Cardiology: Archives

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

An Herbal Option for Statin-Intolerant Patients?

• June 17, 2009
• Joel M. Gore, MD

A supplement of red yeast rice outperforms placebo in a small randomized trial.

• Reviewing:
• Becker DJ et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Jun 16; 150:830 Phillips PS., Ann Intern Med 2009 Jun 16; 150:885

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

More Burn, Higher Return

• June 17, 2009
• Joel M. Gore, MD

An increase in the prescribed energy expenditure of a cardiac rehabilitation program improved cardiac risk profiles.

• Reviewing:
• Ades PA et al., Circulation 2009 May 11

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Can D-Dimer Levels Help Rule Out Acute Aortic Dissection?

• June 17, 2009
• Beat J. Meyer, MD

In a case-control analysis, the negative likelihood ratio associated with levels <500 ng/mL was comparable to that considered sufficient to rule out pulmonary embolism.

• Reviewing:
• Suzuki T et al. for the IRAD-Bio Investigators., Circulation 2009 May 26; 119:2702

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Long-Term Follow-Up After Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation

• June 10, 2009
• Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Five-year results of a landmark trial confirm the benefits and safety of on-label use of SES.

• Reviewing:
• Weisz G et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2009 Apr 28; 53:1488

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Treating Diabetes and Coronary Artery DiseaseFree

• June 10, 2009
• Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Prompt revascularization or initial medical therapy? Insulin sensitization or provision? From the BARI 2D trial, no strategy emerged a clear winner.

• Reviewing:
• Frye RL et al. for the BARI 2D Study Group., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 11; 360:2503 Boden WE and Taggart DP., N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 11; 360:2570

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Duration of Anticoagulation Therapy After Deep Venous Thrombosis

• June 10, 2009
• Joel M. Gore, MD

In a randomized trial, the use of ultrasonography to guide treatment continuation reduced thrombosis recurrence.

• Reviewing:
• Prandoni P et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 May 5; 150:577

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Women and Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease

• June 10, 2009
• Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

More evidence that the presence of ischemic symptoms without underlying obstructive arteriostenosis warrants heightened vigilance, if not intervention

• Reviewing:
• Gulati M et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 May 11; 169:843

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Should Carotid Stenting Be Performed in Octogenarians?

• June 10, 2009
• Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Results of a case series suggest that the procedure can be safe and effective, but its net benefit in these patients remains to be determined.

• Reviewing:
• Chiam PTL et al., Circulation 2009 May 5; 119:2343 Belkin M and Bhatt DL., Circulation 2009 May 5; 119:2302

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Reducing Radiation Exposure from Cardiac Computed Tomography

• June 9, 2009
• JoAnne M. Foody, MD

A coordinated quality-improvement initiative produced impressive results.

• Reviewing:
• Raff GL et al. for the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium Co-Investigators., JAMA 2009 Jun 10; 301:2340

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Someone to Watch Over Meds

• June 3, 2009
• Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

In two studies, researchers explore novel strategies for reducing adverse drug events caused by medication errors.

• Reviewing:
• Murray MD et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Apr 27; 169:757 Schnipper JL et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Apr 27; 169:771