American heart journal
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American heart journal · May 2006
Multicenter StudyGray zone BNP levels in heart failure patients in the emergency department: results from the Rapid Emergency Department Heart Failure Outpatient Trial (REDHOT) multicenter study.
The study purpose was to examine "gray zone" B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (100-500 pg/mL) in terms of associated clinical factors, perceived severity, and outcomes in patients with established congestive heart failure (CHF). ⋯ In patients with established CHF, those with gray zone BNP levels have a better prognosis than those with non-gray zone levels despite being perceived by physicians as having New York Heart Association class III or IV CHF.
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American heart journal · May 2006
Blood pressure control and cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk Hispanic patients--findings from the International Verapamil SR/Trandolapril Study (INVEST).
People of Hispanic origin are the fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States and often have hypertension and other comorbidities which increase the risk associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). ⋯ The Hispanic cohort of INVEST had better blood pressure control and lower risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes compared with the non-Hispanic cohort. A verapamil SR strategy is an alternative to an atenolol strategy for the treatment of Hispanic patients with hypertension and CAD and can reduce the risk of new-onset diabetes.
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American heart journal · May 2006
Comparative StudyIschemic and bleeding outcomes in women treated with bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention: a subgroup analysis of the Randomized Evaluation in PCI Linking Angiomax to Reduced Clinical Events (REPLACE)-2 trial.
Outcomes in women undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the contemporary era are poorly defined. The REPLACE-2 trial demonstrated that bivalirudin with provisional glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GpIIb-IIIa) blockade is noninferior to heparin with planned GpIIb-IIIa blockade during PCI, with regard to ischemic and bleeding end points. ⋯ Women remain at higher risk for poorer outcomes with contemporary PCI, likely because of comorbidities. Bivalirudin with provisional GpIIb-IIIa confers similar protection against ischemic end points compared with heparin and planned GpIIb-IIIa blockade and significantly reduces the inherent bleeding risk of women undergoing contemporary PCI.
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American heart journal · May 2006
Comparative StudyLow prevalence of B-type natriuretic peptide levels < 100 pg/mL in patients with heart failure at hospital discharge.
In patients with acute heart failure (HF) presenting at the emergency department, a B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level < 100 pg/mL was found in only 10% of the patients. However, in a more stable outpatient HF population from another study, a BNP level < 100 pg/mL was found in as many as 21% of the patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of stabilized patients with BNP levels < 100 pg/mL before discharge after admission for decompensated heart failure HF. ⋯ In clinically stable patients with a recent admission for decompensated HF, only 10% had BNP levels > or = 100 pg/mL. These patients with low BNP levels seemed to have less severe HF and more frequently had preserved systolic function compared with patients with BNP levels > or = 100 pg/mL.
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American heart journal · May 2006
How obesity affects the cut-points for B-type natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of acute heart failure. Results from the Breathing Not Properly Multinational Study.
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is valuable in diagnosing heart failure (HF), but its utility in obese patients is unknown. Studies have suggested a cut-point of BNP > or = 100 pg/mL for the diagnosis of HF; however, there is an inverse relation between BNP levels and body mass index. We evaluated differential cut-points for BNP in diagnosing acute HF across body mass index levels to determine whether alternative cut-points can improve diagnosis. ⋯ Body mass index influences the selection of cut-points for BNP in diagnosing acute HF. A lower cut-point (BNP > or = 54 pg/mL) should be used in severely obese patients to preserve sensitivity. A higher cut-point in lean patients (BNP > or = 170 pg/mL) could be used to increase specificity.