Ekkelgarden te Hasselt (gem. Hasselt). Archeologisch onderzoek door middel van proefsleuven

Dit rapport werd ingediend bij het agentschap samen met een aantal afzonderlijke digitale bijlagen. Een aantal van deze bijlagen zijn niet inbegrepen in dit pdf document en zijn niet online beschikbaar. Sommige bijlagen (grondplannen, fotos, spoorbeschrijvingen, enz.) kunnen van belang zijn voor een betere lezing en interpretatie van dit rapport. Indien u deze bijlagen wenst te raadplegen kan u daarvoor contact opnemen met: [email protected]

Kloosterwal te Bilzen. Archeologisch vooronderzoek door middel van Proefsleuven.

Dit rapport werd ingediend bij het agentschap samen met een aantal afzonderlijke digitale bijlagen. Een aantal van deze bijlagen zijn niet inbegrepen in dit pdf document en zijn niet online beschikbaar. Sommige bijlagen (grondplannen, fotos, spoorbeschrijvingen, enz.) kunnen van belang zijn voor een betere lezing en interpretatie van dit rapport. Indien u deze bijlagen wenst te raadplegen kan u daarvoor contact opnemen met: [email protected]

Determinants of sudden cardiac death in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation in the rate control versus electrical cardioversion (RACE) study

This report evaluated the correlates of sudden cardiac and nonsudden cardiac death in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation randomized to rate or rhythm control in the RAte Control vs Electrical cardioversion (RACE) study. Sudden cardiac death was observed in 16 patients, 8 patients in each group. Previous myocardial infarction resulted in a 4.9-fold increased risk of sudden death (95% confidence interval 1.8 to 13.2). The use of beta blockers showed their protective nature (hazard ratio 0.2, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.9). The randomized treatment strategy, heart rhythm during follow-up, use of antiarrhythmic drugs, and number of stroke risk factors were not associated with sudden cardiac death. In conclusion, the treatment of underlying disease, rather than the heart rhythm, seems essential to prevent mortality

Gender-related differences in rhythm control treatment in persistent atrial fibrillation:data of the Rate Control Versus Electrical Cardioversion (RACE) study

ObjectivesThis study sought to compare whether gender affects the outcome of rate versus rhythm control treatment in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).BackgroundLarge trials have shown that rate control is an acceptable alternative to rhythm control. However, the effects of treatment may differ between male and female patients.MethodsIn the Rate Control versus Electrical Cardioversion (RACE) study, 522 patients (192 female) were included and randomized to rate or rhythm control. The occurrence of cardiovascular end points and quality of life (QoL) were compared between female and male patients.ResultsAt baseline, female patients differed from male patients with regard to age, underlying heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and left ventricular function. Female patients had more AF-related complaints, and QoL was significantly lower. After a mean follow-up of 2.3 ± 0.6 years, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was equally distributed between female (21%) and male patients (19%). However, in contrast to male patients, female patients randomized to rhythm control developed more end points (adjusted hazard ratio was 3.1 [95% confidence interval 1.5 to 6.3], p = 0.002), mainly heart failure, thromboembolic complications, and adverse effects of antiarrhythmic drugs, compared with rate control randomized female patients. During follow-up, QoL in female patients remained worse compared with that for male patients. Randomized strategy did not influence QoL in female patients.ConclusionsIn female patients with persistent AF, a rhythm control approach leads to more cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Because treatment strategy did not influence QoL in female patients, a rate control approach may be considered in these patients

Lenient vs. strict rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure:a post-hoc analysis of the RACE II study

<p>It is unknown whether lenient rate control is an acceptable strategy in patients with AF and heart failure. We evaluated differences in outcome in patients with AF and heart failure treated with lenient or strict rate control.</p><p>This post-hoc analysis of the RACE II trial included patients with an LVEF 40 at baseline or a previous hospitalization for heart failure or signs and symptoms of heart failure. Primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Secondary endpoints were AF-related symptoms and quality of life. Two hundred and eighty-seven (46.7) of the 614 patients had heart failure. Patients with heart failure had significantly higher NT-proBNP plasma levels, a lower LVEF, and more often used ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and diuretics. At 3 years follow-up, the primary outcome occurred more frequently in patients with heart failure (16.7 vs. 11.5, P 0.04). In heart failure patients, the estimated cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was 15.0 (n 20) in the lenient and 18.2 (n 26) in the strict group (P 0.53). No differences were found in any of the primary outcome components, in either heart failure hospitalizations [8 (6.1) vs. 9 (6.8) patients in the lenient vs. strict group, respectively], symptoms, or quality of life.</p><p>In patients with AF and heart failure with a predominantly preserved EF, the stringency of rate control seems to have no effect on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, symptoms, and quality of life.</p>

Rate control is more cost-effective than rhythm control for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation - results from the RAte Control versus Electrical cardioversion (RACE) study

Aims To evaluate costs between a rate and rhythm control strategy in persistent atrial. fibrillation. Methods and results In a prospective substudy of RACE (Rate control versus electrical cardioversion for persistent atrial. fibrillation) in 428 of the total 522 patients (206 rate control and 222 rhythm control), a cost-minimisation and cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to assess cost-effectiveness of the treatment strategies. After a mean follow-up of 2.3 +/- 0.6 years, the primary endpoint (cardiovascular morbidity and mortality) occurred in 17.5% (36/202) of the rate control patients and in 21.2% (47/222) of the rhythm control patients. Mean costs per patient under rate control were EURO 7386 and EURO 8284 under rhythm control. Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that per avoided endpoint under rate control, the cost savings were EURO 24944. Under rhythm control, more costs were generated due to electrical cardioversions, hospital admissions and anti-arrhythmic medication. Costs were higher in older patients, patients with underlying heart disease, those who reached a primary endpoint and women. Heart rhythm at the end of study, did not influence costs. Conclusions Rate control is more cost-effective than rhythm control for treatment of persistent atrial. fibrillation. Underlying heart disease but not heart rhythm largely accounts for costs. (C) 2004 The European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserve

Clinical characteristics of persistent lone atrial fibrillation in the RACE study

In the RAte Control versus Electrical cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation (RACE) study, 522 patients were randomized to either rate or rhythm control therapy. Lone atrial fibrillation (AF) was present in 89 patients. Demographics, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and quality of life were compared between patients with lone AF and those with underlying structural heart disease. Patients with lone AF were significantly younger (65 +/- 10 vs 69 +/- 8 years) and had fewer complaints of fatigue (p = 0.01) and dyspnea (p = 0.005). With lone AF, quality-of-life scores were higher on almost all 8 Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form health survey questionnaire subscales, and comparable to healthy, age- and gender-matched controls. Mean follow-up was 2.3 +/- 0.6 years. Cardiovascular end points occurred in 9 patients with lone AF (10%), consisting of death (all bleedings) 3%, thromboembolic complications in 3%, nonfatal bleeding in 2%, and pacemaker implantation in 2%, but no heart failure and severe adverse effects due to antiarrhythmic drugs occurred. End points occurred in 95 patients (22%) with underlying diseases. Heart failure and severe adverse effects from drugs did not occur in patients with lone AF in this study. Despite the absence of demonstrable cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, lone AF is associated with bleeding and thromboembolism