ACCORD: Blood Pressure and Lipid Results
For older diabetic patients, a systolic BP target in the 130s probably is best.
Statins Sharply Lower Cardiovascular Risk Regardless of Baseline LDL Cholesterol
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Results of a meta-analysis suggest that guidelines should be reevaluated.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
December 16, 2010
Covering:
Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) Collaboration., Lancet 2010 Nov 13; 376:1670
Study of the Effectiveness of Additional Reductions in Cholesterol and Homocysteine (SEARCH) Collaborative Group., Lancet 2010 Nov 13; 376:1658
Cheung BMY and Lam KSL., Lancet 2010 Nov 13; 376:1622
Suicide Risk After Bariatric Surgery?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The long-term risk seems to increase, but psychiatric comorbidities and surgical sequelae may also be factors.
By Joel Yager, MD
December 13, 2010
Covering:
Tindle HA et al., Am J Med 2010 Nov; 123:1036
Anacetrapib for Lipid Management: Safety in Numbers
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Promising results from an initial trial put cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibition back on the map.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
November 17, 2010
Covering:
Cannon CP et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Nov 16
Abacavir and Cardiovascular Disease — Pieces of the Puzzle?
The underlying reasons for this potential association remain unknown.
By Charles B. Hicks, MD
October 4, 2010
Covering:
Sinn K et al., AIDS 2010 Sep 24; 24:2403
Martin A et al., AIDS 2010 Sep 7
You Snooze, You Win
Neurology Summary and Comment
A large, longitudinal cohort study demonstrated a convincing association between short sleep duration and hypercholesterolemia in young women.
By Erik St. Louis, MD
October 19, 2010
Covering:
Gangwisch JE et al., Sleep 2010 Jul 1; 33:956
I'll Have a Statin with My Burger
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Can a single statin dose counteract the cardiovascular risk conferred by an unhealthy meal?
By Joel M. Gore, MD
September 22, 2010
Covering:
Ferenczi EA et al., Am J Cardiol 2010 Aug 15; 106:587
Does Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Prevent Cardiovascular Events?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a new study, adding omega-3 fatty acids — from fish, plants, or both — to patients' diets had no significant effect.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
August 30, 2010
Covering:
Kromhout D et al for the Alpha Omega Trial Group., N Engl J Med 2010 Aug 29
Stability of High Cholesterol Levels in Children
Most children with high LDL cholesterol levels had substantially lower levels at the next examination.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
August 25, 2010
Covering:
Freedman DS et al., Pediatrics 2010 Aug; 126:266
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
Lipid Levels in Young Adults and Subsequent Coronary Calcium
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Adverse consequences of dyslipidemia begin early in life.
In Healthy Statin Recipients, Low HDL Might Not Confer Risk After All
General Medicine Summary and Comment
HDL cholesterol level was not associated with cardiovascular risk in the JUPITER trial's rosuvastatin group.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
August 12, 2010
Covering:
Ridker PM et al., Lancet 2010 Jul 31; 376:333
How Helpful Is Family History in Identifying Children with Elevated Cholesterol?
Screening on the basis of family history missed many children with hyperlipidemia.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
August 4, 2010
Covering:
Ritchie SK et al., Pediatrics 2010 Aug; 126:260
HDL and Cardiovascular Risk in the Presence of Very Low LDL
Cardiology Summary and Comment
HDL levels were not associated with residual cardiovascular risk in patients treated with potent statin therapy.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
August 4, 2010
Covering:
Ridker PM et al. for the JUPITER Trial Study Group., Lancet 2010 Jul 31; 376:333
Hausenloy DJ et al., Lancet 2010 Jul 31; 376:305
Adherence to Cardiovascular Performance Measures in Outpatients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Adherence to most performance measures was moderate to high.
By Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
July 28, 2010
Covering:
Chan PS et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2010 Jun 29; 56:8
Rao SV., J Am Coll Cardiol 2010 Jun 29; 56:15
Statins and Primary Prevention for Patients at High Risk for Heart Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The benefit, if any, is very small.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
July 15, 2010
Covering:
Ray KK et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 28; 170:1024
de Lorgeril M et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 28; 170:1032
Kaul S et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 28; 170:1073
Green LA., Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 28; 170:1007
Do Statins Slow Progression of Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a retrospective study suggest that they do.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
July 14, 2010
Covering:
Antonini-Canterin F et al., Circulation 2010 May 18; 121:2130
Cholesterol Reduction and the Brain–Heart Connection
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
A post hoc analysis of SPARCL data provides additional support for the benefits of statin therapy after a stroke or transient ischemic attack, in terms of both brain and cardiac protection.
By Steven R. Levine, MD
June 22, 2010
Covering:
Amarenco P et al., Stroke 2010 Mar; 41:426
Unintended Effects of Statin Drugs
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Kidney failure and cataracts were associated significantly with statin use.
Trends in Acute Myocardial Infarction: More Good News
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Evidence is mounting that improvements in prevention and treatment are having favorable effects on incidence and outcomes.
Treating Disease, Not Risk Factors
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Observational data suggest that using total carotid arterial plaque burden to guide therapy can improve markers of atherosclerotic disease.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
June 9, 2010
Covering:
Spence JD and Hackam DG., Stroke 2010 Jun; 41:1193
Adding Nuts to Your Diet Lowers Lipids
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Cholesterol levels declined with mean daily consumption of 2.4 ounces.
Fibrates and Cardiovascular Prevention
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis of randomized trials shows a benefit, but the clinical value of fibrates is still in doubt.
Statin Efficacy in Elders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Rosuvastatin lowered risk for major cardiovascular events.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
May 25, 2010
Covering:
Glynn RJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 Apr 20; 152:488
Zieman SJ and Ouyang P., Ann Intern Med 2010 Apr 20; 152:528
Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy Associated with Statins
Neurology Summary and Comment
Unlike toxic myopathies, this condition persists despite statin discontinuation but responds to immunosuppressive therapy.
By Andrea Swenson, MD
May 18, 2010
Covering:
Grable-Esposito P et al., Muscle Nerve 2010 Feb; 41:185
