Antiplatelet Therapy and Anticoagulation before, during, and after Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a major challenge in clinical practice, requiring rapid and effective antithrombotic treatment to mitigate adverse ischemic events while minimizing the risk of bleeding. In recent years, results from several clinical trials addressing this issue through various approaches have substantially improved the treatment landscape for patients presenting with ACS. The emergence of new, potent P2Y12 inhibitors has significantly enhanced thrombotic risk reduction and different strategies for de-escalating and shortening dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) have demonstrated promising outcomes in reducing bleeding rates. Furthermore, data from ongoing trials focusing on novel therapeutic agents and investigating alternative treatment strategies to optimize outcomes for ACS patients are expected in the next few years. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and emphasize the critical role of individualized treatment approaches tailored to patient-specific risk factors and individual clinical scenarios.

Direct comparison of the diagnostic performance of growth differentiation factor 8 in pediatric versus adult heart failure

INTRODUCTION

Growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8, myostatin) has been proposed for the management of adult heart failure (HF). Its potential role in pediatric HF patients is unknown. We sought to investigate its diagnostic performance in adult versus pediatric HF.

METHODS

GDF-8 was measured prospectively in pediatric and adult HF patients and in matching controls. HF was defined as the combination of typical symptoms and impaired left ventricular systolic function. Diagnostic performance for the detection of HF was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

We enrolled 137 patients with HF (85 pediatric) and 67 healthy controls (47 pediatric). Neither pediatric nor adult HF patients had significantly different GDF-8 levels compared to the reference groups (3.53 vs 3.46 ng/mL, p = 0.334, and 6.87 vs 8.15 ng/mL, p = 0.063, respectively), but pediatric HF patients had significantly lower GDF-8 levels compared to adult patients (p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed no significant improvement adding GDF-8 to NT-proBNP, age and sex (area under the curve (AUC): 0.870 vs 0.868, p = 0.614) in children and neither in addition to age nor sex in adult HF patients (AUC: 0.74 vs 0.62, p = 0.110).

CONCLUSION

GDF-8 did not accurately differentiate between HF patients and normal comparators in neither adults nor in children.

Lipid-Lowering Therapy after Acute Coronary Syndrome

Achieving guideline-recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets remains a significant challenge in clinical practice. This review assesses the barriers to reaching LDL-C goals and explores the potential solutions to these issues. When aiming for the recommended LDL-C goal, strategies like "lower is better" and "strike early and strong" should be used. The evidence supports the safety and efficacy of intensive lipid-lowering therapy post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS), leading to improved long-term cardiovascular health and atherosclerotic plaque stabilization. Despite the availability of effective lipid-lowering therapies, such as high-intensity statins, ezetimibe, the combination of both, bempedoic acid, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, a substantial proportion of patients do not meet their LDL-C targets. Contributing factors include systemic healthcare barriers, healthcare provider inertia, patient non-adherence, and statin intolerance. Statin intolerance, often rather statin reluctance, is a notable obstacle due to perceived or expected side effects, which can lead to discontinuation of therapy. In conclusion, while there are obstacles to achieving optimal LDL-C levels post-ACS, these can be overcome with a combination of patient-centric approaches, clinical vigilance, and the judicious use of available therapies. The safety and necessity of reaching lower LDL-C goals to improve outcomes in patients post-ACS are well-supported by current evidence.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction with immediate combination therapy of statin and ezetimibe compared to statin monotherapy after percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines recommend a stepwise initiation of lipid-lowering therapy after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in treatment-naïve individuals. Patients might benefit from an earlier and stronger low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction through upfront combination therapies.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients without previous lipid-lowering therapy undergoing acute or elective PCI with stent implantation between January 2016 and December 2019. Patients initiated on statin monotherapy vs. a combination of statin and ezetimibe were compared. The primary endpoint was an LDL‑C reduction into the target range of < 55 mg/dL at 3 months. The secondary endpoint was the occurrence of major cardiovascular events (MACE).

