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H Hod

Publications and source records attributed to H Hod.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Does the coronary care unit improve prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction? A thrombolytic era study.

AIMS: The purpose of our study was to examine and compare the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction patients hospitalized in an intensive coronary care unit and in an internal medicine ward, in the era of reperfusion therapy, and to identify factors associated with the observed outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction during the period 1994-1997 at the Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel (n=2114), were grouped according to the hospital department in which they were treated: the intensive coronary care unit (n=1443, 68.3%) or an internal medicine ward (n=671, 31.7%). Baseline characteristics, comorbidity, hospital course, use of procedures and 30-day mortality were compared between the groups. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with 30-day mortality. Crude 30-day mortality rates were 5.4% among all patients hospitalized in the intensive coronary care unit compared with 15.9% for all patients in an internal medicine ward (P<0.001); in a subgroup of patients aged 70 years and above these rates were 11.0% and 21.0%, respectively (P<0. 001). Among the independent predictors of the 30-day mortality identified in multivariate analysis was treatment only in an internal medicine ward (odds ratio: 1.48; 95% confidence interval: 1. 00-2.18). Reperfusion therapy was independently associated with a 53% reduction in 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the importance of the treatment of acute myocardial infarction in the setting of intensive coronary care units in the thrombolytic era, in order to ensure early access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic options for all patients, including the elderly.

Aged↗

The outcome of patients with a first non-Q wave acute myocardial infarction presenting with ST segment depression, ST segment elevation, or no ST deviations on the admission electrocardiogram.

UNLABELLED: We evaluated the prognosis of patients with a first non-Q wave myocardial infarction according to their admission electrocardiogram. Hospital and 1-year mortality rates in patients with ST elevation (15%, and 21% respectively) and ST depression (17%, and 27% respectively) were similar and significantly higher than in patients with no ST changes (3%, and 10% respectively). Likewise, the adjusted hospital and 1-year mortality risks of patients with ST elevation or depression were comparable but higher than the corresponding mortality risk of patients with no ST deviations. The cumulative 5-year mortality rate was highest among patients with ST segment depression (51%) compared to patients with ST elevation (34%) or no ST deviation (21%), (p<0.001 for both comparisons). The adjusted 5-year mortality risk of patients with ST depression was higher (HR: 1.83, 95% C.I., 1.17-2.83) compared to patients with baseline ST elevation (HR-1.33, 95% C.I., 0.83-2.12) or patients with no ST changes (reference group). Patients with baseline ST segment elevation and coexistent ST segment depression in other electrocardiogram leads, had a higher in-hospital mortality rate (19%) compared to counterparts without concomitant ST depression (10%) and a tendency for higher in-hospital mortality risk but not for subsequent 1- and 5-year mortality risks. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a first non-Q wave MI with ST elevation or depression on admission have similar hospital and 1-year mortality risk, but the long-term mortality risk is higher among patients with ST segment depression. Patients with ST elevation and concomitant ST segment depression are at increased risk for mortality during the index hospitalization.

Case-Control Studies↗

[Massive pulmonary embolism--summary of experiences with 13 patients].

Pulmonary embolism is a common event in hospitalized patients. In some cases it presents with hemodynamic collapse, indicating massive obliteration of the pulmonary vasculature and has a very grim prognosis; 2/3 of such patients die within 2 hours of onset of symptoms. We describe our experience in 13 patients with massive pulmonary embolism. An aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach, utilizing sophisticated imaging techniques, thrombolytic therapy and surgery, led to the survival of 8 of the patients. Our experience supports an aggressive approach in these seriously ill patients.

