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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Filippatos, G. S., et al.
(författare)
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Independent academic Data Monitoring Committees for clinical trials in cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 19:4, s. 449-456
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Data Monitoring Committees (DMCs) play a crucial role in the conducting of clinical trials to ensure the safety of study participants and to maintain a trial's scientific integrity. Generally accepted standards exist for DMC composition and operational conduct. However, some relevant issues are not specifically addressed in current guidance documents, resulting in uncertainties regarding optimal approaches for communication between the DMC, steering committee, and sponsors, release of information, and liability protection for DMC members. The Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in collaboration with the Clinical Trials Unit of the European Heart Agency (EHA) of the ESC convened a meeting of international experts in DMCs for cardiovascular and cardiometabolic clinical trials to identify specific issues and develop steps to resolve challenges faced by DMCs.The main recommendations from the meeting relate to methodological consistency, independence, managing conflicts of interest, liability protection, and training of future DMC members. This paper summarizes the key outcomes from this expert meeting, and describes the core set of activities that might be further developed and ultimately implemented by the ESC, HFA, and other interested ESC constituent bodies. The HFA will continue to work with stakeholders in cardiovascular and cardiometabolic clinical research to promote these goals.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- O'Connor, C. M., et al.
(författare)
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Effect of nesiritide in patients with acute decompensated heart failure
- 2011
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Ingår i: The New England journal of medicine. - : Massachusetts Medical Society. - 0028-4793 .- 1533-4406. ; 365:1, s. 32-43
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Nesiritide is approved in the United States for early relief of dyspnea in patients with acute heart failure. Previous meta-analyses have raised questions regarding renal toxicity and the mortality associated with this agent. METHODS: We randomly assigned 7141 patients who were hospitalized with acute heart failure to receive either nesiritide or placebo for 24 to 168 hours in addition to standard care. Coprimary end points were the change in dyspnea at 6 and 24 hours, as measured on a 7-point Likert scale, and the composite end point of rehospitalization for heart failure or death within 30 days. RESULTS: Patients randomly assigned to nesiritide, as compared with those assigned to placebo, more frequently reported markedly or moderately improved dyspnea at 6 hours (44.5% vs. 42.1%, P=0.03) and 24 hours (68.2% vs. 66.1%, P=0.007), but the prespecified level for significance (P
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| 6. |
- Zannad, F., et al.
(författare)
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Clinical outcome endpoints in heart failure trials: a European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Association consensus document
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 15:10, s. 1082-1094
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Endpoint selection is a critically important step in clinical trial design. It poses major challenges for investigators, regulators, and study sponsors, and it also has important clinical and practical implications for physicians and patients. Clinical outcomes of interest in heart failure trials include all-cause mortality, cause-specific mortality, relevant non-fatal morbidity (e.g. all-cause and cause-specific hospitalization), composites capturing both morbidity and mortality, safety, symptoms, functional capacity, and patient-reported outcomes. Each of these endpoints has strengths and weaknesses that create controversies regarding which is most appropriate in terms of clinical importance, sensitivity, reliability, and consistency. Not surprisingly, a lack of consensus exists within the scientific community regarding the optimal endpoint(s) for both acute and chronic heart failure trials. In an effort to address these issues, the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (HFA-ESC) convened a group of expert heart failure clinical investigators, biostatisticians, regulators, and pharmaceutical industry scientists (Nice, France, 12-13 February 2012) to evaluate the challenges of defining heart failure endpoints in clinical trials and to develop a consensus framework. This report summarizes the group's recommendations for achieving common views on heart failure endpoints in clinical trials.
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| 9. |
- Connolly, S., et al.
(författare)
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Rationale and design of ACTIVE: the atrial fibrillation clopidogrel trial with irbesartan for prevention of vascular events
- 2006
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Ingår i: American heart journal. - 1097-6744. ; 151:6, s. 1187-93
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently occurring cardiac arrhythmia with often serious clinical consequences. Many patients have contraindications to anticoagulation, and it is often underused in clinical practice. The addition of clopidogrel to aspirin (ASA) has been shown to reduce vascular events in a number of high-risk populations. Irbesartan is an angiotensin receptor-blocking agent that reduces blood pressure and has other vascular protective effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: ACTIVE W is a noninferiority trial of clopidogrel plus ASA versus oral anticoagulation in patients with AF and at least 1 risk factor for stroke. ACTIVE A is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of clopidogrel in patients with AF and with at least 1 risk factor for stroke who receive ASA because they have a contraindication for oral anticoagulation or because they are unwilling to take an oral anticoagulant. ACTIVE I is a partial factorial, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of irbesartan in patients participating in ACTIVE A or ACTIVE W. The primary outcomes of these studies are composites of vascular events. A total of 14000 patients will be enrolled in these trials. CONCLUSIONS: ACTIVE is the largest trial yet conducted in AF. Its results will lead to a new understanding of the role of combined antiplatelet therapy and the role of blood pressure lowering with an angiotensin II receptor blocker in patients with AF.
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| 10. |
- Cowie, M. R., et al.
(författare)
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New medicinal products for chronic heart failure: advances in clinical trial design and efficacy assessment
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842. ; 19:6, s. 718-727
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite the availability of a number of different classes of therapeutic agents with proven efficacy in heart failure, the clinical course of heart failure patients is characterized by a reduction in life expectancy, a progressive decline in health-related quality of life and functional status, as well as a high risk of hospitalization. New approaches are needed to address the unmet medical needs of this patient population. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is undertaking a revision of its Guideline on Clinical Investigation of Medicinal Products for the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure. The draft version of the Guideline was released for public consultation in January 2016. The Cardiovascular Round Table of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in partnership with the Heart Failure Association of the ESC, convened a dedicated two-day workshop to discuss three main topic areas of major interest in the field and addressed in this draft EMA guideline: (i) assessment of efficacy (i.e. endpoint selection and statistical analysis); (ii) clinical trial design (i.e. issues pertaining to patient population, optimal medical therapy, run-in period); and (iii) research approaches for testing novel therapeutic principles (i.e. cell therapy). This paper summarizes the key outputs from the workshop, reviews areas of expert consensus, and identifies gaps that require further research or discussion. Collaboration between regulators, industry, clinical trialists, cardiologists, health technology assessment bodies, payers, and patient organizations is critical to address the ongoing challenge of heart failure and to ensure the development and market access of new therapeutics in a scientifically robust, practical and safe way.
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| 11. |
- Metra, M., et al.
