Clinical Cardiology Alert – March 1, 2019
March 1, 2019
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Volume-Outcome Relationship With Newer-Generation TAVR Devices?
This large-scale retrospective analysis of all balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement valves revealed no apparent relationship between procedure volume and outcomes after an initial learning curve of 200 procedures.
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An Update to the Management of Atrial Fibrillation
This focused update to the 2014 guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) includes revisions to anticoagulation recommendations and the role of catheter ablation of AF in patients with heart failure.
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Safety and Efficacy of HEART Score Use in the ED
A prospective observational study of 30-day outcomes in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes triaged in EDs before and after the implementation of the HEART score showed that there were fewer hospitalizations and a very low risk of death or myocardial infarction among low-risk patients who were discharged without further cardiac testing.
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Combination Drug Therapy for Hypertension
A large regional database study from Italy demonstrated that initial combination therapy for newly diagnosed hypertension results in fewer major adverse cardiovascular events at one year compared to monotherapy.
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Left Ventricular Unloading During Venoarterial ECMO in Cardiogenic Shock
In a series of patients with cardiogenic shock, the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a percutaneous left ventricular unloading device was associated with better-than-expected outcomes.