October 4th, 2010
Widespread Routine Use of Closure Devices Not Recommended
Larry Husten, PHD
Arterial closure devices (ACDs) “have the potential to improve patient comfort,” but the current evidence isn’t sufficient to support routine use after cardiac catheterization, according to a scientific statement from the AHA published in Circulation. Led by Manesh Patel, the committee analyzed the data and concluded that although it is “reasonable” to consider using an […]
October 4th, 2010
Consensus Statement Highlights Urgency of Treating Hypertension in Blacks
Larry Husten, PHD
Hypertension in blacks should be treated earlier and more aggressively, according to an update of the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks (ISHB) consensus statement published in Hypertension. The update lowers the threshold for treatment and recommends that: Lifestyle changes be initiated in African-Americans when blood pressure is at or above 115/75 mm Hg. Drug therapy […]
October 1st, 2010
A Case of Exuberance About a Subgroup in a Clinical Trial
Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
In many clinical trials, researchers investigate whether an overall effect of an intervention is consistent across various subgroups, as I discussed in this Journal Club Series last week. Such subgroup analyses require assessment of what is called an interaction — that is, whether the effect in one group differs from that in another. Do the benefits differ, […]
October 1st, 2010
Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Risk
Larry Husten, PHD
People with early-stage chronic kidney disease are at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published in BMJ. Researchers from the U.K. and Iceland followed 17,000 adults in Reykjavik for a median of 24 years and found that people with chronic kidney disease at baseline had significantly elevated risk for cardiovascular events, […]