Circ Cardiovasc Qual
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of ranolazine on disease-specific health status and quality of life among patients with acute coronary syndromes: results from the MERLIN-TIMI 36 randomized trial.
Ranolazine has been shown to reduce myocardial ischemia and symptom severity among selected patients with chronic angina. However, data regarding the effect of ranolazine on health status/quality of life (QOL) are limited. ⋯ Among a broad population of patients with unstable coronary disease, ranolazine had a minimal effect on disease-specific health status and QOL over approximately 12 months of follow-up. Posthoc subgroup analysis, however, suggested a modest benefit among the subgroup of patients with angina before their acute coronary syndromes event.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Nov 2008
Off-label use of cardiovascular medications in children hospitalized with congenital and acquired heart disease.
Many barriers exist to conducting pediatric cardiovascular (CV) trials, and the majority of therapies used are not evidence based. Recent legislation has aimed to stimulate pediatric research and improve drug labeling. This study describes off-label use of CV medications in children hospitalized with congenital and acquired CV disease. ⋯ Despite recent legislation, off-label use of CV medications in the pediatric population is common. These data highlight the need for further study to determine which treatments should be used more frequently and which are unsafe or ineffective in children hospitalized with CV disease.