Effect of fish oil on arrythmias and mortality: systematic review

Source: BMJ 2008; 337: a2931

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Year of Publication: 2008

Publication Type: Journal article; systematic review

In a nutshell: Reviews randomised controlled trials of fish oils as dietary supplements, and concludes that supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in deaths from coronary causes.

Length of Publication: 9 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. If you cannot access the full text, please contact your local NHS library.

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Acknowledgements: National Library for Health Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Library

South East London Cardiac Prescribing Forum: working to improve clopidogrel prescribing across the South East London sector

Source: British Journal of Cardiology

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Year of Publication: 2008

Publication Type: Review

In a nutshell: The South East London Cardiac and Stroke Network (SELCSN) Cardiac Prescribing Forum has developed and implemented a consensus guideline for the prescribing of clopidogrel. Primary care clinicians highlighted that patients were often discharged from acute trusts in the region with little communication regarding clopidogrel therapy. An initial audit had shown that there was a significant variation in the use of clopidogrel and aspirin dual therapy across the sector. Re-audit since the implementation of the guidance has  shown a move towards more consistent prescribing of clopidogrel in the region.

Length of Publication: 5 pages

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Acknowledgements: The British Journal of Cardiology

UK gets first drug-eluting balloon dilation catheter

Source: British Cardiovascular Society

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Year of Publication: 2009

Publication Type: News item

In a nutshell: The Dior drug-eluting balloon was launched at the Advanced Cardiovascular Intervention Meeting in London at the end of January. This ‘second generation’ drug-eluting balloon is coated with paclitaxel, which prevents restenosis of coronary stents. It can be used to treat both high-risk and low-risk percutaneous coronary intervention patients. It provides an alternative option to treat patients for whom stent implantation is not desirable.

Length of Publication: 1 page

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Acknowledgements:  British Cardiovascular Society

Pathways for heart failure care. Making improvements in heart failure services: national pilot sites

Source: NHS Improvement

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Year of Publication: 2008

Publication Type: Summary

In a nutshell: In 2008, NHS improvement invited organisations to work in partnership on projects dedicated to improving the heart failure pathway. This document provides a summary of all the sites involved in the pathways project. Each national site is described in terms of its aims and the intended benefits of its project, as well as the methods they have used to achieve an improvement in health outcomes and a reduction in health inequalities.

Length of Publication: 8 pages

Some important information: To access the document, scroll down the page to the section entitled ‘Pathways of heart failure care – new document available’ and click on ‘here’.

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Acknowledgements: NHS Improvement

New device to diagnose heart attacks at an early stage

Source: Irish Times  20 January 2009

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Year of Publication: 2009

Publication Type: News item

In a nutshell: Reporting on the development of a device that will detect cardiovascular disease at a very early stage. A quick, simple test, which could be carried out in an ambulance or in a GP’s surgery in five minutes, to reveal if a patient has had a heart attack or is imply suffering from a bout of indigestion.

Length of Publication: 1 page

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Acknowledgements: National Heart Forum weekly e-news briefing, 21 Jan 2009

The diagnostic role of stress echocardiology in women with coronary artery disease: evidence-based review

Source: Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York

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Year of Publication: 2008

Publication Type: Abstract

In a nutshell: Compares the performance of stress echocardiology with other techniques for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in women with chest pain.

Length of Publication: 1 page

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Acknowledgements:

Evaluating cardiovascular risk assessment for asymptomatic people

Source: British Medical Journal

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Year of Publication: 2009

Publication Type: Review

In a nutshell: This review is written by Ian A. Scott, Associate Professor of Medicine in Brisbane. It evaluates risk prediction tools based on Framingham and other models, resting and exercise electrocardiography and coronary artery imaging. It determines whether additional testing in asymptomatic adults improves the accuracy of predicting cardiovascular risk and examines the effects that large scale testing might have on patients’ care and clinical outcomes.

Length of Publication: 5 pages

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Any important information: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. If you cannot access the full text, please contact your local NHS library.

Acknowledgements: British Medical Journal

Invest to save – improving outcomes in cardiovascular disease: a guide for practice-based commissioners.

Source: National Library for Public Health Specialist Library

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Year of publication: 2008

Publication type: Guidance

In a nutshell: This guidance pinpoints the gaps in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in primary care. It provides a framework to improve the detection and management of CVD, which in turn will improve outcomes for patients.

Length of publication: 20 pages

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Acknowledgement: National Library for Health