American heart journal
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American heart journal · Oct 2008
Predictors of mortality after discharge in patients hospitalized with heart failure: an analysis from the Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure (OPTIMIZE-HF).
Patients with heart failure (HF) are at high risk for mortality and rehospitalization in the early period after hospital discharge. We developed clinical models predictive of short-term clinical outcomes in a broad patient population discharged after hospitalization for HF. ⋯ A substantial risk of mortality and mortality or rehospitalization is present in the first 60 to 90 days after discharge from a hospitalization for HF. Several factors were identified that signal high-risk patients. Application of these findings with a simple algorithm can distinguish patients who are low risk from those at high risk who may benefit from closer monitoring and aggressive evidence-based treatment.
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American heart journal · Oct 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyNephrotoxicity of iodixanol versus ioversol in patients with chronic kidney disease: the Visipaque Angiography/Interventions with Laboratory Outcomes in Renal Insufficiency (VALOR) Trial.
Iso-osmolar contrast medium iodixanol has been reported to be less nephrotoxic than selected low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with diabetes mellitus. This study compared the nephrotoxicity of iodixanol and the LOCM ioversol in CKD patients undergoing coronary angiography. ⋯ Overall, the nephrotoxicity associated with iodixanol was not significantly different from that observed with ioversol in CKD patients undergoing coronary angiography, although in diabetic patients, MPPC was significantly lower in the iodixanol group.
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American heart journal · Sep 2008
Multicenter StudyPredictors of improved quality of life 1 year after pacemaker implantation.
Patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of pacemaker (PM) patients has increasingly become an important issue of health care evaluation. Currently, knowledge of pacing performance and technology is more or less outlined. However, determinants of poor or good HRQoL of paced patients require further elucidation. ⋯ In most patients receiving a PM, HRQoL increased in the first year after PM implantation. Knowledge of the predictors of this increase may aid physicians to timely differentiate between patients who most likely will benefit most from PM implantation in terms of HRQoL.
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American heart journal · Sep 2008
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyCurrent role of sodium bicarbonate-based preprocedural hydration for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis.
The optimal hydration strategy for prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unknown. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the effectiveness of normal saline (NS) versus sodium bicarbonate hydration (NaHCO(3)) for prevention of contrast-induced AKI. ⋯ Although sodium bicarbonate hydration was found to be superior to NS in prevention of contrast-induced AKI, these results are in the context of study heterogeneity and, likely, publication bias. An adequately powered randomized controlled trial is warranted to define the optimal hydration strategy in patients at high risk of contrast-induced AKI who are scheduled to undergo contrast administration.
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American heart journal · Sep 2008
Intraoperative coronary artery pulse Doppler patterns in patients with complete transposition of the great arteries undergoing the arterial switch operation.
Arterial switch operation is standard repair for complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Coronary artery abnormalities are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the acute postoperative phase. This study was designed to determine whether coronary artery pulse Doppler flow patterns obtained by transesophageal echocardiography during the arterial switch operation are correlated with acute postoperative outcomes. ⋯ Abnormalities in LMCA flow were associated with the need for surgical revision in patients with TGA undergoing the arterial switch operation. Normal coronary artery pulse Doppler flow patterns after the arterial switch operation consisted of a late systolic peak followed by low-velocity flow throughout diastole.