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
Is Carotid Plaque a Predictor of Vascular Events?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
In an observational study, a simple, noninvasive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis added predictive power to the Framingham Risk Score.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
April 9, 2008
Covering:
Rundek T et al., Neurology 2008 Apr 1; 70:1200
Are Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers Effective Alternatives to ACE Inhibitors?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
The angiotensin-receptor blocker telmisartan was shown to be as beneficial as the ACE inhibitor ramipril in preventing vascular events in high-risk patients.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
March 31, 2008
Covering:
Yusuf S et al. for the ONTARGET Investigators., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 10; 358:1547
McMurray JJV., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 10; 358:1615
You’re Never Too Old to Start Treatment for Hypertension
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Findings from a randomized trial suggest that antihypertensive therapy lowers risk not only for stroke, but also for death from any cause.
By JoAnne M. Foody, MD
March 31, 2008
Covering:
Beckett NS et al. for the HYVET Study Group., N Engl J Med 2008 May 1; 358
Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale for Migraine Relief: A Study Headache
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
The final results from the MIST trial are disappointing.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
March 26, 2008
Covering:
Carroll JD., Circulation 2008 Mar 18; 117:1358
Dowson A et al., Circulation 2008 Mar 18; 117:1397
PET Imaging and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Detection
Neurology Summary and Comment
Occipital predominance of Pittsburgh Compound B retention on PET imaging could provide confirmation of CAA diagnoses and predict cerebral hemorrhage and adverse reactions to antiamyloid immune therapy.
By Sandra E. Black, MD, FRCP(C)
March 18, 2008
Covering:
Johnson KA et al., Ann Neurol 2007 Sep; 62:229
Hypertension Vaccine: A New Therapeutic Strategy?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
In a phase II study, immunization against angiotensin II lowered blood pressure.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
March 12, 2008
Covering:
Tissot AC et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 8; 371:821
Use of an Internet-Based Tool to Improve Hospital Care of Stroke Patients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
"Get With The Guidelines–Stroke," a quality-improvement initiative at 99 U.S. hospitals, produced impressive results in 1 year.
By Joel M. Gore, MD
March 12, 2008
Covering:
LaBresh KA et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Feb 25; 168:411
A Possible New Genetic Risk Factor for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Homozygosity for the factor XII C46T polymorphism is associated with increased risk for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.
By Steven Feske, MD
March 11, 2008
Covering:
Reuner KH et al., Neurology 2008 Jan 8; 70:129
Risk Factor Control in Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis
Neurology Summary and Comment
Rx: Aggressive blood pressure and cholesterol control, and a glass of wine?
By David C. Hess, MD
March 11, 2008
Covering:
Chaturvedi S et al., Neurology 2007 Nov 27; 69:2063
Depression, Distress, and Stroke
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Psychological distress, but not major depression, increases the risk for stroke.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 10, 2008
Covering:
Surtees PG et al., Neurology 2008 Mar 4; 70:788
Abciximab vs. Eptifibatide for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An analysis of registry data reveals heavier use of eptifibatide than abciximab and similar short-term outcomes with both agents.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
March 5, 2008
Covering:
Gurm HS et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 Feb 5; 51:529
Moliterno DJ and Ziada KM., J Am Coll Cardiol 2008 Feb 5; 51:536
Do Statins Prevent Ischemic Stroke?
Neurology Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis supports a role.
By Harold P. Adams, Jr., MD
March 4, 2008
Covering:
O’Regan C et al., Am J Med 2008 Jan; 121:24
Alternative to Warfarin Prevents Strokes but Causes Excess Bleeding
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At the dose tested, idraparinux was not a safe alternative to vitamin K antagonists.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 26, 2008
Covering:
Amadeus Investigators., Lancet 2008 Jan 26; 371:315
Abnormal Autonomic Function After Lacunar Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Spectral analysis reveals long-term impairment in cardiovascular control, but the relative roles of the cerebral hemispheres remain unclear.
By Eduardo E. Benarroch, MD
February 26, 2008
Covering:
Dütsch M et al., Neurology 2007 Dec 11; 69:2249
Warfarin: To Stop or Not to Stop?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In outpatients on anticoagulant therapy undergoing minor procedures, the risks for clinically significant bleeding and thromboembolic events must be considered on an individual basis.
By George J. Hruza, MD
February 15, 2008
Covering:
Garcia DA et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Jan 14; 168:63
Carotid Endarterectomy vs. Stenting — Meta-Analysis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Despite the intuitive appeal of carotid artery stenting, its role remains unproven.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 14, 2008
Covering:
Brahmanandam S et al., J Vasc Surg 2008 Feb; 47:343
Stroke in Patients with HIV Infection
Neurology Summary and Comment
A cohort study in South Africa finds a high proportion of young patients, many with vasculitis, among those with both HIV infection and stroke.
By Nagagopal Venna, MD, MRCP
February 12, 2008
Covering:
Tipping B et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007 Dec; 78:1320
Connor M., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007 Dec; 78:1291
What Is the Impact of Bleeding After Acute MI Treatment?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
A large, observational study indicates that the risk for both in-hospital and 6-month mortality is significantly increased in patients with major bleeding.
By Howard C. Herrmann, MD
February 6, 2008
Covering:
Spencer FA et al., Circulation 2007 Dec 11; 116:2793
Berger PB and Manoukian SV., Circulation 2007 Dec 11; 116:2776
Genetic Variance and Hypertension Therapy
Cardiology Summary and Comment
An <$EMPH_O>NPPA<$EMPH_C> genotype was associated with differences in treatment response and outcome in patients treated with diuretics versus other drug classes.
A Closer Look at Progeria Syndrome
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Study of this rare disorder provides insight into the mechanisms of aging.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
February 6, 2008
Covering:
Merideth MA et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Feb 7; 358:592
Aspirin Resistance and Cardiovascular Outcomes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Aspirin resistance apparently is real, but questions remain.
By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
February 5, 2008
Covering:
Krasopoulos G et al., BMJ 2008 Jan 26; 336:195
Bridging Anticoagulation
Periprocedural heparin should be used judiciously in patients who require long-term anticoagulation.
By David Green, MD, PhD
February 5, 2008
Covering:
Garcia DA et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Jan 14; 168:63