Adult↗

Treatment and outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction and prior cerebrovascular events in the thrombolytic era: the Israeli Thrombolytic National Survey.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a history of stroke presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI) are often excluded from thrombolytic therapy owing to fear of intracranial hemorrhage. Few data, however, are available on the risks vs the benefits of thrombolysis in patients with an acute MI and a prior cerebrovascular event (PCE). METHODS: Data were derived from 2 nationwide surveys of 2012 consecutive patients with acute MI admitted to all 25 coronary care units in Israel during 1992 and 1994. Thrombolytic therapy was given to patients with a PCE at the discretion of the treating physicians. Outcomes were compared between patients with an acute MI with and without a PCE and between patients with a PCE treated with or excluded from thrombolysis. RESULTS: Patients with a PCE (n = 115 [6%]) were older, with higher rates of atherosclerotic risk factors and in-hospital complications than their counterparts without a prior event (n = 1897). They were treated less often with thrombolysis or mechanical reperfusion. The 1-year mortality rates were higher among patients with a PCE (28% vs 19%, P<.01), but not after multivariate adjustments for clinical characteristics (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-1.55). Patients with an acute MI and a PCE who were treated with thrombolysis (n = 29 [25%]) were compared with 46 patients found ineligible for thrombolysis primarily because of their PCE. The timing of the PCE was comparable in both groups (one fifth in the preceding year), while prior transient ischemic attacks were more prevalent among patients who had undergone thrombolysis. The patients who were treated with thrombolysis (n = 29) were older, had a higher rate of anterior infarction, and, while in the hospital, received aspirin, anticoagulants, and beta-blockers more often than their counterparts (n= 46). In-hospital intracranial hemorrhage did not occur in either group. The 1-year mortality rates were 2-fold higher among patients who had not undergone thrombolysis compared with those who had (33% vs 18%; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-7.64). CONCLUSIONS: These findings, derived from 2 nationwide surveys of consecutive patients with acute MI, suggest that patients with PCEs have an adverse outcome attributed to their older age and less favorable risk profile. Thrombolytic therapy, however, based on our preliminary data, may be beneficial in selected patients with an acute MI with a nonrecent PCE.

Aged↗

Significance of ST segment elevations in posterior chest leads (V7 to V9) in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction: application for thrombolytic therapy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine whether ST segment elevation in posterior chest leads (V7 to V9) during acute inferior myocardial infarction (MI) identifies patients with a concomitant posterior infarction and whether these patients might benefit more from thrombolysis. BACKGROUND: Because the posterior wall is faced by none of the 12 standard electrocardiographic (ECG) leads, the ECG diagnosis of posterior infarction is problematic and has often remained undiagnosed, especially in the acute phase. METHODS: Eighty-seven patients with a first inferior infarction who were treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator were stratified according to the presence (Group A [46 patients]) or absence (Group B [41 patients]) of concomitant ST segment elevation in posterior chest leads V7 to V9. RESULTS: Patients in Group A had a higher incidence of posterolateral wall motion abnormalities (p < 0.001) on radionuclide ventriculography, a larger infarct area (as evidenced by higher peak creatine kinase levels) (p < 0.02) and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at hospital discharge (p < 0.008) than those in Group B. ST segment elevation in leads V7 to V9 was associated with a higher incidence of at least one of the following adverse clinical events: reinfarction, heart failure or death (p = 0.05). Although patency of the infarct-related artery (IRA) in Group A resulted in an improved LVEF at discharge (p < 0.012), LVEF was unchanged in Group B, regardless of the patency status of the IRA. CONCLUSIONS: ST segment elevation in leads V7 to V9 identifies patients with a larger inferior MI because of concomitant posterolateral involvement. Such patients might benefit more from thrombolytic therapy.

Adult↗

Comparison of coronary calcium in stable angina pectoris and in first acute myocardial infarction utilizing double helical computerized tomography.

Although coronary calcium is invariably associated with atherosclerosis, its role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic coronary syndromes remains unclear. Utilizing double helical computerized tomography we evaluated the coronary calcium patterns in 149 patients: 47 with chronic stable angina (SAP) compared with 102 patients surviving a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Prevalence of coronary calcium was 81% among the AMI patients and 100% in the stable angina patients. The 547 calcific lesions identified in the AMI patients and the 1,242 lesions in the stable angina patients were categorized into 3 groups according to their extent: mild, intermediate, and extensive. The age-adjusted percentages of the highest level of calcification among AMI versus stable angina patients were: mild 18% vs 3%, intermediate 49% vs 18%, and extensive lesions 33% vs 79%, respectively (p < 0.01). In the AMI group, 73 culprit arteries were identified: 16 (22%) had no calcium detected, whereas 30 (41%) had mild lesions, 20 (27%) had intermediate forms, and only 7 (10%) had extensive lesions. The age-adjusted mean of the natural logarithm transformation of total calcium scores +1 was significantly lower in patients with AMI than in those with SAP (4.1 [95% confidence interval 3.7 to 4.4) vs 5.3 [95% confidence interval 4.8 to 5.8]). Thus, double helical computerized tomography demonstrates that extensive calcium characterizes the coronary arteries of patients with chronic stable angina, whereas a first AMI most often occurs in mildly calcified or noncalcified culprit arteries.

