Readmission rate after ultrafiltration in acute decompensated heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Significance of ultrafiltration in acute decompensated heart failure remains unclear. We performed meta-analysis to determine its role in reducing readmissions after acute decompensated heart failure. MEDLINE was searched using PUBMED from inception to March 22, 2017 for prospective randomized control trials comparing ultrafiltration to diuretics in acute decompensated heart failure.

Establishing a new option for target-organ protection: rationale for ARB plus ACE inhibitor combination therapy.

Activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the promotion of cardiovascular disease and target-organ damage, mediated in part by hypertension. Combination therapy targeting RAS activation may reduce target-organ damage and provide superior blood pressure (BP) control; combining angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) represents one possible approach. In monotherapy studies, both ACE inhibitors and ARBs have demonstrated similar positive effects on BP and on RAS-related target-organ damage, including nephropathy and congestive heart failure.