February 28th, 2011
What is the Role of CV Screening Tests in Medicine and Legislation?
Larry Husten, PHD
Three papers in Archives of Internal Medicine scrutinize the role of cardiovascular screening tests not only in medicine but in legislation. In the first article, Nicholas Wald and Joan Morris introduce a new interactive tool that determines the detection and false-positive rates of screening tests. The authors illustrate the value of the tool with the examples […]
February 27th, 2011
Examining an Ad for a Platelet-Inhibition Test
Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
I’ve recently seen in medical journals an advertisement that features an image of a clot within a stent and this headline in all capital letters: “Low Levels of Platelet Inhibition May Have Significant Consequences.” The final two words, “Significant Consequences,” are in a very large font, and the entire ad has an ominous black background. […]
February 25th, 2011
FDA Approves Azilsartan Medoxomil (Edarbi) for High Blood Pressure
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA has approved azilsartan medoxomil (Edarbi, Takeda) for the treatment of high blood pressure. The new angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) will be available in 80 mg and 40 mg doses. The recommended dose is 80 mg once daily. The 40 mg dose is used in combination with a diuretic. The FDA said that, in clinical […]
February 24th, 2011
Study Probes BMI-Associated Risk in Asia
Larry Husten, PHD
The association between BMI and the risk of death in Asia is mostly similar to that seen in people of European origin, but there may be some important differences between populations, suggesting that being underweight may be a more potent risk factor than being overweight in Asia. In a large pooled analysis including more than […]
February 23rd, 2011
Air Pollution and Cocaine Among MI Triggers Analyzed in Lancet Study
Larry Husten, PHD
Air pollution is a weak cause of MI, increasing risk by only 5%, but because so many people are exposed to polluted air the population effect is quite large. By contrast, cocaine increases MI risk by 23 times, but does not have nearly as large an effect on the population. These are two of the […]
February 23rd, 2011
High Pacemaker Insertion Rate Observed After CoreValve TAVI Implantation
Larry Husten, PHD
One-third of patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the CoreValve device required a permanent pacemaker within 30 days, according to a report published online in Circulation. Researchers in the UK examined data from 243 patients who received the CoreValve device. The incidence of LBBB was 13% prior to the procedure and 61% afterward. Patients […]
February 23rd, 2011
Emergency Cardiovascular Care 2011
CardioExchange Editors, Staff
Emergency Cardiovascular Care 2011: Defining and Expanding STEMI Systems of Care Rosemont, IL
February 22nd, 2011
Study Finds Nitroglycerin Improves Bone Density
Larry Husten, PHD
A new study raises hope that nitroglycerin may help stem the rising tide of fractures in the elderly. Earlier research with nitrates had suggested the possibility of benefit in this area. Now, in a paper published in JAMA, Sophie Jamal and colleagues report the result of a single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 243 postmenopausal women randomized […]
February 22nd, 2011
Study Links Stent Thrombosis to Circadian Variation
Larry Husten, PHD
Circadian patterns have long been known to influence the cardiovascular system, resulting in early morning peaks in blood pressure, heart rate, and certain hormone levels, as well as an increased risk for MI and sudden cardiac death. Now, in a study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, Karim Mahmoud and colleagues have found that coronary stent […]
February 22nd, 2011
Ten-Day Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease 2011
CardioExchange Editors, Staff
Ten-Day Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease 2011 Tahoe City, CA