Exercise Hemodynamics and Quality of Life after Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis in the Elderly Using the Hancock II Bioprosthesis.

Background and Aim. While aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis can be performed safely in elderly patients, there is a need for hemodynamic and quality of life evaluation to determine the value of aortic valve replacement in older patients who may have age-related activity limitation. Materials and Methods.

Quality of life and exercise performance in patients in sinus rhythm versus persistent atrial fibrillation: a Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Substudy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine quality of life (QOL) and exercise performance (EP) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) converted to sinus rhythm (SR) compared with those remaining in or reverting to AF.

Background: Restoration of SR in patients with AF improving QOL and EP remains controversial.

Methods: Patients with persistent AF were randomized double-blind to amiodarone, sotalol, or placebo.

Amiodarone versus sotalol for atrial fibrillation.

Background: The optimal pharmacologic means to restore and maintain sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation remains controversial.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 665 patients who were receiving anticoagulants and had persistent atrial fibrillation to receive amiodarone (267 patients), sotalol (261 patients), or placebo (137 patients) and monitored them for 1 to 4.5 years.

Neochordal repair of the posterior mitral leaflet.

Background: Myxomatous mitral valve insufficiency is traditionally repaired by posterior leaflet quadrangular resection and reconstruction. A simplified repair technique without leaflet resection is described, and our initial experience is reviewed.

Methods: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with significant mitral regurgitation underwent repair since January 2000 by placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures between the leading (coapting) edge of the posterior leaflet and the corresponding papillary muscle.

Comparison of sotalol versus amiodarone in maintaining stability of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (Sotalol-Amiodarone Fibrillation Efficacy Trial [Safe-T]).

The Sotalol-Amiodarone Fibrillation Efficacy Trial (SAFE-T) is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial in which the effects of sotalol and amiodarone in maintaining stability of sinus rhythm are being examined in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation at 20 Veterans Affairs medical centers. The time to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation or flutter in patients with atrial fibrillation converted to sinus rhythm is the primary outcome measure, with a number of parameters as secondary end points. SAFE-T had randomized 665 patients when enrollment terminated on October 31, 2001.