European heart journal
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European heart journal · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study to assess haemodynamic effects of serelaxin in patients with acute heart failure.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic effects of serelaxin (30 µg/kg/day 20-h infusion and 4-h post-infusion period) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). ⋯ The haemodynamic effects of serelaxin observed in the present study provide plausible mechanistic support for improvement in signs and symptoms of congestion observed with this agent in AHF patients. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01543854.
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European heart journal · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyCatheter ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drug treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation: a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial (SARA study).
Catheter ablation (CA) is a highly effective therapy for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) when compared with antiarrhythmic drug therapy (ADT). No randomized studies have compared the two strategies in persistent AF. The present randomized trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of CA vs. ADT in treating persistent AF. ⋯ NCT00863213 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00863213).
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European heart journal · Feb 2014
Multicenter Study Observational StudyRisk stratification in patients with acute chest pain using three high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays.
Several high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays have recently been developed. It is unknown which hs-cTn provides the most accurate prognostic information and to what extent early changes in hs-cTn predict mortality. ⋯ High-sensitivity cardiac Troponin T is more accurate than hs-cTnI in the prediction of long-term mortality. Changes of hs-cTn do not seem to further improve risk stratification beyond initial presentation values.
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European heart journal · Feb 2014
ReviewCombination pharmacotherapy to prevent cardiovascular disease: present status and challenges.
Combination pills containing aspirin, multiple blood pressure (BP) lowering drugs, and a statin have demonstrated safety, substantial risk factor reductions, and improved medication adherence in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The individual medications in combination pills are already recommended for use together in secondary CVD prevention. Therefore, current information on their pharmacokinetics, impact on the risk factors, and tolerability should be sufficient to persuade regulators and clinicians to use fixed-dose combination pills in high-risk individuals, such as in secondary prevention. ⋯ It is anticipated that widespread use of combination pills with lifestyle modifications can lead to substantial risk reductions (as much as an 80% estimated RRR) in CVD. Heath care systems need to deploy these strategies widely, effectively, and efficiently. If implemented, these strategies could avoid several millions of fatal and non-fatal CVD events every year worldwide.