JACC. Heart failure
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JACC. Heart failure · Apr 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of levosimendan on the short-term clinical course of patients with acutely decompensated heart failure.
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of levosimendan, a positive inotropic drug with vasodilator effects, given intravenously to patients with acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). ⋯ In patients with ADHF, intravenous levosimendan provided rapid and durable symptomatic relief. As dosed in this trial, levosimendan was associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. (Evaluation of Intravenous Levosimendan Efficacy in the Short Term Treatment of Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure; NCT00048425).
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JACC. Heart failure · Apr 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialExercise training and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks in patients with heart failure: results from HF-ACTION (Heart Failure and A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise TraiNing).
The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise training is associated with an increased risk of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with heart failure (HF). ⋯ We found no evidence of increased ICD shocks in patients with HF and reduced left ventricular function who underwent exercise training. Exercise therapy should not be prohibited in ICD recipients with HF. (Exercise Training Program to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Individuals With Congestive Heart Failure; NCT00047437)
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JACC. Heart failure · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialAdaptive servo-ventilation in cardiac function and neurohormonal status in patients with heart failure and central sleep apnea nonresponsive to continuous positive airway pressure.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether effective suppression of central sleep apnea (CSA) by adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) improves underlying cardiac dysfunction among patients with heart failure (HF) in whom CSA was not effectively suppressed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). ⋯ Patients with HF and unsuppressed CSA despite receiving CPAP may receive additional benefit by having CPAP replaced with ASV. Additionally, effective suppression of CSA may improve cardiac function in HF patients.
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JACC. Heart failure · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic-guided therapy in elderly heart failure patients: results from TIME-CHF (Trial of Intensified versus Standard Medical Therapy in Elderly Patients with Congestive Heart Failure).
This study aimed to assess cost-effectiveness of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-guided versus symptom-guided therapy in heart failure (HF) patients ≥60 years old. ⋯ NT-proBNP-guided therapy has a high probability of being cost effective in HF patients with reduced LVEF, particularly in patients age 60 to 75 years or with less than 2 comorbidities. (Trial of Intensified versus standard Medical therapy in Elderly patients with Congestive Heart Failure [TIME-CHF]; ISRCTN43596477).