Dyssynchrony Indices to Predict Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: A Comprehensive, Prospective Single-Center Study
Miyazaki C, Redfield MM, Powell BD, et al.
Circ Heart Fail 2010;Jul 20:[Epub ahead of print].
Study Question: Do echocardiographic indices of dyssynchrony predict reverse remodeling or clinical response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)?
Use of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Is Associated With Increased Growth Rate of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Sweeting MJ, Thompson SG, Brown LC, Greenhalgh RM, Powell JT.
J Vasc Surg 2010;52:1-4.
Study Question: A recent retrospective Canadian study using a large administrative database has suggested that patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are less likely to present with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The authors hypothesize that concurrent use of ACE inhibitors may be associated with a reduction in aneurysm growth rates.
Geographic Variation in Carotid Revascularization Among Medicare Beneficiaries, 2003-2006
Patel MR, Greiner MA, DiMartino LD, et al.
Arch Intern Med 2010;170:1218-1225.
Study Question: Have patterns of carotid artery revascularization changed since the Medicare national coverage decision in 2004 supporting carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients at high surgical risk and those with symptomatic disease? And, is there geographic variation in and predictors of the use of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and CAS?
Prognostic Value of Mid-Regional Pro-Adrenomedullin Levels Taken on Admission and Discharge in Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The LAMP (Leicester Acute Myocardial Infarction Peptide) II Study
Dhillon OS, Khan SQ, Narayan HK, et al.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2010;56:125-133.
Study Question: What is the prognostic value of admission and discharge mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (sAM) levels in non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)?
Prognostic Value of Plasma Fibrinolysis Activation Markers in Cardiovascular Disease
Gorog DA.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2010;55:2701-2709.
Perspective: The following are 10 points to remember about this state-of-the-art paper.
Mitral Regurgitation due to Degenerative Mitral-Valve Disease
Foster E.
N Engl J Med 2010;363:156-165.
Perspective: Degenerative mitral valve disease is the most common form of organic mitral valve disease in the United States and other developed countries. Mitral valve prolapse, defined echocardiographically as systolic displacement of the mitral valve leaflets ≥2 mm beyond the annulus, is the most common functional abnormality associated with degenerative mitral valve disease, and is associated with both leaflet redundancy and chordal elongation.
Assessment of the Potential Heart Donor: A Role for Biomarkers?
Dronavalli VB, Banner NR, Bonser RS.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2010;56:352-361.
Perspective: The following are 10 points to remember about this state-of-the-art paper.
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