RESULTS

A total of 204 lipid-lowering therapy naive patients were included, of whom 157 (77.0%) received statin monotherapy and 47 (23.0%) combination therapy. Median LDL‑C levels were higher in patients initiated on combination therapy vs. monotherapy (140 mg/dL, interquartile range, IQR, 123-167 mg/dL vs. 102 mg/dL, IQR 80-136 mg/dL, p < 0.001). The LDL‑C reduction was greater in patients treated with combination therapy vs. statin monotherapy (-73 mg/dL, -52.1% vs. -43 mg/dL, -42.2%, p < 0.001). While the primary endpoint was similar between groups (44.7% vs. 36.1%, p = 0.275), combination therapy significantly increased the proportion of patients achieving the treatment target in the presence of an admission LDL-C > 120 mg/dL (46.2% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.031). The rates of MACE were similar between the two groups (10.6% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.237) at a median follow-up of 2.2 years, IQR 1.46-3.10 years.

CONCLUSION

Immediate initiation of high-intensity statin and ezetimibe treatment might be considered as the default strategy in treatment-naïve patients with high admission LDL‑C undergoing PCI.

Gapless Electrocardiogram-Monitoring in stroke at high risk of atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Previous studies investigating prolonged electrocardiogram (ECG)-monitoring after ischemic stroke had significant gaps between the index event and the beginning of long-term monitoring. Atrial fibrillation (AF) detection might be higher if prolonged cardiac rhythm documentation is performed with a gapless approach without any interruption of monitoring time.

METHODS

This investigator-initiated, prospective study included patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack at three study centers. Participants received gapless ECG-monitoring via telemetry during stroke-unit admission until implantation of an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) within the first days after the index event. Patients acted as their own controls and also received standard 24-72-h Holter ECG.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were included, of whom 86 (78.2%) had an embolic stroke of unknown source, 14 (12.7%) had small-vessel disease, and 10 (9.1%) had large-artery disease. AF was newly diagnosed in 17 (15.5%) patients via ICM monitoring, compared to one (0.9%) patient via Holter ECG during 6 months of follow-up (p < 0.001). The detection rate of AF within the first 30 days was 10.0%, which accounted for 64% of all new AF diagnoses. The median duration of the detected episodes was 1.7 (interquartile range = 0.2-4.7) h. All patients with new onset AF were treated with oral anticoagulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Gapless ECG-monitoring is an effective strategy to significantly increase the detection rate of AF after ischemic stroke. This finding supports the use of long-term ECG-monitoring with a gapless approach without any interruption in monitoring time as the gold standard for clinical practice.

Association of Interleukin-32 and Interleukin-34 with Cardiovascular Disease and Short-Term Mortality in COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Excess cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality has been observed in patients with COVID-19. Both interleukin-32 (IL-32) and interleukin-34 (IL-34) have been hypothesized to contribute to CV involvement in COVID-19.

METHODS

This prospective, observational study of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection was conducted from 6 June to 22 December 2020 in a tertiary care hospital in Vienna, Austria. IL-32 and IL-34 levels on admission were collected and tested for their association with CV disease and short-term mortality in patients with COVID-19. CV disease was defined by the presence of coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke or atrial fibrillation and patients were stratified by CV disease burden.

RESULTS

A total of 245 eligible patients with COVID-19 were included, of whom 37 (15.1%) reached the primary endpoint of 28-day mortality. Of the total sample, 161 had no CV disease (65.7%), 69 had one or two CV diseases (28.2%) and 15 patients had ≥three CV diseases (6.1%). Median levels of IL-32 and IL-34 at admission were comparable across the three groups of CV disease burden. IL-32 and IL-34 failed to predict mortality upon both univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis. The two CV disease groups, however, had a significantly higher risk of mortality within 28 days (one or two CV diseases: crude HR 4.085 (95% CI, 1.913-8.725), p < 0.001 and ≥three CV diseases: crude HR 13.173 (95% CI, 5.425-31.985), p < 0.001). This association persisted for those with ≥three CV diseases after adjustment for age, gender and CV risk factors (adjusted HR 3.942 (95% CI, 1.288-12.068), p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

In our study population of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, IL-32 and IL-34 did not show any associations with CV disease or 28-day mortality in the context of COVID-19. Patients with multiple CV diseases, however, had a significantly increased risk of short-term mortality.

