Clinical Cardiology
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Benefits of Early Coronary Angiography in Acute Heart Failure
For patients hospitalized with acute heart failure, invasive coronary angiography within 14 days was associated with higher rates of coronary revascularization and lower rates of all-cause death, cardiovascular mortality, and heart failure hospitalization.
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Progression of Coronary Calcium on Statin Treatment
In those treated with statins vs. those who were not, statins decreased plaque volume in plaques with little or no calcium (plaque regression) and increased calcium density without changes in plaque volume in calcified plaques (plaque stabilization).
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First-Line Therapy for Hypertension
When comparing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to treat hypertension, researchers observed no difference in major cardiovascular events — but a better safety profile for ARBs.
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Early Coronary Angiography in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
In a trial of immediate vs. delayed coronary angiography for resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, researchers found no significant benefit on 30-day mortality.
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Slow, Steady, and Synchronized Wins the Race
In patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, definitive rate control via atrioventricular junction ablation and biventricular pacing resulted in a significant reduction in all-cause mortality vs. pharmacologic rate control.
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Screen Older Heart Failure Patients for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis
A screening study of heart failure patients ≥ age 60 years, left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40%, and left ventricle wall thickness ≥ 12 mm revealed 6.3% prevalence of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, a highly treatable disease.
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Value of Optimal Medical Therapy After Revascularization
Patients with three-vessel or left main coronary artery disease randomized to coronary bypass surgery vs. percutaneous therapy on optimal medical therapy at five years with three or four of the recommended drugs recorded a lower 10-year all-cause mortality rate vs. those on ≤ 2 drugs. -
Early Physical Rehabilitation in Acutely Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients
A tailored, progressive physical rehabilitation program started in the hospital and continued for three months in older, relatively frail acute heart failure admissions resulted in significantly improved physical function vs. usual care but did not reduce six-month readmission rates. -
The Difficulty of Showing Benefit of Cerebral Protection Devices During TAVR
In this trial of cerebral protection in transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the TriGUARD device was safe vs. historical controls, but failed to meet its primary efficacy endpoint. -
Coffee Consumption and Tachyarrhythmias
An analysis demonstrated an inverse association of coffee consumption and cardiac arrhythmias, which was not altered by genetic variations in caffeine metabolism, age, or sex.