Prognostic value of coronary CTA vs. exercise treadmill testing: results from the Partners registry.

Aims: We sought to compare the complementary prognostic value of exercise treadmill testing (ETT) and coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) among patients referred for both exams.

Methods And Results: We studied 582 patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) who were clinically referred for ETT and CTA within 6 months. Patients were followed for cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), or late revascularization (>90 days), stratified by Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) and CAD severity (≥50% stenosis).

Impact of myocardial viability and left ventricular lead location on clinical outcome in cardiac resynchronization therapy recipients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) have scar segments that may limit ventricular resynchronization and clinical response. The impact of myocardial viability at the left ventricular (LV) pacing site on CRT response is poorly elucidated.

Methods And Results: A retrospective cohort of 160 ICM patients with single photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging before device implantation were included.

Newer anticoagulants in cardiovascular disease: a systematic review of the literature.

Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) such as warfarin have traditionally been the major therapeutic option for anticoagulation in clinical practice. VKAs are effective and extensively recommended for the prevention of venous and arterial thromboembolism in cardiovascular disease. Despite its effectiveness, warfarin is limited by factors such as a narrow therapeutic index, drug-drug interactions, food interactions, slow onset and offset of action, hemorrhage, and routine anticoagulation monitoring to maintain therapeutic international normalized ratio.