Short dual antiplatelet therapy and dual antiplatelet therapy de-escalation after primary percutaneous intervention: For whom and how

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 6-12 months, followed by lifelong aspirin monotherapy is considered an effective standard therapy for the prevention of thrombo-ischemic events in patients with acute and chronic coronary syndrome (ACS, CCS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or after a primarily conservative treatment decision. In ACS patients, the stronger P2Y12-inhibitors ticagrelor or prasugrel are recommended in combination with aspirin unless the individual bleeding risk is high and shortening of DAPT is warranted or clopidogrel is preferred. However, also in patients at low individual bleeding risk, DAPT is associated with a higher risk of bleeding. In recent years, new antithrombotic treatment strategies, such as shortening DAPT followed by early P2Y12-inhibitor monotherapy and de-escalating DAPT from potent P2Y12-inhibitors to clopidogrel by maintaining DAPT duration time, have been investigated in clinical trials and shown to reduce bleeding complications in cardiovascular high-risk patients without negative effects on ischemic events. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and discuss its implication on future antithrombotic strategies in terms of a personalized medicine.

ST-T segment changes in prehospital emergency physicians in the field: a prospective observational trial

Aims

Due to time-critical decision-making, physical strain and the uncontrolled environment, prehospital emergency management is frequently associated with high levels of stress in medical personnel. Stress has been known to cause ischemia like changes in electrocardiograms (ECGs), including arrhythmias and deviations in ST-T segments. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the occurrence of changes in ST-T segments in prehospital emergency physicians. We hypothesized that ST-T segment deviations occur in prehospital emergency physicians in the field.

Methods

In this prospective observational trial, ST-T segments of emergency physicians were recorded using 12-lead Holter ECGs. The primary outcome parameter was defined as the incidence of ST-T segment changes greater than 0.1 mV in two corresponding leads for more than 30 s per 100 rescue missions. The secondary outcomes included T-wave inversions and ST-segment changes shorter than 30 s or smaller than 0.1 mV. Surrogate parameters of stress were measured using the NASA-Task Load Index and cognitive appraisal, and their correlation with ST-T segment changes were also assessed.

Results

Data from 20 physicians in 36 shifts (18 days, 18 nights) including 208 missions were analysed. Seventy percent of previously healthy emergency physicians had at least one ECG abnormality; the mean duration of these changes was 30 s. Significantly more missions with ECG changes were found during night than day shifts (39 vs. 17%, p < 0.001). Forty-nine ECG changes occurred between missions. No ST-T segment changes > 30 s and > 0.1 mV were found. Two ST-T segment changes < 30 s or < 0.1 mV (each during missions) and 122 episodes of T-wave inversions (74 during missions) were identified. ECG changes were found to be associated with alarms when asleep and NASA task load index.

Conclusion

ECG changes are frequent and occur in most healthy prehospital emergency physicians. Even when occurring for less than 30 s, such changes are important signs for high levels of stress. The long-term impact of these changes needs further investigation.

Trial registration The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04003883) on 1.7.2019: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04003883?term=emergency+physician&rank=2

New Treatment Targets and Innovative Lipid-Lowering Therapies in Very-High-Risk Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

The effective and fast reduction of circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a cornerstone for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic disease progression. Despite the substantial lipid-lowering effects of the established treatment option with statins and ezetimibe, a significant proportion of very-high-risk patients with cardiovascular disease do not reach the recommended treatment goal of <55 mg/dL (<1.4 mmol/L). Novel lipid-lowering agents, including the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) antibodies alirocumab and evolocumab, the small interfering ribonucleotide acid (si-RNA) inclisiran, as well as the recently approved bempedoic acid, now complete the current arsenal of LDL-C lowering agents. These innovative therapies have demonstrated promising results in clinical studies. Besides a strong reduction of LDL-C by use of highly effective agents, there is still discussion as to whether a very rapid achievement of the treatment goal should be a new strategic approach in lipid-lowering therapy. In this review, we summarize evidence for the lipid-modifying properties of these novel agents and their safety profiles, and discuss their potential pleiotropic effects beyond LDL-C reduction (if any) as well as their effects on clinical endpoints as cardiovascular mortality. In addition to a treatment strategy of “the lower, the better”, we also discuss the concept of “the earlier, the better”, which may also add to the early clinical benefit of large LDL-C reduction after an acute ischemic event.

