Heart, lung & circulation
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Heart, lung & circulation · Aug 2014
Review Meta AnalysisOmega-3 fatty acids for postoperative atrial fibrillation: alone or in combination with antioxidant vitamins?
The effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) are inconclusive in current studies. Moreover, the most appropriate composition of PUFA to play the protective role is unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to ascertain the protective role of PUFA on POAF and the most appropriate composition. ⋯ Combination therapy with PUFA and vitamins C and E is effective in the prevention of POAF while PUFA alone is not. The ratio of EPA/DHA may influence the incidence of POAF, and 1:2 may be most appropriate. Studies about PUFA on the prevention of POAF are still worthwhile to be conducted in the future.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Jun 2014
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyFive-year outcomes for first generation drug-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation has been proved more effective compared with bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) within medium follow up. However, limited information is available on the long-term safety and efficacy of DES. ⋯ At long-term follow-up, primary percutaneous coronary intervention with DES improved efficacy, without reducing overall safety. However, a trade-off must be made between the reduction of reintervention with DES and an increase in very late stent thrombosis.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Oct 2013
Review Meta AnalysisB-type natriuretic peptide-guided chronic heart failure therapy: a meta-analysis of 11 randomised controlled trials.
The use of plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs) to guide treatment of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) has been investigated in a number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). However, the benefits have been variable. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to examine the overall effect of BNP-guided drug therapy on all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalisation in patients with chronic HF. ⋯ Compared with usual clinical care, B-type natriuretic peptide-guided therapy reduces all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalisation, especially in patients younger than 70 years or with higher baseline BNP.