Current cardiology reports
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Review
Redefining the role of cardiovascular imaging in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
While pulmonary arterial hypertension is a disease primarily affecting the pulmonary vasculature, the right ventricle plays an integral part in the disease process. Although widely used, two-dimensional echocardiography is limited in visualizing the right ventricle and, therefore, assessment of its structure and function has been largely subjective or invasive. ⋯ Indices of right ventricular function obtained from these noninvasive techniques are being assessed for their prognostic capabilities as well as their ability to monitor response to pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapies. Future research is needed to compare the accuracy, reproducibility, and prognostic value of each of these parameters to definitively establish the role of cardiovascular imaging in the management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Cardiac surgical procedures via traditional sternotomy are safe and effective operations performed by cardiothoracic surgeons worldwide. However, postoperative limitations in upper extremity activity during bone healing are seen as undesirable by some. ⋯ These operations are safe and effective when performed by proficient surgical teams, allowing patients to resume normal activities more rapidly. We explore current evidence supporting the practice of minimally invasive heart valve surgery in 2012 and analyze the clinical impact of these nascent surgical platforms.
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Randomized clinical trials have conclusively demonstrated that warfarin prevents stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. This evidence led the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the European Society of Cardiology to designate warfarin as a Class I indication in patients at moderate to high risk for stroke. ⋯ This is, at least in part, due to the many challenges associated with warfarin use that have led to the development of many new anticoagulants including direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors. In this article, we review the complexities of anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation, underscoring the challenges related to warfarin use, and present an overview of new anticoagulants particularly, factor Xa inhibitors, with special emphasis on emerging data from randomized clinical trials on their efficacy and safety in the management of atrial fibrillation.
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Proton pump inhibitors and clopidogrel are commonly prescribed medications, both alone and in combination. In January of 2009 the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency issued warnings with regard to the concomitant use of clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors. ⋯ These warnings were largely based on in-vitro studies and observational analyses suggesting decreased efficacy of clopidogrel in the presence of proton pump inhibitors. Recent literature has suggested there may not be a clinically meaningful interaction.
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Review
What is the ideal blood pressure goal for patients with stage III or higher chronic kidney disease?
Hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are public health problems well known to the national and international medical communities. Blood pressure (BP) control in patients with CKD stage III and IV plays a key factor in reducing cardiovascular risk and renal disease progression. We conducted a literature review of recent studies addressing BP targets and cardiorenal outcomes in patients with CKD. ⋯ Nevertheless, a U-shaped relationship between BP, cardiovascular events, and renal function was present. In patients with CKD stage III and IV, a BP less than 140/90 mm Hg appeared to be a reasonable target. Moreover, in patients with CKD and proteinuria of more than 1 g/day, a target systolic BP of 120 to 130 mm Hg and diastolic BP of 70 to 80 mm Hg yielded the greatest benefit while avoiding most of the adverse cardiovascular outcomes associated with lower levels of BP.