Journal of the American College of Cardiology
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · May 2008
Comparative StudyPro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in acute decompensated heart failure.
The present study sought to evaluate the clinical utility of pro-B-type natriuretic peptides (proBNP) in patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure. ⋯ Admission values of all natriuretic peptides can be used to predict cardiac death and all-cause mortality. A preliminary comparison suggests that discharge values of NT-proBNP have the greatest diagnostic yield for predicting these end points. Further studies should explore the synergistic prognostic potential of all natriuretic peptides.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · May 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialSafety and efficacy of switching from either unfractionated heparin or enoxaparin to bivalirudin in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes managed with an invasive strategy: results from the ACUITY (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage strategY) trial.
The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in patients receiving consistent unfractionated heparin (UFH)/enoxaparin (ENOX) therapy and in those switched at randomization to bivalirudin monotherapy. ⋯ Switching from UFH/ENOX to bivalirudin monotherapy results in comparable ischemic outcomes and an approximately 50% reduction in major bleeding compared with consistent UFH/ENOX plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Patients naive to antithrombin therapy administered bivalirudin monotherapy had a significant reduction in bleeding and similar rates of ischemia compared with naive patients initiated with UFH or ENOX plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Apr 2008
Restrictive annuloplasty for ischemic mitral regurgitation may induce functional mitral stenosis.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate mitral valve hemodynamic performance and functional capacity in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) who underwent restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty (MVA). ⋯ The results suggest that performing a restrictive MVA in patients with ischemic MR may create a functional mitral stenosis. This hemodynamic sequel is associated with higher PAP and a worse functional capacity.