| 1. |
- Rautio, Aslak, et al.
(författare)
-
The effect of basal insulin glargine on the fibrinolytic system and von Willebrand factor in people with dysglycaemia and high risk for cardiovascular events : Swedish substudy of the Outcome Reduction with an Initial Glargine Intervention trial
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Diabetes & Vascular Disease Research. - : Sage Publications. - 1479-1641 .- 1752-8984. ; 14:4, s. 345-352
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Fibrinolytic factors, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue plasminogen activator, tissue plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator-complex and the haemostatic factor von Willebrand factor are known markers of cardiovascular disease. Their plasma levels are adversely affected in patients with dysglycaemia, and glucose normalization with insulin glargine might improve the levels of these factors. Methods: Prespecified Swedish substudy of the Outcome Reduction with an Initial Glargine Intervention trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00069784). Tissue plasminogen activator activity, tissue plasminogen activator antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen, tissue plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 complex and von Willebrand factor were analysed at study start, after 2 years and at the end of the study (median follow-up of 6.2 years). Results: Of 129 patients (mean age of 64 ± 7 years, females: 19%), 68 (53%) and 61 (47%) were randomized to the insulin glargine and standard care group, respectively. Allocation to insulin glargine did not significantly affect the studied fibrinolytic markers or von Willebrand factor compared to standard care. Likewise, there were no significant differences in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue plasminogen activator antigen and von Willebrand factor. During the whole study period, the within-group analysis revealed a curvilinear pattern and significant changes for tissue plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 complex, tissue plasminogen activator antigen and von Willebrand factor in the insulin glargine but not in the standard care group. Conclusion: In people with dysglycaemia and other cardiovascular risk factors, basal insulin does not improve the levels of markers of fibrinolysis or von Willebrand factor compared to standard glucose-lowering treatments.
|
|
| 2. |
- Alvariza, Anette, et al.
(författare)
-
Family members' experiences of integrated palliative advanced home and heart failure care : a qualitative study of the PREFER intervention
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Palliative & Supportive Care. - New York : Cambridge University Press. - 1478-9515 .- 1478-9523. ; 16:3, s. 278-285
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Chronic heart failure is a disease with high morbidity and symptom burden for patients, and it also places great demands on family members. Patients with heart failure should have access to palliative care for the purpose of improving quality of life for both patients and their families. In the PREFER randomized controlled intervention, patients with New York Heart Association classes III-IV heart failure received person-centered care with a multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration between specialists in palliative and heart failure care. The aim of the present study was to describe family members' experiences of the intervention, which integrated palliative advanced home and heart failure care.METHOD: This study had a qualitative descriptive design based on family member interviews. Altogether, 14 family members participated in semistructured interviews for evaluation after intervention completion. The data were analyzed by means of content analysis.RESULTS: Family members expressed gratitude and happiness after witnessing the patient feeling better due to symptom relief and empowerment. They also felt relieved and less worried, as they were reassured that the patient was being cared for properly and that their own responsibility for care was shared with healthcare professionals. However, some family members also felt as though they were living in the shadow of severe illness, without receiving any support for themselves.SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Several benefits were found for family members from the PREFER intervention, and our results indicate the significance of integrated palliative advanced home and heart failure care. However, in order to improve this intervention, psychosocial professionals should be included on the intervention team and should contribute by paying closer attention and providing targeted support for family members.
|
|
| 3. |
- Andersson, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
-
NT-proBNP predicts maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion.
