December 19th, 2011
More Uncertainty About Vitamin D Supplements
Larry Husten, PHD
Although many experts believe that vitamin D deficiency may play a significant role in cardiovascular disease, there is little evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In a narrative review published in Annals of Internal Medicine, Cora McGreevy and David Williams write that the few available studies have […]
December 19th, 2011
FDA Adds New Warnings to Dronedarone (Multaq) Label
Larry Husten, PHD
In an updated safety communication, the FDA announced on Monday that it is adding new warnings to the dronedarone (Multaq, Sanofi) label. On the basis of results from the PALLAS trial, which was discontinued early due to safety concerns, the drug label will now warn: Healthcare professionals should not prescribe Multaq to patients with AF who […]
December 19th, 2011
Should All Children Age 9 to 11 Undergo Cholesterol Screening?
Bruce M Psaty, MD, PhD, Justin P Zachariah, MD MPH and Sarah D. De Ferranti, MD, MPH
The NHLBI (with the endorsement of the American Academy of Pediatrics) has issued new guidelines for cholesterol testing in children. It recommends that all children age 9 to 11 should undergo cholesterol screening and that screening should be repeated at ages 17 and 21. We asked a small panel of experts to review the new guidelines and […]
December 15th, 2011
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: AHA Releases Update of Heart and Stroke Statistics
Larry Husten, PHD
Once again, statistics on the cardiovascular health of the United States portray a complicated picture of improvement and decline. On the one hand, deaths from cardiovascular disease continue to decline. On the other hand, ominous trends, many stemming from the increase in obesity, suggest that the good news may not last much longer. The full […]
December 15th, 2011
PCI and On-Site CABG: Out of Site, Out of Mind?
L. David Hillis, MD and Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA
According to a recent meta-analysis of studies in patients undergoing PCI, rates of in-hospital mortality and emergency CABG for primary and non-primary PCI were similar at centers with and without on-site surgery. At least, that’s the story the press is spreading around. However, several caveats should be noted . . . 1. The study included […]
December 14th, 2011
Study Examines New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After TAVI
Larry Husten, PHD
The broad enthusiasm for TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) as it enters the marketplace has been partially offset by concerns about an increased risk for stroke associated with the procedure. The role of one major cause of stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), has not been the subject of close scrutiny. Now a study from Quebec, published in […]
December 13th, 2011
Meta-Analysis Finds No Danger for PCI Performed at Centers Without Surgical Backup
Larry Husten, PHD
On-site surgical backup for PCI has long been mandated by guidelines, though its necessity in the modern era has been questioned, and the most recent PCI guidelines published last month lack a specific recommendation about surgical backup. Now a large meta-analysis, published in JAMA, suggests that PCI performed without surgical backup may be safe. Examining […]
December 12th, 2011
Large Analysis Confirms Safety of ADHD Medications
Larry Husten, PHD
The cardiovascular safety of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) drugs has been uncertain. Now a large new study published online in JAMA provides reassurance that the drugs are safe. Laurel Habel and colleagues analyzed data from more than 440,000 adults, including 150,359 users of ADHD medications, and matched nonusers and found “no evidence of an increased risk […]
December 12th, 2011
More Commentary on Statin Drugs
Heather M Johnson, MD, MS
I was delighted when my friend, Dr. Kevin Pho, accepted my recent post on statin drugs. As a ‘student’ writer, I was also happy to read more than a couple ‘robust’ comments. No worries here, bike racers and heart docs have thick skin. I penned six responses on the KevinMD post. The gist of the […]
December 9th, 2011
To the Moon and Back in the ICU: It’s Not a Solo Trip
Shanti Bansal, MD
I stepped into Bill’s room in the intensive-care unit (ICU) and caught sight of him lying in bed. I asked him how he was today. In a nervous voice, he told me that he was fine. Monitors flashing lights and pumps chiming in chorus filled the room. With machines ablaze, it was like witnessing a […]