Emerging approaches in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

This presentation reviews data from epidemiologic and clinical trials on antioxidant vitamins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and homocysteine and their effect on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Each of these areas seems promising, but the results of large, on-going studies must be determined before definitive conclusions can be made as to the effectiveness of these therapies.

Combination neurohormonal blockade with ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II antagonists and beta-blockers in patients with congestive heart failure: design of the Randomized Evaluation of Strategies for Left Ventricular Dysfunction (RESOLVD) Pilot Study.

Background: The Randomized Evaluation of Strategies for Left Ventricular Dysfunction (RESOLVD) Pilot Study is a trial of combination neurohormonal blockade using an angiotensin II antagonist (candesartan), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril) and a beta-blocker (metoprolol) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Objectives: Primary objectives of stage I are to determine the efficacy (via the 6 min walk test) and safety of candesartan alone, and in combination with enalapril, versus enalapril alone. Secondary objectives are to determine the effect of the above combinations on neurohormones, ventricular function, quality of life and symptoms.

Relationship between functional exercise capacity and general quality of life in nonsurgical patients with lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between functional exercise capacity and general quality of life in patients with lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) whose conditions are managed without surgical intervention and to establish new ways of measuring functional exercise capacity and general quality of life in this population. This descriptive survey examined 29 nonsurgical patients with lower-extremity PAD. Functional exercise capacity was measured with the 6-minute walk test.

Management of venous thromboembolism: optimization by clinical trials.

Antithrombotic therapy is mandatory in most patients with venous thrombosis. The results of randomized trials have established the requirement for initial treatment with heparin and have determined the optimal anticoagulant regimen for secondary prophylaxis. Recent studies have demonstrated that low molecular weight heparins, that have improved pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties over standard heparin, are effective and safe in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.

Recent advances and future directions in myocardial infarction.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in most industrialised countries and is a major source of health care expenditure worldwide. Identification and management of risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) have enormous potential for improving health and reducing health care costs. There is evidence that the reduction in deaths from CHD has occurred earlier and to a greater extent in countries with aggressive policies of cardiovascular risk factor intervention.

Reduced mortality and morbidity with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure.

The Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) examined the effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalapril on mortality and hospitalization in 6,797 patients with low ejection fraction (EF < 0.35). Patients requiring treatment for heart failure were entered to the treatment trial (n = 2,569) while those patients not receiving pharmacological treatment for heart failure were entered in the prevention trial (n = 4,228).

Canadian Implantable Defibrillator Study (CIDS): study design and organization. CIDS Co-Investigators.

The Canadian Implantable Defibrillator Study (CIDS) is an on-going randomized multicenter clinical trial that compares implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy against amiodarone in patients with prior cardiac arrest or hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia. Eligible patients are equally randomized to receive or not receive an ICD as initial management. Those not receiving an ICD receive amiodarone.

Role of magnesium in reducing mortality in acute myocardial infarction. A review of the evidence.

A number of small, randomised clinical trials and one large trial of intravenous magnesium have been conducted on patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Most of these trials indicate that treatment with magnesium has a beneficial effect on short term mortality, although in most of the small trials the results are inconclusive. A systematic overview of mortality and serious morbidity data from all the available randomised controlled trials of magnesium conducted in a total of nearly 4000 patients with AMI indicates that there were 123 deaths in 1974 patients allocated magnesium, and 193 deaths in 1949 controls (odds ratio 0.

Experience with the "fixateur interne": initial clinical results.

Impressive clinical reports have come from several major spinal research centers regarding the results of using the AO spinal internal fixator, a recently released pedicle screw rod system. A retrospective review of the first 2 years of clinical results from a diverse group of orthopedic surgeons using this device at a Canadian University center may provide some insight into potential clinical outcomes in general use. These results contrast with the outcome data provided to date, which have been presented by expert academic spinal surgeons.

Eicosanoids, other fatty acid metabolites and the cardiovascular system: are the present antithrombotic approaches rational?

Antiplatelet +/- anticoagulant drugs are currently used as the standard treatment to prevent and treat thrombosis. While this approach is beneficial, it is not optimal. Recent evidence suggests that constituents of the vascular endothelium play an important role in regulating vessel wall thrombogenecity, thereby inhibiting thrombogenesis.

Prevention of left ventricular mural thrombus.

Acute myocardial infarction is associated with a high incidence of left ventricular mural thrombosis, which causes most of the systemic emboli. A double-blind trial was undertaken in patients with anterior transmural myocardial infarction to evaluate the ability of a high-dose heparin regimen to prevent left ventricular mural thrombosis. The high dose consisted of 12,500 U of calcium heparin subcutaneously every 12 hours for 10 days, which was compared with a low dose consisting of 5,000 U every 12 hours.