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Showing papers by "Jaap W. Deckers published in 2011"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that low-dose supplementation of n-3 fatty acids exerts a protective effect against ventricular arrhythmia–related events in post-MI patients with diabetes.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE We carried out a secondary analysis in high-risk patients with a previous myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetes in the Alpha Omega Trial. We tested the hypothesis that in these patients an increased intake of the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and α-linolenic acid (ALA) will reduce the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and fatal MI. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A subgroup of 1,014 post-MI patients with diabetes aged 60–80 years was randomly allocated to receive one of four trial margarines, three with an additional amount of n-3 fatty acids and one placebo for 40 months. The end points were ventricular arrhythmia–related events and fatal MI. The data were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle, using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS The patients consumed on average 18.6 g of margarine per day, which resulted in an additional intake of 223 mg EPA plus 149 mg DHA and/or 1.9 g ALA in the active treatment groups. During follow-up, 29 patients developed a ventricular arrhythmia–related events and 27 had a fatal MI. Compared with placebo patients, the EPA-DHA plus ALA group experienced less ventricular arrhythmia–related events (hazard ratio 0.16; 95% CI 0.04–0.69). These n-3 fatty acids also reduced the combined end-point ventricular arrhythmia–related events and fatal MI (0.28; 0.11–0.71). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that low-dose supplementation of n-3 fatty acids exerts a protective effect against ventricular arrhythmia–related events in post-MI patients with diabetes.

99 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
27 Jan 2011-Blood
TL;DR: Data show that common variants in the VWF gene are associated with VWF levels and with the risk for CVD.

63 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
02 Nov 2011-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: Substantial improvements in acute- and long-term survival in patients hospitalised for MI, related to improved acute- as well as long- term treatment are indicated.
Abstract: textObjectives: To quantify the impact of the implementation of treatment modalities into clinical practice since 1985, on outcome of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods: All consecutive patients admitted for STEMI or NSTEMI at the Thoraxcenter between 1985 and 2008 were included. Baseline characteristics, pharmacological and invasive treatment modalities, and survival status were collected. The study population was categorised in three groups of patients: those hospitalised between 1985-1990, 1990-2000, and 2000-2008. Results: We identified 14,434 patients hospitalised for myocardial infarction (MI). Both STEMI and NSTEMI patients were increasingly treated with the current guideline based therapy. In STEMI, at 30 days following admission, cumulative mortality rate decreased from 17% in 1985-1990 to 13% in 1990-2000, and to 6% in 2000-2008. Adjusted 30-day and three-year mortality in the last period was 80% and 68% lower than in 1985, respectively. In NSTEMI, at 30 days following admission, cumulative mortality rate decreased from 6% in 1985-1990 to 4% in 1990-2000, and to 2% in 2000-2008. Adjusted 30-day and three-year mortality in the last period was 78% and 49% lower than in 1985, respectively. For patients admitted between 2000 and 2008, 3 year survival of STEMI and NSTEMI patients was 87% and 88%, respectively. Conclusions: Our results indicate substantial improvements in acute- and long-term survival in patients hospitalised for MI, related to improved acute- as well as long-term treatment. Early medical evaluation in suspected MI and intensive early hospital treatment both remain warranted in the future.

43 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
16 Feb 2011-BMJ
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that such interventions are not needed for people at very low risk and should be tailored to individual risk in everyone else, and that they should only be used for low risk individuals.
Abstract: Are not needed for people at very low risk and should be tailored to individual risk in everyone else

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although estimates decrease with age, measures of overall and central adiposity predict incident heart failure among community dwelling older adults.
Abstract: Objectives The incidence of heart failure increases with aging. Aim of the present, study was to determine whether measures body composition predict incident heart failure in older adults.

6 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first case of homograft endocarditis caused by Campylobacter jejuni, which was treated successfully with antibiotic therapy and valve replacement, is reported.
Abstract: We report the first case of homograft endocarditis caused by Campylobacter jejuni, which was treated successfully with antibiotic therapy and valve replacement. To our knowledge, only two other cases of C. jejuni endocarditis, involving native valves, have been reported in the medical literature.

4 citations