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The distinction between coronary and myocardial reperfusion after thrombolytic therapy by clinical markers of reperfusion.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the hypothesis that rapid resolution of ST-segment elevation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with early peak creatine kinase (CK) after thrombolytic therapy differentiates among patients with early recanalization between those with and those without adequate tissue (myocardial) reperfusion. BACKGROUND: Early recanalization of the epicardial infarct-related artery (IRA) during AMI does not ensure adequate reperfusion on the myocardial level. While early peak CK after thrombolysis results from early and abrupt restoration of the coronary flow to the infarcted area, rapid ST-segment resolution, which is another clinical marker of successful reperfusion, reflects changes of the myocardial tissue itself. METHODS: We compared the clinical and the angiographic results of 162 AMI patients with early peak CK (< or =12 h) after thrombolytic therapy with (group A) and without (group B) concomitant rapid resolution of ST-segment elevation. RESULTS: Patients in groups A and B had similar patency rates of the IRA on angiography (anterior infarction: 93% vs. 93%; inferior infarction: 89% vs. 77%). Nevertheless, group A versus B patients had lower peak CK (anterior infarction: 1,083+/-585 IU/ml vs. 1,950+/-1,216, p < 0.01; and inferior infarction: 940+/-750 IU/ml vs. 1,350+/-820, p=0.18) and better left ventricular ejection fraction (anterior infarction: 49+/-8, vs. 44+/-8, p < 0.01; inferior infarction: 56+/-12 vs. 51+/-10, p=0.1). In a 2-year follow-up, group A as compared with group B patients had a lower rate of congestive heart failure (1% vs. 13%, p < 0.01) and mortality (2% vs. 13%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients in whom reperfusion appears to have taken place using an early peak CK as a marker, the coexistence of rapid resolution of ST-segment elevation further differentiates among patients with an opened culprit artery between the ones with and without adequate myocardial reperfusion.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Comparison of Baseline Characteristics and Outcome of Patients with Chest Pain Brought to the Hospital by Private Versus Public Mobile Intensive Care Units.

The baseline characteristics and outcome of patients with acute chest pain who were brought to the hospital by public versus private mobile intensive care units were compared. Of 283 patients brought to the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center by mobile units in July and September of 1995, 163 were transported by the private service and 120 by the public service. Patients who were brought by the private service were older and had significantly more comorbidities, especially cardiac history. However, a significantly higher proportion of patients brought by the public service suffered confirmed myocardial infarction, and were hospitalized in the intensive coronary care unit. In addition, mortality in this group was significantly higher (4.0% vs. 2.2%). Possible explanations for this finding are greater accessibility or bias in the prehospital management of patients channeled through the private mobile service.

Journal Article↗

Prognosis of patients with a first non-Q-wave myocardial infarction before and in the reperfusion era. SPRINT and the Israeli Thrombolytic Survey Groups. Secondary Prevention Reinfarction Israeli Nifedipine Trial.

BACKGROUND: The reported incidence of non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has increased in the thrombolytic era. Data comparing prognosis among these patients before and after the advent of the thrombolytic era are scarce. METHODS: We compared the early and late prognosis among 2 cohorts of consecutive patients with a first non-Q-wave AMI hospitalized in the coronary care units operating in Israel: 610 patients from 1981 to 1983 and 225 patients in 1994. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with non-Q-wave AMI increased from 14% in 1981 to 1983 to 32% in 1994. Baseline characteristics in both periods were comparable. In-hospital management of patients differed during the last decade. Patients in 1994 received aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and nitrates more frequently than in the period 1981 to 1983. Thrombolytic therapy, coronary angiography, and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting were not used during the index hospitalization in the early 1980s, whereas in 1994 these procedures were used in 28%, 38%, 19%, and 6% of patients, respectively. In-hospital complications, including arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, and heart failure, were less frequent in 1994 compared with the period 1981 to 1983. The 7- and 30-day crude mortality rates were significantly lower in 1994 compared with the early 1980s (5% vs 9% and 5% vs 13%, respectively, P < .05 for both), whereas the 1-year crude mortality rate decreased slightly (15% vs 19%, P = .13). Multivariate analyses adjusting for pertinent variables revealed a decreased risk for death in 1994 versus 1981 to 1983; for 7-day (odds ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.94), 30-day (odds ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.69) and for 1-year (odds ratio = 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.44 to 0.96). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of patients with a first non-Q-wave AMI has improved considerably during the last decade. The introduction of new therapeutic modalities, including invasive cardiac procedures and new medications, probably played a major role in the favorable outcome of these patients.

Adult↗

Symptom-oriented nitrate administration and survival after acute myocardial infarction. Israeli Thrombolytic Survey Group.

