European heart journal
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European heart journal · Apr 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEfficacy of an additional MAZE procedure using cooled-tip radiofrequency ablation in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and mitral valve disease. A randomized, prospective trial.
This study is the first prospective randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of an antiarrhythmic surgical procedure in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation undergoing mitral valve replacement. ⋯ A modified MAZE operation using cooled-tip radiofrequency ablation can be safely combined with mitral valve surgery and is highly effective in restoring sinus rhythm. Biatrial contraction is found in 66.7% of patients with sinus rhythm undergoing mitral valve replacement plus the MAZE operation.
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European heart journal · Feb 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialValue of first day angiography/angioplasty in evolving Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: an open multicenter randomized trial. The VINO Study.
Direct angioplasty is an effective treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The role of very early angioplasty in non-ST-elevation infarction is not known. Thus, a randomized study of first day angiography/angioplasty vs early conservative therapy of evolving myocardial infarction without persistent ST-elevation was conducted. ⋯ First day coronary angiography followed by angioplasty whenever possible reduces mortality and reinfarction in evolving myocardial infarction without persistent ST-elevation, in comparison with an early conservative treatment strategy.
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European heart journal · Dec 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialCombination treatment in stable effort angina using trimetazidine and metoprolol: results of a randomized, double-blind, multicentre study (TRIMPOL II). TRIMetazidine in POLand.
To assess the antiischaemic efficacy and tolerability of the metabolic agent trimetazidine in combination with metoprolol in patients with stable effort angina. ⋯ Therapy with trimetazidine plus metoprolol produced significant improvements in exercise stress tests and the symptoms of angina relative to metoprolol alone. With its metabolic effect, devoid of any haemodynamic action, trimetazidine is useful for combination therapy in patients with stable angina insufficiently controlled by monotherapy with a beta-blocker.
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European heart journal · Aug 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialBisoprolol reduces cardiac death and myocardial infarction in high-risk patients as long as 2 years after successful major vascular surgery.
To assess the long-term cardioprotective effect of bisoprolol in a randomized high-risk population after successful major vascular surgery. High-risk patients were defined by the presence of one or more cardiac risk factor(s) and a dobutamine echocardiography test positive for ischaemia. ⋯ Bisoprolol significantly reduced long-term cardiac death and myocardial infarction in high-risk patients after successful major cardiac vascular surgery.
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European heart journal · Sep 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSafety and efficacy of eptifibatide vs placebo in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction; a phase II dose escalation, randomized, double-blind study.
Thrombolytic therapy restores coronary patency in patients with acute myocardial infarction, although normal perfusion (TIMI 3 flow) is not achieved in all patients. In an attempt to improve TIMI 3 flow, a combination of full-dose streptokinase, aspirin and escalating dosages of a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker, eptifibatide, vs placebo were tested. ⋯ A combination of full dose streptokinase with different eptifibatide regimens enhanced coronary perfusion, but bleeding risk was excessive. Additional trials are needed with different dosage regimens to determine the optimal combination of fibrinolytic agents and platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers.