Journal of the American College of Cardiology
-
Atrioventricular valve failure (moderate or greater regurgitation, or valve operation) is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients undergoing Fontan palliation. ⋯ Atrioventricular valve failure occurs frequently in patients undergoing Fontan palliation. Patients with valve failure are twice as likely to have their Fontan circulation fail than those without valve failure.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Feb 2019
Meta AnalysisLeft Ventricular Unloading During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock.
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a widely used form of mechanical circulatory support in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. A common drawback of this modality is a resultant increase in left ventricular afterload. ⋯ In observational studies, left ventricular unloading was associated with decreased mortality in adult patients with cardiogenic shock treated with VA-ECMO. In the absence of prospective randomized data, left ventricular unloading may be considered for appropriately selected patients undergoing VA-ECMO support.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Feb 2019
ReviewAtrial Fibrillation and Cognitive Function: JACC Review Topic of the Week.
Numerous vascular risk factors and vascular diseases contribute to cognitive impairment and dementia. Many studies and registries show an association of atrial fibrillation (AF) with cognitive impairment, cognitive decline, and dementia. This is true for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. ⋯ A number of retrospective observational and prospective studies support that anticoagulation in patients with AF may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This holds for both vitamin K antagonists (e.g., warfarin) and direct oral anticoagulants. However, it still remains unproven if anticoagulation reduces cognitive decline and dementia in AF patients based on randomized trials.