CardioExchange Archive

December 21st, 2011

Study Examines Changes in Resting Heart Rate Over Time

Larry Husten, PHD

Although resting heart rate (RHR) has been long known to be associated with cardiovascular risk, change in RHR over time has not been well studied. A new paper from Norway published in JAMA demonstrates that an increase in RHR over 10 years helps predict the risk of all-cause and ischemic heart disease (IHD) death. Javaid Nauman and colleagues analyzed […]

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December 20th, 2011

22 Years Later, Study Shows Life-Prolonging Effect of Antihypertensive Therapy

Larry Husten, PHD

After more than 20 years, the benefits of antihypertensive therapy are still evident, according to a new paper published in JAMA. John Kostis and colleagues performed a 22-year follow-up study on patients enrolled between 1985 and 1988 in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) trial. In 1991, SHEP found that low-dose chlorthalidone in 4736 elderly patients with isolated […]

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December 20th, 2011

ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis

Larry Husten, PHD

Novartis announced today the early termination of the ALTITUDE trial, which was testing the effect of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren (Tekturna, Rasilez) in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment at high risk for cardiovascular and renal events. The action was based on the recommendation of the independent Data Monitoring Committee, after it found […]

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December 19th, 2011

More Uncertainty About Vitamin D Supplements

Larry Husten, PHD

Although many experts believe that vitamin D deficiency may play a significant role in cardiovascular disease, there is little evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In a narrative review published in Annals of Internal Medicine, Cora McGreevy and David Williams write that the few available studies have […]

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December 19th, 2011

FDA Adds New Warnings to Dronedarone (Multaq) Label

Larry Husten, PHD

In an updated safety communication, the FDA announced on Monday that it is adding new warnings  to the dronedarone (Multaq, Sanofi) label. On the basis of results from the PALLAS trial, which was discontinued early due to safety concerns, the drug label will now warn: Healthcare professionals should not prescribe Multaq to patients with AF who cannot […]

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December 15th, 2011

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: AHA Releases Update of Heart and Stroke Statistics

Larry Husten, PHD

Once again, statistics on the cardiovascular health of the United States portray a complicated picture of improvement and decline. On the one hand, deaths from cardiovascular disease continue to decline. On the other hand, ominous trends, many stemming from the increase in obesity, suggest that the good news may not last much longer. The full […]

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December 14th, 2011

Study Examines New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After TAVI

Larry Husten, PHD

The broad enthusiasm for TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) as it enters the marketplace has been partially offset by concerns about an increased risk for stroke associated with the procedure. The role of one major cause of stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), has not been the subject of close scrutiny. Now a study from Quebec, published in […]

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December 13th, 2011

Meta-Analysis Finds No Danger for PCI Performed at Centers Without Surgical Backup

Larry Husten, PHD

On-site surgical backup for PCI has long been mandated by guidelines, though its necessity in the modern era has been questioned, and the most recent PCI guidelines published last month lack a specific recommendation about surgical backup. Now a large meta-analysis, published in JAMA, suggests that PCI performed without surgical backup may be safe. Examining data […]

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December 12th, 2011

Large Analysis Confirms Safety of ADHD Medications

Larry Husten, PHD

The cardiovascular safety of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) drugs has been uncertain. Now a large new study published online in JAMA provides reassurance that the drugs are safe. Laurel Habel and colleagues analyzed data from more than 440,000 adults, including 150,359 users of ADHD medications, and matched nonusers and found “no evidence of an increased risk of […]

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December 9th, 2011

FDA Advisory Panel Votes Against Implantable CardioMEMS HF Pressure Measurement System

Larry Husten, PHD

Members of the FDA Circulatory System Devices Panel on Thursday recommended against approval of the implantable CardioMEMS HF Pressure Measurement System. Although panel members agreed that the device was safe by a 9-1 vote, they voted 7-3 that the device had not been shown to be effective and 6-4 that the benefits did not outweigh the risks. […]

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