Cardiovascular Disease Following Stem-Cell Transplantation
Adverse arterial events were significantly more common among allogeneic HSCT recipients than among autologous recipients.
How Good Are Surrogate Measures of Coronary Artery Disease?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In a study of carotid artery ultrasound findings as predictors of first MI, some were better than others, and most were better in women than in men.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
November 14, 2007
Covering:
Johnsen SH et al., Stroke 2007 Nov; 38:2873
Anatomical Correlates of Cognitive Impairment After Lacunar Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
A voxel-based morphometry MRI study shows that cortical atrophy is associated with subcortical vascular cognitive impairment.
By Helena C. Chui, MD
November 6, 2007
Covering:
Grau-Olivares M et al., Cerebrovasc Dis 2007 May; 23:353
Can Statins Benefit Elderly Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a randomized trial, rosuvastatin was associated with a decrease in hospitalizations for cardiovascular events but no reduction in mortality.
By Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH
November 5, 2007
Covering:
Kjekshus J et al. for the CORONA group., N Engl J Med 2007 Nov 5
Masoudi FA., N Engl J Med 2007 Nov 5
Prasugrel vs. Clopidogrel: A Split Decision
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a phase III study, prasugrel demonstrated greater efficacy than clopidogrel, but also conferred a higher risk for bleeding.
By Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM
November 4, 2007
Covering:
Wiviott SD et al. for the TRITON–TIMI 38 Investigators., N Engl J Med 2007 Nov 4
Expedited Treatment of TIA and Minor Stroke Reduces Risk for Recurrent Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
When patients were sent immediately to a neurovascular clinic, 90-day recurrence rates dropped by about 80%.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
November 1, 2007
Covering:
Rothwell PM et al., Lancet 2007 Oct 20; 370:1432
Anemia and Risk for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
As physicians in the 1800s believed, anemia is indeed an independent risk factor for this rare condition.
By Anand Viswanathan, MD, PhD
October 30, 2007
Covering:
Stolz E et al., J Neurol 2007 Jun; 254:729
Minocycline May Improve Outcomes After Acute Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Can this old drug learn a new trick?
Migraine Might Bring More Than Meets the Eye
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
Migraine with visual aura was associated with stroke risk in young women.
Comparative Effectiveness of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A review of 23 randomized trials comparing PCI with CABG illuminates some relative risks and benefits.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
October 24, 2007
Covering:
Bravata DM et al., Ann Intern Med 2007 Nov 20
Changes in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Incidence Over 20 Years
Neurology Summary and Comment
Results of a U.K. study reveal differences that may substantially affect management decisions in older patients.
By Carlos S. Kase, MD
October 23, 2007
Covering:
Lovelock CE et al., Lancet Neurol 2007 Jun; 6:487
Early Treatment After TIA Greatly Reduces Stroke Risk
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Ninety-day risk was reduced by 80%.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
October 18, 2007
Covering:
Rothwell PM et al., Lancet 2007 Oct 9
Dean N and Shuaib A., Lancet 2007 Oct 9
Carotid Stenting — Results from a Large Registry
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At 30 days, 6.3% of patients had experienced the composite outcome of stroke, death, or myocardial infarction.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
October 11, 2007
Covering:
Fairman R et al., Ann Surg 2007 Oct; 246:551
On-Pump vs. Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Big Picture
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a large, observational study confirm lower short-term complication rates but higher long-term revascularization rates with OPCAB.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
October 10, 2007
Covering:
Hannan EL et al., Circulation 2007 Sep 4; 116:1145
Lytle BW., Circulation 2007 Sep 4; 116:1108
Thiazolidinediones and Increased MI Risk: A Class Effect?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
New meta-analyses support an increased risk for MI with rosiglitazone, but not with pioglitazone.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
October 10, 2007
Covering:
Lincoff AM et al., JAMA 2007 Sep 12; 298:1180
Singh S et al., JAMA 2007 Sep 12; 298:1189
Oral Anticoagulation Without Therapeutic Monitoring: Dabigatran After Hip Replacement
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Dabigatran etexilate appears to be a safe, effective, and more convenient alternative to enoxaparin after hip replacement surgery.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
October 9, 2007
Covering:
Eriksson BI et al., Lancet 2007 Sep 15; 370:949
Molecule Links Dyslipidemia, Oxidative Stress, and Thrombosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A newly identified component of oxidized LDL appears to increase platelet reactivity.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
September 25, 2007
Covering:
Podrez EA et al., Nat Med 2007 Sep; 13:1086
Jackson SP and Calkin AC., Nat Med 2007 Sep; 13:1015
MRI Perfusion-Diffusion Mismatch and Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
A review of the evidence to date raises important questions.
By Gregory W. Albers, MD
September 18, 2007
Covering:
Kane I et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007 May; 78:485
Statin Withdrawal After Acute Stroke
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Patients who discontinued statins for 3 days after stroke were at increased risk for death or dependency 3 months later.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
September 11, 2007
Covering:
Blanco M et al., Neurology 2007 Aug 28; 69:904-10
Stroke and Folic Acid: A Meta-Analysis
Neurology Summary and Comment
An analysis of eight randomized trials indicates that folic acid supplementation is effective for primary prevention of stroke.
September 11, 2007
Covering:
Wang X et al., Lancet 2007 Jun 2; 369:1876-82
Carlsson CM., Lancet 2007 Jun 2; 369:1841-2
Warfarin Is Better Than Aspirin for Stroke Prevention in Older Patients with AF
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
And warfarin does not increase risk for intracranial bleeding.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
September 7, 2007
Covering:
Mant J et al., Lancet 2007 Aug 11; 370:493-503
Garcia D and Hylek E., Lancet 2007 Aug 11; 370:460-1
Can TIA Patients Be Worked Up Adequately in an ED Observation Unit?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients who were worked up in the ED had shorter stays, lower costs, and comparable outcomes to those who were worked up in the hospital.
Looking for Atrial Fibrillation
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Screening improved detection rates, but it remains unclear whether screening is beneficial.
By Keith I. Marton, MD
September 6, 2007
Covering:
Fitzmaurice DA et al., BMJ 2007 Aug 25; 335:383
Mant J et al., BMJ 2007 Aug 25; 335:380
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.
