ⋯ In patients with MR, the echocardiographic data of LVEF and LVDs were good predictors of postoperative LV dysfunction. When a decrease in LVEF or an increase in LVDs is detected, MVR should be considered to preserve postoperative LV function.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2003
Comparative StudyTriphasic waveforms are superior to biphasic waveforms for transthoracic defibrillation: experimental studies.
Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of triphasic waveforms for transthoracic defibrillation in a swine model. ⋯ Triphasic transthoracic shocks composed of equal duration pulses were superior to biphasic shocks for VF termination at low energies and caused less VT and asystole.