Bmc Cardiovasc Disor
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Bmc Cardiovasc Disor · Aug 2016
Cost-effectiveness analysis of left atrial appendage occlusion compared with pharmacological strategies for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a promising therapy for stroke prophylaxis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) but its cost-effectiveness remains understudied. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of LAAO for stroke prophylaxis in NVAF. ⋯ Transcatheter LAAO is cost-effective for prevention of stroke in NVAF compared with 7 pharmacological strategies. The transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is considered cost-effective against the standard 7 oral pharmacological strategies including acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) alone, clopidogrel plus ASA, warfarin, dabigatran 110 mg, dabigatran 150 mg, apixaban, and rivaroxaban for stroke prophylaxis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation management.
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Bmc Cardiovasc Disor · Aug 2016
Effects of HeartWare ventricular assist device on the von Willebrand factor: results of an academic Belgian center.
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a promising therapy for patients with advanced heart failure (HF), but bleeding complications remain an important issue. Previous series show that acquired von Willebrand syndrome was present in up to 100 % of first generation LVAD recipients. We report the effects of new generation LVADs on vW factor (vWF) metabolism and activity in our center. ⋯ LVAD recipients achieved a new hemostatic equilibrium characterized by infrequent major hemorrhagic and thrombotic events, despite a mildly impaired vWF function and a markedly enhanced thrombin formation.