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Thrombosis Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0049-3848 .- 1879-2472. ; 135:2, s. 289-291
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. NT-proBNP is a fragment of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide. Previous studies indicate that increased levels of NT-proBNP are associated with higher recurrence rates of AF after electrical cardioversion. Our null hypothesis was that NT-proBNP does not predict recurrence of AF after restoration of sinus rhythm.METHODS: We performed a hypothesis generating study within a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, prospective multicentre study of the effects of atorvastatin on recurrence of AF after electrical cardioversion. 199 patients with persistent AF and an indication for cardioversion were included in the present substudy. NT-proBNP was assessed prior to cardioversion. Cardioversion was performed according to local standard clinical practice on an elective outpatient basis. Patients were followed-up one month after cardioversion.RESULTS: 181 patients had a successful cardioversion and 91 of the study group remained in sinus rhythm at day 30. Recurrence of AF was observed in 108 patients at day 30. An optimal cutpoint for NT-proBNP at 500 ng/L predicted recurrence of AF after cardioversion (OR 2.94; 95% CI 1.30-6.63). In multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, and treatment group strengthened the results (OR 3,56; 95% CI 1,44-8,81). When analysing the ROC curve of NT-proBNP in baseline and atrial fibrillation at day 30 the result was 0.57.CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP levels are a predictor of recurrence of AF 30 days after cardioversion. ROC curves indicates that the practical value of NT-proBNP for the individual patient is limited.
|
|
| 4. |
- Bang, Casper N., et al.
(författare)
-
Antihypertensive treatment with β-blockade in patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis and association with cardiovascular events
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Journal of the American Heart Association. - : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.. - 2047-9980. ; 6:12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Patients with aortic stenosis (AS) often have concomitant hypertension. Antihypertensive treatment with a beta-blocker (Bbl) is frequently avoided because of fear of depression of left ventricular function. However, it remains unclear whether antihypertensive treatment with a Bbl is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with asymptomatic mild to moderate AS.Methods and results: We did a post hoc analysis of 1873 asymptomatic patients with mild to moderate AS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in the SEAS (Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis) study. Propensity-matched Cox regression and competing risk analyses were used to assess risk ratios for all-cause mortality, sudden cardiac death, and cardiovascular death. A total of 932 (50%) patients received Bbl at baseline. During a median follow-up of 4.3 +/- 0.9 years, 545 underwent aortic valve replacement, and 205 died; of those, 101 were cardiovascular deaths, including 40 sudden cardiovascular deaths. In adjusted analyses, Bbl use was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.5, 95% confidence interval 0.3-0.7, P<0.001), cardiovascular death (hazard ratio 0.4, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.7, P<0.001), and sudden cardiac death (hazard ratio 0.2, 95% confidence interval 0.1-0.6, P=0.004). This was confirmed in competing risk analyses (all P<0.004). No interaction was detected with AS severity (all P>0.1).Conclusions: In post hoc analyses Bbl therapy did not increase the risk of all-cause mortality, sudden cardiac death, or cardiovascular death in patients with asymptomatic mild to moderate AS. A prospective study may be warranted to determine if Bbl therapy is in fact beneficial.
|
|
| 5. |
- Bang, Casper N, et al.
(författare)
-
Effect of Randomized Lipid Lowering With Simvastatin and Ezetimibe on Cataract Development (from the Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis Study)
- 2015
-
Ingår i: American Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0002-9149 .- 1879-1913. ; 116:12, s. 1840-1844
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines on statin initiation on the basis of total atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk argue that the preventive effect of statins on cardiovascular events outweigh the side effects, although this is controversial. Studies indicate a possible effect of statin therapy on reducing risk of lens opacities. However, the results are conflicting. The Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis study (NCT00092677) enrolled 1,873 patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis and no history of diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other serious co-morbidities were randomized (1:1) to double-blind 40 mg simvastatin plus 10 mg ezetimibe versus placebo. The primary end point in this substudy was incident cataract. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were used to analyze: (1) if the active treatment reduced the risk of the primary end point and (2) if time-varying low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol lowering (annually assessed) was associated with less incident cataract per se. During an average follow-up of 4.3 years, 65 patients (3.5%) developed cataract. Mean age at baseline was 68 years and 39% were women. In Cox multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, prednisolone treatment, smoking, baseline LDL cholesterol and high sensitivity C-reactive protein; simvastatin plus ezetimibe versus placebo was associated with 44% lower risk of cataract development (hazard ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 0.96, p = 0.034). In a parallel analysis substituting time-varying LDL-cholesterol with randomized treatment, lower intreatment LDL-cholesterol was in itself associated with lower risk of incident cataract (hazard ratio 0.78 per 1 mmol/ml lower total cholesterol, 95% confidence interval 0.64 to 0.93, p = 0.008). In conclusion, randomized treatment with simvastatin plus ezetimibe was associated with a 44% lower risk of incident cataract development. This effect should perhaps be considered in the risk-benefit ratio of statin treatment.
|
|
| 6. |
- Björck, Lena, 1959, et al.
