International journal of cardiology
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Meta Analysis
Drug-eluting balloons for coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Drug-eluting balloons (DEB) are attractive new alternatives to drug-eluting stents (DES) for percutaneous coronary interventions. We aimed to systematically review the efficacy and safety of DEB in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). ⋯ Our findings support the current recommendation of using DEB in in-stent restenosis. Large, well-conducted trials are essential in determining the application of DEB in other lesion types as well as exploring device-specific efficacy and safety profiles.
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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest sustained cardiac arrhythmia. In developing countries, AF is a growing public health problem with the epidemiologic transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases. However, relatively little is known about AF in the developing world. The aim of this review is to examine in developing countries the prevalence, associated medical conditions and management of AF. ⋯ The limited studies available suggest that in the developing world there is a significant prevalence of AF, which is predominantly associated with hypertension and valvular heart disease, and carries a risk of stroke. Highly variable use of anticoagulants may be related to different health care and socioeconomic settings. More studies are needed to improve understanding of the epidemiology and management of AF in developing countries.
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Review Meta Analysis
Measurement accuracy of non-invasively obtained central blood pressure by applanation tonometry: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Non-invasive methods based on applanation tonometry have been proposed to estimate central blood pressure. However, the accuracy of these methods hasn't been systematically examined. ⋯ Present tonometry-based central BP estimating methods are acceptable in theory, with small errors. However, based on current available evidence, there is substantial room for improvement in measurement accuracy of central BP when cuff BP is used to calibrate the peripheral waveforms.
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Human exposure to high altitude is increasing, through inhabitation of areas of high altitude, expansion of tourism into more remote areas, and air travel exposing passengers to typical altitudes equivalent to 8005 ft (2440 m). With ascent to high altitude, a number of acute and chronic physiological changes occur, influencing all systems of the human body. When considering that cardiac arrest is the second most common cause of death in the mountains and that up to 60% of the elderly have significant heart disease or other health problems, these changes are of particular importance as they may have a significant impact on resuscitation efforts. ⋯ As no randomized trials evaluating the effects of physiological changes after ascent to high altitude on cardiopulmonary resuscitation were identified, our search was expanded to include all studies addressing important aspects on high altitude physiology which could have a potential impact on the resuscitation of cardiac arrest victims. The aim of this review is to discuss the major physiological changes occurring after ascent to high altitude and their potential effects on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Based on the available data, specific suggestions are proposed regarding resuscitation at high altitude.
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Review Meta Analysis
The preventive effect of statin therapy on new-onset and recurrent atrial fibrillation in patients not undergoing invasive cardiac interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Previous meta-analyses suggest that pre-procedural use of statin therapy may reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) following invasive cardiac interventions (coronary artery by-pass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention). However, the current evidence on the benefit of statins unrelated to invasive cardiac interventions has not been clarified systematically. ⋯ The hitherto published randomized clinical trials do not support a beneficial effect of statins on AF in patients not undergoing invasive cardiac interventions. This is in contrast to the results of observational and interventional studies.