International journal of cardiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Vernakalant: conversion of atrial fibrillation in patients with ischemic heart disease.
Vernakalant is a novel, relatively atrial-selective antiarrhythmic drug. This analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of intravenous vernakalant for the rapid conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm in patients with a history of ischemic heart disease (IHD). ⋯ Vernakalant was safe and well tolerated in AF/AFL patients with a history of IHD, and was significantly more effective than placebo for the acute conversion of AF regardless of IHD status.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Sinus rhythm versus atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with chronic heart failure--insight from the Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study in Elderly.
It has been suggested that patients with chronic HF and atrial fibrillation (AF) may respond differently to beta-blockers than those in sinus rhythm (SR). ⋯ Elderly patients with chronic HF and AF derive comparable clinical benefits from beta-blocker titration as those in SR. Patients with AF tolerate higher beta-blocker doses than those in SR, which appears to be related to higher baseline HR.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Antiplatelet effect of 600- and 300-mg loading doses of clopidogrel in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: an analysis of the ARMYDA-6 MI (Antiplatelet therapy for Reduction of MYocardial Damage during Angioplasty-Myocardial Infarction) Study.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of three different regimens of intermittent inotrope infusions for end stage heart failure.
Inotrope treatment is often necessary in refractory to optimal management end stage heart failure, when signs of end-organ hypoperfusion appear. The effect of specific inotropes on patient outcome remains controversial. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of levosimendan versus dobutamine, alone or in combination with levosimendan, on the outcome of end-stage heart failure patients, requiring inotropic therapy. ⋯ In patients with refractory end-stage heart failure, intermittent administration of levosimendan conferred survival and hemodynamic benefits in comparison to a regimen of intermittent infusions of dobutamine, alone or in combination with levosimendan.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Ghent Marfan Trial--a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial with losartan in Marfan patients treated with β-blockers.
Aortic root dilation, dissection and rupture are major clinical problems in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Although β-blockers remain the standard of preventive treatment, preliminary results from animal studies and a selected group of severely affected MFS children show significant benefit from treatment with losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker with TGF-β inhibiting potential. Large-scale human trials are now needed to confirm these results. This trial aims to evaluate the combined effect of both drugs. ⋯ This trial will study new therapeutic strategies for the prevention of serious cardiovascular complications in MFS. The uniqueness in our trial is that the additive effect of losartan and β-blocker will be evaluated in a large spectrum of disease severity. A combination of ultrasound and MRI will allow detailed evaluation of anatomic and functional properties of the aorta and left ventricle.