Dr. Usman's Cardiology Notes

The effect of digoxin on mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure - The New England Journal of Medicine - 1997 Brief Summary: Digoxin reduces hospitalization rate, but does not impact mortality, among patients with HFrEF. Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9036306

The effect of spironolactone on morbidity and mortality in patients with severe heart failure - New England Journal of Medicine - 1999 Brief Summary: In patients with HFrEF (EF<35%) and NYHA III-IV symptoms, spironolactone led to a 30% reduction in all-cause mortality. Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10471456

Effect of metoprolol CR/XL in chronic heart failure: Metoprolol CR/XL Randomised Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure - The Lancet - 1999 Brief Summary: In patients with symptomatic HFrEF with EF ≤40%, long acting metoprolol led to a 34% reduction in all cause mortality. Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10376614

A randomized trial of the angiotensin-receptor blocker valsartan in chronic heart failure - New England Journal of Medicine - 2001 Brief Summary: In a time when HFrEF therapy included ACE inhibitors but not beta blockers, addition of valsartan to standard HFrEF therapy did not improve survival but reduced the incidence of the composite endpoint of morbidity and mortality, largely through a decrease in HF hospitalizations. Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11759645

Long-term use of a left ventricular assist device for end-stage heart failure - The New England Journal of Medicine - 2001 Brief Summary: In patients with end-stage heart failure, destination left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy reduces all-cause mortality, as compared to optimal medical therapy. Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11794191

Effect of Carvedilol on the Morbidity of Patients With Severe Chronic Heart Failure – Circulation - 2002 Brief Summary: Carvedilol reduces risk of death or HF hospitalization by 31% compared to placebo in class III-IV HF with EF <25%. Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12390947

Prophylactic Implantation of a Defibrillator in Patients with Myocardial Infarction and Reduced Ejection Fraction - The New England Journal of Medicine - 2002 Brief Summary: In post-MI patients with systolic dysfunction (EF ≤30%), prophylactic ICD reduced all-cause mortality compared to standard medical therapy. Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11907286