Direct cardiovascular complications and indirect collateral damage during the COVID-19 pandemic : A review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), puts a heavy strain on healthcare systems around the globe with high numbers of infected patients. Pre-existing cardiovascular disease is a major risk factor for a severe clinical course of COVID-19 and is associated with adverse outcome. COVID-19 may directly exacerbate underlying heart disease and is frequently aggravated by cardiovascular complications, including arterial and venous thromboembolic events, malignant arrhythmia and myocardial injury. In addition to these direct cardiac manifestations of COVID-19, patients with cardiovascular disease face further indirect consequences of the pandemic, as the respective resources in the healthcare systems need to be redirected to cope with the high numbers of infected patients. Consecutively, a substantial decrease in cardiac procedures was reported during the pandemic with lower numbers of coronary angiographies and device implantations worldwide. As a consequence an increased number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, late-comers with subacute myocardial infarction and of patients presenting in cardiogenic shock or preshock were observed. Maintenance of high-quality cardiac care by avoiding a reduction of cardiac services is of utmost importance, especially in times of a pandemic.

Cardiac biomarkers for risk stratification of arrhythmic death in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

Objectives. Patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) are prone to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. We tested whether biomarkers C-terminal Endothelin 1 (CT-ET1), midregional pro atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) and midregional pro adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) might improve risk stratification for arrhythmic death.Methods: This prospective observational study included 160 heart failure patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or non-ischaemic, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 30 control patients without heart disease. Primary endpoint was arrhythmic death (ArD) or resuscitated cardiac arrest (resCA).Results: A total of 61 patients died during the median follow-up of 7.0 [5.2-8.4] years. An ArD or resCA was observed in 48 patients. Plasma levels of CT-ET1 (p = 0.002), MR-proANP (p < 0.001) and MR-proADM (p = 0.013) were significantly higher in ICM or DCM patients compared to controls. MR-proANP levels in ICM patients were associated with a significantly increased risk for ArD or resCA (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42, [95%CI: 1.08-1.85], p = 0.011) in a multivariable Cox regression model. Plasma levels of CT-ET1 (HR = 1.07 [0.98-1.17], p = 0.113) and MR-proADM (HR = 1.80 [0.92-3.55], p = 0.087) were not associated with ArD or resCA in ICM patients. No significant association with ArD or resCA was found in DCM patients. Multivariable Cox regression showed that CT-ET1 (HR = 1.14 [1.07-1.22], p < 0.001), MR-proANP (HR = 1.64 [1.29-2.08], p < 0.001) and MR-pro ADM (HR = 2.06 [1.12-3.77], p = 0.020) were associated with a higher risk for overall mortality.Conclusion: Patients with HFrEF had elevated levels of CT-ET1, MR-proANP and MR-proADM. Plasma levels of MR-proANP are useful as predictor for arrhythmic death in patients with ICM.

Elevated plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine and the risk for arrhythmic death in ischemic and non-ischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy - A prospective, controlled long-term study

INTRODUCTION

Elevated plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an inhibitor of NO synthase, are associated with adverse outcome. There is no data available, whether ADMA levels are associated with arrhythmic death (AD) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or non-ischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 110 ICM, 52 DCM and 30 control patients were included. Primary outcome parameter of this prospective study was arrhythmic death (AD) or resuscitated cardiac arrest (RCA). Plasma levels of ADMA were significantly higher in ICM (p < 0.001) and in DCM (p < 0.001) patients compared to controls. During a median follow-up of 7.0 years, 62 (32.3%) patients died. AD occurred in 26 patients and RCA was observed in 22 patients. Plasma levels of ADMA were not associated with a significantly increased risk of AD or RCA in ICM (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.37, p = 0.109) or in DCM (HR = 1.06, p = 0.848) patients. No significant association was found with overall mortality in ICM (HR = 1.39, p = 0.079) or DCM (HR = 1.10, p = 0.666) patients. Stratified Kaplan-Meier curves for ADMA levels in the upper tertile (>0.715 µmol/l) or the two lower tertiles (≤0.715 µmol/l) did not show a higher risk for AD or RCA (p = 0.221) or overall mortality (p = 0.548). In patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%, ADMA was not associated with AD or RCA (HR = 1.35, p = 0.084) or with overall mortality (HR = 1.24, p = 0.162).

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma levels of ADMA were elevated in patients with ICM or DCM as compared to controls, but were not significantly predictive for overall mortality or the risk for arrhythmic death.

Importance of Diastolic Function for the Prediction of Arrhythmic Death: A Prospective, Observer-Blinded, Long-Term Study

BACKGROUND

Patients with ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) face a high risk for ventricular arrhythmias. Exact grading of diastolic function might improve risk stratification for arrhythmic death.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 120 patients with ischemic, 60 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, and 30 patients with normal LVEF. Diastolic function was graded normal (N) or dysfunction grade I to III. Primary outcome parameter was arrhythmic death (AD) or resuscitated cardiac arrest (RCA).

