European journal of heart failure
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Nov 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyTiming of eplerenone initiation and outcomes in patients with heart failure after acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular systolic dysfunction: insights from the EPHESUS trial.
To test the hypothesis that an earlier post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) eplerenone initiation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and heart failure (HF) is associated with better long-term outcomes. ⋯ An earlier eplerenone administration (3-7days) post-AMI improved outcomes in patients with LVSD and HF. This benefit was not observed when eplerenone was initiated later (> or =7days).
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Nov 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyRationale and design of Ferinject assessment in patients with IRon deficiency and chronic Heart Failure (FAIR-HF) study: a randomized, placebo-controlled study of intravenous iron supplementation in patients with and without anaemia.
Iron deficiency (ID) and anaemia are common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The presence of anaemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in CHF, and ID is a major reason for the development of anaemia. Preliminary studies using intravenous (i.v.) iron supplementation alone in patients with CHF and ID have shown improvements in symptom status. FAIR-HF (Clinical Trials.gov NCT00520780) was designed to determine the effect of i.v. iron repletion therapy using ferric carboxymaltose on self-reported patient global assessment (PGA) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) in patients with CHF and ID. ⋯ This study will provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of iron repletion with ferric carboxymaltose in CHF patients with ID with and without anaemia.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Jul 2009
Multicenter StudyNatriuretic peptides and echocardiography in acute dyspnoea: implication of elevated levels with normal systolic function.
Previous evaluations of natriuretic peptide (NP) levels in patients with acute dyspnoea presenting to the emergency department (ED) have selected only a minority of patients for echocardiography. We aimed to evaluate the association between NPs and more subtle echocardiographic findings and to assess the potential for NPs to provide additional prognostic information beyond that provided by echocardiography in 'all-comers' with acute dyspnoea. ⋯ In an acute dyspnoea population with 'all-comers' undergoing echocardiography, NPs correlate strongly with structural abnormalities and identify those with preserved LVEF at highest risk for death. Careful interpretation of elevated NP values is needed in the presence of preserved systolic function.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Mar 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyLevosimendan vs. dobutamine: outcomes for acute heart failure patients on beta-blockers in SURVIVE.
Many chronic heart failure (CHF) patients take beta-blockers. When such patients are hospitalized for decompensation, it remains unclear how ongoing beta-blocker treatment will affect outcomes of acute inotrope therapy. We aimed to assess outcomes of SURVIVE patients who were on beta-blocker therapy before receiving a single intravenous infusion of levosimendan or dobutamine. ⋯ Levosimendan may be better than dobutamine for treating patients with a history of CHF or those on beta-blocker therapy when they are hospitalized with acute decompensations. These findings are preliminary but important for planning future studies.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Dec 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialOral levosimendan in patients with severe chronic heart failure --the PERSIST study.
Intravenous levosimendan improves symptoms in acutely decompensated heart failure. ⋯ Levosimendan improved QoL and decreased NT-proBNP but did not improve the Patient Journey composite in patients with severe CHF. Further research with this compound is warranted to clarify safety and efficacy.