American heart journal
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American heart journal · Aug 2006
Prevalence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
Heparin is ubiquitously used in cardiac catheterization but predisposes to the development of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. The objective was to examine prospectively the prevalence of anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibodies and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the population undergoing cardiac catheterization. ⋯ The prevalence of antibodies to PF4/heparin is low in the population presenting for cardiac catheterization. However, a significant proportion of patients develop antibodies to PF4/heparin after a small exposure to heparin during catheterization. Clinically significant thrombotic complications were rare and did not correlate with antibody status.
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American heart journal · Jul 2006
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyGlycemic control and macrovascular disease in types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus: Meta-analysis of randomized trials.
Uncertainty persists concerning the effect of improved long-term glycemic control on macrovascular disease in diabetes mellitus (DM). ⋯ Our data suggest that attempts to improve glycemic control reduce the incidence of macrovascular events both in type 1 and type 2 DM. In absolute terms, benefits are comparable, although effects on specific manifestations of macrovascular disease differ.
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American heart journal · Jul 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEffect of teaching and type of stethoscope on cardiac auscultatory performance.
Auscultation of the heart is a routine procedure. It is not known whether auscultatory skills can be improved by teaching or with the use of an advanced stethoscope. ⋯ Heart auscultation findings were in poor accordance with echocardiographic findings and had high interobserver variation. Neither outcome improved to any important extent with the subjects' use of an advanced stethoscope or attending of a course in heart auscultation.