The Effect of Omecamtiv Mecarbil in Hospitalized Patients as Compared With Outpatients With HFrEF: An Analysis of GALACTIC-HF.

Background: In the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac Outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC-HF) trial, omecamtiv mecarbil, compared with placebo, reduced the risk of worsening heart failure (HF) events, or cardiovascular death in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction. The primary aim of this prespecified analysis was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of omecamtiv mecarbil by randomization setting, that is, whether participants were enrolled as outpatients or inpatients.

Methods And Results: Patients were randomized either during a HF hospitalization or as an outpatient, within one year of a worsening HF event (hospitalization or emergency department visit).

Influence of atrial fibrillation on efficacy and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil in heart failure: the GALACTIC-HF trial.

Aims: In GALACTIC-HF, the cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil compared with placebo reduced the risk of heart failure events or cardiovascular death in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. We explored the influence of atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) on the effectiveness of omecamtiv mecarbil.

Methods And Results: GALACTIC-HF enrolled patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II-IV heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, and elevated natriuretic peptides.

Cardiac Myosin Activation with Omecamtiv Mecarbil in Systolic Heart Failure.

Background: The selective cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil has been shown to improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. Its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown.

Methods: We randomly assigned 8256 patients (inpatients and outpatients) with symptomatic chronic heart failure and an ejection fraction of 35% or less to receive omecamtiv mecarbil (using pharmacokinetic-guided doses of 25 mg, 37.

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: GALACTIC-HF baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials.

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is being tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC-HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC-HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials.

Methods And Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class ≥II, ejection fraction ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for heart failure or history of hospitalization/emergency department visit for heart failure within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic-guided dosing: 25, 37.

Efficacy and safety of ticagrelor for long-term secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in relation to renal function: insights from the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial.

Aims: We evaluated the relationship of renal function and ischaemic and bleeding risk as well as the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor in stable patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods And Results: Patients with a history of MI 1-3 years prior from PEGASUS-TIMI 54 were stratified based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) pre-specified for analysis of the effect of ticagrelor on the primary efficacy composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke (major adverse cardiovascular events, MACE) and the primary safety endpoint of TIMI major bleeding.

Darapladib for preventing ischemic events in stable coronary heart disease.

Background: Elevated lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity promotes the development of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, and elevated plasma levels of this enzyme are associated with an increased risk of coronary events. Darapladib is a selective oral inhibitor of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2.

Methods: In a double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 15,828 patients with stable coronary heart disease to receive either once-daily darapladib (at a dose of 160 mg) or placebo.

Effect of Antihypertensive Therapy on SCORE-Estimated Total Cardiovascular Risk: Results from an Open-Label, Multinational Investigation-The POWER Survey.

Background. High blood pressure is a substantial risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Design & Methods.

Prasugrel versus clopidogrel for acute coronary syndromes without revascularization.

Background: The effect of intensified platelet inhibition for patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation who do not undergo revascularization has not been delineated.

Methods: In this double-blind, randomized trial, in a primary analysis involving 7243 patients under the age of 75 years receiving aspirin, we evaluated up to 30 months of treatment with prasugrel (10 mg daily) versus clopidogrel (75 mg daily). In a secondary analysis involving 2083 patients 75 years of age or older, we evaluated 5 mg of prasugrel versus 75 mg of clopidogrel.

Design and methodology of POWER, an open-label observation of the effect of primary care interventions on total cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension.

This article describes the design and methodology of the POWER study (Physicians' Observational Work on Patient Education According to their Vascular Risk). POWER is an open-label multinational postmarketing study of the angiotensin II-receptor blocker eprosartan. The Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) model has been used to estimate total cardiovascular risk and changes in total cardiovascular risk status during treatment for patients recruited in all countries other than Canada.

Effects of an herbal medication containing bee products on menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk markers: results of a pilot open-uncontrolled trial.

Objectives: Fifty-five postmenopausal women with menopausal complaints were treated with the food supplement Melbrosia for 3 months. Menopausal symptom evaluation scales and psychological questionnaires were administered, and cardiovascular disease markers in blood were analyzed at the beginning and the end of the trial.

Setting: The perimenopausal care unit of Second Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Screening for point mutations in the LDL receptor gene in Bulgarian patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common, autosomal dominant disorder of lipid metabolism, caused by defects in the receptor-mediated uptake of LDL (low-density lipoproteins) due to mutations in the LDL receptor gene ( LDLR). Mutations underlying FH in Bulgaria are largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to provide information about the spectrum of point mutations in LDLR in a sample of 45 Bulgarian patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.