American heart journal
-
American heart journal · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialRationale and design of the treatment of preserved cardiac function heart failure with an aldosterone antagonist trial: a randomized, controlled study of spironolactone in patients with symptomatic heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.
Despite increasing prevalence of heart failure (HF) in patients with preserved ejection fraction (PEF), there are no available therapies proven to reduce morbidity and mortality. Aldosterone, a potent stimulator of myocardial and vascular fibrosis, may be a key mediator of HF progression in this population and is therefore an important therapeutic target. ⋯ TOPCAT is designed to assess definitively the role of spironolactone in the management of HF-PEF.
-
American heart journal · Dec 2011
Regional differences in clinical profile, quality of care, and outcomes among Hispanic patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction in the Get with Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease (GWTG-CAD) registry.
Although Hispanics constitute the largest minority in the United States, it is unknown whether regional differences in quality of care and outcomes exist among Hispanic patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (MI). ⋯ Among Hispanics with acute MI enrolled in the GWTG-CAD program, there were modest regional differences in clinical profile; high rates of use and, with few exceptions, no regional differences in guideline-recommended therapies; and no regional variation in in-hospital mortality.