Does Late-Adolescent Blood Pressure Predict Early Mortality?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The association was particularly strong for diastolic BP.
Guidelines: Extracranial Carotid and Vertebral Artery Disease
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
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Experts address the appropriate use of contemporary imaging and revascularization techniques and identify important gaps in the evidence base to guide future research.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
March 16, 2011
Covering:
Brott TG et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2011 Feb 22; 57:1002
Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Irbesartan fails to reduce adverse event rates in ACTIVE I participants.
Antihypertensive Treatment in Patients Without Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Morbidity and mortality were lowered — but only in patients with known cardiovascular disease.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
March 8, 2011
Covering:
Thompson AM et al., JAMA 2011 Mar 2; 305:913
Ventura HO and Lavie CJ., JAMA 2011 Mar 2; 305:940
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
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Revised guidelines redefine risk for cardiovascular disease and its management in women.
Automated vs. Manual BP Monitoring for Systolic Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Automated blood pressure monitoring was more accurate.
Pay for Performance Doesn't Benefit Patients with Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Neither quality of care nor outcomes were better after PFP implementation.
Storytelling to Improve Blood Pressure
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Benefits of a culturally appropriate storytelling intervention were similar to those of antihypertensive drugs.
Factors Influencing Patient Adherence to Cardiovascular Medication Regimens
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Aspects other than the number and dosage of drugs can have substantial effects.
Covering All the Bases
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a randomized trial, initiating treatment with a combination of aliskiren and amlodipine resulted in earlier blood pressure control than either agent alone.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
January 26, 2011
Covering:
Brown MJ et al., Lancet 2011 Jan 22; 377:312
CPAP Treatment Lowers BP in Hypertensive Patients with Sleep Apnea
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Blood pressure benefits of continuous positive airway pressure treatment were significant but small.
Unique Cardiovascular Risks of Tricyclic Antidepressants
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An epidemiologic study shows that use of this class of drugs increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Blood Pressure and Mortality in Older Patients with Kidney Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In an observational study, systolic BP <130 mm Hg was associated with higher 5-year mortality.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 6, 2011
Covering:
Weiss JW et al., Am J Kidney Dis 2010 Dec; 56:1062
ACCORD: Blood Pressure and Lipid Results
For older diabetic patients, a systolic BP target in the 130s probably is best.
Renal Sympathetic Denervation for Treatment-Resistant Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Blood pressure dropped sharply in the denervation group.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
December 28, 2010
Covering:
Symplicity HTN-2 Investigators., Lancet 2010 Dec 4; 376:1903
Doumas M and Douma S., Lancet 2010 Dec 4; 376:1878
Universal Screening of Siblings for Vesicoureteral Reflux?
In a hypothetical model, universal screening of siblings with VUR was costly and associated with greater radiation exposure.
Does Vascular Depression Exist?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
A prospective study suggests that atherosclerosis does not contribute to depression but leaves open other possible associations between vascular disorders and late-onset depression.
By Steven Dubovsky, MD
December 13, 2010
Covering:
Newson RS et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010 Nov; 67:1144
Trim a Little off the Blood Pressure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a randomized study, a barbershop-based intervention was associated with an improved rate of BP control in black men.
Eating Chocolate Almost Every Day Keeps the Cardiologist Away
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women who ate chocolate frequently were less likely to be hospitalized for or to die from atherosclerotic vascular disease.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
December 2, 2010
Covering:
Lewis JR et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Nov 8; 170:1857
New Perspectives on an Old Problem: Tailoring Treatment for Hypertension
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Three studies lay the groundwork for moving beyond a "cookbook" approach to drug therapy.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
November 3, 2010
Covering:
Turner ST et al., Am J Hypertens 2010 Sep; 23:1014
Alderman MH et al., Am J Hypertens 2010 Sep; 23:1031
Gupta AK et al on behalf of ASCOT investigators., Am J Hypertens 2010 Sep; 23:1023
Brown MJ., Am J Hypertens 2010 Sep; 23:926
Furberg CD., Am J Hypertens 2010 Sep; 23:929
Individualized Strategies for the Use of Antihypertensive Drugs
Two new paradigms illustrate how incorporating patient-specific factors might improve the odds of successful blood pressure control.
From Mother to Child: Does Pregnancy-Related Hypertension Seed Future Risk?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Offspring of women with pregnancy-related hypertension were more likely to have hypertension as adults.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
October 21, 2010
Covering:
Palmsten K et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010 Oct; 116:858
Can BP Reduction Treat the Hypertensive Response?
Neurology Summary and Comment
An analysis of the effects of systolic blood pressure reduction on hematoma expansion, perihematomal edema, and 3-month outcome among patients with intracerebral hemorrhage
By Kevin Sheth, MD
September 21, 2010
Covering:
Qureshi AI et al., Arch Neurol 2010 May; 67:570
Does Intensive Blood Pressure Control Delay Progression of Hypertension-Related Kidney Disease?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Maybe, in patients with proteinuria.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 7, 2010
Covering:
Appel LJ et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Sep 2; 363:918
Low-Fat or Low-Carb Diet: Does It Make a Difference?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
If behavior-modification therapy is part of the weight-loss program, probably not.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
August 25, 2010
Covering:
Foster GD et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 Aug 3; 153:147
