Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jan 2002
Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis of randomized and registry comparisons of ticlopidine with clopidogrel after stenting.
We sought to determine whether clopidogrel is at least as efficacious as ticlopidine. ⋯ Based on all available evidence from randomized clinical trials or registries, clopidogrel, in addition to better tolerability and fewer side effects, is at least as efficacious as ticlopidine in reducing MACE. This finding may be due to the more rapid onset of an antiplatelet effect seen with the loading dose of clopidogrel, which was used in most of these studies, or to better patient compliance with clopidogrel therapy. Therefore, clopidogrel plus aspirin should replace ticlopidine plus aspirin as the standard antiplatelet regimen after stent deployment.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Feb 2001
Meta AnalysisSingle oral loading dose of propafenone for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation.
The efficacy and safety of the single dose oral loading regimen of propafenone for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AFib) was evaluated by analyzing the trials on the subject identified through a comprehensive literature search. Most of the trials used a single dose of 600 mg for oral loading. The success rates ranged from 56% to 83%, depending on the duration of AFib and follow-up after drug administration. ⋯ The transient arrhythmias were chiefly at the time of conversion and included appearance of atrial flutter, bradycardia, pauses and junctional rhythm. No life-threatening proarrhythmic adverse effects were reported. The single oral loading dose of propafenone appears to be highly effective for conversion of recent-onset AFib, with a relatively rapid effect within 2 to 3 h and freedom from serious adverse effects.