Clinical Cardiology Alert 2003-04-01

Treating In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest with an Automatic External Cardioverter Defibrillator

In this study, a European consortium of investigators evaluated the ability of an automatic external cardioverter defibrillator (AECD) to detect and treat arrhythmias in the in-hospital setting.

Cardiac Resynchronization for Heart Failure

Cardiac resynchronization reduces the mortality of progressive heart failure in patients with symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction and dyssynchrony.

Acetylcysteine for Prevention of Acute Renal Dysfunction after Coronary Angiography

While the clinical benefit of oral N-acetylcysteine on reducing rates of contrast nephropathy for a given patient is unproven, it should be considered for all patients with abnormal renal function referred for elective coronary angiography.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A New CAD Risk Factor

Rheumatoid arthritis should be recognized as a marker of increased risk for myocardial infarction.

Fibrinolysis For Mechanical Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis

Although fibrinolytic therapy was highly successful for thrombosis of prosthetic mechanical heart valves, a high complication rate limits its use to nonsurgical candidates.

Immunosuppressive Therapy for Myocarditis

In patients with active lymphocytic myocarditis and persistent heart failure for greater than 6 months, those with circulating cardiac autoantibodies and no viral genomes detected on myocardial biopsy are the most likely to benefit from immunosuppressive therapy.

Pharmacology Watch: Warfarin Effectively Prevents Venous Thromboembolism

Low intensity warfarin therapy effectively prevents recurrent venous thromboembolism, according to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement

Clinical Cardiology Alert – April 1, 2003

April 1, 2003