Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA randomized trial of aspirin on the risk of embolic events in patients with infective endocarditis.
This study examined the effect of aspirin on the risk of embolic events in infective endocarditis (IE). ⋯ In endocarditis patients already receiving antibiotic treatment, the addition of aspirin does not appear to reduce the risk of embolic events and is likely associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Aspirin is not indicated in the early management of patients with IE.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialBeraprost therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the oral prostacyclin analogue beraprost sodium during a 12-month double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). ⋯ These data suggest that beneficial effects may occur during early phases of treatment with beraprost in WHO functional class II or III patients but that this effect attenuates with time.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyBedside B-Type natriuretic peptide in the emergency diagnosis of heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction. Results from the Breathing Not Properly Multinational Study.
This study examines B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with systolic versus non-systolic dysfunction presenting with shortness of breath. ⋯ We conclude that NS-CHF is common in the setting of the ED and that differentiating NS-CHF from S-CHF is difficult in this setting using traditional parameters. Whereas BNP add modest discriminatory value in differentiating NS-CHF from S-CHF, its major role is still the separation of patients with CHF from those without CHF.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jun 2003
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyContemporary utilization and outcomes of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in acute myocardial infarction: the benchmark registry.
We sought to examine contemporary utilization patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) requiring intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation. ⋯ With contemporary advances in device technology, insertion technique, and operator experience, IABP counterpulsation may be successfully employed for a wide variety of conditions in the AMI setting, providing significant hemodynamic support with rare major complications in a high-risk patient population.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · May 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialRandomized trial of rate-control versus rhythm-control in persistent atrial fibrillation: the Strategies of Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (STAF) study.
This study was designed to compare two treatment strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF): rhythm-control (restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm) and rate-control (pharmacologic or invasive rate-control and anticoagulation). ⋯ The STAF pilot study showed no differences between the two treatment strategies in all end points except hospitalizations. These data suggest that there was no benefit in attempting rhythm-control in these patients with a high risk of arrhythmia recurrence. It remains unclear whether the results in the rhythm-control group would have been better if sinus rhythm had been maintained in a higher proportion of patients, as all but one end point occurred during AF.