Antihypertensive Treatment in Patients Without Hypertension
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Morbidity and mortality were lowered — but only in patients with known cardiovascular disease.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
March 8, 2011
Covering:
Thompson AM et al., JAMA 2011 Mar 2; 305:913
Ventura HO and Lavie CJ., JAMA 2011 Mar 2; 305:940
Updated Guidelines on Secondary Stroke Prevention
Neurology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
An update of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines incorporates several lines of new evidence.
CHA2 DS2 -VASc Performs Better Than CHADS2 in Predicting Stroke Risk
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The newer scoring system allowed better identification of patients at low or intermediate risk.
Stroke Center Designation and Mortality
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Does treatment at a designated stroke center reduce mortality for patients with acute ischemic stroke?
Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Is antihypertensive therapy in the week after a stroke beneficial?
By Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, MS
March 1, 2011
Covering:
Sandset EC et al. on behalf of the SCAST Study Group., Lancet 2011 Feb 26; 377:741
Dabigatran for Patients with AFib: Putting the Recommendations into Practice
The following dialogue between Samuel Zachary Goldhaber, MD, and the editors of CardioExchange, an online forum for cardiology news and discussion, first appeared as an "Expert Is In" blog on that website. The questions pertain to the newly updated recommendations on the use of dabigatran in patients with atrial fibrillation , issued by the American College of Cardiology Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the Heart Rhythm Society. The blog prompted a lively conversation, which you can join by registering for CardioExchange .
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Revised guidelines redefine risk for cardiovascular disease and its management in women.
Late Rehabilitation After Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Is rehabilitation useful when provided more than 6 months after a stroke?
By Jaime Toro, MD
February 22, 2011
Covering:
Ferrarello F et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2011 Feb; 82:136
Statins Prevent Vascular Events, Independent of Baseline CRP Levels
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Contrary to some claims, statins benefited high-risk patients with low C-reactive protein levels.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
February 17, 2011
Covering:
Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group., Lancet 2011 Feb 5; 377:469
Ischemic Stroke Recurrence in Young Adults
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
A large study of stroke recurrence rates in young-adult patients
By Christine Fox, MD
February 15, 2011
Covering:
Putaala J et al., Ann Neurol 2010 Nov; 68:661
Statin Use After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Neurology Summary and Comment
Under most circumstances, the risks of statin treatment after intracerebral hemorrhage outweigh the potential benefits.
By Adam Kelly, MD
February 15, 2011
Covering:
Westover MB et al., Arch Neurol 2011 Jan 10
Another Contender in the Race to Unseat Warfarin
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Free
Compared with aspirin, apixaban reduced the risk for embolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation.
By Mark S. Link, MD
February 10, 2011
Covering:
Connolly SJ et al. for the AVERROES Steering Committee and Investigators., N Engl J Med 2011 Feb 10
HIV and Stroke
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The proportion of hospitalized stroke patients who are HIV-infected is increasing; multiple reasons are likely.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
February 9, 2011
Covering:
Ovbiagele B and Nath A., Neurology 2011 Feb 1; 76:444
Endarterectomy vs. Carotid Stenting: A Meta-Analysis
Neurology Summary and Comment
Age is an important consideration in choosing between these two procedures.
By Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, MS
February 8, 2011
Covering:
Carotid Stenting Trialists' Collaboration., Lancet 2010 Sep 25; 376:1062
Halliday A et al on behalf of the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial (ACST) Collaborative Group., Lancet 2010 Sep 25; 376:1074
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Stroke Recovery
Neurology Summary and Comment
Free
Fluoxetine may improve motor outcome after ischemic stroke.
By Gary Abrams, MD
February 1, 2011
Covering:
Chollet F et al., Lancet Neurol 2011 Feb; 10:123
Safety of PPIs and Clopidogrel After Stroke
Neurology Summary and Comment
Proton-pump inhibitors didn't increase stroke recurrence risk in a cohort of clopidogrel users, but the jury is still out.
By J. Donald Easton, MD
February 1, 2011
Covering:
Juurlink DN et al., Stroke 2011 Jan; 42:128
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Supplementation did not prevent major CV events in patients with previous myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or stroke.
Does Red Meat Consumption Raise Stroke Risk?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Swedish women in the highest stratum of red meat consumption were more likely to experience cerebral infarctions than were those in the lowest stratum.
ACC/AHA Focused Update: Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
Recent studies of rate-control targets, anticoagulation strategies, dronedarone, and catheter ablation drive changes to the 2006 guidelines.
By Mark S. Link, MD
January 12, 2011
Covering:
Wann LS et al., Circulation 2011 Jan 4/11; 123:104
Unique Cardiovascular Risks of Tricyclic Antidepressants
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
An epidemiologic study shows that use of this class of drugs increases the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Here Come the Alternatives to Warfarin!
Dabigatran or other oral clotting inhibitors might be better choices for some patients.
Endarterectomy vs. Stenting for Carotid Artery Stenosis
For now, endarterectomy remains the treatment of choice.
Dabigatran or Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation?
Chances are, warfarin has begun its ride into the sunset.
Dabigatran for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior TIA or Stroke?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The drug compared favorably to warfarin in patients with previous transient ischemic attack or stroke.
By Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
December 14, 2010
Covering:
Diener HC et al., Lancet Neurol 2010 Dec; 9:1157
Lane DA and Lip GY., Lancet Neurol 2010 Dec; 9:1140
Age and Outcomes with Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Patients older than 80 derive clear benefit from thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
December 10, 2010
Covering:
Mishra NK et al., BMJ 2010 Nov 23; 341:c6046
Derex L., BMJ 2010 Nov 23; 341:c5891
