Journal of cardiac failure
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Long-term outcomes with ambrisentan monotherapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This study evaluated long-term outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) undergoing treatment with ambrisentan monotherapy, a selective oral endothelin-1 receptor antagonist. ⋯ Ambrisentan monotherapy led to improvements in catheterization, 6MWD, and RV ejection fraction, and shows promise as a long-term treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
Relationship of quality of life scores with baseline characteristics and outcomes in the African-American heart failure trial.
To characterize the quality of life (QOL) in the African-American Heart Failure Trial (A-HeFT) for factors associated with baseline score, relation of score to prognosis, and response to therapy with a fixed-dose combination of isosorbide dinitrate/hydralazine (FDC I/H). Limited data exist on QOL scores in African-American heart failure patients or on the prognostic value of theses scores in any population. Finally, the effect of FDC I/H on QOL scores, particularly in A-HeFT, is not known. ⋯ In A-HeFT, baseline QOL (MLHFQ) scores and change in score were predictive of combined HF morbidity and mortality outcomes. FDC I/H consistently improved QOL scores in A-HeFT compared with placebo.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The influence of renal function on clinical outcome and response to beta-blockade in systolic heart failure: insights from Metoprolol CR/XL Randomized Intervention Trial in Chronic HF (MERIT-HF).
Limited information is available on the risk and impact of renal dysfunction on the response to beta-blockade and mode of death in systolic heart failure (HF). ⋯ Renal function as estimated by eGFR was a powerful predictor of death and hospitalizations from worsening HF. Metoprolol CR/XL was at least as effective in reducing death and hospitalizations for worsening HF in patients with eGFR < 45 as in those with eGFR > 60.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Cholinergic stimulation improves autonomic and hemodynamic profile during dynamic exercise in patients with heart failure.
Parasympathetic dysfunction is an independent risk factor for mortality in heart failure for which there is no specific pharmacologic treatment. This article aims to determine the effect of pyridostigmine, an anticholinesterase agent, on the integrated physiologic responses to dynamic exercise in heart failure. ⋯ Pyridostigmine was well tolerated by heart failure patients, leading to improved hemodynamic profile during dynamic exercise.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A randomized clinical trial of the clinical effects of enhanced heart failure monitoring using a computer-based telephonic monitoring system in older minorities and women.
Prior studies suggest that disease management programs may be effective in improving clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the use of these programs in settings with limited sources and among diverse population is not know. Thus the present study was designed to assess the impact of a computer-based home disease management program (Alere DayLink HF Monitoring System [HFMS]) on the clinical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries with HF who were elderly, women, and non-white males who received the care from a community-based primary care practitioner. ⋯ Our study results suggest that enhanced patient education and follow-up is as successful as a sophisticated home monitoring device with an interactive program in patients with HF who are elderly, women and non-Caucasian males and receive the care from a community-based primary care practitioner.