The American journal of medicine
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Soluble ST2 (sST2) is a marker of cardiac mechanical strain hypothesized to adversely impact short-term prognosis after myocardial infarction. We examined the association of sST2 with longer-term outcomes after myocardial infarction in a geographically defined community. ⋯ In the community, sST2 elevation is present in half of myocardial infarctions. Higher values of sST2 are associated with a large excess risk of death and heart failure independently of other prognostic indicators. Measurement of sST2 should be considered for risk stratification after myocardial infarction.
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The prevention of thromboembolism events remains challenging in cases of poor medication adherence. Unfortunately, clinical prediction of future adherence has been suboptimal. The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between 2 measures of real-time, self-reported adherence and anticoagulation control. ⋯ Self-reported VAS medication adherence at a clinic visit and changes in reported adherence since the last visit are independently associated with BVTR. Clinicians may gain additional insight into patients' medication adherence by incorporating this information into patient management.
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The role of physical activity in the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and survival in coronary heart disease is unclear. Our aim was to examine the isolated and combined associations among BMI, physical activity, and mortality in subjects with coronary heart disease. ⋯ Overweight and obese subjects with coronary heart disease had reduced all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, but such an obesity paradox was seen only in participants who did not adhere to current recommendations of physical activity.
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We aimed to describe the initial treatment that was used in a common hospital-based practice in patients with giant-cell arteritis with and without large-vessel involvement at diagnosis as well as the outcomes in both groups. ⋯ In the setting of tertiary hospital recruitment, large-vessel involvement at giant-cell arteritis diagnosis using a PET/CT study had no influence on the choice of initial GC dose and had no impact on outcomes. Prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.