January 28th, 2013
Getting a Read on St. Jude Leads: An Interview with Robert G. Hauser
Robert George Hauser, BS MD and John Ryan, MD
The researcher and EP who first documented problems with St. Jude next generation leads reacts to the FDA’s recent letter to the company and explains what he is doing for patients who have received these devices.
January 22nd, 2013
Trials of Niacin and AF Device Will Headline American College of Cardiology Program
Larry Husten, PHD
Two big trials will highlight this year’s American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting in March in San Francisco. First is the PREVAIL trial testing Boston Scientific’s long-anticipated Watchman left atrial appendage closure device for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Second is the detailed presentation of the controversial failed HPS2-THRIVE trial of extended-release niacin and laropiprant. The […]
January 17th, 2013
Revisiting Novel Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation
John Ryan, MD and Christian Thomas Ruff, MD, MPH
Two experts discuss the evolving landscape of novel anticoagulants for patients with AF. Do you agree with their perspectives? What questions do you have? What has your experience taught you?
January 16th, 2013
FDA Releases Warning Letter to St. Jude About ICD Leads
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA on Tuesday released the full text of a warning letter sent last week to St. Jude Medical. The company had previously disclosed the existence of the letter in an SEC filing but did not make clear the full extent of the FDA warning. The letter from the FDA is the latest in a series of setbacks and challenges […]
January 14th, 2013
Atrial Fibrillation Linked to Increased Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death
Larry Husten, PHD
Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is well known to be associated with an increase in the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease, a similar association with sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been suspected but not demonstrated in the past. Now, a new study examining data from two large population studies offers evidence that AF is […]
January 11th, 2013
You Know You Need a Pacemaker When…
Shengshou Hu, M.D.
Wes Fisher shares a handy tool for identifying whether one needs a pacemaker.
December 28th, 2012
FDA Approves Eliquis (Apixaban) for Stroke Prevention in AF
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA has finally approved apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer) to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The action comes after the widely-anticipated drug had been plagued by delays at the FDA but well before the PDUFA deadline of March 17, 2013. Eliquis is the latest member […]
December 8th, 2012
ECG Screening via iPhone — Game Changer or Just a Game?
Shengshou Hu, M.D.
Thoughts from Dr. Wes about the strengths and limitations of AliveCor’s ECG Case for iPhone, newly approved by the FDA
November 7th, 2012
Better Evidence, More Comparators Needed in Device Research
Sanjiv Shah, MD
Rita Redberg expands on her research letter in the current JAMA critiquing the lack of good comparative effectiveness data for new, high-risk medical devices.
November 6th, 2012
A New Era in ICD Therapy — Get with the Programming!
Arthur J. Moss, MD
The principal investigator of the MADIT-RIT trial comments on the clinical implications of his study group’s research.
NEJM Journal Watch — Recent Cardiology Articles- To Lower Stroke Risk in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation, Is a Device or a Medication Better?
- Intensive vs. Standard Blood Pressure Lowering in Patients with Diabetes
- Anticoagulation in Patients with Cancer-Associated Pulmonary Embolism: How Long is Long Enough?
- Spironolactone Use After Percutaneous Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction
- CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing for Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy