American heart journal
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American heart journal · Oct 2009
Comparative StudyCardiac amyloidosis in African Americans: comparison of clinical and laboratory features of transthyretin V122I amyloidosis and immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis.
Transthyretin (TTR) mutations known to cause cardiac amyloidosis include V122I, found almost exclusively in African Americans at a prevalence of 3-3.9%. This retrospective study describes TTR V122I-associated cardiac amyloid disease (ATTR) in a major amyloid referral clinic population. ⋯ ATTR V122I and AL are equally prevalent as the cause of cardiomyopathy in African Americans referred for a diagnosis of amyloidosis. Available therapy for AL underscores the need for early and accurate determination of amyloid type.
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American heart journal · Oct 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEarly abciximab administration before transfer for primary percutaneous coronary interventions for ST-elevation myocardial infarction reduces 1-year mortality in patients with high-risk profile. Results from EUROTRANSFER registry.
There are conflicting data on the clinical benefit from early administration of abciximab from a large randomized trial and a registry. However, both sources suggest that a benefit may depend on the baseline risk profile of the patients. We evaluated the role of early abciximab administration in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention stratified by the STEMI Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score. ⋯ Early abciximab administration before transfer for percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI shows lower mortality at 1-year follow-up. This effect is confined to patients with higher risk profile as defined by TIMI risk score >or=3.
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American heart journal · Oct 2009
Comparative StudyDifferential effects of afterload on left ventricular long- and short-axis function: insights from a clinical model of patients with aortic valve stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement.
The effects of left ventricular (LV) afterload on longitudinal versus circumferential ventricular mechanics are largely unknown. Our objective was to examine changes in LV deformation before and early after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS). ⋯ Aortic valve stenosis causes differential changes in longitudinal and circumferential mechanics that partially normalize after AVR. These findings provide new insights into the mechanical adaptation of the LV to chronic afterload elevation and its response to unloading.
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American heart journal · Sep 2009
Comparative StudyWeekend hospital admission and discharge for heart failure: association with quality of care and clinical outcomes.
Although hospital admissions during weekends have been associated with worse quality of care and worse outcomes in some but not all medical conditions, the impact of weekend versus weekday admission and discharge for heart failure (HF) has not been well studied. This study investigates the association of (1) weekend compared to weekday HF admissions and discharges with quality of care and (2) weekend versus weekday HF admissions with length of stay (LOS) and mortality in the hospital. ⋯ Among GWTG-HF hospitals, weekend admission and discharge for HF were associated with similar quality of care in many but not all measures. Risk-adjusted LOS was slightly longer and mortality moderately higher for weekend HF admissions.
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American heart journal · Sep 2009
Meta AnalysisBiomarker-guided therapy in chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Measurement of circulating natriuretic peptides has been shown to play an important role in diagnosis and prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure. Whether serial natriuretic peptide measurements to aid in the titration of therapy can improve heart failure outcomes remains uncertain. We performed a quantitative meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials to determine whether titration of therapy based on natriuretic peptide measurements improves mortality in chronic heart failure. ⋯ Titration of therapy incorporating serial BNP or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels is associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality compared to usual care in patients with chronic heart failure.