July 31st, 2014
What Does CRISPR’s Success Mean for Cholesterol Control?
Anthony L Komaroff, MD
CRISPR is a new technique for inactivating or editing specific genes. Developed in microorganisms, it also works in mammalian cells, including in vitro human cells and monkey embryos. About 10 years ago, a gene was identified that is critical to production of the LDL cholesterol receptor (LDL-R): PCSK9. Naturally occurring human mutations that enhance the […]
July 30th, 2014
Heart of the Matter: Treating the Disease Instead of the Person
Leana S Wen, MD, MSc
Dr. Leana Wen’s analysis of the lack of overlap between physicians’ and patients’ desires has sparked a lot of discussion about patient satisfaction—what are your thoughts?
July 30th, 2014
Heart Groups Update Guidelines on Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
Nicholas Downing, MD
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have issued a focused update to their 2012 guideline on diagnosing and managing patients with stable ischemic heart disease (IHD). The update, published in the Journal of the College of Cardiology, includes a new section on the role of invasive coronary angiography for the diagnosis […]
July 29th, 2014
Cardiac Rehab for Heart Failure Patients: The CMS Is Convinced — Are You?
Ileana Piña, MD, MPH and John Ryan, MD
John Ryan interviews Dr. Ileana Piña about her work in HF-ACTION as it relates to the CMS’s recent expansion of cardiac rehabilitation coverage.
July 28th, 2014
No Reduction in Atherosclerosis Progression With Menopausal Hormone Therapy
Larry Husten, PHD
More than a decade ago the Women’s Health Study produced surprising and important results when it showed that broad use of hormone replacement therapy did not reduce cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women. However, the study also led to speculation that hormone therapy might be beneficial when delivered closer to the time of menopause. Now a study published […]
July 28th, 2014
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 28th
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include a comparison of catheter-directed thrombolysis plus anticoagulation and anticoagulation alone to treat DVT, several papers on dabigatran and bleeding risk, and more.
July 28th, 2014
Death by Running: It’s the Heat and Not the Heart
Larry Husten, PHD
The growing popularity of marathons and other extreme sports has sparked worries about the potential dangers of these activities. The press and medical research have both focused on the risk for arrhythmias. But that concern may be misdirected. A new study from Israel published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology finds that a much more […]
July 28th, 2014
Running: Any Amount Is Good and More May Not Be Better
Larry Husten, PHD
Although there is broad agreement that exercise is beneficial, there has been substantial uncertainty about how much exercise is good for you. Recently some studies have suggested that too much exercise may actually reduce the benefits of exercise. Now a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology finds that even a […]
July 23rd, 2014
More Questions Raised About Dabigatran
Larry Husten, PHD
Once again, dabigatran (Pradaxa) has raised the wrath of the critics. Several articles (see here, here, and here) and an editorial published today in The BMJ raise more questions and concerns about the drug, which is the first of the new oral anticoagulants. Relying on new evidence along with previously disclosed data, Deborah Cohen, the investigations editor for The […]
July 21st, 2014
Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: July 21st
Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP
This week’s topics include the effects of extended-release niacin with laropiprant in high-risk patients and dual-antiplatelet beyond one year after DES implantation.