Circ Cardiovasc Qual
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jul 2012
Comparative efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Dabigatran, an oral thrombin inhibitor, and rivaroxaban and apixaban, oral factor Xa inhibitors, have been found to be safe and effective in reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of the 3 new agents based on data from their published warfarin-controlled randomized trials, using the method of adjusted indirect comparisons. ⋯ An indirect comparison of new anticoagulants based on existing trial data indicates that in patients with a CHADS(2) score ≥3 dabigatran 150 mg, apixaban 5 mg, and rivaroxaban 20 mg resulted in statistically similar rates of stroke and systemic embolism, but apixaban had a lower risk of major hemorrhage compared with dabigatran and rivaroxaban. Until head-to-head trials or large-scale observational studies that reflect routine use of these agents are available, such adjusted indirect comparisons based on trial data are one tool to guide initial therapeutic choices.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jul 2012
Appropriateness of percutaneous coronary interventions in Washington State.
In anticipation of applying Appropriate Use Criteria for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) quality improvement, we determined the prevalence of appropriate, uncertain, and inappropriate PCIs stratified by indication for all PCIs performed in the state of Washington. ⋯ In a complete cohort of PCIs performed in Washington state, 1% of PCIs for acute indications and 17% of PCIs for nonacute indications were classified as inappropriate. Missing data on noninvasive stress tests present a challenge in the application of the criteria for quality improvement.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jul 2012
Glucose variability and mortality in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction.
Mean blood glucose (BG) during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an important predictor of inpatient mortality but does not capture glucose variability (GV), which has been shown to be independently associated with mortality in critically ill patients. Whether GV is associated with in-hospital mortality during AMI, after accounting for mean BG, is unknown. ⋯ Although greater GV is associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI in unadjusted analyses, GV is no longer independently predictive after controlling for multiple patient factors, including mean BG. These findings suggest that GV does not provide additional prognostic value above and beyond already recognized risk factors for mortality during AMI.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jul 2012
Comparative StudyComparative effectiveness of population interventions to improve access to reperfusion for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction in Australia.
Improving timely access to reperfusion is a major goal of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction care. We sought to compare the population impact of interventions proposed to improve timely access to reperfusion therapy in Australia. ⋯ Significant gaps in timely provision of reperfusion remain in Australia. Systematic implementation of changes in service delivery has potential to improve timely access to PPCI for a majority of the population and improve access to fibrinolysis to those living in regional and remote areas.
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Circ Cardiovasc Qual · Jul 2012
Long-term survival and recurrence after acute myocardial infarction in England, 2004 to 2010.
There are limited population-based national data on prognosis in survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), particularly on long-term survival and the risk of recurrence. ⋯ Survivors of both first and recurrent AMI remained at a significantly higher risk of death compared with the general population for at least 7 years after the event. For survivors of first AMI, the influence of predisposing factors for second AMI lessened with time after the initial event. The results reinforce the importance of acute clinical care and secondary prevention in improving long-term prognosis of hospitalized AMI patients.