Journal of cardiac failure
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Levosimendan improves renal function in patients with advanced chronic heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation.
Long-term impact of levosimendan on renal function remains undefined. Prospectively, we evaluated effects of levosimendan on renal function in patients with advanced chronic heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation. ⋯ Levosimendan improves long-term renal function in advanced chronic heart failure patients awaiting cardiac transplantation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effects of combined candesartan and ACE inhibitors on BNP, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, and glucose regulation in patients with symptomatic heart failure.
We assessed the effects of candesartan in addition to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on N-terminal pro-type natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP), systemic markers of inflammation and oxidative stress as well as on glucose regulation in patients with heart failure (HF). ⋯ The addition of candesartan to ACE inhibitor and beta-blocker decreases Nt-proBNP and hsCRP, but does not change the other markers of inflammation or oxidative stress in patients with heart failure. Dual angiotensin-II suppression also decreased blood glucose with a greater impact in patients with higher blood glucose level.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of high-dose HMG CoA reductase inhibitor therapy on ventricular remodeling, pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurohormonal parameters in patients with chronic systolic heart failure.
Statins decrease mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. However, chronic heart failure (CHF) patients were often excluded in such trials. Statins possess pharmacologic properties (independent of cholesterol lowering) that may be beneficial on ventricular remodeling in such patients. ⋯ Despite being safe and effective at decreasing plasma cholesterol, high-dose ROS did not beneficially alter parameters of LV remodeling. Reasons for absence of benefit are uncertain, but may include patient population studied, high dose of ROS used or high use of effective background CHF medications.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Racial differences in the characteristics of patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure and their relation to outcomes: results from the OPTIME-CHF trial.
Recent data suggest that differences in response to therapy and survival exist between African Americans and Caucasians with heart failure. Whether these differences exist in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is uncertain. ⋯ African American patients with acute decompensated heart failure present with a different clinical profile than Caucasian patients. Although unadjusted clinical outcomes are better for African Americans presenting with ADHF, these differences diminished after adjustment for baseline characteristics.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Randomized trial of a nurse-administered, telephone-based disease management program for patients with heart failure.
Heart failure is a common and important cause of morbidity and mortality. Disease management offers promise in reducing the need for hospitalization and improving quality of life for heart failure patients, but experimental data on the efficacy of such programs are limited. ⋯ A nurse-administered, telephone-based disease management program delayed subsequent health care encounters, but had minimal impact on other outcomes.