How Often Do We Need to Check Cholesterol Levels?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Adherent patients with well-controlled cholesterol levels could be monitored every 3 to 5 years.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
May 21, 2008
Covering:
Glasziou PP et al. for the Lipid Study Investigators., Ann Intern Med 2008 May 6; 148:656
Lipid Levels in Acute Coronary Syndrome
General Medicine Summary and Comment
These findings document much smaller acute changes in lipid values after ACS than those found previously.
By Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
May 13, 2008
Covering:
Pitt B et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 Apr 15; 51:1440
Miller M., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 Apr 15; 51:1446
Both Fish Oil and Fibrates Reduce Triglyceride Levels
Both fish oil and fenofibrate safely reduce elevated triglyceride levels in HIV-infected patients receiving ART.
By Keith Henry, MD
April 28, 2008
Covering:
Gerber JG et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2008 Apr 1; 47:459
How Low Should We Go (with BP and Cholesterol in Diabetic Patients)?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Lower might be better, but more clinical data are needed.
Diminishing the Flush of Niacin
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results of a small study suggest that adding a prostaglandin D2 antagonist may render niacin more tolerable for treating lipid disorders in many patients.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
April 23, 2008
Covering:
Paolini JF et al., Am J Cardiol 2008 Mar 1; 101:625
Warfarin Increases Delayed Bleeding After Skin Surgery
Dermatology Summary and Comment
But there is no need to stop warfarin if careful management is employed.
By George J. Hruza, MD
April 18, 2008
Covering:
Blasdale C and Lawrence CM., Br J Dermatol 2008 Mar; 158:522
Aggressive Treatment of High LDL Levels and Hypertension in Patients with Diabetes
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Three-year results from SANDS supply much-needed information but no definitive answer to the question of how low to set targets in primary prevention of CVD.
Patterns of Ezetimibe Use in the U.S. and Canada
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A distinct difference in prescribing practices between the two countries raises questions about what influences clinical decision making.
Effects of Statins and ACE Inhibitors in CAP and Influenza
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
An analysis of VA data indicates that, at least in men, statin or ACE inhibitor use is associated with decreased mortality from community-acquired pneumonia or influenza.
By Thomas Glück, MD
April 2, 2008
Covering:
Mortensen EM et al., Eur Respir J 2008 Mar; 31:611
Vytorin Fails to Improve Carotid Intima–Media Thickness
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Despite lower LDL cholesterol levels with Vytorin, no clinical benefits were noted.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 1, 2008
Covering:
Kastelein JJP et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 3; 358:1504
Pioglitazone vs. Glimepiride for Atherosclerosis in Diabetes
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Pioglitazone comes out on top in this randomized trial, but we still need outcomes data.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
March 31, 2008
Covering:
Nissen SE et al. for the PERISCOPE Investigators., JAMA 2008 Apr 2; 299:1561
Does Ezetimibe ENHANCE the Benefits of Statins?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Perhaps not, suggest these findings from a study of combination therapy’s effect on carotid-artery intima–media thickness
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
March 30, 2008
Covering:
Kastelein JJP et al. for the ENHANCE investigators., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 3; 358:1431
Brown BG and Taylor AJ., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 3; 358:1504
Drazen JM et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 3; 358:1507
Statins in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Risks for nonfatal cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death were lower with statins.
SNPs, Lipoproteins, and Cardiovascular Risk
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Genetic information’s association with lipid levels may be strong, but its contribution to risk assessment is small.
Use of an Internet-Based Tool to Improve Hospital Care of Stroke Patients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
"Get With The Guidelines–Stroke," a quality-improvement initiative at 99 U.S. hospitals, produced impressive results in 1 year.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
March 12, 2008
Covering:
LaBresh KA et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Feb 25; 168:411
Declining MI and Cardiovascular Risk Factors
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The age-adjusted hazard for MI declined by 62% among British men who were followed for 25 years.
Risk Factor Control in Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis
Neurology Summary and Comment
Rx: Aggressive blood pressure and cholesterol control, and a glass of wine?
By David C. Hess, MD
March 11, 2008
Covering:
Chaturvedi S et al., Neurology 2007 Nov 27; 69:2063
Cardiovascular Risk and Calcium Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Calcium supplementation might raise, rather than lower, cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
February 19, 2008
Covering:
Bolland MJ et al., BMJ 2008 Feb 2; 336:262
Glucose-Control Arm of ACCORD Trial Halted Early
Cardiology News in Context
Free
Increased mortality associated with aggressive glucose reduction raises safety concerns.
Safety of Pravastatin in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
LDL-C levels were lower, and no hepatotoxicity was evident, after 12 or 36 weeks of therapy.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
February 1, 2008
Covering:
Lewis JH et al., Hepatology 2007 Nov; 46:1453
Inadequate Blood Pressure Control in U.S. Adults
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Patients at risk for cardiovascular events are likely to have high blood pressure, even when treated for hypertension.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
January 9, 2008
Covering:
Wong ND et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Dec 10; 167:2431
Do Coronary Risk Profiles Help Patients Reach Lipid Targets?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients with the largest disparity between actual age and cardiovascular age were most likely to reach their target lipid level.
Statins and Hemorrhagic Stroke: Shedding Light on SPARCL
Cardiology Summary and Comment
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A new analysis of influential trial data clarifies the risks associated with statins for secondary prevention of stroke.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
December 12, 2007
Covering:
Goldstein LB et al. on behalf of the SPARCL investigators., Neurology 2007 Dec 12
Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibition for Dyslipidemia: Hope Remains
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An experimental drug shows promise in phase I trials, but many questions still need answers.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
December 12, 2007
Covering:
Krishna R et al., Lancet 2007 Dec 8; 370:1907
Revised Guidelines for Management of Chronic Stable Angina
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
A focused update of the 2002 ACC/AHA guidelines amends secondary prevention recommendations.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
December 12, 2007
Covering:
Fraker TD Jr and Fihn SD on behalf of the 2002 Chronic Stable Angina Writing Committee., J Am Coll Cardiol 2007 Dec 4; 50:2264
