Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2014
Review Meta AnalysisVery low levels of atherogenic lipoproteins and the risk for cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis of statin trials.
Levels of atherogenic lipoproteins achieved with statin therapy are highly variable, but the consequence of this variability for cardiovascular disease risk is not well-documented. ⋯ The reductions of LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and apoB levels achieved with statin therapy displayed large interindividual variation. Among trial participants treated with high-dose statin therapy, >40% did not reach an LDL-C target <70 mg/dl. Patients who achieve very low LDL-C levels have a lower risk for major cardiovascular events than do those achieving moderately low levels.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Aug 2014
ReviewD-transposition of the great arteries: the current era of the arterial switch operation.
This paper aims to update clinicians on "hot topics" in the management of patients with D-loop transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) in the current surgical era. The arterial switch operation (ASO) has replaced atrial switch procedures for D-TGA, and 90% of patients now reach adulthood. ⋯ In simple D-TGA: 1) familial recurrence risk is low; 2) children diagnosed pre-natally have improved cognitive skills compared with those diagnosed post-natally; 3) echocardiography helps to identify risk factors; 4) routine use of BAS and prostaglandin E1 may not be indicated in all cases; 5) early ASO improves outcomes and reduces costs with a low mortality; 6) single or intramural coronary arteries remain risk factors; 7) post-ASO arrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction should raise suspicion of coronary insufficiency; 8) coronary insufficiency and arrhythmias are rare but are associated with sudden death; 9) early- and late-onset ND abnormalities are common; 10) aortic regurgitation and aortic root dilation are well tolerated; and 11) the aging ASO patient may benefit from "exercise-prescription" rather than restriction. Significant strides have been made in understanding risk factors for cardiac, ND, and other important clinical outcomes after ASO.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jul 2014
Multicenter StudyTrends in acute myocardial infarction in young patients and differences by sex and race, 2001 to 2010.
Various national campaigns launched in recent years have focused on young women with acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs). Contemporary longitudinal data about sex differences in clinical characteristics, hospitalization rates, length of stay (LOS), and mortality have not been examined. ⋯ AMI hospitalization rates for young people have not declined over the past decade. Young women with AMIs have more comorbidity, longer LOS, and higher in-hospital mortality than young men, although their mortality rates are decreasing.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Jul 2014
Meta AnalysisAlcohol consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation: a prospective study and dose-response meta-analysis.
Although high alcohol consumption has been associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), the role of light to moderate drinking remains unclear. ⋯ These findings indicate that alcohol consumption, even at moderate intakes, is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation.