Abelacimab versus Rivaroxaban in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Abelacimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to the inactive form of factor XI and blocks its activation. The safety of abelacimab as compared with a direct oral anticoagulant in patients with atrial fibrillation is unknown.

Methods: Patients with atrial fibrillation and a moderate-to-high risk of stroke were randomly assigned, in a 1:1:1 ratio, to receive subcutaneous injection of abelacimab (150 mg or 90 mg once monthly) administered in a blinded fashion or oral rivaroxaban (20 mg once daily) administered in an open-label fashion.

Improved outcomes in pediatric liver transplantation for acute liver failure.

Unlabelled: OLT is a life-saving option for ALF.

Aim: To evaluate our outcomes in pediatric OLT for ALF.

Methods: Retrospective review of our data between 1992 and 2007.

Brief report: Deficits in health care management skills among adolescent and young adult liver transplant recipients transitioning to adult care settings.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to describe and compare mastery of health care management in adolescent (aged 14-17 years) and young adult recipients of a liver transplant (age ≥ 18 years) expected to transfer from pediatric to adult care settings.

Methods: Fifty-two liver transplant recipients completed the Developmentally Based Skills Checklist, which asks how often patients independently engage in specific health care management skills.

Results: Overall, young adult patients reported greater health care management than adolescents.

Improved adherence and outcomes for pediatric liver transplant recipients by using text messaging.

Objective: The goal was to improve immunosuppressant adherence for pediatric patients with orthotopic liver transplants by using text messaging (TM).

Methods: A prospective study of sending TM reminders to the primary medication administrator (patient or caregiver) for pediatric transplant recipients was performed. Patient records were reviewed, comparing the year before and the year of the study.

Long-acting calcium antagonists in patients with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: The use of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in patients with coronary artery disease remains controversial, with reports of increased risk of myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality. Short-acting CCBs have an unfavorable hemodynamic profile. The role of long-acting CCBs in patients with coronary artery disease is unknown.

Beta-blockers for primary prevention of heart failure in patients with hypertension insights from a meta-analysis.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of beta-blockers (BBs) for primary prevention of heart failure (HF) in patients with hypertension.

Background: The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association staging for HF classifies patients with hypertension as stage A HF, for which BBs are a treatment option. However, the evidence to support this is unknown.

A meta-analysis of 94,492 patients with hypertension treated with beta blockers to determine the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus.

Beta blockers used for the treatment of hypertension may be associated with increased risk for new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM). A search of Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE was conducted for randomized controlled trials of patients taking beta blockers as first-line therapy for hypertension with data on new-onset DM and follow-up for > or =1 year. Twelve studies evaluating 94,492 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

Fixed-dose combinations improve medication compliance: a meta-analysis.

Background: Compliance with treatment is a sine qua non for successful treatment of chronic conditions like hypertension. Fixed-dose combinations are designed to simplify the medication regimen and potentially improve compliance. However the data on comparison of fixed-dose combination with free-drug regimen to improve patient's medication compliance is limited.

Compliance and fixed-dose combination therapy.

Despite data on the importance of blood pressure control in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, only 34% of hypertensive patients have their blood pressure under control. The National Council on Patient Information and Education has estimated that the compliance rate is just over 30% for chronic conditions like hypertension. Polypharmacy and complex treatment regimens have been identified as important, modifiable risk factors for medication noncompliance.

How useful are beta-blockers in cardiovascular disease?

Recent studies have shown that beta-blockers in patients with hypertension is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, in particular stroke, leading to headlines speculating the end of the beta-blocker era. The objective of this review is to critically examine the usefulness of beta-blockers in cardiovascular diseases. We reviewed the currently available evidence for the usefulness of beta-blockers in patients with hypertension and also assessed the efficacy of its use for other indications, like, chronic heart failure, stable angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias etc.