Journal of cardiology
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Journal of cardiology · Jan 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialPerioperative ascorbic acid supplementation does not reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in on-pump coronary artery bypass graft patients.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia following cardiac surgery. It is associated with increased hemodynamic instability, systemic embolization, and complications linked to anticoagulant therapy. Oxidative stress and consequent electrophysiological remodeling have been proposed as a cause of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Ascorbic acid supplementation was suggested as a novel and effective preventive agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of ascorbic acid to reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. ⋯ The results of this study do not support the effectiveness of ascorbic acid supplementation in reducing the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in elective on-pump CABG patients.
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Journal of cardiology · Jan 2017
Observational StudyClinical outcome of 2nd generation cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation in patients over 75 years of age.
Pulmonary vein isolation is an established therapy for symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Despite the fact that incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases with age, patients over 75 years of age have been excluded in all major atrial fibrillation ablation trials. Pulmonary vein isolation with the cryoballoon has been shown to be equally effective compared to irrigated radiofrequency catheter ablation, but patients over 75 years have also been excluded. The 2nd generation cryoballoon has shown superior efficacy compared to the 1st generation cryoballoon. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation with the 2nd generation cryoballoon for symptomatic atrial fibrillation in elderly patients over 75 years. ⋯ Pulmonary vein isolation with the 2nd generation cryoballoon appears to be an effective treatment for symptomatic atrial fibrillation also in patients over 75 years of age.
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Journal of cardiology · Nov 2016
The prognostic impact of uric acid in patients with severely decompensated acute heart failure.
The serum level of uric acid (UA) is a well-known prognostic factor for heart failure (HF) patients. However, the prognostic impact of hyperuricemia and the factors that induce hyperuricemia in acute HF (AHF) patients are not well understood. ⋯ The serum UA level was an independent predictor in patients who were hospitalized during an emergent situation for AHF. An elevated serum UA level on admission was associated with the presence of CKD and the use of loop diuretics. These factors were also associated with adverse outcomes in hyperuricemic patients with AHF.
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Journal of cardiology · Nov 2016
Prognostic effect of estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest undergoing percutaneous veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) can improve survival in patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. We investigated the association between initial renal function and clinical outcome in patients undergoing VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. ⋯ An initial low eGFR may predict worse clinical outcome in patients undergoing VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest.
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Journal of cardiology · Aug 2016
Resistance to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation in witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with shockable initial cardiac rhythm.
Shockable initial cardiac rhythm is a key predictor of survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, not all patients with shockable OHCA achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) via conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed patients with witnessed OHCA and shockable initial cardiac rhythm to identify the resistance factors for conventional CPR. ⋯ The major cause of witnessed OHCA with shockable initial cardiac rhythm was AMI, and resistance to conventional CPR was related to continuous myocardial ischemia.