The American journal of cardiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Cost effectiveness of percutaneous closure versus medical therapy for cryptogenic stroke in patients with a patent foramen ovale.
In patients with patent foramen ovales (PFOs) and cryptogenic stroke, observational studies have demonstrated reductions in recurrent neurologic events with transcatheter PFO closure compared with medical therapy. Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown a trend toward benefit with device closure. The cost-effectiveness of PFO closure has not been described. ⋯ At 30.2 years (95% CI 28.2 to 36.2), the per patient mean cost of medical therapy exceeded that of PFO closure. In conclusion, PFO closure is associated with higher expenditures related to procedural costs; however, this increase may be offset over time by reduced event rates and costs of long-term medical treatment in patients who undergo transcatheter PFO closure. In younger patients typical of cryptogenic stroke, PFO closure may be cost effective in the long term.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of septal myectomy on left ventricular diastolic function and left atrial volume in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Ventricular septal myectomy in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) has been shown to reduce left ventricular (LV) outflow tract (LVOT) gradient and improve symptoms, although little data exist regarding changes in left atrial (LA) volume and LV diastolic function after myectomy. We investigated changes in LA size and LV diastolic function in patients with HC after septal myectomy from 2004 to 2011. We studied 25 patients (age 49.2 ± 13.1 years, 48% women) followed for a mean of 527 days after surgery who had serial echocardiography at baseline and at most recent follow-up, at least 6 months after myectomy. ⋯ LA volume index decreased (from 47.2 ± 17.6 to 35.9 ± 17.0 ml/m(2), p = 0.001) and LV diastolic function improved with an increase in lateral e' velocity (from 7.3 ± 2.9 to 9.8 ± 3.1 cm/sec, p = 0.01) and a decrease in E/e' (from 14.8 ± 6.3 to 11.7 ± 5.5, p = 0.051). Ventricular septal thickness and LVOT gradient decreased, and symptoms of dyspnea and heart failure improved, with reduction in the New York Heart Association functional class III/IV symptoms from 21 (84%) to 1 (4%). In conclusion, relief of LVOT obstruction in HC by septal myectomy results in improved LV diastolic function and reduction in LA volume with improved symptoms.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Postprocedural anticoagulation for specific therapeutic indications after revascularization for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (from the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial).
Postprocedural anticoagulation (AC) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may be administered for a number of specific therapeutic indications (e.g. atrial fibrillation or left ventricular thrombus). However, the safety and effectiveness of such post-PCI AC for specific indications are not well defined. Thus, we sought to study outcomes after postprocedural AC for specific indications in patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI in the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction trial. ⋯ In conclusion, in this large prospective study, use of postprocedural AC for specific indications after primary PCI for STEMI was independently associated with early rates of adverse ischemic and hemorrhagic outcomes. Post-PCI AC for specific indications was also associated with worse outcomes from 30 days to 3 years. Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal use of postprocedural AC after primary PCI in STEMI.