The Canadian journal of cardiology
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Review Meta Analysis
Transcatheter vs Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis in Low-Intermediate Risk Patients: A Meta-analysis.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as the treatment of choice for patients with severe aortic stenosis at high surgical risk; the role of TAVR compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in the low-intermediate surgical risk population remains uncertain. Our primary objective was to determine differences in 30-day and late mortality in patients treated with TAVR compared with SAVR at low-intermediate risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality < 10%). ⋯ Although there was no difference in 30-day and late mortality, the rate of complications differed between TAVR and SAVR in the low-intermediate surgical risk population.
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Few topics in adult congenital heart disease have approached the level of scrutiny bestowed on pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) strategies late after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. Despite the successes of primary surgery for TOF, there is a growing group of adults with residual right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary valve dysfunction. Patients with residual chronic pulmonic regurgitation as a consequence of earlier surgery can later develop symptoms of exercise intolerance and complications including heart failure, tachyarrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. ⋯ Surgical PVR and percutaneous pulmonary valve intervention are different techniques with specific advantages and disadvantages that require careful consideration for each individual patient, alongside the need for requisite reinterventions over the course of a patient's lifetime. Criteria pertaining to referral strategies are ever being refined as newer technologies for percutaneous therapies continue to evolve. In this article we review the literature surrounding the indications for, the optimal timing of, and the approaches to pulmonary valve procedures in adults with previously repaired TOF.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational Study
Comparative Evaluation of 2-Hour Rapid Diagnostic Algorithms for Acute Myocardial Infarction Using High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T.
Symptoms of acute coronary syndrome account for a large proportion of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. High-sensitivity troponin can rapidly rule out or rule in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within a short time of ED arrival. We sought to validate test characteristics and classification performance of 2-hour high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) algorithms for the rapid diagnosis of AMI. ⋯ Two-hour hsTnT algorithms can rule out AMI with very high sensitivity and NPV. The algorithm developed by Reichlin et al. had superior classification performance. Reichlin and colleagues' 2-hour rule-in algorithm had poor positive predictive value and might not be suitable for early rule-in decision-making.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Cost of Cardiac Surgery in Frail Compared With Nonfrail Older Adults.
Frailty is a risk factor for mortality, morbidity, and prolonged length of stay after cardiac surgery, all of which are major drivers of hospitalization costs. The incremental hospitalization costs incurred in frail patients have yet to be elucidated. ⋯ Frailty is associated with a marked increase in hospitalization costs after cardiac surgery, an effect that persists after adjusting for age, sex, surgery type, and surgical risk score. Further efforts are needed to optimize care and resource use in this vulnerable population.
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Long-term aspirin prevents vascular events but is only modestly effective. Rivaroxaban alone or in combination with aspirin might be more effective than aspirin alone for vascular prevention in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). Rivaroxaban as well as aspirin increase upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and this might be prevented by proton pump inhibitor therapy. ⋯ COMPASS will provide information on the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban, alone or in combination with aspirin, in the long-term management of patients with stable CAD or PAD, and on the efficacy and safety of pantoprazole in preventing upper GI complications in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy.