Heart failure: Difference between revisions
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==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
===Medications=== | ===Medications=== | ||
<!-- Start of race-based therapeutics text box --> | |||
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<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:larger;">Race-based therapeutics?</span><br> | |||
The controversial approval<ref name="pmid17200222">{{cite journal |author=Bibbins-Domingo K, Fernandez A |title=BiDil for heart failure in black patients: implications of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=146 |issue=1 |pages=52–6 |year=2007 |pmid=17200222 |doi=|url=http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/146/1/52}}</ref> by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of NitroMed has led to the concept of race-based therapeutics.<ref name="pmid15533852">{{cite journal |author=Bloche MG |title=Race-based therapeutics |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=351 |issue=20 |pages=2035–7 |year=2004 |pmid=15533852 |doi=10.1056/NEJMp048271|url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/351/20/2035}}</ref> Presumably, [[pharmacogenomics]] will lead to individualized drug treatment; until then the use of race may be a proxy of pharmacogenomic variations.<br> | |||
'''Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors'''<br> | |||
There is conflicting evidence whether [[ACE inhibitor]]s are as effective in African-American patients as in Anglo patients.<ref name="pmid12742294">{{cite journal |author=Shekelle PG, Rich MW, Morton SC, ''et al'' |title=Efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers in the management of left ventricular systolic dysfunction according to race, gender, and diabetic status: a meta-analysis of major clinical trials |journal=J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. |volume=41 |issue=9 |pages=1529–38 |year=2003 |pmid=12742294 |doi=}}</ref><ref name="pmid11333991">{{cite journal |author=Exner DV, Dries DL, Domanski MJ, Cohn JN |title=Lesser response to angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor therapy in black as compared with white patients with left ventricular dysfunction |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=344 |issue=18 |pages=1351–7 |year=2001 |pmid=11333991 |doi=}}</ref><br> | |||
'''Beta-blockers'''<br> | |||
There is conflicting evidence whether [[beta-blocker]]s are as effective in African-American patients as in Anglo patients.<ref name="pmid12742294">{{cite journal |author=Shekelle PG, Rich MW, Morton SC, ''et al'' |title=Efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers in the management of left ventricular systolic dysfunction according to race, gender, and diabetic status: a meta-analysis of major clinical trials |journal=J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. |volume=41 |issue=9 |pages=1529–38 |year=2003 |pmid=12742294 |doi=}}</ref><br> | |||
'''Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination'''<br> | |||
Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination treatment reduces mortality in African-American patients with class III or IV heart failure.<ref name="pmid15533851">{{cite journal |author=Taylor AL, Ziesche S, Yancy C, ''et al'' |title=Combination of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine in blacks with heart failure |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=351 |issue=20 |pages=2049–57 |year=2004 |pmid=15533851|url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/351/20/2049 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa042934}}</ref> | |||
|} Whether this benefit is more than occurs for Anglo patients is unclear, but is suggested by two controversial post-hoc analyses of subgroups in earlier [[randomized controlled trials]].<ref name="pmid17679712">{{cite journal |author=Bibbins-Domingo K, Fernandez A |title=BiDil for heart failure in black patients |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=147 |issue=3 |pages=214–5; author reply 215–6 |year=2007 |pmid=17679712 |doi=|url=http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/147/3/214}}</ref> | |||
<!-- End of race-based therapeutics text box --> | |||
====Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors==== | ====Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors==== | ||
[[Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors]] (ACE inhibitors) should not be used if:<ref name="pmid16160202">{{cite journal |author=Hunt SA, Abraham WT, Chin MH, ''et al'' |title=ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Update the 2001 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure): developed in collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society |journal=Circulation |volume=112 |issue=12 |pages=e154–235 |year=2005 |pmid=16160202 |doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.167586}} [http://www.ngc.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=7664 National Guidelines Clearinghouse]</ref> | [[Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors]] (ACE inhibitors) should not be used if:<ref name="pmid16160202">{{cite journal |author=Hunt SA, Abraham WT, Chin MH, ''et al'' |title=ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Update the 2001 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure): developed in collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society |journal=Circulation |volume=112 |issue=12 |pages=e154–235 |year=2005 |pmid=16160202 |doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.167586}} [http://www.ngc.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=7664 National Guidelines Clearinghouse]</ref> | ||
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This combination should be avoided due to increased azotemia, hyperkalemia, and symptomatic hypotension.<ref name="pmid17923591">{{cite journal |author=Phillips CO, Kashani A, Ko DK, Francis G, Krumholz HM |title=Adverse effects of combination angiotensin II receptor blockers plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for left ventricular dysfunction: a quantitative review of data from randomized clinical trials |journal=Arch. Intern. Med. |volume=167 |issue=18 |pages=1930–6 |year=2007 |pmid=17923591 |doi=10.1001/archinte.167.18.1930}}</ref> | This combination should be avoided due to increased azotemia, hyperkalemia, and symptomatic hypotension.<ref name="pmid17923591">{{cite journal |author=Phillips CO, Kashani A, Ko DK, Francis G, Krumholz HM |title=Adverse effects of combination angiotensin II receptor blockers plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for left ventricular dysfunction: a quantitative review of data from randomized clinical trials |journal=Arch. Intern. Med. |volume=167 |issue=18 |pages=1930–6 |year=2007 |pmid=17923591 |doi=10.1001/archinte.167.18.1930}}</ref> | ||
===Beta-blockers=== | ====Beta-blockers==== | ||
There is conflicting evidence whether [[beta-blocker]]s are as effective in African-American patients as in Anglo patients.<ref name="pmid12742294">{{cite journal |author=Shekelle PG, Rich MW, Morton SC, ''et al'' |title=Efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers in the management of left ventricular systolic dysfunction according to race, gender, and diabetic status: a meta-analysis of major clinical trials |journal=J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. |volume=41 |issue=9 |pages=1529–38 |year=2003 |pmid=12742294 |doi=}}</ref> | There is conflicting evidence whether [[beta-blocker]]s are as effective in African-American patients as in Anglo patients.<ref name="pmid12742294">{{cite journal |author=Shekelle PG, Rich MW, Morton SC, ''et al'' |title=Efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers in the management of left ventricular systolic dysfunction according to race, gender, and diabetic status: a meta-analysis of major clinical trials |journal=J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. |volume=41 |issue=9 |pages=1529–38 |year=2003 |pmid=12742294 |doi=}}</ref> | ||
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* Diarrhea or other causes of dehydration should be addressed emergently | * Diarrhea or other causes of dehydration should be addressed emergently | ||
===Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination treatment=== | ====Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination treatment==== | ||
Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination treatment reduces mortality in African-American patients with class III or IV heart failure.<ref name="pmid15533851">{{cite journal |author=Taylor AL, Ziesche S, Yancy C, ''et al'' |title=Combination of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine in blacks with heart failure |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=351 |issue=20 |pages=2049–57 |year=2004 |pmid=15533851|url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/351/20/2049 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa042934}}</ref> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug BiDil for African Americans<ref name="pmid17200223">{{cite journal |author=Temple R, Stockbridge NL |title=BiDil for heart failure in black patients: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration perspective |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=146 |issue=1 |pages=57–62 |year=2007 |pmid=17200223 |doi=|url=http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/146/1/57}}</ref> which has created controversy<ref name="pmid17200222">{{cite journal |author=Bibbins-Domingo K, Fernandez A |title=BiDil for heart failure in black patients: implications of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=146 |issue=1 |pages=52–6 |year=2007 |pmid=17200222 |doi=|url=http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/146/1/52}}</ref> for reasons including the approval helped the manufacturer, NitroMed, add a second race-related patent that extended protection for BiDil for 13 years<ref name="pmid17679713">{{cite journal |author=Kahn JD |title=BiDil for heart failure in black patients |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=147 |issue=3 |pages=215; author reply 215–6 |year=2007 |pmid=17679713 |doi=|url=http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/147/3/215}}</ref>. | Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination treatment reduces mortality in African-American patients with class III or IV heart failure.<ref name="pmid15533851">{{cite journal |author=Taylor AL, Ziesche S, Yancy C, ''et al'' |title=Combination of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine in blacks with heart failure |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=351 |issue=20 |pages=2049–57 |year=2004 |pmid=15533851|url=http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/351/20/2049 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa042934}}</ref> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug BiDil for African Americans<ref name="pmid17200223">{{cite journal |author=Temple R, Stockbridge NL |title=BiDil for heart failure in black patients: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration perspective |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=146 |issue=1 |pages=57–62 |year=2007 |pmid=17200223 |doi=|url=http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/146/1/57}}</ref> which has created controversy<ref name="pmid17200222">{{cite journal |author=Bibbins-Domingo K, Fernandez A |title=BiDil for heart failure in black patients: implications of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=146 |issue=1 |pages=52–6 |year=2007 |pmid=17200222 |doi=|url=http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/146/1/52}}</ref> for reasons including the approval helped the manufacturer, NitroMed, add a second race-related patent that extended protection for BiDil for 13 years<ref name="pmid17679713">{{cite journal |author=Kahn JD |title=BiDil for heart failure in black patients |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=147 |issue=3 |pages=215; author reply 215–6 |year=2007 |pmid=17679713 |doi=|url=http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/147/3/215}}</ref>. | ||
Revision as of 06:48, 22 January 2008
Congestive heart failure is defined as "defective cardiac filling and/or impaired contraction and emptying, resulting in the heart's inability to pump a sufficient amount of blood to meet the needs of the body tissues or to be able to do so only with an elevated filling pressure".[1]
Classification
Systolic dysfunction
Diastolic dysfunction
Diagnosis
History and physical examination
Congestion†? (jugular venous distention and radiographic redistribution)[2] | |||
---|---|---|---|
No | Yes | ||
Hypoperfusion‡? (proportional pulse pressure < 25%[3][4], cool extremities[5]) |
No | Warm and dry (46% mortality at one year) |
Warm and wet |
Yes | Cold and dry | Cold and wet (33% mortality at one year[4]) | |
Notes: Adapted from Figure 1 of Nohria et al.[6] |
The best findings for detecting increased filling pressure are jugular venous distention and radiographic redistribution. The best findings for detecting systolic dysfunction are abnormal apical impulse, radiographic cardiomegaly, and q waves or left bundle branch block on an electrocardiogram. [2]
The history and physical examination can also be used for patients with advanced heart failure to place the patient into a hemodynamic profile to guide management.[6][4][5] Patients in the "cold and wet" category may need to "warm up in order to dry out" by stopping beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors.[6]
Echocardiogram
The fractional shortening can estimate the left ventricular ejection fraction.[7][8][9]
Treatment
Medications
Race-based therapeutics? |
Whether this benefit is more than occurs for Anglo patients is unclear, but is suggested by two controversial post-hoc analyses of subgroups in earlier randomized controlled trials.[15]
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) should not be used if:[16]
- Baseline serum potassium is < 5.5 mmol per liter.
- No prior life-threatening adverse reactions (angioedema or anuric renal failure) during previous exposure to the drug
- They are not pregnant
- Systolic blood pressure less than 80 mm Hg
- Serum levels of creatinine greater than 3 mg per dL
- Bilateral renal artery stenosis is not present
There is conflicting evidence whether ACE inhibitors are as effective in African-American patients as in Anglo patients.[12][13]
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors combined with angiotensin-receptor blockers
This combination should be avoided due to increased azotemia, hyperkalemia, and symptomatic hypotension.[17]
Beta-blockers
There is conflicting evidence whether beta-blockers are as effective in African-American patients as in Anglo patients.[12]
Aldosterone antagonists
Aldosterone antagonists, initial dose of spironolactone 12.5 mg or eplerenone 25 mg, may be used as long as:[16]
- Serum creatinine 1.6 mg per dL or less and glomerular filtration rate or creatinine clearance exceeds 30 mL per minute.
- Baseline serum potassium is < 5.0 mEq per liter
Risk of hyperkalemia is increased if the following drugs are used:[16]
- Higher doses of ACE inhibitors (captopril greater than or equal to 75 mg daily; enalapril or lisinopril greater than or equal to 10 mg daily).
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors
- Potassium supplements
After starting aldosterone antagonists:[16]
- Potassium levels and renal function should be checked in 3 days
- Potassium levels and renal function should be checked at 1 week
- Potassium levels and renal function should be checked monthly for the first 3 months.
- Diarrhea or other causes of dehydration should be addressed emergently
Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination treatment
Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine combination treatment reduces mortality in African-American patients with class III or IV heart failure.[14] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the drug BiDil for African Americans[18] which has created controversy[10] for reasons including the approval helped the manufacturer, NitroMed, add a second race-related patent that extended protection for BiDil for 13 years[19].
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPP) can help treat acute cardiac pulmonary edema according to a meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.[20][21] Among the different modes of NPPV, CPAP may be slightly better than BiPAP.[21] It is not clear that NPPV helps patients with normal partial pressures of carbon dioxide.[22]
Implantable devices
Several implantable devices may help long term treatment; however, it is not clear that implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) add benefit over cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT).[23]
Cardiac resynchronization therapy
According to a systematic review, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), which is biventricular pacing, can reduce morbiity and mortality if the ejection fraction is less than 35%.[24] 30 patients must be treated to avoid one death (number needed to treat is 30). Cardiac resynchronization should only be used for patients with a QRS duration of at least 120 msec.[25]
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) can reduce mortality in patients who have an ejection fraction of less than 35%.[26]
Left ventricular assist devices
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may be an option for patients with end stage heart failure.[27]
Prognosis
Mortality can be predicted with the The Seattle Heart Failure Model.[28] The model can show the affect of interventions on prognosis. The model is available online at http://depts.washington.edu/shfm/.
References
- ↑ National Library of Medicine. Heart Failure, Congestive. Retrieved on 2007-10-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Badgett RG, Lucey CR, Mulrow CD (1997). "Can the clinical examination diagnose left-sided heart failure in adults?". JAMA 277 (21): 1712-9. PMID 9169900. [e]
- ↑ Stevenson LW, Perloff JK (1989). "The limited reliability of physical signs for estimating hemodynamics in chronic heart failure". JAMA 261 (6): 884–8. PMID 2913385. [e]
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Shah MR, Hasselblad V, Stinnett SS, et al (2001). "Hemodynamic profiles of advanced heart failure: association with clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes". J. Card. Fail. 7 (2): 105–13. DOI:10.1054/jcaf.2001.24131. PMID 11420761. Research Blogging.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kaplan LJ, McPartland K, Santora TA, Trooskin SZ (2001). "Start with a subjective assessment of skin temperature to identify hypoperfusion in intensive care unit patients". The Journal of trauma 50 (4): 620–7; discussion 627–8. PMID 11303155. [e]
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Nohria A, Lewis E, Stevenson LW (2002). "Medical management of advanced heart failure". JAMA 287 (5): 628–40. PMID 11829703. [e]
- ↑ Tortoledo FA, Fernandez GC, Quinones MA (1983). "An accurate and simplified method to calculate angiographic left ventricular ejection fraction". Catheterization and cardiovascular diagnosis 9 (4): 357-62. PMID 6627386. [e]
- ↑ Quinones MA, Waggoner AD, Reduto LA, et al (1981). "A new, simplified and accurate method for determining ejection fraction with two-dimensional echocardiography". Circulation 64 (4): 744-53. PMID 7273375. [e]
- ↑ Erbel R, Schweizer P, Krebs W, Meyer J, Effert S (1984). "Sensitivity and specificity of two-dimensional echocardiography in detection of impaired left ventricular function". Eur. Heart J. 5 (6): 477-89. PMID 6745290. [e]
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bibbins-Domingo K, Fernandez A (2007). "BiDil for heart failure in black patients: implications of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval". Ann. Intern. Med. 146 (1): 52–6. PMID 17200222. [e]
- ↑ Bloche MG (2004). "Race-based therapeutics". N. Engl. J. Med. 351 (20): 2035–7. DOI:10.1056/NEJMp048271. PMID 15533852. Research Blogging.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Shekelle PG, Rich MW, Morton SC, et al (2003). "Efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers in the management of left ventricular systolic dysfunction according to race, gender, and diabetic status: a meta-analysis of major clinical trials". J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 41 (9): 1529–38. PMID 12742294. [e]
