Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyClinical efficacy of ivabradine in patients with inappropriate sinus tachycardia: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover evaluation.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of ivabradine in the treatment of symptomatic inappropriate sinus tachycardia using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. ⋯ In this cohort, ivabradine significantly improved symptoms associated with inappropriate sinus tachycardia and completely eliminated them in approximately half of the patients. These findings suggest that ivabradine may be an important agent for improving symptoms in patients with inappropriate sinus tachycardia.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2012
ReviewUpdated standardized endpoint definitions for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 consensus document.
The aim of the current Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 initiative was to revisit the selection and definitions of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) clinical endpoints to make them more suitable to the present and future needs of clinical trials. In addition, this document is intended to expand the understanding of patient risk stratification and case selection. ⋯ This VARC-2 document has provided further standardization of endpoint definitions for studies evaluating the use of TAVI, which will lead to improved comparability and interpretability of the study results, supplying an increasingly growing body of evidence with respect to TAVI and/or surgical aortic valve replacement. This initiative and document can furthermore be used as a model during current endeavors of applying definitions to other transcatheter valve therapies (for example, mitral valve repair).
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2012
Galectin-3, a marker of cardiac fibrosis, predicts incident heart failure in the community.
The aim of this study was to examine the relation of galectin-3 (Gal-3), a marker of cardiac fibrosis, with incident heart failure (HF) in the community. ⋯ Higher concentration of Gal-3, a marker of cardiac fibrosis, is associated with increased risk for incident HF and mortality. Future studies evaluating the role of Gal-3 in cardiac remodeling may provide further insights into the role of Gal-3 in the pathophysiology of HF.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2012
Statins, risk of diabetes, and implications on outcomes in the general population.
This study aimed to evaluate the association of statin exposure and incident diabetes, and subsequent outcomes in the general population. ⋯ Risk of diabetes was increased after statins, but outcomes were favorable.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Oct 2012
Comparative StudyReduction in mortality as a result of direct transport from the field to a receiving center for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
This study sought to determine whether mortality complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was impacted by the design of transport systems. ⋯ A STEMI system allowing EMS to transport patients directly to a primary PCI center was associated with a significant reduction in mortality. Our results support the concept of STEMI systems that include pre-hospital referral by EMS.