Journal of the American College of Cardiology
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Dec 2013
Patient and hospital characteristics associated with inappropriate percutaneous coronary interventions.
This study sought to examine whether rates of inappropriate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) differ by demographic characteristics and insurance status. ⋯ For nonacute indications, PCIs categorized as inappropriate were more commonly performed in men, whites, and those who had private insurance. Higher rates of PCI in these patient populations may, in part, be due to procedural overuse.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Dec 2013
The complex nature of discordant severe calcified aortic valve disease grading: new insights from combined Doppler echocardiographic and computed tomographic study.
With concomitant Doppler echocardiography and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) measuring aortic valve calcification (AVC) load, this study aimed at defining: 1) independent physiologic/structural determinants of aortic valve area (AVA)/mean gradient (MG) relationship; 2) AVC thresholds best associated with severe aortic stenosis (AS); and 3) whether, in AS with discordant MG, severe calcified aortic valve disease is generally detected. ⋯ Among patients with AS, MG is often discordant from AVA and is determined by multiple factors, valvular (AVC) and non-valvular (arterial compliance) independently of flow. The AVC-load by MDCT, strongly associated with AS severity, allows diagnosis of severe calcified aortic valve disease. At least one-half of the patients with discordant low gradient present with heavy AVC-load reflective of severe calcified aortic valve disease, emphasizing the clinical yield of AVC quantification by MDCT to diagnose and manage these complex patients.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Dec 2013
Consensus and update on the definition of on-treatment platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate associated with ischemia and bleeding.
Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor blocker is a key strategy to reduce platelet reactivity and to prevent thrombotic events in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. In an earlier consensus document, we proposed cutoff values for high on-treatment platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) associated with post-percutaneous coronary intervention ischemic events for various platelet function tests (PFTs). Updated American and European practice guidelines have issued a Class IIb recommendation for PFT to facilitate the choice of P2Y12 receptor inhibitor in selected high-risk patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, although routine testing is not recommended (Class III). ⋯ Therefore, a therapeutic window concept has been proposed for P2Y12 inhibitor therapy. In this updated consensus document, we review the available evidence addressing the relation of platelet reactivity to thrombotic and bleeding events. In addition, we propose cutoff values for high and low on-treatment platelet reactivity to ADP that might be used in future investigations of personalized antiplatelet therapy.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Dec 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialMipomersen, an apolipoprotein B synthesis inhibitor, reduces atherogenic lipoproteins in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia at high cardiovascular risk: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
This study sought to examine the efficacy and safety of mipomersen for reducing atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins in patients with hypercholesterolemia. ⋯ Mipomersen significantly reduced LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a) in patients with hypercholesterolemia with, or at risk for, coronary heart disease not controlled by existing therapies. (Safety and Efficacy of Mipomersen [ISIS 301012] as Add-On Therapy in High Risk Hypercholesterolemic Patients; NCT00770146).
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Dec 2013
Review Meta AnalysisDoes ascorbic acid protect against contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary angiography: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.
This study sought to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the use of ascorbic acid with placebo or other treatment options for the treatment of contrast induced-acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. ⋯ Ascorbic acid provides effective nephroprotection against CI-AKI and may form a part of effective prophylactic pharmacological regimens.