July 16th, 2012
Ticagrelor Joins Clopidogrel and Prasugrel in Updated NSTEMI Guidelines
Larry Husten, PHD
Ticagrelor (Brilinta, AstraZeneca) gains equal standing with prasugrel (Effient, Lilly) and clopdiogrel in the newly released focused update of the ACCF/AHA guidelines for unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The change had been widely anticipated since last year’s FDA approval of ticagrelor. “We have put it on equal footing with two other antiplatelet medications, […]
July 16th, 2012
The Name Game: Why Did “TAVI” Suddenly Become “TAVR”?
Larry Husten, PHD
One of the great, unexplained mysteries of the cardiology world in recent years is the sudden name change from TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation), which had been the universally-used name for the procedure during most of its development period, to TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) about the time when the procedure edged closer to U.S. approval. Now, […]
July 16th, 2012
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 16th
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include studies on rhythm vs. rate control in AF, thiazolidinediones and the risk for macular edema, and the effect of acadesine on morbidity and mortality associated with CABG.
July 13th, 2012
Meta-Analysis: ACE Inhibitors Associated with Lower Pneumonia Risk
Angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitors may offer some protection against pneumonia, according to a BMJ meta-analysis. An editorialist isn’t so sure. Researchers looked at almost 40 studies — including cohort studies, case-control studies, and randomized trials — that reported pneumonia outcomes after use of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, and control treatments. The data revealed that ACE inhibitors conferred a roughly […]
July 12th, 2012
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 12th
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include sex differences in the protective effect of statins, an action measure to lower BP among diabetics, a prediction tool for initial survivors of in-hospital cardiac arrest, the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism, an intervention to prevent medication errors after hospital discharge, and rehospitalization after acute MI.
July 12th, 2012
FDA Issues Class I Recall of Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tests
Kristin J. Kelley, CardioExchange Staff
The FDA announced on Wednesday a Class I recall of several lots of cardiovascular diagnostic tests aiding in the triage of heart failure, MI, and pulmonary embolism. According to the agency, the affected products do not provide the precision described in the package insert, which could lead to potentially fatal false-positive and false-negative test results. […]
July 12th, 2012
Clopidogrel–PPI Interaction Deemed ‘Clinically Unimportant’
Nicholas Downing, MD
The interaction between clopidogrel and proton-pump inhibitors is “clinically unimportant,” researchers conclude in BMJ. The researchers used U.K. registries to study some 24,000 acute coronary syndrome patients who were prescribed both aspirin and clopidogrel; half the patients also received a PPI at some point during the study. After nearly a year’s follow-up, incident MI or […]
July 11th, 2012
Panel: How to Develop the Best Fellowship Application — Part II
Andrew M. Kates, MD, James De Lemos, MD and John Ryan, MD
In this two-part post, the moderators of the Fellowship Training blog advise residents on everything from what not to say in the personal statement to whether you need to know your future career path.
July 10th, 2012
Drug-Eluting Stents Often Used in Patients at Low Risk for Restenosis
Larry Husten, PHD
The chief advantage of drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare-metal stents is that they significantly reduce the risk for restenosis. The chief disadvantages of DES are their greater cost and the requirement for prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy after implantation. In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Amit Amin and colleagues analyzed data from 1.5 […]
July 10th, 2012
Intensive Insulin Therapies Similarly Efficacious in Diabetes
Nicholas Downing, MD
Multiple daily insulin injections and continuous subcutaneous insulin analogue infusion are similarly effective in lowering hemoglobin A1c levels while limiting episodes of severe hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes, according to a systematic review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The analysis included 33 randomized controlled trials among children and adults with type 1 or […]