Bmc Cardiovasc Disor
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Bmc Cardiovasc Disor · Jan 2014
Review Meta AnalysisThe risk of heart failure associated with the use of noninsulin blood glucose-lowering drugs: systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational studies.
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at high risk of heart failure. A summary of the effects of blood glucose-lowering drugs other than glitazones on the risk of heart failure in routine clinical practice is lacking. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies on the risk of heart failure when using blood glucose-lowering drugs. ⋯ Use of glitazones and sulfonylureas was associated with an increased risk of heart failure compared with metformin use. However, indication bias cannot be ruled out. Ongoing large multidatabase studies will help to evaluate the risk of heart failure in treated patients with diabetes, including those using newer blood glucose-lowering therapies.
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Bmc Cardiovasc Disor · Jan 2014
Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention on re-hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome.
The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to examine the association between duration of dual antiplatelet therapy and re-hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in ACS patients who underwent PCI. ⋯ The benefit of ≥ 12 months of clopidogrel use in reducing the risk of re-hospitalization for ACS was significant among ACS patients who underwent PCI and was especially critical for those who implanted DES.
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Bmc Cardiovasc Disor · Jan 2014
Review Meta AnalysisRight ventricular dysfunction as an echocardiographic prognostic factor in hemodynamically stable patients with acute pulmonary embolism: a meta-analysis.
We investigated whether right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) as assessed by echocardiogram can be used as a prognostic factor in hemodynamically stable patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Short-term mortality has been investigated only in small studies and the results have been controversial. ⋯ In hemodynamically stable patients with acute PE, RVD as assessed by echocardiogram increases short-term mortality by 2.29 times. Consideration should be given to obtaining echocardiogram to identify high-risk patients even if they are hemodynamically stable.
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Bmc Cardiovasc Disor · Jan 2014
Using the LACE index to predict hospital readmissions in congestive heart failure patients.
The LACE index has been used to predict the risk of unplanned readmission within 30 days after hospital discharge in both medical and surgical patients. The aim of this study is to validate the accuracy of using the LACE index in CHF patients. ⋯ The LACE index may not accurately predict unplanned readmissions within 30 days from hospital discharge in CHF patients. The LACE high risk index may have utility as a screening tool to predict high risk ED revisits after hospital discharge.
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Bmc Cardiovasc Disor · Jan 2014
Comparative Study Observational StudyTrends in treatment delays for patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
Treatment delay is an important prognostic factor for patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to determine recent trends in these delays and factors associated with longer delays. ⋯ Though the delays inside the hospital have increased they are still mostly within the ESC guidelines. Still, only about half of the patients are treated within a system delay of recommended two hours. Albeit our results are good in comparison with previous studies, further efforts for decreasing the delays particularly within the EMS should be established.