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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
Burning Bridges: Must Warfarin Be Stopped for Device Implantation?Free
- May 22, 2013
- Mark S. Link, MD
In a randomized trial, heparin bridging for implantation of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was associated with an increase in device-pocket hematoma.
- Reviewing:
- Birnie DH et al. N Engl J Med 2013 May 9
Recent Cardiology Articles
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Dual-Chamber ICDs for Primary Prevention: Pain with No Gain?
- May 22, 2013
- Mark S. Link, MD
Compared with single-chamber devices, dual-chamber ICDs are associated with significantly more implant complications and no improvement in outcomes.
- Reviewing:
- Peterson PN et al. JAMA 2013 May 15; 309:2025
FEATURE
Discussion on CardioExchange: Subdural Hematoma and Possible ACS After SyncopeFree
- May 22, 2013
- The Editors
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SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Beta-Blockers for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome?
- May 21, 2013
- Jaime Toro, MD
- Neurology
A trial of low-dose propranolol to improve measures of exercise capacity POTS
- Reviewing:
- Arnold AC et al. Neurology 2013 May 21; 80:1927
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
When Should CV Risk Be Remeasured in People at Low or Intermediate Risk?
- May 21, 2013
- Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
- General Medicine
Few people whose baseline cardiovascular risk was very low or low became high risk after 8 years.
- Reviewing:
- Bell KJL et al. BMJ 2013 Apr 3; 346:f1895
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
CAC Scores Improve Prediction of CV-Related Mortality in DiabeticsFree
- May 16, 2013
- Kirsten E. Fleischmann, MD, MPH
- General Medicine
Assessing coronary artery calcium was better than relying on traditional risk factors alone for determining cardiovascular risk.
- Reviewing:
- Agarwal S et al. Diabetes Care 2013 Apr; 36:972
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
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
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Editor's Picks from across Journal Watch
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Chest Pain: What Happens After the Emergency Department?Free
- April 19, 2013
- By J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP
- Emergency Medicine
Patients who follow up with cardiologists do best.
- Reviewing:
- Circulation 2013 Apr 2; 127:1386
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
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.



