| 1. |
- Baruch, Lawrence, et al.
(författare)
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Can patients at elevated risk of stroke treated with anticoagulants be further risk stratified?
- 2007
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Ingår i: Stroke: a journal of cerebral circulation. - 1524-4628. ; 38:9, s. 2459-2463
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and Purpose - Patients with atrial fibrillation have a varied risk of stroke, depending on age and comorbid conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the predictive value of stroke risk classification schemes and to identify patients with atrial fibrillation who are at substantial risk of stroke despite optimal anticoagulant therapy. Methods - Seven recognized classification schemes - the American College of Chest Physicians 2001, American College of Chest Physicians 2004, Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (SPAF), Atrial Fibrillation Investigators, Framingham, van Walraven, and CHADS(2) - were compared for their ability to predict ischemic stroke in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. Data came from the Stroke Prevention using an ORal Thrombin Inhibitor in atrial Fibrillation III and V trials, which compared the efficacy of adjusted-dose warfarin and the direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran (36 mg twice daily) in preventing thromboembolic events in 7329 patients with chronic or paroxysmal nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were at moderate or high risk of ischemic stroke. The main outcome measure was ischemic stroke, as determined by a central event adjudication committee. Results - During 11 245 patient-years of follow-up, 159 patients had an ischemic stroke (1.4%/year). As indicated by c statistics and hazard ratios, 3 of the classification schemes predicted stroke significantly better than chance: Framingham (c = 0.64), CHADS2 (c = 0.65), and SPAF (c = 0.61). Conclusions - In a large cohort of atrial fibrillation patients at moderate or high risk of ischemic stroke treated with warfarin or ximelagatran, the CHADS2, SPAF, and Framingham schemes had greater predictive accuracy than chance. This predictive ability may allow clinicians to target high-risk patients for more aggressive intervention.
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| 2. |
- Birgander, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Adrenergic and cardiac dysfunction in primary hyperparathyroidism.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Clinical Endocrinology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2265 .- 0300-0664. ; 76, s. 189-195
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and premature death but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate if adrenergic dysfunction may be a contributing factor. Patients and methods: Forty-nine patients with mild PHPT (serum calcium 2.7 ± 0.1 mmol/L) and 48 control subjects, matched for age and sex, were examined; patients within 1 month before parathyroidectomy (PTX) and 6 months postoperatively; control subjects at inclusion. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed in 24-hour electrocardiograms, and plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured at rest and immediately after standardized physical tests. Results: At baseline, the patients showed, compared to the controls, reduced stress-related increase of circulating epinephrine (P < 0.05) and norepinephrine (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed 6 months after PTX. At baseline, there were no significant differences between patients and controls in HRV or heart rate but 6 months after curative PTX, the patients showed significantly reduced HRV in both frequency and time domain, and their maximum and average heart rate had decreased (P = 0.011 and P = 0.018, respectively). The patients with the highest preoperative levels of circulating parathyroid hormone showed the greatest changes in heart rate and HRV postoperatively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a previously unknown impairment of catecholamine response to physical stress in PHPT along with changes of HRV, also indicating adrenergic dysfunction. These factors should be considered in the ongoing controversy regarding the management of patients with mild "asymptomatic" PHPT.
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| 3. |
- Camm, A. John, et al.
(författare)
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Efficacy and safety of vernakalant in patients with atrial flutter: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- 2012
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092 .- 1099-5129. ; 14:6, s. 804-809
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vernakalant is a novel, relatively atrial-selective antiarrhythmic agent for conversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm. This study examined the safety and efficacy of vernakalant in converting atrial flutter (AFL) to sinus rhythm. This was a phase 2/3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Adults with AFL received either a 10 min infusion of 3.0 mg/kg vernakalant (n 39) or placebo (n 15). If AFL or AF persisted at the end of a 15 min observation period, a second 10 min infusion of 2.0 mg/kg vernakalant or placebo was administered. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of patients who had treatment-induced conversion of AFL to sinus rhythm for a minimum duration of 1 min within 90 min after the start of the first infusion. No patient in the placebo group met the primary outcome. Only one patient receiving vernakalant (1 of 39, 3) converted to sinus rhythm. A reduced mean absolute ventricular response rate occurred within 50 min in patients receiving vernakalant (mean change from baseline 8.2 b.p.m.) vs. patients receiving placebo (0.2 b.p.m.) (P 0.037). A post-hoc analysis revealed that vernakalant increased AFL cycle length by an average of 55 ms, whereas the AFL cycle length was unchanged in the placebo group (P 0.001). There was no occurrence of 1 : 1 atrio-ventricular conduction. Dysgeusia and sneezing were the most common treatment-related adverse events, consistent with previous reports. Vernakalant did not restore sinus rhythm in patients with AFL. Vernakalant modestly slowed AFL and ventricular response rates, and was well tolerated.
