Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Dec 2009
Comparative StudyClinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of coronary computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of patients with chest pain.
The aim of this study was to project clinical outcomes, health care costs, and cost-effectiveness of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), as compared with conventional diagnostic technologies, in the evaluation of patients with stable chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). ⋯ CCTA is comparable to other diagnostic studies and might hold good clinical value, but large randomized controlled trials are needed to guide policy.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Dec 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of intensive statin therapy on clinical outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. PCI-PROVE IT: A PROVE IT-TIMI 22 (Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 22) Substudy.
The goal of this analysis was to determine whether intensive statin therapy, compared with moderate-dose statin therapy, leads to a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ⋯ Among patients with ACS who undergo PCI, intensive statin therapy reduces MACE compared with moderate-dose statin therapy. The reduction in the incidence of TVR was independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein lowering and may therefore be due, at least in part, to a pleiotropic effect of high-dose statin therapy. (PROVE IT-TIMI 22; NCT00382460).
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Dec 2009
Multicenter Study Comparative StudySoluble ST2 for predicting sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
We studied whether the measurement of the soluble form of ST2 (sST2), an interleukin-1 receptor family member, could identify heart failure (HF) patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). ⋯ Elevated sST2 concentrations are predictive of SCD in patients with chronic HF and provide complementary information to NT-proBNP levels. A combined biomarker approach may have an impact on clinical decision-making.