Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
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Multicenter Study
Digoxin in atrial fibrillation: report from the Stockholm Cohort study of Atrial Fibrillation (SCAF).
Recent studies of patients with heart failure and of patients receiving intensive care indicate that digoxin may increase mortality if the patient has atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective To study which patients receive digoxin treatment for AF and what the prognosis is for patients given this treatment. ⋯ Digoxin is mainly given to an elderly and frailer subset of patients with AF and is thus associated with an increased mortality. When differences in patient characteristics are accounted for digoxin use seems to have a neutral effect on mortality and major cardiovascular events in patients with AF.
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Multicenter Study
Anthropometric assessment of abdominal obesity and coronary heart disease risk in men: the PRIME study.
Waist-to-height ratio is an anthropometric indicator of abdominal obesity that accounts for stature. Earlier studies have reported marked associations between the waist-to-height ratio and cardiovascular risk factors. The goal of this study was to compare the associations of waist-to-height ratio, waist girth, waist-to-hip ratio or body mass index (BMI) with incidence of coronary events. ⋯ In middle-aged European men, waist-to-height ratio identifies coronary risk more strongly than waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio or BMI, though the difference is marginal.
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To investigate whether simple and non-invasive measurement of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and/or C-reactive protein (CRP) can predict perioperative major cardiovascular event (PMCE). ⋯ High preoperative NT-proBNP or CRP is a strong and independent predictor of perioperative major cardiovascular event in non-cardiac surgery. The predictive power of current clinical risk evaluation system would be strengthened by these biomarkers.
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To compare out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) characteristics in white and South Asian populations within Greater London. ⋯ The quality of care provided was comparable between white and South Asian populations. The data support the emerging view that South Asians' high mortality from coronary heart disease reflects higher incidence rather than higher case fatality. South Asians had an OOHCA at a significantly younger age. The study demonstrates the importance of ethnic coding within the emergency services.
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Multicenter Study
Pulmonary vein stenosis: the UK, Ireland and Sweden collaborative study.
To describe clinical features, morphology, management and outcome of pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) in childhood. ⋯ PVS is a complex disease of uncertain cause and frequently associated with prematurity. Early intervention may be indicated to deter irreversible secondary changes.