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According to recent trials, we know that there is an interference of protonic pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the action of clopidogrel, which is weakened. In order to evaluate the clinical importance of this interaction, 18,000 subjects ≥ 65 years of age, under therapy with clopidogrel after acute [...]
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The efforts to obtain reliable and non-invasive coronary imaging techniques have led to CT and NMR, but, compared to traditional coronary angiography, do we obtain some advantages or do we “lose” some diagnoses? In order to clear up this problem, a meta-analysis of 89 trials relative to CT and 20 [...]
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The results from some observational trials performed in England have suggested the hypothesis that venlafaxine, differently from other SSRIs, can more easily induce deaths for overdose because of its toxicity. Considering these data, the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has [...]
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A meta-analysis in 2008, performed on randomized trials on patients affected by COPD and published on JAMA (2008; 300:1439), had shown an increase in the risk of deaths for cardiovascular cause and infarctions associated with the use of inhaled anticholinergics (ipratropium and tiotropium), even if [...]
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An excessive use of salt is associated with a greater incidence of hypertension and coronary artery diseases, but which are the acceptable and non-risky quantities? Present data say that, in the USA, males daily take 10.4 g of salt, while women take 7.3 g of it (60-70% of these quantities derive [...]
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Even if we know that high levels of PCR are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, it is not yet clear which is the exact role of PCR in these circumstances: causal agent, mediator or simple marker? In order to deeply explore the relation between this protein and [...]
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Supplementation with fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, increases the survival of patients with coronary artery diseases and this improved survival is observed in patients with heart diseases and with a longer length of telomeres than average: the length of telomeres is directly proportional to [...]
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ACE-inhibitors and, secondly, angiotensin II receptors blockers (ARB) are usually used in patients with decreased ejection fraction after a myocardial infarction. With a systematic review, 9 randomized trials, 2 non-randomized trials and 6 reviews have been identified, for an overall of over 30,000 [...]
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New guidelines for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have been published, with the sponsorship of the American College of Cardiology and of the American Heart Association. The fundamental points are the following:
1. the IIa-level [...]
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In some trials, the use of a sartan (ARB), alone or associated with an ACE-inhibitor, has produced a decrease in mortality and morbidity in patients with congestive heart failure and reduced ventricular ejection fraction. Since still little is known on the effects that can be obtained with various [...]