(författare)
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Geographic Differences in Patients in a Global Acute Heart Failure Clinical Trial (from the ASCEND-HF Trial)
- 2016
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Ingår i: American Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9149. ; 117:11, s. 1771-1778
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A growing number of countries and geographical regions are involved in major clinical trials. Acute Study of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Decompensated Heart Failure is the largest trial in acutely decompensated heart failure (HF) with patients from 5 geographical regions: North America (NA), Latin America (LA), Western Europe (WE), Central Europe (CE), and Asia-Pacific (AP). Data from the 5 geographical, areas were compared including baseline characteristics, medications, 30-day outcomes (mortality and mortality or HF hospitalization), and 180-day mortality. Of the 7,141 study patients, 3,243 (45.4%) were from NA (average of 15.2 patients/site), 1,762 (24.7%) from AP (28.4 patients/site), 967 (13.5%) from CE (20.2 patients/site), 665 (9.3%) from LA (17.1 patients/site), and 504 (7.1%) from WE (14.4 patients/site). There were marked differences in co-morbidities, clinical profile, medication use, length of stay, 30-day event rates, and 180-day mortality by region. Compared with NA, the adjusted risk for death or HF hospitalization at 30 days was significantly lower in CE (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.64), WE (OR 0.52 95% CI 0.35 to 0.75), and AP (OR 0.62 95% CI 0.48 to 0:79) and numerically lower in LA (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.04) with similar results for 180-day mortality. In conclusion, in patients with acutely decompensated HF, major differences in baseline characteristics, treatments, length of the hospital stay, and 30-day HF rehospitalization rates, and 180-day mortality were found in patients enrolled from different, geographical areas. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- De Ferrari, G. M., et al.
(författare)
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Chronic vagus nerve stimulation: a new and promising therapeutic approach for chronic heart failure
- 2011
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Ingår i: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1522-9645 .- 0195-668X. ; 32:7, s. 847-855
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: In chronic heart failure (CHF), reduced vagal activity correlates with increased mortality and acute decompensation. Experimentally, chronic vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) improved left ventricular (LV) function and survival; clinically, it is used for the treatment of drug-refractory epilepsy. We assessed safety and tolerability of chronic VNS in symptomatic CHF patients, using a novel implantable nerve stimulation system. The secondary goal was to obtain preliminary data on clinical efficacy. METHODS AND RESULTS: This multi-centre, open-label phase II, two-staged study (8-patient feasibility phase plus 24-patient safety and tolerability phase) enrolled 32 New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV patients [age 56 +/- 11 years, LV ejection fraction (LVEF) 23 +/- 8%]. Right cervical VNS with CardioFit (BioControl Medical) implantable system started 2-4 weeks after implant, slowly raising intensity; patients were followed 3 and 6 months thereafter with optional 1-year follow-up. Overall, 26 serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred in 13 of 32 patients (40.6%), including three deaths and two clearly device-related AEs (post-operative pulmonary oedema, need of surgical revision). Expected non-serious device-related AEs (cough, dysphonia, and stimulation-related pain) occurred early but were reduced and disappeared after stimulation intensity adjustment. There were significant improvements (P < 0.001) in NYHA class quality of life, 6-minute walk test (from 411 +/- 76 to 471 +/- 111 m), LVEF (from 22 +/- 7 to 29 +/- 8%), and LV systolic volumes (P = 0.02). These improvements were maintained at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This open-label study shows that chronic VNS in CHF patients with severe systolic dysfunction may be safe and tolerable and may improve quality of life and LV function. A controlled clinical trial appears warranted.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Dobre, D., et al.
(författare)
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Heart rate: a prognostic factor and therapeutic target in chronic heart failure. The distinct roles of drugs with heart rate-lowering properties
- 2014
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Ingår i: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 16:1, s. 76-85
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Heart rate not only predicts outcome but may also be a therapeutic target in patients with chronic heart failure. Several classes of pharmacological agents can be used to modulate heart rate, including beta-blockers, ivabradine, digoxin, amiodarone, and verapamil. Choice of agent will depend on heart rhythm, co-morbidities, and disease phenotype. Beneficial and harmful interactions may also exist. The aim of this paper is to summarize the current body of knowledge regarding the relevance of heart rate as a prognostic factor (risk marker) and particularly as a therapeutic target (risk factor) in patients with chronic heart failure, with a special focus on ivabradine, a novel agent that is currently the only available purely bradycardic agent.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Eriksen, J, et al.
(författare)
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Antimalarial resistance and DHFR/DHPS genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum three years after introduction of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine in rural Tanzania.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-9203 .- 1878-3503. ; 102:2, s. 137-142
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We assessed the efficacy of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and amodiaquine (AQ) and DHFR/DHPS genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in rural Tanzania, 3 years after their introduction as first- and second-line treatments for uncomplicated malaria, respectively. Under five children with uncomplicated malaria were given standard treatments of either SP (n=66) or AQ (n=30) and treatment outcomes after 14 and 28 days were determined. Total treatment failure of 18 and 42.5% was observed for SP on days 14 and 28, respectively. For AQ, total treatment failure of 27 and 53% was found on day 14 and 28, respectively. On day 14, significantly lower SP total treatment failures were observed in 2004 compared with results from a study conducted in 1999 in the same location. No relationship was detected between clinical outcome and DHFR/DHPS genotypes, but the point mutation prevalence in parasites was higher than in 1999. Pre-treatment blood levels of SP were detected in a quarter of the study children: less than expected. We report unacceptably high levels of total treatment failures, both for first- and second-line treatments for uncomplicated malaria in Tanzania 3 years after their introduction, supporting the decision to replace them with artemisinin-based combination therapy.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Kober, L., et al.
(författare)
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Previously known and newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation: a major risk indicator after a myocardial infarction complicated by heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction
- 2006
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Ingår i: European journal of heart failure. - 1388-9842. ; 8:6, s. 591-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: To characterize the relationship between known and newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) and the risk of death and major cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by heart failure (HF) and/or left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). METHODS: The VALIANT trial enrolled 14,703 individuals with acute MI complicated by HF and/or LVSD. AF was assessed at presentation and at randomization (median 4.9 days after symptom onset). Primary outcomes were risk of death and major CV events 3 years following acute MI. RESULTS: A total of 1812 with current AF (AF between presentation and randomization), 339 patients with prior AF (history of AF without current AF), and 12,509 without AF were enrolled. Patients with AF were older; had more prior HF, angina, and MI, and received beta-blockers and thrombolytics less often than those without AF. Three-year mortality estimates were 20% in those without AF, 37% with current AF, and 38% with prior AF. Compared with patients without AF, the multivariable adjusted HR of death was 1.25 (1.03-1.52; p=0.03) for prior AF and 1.32 (1.20-1.45; p<0.0001) for current AF. HR for major CV events was 1.15 (0.98-1.35; p=0.08) and 1.21 (1.12-1.31; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: AF is associated with greater long-term mortality and adverse CV events with acute MI complicated by HF or LVSD.
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| 22. |
- Mancini, G. B. J., et al.
