A New Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation on the Horizon?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Dronedarone, an agent similar to — but potentially less toxic than — amiodarone, shows some promise in a placebo-controlled trial.
By Mark S. Link, MD
September 5, 2007
Covering:
Singh BN et al. for the EURIDIS and ADONIS Investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Sep 6; 357:987-99
Ezekowitz MD., N Engl J Med 2007 Sep 6; 357:1039-41
"Neuroprotective" Agent Is Ineffective in Stroke
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Aspirin and tPA remain the only proven agents.
Thrombolysis for Acute Stroke: Much Talk, Little Action
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
From 1999 to 2004, tPA was administered to only 1.2% of acute ischemic stroke patients in the U.S.
Low Bleeding Risk in Older Adults Receiving Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a randomized trial, bleeding risk was surprisingly low among AF patients aged 75 and older.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
August 21, 2007
Covering:
Mant J et al., Lancet 2007 Aug 11; 370:493-503
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) and Stroke: The Controversy Continues
Neurology Summary and Comment
A nonrandomized trial suggests that closure may be beneficial, but potential biases limit conclusions.
By R. Charles Callison, MD, and Harold P. Adams, Jr., MD
August 21, 2007
Covering:
Casaubon L et al., Can J Neurol Sci 2007 Feb; 34:74-80
Does Where You Live Affect Cardiovascular Risk?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In this study of male physicians, residency in the southeastern U.S. was associated with heightened risk for ischemic stroke.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
August 15, 2007
Covering:
Rich DQ et al., Stroke 2007 Aug; 38:2221-7
Howard VJ., Stroke 2007 Aug; 38:2210-2
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 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
Carotid Artery Disease and Dementia: Association or Coincidence?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Carotid disease measurements were associated with short-term, but not longer-term, risk for dementia.
By David Knopman, MD
July 24, 2007
Covering:
van Oijen M et al., Ann Neurol 2007 May; 61:403-10
Estradiol Levels and Stroke Risk in Men
Neurology Summary and Comment
In this prospective cohort study of older men, high serum levels of estradiol were associated with increased risk for stroke, but whether estradiol is causal or a marker for increased risk remains unknown.
By Tobias Kurth, MD, ScD
July 24, 2007
Covering:
Abbott RD et al., Neurology 2007 Feb 20; 68:563-8
Oral Anticoagulation for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Adding an anticoagulant to antiplatelet therapy caused more bleeding and was no more effective than antiplatelet therapy alone.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
July 18, 2007
Covering:
The Warfarin Antiplatelet Vascular Evaluation Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 19; 357:217-27
WAVE a Red Flag for Combination Antithrombotic Therapy
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Adding an anticoagulant to antiplatelet therapy did not reduce risk for cardiovascular events in patients with PAD.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
July 18, 2007
Covering:
The Warfarin Antiplatelet Vascular Evaluation Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 19; 357:217-27
Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation, Revisited
Adjusted-dose warfarin is still the best approach for lowering stroke incidence in both primary-prevention and secondary-prevention settings.
By David Green, MD, PhD
July 16, 2007
Covering:
Hart RG et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Jun 19; 146:857-67
Might Folic Acid Supplementation Reduce the Risk of Stroke?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Results of this meta-analysis suggest that in some areas and for primary prevention, it might.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
July 12, 2007
Covering:
Wang X et al., Lancet 2007 Jun 2; 369:1876-82
Carlsson CM., Lancet 2007 Jun 2; 369:1841-2
Predictors and Impact of Fever After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Fever is associated with morbidity and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage, but a cause-effect association has yet to be established.
By Joshua M. Levine, MD
July 10, 2007
Covering:
Fernandez A et al., Neurology 2007 Mar 27; 68:1013-9
Warfarin Therapy in Clinical Practice
Neurology Summary and Comment
Three studies emphasize the need for careful physician assessment of patient eligibility and follow-up during warfarin therapy.
By J. Philip Kistler, MD
July 10, 2007
Covering:
Kimmel SE et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 12; 167:229-35
White HD et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 12; 167:239-45
Glazer NL et al., Arch Intern Med 2007 Feb 12; 167:246-52
Enoxaparin vs. Heparin: The PREVAIL Study
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
The jury is still out but may favor enoxaparin.
By Flavia Nelson, MD, and James Grotta, MD
June 26, 2007
Covering:
Sherman DG et al., Lancet 2007 Apr 21; 369:1347-55
Beta-Blockers in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
In this exploratory study, researchers examined potential benefits of beta-blockers in acute ischemic stroke.
By Karen L. Furie, MD
June 26, 2007
Covering:
Laowattana S and Oppenheimer SM., Neurology 2007 Feb 13; 68:509-14
Neurologic Complications of Cerebral Angiography
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Neurologic complications occurred most often among patients being evaluated for atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 19, 2007
Covering:
Kaufmann TJ et al., Radiology 2007 Jun; 243:812-9
Warfarin: Prescribe with Care in the Elderly
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a real-world cohort of elderly patients, the hazards of warfarin therapy were found to be greater than previously reported.
By Mark S. Link, MD
June 13, 2007
Covering:
Hylek EM et al., Circulation 2007 May 29; 115:2689-96
Wyse DG., Circulation 2007 May 29; 115:2684-6
APOE Genotype and MRI Markers of Small Vessel Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Among ischemic stroke survivors, <$EMPH_O>APOE<$EMPH_C>
By Anand Viswanathan, MD, PhD
June 5, 2007
Covering:
Lemmens R et al., Stroke 2007 Apr; 38:1185-8
Hypertension Control in the U.S.
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A national survey conducted in 2005 shows that although most people with hypertension take some action to control it, many can do more.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
May 23, 2007
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007 May 4; 56:420-3
Valsartan’s Effect on Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
This ARB was associated with a significant benefit in a Japanese population with a broad range of disorders.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
May 16, 2007
Covering:
Mochizuki S et al., Lancet 2007 Apr 28; 369:1431-9
Long-Term Benefits of Dietary Sodium Reduction
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Long-term follow-up data from two prospective trials suggest that lowering sodium intake reduces risk for CV events.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
May 16, 2007
Covering:
Cook NR et al., BMJ 2007 Apr 28; 334:885
Cappuccio FP., BMJ 2007 Apr 28; 334:859
Enoxaparin for Prevention of Thromboembolism After Stroke
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In an international trial, enoxaparin was more effective than unfractionated heparin.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
May 16, 2007
Covering:
Sherman DG et al for the PREVAIL Investigators., Lancet 2007 Apr 21; 369:1347-55
O’Donnell M and Kearon C., Lancet 2007 Apr 28; 369:1413-5
