Biomedical subjects

H-J Rupprecht

Publications and source records attributed to H-J Rupprecht.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Long-term cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation in Germany.

Patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation receiving clopidogrel in addition to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) showed a 20% risk reduction in comparison to patients receiving ASA monotherapy (CURE trial). Economic models for assessing the impact on costs exist for several countries but not for Germany on a long-term basis. The objective of this model adaptation is to assess the long-term economic impact of clopidogrel taken in addition to ASA in Germany. A Markov model with six states [at risk, first year with stroke, following years with stroke, first year with new myocardial infarction (MI), following years with MI, and death] was adapted for Germany. Model outcome was life-years saved. Effects of 1-year treatment were calculated based on the CURE trial. Resource use for the different health states was based on published data, which included costs for drugs, outpatient care, hospitalization, rehabilitation and nursing. Risk data for MI and stroke were based on Swedish data and validated for the German adaptation. The model calculates lifetime costs and survival length. Costs were estimated from the payers' perspective. A series of one-way sensitivity analyses was conducted (follow-up costs, discount rates). The Markov analysis predicts a survival of 8.89years in the placebo treatment group and 9.02 years in the clopidogrel treatment group. The cumulated costs were euro 8,548 and euro 8,953, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was euro 3,113 for each life-year saved. The model was robust regarding variations in key parameters in the sensitivity analysis, resulting in a range of ICER from euro 1,338 to euro 9,322. Our results are in line with the results for other healthcare systems. Adding clopidogrel to ASA for patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation generated an additional life-year saved at a comparably low value of euro 3,113. One-year treatment with clopidogrel is a cost-effective treatment option in patients with acute coronary syndrome from the perspective of a third-party payer in Germany.

Acute Coronary Syndrome↗

PubMed2006

[Cardiovascular secondary prevention].

Cardiovascular secondary prevention plays a fundamental role due to the rising average age of the population. The reorganization of the health care system is also becoming more important. Especially the needs of high-risk patients have to be prioritized. A change of habits (e. g. abnegation of nicotine, change in eating habits, obtaining a BMI<25) is the basis of preventive measures in order to maximize the effectivity of drug therapy. Here the application of statins takes center stage (if there are no contraindications) which minimizes the risk of coronary incidences by 30%. In case of high lipid blood level, fibrates have to be applied at a low level of HDL-cholesterol and omega-3 fatty acids at high values of triglycerides. Omega-3 fatty acids must be given in the form of 1 g ethyl esters of EPA and DHA, otherwise a significant reduction of fatal cardiovascular incidences cannot be proven. Recently ACE inhibitors have gained in importance because of their ability to reduce the formation of plaques. Furthermore beta-blockers and aspirin can be applied for therapeutic measures, whereas different periods of treatment are recommended by the guidelines. With the aid of algorithms it is possible to specify the risk of experiencing a second myocardial infarction.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2006

Revascularisation of a giant coronary artery aneurysm in suspected incomplete Kawasaki-disease.

Kawasaki disease leads to typical vascular complications in up to 20 % of untreated cases. We describe a 47-year-old patient with coronary vessel disease, involving the right coronary artery with a huge aneurysmatic dilatation, suspicious for an incomplete form of Kawasaki disease. We found little information about the surgical treatment and postoperative course of this disease in adults. Typically, these infrequent patients present with acute myocardial infarction and require interdisciplinary decision-making.

Aortic Dissection↗

PubMed2004

[Carotid stenosis concomitant to coronary artery disease].

Carotid stenosis is frequent in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In the literature, 9-28% of patients with CAD have additional carotid artery stenosis, predictors of which are advanced age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, coronary multivessel disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Moreover, patients with unstable coronary syndromes and those with elevated inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein or fibrinogen more often have concomitant CAD and carotid artery stenosis. The long-term prognosis of these patients is worse than with CAD only. Therefore, patients with CAD should be screened for additional carotid artery stenosis, especially if coronary artery bypass grafting is planned. Continuous wave Doppler sonography and color-coded duplex sonography are suitable methods to screen for carotid artery stenosis.

Carotid Artery, Internal↗

PubMed2004

[Acute coronary syndrome (without ST-elevation)].

Antithrombotic therapy in acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation should be initiated with aspirin 100 mg/day (loading dose 250-500 mg) and Clopidogrel 75 mg/day (loading dose 300 mg). In addition, anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin should be started. A GP IIb/IIIa receptor blocker can be given either upfront (Eptifibatide/Tirofiban) or directly in the cathlab preceding PCI (Abciximab). Aspirin should be given in the chronic phase lifelong, Clopidogrel for at least nine months. An invasive strategy is recommended in high-risk patients within 48 hours.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

[Genetic variation of the cholesterol ester transfer protein gene and the prevalence of coronary artery disease. The AtheroGene case control study].

BACKGROUND: Various functional polymorphisms of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein ( CETP) gene influence CETP activity and the concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Beside other functional variants mainly the promoter polymorphism CETP/C-629A is currently discussed as a risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD). We evaluated in a large case-control study the impact of various CETP genotypes and haplotypes on HDL concentration and the prevalence of CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 1214 patients with documented CAD as well as 754 population controls we determined the CETP/C-629A, TaqIB, I405V, R451Q, and A373P polymorphisms. All genotypes have an impact on the HDL concentration; univariate genotype and haplotype analyses demonstrate a significant effect of A-allel carriers on the elevation of HDL concentration. In addition, among all genotypes determined, the C-629A polymorphism is associated with the prevalence of CAD in a codominant fashion. Homozygous A-allel carriers reveal a relative risk of 0.6 (95% CI 0.44-0.82; P = 0.005) compared to the wild type. Adjustment for classical risk factors did not alter this association significantly, whereas after controlling for HDL concentration no independent significance between CETP/C-629A genotype and prevalence of CAD was observed anymore. CONCLUSION: CETP genotypes have an significant but moderate impact on systemic HDL-cholesterol concentration. The A-allel of the CETP/C-629A polymorphism is associated with a reduced CAD risk. This risk reduction is probably mediated by elevated HDL-concentration. Whether genotyping of the CETP/C-629A polymorphism provides information over and above that obtained by HDL-cholesterol measurement has to be further investigated in various prospective studies.