(författare)
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Pharmacologic Options for the Management of Systolic Heart Failure: Examining Underlying Mechanisms
- 2015
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Cardiology. - : Pulsus Group Inc.. - 0828-282X. ; 31:10, s. 1282-1292
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The optimal management of systolic heart failure includes combination therapy to influence myocardial remodelling favourably by affecting neurohormonal activation and underlying maladaptive pathophysiological pathways. These medications include modulators of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (eg, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) and β-adrenergic receptor blockers. In addition, an agent with a distinct and complementary mechanism of bradycardic action, the selective pacemaker-current (If) inhibitor ivabradine, provides further reduction of heart rate. Also, a new drug that incorporates neprilysin inhibition combined with angiotensin receptor blockade shows incremental effectiveness. The primary goal of this review is to provide a mechanistic explanation of the complementary role of therapeutic interventions in modulating pathways leading to progressive systolic heart failure. A secondary goal is to summarize the key findings of the pivotal clinical trials that have demonstrated the efficacy of these agents in this population. © 2015 Canadian Cardiovascular Society.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Olsson, Lars G., 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Prognostic importance of plasma NT-pro BNP in chronic heart failure in patients treated with a beta-blocker: results from the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) trial
- 2007
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Ingår i: Eur J Heart Fail. - 1388-9842. ; 9:8, s. 795-801
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) are increased in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Beta-blockers (BB) may influence these levels but it is unclear whether changes in NT-pro BNP reflect concomitant changes in prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prognostic importance of NT-pro BNP at baseline and during follow-up, in patients in whom beta-blocker therapy is initiated. METHODS: In COMET, 3029 patients with CHF in NYHA class II-IV and EF<35% were randomised to carvedilol or metoprolol tartrate and were followed for an average of 58 months. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of NT-pro BNP at baseline (n=1559) and during follow-up (n=309). RESULTS: Baseline plasma concentrations of NT-pro BNP above the median (1242 pg/ml) were associated with higher all-cause mortality (RR 2.77; 95% CI 2.33-3.3, p<0.001). Patients who achieved NT-pro BNP levels<400 pg/ml during follow-up had a lower subsequent mortality (RR 0.32; 95% CI 0.15-0.69, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The plasma concentration of NT-pro BNP is a powerful predictor of mortality in patients with CHF. Patients who achieve an NT-pro BNP of <400 pg/ml subsequent to treatment with a beta-blocker have a favourable prognosis.
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| 25. |
- Olsson, L. G., et al.
(författare)
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Six minute corridor walk test as an outcome measure for the assessment of treatment in randomized, blinded intervention trials of chronic heart failure: a systematic review
- 2005
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Ingår i: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 26:8, s. 778-93
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: The 6 min walk test (6MWT) is commonly used in clinical trials to assess treatments for heart failure, but its ability to distinguish between effective and ineffective treatments is questionable. The aim of this study is to investigate, using a systematic literature review, the utility of the 6MWT as a measure of the effectiveness of treatment in randomized controlled trials of heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: A literature search was performed using Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Biological abstracts for randomized controlled trials that measured 6MWT between 1988 and 31 May 2004. A significant increase in 6MWT distance was observed in only 9 of 47 randomized controlled trials of pharmacological therapy; 2 of 6 trials of ACE-inhibitors; 3 of 17 trials of beta-blockers; 1 of 4 trials of digoxin; one trial of ibopamine; one trial of l-arginine; one trial of beriberine; and one trial showed superiority of captopril over flosequinan. A significant increase in 6MWT was observed in four out of six placebo-controlled trials of cardiac resynchronization. Smaller pharmacological trials with fewer centres were more likely to be positive; six out of nine positive pharmacological trials had four or less participating centres, raising the possibility of publication bias. Pharmacological trials including patients with more severe heart failure were more likely to show a significant improvement with therapy than trials of milder heart failure. Five out of seven pharmacological trials that reported an improvement in symptoms also reported an improvement in 6MWT distance. Of 30 pharmacological trials, 29 that reported no improvement in symptoms also reported no improvement in 6MWT. Using mean values in these trials, the age of patients appeared a more important determinant of 6MWT distance than New York Heart Association classification. CONCLUSION: The 6MWT has not yet been proven to be a robust test for the identification of effective pharmacological interventions although it appears useful for the assessment of cardiac resynchronization therapy. The results of the 6MWT were concordant with changes in symptoms, suggesting that it may be used as supportive evidence for symptom benefit. The test may be of greater value in patients with more advanced heart failure, where it may function as a maximal exercise test.
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| 26. |
- Padwal, R., et al.
(författare)
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The obesity paradox in heart failure patients with preserved versus reduced ejection fraction: a meta-analysis of individual patient data
- 2014
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Ingår i: International Journal of Obesity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0307-0565 .- 1476-5497. ; 38:8, s. 1110-1114
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background:In heart failure (HF), obesity, defined as body mass index (BMI) >/=30 kg m-2, is paradoxically associated with higher survival rates compared with normal-weight patients (the 'obesity paradox'). We sought to determine if the obesity paradox differed by HF subtype (reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF) versus preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF)).Patients and Methods:A sub-analysis of the MAGGIC meta-analysis of patient-level data from 14 HF studies was performed. Subjects were divided into five BMI groups: <22.5, 22.5-24.9 (referent), 25-29.9, 30-34.9 and >/=35 kg m-2. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, aetiology (ischaemic or non-ischaemic), hypertension, diabetes and baseline blood pressure, stratified by study, were used to examine the independent association between BMI and 3-year total mortality. Analyses were conducted for the overall group and within HF-REF and HF-PEF groups.Results:BMI data were available for 23 967 subjects (mean age, 66.8 years; 32% women; 46% NYHA Class II; 50% Class III) and 5609 (23%) died by 3 years. Obese patients were younger, more likely to receive cardiovascular (CV) drug treatment, and had higher comorbidity burdens. Compared with BMI levels between 22.5 and 24.9 kg m-2, the adjusted relative hazards for 3-year mortality in subjects with HF-REF were: hazard ratios (HR)=1.31 (95% confidence interval=1.15-1.50) for BMI <22.5, 0.85 (0.76-0.96) for BMI 25.0-29.9, 0.64 (0.55-0.74) for BMI 30.0-34.9 and 0.95 (0.78-1.15) for BMI >/=35. Corresponding adjusted HRs for those with HF-PEF were: 1.12 (95% confidence interval=0.80-1.57) for BMI <22.5, 0.74 (0.56-0.97) for BMI 25.0-29.9, 0.64 (0.46-0.88) for BMI 30.0-34.9 and 0.71 (0.49-1.05) for BMI >/=35.Conclusions:In patients with chronic HF, the obesity paradox was present in both those with reduced and preserved ventricular systolic function. Mortality in both HF subtypes was U-shaped, with a nadir at 30.0-34.9 kg m-2.International Journal of Obesity advance online publication, 26 November 2013; doi:10.1038/ijo.2013.203.
