European journal of internal medicine
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Apr 2020
Light anti-thrombotic regimen for prevention of device thrombosis and/or thrombotic complications after interatrial shunts device-based closure.
The optimal antiplatelet therapy after atrial septal defect (ASD) or patent foramen ovale device closure (PFO) remain to be established. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of 6-month 100 mg Aspirin (ASA) regimen in the very long-term follow up after intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) -aided interatrial shunt closure in a large retrospective cohort. ⋯ A regimen of 100 mg of ASA for six months after ASD/PFO closure appeared to be both safe and effective in preventing device thrombosis and major bleedings.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Apr 2020
Nutritional status is associated with physical function and disability in older adults with chronic heart failure.
The association between nutritional status (NS) and physical performance and disability in older adults with chronic heart failure (CHF) is not well established. We aimed at evaluating whether NS, estimated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), is associated with gait speed (GS) and disability (ADL/IADL impairment) in this population and to assess whether energy intake (EI) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMMI) influence this relationship. ⋯ Reduced MNA score is associated with poorer physical function and ADL impairment in older adults affected by CHF, independently of EI and ASMMI. Routinely evaluation of NS should be performed in this population.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Apr 2020
One-year clinical events and management of patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized in cardiology centers: Data from the BLITZ-AF study.
The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) has changed with the introduction of direct anticoagulants (DOACs) and new techniques such as catheter ablation. An update collection of data from "real world" AF patients followed by cardiologists is useful to obtain information on both management, outcomes and guideline adherence in clinical practice. ⋯ The follow-up of the BLITZ-AF study provide an up to date picture of the clinical course of patients with AF, who appear frequently affected by heart failure and severe comorbidities which might have led to the high mortality rate.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Apr 2020
Long term clinical outcomes in survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Information regarding long-term outcomes in patients surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is scarce. Our aim was to study the long-term clinical outcomes of a large cohort of OHCA patients surviving until hospital discharge and to identify predictors of mortality and cardiovascular events. ⋯ Even though few patients experience recurrent cardiac arrest events, survivors after OHCA face high morbidity and mortality during long-term follow-up. Therefore, they may benefit from multidisciplinary teams providing an integral management and ensuring continuity of care.