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Exner DV, Dries DL, Domanski MJ, Cohn JN (2001). "Lesser response to angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor therapy in black as compared with white patients with left ventricular dysfunction". N. Engl. J. Med. 344 (18): 1351–7. PMID 11333991. [e]
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Taylor AL, Ziesche S, Yancy C, et al (2004). "Combination of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine in blacks with heart failure". N. Engl. J. Med. 351 (20): 2049–57. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa042934. PMID 15533851. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Bibbins-Domingo K, Fernandez A (2007). "BiDil for heart failure in black patients". Ann. Intern. Med. 147 (3): 214–5; author reply 215–6. PMID 17679712. [e]
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Hunt SA, Abraham WT, Chin MH, et al (2005). "ACC/AHA 2005 Guideline Update for the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Update the 2001 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Heart Failure): developed in collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society". Circulation 112 (12): e154–235. DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.167586. PMID 16160202. Research Blogging. National Guidelines Clearinghouse
- ↑ Phillips CO, Kashani A, Ko DK, Francis G, Krumholz HM (2007). "Adverse effects of combination angiotensin II receptor blockers plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for left ventricular dysfunction: a quantitative review of data from randomized clinical trials". Arch. Intern. Med. 167 (18): 1930–6. DOI:10.1001/archinte.167.18.1930. PMID 17923591. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Temple R, Stockbridge NL (2007). "BiDil for heart failure in black patients: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration perspective". Ann. Intern. Med. 146 (1): 57–62. PMID 17200223. [e]
- ↑ Kahn JD (2007). "BiDil for heart failure in black patients". Ann. Intern. Med. 147 (3): 215; author reply 215–6. PMID 17679713. [e]
- ↑ Peter JV, Moran JL, Phillips-Hughes J, Graham P, Bersten AD (2006). "Effect of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) on mortality in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema: a meta-analysis". Lancet 367 (9517): 1155–63. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68506-1. PMID 16616558. Research Blogging.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Masip J, Roque M, Sánchez B, Fernández R, Subirana M, Expósito JA (2005). "Noninvasive ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema: systematic review and meta-analysis". JAMA 294 (24): 3124–30. DOI:10.1001/jama.294.24.3124. PMID 16380593. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Nava S, Carbone G, DiBattista N, et al (2003). "Noninvasive ventilation in cardiogenic pulmonary edema: a multicenter randomized trial". Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 168 (12): 1432–7. DOI:10.1164/rccm.200211-1270OC. PMID 12958051. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Lam SK, Owen A (2007). "Combined resynchronisation and implantable defibrillator therapy in left ventricular dysfunction: Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials". BMJ 335 (7626): 925. DOI:10.1136/bmj.39343.511389.BE. PMID 17932160. Research Blogging.
- ↑ McAlister FA, Ezekowitz J, Hooton N, et al (2007). "Cardiac resynchronization therapy for patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a systematic review". JAMA 297 (22): 2502–14. DOI:10.1001/jama.297.22.2502. PMID 17565085. Research Blogging. ACPJC summary
- ↑ Beshai JF, Grimm RA, Nagueh SF, et al (2007). "Cardiac-Resynchronization Therapy in Heart Failure with Narrow QRS Complexes". DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa0706695. PMID 17986493. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Bardy GH, Lee KL, Mark DB, et al (2005). "Amiodarone or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for congestive heart failure". N. Engl. J. Med. 352 (3): 225–37. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa043399. PMID 15659722. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Delgado RM, Radovancevic B (2007). "Symptomatic relief: left ventricular assist devices versus resynchronization therapy". Heart failure clinics 3 (3): 259–65. DOI:10.1016/j.hfc.2007.05.004. PMID 17723934. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Levy WC, Mozaffarian D, Linker DT, et al (2006). "The Seattle Heart Failure Model: prediction of survival in heart failure". Circulation 113 (11): 1424–33. DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.584102. PMID 16534009. Research Blogging.