RESULTS

Normal diastolic function was found in 23 (11%) patients, dysfunction grade I in 107 (51%), grade II in 31 (14.8%), and grade III in 49 (23.3%) patients, respectively. After an average follow-up of 7.0±2.6 years, AD or RCA was observed in 28 (13.3%) and 33 (15.7%) patients, respectively. Nonarrhythmic death was found in 41 (19.5%) patients. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with dysfunction grade III had the highest risk for AD or RCA (P<0.001). This finding was independent from the degree of LVEF dysfunction and was observed in patients with LVEF≤35% (P=0.001) and with LVEF>35% (P=0.014). Nonarrhythmic mortality was the highest in patients with dysfunction grade III. This was true for patients with LVEF≤35% (P=0.009) or >35% (P<0.001). In an adjusted model for relevant confounding factors, grade III dysfunction was associated with a 3.5-fold increased risk for AD or RCA in the overall study population (hazard ratio=3.52; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Diastolic dysfunction is associated with a high risk for AD or RCA regardless if LVEF is ≤35% or >35%. Diastolic function grading might improve risk stratification for AD.

Sex difference in inappropriate therapy and survival among 1471 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients

Introduction

To assess a potential relationship between sex and outcome in recipients of an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD).

Methods and Results

All 1471 ICD recipients between 2000 and 2015 were sex‐related analyzed with the following outcome parameters: overall survival (OS), the occurrence of inappropriate and appropriate antitachycardia pacing (ATP), and shock therapy. We followed 1206 (82%) male and 265 (18%) female ICD recipients during 4.1 ± 3.6 and 4.3 ± 3.8 years, respectively, (P = .369). Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in OS between female and male patients (P = .132). After adjustment for relevant confounding factors in a multivariate model, sex remained a nonsignificant predictor of overall mortality (hazard ratio [male] = 1.11; P = .493). Negative binomial regression analysis revealed that women received less appropriate ATP therapy (rate ratio [RR] = 0.37; P = .043), whereas rates of appropriate shock therapy (RR = 1.95; P = .369) did not differ between women and men. No significant differences were observed in the occurrence of inappropriate ATP (RR = 1.22; P = .715) and inappropriate shock therapy (RR = 0.64; P = .121).

Conclusion

Female and male patients equally benefit from ICD therapy in terms of OS. Women are less likely to receive appropriate ATP therapy, whereas appropriate shock and inappropriate ATP and shock therapy are independent of sex.

Psychosocial factors in the irritable bowel syndrome. A multivariate study of patients and nonpatients with irritable bowel syndrome

In this multivariate analysis of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) we describe the symptomatic and psychologic features of the condition and their possible contributions to health care seeking. We studied 72 IBS patients, 82 persons with IBS who had not sought medical treatment, and 84 normal subjects. All subjects received complete medical evaluation, diary card assessment of abdominal pain and stool habit, and standard psychologic tests of pain, personality, mood, stressful life events, illness behavior, and social support. Pain and diarrhea were the most important symptoms associated with patient status. When controlling for these symptoms we found that (a) IBS patients have a higher proportion of abnormal personality patterns, greater illness behaviors, and lower positive stressful life event scores than IBS nonpatients (p less than 0.001) and normals (p less than 0.001); (b) IBS nonpatients, although psychologically intermediate between patients and normals, are not different from normals (p less than 0.21); and (c) IBS nonpatients have higher coping capabilities, experience illness as less disruptive to life, and tend to exhibit less psychologic denial than patients. These factors may contribute to "wellness behaviors" among people with chronic bowel symptoms. We conclude that the psychologic factors previously attributed to the IBS are associated with patient status rather than to the disorder per se. These factors may interact with physiologic disturbances in the bowel to determine how the illness is experienced and acted upon.

Effects of hypothesis testing and variable format training on generalization of a verbal abstraction strategy by EMR learners

The effectiveness of a training program, varying in presentation format (single vs. multiple task), in promoting the acquisition and generalization of a verbal abstraction strategy was evaluated for 38 female and 42 male EMR learners. Although the training program enhanced the acquisition and near generalization of the verbal abstraction strategy, no far generalization was observed. Presentation format had no effect on acquisition nor on near or far generalization. The results were interpreted in terms of prior findings, and an alternate definition of generalization was offered.

