American heart journal
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American heart journal · Jul 2010
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyImproving long-term risk prediction in patients with acute chest pain: the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score is enhanced by selected nonnecrosis biomarkers.
The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score is widely recommended for risk assessment in patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the utility of this score for long-term risk prediction in unselected patients with acute chest pain and whether it might be improved by the integration of nonnecrosis biomarkers. ⋯ The GRACE risk score allows for the prediction of mortality in chest pain patients even after almost 6 years of follow-up. However, its predictive value could be further enhanced by the addition of selected nonnecrosis biomarkers, in particular GDF-15 or cystatin C.
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American heart journal · Jul 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyCryptogenic Stroke and underlying Atrial Fibrillation (CRYSTAL AF): design and rationale.
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at increased risk for ischemic stroke. In patients who have suffered a stroke, screening for AF is routinely performed only for a short period after the stroke as part of the evaluation for possible causes. If AF is detected after an ischemic stroke, oral anticoagulation therapy is recommended for secondary stroke prevention. In 25% to 30% of stroke patients, the stroke mechanism cannot be determined (cryptogenic stroke). The incidence of paroxysmal AF undetected by short-term monitoring in patients with cryptogenic stroke is unknown, but has important therapeutic implications on patient care. The optimum monitoring duration and method of AF detection after stroke are unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of AF and time to AF detection in patients with cryptogenic stroke using an insertable cardiac monitor. ⋯ The primary end point is time to detection of AF within 6 months after stroke. The clinical follow-up period will be at least 12 months. Study completion is expected at the end of 2012.
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American heart journal · Jul 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyLeft ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis followed by early versus late invasive strategy.
Thrombolysis remains the treatment of choice in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cannot be performed within 90 to 120 minutes. The optimal treatment after thrombolysis is still debated, but several studies have shown improved clinical outcomes with early transfer for PCI. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an early invasive strategy after thrombolysis preserved left ventricular function better than a late invasive strategy. ⋯ In this group of STEMI patients treated with thrombolysis, no difference in left ventricular function after 3 months was found between patients treated with early versus late invasive strategy.
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American heart journal · Jun 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyA randomized double-blind comparison of biventricular versus left ventricular stimulation for cardiac resynchronization therapy: the Biventricular versus Left Univentricular Pacing with ICD Back-up in Heart Failure Patients (B-LEFT HF) trial.
Biventricular (BiV) stimulation is the preferred means of delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), although left ventricular (LV)-only stimulation might be as safe and effective. B-LEFT HF is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study aimed to examine whether LV-only is noninferior to BiV pacing regarding clinical and echocardiographic responses. ⋯ Left ventricular-only pacing is noninferior to BiV pacing in a 6-month follow-up with regard to clinical and echocardiographic responses. Left ventricular pacing may be considered as a clinical alternative option to BiV pacing.
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American heart journal · Jun 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyBIVentricular versus right ventricular antitachycardia pacing to terminate ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy: the ADVANCE CRT-D Trial.
This multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel trial compares the efficacy of biventricular (BIV) versus right ventricular (RV) antitachycardia pacing (ATP) in terminating all kinds of ventricular tachycardia (VT). ⋯ Antitachycardia pacing is effective in patients implanted with a CRT-D device. No significant differences in efficacy emerged between BIV- and RV-delivered ATP in the general population, whereas BIV ATP seems to present a safer profile in ischemic patients.