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Journal Watch condenses summaries of key research across specialties from more than 250 medical journals into concise yet comprehensive articles, incorporating clinical commentary from prominent physician-editors in the field.
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Featured Article
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Not So Fast! Programming ICDs to Reduce Unnecessary TherapyFree
- May 15, 2013
- Mark S. Link, MD
Longer detection times for ICD-documented arrhythmias reduce ATP and inappropriate shocks without reducing appropriate therapy.
- Reviewing:
- Gasparini M et al. JAMA 2013 May 8; 309:1903
Recent Cardiology Articles
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
A Secondary-Prevention Alarm Bell for Lower-Income Countries
- May 15, 2013
- JoAnne M. Foody, MD
Among survivors of coronary heart disease and stroke, those in lower-income countries were even less likely to observe key elements of a healthy lifestyle than survivors in wealthier countries.
- Reviewing:
- Teo K et al. JAMA 2013 Apr 17; 309:1613
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Beta-Blockade for Noncardiac Surgery: How Many Risk Factors Make a Benefit?
- May 15, 2013
- Joel M. Gore, MD
In a large retrospective analysis, perioperative beta-blocker use was associated with decreased mortality — but only in patients with 
2 Cardiac Risk Index variables.
- Reviewing:
- London MJ et al. JAMA 2013 Apr 24; 309:1704
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting vs. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Multivessel Disease in the Community
- May 15, 2013
- Joel M. Gore, MD
In an observational study in Medicare patients, a long-term survival advantage of CABG was evident for patients with particular clinical characteristics.
- Reviewing:
- Hlatky MA et al. Ann Intern Med 2013 Apr 23
FEATURE
Discussion on CardioExchange: How Should Recent Trials Affect CRT Practice?Free
- May 15, 2013
- The Editors
Sign in or register today for access to this and other blogs and discussions.
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Salutary Effects of Lower Energy Intake, Higher Physical Activity, and Weight Loss in Cuba
- May 7, 2013
- Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
- General Medicine
Weight changes related to economic hardship and recovery were associated with changes in diabetes incidence and cardiovascular-related mortality.
- Reviewing:
- Franco M et al. BMJ 2013 Apr 9; 346:f1515
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
The "Oregon Experiment" at 2 YearsFree
- May 9, 2013
- Allan S. Brett, MD
- General Medicine
A lottery for Medicaid enrollment simulates a randomized trial.
- Reviewing:
- Baicker K et al. N Engl J Med 2013 May 2; 368:1713
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
New Cardiovascular Risk Factor: Gut Bugs, Lecithin, and TMAO
- May 14, 2013
- Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
- General Medicine
Bacteria in the gut convert dietary lecithin to proatherogenic trimethylamine-N-oxide.
- Reviewing:
- Tang WHW et al. N Engl J Med 2013 Apr 25; 368:1575
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Patients with Risk Factors: A Randomized TrialFree
- May 8, 2013
- Allan S. Brett, MD
- General Medicine
Supplementation failed to improve any outcome.
- Reviewing:
- The Risk and Prevention Study Collaborative Group. N Engl J Med 2013 May 9; 368:1800
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Genetic Cascade Screening for Familial Hypercholesterolemia
- May 8, 2013
- Beat J. Meyer, MD
A population-based study suggests a polygenic cause for FH in many mutation-negative patients, which may reduce the need for genetic screening of relatives.
- Reviewing:
- Talmud PJ et al. Lancet 2013 Apr 13; 381:1293
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Could Vitamin D Supplementation Lower Blood Pressure in Blacks?
- May 8, 2013
- Joel M. Gore, MD
In a small randomized trial, supplementation had a small but significant dose-related effect on systolic blood pressure.
- Reviewing:
- Forman JP et al. Hypertension 2013 Apr; 61:779
Editor's Picks from across Journal Watch
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Higher Potassium Intake Lowers Blood Pressure and Is Associated with Less Risk for Stroke
- April 18, 2013
- By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
- General Medicine
A BP-lowering effect was noted in hypertensive people and those with high sodium intake. CME
- Reviewing:
- BMJ 2013 Apr 4; 346:f1378
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Continuing Statins May Improve Early Outcomes in Severe SepsisFree
- April 17, 2013
- By Neil M. Ampel, MD
- Infectious Diseases
In a double-blind, randomized, phase II study, 28-day mortality among prior statin users was significantly lower with continued atorvastatin therapy than with placebo.
- Reviewing:
- Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013 Apr; 187:743
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
High-Potency Statins Associated with Acute Kidney InjuryFree
- April 11, 2013
- By Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
- General Medicine
Risk is greatest during the first 4 months of treatment.
- Reviewing:
- BMJ 2013 Mar 19; 346:f880
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Ampicillin plus Ceftriaxone for Enterococcus faecalis Endocarditis
- April 10, 2013
- By Neil M. Ampel, MD
- Infectious Diseases
In an observational multicenter study, outcomes were similar between ampicillin plus ceftriaxone and ampicillin plus gentamicin, but renal dysfunction was significantly more common with the latter.
- Reviewing:
- Clin Infect Dis 2013 May 1; 56:1261
Journal Watch Cardiology summarizes important medical journal articles about a wide variety of cardiovascular subjects including angina, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stents, stroke and ventricular fibrillation.
