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Ravin Davidoff

Bio: Ravin Davidoff is an academic researcher from Boston University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Heart failure & Atrial fibrillation. The author has an hindex of 33, co-authored 78 publications receiving 8853 citations. Previous affiliations of Ravin Davidoff include Harvard University & Johannesburg Hospital.


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TL;DR: The use of transesophageal echocardiography to guide the management of atrial fibrillation may be considered a clinically effective alternative strategy to conventional therapy for patients in whom elective cardioversion is planned.
Abstract: Background The conventional treatment strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation who are to undergo electrical cardioversion is to prescribe warfarin for anticoagulation for three weeks before cardioversion. It has been proposed that if transesophageal echocardiography reveals no atrial thrombus, cardioversion may be performed safely after only a short period of anticoagulant therapy. Methods In a multicenter, randomized, prospective clinical trial, we enrolled 1222 patients with atrial fibrillation of more than two days' duration and assigned them to either treatment guided by the findings on transesophageal echocardiography or conventional treatment. The composite primary end point was cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack, and peripheral embolism within eight weeks. Secondary end points were functional status, successful restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm, hemorrhage, and death. Results There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups in the rate of emboli...

827 citations

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TL;DR: These revised guidelines are based on a computerized search of the English literature since 1989, a manual search of final articles, and expert opinion and describe the most consistent predictors of mortality after coronary artery surgery.
Abstract: The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Task Force on Practice Guidelines was formed to make recommendations regarding the appropriate use of diagnostic tests and therapies for patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is among the most common operations performed in the world and accounts for more resources expended in cardiovascular medicine than any other single procedure. Since the original Guidelines were published in 1991, there has been considerable evolution in the surgical approach to coronary disease, and at the same time there have been advances in preventive, medical, and percutaneous catheter approaches to therapy. These revised guidelines are based on a computerized search of the English literature since 1989, a manual search of final articles, and expert opinion. As with other ACC/AHA guidelines, this document uses ACC/AHA classifications I, II, and III as summarized below: Class I: Conditions for which there is evidence and/or general agreement that a given procedure or treatment is useful and effective. Class II: Conditions for which there is conflicting evidence and/or a divergence of opinion about the usefulness or efficacy of a procedure. Class IIa: Weight of evidence/opinion is in favor of usefulness/efficacy. Class IIb: Usefulness/efficacy is less well established by evidence/opinion. Class III: Conditions for which there is evidence and/or general agreement that the procedure/treatment is not useful/effective and in some cases may be harmful. ### A. Hospital Outcomes Seven core variables (priority of operation, age, prior heart surgery, sex, left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction [EF], percent stenosis of the left main coronary artery, and number of major coronary arteries with significant stenoses) are the most consistent predictors of mortality after coronary artery surgery. The greatest risk is correlated with the urgency of operation, advanced age, and 1 or more prior coronary bypass surgeries. Additional variables that are related …

432 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The difference in survival, despite evidence of more myocardial disease in the senile group, suggests that heart failure in AL amyloidosis may have a toxic component, possibly related to the circulating monoclonal light chain.
Abstract: Background:Small deposits of amyloid are often found intheheartsofelderlypatients.However,extensivedepositionoftransthyretin-derivedamyloidfibrilsintheheart (senile systemic amyloidosis [SSA]) can cause heart failure. The clinical features of SSA that involve the heart are ill defined, and the condition may be overlooked as a cause of heart failure. We sought to better define the clinical,echocardiographic,andelectrocardiographicfeaturesofcardiacinvolvementinSSAandtocomparethem with the findings in patients with light chain–associated (AL) amyloidosis that affects the heart. Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients with SSA and heart failure evaluated at a tertiary referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis were compared with 18 randomly selected patients with AL amyloidosisthatinvolvedtheheart.Allpatientsunderwentacomplete clinical and biochemical evaluation. Echocardiogramsandelectrocardiogramswereinterpretedbyblinded investigators. Results:PatientswithSSAwereolderthanthosewithAL amyloidosis and were all male. Proteinuria (protein outputof1gper24hours)wascommoninALamyloidosis butwasnotpresentinSSA.Leftventricularwallthickness was greater in patients with SSA than those with AL amyloidosis,butdespitethickerwallsandolderage,theseverity of heart failure was less in the SSA group and the mediansurvivalwasmuchlonger(75vs11months;P=.003). Conclusions: Senile systemic amyloidosis is a disorder of elderly men and is characterized by amyloidosis clinically limited to the heart. In contrast to the rapid progression of heart failure in AL amyloidosis, SSA results in slowly progressive heart failure. The difference in survival, despite evidence of more myocardial disease in the senile group, suggests that heart failure in AL amyloidosis may have a toxic component, possibly related to the circulating monoclonal light chain. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:1425-1429

333 citations


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TL;DR: It is important that the medical profession play a significant role in critically evaluating the use of diagnostic procedures and therapies as they are introduced in the detection, management, and management of diseases.
Abstract: PREAMBLE......e4 APPENDIX 1......e121 APPENDIX 2......e122 APPENDIX 3......e124 REFERENCES......e124 It is important that the medical profession play a significant role in critically evaluating the use of diagnostic procedures and therapies as they are introduced in the detection, management,

8,362 citations

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TL;DR: Although considerable improvement has occurred in the process of care for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), room for improvement exists as discussed by the authors, and the purpose of the present guideline is to focus on the numerous advances in the diagnosis and management of patients
Abstract: Although considerable improvement has occurred in the process of care for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), room for improvement exists.[1–3][1][][2][][3] The purpose of the present guideline is to focus on the numerous advances in the diagnosis and management of patients

8,352 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The once-in-a-lifetime treatment with Abciximab Intracoronary for acute coronary syndrome and a second dose intravenously for atrial fibrillation is recommended for adults with high blood pressure.
Abstract: ACE : angiotensin-converting enzyme ACS : acute coronary syndrome ADP : adenosine diphosphate AF : atrial fibrillation AMI : acute myocardial infarction AV : atrioventricular AIDA-4 : Abciximab Intracoronary vs. intravenously Drug Application APACHE II : Acute Physiology Aand Chronic

7,519 citations