Archives of cardiovascular diseases
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Arch Cardiovasc Dis · Oct 2012
Review Meta AnalysisNon-compliance with digoxin in patients with heart failure and/or atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Digoxin is highly potent and efficacious for treatment of heart failure (HF) and/or atrial fibrillation (AF) yet compliance is often poor. ⋯ Non-compliance with digoxin is prevalent among patients with HF and/or AF. A better understanding of the factors influencing compliance and improved intervention strategies are necessary to increase digoxin compliance.
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Arch Cardiovasc Dis · Oct 2012
Multicenter StudyEchocardiographic prediction of postoperative atrial fibrillation after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: a two-dimensional speckle tracking left ventricular longitudinal strain multicentre pilot study.
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery, with increased risk of embolic events, haemodynamic instability, haemorrhagic complications and prolonged hospital stay. ⋯ Incidence of POAF is high after AVR for severe aortic stenosis. Our results suggest an additive value of the study of left ventricular myocardial deformation to classical clinical and echocardiographic variables for the prediction of POAF in this setting.
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Arch Cardiovasc Dis · Oct 2012
Comparative StudyDoes lay media ranking of hospitals reflect lower mortality in treating acute myocardial infarction?
Ranking of hospitals by lay media has attracted widespread attention but may not accurately reflect quality. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality is a straightforward measure of clinical outcome frequently used by ranking algorithms. ⋯ Ranked hospitals have similar adjusted AMI mortality rates to those not ranked and patient characteristics rather than hospital differences account for the variation in outcomes.
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Arch Cardiovasc Dis · Aug 2012
Multicenter StudyRegional system of care for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the Northern Alps: a controlled pre- and postintervention study.
Regionalization of care for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been advocated, although its effect on processes of care and clinical outcomes remains uncertain. ⋯ Regionalization of care for STEMI patients improves access to reperfusion therapy, although its impact on clinical outcomes deserves further study.