Generalization of verbal abstraction strategies by EMR children and adolescents

The effectiveness of strategy-training programs that differed in the degree of subject self-management required on the verbal abstraction performance of 37 female and 43 male EMR children and adolescents was compared. In terms of acquisition, all three training conditions, irrespective of the degree of self-management required, were superior to the control condition. At maintenance, the two self-managing conditions (self-instruction and modeling) were superior both to more traditional instructor-controlled training (relevant attributes) and the control condition. All three training conditions were more effective in promoting generalization when compared to the control condition.

Retrieval speed, age-of-acquisition estimates, uncertainty, and semantic-dimension comparisons with mentally retarded persons

Age-of-acquisition estimates and ratings on seven semantic dimensions by nonretarded adults were compared with the codability and retrieval speed of those items by retarded individuals. Correlational analyses indicated that age-of-acquisition estimates, codability, and retrieval speed were highly related to each other and significantly related to most of the semantic dimensions. Regression analyses revealed that codability, meaningfulness, and imagery each contributed significantly to the variance of retrieval speed. These results were compared with those of similar studies in which the lexical retrieval speed of nonretarded persons was investigated.

Maintenance and generalization of a sorting and retrieval strategy by EMR and nonretarded individuals

The ability of 47 EMR and 51 nonretarded individuals to maintain and generalize a sorting and retrieval strategy designed to facilitate recall and clustering was examined. Each of these two groups of subjects was assigned to one of three conditions: experimental, practice, or control. Only subjects in the experimental condition received strategy training. The three conditions were each further divided into two subconditions: superordinate and associative. The experimental task consisted of two phases: word elicitation and recall. The data showed that after a 6-month interval, the strategy was still maintained. Neither the far-generalization data that was provided by the word-elicitation phase nor the near-generalization data, obtained through the recall phase, however, revealed any significant results.

Digit span estimation and the effects of explicit strategy training on recall of EMR individuals

Accuracy of digit span estimation by EMR subjects at two different MA levels, 8 and 11, was assessed. The effects of explicit strategy training, generalized instruction, and no training on recall performance and apportionment of study time were compared. The older group was more realistic in their digit span estimation than was the younger group. Explicit strategy training facilitated digit recall and evoked longer study times than did the other conditions.

Use of active sorting and retrieval strategies as a facilitator of recall, clustering, and sorting by EMR and nonretarded children

The ability of 60 EMR and 60 nonretarded children to acquire and retain a sorting and retrieval strategy designed to be facilitative of recall and clustering was examined. All subjects were given a baseline task and, based on their performance, were assigned to one of three groups: experimental, practice, and control. The experimental group received a multi-session training procedure that consisted of instructing the subjects to arrange the stimuli in conceptual arrays, to name individual stimuli and the superordinates to which the stimuli belong, and to count the number of stimuli in each superordinate. The practice group was presented with the same stimuli but received no training. The control group received only the baseline and criterion measures. Analyses of data showed superior performance by the experimental group on measures of short- and long-term recall, clustering, and sorting.

Effects of preferred stimuli on the free recall of moderately and severely mentally retarded children

The effects of two types of stimuli, preferred and nonpreferred, on the free recall and clustering of 16 moderately and severely retarded public-school children were investigated. An empirical determination was made as to whether to classify a particular conceptual category of stimuli as preferred or nonpreferred. All subjects were presented with 18 objects from 6 conceptual categories in blocked condition. Both the preferred and nonpreferred stimuli were given to each subject in a counterbalanced order using a repeated measures design. Our major finding was that the use of preferred stimuli had a significant facilitating effect on recall but not clustering.

Acquisition and retention of a mediational strategy for PA learning in EMR children

The ability of EMR children to acquire and retain a mediational strategy for PA learning was demonstrated by a training procedure which consisted of the sequencing of consecutive lists under varying degrees of mediational facilitation. The components of the training procedure included training interval, overt verbalization, and verbal context combined with imagery instruction. Forty-five EMR children (mean CA = 11.26; mean IQ = 63.33) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: mediation, standard, and control. Analyses of data showed significantly superior performance of the mediation group in acquisition and retention of the mediational strategy. The pedagogical implications of the study were discussed.