July 24th, 2012
St. Jude Spills the Beans on PFO Closure Trial
Larry Husten, PHD
Larry Husten asks readers to assess the ethical dimensions of St. Jude’s recent statements about the RESPECT trial.
July 23rd, 2012
Elevated Risk for Acute MI After Total-Hip or -Knee Replacement Surgery
Larry Husten, PHD
A large study reports a high increased risk for acute MI (AMI) in the first 6 weeks after total-hip replacement (THR) or total-knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Analyzing a nationwide cohort from Denmark that included 95,227 patients who underwent THR or TKR and matched controls, Arief Lalmohamed and colleagues calculated the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for AMI. Their […]
July 23rd, 2012
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 23rd
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include studies on the effect of physical inactivity on worldwide health, transplantation of a vein bioengineered with autologous stem cells, flecainide for preventing AF after electrical cardioversion, and whether bevacizumab and ranibizumab increase certain CV risks.
July 23rd, 2012
A Proposal To Improve The Value Of Observational Studies
Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
I believe that observational studies can reveal important truths and have a critical place in the portfolio of clinical research. However, I sometimes wonder, when I see a study, just how it was conducted. Was the study question clearly defined before the analyses were begun…or did the study question emerge only after the investigator conducted […]
July 20th, 2012
The BMJ’s Amazing Shock and Awe Assault on Sport Drink Science
Yoni Freedhoff, MD
Yoni Freedhoff celebrates the BMJ’s publication of seven articles that are highly critical of sport and energy drinks, their manufacturers, and the researchers that are conflicted by them.
July 19th, 2012
New ICD Lead Technology Creates New Set of Problems: A Perspective From One Electrophysiologist
Edward J. Schloss, MD
Edward Schloss discusses his dislike of the DF-4 ICD lead and his belief that the industry is designing devices for the benefit of the doctor, not the patient.
July 18th, 2012
Lessons from EKG Class
Shengshou Hu, M.D.
Dr. Westby Fisher shares his experiences in an EKG class for residents and asks how young doctors can pay so much for their education but know so little about basic skills like the EKG.
July 18th, 2012
FDA Approves Another New Weight Loss Drug
Larry Husten, PHD
The US FDA approved on Tuesday a new weight loss drug that will be called Qsymia, the brand name for the combination of two previously approved drugs, phentermine and extended-release topiramate. The drug is manufactured by Vivus, Inc. In a press release, the FDA said Qsymia had been approved for use in obese adults (BMI of 30 […]
July 17th, 2012
Still the One: Cleveland Clinic Retains Top Spot on U.S. News & World Report Heart Hospital Rankings
Larry Husten, PHD
U.S. News & World Report has published its 2012-13 “Best Hospitals” list. Once again, the Cleveland Clinic is the top hospital for heart and heart surgery. Massachusetts General was the top hospital overall, followed by Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Clinic. Here are the top 20 hospitals for heart and heart surgery: Cleveland Clinic Mayo […]
July 16th, 2012
Does PPI + DAPT = MI?
Richard A. Lange, MD, MBA and L. David Hillis, MD
Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is the standard of care for prevention of coronary stent thrombosis. Unfortunately, DAPT is associated with an increased risk for gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Although this risk can be reduced with the concomitant administration of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), initial observational studies suggested that PPI use with DAPT is associated with an increased […]