Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialLong-term cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel given for up to one year in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation.
We sought to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel for up to one year after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without ST-segment elevation. ⋯ Platelet inhibition with clopidogrel in patients for up to one year after presentation with an acute coronary syndrome is both effective and cost-effective.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Mar 2005
Quantitation of mitral valve tenting in ischemic mitral regurgitation by transthoracic real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.
We sought to investigate the geometric changes of the mitral leaflets and annulus, clarify the maximum tenting site of the leaflets, and quantify the valve tenting in ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. ⋯ We clearly demonstrated 3D geometric deformity of the mitral leaflets and annulus in ischemic MR using novel software for creating images by 3D echocardiography. This technique will be helpful in making a proper decision for the surgical strategy in each patient.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Mar 2005
A novel tool to assess systolic asynchrony and identify responders of cardiac resynchronization therapy by tissue synchronization imaging.
This study was designed to investigate if tissue synchronization imaging (TSI) is useful to identify regional wall delay and predict left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). ⋯ Tissue synchronization imaging allows quick evaluation of regional wall delay, and combined with Ts-SD-12-ejection provides a reliable way of predicting reverse remodeling after CRT.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialAngiotensin II receptor blockade reduces new-onset atrial fibrillation and subsequent stroke compared to atenolol: the Losartan Intervention For End Point Reduction in Hypertension (LIFE) study.
This study was designed to evaluate whether different antihypertensive treatment regimens with similar blood pressure reduction have different effects on new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ Our novel finding is that new-onset AF and associated stroke were significantly reduced by losartan- compared to atenolol-based antihypertensive treatment with similar blood pressure reduction.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffect of lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin on atherosclerotic aortic plaques detected by noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging.
We sought to elucidate the effects of 20-mg versus 5-mg atorvastatin on thoracic and abdominal aortic plaques. ⋯ One-year 20-mg atorvastatin treatment induced regression of thoracic aortic plaques with marked LDL cholesterol reduction, whereas it resulted in only retardation of plaque progression in abdominal aorta. Thoracic and abdominal aortic plaques may have different susceptibilities to lipid lowering.