The effect of nitrates during evolving myocardial infarction is controversial. While previous studies showed that nitrates improve left ventricular function and have a beneficial effect on survival, two recent randomized megatrials showed that nitrates did not alter mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The present study analyzes the use of nitrates in clinical practice and their impact on mortality in a cohort of unselected consecutive AMI patients admitted to all 25 coronary care units operating in Israel during 2 months in 1994. Among 966 patients in Killip class I-III on admission, 81% (n = 783) received nitrate therapy by intravenous infusion or orally. Baseline characteristics of patients treated with or without nitrates were quite similar. Seven-day mortality was markedly reduced in the nitrate-treated group (5 and 11 %, p < 0.001) in comparison with those who did not receive nitrates. After adjustment for pertinent variables the 7-day relative risk (RR) of mortality was 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-1.07; p = 0.08], whereas, the 7-day to 1-year mortality after AMI was not altered by nitrate use (RR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.56-1.68; p = 0.92). Nitrate therapy remains a widespread and a valid symptom-oriented therapeutic approach, especially early after AMI, in the community.

Aged↗

Pain scoring--a method for assessing acute antianginal therapy comparison of the response to acute sublingual administration of an isosorbide dinitrate tablet, isosorbide dinitrate spray and nitroglycerin spray in unstable angina.

It is difficult to assess acute therapeutic intervention therapy, particularly in patients with unstable angina. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a pain-scoring method and to compare the response to sublingual administration of an isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) tablet, ISDN spray or nitroglycerin (NTG) spray. Pain scoring was assessed by the subjective grading of the patients' pain severity from 1 to 10. We studied 205 patients (mean age 66 +/- 13 years). Pain attenuation, defined as at least 50% reduction in pain intensity, occurred in the ISDN tablet, ISDN spray and NTG spray groups after 360 +/- 290, 318 +/- 289 and 233 +/- 271 s, respectively (p = 0.0005). In conclusion, pain scoring is a feasible and useful clinical method to assess antianginal therapy in unstable angina patients. Sublingual nitrate sprays, particularly NTG, seem to alleviate anginal pain faster than ISDN tablets in this patient population.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Rescue coronary angiography after failed thrombolysis: a real-life experience.

Failed thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Rescue or salvage percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in this group of patients is still controversial. We report our experience with early emergency angiography and rescue PTCA in 27 patients who were hemodynamically unstable or had a large area of myocardium at risk after failed thrombolysis. Rescue PTCA was successful in 95% of attempted PTCA. Three patients were referred to emergency CABG. Early 'rescue angiography' with or without rescue PTCA after failed thrombolysis in a selected patient population, is an important tool for early risk stratification and decision-making during the hyperacute phase of AMI, while it may also serve in restoring coronary artery patency of the infarct-related artery with a high success rate.

Adult↗

Recombinant von Willebrand factor fragment AR545C inhibits platelet aggregation and enhances thrombolysis with rtPA in a rabbit thrombosis model.

Platelet adhesion to exposed subendothelium is mediated by platelet receptor glycoprotein Ib and polymeric von Willebrand factor (vWF). To improve the results of coronary arterial thrombolysis, fragments of vWF with enhanced glycoprotein Ib binding competitive with native vWF have been proposed as adjuvants to recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA). We designed a recombinant vWF fragment spanning Ala444 to Asp730 that contains the Arg545Cys mutation (named AR545C) and analyzed its antiplatelet properties in vitro and in vivo. AR545C-platelet interaction was assessed by ristocetin or botrocetin-induced platelet agglutination, or interaction with extracellular matrix under arterial flow conditions. AR545C showed enhanced reactivity with platelet glycoprotein Ib at low concentrations of ristocetin, and 60% bound spontaneously to platelets. AR545C inhibited ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination in a dose-dependent manner, with a concentration necessary to inhibit 50% of agglutination of 0.16+/-0.04 micromol/L. The inhibitory effect of AR545C on rabbit botrocetin-induced platelet agglutination was also dose dependent, with a concentration necessary to inhibit 50% of agglutination of 0.3 to 0.5 micromol/L. AR545C also completely inhibited aggregate formation and decreased the adhesion of platelets to extracellular matrix by 62.5%. The effect of AR545C on thrombolysis with rtPA was evaluated using a modified rabbit femoral thrombosis model. Local injection of AR545C into the thrombosed segment of rabbit femoral artery significantly shortened the time to reperfusion with rtPA (60+/-17.3 versus 103+/-15.2 minutes, P=.05) and significantly prolonged the total patency time (175 versus 21 minutes, P=.04). No significant difference was found in the reperfusion rate or time to reocclusion. AR545C is a potential antithrombotic agent that enhances the thrombolytic effect of rtPA in the rabbit model.