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| 27. |
- Swedberg, Karl, 1944, et al.
(författare)
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Successful treatment of heart failure with devices requires collaboration
- 2008
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Ingår i: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842. ; 10:12, s. 1229-35
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Implanted biventricular pacemakers (cardiac resynchronisation therapy, CRT) with or without implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) improve survival and morbidity in some patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) who are optimally treated with pharmacologic agents according to current guidelines. Correspondingly, ICDs improve survival. However, there is only limited evidence for device treatment in certain patient subgroups, such as the impact of ICD on outcomes in patients with reduced ejection fraction in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I or IV heart failure. Similarly, limited evidence exists for CRT in patients with only modest QRS prolongation or only modestly reduced ejection fraction. Despite evidence for a beneficial effect of device therapy in CHF, only a minority of eligible patients are currently offered these options. Multiple reasons contribute to the underuse of these potentially life-saving therapies. A lack of adherence to guidelines by health care professionals is an important barrier. Clearly, efforts should be made to improve the standard of care and to familiarise all physicians involved in managing CHF patients with the indications and potential efficacy of these devices. Increased collaboration between structured heart failure care and pacemaker clinics as well as between electrophysiologists, heart failure clinicians, and primary care physicians is required. Such team collaborations should lead to improved care with reduced mortality and morbidity and increased cost effectiveness. Treatment strategy should be based on a structured approach tailored to local practice and national priorities.
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
- Zannad, F., et al.
(författare)
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Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: integrating evidence into clinical practice
- 2012
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Ingår i: European heart journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1522-9645 .- 0195-668X. ; 33:22, s. 2782-2795
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) improve survival and reduce morbidity in patients with heart failure, reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF), and mild-to-severe symptoms, and in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and heart failure after acute myocardial infarction. These clinical benefits are observed in addition to those of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers and beta-blockers. The morbidity and mortality benefits of MRAs may be mediated by several proposed actions, including antifibrotic mechanisms that slow heart failure progression, prevent or reverse cardiac remodelling, or reduce arrhythmogenesis. Both eplerenone and spironolactone have demonstrated survival benefits in individual clinical trials. Pharmacologic differences exist between the drugs, which may be relevant for therapeutic decision making in individual patients. Although serious hyperkalaemia events were reported in the major MRA clinical trials, these risks can be mitigated through appropriate patient selection, dose selection, patient education, monitoring, and follow-up. When used appropriately, MRAs significantly improve outcomes across the spectrum of patients with HF-REF.
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| 30. |
- Abdin, A., et al.
(författare)
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Efficacy of ivabradine in heart failure patients with a high-risk profile (analysis from the SHIFT trial)
- 2023
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Ingår i: Esc Heart Failure. - 2055-5822. ; 10:5, s. 2895-2902
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AimsEarly start and patient profile-oriented heart failure (HF) management has been recommended. In this post hoc analysis from the SHIFT trial, we analysed the treatment effects of ivabradine in HF patients with systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 110 mmHg, resting heart rate (RHR) & GE; 75 b.p.m., left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) & LE; 25%, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III/IV, and their combination. Methods and resultsThe SHIFT trial enrolled 6505 patients (LVEF & LE; 35% and RHR & GE; 70 b.p.m.), randomized to ivabradine or placebo on the background of guideline-defined standard care. Compared with placebo, ivabradine was associated with a similar relative risk reduction of the primary endpoint (cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization) in patients with SBP < 110 and & GE;110 mmHg [hazard ratio (HR) 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.08 vs. HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.72-0.89, P interaction = 0.34], LVEF & LE; 25% and >25% (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.72-1.01 vs. HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71-0.90, P interaction = 0.53), and NYHA III-IV and II (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74-0.94 vs. HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.94, P interaction = 0.79). The effect was more pronounced in patients with RHR & GE; 75 compared with <75 (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.68-0.85 vs. HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.81-0.1.16, P interaction = 0.02). When combining these profiling parameters, treatment with ivabradine was also associated with risk reductions comparable with patients with low-risk profiles for the primary endpoint (relative risk reduction 29%), cardiovascular death (11%), HF death (49%), and HF hospitalization (38%; all P values for interaction: 0.40). No safety concerns were observed between study groups. ConclusionsOur analysis shows that RHR reduction with ivabradine is effective and improves clinical outcomes in HF patients across various risk indicators such as low SBP, high RHR, low LVEF, and high NYHA class to a similar extent and without safety concern.
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| 31. |
- Abdul-Rahim, A. H., et al.
(författare)
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Risk of stroke in chronic heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction, but without atrial fibrillation: analysis of the CHARM-Preserved and I-Preserve trials
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 38:10, s. 742-750
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims The incidence and predictors of stroke in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF), but without atrial fibrillation (AF), are unknown. We described the incidence of stroke in HF-PEF patients with and without AF and predictors of stroke in those without AF. Methods and results We pooled data from the CHARM-Preserved and I-Preserve trials. Using Cox regression, we derived a model for stroke in patients without AF in this cohort and compared its performance with a published model in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF)-predictive variables: age, body mass index, New York Heart Association class, history of stroke, and insulin-treated diabetes. The two stroke models were compared and Kaplan-Meier curves for stroke estimated. The risk model was validated in a third HF-PEF trial. Of the 6701 patients, 4676 did not have AF. Stroke occurred in 124 (6.1%) with AF and in 171 (3.7%) without AF (rates 1.80 and 1.00 per 100 patient-years, respectively). There was no difference in performance of the stroke model derived in the HF-PEF cohort and the published HF-REF model (c-index 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.57-0.84 vs. 0.73, 0.59-0.85, respectively) as the predictive variables overlapped. The model performed well in the validation cohort (0.86, 0.62-0.99). The rate of stroke in patients in the upper third of risk approximated to that in patients with AF (1.60 and 1.80 per 100 patient-years, respectively). Conclusions A small number of clinical variables identify a subset of patients with HF-PEF, but without AF, at elevated risk of stroke.
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
- Allen, L. A., et al.
(författare)
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Liver function abnormalities and outcome in patients with chronic heart failure: data from the Candesartan in Heart Failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity (CHARM) program
- 2009
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Ingår i: Eur J Heart Fail. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842. ; 11:2, s. 170-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: The prevalence and importance of liver function test (LFT) abnormalities in a large contemporary cohort of heart failure patients have not been systematically evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We characterized the LFTs of 2679 patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure from the Candesartan in Heart failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity program (CHARM). We used multivariable modelling to assess the relationships between baseline LFT values and long-term outcomes. Liver function test abnormalities were common in patients with chronic heart failure, ranging from alanine aminotransferase elevation in 3.1% of patients to low albumin in 18.3% of patients; total bilirubin was elevated in 13.0% of patients. In multivariable analysis, elevated total bilirubin was the strongest LFT predictor of adverse outcome for both the composite outcome of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (HR 1.21 per 1 SD increase, P<0.0001) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.19 per 1 SD increase, P<0.0001). Even after adjustment for other variables, elevated total bilirubin was one of the strongest independent predictors of poor prognosis (by global chi-square). CONCLUSION: Bilirubin is independently associated with morbidity and mortality. Changes in total bilirubin may offer insight into the underlying pathophysiology of chronic heart failure.
