American journal of cardiovascular drugs : drugs, devices, and other interventions
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Am J Cardiovasc Drugs · Oct 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyThe effectiveness and safety of landiolol hydrochloride, an ultra-short-acting β1-blocker, in postoperative patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Persistent postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVTs) increase cardiac burden and aggravate cardiac hemodynamics. Therefore, for patients in unstable conditions after surgery, prompt and sustained control of heart rate is essential. The importance of β-adrenoceptor antagonists (β-blockers) in controlling such postoperative atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter has been established, and the usefulness of ultra-short-acting β1-blockers with high β1 selectivity has been suggested based on their safety and efficacy under such circumstances. ⋯ Landiolol hydrochloride is effective and safe for patients with postoperative SVT.
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Am J Cardiovasc Drugs · Oct 2013
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyUltrafiltration versus intravenous diuretic therapy to treat acute heart failure: a systematic review.
Patients with decompensated heart failure frequently present with volume overload, which is conventionally treated with diuretics. These drugs have been associated with several adverse effects, including increased mortality, leading some clinicians to propose ultrafiltration as a safe alternative to remove sodium and water. ⋯ The available evidence suggests that early ultrafiltration is safe and effective for patients with hypervolemic acute heart failure. It allows greater fluid removal and weight loss by 48 h than do intravenous diuretics, with no significant increase in adverse effects.
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Am J Cardiovasc Drugs · Oct 2013
ReviewEvaluation and management of acquired methemoglobinemia associated with topical benzocaine use.
Benzocaine is a widely used topical oropharyngeal anesthetic and has been reported to cause methemoglobinemia. We discuss benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia and review the causes, presentation, and management of this serious complication. Treatment with methylene blue will result in reversal of methemoglobinemia and clinical recovery in most cases but needs to be used at appropriate doses in carefully selected individuals. Physicians who perform procedures involving the application of benzocaine for topical anesthesia need to rapidly identify and treat methemoglobinemia to avoid significant associated morbidity and mortality.
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Am J Cardiovasc Drugs · Jun 2013
ReviewExpanding role of pharmacogenomics in the management of cardiovascular disorders.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Many pharmacologic therapies are available that aim to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease but there is significant inter-individual variation in drug response, including both efficacy and toxicity. Pharmacogenetics aims to personalize medication choice and dosage to ensure that maximum clinical benefit is achieved whilst side effects are minimized. ⋯ Much of the research remains in the discovery phase, with researchers struggling to demonstrate clinical utility and validity. This is a problem seen in many areas of therapeutics and is because of many factors, including poor study design, inadequate sample sizes, lack of replication, and heterogeneity amongst patient populations and phenotypes. In order to progress pharmacogenetics in cardiovascular therapies, researchers need to utilize next-generation sequencing technologies, develop clear phenotype definitions and engage in multi-center collaborations, not only to obtain larger sample sizes but to replicate associations and confirm results across different ethnic groups.
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Am J Cardiovasc Drugs · Apr 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyPlacebo effect and efficacy of nebivolol in patients with hypertension not controlled with lisinopril or losartan: a phase IV, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Most patients with hypertension require more than one antihypertensive to achieve blood pressure (BP) control. ⋯ This trial (NCT00734630) was funded by Forest Laboratories, Inc.