International journal of cardiology
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To study if the coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) at the emergency department (ED) has an impact on short- and long-term outcomes. ⋯ In patients attending the ED for AHF, the coexistence of COPD is only associated with an increased risk of short-term ED revisit, but not prolonged hospitalization and short- or long-term mortality.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparison of the GRACE, HEART and TIMI score to predict major adverse cardiac events in chest pain patients at the emergency department.
The performance of the GRACE, HEART and TIMI scores were compared in predicting the probability of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in chest pain patients presenting at the emergency department (ED), in particular their ability to identify patients at low risk. ⋯ The HEART score outperformed the GRACE and TIMI scores in discriminating between those with and without MACE in chest pain patients, and identified the largest group of low-risk patients at the same level of safety.
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This study examines the clinical utility of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as an indicator of myocardial dysfunction and mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock. ⋯ High plasma NGAL correlates with high mortality and myocardial dysfunction in severe sepsis and septic shock.
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Comparative Study
Exercise speckle-tracking strain imaging demonstrates impaired right ventricular contractile reserve in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
To analyse right ventricular (RV) systolic function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) at rest and during exercise, and its possible correlation with left ventricular(LV) morphology and function. ⋯ RV contractile reserve for HCM is impaired and this suggests that the lower resting values of RV in HCM may represent early subclinical myocardial damage, closely associated with exercise capacity.
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Terminating ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) is critical for successful resuscitation of patients with shockable cardiac arrest. In the event of shock-refractory VF, applicable guidelines suggest use of anti-arrhythmic agents. However, subsequent long-term outcomes remain unclear. A nationwide cohort study was therefore launched, examining 1-year survival rates in patients given amiodarone and/or lidocaine for cardiac arrest. ⋯ In patients with shockable cardiac arrest, 1-year survival rates were improved with association of using amiodarone and/or lidocaine, as opposed to non-treatment. However, outcomes of patients given one or both medications did not differ significantly in intergroup comparisons.