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Query: UMLS:C0018801 (heart failure)
 72,216 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

During the first 30 days after a stroke, the case fatality is about 25% and the major cause of death is the index stroke and its sequelae. The most consistent predictor of 30-day mortality after stroke is stroke severity. Other predictors include increasing age, a history of previous stroke, cardiac failure, and a high blood glucose concentration and white blood cell count. Other less common, but important, causes of early mortality are recurrent ischaemic stroke and a coronary event. The risk of a recurrent cerebrovascular event is highest in the first month (4%) and year (12%) after a stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA), probably reflecting the presence of active, unstable atherosclerotic plaque. Thereafter, the risk of a recurrent cerebrovascular event falls to about 5% per year, similar to the risk of a coronary event. During years 1-5 after a TIA and ischaemic stroke, cardiovascular disease increasingly becomes the major cause of death, reflecting the generalized nature of atherothrombosis, the most common cause of the index stroke. The most robust predictor of death within 1-5 years after stroke is increasing age, closely followed by cardiac failure. Additional baseline predictors of longer-term mortality include a history of previous symptomatic atherothrombosis (TIA, ischaemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and early-onset ischaemic heart disease), risk factors for atherothrombosis (smoking), other heart diseases (cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation) and increasing stroke severity. Lacunar syndromes can be predictive of relative longevity. At 5 years after stroke, survival is about 40%, and about half of survivors are disabled and dependent. The most robust predictors of disability at 5 years after stroke are increasing age, stroke severity, and recurrent stroke. The most powerful predictor of early recurrent stroke (within 30 days after stroke) is an atherosclerotic ischaemic stroke caused by large-artery atherosclerosis with >50% stenosis, whereas the strongest predictor of stroke recurrence over 5 years is diabetes. Other predictors of recurrent stroke include increasing age, previous TIA, atrial fibrillation, high alcohol consumption, haemorrhagic index stroke, and hypertension at discharge. The clinical implication of these findings is that strategies for optimizing long-term outcome after TIA and stroke should be directed toward reducing the high risk of recurrent stroke and coronary events by removing/recanalizing the symptomatic atherosclerotic plaque, controlling the underlying causal vascular risk factors, and administering long-term, effective antiplatelet therapy.
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PMID:Long-term outcome after ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack. 1269 14

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Those who survive have a one in six chance of a further stroke in the ensuing five years. The perindopril protection against recurrent stroke study (PROGRESS) is the first specific trial to address whether blood pressure lowering in hypertensive or non-hypertensive patients with a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) would reduce subsequent cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. Results show that treatment based on perindopril significantly reduces stroke (28%), cardiovascular events (26%) and heart failure (26%). Stable patients post stroke should be considered for perindopril, and indapamide if possible, along with other evidence based risk reduction treatments (e.g. aspirin, statins). Therapy can be initiated and monitored either from hospital outpatients or general practice or both in co-operation.
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PMID:Making PROGRESS in stable patients post stroke or transient ischaemic attack: implications for general practice. 1284 42

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. The prevalence of AF is 0.4% in the general population and increases with age up to 6-8% in octogenarians. In Switzerland, approximately 68,000 persons are in atrial fibrillation, and in the EU countries 3.5 millions. Atrial fibrillation disturbs synchronous mechanical atrial activity and impairs the haemodynamics. This can give rise to thrombus formation, mostly in the left atrial appendage, and embolism to the systemic circulation. Clinical manifestations are most often neurological such as transient ischaemic attacks or ischaemic strokes, on average 5% per year. Of all strokes, one in every six occurs in patients with AF. Antiarrhythmic therapy is useful to improve cardiac rate and function in AF. However, to reduce first or recurrent emboli, antithrombotic therapy is of paramount importance. Adjusted-dose warfarin reduces first or recurrent strokes by about 60%. When patients with non-valvular AF are anticoagulated, the odds against ischaemic stroke and intracranial bleeding favour an INR between 2.0 and 3.0. Acetylsalicylic acid is less efficacious than warfarin in AF patients, reducing the risk of stroke by about 20%. Therefore, anticoagulation is the current treatment modality in AF patients at high or intermediate risk, i.e. patients with history of transient ischaemic attack or stroke, those aged > 65 years, those with a history of hypertension, diabetes, heart failure or structural heart disease, valvular disease or significant systolic dysfunction. Antiplatelet agents should be used only for young (< 65 years) AF patients at low risk.
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PMID:[Atrial fibrillation and stroke]. 1457 21

In Italy, data on shared-care programs for diabetes are lacking. We described the characteristics of type 2 diabetic population assisted in general practice and evaluated 3 years of follow-up outcomes and performance indicators in a shared-care program in Modena, Italy (1998-2001); only well-controlled diabetic patients were considered. Forty-nine percent of territorial GPs adhered to the project (257 out of 521) and 77% of them sent 6409 paired baseline and follow-up datasheets. Altogether, 97.8% patients had type 2 diabetes, mean age 68.6+/-11.7 years, disease duration 9.6+/-7.5 years, BMI 28.6+/-4.8 kg/m2, HbA(1c) 7.6%+/-1.6%, 16.1% of them were disabled. Among the non-disabled patients, 23.6% had optimal glycemic control (HbA(1c) < or =6.5%); at baseline the prevalence of micro- and macrovascular diabetic complications was: 8.2% microalbuminuria and 2.4% macroalbuminuria plus nephropathy, 11.0% nonproliferative and 3.0% preproliferative retinopathy, 7.0% neuropathy, 1.8% diabetic foot; 8.5% angina, 6.9% TIA or stroke, 6.3% infarction, 5.2% intermittent claudication, 4.1% heart failure. Among the disabled patients 27.9% had optimal glycemic control, but they had more diabetic complications. The performance indicators significantly improved over the 3-year study period: glycemic control indicators increased from 66%-75% to 83%-90% and micro- and macrovascular indicators from 59%-65% to 75%-81%. The outcome indicators also improved: mean HbA(1c) value changed from 7.6%+/-1.6% to 7.3%+/-1.3% and the percentage of people with HbA(1c)< or =6.5% significantly improved over time. Similar trends were observed in both disabled and non-disabled diabetic patients.
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PMID:Audit of a shared-care program for persons with diabetes: baseline and 3 annual follow-ups. 1505 48

The most disabling consequence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is stroke. In the elderly, AF is the single most important cause of stroke. The risk of stroke is increased at least 6-fold in subjects with AF. Strokes in patients with AF are in general severe, associated with higher risk of fatality and prone to early and long-term recurrence. The cardiac origin of stroke can be strongly suspected by anamnesis, clinical examination and findings on neuroimaging. Paroxysmal AF is an important cause of brain embolism, that is often difficult to document. Risk factors for stroke in AF include: previous embolism (including previous transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or ischaemic stroke), age >65 years, structural cardiac disease, rheumatic or other significant valvular heart disease, valvular artificial prosthesis, hypertension, heart failure and significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction, diabetes and coronary disease. All AF patients with TIA or stroke have a formal indication for long-term anticoagulation. Only patients without risk factors or with contraindications to warfarin should be put on aspirin. Treating 1 000 patients with AF for 1 year with oral anticoagulants rather than aspirin would prevent 23 ischaemic strokes while causing 9 major bleedings. Despite its enormous preventive potential, oral anticoagulants are underused in AF, because treating physicians often have lack of knowledge about trials and guidelines, underestimate the benefits and overestimate the risks associated with continuous oral anticoagulation. The introduction of anticoagulants that do not need frequent control tests, such as ximelagatran, will increase the proportion of AF patients with risk factors for stroke who are anticoagulated. There is no evidence to support routine immediate anticoagulation in acute ischeamic stroke associated with AF.
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PMID:Atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic stroke. 1519 93

The practice guideline 'Atrial fibrillation' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners provides the general practitioner with guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can be detected by observation of the cardiac rhythm during every measurement of the blood pressure. The diagnosis 'atrial fibrillation' must be made on the basis of an ECG. Atrial fibrillation must not be looked upon as an isolated phenomenon: possible comorbidity (cerebral infarction ('transient ischaemic attack'; TIA), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, coronary heart disease, hyperthyroidism) should be taken into consideration in the evaluation. Particular attention should be given to determining whether heart failure is also present. An important goal of treatment is the prevention of thromboembolic complications. Cardioversion is not generally recommended. The symptoms may be an indication that an attempt should be made to restore sinus rhythm. This constitutes one of the indications for referral for specialised treatment.
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PMID:[Summary of the practice guideline 'atrial fibrillation' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners]. 1532 42

The INternational VErapamil SR-Trandolapril study (INVEST) had 6400 of 22,576 (28.3%) participants with diabetes at entry. The objectives of this prespecified analysis were to compare antihypertensive treatment strategies in the diabetes cohort (verapamil SR-based [n=3169] versus atenolol-based [n=3231]) and identify predictors for the primary outcome (a composite of first occurrence of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke). During a mean follow-up of 2.7 years, 913 participants with diabetes experienced a primary outcome event, with no significant difference between treatment strategies (14.6%, verapamil SR versus 13.9%; atenolol hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 1.19). Risk for the primary outcome increased with presence of baseline heart failure, renal impairment, US residency, age, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack, previous myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, or smoking. High systolic and diastolic pressures during follow-up also were associated with increased risk, as were low diastolic pressures. Antihypertensive treatment with a verapamil SR or atenolol strategy resulted in similar rates of cardiovascular outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with diabetes. Thus, a verapamil SR-based antihypertensive treatment strategy is an alternative to a beta-blocker-based strategy in adults with CAD and diabetes.
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PMID:Clinical outcomes in the diabetes cohort of the INternational VErapamil SR-Trandolapril study. 1536 99

