CardioExchange Archive

March 3rd, 2014

Pfizer Starts Testing for Over-the-Counter Atorvastatin

Larry Husten, PHD

Looking backward to improve its future, Pfizer will once again try to gain FDA approval to market its blockbuster drug, atorvastatin (Lipitor), over-the-counter (OTC). Peter Loftus reports in the Wall Street Journal that the company has started a clinical study to support the application for low-dose atorvastatin (10 mg). Over-the-counter statins have been unsuccessfully proposed in the past. Merck […]

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February 27th, 2014

Tooth Extraction Prior to Cardiac Surgery May Not Be a Good Idea

Larry Husten, PHD

People with an infected or abscessed tooth are at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. They are at particular risk for developing a serious infection during surgery, including endocarditis. Because of this risk, in order to reduce the risk of infection many patients undergo dental extraction prior to having a planned cardiac surgery. Now, however, a […]

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February 27th, 2014

Steve Jobs Rejected the First Medical App in 1977

Larry Husten, PHD

There’s been a lot of speculation that future Apple products will include health-related apps and biometric sensors. Here’s the story of what might have been the first Apple medical app, except for the fact that in 1977 Steve Jobs had absolutely no interest in going in that direction. George Diamond is now retired after a long and very distinguished career as a cardiologist at […]

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February 25th, 2014

Study Raises Questions About Transfusions in PCI Patients

Larry Husten, PHD

A very large observational study raises important questions about the role of transfusions in PCI patients in the U.S. In a study published in JAMA, researchers from Duke and Yale analyzed data from more than 2.25 million percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures at more than 1400 hospitals. The data came from the CathPCI Registry, a large ongoing study […]

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February 25th, 2014

FDA Approves New Catheter for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA has granted marketing approval for the Thermocool Smarttouch ablation catheter for use in patients with drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), sustained monomorphic ischemic ventricular tachycardia, and type I atrial flutter. The device is manufactured by Biosense Webster, a Johnson & Johnson company. The device, according to the company, “is the first therapeutic catheter approved in the […]

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February 24th, 2014

Vitamin Supplements Come Up Short Once Again

Larry Husten, PHD

Once again, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has concluded that there is no good evidence to support the routine use of multivitamins or most individual or combination vitamins by healthy adults to prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer. The USPSTF also recommended against the use of two specific vitamins — beta-carotene and vitamin E. Beta-carotene has been […]

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February 24th, 2014

Meta-Analysis Links Vegetarian Diet and Lower Blood Pressure

Larry Husten, PHD

A new meta-analysis provides the strongest evidence yet that a vegetarian diet is strongly associated with lower blood pressure. Although various health benefits of a vegetarian diet have often been proposed, a rigorous examination of the effect on blood pressure has not been previously performed. In a paper published in JAMA Internal Medicine, Japanese researchers analyzed data from […]

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February 19th, 2014

Victor Dzau Leaving Duke to Head the Institute of Medicine

Larry Husten, PHD

Cardiologist Victor Dzau will leave his positions as the chancellor for health affairs at Duke University and the CEO of the Duke University Health System to become the next president of the Institute of Medicine. He will replace Harvey Fineberg, who has been the IOM president for the last 12 years. “I am humbled and honored […]

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February 18th, 2014

Trial Offers Little Support for Early Use of Radiofrequency Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation

Larry Husten, PHD

A new trial offers little support for early use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). Current guidelines state that RFA may be indicated in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF after antiarrhythmic drug therapy has failed. Although earlier hopes have been dashed that RFA would prove to be a cure for AF, some experts […]

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February 14th, 2014

FDA Once Again Rejects New Indication For Rivaroxaban

Larry Husten, PHD

The third time wasn’t the charm. The FDA today turned turned down — for the third time — the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for rivaroxaban (Xarelto, Johnson & Johnson) for use in acute coronary syndrome patients to reduce MI, stroke, or death. In addition, the FDA — for the second time — turned down the sNDA for rivaroxaban in […]

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