Zeitschrift für Kardiologie
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Ambulatory electrocardioversion of atrial fibrillation by means of biphasic versus monophasic shock delivery. A prospective randomized study].
Transthoracic electrical cardioversion using a monophasic waveform is the most common method converting persistent atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm. Recently, cardioversion with a new biphasic waveform has shown promising results for treatment of atrial fibrillation. We undertook a randomized prospective trial comparing the efficacy and safety of the two waveforms for ambulatory cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. ⋯ No major acute complications were observed. For ambulatory transthoracic cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation biphasic shocks are of greater efficacy and require less energy than monophasic shocks. The procedure can be performed ambulatory and is safe regardless of shock waveform used.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effect of bisoprolol on perioperative complications in chronic heart failure after surgery (Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study II (CIBIS II)).
In patients with coronary artery disease undergoing noncardiac surgery, beta-blockers decrease perioperative mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction. It is presently unknown whether beta-blockers reduce perioperative risk in patients with chronic heart failure. Thus, data of the CIBIS II study were analyzed regarding the effect of bisoprolol on perioperative outcome in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. ⋯ Neither postoperative hospital admission (placebo, 24.4%; bisoprolol, 34.5%, p = 0.17) nor time to postoperative hospital admission (placebo, < or =30 days, n = 2; 31-180 days, n=11; >180 days, n = 6; bisoprolol, n = 9/ 10/11; p = 0.14) were reduced by bisoprolol. Compared to coronary artery disease, perioperative beta-blockade has little effect in patients with chronic heart failure. Therefore, a controlled randomized trial with perioperative beta-blocker treatment in heart failure patients is warranted to further test this hypothesis.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Extent of ST-segment deviation in the single ECG lead of maximum deviation present 90 or 180 minutes after start of thrombolytic therapy best predicts outcome in acute myocardial infarction.
In evolving myocardial infarction the extent of ST segment deviation reflects the existing ischemic myocardial injury and thus conveys very useful early prognostic information. In recent years, the sum of ST segment elevation resolution (sum STR) has been proven to be an excellent early prognostic indicator. However, the predictive power of sum STR has never been systematically compared with that of other methods of evaluation of ST segment deviation recovery. We, therefore, proposed to compare the prognostic power of ST segment changes evaluated by either sum STR or by ST segment resolution in only the one lead showing the maximal deviation (lead STR) or only by the existing ST segment deviation in the single ECG lead of maximum ST deviation present at a given time point after thrombolysis (lead STE). ⋯ Simple measurement of the ST segment deviation existing in the one ECG lead with the greatest deviation on the ECG recorded 90 or 180 minutes after thrombolysis enables the identification of the major subsets of patients who are either at very low or exceptionally high risk of mortality.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Sublingual nitroglycerin or intravenous enalaprilat in preclinical treatment of hypertensive patients with pulmonary edema].
In a prospectively designed randomized study, we compared the efficacy of sublingual nitroglycerine and intravenous enalaprilat in the out-of-hospital treatment of 46 hypertensive patients with pulmonary edema (defined as rales over both lungs and systolic blood pressure > 200 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure > 100 mg). The out-of-hospital treatment consists of oxygen (6 Ll/min) via a face mask, furosemide 80 mg i.v., opioids 10 mg s.c., and either sublingual nitroglycerine (n = 23; initial dose: 0.8 mg; repetitive application of 0.8 mg every 10 min until a cumulative dose of 3.2 mg) or intravenous enalaprilat (initial dose: 2.5 mg; repetitive application of 2.5 mg every 30 min until a cumulative dose of 10 mg). The aim of the antihypertensive treatment was a reduction of systolic blood pressure below 160 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg until admission to the emergency department. ⋯ No significant differences were observed between the enalaprilat and the nitroglycerine groups concerning respiratory and metabolic parameters on admission (pO2: 67 [15] vs. 64 [17] mm Hg; p = 0.50; pCO2: 46 [9] vs. 47 [13]; p = 0.75; pH value: 7.27 [0.12] vs. 7.27 [0.09]; p = 0.98; BE: -4.2 [3.7] vs. -5.7 [4.1]; p = 0.23; lactate: 4.2 [3.3] vs. 4.2 [2.7]; p = 0.98). Intravenous enalaprilat did not exhibit any advantage compared to nitroglycerine in terms of blood pressure reduction or respiratory and metabolic parameters on admission to the emergency room. We conclude that enalaprilat is no substitute for nitroglycerine in the out-of-hospital treatment of hypertensive patients with pulmonary edema.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Medicamentous prevention after electric cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation. Goals and design of the PAFAC Study].
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia. However, despite manifold publications reflecting numerous clinical trials about treatment of AF, the management of this arrhythmia is still under controversial discussion, in daily clinical work as well as in research. The present study concentrates on three major questions: 1. ⋯ Until the end of June 1998, 424 patients have been randomised. It is expected to end recruitment in spring 1999 and to close the study in spring 2000. Final results will be available in summer 2000.