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What is the Momentum Clinical Trial |
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A clinical trial conducted to
see if patients hospitalized with
decompensated heart failure and are
inadequately responding to medication
will...  |
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Congestive Heart Failure |
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CHF is the acronym for congestive
heart failure, an often misunderstood
disorder in which the heart is... |
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Cancion® System |
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A medical device that was evaluated for its risks and benefits in patients hospitalized with
decompensated heart failure... |
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New Press Release |
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Orqis Medical's Cancion System Significantly Increases Cardiac Performance: MOMENTUM Trial Results Presented at ACC 2008 |
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Glossary of Terms
ACE (angiotensin-converting-enzyme) inhibitors
Medications that act as a vasodilator by stopping the body from making angiotensin, a substance in the blood that makes vessels tighten and raises blood pressure.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Medications that lower blood pressure. ARBs are like ACE inhibitors but act via a different mechanism; ARBs interfere with angiotensin function rather than its production.
Antihypertensives
Medications that lower blood pressure.
Beta-blockers
Medications that restrict the heart rate from increasing in response to stress.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
Medications that decrease blood pressure by relaxing arteries and veins.
Congestion
Accumulation of excessive blood or fluid in the body's vessels or organs.
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
A common form of heart failure that causes fluid retention leading to congestion in the lungs and edema, especially in the legs and feet.
Decompensation
Failure of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation, often recognized by difficulty breathing and edema.
Digoxin (Digitalis)
Digoxin is one of the many forms of Digitalis, a commonly prescribed drug for mild to moderate CHF, which works by slowing and strengthening the heart beat.
Diuretics
Medications that help the kidneys eliminate salt and water from the bloodstream and increase the rate of urine formation. Commonly referred to as water pills, these medications reduce the amount of fluid CHF patients retain.
Edema
Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.
Heart failure
A syndrome in which the heart isn't able to pump blood to meet the demands of the body.
Inotropes
Drugs that stimulate the heart to contract more forcefully. IV inotropes given to treat severe heart failure include dobutamine, milrinone, and dopamine.
Nitrates
A form of vasodilator. Nitroglycerin is a commonly prescribed nitrate.
Refractory
A medical term referring to a patient who is unresponsive to a certain medicine or treatment.
Sodium
A mineral that works with potassium and calcium to control normal heart rhythm and water balance. A high-sodium diet can increase blood pressure and lead to a worsening of heart failure symptoms.
Vasoconstriction
Constriction, or narrowing, of blood vessels. Vasoconstriction can lead to decreased blood flow and additional demands being placed on the heart.
Vasodilators
Medications that widen or relax the walls of blood vessels to allow the heart to work less. ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers are vasodilators.
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