Statin Therapy for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a large randomized trial, simvastatin significantly reduced the incidence of major vascular events among patients with PAD.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 24, 2007
Covering:
Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group., J Vasc Surg 2007 Apr; 45:645-54
Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Nonfatal Cardiac Events in Japan
General Medicine Summary and Comment
However, this effect may be seen only in countries where average levels of fish consumption are very high.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
April 17, 2007
Covering:
Yokoyama M et al., Lancet 2007 Mar 31; 369:1090-8
Mozaffarian D., Lancet 2007 Mar 31; 369:1062-3
Another Novel HDL-Raising Therapy, Another Negative Trial
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A potent, selective PPAR-
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
April 11, 2007
Covering:
Nissen SE et al., JAMA 2007 Mar 28; 297:1362-73
Fish Oil Supplement plus a Statin?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
This combination reduced the risk for major coronary events but not for sudden or coronary death, compared with a statin alone.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
April 11, 2007
Covering:
Yokoyama M et al. for the JELIS Investigators., Lancet 2007 Mar 31; 369:1090-8
Mozaffarian D., Lancet 2007 Mar 31; 369:1062-3
METEOR: Does Rosuvastatin Benefit Low-Risk Patients?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
The drug slowed progression of carotid intima-media thickness, but cardiovascular outcomes were not assessed.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
April 4, 2007
Covering:
Crouse JR III et al. for the METEOR Study Group., JAMA 2007 Mar 28; 297:1344-53
Lauer MS., JAMA 2007 Mar 28; 297:1376-8
Torcetrapib Lacks Luster in RADIANCE
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Another negative trial for this experimental HDL-raising drug
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
April 4, 2007
Covering:
Kastelein JJP et al. for the Radiance 1 Investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 26
Antipsychotic-Induced Obesity: Histamine May Be the Key
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Results from an animal study
By Jonathan Silver, MD
April 2, 2007
Covering:
Kim SF et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007 Feb 27; 104:3456-9
Meltzer HY., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007 Feb 27; 104:3019-20
Does PCI Improve Survival and Prevent MI in Stable CAD?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
No such benefit was found in the COURAGE trial of PCI versus optimal medical therapy alone.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
March 26, 2007
Covering:
Boden WE et al. for the COURAGE Trial Research Group., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 27
Hochman JS and Steg PG., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 27
Torcetrapib Does Not Limit Atherosclerosis Progression
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Negative results from ILLUSTRATE follow the halting of ILLUMINATE.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 26, 2007
Covering:
Nissen SE et al. for the ILLUSTRATE Investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 29; 356:1304-16
Tall AR., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 29; 356:1364-6
The Skinny on Four Popular Diets
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In overweight, nondiabetic, premenopausal women, the diets had only modest effects on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors, with a slight advantage for the Atkins diet over the others.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 14, 2007
Covering:
Gardner CD et al., JAMA 2007 Mar 7; 297:969-77
Garlic Strikes Out for Lipid Lowering
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Both raw and supplement forms essentially batted zeros in a well-designed, publicly funded study.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 14, 2007
Covering:
Gardner CD et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26; 167:346-53
Charlson M and McFerren M., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26; 167:325-6
Garlic Consumption and Cholesterol
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a randomized trial, neither raw garlic nor garlic supplements had any effect on lipid levels.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
March 13, 2007
Covering:
Gardner CD et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26; 167:346-53
Charlson M and McFerren M., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 26; 167:325-6
More on Statins and Infections
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A new study provides further evidence that statin treatment lowers the risk for infection-related mortality.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Almog Y et al., Crit Care Med 2007 Feb; 35:372-8
Krüger S and Merx MW., Crit Care Med 2007 Feb; 35:631-2
Statins in High-Risk Patients with High NT-proBNP Levels
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Simvastatin benefited high-risk patients with high NT-proBNP levels, according to a Heart Protection Study subanalysis.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
February 7, 2007
Covering:
Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group., J Am Coll Cardiol 2007 Jan 23; 49:311-9
Statin Therapy and Atherosclerosis Regression
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Reductions in LDL and increases in HDL were both important in reversing atherosclerosis.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
February 6, 2007
Covering:
Nicholls SJ et al., JAMA 2007 Feb 7; 297:499-508
Short Telomeres Predict Cardiac Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Telomere length is as strong an independent predictor as conventional cardiac risk factors.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
January 25, 2007
Covering:
Brouilette SW et al., Lancet 2007 Jan 13; 369:107-14
Safety Concerns for Experimental LDL-Reduction Drug
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An investigational microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor lowered LDL levels — but had adverse liver effects — in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
January 24, 2007
Covering:
Cuchel M et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 11; 356:148-56
Statins Possibly More Cost-Effective Than Initially Thought
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Lifetime use of statins may be cost-effective in an even wider range of people.
By Keith I. Marton, MD
January 9, 2007
Covering:
Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group., BMJ 2006 Dec 2; 333:1145-8
Treating Lipodystrophy in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy, metformin and rosiglitazone improved insulin sensitivity but had limited effects on abnormal fat redistribution.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
December 20, 2006
Covering:
Mulligan K et al., AIDS 2007 Jan 2; 21:47-57
How Broadly Do Statin Benefits Extend?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Insights from a meta-analysis of primary-prevention statin trials and from a cost-effectiveness subanalysis of the Heart Protection Study
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
December 13, 2006
Covering:
Thavendiranathan P et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Nov 27; 166:2307-13
Heart Protection Study Collaborative., BMJ 2006 Dec 2; 333:1145-8
Statin Therapy and Underlying Neuromuscular Disorders
Neurology Summary and Comment
Four case reports suggest that neuromuscular disorders can be unmasked by statin therapy.
By Ronan J. Walsh, MB, BCh
December 12, 2006
Covering:
Tsivgoulis G et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Jul 24; 166:1519-24
Vitamin D and Statins: Is There a Connection?
Neurology Summary and Comment
It’s time to test the hypothesis that statins act via vitamin D receptors.
By Michael F. Holick, MD, PhD
December 5, 2006
Covering:
Grimes DS., Lancet 2006 Jul 1; 368:83-6
Not Much Evidence for Specific LDL Targets
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An analysis of available evidence challenges the NCEP’s recommendation for titration to very low levels.
By Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
November 9, 2006
Covering:
Hayward RA et al., Ann Intern Med 2006 Oct 3; 145:520-30
One Less Screening Test to Order?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Lipoprotein(a) likely is not useful in screening for cardiovascular risk in women.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
November 2, 2006
Covering:
Suk Danik J et al., JAMA 2006 Sep 20; 296:1363-70
Should Heart Failure Patients Start Taking Statins?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Patients with chronic HF who initiated statin therapy had reduced risks for death and hospitalization, according to an observational study.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
October 31, 2006
Covering:
Go AS et al., JAMA 2006 Nov 1; 296:2105-11