Angiotensin II plays a significant role in cell growth and proliferation in model systems and in humans. Numerous studies have shown that left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) increases the risk of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke or transient ischemic attack; all-cause deaths, and sudden death. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) has provided beneficial effects on LVH regression and on cardiac remodeling in the presence of hypertension and heart failure. The new class of ARBs appears to provide cardioprotective effects that are similar to those of the ACE inhibitors. Most of the beneficial effects provided by these agents appear to be related to a more complete blockade of the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor. However, costimulation of the angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor appears to increase nitric oxide and thus causes some bradykinin-like effects. Evidence for the role of angiotensin II in promoting LVH as well as abnormal regulation of the angiotensin II signal transduction pathways in model systems and in humans has been reviewed. Secondly, the mechanisms for the beneficial effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers studied in model systems and in humans, including possible involvement in the formation of reactive oxygen species by mononuclear cells, are presented. Finally, results from large-scale interventions such as the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction (LIFE) study, as well as an overview of the Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation (VALUE) trial involving the use of ARB in high-risk patients, are presented.
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PMID:Left ventricular hypertrophy and angiotensin II receptor blocking agents. 1563 45

Little is known about the hospital inpatient care of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we describe the features of the emergency hospital admissions of a geographically defined population of PD patients over a 4-year period. Patients with PD were identified from a database for a Parkinson's disease service in a district general hospital with a drainage population of approximately 180,000. All admissions of this patient subgroup to local hospitals were found from the computer administration system. Two clinicians experienced in both general medicine and PD then reviewed the notes to identify reasons for admission. Admission sources and discharge destinations were recorded. Data regarding non-PD patients was compared to PD patients on the same elderly care ward over the same time period. The total number of patients exposed to analysis was 367. There was a total exposure of 775.8 years and a mean duration of 2.11 years per patient. There were 246 emergency admissions to the hospital with a total duration of stay of 4,257 days (mean, 17.3 days). These days were accounted for by 129 patients (mean age, 78 years; 48% male). PD was first diagnosed during 12 (4.9%) of the admissions. The most common reasons for admission were as follows: falls (n=44, 14%), pneumonia (n=37, 11%), urinary tract infection (n=28, 9%), reduced mobility (n=27, 8%), psychiatric (n=26, 8%), angina (n=21, 6%), heart failure (n=20, 6%), fracture (n=14, 4%), orthostatic hypotension (n=13, 4%), surgical (n=13, 4%), upper gastrointestinal bleed (n=10, 3%), stroke/transient ischemic attack (n=8, 2%), and myocardial infarction (n=7, 2%). The mean length of stay for the PD patients on the care of elderly ward specializing in PD care was 21.3 days compared to 17.8 days for non-PD patients. After hospital admission, there was a reduction in those who returned to their own home from 179 to 163 and there was an increase in those requiring nursing home care from 37 to 52. Infections, cardiovascular diseases, falls, reduced mobility, and psychiatric complications accounted for the majority of admissions. By better understanding the way people with PD use hospital services, we may improve quality of care and perhaps prevent some inpatient stays and care-home placements.
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PMID:Emergency hospital admissions in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. 1588 38

The authors sought to determine the prevalence of diastolic heart failure (DHF) in patients hospitalized with their first stroke, transient ischemic attack, or new onset of peripheral vascular disease. A total of 216 prospective consecutive stroke, transient ischemic attack, and peripheral vascular disease patients (vascular group) were identified at their first noncardiac presentation to a hospital and compared with 164 age-matched control patients (nonvascular group). DHF was clinically defined as the presence of left ventricular ejection fraction>or=45% on echocardiography. DHF occurred in 40% and 73% of vascular and control patients, respectively, with symptomatic heart failure. Overall, it was found in 12% of vascular (10% of stroke/transient ischemic attack, 16% of peripheral vascular disease) and 11% of control patients. Advancing age and female gender were independently associated with the presence of DHF in vascular patients (p<0.05). DHF is found in a similar percentage of vascular and nonvascular patients. Symptomatic DHF is less common than systolic heart failure among vascular disease patients with heart failure. In contrast, symptomatic DHF is found in three times as many age-matched control heart failure patients without clinical vascular disease.
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PMID:Prevalence of symptomatic diastolic heart failure in patients hospitalized with cerebral or peripheral vascular disease. 1623 Aug 67


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