Circulation
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Hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides 200-499 mg/dL) is relatively common in the United States, whereas more severe triglyceride elevations (very high triglycerides, ≥500 mg/dL) are far less frequently observed. Both are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States and elsewhere, likely driven in large part by growing rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus. In a 2002 American Heart Association scientific statement, the omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were recommended (at a dose of 2-4 g/d) for reducing triglycerides in patients with elevated triglycerides. ⋯ The use of n-3 FA (4 g/d) for improving atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in patients with hypertriglyceridemia is supported by a 25% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With EPA Intervention Trial), a randomized placebo-controlled trial of EPA-only in high-risk patients treated with a statin. The results of a trial of 4 g/d prescription EPA+DHA in hypertriglyceridemia are anticipated in 2020. We conclude that prescription n-3 FAs (EPA+DHA or EPA-only) at a dose of 4 g/d (>3 g/d total EPA+DHA) are an effective and safe option for reducing triglycerides as monotherapy or as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering agents.
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In patients with significant (moderate and severe) tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the decision to intervene is influenced by right ventricular (RV) size and function. RV remodeling in significant secondary TR has been underexplored. The aim of this study was to characterize RV remodeling in patients with significant secondary TR and to investigate its prognostic implications. ⋯ In patients with significant secondary TR, patients with RV systolic dysfunction have worse clinical outcome regardless of the presence of RV dilation.
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Significant improvements have been achieved in cardiac arrest resuscitation and postarrest resuscitation care, but mortality remains high. Most of the poor outcomes and deaths of cardiac arrest survivors have been attributed to widespread brain injury. This brain injury, commonly manifested as a comatose state, is a marker of poor outcome and a major basis for unfavorable neurological prognostication. ⋯ As a consequence, the degree of confidence in the predictors and the subsequent outcomes is also low. Therefore, the writing group suggests that neurological prognostication parameters need to be approached as index tests based on relevant neurological functions that are directly related to the functional outcome and contribute to the quality of life of cardiac arrest survivors. Suggestions to improve the quality of adult and pediatric neurological prognostication studies are provided.
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Two distinct pathways can lead to functional mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with chronic heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction. When remodeling and enlargement of the left ventricle (LV) cause annular dilatation and tethering of the mitral valve leaflets, there is a linear relationship between LV end-diastolic volume and the effective regurgitant orifice area of the mitral valve. ⋯ These patients, designated as having severe but disproportionate MR, respond favorably to treatments that are directed to the mitral valve leaflets or their supporting structures (eg, cardiac resynchronization or transcatheter mitral valve repair), but they may derive little benefit from interventions that act only to reduce LV cavity size (eg, pharmacological treatments). This novel conceptual framework reflects the important interplay between LV geometry and mitral valve function in determining the clinical presentation of patients, and it allows characterization of the determinants of functional MR to guide the most appropriate therapy in the clinical setting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Rivaroxaban With or Without Aspirin in Patients With Heart Failure and Chronic Coronary or Peripheral Artery Disease.
Patients with chronic coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease and history of heart failure (HF) are at high risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. We explored the effects of rivaroxaban with or without aspirin in these patients. ⋯ URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01776424.