Journal of cardiac failure
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Continuous versus intermittent infusion of furosemide in acute decompensated heart failure.
Despite advances in the treatment of chronic ambulatory heart failure, hospitalization rates for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) remain high. Although loop diuretics are used in nearly all patients with ADHF to relieve congestive symptoms, optimal dosing strategies remain poorly defined. ⋯ The cIV of furosemide was well tolerated and significantly more effective than iIV for tUOP. In addition, continuous infusion appears to provide more efficient diuresis.
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Comparative Study
Validation and potential mechanisms of red cell distribution width as a prognostic marker in heart failure.
Adverse outcomes have recently been linked to elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) in heart failure. Our study sought to validate the prognostic value of RDW in heart failure and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying this association. ⋯ Our results confirm previous observations that RDW is a strong, independent predictor of adverse outcome in chronic heart failure and suggest elevated RDW may indicate inflammatory stress and impaired iron mobilization. These findings encourage further research into the relationship between heart failure and the hematologic system.
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Comparative Study
Functional electrical stimulation is more effective in severe symptomatic heart failure patients and improves their adherence to rehabilitation programs.
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) improves exercise capacity and quality of life in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. However, there is no evidence regarding the effectiveness of this treatment modality according to the severity of CHF. This study compares the effectiveness of FES on exercise capacity, endothelial function, neurohormonal status, and emotional stress in New York Heart Association (NYHA) III-IV versus NYHA II patients. ⋯ FES might exert a greater beneficial effect on clinical and neurohormonal status of NYHA III-IV patients in comparison to NYHA II patients. This effect may have important clinical relevance leading to increased adherence of severe CHF patients to exercise rehabilitation programs.