Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Alterations in left ventricular structure and function in young healthy obese women: assessment by echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging.
This study was designed to determine the effects of obesity on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in young obese women. ⋯ Obesity in young otherwise-healthy women is associated with concentric LV remodeling and decreased systolic and diastolic function. These early abnormalities in LV structure and function may have important implications for explaining the myocardial dysfunction that is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality caused by obesity.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Constrictive pericarditis: etiology and cause-specific survival after pericardiectomy.
We sought to determine the association of etiology of constrictive pericarditis (CP), pericardial calcification (CA), and other clinical variables with long-term survival after pericardiectomy. ⋯ Long-term survival after pericardiectomy for CP is related to underlying etiology, LV systolic function, renal function, serum sodium, and PAP. The relatively good survival with idiopathic CP emphasizes the safety of pericardiectomy in this subgroup.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEconomic analysis of a transesophageal echocardiography-guided approach to cardioversion of patients with atrial fibrillation: the ACUTE economic data at eight weeks.
The aim of this study was to compare the relative cost of a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided strategy versus conventional strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) >2 days duration undergoing electrical cardioversion over an eight-week period. ⋯ In patients with AF >2 days duration undergoing electrical cardioversion, the TEE-guided group showed little difference in patient costs compared with the conventional group. The TEE strategy had higher initial treatment costs but lower outcome-associated costs. Cumulative costs were 24% higher in the conventional group, primarily due to bleeding. The TEE-guided strategy is an economically feasible approach compared with the conventional strategy.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study: approaches to control rate in atrial fibrillation.
We sought to evaluate approaches used to control rate, the effectiveness of rate control, and switches from one drug class to another in the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study. ⋯ Rate control in AF is possible in the majority of patients with AF. Beta-blockers were the most effective drugs. To achieve the goal of adequate rate control in all patients, frequent medication changes and drug combinations were needed.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2004
Comparative StudyThe effects of biphasic waveform design on post-resuscitation myocardial function.
This study examined the effects of biphasic truncated exponential waveform design on survival and post-resuscitation myocardial function after prolonged ventricular fibrillation (VF). ⋯ Maximum survival and minimum myocardial dysfunction were observed with the low-capacitance 150-J waveform, which delivered higher peak current while minimizing energy and average current.