ILLUMINATE: Many Dark Areas Remain
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Despite raising HDL levels, torcetrapib significantly increased patients’ risks for cardiovascular events.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
November 5, 2007
Covering:
Barter PJ et al. for the ILLUMINATE investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Nov 5
Apolipoprotein E Genotypes and Cardiovascular Risks
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In this meta-analysis, researchers found roughly linear relationships between apo E genotypes and both LDL cholesterol levels and coronary disease.
Long-Term Follow-Up of a Landmark Statin Trial
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The benefits of statin therapy lasted 10 years.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 11, 2007
Covering:
Ford I et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 11; 357:1477
The West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study: Long-Term Results
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
The benefits of statins for primary prevention of coronary heart disease stand the test of time.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
October 10, 2007
Covering:
Ford I et al. for the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study Group., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 11; 357:1477
HDL Levels and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Very Low LDL Levels
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
HDL level was inversely correlated with cardiovascular events, regardless of LDL level.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 26, 2007
Covering:
Barter P et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Sep 27; 357:1301
Does HDL Matter When Statins Are Working?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a post hoc analysis of TNT trial data, HDL levels predicted cardiovascular events in patients with very low LDL levels.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
September 26, 2007
Covering:
Barter P et al. for the Treating to New Targets Investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Sep 27; 357:1301
Molecule Links Dyslipidemia, Oxidative Stress, and Thrombosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A newly identified component of oxidized LDL appears to increase platelet reactivity.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
September 25, 2007
Covering:
Podrez EA et al., Nat Med 2007 Sep; 13:1086
Jackson SP and Calkin AC., Nat Med 2007 Sep; 13:1015
Statins Neither Protect Against Nor Promote Colorectal Cancer
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Data from a large general practice database suggest that 4 years of statin therapy has no effect on cancer risk.
By Douglas K. Rex, MD
September 21, 2007
Covering:
Vinogradova Y et al., Gastroenterology 2007 Aug; 133:393
Nonfasting Triglycerides as an Indicator of Cardiovascular Risk
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Nonfasting, but not fasting, triglyceride levels were associated with CV event rate independently of other risk factors.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
September 13, 2007
Covering:
Bansal S et al., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:309-16
Revised Guidelines for Unstable Angina and Non-ST-Segment-Elevation MI
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
The 2007 guidelines emphasize early diagnosis and risk stratification to guide decisions on invasive vs. noninvasive treatment.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
September 12, 2007
Covering:
Anderson JL et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2007 Aug 14; 50:652-726
Statin–Clopidogrel Interactions: Are They Clinically Important?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Statins didn’t appear to affect the efficacy of clopidogrel in a secondary analysis of previously published data.
By Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
September 6, 2007
Covering:
Saw J et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2007 Jul 24; 50:291-5
Angiolillo DJ and Alfonso F., J Am Coll Cardiol 2007 Jul 24; 50:296-8
What’s the Utility of the Apo B:Apo A-1 Ratio?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a large, prospective study, apolipoproteins had no advantage over other lipid measures in assessing risk for CHD.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
August 22, 2007
Covering:
Ingelsson E et al., JAMA 2007 Aug 15; 298:776-85
Are Nonfasting Better Than Fasting Triglyceride Levels at Predicting Cardiac Events?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In two large cohort studies, CVD risk correlated more strongly with nonfasting than with fasting levels, but the clinical significance of hypertriglyceridemia is still unclear.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
August 8, 2007
Covering:
Bansal S et al., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:309-16
Nordestgaard BG et al., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:299-308
McBride PE., JAMA 2007 Jul 18; 298:336-8
Lipids and Stroke Risk in Women
Neurology Summary and Comment
Increased cholesterol levels were associated with increased ischemic stroke rates in a large cohort from the Women’s Health Study.
By Gretchen E. Tietjen, MD
August 7, 2007
Covering:
Kurth T et al., Neurology 2007 Feb 20; 68:556-62
High-Dose Atorvastatin in Patients 65 Years or Older
Cardiology Summary and Comment
The relative benefits of a high versus a low dose were found in older as well as in younger patients.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
August 1, 2007
Covering:
Wenger NK et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Jul 3; 147:1-9
High-Dose Lipid-Lowering for Older Adults with CHD
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Higher statin doses achieve additional benefits.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
July 26, 2007
Covering:
Wenger NK et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Jul 3; 147:1-9
Traditional Mediterranean Diet Lowers Oxidized LDL
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Early findings from the PREDIMED trial show a beneficial effect on some cardiovascular risk factors.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 18, 2007
Covering:
Fitó M et al. for the PREDIMED Study Investigators., Arch Intern Med 2007 Jun 11; 167:1195-203
What Caused the Decline in Cardiac Death Rate from 1980 to 2000?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A new analysis credits improved treatment and reduction in risk factors about equally.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 11, 2007
Covering:
Ford ES et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 7; 356:2388-98
Does Aerobic Exercise Increase HDL Levels?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results of a meta-analysis show small improvements and a need for more data.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 11, 2007
Covering:
Kodama S et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 May 28; 167:999-1008
Soy Nuts and Blood Pressure
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a small trial suggest a big benefit.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 11, 2007
Covering:
Welty FK et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 May 28; 167:1060-7
Effect of Soy Intake on Blood Pressure and Lipids
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In hypertensive women who added soy to their diets, blood pressure decreased.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
June 14, 2007
Covering:
Welty FK et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 May 28; 167:1060-7
Effect of Exercise on HDL
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis finds that duration of aerobic exercise, but not frequency or intensity, is associated with change in HDL levels.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
June 14, 2007
Covering:
Kodama S et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 May 28; 167:999-1008
Coenzyme Q10 for Relief of Muscle Ache in Patients Treated with Statins
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a small study, supplements conferred a considerable benefit.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
June 6, 2007
Covering:
Caso G et al., Am J Cardiol 2007 May 15; 99:1409-12
Apolipoprotein Ratio Does Not Improve Prediction of Cardiac Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The ratio of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A-I was associated with coronary artery disease but added little to existing measures of risk assessment.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
May 17, 2007
Covering:
van der Steeg WA et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 May 1; 146:640-8
Berkwits M and Guallar E., Ann Intern Med 2007 May 1; 146:677-9
The Apo B:Apo A-I Ratio: A Role in CV Risk Assessment?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
This ratio performed no better than the total cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratio in determining CAD risk.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
May 9, 2007
Covering:
van der Steeg WA et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 May 1; 146:640-8
