Journal of the American College of Cardiology
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study of the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). ⋯ On a background of standard treatment, qili qiangxin capsules further reduced the levels of NT-proBNP. Together, our data suggest that qili qiangxin capsules could be used in combination therapy for CHF.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyIntensification of statin therapy results in a rapid reduction in atherosclerotic inflammation: results of a multicenter fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography feasibility study.
The study sought to test whether high-dose statin treatment would result in greater reductions in plaque inflammation than low-dose statins, using fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomographic imaging (FDG-PET/CT). ⋯ Statin therapy produced significant rapid dose-dependent reductions in FDG uptake that may represent changes in atherosclerotic plaque inflammation. FDG-PET imaging may be useful in detecting early treatment effects in patients at risk or with established atherosclerosis.
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J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialBalancing the benefits and risks of 2 doses of dabigatran compared with warfarin in atrial fibrillation.
This study sought to compare the net clinical benefit of dabigatran 110 mg bid and 150 mg bid with that of warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ On a group level both doses of dabigatran as compared with warfarin have similar benefits when considering a weighted estimate including both efficacy and safety. The similar overall benefits of the 2 doses of dabigatran versus warfarin support individualizing the dose based on patient characteristics and physician and patient preferences. (Randomized Evaluation of Long Term Anticoagulant Therapy [RE-LY] With Dabigatran Etexilate; NCT00262600).