CardioExchange Archive

July 10th, 2012

Drug-Eluting Stents Often Used in Patients at Low Risk for Restenosis

Larry Husten, PHD

The chief advantage of drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare-metal stents is that they significantly reduce the risk for restenosis. The chief disadvantages of DES are their greater cost and the requirement for prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy after implantation. In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine,  Amit Amin and colleagues analyzed data from 1.5 million […]

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July 9th, 2012

AHA and ADA Cautiously Endorse Non-Nutritive Sweeteners

Larry Husten, PHD

In a newly released scientific statement, the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association offer a cautious endorsement of the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in the diet. But the statement notes that the products are not “magic bullets” and that there is no strong evidence demonstrating their beneficial effects. Sugar in the diet has been linked […]

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July 5th, 2012

Stem Cell Therapy Company Hypes Preliminary Results

Larry Husten, PHD

A biotech company has been accused of releasing preliminary and misleading information about a clinical trial. The company, Osiris Therapeutics, is the manufacturer of  a cultured mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy called Prochymal, which is being studied in a phase 2, placebo-controlled trial in post-MI patients. Earlier this week, Osiris issued a press release announcing preliminary results from the trial, in […]

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July 3rd, 2012

Many CHF Patients Not Receiving – Or Getting Benefits From – High Dose ACE Inhibitors and ARBs

Larry Husten, PHD

Although current guidelines recommend that ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) be used in high doses in patients with congestive heart failure, many CHF patients currently receive lower than recommended doses of these drugs. In a research letter published online in Archives of Internal Medicine, investigators in Montreal analyzed data from 43,405 patients with a first hospital […]

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July 2nd, 2012

Severe Blood Conservation Appears Safe in Cardiac Surgery for Jehovah’s Witnesses

Larry Husten, PHD

Severe blood conservation in conjunction with cardiac surgery is not associated with long-term adverse consequences, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Investigators from the Cleveland Clinic and the NHLBI compared 322 patients who were Jehovah’s Witnesses with an equal number of matched controls. Due to their religious beliefs, Witnesses do […]

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June 29th, 2012

Linagliptin and Glimepiride Compared in Type 2 Diabetes

Larry Husten, PHD

Sulfonylureas are often added to metformin to improve glycemic control, but at the known risk of increasing hypoglycemia and weight gain. In a report published in the Lancet, more than 1,500 patients with type 2 diabetes taking metformin were randomized to the addition of either linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, or glimepiride, a sulfonylurea. After two years, the trial […]

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June 27th, 2012

FDA Approves a New Weight Loss Drug, Breaking a 13-Year Drought

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA announced today that it has approved its first new weight loss drug in 13 years. Lorcaserin, which will be sold under the brand name of Belviq, is manufactured by Arena Pharmaceuticals and will be distributed in the U.S. by Eisai. Lorcaserin is indicated for use in obese adults (BMI 30 or above), or overweight […]

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June 25th, 2012

Are Statins Equally Effective in Women and in Men?

Larry Husten, PHD

Jose Gutierrez and colleagues performed a sex-based meta-analysis, seeking to determine if statins yield a similar protective effect on both men and women in preventing recurrent cardiovascular events. In a paper published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, they report the results of their meta-analysis of 11 secondary prevention, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials, which included 43, […]

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June 25th, 2012

FDA Once Again Delays Approval of Apixaban (Eliquis)

Larry Husten, PHD

The FDA has once again delayed approval of apixaban (Eliquis), the much-anticipated oral anticoagulant. Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer announced today that it had received a a Complete Response Letter (CRL) to the New Drug Application (NDA) for the drug for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The two companies reported that […]

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June 22nd, 2012

Olmesartan Use Associated With GI Disorder That Mimics Celiac Disease

Larry Husten, PHD

A gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic has uncovered a rare but potentially serious association between the angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) olmesartan and severe gastrointestinal problems that resemble Celiac disease. The report has been published online in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. In the U.S., olmesartan is sold as Benicar and, in combination with other drugs, as Azor, Benicar […]

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