Cardiovascular Events in Canada, 1994–2004
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a nationwide study reveal significant declines in mortality and hospital admissions.
Impaired Kidney Function and Risks for CV Disease and Death
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Low-risk women with GFRs <60 had elevated risk for CV-related death but not for adverse CV events, non–CV-related death, or all-cause death.
Does Migraine Frequency Affect CVD Risk?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Rare (<monthly) and frequent (
Some Migraines Might Leave Their Marks
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Women who reported migraines with aura in midlife were twice as likely to exhibit cerebellar infarcts on MRI, with unknown clinical significance, decades later.
By Wendy S. Biggs, MD
July 23, 2009
Covering:
Scher AI et al., JAMA 2009 Jun 24; 301:2563
Kurth T and Tzourio C., JAMA 2009 Jun 24; 301:2594
Developments in Stroke Telemedicine
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Scientific and policy statements from the American Stroke Association
By Steven Feske, MD
July 21, 2009
Covering:
Schwamm LH et al. and on behalf of the American Heart Association Stroke Council and the Interdisciplinary Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease., Stroke 2009 Jul; 40:2616
Schwamm LH et al. and on behalf of the American Heart Association Stroke Council; Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; Interdisciplinary Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and the Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention., Stroke 2009 Jul; 40:2635
Acetaminophen in Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III trial has negative results.
By Myron D. Ginsberg, MD
July 14, 2009
Covering:
den Hertog HM et al., Lancet Neurol 2009 May; 8:434
Cardiovascular Safety Data on Rosiglitazone Aren’t Entirely Reassuring
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Although few significant differences were detected in a large cohort at 5 years, excess heart failure risk still is apparent.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
July 9, 2009
Covering:
Home PD et al., Lancet 2009 Jun 20; 373:2125
Aspirin or Anticoagulation to Prevent Stroke in Carotid Dissection?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
In a retrospective study, the incidence of stroke was similar between the two treatments.
BP-Lowering Drugs and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
All five classes of BP-lowering drugs were effective, regardless of patients’ histories.
Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Women with Nonobstructive CAD
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Women with symptoms and angiography findings of nonobstructed (or even normal) coronary arteries had worse outcomes than asymptomatic women.
Genetic Basis of an Autosomal Recessive Small-Vessel Disease of the Brain
Neurology Summary and Comment
A discovery opens the door to understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying small-vessel arteriopathies.
By Anand Viswanathan, MD, PhD
June 23, 2009
Covering:
Hara K et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Apr 23; 360:1729
No Clear Benefit for Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Risks might outweigh benefits in patients who receive other modern preventive therapies.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
June 18, 2009
Covering:
Antithrombotic Trialists' (ATT) Collaboration., Lancet 2009 May 30; 373:1849
Redux of rFVIIa in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Neurology Summary and Comment
A reanalysis of FAST trial data identifies a subgroup that might benefit clinically.
By Gene Sung, MD, MPH
June 16, 2009
Covering:
Mayer SA et al., Stroke 2009 Mar; 40:833
Aspirin vs. Anticoagulation After Carotid Dissection
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Aspirin appears to be the better choice.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
June 11, 2009
Covering:
Georgiadis D et al., Neurology 2009 May 26; 72:1810
Kasner SE and Dreier JP., Neurology 2009 May 26; 72:1800
Treating Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Prompt revascularization or initial medical therapy? Insulin sensitization or provision? From the BARI 2D trial, no strategy emerged a clear winner.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
June 10, 2009
Covering:
Frye RL et al. for the BARI 2D Study Group., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 11; 360:2503
Boden WE and Taggart DP., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 11; 360:2570
Should Carotid Stenting Be Performed in Octogenarians?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Results of a case series suggest that the procedure can be safe and effective, but its net benefit in these patients remains to be determined.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
June 10, 2009
Covering:
Chiam PTL et al., Circulation 2009 May 5; 119:2343
Belkin M and Bhatt DL., Circulation 2009 May 5; 119:2302
Stroke After TIA: How Likely and How Soon?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Risk for stroke within 24 hours after TIA was 5% in this large population-based study.
Telephone Triage for Stroke by Ambulance Services in the U.K.
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
A structured algorithm used at ambulance call centers in the U.K. performed poorly in identifying stroke patients.
Prevention of Death After Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Only a quarter of British stroke patients (age,
Prompt TIA and Minor Stroke Management
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Urgent referral to and treatment in a specialized clinic boosts clinical outcomes and saves costs.
By Hermelinda Abcede, MD, and Bruce Ovbiagele, MD
May 26, 2009
Covering:
Luengo-Fernandez R et al., Lancet Neurol 2009 Mar; 8:235
Stenting in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
A small study suggests stenting might be useful as an adjunctive therapy.
By Thanh Nguyen, MD, FRCPc
May 26, 2009
Covering:
Brekenfeld C et al., Stroke 2009 Mar; 40:847
Aspirin in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Fewer cardiovascular events in patients who received aspirin did not reach statistical significance.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
May 19, 2009
Covering:
Berger JS et al., JAMA 2009 May 13; 301:1909
McDermott MM and Criqui MH., JAMA 2009 May 13; 301:1927
Optimal Duration of Anticoagulation for Venous Thromboembolism
Oncology and Hematology Summary and Comment
Free
Using ultrasonography data to guide duration of therapy helped lower rates of recurrent VTE.
By David Green, MD, PhD
May 19, 2009
Covering:
Prandoni P et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 May 5; 150:577
U.S. Trends in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes, 1999 Through 2006
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Although racial and socioeconomic disparities in disease control persist, insurance coverage appears to narrow the gaps.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
May 13, 2009
Covering:
McWilliams JM et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Apr 21; 150:505
Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Acute Leukemia
VTE incidence was similar to that in patients with other forms of cancer.
