Baseline characteristics of patients in the reduction of events with darbepoetin alfa in heart failure trial (RED-HF)

<p>Aims: This report describes the baseline characteristics of patients in the Reduction of Events with Darbepoetin alfa in Heart Failure trial (RED-HF) which is testing the hypothesis that anaemia correction with darbepoetin alfa will reduce the composite endpoint of death from any cause or hospital admission for worsening heart failure, and improve other outcomes.</p> <p>Methods and results: Key demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings, along with baseline treatment, are reported and compared with those of patients in other recent clinical trials in heart failure. Compared with other recent trials, RED-HF enrolled more elderly [mean age 70 (SD 11.4) years], female (41%), and black (9%) patients. RED-HF patients more often had diabetes (46%) and renal impairment (72% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients in RED-HF had heart failure of longer duration [5.3 (5.4) years], worse NYHA class (35% II, 63% III, and 2% IV), and more signs of congestion. Mean EF was 30% (6.8%). RED-HF patients were well treated at randomization, and pharmacological therapy at baseline was broadly similar to that of other recent trials, taking account of study-specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median (interquartile range) haemoglobin at baseline was 112 (106–117) g/L.</p> <p>Conclusion: The anaemic patients enrolled in RED-HF were older, moderately to markedly symptomatic, and had extensive co-morbidity.</p&gt

Assessment of Autonomic Cardiac Control in Women with Cardiac Syndrome X using Time Related Autonomic Balance Indicator

Abstract The various CVD (AH, CHF, IHD) have a different circadian profile of autonomic cardiac control (ACC), compared to the profile in healthy subjects (HS). In this study we analyze the specific abnormalities in ACC circadian changes in women with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). The Introduction CSX is usually diagnosed in the presence of typical exertional chest pain, a positive response to exercise testing, and normal coronary angiograms. According to J. C. Kaski "Patients with CSX represent a diagnostic and therapeutic riddle" G. Rosano, P. Ponikowski, St. Adamopoulos, et al Methods The study comprised of 25 women (55.4±9.4) with CSX and 22 healthy women (47.3±10.9). All patients are with fulfilled criteria for CSX at the period of pre-or postmenopause and with "clear" coronary arteries verified from angiography or multi-slice CT. Stratification by risk factors, comorbidity and pharmacological management have been done using a standardized protocol. The ACC changes were assessed by HRV indices from ECG recordings in resting state (RS) and by parasympathetic (Valsalva manoeuvre; VM), or sympathetic (handgrip test; HT) stimulation. I

Therapy for sepsis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain in a patient after orthotopic liver transplantation: a clinical observation

The paper gives a clinical example of successful therapy for severe sepsis, the cause of which was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a patient undergoing liver transplantation and splenectomy