Calcium-Channel Blockers and Losartan Are Associated with Lower Risk for Gout in Hypertensive Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Diuretics, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting–enzyme inhibitors, and non-losartan angiotensin-receptor blockers are associated with increased risk.
Pulmonary Hypertension Is Different in Children Than in Adults
Syncope is more common and functional activity is better preserved than in adults. Dyspnea on exertion and fatigue were the most common symptoms.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
February 1, 2012
Covering:
Berger RMF et al., Lancet 2012 Jan 10
Mallory GB Jr., Lancet 2012 Jan 10
Gout and Diuretics in Hypertensive Patients
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Diuretic use raised risk for gout by several percentage points.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 26, 2012
Covering:
McAdams DeMarco MA et al., Arthritis Rheum 2012 Jan; 64:121
Lifetime Cardiovascular Risk: The More Things Change . . .
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Risk factors are less prevalent than in the past, but they are just as predictive of outcome.
Childhood Dermatomyositis and Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Adulthood
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Adults with a history of JDM had more evidence of disease than matched controls.
Revised Guidelines: Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction in Patients with Atherosclerotic Disease
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
New recommendations for cardiac rehabilitation and risk reduction are welcome, but updated guidance is lacking on lipid and blood pressure management.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
January 4, 2012
Covering:
Smith SC Jr et al., Circulation 2011 Nov 29; 124:2458
Which Strategies Are Best for Measuring BP and Diagnosing Hypertension?
New data on how and when blood pressure readings are most accurate
Got Heart Disease? Don't Be Depressed
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Even in relatively young people, depression and suicidality can worsen outcomes from ischemic heart disease.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
December 19, 2011
Covering:
Shah AJ et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2011 Nov; 68:1135
Sodium Excretion of >7 g or <3 g Daily Is Associated with Elevated Cardiovascular Morbidity
General Medicine Summary and Comment
By comparison, higher potassium excretion was associated with lower stroke risk.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
December 13, 2011
Covering:
O'Donnell MJ et al., JAMA 2011 Nov 23/30; 306:2229
Whelton PK., JAMA 2011 Nov 23/30; 306:2262
What If MI Patients Got Their Follow-Up Meds for Free?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a cluster-randomized study, improvement in adherence — and in some outcomes — was significant but small.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, FACC, FAHA
November 14, 2011
Covering:
Choudhry NK et al. for the Post-Myocardial Infarction Free Rx Event and Economic Evaluation (MI FREEE) Trial., N Engl J Med 2011 Nov 14
Goldman L and Epstein AM., N Engl J Med 2011 Nov 14
Angiotensin-Converting–Enzyme Inhibitors During Early Pregnancy Aren't Significantly Associated with Fetal Malformations
Women's Health Summary and Comment
But untreated hypertension was associated with excess risk.
Nifedipine vs. Labetalol for Managing Acute Hypertension of Pregnancy
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol were similarly effective.
Circulatory Arrest or Cerebral Perfusion During Pulmonary Endarterectomy?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Surprisingly, cognitive function was similar after both procedures, suggesting no benefit of cerebral perfusion.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
November 9, 2011
Covering:
Vuylsteke A et al., Lancet 2011 Oct 15; 378:1379
Jamieson S., Lancet 2011 Oct 15; 378:1359
Isotretinoin Does Not Appear to Increase Acute Risk for Thromboembolic Disease
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Patients might have long-term risk that is manifested with the use of isotretinoin but not necessarily caused by it.
Xanthelasma, but Not Arcus Senilis, Predicts Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease and Death
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A relatively common clinical finding is a marker of increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Prehypertension and the Continuum of Stroke Risk
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Prehypertension, especially in the higher range, is associated with incident stroke.
By Philip B. Gorelick, MD, MPH
October 18, 2011
Covering:
Lee M et al., Neurology 2011 Oct 4; 77:1330
Severe Psoriasis Increases Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Two newly published cohort studies have again linked severe psoriasis to cardiovascular disease.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
September 30, 2011
Covering:
Mehta NN et al., Am J Med 2011 Aug; 124:775
Ahlehoff O et al., Eur Heart J 2011 Aug 12
Hemodynamic Response to Intubation with the Airway Scope vs. the Macintosh Laryngoscope
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Response was less with the Airway Scope in normotensive patients, but no difference was noted in hypertensive patients.
Migraine, Pregnancy, and Blood Pressure
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Migraine was associated with slightly higher blood pressures during pregnancy; obese migraineurs were at highest risk for preeclampsia.
Contemporary Treatment Improves Outcomes of Recent-Onset Cardiomyopathy
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Only one quarter of patients completely recover systolic function, but death and the need for transplantation are relatively rare.
An Implantable Device for Resistant Hypertension Performs Well in a Randomized Trial
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Baroreflex activation therapy safely lowered systolic blood pressure in patients who had hypertension despite taking an average of five antihypertensive drugs.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
September 7, 2011
Covering:
Bisognano JD et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2011 Aug 9; 58:765
Fewer Visits, Fewer Meds, More Risk Factors Hamper Hypertension Control
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Two decades of U.S. population-based data increase our understanding of uncontrolled or treatment-resistant hypertension and point toward improvement in healthcare strategies.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
September 7, 2011
Covering:
Egan BM et al., Circulation 2011 Aug 30; 124:1046
An Ounce of Prevention . . . Is Money in the Bank
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An economic modeling analysis based on U.K. data adds to the growing evidence base supporting population-wide initiatives to reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events: Disparities Between Rich and Poor
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A worldwide survey of the use of evidence-based drugs in community settings reveals many gaps; bridging them will require tough decisions.
Clinic-Based BP Measurement Is Inaccurate for Diagnosing Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Compared with ambulatory blood pressure measurements, those obtained in the clinic or at home are far less accurate.