(författare)
-
Changes in Dietary Fat Intake and Projections for Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Sweden: A Simulation Study
- 2016
-
Ingår i: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: In Sweden, previous favourable trends in blood cholesterol levels have recently levelled off or even increased in some age groups since 2003, potentially reflecting changing fashions and attitudes towards dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA). We aimed to examine the potential effect of different SFA intake on future coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in 2025. METHODS: We compared the effect on future CHD mortality of two different scenarios for fat intake a) daily SFA intake decreasing to 10 energy percent (E%), and b) daily SFA intake rising to 20 E%. We assumed that there would be moderate improvements in smoking (5%), salt intake (1g/day) and physical inactivity (5% decrease) to continue recent, positive trends. RESULTS: In the baseline scenario which assumed that recent mortality declines continue, approximately 5,975 CHD deaths might occur in year 2025. Anticipated improvements in smoking, dietary salt intake and physical activity, would result in some 380 (-6.4%) fewer deaths (235 in men and 145 in women). In combination with a mean SFA daily intake of 10 E%, a total of 810 (-14%) fewer deaths would occur in 2025 (535 in men and 275 in women). If the overall consumption of SFA rose to 20 E%, the expected mortality decline would be wiped out and approximately 20 (0.3%) additional deaths might occur. CONCLUSION: CHD mortality may increase as a result of unfavourable trends in diets rich in saturated fats resulting in increases in blood cholesterol levels. These could cancel out the favourable trends in salt intake, smoking and physical activity.
|
|
| 7. |
- Blomstedt, Yulia, et al.
(författare)
-
Flawed conclusions on the Vasterbotten Intervention Program by San Sebastian et .al
- 2019
-
Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 19:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An evaluation of Vasterbotten Intervention Programme (VIP) was recently conducted by San Sebastian et al. (BMC Public Health 19:202, 2019). Evaluation of health care interventions of this kind require 1) an understanding of both the design and the nature of the intervention, 2) correct definition of the target population, and 3) careful choice of the appropriate evaluation method. In this correspondence, we review the approach used by San Sebastian et al. as relates to these three criteria. Within this framework, we suggest important explanations for why the conclusions drawn by these authors contradict a large body of research on the effectiveness of the VIP.
|
|
| 8. |
- Blomstedt, Yulia, et al.
(författare)
-
Impact of a combined community and primary care prevention strategy on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality : a cohort analysis based on 1 million person-years of follow-up in Västerbotten County, Sweden, during 1990-2006
- 2015
-
Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 5:12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the Västerbotten Intervention Programme (VIP) by comparing all eligible individuals (target group impact) according to the intention-to-treat principle and VIP participants with the general Swedish population.DESIGN: Dynamic cohort study.SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: All individuals aged 40, 50 or 60 years, residing in Västerbotten County, Sweden, between 1990 and 2006 (N=101 918) were followed from their first opportunity to participate in the VIP until age 75, study end point or prior death.INTERVENTION: The VIP is a systematic, long-term, county-wide cardiovascular disease (CVD) intervention that is performed within the primary healthcare setting and combines individual and population approaches. The core component is a health dialogue based on a physical examination and a comprehensive questionnaire at the ages of 40, 50 and 60 years.PRIMARY OUTCOMES: All-cause and CVD mortality.RESULTS: For the target group, there were 5646 deaths observed over 1 054 607 person-years. Compared to Sweden at large, the standardised all-cause mortality ratio was 90.6% (95% CI 88.2% to 93.0%): for women 87.9% (95% CI 84.1% to 91.7%) and for men 92.2% (95% CI 89.2% to 95.3%). For CVD, the ratio was 95.0% (95% CI 90.7% to 99.4%): for women 90.4% (95% CI 82.6% to 98.7%) and for men 96.8% (95% CI 91.7 to 102.0). For participants, subject to further impact as well as selection, when compared to Sweden at large, the standardised all-cause mortality ratio was 66.3% (95% CI 63.7% to 69.0%), whereas the CVD ratio was 68.9% (95% CI 64.2% to 73.9%). For the target group as well as for the participants, standardised mortality ratios for all-cause mortality were reduced within all educational strata.CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the VIP model of CVD prevention is able to impact on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality when evaluated according to the intention-to-treat principle.
|
|
| 9. |
- Blyme, Adam, et al.
(författare)
-
High sensitivity C reactive protein as a prognostic marker in patients with mild to moderate aortic valve stenosis during lipid-lowering treatment : an SEAS substudy
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Open heart. - : BMJ. - 2053-3624. ; 2:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: To assess the prognostic importance of high-sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with mild to moderate aortic valve stenosis during placebo or simvastatin/ezetimibe treatment in Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis (SEAS).METHODS AND RESULTS: In 1620 SEAS patients, we measured lipids and hsCRP at baseline and after 1 year of treatment and registered during 4 years of follow-up major cardiovascular events (MCE) composed of ischaemic cardiovascular events (ICE) and aortic valve-related events (AVE). Simvastatin/ezetimibe reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.49 (2.94 to 4.15) to 1.32 (1.02 to 1.69) vs 3.46 (2.92 to 4.08) to 3.34 (2.81 to 3.92) mmol/L) and hsCRP (2.1 (0.9 to 4.1) to 1.2 (0.6 to 2.4) vs 2.2 (0.9 to 4.9) to 1.8 (0.85 to 4.35) mg/L, all p<0.05) during the first year of treatment. In multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusting for traditional risk factors and baseline hsCRP, ICE was associated with a 1-year increase of hsCRP (HR=1.19 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.25), p<0.001) but not with active treatment (HRTreatment=0.86 (0.67 to 1.13), p=0.28). Patients in the top quartile of baseline hsCRP versus the rest were associated with a higher risk of MCE (HR=1.34(1.09 to 1.64), p=0.02). The prognostic benefit of reduction in hsCRP after 1 year was significantly larger (p<0.01 for interaction) in patients with high versus low baseline hsCRP; hence, a reduction in hsCRP abolished the difference in incidence of MCE between high versus low baseline hsCRP in patients with reduced hsCRP (31.1 vs 31.9%, NS) in contrast to patients with increased hsCRP.CONCLUSIONS: The treatment-associated reduction in ICE was in part related to a reduction in hsCRP but not in lipids. hsCRP reduction was associated with less MCE, especially in patients with high baseline hsCRP.TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00092677.
|
|
| 10. |
- Blyme, Adam, et al.
(författare)
-
Increased hsCRP is associated with higher risk of aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1401-7431 .- 1651-2006. ; 50:3, s. 138-145
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To investigate relations between inflammation and aortic valve stenosis (AS) by measuring high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, at baseline (hsCRP(0)) and after 1year (hsCRP(1)) and exploring associations with aortic valve replacement (AVR). Design We examined 1423 patients from the Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis study. Results During first year of treatment, hsCRP was reduced both in patients later receiving AVR (2.3 [0.9-4.9] to 1.8 [0.8-5.4] mg/l, p<0.001) and not receiving AVR (1.90 [0.90-4.10] to 1.3 [0.6-2.9] mg/l, p<0.001). In Cox-regression analyses, hsCRP(1) predicted later AVR (HR=1.17, p<0.001) independently of hsCRP(0) (HR=0.96, p=0.33), aortic valve area (AVA) and other risk factors. A higher rate of AVR was observed in the group with high hsCRP(0) and an increase during the first year (AVR(highCRP0CRP1inc)=47.3% versus AVR(highCRP0CRP1dec)=27.5%, p<0.01). The prognostic benefit of a 1-year reduction in hsCRP was larger in patients with high versus low hsCRP(0) eliminating the difference in incidence of AVR between high versus low hsCRP(0) (AVR(highCRP0CRP1dec)=27.5% versus AVR(lowCRP0CRP1dec)=25.8%, p=0.66) in patients with reduced hsCRP during the first year. Conclusions High hsCRP(1) or an increase in hsCRP during the first year of follow-up predicted later AVR independently of AVA, age, gender and other risk factors, although no significant improvement in C-statistics was observed.
|
|
