International journal of cardiology
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The size of the functional right ventricle of patients with Ebstein's anomaly is, according to contemporary opinion, small. However, the in vivo size of the functional right ventricle in patients with Ebstein's anomaly is unknown. Furthermore, it is unknown how the apical displacement and regurgitant fraction of the tricuspid valve in Ebstein's anomaly affects the size of the functional right ventricle. Therefore the primary aim of this study was to determine the volume of the functional right ventricle in patients with Ebstein's anomaly. The secondary aim of this study was to assess correlation of the volume of the functional right ventricle to the apical displacement and regurgitant fraction of the tricuspid valve. ⋯ Patients with untreated Ebstein's anomaly have large functional right ventricles. The size of the enlarged functional right ventricle seems to depend on the degree of tricuspid valve regurgitation and not on the size of the atrialized right ventricle or the age of the patient.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Lipid-altering efficacy and safety profile of co-administered extended release niacin/laropiprant and simvastatin versus atorvastatin in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia.
Extended-release niacin/laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) reduces flushing and preserves the lipid-modifying effects of ERN. This study compared the efficacy and safety of ERN/LRPT plus simvastatin (ERN/LRPT+SIMVA) with atorvastatin (ATORVA) in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia. ⋯ ERN/LRPT+SIMVA was generally superior to ATORVA in improving lipid parameters after 12 weeks and was generally well tolerated in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia.
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Aldosterone levels are high early after admission for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) concomitantly with high risk of sudden death and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. ⋯ Early aldosterone blockade in patients presenting for primary PCI for STEMI is associated with significant reductions in rates of life-threatening arrhythmia and cardiac arrest independent of the initial risk profile, heart failure or hemodynamic status. These findings support the concept of aldosterone blockade early after STEMI, warranting further confirmation by ongoing randomized trials.
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Review Meta Analysis
Incidence, etiology and predictors of adverse outcomes in 43,315 patients presenting to the Emergency Department with syncope: an international meta-analysis.
Syncope remains challenging for Emergency Department (ED) physicians due to difficulties in assessing the risk of future adverse outcomes. The aim of this meta-analysis is to establish the incidence and etiology of adverse outcomes as well as the predictors, in patients presenting with syncope to the ED. ⋯ Syncope carries a high risk of death, mainly related to cardiovascular disease. This large study which has established the most powerful predictors of adverse outcomes, may enable care and resources to be better focused at high risk patients.