Carrier Proteins↗

PubMed2004

[Brain-natriuretic-peptide (BNP) for improvement of the diagnostic determination in a conserving emergency room].

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is one of the most common symptoms for presentation in an emergency department. Evaluation of this very unspecific symptom can be very time-consuming and costly. Thus, we investigated the value of a rapid bedside-test for BNP in discriminating dyspnea due to "cardiac" reasons from "non-cardiac" dyspnea in the emergency room. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 100 patients who presented to the emergency department with "severe dyspnoea" as the leading symptom. In all patients BNP was determined from blood samples drawn on admission. All patients had to complete a dyspnea score for severity of dyspnea. The treating physician was blinded to the results of BNP measurements. After discharge patients were divided into "cardiac" and "non-cardiac" dyspnea on the basis of all findings gathered during the hospital stay by a panel of 3 physicians blinded to the results of BNP measurements. The 2 groups were compared for difference in BNP levels and for differences in the dyspnea score. While the dyspnea score showed no significant difference, there was a significant difference in BNP measurements (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: With the TRIAGE BNP test a rapid discrimination between dyspnea due to ventricular failure and "non-cardiac" dyspnea can be obtained within 20 minutes after first presentation. This test can save time and resources in this critical group of patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

[Influence of impaired fasting glucose on the incidence and prognosis of atherosclerosis in various vascular regions].

UNLABELLED: Patients with cardiovascular disease have a poorer diagnosis if they are diabetic. The risk for cardiovascular events is already increased in individuals with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) and IFG on the incidence of atherosclerotic manifestations and on the long-term prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis in various vascular regions. METHODS: In a prospective study we included 906 patients (72.5% men, mean age 62 +/- 9 years) preceding heart catheterization. All patients were evaluated for the presence of peripheral stenosis by carotid duplex sonography (pathologic: stenosis >50%) and evaluation of the ankle-brachial index (pathologic <0.9). Blood samples were drawn from each subject after an overnight fasting period and serum glucose was evaluated. RESULTS: Patients were compared with regard to the presence of DM (known DMor fasting glucose > or =126 mg/dL, N = 283, 31.2%) or IFG (fasting glucose >110 and <126 mg/dL, N = 89, 9.8%). Patients with IFG and DM had a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic manifestations in the coronary, carotid and peripheral vessels. Diabetics had the highest prevalence of atherosclerotic manifestations in multiple vascular regions (=advanced atherosclerosis). Cardiovascular events (death, myocardial infarction and stroke) after a median follow-up of 4.1 years were evaluated in 901 patients (99.4%). Presence of IFG and DM significantly increased the incidence of cardiovascular events (event rate: no DM 10.9%, IFG 13.6%, DM 23.4%, P < 0.0001). Moreover, patients with advanced atherosclerosis suffered significantly more often from cardiovascular events (event rate: no stenosis 4.1%, coronary artery disease without peripheral stenosis 9.7%, advanced atherosclerosis 23.9%). Prognosis was worst in patients with DM and advanced atherosclerosis with an event rate of 35%.Patients with cardiovascular disease have a poorer prognosis if they are diabetic. The risk for cardiovascular events is already increased in individuals with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) and IFG on the incidence of atherosclerotic manifestations and on the long-term prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis in various vascular regions.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Efficacy of hirudin in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS: Although hirudin is superior to unfractionated heparin for prevention of death, myocardial infarction, or refractory ischaemia in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, it is not clear whether hirudin is also of benefit in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the OASIS 2 trial, 10 141 patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome were randomized to 72 h of intravenous hirudin or unfractionated heparin. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed at the discretion of the investigator. One hundred and seventeen patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention within the first 72 h ("early percutaneous coronary intervention"). In patients undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention, hirudin compared with unfractionated heparin was associated with a significantly lower incidence of death or myocardial infarction at 96 h (6.4% vs 21.4%, OR 0.30; 95% CI: 0.10-0.88) and 35 days (6.4% vs 22.9%, OR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.07-0.86). In the unfractionated heparin group, death or myocardial infarction was significantly higher at 35 days in patients undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention compared with those managed conservatively (22.9% vs 7.3%, OR 3.14, P<0.001) but this early percutaneous coronary intervention-related hazard was not observed in hirudin-treated patients (6.4% vs 6.8%, OR 0.94 P=1.0). A time-dependent covariate for percutaneous coronary intervention was not significant in a Cox regression model, suggesting a similar treatment benefit with hirudin before and after percutaneous coronary intervention. After adjustment for percutaneous coronary intervention propensity, the benefits of hirudin remained significant. There were three major bleeds in patients undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention, all in patients randomized to hirudin. CONCLUSION: In patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing early percutaneous coronary intervention, a direct thrombin inhibitor such as hirudin may be more effective than heparin in reducing the incidence of ischaemic complications.

Acute Disease↗