CardioExchange Archive

August 28th, 2012

FAME 2: Can FFR Save PCI from Medical Therapy?

Larry Husten, PHD

Two sharply divergent views have developed about the value of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in PCI. FFR advocates think the new technology can help identify ischemic lesions that will benefit from PCI, thereby helping to salvage or enhance the reputation of PCI. FFR skeptics think that optimal medical therapy is still the preferred option for most […]

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August 27th, 2012

The Return of Vorapaxar, This Time for Post-MI Patients

Larry Husten, PHD

The once highly promising novel antiplatelet agent vorapaxar, widely thought to be dead on arrival after unacceptably high serious bleeding rates were found in two large clinical trials, has now returned to active duty. On Sunday the drug’s sponsor, Merck, announced that it would seek approval of the drug, with a narrower indication than originally planned, based on new […]

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August 27th, 2012

ESC: No Benefit of Intraaortic Balloon Counterpulsation in Cardiogenic Shock

Larry Husten, PHD

Despite a lack of evidence, circulatory support with intraaortic balloon counterpulation (IABP) has a class 1 recommendation in the guidelines and is often used in patients in cardiogenic shock following myocardial infarction for whom early revascularization is planned. That situation may change soon, as no benefit was found for the use of IABP in the […]

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August 26th, 2012

First Detailed Look At Why Aliskiren Failed To Gain ALTITUDE

Larry Husten, PHD

This once-promising renin inhibitor was no better than placebo when it came to the composite outcome, but showed worrisome trends, especially when it came to stroke.

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August 26th, 2012

TRILOGY at ESC: No Advantage for Prasugrel Over Clopidogrel in Medical ACS Patients

Larry Husten, PHD

The newer antiplatelet agent prasugrel was no better than the old standby clopidogrel for treating patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who are not undergoing revascularization. The results of the TRILOGY ACS (Targeted Platelet Inhibition to Clarify the Optimal Strategy to Medically Manage Acute Coronary Syndromes) trial were presented by Matt Roe at the European Society of […]

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August 25th, 2012

New Universal Definition of MI Unveiled at ESC 2012

Larry Husten, PHD

The new definition specifies the troponin levels required to make a diagnosis of myocardial infarction in various situations.

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August 22nd, 2012

NHLBI Announces 7000-Patient Trial to Test Inflammation Hypothesis

Larry Husten, PHD

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has announced the launch of a large clinical trial testing the inflammation hypothesis. Paul Ridker is the principal investigator of the trial, which will be known as  the Cardiovascular Inflammation Reduction Trial (CIRT). CIRT will enroll 7,000 patients who are stable following a heart attack but are at high risk for a […]

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August 21st, 2012

Cardiovascular Risk Prediction: Two More Studies, Little Progress

Larry Husten, PHD

Two studies published in JAMA provide new data — and, perhaps, some additional clarity — about using additional markers to help improve risk prediction for coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In one study, Joseph Yeboah and colleagues used data from 1330 intermediate-risk participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)  to analyze the prognostic value […]

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August 20th, 2012

TNF Inhibitors Linked to Reduction in MI for Psoriasis Patients

Larry Husten, PHD

Psoriasis patients who take TNF inhibitors have a significant reduction in the risk for myocardial infarction (MI), according to a retrospective cohort study published in Archives of Dermatology. Although previous research suggested that the anti-inflammatory effects of methotrexate, an older therapy, may be beneficial in this population, the cardiovascular effects of TNF inhibitors had not been […]

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August 15th, 2012

Observational Study Fills Gaps in Understanding AF Patients with Kidney Disease

Larry Husten, PHD

Although people with atrial fibrillation (AF) and people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at elevated risk for stroke and other vascular events, people with both conditions have not been well studied, since those with CKD have been excluded from most clinical trials of stroke prevention for AF. The problem is further compounded because the […]

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