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| 4. |
- Edvardsson, N, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of low-dose warfarin and aspirin versus no treatment on stroke in a medium-risk patient population with atrial fibrillation.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 1365-2796 .- 0954-6820. ; 254:1, s. 95-101
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. To assess the optimal stroke prevention treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and a low-medium risk (<=4%) of stroke. Design. A total of 668 patients with persistent or permanent AF, without an indication for full dose and with adequate rate control on sotalol, were randomized to warfarin 1.25 mg + aspirin 75 mg daily (W/A, 334 patients) or no anticoagulation (C, 334 patients). The mean follow-up period was 33 months. The protocol intended to verify a 37% relative risk reduction provided a 4% stroke incidence in the C group. Results. The stroke incidence was less in the W/A group, although the reduction was not statistically significant (W/A 9.6% versus C 12.3%). Four haemorrhagic strokes were identified, two in each group. Secondary end-points were transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) (W/A 3.3% versus C 4.5%), all cause mortality (W/A 9.3% versus C 10.8%), cardiovascular morbidity (W/A 17.7% versus C 22.2%) and the combination of stroke + TIA (W/A 11.7% versus C 16.5%). Bleedings were documented in 19 versus four patients (W/A 5.7% versus C 1.2%) (P = 0.003), although none fatal. Sinus rhythm (SR) was recorded occasionally in 68 patients (W/A 9.6% versus C 10.8%). The stroke incidence tended to be higher in those with SR than without, 16.2% versus 10.4%. Conclusions. Our results were inconclusive, but consistent with a small beneficial effect of W/A for reduction of stroke and major vascular events in AF patients at moderate risk. The low-dose regiment produced, however, a significantly increased risk of bleedings. Documented SR occasionally recorded may represent a subpopulation that warrants full dose warfarin.
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| 5. |
- Engström, Gunnar, et al.
(författare)
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Occurrence and prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmia is related to pulmonary function: a study from "men born in 1914," Malmo, Sweden
- 2001
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Ingår i: Circulation. - 1524-4539. ; 103:25, s. 3086-3091
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Reduced lung function has been associated with increased rates of myocardial infarction. Whether the occurrence and prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmia is related to lung function is largely unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a population-based study of 68-year-old men without a history of stroke or myocardial infarction; 402 men participated. Mortality and coronary events (fatal or nonfatal) were studied in relation to ventricular arrhythmia during 24 hours, percentage of the predicted forced expiratory volume (FEV1(%pred)), vital capacity (VC(%pred)), and the FEV/VC ratio. During 14 years of follow-up, 181 men died and 87 experienced a coronary event. Occurrence of frequent or complex ventricular arrhythmia (Lown class 2 to 5) was significantly and inversely associated with FEV1(%pred). Men with Lown class 2 to 5 and a low FEV1(%pred) (below median) had significantly higher mortality (71.5 versus 26.8 per 1000 person-years; P<0.0001) and coronary event rates (37.7 versus 18.0; P=0.02) than men with Lown class 2 to 5 and a high FEV1(%pred). These associations remained significant after adjustments for potential confounders (mortality: relative risk [RR], 2.91; 95% CI,1.68 to 5.04; coronary events: RR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.07 to 4.37). In men without frequent or complex arrhythmia (Lown 0 to 1), a low FEV1(%pred) was not significantly associated with mortality (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.92 to 2.05) or coronary events (RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.27) after adjustments for confounders. The FEV/VC ratio showed similar associations with arrhythmia, mortality, and coronary events. CONCLUSIONS: Lung function is inversely associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia. The increased incidence of myocardial infarction and death associated with arrhythmia was mainly limited to men with a low FEV1(%pred) or FEV/VC. We suggest that lung function should be considered when assessing the prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmia.
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| 6. |
- Fedorowski, Artur, et al.
(författare)
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A dedicated investigation unit improves management of syncopal attacks (Syncope Study of Unselected Population in Malmo--SYSTEMA I).
