Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Nov 2013
Comparative StudyWearable cardioverter-defibrillator use in patients perceived to be at high risk early post-myocardial infarction.
The aim of this study was to describe usage of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) during mandated waiting periods following myocardial infarction (MI) for patients perceived to be at high risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). ⋯ During the 40-day and 3-month waiting periods in patients post-MI, the WCD successfully treated SCA in 1.4%, and the risk was highest in the first month of WCD use. The WCD may benefit individual patients selected for high risk of SCA early post-MI.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Nov 2013
CommentSelective heart rate reduction with ivabradine unloads the left ventricle in heart failure patients.
The study aimed to determine whether isolated heart rate (HR) reduction with ivabradine reduces afterload of patients with systolic heart failure. ⋯ Isolated HR reduction by ivabradine improves TAC, thus reducing Ea. Because Ees is unaltered, improved ventricular-arterial coupling is responsible for increased SV. Therefore, unloading of the heart may contribute to the beneficial effect of isolated HR reduction in patients with systolic heart failure.