August 21st, 2012
Cardiovascular Risk Prediction: Two More Studies, Little Progress
Larry Husten, PHD
Two studies published in JAMA provide new data — and, perhaps, some additional clarity — about using additional markers to help improve risk prediction for coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In one study, Joseph Yeboah and colleagues used data from 1330 intermediate-risk participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) to analyze the prognostic […]
August 21st, 2012
New Questions About Latest-Generation ICD Leads from St. Jude
Edward J. Schloss, MD
A highly anticipated study analyzing failures of St. Jude Durata and Riata ST Optim ICD leads has been published online in Europace by prominent electrophysiologist and ICD critic Dr. Robert Hauser along with associates from the Minneapolis Heart Institute. Over the past year St. Jude Medical has been beset with bad news about its ICD leads. […]
August 21st, 2012
Shining a Light on Standards at Medical Journals
Druin Burch, BM BCh MA MSc, John Stephen Yudkin, MB BChir MD FRCP and Marion Marjorie Mafham, MBChB MD
Recent articles in the diabetes literature might provide more evidence about editorial standards than about glycemic control.
August 20th, 2012
TNF Inhibitors Linked to Reduction in MI for Psoriasis Patients
Larry Husten, PHD
Psoriasis patients who take TNF inhibitors have a significant reduction in the risk for myocardial infarction (MI), according to a retrospective cohort study published in Archives of Dermatology. Although previous research suggested that the anti-inflammatory effects of methotrexate, an older therapy, may be beneficial in this population, the cardiovascular effects of TNF inhibitors had not been […]
August 20th, 2012
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: August 20th
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include studies on the benefits of drug-eluting vs. bare-metal stents, using walking speed and blood pressure measurements to predict mortality in the elderly, stroke and bleeding in AF with chronic kidney disease, and the diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease.
August 20th, 2012
Why Is the National Library of Medicine Still Indexing Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine?
Kevin Lomangino, BA
Kevin Lomangino asks why the curator of PubMed continues to index Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine after the journal engaged in questionable editorial practices that promote commercial interests.
August 16th, 2012
FDA Calls for Imaging of Implantable Cardiac Devices with Riata Leads
The FDA is recommending imaging studies for patients whose implantable cardioverter/defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator has Riata or Riata ST leads. The studies are to check for abnormalities in the leads’ insulation, which can cause the devices to deliver inappropriate or no shock therapy. The abnormalities may be detected with two-view chest X-ray or […]
August 16th, 2012
Children Should Have Their Cholesterol Checked
Samuel S. Gidding, MD
Dr. Samuel Gidding responds to a recent post by Dr. James Stein about the value of universal lipid screening for children age 9 to 11 years.
August 16th, 2012
Cochrane Review: Benefits of Treating Mild Hypertension Not Clear
The benefits of treating patients with mildly elevated blood pressure who are free of cardiovascular disease are unclear, according to a Cochrane review. These findings conflict with current hypertension treatment guidelines in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 9000 participants in four trials and found no obvious benefit of drug treatment […]
August 15th, 2012
Observational Study Fills Gaps in Understanding AF Patients with Kidney Disease
Larry Husten, PHD
Although people with atrial fibrillation (AF) and people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at elevated risk for stroke and other vascular events, people with both conditions have not been well studied, since those with CKD have been excluded from most clinical trials of stroke prevention for AF. The problem is further compounded because the […]