Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Tested in High-Risk Stable Patients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
The CHARISMA trial tempers hopes that dual therapy might benefit a broad range of high-risk patients.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
April 20, 2006
Covering:
Bhatt DL et al. for the CHARISMA Investigators., N Engl J Med 2006 Apr 20; 354:1706-17
Pfeffer MA and Jarcho JA., N Engl J Med 2006 Apr 20; 354:1744-6
Antiplatelet Drugs and Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Cardiology General Medicine
These findings suggest that PPIs can substantially decrease risk for bleeding during antiplatelet therapy.
By David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)
April 20, 2006
Covering:
Ibáñez L et al., Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2006 Jan 15; 23:235-42
Cost-Effectiveness of Primary-Prevention Therapy with Aspirin plus Statins
Cardiology Summary and Comment
For a healthy middle-aged man, the cost-effectiveness of combination therapy depends on his 10-year Framingham risk for cardiovascular events.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
April 6, 2006
Covering:
Pignone M et al., Ann Intern Med 2006 Mar 7; 144:326-36
Poststroke Depression: It’s Not Just the Brain, It’s the Genes
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The <$EMPH_O>5-HTTLPR<$EMPH_C> polymorphism is associated with the development of poststroke depression.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
April 5, 2006
Covering:
Ramasubbu R et al., J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2006 ; 18:96-9
Normalizing Blood Glucose After Ischemic Stroke: Does It Improve Outcome?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The authors argue that glucose control improves outcome, but the study doesn’t meet the burden of proof.
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
March 28, 2006
Covering:
Gentile NT et al., Acad Emerg Med 2006 Feb; 13:174-80
Predicting Stroke Outcomes from CT Perfusion Data
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Applying the Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score to these data may provide useful prognostic information.
By Stelios Smirnakis, MD, PhD
March 23, 2006
Covering:
Parsons MW et al., Ann Neurol 2005 Nov; 58:672-9
Stroke Incidence After Myocardial Infarction
Neurology Summary and Comment
This study highlights the high risk for stroke after myocardial infarction and emphasizes the need for aggressive strategies to prevent both stroke and MI.
By Barney J. Stern, MD
March 23, 2006
Covering:
Witt BJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2005 Dec 6; 143:785-92
Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Reduced Stroke Risk: More Support
Neurology Summary and Comment
New evidence suggests a reduction in certain subtypes of ischemic stroke.
By Carlos S. Kase, MD
March 23, 2006
Covering:
Elkind MSV et al., Stroke 2006 Jan; 37:13-9
Treating Excessive Oral Anticoagulation with Vitamin K
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis showed that oral or IV therapy worked better than subcutaneous therapy.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
March 14, 2006
Covering:
DeZee KJ et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Feb 27; 166:391-7
Hypothermia plus Hemicraniectomy vs. Hemicraniectomy Alone for Massive Infarcts
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
The combination may be better, but is the benefit clinically important?
By Michael De Georgia, MD
March 9, 2006
Covering:
Els T et al., Cerebrovasc Dis 2006 Jan; 21:79-85
Estrogen and Stroke Risk: More Data Needed
Neurology Summary and Comment
The effect of estrogen on stroke risk depends on many other patient risk factors.
By Farzaneh A. Sorond, MD, PhD
March 9, 2006
Covering:
Bushnell CD., Lancet Neurol 2005 Nov; 4:743-51
Lifetime Risk for Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
It’s at least as high as the lifetime risk for Alzheimer disease, according to Framingham Heart Study data.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
March 9, 2006
Covering:
Seshadri S et al., Stroke 2006 Feb; 37:345-50
A New Drug May Reduce Secondary Injury After Stroke
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
The multiple mechanisms of action of an investigational anticancer drug might protect the brain after injury.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 8, 2006
Covering:
Jiang ZG et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006 Jan 31; 103:1581-6
Lingering Questions About Hormone Therapy
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Patient age and the timing of therapy initiation might affect the coronary risk associated with HT use.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 2, 2006
Covering:
Hsia J et al., Arch Intern Med 2006 Feb 13; 166:357-65
Grodstein F et al., J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2006 Jan/Feb; 15:35-44
Mikkola TS and Clarkson TB., J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2006 Jan/Feb; 15:51-3
Lifetime Risk for Stroke
Cardiology Summary and Comment
It’s at least as high as the lifetime risk for Alzheimer disease, according to Framingham Heart Study data.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
March 2, 2006
Covering:
Seshadri S et al., Stroke 2006 Feb; 37:345-50
Free-Radical–Trapping Agent for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Gastroenterology General Medicine
The agent, NXY-059, appeared to improve outcomes, but the average benefit was modest.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 28, 2006
Covering:
Lees KR et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 9; 354:588-600
Free-Radical–Trapping Agent for Acute Ischemic Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The agent, NXY-059, appeared to improve outcomes, but the average benefit was modest.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 24, 2006
Covering:
Lees KR et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Feb 9; 354:588-600
Fruits and Veggies for Stroke Prevention?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis of observational studies showed a significant reduction in risk for stroke associated with consumption of >5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
February 23, 2006
Covering:
He FJ et al., Lancet 2006 Jan 28; 367:320-6
Steffen LM., Lancet 2006 Jan 28; 367:278-9
Does Social Isolation Influence Outcomes After Stroke?
Neurology Summary and Comment
Accumulating evidence suggests that strong social networks are associated with healthy aging, higher functional status, reduced risk for cardiovascular mortality and stroke, and a lower . . .
By Stephen Salloway, MD, MS
February 23, 2006
Covering:
Boden-Albala B et al., Neurology 2005 Jun 14; 64:1888-92
The Burden of Acute Vascular Events: A Broad Look
Neurology Summary and Comment
The various clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, a systemic disease, rarely are studied concurrently. Now, in the prospective Oxford Vascular Study (OXVASC), researchers have compared the . . .
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
February 23, 2006
Covering:
Rothwell PM et al. for the Oxford Vascular Study., Lancet 2005 Nov 19; 366:1773-83
Aspirin in Primary Prevention of CV Events: A Meta-Analysis
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Aspirin was shown to prevent MIs in men and strokes in women, but it increased bleeding risk substantially in both sexes.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
February 16, 2006
Covering:
Berger JS et al., JAMA 2006 Jan 18; 295:306-13
Family History and Prothrombotic Factors in Children with Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
No correlation was found between a family history of stroke and the presence of prothrombotic mutations.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
February 14, 2006
Covering:
Johal SC et al., J Pediatr 2006 Jan; 148:68-71
Preventing Stroke in Sickle-Cell Disease
Discontinuing prophylactic transfusions results in reversion to abnormal Doppler studies and stroke.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
February 10, 2006
Covering:
The Optimizing Primary Stroke Prevention in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP 2) Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 29; 353:2769-78
Stable Atherothrombosis: An International Profile
Cardiology Summary and Comment
How well are risk factors being addressed globally?
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
February 9, 2006
Covering:
Bhatt DL et al. for the REACH Registry Investigators., JAMA 2006 Jan 11; 295:180-9
Perspective on PFO in Cryptogenic Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Kizer and Devereux review the role of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the pathogenesis of stroke. They focus on young and middle-aged adults with cryptogenic . . .
By David G. Sherman, MD
February 9, 2006
Covering:
Kizer JR and Devereux RB., N Engl J Med 2005 Dec 1; 353:2361-72
