American heart journal
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American heart journal · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyDesign and rationale of CURRENT-OASIS 7: a randomized, 2 x 2 factorial trial evaluating optimal dosing strategies for clopidogrel and aspirin in patients with ST and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes managed with an early invasive strategy.
Antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) reduces major cardiovascular events in patients with ST and non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Recent mechanistic and clinical data suggest that higher loading and maintenance doses of clopidogrel may achieve a more rapid and greater degree of platelet inhibition that translates into improved clinical outcomes, but this is yet to be formally evaluated in an adequately powered randomized trial. ⋯ The CURRENT-OASIS 7 trial will help to define optimal dosing regimens for clopidogrel and ASA in patients with ST and non-ST-segment-elevation ACS treated with an early invasive strategy.
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American heart journal · Dec 2008
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEuropean registry on patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction transferred for mechanical reperfusion with a special focus on early administration of abciximab -- EUROTRANSFER Registry.
Abciximab is established as adjunct to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Based on some smaller studies, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks in various European countries have adopted the start of abciximab before transfer to the catheterization laboratory (cathlab) hospital as part of their routine treatment options. Although a recently published study did not reveal improved clinical outcome when starting abciximab before the cathlab, a potential benefit from such early administration, in particular in the setting of transfer networks, remains unclear and has been the subject of debate. ⋯ Patients in STEMI networks transferred for primary PCI who have received abciximab before transfer rather than in the cathlab had more patent arteries before PCI and showed lower rates for death and the composite clinical outcome at 30-day follow-up.
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American heart journal · Dec 2008
Independent prognostic value of echocardiography and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure.
Echocardiographic indices of cardiac structure and function and natriuretic peptide levels are strong predictors of mortality in patients with heart failure. Whether cardiac ultrasound and natriuretic peptides provide independent prognostic information is uncertain. ⋯ Left ventricular size and function and left atrial and right atrial sizes are significant predictors of all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure, independent of NT-proBNP levels and other clinical variables.
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American heart journal · Dec 2008
Trends in presenting characteristics and hospital mortality among patients with ST elevation and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction from 1990 to 2006.
Although ST elevation (STEMI) and non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction (AMI) have been the focus of intense clinical investigation, limited information exists on characteristics and hospital mortality of patients not enrolled in clinical trials. Previous large databases have reported declining mortality of patients with STEMI but have not noted substantial mortality change among those with NSTEMI. ⋯ This large, observational database from 1990 to 2006 shows increasing prevalence of NSTEMI and, despite higher risk profile on presentation, falling risk-adjusted hospital mortality in patients with either STEMI or NSTEMI.
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American heart journal · Dec 2008
Trends in quality of care for patients with acute myocardial infarction in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction from 1990 to 2006.
Trends in the use of guideline-based treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as well as its association with patient outcomes have not been summarized in a large, longitudinal study. Furthermore, it is unknown whether gender-, race-, and age-based care disparities have narrowed over time. ⋯ Adherence to American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology practice guidelines has improved care of patients with AMI and is associated with significant reductions in in-hospital mortality rates. However, persistent gaps in overall care as well as care disparities remain and suggest the need for ongoing quality improvement efforts.