- 2010
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Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092 .- 1099-5129. ; 12:9, s. 1322-1328
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims To investigate whether a systematic approach to unexplained syncopal attacks based on the European Society of Cardiology guidelines would improve the diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes. Methods and results Patients presenting with transient loss of consciousness to the Emergency Department of Skåne University Hospital in Malmö were registered by triage staff. Those with established cardiac, neurological, or other definite aetiology and those with advanced dementia were excluded. The remaining patients were offered evaluation based on an expanded head-up tilt test protocol, which included carotid sinus massage, and nitroglycerine challenge if needed. Out of 201 patients registered over a period of 6 months, 129 (64.2%) were found to be eligible; of these, 101 (38.6% men, mean age 66.3 +/- 18.4 years) decided to participate in the study. Head-up tilt test allowed diagnoses in 91 cases (90.1%). Vasovagal syncope (VVS) was detected in 45, carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) in 27, and orthostatic hypotension (OH) in 51 patients. Twelve patients with VVS and 15 with CSH also had OH, whereas 25 were diagnosed with OH only. In a multivariate logistic regression, OH was independently associated with age [OR (per year): 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08, P = 0.001], history of hypertension (2.73, 1.05-7.09, P = 0.039), lowered estimated glomerular filtration rate (per 10 mL/min/1.73 m(2): 1.17, 1.01-1.33, P = 0.032), use of loop diuretics (10.44, 1.22-89.08, P = 0.032), and calcium-channel blockers (5.29, 1.03-27.14, P = 0.046), while CSH with age [(per year) 1.12, 1.05-1.19, P < 0.001), use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (4.46, 1.22-16.24, P = 0.023), and nitrates (27.88, 1.99-389.81, P = 0.013). Conclusion A systematic approach to patients presenting with unexplained syncopal attacks considerably increased diagnostic efficacy and accuracy. Potential syncope diagnoses have a tendency to overlap and show diversity in demographic, anamnestic, and pharmacological determinants.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Fedorowski, Artur, et al.
(författare)
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The Dark Side of the Swoon: antihypertensive treatment in the elderly.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 1365-2796 .- 0954-6820. ; 274:3, s. 293-294
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We would like to thank Prof. Dal Moro for his valuable contribution[1]. Indeed, many patients, especially those who are older and who suffer from several concomitant diseases, are at risk of being "overtreated with good intentions". The main problem is that the diagnosis of essential hypertension is at times assigned very liberally based on a single ambulatory measurement without taking into consideration the natural history and variation of systemic blood pressure[2]. The orthostatic intolerance is often asymptomatic and thus not being looked for. Consequently, the antihypertensive treatment may additionally reduce blood pressure on standing and lead to unexpected syncopal attacks. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
- Höijer, Carl Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Improved cardiac function and quality of life following upgrade to dual chamber pacing after long-term ventricular stimulation.
- 2002
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1522-9645 .- 0195-668X. ; 23:6, s. 490-497
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims Many patients with sinus node disease or atrioventricular block have previously received pacemakers with only ventricular stimulation (VVI or VVIR). This study aimed to investigate whether quality of life and cardiac function were affected by an upgrade to dual chamber pacing (DDDR or DDIR) following long-term ventricular stimulation. Methods After implantation of an atrial lead and a DDDR pulse generator, a randomized, double-blind crossover study was performed in 19 patients, previously treated with ventricular pacing for a median time of 6center dot8 years. Patients were randomized to 8 weeks with either VVIR or DDDR/DDIR pacing; after this time, the other mode was programmed for 8 weeks. At the end of each period, the patients' quality of life was evaluated and echocardiography was performed together with Holter monitoring and blood samples for brain natriuretic peptide. Results Sixteen of the patients preferred DDDR and two VVIR pacing (P=0center dot001); one was undecided. Seven patients demanded an early crossover while paced in the VVIR mode, vs none in the DDDR mode (P=0center dot008). Quality of life was higher in the DDDR mode in 11 of 17 modalities, reaching statistical significance for dyspnoea (P<0center dot05) and general activity (P<0center dot05). Echocardiography showed significantly larger left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions in the DDDR mode (P=0center dot01), whereas end-systolic dimensions did not differ. Left ventricular systolic function was significantly superior in the DDDR mode (mean aortic velocity--time integral: P<0center dot001) and left atrial diameter was significantly smaller in the DDDR mode (P=0center dot01). The plasma level of brain natriuretic peptide was significantly lower in DDDR mode (P=0center dot002). Conclusion An upgrade to dual chamber rate adaptive pacing results in significantly improved quality of life and cardiac function as compared to continued VVIR stimulation and should thus be considered in patients with ventricular pacemakers who have not developed permanent atrial fibrillation or flutter.
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| 10. |
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