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| 34. |
- Ambrosy, A. P., et al.
(författare)
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Clinical course and predictive value of congestion during hospitalization in patients admitted for worsening signs and symptoms of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: findings from the EVEREST trial
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 34:11, s. 835-43
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims Signs and symptoms of congestion are the most common cause for hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). The clinical course and prognostic value of congestion during HHF has not been systemically characterized. Methods and results A post hoc analysis was performed of the placebo group (n = 2061) of the EVEREST trial, which enrolled patients within 48 h of admission (median approximately 24 h) for worsening HF with an EF 3. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino terminal-proBNP, respectively, decreased from 734 (313, 1523) pg/mL and 4857 (2251, 9642) pg/mL at baseline to 477 (199, 1079) pg/mL, and 2834 (1218, 6075) pg/mL at discharge/Day 7. A CCS at discharge was associated with increased risk (HR/point CCS, 95% CI) for a subset of endpoints at 30 days (HHF: 1.06, 0.95-1.19; ACM: 1.34, 1.14-1.58; and ACM + HHF: 1.13, 1.03-1.25) and all outcomes for the overall study period (HHF: 1.07, 1.01-1.14; ACM: 1.16, 1.09-1.24; and ACM + HHF 1.11, 1.06-1.17). Patients with a CCS of 0 at discharge experienced HHF of 26.2% and ACM of 19.1% during the follow-up. Conclusion Among patients admitted for worsening signs and symptoms of HF and reduced EF, congestion improves substantially during hospitalization in response to standard therapy alone. However, patients with absent or minimal resting signs and symptoms at discharge still experienced a high mortality and readmission rate.
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| 35. |
- Ariti, C. A., et al.
(författare)
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Days alive and out of hospital and the patient journey in patients with heart failure: Insights from the Candesartan in Heart failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) program
- 2011
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Ingår i: American heart journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 1097-6744 .- 0002-8703. ; 162:5, s. 900-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Conventional composite outcomes in heart failure (HF) trials, for example, time to cardiovascular death or first HF hospitalization, have recognized limitations. We propose an alternative outcome, days alive and out of hospital (DAOH), which incorporates mortality and all hospitalizations into a single measure. A refinement, the patient journey, also uses functional status (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class) measured during follow-up. The CHARM program is used to illustrate the methodology. METHODS: CHARM randomized 7,599 patients with symptomatic HF to placebo or candesartan, with median follow-up of 38 months. We related DAOH and percent DAOH (ie, percentage of time spent alive and out of hospital) to treatment using linear regression adjusting for follow-up time. RESULTS: Mean increase in DAOH for patients on candesartan versus placebo was 24.1 days (95% CI 9.8-38.3 days, P < .001). The corresponding mean increase in percent DAOH was 2.0% (95% CI 0.8%-3.1%, P < .001). These findings were dominated by reduced mortality (23 days) but enhanced by reduced time in hospital (1 day). Percent time spent in hospital because of HF was reduced by 0.10% (95% CI 0.04%-0.14%, P < .001). The patient journey analysis showed that patients in the candesartan group spent more follow-up time in NYHA classes I and II and less in NYHA class IV. CONCLUSIONS: Days alive and out of hospital, especially percent DAOH, provide a valuable tool for summarizing the overall absolute treatment effect on mortality and morbidity. In future HF trials, percent DAOH can provide a useful alternative perspective on the effects of treatment.
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| 36. |
- Bilchick, K. C., et al.
(författare)
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Seattle Heart Failure and Proportional Risk Models Predict Benefit From Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0735-1097 .- 1558-3597. ; 69:21, s. 2606-2618
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND Recent clinical trials highlight the need for better models to identify patients at higher risk of sudden death. OBJECTIVES The authors hypothesized that the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) for overall survival and the Seattle Proportional Risk Model (SPRM) for proportional risk of sudden death, including death from ventricular arrhythmias, would predict the survival benefit with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). METHODS Patients with primary prevention ICDs from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) were compared with control patients with heart failure (HF) without ICDs with respect to 5-year survival using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS Among 98,846 patients with HF (87,914 with ICDs and 10,932 without ICDs), the SHFM was strongly associated with all-cause mortality (p < 0.0001). The ICD-SPRM interaction was significant (p < 0.0001), such that SPRM quintile 5 patients had approximately twice the reduction in mortality with the ICD versus SPRM quintile 1 patients (adjusted hazard ratios [HR]: 0.602; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.537 to 0.675 vs. 0.793; 95% CI: 0.736 to 0.855, respectively). Among patients with SHFM-predicted annual mortality <= 5.7%, those with a SPRM-predicted risk of sudden death below the median had no reduction in mortality with the ICD (adjusted ICD HR: 0.921; 95% CI: 0.787 to 1.08; p = 0.31), whereas those with SPRM above the median derived the greatest benefit (adjusted HR: 0.599; 95% CI: 0.530 to 0.677; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The SHFM predicted all-cause mortality in a large cohort with and without ICDs, and the SPRM discriminated and calibrated the potential ICD benefit. Together, the models identified patients less likely to derive a survival benefit from primary prevention ICDs. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2017;69:2606-18) (C) 2017 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.
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| 37. |
- Boman, K., et al.
(författare)
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Effects of carvedilol or metoprolol on PAI-1, tPA-mass concentration or Von Willebrand factor in chronic heart failure - a COMET substudy
- 2009
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Ingår i: Thrombosis Research. - 1879-2472. ; 125:2, s. 46-50
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: In COMET (Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial), carvedilol reduced mortality compared with metoprolol in patients with chronic heart failure. We hypothesized that carvedilol might have greater effects on endothelial derived haemostatic factors than metoprolol. We aimed to study the effects of carvedilol or metoprolol on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), its inhibitor PAI-1 and Von Willebrand factor (VWF) in patients with heart failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 260 patients (134 on carvedilol, 126 on metoprolol), mean age 66 years and 84% of them men. Plasma mass concentrations of tPA and PAI-1and percent of VWF were measured at baseline and after one and two years of treatment. RESULTS: Plasma tPA, PAI-1 and VWF were similar between treatment groups at baseline and no significant differences between groups emerged after one or two years of treatment. In paired analyses in patients assigned to carvedilol, median PAI-1 level decreased from 37.2 to 32.1 microg/l at two years (p=0.034) and of VWF decreased from baseline to one year (240 vs. 218%, p=0.023) in patients assigned to carvedilol but were not reduced at any time in patients assigned to metoprolol. Plasma tPA increased over time in both treatment groups (p=0.013 and 0.027 respectively). CONCLUSION: We found no significant difference in the effects of carvedilol or metoprolol on tPA, PAI-1 and VWF. Comparison over time within treatment groups suggested that PAI-1 and VWF might have declined on carvedilol but not on metoprolol. Our hypothesis is not proved but this may reflect an inadequate sample size rather than lack of an effect.
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| 38. |
- Boman, Kurt, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of carvedilol or metoprolol on PAI-1, tPA-mass concentration or Von Willebrand factor in chronic heart failure--a COMET substudy.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Thrombosis Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0049-3848 .- 1879-2472. ; 125:2, s. e46-50
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: In COMET (Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial), carvedilol reduced mortality compared with metoprolol in patients with chronic heart failure. We hypothesized that carvedilol might have greater effects on endothelial derived haemostatic factors than metoprolol. We aimed to study the effects of carvedilol or metoprolol on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), its inhibitor PAI-1 and Von Willebrand factor (VWF) in patients with heart failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 260 patients (134 on carvedilol, 126 on metoprolol), mean age 66 years and 84% of them men. Plasma mass concentrations of tPA and PAI-1and percent of VWF were measured at baseline and after one and two years of treatment. RESULTS: Plasma tPA, PAI-1 and VWF were similar between treatment groups at baseline and no significant differences between groups emerged after one or two years of treatment. In paired analyses in patients assigned to carvedilol, median PAI-1 level decreased from 37.2 to 32.1 microg/l at two years (p=0.034) and of VWF decreased from baseline to one year (240 vs. 218%, p=0.023) in patients assigned to carvedilol but were not reduced at any time in patients assigned to metoprolol. Plasma tPA increased over time in both treatment groups (p=0.013 and 0.027 respectively). CONCLUSION: We found no significant difference in the effects of carvedilol or metoprolol on tPA, PAI-1 and VWF. Comparison over time within treatment groups suggested that PAI-1 and VWF might have declined on carvedilol but not on metoprolol. Our hypothesis is not proved but this may reflect an inadequate sample size rather than lack of an effect.
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| 39. |
- Butler, J., et al.
(författare)
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Relationship Between Clinical Trial Site Enrollment With Participant Characteristics, Protocol Completion, and Outcomes Insights From the EVEREST (Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure: Outcome Study with Tolvaptan) Trial
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0735-1097 .- 1558-3597. ; 61:5, s. 571-579
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives The study investigated whether the number of participants enrolled per site in an acute heart failure trial is associated with participant characteristics and outcomes. Background Whether and how site enrollment volume affects clinical trials is not known. Methods A total of 4,133 participants enrolled among 359 sites were grouped on the basis of total enrollment into 1 to 10, 11 to 30, and >30 participants per site and were compared for outcomes (cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization). Results Per-site enrollment ranged from 0 to 75 (median 6; 77 sites had no enrollment). Regional differences in enrollment were noted between North and South America, and Western and Eastern Europe (p < 0.001). Participants from sites with fewer enrollments were more likely to be older and male, have lower ejection fraction and blood pressure as well as worse comorbidity and laboratory profile, and were less likely to be on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or aldosterone antagonists. During a median follow-up of 9.9 months, 1,700 (41%) participants had an outcome event. Compared to event rate at sites with >30 participants (32%), those with 1 to 10 (51%, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.56 to 2.02) and 11 to 30 (42%, HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.28 to 1.62) participants per site groups had worse outcomes. This relationship was comparable across regions (p = 0.43). After adjustment for risk factors, participants enrolled at sites with fewer enrollees were at higher risk for adverse outcomes (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.46 for 1 to 10; HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.38 for 11 to 30 vs. >30 participant sites). Higher proportion of participants from site with >30 participants completed the protocol (45.5% for <10, 61.7% for 11 to 30, and 68.4% for sites enrolling >30 participants; p < 0.001). Conclusions Baseline characteristics, protocol completion, and outcomes differed significantly among higher versus lower enrolling sites. These data imply that the number of participant enrolled per site may influence trials beyond logistics. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2013; 61: 571-9) (C) 2013 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation
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| 40. |
- Böhm, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Heart rate as a risk factor in chronic heart failure (SHIFT): the association between heart rate and outcomes in a randomised placebo-controlled trial
- 2010
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Ingår i: Lancet. - 0140-6736. ; 376:9744, s. 886-894
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Raised resting heart rate is a marker of cardiovascular risk. We postulated that heart rate is also a risk factor for cardiovascular events in heart failure. In the SHIFT trial, patients with chronic heart failure were treated with the selective heart-rate-lowering agent ivabradine. We aimed to test our hypothesis by investigating the association between heart rate and events in this patient population. METHODS: We analysed cardiovascular outcomes in the placebo (n=3264) and ivabradine groups (n=3241) of this randomised trial, divided by quintiles of baseline heart rate in the placebo group. The primary composite endpoint was cardiovascular death or hospital admission for worsening heart failure. In the ivabradine group, heart rate achieved at 28 days was also analysed in relation to subsequent outcomes. Analysis adjusted to change in heart rate was used to study heart-rate reduction as mechanism for risk reduction by ivabradine directly. FINDINGS: In the placebo group, patients with the highest heart rates (>or=87 beats per min [bpm], n=682, 286 events) were at more than two-fold higher risk for the primary composite endpoint than were patients with the lowest heart rates (70 to <72 bpm, n=461, 92 events; hazard ratio [HR] 2.34, 95% CI 1.84-2.98, p<0.0001). Risk of primary composite endpoint events increased by 3% with every beat increase from baseline heart rate and 16% for every 5-bpm increase. In the ivabradine group, there was a direct association between heart rate achieved at 28 days and subsequent cardiac outcomes. Patients with heart rates lower than 60 bpm at 28 days on treatment had fewer primary composite endpoint events during the study (n=1192; event rate 17.4%, 95% CI 15.3-19.6) than did patients with higher heart rates. The effect of ivabradine is accounted for by heart-rate reduction, as shown by the neutralisation of the treatment effect after adjustment for change of heart rate at 28 days (HR 0.95, 0.85-1.06, p=0.352). INTERPRETATION: Our analysis confirms that high heart rate is a risk factor in heart failure. Selective lowering of heart rates with ivabradine improves cardiovascular outcomes. Heart rate is an important target for treatment of heart failure. FUNDING: Servier, France.
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| 41. |
- Cleland, J. G., et al.
