Carotid Plaque and Vascular Risk
Neurology Summary and Comment
Ultrasound measurement of carotid plaque correlated with vascular risk only in Latino patients, but it had predictive value for those with few conventional risk factors.
By Seemant Chaturvedi, MD
July 15, 2008
Covering:
Rundek T et al., Neurology 2008 Apr 1; 70:1200
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
Atrial Fibrillation: To Bridge or Not to Bridge Preoperatively
Hospital Medicine Summary and Comment
Bridging anticoagulation therapy is not necessary during the perioperative period in patients with AF.
Cerebrovascular Complications in Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Such complications occur commonly, even in patients with no neurologic symptoms.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
July 2, 2008
Covering:
Snygg-Martin U et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Jul 1; 47:23
Baddour LM and Bayer AS., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Jul 1; 47:31
Thromboses, Microparticles, and Thrombin Generation: How Are They Linked?
Patients with thrombosis had more microparticle-mediated thrombin generation than did normal controls.
Is Multidetector CT Sufficient for ED Diagnosis of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Newer multidetector helical CT is not sensitive enough to be used as the sole diagnostic test.
For Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Stroke Risk, Timing Makes a Difference
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
New NHS results corroborate previous findings about HT and stroke risk while providing reassurance for young menopausal women using HT for fewer than 5 years.
Walking Speed and Stroke Risk
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Slow walking pointed to higher likelihood of ischemic stroke.
Risks of Combining Dual Antiplatelet Therapy with Warfarin
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Standard therapy for preventing stent thrombosis after PCI may be dangerous in patients taking long-term anticoagulants.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
June 4, 2008
Covering:
Rogacka R et al., J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2008 Feb 1; 1:56
Hylek EM and Solarz DE., J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2008 Feb 1; 1:62
Platelet Aggregometry as a Marker of Risk for Vascular Events: Not Yet
Neurology Summary and Comment
Among patients taking aspirin, measurements of platelet aggregometry did not correlate with recent history of recurrent ischemic events, including stroke.
By Mitchell S.V. Elkind, MD, MS
June 3, 2008
Covering:
Sztriha LK et al., Acta Neurol Scand 2008 Apr; 117:250
Vascular Outcomes in Women Improve Rapidly After Smoking Cessation
Cardiology Summary and Comment
The risk for death from vascular diseases escalates sooner after starting and declines sooner after quitting than risks for death from other smoking-related causes.
Cilostazol Shows Promise for Secondary Stroke Prevention
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a phase II study cilostazol compared favorably with aspirin.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
May 28, 2008
Covering:
Huang Y et al. for the CASISP cooperation investigators., Lancet Neurol 2008 Jun; 7:494
Hankey GJ., Lancet Neurol 2008 Jun; 7:469
Thijs V et al., Eur Heart J 2008 May; 29:1086
Can We Prevent Poststroke Depression?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
It seems so, and escitalopram is a better choice than problem-solving therapy.
Perioperative β-Blockers: Fewer MIs but Increased Mortality
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A landmark trial casts doubts on the liberal use of β-blockers perioperatively.
Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke: rFVIIa Is Not Effective
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The promise shown previously for rFVIIa was not sustained in this trial.
Pravastatin and Primary Prevention of Cardiac Events in Women
Women's Health Summary and Comment
In a Japanese study, pravastatin was particularly beneficial in women 55 or older.
Factor VIIa Not Effective for Intracerebral Hemorrhage
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Treatment with rFVIIa was not associated with improved 90-day neurologic outcomes.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
May 14, 2008
Covering:
Mayer SA et al., N Engl J Med 2008 May 15; 358:2127
Beta-Blockers for Noncardiac Surgery: A Shift in Balance?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Results from the POISE trial suggest that the risks of initiating beta-blockers may outweigh the benefits.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
May 14, 2008
Covering:
POISE Study Group., Lancet 2008 May 13
Fleisher LA and Poldermans D., Lancet 2008 May 13
Recombinant Factor VIIa Fails to Modify Outcomes After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Less hematoma growth with rFVIIa therapy was not associated with better 90-day neurologic outcomes.
Brain CT Findings Enhance Prediction of Stroke After TIA
Neurology Summary and Comment
CT findings honed the predictive ability of the ABCD score in an Italian cohort.
By Samir H. Shah, MD, and Bruce Ovbiagele, MD
April 29, 2008
Covering:
Sciolla R and Melis F., Stroke 2008 Feb; 39:297
Prasugrel vs. Clopidogrel, Continued . . .
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A subanalysis of TRITON-TIMI 38 suggests that prasugrel lowers stent thrombosis rates in high-risk ACS patients.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
April 23, 2008
Covering:
Wiviott SD et al. for the TRITON-TIMI 38 Investigators., Lancet 2008 Apr 19; 371:1353
Ajani AE and Lefkovits J., Lancet 2008 Apr 19; 371:1315
Warfarin Increases Delayed Bleeding After Skin Surgery
Dermatology Summary and Comment
But there is no need to stop warfarin if careful management is employed.
By George J. Hruza, MD
April 18, 2008
Covering:
Blasdale C and Lawrence CM., Br J Dermatol 2008 Mar; 158:522
An ACE Inhibitor, an ARB, or Both for Patients at High Vascular Risk?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
An ARB was as efficacious as an ACE inhibitor, but combination therapy failed to show any advantages.
By Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH
April 17, 2008
Covering:
Yusuf S et al. for the ONTARGET Investigators., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 10; 358:1547
Ablation Therapy for Atrial Tachycardias: Some Answers, More Questions
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis of four randomized comparison trials suggests that ablation may have the edge over drug treatment — but also highlights the paucity of evidence.
Carotid Stenting vs. Endarterectomy — Long-Term Results
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At 3 years, outcomes were similar for patients at high surgical risk.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 9, 2008
Covering:
Gurm HS et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 10; 358:1572
