Cardiology: Archives

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Beta-Blockade for Heart Failure: What to Aim For?

• July 15, 2009
• Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

A meta-analysis suggests that improvements in mortality with beta-blockers are more strongly associated with the heart rate achieved than with dose.

• Reviewing:
• McAlister FA et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Jun 2; 150:784

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Invasive Procedures in Patients Taking Oral Anticoagulants

• July 15, 2009
• Howard C. Herrmann, MD

A standardized protocol for periprocedural LMWH bridging therapy appears to be safe and effective.

• Reviewing:
• Pengo V et al., Circulation 2009 Jun 9; 119:2920

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Beta-Blockers in Heart Failure Patients with Preserved Systolic Function

• July 15, 2009
• Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

Findings from a SENIORS substudy suggest that the benefits of beta blockade extend to patients without LVSD.

• Reviewing:
• van Veldhuisen DJ et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2009 Jun 9; 53:2150

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Bitter Harvest?Free

• July 15, 2009
• Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Disturbing long-term observational results suggest that endoscopic vein harvesting for CABG increases the risk for several adverse outcomes.

• Reviewing:
• Lopes RD et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jul 16; 361:235

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Spending, and Total Medical Spending

• July 1, 2009
• Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

In patients with little or no drug coverage before Part D enactment, additional drug costs during the program’s first 2 years were offset by reductions in other medical costs.

• Reviewing:
• Zhang Y et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jul 2; 361:52

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Biomarkers and Cardiovascular Risk Prediction

• July 1, 2009
• JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Once again, the addition of biomarker measures to traditional risk models was of greatest benefit to those at intermediate risk.

• Reviewing:
• Melander O et al., JAMA 2009 Jul 1; 302:49 Shah SH and de Lemos JA., JAMA 2009 Jul 1; 302:92

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

C-Reactive Protein: Shooting at the Messenger?

• July 1, 2009
• JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Findings from a genomewide association and Mendelian randomization study suggest that CRP is a marker, not a cause, of atherosclerosis.

• Reviewing:
• Elliott P et al., JAMA 2009 Jul 1; 302:37 Shah SH and de Lemos JA., JAMA 2009 Jul 1; 302:92

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Fibrinolysis Before Angioplasty for ST-Segment-Elevation MI

• June 24, 2009
• Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

In a large trial, patients routinely transferred for prompt catheterization after fibrinolysis fared better than those transferred only for rescue or delayed PCI.

• Reviewing:
• Cantor WJ et al. for the TRANSFER-AMI Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 25; 360:2705 Verheugt FWA., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 25; 360:2779

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

More Tofu, Please?

• June 24, 2009
• JoAnne M. Foody, MD

In a small randomized, controlled study, a low-carbohydrate, plant-based diet improved lipid measures more than a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. CME

• Reviewing:
• Jenkins DJA et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 8; 169:1046 Tuttle KR and Milton JE., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 8; 169:1027

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Getting Enough Sleep Might Lower Your Blood Pressure

• June 24, 2009
• Joel M. Gore, MD

In a prospective, observational study, less sleep and less-sustained sleep were associated with higher blood pressure. CME

• Reviewing:
• Knutson KL et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 8; 169:1055