Randomized trial of warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel in patients with chronic heart failure: the Warfarin and Antiplatelet Therapy in Chronic Heart Failure (WATCH) trial.

Background: Chronic heart failure remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity. The role of antithrombotic therapy in patients with chronic heart failure has long been debated. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal antithrombotic agent for heart failure patients with reduced ejection fractions who are in sinus rhythm.

Outcomes in patients having vitreous presentation during cataract surgery who lack capsular support for a nonsutured PC IOL.

Purpose: The study's purpose was to determine the effect that lack of capsular support for a nonsutured posterior chamber (PC) intraocular lens IOL has on 1-year postoperative vision in patients suffering vitreous presentation (VP) during extracapsular cataract surgery.

Design: The study was a prospective, long-term clinical trial.

Methods: The study was conducted at 19 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.

The effect of vitreous presentation during extracapsular cataract surgery on the postoperative visual acuity at one year.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects that vitreous presentation (VP) during extracapsular cataract surgery has on patients' 1-year postoperative vision.

Design: The study was a prospective, long-term, clinical trial.

Methods: The study took place at 19 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.

The Warfarin and Antiplatelet Therapy in Heart Failure trial (WATCH): rationale, design, and baseline patient characteristics.

Background: The role of anticoagulation in patients with chronic heart failure has long been an area of interest and controversy. Traditionally the goal of anticoagulation has been to prevent embolic events, but recent trials also demonstrated that oral anticoagulation also prevents vascular events in patients with prior myocardial infarction, who constitute the majority of heart failure patients. Although antiplatelet agents also reduce postinfarction vascular events, few data are available in heart failure patients, and some evidence suggests that aspirin may also have the potential to worsen heart failure morbidity and mortality, possibly by interfering with the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

A comparison of anterior chamber and posterior chamber intraocular lenses after vitreous presentation during cataract surgery: the Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Cataract Study.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of anterior chamber (AC) intraocular lenses (IOLs) and posterior chamber (PC) IOLs implanted after vitreous presentation during extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE).

Design: The study was a prospective, long-term, randomized clinical trial conducted at 19 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers across the United States.

Methods: There were 438 eyes (438 patients) that met preliminary eligibility criteria, suffered vitreous presentation during ECCE (phacoemulsification or classical extracapsular technique), and had sufficient capsular support for a PC IOL without sutures after anterior vitrectomy randomized to either a PC IOL (230 patients) or an AC IOL (208 patients).