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
Statin Side Effects — Targets of Ongoing Research
In particular, researchers are looking at cognitive and musculoskeletal effects of statins.
Hemorrhagic Stroke in an Atorvastatin Stroke-Prevention Trial
Neurology Summary and Comment
Analysis of the hemorrhagic-stroke events in the SPARCL study demonstrates higher risk in certain subgroups, independent of the statin.
By Michael A. Kelly, MD
October 21, 2008
Covering:
Goldstein LB et al., Neurology 2008 Jun 10; 70:2364
Jacobs BS and Greenberg SM., Neurology 2008 Jun 10; 70:2355
More Trouble for Ezetimibe
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Questions have arisen about a possible association with cancer.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 30, 2008
Covering:
Rossebø AB et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Sep 25; 359:1343
Peto R et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Sep 25; 359:1357
Recertification Scores Correlate with Quality of Care
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Some indicators of quality of care were positively associated with top scores on the internal medicine recertification exam.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
September 5, 2008
Covering:
Holmboe ES et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Jul 14; 168:1396
Landon BE., Arch Intern Med 2008 Jul 14; 168:1365
How Fat Am I? Or, How Am I Fat?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Two new studies address how obesity relates to cardiovascular risk factors.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
September 3, 2008
Covering:
Wildman RP et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Aug 11; 168:1617
Stefan N et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Aug 11; 168:1609
Stormy SEAS
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Unexpected findings from a trial of simvastatin plus ezetimibe raise questions about the effects of aggressive LDL-cholesterol reduction.
Navigating Uncharted Waters
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In contrast to a recent trial’s findings, an analysis of pooled data from two trials of ezetimibe plus simvastatin finds no increase in cancer risk, but the voyage has just begun.
Should Apolipoproteins Replace LDL and HDL for Cardiac Risk Assessment?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Apolipoproteins were better predictors in both sexes and in all ethnic and age groups.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
August 21, 2008
Covering:
McQueen MJ et al., Lancet 2008 Jul 19; 372:224
Renewed Warning About Combining Simvastatin and Amiodarone
Cardiology News in Context
The FDA issued a reminder about heightened risk for rhabdomyolysis with this combination but provided few details to assist in clinical decision making.
Lipid Screening in Childhood — New Recommendations from the AAP
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Controversial new recommendations advocate wider screening and use of statins in children.
Statins and Cognitive Impairment
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Findings from a prospective observational study support the thesis that statin use may protect against the eventual development of dementia.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
July 28, 2008
Covering:
Cramer C et al., Neurology 2008 Jul 29; 71:344
Statin-Induced Myopathy: A Genetic Association
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
A strong link is found between two SNPs and an adverse drug effect, but a useful clinical role for pharmacogenetic testing is still a long way off.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 23, 2008
Covering:
Link E et al. for the SEARCH Collaborative Group., N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 23
Nakamura Y., N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 23
Apolipoprotein B100/Apolipoprotein A-1 Ratio Better Than Cholesterol-Based Methods for Risk Prediction
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results from the INTERHEART study fuel an ongoing controversy.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
July 23, 2008
Covering:
McQueen MJ et al. for the INTERHEART Study Investigators., Lancet 2008 Jul 19; 372:224
Simvastatin and Cognitive Function in Children with NF
General Medicine Summary and Comment
No cognitive benefit was noted in children with neurofibromatosis type 1, but their cholesterol levels dropped.
Lipid Screening in Childhood — New Recommendations from the AAP
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Controversial new recommendations advocate wider screening and use of statins in children.
The Diet Debate: Mediterranean, Low-Fat, or Low-Carb?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a randomized trial, the Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets performed as well as or better than the low-fat diet.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 16, 2008
Covering:
Shai I et al. for the Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial (DIRECT) Group., N Engl J Med 2008 Jul 17; 359:229
More Details on Lipids and Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol correlated with large-artery atherosclerosis in a cohort of patients with stroke or TIA.
By Seemant Chaturvedi, MD
July 15, 2008
Covering:
Bang OY et al., Neurology 2008 Mar 11; 70:841
ABCA1 Mutations Not Associated With Ischemic Heart Disease
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A genetic association study casts doubt on what we think we know about HDL.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
June 25, 2008
Covering:
Frikke-Schmidt R et al., JAMA 2008 Jun 4; 299:2524
CETP Genotypes and Cardiovascular Risk
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results of a large systematic review suggest that the CETP pathway may yet prove a worthwhile target for preventive intervention.
Erectile Dysfunction: A New Risk Factor for Heart Disease
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results of two new studies make a strong case for including ED in cardiovascular risk assessment.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
June 25, 2008
Covering:
Gazzaruso C et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 May 27; 51:2040
Ma RC et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 May 27; 51:2045
Kloner RA., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 May 27; 51:2051
Aggressive Statin Treatment After Bypass Surgery
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a retrospective analysis of patients who had previously undergone CABG, a higher dose of atorvastatin was associated with better outcomes than a lower dose.
In Meta-Analysis, Asymptomatic Carotid Bruit Predicts Cardiovascular Events
General Medicine Summary and Comment
For cardiovascular risk assessment, a simple inexpensive technique might be as useful as costly imaging studies.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
June 17, 2008
Covering:
Pickett CA et al., Lancet 2008 May 10; 371:1587
Aboyans V and Lacroix P., Lancet 2008 May 10; 371:1554
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
