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Review of Eligibility for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is underused. Recent guidelines have expanded indications for CRT to include less severe symptoms but now favor left bundle branch block morphology in patients with moderate QRS prolongation. The prevalence of CRT eligibility according to historical and current guidelines is uncertain. The aim of this review was to identify and synthesize all existing published research reporting the prevalence of CRT eligibility. A systematic review of electronic databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed.Meta-Analysis of Large-Scale Randomized Trials to Determine the Effectiveness of Inhibition of the Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System in Heart Failure
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibition is 1 of the most effective strategies for the management of heart failure with reduced systolic function. However, trials that included patients with preserved systolic function have not shown a clear beneficial effect. Pooling evidence from several heart failure trials provides the opportunity to better assess the differential effects of RAAS inhibition across the continuum of systolic function. The authors searched MEDLINE for large-scale trials published from 1966 to March 2014 that compared RAAS inhibitors against placebos.Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lifestyle Modifications on Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerotic Burden
Lifestyle modifications are the crux of atherosclerotic disease management. The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of diet and exercise in decreasing coronary and carotid atherosclerotic burden. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of intensive lifestyle measures on atherosclerotic progression in coronary and carotid arteries as measured by baseline and follow-up quantitative coronary angiogram and ultrasonographic carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT), respectively, were included.A Systematic Review and Collaborative Meta-Analysis to Determine the Incremental Value of Copeptin for Rapid Rule-Out of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Multiple studies have evaluated copeptin, a surrogate for arginine vasopressin, in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with mixed results. A systematic review and collaborative meta-analysis were performed for diagnosis of AMI and assessment of prognosis in patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain. MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched for studies assessing copeptin in such patients. Study investigators were contacted, and many provided previously unpublished data.Impact of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on Blood Pressure
The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on blood pressure (BP) has been debated, with some evidence suggesting that their increased intake is related to higher risk of developing hypertension. We conducted a systematic review exploring the relation between consumption of SSB and BP. A comprehensive search in 5 electronic databases along with a bibliography search was performed. The keywords “sugar sweetened beverages,” “sugary drinks,” “added sugars,” “blood pressure,” and “hypertension” were indexed in all combinations.Meta-Analysis of Clinical Correlates of Acute Mortality in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
The incidence and clinical correlates of acute in-hospital mortality of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) are not clear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to consolidate the current evidence on acute mortality in TTC. We then assessed the impact of “secondary” TTC, male gender, advancing age, and catecholamine use on mortality. A comprehensive search of 4 major databases (EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar) was performed from their inception to the first week of July 2013.Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on the Risk of Bleeding With Dabigatran
Dabigatran is a univalent low-molecular-weight direct thrombin inhibitor that has been developed as an alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). However, uncertainty remains regarding dabigatran's safety profile with respect to bleeding. Our objective was to compare the risk of bleeding and all-cause mortality of dabigatran with that of VKAs in a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library of clinical trials to identify RCTs comparing the bleeding risk of dabigatran (150 mg twice daily) with that of VKAs.Proceedings of the Editorial Board Meeting of The American Journal of Cardiology on March 10, 2013
The 2013 meeting of the editorial board of The American Journal of Cardiology (AJC) was held on March 10, 2013, in San Francisco, California, at the time of the Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology Foundation. The meeting's purpose was to review the AJC's publication results for 2012, to recognize in particular those AJC board members who had reviewed the most manuscripts in 2012, and to receive criticisms and suggestions from board members on how to improve the journal.“Reverse McConnell's Sign?”: A Unique Right Ventricular Feature of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Bedside echocardiography plays an important role in the first-line diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). Several classic imaging features could aid in the differential diagnosis in patients who have manifestation similar to that of acute coronary syndrome and potentially help in the risk stratification and management, including the decision to use coronary angiography.1,2 Right ventricular (RV) involvement in TC has been previously identified.3,4 However, these abnormal imaging features have never been well characterized and analyzed.All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Unprotected Left Main Coronary Disease: Comparison Between Stenting and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
The interventions aimed at patients with unprotected left main coronary disease are supported by a vast amount of data, the interpretation of which is increasingly difficult. For this purpose, studies using traditional meta-analysis1–3 and/or metaregression analysis4 are helpful, because they effectively synthesize the available information.Contribution of Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography to Diagnosis and Management of Thrombosis of a St. Jude Mechanical Prosthesis in the Aortic Valve Position
Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a serious complication after cardiac valve replacement and usually requires urgent management with either thrombolysis or surgery.1 A 38-year-old woman with history of ischemic stroke and multiple valvular surgeries including aortic St. Jude mechanical valve replacement (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, Minnesota) presented with new-onset dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography and 2-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) suggested an abnormally high gradient across the aortic valve (Figure 1) but could not determine the cause of the stenosis (Figure 2, Video 1).Proceedings of the Editorial Board Meeting of The American Journal of Cardiology on March 25, 2012
The 2012 meeting of the editorial board of The American Journal of Cardiology (AJC) was held on March 25, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois, at the time of the Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology. The meeting's purpose was to review the AJC's publication results for 2011, to recognize in particular those AJC board members who had reviewed the most manuscripts in 2011, and to receive criticisms and suggestions from board members on how to improve the journal. The meeting went as follows:Proceedings of the Editorial Board Meeting of The American Journal of Cardiology on April 3, 2011
The 2011 meeting of the Editorial Board of The American Journal of Cardiology (AJC) was held on April 3, 2011, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the time of the Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology. The meeting's purpose was to review the AJC's publication results in 2010, to recognize particularly those AJC board members who reviewed the most manuscripts in 2010, and to receive suggestions and criticisms from board members on ways to improve the journal. The meeting went as follows:Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Versus Without Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction
Catheter ablation is a promising therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF), but its utility in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is uncertain. The objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and observational studies comparing the rates of recurrent AF, atrial tachycardia (AT), and complications after AF catheter ablation in those with versus without LVSD and to summarize the impact of catheter ablation on the left ventricular ejection fraction.Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging for Assessing Regression and Progression in Coronary Artery Disease
New imaging techniques have been used as surrogate markers of atherosclerotic burden to determine the effects of pharmacologic intervention. The aim of this study was to better determine potential utility and limitations of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging for assessing regression and progression in coronary artery disease. Medline was searched for randomized trials using IVUS for assessing regression and progression in coronary artery disease (through September 2009). A comparison of IVUS studies with large trials evaluating the same issue with clinical end points was performed.Proceedings of the Editorial Board Meeting of The American Journal of Cardiology on March 14, 2010
The 2010 meeting of the editorial board of The American Journal of Cardiology (AJC) was held on March 14, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the time of the Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology. The meeting's purpose was to review the AJC's publication results for 2009, to recognize, in particular, those AJC board members who had reviewed the most manuscripts in 2009, and to receive criticisms and suggestions from board members on how to improve the journal. The meeting went as follows:
