The American journal of cardiology
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Clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes randomized in the Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy (ACUITY) trial who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) were examined. The ACUITY trial assessed the safety and efficacy of bivalirudin alone versus bivalirudin plus a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor versus heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor in 13,819 patients with moderate- and high-risk acute coronary syndromes, 7,789 of whom underwent PCI. A total of 329 patients (4.2%) underwent PCI of SVGs in ACUITY. ⋯ Major adverse cardiac event rates at 1 year were 37%, 37%, and 43% (p = 0.95), respectively. Minor bleeding unrelated to coronary artery bypass grafting at 30 days was significantly lower with bivalirudin alone compared with heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (26% vs 38%, p = 0.05). In conclusion, bivalirudin is an effective anticoagulant in PCI of SVGs in acute coronary syndromes, with similar rates of major adverse cardiac events and net adverse cardiac events and lower minor bleeding complications in comparison with heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor or bivalirudin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of thrombectomy with EXPort Catheter in Infarct-Related Artery during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (EXPIRA Trial) on cardiac death.
In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) impairment of microcirculatory function is a negative independent predictor of myocardial function recovery. In the Impact of Thrombectomy with EXPort Catheter in Infarct-Related Artery during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI; EXPIRA) trial we found that manual thrombectomy resulted in a better myocardial reperfusion expressed by an improved procedural outcome and a decrease of infarct size compared to conventional PCI. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the early efficacy of thrombus aspiration translates into very long-term clinical benefit. ⋯ After 24 months major adverse cardiac events were 13.7% versus 4.5% (p = 0.038, log-rank test) and cardiac death was 6.8% versus 0% (p = 0.012, log-rank test). A strict correlation was observed between cardiac death incidence and tissue reperfusion parameters (postprocedural myocardial blush grade and ST-segment resolution). In conclusion, manual thrombus aspiration before stenting of the infarct-related artery in selected patients with STEMI improving myocardial reperfusion significantly decrease cardiac death and major adverse cardiac events at 2 years.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of candesartan treatment on left ventricular remodeling after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis.
In hypertension, angiotensin receptor blockers can augment regression of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. It is not known whether this also is the case after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS). To test the hypothesis that treatment with candesartan in addition to conventional treatment is able to augment LV and left atrial (LA) reverse remodeling in patients with AS undergoing AVR, we studied 114 patients scheduled for AVR. ⋯ In addition, the candesartan group had greater improvement in longitudinal LV systolic function assessed by tissue Doppler S' wave (0.6 +/- 0.1-cm/s increase in control group vs 1.4 +/- 0.1 cm/s in candesartan group, p = 0.01, p for trend = 0.02) and a decrease in LA volume (p for trend = 0.01). Treatment had no effect on diastolic E/e' ratio or B-type natriuretic peptide. In conclusion, angiotensin receptor blockade with candesartan after AVR in patients with AS is associated with augmented reverse LV and LA remodeling compared to conventional management.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Continuous versus bolus dosing of Furosemide for patients hospitalized for heart failure.
Intravenous diuretics are the cornerstone of management for patients hospitalized for heart failure. Physiologic data suggest that intermittent high-dose furosemide promotes neurohormonal activation, which a slow continuous infusion might remediate. However, the limited clinical data comparing dosing schemes are confounded. ⋯ All patients survived to discharge. In conclusion, there were no substantial differences between bolus injection and continuous infusion of equal doses of furosemide for the treatment of patients hospitalized with heart failure. Given the high prevalence of heart failure hospitalization and the disparate results of small studies regarding optimal dosing of loop diuretics to treat these patients, larger multicenter blinded studies are needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Time to treatment and three-year mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction-a DANish Trial in Acute Myocardial Infarction-2 (DANAMI-2) substudy.
In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), early reperfusion is believed to improve left ventricular systolic function and reduce mortality; however, long-term (>1 year) data are sparse. In the DANish Trial in Acute Myocardial Infarction-2 (DANAMI-2) study, 686 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were treated with pPCI. Long-term mortality was obtained during 3 years of follow-up. ⋯ The symptom-to-balloon time was inversely associated with a left ventricular systolic ejection fraction of < or =40% (19.7% vs 22.8% vs 33.1%, p = 0.036), with the latter a major predictor of 3-year mortality in this cohort (hazard ratio 6.02, 95% confidence interval 3.68 to 9.85, p <0.001). A shorter symptom-to-balloon time was associated with greater rates of Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow after pPCI (86.5% vs 80.9% vs 75.7%, p = 0.002). In conclusion, a shorter symptom-to-balloon time was associated with improved coronary flow, an increased likelihood of subsequent left ventricular systolic ejection fraction >40%, and greater 3-year survival in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with pPCI.