(författare)
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A comparison of the effects of carvedilol and metoprolol on well-being, morbidity, and mortality (the "patient journey") in patients with heart failure: a report from the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET)
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1558-3597 .- 0735-1097. ; 47:8, s. 1603-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the loss of well-being, in terms of life-years, overall and in patients randomized to metoprolol versus carvedilol in the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET). BACKGROUND: The ultimate objectives of treating patients with heart failure are to relieve suffering and prolong life. Although the effect of treatment on mortality is usually described in trials, the effects on patient well-being throughout the trials' courses are rarely reported. METHODS: A total of 3,029 patients randomized in the COMET study were included in the analysis. "Patient journey" was calculated by adjusting days alive and out of hospital over four years using a five-point score completed by the patient every four months, adjusted according to the need for intensification of diuretic therapy. Scores ranged from 0% (dead or hospitalized) to 100% (feeling very well). RESULTS: Over 48 months, 17% of all days were lost through death, 1% through hospitalization, 23% through impaired well-being, and 2% through the need for intensified therapy. Compared with metoprolol, carvedilol was associated with fewer days lost to death, with no increase in days lost due to impaired well-being or days in hospital. The "patient journey" score improved from a mean of 54.8% (SD 26.0) to 57.4% (SD 26.3%) (p < 0.0068). CONCLUSIONS: Despite treatment with beta-blockers, heart failure remains associated with a marked reduction in well-being and survival. Loss of quality-adjusted life-years through death and poor well-being seemed of similar magnitude over four years, and both were much larger than the loss that could be attributed to hospitalization.
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| 42. |
- Cleland, J. G., et al.
(författare)
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A description of the clinical characteristics at baseline of patients recruited into the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET)
- 2004
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular drugs and therapy / sponsored by the International Society of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy. - 0920-3206. ; 18:2, s. 139-52
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND & AIMS: The COMET trial was a prospective, double-blind, randomised trial comparing carvedilol, a comprehensive adrenergic receptor antagonist, with metoprolol, a beta-1-selective agent in patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The trial showed a reduction in mortality with carvedilol that was consistent across subgroups. The purpose of this report is to describe in greater detail the heterogeneity of this population at baseline with particular reference to the impact of symptomatic severity, age and gender on patient characteristics. METHODS: A descriptive report using data entered in the COMET study data-base. RESULTS: The characteristics of the population studied were similar to those reported in previous trials of beta-blockers. Almost all patients were receiving diuretics and ACE inhibitors with few patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers. As expected, older patients had more co-morbidity. Older patients and women reported worse symptoms and poorer well-being despite similar ventricular dimensions and systolic dysfunction. NT-proBNP was higher in patients with more severe symptoms and older patients but not in women, although differences in NT-proBNP may have been confounded by differences in renal function. CONCLUSION: Age and gender, as well as the severity of cardiac dysfunction, appear to have an important effect on the severity of heart failure symptoms and patient 'well-being'. This could have important implications for the relationship between symptoms and prognosis and therefore the way in which patients are selected for clinical trials and the goals of treatment. This will be the subject of further analyses.
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| 43. |
- Cleland, J. G., et al.
(författare)
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The EuroHeart Failure survey programme-- a survey on the quality of care among patients with heart failure in Europe. Part 1: patient characteristics and diagnosis
- 2003
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Ingår i: European heart journal. - 0195-668X. ; 24:5, s. 442-63
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has published guidelines for the investigation of patients with suspected heart failure and, if the diagnosis is proven, their subsequent management. Hospitalisation provides a key point of care at which time diagnosis and treatment may be refined to improve outcome for a group of patients with a high morbidity and mortality. However, little international data exists to describe the features and management of such patients. Accordingly, the EuroHeart Failure survey was conducted to ascertain if appropriate tests were being performed with which to confirm or refute a diagnosis of heart failure and how this influenced subsequent management. METHODS: The survey screened consecutive deaths and discharges during 2000-2001 predominantly from medical wards over a 6-week period in 115 hospitals from 24 countries belonging to the ESC, to identify patients with known or suspected heart failure. RESULTS: A total of 46788 deaths and discharges were screened from which 11327 (24%) patients were enrolled with suspected or confirmed heart failure. Forty-seven percent of those enrolled were women. Fifty-one percent of women and 30% of men were aged >75 years. Eighty-three percent of patients had a diagnosis of heart failure made on or prior to the index admission. Heart failure was the principal reason for admission in 40%. The great majority of patients (>90%) had had an ECG, chest X-ray, haemoglobin and electrolytes measured as recommended in ESC guidelines, but only 66% had ever had an echocardiogram. Left ventricular ejection fraction had been measured in 57% of men and 41% of women, usually by echocardiography (84%) and was <40% in 51% of men but only in 28% of women. Forty-five percent of women and 22% of men were reported to have normal left ventricular systolic function by qualitative echocardiographic assessment. A substantial proportion of patients had alternative explanations for heart failure other than left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction, including valve disease. Within 12 weeks of discharge, 24% of patients had been readmitted. A total of 1408 of 10434 (13.5%) patients died between admission and 12 weeks follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Known or suspected heart failure comprises a large proportion of admissions to medical wards and such patients are at high risk of early readmission and death. Many of the basic investigations recommended by the ESC were usually carried out, although it is not clear whether this was by design or part of a general routine for all patients being admitted regardless of diagnosis. The investigation most specific for patients with suspected heart failure (echocardiography) was performed less frequently, suggesting that the diagnosis of heart failure is still relatively neglected. Most men but a minority of women who underwent investigation of cardiac function had evidence of moderate or severe left ventricular dysfunction, the main target of current advances in the treatment of heart failure. Considerable diagnostic uncertainty remains for many patients with suspected heart failure, even after echocardiography, which must be resolved in order to target existing and new therapies and services effectively.
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| 44. |
- Cook, T. D., et al.
(författare)
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Temporal Changes in Postdischarge Mortality Risk After Hospitalization for Heart Failure (from the EVEREST Trial)
- 2016
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Ingår i: American Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9149. ; 117:4, s. 611-616
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In observational studies of patients hospitalized for heart failure (HHF), risk of death is highest immediately after discharge and decreases over time. It is unclear whether this population risk trajectory reflects (1) lowering of individual patient mortality risk with increasing time from index hospitalization or (2) temporal changes in population case-mix with earlier postdischarge death for "sicker" patients. Survival rate and longitudinal models were used to estimate temporal changes in postdischarge all-cause mortality risk in 3,993 HHF patients discharged alive in the Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure Outcome Study with, Tolvaptan (EVEREST) trial. After median 'follow-up of 9.9 months, 971 patients died (24.2%). Predicted mortality rate decreased from 15.9 per 100 patient-years immediately after discharge to 13.4 at 30 days and 12.8 at 90 days; mortality rate increased steadily thereafter. Risk variation between quintiles of risk was considerably larger than the temporal variation within risk strata. In a longitudinal model serially reassessing predicted patient mortality risk after each follow-up visit using data collected at these visits, predicted mortality risk increased during the 90 days preceding subsequent heart failure readmission and then followed' a postdischarge trajectory similar to the index admission. In conclusion, although there is transiently elevated individual patient risk in the 90 days before and after discharge, the patient's individual risk profile, rather than temporal change in risk relative to hospitalization, remains the main determinant of mortality. For purposes of reducing all-cause mortality in HF patients, preventative and therapeutic measures may be best implemented as long-term interventions for high mortality risk patients based on serial risk assessments, irrespective of recent hospitalization. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 45. |
- De Luca, L., et al.
