Publications by authors named "Alain Furber"

Background: The appropriate duration of treatment with beta-blocker drugs after a myocardial infarction is unknown. Data are needed on the safety and efficacy of the interruption of long-term beta-blocker treatment to reduce side effects and improve quality of life in patients with a history of uncomplicated myocardial infarction.

Methods: In a multicenter, open label, randomized, noninferiority trial conducted at 49 sites in France, we randomly assigned patients with a history of myocardial infarction, in a 1:1 ratio, to interruption or continuation of beta-blocker treatment.

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Background: The anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery from the pulmonary artery (ACXAPA) is a very rare coronary anomaly. Only a few cases have been reported until today, from incidental findings to autopsy reports after sudden cardiac death.

Case Summary: We report here for the first time the case of a man, previously monitored for asymptomatic left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy, who presented with non-ST myocardial infarction and was diagnosed with ACXAPA.

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Background Following myocardial infarction, left ventricular remodeling (LVR) is associated with heart failure and cardiac death. At the same time, left atrial (LA) remodeling (LAR) is an essential part of the outcome of a wide spectrum of cardiac conditions. The authors sought to evaluate the correlates of LAR and its relationships with LVR after myocardial infarction.

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  • Heart failure (HF) and arrhythmia-related complications significantly impact patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM), and this study investigates the prognostic value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging metrics like T1 and extracellular volume (ECV) for predicting these events.
  • Analyzing 225 NIDCM patients over two years, the study found 26% experienced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), with a notable association between increased ECV and HF-related events, while higher T1 Z-scores and ECV values correlated with arrhythmia-related events.
  • The study concluded that specific cutoffs for ECV and T1 Z-scores can be important independent predictors of both
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  • Researchers aimed to enhance predictions for left ventricular remodeling (LVR) within three months post-myocardial infarction (MI) by utilizing machine learning techniques.
  • A study involved 443 ST-elevation MI patients at Angers University Hospital, collecting various clinical, biological, and CMR imaging data to analyze the incidence of LVR using advanced algorithms.
  • The most effective machine learning model, a neural network using seven key variables, achieved a higher accuracy (AUC of 0.78) and sensitivity (92%) compared to conventional models, highlighting the benefits of data-driven approaches in predicting LVR.
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  • A study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admissions for myocardial infarction (MI) in two French provinces, revealing a significant decline in MI cases during the lockdown period.
  • In "Hauts-de-France," there was a 23% decrease in MI incidences, while "Pays-de-la-Loire" saw a 19% decline, both correlating to the number of COVID-19-related deaths in each region.
  • The findings indicate that the pandemic's response may have negatively affected cardiovascular health, emphasizing the need for careful communication strategies in crisis situations.
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This paper is intended to update the former consensus between the French Societies of Radiology and Cardiology about the use of stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in chronic coronary syndrome, published in 2009. The Delphi method was used to build the present consensus. This expert panel consensus includes recommendations for indications, the procedure (with patient preparation), stress-inducing drugs, the acquisition protocol, interpretation and risk stratification by stress magnetic resonance imaging.

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Introduction: Despite suffering a severe aortic stenosis, some patients are denied either surgical or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) therapy because of a frail condition. We aimed to identify whether a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) might be useful to predict the prognosis of presumably frail patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Material And Methods: Between March 2011 and July 2016, 818 patients were consecutively and prospectively enrolled.

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This position paper was intended to update the former consensus between the French Societies of Radiology and Cardiology about the use of stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in chronic coronary syndrome published in 2009. The Delphi method was used to build the present consensus. This expert panel consensus includes recommendations for indications, procedure with patient preparation, stress inducing drugs, acquisition protocol, interpretation and risk stratification by stress MRI.

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This study sought to identify parameters that could guide towards an ischemic origin in patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction (MI) with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). MINOCA is challenging in clinical practice, as the pathophysiology is multifaceted. A total of 135 patients with MINOCA who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in a single tertiary University Hospital, were retrospectively included.

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Background: Amoxicillin (AMX)-induced crystal nephropathy (AICN) is considered as a rare complication of high dose intravenous (IV) AMX administration. However, recently, its incidence seems to be increasing based on French pharmacovigilance centers. Occurrence of AICN has been observed mainly with IV administration of AMX and mostly under doses over 8 g/day.

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Background: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a major cause of mortality despite early revascularization and optimal medical therapy. Tailoring individual management by considering patients' specificities may help in improving post-STEMI survival.

Aim: To evaluate whether in-hospital bleeding complications may be involved in post STEMI prognosis among overweight patients.

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Background: Cancer and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have important prognostic consequences. Treatment of some cancers may affect coronary artery disease, myocardial function and/or AMI management. Whether the early and long-term mortality of patients with AMI differ according to their history of cancer remains questionable.

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The ability of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following percutaneous coronary angiography in at-risk patients is controversial. No evidence exists regarding potential RIPC positive effects on renal function and clinical outcomes in the long-term. The PREPARE study was a randomized, prospective, multicenter, and double-blinded trial.

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Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but its influence on prognosis remains controversial.

Aim: We examined the 1-year prognostic value of AF in STEMI, distinguishing patients with prior AF from patients with de novo AF.

Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2015, 3173 STEMI patients were enrolled in the RIMA registry (Registre des Infarctus en Maine Anjou).

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Left ventricular remodeling (LVR) occurring after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is frequent and severe. We present a metabolomic approach as an attempt to reveal unknown biomarkers associated with post-STEMI LVR. Out of 192 consecutive patients with successfully revascularized STEMI, 32 presented LVR and were clinically matched with 32 no-LVR patients.

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Objective: To compare ticagrelor and prasugrel with clopidogrel for recurrent fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction (reMI) in real-life conditions.

Methods: Case-referent study using the Pharmacoepidemiological General Research eXtension (PGRx)-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) registry. Cases were patients with reMI from a cohort with index ACS or external to the cohort (same sites).

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that 6-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is noninferior to 24-month DAPT in aspirin-sensitive patients.

Background: The ITALIC (Is There a Life for DES After Discontinuation of Clopidogrel) trial showed that rates of bleeding and thrombotic events at 1 year were much the same with 6 versus 12 months of DAPT after percutaneous coronary intervention with second-generation drug-eluting stents. In this report, 2-year follow-up is presented.

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Background: Some patients who are at high surgical risk because of multiple co-morbidities undergo balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) as a bridge therapy towards transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI).

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical course of patients with or without previous BAV who underwent TAVI and were included in the FRANCE 2 registry.

Methods: From January 2010 to December 2011, 3953 patients underwent TAVI.

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According to the so-called obesity paradox, obesity might present a protective role in patients with myocardial infarction. We aimed to assess the influence of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume on cardiac healing and remodeling in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. We prospectively included 193 consecutive patients presenting a first STEMI without known coronary artery disease.

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Aim: To assess the arrhythmic determinants and prognosis of patients presenting with myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) with normal ejection fraction (EF).

Methods: This is an observational analysis of 131 MINOCA patients with normal EF. Three cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) diagnosis classes were recognized according to the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) pattern: Myocardial infarction (MI) ( = 34), myocarditis ( = 47), and "no LGE" ( = 50).

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Aims: Stress-induced right bundle-branch block morphology ventricular ectopy (SI-RBVE) may be caused by left ventricular myocardial anomalies. While frequent ventricular ectopy (FVE) has been linked to poor outcomes, the prognostic value of SI-RBVE has not been established. The study aims to determine whether SI-RBVE is associated with increased mortality.

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Purpose: To assess whether a first-pass perfusion sequence (FPP) improved the detection of left ventricular thrombus (LVT).

Materials And Methods: Three hundred and twenty-nine patients with a first STEMI were prospectively included to undergo cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) at baseline and after a 3-month follow-up. A CMR delayed analysis was performed by three blinded examiners (2 CMR experts and 1 novice) according to a two-step reading protocol.

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