Journal of internal medicine
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Multicenter Study
Serum amyloid A is independently associated with metabolic risk factors but not with early atherosclerosis: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.
Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a sensitive marker of inflammation and its elevation has been implicated in obesity and in cardiovascular disease, yet data on its regulation in young adults or on its role in early atherosclerosis is scarce. We investigated which factors explain the variation in SAA and analysed whether SAA could be associated with preclinical atherosclerosis. ⋯ Serum amyloid A was associated with several metabolic risk factors but was not an independent predictor of IMT or carotid artery compliance. Further longitudinal studies will show whether SAA holds a prognostic value as a risk marker, analogously to CRP.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients admitted with heart failure.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important differential diagnosis in patients with heart failure (HF). The primary aims were to determine the prevalence of COPD and to test the accuracy of self-reported COPD in patients admitted with HF. Secondary aims were to study a possible relationship between right and left ventricular function and pulmonary function. ⋯ Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is frequent in patients admitted with HF and self-reported COPD only identifies a minority. The prevalence of COPD was high in both patients with systolic and nonsystolic HF.
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Multicenter Study
High D-dimer levels increase the likelihood of pulmonary embolism.
Objective. To determine the utility of high quantitative D-dimer levels in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Methods. ⋯ Conclusion. Strongly elevated D-dimer levels substantially increase the likelihood of pulmonary embolism. Whether this should translate into more intensive diagnostic and therapeutic measures in patients with high D-dimer levels irrespective of CDR remains to be studied.
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Multicenter Study
Do patient characteristics or factors at resuscitation influence long-term outcome in patients surviving to be discharged following in-hospital cardiac arrest?
Few studies have focused on factors influencing long-term outcome following in-hospital cardiac arrest. The present study assesses whether long-term outcome is influenced by difference in patient factors or factors at resuscitation. ⋯ Several patient factors, mainly age, functional status and co-morbid disease, influence long-term survival following cardiac arrest in hospital. The location where the arrest occurred also influences survival, but initial rhythm, delay to defibrillation and to return of spontaneous circulation do not.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Prevention of serious vascular events by aspirin amongst patients with peripheral arterial disease: randomized, double-blind trial.
To assess the prophylactic efficacy of aspirin and a high-dose antioxidant vitamin combination in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in terms of reduction of the risk of a first vascular event (myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular death) and critical limb ischaemia. ⋯ For the first time direct evidence shows that low-dose aspirin should routinely be considered for PAD patients, including those with concomitant type 2 diabetes.