(författare)
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Acute heart failure syndromes: clinical scenarios and pathophysiologic targets for therapy
- 2007
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Ingår i: Heart Fail Rev. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1382-4147 .- 1573-7322. ; 12:2, s. 97-104
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) represent the most common discharge diagnosis in patients over age 65 years, with an exceptionally high mortality and readmission rates at 60-90 days. Recent surveys and registries have generated important information concerning the clinical characteristics of patients with AHFS and their prognosis. Most patients with AHFS present either with normal systolic blood pressure or elevated blood pressure. Patients who present with elevated systolic blood pressure usually have pulmonary congestion, a relatively preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), are often elderly women, and their symptoms develop typically and abruptly. Patients with normal systolic blood pressure present with systemic congestion, reduced LVEF, are usually younger with a history of chronic HF, and have symptoms that develop gradually over days or weeks. In addition to the abnormal hemodynamics (increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and/or decrease in cardiac output) that characterize patients with AHFS, myocardial injury, which may be related to a decrease in coronary perfusion and/or further activation of neurohormones and renal dysfunction, probably contributes to short-term and post-discharge cardiac events. Patients with AHFS also have significant cardiac and noncardiac underlying conditions that contribute to the pathogenesis of AHFS, including coronary artery disease (ischemia, hibernating myocardium, and endothelial dysfunction), hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the targets of therapy for AHFS should be not only to improve symptoms and hemodynamics but also to preserve or improve renal function, prevent myocardial damage, modulate neurohumoral and inflammatory activation, and to manage other comorbidities that may cause and/or contribute to the progression of this syndrome.
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| 46. |
- De Luca, L., et al.
(författare)
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Early pharmacological treatment of acute heart failure syndromes: A systematic review of clinical trials
- 2007
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Ingår i: Acute cardiac care. - 1748-2941. ; 9:1, s. 10-21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Acute Heart Failure Syndromes (AHFS) is a common admission diagnosis associated with high mortality and hospital readmissions. Given the mixed results of recent clinical trials, the early management of AHFS remains controversial. Objective: To review the recent evidence regarding current and investigational therapies for the early management of AHFS. Data Sources: A systematic search of peer-reviewed publications was performed on MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1990 to August 2006. The results of unpublished or ongoing trials were obtained from presentations at national and international meetings and pharmaceutical industry releases. Bibliographies from these references were also reviewed, as were additional articles identified by content experts. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Criteria used for study selection were controlled study design, relevance to clinicians and validity based on venue of publication and power analysis. Data Synthesis: Although all current intravenous therapies for the early management of AHFS appear to improve hemodynamics, this may not always translate into short-term clinical benefit. Conclusion: The results of the trials conducted to date in AHFS have generally been disappointing. There is, therefore, an unmet need for new therapeutic approaches for the early management of AHFS that may improve the short-term and long-term outcomes.
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| 47. |
- Di Lenarda, A., et al.
(författare)
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Exchange of beta-blockers in heart failure patients. Experiences from the poststudy phase of COMET (the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial)
- 2005
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Ingår i: European journal of heart failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842. ; 7:4, s. 640-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) reported a significant survival benefit for carvedilol, a beta1-, beta2- and alpha1-blocker, vs. metoprolol tartrate, a beta1-selective blocker, in patients with mild-to-severe chronic heart failure (CHF). Patients on treatment with metoprolol might benefit from switching to carvedilol. AIM: To investigate the safety and tolerability of switching beta-blockers in CHF. METHODS: At the end of COMET, the Steering Committee recommended that study medication was stopped without unblinding, and patients were commenced on open-label beta-blockade at a dose equivalent to half the dose of blinded therapy, with subsequent titration to target or maximum tolerated dose. Patients were followed for 30 days. RESULTS: 1321 out of 1440 patients were transitioned to open-label treatment (76.8% to carvedilol). Serious adverse and CHF-related events were respectively 9.4% and 4.7% in those switching from carvedilol to metoprolol and 3.1% and 1.5% in patients switching from metoprolol to carvedilol. Patients who switched from carvedilol to metoprolol showed the highest mortality or hospitalisation rate (12.3%) in comparison with those who switched from metoprolol to carvedilol (3.1%, p<0.001) or who stayed on the same drug (carvedilol: 2.5%, p<0.001; metoprolol: 4.2%, p=0.04). Reducing the initial dose of the second beta-blocker maximised the safety of this strategy. Event rate was higher in patients with more severe heart failure and in those withdrawing from beta-blockade. CONCLUSION: Our data show that switching beta-blockers is a practical, safe and well-tolerated strategy to optimise treatment of CHF. Patients who switched to carvedilol showed the lowest rate of adverse events. A closer clinical monitoring is recommended during transition in high-risk patients.
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- Eapen, Z. J., et al.
(författare)
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Do Countries or Hospitals With Longer Hospital Stays for Acute Heart Failure Have Lower Readmission Rates?: Findings From ASCEND-HF
- 2013
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Ingår i: Circulation Heart Failure. - 1941-3289 .- 1941-3297. ; 6:4, s. 727-32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background- Hospital readmission is an important clinical outcome of patients with heart failure. Its relation to length of stay for the initial hospitalization is not clear. Methods and Results- We used hierarchical modeling of data from a clinical trial to examine variations in length of stay across countries and across hospitals in the United States and its association with readmission within 30 days of randomization. Main outcomes included associations between country-level length of stay and readmission rates, after adjustment for patient-level case mix; and associations between length of stay and readmission rates across sites in the United States. Across 27 countries with 389 sites and 6848 patients, mean length of stay ranged from 4.9 to 14.6 days (6.1 days in the United States). Rates of all-cause readmission ranged from 2.5% to 25.0% (17.8% in the United States). There was an inverse correlation between country-level mean length of stay and readmission (r=-0.52; P<0.01). After multivariable adjustment, each additional inpatient day across countries was associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause readmission (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.98; P=0.02) and heart failure readmission (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.99; P=0.03). Similar trends were observed across US study sites concerning readmission for any cause (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-1.00; P=0.06) and readmission for heart failure (odds ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.01; P=0.07). Across countries and across US sites, longer median length of stay was independently associated with lower risk of readmission. Conclusions- Countries with longer length of stay for heart failure hospitalizations had significantly lower rates of readmission within 30 days of randomization. These findings may have implications for developing strategies to prevent readmission, defining quality measures, and designing clinical trials in acute heart failure. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00475852.
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