International heart journal
-
Individuals with intermediate to high cardiac risk for major noncardiac surgery suffer from perioperative myocardial ischemic injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term impact of postoperative cardiac troponin elevation on clinical outcome after major noncardiac surgery. Patients (n = 750) aged ≥ 50 years who underwent major noncardiac surgery were eligible for the study. ⋯ However, these differences disappeared after 6 months. An elevated troponin-I level conferred an increase in mortality during the 7 year follow-up period after major noncardiac surgery. This difference in mortality was mainly derived from the result within the first 6 months.
-
Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of ultrafiltration in decompensated heart failure patients with renal insufficiency.
Ultrafiltration (UF) is an alternative strategy to diuretic therapy for the treatment of patients with decompensated heart failure. The impact of UF in decompensated heart failure with renal insufficiency remains unclear. A literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of UF in decompensated heart failure patients with renal insufficiency. ⋯ All-cause mortality (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.58 to 1.55; P = 0.83; I2 = 0.0%) and all-cause rehospitalization (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.92; P = 0.94; I2 = 52%) were also similar between the UF and control groups. Adverse events such as infection, anemia, hemorrhage, worsening heart failure, and other cardiac disorders did not differ significantly between the UF and control groups. UF is an effective and safe therapeutic strategy and produces greater weight loss and fluid removal without affecting renal function, mortality, or rehospitalization in patients with decompensated heart failure complicated by renal insufficiency.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Biventricular pacing with ventricular fusion by intrinsic activation in cardiac resynchronization therapy.
We sought to evaluate the impact of biventricular (BiV) pacing with ventricular fusion by intrinsic atrioventricular nodal (AVN) conduction (BiV + intrinsic pacing) on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A total of 44 patients were randomized to receive either BiV or BiV + intrinsic pacing for one month. Echocardiographic optimization was performed for the BiV pacing mode, while the BiV + intrinsic pacing mode was achieved by titrating AV delay under electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring. ⋯ Also, these patients had improved echocardiographic left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) (17.4 ± 5.9 versus 15.7 ± 4.9, P = 0.019), higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (35.5 ± 9.7 versus 32.7 ± 9.7, P = 0.048), longer 6-minute walk test (6MWT) (372.5 ± 80.9 m versus 328.7 ± 108.9 m, P = 0.0001), and better Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) scores (12.5 ± 6.6 versus 18.2 ± 12.3, P = 0.0001). Treating CHF patients with BiV+intrinsic pacing resulted in improved cardiac function and quality of life. BiV + intrinsic pacing can be used in CHF patients with sinus rhythm and normal AV nodal conduction to improve CRT efficacy.
-
Early reperfusion by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the current standard therapy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). To achieve better prognoses for these patients, reducing the door-to-balloon time is essential. As we reported previously, the Kitasato University Hospital Doctor Car (DC), an ambulance with a physician on board, is equipped with a novel mobile cloud 12-lead ECG system. ⋯ The door-to-balloon time in the DC group was 56.1 ± 13.7 minutes and 74.0 ± 14.1 minutes in the Non-DC Group (P < 0.0001). Maximum levels of CPK were 2899 ± 308 and 2876 ± 269 IU/L (P = 0.703), and those of CK-MB were 292 ± 360 and 295 ± 284 ng/mL (P = 0.423), respectively, in the 2 groups. The Doctor Car system with the Mobile Cloud ECG was useful for reducing the door-to-balloon time.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Liberal versus restricted fluid administration in heart failure patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
Restrictive fluid intake is recommended, in addition to standard pharmacologic treatment, in the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, this recommendation lacks firm scientific evidence. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials to estimate the effect of fluid restriction in patients with heart failure. ⋯ There was no difference in any of the outcomes after correcting for heterogeneity. While studies to date are limited by heterogeneity and small sample sizes, the combined data suggest similar clinical outcomes in patients with CHF managed with liberal and restrictive fluid intake. Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings.