Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2013
Comparative StudyVentricular-arterial coupling, remodeling, and prognosis in chronic heart failure.
The objective of this study was to compare the physiological determinants of ejection fraction (EF)-ventricular size, contractile function, and ventricular-arterial (VA) interaction-and their associations with clinical outcomes in chronic heart failure (HF). ⋯ Left ventricular size, V0, and VA coupling are associated with prognosis in systolic HF, but end-systolic elastance (Eessb) is not. Assessment of VA coupling via Ea/Eessb is an additional noninvasively derived metric that can be used to gauge prognosis in human HF.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2013
Effects of nesiritide and predictors of urine output in acute decompensated heart failure: results from ASCEND-HF (acute study of clinical effectiveness of nesiritide and decompensated heart failure).
This study sought to determine if nesiritide increases diuresis in congestive heart failure patients. ⋯ Nesiritide did not increase urine output in patients with ADHF. Higher diuretic dose was a strong predictor of higher urine output, but neurohormonal activation (as evidenced by blood urea nitrogen concentration) and lower blood pressure limited diuresis.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2013
Clinical TrialThromboembolic complications after cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation: the FinCV (Finnish CardioVersion) study.
This study sought to explore the incidence and risk factors of thromboembolic complications after cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation. ⋯ The incidence of post-cardioversion thromboembolic complications is high in certain subgroups of patients when no anticoagulation is used after cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation. (Safety of Cardioversion of Acute Atrial Fibrillation [FinCV]; NCT01380574).
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2013
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and its relationship with cardiac function in adults with congenital heart disease.
The aim of this study was to determine the value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) and investigate its relationship with ventricular function and exercise capacity. ⋯ NT-proBNP levels in adults with CHD clearly differ by diagnosis and are related to echocardiographic parameters and exercise capacity. Disease-specific correlations contribute to the understanding of the main hemodynamic problems per diagnosis. Follow-up data are needed to elucidate the additional prognostic value.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study of the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). ⋯ On a background of standard treatment, qili qiangxin capsules further reduced the levels of NT-proBNP. Together, our data suggest that qili qiangxin capsules could be used in combination therapy for CHF.