CardioExchange Archive

April 20th, 2015

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: April 20th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include the efficacy and safety of both alirocumab and evolocumab in reducing lipids and CV events, survival and outcomes following bioprosthetic vs. mechanical mitral valve replacement, and more.

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June 9th, 2014

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: June 9th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include the CORONARY trial, the association of azithromycin with mortality and CV events among older patients hospitalized with pneumonia, and more.

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April 24th, 2014

Study Details Cardiovascular Events in Cannabis Users

Nicholas Downing, MD

One quarter of cardiovascular events among young cannabis users might be fatal, according to a small study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers examined 35 cardiovascular events (1.8% of roughly 2000 adverse events) in cannabis users reported to the French Addictovigilance Network from 2006 to 2010. Nearly half the patients reported using cannabis […]

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October 29th, 2013

Using CAC Scores to Determine the Best Candidates for a Polypill

Anita Vashi, MD, MPH

Khurram Nasir discusses his research group’s JACC study, which examines whether the coronary artery calcium score can be used to determine the target population for a polypill.

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October 14th, 2013

The Benefits of Switching From Hydrochlorothiazide to Chlorthalidone: What’s Stopping Us?

Nicholas Bergfeld, BS, BA

Nicholas Bergfeld wonders what it will take to convince the medical community and the government that switching from hydrochlorothiazide to chlorthalidone is effective, economical, and life-saving for patients.

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September 19th, 2013

Clopidogrel’s Benefits Seen Mainly in Smokers

Nicholas Downing, MD

Clopidogrel appears to offer more protection against cardiovascular events among smokers than nonsmokers, according to a systematic review in BMJ. Researchers examined data from six randomized trials comparing clopidogrel (alone or with aspirin) with control treatments (namely, aspirin alone or lower-dose clopidogrel plus aspirin). Nearly 75,000 patients with established cardiovascular disease, 30% of whom were smokers, […]

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February 18th, 2013

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: February 18th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include the relationship between hospital readmission and mortality rates for those hospitalized with acute MI, HF, or pneumonia, the effects of body size and hypertension treatments on CV event rates, and more.

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October 2nd, 2012

Registry Study Raises Questions About Cardioprotective Effect of Beta-Blockers

Larry Husten, PHD

Although beta-blockers have been a cornerstone of therapy for patients with coronary artery disease for more than a generation, a new study in JAMA suggests that that in the modern era, beta-blockers might not improve outcomes. Sriapl Bangalore and colleagues analyzed data from 44,708 patients enrolled in the Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH registry), […]

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