European heart journal
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European heart journal · Sep 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyAn analysis of mortality rates with dual-antiplatelet therapy in the primary prevention population of the CHARISMA trial.
To examine the unanticipated, excess mortality observed in patients randomized to clopidogrel and aspirin vs. aspirin alone in the prespecified 'asymptomatic' subgroup of CHARISMA, we investigated whether dual-antiplatelet therapy may be associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in a primary prevention population. ⋯ These findings do not support the use of dual-antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin in a primary prevention population. In this subgroup analysis, CV death occurred more frequently than anticipated. The cause of this apparent harm is not elucidated, may represent play of chance, but requires further prospective evaluation.
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European heart journal · Sep 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of two dosing regimens of darbepoetin alfa in patients with heart failure and anaemia.
Anaemia is common in chronic heart failure (CHF) and associated with worse outcome. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of two darbepoetin alfa dosing regimens on haemoglobin (Hb) rate of rise and clinical effects in patients with CHF and anaemia. ⋯ In this study of patients with CHF and anaemia, treatment with darbepoetin alfa raised Hb using different dosing regimens. Darbepoetin alfa improved some quality of life indices, but its safety requires further exploration. Larger trials are needed to determine the effects on long-term morbidity and mortality.