Animals↗

Incidence and mortality from early stroke associated with acute myocardial infarction in the prethrombolytic and thrombolytic eras. Secondary Prevention Reinfarction Israeli Nifedipine Trial (SPRINT) and Israeli Thrombolytic Survey Groups.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the incidence of early cerebrovascular events and subsequent mortality in two cohorts of consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), admitted to coronary care units (CCUs) in Israel, in the prethrombolytic and thrombolytic eras. BACKGROUND: During the past decade, substantial changes have occurred in the medical treatment of AMI, and important new therapies have been introduced that could all affect stroke risk and type by diverse mechanisms. Yet the overall impact of these new therapeutic modalities on the incidence of stroke complicating AMI is not clear. METHODS: We compared the incidence and mortality rates of cerebrovascular events complicating AMI within CCUs among 5,839 consecutive patients admitted in the period 1981 to 1983 versus 2,012 patients from two prospective nationwide surveys conducted in all CCUs operating in Israel in 1992 and 1994. RESULTS: The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with AMI in both periods were comparable. Patients admitted in the period 1981 to 1983 did not receive thrombolysis and reperfusion therapy; those admitted in 1992 and 1994 received thrombolysis (45%) and coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (14%), and antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatments were more frequently used. The incidence of early cerebrovascular events was 0.74% (43 of 5,839) in 1981 to 1983 versus 0.75% (15 of 2,012) in the 1992 to 1994 cohort. Patients with an AMI who experienced a cerebrovascular event were somewhat older in both groups and had a high rate of previous cerebrovascular events, congestive heart failure and atrial and ventricular arrhythmias during the hospital period. Mortality declined by one-third between the two periods. However, the mortality rate of patients with AMI who sustained a cerebrovascular event remained high (> or =40% for 30 days, 60% for 1 year). CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of early cerebrovascular events complicating AMI remained similar (0.75%) in the prethrombolytic and thrombolytic eras. Mortality rates of patients with an AMI but no cerebrovascular events decreased substantially over the past decade but not in patients with AMI with a cerebrovascular event.

Aged↗

Usefulness of the Killip classification for early risk stratification of patients with acute myocardial infarction in the 1990s compared with those treated in the 1980s. Israeli Thrombolytic Survey Group and the Secondary Prevention Reinfarction Israeli Nifedipine Trial (SPRINT) Study Group.

The classification introduced in 1967 by Killip et al has proved to be a useful method for early risk stratification of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Over the past 3 decades the overall mortality due to AMI has decreased significantly. The present study evaluates the usefulness of the Killip classification as a method for early risk stratification of patients with AMI in the 1990s. One thousand eight hundred seventy-three consecutive AMI patients were hospitalized in 25 coronary care units operating in Israel, and were followed for 1 year. Higher Killip class was found to be associated with increased in-hospital and 1-year mortality, in thrombolysis- and nonthrombolysis-treated patients (30-day mortality for all patients was 5%, 21%, 35%, and 67% in Killip classes I to IV, respectively). The overall mortality among AMI patients in the 1990s was found to be lower for each Killip class compared with a comparable patient population with AMI, hospitalized in Israel in the 1980s. Thus, the Killip classification is a useful method for early risk stratification of AMI patients in the 1990s.

Aged↗

Comparison of short- and long-term prognosis in patients with anterior wall versus inferior or lateral wall non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction. Secondary Prevention Reinfarction Israeli Nifedipine Trial (SPRINT) Study Group.

We evaluated the early and long-term prognosis of patients with a first non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to infarct site. Among 4,314 patients with a first AMI, 610 (14%) had a non-Q-wave AMI. Of them, 248 patients with anterior wall AMI were compared with 327 patients with inferior/lateral AMI. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar in both groups except for higher mean age in the anterior wall group. In-hospital complications were more common among patients with anterior wall AMI than in the inferior/lateral group. Patients with anterior wall AMI also had higher rates of in-hospital (15%), 1-year (12%), and 5-year (36%) postdischarge mortality compared with the inferior/lateral infarction group (10%, 6%, and 22%, respectively). The 1-year cardiac event rate (recurrent AMI and cardiac death) was significantly higher among the anterior wall AMI group than the inferior/lateral AMI group (14.2% and 4.8% respectively, p = 0.001). After adjustment for age, gender, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prior angina, and treatment with various medications, an increased risk for 1-year (odds ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62 to 2.78) and 5-year mortality (relative risk 1.29, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.85) was observed, but it did not reach statistical significance. Anterior wall AMI location emerged as a predictor for higher 1-year cardiac event rate (odds ratio 3.15, 95% CI 1.59 to 6.78). These findings suggest that AMI location is an important prognostic variable for risk stratification of patients with a first non-Q-wave AMI.

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