May 19th, 2011
FDA Panel Delivers Mixed Verdict on Trilipix (Fenofibrate)
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA’s Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee delivered a mixed verdict on fenofibrate (Trilipix, Abbott). On the one hand, the panel agreed unanimously that the FDA should require Abbott to perform a large clinical trial in high-risk patients with elevated triglyceride levels and low HDL levels who nevertheless have achieved target LDL cholesterol levels […]
May 18th, 2011
FDA Announces Details of Severe New Restrictions on Rosiglitazone
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA has announced the details of the updated REMS (risk evaluation and mitigation strategy) for rosiglitazone, the embattled and highly controversial diabetes drug. The new REMS will sharply restrict access to and distribution of drugs containing rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avandaryl). In order for physicians to prescribe and for patients to receive rosiglitazone, they will […]
May 18th, 2011
New Technique Cuts Radiation Dose of MPI SPECT by Half
Larry Husten, PHD
A new study raises the possibility that the radiation dose for MPI SPECT imaging can be reduced by half without sacrificing image quality, according to Dr. Nili Zafrir, who presented the results of the study this week at the International Conference of Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Imaging in Amsterdam. Recently, software has become available that can reduce […]
May 18th, 2011
The Curse of the Mummy: Coronary Artery Disease?
Larry Husten, PHD
Could the real curse of the mummy be coronary artery disease? Despite strict adherence to the original Mediterranean diet and a complete lack of tobacco, trans fats, and refined sugars, an Egyptian princess who died around 1550 BC is the first person in history to receive a diagnosis of coronary artery disease. A CT scan […]
May 17th, 2011
FDA Reviewers Scrutinize ACCORD and Trilipix
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA has released the agenda, questions, roster, and briefing materials for Thursday’s meeting of the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee in which the ACCORD trial and the fate of Abbott’s Trilipix (fenofibric acid) will be discussed. The key questions on which the advisory committee members will be asked to vote are: Should the […]
May 16th, 2011
Sleep Deprivation Not as Bad as We Think for Cardiac Surgeons
Larry Husten, PHD
Sleep deprivation in cardiac surgeons does not lead to worse surgical outcomes, according to a study published in the Archives of Surgery. Michael Chu and colleagues collected sleep information from six consultant surgeons working at a large hospital in Ontario, Canada and outcome data from their 4,047 patients who underwent cardiac surgery from 2004 through […]
May 13th, 2011
ProPublica Takes Aim at SCAI
Larry Husten, PHD
Now it’s SCAI’s turn. Following its investigation of the Heart Rhythm Society’s ties to industry last week, ProPublica has now focused its attention on the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). In the latest installment of ProPublica’s Dollars for Doctors series, Charles Ornstein writes that SCAI “received 57 percent of its revenues in 2009 […]
May 13th, 2011
Simultaneous TIA and ACS After Aspirin Cessation for Palpebral Surgery
Jean-Pierre Usdin, MD and James Fang, MD
A 77-year-old man with metformin-treated type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, moderate renal insufficiency, stable angina, and a history of phlebitis stopped taking aspirin in preparation for palpebral surgery. A day after the surgery, he presented to the ER with two transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) affecting the left arm. The patient complained to the examining neurologist […]
May 12th, 2011
TAVI & Stroke: More Details Surface About PARTNER A
Larry Husten, PHD
In the past year transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a possible new treatment for patients with aortic valve disease who are not surgical candidates (the PARTNER B study) and for some patients as a viable alternative to surgery (the PARTNER A study). TAVI was found to be noninferior to surgery in the […]
May 11th, 2011
Optimal Medical Therapy and the Lack of COURAGE
William Borden, MD and John Spertus, MD, MPH
We welcome William Borden and John Spertus to answer questions from CardioExchange Editor-in-Chief Harlan Krumholz about their JAMA paper showing that optimal medical therapy (OMT) for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) did not receive a meaningful boost from the publication of the COURAGE trial, despite the trial’s clear message showing the benefits of OMT. […]