European heart journal
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European heart journal · Dec 2006
Multicenter StudyImpact of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen on cardiovascular prognosis in patients with stable angina pectoris: the AtheroGene study.
C-reactive protein and fibrinogen have been extensively studied and shown to be predictive for a first cardiovascular event in healthy individuals. We evaluated the potential clinical use of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in patients already suffering from coronary artery disease (CAD). ⋯ In patients with documented CAD, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen were predictive for future cardiovascular risk, but did not provide further information on top of that obtained from models including traditional risk factors. Our data emphasize the clinical importance of traditional risk factors in patients with CAD.
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European heart journal · Dec 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyPotential synergy between lipid-lowering and blood-pressure-lowering in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial.
A prespecified objective of the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT) was to assess whether any synergistic effects were apparent between the lipid-lowering and blood-pressure-lowering regimens in preventing cardiovascular events. ⋯ These findings of an apparent interaction between atorvastatin and an amlodipine-based regimen in the prevention of CHD events are of borderline significance, and hence generate an hypothesis that merits independent evaluation in other trials.
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European heart journal · Dec 2006
Meta AnalysisInterventions for prevention of post-operative atrial fibrillation and its complications after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery. We aimed to evaluate, by meta-analysis, all randomized trials testing interventions for preventing AF. ⋯ All five interventions reduced the incidence of AF, though the effect of BBs is less than previously thought. The significant reductions in length of stay and stroke in meta-analysis suggest that there are worthwhile benefits from aggressive prevention. Larger studies to confirm these clinical benefits and evaluate their cost-effectiveness would be worthwhile.