Do Statins Prevent Cardiovascular Events in Hemodialysis Patients?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Not according to findings from this randomized, controlled trial
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
March 30, 2009
Covering:
Fellström BC et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Apr 2; 360:1395
Strippoli GFM and Craig JC., N Engl J Med 2009 Apr 2; 360:1455
TIPS for Reducing Cardiovascular Risk
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a large feasibility trial, one small pill had favorable effects on many important risk markers.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 30, 2009
Covering:
Yusuf S et al for The Indian Polycap Study (TIPS)., Lancet 2009 Mar 30
Cannon CP., Lancet 2009 Mar 30
Statins to Prevent Venous Thromboembolic Disease
Cardiology Summary and Comment
The beneficial effects of statins on arterial thrombosis and inflammation appear to extend to the venous side as well.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
March 29, 2009
Covering:
Glynn RJ et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Mar 29
Hold the Statins
Even with the AAP’s updated guidelines for treating hyperlipidemia, few adolescents will meet criteria for pharmacologic management.
HDL Levels and Coronary Heart Disease: It’s Complicated
Cardiology Summary and Comment
According to a meta-regression analysis, interventions that modify HDL levels do not reduce risk for CHD.
Nothing Captivating About Acyl–Coenzyme A:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Inhibition
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from an atherosclerosis progression study squelch the clinical prospects of yet another cholesterol-targeting agent.
The Difficulty of Treating HIV-Related Dyslipidemia
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
In a large cohort study, HIV-infected patients did not respond to statins or gemfibrozil as well as uninfected patients did.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
March 23, 2009
Covering:
Silverberg MJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Mar 3; 150:301
Treatment-Mediated Change in HDL Cholesterol Levels and CHD Risks
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Lowering LDL levels yielded benefit; raising HDL levels did not.
Statins for Everyone?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Nearly 80% of older adults would be eligible for statin therapy if JUPITER trial criteria were added to conventional criteria.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 3, 2009
Covering:
Spatz ES et al., Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2009 Jan; 2:41
Cost-Effectiveness of Statins for Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Scientists use a new model to quantify the costs of implementing ATP III guidelines and to compare these costs with those of other strategies.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
February 25, 2009
Covering:
Pletcher MJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Feb 17; 150:243
Statin Use in Multiple Sclerosis
Neurology Summary and Comment
A small study suggests increased MS activity with atorvastatin added to interferon-β, but the implications are unclear.
By Robert J. Fox, MD
February 24, 2009
Covering:
Birnbaum G et al., Neurology 2008 Oct 28; 71:1390
Goldman MD and Cohen JA., Neurology 2008 Oct 28; 71:1386
Metabolic Monitoring: Who Gets It?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Despite clear guidelines, clinicians rarely monitor glucose or lipids in patients receiving second-generation antipsychotics.
By Joel Yager, MD
February 23, 2009
Covering:
Haupt DW et al., Am J Psychiatry 2009 Jan 15
Who Might Be Eligible to Receive Statins for Primary Prevention?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Roughly four out of five older Americans might, according to results of the JUPITER trial.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
February 11, 2009
Covering:
Spatz ES et al., Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2009 Jan; 2:41
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with Increased Risk for Statin Myopathy
Neurology Summary and Comment
Two SNPs in the <$EMPH_O>SLCO1B1<$EMPH_C> gene were associated with myopathy in this genome-wide association study.
By Anthony A. Amato, MD
January 27, 2009
Covering:
Link E et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Aug 21; 359:789
Statins for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease — The JUPITER Study
Among patients with high CRP levels, rosuvastatin lowered risk for adverse cardiovascular events.
Lipid Screening and Statins for Kids?
The AAP published controversial recommendations in 2008 about treating children with high LDL-cholesterol levels.
FDA Issues Alert on Dangers of Tainted Weight Loss Products
Nearly 30 weight loss products sold over the internet and in retail stores are tainted with undeclared, active pharmaceuticals or chemicals, the FDA warned on...
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Events in Women
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Smoking and age were among the factors linked to risk for AAA events.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
November 21, 2008
Covering:
Lederle FA et al., BMJ 2008 Oct 14; 337:a1724
Powell JT and Norman PE., BMJ 2008 Oct 14; 337:a1894
Cardioprotection from Moderate Drinking Is Limited to People with Unhealthful Behaviors
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Nonsmokers who ate healthful diets and exercised didn’t benefit from alcohol.
New Weight-Loss Drug Is Safe and Effective in Early Testing
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Tesofensine produced weight loss without raising blood pressure or lowering mood.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
December 9, 2008
Covering:
Astrup A et al., Lancet 2008 Nov 29; 372:1906
Do Statins Improve CAP Outcome?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a prospective observational study, 30-day mortality and incidence of complicated pneumonia were significantly lower in patients on statins than in those not on statins.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
November 19, 2008
Covering:
Chalmers JD et al., Am J Med 2008 Nov; 121:1002
More Data on Statins in Primary Prevention — The JUPITER Study
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Among otherwise healthy patients with high hsCRP levels, rosuvastatin lowered the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events during 2 years of therapy.
By Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
November 18, 2008
Covering:
Ridker PM et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 20; 359:2195
Hlatky MA., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 20; 359:2280
The Dawning of the Age of JUPITER?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Once again, a statin was clearly effective for primary prevention of cardiovascular events, but using CRP levels to determine treatment thresholds remains debatable.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
November 10, 2008
Covering:
Ridker PM et al. for the JUPITER Study Group., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 9
Hlatky MA., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 9
Weighing In on Statin Use in Children
The main effect of the updated 2008 guidelines likely will be an increase in lipid screening in children with unknown family histories or additional risk factors.
By Sarah D. de Ferranti, MD, MPH
November 5, 2008
Statin Use and Incident Cognitive Impairment or Dementia
Neurology Summary and Comment
A prospective cohort study suggests a protective effect from statins.
By Edmond Teng, MD, PhD, and Bruce Ovbiagele, MD
November 4, 2008
Covering:
Cramer C et al., Neurology 2008 Jul 29; 71:344
