Cardiovascular prevention in the Hartslag Limburg project: effects of a high-risk approach on behavioral risk factors in a general practice population.

Background: This study describes a general-practice-based high-risk cardiovascular prevention approach in Maastricht, The Netherlands (1999-2003). The intervention consisted of a complete registration of risk factors, optimization of medical treatment and health counseling on high fat consumption, smoking and physical inactivity.

Methods: Behavioral effects were assessed in a trial, randomization by practice and usual care as control.

Effects of health counseling on behavioural risk factors in a high-risk cardiology outpatient population: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: An evaluation study of an individual lifestyle advice intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk behaviours (high fat consumption, smoking, physical inactivity).

Methods: A randomized, controlled trial at the cardiology outpatient clinic of the University Hospital Maastricht. Participants were at high risk of incurring a cardiovascular event.

Implementation of an innovative health service a "real-world" diffusion study.

Background: Although reporting on the healthcare-setting level of continuance or discontinuance of an intervention once a trial is completed has been recommended, such "real-world" diffusion studies are rare. The present example was made possible by funding to explore opportunities for post-trial implementation of an innovative health counseling intervention for cardiovascular prevention in The Netherlands.

Methods: Between 2001 and 2004, in a longitudinal case study, we compared two healthcare settings: a cardiology outpatient clinic and general practices.

A prospective survey of patients with valvular heart disease in Europe: The Euro Heart Survey on Valvular Heart Disease.

Aims: To identify the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of contemporary patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) in Europe, and to examine adherence to guidelines.

Methods And Results: The Euro Heart Survey on VHD was conducted from April to July 2001 in 92 centres from 25 countries; it included prospectively 5001 adults with moderate to severe native VHD, infective endocarditis, or previous valve intervention. VHD was native in 71.

The influence of methodologic quality on the conclusion of a landmark meta-analysis on thrombolytic therapy.

Objective: We studied the influence of the methodologic quality of individual trials on the outcome of a landmark meta-analysis on thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction. From each study we extracted the number of patients in both groups who died in hospital or during follow-up. Methodologic quality was assessed using the Delphi list.