title: Clinical trials update from the American Heart Association meeting: Omega-3 fatty acids and arrhythmia risk in patients with an implantable defibrillator, ACTIV in CHF, VALIANT, the Hanover autologous bone marrow transplantation study, SPORTIF V, ORBIT and PAD and DEFINITE.
abstract: The American Heart Association meeting reported the results of several clinical trials of particular interest to those who care for patients with heart failure. Omega-3 fatty acids were associated with a trend to increased recurrence of ventricular arrhythmias but not mortality in patients with an implantable debrillator. The ACTIV in CHF study provides more evidence of a therapeutic role for arginine vasopressin antagonists in the treatment of heart failure. The VALIANT study provides further evidence to suggest that a combination of angiotensin receptor antagonist and ACE inhibitor does not reduce mortality but may reduce morbidity in post-MI patients with heart failure or major LV systolic dysfunction. A study of autologous bone marrow cell transplantation into myocardial scar give gave encouraging results. SPORTIF V showed ximelagation to be as effective as warfarin but with improved safety. ORBIT and PAD showed public access defibrillators saved lives but questioned their cost effectiveness. DEFINITE supported a role for ICDs in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, although cost-effectiveness remains in doubt.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, Kingston-upon-Hull, HU15 5JQ, UK.
authors.forename: John G F
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Freemantle
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: Mansoor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.forename: Periaswamy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Velavan
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lalukota
authors.forename: Telal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mudawi
authors.forename: Rhidian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shelton
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Alison P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Coletta
mesh_terms: D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D013917:Thrombin