June 30th, 2014
Registry Study Offers Reassurance About Newer Drug-Eluting Stents
Larry Husten, PHD
Findings from a large ongoing registry study provide some reassurance about the long-term safety of new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with STEMI who undergo primary PCI. The results are published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. SCAAR (Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry) investigators analyzed data from 34,000 primary PCI patients […]
June 30th, 2014
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: June 30th
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include atrial fibrillation and cryptogenic stroke, higher potency statins and the risk for new diabetes, and more.
June 26th, 2014
To Screen or Not for AF: Is That the Question?
Physician's First Watch, CardioExchange Staff
Up to one third of ischemic strokes are of uncertain etiology or “cryptogenic,” meaning that there is no overt explanation such as severe carotid stenosis, intracranial stenosis, or documented atrial fibrillation (AF). For some of these patients, intermittent AF may be present and could explain the ischemic stroke. This issue has been addressed by two […]
June 25th, 2014
FDA Completes Safety Review of Olmesartan
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA announced on Tuesday that it had completed its safety review of the antihypertensive drug olmesartan (sold as Benicar and other names). The investigation was initiated in 2010 when results from the ROADMAP trial showed that patients with type 2 diabetes taking olmesartan had an increased risk for cardiovascular death. Now the FDA says […]
June 24th, 2014
In Emerging China, STEMI Admissions Skyrocket But Treatment Lags
Larry Husten, PHD
Accompanying all the other changes in China over the past decade, admission to the hospital for ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) has soared, according to a paper published in the Lancet. Although the study finds that there have been some genuine improvements in treatment, the Chinese healthcare system still has a long way to go to improve […]
June 24th, 2014
FDA Recalls Another Batch of Generic Metoprolol
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA has recalled more than 13,000 bottles of metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. In addition, the agency recently recalled another lot of generic metoprolol from a different company, Wockhardt. Both recalls were for medicines manufactured at facilities in India. There have been multiple reports in recent years of problems with generic […]
June 23rd, 2014
Unethical Health Screening: When Unnecessary Tests Do More Harm Than Good
Ethan J Weiss, M.D.
Ethan Weiss discusses how unnecessary cardiovascular screening can lead to serious consequences.
June 23rd, 2014
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: June 23rd
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism, the effect of screening and lifestyle counseling on the incidence of ischemic heart disease in the general population, and more.
June 23rd, 2014
FDA: Risk for Venous Thromboembolism with All Testosterone Products
Kristin J. Kelley, CardioExchange Staff
The FDA is requiring an expanded label change to all approved testosterone products to warn of the increased risk for venous thromboembolism. Labels currently address the risk for clots associated with polycythemia caused by testosterone treatment. The action follows reports of blood clots in testosterone users unrelated to polycythemia. The agency says the warning is […]
June 23rd, 2014
Mobile Cardiovascular Screening Programs Come Under Fire
Larry Husten, PHD
The consumer group Public Citizen has urged 20 hospitals to sever their involvement in a mobile cardiovascular screening program. The HealthFair Cardiovascular Screening Packages are unethical, mislead consumers, and do more harm than good, according to Public Citizen. In a statement, the president of the American College of Cardiology, Patrick O’Gara, said that “the questions […]