The Canadian journal of cardiology
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Review
Combination Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Combination therapy (CT) for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been recommended for many years, despite weak evidence of efficacy over monotherapy (MT). A previous meta-analysis comparing CT vs MT with pulmonary vasodilators failed to demonstrate a clear reduction in clinical worsening events. ⋯ In this highly comprehensive meta-analysis, CT reduces the risk of CCW events in patients with PAH and brings physiological improvement.
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Observational Study
NT-proBNP Indicates Left Ventricular Impairment and Adverse Clinical Outcome in Patients With Tetralogy of Fallot and Pulmonary Regurgitation.
The goal of this study was to interrelate N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-derived ventricular function, mass, and volumes in adults with pulmonary regurgitation after Fallot repair and to evaluate the prognostic relevance of these parameters regarding adverse clinical outcome. ⋯ Even in mildly symptomatic patients with pulmonary regurgitation after Fallot repair NT-proBNP is a strong predictor of adverse outcome. It is rather associated with LV but not with RV impairment. In severe pulmonary regurgitation an increase in the level of NT-proBNP and LV impairment seem to provide additional useful information for the timing of pulmonary valve replacement.
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Advanced heart failure (HF) therapies are focused on extending life and improving function. In contrast, palliative care is a holistic approach that focuses on symptom alleviation and patients' physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. HF clinicians can integrate palliative care strategies by incorporating several important components of planning and decision-making for HF patients. ⋯ Such decisions also should include a discussion of palliative management, as an alternative to intervention and also as an option for managing symptoms or adverse events after intervention. Palliative care, including FCP and SDM, should be integrated into the course of all patients with advanced HF. Clinicians who provide HF care should acquire the skills necessary for conducting FCP and SDM discussions.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Relevance for Risk Stratification.
Although the prognostic value of right ventricular dysfunction in chronic heart failure (HF) has been studied extensively, it remains insufficiently characterized in the setting of acute decompensated HF (ADHF). We sought to assess whether measurement of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) or TAPSE-to-estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (ePASP) ratio allows improvement of risk prediction in ADHF. ⋯ Our data strongly suggest that early assessment of TAPSE or TAPSE-to-ePASP ratio does not improve prediction of 1-year mortality over other key risk markers in ADHF. Nonetheless, the TAPSE-to-ePASP ratio did appear to be independently associated with AiHO.
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The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) desaturation score (calculated by multiplying the rSO2 < 50% by time in seconds the preoperative baseline value) measured with near-infrared spectroscopy and the peak of lactate with postoperative major morbidities in pediatric patients who undergo cardiac surgery. ⋯ The postoperative rSO2 desaturation score has a stronger association with major postoperative morbidities than lactate and it also provides an earlier warning sign of hemodynamic or metabolic compromise.